From the Chief Editor’s Desk

The glory of mankind is the story of transition from unknown to known. The history of human civilization is replete with accumulation and assimilation of ideas, information, experiences, experiments and wider exposures. In the era of neoliberalism and global capitalism, the horizon of knowledge is expanding at a break necking pace. The greatest challenge of current affairs of the UPSC Main Examination is to know something about everything systematically instead of knowing everything about something.

In the era of information revolution we won’t have time to waste time. The book “SAMIKSHA – An analysis of Current Affairs” is a genuine endeavour to cover different arenas of change of UPSC Civil Service Examination. Our learned team of authors and resource persons have taken at most care to cover the exhaustive Current Affair in a crispy format Hope our relentless effort shall bear fruit by catering to the needs of aspirants.

I specially thank Mr. Chiranjeevi Gurana for his invaluable compilation, analysis and coverage of current events from 6th July 2015 to 10th November 2015.

Finally let me take this opportunity to thank my entire General Studies team for their continuous support. -Srikanth Vinnakota

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronics, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information, neither publisher nor any of its employees accept any responsibility for any error or omission. “SAMIKSHA” assumes no responsibility for statements and opinions advanced by the authors.

INDEX NATIONAL ...... 1 - 49  Law Commission of India report on Early Childhood Development and  India’s population crosses 127-crore Legal Entitlements [9] mark [1]  No death penalty except for terror  Cabinet approves setting up of crimes: Law Commission [11] National Investment and Infrastructure Fund [1]  NITI Aayog workshop on “Transforming Urban India: Developing Smart and  Cabinet nod for Consumer Protection Sustainable Cities” [12] Bill 2015 [1]  21st Law Commission of India [12]  Centre inks peace accord with Naga insurgent outfit [2] ‘Project Nilgiri’: free Wi-Fi services at railway stations. [13]  Union Cabinet approved direct release of wages into bank accounts  India behind in achieve U.N. of MNREGA workers [2] Millennium Development Goals [14]  Telecom Ministry launches mobile  Mihir Shah Panel formed to app ‘Disha’ to promote digital literacy restructure water agencies [15] in Bihar [3]  Expert committee report on tackling  Rural job scheme empowered cyber crimes [15] women: NCAER [3]  Hybrid Vacuum Toilets on Indian  Indian Railways signed 4 MoUs with trains [15] Union Ministries of Power and New  Trust Fund for Empowerment of & Renewable Energy [4] Persons with Disabilities [16]  Salient feautres of MOUs; MOU  Draft of revised Plan Scheme for between MOR & MOP and between Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour [17] MOR and BEE [5]  Government issued new guidelines to  PM Narendra Modi launched a new foreign medical colleges to stick to campaign Start-up India, Stand up norms [17] India [6]  Centre puts the brakes on JNNURM  Union Government launched web research projects, capacity-building portal Vidya Lakshmi for Students [17] Seeking Educational Loans [6]  ‘Green Fund’ for transform 96,000 km  RGI released Census 2011 on NHs as ‘Green Corridor’ [18] Population by Religious Communities [6]  NITI Aayog constituted Expert Panel on Land Leasing  Union Cabinet approved Amendments [19] to the Arbitration and Conciliation  NSSO 68th round on education and Bill, 2015 [7] vocational training [20]  Union Cabinet approves amendments  Child Marriage Act applies on Muslims in the Central List of Other Backward also: Gujarat HC [21] Classes [8]  Government notifies ‘Mid-Day Meal  NITI Aayog launches second version Rules, 2015’ under National Food of India Energy Security Scenarios Security Act [22] 2047 [9]

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 1 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDEX  India unveils climate change plan  Union Ministry for Minority Affairs [23] launches Nai Manzil Scheme in Patna [38]  Cabinet nod for 3 more AIIMS-like institutions [24]  Union Government launches School Nursery Yojana [39]  Health Ministry issues draft Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation)  50 additional working days in drought Bill [24] affected areas under MGNREGA [39]  SC Bench strikes down NJAC Act as ‘unconstitutional and void’ [27]  Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission for transform rural areas as  Modifications in the National Blood sustainable spaces [41] Policy (NBP), 2002 [28]  Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra  Amendments of 2005 removed Kalyan Yojana [42] discrimination against women [28]  Government launches KISAN Project  Lighthouses to be developed as tourism hubs via PPP mode [29]  Government clears first batch of AMRUT projects for 89 cities in AP,  Revised Draft National Civil Aviation Gujarat and Rajasthan [43] Policy-2105 [30]  CMs’ Sub-Group of NITI Aayog report  Domestic air traffic threefold to 218 on rationalization of CSS [44] million by 2025: ‘Maximising the contribution of aviation to the  Cabinet clears Ujwal DISCOM economy’ Report [33] Assurance Yojana [47]  T.S.R. Subramanian panel on new  President launches IIT-IISc joint education policy [33] initiative ‘IMPRINT India’ on research [48]  Government forms inter-ministerial committee to review drug pricing  Prime Minister launches gold policy [34] monetisation schemes [48]  Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee INDIA AND WORLD ...... 50 - 84 report [34]  India and Asia & Oceania  Government set up Empowered PM Modi visit to Uzbekistan [50] Committee to approve schemes under the Nirbhaya [36]  PM Modi visit to Kazakhstan [51]  0.5 percent Swachh Bharat Cess on  PM Modi visit to Turkmenistan [52] all services [37]  PM Modi visit to Kyrgyzstan [53] GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND  PM Modi visit to Tajikistan [55] INITIATIVES [37]  Cabinet approves utilization of India’s  Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan [37] capital contribution to the SAARC  PM launches Deendayal Upadhyay Development Fund for Economic and Gram Jyoti Yojana [38] Infrastructure Windows [56]  Government launches ‘SAMANVAY’ for  First India-Myanmar Joint Gram Panchayats [38] Consultative Commission meet: New Delhi [56]

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 2 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDEX  Union Cabinet approves MoU of India, India and North & South America [72] Nepal for construction petroleum  India and U.S signs MoU on pipeline [57] Cooperation to Establish the PACE  India, Bangladesh signed MoU to Setter Fund [72] tackle the menace of fake Indian  First U.S.-India Strategic and currency notes [57] Commercial Dialogue [72]  India, Australia signed MoU on  U.S., India sign $3-bn defence deal cooperation in fields of education, for Apache, Chinook helicopters [76] training and research [58] India and Europe [76]  Australian panel gives conditional nod for N-deal with India [59]  PM Modi visit to Ireland [76]  Ausindex15: first bilateral maritime  India and Germany signed 18 MoUs exercise of India and Australia [59] and two loan agreements [77]  EKUVRIN: Sixth India-Maldives joint India and World Bank [78] military exercise [60]  India & World Bank signed agreement  Cabinet clears sign of Mutual Legal of US$ 308.40 Million for NCRMP-II Assistance Treaty between India and India and Asian Development Bank [79] Maldives [60]  India signed a loan agreement with  Sri Lankan Prime Minister visit to ADB for National Urban Health India [60] Mission [79]  Fourth edition of Sri Lanka-India  India and ADB loan agreement for Exercise (SLINEX):2015 [61] upgrade tourism infrastructure and  India and Combodia inks on MoUs on services in Punjab, Uttarakhand and tourism and Mekong-Ganga initiative Himachal Pradesh [79] [61]  India signed US$ 273 million loan  India and Laos inks two MoUs on air agreement with Asian Development services and agriculture sector [61] Bank [80]  President of India state Visit to Miscellaneous [80] Jordan [62]  Cabinet gave its approval for notification of Preferential Treatment  President Pranab Mukherjee state to LDCs in Trade in Services in WTO visit to Palestine [63] [80]  President Pranab Mukherjee state  First U.S.-India-Japan Trilateral visit to Israel [65] Ministerial dialogue: New York [81]  Fifth India- China ‘Hand in Hand’  First BRICS ministerial meet on counter-terrorism exercises [66] migration -2015: Sochi [82] India and Africa [68]  BRICS inks for supporting multilateral  India, Egypt signed two MoUs on R&D Projects [83] bilateral cooperation [68]  Third India-Africa forum summit: New Delhi [68]

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 3 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDEX INTERNATIONAL ...... 85 - 127  8th edition Global Innovation Index (GII) 2015 [101]  7TH BRICS Summit 2015: Ufa city, Russia [85]  United Nations’ State of Broadband Report 2015 [102]  15 th SCO Summit 2015: Ufa city, Russia [87]  EU heads of state meet on migration and refuses crisis [105]  Millennium Development Goals Report 2015 [88]  UN General Assembly adopts ‘Transforming Our World: the 2030  Iran reaches historic nuclear deal Agenda for Sustainable Development [89] and Global Goals’ [107]  U.N. Security Council adopted  World Bank raised international resolution on Iran’s nuclear poverty line to $US 1.90 [108] programme deal [90]  G4 summit: calls for time-bound U.N.  Kazakhstan became 162th member of reforms [109] WTO [91]  U.S. Reaches Trans-Pacific  UNO members reached agreement on Partnership Trade Deal With 11 sustainable development agenda Pacific Nations [111] [91] Operation Sophia: EU Mission against  Russia bids at U.N. for vast Arctic human smugglers and traffickers in the territories [92] Mediterranean Sea [112]  Egypt unveils $9-bn ‘new Suez Canal’  China reopens its border trading post [93] with Nepal [113]  48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meet:  Pakistan, Russia sign pact for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [93] construction of North-South gas pipeline [114]  Nepal inks breakthrough pact on new Constitution [94]  Barack Obama nods for lifting sanctions on Iran [114]  China, Pakistan signed deals worth 1.6 billion US dollars to implement  Global status report on road safety CPEC [94] 2015: WHO [115]  3rd G20 Finance Ministers and  Trident Juncture 2015: NATO shows Central Bank Governors meeting: off its military muscle in 30-nation Ankara, Turkey [95] exercise [116]  China takes steps to fine-tune  World’s Women 2015: Trends and Economy [98] Statistics report: UN [117]  Like-Minded Developing Countries  China inks with UK to invest in new (LMDCs) meet on Climate Change: UK nuclear plants [122] New Delhi [98]  EU and Balkan nations agreed to  U.N. adopts text-based negotiations on adopt a 17-point plan on managing council reforms [100] flows of migrants [123]  Pakistan sets target to generate  UNGA adopted a draft resolution for 40,000 MW nuclear energy by 2050 the abolition of nuclear arms [123] [101]  Nobel prizes 2015 [124]  Ramon Magsaysay Award 2015 [127] ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 4 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDEX ECONOMY ...... 128 - 156  India- third largest base in global startup space [147]  India and U.S signes Inter- Governmental Agreement to  World Bank report: ‘Migration, implement FATC Act [128] Remittances, Diaspora and Development Brief’ 2015 [148]  WTO strikes ‘landmark’ deal to cut tariffs on IT products [128]  NITI Aayog panel report on innovation and entrepreneur friendly ecosystem  Lok Sabha passes Negotiable to drive job growth [149] Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015 [128]  ‘Doing Business report 2016- Measuring Regulatory Quality and  India’s 7 per cent in April-June Efficiency’: World Bank [151] quarter: remains fastest growing major economy [129]  Justice RV Easwar committee to simplify the Income Tax Act, 1961  RBI proposes formula to calculate [153] Base Rate [129]  Finance Ministry launches ‘e-Sahyog’  Union Cabinet approves introduction pilot project to reduce Income-Tax of the Sovereign Gold Bonds and Gold compliance cost [153] Monetisation Schemes [130]  RBI allows NRIs to subscribe to  RBI guidelines on gold deposit National Pension System [154] scheme [133]  RBI issues revised and uniform  Centre to exempt foreign firms Internet Banking for Cooperative covered by double taxation treaty Banks [155] [135] SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND  Forward Markets Commission and ENVIRONMENT ...... 157 - 176 the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) merged as unified  India launches Satellite-based regulatory body [135] navigation system- GAGAN [157]  RBI fourth bi-monthly monetary  Akash Air Defence missile system policy: 2015-16 [136] inducted into Indian Air Force [157]  WTO Annual Report: 2015 [140]  PSLV C-28 launches five U.K. satellites [158]  Global Competitiveness Report-2015: World Economic Forum [142]  CSIR-NEERI develops E-Nose for Environmental Monitoring [158]  RBI relaxes norms for FPI investment in government debt  Cryogenic engine of C25 Stage tested [144] successfully [159]  IMF Global Financial Stability Report:  NASA deploys new system to avoid 2015 [145] traffic jams around Mars [159]  Vodafone wins Rs. 3,700 cr. transfer  Marketing of Bio-fuel Blended HSD pricing case [146] in selected retail outlets [160]  Fiscal balance turns surplus after 8  Government launches “Sehat” years [146] telemedicine initiative [160]

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 5 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDEX  ISRO successfully launches GSAT-6  Evidence of liquid water on Mars: communication satellite [160] NASA [170]  Sale of Diclofenac banned in multidose  China launches 20th Beidou vial for human use [161] navigation satellite [171]  Apoorva and C-421 Coast Guard ships  WHO removes limitations on HIV commissioned into services [162] treatment [171] Workshop on Climate Change Mitigation  Torpedo launch and recovery vessel in Urban Sector- Environmental ‘INS Astradharini’ commissioned into Guidelines for Buildings [162] Indian Navy [172] · Eleventh edition of National Health  NASA outline of its plans to send Profile (NHP) 2015 [163] humans to Mars [172]  Draft of Encryption policy [164]  China launches Tianhui-1C mapping satellite  China successfully debuts its Long [173] March 11 rocket [167]  India test-fires BrahMos Supersonic Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards-2015 Cruise Missile successfully [174] [168]  Sixth UNEP Emissions Gap Report-  PLSV-C30 successfully launches 2015 [174] India’s first dedicated astronomy  Indian astronomers detect dying research satellite- ‘Astrosat’ [168] giant radio galaxy [175]  Nuclear weapons-capable strategic missile Agni-IV test-fires successfully [176]

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ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 6 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL India’s population crosses 127-crore help restart the investment cycle. The fund will mark have an initial corpus of 20000 crore rupees According to National Population Stabilisation which can be leveraged by infrastructure Fund (NPSF), on the World Population Day 11 July companies. NIIF objective is to boost 2015, India recorded a population of 127, 42, infrastructure development in the country and 39,769, which is growing at a rate of 1.6 per cent to provide equity support to non-banking a year and17.25 per cent of the global population. financial companies and institutions set up to National Population Stabilisation Fund (NPSF), fund infrastructure projects across sectors. an autonomous body under the Union Health NIIF is proposed to be set up as a Trust which Ministry. would raise debt to invest in the equity of Noting that India’s population was growing at a infrastructure finance companies such as faster rate than China, which is now the world’s Indian Rail Finance Corporation (IRFC) and most populous country at around 1.39 billion, National Housing Bank (NHB). could make the country the most populous in the Government contribution would not exceed 49 world by 2050. NPSF has raised concerns about per cent of the subscribed capital of NIIF, so that over-population related problems, if the rate it can be seen as a sovereign fund and take persists. independent decisions on its planned Decline in fertility rate investments. According to data from NPSF, the total fertility The mandate of the NIIF would include rate (TFR) in India has seen a decline and stood investment in commercially viable and stalled at 2.3 in 2013 although the decline is not projects. It would also consider ‘nationally consistent. The data suggests that a high important projects’, especially in the percentage of female (21-26 per cent) are married manufacturing sector, if commercially viable. below 18 years of age in States like Rajasthan, The fund was proposed by the Union Finance Jharkhand and Bihar. Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget 2015-16. Age at marriage has a significant influence on Cabinet nod for Consumer Protection TFR, particularly in countries where childbearing Bill 2015 occurs within marriage. A country where age at marriage is high, fertility is generally observed The Cabinet has approved the Consumer to be low because of the reduced number of Protection Bill 2015; on 30 July 2015. The bill women at risk of childbearing. envisages a regulatory authority to curb unfair The population of India, at 1.21 billion as per the trade practices, along the lines of those in place 2011 Census, is almost equal to the combined in the U.S. and Europe for the fast-tracking of population of the U.S., Indonesia, Brazil, consumer grievances. The new bill will provides Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan put together. for a comprehensive framework for protection The population of several States match, and in of consumer interest and will replace the some cases, exceeds that of several large Consumer Protection Act, 1986. countries. For example, the population of U.P. is The decision comes against the backdrop of almost that of Brazil, the fifth most populous emergence of complex products and services in country in the world. the era of growing tele-marketing, multi-level marketing, direct selling and e-commerce Cabinet approves setting up of National business in India that has rendered consumers Investment and Infrastructure Fund vulnerable to new forms of unfair trade and Union Cabinet on 29 July 2015 approved setting unethical business practices such as up of National Investment and Infrastructure misleading advertisements. Fund (NIIF) to back new and stressed projects may

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 1 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL Key provisions signed a landmark peace accord on 3 August  The ‘Central Consumer Protection 2015. The signing of the pact is the end of over Authority’ (CCPA) will establish as an 80 rounds of negotiations that spanned 16 years executive agency. The authority will with first breakthrough in 1997 when ceasefire intervene when necessary to prevent agreement was sealed. However, NSCN- consumer detriment arising from unfair Khaplang (NSCN-K), the faction of the NSCN and trade practices and to initiate class action Khole-Kitovi (KK) and Reformation (R). including enforcing recall, refund and Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland return of products. (NSCN-IM) is a Naga, one of the largest  The bill has provisions for “product liability” insurgent outfits, operating in Northeast India. if product/services cause personal injury, The NSCN-IM has been demanding a unified death or property damage and will take Naga identity and a separate ‘Nagalim’ State for action against defaulting manufacturers or over six decades. service providers. The details of the accord were not  The bill proposes “mediation” as an released by the government, and there is no alternative dispute resolution mechanism clarity on the “sovereignty clause,” being for speedy disposal of court cases. The demanded by the insurgent group. They have mediation will be under the aegis of signed a ceasefire agreement with the consumer courts. government till April 27, 2016.  The bill also has several provisions aimed Union Cabinet approved direct release at simplifying the consumer dispute of wages into bank accounts of resolution process in the consumer fora. MNREGA workers They include enhancing the pecuniary The Union Cabinet on 5 August 2015 approved jurisdiction of the Consumer Grievance release of wages directly to the accounts of the Redress Agencies, power to review their own workers engaged under the Mahatma Gandhi records by the state and district National Rural Employment Guarantee Act commissions. (MGNREGA). The move is aimed at further  The bill also has a provision for setting up streamlining the fund flow system and to of a ‘circuit bench’ to facilitate quicker empower state governments or grass-root disposal of complaints and there is an implementation agencies to deliver enabling provisions for consumers to file entitlements as per the objectives of the Act. complaints electronically and file As per the scheme, the wage component complaints in consumer courts that have of MGNREGA will be released following the State jurisdiction over the place of residence of Employment Guarantee Fund window directly to the complainant. the worker’s accounts. The transfer will be based  The complaints will be deemed as on a fund transfer order to be generated by admissible if the question of admissibility states’ implementing agencies in accordance is not decided within 21 days. with procedures prescribed by Rural  The Bill also provides for stringent penalty, Development Ministry. including life imprisonment in certain The proposed system would benefit all cases. stakeholders and improve overall efficiency of Centre inks peace accord with Naga implementation. The scheme will also ensure insurgent outfit bring greater transparency in movement of Union Government and the National Socialist funds and lesser levels of corruption in MNREGA. Council of Nagaland Isak-Muivah (NSCN (I-M)) The gram panchayats would also be empowered

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 2 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL to take up work according to the agreed labour workers and authorised ration dealers in all the budget, without struggling for release of funds. States/UTs across the country. After this scheme the state governments would be able to spend more time in planning and improving the process efficiency, without bothering to manage funds for implementation of scheme, while the Central government would gain by releasing what is actually expendable. Despite implementation of the electronic fund management system (e-FMS), delays in payments have been increasing due to delays in release of funds by Central government, multi-level release system, continued parking of funds at various levels and inability of implementation agencies to get funds in time The training is conducted in collaboration with for payment. Intel, which is working with the Common The scheme, therefore, called for further steps Service Centres (CSCs) for the purpose of digital to improve the system to assure timely literacy in India. So far Intel has trained over availability of funds as per demand. 200 Dalit women. Telecom Ministry launches mobile app Rural job scheme empowered women: ‘Disha’ to promote digital literacy in NCAER Bihar The new research of National Council of Applied Telecom Ministry launched a new mobile app Economic Research (NCAER) has found that- named Disha to promote digital literacy in Bihar The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural on 10 August 2015. The app aims to help people Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) learn about computers and Internet through self reduced poverty by up to a third, gave a large learning modules and to offer digital literacy to number of women their first opportunity to earn tribal and Dalit women in the state. income in cash, reduced reliance on Disha Handbook moneylenders, and did not significantly affect The Ministry also launched Disha handbook that rural wages. has pictographic lessons on computers The Ministry of Rural Development and operations. The Disha handbook is framed by the the National Council of Applied Economic Common Service Centres (CSCs) for the purpose Research (NCAER) on Wednesday released a new of digital literacy. report, which used data from two rounds of the The book was composed to ensure that anyone India Human Development Survey (IHDS) — with little or no digital literacy can also learn 2004-05 and 2011-12 — conducted by the NCAER using this book. This initiative is aimed at and the University of Maryland. Over 26,000 spreading digital literacy in women from tribal rural households nationwide were interviewed and Dalit background in Bihar. both times. Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA) Poverty reduction The Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA) mission Comparisons of the two rounds of the survey was launched on 21 August 2014 with an aim to found that the programme reduced poverty provide digital literacy to non IT literate citizens. overall by up to 32 per cent and prevented 14 The scheme imparts IT training to 52.5 lakh million people from falling into poverty. Besides persons that include Anganwadi and ASHA economic growth, the MGNREGS also played a

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 3 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL significant role to overall poverty reduction Unmet demand during this period. “These findings clearly show that there is a The numbers show that the MGNREGS large unmet demand for MGNREGS work” due is likely to have had a much smaller impact on to paucity of funds at the level of the rural job market and rural wages than is implementation and erratic fund flows, commonly believed. At an all-India level, the particularly in 2014-15, had affected both average days worked under the MGNREGS are demand and supply. fewer than four, pointing to the relatively small Indian Railways signed 4 MoUs with impact of the scheme on the overall rural job Union Ministries of Power and New market. & Renewable Energy Further, the report says that “On the On 12 August 2015, the Indian Railways signed surface, the MGNREGS has virtually no impact four Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) on rural employment patterns since it fails to with Union Ministry of Power and Union add to the number of days that individuals work. Ministry of New & Renewable Energy for But it seems to attract individuals who were Cooperation in areas of electricity previously employed in less productive work, transmission, energy conservation and thereby raising their incomes”. promotion of renewable Energy in a time bound Wages unaffected manner. These MoUs are following- Overall, the report noted that, while the period  MoU for co-operation in the area of from 2004-05 to 2011-12 saw a sharp rise in rural Electricity and Energy Conservation wages, the MGNREGS played only a modest role between Ministry of Power and Ministry of in the increase of wages. The United Nations Railways to share knowledge on various Development Programme also released a review developments in the power sector to on Wednesday of recent research studies on the reduce the cost of power to Railways. MGNREGS. It found that the scheme’s uptake  MoU between Ministry of Railways and was far greater in the lean season that in the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy for peak agricultural season. co-operation in the Renewable Energy to The part of the rural job market that the bring in a change in the energy mix & MGNREGS seemed to have a more significant Solarization of Railways. impact on was female work. About 45 per cent of  MOU between Ministry of Railways and female workers were either not working or Bureau of Energy Efficiency for co- worked only on a family farm in 2004-05, operation in the area of Energy indicating that the scheme “may well be the first Conservation to identify technologies to opportunity many women got to earn cash further improve efficient utilization of income.” Energy on Railways. Women have better say  MOU between Railway Energy There was a substantial increase in women’s Management Company Limited and Energy control over resources, including cash in hand Efficiency Services Limited for and the likelihood of having a bank account, and implementation of Energy Conservation improvement in women’s ability to make projects over Railways to implement independent decisions about their health. energy efficient systems on Indian What holds the MGNREGS back is “work Railways. rationing” — the inability of all interested households to get 100 days of work — as a result of mismanagement or pressures, and affects the poor the most, the report said. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 4 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL SALIENT FEATURES OF MOUs: Maintenance of Renewable Energy Projects MOU between MOR & MOP and between in phased manner by optimum utilization MOR and BEE of resources of both Parties.  Implementation of Electricity & Energy  Implementation of Renewable Energy Efficiency projects for Indian Railways projects at different Indian Railways including feasibility, study, construction, premises (Railway stations, yards, offices, operation and maintenance of Electricity workshops and residential complexes & & Energy Efficiency projects in a phased other installations). manner by optimum utilization of  Both parties may also recognize the resources of both Parties. importance of available Renewable Energy  Co-operation for construction, operation resource for industrial and thermal and maintenance of transmission lines for applications. connection with Railway substation MOU between REMCL and EESL through the PSUS under the control of both  Under the MOU,EESL will undertake Energy parties and development of smart grids & Audits of Railway Building, assess potential online Load Monitoring Centers, in co- of energy savings through techno- ordination with National load Dispatch commercially viable energy efficiency Centers etc. measures as may be mutually agreeable,  Facilitating sharing of information, finalisation of Technical Specifications of experiences, knowledge and training of various energy efficient equipments such staff and officers of Railways at their own as LED Lights, Air Conditioners, Ceiling cost on identified subjects or through fans, Water pumps, Automatic Power Factor organization of joint workshops, Correction panels, Compressors etc. to be conferences and seminars etc. deployed in the relevant projects & assist  Exchange of Scientific and Technological in procurement on competitive bidding information and data, training of scientific basis as per public procurement norms and technical personnel’s, implementation ensuring the technical performance of of joint research or technical projects for newly installed equipments as per design achieving energy conservation on Indian specifications to provide the following Railways. services to Zonal Railways on  Co-operation in implementation of energy remuneration basis. conservation projects for targeted  To spread awareness of LED bulbs, achievement of energy savings over Indian arrangements made by Electrical Energy Railways and development of long term Management Directorate, Railway Board road map. with Energy Efficiency Services Limited for  Replacement with energy efficient distribution of 7 watt LED bulb for Railway equipments and technology innovation on employees under their Demand Side non-commercial basis for encouragement Management based Efficient Lighting to Zonal Railways on energy conservation program (DELP). measures. Highlights of the MoUs  Finalization of concept of papers on present  Implementation of Electricity & Energy technologies and their usages in Railways. Efficiency projects for Indian Railways MOU between MOR and MNRE including feasibility, study, construction,  Conceptualization, structuring, operation and maintenance of Electricity implementation, Operation and & Energy Efficiency projects in a phased

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 5 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL manner by optimum utilization of application for educational loans provided by resources of both Parties. banks as well as for government scholarships.  Co-operation for construction, operation and Vidya Lakshmi Portal is a first of its kind maintenance of transmission lines for portal providing single window for Students to connection with Railway substation through access information and make application for the PSUs. Educational Loans provided by Banks as also  Facilitating sharing of information, Government Scholarships. The Portal has the experiences, knowledge and training of staff following features: and officers of Railways at their own cost  It provides information about educational on identified subjects or through loan schemes of banks organization of joint workshops,  Common educational loan application form conferences. for students  Exchange of Scientific and Technological  It has facility to apply to multiple banks for information and data, training of scientific educational loans and technical personnel’s, implementation  It allows banks to download students’ loan of joint research for achieving energy applications and upload loan processing conservation on Indian Railways. status PM Narendra Modi launched a new  It offers students to email grievances/ campaign Start-up India, Stand up queries relating to educational loans to India banks The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August  It has dashboard facility for students to 2015 launched a new campaign Start-up India, view status of their loan application Stand up India to promote bank financing for  It provides linkage to national scholarship start-ups and offer incentives to boost portal for information and application for entrepreneurship and job creation. The government scholarships. initiative is aimed at encouraging This initiative aims to bring on board all Banks entrepreneurship among the youth of India. providing Educational Loans. As per the initiative, each of the 1.25 RGI released Census 2011 on lakh bank branches should encourage at least Population by Religious Communities one Dalit or tribal entrepreneur and at least one The Registrar General and Census woman entrepreneur. Under this initiative, in Commissioner of India (RGI) on 25 August 2015 addition to existing systems to facilitate start- released the data on Census 2011 on ups, loans would also be given to help people. Population by Religious Communities. The This initiative will give a new dimension to distribution is total population by six major entrepreneurship and will help set up a network religious communities namely, Hindu, Muslim, of start-ups in the country. Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain besides Other Union Government launched web Religions and Persuasions and Religion not portal Vidya Lakshmi for Students stated. The decadal growth rate of six main Seeking Educational Loans communities is at lowest it has ever been in The Union Government on 15 August 2015 India’s history for all religions. launched a web portal named Vidya Lakshmi As per the Census 2011, the Total Population (www.vidyalakshmi.co.in) for the benefit of in 2011 was 121.09 crores. Here is the list of students seeking Educational Loans.It is the first Population by Religious Communities based on portal of its kind that provides single window for Census 2011: students to access information and make

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 6 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL Religion Population Though there is the decadal increase in share Hindu96.63 crores (79.8%) of Muslim population, however, their growth Muslim 17.22 crores (14.2%) rate is lower than the previous decade 1991- Christian 2.78 crores (2.3%) 2001. Sikh 2.08 crores (1.7%) Union Cabinet approved Amendments Buddhist 0.84 crores (0.7%) to the Arbitration and Conciliation Jain 0.45 crores (0.4%) Bill, 2015 Other Religions The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister & Persuasions 0.79 crores (0.7%) Narendra Modi on 26 August 2015 gave its nod Religion Not Stated 0.29 crores (0.2%) for amendments to the Arbitration and Proportion Conciliation Bill, 2015. The amendments are The proportion of Hindu population to total based on the Law Commission’s population in 2011 has declined by 0.7 recommendations of 246th reports and percentage point (PP) while the proportion of suggestions received from stakeholders. Sikh population has declined by 0.2 PP and the The Union Government has decided to Buddhist population declined by 0.1 PP during amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, the decade 2001-2011. 1996 by introducing the Arbitration and The proportion of Muslim population to Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the total population has increased by 0.8 PP. There Parliament. These amendments will help India has been no significant change in the proportion to become a hub of International Commercial of Christians and Jains. Arbitration. Growth Rate The salient features of the amendments are The growth rate of population in the as under: decade 2001-2011 was 17.7 percent. The growth  In order to ensure neutrality of arbitrators, rate of population of the different religious it is proposed to amend Section 12 to the communities in the same period was- Hindus effect that when a person is approached in at 16.8 percent; Muslim at 24.6 percent; connection with possible appointment of Christian at 15.5 percent; Sikh at 8.4 percent; arbitrator, he shall disclose in writing Buddhist at 6.1 percent and Jain at 5.4 percent. about existence of any relationship or The Muslim population grew at a faster interest of any kind, which is likely to give rate than the Hindu population, but the gap rise to justifiable doubts. Further, if a between the two growth rates is narrowing fast. person is having specified relationship, he The data shows that between 2001 and 2011, shall be ineligible to be appointed as an Hindu population grew by 16.76 percent, while arbitrator. population of Muslims grew by 24.6 percent. The  Insertion of a new provision that the population of both communities grew much Arbitral Tribunal shall make its award faster during the 1991-2001 with Hindus at within a period of 12 months. Parties may 19.92 percent and Muslims at 29.52 percent. extend such period up to six months. The Muslim community has registered Thereafter, it can only be extended by the a moderate 0.8 percent growth to touch 17.22 Court, on sufficient cause. The Court crore between 2001 and 2011, up from 13.8 crore while extending the period may also order between 1991-2001, while Hindus population reduction of fees of arbitrator(s) not showed a decline by 0.7 percent at 96.63 crore exceeding five percent for each month of during the period. delay, if the court finds that the

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 7 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL proceedings have been delayed for reasons empowered to grant, under Section 9 and attributable to the arbitral tribunal. If the such order shall be ‘enforceable in the award is made within a period of six months, same manner as if it is an order of Court. arbitrator may get additional fees if the Background: parties may agree. The Government of India has under its  It is proposed to insert a provision for fast consideration proposals for making Arbitration track procedure for conducting arbitration. a preferred mode for settlement of commercial Parties to the dispute may agree that their disputes by making it more user-friendly and dispute be resolved through fast track cost effective. This will lead to expeditious procedure. Award in such cases shall be disposal of cases. The Govt. of India is given in six months period. committed to improve its legal framework  Amendment of Section 34 relating to grounds relating to Arbitration. The Law Commission for challenge of an arbitral award, to restrict of India in its 246th Report has recommended the term ‘Public Policy of India” (as a ground various amendments in the Arbitration and for challenging the award) by explaining that Conciliation Act, 1996, so that India may only where making of award was induced or become a hub of International Commercial affected by fraud or corruption, or it is in Arbitration. contravention with the fundamental policy Union Cabinet approves amendments of Indian Law or is in conflict with the most in the Central List of Other Backward basic notions of morality or justice, the award Classes shall be treated as against the Public Policy The Union Cabinet on 26 August 2015 approved of India. the amendments in the Central List of Other  A new provision to provide that application Backward Classes (OBCs) in respect of two to challenge the award is to be disposed of by States Gujarat and Uttarakhand for making the Court within one year. suitable amendments in the Central List of  Amendment to Section 36 to the effect that OBCs. The amendments were approved mere filing of an application for challenging following the advices received from the National the award would not automatically stay Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). The execution of the award. Award can only be commission has been included castes/ stayed where the Court passed any specific communities - Sipai, Patni Jamat or Turk order on an application filed by the party. Jamat (all Muslims) in Gujarat and Kahar,  A new sub-section in Section 11 to be added Tanwar Singhariya in Uttarakhand in the to the effect that an application for Central List of OBCs appointment of an Arbitrator shall be The amendments will enable the persons disposed of by the High Court or Supreme belonging to these castes/ communities to Court as expeditiously as possible and an avail the benefits of reservation in Government endeavour should be made to dispose of the services and posts as well as in Central matter within 60 days. Educational Institutions as per the existing  A new Section 31A is to be added for providing policy. They will also become eligible for benefit comprehensive provisions for costs regime. under various welfare schemes, scholarships It is applicable both to arbitrators as well as being administered by the Union Government, related litigation in Court. It will avoid which are at present available to persons frivolous and meritless litigation/arbitration. belonging to the OBCs.  Section 17 is to be amended for empowering Other Backward Class (OBC) the Arbitral tribunal to grant all kinds of Other Backward Class (OBC) is a collective interim measures which the Court is term used by the Government of India to ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 8 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL classify castes which are socially and interactively make energy choices, and explore educationally disadvantaged. It is one of several a range of outcomes for the country-from carbon official classifications of the population of India, dioxide emissions and import dependence to along with Scheduled Castes and Scheduled land use. Tribes (SCs and STs). The purpose of the IESS tool is to engage various In the Indian Constitution, OBCs are described stakeholders in the country’s energy planning as “socially and educationally backward and facilitate informed debates at different classes”, and the Government of India is levels. This tool will enable policy makers and enjoined to ensure their social and educational parliamentarians make a more secure and development — for example, the OBCs are sustainable energy future for India. The tool entitled to 27% reservations in public sector allows the user develop a secure future pathway employment and higher education. The list of and suggest current policy interventions for the OBCs maintained by the Indian Ministry of same. The tool has been developed in Social Justice and Empowerment is dynamic, consultation with multiple stakeholders, such with castes and communities being added or as think tanks, industry bodies and research removed depending on social, educational and organizations. The UK Department for Energy economic factors. and Climate Change (DECC) is the initiative National Commission for Backward partner with NITI Aayog in this project. More Classes than 20 countries have now developed their The NCBC was set up in pursuance to the own energy/climate calculators, such as China, Supreme Court judgement in the Indra Bangladesh and South Africa Sawhney case as per the NCBC Act 1993. The It will support the Government’s vision Commission examines requests for inclusion of achieving power for all and 175 GW of of any class of citizens as a backward class in renewables by 2022, rural electrification and the lists and hears complaints of over-inclusion reducing import dependency. It will enable or under-inclusion of any backward class in such policy makers and parliamentarians make a lists.It tenders advice to the Union Government more secure and sustainable energy future for as it deems appropriate; and the advice of the India. Commission is ordinarily bound upon the Union Law Commission of India report on Government. Early Childhood Development and NITI Aayog launches second version Legal Entitlements of India Energy Security Scenarios The Law Commission of India on 27 August 2047 2015 submitted the 259th report titled Early NITI Aayog on 27 August 2015 launched the Childhood Development and Legal Entitlements second version of the India Energy Security to the Union Law Ministry. The report Scenarios 2047 (IESS 2047). The open source examined the present constitutional, legal and web based tool aims to explore a range of policy framework including international potential future energy scenarios for India, for agreements and conventions related to early diverse energy demand and supply sectors childhood and presented suggestions to improve leading up to 2047. It explores India’s possible conditions of children under age of 6 years. energy scenarios across energy supply sectors The development of young children is such as solar, wind, bio fuels, oil, gas, coal and increasingly being recognized as a development nuclear and energy demand sectors such as and human rights issue of critical national transport, industry, agriculture, cooking and importance. Early Childhood Development lighting appliances. The model allows users to (ECD), spanning from birth to the age of six years

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 9 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL is the period that sees the most rapid growth duty is placed on every citizen “who is a and development of the entire life span. It is parent or guardian to provide opportunities during this period that the foundations of for education to his/her child or, as the cognitive, physical and socio-emotional case may be, ward under his/her care.” development, language and personality are laid.  The Right to Education Act should be made It is also the phase of maximum vulnerability mandatory and should read as follows: “with as deprivation can seriously impact a child’s a view to prepare children above the age health and learning potential. of three years for elementary education Recognizing the importance and and to provide early childhood care and relevance of ECD from the perspective of education for all children until they national and human resource development, the complete the age of six years, the Commission has suo-moto undertaken the appropriate Government shall make present study, ‘Early Childhood Development and necessary arrangement for providing free Legal Entitlements’. pre-school education for such children.” It suggests that statutory backing should be  The Maternity Benefit Act to be amended given to the existing schemes and policies in in accordance with the forward looking order to create legal entitlements in favour of provisions in the CCS Rules, whereby children. This should be coupled with an maternity benefits should be increased integrated and holistic approach to protecting the from twelve weeks to 180 days. Provision interests of the young child, keeping in mind of maternity benefits should be made the need for health, nutrition, care and obligatory on the State and not left to the education as the primary inputs for early will of the employers and should cover all childhood development. The following women, including women working in the recommendations are intended to achieve these unorganized sector. ends.  It is suggested that government  A new Article 24A be inserted to Part III of formulates policy or guidelines laying down the Constitution to ensure that the child’s minimum specifications of paid maternity right to basic care and assistance becomes leave to women employed in private sector. an enforceable right. The Article should  In order to ensure proper emphasis on the read as follows: “24A. Every child shall have promotion of early childhood development, the right to care and assistance in basic it is suggested that a statutory authority needs and protection from all forms of or Council for Early Childhood neglect, harm and exploitation”. Development should be created. The  In order to extend the right to education to powers and responsibilities of the Council children in the under-6 age group as well, should be specified by law. Similar Article 21A of the Constitution should be Councils should be established at State amended to read as follows: “The State shall Level as well. The Council must be made provide free and compulsory education to all responsible for laying down minimum children in such a manner as the State may universal standards for quality of services, by law determine.” facilities and infrastructure to be put in  The fundamental duty of the parent or place across all schemes and provisions guardian to provide education should not be relating to early childhood. applicable only to children between the ages  With regard to NFSA, there is need for of six and fourteen. Article 51 A (k) of the evolving guidelines or some methods for Constitution should be amended so that the identification of children suffering from malnutrition and for referring such ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 10 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL children to appropriate healthcare related offences and “waging war” against India providers. It is suggested that some in its 262nd report submitted to the provision be brought so that the nutrition government. recommendations in Schedule II of the The Law Commission’s recommendations to NFSA could be regularly revised in keeping phase out the death penalty are in stark with the latest scientific studies based on contrast with its previous recommendations. calorific value, age, sex and food items. In 1962, the commission, in its 35th report said  Provision should be made for the training “To allow such persons (convicts awarded capital of teachers to provide pre-school education, punishment) to live would be like leaving wolves and there should be a budgetary allocation alive in a civilized country.” to fund training programs for the same to The commission explaining the reason ensure quality standards and a proper for its recommendation, “Although there is no implementation of the best methods of valid penological justification for treating promoting play and learning. terrorism differently from other crimes,  It is suggested that every child under six concern is often raised that abolition of death should have an unconditional right to penalty for terrorism related offences and crèche and day care provided, regulated and waging war will affect national security”. operated by the State. The provision of The commission expressed the hope that crèches should be made the responsibility its report would contribute to a more rational, of the State, not of the employer, especially principled and informed debate on the abolition in the unorganised sector. of the death penalty for all crimes. It also hoped As per the 2011 Census, India has 158.7 million that the “movement towards absolute abolition children in the age group of 0-6 years, will be swift and irreversible.” comprising about 16% of the total Indian The law panel noted that numerous population. In the period 2008-2013, 43% of committee reports and Supreme Court India’s children under 5 were underweight and judgments had acknowledged that the criminal 48% had stunted growth. According to a World justice system in the country “is in deep crisis.” Bank Report published in 2013, the mortality Lack of resources, outdated modes of rate of children under 5 years of age is 53 per investigation, over-stretched police force, 1000 live births and according to a 2013 UNICEF ineffective prosecution and poor legal aid were Report, more than 60 million children under 5 some of the problems besetting the system. are stunted. Sadly, India has ranked at 112th Death penalty operates within this context and position in 2012 in the Child Development Index. therefore suffers from the same structural and However, the State’s response to the problem systemic impediments. The administration of has been slow so far. It was only as a response capital punishment thus remains fallible and to rising voices demanding greater attention vulnerable to misapplication. from the State on the issue of ‘Early Childhood It also explained “The vagaries of the Development (ECD)’ that the Government came system also operate disproportionately against out with the ‘Nation Early Childhood Care and the socially and economically marginalised who Education (ECCE) Policy, 2013’. may lack the resources to effectively advocate No death penalty except for terror their rights within an adversarial criminal crimes: Law Commission justice system.” The 20th Law Commission of India, headed by Further, the commission says the mercy former chief justice of the Delhi high court Ajit power conferred on the President and the Prakash Shah, has recommends the abolition Governors under Articles 72 and 171, of death penalty for all crimes except terrorism- respectively, had failed to serve as the final ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 11 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL safeguard against miscarriage of justice in the In 1980, the apex court in Bachan Singh imposition of the death sentence. The SC had versus State of Punjab abolished the mandatory repeatedly pointed out gaps and illegalities in death penalty in cases of murder and said a how the executive had discharged its mercy death sentence cannot be awarded except in powers. “rarest of rare” cases. In recent past Supreme The commission has also taken into Court adopts the “rarest of rare” doctrine in account various corollary issues, such as mercy awarding the death penalty. petitions by death row convicts and inadvertent India has ratified the International delays in the judicial process, to recommend Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which abolition of death sentence. requires parties to abolish the death penalty. Commission chairman Ajit Shah also NITI Aayog workshop on noted that “The president of India, in considering “Transforming Urban India: a mercy petition, is constitutionally obligated to Developing Smart and Sustainable not deviate from the advice of the council of Cities” ministers. There have been occasions where the NITI Aayog organised a workshop titled president has refrained from taking any decision “Transforming Urban India: Developing Smart altogether on the said mercy petition, thus and Sustainable Cities” on September 2, 2015 keeping the matter pending. A death row at India International Centre in New Delhi. The convict’s fate in matters of life and death may Centre for Study of Science, Technology and not only depend on the ideology and views of the Policy (CSTEP), Bengaluru was the knowledge government of the day, but also on the personal partner for this event. views and belief systems of the president.” A report proposing a Reference Further the commission said, the Framework for Smart Cities, prepared by CSTEP, continued administration of the death penalty Bengaluru, was also released at this event. The raised issues of miscarriage of justice, errors Report proposes a reference framework for as well as the plight of the poor and smart cities that offers directions for disenfranchised in the criminal justice system. sustainable ways of city planning to both “The idea of the death penalty has in its core practitioners and theorists. The Framework is taking of life as punishment. The opposition is based on the following four guiding principles: to that idea and not to the idea of due and just 1) Well-being; 2) Equity; 3) Efficiency; and punishment, including punishment of 4) Foresight. These guiding principles have been imprisonment for life”. derived from the United Nation’s (UN’s) draft Deterrence was a myth, and retribution Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The could not be reduced to vengeance, it observed, Framework primarily aims to crystallise future even as the restorative and rehabilitative pathways for smart city development in India. aspects of justice were lost sight of. The workshop was participated by In addition, the commission said to the various from various stakeholders viz State principle of reformation for the convict, the report Governments, Union territories, Urban Local recommended greater rehabilitative and Bodies (ULBs), Central Government Ministries, restorative justice for the victims of crime. experts, academia and industry in the “Victims should not be made to accept the idea workshop. The participants ideated on some of of death penalty as the only measure of justice”. the critical aspects that enhance the quality of Commission chairperson A.P. Shah clarified life in a city and make a city sustainable and that the recommendations are not for immediate therefore, smart. As the Smart Cities Mission action, but meant to start a dialogue with the and Atal Mission for Urban Rejuvenation and legislature to move towards abolition. Transformation have been recently launched, ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 12 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL it was emphasised that the Centre and States Ministry of Law & Justice (Department of will work together to take these forward. Ministry Legal Affairs); of Urban Development and NITI Aayog will e) Preparing and submitting to the Central facilitate the States in implementing these Government, from time to time, reports on Missions. all issues, matters, studies and research 21st Law Commission of India undertaken by it and recommending in The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime such reports for effective measures to be Minister, has given its approval on the taken by the Union or any State; and Constitution of the 21st Law Commission of f) Performing such other functions as may India, for a period of three years from 1st be assigned to it by the Central September 2015 to 31st August, 2018. The 21st Government from time to time. Law Commission will consist of - a full-time Before concretizing its recommendations, the Chairperson; four full-time Members (including Commission will consult the nodal Ministry/ a Member-Secretary); Secretary, Department of Departments and such, other stakeholders as Legal Affairs as ex off do Member; Secretary, the Commission may deem necessary for the Legislative Department as ex offcio Member; and purpose. not more than five part-time Members. Background The Law Commission shall, on a The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory reference made to it by the Central Government body constituted by the Government of lndia or suo-motu, undertake research in law and from time to time. The Commission was review of existing laws in India for making originally constituted in 1955 and is re- reforms therein and enacting new legislations. constituted every three years. The tenure of It shall also undertake studies and research for the 20th Law Commission was up to 31st bringing reforms in the justice delivery systems August, 2015. The various Law Commissions for elimination of delay in procedures, speedy have been able to make important contribution disposal of cases, reduction in cost of litigation towards the progressive development and etc. codification of laws of the country. Law The other functions of the Law Commission Commissions have so far submitted 262 reports. shall, inter-alia, include:- ‘Project Nilgiri’: free Wi-Fi services at a) Identification of laws which are no longer railway stations. relevant and recommending for the repeal Google and Indian Railways have partnered of obsolete and unnecessary enactments; together to create ‘Project Nilgiri’ that will b) Suggesting enactment of new legislations deliver Wi-fi access to around 400 railway as may be necessary to implement the stations across India. Google has collaborated Directive Principles and to attain the with RailTel for the platform and infrastructure objectives set out in the Preamble of the to get started with the project. Constitution; Under this initiative, in phase 1 free Wi-Fi c) Considering and conveying to the services will be provided to passengers in 400 Government its views on any subject railway stations across the country. Users will relating to law and judicial administration be able to access high speed internet for the that may be specifically referred to it by the first 30 minutes by using One Time Password Government through Ministry of Law and (OTP) generated for this purpose. After 30 Justice (Department of Legal Affairs); minutes, the speed will drop and become slow. d) Considering the requests for providing The project employs Google’s Fiber technology research to any foreign countries as may under which the company provides internet be referred to it by the Government through services up to a speed of 1 Gbps. Google Fiber ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 13 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL was launched in 2010 and the service is As per the data, India has managed to halve available only in the USA. poverty rates from the 1990 levels, ensure Currently, companies like MTS and Oxygen gender parity in primary school enrolment, provide Wi-Fi connectivity at railway and metro reversed incidence of HIV/AIDS, and reduced stations in urban regions but this is sporadic malaria and TB deaths. and not uniform Pan India, the endeavour by However, India continues to lag behind Google will change this completely. At present, in checking maternal mortality and child Indian railways provides Wi-Fi connectivity in mortality to expected levels. It has failed to moving trains for select routes like Rajdhani address prevalence of hunger as well. As per express using satellite communication the Census 2011 report, 89 million children in technology. Google in phase 2 expansion plans the age group 0-3 were malnourished, with 35.6 to provide Wi-Fi on board moving trains Pan India million among them underweight. The failure using cutting edge technology. to improve access to sanitation, with half of the country’s households lacking a latrine, remains a major concern as well. Even in areas where India claims to be close to meeting its targets, such as reversing the incidence of malaria and TB, the disease burden continues to be high in terms of absolute numbers. As the year book shows, 1.8 million persons develop TB every year, and until recently, 3.7 lakh persons died annually, or 1,000 persons every day. Another target was to achieve a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by 2020. But, the India behind in achieve U.N. report shows that it is not “statistically Millennium Development Goals discernible” if the target was met. As per the According to the Statistical Year Book of the Census 2011, a 37.14 per cent decadal growth Ministry of Statistics and Programme was observed in the number of slum Implementation (MoSPI) that is overseeing households, making it a significant challenge progress on the MDGs, shows that only six of the for the country. 18 targets adopted as part of the eight goals in According to reports, regarding in other 2000 have been fully met. Another report brought two targets of environmental sustainability and out by the U.N. Economic and Social Commission partnerships for development, India is on track for Asia and the Pacific shows that India has met with other countries. only four of the eight MDGs. India is not on track MDGs to meet the Millennium Development Goals, the The Millennium Summit in September 2000 deadline for which is 2015. the largest gathering of world leaders adopted The key targets for the MDGs were halving the UN Millennium Declaration, committing poverty, ensuring universal primary school their nations to a new global partnership to enrolment, attaining gender parity, cutting reduce extreme poverty and setting out a series maternal mortality rates by three-fourths, of time-bound targets, with a deadline of 2015, cutting child mortality by two-thirds and reducing known as the Millennium Development Goals. incidence of HIV/AIDS, among others. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are the world’s time-bound and ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 14 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL quantified targets for addressing- Eradicate and give suitable recommendations on all Extreme Hunger and Poverty; Achieve Universal its facets. Primary Education; Promote Gender Equality 2. Recommending possible partnerships with and Empower Women; Reduce Child Mortality; Public and Private Sector, NGOs, Improve Maternal Health; Combat HIV/AIDS, International Bodies and International Malaria and other diseases; Ensure NGOs. Environmental Sustainability and Develop a The expert panel suggested to establishment of Global Partnership for Development. They are an Indian cyber crime coordination centre with also basic human rights-the rights of each following features- person on the planet to health, education,  It will monitor, analyze and counter cyber shelter, and security. crimes and facilitate online reporting of Mihir Shah Panel formed to cyber offences. restructure water agencies  It will have real-time analytics of various The Ministry for Water Resources has categories of cyber crimes along with their constituted a seven-member committee led by place of origin and incidence of occurrence. former Planning Commission member Mihir  It will facilitate India’s cooperation from Shah to restructure the Central Water global internet giants like Google, Commission (CWC) and the Central Ground Facebook, etc that having servers abroad Water Board (CGWB) to encourage optimal in tackling crimes such as child development of water resources in the country. pornography and fake identity. With most Indian rivers found to be polluted as  Besides a national coordination agency at per a Central Pollution Control Board the centre it will have branches in states assessment, the move holds the potential to help and UTs. revive rivers in a big way. The committee is  It will be synced with the national expected to submit its report in three months. intelligence grid (NATGRID) and crime and Mapping criminal tracking network system (CCTNS) The new committee will work on water resource to pick up and gather information of cyber planning, augmenting and budgeting in an crimes and analyse and predict future integrated manner. An elaborate mapping trends. exercise will be undertaken as part of river basin  It will be set up under the Ministry of Home planning, which will include mapping and Affairs (MHA) with an estimated cost of 500 characterising of aquifers. Besides, stocktaking crore rupees. of rainfall flows, rate of groundwater recharge, Expert Committee and exploitation or utilisation of water will also As a fast growing economy, India is more be undertaken. susceptible to International and domestic Cyber Expert committee report on tackling attacks and almost 40 percent annual increase cyber crimes in cyber crimes registered in the country during An Expert Group on tackling cyber crimes the past 2-3 years. In order to ensure Cyber submitted its report titled ‘Roadmap for Crime free environment the five member group Effectively Tackling Cyber Crimes’ in the consisting of experts and professionals was set Country after examining the global practices on up by the Ministry of Home Affairs in December cyber crime prevention to the Ministry of Home 24, 2014. Affairs (MHA) on 15 September 2015. The Expert Hybrid Vacuum Toilets on Indian Group was set up with the main objective of: trains 1. Preparing a Road Map for effectively Indian Railways on 18 September 2015 tackling the Cyber Crime in the country announced that it has developed a prototype of ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 15 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL Hybrid Vacuum Toilet. It is hybrid because the journey times as long as 72 hours and generally design is based on both vacuum toilets and over 50 passengers per coach, it is nearly biotoilets. It was installed in the Delhi-Dibrugarh impossible to hold the human waste in Rajdhani train on trial basis. Minister of retention tanks on trains that travel such long Railways has made a statement in the Budget distances. Also, the stationary facilities for Speech 2015 that Indian Railways shall fit evacuation of these holding tanks need to be Vacuum toilets on trains. maintained very carefully and meticulously or Development Cell of the Railway Board else their malfunction will render the entire has come up with a design that combines the train’s toilets unusable. The Municipal advantages of Vacuum toilets and those of Corporations at cities where these ground- Biotoilets to create a new design of “Hybrid handling facilities are to be created have to be Vacuum Toilet”. A prototype has been made by taken into confidence to allow one-shot rapid modifying the standard flushing protocol of a discharge of human waste of an entire train vacuum toilet so as to create water seal and into their sewer systems, which may not be additional post flush cycles and this concept has possible at all stations due to constraints in been converted into a working prototype by existing sewer system that are already in place. Indian Railways as a first ever system of its kind By transferring the discharge of the to have been developed and built by any railway vacuum toilets into biodigester, the need to system in the world. create separate ground handling installation The prototype consists of a custom and creating additional sewer load on the designed Vacuum toilet adapted from a Municipal Corporation will be done away with. commercially available vacuum toilet that is Trust Fund for Empowerment of used in aircrafts which evacuates its discharge Persons with Disabilities into a biodigester tank which is now successfully The Trust Fund for Empowerment of Persons proven in the biotoilets of Indian Railways. The with Disabilities, under the Department of biodigester tank is fitted underneath the coach Empowerment of People with Disabilities and contains anaerobic bacteria that converts (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and human fecal matter into water and small amount Empowerment (MOSJ&E), signed a of gases before discharging the same on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ground/track. New India Assurance Company Limited on 21 Typically, a conventional toilet or September 2015. The MoU aims at providing Biotoilet uses 10 – 15 liters of water per flush an affordable health insurance, Swavlamban whereas the vacuum toilet consumes only appx. Health Insurance Scheme, for the Persons with 500 ml of water for flushing. Water is a very Disabilities (PwDs) and to improve the general precious natural resource therefore this health condition & quality of life of persons with innovation shall save water to the tune of at disabilities. least 1/20th of the quantity that is used in the The insurance scheme will provide current design of biotoilets/conventional toilets. comprehensive cover to the PwD beneficiary, Further, in foreign countries where the train spouse and two children. The insurance will coaches that are fitted with Vacuum toilets, have a single premium across age band. It can there is a “retention tank” underneath the coach be availed by the beneficiary aged between 18 that holds all the human waste that is flushed years and 65 years with family income of less out by the toilet. These are very large tanks that than 300000 rupees per annum. The scheme need to be evacuated at the terminals stations. will also provide health insurance cover of up Since Indian Railways trains traverse to 200000 rupees per annum as family floater. the length and breadth of the country with ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 16 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL Under the MoU, the New India Assurance ‘screening test.’ Clearing the FMGE is Company Limited will build a network of mandatory by all the foreign-educated Indian hospitals to provide cashless treatment to the doctors if they wish to practice in India. The insured. The scheme will be implemented guidelines issued by the Government of India through active participation of the National recently indicate that continuous recognition Institutes and Composite Regional Centres for of the foreign medical colleges by the MCI will Persons with Disabilities (CRC’s) under the depend on the ‘quality’ of the graduates they DEPwD, MOSJ&E. produce. Draft of revised Plan Scheme for As per the existing guidelines, Indian Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour students opting to study medical education The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment abroad have to choose the institutions on 22 September 2015 released the draft of recognised by the MCI and those joining the Revised Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme for unrecognised institutions will not be eligible to Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour. The revised appear for the FMGE, conducted by the National scheme seeks to address anomalies associated Board of Examination. Moreover, they have to with the original scheme of 1978 like low obtain the Eligibility Certificate from the MCI rehabilitation package, lack of provisions for before taking admission. special category beneficiaries, lack of The guidelines have also suggested to monitoring, etc. the MCI that it obtain an undertaking from the Revised Features candidates that they have been given full and  It will be a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) correct information by the college or university unlike the original scheme which is a concerned about the tuition fee, facilities, Central Sponsored Scheme (CSS). Hence, curriculum of the course, language of the Union Government will bear the entire instruction, faculty, hostel facilities and monthly expenditure under the scheme. living expenses.  The rehabilitation package will be 1 lakh The onus is also put on the aspiring rupees per adult male beneficiary. For medicos to ensure they pass out from the same special category beneficiaries such as institution where they take admission. Further, young children including orphans, girl child the new norms also advise foreign medical rescued from beggar rings and forced universities to select Indian candidates prostitution the package will be of 2 lakh themselves and not through agents. rupees. For disabled people the package Centre puts the brakes on JNNURM will be 3 lakh rupees. research projects, capacity-building  The amount of assistance for survey of The Urban Development Ministry has asked 36 bonded laborers shall be 4.50 lakh rupees States to terminate their research and capacity- per sensitive district. The expenditure on building measures under the Jawaharlal Nehru awareness generation will be to the tune National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), a of maximum 10 lakh rupees per state. move that will roll back the achievements of the Government issued new guidelines to scheme launched by the UPA government and foreign medical colleges to stick to render it defunct. norms Under the JNNURM, the State Foreign medical colleges stand to lose governments established Reform and recognition from the Medical Council of India Performance Management Cells (RPMCs), a body (MCI) if Indian students admitted in them of experts to guide municipal bodies in urban ‘repeatedly’ fail to clear the Foreign Medical planning. The first outcome of the decision will Graduate Examination, popularly known as the be closing of RPMCs, though the Central ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 17 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL government has invested Rs. 43 crore in them. ‘Green Fund’ for transform 96,000 And then the States will have to fire several km NHs as ‘Green Corridor’ hundred employees — researchers, municipal The government is planning to create a “Green engineers, sanitary workers and computer Highways Fund” under its ambitious policy to operators — and abandon a big line of research transform India’s 96,000 km network of projects. National Highways under which it will be In a circular released on August 14, the mandatory to set aside 1 per cent of the total Ministry’s message was blunt that “no road project cost(TPC) for plantation and its structures of earlier missions will be supported.” maintenance. This fund will be transferred to It also directed the States to wrap up “individual” NHAI to maintain a separate fund account training programmes. In the early 2013, the called ‘Green Highways Fund’ only for this Congress-led government realised that it could purpose. NHAI will act only as a Fund Manager implement an ambitious scheme like the for maintaining the account and releasing JNNRUM only if the municipal bodies were payments based on recommendation of efficient. concerned officials and agencies. So the idea of capacity-building became The Road Transport and Highways a buzzword in the Ministry, which was quickly Ministry is formulating the “Green Highways embraced by the BJP-led government, which (Plantation & Maintenance) Policy -2015” to included it in the Smart City Mission and the develop eco-friendly NHs with the participation Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban of community, farmers, NGOs, private sector, Transformation (AMRUT). government agencies and the Forest Since urbanisation experts were always Department. NHAI will act only as a Fund consistent in their demand for fixing the Manager for maintaining the account and municipalities nationwide, the Congress-led releasing payments based on recommendation government included RPMC in the JNNRUM to of concerned officials and agencies. allow the States to hire experts in town The government plans to create a planning, infrastructure development, solid brigade of 1,000 contractors to fulfill this waste management, procurement and ambitious task, the cost of road construction information technology. Their main job was to comes to around Rs 1 lakh crore, Rs 1,000 crore conduct research, understand shortcomings of will go for plantation. Planting trees in any cities and help mayors and commissioners in particular area will depend on the soil planning and raise funds from private investors. suitability there; besides climate and success JNNURM stories like Alphanso can be planted in Konkan JnNURM was a huge mission which in Maharashtra. The new green policy will help relates primarily to development in the context create jobs and contribute to the economic of urban conglomerates focusing to the Indian growth. cities. JnNURM aims at creating ‘economically The government has also laid down productive, efficient, equitable and responsive strict targets for the companies growing and Cities’ by a strategy of upgrading the social and maintaining trees. The minimum survival economic infrastructure in cities, provision of rate is 90 per cent. Only after reaching this Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP) and wide- level, a company will get the required money ranging urban sector reforms to strengthen from the Ministry in the next year. municipal governance in accordance with the The government is concentrating on 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. working with green contractors, separate from the brick and mortar ones. The projects will also be awarded on small stretches of 8-10 km. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 18 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL Pilot projects, to be carried out in each State; Besides, the Aayog also extended the will first take place where there has been a tenure of the Task Force on Agriculture good response from the local community. Development up to October 2015. It was formed The Indian road network of 33 lakh kms is the to frame policy recommendations in areas such second largest in the world and consists of about as land, national common market, crop prices, 96,000 kms of NHs, which constitute only 1.7 fertiliser use, seeds and genetically modified per cent of the road network but carry about 40 (GM) technology and agrarian distress. Task per cent of the total road traffic. force, which was constituted in 16 March 2015 NITI Aayog constituted Expert Panel under the chairmanship of NITI Aayog Vice on Land Leasing Chairman Arvind Panagariya, was supposed to Agriculture Division of National Institution for finalise its report by 31 August 2015. Transforming India (NITI) Aayog has Background constituted an Expert Group on Land Leasing, The meeting held under the chairmanship of besides extending the task force on agriculture Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, on 24 August 2015 development up to October, 2015. The expert agreed that land leasing, updating of land group will be headed by former Commission for records and land titling would be key steps for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) chairman all affected parties and expressed keen interest T Haque. in making progress on them in the months to The committee comprises of members come. from Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Though many state governments had Maharashtra, Assam, Rajasthan, Meghalaya enacted land leasing laws post-independence, and Joint Secretary HS Meena from the 10- “these laws heavily discouraged leasing and sub- member committee was formed in pursuance leasing of land”. to decision taken in the meeting held under At present, the tenant lacks the security the chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI of tenure, which discourages him from making Aayog, on 24 August 2015Department of Land long-term investments in land. The land owner Resources. While JP Mishra, the Adviser feels a sense of insecurity when leasing land (Agriculture) in NITI Aayog will act as the so that they often choose to leave their land member secretary. fallow rather than lease it. A transparent land- Terms and references leasing law would allow the potential tenant or • To review the existing agricultural sharecropper to engage in enforceable contracts tenancy laws of states, including hilly with the landowner, which would benefit both. states and schedule areas. Some states have already moved in the • It will examine the distinctive features of direction of creating transparent land leasing land system in erstwhile zamindari, laws while others have made substantial ryotwari and mahalwari areas. progress towards digitization of land records and • It would also suggest appropriate their integration of registration system,” this amendments, keeping in view the need to work needed to be speeded up. legalise and liberalise land leasing for Similarly, land ownership in the country much needed agricultural efficiency, is “presumptive” and can “be challenged in the equity, occupational diversification, and court any time”, several experts have argued rapid rural transformation. that a move towards conclusive land titles would • It will also prepare a model agricultural improve incentives for land improvements and land leasing act in consultation with farmers’ access to credit. To reach this point, states. however, it is necessary to computerize and

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 19 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL integrate land records and registration, and  Literacy rate among persons of age 7 years update surveys and settlement records. and above was 74.7 percent in 2011-12 of Some states, Telangana, Gujarat, which 70 percent were in rural areas and Haryana, Punjab and Kerala, have already moved 86 percent in urban areas. in the direction of creating transparent land-  The male and female literacy rate in rural leasing laws while others have made substantial areas was 79.1 percent and 60.6 percent progress towards digitization of land records and respectively. In urban areas, the literacy their integration of registration system. rates were 91.1 percent for males and 80.3 The NITI Aayog meeting comes after a percent for females. parliamentary panel, constituted in May to iron  Among persons of age 15 years and above, out differences over the 2015 land acquisition only 2.4 percent had technical degrees or bill that seeks to replace the 2013 land diplomas or certificates. The proportion acquisition law, is struggling to forge a was 1.1 percent in rural areas and 5.5 consensus. The panel—which was to have percent in urban areas. presented its report in 21 July, the first day of Current attendance in educational the monsoon session of Parliament—will now institution among persons of age 5-29 years present its report in the winter session due in  About 57.7 percent of people in the November-December. age group 5-29 years were estimated The government is seeking to amend the as ‘currently attending’ educational 2013 law as it sees the legislation responsible institutions.  In rural areas, 57.4 for holding up economic growth. The 2013 law, percent of the persons of age 5-29 years which had replaced another dating back to 1894, currently attended educational has stringent provisions on gaining the consent institutions compared to 58.5 percent in of farmers. It also mandates a social impact urban areas. assessment that industry says prolongs the  Among persons of age 5-29 years, about process of acquisition 64.5percent were currently attending NSSO 68th round on education and ‘Government and local body educational vocational training institutions’, 22.5 percent were currently National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) on 22 attending private unaided institutions and September 2015 released the data of 68th Round 12.3 percent were currently attending on Status of Education and Vocational Training private aided institutions. in India. This report is based on the  ‘To supplement household income’ was employment and unemployment survey the main reason for more than 70 conducted in the 68th round of NSS during percent of males for currently not July 2011 to June 2012. The survey was attending any educational institution. spread over 12737 FSUs (7469 villages and 5268  ‘To attend domestic chores’ was the single urban blocks) covering 101724 households reason for more than half of females not (59700 in rural areas and 42024 in urban areas) attending any educational institution. and enumerating 456999 persons (280763 in  About 27 percent in rural areas and 26.4 rural areas and 176236 in urban areas). percent in urban areas reported that they Literacy rates: never attended any educational  18.2 percent of households in rural areas institution as ‘education not considered and 5.9 percent in urban areas do not have necessary’. a single literate member in the age-group  About 3.6 percent in rural areas and 3.4 15 years and above who could read and write percent in urban areas reported that they a simple message with understanding. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 20 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL never attended any educational institution work’ (32.2 percent) while among the as the schools were too far. urban females it was the highest for  In rural areas 24.7 percent of males computer trades’ (30.4 percent). and 28.4 per cent of females and in Child Marriage Act applies on Muslims urban areas, 22.9 percent of males and also: Gujarat HC 29 percent of females reported the The Gujarat High Court, on 25 September 2015, reason ‘education not considered ruled that the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, necessary’ for never attending educational 2006, will apply on the Muslim persons too. The institution. court also underlined that in cases of minor  Among males, nearly 25 per cent in rural Muslim girls, provisions of the Child Marriage areas and 33.2 per cent in urban areas Act will prevail over the provisions listed in the reported the reason ‘to supplement Muslim personal laws. The ruling was household income’ pronounced by the High Court single-judge  Among females, nearly 29.3 percent in bench of Justice JB Pardiwala in its verdict of rural areas and 28.1 percent in urban the case pertaining to a “marriage” involving a areas reported the reason ‘to attend minor girl from the Muslim community. domestic chores’ for never attending Yunush Shaikh (28), a resident of educational institution. Ahmedabad city, had moved High Court seeking Vocational Training among persons of age 15- to set aside an FIR registered against him for 59 years an alleged abduction and rape under the IPC  Among persons of age 15-59 years, about and related offenses under the provisions of 2.2 percent reported to have received formal Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, vocational training and 8.6 percent reported 2012 (POCSO). 28 years old Shaik had eloped to have received non-formal vocational and married a 16 years old girl from his training. neighbourhood after which the girl’s father had  In rural areas, nearly 1.6 percent of males lodged a complaint against him. compared to 0.9 percent of females and in During the course of hearing, Shaikh urban areas, nearly 5 percent of males had argued that Child Marriage Act won’t apply compared to 3.3 percent of females reported to him as he would be governed by the Muslim to have received formal vocational training. Personal Law. Rejecting his argument, the  In rural areas, nearly 11.1 percent of males Gujarat High Court gave him partial relief by compared to 5.5 percent of females and in quashing the charges of abduction and rape and urban areas, nearly 13.7 percent of males those under POCSO but directed the police to compared to 4.3 percent of females reported investigate and register a case under to have received non-formal vocational Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA). He training. was also charged with an offence under Section  Among rural males who received/were 18 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual receiving formal vocational training, the Offences Act, 2012. share was the highest (22.3 percent) for While quashing the FIR, Justice JB Pardiwala field of training ‘driving and motor observed, “This, in my view, is nothing, but the mechanic work’ while among urban males lack of maturity, understanding and education it was the highest for ‘computer trades’ on the part of the girl. Sixteen years is not an (26.3 percent). age for a girl to get married”. The High Court  Among rural females, who received/were also observed that rigidity on part of Islamic receiving formal vocational training the authorities has not allowed to bringing in share was the highest for ‘textile related changes to the Muslim Personal Law. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 21 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL The High Court bench, however, also noted that improve quality of the meals as well as overall with the changing social conditions, education implementation of the Mid Day Meal Scheme and economic necessities, Muslims too “have in the country. realised evil consequences of getting a girl The salient provisions of the rules are married at a tender age of 16 or 17 years.” as under: The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 Entitlements of children: Every child within The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 the age group of six to fourteen years studying provides for the prohibition of solemnisation of in classes I to VIII who enroll and attend the child marriages and for matters connected school, shall be provided hot cooked meal having therewith or incidental thereto. It extends to the nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12 gm whole of India except the State of Jammu and of protein for primary and 700 calories and 20 Kashmir. gm protein for upper primary free of charge every This Act replaces the Child Marriage day except on school holidays. The place of Restraint Act, 1929 by repealing it. As per the serving meals to the children shall be school act, the age of marriage for boys is 21 and for only. girls, it is 18 and any marriage of people below Implementation of the Scheme: Every school this age will be considered as a child marriage shall have the facility for cooking meal in which is illegal, an offence and is punishable hygienic manner. Schools in urban area may under the law. use the facility of centralised kitchens for Government notifies ‘Mid-Day Meal cooking meals wherever required in accordance Rules, 2015’ under National Food with the guidelines issued by the Central Security Act Government and the meal shall be served to The Central Government notified ‘Mid Day Meal children at respective school only. Rules, 2015’ on September 30th, 2015. The Responsibility of School Management National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA, 2013) Committee: The School Management contains provisions related to welfare schemes Committee mandated under Right to Free and including Mid Day Meal Scheme. In accordance Compulsory Education Act, 2009 shall also with the provisions of the Act, the Ministry of monitor implementation of the Mid-day meal HRD has finalized the MDM Rules after Scheme and shall oversee quality of meals consultation with the States and other related provided to the children, cleanliness of the Central Ministries. The Rules inter alia provide place of cooking and maintenance of hygiene for temporary utilization of other funds available in implementation of mid day meal scheme. with the school for MDM in case school exhausts Utilization of School Funds: The Headmaster MDM funds for any reason; Food Security or Headmistress of the school shall be Allowance to be paid to beneficiaries in case of empowered to utilise any fund available in non-supply of meals for specified reasons; and school for the purpose of continuation of Mid Day monthly testing of meals on a random basis by Meal Scheme in the school in case of temporary accredited Labs to check its quality. unavailability of food grains, cooking cost etc. Further, the Rules also provide that in the school. The utilised fund shall be concerned State Governments shall fix reimbursed to the school account immediately responsibility on the person or agency if meals after receipt of mid day meal funds. are not provided on 3 consecutive school days or Testing of the meals by Accredited Labs to 5 days in a month. These rules and their ensure nutritional standards : Hot cooked meal effective compliance by implementing agencies provided to children shall be evaluated and in the States will ensure better regularity in certified by the Government Food Research serving mid day meals in schools and also Laboratory or any laboratory accredited or ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 22 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL recognized by law, so as to ensure that the meal India unveils climate change plan meets with the nutritional standards and India on 2 October 2015 submitted its Intended quality. Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to The Food and Drugs Administration Department the United Nations Framework Convention on of the State may collect samples to ensure the Climate Change before international talks to nutritive value and quality of the meals. The reach a deal on tackling global warming samples shall be collected at least once in a Conference of Parties-21 (COP-21) in Paris, month from randomly selected schools or scheduled to meet in December 2015, to adopt centralised kitchens and sent for examination an environmental new protocol for post-2020 to the accredited laboratories. (post Kyoto Protocol) scenario. These INDCs are Food Security Allowance: If the Mid-Day Meal for the period between 2015 and 2030. is not provided in school on any school day due India, the world’s third biggest to non-availability of food grains, cooking cost, greenhouse gas emitter, has pledged to source fuel or absence of cook-cum-helper or any other 40% of its electricity from renewable and other reason, the State Government shall pay food low-carbon sources by 2030 with the help of security allowance by 15th of the succeeding transfer of technology and low cost international month in the manner provided herein below:- finance, including from Green Climate Fund. (a) Quantity of Food grains as per entitlement India commits to cut the “emissions intensity” of the child; and of its economy – a ratio of carbon emissions per (b) Cooking cost prevailing in the State. unit of GDP – by up to 33-35% by 2030- based on  In case of non-supply of meal by the 2005 levels—building on its Copenhagen pledge Centralised Kitchen, the Food Security of a 20-25% intensity reduction by 2020. Allowance shall be realised from the India’s population of 1.2 billion, about 363 Centralised Kitchen as stated above. million of whom live in poverty, is projected to  Provided that in case a child has not taken grow to 1.5 billion by 2030. “It is estimated that food on offer for whatever reasons, no claim more than half of India of 2030 is yet to be built,” of food security allowance shall lie with the India’s submission claimed. State Government or Centralised Kitchens: India’s submission to the UN, known as  Provided further that no claim shall lie with its Intended Nationally Determined State Government or Centralised Kitchen Contribution (INDC), focuses on clean energy, for reasons of quality of food grains and including solar power. It also promised to plant meal: more forests by 2030 to absorb carbon emissions.  The State Government shall take action to Some of the salient provisions fix responsibility on the person or agency  To put forward and further propagate a in accordance with the procedure lay down, healthy and sustainable way of living based if mid day meal is not provided in school on on traditions and values of conservation school days continuously for three days or and moderation. at least for five days in a month.  To adopt a climate-friendly and a cleaner  Wherever an agency of Central Government path than the one followed hitherto by is involved, the State Government shall others at corresponding level of economic take up the matter with Central development Government which shall resolve the matter  To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 within a month. to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030 that will translate into increase of

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 23 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL about 680 - 817 million tonne of carbon Cabinet nod for 3 more AIIMS-like stock institutions  To better adapt to climate change by The Union Cabinet on 7 October 2015 cleared enhancing investments in development proposals to set up three new All India Institutes programmes in sectors vulnerable to of Medical Sciences (AllMS) at Nagpur in climate change, particularly agriculture, Maharashtra, Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh water resources, Himalayan region, coastal and Kalyani in West Bengal under the Pradhan regions, health and disaster management. Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY) at a  To mobilize domestic and new and cost of Rs 4,949 crore. These institutions will additional funds from developed countries address regional imbalances in tertiary health to implement the above mitigation and care services. adaptation actions in view of the resource The new AIIMS will be established as required and the resource gap institutes of national importance for providing  As per preliminary estimates, 2.5 trillion quality medical education, nursing education US dollars (at 2014-15 prices) required for and also to provide tertiary healthcare facilities meeting India’s climate change actions to the people of these locations. The proposed between 2015 and 2030 institution shall have a hospital with capacity  To build capacities, create domestic of 960 beds. In addition, there shall be a framework and international architecture teaching block, administrative block, AYUSH for quick diffusion of cutting edge climate block, auditorium, nursing college, night technology in India and for joint shelter, hostel and residential facilities. collaborative R&D for such future Health Ministry issues draft Assisted technologies. Reproductive Technology (Regulation)  India also pledged to adopt a climate friendly Bill and a cleaner path to development than the The Union health ministry has issued the draft one followed hitherto by others at Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) corresponding level of economic Bill, 2014 which aims at proper regulation and development supervision of Assisted Reproductive India has explained its attitude towards the Technology (ART) clinics and banks in the environment through citing its long tradition country, and for prevention of misuse of this of a harmonious relationship between man and technology, including surrogacy, and for safe nature. “Though India is not part of the problem, and ethical practice of ART services in the it wants to be part of the solution. Our historical country.The Bill has been drafted by the Indian cumulative emission as of today is below 3%.” Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and has Mahatma Gandhi is invoked several times, been given final shape by the ministry after including his comment that “Earth has enough several years of inter-ministerial and resources to meet people’s needs, but will never government-public debates and have enough to satisfy people’s greed.” discussions.The Bill, once it gets the In addition to the above commitments, Parliament nod, will provide for a national the submission also delineated India’s ongoing framework for the regulation and supervision eco-friendly programmes and schemes- of ART clinics (better known as infertility Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, clinics) and matters connected therewith or Swachh Bharat Mission, Cleaning of River incidental thereto. Apart from putting strict projects including National Mission for Clean parameters for the establishment of an Ganga, etc. infertility clinic, the Bill also defines the

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 24 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL minimum requirement regarding staff in an Ban likely on NRIs, PIOs having children infertility clinic and minimal physical through surrogacy requirements for a clinic.The Bill will establish A blanket ban may be imposed soon on NRIs, PIOs the National Board for Assisted Reproductive and foreigners having children through Technology which will be headquartered at the surrogacy in India with the Health Ministry and department of health research, ministry of the National Commission for Women(NCW) on health and family welfare. The National Board 15 October 2015 proposing it as part of a new shall consist of a chairperson and such legislation. members not exceeding 23 who shall be The Health Ministry, which drafted a Bill appointed by the central government on the to deal with issues relating to surrogacy, has recommendations of the selection committee also agreed to suggestions by the NCW to make constituted under section 5. The Board will have legal provisions to allow single women including a nominee each from Indian professional divorcees and widows to become surrogate society concerned primarily with assisted mothers, besides setting up of a regulatory body. reproduction; National Commission for Woman; At a national consultation on the Assisted National Commission for Protection of Child Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, the Right; and a nominee from Medical Council of NCW and Health Ministry were in agreement India.The National Board will take measures that there should be a blanket ban on NRIs, PIOs to develop new policies in the area of Assisted (Persons of Indian Origins) and foreign nationals Reproductive Technology and to assist the State to have children through surrogacy in India. Boards in accreditation and regulation of The Health Ministry has also agreed to services of Assisted Reproductive Technology suggestions by NCW to make legal provisions to clinics and banks in the country.The allow single women including divorcees and government felt the need for a Bill regulating widows to become surrogate mothers, besides the infertility clinics in the wake of setting up of a regulatory body. This is very mushrooming of infertility clinics in the unfair to single women whether they are widow country since the early 80s. In the Indian or divorced. It is in a way restricting their context where barrenness is looked down upon, reproductive rights. infertile patients look up to ART as the last The other recommendations by the resort to parenthood. Many of these technologies Commission and experts include maintaining require enormous technical expertise and the anonymity of surrogate mothers and making infrastructure.But, in the absence of a provisions for intensive care and medical check- regulation, many of these clinics do not have ups for surrogate mothers. Most of the surrogate adequate trained manpower and infrastructure mothers are poor women. They face several facilities to deliver these highly sophisticated hardships during the process. These include technologies and even services provided by ambiguous contracts, health concerns, some of these clinics are highly questionable. exploitation by middle men or hospital In some cases, the infertile couples are being authorities, lack of enforceability of contract by cheated by providing relatively simple procedure mothers due to their socio-economic and charged for complicated and expensive vulnerability. procedures. By enacting a Bill, the government The Bill that stands says only ‘Indians’ wanted to control these violations.The Bill was will be allowed and not ‘of Indian origin’ The first drafted in 2010 which was revised in 2013. Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that they The Health Ministry has now sought public will make changes in the Bill and there is going opinion on the Bill before it could be finalised. to be a blanket ban on all foreign nationals and

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 25 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL NRIs, Overseas Citizens of India or Persons of In India surrogacy heralded with the India Origin. delivery of its first surrogate baby on June 23rd, Noting that unregulated surrogacy is 1994, but it took eight more years to draw world leading to human trafficking, to deal with the attention to it when an Indian woman in 2004 problem the NCW advises the Health Ministry delivered a surrogate child for her daughter in to inclusion some provisions in the new law. As the U.K. Surrogacy as a medical process has per NCW, around 30,000 illegal fertility clinics matured over the years. India has become a are operating in the country with majority of booming centre of a fertility market, partly them being located in Gujarat, Maharashtra and surreptitiously, and today there are an Delhi. The commission noted that, India was estimated 200,000 clinics across the country emerging as a surrogacy hub across the world offering artificial insemination, IVF and with a 17-20 per cent annual growth. This is a surrogacy. They call it Assisted Reproductive multi-billion dollar business in India and totally Technology (ART). unlegislative field. There is at present no law governing Background surrogacy in India, eventually the activity The advances in human reproductive sciences including renting a womb (commercial have made it possible for couples and others to surrogacy) is considered legitimate. In the have biologically their own children who absence of any law the Indian Council of otherwise cannot for a number of reasons. This Medical Research (ICMR) in 2005 issued has given rise to the concept of surrogate guidelines for accreditation, supervision and mothers. Surrogacy is a method of assisted regulation of ART clinics in India. But the need reproduction. More common form is IVF/ for legislation became pressing with ICMR Gestational surrogacy in which the surrogate guidelines being often violated and reportedly child biologically belongs completely to the social rampant exploitation of surrogate mothers and parents. The other type is gestational surrogacy even cases of extortion. where the surrogate child is genetically related At the instance of the Indian to the male parent and the surrogate mother. government an expert committee has drafted a India has emerged as a favourable legislation known as Assisted Reproductive destination for surrogacy and its Assisted Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2010 for legalizing Reproductive Technology (ART) industry has surrogacy. The proposed legislation earlier evolved into a 25-billion rupee business floated in 2008 envisages legalizing commercial annually, with Law Commission describing it surrogacy as well. It defines a ‘couple’ as two as “a gold pot”. The phenomenal rise in persons living together and having a sexual surrogacy in India has been due to it being relationship and as such, following Delhi High cheap, socially accepted. Moreover, surrogacy Court’s verdict on homosexuality, gives gays has emerged as a preferred option because of besides the singles the legal right to have complicated adoption procedures. surrogate babies. It also stipulates the age of Foreigners including NRIs seeking surrogate mother to be within 21-35 years and surrogacy for various reasons, both medical and limits her deliveries to five including her own personal, have also contributed to the rise of the children. The surrogate mother will have to Indian surrogacy industry predominantly enter into a legally enforceable surrogacy because of it being at least ten times cheaper agreement as per the proposed legislation. than in their respective countries. No statistics Foreign couples including NRIs seeking exist on the number of foreign couples coming surrogacy in India will have under the proposed to India to have a child. But ART clinics say that law to submit certificates that their country their numbers have been appreciably growing. recognizes surrogacy as legal and also that the ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 26 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL surrogate child after birth would get their the government, the Supreme Court rejected country’s citizenship. The Law Commission of the NJAC Act and the Amendment which sought India in its 228th Report on “Need for legislation to give politicians and civil society a final say to regulate assisted reproductive technology in the appointment of judges to the highest clinics as well as rights and obligations of parties courts. to a surrogacy,” has by and large supported The presiding judge of Bench, Justice surrogacy in India, but is not favourable towards J.S. Khehar, explained “It is difficult to hold that commercial surrogacy. The Commission said, the wisdom of appointment of judges can be “It seems that wombs in India are on rent, which shared with the political-executive. In India, the translates into babies for foreigners and dollars organic development of civil society has not as for Indian surrogate mothers.” yet sufficiently evolved. The expectation from There are worries too as to what impact the judiciary, to safeguard the rights of the it will have on the society in terms of citizens of this country, can only be ensured, by commercialization. Poor illiterate Indian women keeping it absolutely insulated and with the lure of money could be forced into independent, from the other organs of repeated surrogate pregnancies risking their governance”. lives. There are also ethical and moral issues But interestingly, the Bench admitted as well as the human dignity involved besides that all is not well even with the collegium questions about the rights of surrogate mother. system of “judges appointing judges”, and that As such the draft legislation on surrogacy needs the time is ripe to improve the 21-year-old to be debated threadbare in social, legal and system of judicial appointments. political circles as well as by the civil society Justice Khehar told the government, “Help us before it becomes a law. improve and better the system. You see the mind is a wonderful instrument. The variance of opinions when different minds and interests meet or collide is wonderful”. Every judge on the Bench, comprising Justices J. Chelameswar, Madan B. Lokur, Kurian Joseph and A.K. Goel, has written separate judgments explaining the debate, reasonings and individual conclusions they arrived at about the NJAC and the Constitutional Amendment. The Constitution (Ninety Ninth SC Bench strikes down NJAC Act as Amendment) Act, 2014 provides for the ‘unconstitutional and void’ composition and the functions of the proposed On 16 October 2015, the Bench five-judge NJAC. The Acts provide for a transparent and Constitution of the Supreme Court in a majority broad-based process of selection of Judges of the of 4:1 rejected the National Judicial Supreme Court and High Courts by the National Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act and the Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC). The 99th Constitutional Amendment as NJAC would be chaired by the Chief Justice of “unconstitutional and void.” It held that the India as in the earlier collegium system. The collegium system, as it existed before the NJAC, NJAC membership would include two senior would again become “operative.” most Judges of the Supreme Court, the Union Declaring that the judiciary cannot risk Minister of Law and Justice, two eminent being caught in a “web of indebtedness” towards persons to be nominated by a committee of the ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 27 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL Prime Minister of India, the Chief Justice of January 1, 1998, banned paid donation; the India, and the Leader of the Opposition in the government was mandated, under the National House of the People, or if there is no Leader of Blood Policy (2002), to phase out replacement the Opposition, then the Leader of the single donation in five years. However, since few largest Opposition Party in the House of the people donate blood regularly, hospitals ask People. family members of patients to donate blood so With a view to ensuring that the as to pre-emptively replace the blood composition of the National Judicial withdrawn from the blood bank. Appointments Commission is inclusive, the Act The National and State Blood provides that one of the eminent persons shall Transfusion Councils were established in the be nominated from amongst persons belonging 1990s to promote voluntary donations. There to the Scheduled Caste, the Scheduled Tribes, are three kinds of blood banks — government, Other Backward Classes, Minorities or Women. private and those run by NGOs. The NJAC will frame its own regulations. Other than the non-governmental blood Modifications in the National Blood banks, the rest are linked to hospitals. On Policy (NBP), 2002 paper, you can donate at any bank, though only Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has the NGOs or government-run banks are allowed made a major modification in the National Blood to conducted donation camps. Ideally, hospitals Policy (NBP), 2002 to allow blood banks to borrow should not ask for replacement donation at all. units from one another in case of a shortage. In India, NACO implements the National Blood This decision was taken as part of reforms for Safety Programme. handling of blood units in the country based on Increase the availability of essential life the recommendation of the National Blood saving medicines like immunoglobulin, Transfusion Council (NBTC). The ministry also human albumin and clotting factors which are has made modification in the policy to fix an all derived from plasma. Reduce the country’s exchange value for surplus plasma available at dependence on import of these products. It some blood banks in the country. This move will should be noted that, human blood is treated help to curb the trading or selling of surplus as a drug as per provisions of Drugs and plasma by the blood banks with proper regulatory Cosmetics Act, 1940. framework. Amendments of 2005 removed Earlier, donated blood could not be discrimination against women transferred from one bank to another. The In a verdict that can have a cascading effect government has been encouraging voluntary on matters related to partition of ancestral donation ever since. Despite getting most of our properties with regard to equal right for requirements from donors, the inability of the daughters, on 23 October 2015, the Supreme banks to lend each other surplus units was a Court has declared that the coparcener rights major hurdle. are applicable to “living daughters of living According to the Central Drug Standard coparceners as on September 9, 2005 Control Organisation (CDSCO), India has 2,760 irrespective of when such daughters are born”. licensed blood banks. A 2012 World Health The apex court was dealing with various Organisation (WHO) report estimated nine judgements of different High Courts, including million of 12 million blood units needed annually the Karnataka High Court, differing in their in India were collected through voluntary views on the applicability of the Hindu donation. Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005. A shortage of blood units has been a recurring problem since the Supreme Court, on ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 28 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL In the present amendment Act of 2005, the apex court said, “there is neither any express provision for giving retrospective effect to the amended provision nor necessary intendment to that effect.” Further SC held that “We are unable to find any reason to hold that birth of the daughter after the amendment was a necessary condition for its applicability. All that is required is that the daughter should be alive and her father should also be alive on the date of amendment”. The amendments of 2005 gave equal Contention that the amendment, being a social right to daughters in coparcener properties by legislation enacted to remove discrimination removing the discrimination that existed in the against women, should be read as retrospective original enactment, the Hindu Succession Act, cannot be accepted as even a social legislation 1956 against Hindu women on rights over cannot be given retrospective effect unless so ancestral properties. provided for or so intended by the legislature. Also, the Supreme Court declared that Lighthouses to be developed as tourism provisions of the Hindu Succession hubs via PPP mode (Amendment) Act, 2005, are applicable The Ministry of Shipping on 29 October 2015 “prospectively” [on and from September 9, 2005, announced that the Directorate General of when the Act came into force], and not with Lighthouses and Lightships has drawn up a plan “retrospective” effect as held by some High to develop 78 of the country’s 189 lighthouses Courts in the country. as tourist-friendly destinations via the PPP A bench of the apex court, comprising model. Justice Anil R. Dave and Justice A.K. Goel, in Lighthouses in Gujarat, Maharashtra, its October 16, 2015 order interpreted the Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Tamil succession law while setting aside the Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, judgment of the Karnataka High Court (Prakash West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands vs Phulavati of 2010). The Karnataka High have so far been identified for development. Court had held that daughters would be entitled Four lighthouses, in Chennai and to equal share even if the father had died prior Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu and Alappuzha to September 9, 2005 when litigations over and Kannur in Kerala, have already been partition were pending in courts. developed as tourist attractions and are seeing The text of the 2005 amendment itself substantial footfalls. clearly provides that the right conferred on a While there is investor interest in the ‘daughter of a coparcener’ is ‘on and from the project, there have been some concerns commencement of Hindu Succession expressed by investors, especially with respect (Amendment) Act, 2005. to Coastal Regulation Zone clearance, security The Supreme Court also says “In view clearance, support from Ministry of Shipping in of plain language of the statute, there is no the form of subsidy, etc. scope for a different interpretation than the one An Inter-Ministerial Group comprising suggested by the text of the amendment. An representatives of the Ministries of Shipping, amendment of a substantive provision is always Tourism, and Environment, and also of the prospective unless either expressly or by participating States will be set up to address necessary intendment it is retrospective”. these concerns and roadblocks. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 29 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL The development of these lighthouses as tourist  Concessions by different stakeholders: attractions will involve the construction of hotels 1. State Government- Provide free land and and resorts, thematic restaurants, viewing multimodal hinterland connectivity, galleries, walk-in museums and other facilities. Concessional rates of power, water and Revised Draft National Civil Aviation other utilities.VAT on ATF 1% or less in Policy-2105 RCS airports. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has released the 2. Central Govt- Service Tax on tickets under Revised Draft National Civil Aviation Policy RCS will be exempted. ATF drawn by SCA’s (NCAP 2015) on 30 October, to keep pace with from RCS airports exempt from excise the ever changing demands of the sector and duty.SCA’s to be treated at par with SOPs bringing air travel within reach of the common for customs duty. man and facilitating regional air connectivity · Cost-effective security solutions by BCAS within the country. and state government. Highlighting the salient features Scheduled Commuter Airlines (SCA) Aim of the Policy  Eligibility criteria in terms of paid-up  To provide a conducive environment and a capital to be kept at Rs 2 crore. level playing field to various aviation sub-  Aircraft with capacity of 100 seats or less. sectors, i.e Airlines, Airports, Cargo,  No restrictions on number of aircrafts. Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul  Minimum movements per week to RCS services, General Aviation, Aerospace destinations as prescribed. manufacturing, Skill Development, etc  SCA can enter into code share with other  To create an eco-system to enable 30 crore airlines domestic ticketing by 2022 and 50 crore by  Will be allowed self- handling. 2027. Similarly, international ticketing to  No airport charges on SCA for their increase to 20 crore by 2027. operations under RCS. Rationalise in other Draft Policy covers:- non- RCS airports Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)  Scheme will come into effect from 1 April  Develop India as an MRO hub in Asia. 2016  Service Tax on output services of MRO will  Airfare about Rs 2500 for a one-hour flight be zero-rated. in RCS  Aircraft maintenance tools and tool-kits This will be implemented by way of: will be exempt from Customs Duty.  Revival of un-served or under-served  Tax- free storage period of spare parts airstrips. Only 75 out of 476 airstrips/ imported by MRO’s extended for 3 years. airports have scheduled operations. Revival  To allow import of unserviceable parts by of these depending on demand. Build ‘no- MROs by providing advance exchange. frills’ airports at a cost of Rs 50 crores.  Procedures for custom clearance to be  Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for scheduled simplified. commuter airlines. VGF indexed to ATF  Clearance of the parts by allowing for self prices and inflation. VGF to be shared -attestation by the MROs. between Centre and State at 80:20.  Foreign aircraft brought to India for MRO Creation of Regional Connectivity Fund work will be allowed to stay for 6 months. (RCF) for VGF. Levy of 2% on all domestic Beyond this, with DGCA permission . and international tickets on all routes,  Persuade State Govt to make VAT zero- other than CAT IIA and RCS. rated

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 30 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL  Airport royalty and additional levies to be  Increase in FDI in airlines from 49% to rationalised in consultations with Airport above 50% if the government decides to go Operators. in for open skies Fiscal incentives Code Share  MRO, ground handling, cargo and ATF  Indian carriers will be free to enter into infrastructure co-located at an airport will code-share agreements with foreign also get the benefit of ‘infrastructure’ carriers for any destination within India sector, with benefits under Section 80-IA on a reciprocal basis. of Income Tax Act.  International code share between Indian Rule 5/20 and foreign carriers will be completely  The government invites suggestions on liberalised, subject to ASA between India three possible policy options: 5/20 Rule and the country. may continue as it is, OR 5/20 Rule will be  No prior approvals from MoCA will be abolished with immediate effect, OR : required. Indian carriers need to simply  Domestic airlines will need to accumulate inform MoCA 30 days prior to starting the 300 DFC before commencing flights to code-share flights. SAARC countries and countries beyond  A review will be carried out after 5 years to 5000 km radius from New Delhi. consider the requirement of further  They will need to accumulate 600 DFC liberalisation in code-share agreements before starting flights to the remaining and to drop the requirement of reciprocity. parts of the world. Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDG)  The DFC earned will be equal to the  Category I will be rationalized by adding Available Seat Kilometer (ASKM) deployed more routes based on transparent criteria, by the airline on domestic routes divided i.e., flying distance of more than 700 km, by 1 crore. average seat factor of 70% and annual  All domestic airlines will required to earn traffic of 5 lakh passengers. at least 300 DFC per annum in order to  The percentage of Category I traffic to be maintain their international flying rights. deployed on Category II, IIA and III will  Free to re-deploy their excess capacity remain the same. (above 300) between domestic and foreign  Revised categorization will apply 12 months operations and also trade them. after date of notification. Bilateral Traffic Rights  Review of routes under different categories  Liberalise regime of bilateral rights. will be done by Ministry of Civil Aviation  Open sky on reciprocal basis with SAARC (MoCA) once every 5 years. countries and countries beyond a 5000 km  Airlines may change routes in Category II radius from New Delhi. and III with a 30 days prior intimation to  For countries within 5,000 kms where MoCA and DGCA. domestic airlines have not fully utilised  Prior permission of MoCA required for their quota, additional seats above existing withdrawal of existing operations to and rights would be allotted by bidding for a within N.E region, Islands and Ladakh. three year period, proceeds of which will Airports go to RCF.  MoCA will continue to encourage  Open skies for countries within 5000 kms development of airports by the State will be considered with effect from 1 April Government or the private sector or in PPP 2020. mode.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 31 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL  MoCA will endeavour to provide regulatory Such employment contracts will be for a certainty. period of at least one year.  The capital expenditure of all future Aviation Security greenfield and brownfield airport projects  Ministry will develop ‘service delivery promoted by AAI in PPP mode will be modules’ for aviation security, monitored closely by AAI. Immigration, Customs, quarantine  Tariff at all future airports will be calculated officers etc in consultations with on a ‘hybrid till’ basis. respective Ministries/Departments.  MoCA will explore ways to unlock the  The Government will encourage use of potential land use by liberalising the end- private security agencies at airports for use restrictions for existing (excluding PPP) non- core security functions which will be and future airports of AAI and future airport decided in consultation with MHA. projects under PPP.  Private security agencies will comprise Airport Authority of India retired personnel from military and para-  AAI will continue to modernize airports and military forces. BCAS will provide scope of upgrade quality of services. work and norms.  AAI will maintain an ASQ rating of 4.5 or  Security auditors of BCAS will carry out more across all airports with throughput regular and surprise audits with the above 1.5 mppa and ASQ rating of 4.0 or power to penalize and blacklist the errant more for the rest. agencies  AAI may be suitably compensated in case Helicopters a new greenfield airport is approved in  Government will support growth of future within a 150 km radius of an helicopters for remote area connectivity, existing operational AAI airport (not intra-city movement, tourism, law applicable to civil enclaves). Alternatively, enforcement, disaster relief, medical give option to have the right of first refusal evacuation, etc. or equity participation up to 49% in the new  Separate regulations for helicopters will airport at its discretion. be notified by DGCA by 1 April 2016, after  AAI will continue to provide necessary due stakeholder consultation. financial support and facilitate  The government will facilitate the technological upgradation of ANS to keep development of four heli-hubs initially. pace with the global best practices.  Helicopters will be free to fly from point to Ground handling point without prior Air Traffic Control (ATC)  There will be at least three Ground clearance in airspace below 5000 feet and Handling Agencies (GHA) including Air outside ATC control areas and areas other India’s subsidiary/JV at an airport. than prohibited and restricted ones, after  Domestic airlines and charter operators filing the flight plan with the nearest ATC will be free to carry out self-handling office. themselves or through their subsidiaries Cargo or to outsource the same to other airlines  The Air Cargo Logistics Promotion Board or to a GHA. (ACLPB) will submit a detailed action plan  Ground handling staff will have to be on the with the objective of reducing dwell time rolls of the airlines or their subsidiaries or of air cargo from ‘aircraft to truck’ which the GHA. Domestic airlines (including should also ensure shift to paperless subsidiaries) and GHAs will be permitted processing. to take contract employees on their rolls. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 32 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL  ACLPB will develop ‘service delivery existing airports in the metros would not be able modules’ for all elements of air cargo value to meet the rising demand. chain. By the turn of 2015, international traffic  Advanced Cargo Information system to be to the country would be 120 million, up from 51 implemented by 1st April 2016. million, the report said, adding that this would  ACLPB to propose specific action steps to further jump to 254 million by 2035, while the promote transhipment. domestic load would stand at 527 million by 2035.  ACLPB will work with AERA and AAI to Similarly, the report pegs the fleet strength to ensure are competitive vis-à-vis rise more than threefold to 1,084 by 2025 from competing aviation hubs. 394 in 2015 and further to 2,564 by 2035.  ACLPB will lay down norms for time slots The report called for increasing and parking for freighter aircraft. investment in airport infrastructure, airspace  Optimum use of 24x7 Customs operations management and skill development as the to spread out cargo handling. sector is going to witness massive demand by  AAI to provide space on10 year lease for 2025, which would necessitate that each of the express cargo and freighters. major metros would have to have a new second Aeronautical ‘Make in India’ airport. It said the incremental domestic traffic  MoCA will be nodal agency for developing handled in the past 10 years was almost three commercial aero-related manufacturing times greater than in the previous 50 years. and its eco-system in India. The report projected employment  MoCA and MoD will work together to generation of over 2.3 million (both direct and ensure that commercial aero- indirect) by 2050. While the aviation sector manufacturing is covered under defence today contributes just $23 billion to the GDP of offsets requirements. the country, which is a tad over $2 trillion, it is  Area where aero-manufacturing takes close to 6 per cent of GDP in the U.S. and over place will be notified as SEZ. 27 per cent of Dubai’s GDP. Other policy reforms The country is headed for an air traffic  Greater de-regulation, transparency and e- logjam with most of the existing metro airport governance infrastructure getting saturated in the next five  Aviation education and skill building years. Report called for setting up of an airports  Promotion of sustainable aviation practices approval commission to determine what kind Domestic air traffic threefold to 218 of airports the country requires, when and million by 2025: ‘Maximising the where they are required, how much capacity is contribution of aviation to the necessary and the level of capital expenditure economy’ Report that should be invested. According to the report-‘Maximising the T.S.R. Subramanian panel on new contribution of aviation to the economy’- education policy commissioned by Vistara airline and conducted The Human Resource Development Ministry by industry body CAPA (Centre for Asia Pacific has set up a five-member committee, under Aviation), the number of air travellers in the chairperson of former Cabinet secretary T.S.R. country is slated to rise more than threefold to Subramanian, which will be entrusted with the 218 million by 2025 from 70 million in 2015 and responsibility of drafting the country’s third each metro requires a second greenfield airport National Education Policy (NEP) since to handle the traffic. Aviation industry can Independence. The committee has been contribute 5 per cent to the country’s GDP or mandated to submit the draft of the new policy $250 billion by 2025. This would mean the by December 31, 2015. The National University ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 33 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL of Educational Planning and Administration that the companies are making significant (NUEPA), New Delhi, will act as its Secretariat. profits which go up to few thousand per cent. The first Education Policy was introduced Earlier in July, the Supreme Court had observed in 1968 under the Indira Gandhi government that the centre was fixing maximum price of a following recommendations of the Kothari medicine above the retail price of the leading Commission. In 1986, Rajiv Gandhi announced company, after hearing the NGO All India Drug the second policy on education which resulted Action Network petition. According to the NGO’s in Operation Blackboard, a centrally-sponsored petition one of the five issues to be considered programme to supply the bare minimum crucial by the government includes that MBP (Market facilities to all primary schools. In 1992, this Based Pricing) was never used for any price policy was modified under the prime regulatory purposes and this was making ministership of P V Narsimha Rao. medicines costlier. Besides, the NGO had also The Subramanian panel will assess the sought inclusion of more life-saving medicines status of the present education scenario, review of diseases like diabetes and tuberculosis in the impact of the 1986 policy and the amended the list of drugs whose prices would be regulated education policy of 1992, assimilate the by the government. feedback based on grassroot-level consultations Additionally, as per the NGO petition, and draft a new one keeping in mind the under the new policy simple average ceiling changed social, economic and technological prices were, in many cases, higher than the context. market leader price. Till date, the authority has The HRD Ministry had earlier this year fixed the ceiling price of 530 formulations from launched nation-wide consultations, at gram the list As set under DPCO 2013, drug price panchayat, block, district and state level, to regulator NPPA fixes the ceiling price of collect feedback and suggestions for the new essential medicines of schedule-I. And no one policy. This feedback will be provided to the is authorised to sell any scheduled medicine to drafting committee. a consumer at a price higher than the one Government forms inter-ministerial notified by NPPA under the order. While fixing committee to review drug pricing the ceiling price, 16 per cent margin is allowed policy for retailers. For non-scheduled formulations, The government has formed an inter- there is no control over the launch price. In ministerial committee to review the Drug Price respect of medicines not under price control, Control Order (DPCO) 2013, following the manufacturers are allowed to increase the Supreme Court verdict this year that termed maximum retail price (MRP) by 10 per cent the drug pricing policy as irrational and annually. unreasonable. The committee will look into the Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee drug pricing mechanism specifically in the report market based pricing formula which is being The Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee used at present under DPCO 2013. (BLRC) headed by Dr T K Viswanathan on 4 An inter-ministerial committee November 2015 submitted its report to the comprising representatives from DIPP, Ministry Union Ministry of Finance. The Report of the of Health, National Pharmaceutical Pricing BLRC is in two parts- one is Rationale and Authority (NPPA) and Department of Design/Recommendations; second one is a Pharmaceuticals have been formed following comprehensive draft Insolvency and Bankruptcy the Supreme Court orders to look into the Bill covering all entities. pricing of drugs as there have been complaints The draft Bill has consolidated the existing laws relating to insolvency of ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 34 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL companies, limited liability entities (including insolvency professionals or information limited liability partnerships and other entities utilities. with limited liability), unlimited liability Insolvency Professionals: The draft Bill partnerships and individuals which are proposes to regulate insolvency professionals presently scattered in a number of legislations, and insolvency professional agencies. Under into a single legislation. Regulator’s oversight, these agencies will The committee has observed that the develop professional standards, codes of ethics enactment of the proposed Bill will provide and exercise a disciplinary role over errant greater clarity in the law and facilitate the members leading to the development of a application of consistent and coherent competitive industry for insolvency provisions to different stakeholders affected by professionals. business failure or inability to pay debt and will Insolvency Information Utilities: The draft Bill address the challenges being faced at present proposes for information utilities which would for swift and effective bankruptcy resolution. collect, collate, authenticate and disseminate The Bill seeks to improve the handling of financial information from listed companies and conflicts between creditors and debtors, avoid financial and operational creditors of destruction of value, distinguish malfeasance companies. An individual insolvency database vis-a-vis business failure and clearly allocate is also proposed to be set up with the goal of losses in macroeconomic downturns. providing information on insolvency status of Major recommendations of the Report: individuals. Insolvency Regulator: The Bill proposes to Bankruptcy and Insolvency Processes for establish an Insolvency Regulator to exercise Companies and Limited Liability Entities: regulatory oversight over insolvency The draft Bill proposes to revamp the revival/ professionals, insolvency professional agencies re-organisation regime applicable to financially and informational utilities. distressed companies and limited liability Insolvency Adjudicating Authority: The entities; and the insolvency related liquidation Adjudicating Authority will have the regime applicable to companies and limited jurisdiction to hear and dispose of cases by or liability entities. against the debtor.  The draft Bill lays down a clear, coherent  The Debt Recovery Tribunal (“DRT”) shall and speedy process for early identification be the Adjudicating Authority with of financial distress and revival of the jurisdiction over individuals and unlimited companies and limited liability entities if liability partnership firms. Appeals from the underlying business is found to be the order of DRT shall lie to the Debt viable. Recovery Appellate Tribunal (“DRAT”).  The draft Bill prescribes a swift process and  The National Company Law Tribunal timeline of 180 days for dealing with (“NCLT”) shall be the Adjudicating applications for insolvency resolution. This Authority with jurisdiction over can be extended for 90 days by the companies, limited liability entities. Adjudicating Authority only in exceptional Appeals from the order of NCLT shall lie to cases. During insolvency resolution period the National Company Law Appellate (of 180/270 days), the management of the Tribunal (“NCLAT”). debtor is placed in the hands of an interim  NCLAT shall be the appellate authority to resolution professional/resolution hear appeals arising out of the orders professional. passed by the Regulator in respect of  An insolvency resolution plan prepared by the resolution professional has to be ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 35 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL approved by a majority of 75% of voting qualifying debts and accord an opportunity share of the financial creditors. Once the to the debtor to start afresh, financially. plan is approved, it would require sanction  In the Insolvency Resolution Process, the of the Adjudicating Authority. If an creditors and the debtor will engage in insolvency resolution plan is rejected, the negotiations to arrive at an agreeable Adjudicating Authority will make an order repayment plan for composition of the debts for the liquidation. and affairs of the debtor, supervised by a  The draft Bill also provides for a fast track resolution professional. insolvency resolution process which may  The bankruptcy of an individual can be be applicable to certain categories of initiated only after the failure of the entities. In such a case, the insolvency resolution process. The bankruptcy trustee resolution process has to be completed is responsible for administration of the within a period of 90 days from the trigger estate of the bankrupt and for distribution date. However, on request from the of the proceeds on the basis of the priority. resolution professional based on the Transition Provision: The draft Bill lays down resolution passed by the committee of a transition provision during which the Central creditors, a one-time extension of 45 days Government shall exercise all the powers of the can be granted by the Adjudicating Regulator till the time the Regulator is Authority. The order of priorities [waterfall] established. This transition provision will in which the proceeds from the realisation enable quick starting of the process on the of the assets of the entity are to be ground without waiting for the proposed distributed to its creditors is also provided institutional structure to develop. for. Transfer of proceedings: Any proceeding Bankruptcy and Insolvency Processes for pending before the AAIFR or the BIFR under the Individuals and Unlimited Liability SICA, 1985, immediately before the Partnerships: The draft Bill also proposes an commencement of this law shall stand abated. insolvency regime for individuals and unlimited However, a company in respect of which such liability partnerships also. As a precursor to a proceeding stands abated may make a bankruptcy process, the draft Bill envisages two reference to Adjudicating Authority within 180 distinct processes under this Part, namely, Fresh days from the commencement of this law Start and Insolvency Resolution. T K Viswanathan Committee  In the Fresh Start process, indigent The committee was appointed on 20 October individuals with income and assets lesser 2014 by the Union Government to provide than specified thresholds (annual gross Bankruptcy Code for firms with focus on small income does not exceed Rs. 60,000 and and medium enterprises (SMEs). aggregate value of assets does not exceed The formation of the committee is in tune with Rs.20,000) shall be eligible to apply for a government’s commitment to introduce an discharge from their “qualifying debts” (i.e. entrepreneur-friendly legal bankruptcy debts which are liquidated, unsecured and framework and improve ease of doing business. not excluded debts and up to Rs.35,000). The Government set up Empowered resolution professional will investigate and Committee to approve schemes under prepare a final list of all qualifying debts the Nirbhaya within 180 days from the date of application. The Union Government on 4 November 2015 On the expiry of this period, the constituted an Empowered Committee to Adjudicating Authority will pass an order approve schemes proposed under the Nirbhaya on discharging of the debtor from the Fund. The Committee comprises officials from ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 36 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL various ministries, including Women and Child expenditure on health adds up to 6,700 crore Development, Home Affairs, Road Transport and rupees annually or Rs 60 per capita on medical Railways. The Secretary of the Women and Child treatment Development Ministry will be the chairperson As per an estimate, the SBC is expected of the committee. to fetch additional 4000 crore rupees per annum The Members of the Empowered in tax revenues to the government. The Union Committee may nominate an officer not below Government under the Swachh Bharat Mission the rank of Joint Secretary as representative (SBM) is planning to spend around 134000 crore to the Empowered Committee of Officers. The rupees by 2019 to construct 11 crore 11 lakh Empowered Committee of Officers will take toilets in the country. decision on the sanction of schemes/projects GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND from Nirbhaya Fund within 15 days of the date INITIATIVES of receipt of the proposal by the Ministry of Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan Women & Child Development. In pursuance of the focus on connecting school Earlier in April 2015, the Union based knowledge to life outside the school and Government made the Women and Child making learning of Science Mathematics a Development (WCD) Ministry as the nodal joyful and meaningful activity, to bring focus agency for the Nirbhaya Fund in place of Union on innovation and use of technology, the Home Ministry. Ministry of Human Resource Development The Nirbhaya Fund has a total of 3000 launches the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA) crore rupees fund as 1000 crore each was on 9 July 2015. allocated to it in 2014-15 and 2015-16 on top of Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan is a unique 1000 crore rupees initial corpus. concept developed by the Ministry of Human 0.5 percent Swachh Bharat Cess on Resource Development that primary aim of RAA all services is to inculcate a spirit of inquiry, creativity and The Centre has decided to impose from love for science and mathematics in school November 15 a Swachh Bharat Cess of 0.5 children to encourage students to learn percent on all services, which come under the sciences beyond the classrooms. purview of Service Tax, and will result into a ‘Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA)” is tax of 50 paisa only on every one hundred rupees planned to provide nourishing and nurturing worth of taxable services. The cess will create support to and a platform for schools in a dual funds for financing and promoting Swachh track approach to make Science, Mathematics Bharat initiatives. The Cess is not just another and Technology exciting to children and tax, but a step towards involving each and every encourage them to have an enduring interest citizen in making contribution to Swachh both inside classroom and outside classroom Bharat. activities. A provision was made in current Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan will target financial year’s Budget for levying a Swachh students in the age group of 6 - 18 years and in Bharat Cess on all or any of the services for the turn the execution of RAA will span across purposes of financing and promoting Swachh MHRD’s schematic interventions of Sarva Bharat initiatives. Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Increased allocation for the Swachh Shiksha Abhiyan in the Department of School Bharat Abhiyan can prevent many of diseases Education & Literacy and programmes and including malaria, dengue, diarrhea and schemes of Department of Higher Education to jaundice with consequential benefit to one and encourage Science, Mathematics & all. According to the Government estimates, Technology. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 37 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL Objectives  Rural areas shall get increased  To enable children to become motivated opportunities for comprehensive and engaged in Science, Mathematics and development. Technology (SMT) through observation, The Scheme has an outlay of 76000 crore experimentation, inference drawing, model rupees for implementation of the projects building, rational reasoning, testability etc. under which Union Government shall provide  To create curiosity, excitement and Grant of 63000 crore rupees. exploration among school children in Government launches ‘SAMANVAY’ Science, Mathematics and Technology. for Gram Panchayats  To create a culture of thinking, inventing, Union Ministry of Rural Development has tinkering and doing to promote enquiry launched ‘SAMANVAY’ web portal to monitor based learning in Schools. progress and implementation of the Sansad  To achieve learning levels appropriate to Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) for development the class of study in Science and of Gram Panchayats on 4 August 2015. Mathematics. SAMANVAY web portal consist a compilation of  To encourage and nurture schools to be all Government schemes of both Centra and incubators of Innovation. State governments for Gram Panchayats. More PM launches Deendayal Upadhyay than 1800 state schemes from across all states Gram Jyoti Yojana have been documented in SAMANVAY. The Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on 25 SAMANVAY was launched with an aim July 2015 launched Deendayal Upadhyay Gram to help MPs in utilising relevant schemes in Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) in Patna on 25 July 2015. the planning and implementation of Saansad The DeenDayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY). It will also act as for rural areas was launched to fulfill the a database for mapped and compiled objectives of- to provide electrification to all information on various gram panchayat villages; Feeder separation to ensure sufficient activities through schemes undertaken by the power to farmers and regular supply to other Centre and State Governments. consumers; Improvement of Sub-transmission Apart from this, minister also launched a and distribution network to improve the quality magazine Panchayat Darpan to monitor the and reliability of the supply and Metering to progress of the SAGY. The magazine will act reduce the losses as a mirror of all the development activities by Benefits of the scheme will be: identifying 35 indicators undertaken in the  All villages and households shall be village panchayats under SAGY. electrified Union Ministry for Minority Affairs  Increase in agriculture yield launches Nai Manzil Scheme in  Business of Small and household Patna enterprises shall grow resulting into new The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has avenues for employment launched a new Central Sector Scheme Nai  Improvement in Health, Education, Manzil in Patna on 8 August 2015. The scheme Banking (ATM) services will address educational and livelihood needs  Improvement in accessibility to radio, of minority communities in general and telephone, television, internet and mobile muslims in particular as it lags behind other  Betterment in social security due to minority communities in terms of educational availability of electricity attainments.  Accessibility of electricity to schools, It is a new direction and a new goal for panchayats, hospitals and police stations the all out of school/dropped out students and ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 38 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL those studying in Madrasas. It is so because linkage and positive emotions for the they will not be getting formal Class XII and environment, keep the schools and the Class X Certificates rendering them largely un neighbourhood green, enable schools to employed in organised sector. The Nai Manzil distribute saplings to students to plant in their scheme is aimed at this target group as an homes and surroundings and create an army integrated intervention in terms of providing of young, green warriors. Through the School education as well as skill development. Nursery Yojana, the Ministry will support The scheme aims at providing schools to provide all the essential facilities for educational intervention by giving the bridge rising of saplings for use of students and courses to the trainees and getting them schools. Certificates for Class XII and X from distance School Nursery Yojana medium educational system and at the same  The Yojana in its first phase would cover time also provide them trade basis skill 1000 schools and would be extended to training in 4 courses : Manufacturing; 5000 schools in 2016 and 10000 schools Engineering; Services; and Soft skills. 2017. The scheme is intended to cover people  The schools will have eco clubs and school in between 17 to 35 age group from all minority principals will maintain the nursery for at communities as well as Madarsa students. least five years. This scheme will provide avenues for  Each school will initially receive first time continuing higher education and also open up financial grant of 25000 rupees for creation employment opportunities in the organised of the nursery with essential facilities. sector.  The state forest departments will guide and Union Government launches provide technical support to schools under School Nursery Yojana the scheme. Union Government on 10 August 2015 50 additional working days in drought launched the School Nursery Yojana, an affected areas under MGNREGA initiative to bring students closer to nature. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime The Yojana seeks to engage class VI to IX in Minister has given its ex-post facto approval to raising of saplings in nurseries created in provide an additional 50 days of unskilled schools. manual work in the financial year over and The underlying theme of the Yojana is above the 100 days assured to job card holders, to plant a tree for sustainable future and to in such rural areas where drought or natural make the nation clean and green. Under the calamities have been notified. This will enable Yojana, students will sow the seeds, grow States to provide additional wage employment saplings in the school nursery, as part of to the rural poor in drought affected areas. The practical exercise for Biology classes and extra- poorest rural households will benefit from this, curricular activities for students of other as it will help in immediate absorption of rural streams. The students will also carry out a tree seasonal unemployment, and reduce rural census in their school and the locality. The distress. main objective of the School Nursery Yojana is To provide immediate relief to farmers, to create an everlasting bond between the in view of the deficit monsoon during Kharif young students and plants and trees. 2015, the Government of India has already Some of the other objectives of the taken a number of decisions. Orders on these Yojana include - providing an opportunity to the measures have already been issued to all State students to learn about nature and work with Governments, which will implement them on soil, develop among the students an organic ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 39 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL the basis of assessed need. The various Welfare. Farmers in drought affected districts/ decisions are: blocks will be provided assistance at the rate of Diesel Subsidy Scheme for farmers in affected Rs.6000/- per hectare as per cost norms for a areas: It has been decided to provide diesel maximum area of two ha per beneficiary, for subsidy to farmers to enable them to provide life taking up appropriate combination of saving irrigation through diesel pump sets in interventions. Assistance so provided through drought and deficit rainfall areas to protect subsidy shall be shared between the standing crops (allocation of Rs.100 crore). Government of India and the State Farmers in the affected regions will be covered Government/UT Administration concerned on during the current South-West monsoon period 50:50 basis. th till 30 September, 2015. Implementation of additional fodder The scheme on Diesel Subsidy will be development programme: Assistance will be implemented with the participation of the State provided for additional interventions for Governments/UT Administration, with a view production of fodder for mitigating adverse to offset the cost of diesel used for pumping water impact of drought on livestock (allocation of for providing supplementary irrigation/ Rs.50 crore). Farmers in drought affected protective irrigation. districts/ blocks will be provided assistance at The scheme will be applicable to such the rate of Rs.3200/- per hectare as per cost districts/talukas/areas where the rainfall norms for a maximum area of two ha per deficit is more than 50 percent as on 15th July, beneficiary for taking up additional production 2015. It is proposed to provide 50 percent subsidy of fodder in these districts/blocks. Assistance on the cost of diesel (Rs 2000 per hectare) to so provided through subsidy shall be shared affected farmers, limited to a maximum of two between the Government of India and the State hectares per farmer. The cost of assistance Government/UT Administration concerned on provided shall be shared between the 50:50 basis. Government of India and the State Government/ Flexible allocation under RKVY and other UT Administration concerned on 50:50 basis. centrally sponsored schemes: States have Enhancement of ceiling on Seed subsidy: been advised to keep aside about 5 to 10 percent Enhancement of ceiling on Seed subsidy. In of fund allocated under the Rashtriya Krishi order to compensate farmers in drought affected Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for undertaking districts for the additional expenditure incurred appropriate interventions, if the situation so in the sowing and /or purchasing appropriate warrants, to minimize the advance impact of varieties of drought resistant seeds, it has been an aberrant monsoon on the agriculture sector. decided to raise the extant ceiling on seed 10 percent of the allocation under Centrally subsidy by 50 percent over existing levels for Sponsored Scheme may be utilized in flexible distribution in drought notified districts. manner by States to meet contingent Interventions for saving perennial requirement arising out of deficient rains. horticulture crops: Appropriate input support Crop contingency plan: Ministry of Agriculture, measures will be provided to rejuvenate water through ICAR-Central Research Institute for stressed horticulture crops, with an additional Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad has allocation of Rs.150 crore. The scheme is to be prepared detailed crop Contingency Plans for implemented in all drought affected districts / 600 districts. States have been advised to blocks in the country which are covered under prepare Contingency Plans for each district in Mission for Integrated Development of consultation with CRIDA-ICAR and State Horticulture (MIDH), being implemented by Agriculture Universities and to prepare location Dept. of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers specific remedial measures based on these ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 40 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL contingency plans in the event of late arrival of Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Monsoon/long dry spells/scanty rainfall/ Mission for transform rural areas as drought conditions e.g. tying up availability of sustainable spaces seeds and other inputs for implementing In an ambitious bid to transform rural areas to Contingency Plans. economically, socially and physically Advisories to the states: State Governments sustainable spaces, the Union Cabinet chaired have already been advised to initiate advance by Prime Minister, on 16 September 2015, remedial action e.g. constructing water approved the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban harvesting structures under MGNREGA and Mission (SPMRM) with an outlay of Rs. 5142.08 other such schemes, promoting agronomic crores. practices for moisture conservation, promoting The Mission aims at development of cultivation of less water consuming crops and rural growth clusters which have latent restoring irrigation infrastructure by desilting potential for growth, in all States and UTs, which canals, energizing tube-wells, replacing/ would trigger overall development in the region. repairing faulty pumps. States have also been These clusters would be developed by requested to carry out periodic assessment of provisioning of economic activities, developing preparation for Kharif crops, particularly skills & local entrepreneurship and providing contingency crops and also investment made in infrastructure amenities. The Rurban Mission water conservation structure under various will thus develop a cluster of Smart Villages. schemes like Integrated Watershed These clusters would be well delineated Management Programme (IWWP) to verify their areas with planned layouts prepared following utility in harvesting the rainfall. the planning norms (as laid down in the State Availability of seeds and other inputs for Town and Country Planning Acts/similar Kharif, 2015: Availability of seeds and other Central or State statutes as may be applicable), inputs is being monitored / reviewed on a which would be duly notified by the State/UTs. continuous basis in the weekly Crop Weather These plans would be finally integrated with the Watch Group (CWWG) meetings being held in District Plans/Master Plans as the case may the Department of Agriculture. Weekly video be. conference with States is also being held to get The State Governments would identify first-hand information about State’s the clusters in accordance with the Framework preparedness and to advise States appropriately for Implementation prepared by the Ministry of whenever needed. Rural Development. The clusters will be SDRF/NDRF funds - First Installment of SDRF geographically contiguous Gram Panchayats released: The State Government is primarily with a population of about 25000 to 50000 in responsible for providing necessary relief in the plain and coastal areas and a population of 5000 wake of natural calamities. Government of India to 15000 in desert, hilly or tribal areas. There supplements the efforts of state Governments would be a separate approach for selection of with financial assistance from National Disaster clusters in Tribal and Non-Tribal Districts. As Response Fund (NDRF). The first installment of far as practicable, clusters of village would follow SDRF has already been released to State administrative convergence units of Gram Governments. SDRF funds, besides others, can Panchayats. also be used for emergency supply of drinking For the selection of clusters, the water in rural and urban areas, as per the Ministry of Rural Development is adopting a approved guidelines. scientific process of cluster selection which involves an objective analysis at the District,

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 41 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL Sub District and Village level, of the provisions for supporting the State Government demography, economy, tourism and towards project development, capacity building pilgrimage significance and transportation and other institutional arrangements at the corridor impact. While the Ministry, following state level. this analysis, would provide a suggestive list of The Mission envisages institutional sub districts to the State, the State arrangements both at the State and Center to Governments would then select the clusters ensure smooth implementation of the Mission. following a set of indicated principles included The Mission also has an Innovation budget in the Framework for Implementation. towards facilitating research, development and The mission aims to create 300 such capacity building. Rurban growth clusters over the next 3 years, The scheme through development of across the country. The funding for Rurban rurban growth clusters aimed at catalyzing Clusters will be through various schemes of the overall regional growth, would thus Government converged into the cluster. The simultaneously benefit the rural as well as SPMRM will provide an additional funding urban areas of the country, by achieving twin support of upto 30 percent of the project cost objectives of strengthening rural areas and de per cluster as Critical Gap Funding (CGF) as burdening the urban areas hence leading to Central Share to enable development of such balanced regional development and growth of Rurban clusters. the country. To ensure an optimum level of Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra development, fourteen components have been Kalyan Yojana suggested as desirable for the cluster, which The Union Government has announced to would include; Skill development training launch a new programme called ‘Pradhan linked to economic activities, Agro Processing/ Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana’ (PMKKKY) Agri Services/Storage and Warehousing, Digital to provide for the welfare of people living in Literacy, Sanitation, Provision of piped water areas which are affected directly or indirectly supply, Solid and liquid waste management, by mining related operations, using the funds Village streets and drains, Street lights, Fully generated by District Mineral Foundations equipped mobile health unit, Upgrading school (DMFs). /higher education facilities, Inter-village road The objective of PMKKKY scheme will be- connectivity, Citizen Service Centres- for (a) To implement various developmental and electronic delivery of citizen centric services/ welfare projects/programs in mining e-gram connectivity, Public transport., LPG gas affected areas that complement the connections. existing ongoing schemes/projects of State The States would prepare Integrated and Central Government; Cluster Action Plans for Rurban Clusters, which (b) To minimize/mitigate the adverse would be comprehensive plan documents impacts, during and after mining, on the detailing out the strategy for the cluster, desired environment, health and socio-economics outcomes for the cluster under the mission, of people in mining districts; and along with the resources to be converged under (c) To ensure long-term sustainable various Central Sector, Centrally Sponsored and livelihoods for the affected people in mining State Sector schemes, and the Critical Gap areas. Funding (CGF) required for the cluster. Care has been taken to include all aspects of In addition to the Critical Gap Funding, living, to ensure substantial improvement in proactive steps have been taken to ensure the the quality of life. High priority areas like success of the mission with adequate budget drinking water supply, health care, sanitation, ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 42 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL education, skill development, women and child Cutting Experiments (CCEs), needed for crop care, welfare of aged and disabled people, skill insurance programme. development and environment conservation The project will use satellite and drone- will get at least 60% share of the funds. based imaging and other geospatial technology For creating a supportive and conducive living to get timely and precise data on crop yields. environment, balance 40 % funds will be spent The pilot study will be carried out in one district on making roads, bridges, railways, waterways each of Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh projects, irrigation and alternative energy and Maharashtra during Kharif season of 2015 sources. and two districts each of these states during The Mines and Minerals (Development Rabi season of 2015-2016. & Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, mandated The programme will be jointly the setting up of District Mineral Foundations implemented by Mahalanobis National Crop (DMFs) in all districts in the country affected Forecast Centre (MNCFC), an attached Office by mining related operations. The Central of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & FW, Government today notified the rates of ISRO Centres (Space Applications Centre, contribution payable by miners to the DMFs. In Ahmedabad & National Remote Sensing case of all mining leases executed before 12th Centre, Hyderabad), India Meteorological January, 2015 miners will have to contribute Department, CCAFS, State Agriculture an amount equal to 30% of the royalty payable Departments and State Remote Sensing by them to the DMFs. Where mining leases are Centres. granted after 12.01.2015, the rate of In addition, the government also contribution would be 10% of the royalty launched an Android-based app, developed by payable. ISRO, for collection of data of hailstorm to access The Central Government has issued a large-scale damage to standing crops. The data directive to the State Governments, under collected by the app will greatly help the Union Section 20A of the MMDR Act, 1957, laying down Agriculture Ministry in making quick the guidelines for implementation of PMKKKY assessment of damage to crops because of and directing the States to incorporate the same hailstorm. in the rules framed by them for the DMFs. Government clears first batch of The DMFs have also been directed to maintain AMRUT projects for 89 cities in AP, the utmost transparency in their functioning Gujarat and Rajasthan and provide periodic reports on the various The Ministry of Urban Development, on 22 projects and schemes taken up by them. October 2015, has approved the first batch of Government launches KISAN state level Action Plans under Atal Mission for Project Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, (AMRUT) aimed at enabling water supply as per on 5 October 2015, has launched KISAN Project the norm and providing water supply and [C(K)rop Insurance using Space technology And sewerage connections to all urban households. geoiNformatics] of Department of Agriculture, An inter-ministerial Apex Committee of AMRUT Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare. The project cleared plans worth Rs.2, 786.28 cr in this envisages use of Space Technology and regard for 143 projects in 89 AMRUT cities in geoinformatics (GIS, GPS and Smartphone) Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. technology along with high resolution data from These include 47 schemes relating to UAV/Drone based imaging for improvement in ensuring water supply connections and yield estimation and better planning of Crop augmenting water supply and 31 projects for expanding sewerage network services in ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 43 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL identified cities and towns. The rest pertain to The Ministry has urged all the states storm water drains, urban transport and green to ensure water meters for all consumers in spaces and parks. Sewerage projects got a lion urban areas for efficient management of water share of Rs.1, 471.07cr followed by Rs.1, 225 cr supply and reducing supply of water without for water supply related schemes. collecting fee (Non-Revenue Water). States The Apex Committee of AMRUT approved have been asked to focus on this from next State Annual Action Plans (SAAP) for the three year onwards. states for 2015-16. Gujarat proposed SAAP First installment of central assistance entailing an investment of Rs.1,204.42cr of Rs.118.03 cr for Gujarat, Rs.91.90 for followed by Rajasthan –Rs.919 cr and Andhra Rajasthan and Rs.66.29 for Andhra Pradesh Pradesh proposing an investment of Rs.662.86 under Atal Mission will be released shortly. cr. The states made a detailed Under the SAAP approved, Gujarat will presentation on implementation of a set of 11 take up sewerage projects in 25 AMRUT cities reforms including time lines for the same. at a cost of Rs.916 cr and water supply schemes Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan will in 11 cities with an investment of Rs.233.65 cr. also undertake capacity building of urban local Rajasthan will take up sewerage bodies at a cost of Rs.22.23 cr. schemes in 6 cities at a cost of Rs.555 cr and This is for the first time that the Urban water supply projects in 10 cities at a cost of Development Ministry approved state level Rs.344 cr. plans unlike the past practice of appraising Andhra Pradesh will focus on water and approving individual projects. supply in 26 AMRUT cities at a cost of Rs.646.29 CMs’ Sub-Group of NITI Aayog report cr and provision of green spaces and parks in on rationalization of CSS 30 cities at a cost of Rs.16.57 cr. Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Under AMRUT, Central Government will rationalization of CSS on 27 October 2015 provide an assistance of 50% of project cost for submitted its report to the NITI Aayog cities with a population of up to 10 lakhs each Chairperson and Prime Minister. and one third of project cost for cities with a Guiding Principles population of above 10 lakhs each. Rest of the  The formation of the Sub-Group is project cost has to be borne by the states and testimony to the resolve of the Union and urban local bodies. As per these norms, central the States /UTs to work as Team India assistance for the approved projects in three in the spirit of Cooperative Federalism states comes to Rs.1, 356.23 cr. towards realisation of the goals of VISION SAAP of each state is an integration of 2022 when we will celebrate the 75th year all city level Service Level Improvement Plans of Independence. The objectives of the (SLIP) of all Atal Mission cities in respective VISION are broadly: (a) providing basic states. City level SLIP is formulated based on amenities to all citizens in an equitable detailed assessment of gaps in the availability and just manner for ensuring a life with of infrastructure pertaining to water supply, self-respect and dignity, and (b) providing sewerage network services, storm water drains, appropriate opportunities to every citizen urban transport etc. to realize her potential. Ensuring water supply of 135litres per  For realising VISION 2022, the Governing capita per day in urban areas besides providing Council of NITI Aayog is engaged in water supply and sewerage connections to all developing the contours of the National urban households is the national priority, which Development Agenda. CSS are key Atal Mission seeks to achieve. instruments for meeting the objectives ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 44 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL outlined in the National Development Central Assistance likely to be available Agenda. under these Schemes in the medium term.  The sectors covered under the National  Projects/activities that are already Development Agenda are critical to the sanctioned earlier under these schemes transformation of India and the outcomes should be completed for which adequate will transcend State boundaries. Since a provisions should be made. significant amount of Plan Transfers to  NITI Aayog should emerge as a platform for States/UTs are routed through CSS, and addressing problems in implementation of since many CSS interventions are in the Schemes/Programmes under the National social sectors, it is imperative that they Development Agenda. are designed to be effective and outcome- Major Recommendations at a glance: oriented. Moreover, they should be  Focus of CSS should be on the Schemes adequately funded and their that comprise the National Development implementation should be sufficiently Agenda where the Centre and the States flexible to enable the States to efficiently will work together in the spirit of Team implement them according to local India. requirements and conditions.  Sectors/ tasks/objectives like Poverty Rationalisation of CSS: Perspectives of Elimination including MGNREGA and Centre, State and UTs: Schemes for social inclusion; Drinking  Only Schemes/Programmes in CSS in key water and Swachh Bharat Mission; Rural identified sectors will comprise the Connectivity including Electrification; National Development Agenda. Access Roads and Communications;  The number of Schemes/Programmes Agriculture including Animal Husbandry, should be reduced for improving their Fisheries and Irrigation; Education visibility and impact. including Mid Day Meal; Health, Nutrition,  Investment in Core Schemes/Programmes Women and Children; Housing for All: should be maintained at least at their Urban Transformation and Law and Order current level. and Justice Delivery System would be Core  While deciding the funding pattern, special Sectors as they constitute important dispensation needs to be given for North elements of the National Development Eastern and Himalayan States and UTs. Agenda. MGNREGA and Schemes for Social  States should be given flexibility in the inclusion would be accorded highest implementation of the Schemes. Given priority. their critical role in successful Accordingly, existing CSS should be divided into: implementation of Schemes, the support Core and Optional schemes. from the Centre for remuneration of grass- Amongst the Core Schemes, those for social root workers like ASHA, Aanganwadis, protection and social inclusion should form the Contract Teachers etc. should be Core of the Core and be the first charge on maintained at present levels for at least available funds for the National Development two years. Agenda.  The processes and procedures for release Ordinarily, in any sector there should of Central Assistance (CA) to the States be one Umbrella scheme having the same under these Schemes should be simplified. funding pattern for all its sub-components.  There should be a degree of certainty Investment levels in Core Schemes regarding the availability of funds and should be maintained so as to ensure that the optimum size of the programme does not shrink. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 45 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL Funds for Optional Schemes would be allocated  Cost norms in construction component of to States by the Ministry of Finance as a lump schemes should be decided by States sum and States would be free to choose which subject to capping of allocation by the Optional Schemes they wish to implement. Centre. Additionally, the States have been given the  Releases of funds should be simplified, flexibility of portability of funds from optional based on yearly authorization. Actual schemes ( should it choose not to utilize to release of cash would be on quarterly utilize its entire allocation under that head) to basis. . any other CSS component within the overall  Releases should be based on Utilization allocation for the state under CASP. Certificates of the installment prior to the  From now onwards, the sharing pattern last installment to a State/UT. should be:  The Ministry of Finance would make For Core Schemes Scheme-wise allocations for Core a) For 8 NE and 3 Himalayan States: Centre: Schemes. In each Core Schemes, there State: 90:10 would be transparent criteria for State b) For other States: Centre: State: 60:40 allocation of funds. There would also be c) For Union Territories: Centre: 100% transparent criteria for the lump sum For Optional Schemes allocation to States for Optional Schemes. a) For 8 NE and 3 Himalayan States: Centre: These criteria to be evolved by NITI Aayog State: 80:20 in consultation with State Governments b) For other States: Centre: State: 50:50 and central Ministries. c) For Union Territories: Centre: 100%  NITI Aayog to have concurrent jurisdiction  Existing funding pattern for schemes in monitoring of Centrally Sponsored classified as Core of the Core should Schemes in the States and Central continue. Ministries.  Remuneration for ASHAs, Aanganwadi and  Third-party evaluation by NITI Aayog. Contract Teachers to be protected. However, Provision for CSS in Union Budget of Central Assistance (CA) may be capped at 2015-16. existing level for the next 2 years in this  In the Union Budget for 2015-16, CSS are regard. classified as Central Assistance to State Provision for incomplete projects: all works Plan (CASP). In 2014-15, budgetary begun in projects in existence in 2014-15 in provisions were made for 66 CSS of which which work has been awarded till 31 March 17 large schemes were designated as 2015 should be funded on the existing pattern ‘flagship’ programmes. for the next 2 years.  With effect from BE 2015-16, following the  Flexibility in Schemes and Institutional acceptance of the recommendations of the mechanism: 25% allocation in a Scheme 14 th Finance Commission (FFC) by should be flexi-fund, to be spent in Government of India, the devolution to accordance with Ministry of Finance States has increased from 32% to 42% of guidelines. the net Union Tax Receipts. In absolute  Design of CSS should be broadly like terms, it is estimated that this entails Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) with additional devolution of Rs. 1.78 lakh cr to a large number of admissible components the States. As a result, the fiscal space in a scheme, and the States being free to available with the Union Government to choose components to suit their local fund CSS has shrunk. needs. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 46 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL  The 14th FC has recommended that sector- Cabinet clears Ujwal DISCOM specific transfers from the Union to the Assurance Yojana States/UTs should be confined to sectors Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister has like education, health, drinking water and given its nod Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana sanitation. However, in view of the (UDAY) for financial restructuring of debt of preponderance of CSS being interventions power distribution companies. The Scheme in key sectors of national importance, the aims for financial turnaround and revival of Government of India has retained 50 of the Power Distribution companies (DISCOMs) and 66 ongoing CSS in Budget 2015-16. The also ensures a sustainable permanent solution balance are being either taken into the to the problem. Central sector, or reformulated as new UDAY scheme Allows power DISCOMs Umbrella Schemes or have been in selected states to convert their debt into state transferred to the States. bonds as well as roll out number of measures  Hence, post-14thFC devolution, the BE for to improve efficiency at power plants and seeks Central Assistance to State Plan (CASP) to ensure that struggling DISCOMs can shake has been reduced from Rs. 3.38 lakh cr in off years of losses and start on a path to 2014-15, to Rs. 2.05 lakh cr in 2015-16. The profitability. BE for CSS has reduced from Rs. 2.52 lakh Assures the rise of vibrant and efficient cr to about Rs. 1.69 lakh cr (excluding DISCOMs through four initiatives- 1)Improve provision for CSS for UTs). operational efficiencies of DISCOMs; 2)Reduce The Sub-Group was appointed by the National of cost of power; 3)Reduce interest cost of Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog DISCOMs 4) Enforce financial discipline on in March 2015 to examine the current DISCOMs through alignment with State Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and finances. recommend their suitable rationalisation. Debt Burden: Differences between Centrally Sponsored and  States shall take over 75 per cent of Central Sector Schemes discom debt as on September 30, 2015 over Centrally Sponsored Schemes: A certain two years — 50 per cent of discom debt shall percentage of the funding is borne by the States be taken over in 2015-16 and 25 per cent in the ratio of 50:50, 70:30, 75:25 or 90:10 and in 2016-17. This step would result in the implementation is by the State interest cost savings to the tune of 3-5 per Governments. The schemes are formulated in cent. subjects from the State List to encourage States  State Power Bonds or loans: Selected to prioritise in areas that require more states would be able to sell the balance 25 attention. per cent as state-backed power bonds or Central Sector Schemes: They are 100 percent loans which will carry interest rates of g- funded by the Union government and sec plus 50 basis points. implemented by the Central Government  Improve operational efficiency: by machinery. The schemes are mainly formulated implementing steps like (i) swapping of on subjects from the Union list and resources coal linkages (ii) monitoring aggregate under these Schemes are not generally technical and commercial (AT&C) losses transferred to States. (iii) Focus on smart metering and feeder separation in states. To encourage states to take the road to reforms, the Centre will give them additional funding on a priority basis through schemes such as ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 47 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna and River systems, Sustainable Urban Design, and Integrated Power Sector Development Fund. Defence, Nano-technology Hardware, They will also get additional coal at notified Environmental Science and Climate Change prices and if possible cheaper power from state and Energy Security. These domains are firms. The government expects these measures distributed among IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, to permanently revive discoms. Their debt has IIT Bomaby, IIT Rookree, IIT Madras and IISC, swelled to Rs 4.3 crore, while accumulated Bengaluru. losses have risen to Rs 3.8 lakh crore. A memorandum of understanding was The scheme, named Ujwal Discom exchanged between the academia and the Assurance Yojana (UDAY), will be optional for industry. This is the first of its kind agreement States. The electricity distribution firms in the between the two sectors. states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu Objectives of this initiative: (i) identify areas and Haryana are among the most stressed and of immediate relevance that requires have run up the maximum losses. innovation in the society. (ii) Direct scientific Thus with nod to UDAY Scheme, Union research in the identified areas. (iii) Ensure Government seeks to accelerate the process of support and higher funding for research for reform across the entire power sector in order identified areas (iv) Measure the outcomes of to ensure affordable and accessible 24×7 Power innovation and research efforts and its impact for All. The scheme has been framed by Union on the standard of living in the urban and rural Power Ministry as power DISCOMs in several areas. states have been severely mismanaged, The idea of launching ‘IMPRINT India’ resulting in a debt burden upward of 4 lakh crore originated during the conference of chairmen, rupees. This has taken a toll on the power as Board of Governors and Directors of Indian well as bank sectors. Institutes of Technology convened by Mr. President launches IIT-IISc joint Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in initiative ‘IMPRINT India’ on research August 2014. President of India Pranab Mukherjee, on 5 Prime Minister launches gold November 2015, launch an initiative – monetisation schemes ‘Impacting Research Innovation and Technology On 5 November 2015, Prime Minister Narendra (IMPRINT) India’- to develop a road map for Modi launched three gold related scheme viz research and pave the way for solutions to major Gold Monetization Scheme (GMS), Sovereign engineering and technology challenges. The Gold Bond Scheme (SGBS) and Indian Gold initiative is a pan-IIT and IISc joint collaboration Coins (IGC). These ambitious schemes were to develop a blueprint for research of immediate launched to reduce the physical demand for relevance to society requiring innovation, direct gold and fish out 20,000 tonnes of the precious scientific research into identified areas, ensure metal lying idle with households and higher funding support for research into these institutions. areas and measure outcomes of the research Gold Monetisation Scheme efforts with reference to the impact on the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) 2015 will standard of living in rural/urban areas. offer option to resident Indians to deposit their IMPRINT India initiative seeks to precious metal and earn an interest on it and develop a roadmap for research in order to solve will replace the existing Gold Deposit Scheme major engineering and technology challenges (GDS) 1999. All residents can invest in this in 10 identified technology domains. These 10 scheme but are subjected to Know Your domains are: Health Care, Computer Science Customer (KYC) Scheme. There is no and ICT, Advance Materials, Water Resources maximum limit for deposit under the scheme ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 48 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] NATIONAL and the metal will be accepted at the Collection can be tradable in stock exchange and can and Purity Testing Centres (CPTC) certified by be used as collateral for loans. the Bureau of Indian Standards. Scheme tagline Indian Gold Coin ‘Earn, while you secure’. Indian Gold Coin 2015 It is Indian’s first ever  Implementation- As per Reserve Bank of Indian gold coin and bullion to be officially issued India (RBI) directives all Scheduled by Union Government. The gold coins will bear Commercial Banks (excluding Regional national emblem Ashok Chakra on one side and Rural Banks) will implement GMS 2015. Mahatma Gandhi’s engraved image on the other  Deposit limit- Minimum deposit at any one side. time of raw gold in the forms of bars, coins, The coins will be available in denominations jewellery excluding stones and other of 5 and 10 grams and a 20 gram bar or bullion metals is 30 grams with 995 fineness. at 125 Metals and Minerals Trading There is no maximum limit for the deposit. Corporation (MMTC) of India outlets across  Tenure Banks will accept gold deposits the country. These coins and bullion are under the Short Term of Bank Deposit easily liquidated. (STBD) of 1-3 years, Medium (5-7 years) and Long (12-15 years).  Principal and Interest of the deposit- Banks ***** are free to fix the interest rates and it will be denominated in gold.  Reserve Bank of India will maintain the Gold Deposit Accounts denominated in gold in the name of the designated banks that will in turn hold sub-accounts of individual depositors Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGBS) 2015 Seeks to shift part of physical gold in form of bars and coins for investment into Demat (Dematerialised) gold bonds in order to reduce the demand for physical gold. These gold bonds are interest bearing and will be payable in terms of grams of gold. Scheme tagline is ‘Invest wisely- Earn Safely’. Minimum investment is 2 grams of physical gold, maximum investment is 500 grams.  Issuing Bonds- RBI on behalf of Union Government will issue the Gold bonds in the denominations of one gram and its multiples. Tenure of Gold bonds- 8 years is maximum tenure. But there is exit option from 5th year can be exercised on interest payments dates.  Tradable and Exchangeable- These bonds are available in DEMAT and paper form. It

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 49 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD India and Asia & Oceania strategic relations, mutually beneficial bilateral PM Modi visit to Uzbekistan cooperation in various fields, as well as On his first visit to Central Asian countries, international and regional issues of mutual Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7 July 2015 interest. held talks with Uzbekistan President Islam The two sides reaffirmed their interest Karimov on key bilateral and regional issues in expanding and further strengthening long- to enhance strategic, economic and energy ties term bilateral cooperation covering diverse including the situation in Afghanistan. The two sectors such as political ties, security, counter- countries inked three pacts to boost cooperation terrorism, trade and investment, science and between their foreign offices and in the field of technology as well as cultural linkages. culture and tourism. The sides agreed to maintain regular Joint Working Group on Counter bilateral consultations and political dialogue Terrorism through exchange of official visits at the Both the nations agreed to intensify security leadership and other levels to promote mutual cooperation and exchanges and strengthen understanding on bilateral as well as regional cooperation in defence and cyber security. For and international issues. this purpose, bilateral Joint Working Group on Noting the importance of adequate and Counter Terrorism will meet later this year. timely responses to threats and challenges to The two countries have built a strategic national as well as regional security, the two partnership includes expanding economic sides expressed their intention to strengthen cooperation, combating terrorism, advancing coordination between the law enforcement stability in the region and promoting regional agencies and special services, including under integration. the framework of the Uzbekistan-India Joint The two leaders also discussed ways to Working Group on Counter-Terrorism. implement the contract for supply of uranium Delegation-level talks from mineral-rich Uzbekistan signed last year. During the delegation-level talks, the The pact was signed for supply of 2,000 metric two countries also agreed to explore various tonnes of the yellow cake. options to enhance surface connectivity They also explored various initiatives to further between them. enhance connectivity between the two The two sides recognised tourism as an countries including International North South important area of bilateral cooperation and Transport Corridor. The Prime Minister also agreed to implement practical measures under sought Uzbek President’s support for India the framework of the bilateral agreement on joining the Ashgabat Agreement. cooperation in tourism signed during the visit. Ashgabat Agreement India and Uzbekistan reaffirmed that the United The International North-South Transport Nations must play a central role in maintaining Corridor is a ship, rail and road route for moving global peace and security, assisting common freight between India, Russia, Iran, Europe and development and advancing international Central Asia while the Ashgabat Agreement is cooperation. a transit pact established in 2011 between The two countries called for Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Oman. comprehensive reforms of the UN structures, Highlights in Joint statement first of all, its Security Council, including President Karimov and Prime Minister expansion in both categories of membership. Modi reached understanding on a wide range Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support to India’s of issues to further deepen Uzbekistan-India candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, the statement said. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 50 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD Expand cooperation in promote investment which we have already taken 2,100 tonnes They also agreed to expand cooperation in the of uranium from Kazakhstan. A contract fields of defence and cyber-security. signed between NC “KazAtomProm” JSC The two sides also called for further promotion and NPCIL for a renewed long term supply of investment cooperation between the two of natural uranium to India to meet its countries. They called for partnership in energy requirements. creating favourable conditions for investment  Kazaksthan was one of the first countries by Indian companies in Uzbekistan, including with which we launched civil nuclear in the framework of the Special Economic Zones cooperation through a uranium purchase “Navoi”, “Angren” and “Jizzakh”. They noted contract. Kazakhstan will emerge as the prospects for joint investment projects in sectors biggest source of uranium for India besides such as pharmaceuticals, light industry, IT and Canada and Australia. This is the second communications. such agreement between Astana and Delhi Prime Minister Modi presented President since 2009. Karimov with a specially commissioned  Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation reproduction of ‘Khamsa-i-Khusrau’ written in in space and information technology and Persian by the great 13th century sufi poet Amir also boost connectivity, including through Khusrau who was born in Uttar Pradesh and the International North-South Transport whose father hailed from Uzbekistan. Corridor, the Iran-Turkmenistan- PM Modi visit to Kazakhstan Kazakhstan rail link and Chabahar port in The prime minister of India Narendra Modi on Iran. his official bilateral meet visits Kazaksthan on  They also agreed to work closely to expand 8 July 2015. During the visit India and bilateral trade by addressing structural Kazakhstan signed five agreements on defence, impediments between India and railways, uranium supply, sports & transfer of hydrocarbon-rich Kazakhstan. sentenced prisoners. The other pacts included  They agreed to continue their active human resources, cultural exchanges and engagement in the fight against terrorism capacity building. and extremism including exchange of Highlights information. In this context, they  Both nations noted that the defence and highlighted the importance of regular security cooperation was an important inter-agency consultations and meetings dimension of strategic partnership of the Joint Working Group on Counter- between the two countries, both nations Terrorism. The Leaders also called for inks new Memorandum of Understanding early conclusion of the UN Comprehensive on defence cooperation. It would further Convention on International Terrorism. widen the scope of bilateral defence  Expressing concern at the slow progress on cooperation including regular exchange of the UN Security Council reform, the visits, consultations, training of military leaders called for concrete outcomes to be personnel, military- technical cooperation, achieved in the 70th anniversary year of joint exercises, Special Forces exchanges the UN and reaffirmed their commitment and cooperation in UN peacekeeping to Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) to operations. comprehensively reform the Security  An agreement signed for the purchase of Council including expansion in both uranium by India for the next five years, categories of membership. five thousand tonnes of uranium. This is in continuation of an earlier agreement in ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 51 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD  The Prime Minister also gifted Kazak based on deep-rooted civilizational, historical president Nazarbayev a set of books and cultural linkages and a shared interest in relating to religions born in India which international as well as regional peace and included an English translation of Guru stability. The joint statement document Granth Sahib One of Jainism’s most contains the following features. revered texts, Bhadrabahu’s Kalpasutra Political and Diplomatic engagement (15th century AD) in Prakrit; one of The Leaders noted with satisfaction the Buddhism’s most important scriptures increase in high-level exchanges between the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita (12th two countries in recent years and reiterated century AD) in Sanskrit; and a Persian the significance of regular bilateral translation of Valmiki’s Ramayana (18th interactions in reinforcing the momentum for century AD) in nastaliq script were also part cooperation between the two countries through of the reproductions. existing mechanisms such as Foreign Office PM Modi visit to Turkmenistan Consultations, Consular Consultations, Joint The Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Working Group on Energy as well as Narendra Modi paid an official visit to establishment of additional mechanisms on Turkmenistan from 10-11 July, 2015.During mutually agreed issues. the visit India and Turkmenistan signed Defence and Security Cooperation several MoUs in sectors ranging from defence The Leaders resolved to deepen ongoing to sports. cooperation in countering various security List of Agreements/ MOUs: threats, they agreed to step up efforts against 1. Memorandum of Understanding on Supply cross-border threats such as terrorism, of Chemical Products between the Indian organized crime and illegal drug- trafficking. Public Sector Undertaking ‘Rashtriya The nations signed the Defence Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited’ and the Cooperation Agreement, which would provide a Turkmen State concern ‘Turkmenhimiya’ framework for intensifying bilateral defence and 2. Memorandum Of Understanding between security cooperation through exchanges of high the Foreign Service Institute of the and mid-level visits, training and dialogue. It Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic would also enable capacity building and of India and the Institute of International technical cooperation in the defence sector. Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Economic Engagement of Turkmenistan. Two countries agreed to actively work towards 3. Agreement for Sport of Turkmenistan On rapid enhancement in the levels of bilateral Cooperation In The Field Of Sports trade, investment and economic cooperation. 4. Programme of Cooperation In Science And The Leaders resolved to increase cooperation Technology for The Period Of 2015-2017 in various sectors and identified energy, 5. Memorandum of Understanding on petrochemicals, transport, communications, Cooperation in Yoga and Traditional information and technology, textile industry, Medicine chemical and pharmaceutical industry, 6. Memorandum of Understanding on construction and agro-processing as potential Cooperation In The Field Of Tourism areas for cooperation between the two 7. Agreement on Cooperation in the field of countries. Defence The Leaders further agreed to create Joint Statement favourable conditions and promote participation The two Leaders expressed satisfaction at the of private companies of both countries, including continued development of bilateral relations through joint ventures in various ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 52 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD infrastructural and investment projects in the programme in capacity building and human two countries. resource development of Turkmen nationals Energy and Petrochemicals and in creating a talented pool of professionals. Two countries noted that cooperation in energy In this regard both the nations signed a MoU sector, especially the Turkmenistan- on Programme of Cooperation in Science and Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline Technology. project, forms a key pillar of economic Cultural Cooperation engagement between the two countries. They The Leaders called for finalizing of the welcomed establishment of ‘TAPI Ltd’ as a Programme of Cooperation on Culture between Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in November 2014 the two countries. The Leaders also in Ashgabat and acknowledged that it was a acknowledged the contribution made by the milestone in implementation of this strategic scholarships offered by Indian Centre for project. Cultural Relations (ICCR) to Turkmen students They welcomed the enhanced bilateral in forging stronger bonds at a popular level. cooperation in the field of chemicals and The Centre of Yoga and Traditional petrochemicals as well as the opening of “ONGC Medicine was inaugurated in Ashgabat, which Videsh Ltd (OVL)” representative office in would help combine traditional medical Turkmenistan and signing of a Memorandum knowledge and practices of India and of Understanding between the State Concern Turkmenistan, which would benefit the people. “Turkmenhimiya” and Indian PSU Rashtriya International Cooperation Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited to provide a The Leaders reiterated their commitment to framework for long-term sourcing of urea from strengthen regional as well as multilateral Turkmenistan. cooperation, including through enhanced Transport and Connectivity interaction in the United Nations and other They reaffirmed their intention to work together regional and international organizations of in exploring alternative transport corridors for which they are members. They called for additional connectivity options between the two reform of the United Nations Security Council countries. The President of Turkmenistan in the context of strengthening and expanding welcomed India’s intention to join the Ashgabat the role of the United Nations in addressing the Agreement. They recognised the significance pressing contemporary challenges. of Turkmenistan as a gateway to other Central PM Modi visit to Kyrgyzstan Asian countries and the Caspian region and The prime minister of India Narendra Modi is agreed to support each other’s initiatives in in Kyrgyzstan on his official state visit on 12 enhancing transport corridors and July 2015. During the visit bilateral talks held infrastructure to facilitate movement of goods. between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev. Modi noted that the recently inaugurated India and Kyrgyzstan inked four agreements, Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan- Iran railway line including in defence cooperation and between could be a linked corridor of the International their election commissions etc. and issued a North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to joint statement on bilateral cooperation during streamline movement of goods and commodities the meet. between India and Turkmenistan and beyond. List of agreements: Capacity Building and Science and Agreement on Defence Cooperation Technology To deepen cooperation between India and The Leaders appreciated the role of Indian Kyrgyzstan in matters relating to defence, Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) security, military education and training, ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 53 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD conduct of joint military exercises, exchange of candidacy of the Kyrgyz Republic for the UN experience and information, exchange of Human Rights Council for 2016-2018. military instructors and observers etc. They expressed satisfaction at their Memorandum of Mutual Understanding cooperation on regional issues, including in the and Cooperation in the field of Elections framework of the Conference on Interaction To deepen cooperation in matters and Confidence Building Measures in Asia relating to legislation on elections and (CICA) and the Shanghai Cooperation referendums, modern systems and Organization (SCO). technologies, rights of elections process Both expressed grave concern at the stakeholders as well as other issues of election rising trend of extremism, radicalism and administration. Signing of this MoU would build terrorism in the region and whole world. They technical assistance and capacity support for agreed to expeditiously consider signing an the election commissions in electoral agreement on “combating international management and administration leading to a terrorism and other crimes”. further strengthening of bilateral ties between Defence cooperation India and Kyrgyzstan. Both signed an agreement on Cooperation in MoU on technical cooperation the Defence Sector. It was decided to hold joint The purpose of this MoU is to strengthen and exercises on an annual basis. enhance technical cooperation in the fields of Economic cooperation standardization, conformity assessment and Two countries notices that present bilateral sharing of expertise on mutual trade with the trade below potential, they called for concerted aim of exchanging necessary information and efforts to enhance the economic content of the expertise between the two parties, which would bilateral partnership. They agreed to work be mutually beneficial and also lead to a together for early conclusion of a Free Trade strengthening of bilateral ties between India Agreement between the Member States of and Kyrgyz Republic. Eurasia Economic Union and the Republic of Agreement on Cooperation in Culture India. To deepen cultural cooperation between India The commencement of direct flights and Kyrgyzstan in areas such as preservation between Bishkek and Delhi and agreed to of cultural heritage, organisation of folk arts, encourage greater connectivity in order to theatre, youth festivals and cooperation in of enhance trade and tourism between the two publishing and translation of literature, sports countries. and physical culture, exchange of archival They decide to the establishment of materials, history, geography etc. direct business contacts, and positively noted Joint Statement-Highlights events in the field of pharmaceutical, Cooperation at regional and global level agriculture, trade and investment, including a Both nations noted the common positions on specialized pharmaceuticals exhibition by many current international issues, stressed PHARMEXCIL of India in Bishkek in March 2015 the importance of deepening interaction as well as the participation of representatives between the two countries in the international of Agrarian Platform from Kyrgyzstan in Aahar arena including in for UN reforms to strengthen 2015 trade fair in New Delhi in March 2015. the role of UN. Kyrgyz reaffirmed its support to Scientific and Technical Cooperation the rightful claim of India for permanent Both nations expressed satisfaction over their membership in an expanded UN Security developing cooperation in sectors such as Council. India reaffirmed support of the education and health. Kyrgyzstan remains one of the popular destinations for the Indian ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 54 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD medical students. Students from Kyrgyzstan  Exchange of Note Verbale (NV) on setting study in India as well and over 1000 working up of Computer Labs in 37 Schools in professionals from a cross section of the Kyrgyz Tajikistan for supporting Government of society have utilized the Indian Technical and Tajikistan’s human resource and skill Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. India development efforts. offered to establish an AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga Joint Statement -highlights and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment Homeopathy) Center in Kyrgyz Republic to share to take all necessary steps to transform India’s knowledge in traditional medicine. bilateral relations into a multi-faceted strategic Cultural and humanitarian cooperation partnership for the mutual benefit of the people Both are expressed intension to enhance of both their countries. cultural and humanitarian cooperation,  Both sides emphasized the need for including scientific-technical cooperation adoption of the “Comprehensive between researchers and students in Convention on International Terrorism” by Universities, research and analytical centers the UN General Assembly. The Leaders and private sector. They welcomed the signing decided to reinvigorate official-level of Agreement on Cultural Cooperation during interactions in the framework of the Joint the visit and stressed the need to enhance Working Group (JWG) on Counter cooperation between the peoples of the two Terrorism for strengthening cooperation in countries in different forms of art, music, dance, the fight against terrorism theatre, cinema and other cultural  The Leaders underscored the importance manifestations. Stressed importance of of improving connectivity in the region to organizing further mutual cultural events in realize the full potential of trade and Kyrgyzstan and India and expressed interest in commerce. Tajikistan reiterated its joint study of common historical and cultural support to the International North South heritage. Transport Corridor (INSTC) which will PM Modi visit to Tajikistan considerably reduce transit time and cost The Prime Minister of the Republic of India, for transportation of goods between India Narendra Modi paid a State visit to the Republic and Central Asia and beyond. of Tajikistan from 12 to 13 July 2015 Tajikistan.  Both Leaders recognized that the proposed During visit wide-ranging talks on bilateral, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan regional and international issues held between Trilateral Transit Trade Agreement the Leaders and signed two MoUs in the field of (PATTTTA) would facilitate trade between culture and human resource development. Tajikistan and the countries of the South Agreements/MoUs: Asian region. They decided that further  Programme of Cooperation (POC) in the consultations would be held on the field of Culture for the years 2016-18.The inclusion of India to this arrangement. POC envisages cooperation in the field of  The Leaders stressed the importance of culture through exchange of expertise in enhanced air connectivity between the two protection, preservation and promotion of countries to facilitate trade and economic cultural heritage in both countries, linkages as well as tourism and greater exchange of information and experts and people-to-people interactions. organization of cultural days in each  Highlighting the vast untapped hydropower other’s countries for greater cultural potential, the President of Tajikistan understanding between the countries. sought greater Indian engagement in the

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 55 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD field of hydropower generation in economic growth, social progress and poverty Tajikistan. alleviation in the region. The SDF Charter  The Leaders noted that health sector is provides for utilization of the Fund, for projects an important area of bilateral cooperation. in three windows: India proposed to implement a tele- (i) Social Window; medicine project in Tajikistan by (ii) Economic Window; connecting reputed multi-speciality (iii) Infrastructure Window. hospitals in India with hospitals in At the 18th SAARC Summit held in November Dushanbe and other regions of Tajikistan 2014 in Kathmandu, leaders agreed to for offering medical consultation and operationalize the SDF’s Economic Window and education. Infrastructure Window at the earliest, for  The Leaders identified cooperation in food effective implementation of regional and sub- processing, mining, pharmaceuticals, regional projects. In light of the pressing need textiles, skill development, science & to address infrastructure bottlenecks for technology, Information Technology, improved growth of the SAARC region, it is culture and tourism as promising areas pertinent to use India’s capital contribution to for further cooperation.. SDF for its Economic and Infrastructure  Underlining the importance of Windows in addition to the Social Window. liberalization of the existing visa regime Background: for greater cooperation and more people- In 1996, a first funding mechanism was created to-people interaction. in SAARC, ‘South Asian Development Fund Cabinet approves utilization of (SADF), merging the SAARC Fund for Regional India’s capital contribution to the Projects (SFRP) and the SAARC Regional Fund. SAARC Development Fund for SADF objectives were to support industrial Economic and Infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, protection of Windows environment, institutional/human resource The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime development and promotion of social and Minister, on 14 July 2015, gave its approval infrastructure development projects in the for the proposal to permit utilization of India’s SAARC region. SADF started with a resource capital contribution to the SAARC Development base of US$5 million (contributed on pro-rata Fund (SDF) for its Economic and Infrastructure basis by SAARC Member States). Windows, in addition to the existing approval First India-Myanmar Joint for utilizing India’s capital contribution for the Consultative Commission meet: New Social Window of SDF. Delhi The approval will help in promoting The first meeting of the India-Myanmar Joint projects such as cross border infrastructure. Consultative Commission (JCC) was held, on Such projects will help improve intra-SAARC 16 July 2015, in New Delhi. The JCC meeting trade and growth potential of the SAARC region, was co-chaired by the External Affairs Minister and also in promoting financial inclusion and Sushma Swaraj and the Foreign Minister of social security to disadvantaged/vulnerable Myanmar U Wunna Maung Lwin. India and sections of society in the region. There are no Myanmar issued a joint statement on bilateral additional financial implications for India, as cooperation during the meet. it only entails a restructuring of India’s capital Highlights joint statement contribution to the SDF.  Both the leaders agreed that negotiations The SDF was set up in 2008 to improve the should be conducted to enable early livelihood of the people and to accelerate conclusion of the bilateral MoU on ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 56 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD Movement of People across the Land Border. people, this was agreed to by the Indian  First meeting of the India -Myanmar Joint Government. Boundary Working Group, with a mandate On behalf of Indian Government, the to address all outstanding boundary issues, Indian Oil Corporation has been entrusted with would be held in New Delhi at the earliest. the job of construction of the pipeline and re-  A joint survey by officers of the two Foreign engineering of the Amlekhgunj Depot and Ministries is expected to be undertaken to allied facilities. The project will be completed inspect the earth blockage site on Ti-Ho in two phases. In the first phase, a petroleum (Tizu) river on India-Myanmar border to products pipeline from Raxaul in India to inspect the efforts made by local authorities Amlekhgunj in Nepal would be constructed. The of Mizoram to remove the debris and restore Indian Oil Corporation will bear a cost of Rs. the normal course of river. 200 crore for the first phase of the project.  Investments by Indian companies in areas There will be a long term contract of 15 years like ports, power, agro-industries, forest (initial contract for five years extendable for products, mining, construction industry, two terms of five years each) between the consumer goods, highways, oil & gas, Indian Oil Corporation and the Nepal Oil plantation, manufacturing, hospitality and Corporation. ICT would be specifically encouraged. India, Bangladesh signed MoU to  Trial runs of Imphal-Mandalay Bus Service tackle the menace of fake Indian will be held at the earliest. currency notes Union Cabinet approves MoU of India, India and Bangladesh on 13 August 2015 signed Nepal for construction petroleum a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pipeline tackle the menace of fake Indian currency The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime notes (FICN) smuggling, during a maiden Minister gave its approval for the signing of a meeting of the Joint Task Force on Fake Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Currency Notes (JTFFC) in Dhaka. the India and Nepal for the construction of a Highlights of the MoU petroleum products pipeline from Raxaul (India)  Both countries will share intelligence to Amlekhgunj (Nepal) on 12 August 2015. The inputs on operatives engaged in circulating MoU is a key agreement that will ensure FICN on real time basis. unhindered supply of oil and gas to the land-  India will provide Advance note sorting locked Himalayan nation. machines to Bangladesh to detect FICN The MoU also includes re-engineering circulation at international airports, of Amlekhgunj Depot of Nepal and allied immigration points, integrated crossing facilities. The MoU will promote bilateral points, banks and financial institutions cooperation in the oil and gas sector and secure in Bangladesh. long term supply of petroleum products to Nepal.  India will help Bangladesh to set up It will also help preserve the environment along Forensic Science laboratory for the route and decongest the international border examination of fake notes and at Raxaul. maintaining a digital depository of forensic The Government of Nepal had requested reports. the Government of India, during the visit of the  Both the countries in future will organise Prime Minister to Nepal on 3-4th August, 2014 capacity building training programmes. for the construction of this petroleum products pipeline. Bearing in mind the close and friendly relations between the two countries and their ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 57 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD India, Australia signed MoU on experts, educational administrators, cooperation in fields of education, faculty members and teachers; training and research  Encouraging twinning arrangements India and Australia on 24 August 2015 signed between institutions of higher learning a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on and organisation of joint research cooperation in the fields of education, training programmes and publications; and research. The MoU will help intensify  Encouraging research collaboration existing partnerships between India and between institutions of higher learning to Australia in higher education & research, enlarge the scope for joint research, joint including technical and professional education, Ph. D. programmes and joint degrees; schools, vocational education and training and  Sharing best practice education materials will open up new and innovative areas of including research materials, cooperation. The MoU was signed during the publications, and educational literature; meeting of the Australia-India Education  Supporting skills development through Council (AIEC) in New Delhi. joint conferences, seminars, policy The costs of the cooperative activities dialogue and technical cooperation in under this MoU will be funded on mutually national standards development; agreed terms and will be subject to availability  Strengthening communication for of funds. The MoU will help intensify existing exchange of information on new policy partnerships between India and Australia in initiatives and opportunities for higher education & research, including development of education, training and technical and professional education, schools, research activities of both countries; vocational education and training and will open  Further develop bilateral programmes up new and innovative areas of cooperation. between institutions of educational Main objectives of this MoU: excellence in technical, vocational, schools  Consideration of expansion of the Australia and higher education, subject to India Education Council membership from availability of funds. time to time to ensure appropriate Joint Communique between India and representation from academia, policy Australia makers and industry as required and In spite of the MoU, a Joint Communique was agreed; also issued at the end of the AIEC meeting.  Strengthening the policy dialogue and The Communique commended the exchange in areas of mutual benefit, significant progress made by the Working including qualification and quality Groups across the key areas of skills, higher frameworks and standards for education, education and research, student mobility and research and training; welfare, quality assurance and qualifications  Supporting mobility of students and faculty recognition. members through formal exchange The Communique emphasized that the programs, internships and other Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN), modalities; launched by the Union Government, would  Improving credit transfer arrangements enable academic interaction to mutual benefit. and work towards qualifications recognition Both countries agreed for a total joint financial between Australia and India; commitment of up to 1.0 million US dollars for  Supporting and organizing professional various activities under Educational development programmes for subject Cooperation.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 58 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD About Australia-India Education Council agree to a moratorium on nuclear testing. The (AIEC) recommendations on a national regulator may The AIEC is a bi-national body established in also exceed what India is prepared to do. They 2011 as a commitment by the Education also pointed out that unlike in the past; India Ministers of India and Australia to guide the now is not dependent on Australian uranium. strategic direction of the education, training Recent nuclear deals that have been renewed and research partnership. with Canada and Kazakhstan have also The AIEC, which is co-chaired by Education bolstered this view Ministers on both sides, consists of academia, Background industry and government and meets in In a major step towards realising its nuclear conjunction with the annual Australia-India energy ambitions, India signed a civil nuclear Ministerial Dialogue on Education Cooperation. cooperation agreement with Australia in Australian panel gives conditional nod September 2014. The two nations have held five for N-deal with India rounds of negotiations on the deal since 2012, The Australian parliamentary committee has when Australia reversed its policy on nuclear “in principle” approved the nuclear deal and has sales to India. The policy was based on India’s recommended more safeguards to India’s refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation nuclear programme before the government can Treaty. approve uranium sales to India. The India runs 20 atomic reactors at six sites, parliamentary committee recommended that generating 4,780 MW of electricity — a mere India be encouraged to sign the nuclear Non two per cent of the country’s total power output. Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to separate its But the government has ambitious plans to civilian and military nuclear facilities further, generate 63,000 MW of nuclear power by 2032. and appoint an “independent national regulator” The Indo-U.S. nuclear deal has paved the way to oversee the movement of the uranium, also for countries like Australia, a major ally of the called Australia-Obligated Nuclear Material United States, to emerge as India’s nuclear (AONM). The report was released by the Joint supplier, despite New Delhi’s refusal to sign the Standing committee on Treaties (JSCOT) that Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). has been studying the Indo-Australian nuclear Ausindex15: first bilateral maritime deal. exercise of India and Australia The recommendations of the treaty India and Australia have successfully committee are not binding on the Abbott completed the first bilateral maritime exercise, government, but could be used by the opposition Ausindex15, at Visakhapatnam, on the East Green Party to put further obstacles in the way Coast of India, which aimed to strengthen the of uranium sales to India. In August this year, defence co-operation between the countries. Green party activists were instrumental in The nine-day exercise was concluded in 19 overturning environmental clearances to the September 2015. The latest exercise is part of $16 b Carmichael coal mine project proposed by the framework for security cooperation announced the Adani group. by the Australian and Indian Prime Ministers The committee report was a “partial in 2014.India remains one of Australia’s key victory,” given that it has in principle ‘green- security partners in the Indian Ocean and Asia- lighted’ the nuclear deal. However, according to Pacific. analysts, India cannot accept the additional Further, the exercise will also help strengthen safeguards proposed by the Australian professional interaction, both in harbour and committee. India has consistently opposed the at sea and would be a start for attaining NPT, braving sanctions for 4 decades rather than interoperability between the two navies. It will ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 59 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD also strengthen the ability to undertake regional Criminal Matters between India and the joint and/or combined operations such as Maldives. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. The Treaty aims to enhance effectiveness of Ausindex15 exercise saw the participation of both countries in investigation and prosecution three RAN ships, HMA Ships Sirius, Arunta and of crime, through cooperation and mutual legal Sheehan, and a Royal Australian Air Force AP- assistance in criminal matters. In the context 3C aircraft. It also involved the Indian Navy of transnational crime and its linkages to warships, including Shivalik, Ranvijayi and terrorism, the proposed Treaty will provide a Shakti, as well as its P-8I maritime patrol broad legal framework for bilateral cooperation aircraft. with Maldives in investigation and prosecution The exercise started with briefings and practical of crime as well as in tracing, restraint and demonstrations ashore and later progressed to confiscation of proceeds, and instruments of sea for surface and anti-submarine warfare, as crime as well as funds meant to finance well as coordinated anti-submarine exercises. terrorist act EKUVRIN: Sixth India-Maldives joint MLAT is an agreement signed between two or military exercise more countries for the purpose of exchanging The Sixth Joint Military Training Exercise and gathering information to enforce criminal between the Indian Army and the Maldives laws or public laws. Under the MLAT a National Defence Forces (EXERCISE EKUVRIN – mechanisms has been developed among VI) was conducted at Pangode Military Station, countries for obtaining an evidence to solve the Trivandrum, Kerala from 31 Aug to 13 Sep 2015. criminal investigations and further use it for It was the first joint exercise involving an prosecutions international contingent to be conducted at Sri Lankan Prime Minister visit to Thiruvananthapuram, which is being developed India as a Training Node by the Indian Army. Prime Minister of The Democratic Socialist A number of training activities and Republic of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe exercise were conducted during the joint visits India from September 14-16, 2015. He training. The officers and soldiers of Maldivian held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi National Defence Forces appreciated the high on issues including fishermen issue, security standards of training, motivation and matters etc. operational capability of the Indian Army. The They discussed the fishermen issue and it was exercise provided an excellent opportunity for agreed that fishermen associations on both fostering jointmanship and interoperability sides should continue their efforts to find a between the defence forces of both countries. solution to the problem which is a The bilateral annual exercise, which humanitarian issue affecting livelihood and commenced in 2009 in Belgaum, India, is steps are being taken to encourage Indian alternately held in India and Maldives with the fishermen to take up deep sea fishing. aim of enhancing military cooperation and Deeper discussions in regard to security interoperability between the two countries and matters of combating terrorism and our increased understanding between both armies. ensuring security in the maritime area of the Cabinet clears sign of Mutual Legal Indian Ocean, our armed forces and the police Assistance Treaty between India and could work together. Peace and stability in the Maldives region is the key to our success. The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime The two countries signed four pacts. These Minister, has given its approval for signing of a MoUs are as follows- Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 60 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD  Bilateral Agreement between India and Sri successful engagements have been conducted. Lanka on Orbit Frequency Coordination of SLINEX aims to promote mutual understanding Satellite for SAARC Region and provide exposure to both the Navies to each  Renewal of MoU regarding Indian grant others’ operating procedures, communication assistance for implementation of Small procedures and best practices. Developmental Projects (SDP) through local India and Combodia inks on MoUs on bodies, non-governmental organizations, tourism and Mekong-Ganga initiative charitable trusts and education and During the three-day visit of Indian Vice- vocational institutions. President Hamid Ansari to Cambodia from 15  MoU regarding supply of Medical Equipment September to 17 September 2015, India and to 200 bed ward complex at District General Cambodia has signed two MoUs on Tourism and Hospital, Vavuniya Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Initiative in  Exchange of Letters on Establishment of Phnom Penh. Besides, both sides also Emergency Ambulance Services in Sri discussed possibilities of shoring up of trade Lanka. and investment, and agreed that the bilateral Fourth edition of Sri Lanka-India investment protection agreement must be Exercise (SLINEX):2015 signed as soon as possible. Indian Navy and Sri Lankan Navy on 27 October MoU on tourism is aimed at boosting 2015 began the 4th edition of Sri Lanka-India tourist movement between the two countries. Exercise (SLINEX) at Trincomalee, Sri Lanka has On the other hand, the MoU on Mekong-Ganga concluded successfully on 01st November 2015 relates to five ‘quick impact projects’ in Trincomalee. The joint naval exercise enabled undertaken by India. These projects are: a both Navies to rehearse and improve own grant of US$50000 for the upgradation of an capabilities and enhance operational Entrepreneurship Development Centre in effectiveness required to maintain maritime existence since 2004; two projects in security in the region by integrating forces. healthcare, especially to do with malaria; one The 6-day exercise commenced with a project on agriculture and one on women’s Harbour Phase during which the participants empowerment. were engaged in professional cultural and social Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Initiative interactions. It was followed by a Sea phase that The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) was included anti-piracy exercises, main armament established in the year 2000 at Vientiane, Laos, firing exercises, replenishment at sea, Search at the first MGC Ministerial Meeting. It and Rescue (SAR) operations, towing, cross-deck comprises six member countries, namely helicopter operations and anti-surface exercises. India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Sri Lanka Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessels Sayura, Vietnam. MGC takes its name from two rivers Samudura and Sagara, Fast Missile Vessel, Ganga and Mekong. Nandimitra, Fast Gun Boats, Ranajaya, Ranarisi India and Laos inks two MoUs on air and six Fast Attack Craft including two Super services and agriculture sector Dvora MK IIIs and Indian Navy’s missile India and Laos on 18 September 2015 signed corvettes, INS Kora and Kirpan, Offshore Patrol two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to Vessel, Savitri along with a maritime strengthen bilateral ties between the two reconnaissance helicopter taking part in the nations. The MoUs were signed during the multi-dimensional exercise. visit of Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari to Sri Lanka-India Exercise (SLINEX) Laos. SLINEX series of bilateral maritime exercises The MoUs cover Air Services Agreement to was initiated in 2005 and since then three start direct flights between two countries and ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 61 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD another agreement for three Quick Impact expressed his keen desire to encourage Indian Projects (under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation companies to work with the Jordanian ICT programme) in the agriculture sector. companies.16 MoUs and Agreements, including India-Laos Bilateral Relations between academic institutions were finalised. India has enjoyed longstanding, friendly and Jordan offers its full support to India’s bid for a mutually supportive relations with Lao People’s permanent membership in a reformed United Democratic Republic (PDR). The diplomatic Nations Security Council. It has also offered relations between Indian Government and the long-term contracts for enhancing exports to Government of Laos were established in India, and “an arrangement” would be created February 1956. within the royal court to look into problems faced There exist excellent political relations by Indian workers. between India and Lao PDR. On account of this, With regard to trade the Lao PDR has been supportive of major India, on its part, offered a $100-million line of issues of regional and international concerns credit to expand trade and investment relations to India. In 2010, Laos supported India’s between the two countries. The projects that candidatures for a non-permanent seat on the would get funds from this loan would be worked UN Security Council for the term 2011-2013. out later. Lao PDR and India have signed several India is the largest importer of agreements over the past few years. These Jordanian phosphate. In this regard, India agreements lay down the essential framework indicates that Jordan can play an enhanced role for bilateral cooperation in matters relating to in India’s food and energy security. At present, science, technology, economic cooperation and around 20 Indian companies are operating in trade, as well as in defence and consular Jordan with $300 million investments. Both matters. nations are planning to increase bilateral trade President of India state Visit to Jordan to $5 billion a year, from $2 billion now. The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, On the Jordan side, Jordan says it has paid a State visit to Jordan from 10-12 October become a hub of financial services. Jordan also 2015. The President will be accompanied by wants to enhance exports. The financial climate Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Union Minister in the country is in favour of investments. of Social Justice and Empowerment, Members Jordan already has free trade agreements with of Parliament and the learned members of the the E.U. and the U.S. There’s a favourable academic community, apart from official atmosphere for Indian companies to come in delegation. The visit underscores the desire of and invest in Jordan. the two countries to strengthen their bilateral Indian president Pranab Mukherjee and relations. Jordan King Abdullah also inaugurated a $860- In the first leg of his “historic” six-day million Indo-Jordanian joint venture fertilizer tri-nation tour to West Asia, President Pranab plant which will mainly manufacture sulphuric Mukherjee held talks with Jordanian King acid- and phosphoric acid-based plant nutrients. Abdullah II in Amman on various bilateral Jordan India Fertilizer Company (JIFCO) is 53 issues including trade and investment, per cent owned by the Indian Farmers and counter-terrorism and United Nations Security Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) and its affiliates. Council reforms. Tackling terror Both nations explored the possibilities of Both leaders have reiterated the need for opening up new synergies in different areas of greater cooperation in counter-terrorism. The mutual interest including counter terrorism, President noted that Jordan is in the forefront defence, IT, and energy. HM King Abdullah II of fighting terrorism in West Asia. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 62 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD After detailed talks both countries have signed a spirit of co-operation and mutual interest, six MoUs. These are: to enhance and strengthen technical co- 1. Agreement on Maritime Transport - operation in the fields of standardization, Conscious of the existing friendly relations, and conformity assessment with the aim desirous of establishing effective co- of exchanging necessary information and operation on the basis of shared expertise between the Parties. commitment, and convinced on 6. Cooperation Agreement between Jordan strengthening and development of relations News Agency [Petra] and Press Trust of in merchant shipping and maritime India [PTI] - Establishing regular exchange transport. of content on the developments; Promoting 2. MOU between the Foreign Service Institute mutual cooperation and professional [FSI] of India and & the Jordan Institute of interaction, Agreement on exchange of Diplomacy - Exchange of information on news through the Internet; Accepting the structure and content of training right to use the said news for distribution programmes for diplomats, Identification of to their subscribers. experts in mutually agreed areas, This is the first time an Indian President is Promotion of contacts and exchange of visiting the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. trainees, students, faculty members and Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had experts. visited the country in 1988. Mr. Mukherjee’s 3. MOU between the Ministry of visit comes at a time when India is seeking to Communications and Information strengthen ties with West Asian countries, both Technology of the Republic of India and the Arab nations and Israel, and the region is Ministry of Information and grappling with increasing terror threats. Parts Communications Technology of the of Jordan’s neighbouring country, Syria, have Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on been occupied by the Islamic State terror group Cooperation in the field of IT & Electronics which is attracting extremists from around the - Examining ways and means to promote world, including India, to join its “Caliphate”. and strengthen bilateral cooperation; President Pranab Mukherjee state Considering the developmental partnership visit to Palestine established; Recognising the mutual The President of India, Dr. Pranab Mukherjee benefits, potential and the need to leverage paid the first ever State visit to Palestine from capabilities; Implementing Institutional October 12-13, 2015. The President was and Capacity Building cooperation accompanied by a high level delegation programme. including Union Minister of Social Justice and 4. Cultural Exchange Programme for 2015-17 Empowerment; Members of Parliament; senior - Desirous of further development and officials; senior representatives of our promotion of cultural, scientific and educational and academic institutions. technical relations; Recalling the Cultural During the visit, the President held Agreement signed on 15 February 1976; meetings and interactions with Palestinian Agreement on the Executive Programme in President Abbas, Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Rami the fields of Art & culture, Mass media etc. Hamdallah, and the leaders of major political 5. MOU between the Bureau of Indian parties in Palestine. They had delegation-level Standards [BIS] and the Jordan Standards talks also held. They discussed various issues and Metrology Organization [JSMO] for including issue of clashes between Israel and Cooperation in the fields of Standardization Palestine, the way forward in the Middle East and Conformity Assessment- Desiring, in peace process and issue of terrorism and the ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 63 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD terrorist groups which are there in the region. everybody’s interest, and otherwise the Besides that they also discussed the bilateral developments could spread on to Lebanon and issues. other places. India has conveyed full support for the Both sides finally agreed that there was no Palestinian cause, reiterated that support, difference in the solution which was being put which is based on the principles put forward by forward by them and that the only way forward the Quartet and also the relevant United was a negotiated settlement based on peaceful Nations Security Council resolutions, namely negotiations and settlement of conflict as per that India believe in an independent, united, the established principles. viable state of Palestine living side by side in Cooperation in capacity building peace with Israel with East Jerusalem as its India, affirmed that it would always support capital. Palestine in capacity building efforts, and President Mahmoud Abbas conveyed whatever is feasible or whatever is required by also the position with regard to the Palestinian the Palestinian side that India would be ready territories, stated that what Palestine was to come forward with help. India announced a asking for was a settlement on the basis of the grant of USD 5 million to Palestine. It is to be 1967 borders, not according to the current used by Palestine for budgetary support. situation where its territory had been taken President conveyed that India had decided to up due to settlements. This was actually agreed double the number of ITEC slots to 100 from the upon and recognised in the peace processes in current 50 and also increase the general the late 90s. scholarships for Palestine from 10 to 25. With respect to this, President In addition, there were a number of Mahmoud Abbas mentioned that in 2002 it was projects that were announced, in total of USD agreed by the 57 Arab and Muslim countries 17.79 million. The first was setting up of a that if Israel were to withdraw from Palestinian techno park in Ramallah which will cost about territories, then all of them would recognise the USD 12 million; second is setting up of the State of Israel, and that is something which Palestinian Institute of Diplomacy at a cost of still remains valid and it should form the basis USD 4.5 million; the India-Palestine Centre for of the future of the peace process taking this Excellence in ICT and Innovation in Gaza which very important facet into account. will cost USD 1 million; cooperation between Both sides finally agreed that there was Birzeit University in the West Bank and no difference in the solution which was being Jawaharlal Nehru University at a cost of USD put forward by them and that the only way 21,670 for a Ph.D. programme, this was a support forward was a negotiated settlement based on for five years; and then India Studies Chair at peaceful negotiations and settlement of conflict Al-Quds University which will amount to USD as per the established principles. 268,000. So, that is another about Rs. 35 lakh With regarding terrorism, they for five years. discussed about ISIS, Al Qaeda and Jabhat al- Cooperation in Education Nusra which we are active in the region, both Palestine wants Indian academia to be a part nations states that they do not believe in these of its efforts in charting out a peace plan for the organisations then the best thing is to solve conflict-hit region. When Indian professors and the conflict as quickly as possible and to reach educators arrive in Palestine as part of a a negotiated settlement. bilateral agreement to foster educational ties, They also mentioned the fact that Syria should officials are hopeful that they will have a deeper have a peaceful negotiated settlement, a understanding of the raging conflict between peaceful solution to Syria would be in ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 64 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD Palestine and Israel and come up with a President held talks with the President Rivlin and resolution. Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu as well An agreement for strengthening cooperation in as the speaker of the Israeli Parliament, Knesset the field of education has signed for the first and also addresses the Knesset. time between the two sides. There are six MoUs India described Israel as “one of the most signed between educational institutions of both important countries for India, need is to the nations in this regard - reinvigorate bilateral ties in all areas of our 1. MOU between Indian Council for Cultural engagement. Israel has provided defence Relations (ICCR) and Ministry of Culture, equipment, platforms and systems at a time State of Palestine when India needed them the most. Both nations 2. MOU between Jawaharlal Nehru University recognised the need to expand cooperation in (JNU) and Birziet University solar energy, dairy development, water 3. MOU between JNU and Al Najah National management, horticulture, animal husbandry University JNU and Al Najah National and agriculture as well as cooperation between University Indian Space Research Organization and Israeli 4. MOU between Jamia Milia Islamia and Al Space Agency and new possibilities and synergies Quds University Jamia Milia Islamia and to diversify the trade as well as mutual Al Quds University investments. 5. MOU between Jamia Milia Islamia and Al The two sides signed a number of MoUs Istiklal University Jamia Milia Islamia and in the fields of culture, education, science and Al Istiklal University technology. Eight MoUs exchanged between the 6. MOU between Jamia Milia Islamia and educational institutions of India and Israel. Hebron University Jamia Milia Islamia and These will promote cooperation in the field of Hebron University higher education between the two countries and The President addresses the Al Quds University provide for joint research, exchange of scholars, and inaugurates Jawaharlal Nehru Secondary etc. School at Abu Dees. Palestine and India share a cordial and friendly List of Agreements/MoUs signed  Protocol amending the Convention and the relationship. India has been extending bilateral Protocol between the Republic of India and and multilateral support to Palestine in addition the State of Israel for the Avoidance of Double to developmental and budgetary support. This Taxation and for the Prevention of Fiscal visit further strengthens the bonds of friendship Evasion with respect to taxes on income and and renews the strong and unwavering on capital. The agreement is in connection commitment of India towards the Palestinian with the avoidance of double taxation and the cause. President Pranab Mukherjee state prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to visit to Israel taxes on income and on capital  Cultural Exchange Programme between the The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee Government of the Republic of India and the will pay first State visit to Israel from October Government of the State of Israel for the 13-15, 2015. The President was accompanied years 2015-2018. The programme has signed by a high level delegation including Union is in connection with exchange of culture Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment; and art experts, Performing arts festivals, Members of Parliament; senior officials; senior Plastic Arts, photography and design, representatives of our educational and Architecture Museums and Exhibitions academic institutions.During the visit, the

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 65 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD Music, Cultural Heritage and Archaeology materials that are of mutual interest etc. between the two institutions relating to :  MOU between Jawaharlal Nehru academic faculty and administrative staff, University, India and Ben-Gurion research staff, visiting scholars , students University of the Negev. This agreement and other staff mutually. A provision of is in connection with academic objectives briefing/orientation services by each of each institution and to promote better institution for visitors from the other understanding between the faculty and institution and other forms of co-operation students of JNU and the faculty and students which the two institutions may jointly of BGU arrange.  Agreement of Cooperation between the  Agreement of Cooperation between the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Indian Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel and Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, for the University of Delhi, India for the program offered at either university which exchange of faculty members, students, is felt to be desirable and reasonable for the Joint research projects, Joint conferences development of cooperation between the two and research materials. institutions.  MOU between the University of Delhi, India  MOU for Institutional Collaboration between and IDC, Herzilya, Israel to promote, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur facilitate and consolidate international (IITKGP) and Ben-Gurion University of the cooperation in education and research, Negev, (BGU to promote interaction and based on the principles of reciprocity and collaboration between faculty, staff and mutual benefit. students of the two institutions through India established diplomatic relations with visits and exchange programs, carry out Israel in 1992 and since then the relationship joint academic and research programs, has evolved into a multi-dimensional joint supervision of doctoral and masters partnership. The two countries are engaged in students, on a reciprocal basis. a range of issues of bilateral interest including  MOU between Jawaharlal Nehru cooperation in agriculture, science & University, India and Hebrew University of technology, education, etc. The visit further Jerusalem, Israel to promote better strengthened bonds of cooperation between the understanding between the faculty and two sides and enhance mutual understanding. students of JNU and the faculty and students Fifth India- China ‘Hand in Hand’ of HUJI. counter-terrorism exercises  Framework for Academic Collaboration The fifth round of India-China joint military between the Indian Institute of Technology exercises ‘Hand-in-Hand’ depicting as counter- Kharagpur Kharagpur, India and the terror operations were held in Kunming and University of Haifa Haifa, Israel in order to Bay of Bengal from 12-22 October 2015 with an promote, facilitate and consolidate aim to develop joint operating capability, share international cooperation in education and useful experience in counter-terrorism research, based on the principles of operations and to promote friendly exchanges reciprocity and mutual benefit. between the armies of India and China.  MOU between the University of Delhi, Delhi, India’s attempt to keep China engaged in a India and Ben-Gurion University of the military-cooperation cycle while it bolsters Negev, (BGU), Beer Sheva, Israel to defence ties with the United States and Japan exchange of information and academic is becoming strikingly illustrated with the joint

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 66 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD counter-terror drills in Kunming, as well as the participant. If that happens, it will re-open the Malabar-2015 naval exercises in the Bay of question whether Indian foreign policy is now Bengal. shifting gears towards an active support for the An exercise featuring troops from both U.S.-led “Asia- Pivot.” sides at the border was regarded significant The Chinese perceive President Barack considering recent tensions between the two Obama’s “Asia Pivot” or “rebalance” doctrine as militaries in the Ladakh region, where Indian a thinly veiled attempt aimed at China’s troops objected to attempts by their Chinese containment. Japan, South Korea and Australia counterparts to claim areas on the Indian side are firm allies in this enterprise, but New Delhi of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). has so far carefully avoided in bracketing itself Such issues were discussed at the with the coalition, notwithstanding the adoption periodic meetings of Working Mechanism for of higher amplitude in expressing its concerns Consultation and Coordination on India-China in the South China Sea. Border Affairs (WMCC). Referring to the Monitoring Malabar 2015 Kunming exercises, the joint press release said Analysts say that China’s sharper focus on the that the joint exercise has “met its stated Malabar 2015 can be attributed to the first objectives; to exchange experience on counter- meeting of the Foreign Ministers of India, U.S., terrorist training and conducting counter- and Japan in New York where the exercise was terrorist operations, enhance mutual trust and discussed. The statement of U.S. State understanding and promote healthy military Department also noted the ”growing relations between the two armies.” The convergence” of the three countries in the Indo- significant feature of this exercise is that both Pacific region, referring to the sea-space on sides designed special drills, pooling up their either side of the strategic Strait of Malacca, anti-terrorism experiences. which is the lifeline of East-West trade. While India has been confronting ‘Asian century’ infiltration by militants in Kashmir, China is China and India have agreed to enhance their battling terrorists from East Turkestan Islamic military cooperation, and to boost people-to- Movement (ETIM) in Xinjiang for the past few people exchanges. New Delhi has also proposed years. India and China have pressed in different joint forays in counter-terrorism, along with contingents each time so that personnel from combating smuggling by sea and anti-piracy various commands are exposed to each other. operations. This has been signalled that India The troops had trained together and and China’s shared interest in what has been learned from each other in mixed groups on described as an emerging new world order Basic Individual Skills (combat boxing, basic centred around the Brazil-Russia-India-China- mountaineering and shooting), Comprehensive South Africa (BRICS) grouping. Combat Skills (obstacle crossing, combat Further analysts also noted that “a shooting, demolition, high-intensity physical grander mission is that as representatives of training) and unit/sub-unit tactics, especially emerging economies and members of the in a counter-terrorism scenario. The next round BRICS countries, both Beijing and New Delhi of exercises will be held in India in 2016. should boost their cooperation while improving Beijing’s concerns themselves, in order to jointly create an Asian In view of the growing tensions with Japan, the century, make breakthroughs in the current Chinese are focusing on the format of this financial order, and forge a new global economic exercise to gauge whether the joint India-U.S. order that is more in line with emerging exercises are morphing into a trilateral markets’ interests”. framework with Tokyo as a permanent ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 67 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD India and Africa It provides India an opportunity to forge a India, Egypt signed two MoUs on constructive and deeper alliance with the bilateral cooperation resource-rich continent to stimulate trade and During the visit of External affairs minister investment flows between India and African Sushma Swaraj to Egypt, India and Egypt on 24 countries. Both sides affirmed that to reinforce August 2015 signed Memorandum of their partnership on the global platform and Understandings (MoUs) in fields of tourism and deepen security cooperation including on scientific and technical to enhance bilateral countering terrorism and maritime security. cooperation. These MoUs are- MoU on Cooperation in the field of Tourism Aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in Tourism, Hospitality and Human Resource Development; Draw up a road map for enhancing cooperation; establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) on tourism cooperation. MoU on scientific and technical Cooperation It was signed between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Research Center (NRC) of Egypt. It will support Logo of Third IAFS: promotion and extension of cooperation in It depicts a Lion with one half of an Indian lion Scientific Research and Technology and another half of African lion. In the Development in fields of mutual interest; background of logo, an African map is overlapped Cooperate on common intellectual property with Indian map as a reference to ancient rights; Develop Working Program to review the Gondwanaland depicting Indian subcontinent implementation of MoU; Establish Joint was part of today’s Africa’s continental landmass. Committee; Exchange of scientists, scholars, Officially the logo means “Proud, Courageous, information; Joint Research Programmes in Bold and on the Prowl, ready to take on the future water desalination, solar energy, medicine and and seize every opportunity”. affordable health care, setting up joint Delhi Declaration 2015 laboratories, etc. The Third India and Africa Forum Summit Third India-Africa forum summit: New (IAFS) has adopted a Delhi Declaration 2015 and Delhi India-Africa Framework for Strategic The third India-Africa forum summit (IAFS) Cooperation. Delhi Declaration-2015 Calls for began in New Delhi on 26 October 2015. The continued collaboration in the fields of peace four day summit (from 26 October to 30 October and security between India and Africa. Provide 2015) is one of the largest gatherings of African a concrete foundation for the consolidation of countries outside Africa as all 54 nations of the our strategic partnership between both sides. continent have participated. The summit Enhance cooperation for strengthening of UN addresses the key challenges faced by African counter terrorism mechanism. Enhance nations which include food, health and cooperation and coordination to combat environmental security etc. The architecture terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. of the India-Africa engagement is evolving, with Framework for Strategic Partnership the two sides relating at three levels, namely Cooperation - Reshaping World Order bilateral, Regional Economic Communities Home to around one-third of the world’s (RECs) and the African Union. humanity, India and Africa are central to reshaping an emerging world order to reflect ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 68 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD priorities and aspirations of the emerging Global Delhi’s unflinching resolve to take the India- South. The third India-Africa Forum Summit Africa partnership to new heights, qualitatively saw a striking convergence of positions between and quantitatively. India and 54 African countries to address a host The Indian Technical and Economic of cross-cutting global issues, ranging from the Cooperation (ITEC) programme exemplifies the UN Security Council reforms, piracy/maritime transformative power of knowledge-sharing and security and terrorism to multilateral trade has acted as a sturdy bridge connecting young negotiations, climate change and sustainable Indians and Africans. In the last three years development. alone, nearly 25,000 young Africans have been India- Africa Framework for Strategic trained and educated at different institutions Cooperation reaffirmed strong commitment to in India, forging lasting links between the two work together for comprehensive reforms of the emerging regions of the world. United Nations system, including its UN The development partnership, envisaged Security Council. Make these world governing in the broader framework of South-South institutions more regionally representative, cooperation and solidarity, has been crafted to democratic, accountable and effective. The dovetail India’s growing prowess in knowledge summit agreed to establish Small and Medium sector with ‘Africa’s Vision 2063’ to nourish and Enterprises and Medium and Small Industries sustain growth, stability and prosperity of these to promote income generation and employment emergent poles of the world. creation for people of both sides. Ensure access Trade Ministers’ Meeting: Co-scripting to affordable and quality treatment and Economic Renaissance medicines, particularly generic medicines to Moving up the value chain, creating jobs, people of both sides bolstering infrastructure, food security and Development Partnership congruence on multilateral trade issues – these Mutual development is the heart of the were the key themes that framed the Fourth burgeoning India-Africa partnership. The India-Africa Trade Ministers’ Meeting held in multifarious development partnership, pivoted New Delhi on October 23, ahead of IAFS-III. on concessional finance, capacity building, Trade ministers of various African countries training, and nurturing of the human capital, and eight Regional Economic Communities saw a marked upswing at IAFS-III, with Prime (RECs) are to firm up a multi-layered strategy Minister Narendra Modi unveiling $10 billion to scale up bilateral trade and investment in additional Lines of Credit and a grant between the two resurgent growth poles of the assistance of USD 600 million to Africa for a world. host of development projects in Africa over the The two sides agreed to intensify next five years. economic partnership across the spectrum and The grant will include an India-Africa unveiled plans to ramp up cooperation in key Development Fund of $100 million and an India- sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, Africa Health Fund of $10 million. It will also healthcare, energy, engineering, agro- include 50,000 scholarships in India over the processing, textiles, leather and next five years and support the expansion of the pharmaceuticals. Pan Africa E-Network and institutions of Bilateral Trade and Investment skilling, training and learning across Africa. India’s growing synergy with Africa is evident The $10.6 billion financial pledge for Africa till from the recent trends in trade. The total trade 2020 is more than the combined amount in was than $1 billion in 1990-1991 and has grown concessional finance and grant committed by to $71 billion in 2014-15. South Africa, remains India over the last two summits, signalling New the leading destination for India’s exports to ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 69 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD Africa in 2014-15. Other major export in oil imports from the United States and destinations include Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, sluggishness in the Chinese economy may Tanzania, Mozambique and Mauritius. push the Africans closer to India. Important items of export include transport Blue Revolution: Driver of Prosperity equipment, machinery and instruments, Amid the growing salience of ocean economy, pharmaceuticals, non-basmati rice, cotton IAFS-III mapped out a blueprint for enhanced yarn fabrics, semi-finished iron and steel. In cooperation in developing blue economy and to the case of India’s imports from Africa, around promote what Prime Minister Narendra Modi 51 percent of them were sourced from Nigeria called “the blue revolution.” Blue Economy aims in 2014-15, South Africa is the second largest at sustainable development of marine source of import followed by Angola, Egypt, resources, which will drive growth and prosperity Ghana and Tanzania. While petroleum crude of India, Africa and other littoral states blessed accounted for a significant 67 percent of India’s with long coastlines. total imports from Africa during 2014-15, other The Delhi Declaration 2015 charts out major items imported from Africa include gold, a detailed plan for development of blue economy, inorganic chemicals, metal ores and metal which includes combating illegal and scrap and cashew nuts. unregulated fishing, managing marine Significantly, India’s private sector has resources, exploring non-marine resources, played a pivotal role in the expansion of trade conducting hydrography surveys, promoting eco- relations. The chambers of industry such as tourism, developing renewable energy, disaster the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and risk reduction through modern early warning Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce tools, pollution control and other coastal and and Industry (FICCI) have, through regular ocean studies. trade conclaves, provided a platform for the Climate Change: Clean & Green corporate sectors of India and Africa to interact Clean and Green is poised to be the new mantra and forge business ties. As a result Indian of the new phase of the India-Africa partnership, investments in Africa have multiplied and are with the two sides collaborating closely to secure currently pegged at around $ 35 billion dollars. a balanced and comprehensive global climate They are spread across sectors such as deal at Paris COP21 and planning to upscale the telecommunications, information technology, share of renewables in their energy calculus. hydrocarbons and agriculture. Partners in Peace-Investing in Stability Over the years there has been a similar Peacekeeping and peace-building are interest in engaging with Africa among the critical to sustain the ongoing resurgence of the Chinese, the Americans and the Europeans. African continent. In sync with its civilizational Despite more than doubling since 2007 to $72 philosophy of non-violence and promoting peace billion in fiscal 2014-15, India’s two-way trade across the globe, India has played a crucial role with Africa is still comparatively small. India’s in the UN peacekeeping missions across the economic presence in Africa is dwarfed by continent China, whose bilateral trade with the India is currently involved actively in continent topped $210 billion 2013-14 more four major peacekeeping missions in Africa, than the GDP of the 30 smallest African which includes Democratic Republic of Congo economies combined while that with the United (MONUSCO), South Sudan (UNMISS), Ivory States was $ 85 billion. But it is gaining ground, Coast (UNOCI) and Liberia (UNMIL). Put together, dominated by the energy sector and led by India has deployed about 4,500 soldiers on the private entrepreneurs. However recent decline ground, including the only fully formed female police unit in Liberia. At the IAFS-III, India and ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 70 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD Arica decided to bolster their cooperation in South. The third India-Africa Forum Summit enhancing capacity to contribute to saw a striking convergence of positions peacekeeping and peace-building efforts between India and 54 African countries to including support to the African Standby Force address a host of cross-cutting global issues, (ASF). ranging from the UN Security Council reforms, India plans to conduct a new training piracy/maritime security and terrorism to course at the Centre for UN Peacekeeping multilateral trade negotiations, climate change (CUNPK) in New Delhi and at other and sustainable development. Peacekeeping Training Centers in Africa It’s a winning combination of mutual dedicated for Training of Trainers from empowerment, blending the rich resources and upcoming Troop Contributing Countries from energy of Africa with technical expertise and Africa. They also agreed on jointly promoting capacity of India, one of the world’s fastest greater involvement of the Troop Contributing growing economies and an emerging Countries in the decision-making process. knowledge power. The IAFS-III envisages an enhanced role of Significance of IAFS-III women in peace keeping and propagating the The India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) ended culture of peace. with a globally relevant declaration. Though Building Knowledge Bridge India and African countries meet often in Bridging knowledge deficit and widening international platforms, IAFS 2015 will remain the arc of understanding between India and unique because it was the first time that India Africa – this was the shared master-theme of appeared before Africa speaking the language an academic conference and the India-Africa of pure economic development and finance Editors’ Forum, which were organized ahead of capital, in a departure from the ideology- the IAFS-III. The two conferences focused on dominant days of Jawaharlal Nehru in the intensifying dialogue between academics, 1950s. scholars, journalists, thought leaders and civil The economic diplomacy of India is societies to firm up an emerging template of sending the indication that like India, which India-Africa partnership, which will be has reached out to engage Africa in a robust underpinned by three Cs: Connectivity (physical manner; Africa too is unafraid of antagonising and mental), Complementarity and Cooperation. China as it explores India’s seriousness on Knowledge-sharing reaching out to Africa. The academics’ conference entitled However, a casualty of pure economic “India-Africa Partnership: Scale and Scope of diplomacy has been ideological commitment to Comprehensive Partnership” was organised by democracy and freedom that India refused to Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA). The project into Africa during the summit. conference suggested closer interaction India–Africa Forum Summit between think tanks, universities and civil The India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) is the society organisations of India and Africa. official platform for the African-Indian relations. Power 55 IAFS will be held once in every three years. It Call it as the power of 55. Home to over two was first held from April 4 to April 8, 2008 in billion people (around one-third of the world’s New Delhi, India. It was the first such meeting humanity), India and the 54-nation African between the heads of state and government of continent are scripting a new chapter of renewal India and 14 countries of Africa chosen by the and resurgence. India and Africa are central to African Union. The second summit was held reshaping an emerging world order to reflect at the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in 2011, priorities and aspirations of the emerging Global ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 71 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD with India and 15 African Countries The Sides appreciated the intense engagement participated. between India and the United States under India and North & South America various institutional bilateral dialogue India and U.S signs MoU on mechanisms and people-to-people contacts and Cooperation to Establish the PACE welcomed India’s announcement to hold a Setter Fund regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) in Los India and the United States of America signed Angeles in November 2015 towards this a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on direction. Cooperation to Establish the PACE Setter Fund Both sides assessed that ties between on 30 June, 2015 in New Delhi. The fund is to the United States and India have never been support the Promoting Energy Access Through stronger – as reflected by unprecedented Clean Energy (PEACE) track of the U.S.-India strategic cooperation, record levels of bilateral Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE) to trade and investment, and more than 2 million accelerate the commercialization of off-grid annual visits between their citizens, students, clean energy through early-stage grant funding and entrepreneurs. grants to develop and test innovative products, Strategic Cooperation in Global Issues systems, and business models  The Sides recognized that the India-U.S. The Government of India and the United partnership was a significant contributor States of America have announced the launch to the peace, stability and prosperity in the of a new initiative “Promoting Energy Access Indian Ocean and Asia-Pacific regions and through Clean Energy (PEACE)”. This ambitious around the globe. They welcomed cooperation is a new tract under the U.S.-India continued cooperation under the Joint Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE), a Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and flagship initiative on Clean Energy that Indian Ocean Region agreed by President combines the resources of several U.S. agencies Obama and Prime Minister Modi. and GOI Ministries. India-U.S. corpus of about  The U.S. Side commended India’s Rs.500 Million ($8 Million U.S. Dollars) have leadership in evacuating foreign nationals been drawn on 50:50 sharing basis. including U.S. citizens, from conflict in Under this, a Steering Committee Yemen, as well as cooperation between the comprising the Secretary of the Ministry of New United States and India on providing and Renewable Energy and the United States earthquake relief in Nepal. They resolved Ambassador to India, and three representatives both nations would work as partners in from each side has been constituted. It was responding to the needs of civilians in agreed to cooperate through technical and global crises. commercial innovation and the advancement  Recognizing the centrality of peacekeeping of clean energy in off-grid space. to the UN’s efforts for maintenance of First U.S.-India Strategic and international peace and security, the Sides Commercial Dialogue committed to enhance cooperation in The first U.S.-India Strategic and Commercial peacekeeping capacity building in third Dialogue held in Washington DC on 22 countries with a focus on training aspects September 2015. On United States’ side, for UN peacekeepers, especially in Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of identified African countries. Commerce Penny Pritzker and Indian  They welcomed Japan’s participation in the counterparts External Affairs Minister Sushma MALABAR 2015 naval exercise later this Swaraj and Minister of State for Commerce and year. Industry Nirmala Sitharaman are participated. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 72 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD  The U.S. affirms its support for India’s  Committed to strengthening their membership in the Missile Technology bilateral cooperation, they pledged to work Control Regime at its upcoming plenary, the together to promote the responsible Nuclear Suppliers Group, and in the other management and rules-based resolution of global nonproliferation export control conflicts in shared maritime and space regimes. domains, and cyberspace.  Reflecting shared objectives in advancing  They agreed for peaceful use of the oceans, nuclear nonproliferation, the two sides freedom of navigation, and protection of expressed support for the Joint the ocean ecosystem and to explore a new Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Oceans Dialogue to promote sustainable reached among the P5+1, the European development of the blue economy. Union, and Iran. They called for Iran’s  In outer space cooperation, they noted timely and thorough implementation of the the launch of a new Space Security JCPOA. Dialogue in March 2015, the exchange of  They pledged to continue high level technical data from both countries’ consultations on Afghanistan, making clear national Mars orbiters, and upcoming Civil the enduring commitment of India and Space Joint Working Group in Bangalore. United States to the Afghan people and The U.S. side applauded India’s proposal to agreed that a sovereign, independent and launch a satellite for the South Asian prosperous Afghanistan is in the interest Association for Regional Cooperation of peace and security in the region, and will (SAARC) in order to expand information contribute to the global efforts to combat sharing and connectivity within the terrorism and extremism. SAARC region. In this spirit, they renewed  In order to strengthen institutional the U.S.-India Technology Safeguards cooperation between ministries, both Agreement to facilitate the launch of U.S. nations announced a new Diplomacy satellite components on Indian space Partnership between the Department of launch vehicles. State and the Ministry of External Affairs  On cyber issues, they supported an open, which will include a new Policy Planning inclusive, transparent, and multi- Dialogue and coordination on the training stakeholder system of internet governance of their diplomats through collaboration and planned to work together to promote between respective Foreign Service cyber security, combat cyber crime, and Institutes. They expressed satisfaction at advance norms of responsible state the convening of the first meeting of an behavior in cyberspace. They agreed to upgraded UN and Multilateral Dialogue in improve cooperation among technical, law February 2015, the first meeting of the enforcement, cyber R&D, and capacity Space Security Dialogue in March 2015, and building. The Sides commended the the first India-U.S. consultations on Africa resumption of the U.S.-India Cyber in April 2015. Dialogue. The Sides welcomed the decision  The U.S. reaffirmed its support for a to convene a Track 1.5 program to further reformed UN Security Council with India as cooperation on internet and cyber issues a permanent member. Both sides are and contribute to the goals of Digital India committed to continued engagement on initiative. Security Council reform in the UN Economic Growth Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on  Emphasizing the importance of building Security Council Reform. commercial ties to drive the U.S.-India ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 73 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD partnership forward, reviewed the a view to minimizing regulatory barriers outcomes of the first meeting of the to bilateral trade. reconstituted and expanded U.S.-India CEO  Facilitate exchanges on Technical Textiles Forum held on September 21, 2015. between centres of excellence in India and  Innovation and Entrepreneurship as an U.S. universities. They will encourage area for cooperation, They agreed to industry to participate in trade exhibitions facilitate an innovation forum in 2016, a focused on Technical Textiles in their platform for U.S. and Indian entrepreneurs respective countries. Both sides agreed to to share best practices in promoting a address concerns regarding barriers to culture of innovation and the creation of technical textile exports in the relevant sister innovation hubs. work stream.  They launched a joint work stream on Ease  Responding to India’s request for support of Doing Business. They agreed to continue in developing evaluation techniques for exchanges of information and best Massive Open Online Courses and practices on cross- border trade, and to Distance Education Courses, the United continue commercial law-related States agreed to facilitate discussions with initiatives on issues like insolvency and U.S. industry experts specializing in this contract enforcement, and transparency. subject.  They acknowledged the discussions on  Regarding the health, the Sides reviewed Totalisation held in August 2015 in progress from the first meeting of the U.S.- Baltimore and welcomed the exchange of Health Dialogue, welcoming recent information on their respective social cooperative agreements to enhance security systems. They looked forward to cooperation in the field of cancer research, further engagement. prevention, control and management;  They welcomed efforts toward the removal environmental and occupational health of barriers that impact their participation and injuries prevention and control; and in global supply chains and sustained LOI on research on antimicrobial implementation of trade facilitation resistance. They agreed will work together measures. They endorsed continued to consider signing a MoU in the field of discussions on Standards, in consultation Mental Health and a MoU between the with industry in both countries that will Ministry of AYUSH and HHS on identify priority sectors where cooperation collaboration in various aspects of could lead to positive outcomes for bilateral Traditional Medicine, including regulatory trade. and capacity building. AYUSH will be  They announced a private sector-led organizing a joint workshop with NIH in collaboration to maintain and update a early 2016 in India to discuss research portal containing standards information for collaboration on traditional medicine. the use of industry, including small- and  U.S. affirmed that it stands to assist in medium-sized enterprises and agreed to India’s ambitious goal of providing skills explore opportunities for cooperation in the training to 400 million people over the development of reference materials next decade. They also noted the need to between the National Physical Laboratory continue efforts to implement the decisions (NPL) in India and the National Institute of taken during previous summits including Standards and Technologies (NIST) in the the knowledge partnership for supporting United States. They committed to the IIT Gandhinagar through USAID and exchanges between certain regulators with ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 74 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD in India’s Global initiative for Academic successful U.S.-India Partnership to Network (GIAN). Advance Clean Energy (PACE), including:  They expressed satisfaction at the progress a. Greening the Grid, a U.S. $30 million, 5- made on Science, Technology and year initiative to scale up renewable Innovation collaboration. Under ‘Discovery energy integration into India’s power grid. Science’ India’s Department of Atomic b. Two activities to promote off-grid clean Energy and U.S. Department of Energy are energy access: the PACEsetter Fund, a working together to develop a High joint U.S. $7.9 million fund for innovative Intensity Superconducting Proton off-grid clean energy projects and a new Accelerator (HISPA). Under the U.S.-India public-private partnership that will work Endowment Fund, prototypes of several to mobilize U.S. $41 million in finance for innovative technologies have been jointly clean energy entrepreneurs. developed with potential for societal use c. Research on smart grids and energy and commercial application. storage for grid application as the fourth Defence and Security Cooperation stream under PACE – R. Building on the conclusion of their 10-year  Drawing on the academic and scientific Defense Framework Agreement, both sides cooperation that underpins the U.S.- expressed satisfaction with progress on Defense India partnership, they looked forward to Technology and Trade Initiative pathfinder launch a new Fulbright-India Climate projects, including the establishment of the Fellowship for capacity building in climate Working Groups on Aircraft Carrier Technology research between India’s Department of and Jet Engine, and the growing cooperation Science and Technology and the U.S. between U.S. and Indian defense industries Department of State. through the “Make in India” initiative. They  Noting the importance of preserving the looked forward to deepen discussions on military environment and sustaining diverse exercises, defense trade and technology, and ecosystems, and acknowledging the rise areas of cooperation. of international criminal networks Energy and Environment engaged in wildlife trafficking, finalize an  Recognizing the profound threat of global MOU to enhance their cooperation on climate change, they stressed the conservation and combat wildlife importance of working together and with trafficking. The U.S. offered support to other countries to conclude an ambitious India’s Project Tiger designed to protect climate agreement in Paris in December the population of Bengal tigers in their 2015, understanding that meeting this natural habitats. goal will require concerted action by all Rooted in shared democratic values and countries and the international sustained by the ties between Indians and community. Americans that have strengthened and  They looked forward to the early signing of enriched both nations, both sides affirmed at a new five year Memorandum of the close of the dialogue that together the Understanding on Energy Security, Clean United States and India would continue to Energy and Climate Change. In particular, expand and deepen their engagement, to build the two sides welcomed significant progress a defining partnership for the 21st century. in implementing President Obama and Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to strengthen and expand the highly

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 75 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD U.S., India sign $3-bn defence deal for which was reluctant to be seen to be doing U.S. Apache, Chinook helicopters bidding in the region, the Modi government has India and U.S., on 28 September 2015, has been receptive to U.S. deals and joint exercises. signed final agreements for the procurement In a first, the latest Malabar exercise between of the most advanced American helicopters - the U.S. and India has been expanded to include 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and 15 Japan. CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters -in a deal After holding extensive field trials, the estimated to be worth $3 billion and would be Indian Air Force opted for the Apache gunship completed in four years. and the Chinook helicopter– first flown during For the Chinook helicopters, the the Vietnam War – already six years ago. India’s agreement was signed between representatives Air Force had been badly looking to replace its of Ministry of Defence(MoD) and Boeing. The aging fleet of 15 Russian-made Mi-35 attack procurement of the weapon systems of the helicopters with a new attack helicopter. The Apache attack helicopter – including 812 AGM- Chinooks are set to replace the Indian 114L-3 Hellfire Longbow missiles, 542 AGM- military’s four Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopters, only 114R-3 Hellfire-II missiles, 245 Stinger Block two of two of which are still operational. I-92H missiles – as well as the aircraft’s radar The latest deal would ensure that the equipment (e.g., the AN/APG-78 fire-control U.S. remains the one of India’s biggest military radar) was signed under a separate “foreign suppliers for some years to come. The U.S. has military sale” agreement. The FMS [foreign signed over $10 billion worth of defence deals military sale] portion of the sale includes with India in the past decade or so. This munitions, training, aircraft certification, and includes P-8I maritime surveillance planes, C- components like engines, electro-optical 130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster- sensors and the radar III transport aircraft. India’s Cabinet Committee of Security India and Europe (CCS), responsible for military procurements, PM Modi visit to Ireland has approved the purchase in 22 September The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi 2015, after more than ten American price visited Ireland on 23 September 2015. He is validity extensions, which stipulate that the the first Prime Minister of India to visit Ireland American defense contractor Boeing would sell in 59 years. Last Prime Minister to visit Ireland the military hardware at the price agreed upon was Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1956. During the in 2013. visit, Modi held discussions with Prime Minister Final approval of the purchase had been Enda Kenny of Ireland and both nations agreed stalled since that time due to differences over cooperation in following areas: U.S. offset obligations – under India’s Defense • To develop closer partnership and Procurement Procedure (DPP) any foreign cooperation. company has to invest part of the total • To chart out a roadmap for collaboration purchasing price back into the country. The in the digital world and for this they agreed current contract will have a 30 percent offset to held talks between Joint Working Group clause. on Information Technology soon. The contracts mark yet another • To help the professionals from the two significant step in rapidly expanding military countries they displayed interest in ties between the two sides that would be concluding social security agreement. discomforting to China, while drawing the • Agreed to have direct air services by contours of a broader coalition emerging in the airlines of both countries. The stance region. Unlike the previous UPA government, ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 76 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD would help in promoting business links 3) Security Cooperation: MoU was inked along with tourism ties, which is growing between the Ministry of Home Affairs and at 14 percent per year. the Federal Ministry of the Interior, • India sought Ireland’s support for the Germany. reforms of the UN Security Council within 4) Aviation Security: MoU was inked a fixed time frame, particularly for between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and successful conclusion of inter- the Federal Ministry of the Interior of the governmental negotiations in the 70th year Federal Republic of Germany. of the United Nations. India sought Ireland’s 5) Cooperation in the Field of Skill support for India’s permanent membership Development and Vocational Education of the reformed Security Council. and Training: A Joint MoU was inked • India also sought Ireland’s support for between the Ministry of Skill Development India’s membership of the NSG and other and Entrepreneurship, on one hand, and international export control regimes. the Federal Ministry of Education and During his visit to Ireland, Modi presented Research and the Federal Ministry for reproductions of a selection of manuscripts and Economic Cooperation and Development papers available in the National Archives of India of Germany, on the other hand. pertaining to two Irish officials, Thomas Oldham 6) Cooperation in the Field of Disaster (1816-1878) and Sir George Abraham Grierson Management: The Joint Declaration of (1851-1941), in recognition of their contributions Intent was inked by the Ministry of Home in India to the Prime Minister of Ireland Enda Affairs and the Federal Ministry of the Kenny. Interior, Germany. India and Germany signed 18 MoUs 7) For extension of tenure of Indo-German and two loan agreements Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC): India and Germany on 5 October 2015 signed 18 Announced as a Joint Declaration by the MoUs in various sector including renewable Ministry of Science and Technology and energy, skill development and culture, during the Federal Ministry of Education and the state visit of Germany chancellor Angela Research of Germany. Merkel. The MoUs were signed at the end of third 8) Indo-German Partnerships in Higher Indo-German Inter-governmental Consultations Education (IGP): MoU was inked between in New Delhi. University Grants Commission (UGC) and List of Agreements/MoUs German Academic Exchange Service 1) Promotion of Languages: Joint Declaration (DAAD), Germany. of Intent signed between Ministry of Human 9) Plant Protection Products: Joint Resource Development and the Federal Declaration of Intent was inked by the Foreign Office of Germany. The agreement Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ seeks to promote German as a foreign Welfare, and the Federal Office of language in India and the promote Modern Consumer Protection and Food Safety Indian Languages in Germany. (BVL), Germany. 2) Indo-German Solar Energy Partnership: 10) Cooperation in the Field of Railways: to MoU between the Federal Ministry for further develop the cooperation in the field Economic Cooperation and Development of of railways a Joint Declaration of Intent Germany and the Ministry of New and was inked between the Federal Ministry Renewable Energy on Indo-German of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Development Cooperation Regarding the Germany and the Ministry of Railways. Indo-German Solar Energy Partnership. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 77 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD 11) Cooperation in the Field of Manufacturing: Green Energy Corridor programme MoU was inked between the Department Green Energy Corridor programme seeks to of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises facilitate the flow of renewable energy into the of India and Fraunhofer Society of national grid. In other words, it is aimed at Germany. synchronising electricity produced from 12) Fast-Track system for German companies renewable sources, such as solar and wind, with in India: Joint Announcement was made. conventional power stations in the grid. This 13) Cooperation in the Field of Advanced comprehensive transmission plan was prepared Training of Corporate Executives and by POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited in Junior Executives from India: Joint 2012 and it entails a total cost of 43000 crore Declaration to continue the cooperation rupees. Renewable Energy is one of the key was inked between the two nations. areas of India-German partnership. It was 14) Cooperation in Food Safety: Joint mentioned in the Joint Statement of Hannover Statement of Intent was inked between in April 2015. the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment In April 2013 during the second Indo- (BfR) and the Food Safety and Standards German Government Consultations in Berlin, Authority of India (FSSAI). Germany committed developmental and 15) Cooperation in Food Safety: Joint technical assistance of 1 billion euro for the Statement of Intent was inked between project. the Food Safety and Standards Authority The first Indo-German Inter- of India (FSSAI) and the Federal Office of governmental Consultations took place in India Consumer Protection and Food Safety in 2011 and in 2013, Germany hosted the (BVL). second round. 16) Cooperation in Agricultural Studies: MoU India and World Bank inked between German Agribusiness India & World Bank signed agreement Alliance and Agriculture Skill Council of of US$ 308.40 Million for NCRMP-II India (ASCI). Union Government and World Bank have signed 17) Supporting participation of Indian Young US$308.40 million credit agreement in support Scientists in Natural Sciences for the of the second phase of the National Cyclone Risk Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings: Letter of Mitigation Program (NCRMP-II) on 11 August Intent was inked between the Department 2015. The agreement was also signed by the of Science and Technology (DST) of India, state Governments of Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Kerala, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. Meetings (Council), and the Foundation Objective of NCRMP-II Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings • To reduce vulnerability to cyclone and other (Foundation). hydro-meteorological hazards of coastal 18) Summary Record of the Negotiations on communities in the states of Goa, Gujarat, Development Cooperation. Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and West In addition to that, both the nations also have Bengal signed two loan agreements worth 125 million • It aims at increasing the capacity of the Euros for financing two projects under the State entities to effectively plan for and Green Energy Corridor programme. These two respond to disasters. projects are in Himachal Pradesh and Andhra • The project will also finance technical Pradesh. Germany will fund 57 million Euros assistance for strengthening of multi- for projects in Himachal Pradesh and 68 million hazard risk management at the national Euros for Andhra Pradesh. level and improving the quality of available ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 78 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD information on multi-hazard risks for Alleviation, Human Resource Development and decision making across the country. Women & Child Development. NCRMP-II has four components – NUHM objectives a) Early Warning Dissemination Systems  It seeks to cover all 779 cities with a b) Cyclone Risk Mitigation Infrastructure population of above 50000 and all the c) Technical Assistance for Multi-Hazard Risk district and state headquarters Management (irrespective of the population size). d) Project Management and Implementation  It provides for Mahila Arogya Samitis for Support promotion of access to improved health The primary beneficiaries of NCRMP-II will be care at household level on the lines of coastal communities in the target states Mahila Bachat Gat scheme in benefitting from cyclone risk mitigation Maharashtra infrastructure and early warning systems.  It seeks to reduce Infant Mortality Rate The project will be implemented by the Ministry (IMR) by 40 percent (in urban areas) and of Home Affairs through National Disaster National Urban IMR down to 20 per 1000 Management Authority (NDMA) and at the state live births by 2017 level, it will be executed by the respective State  It also aims to reduce Maternal Mortality Disaster Management Authorities. Rate (MMR) by 50 percent by 2017 India and Asian Development Bank  Achieve universal access to reproductive India signed a loan agreement with ADB health including 100 percent institutional for National Urban Health Mission delivery India signed a loan agreement of $300 million  Achieve replacement level fertility of 2.1 with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for its by 2017 flagship programme National Urban Health India and ADB loan agreement for Mission (NUHM) on 28 July 2015. The loan upgrade tourism infrastructure and agreement is seeks to reinforce ongoing services in Punjab, Uttarakhand and government efforts under the NUHM to develop Himachal Pradesh health systems in urban areas that can deliver The Government of India signed a loan with quality health services to the urban poor and Asian Development Bank (ADB), on 28 vulnerable. September 2015, for US $ 123.51 million for Further, it will focus on strengthening tranche 3 of the Infrastructure Development primary health care and also promote better Investment Program for Tourism to continue coordination between health and urban sectors upgrading tourism infrastructure and services and opportunities for public-private partnerships. in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Besides, the two parties also signed the The loan will be used for development accompanying capacity building technical and conservation of places of tourist attractions. assistance of 2 million US dollars financed by It will also be used to improve basic tourism the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction. facilities, and to build the capacity of sector National Urban Health Mission agencies and local communities in the States The National Urban Health Mission of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab. (NUHM) as a sub-mission of National Health The third tranche loan is part of the $250 Mission (NHM) for the period of 2013 to 2017. The million multi-tranche financing facility that main objective of the mission is to improve the ADB approved in 2010. health status of the country’s urban population. The loan will support conservation of It is implemented by the Union Ministries of important heritage structures, including some Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty century-old structures, new facilities including ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 79 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD centers for arts and crafts in the three states. headquarters, health and education facilities, Eco-parks and eco-tourism will also be developed and other centers of economic activity. to help the states attract more tourists. It is expected that Project 3 will result To upgraded tourism infrastructure like in benefits similar to the previous two projects provisioning of drinking water, drainage, street including improving and sustaining the lighting, solid waste management and connectivity of selected rural communities in improvements to approach roads at selected the five States. This loan will be used to make tourist destinations will enhance tourism further investments as well as supporting environment in the States of Himachal Pradesh, improved road design, road safety and asset Punjab and Uttarakhand. Further, the management measures, and training, with involvement of local communities in the women actively involved in all aspects. management of natural and cultural heritage The Ministry of Rural Development sites will create employment for poor and (MORD) is the executing agency of the project vulnerable households. at the central level, while the Governments of To improve income opportunities for the States of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya local communities, more than 4,000 community Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal have been members are set to be trained in tourism-related entrusted with overall implementation at the skills such as guides, crafts, and other respective State level. The third tranche is recreational activities. At least 30 community- expected to be completed by December, 2017. based societies will be made operational in the The implementing agencies at the State level management of natural and cultural heritage will be the respective State Rural Roads sites. Development Agencies. India signed US$ 273 million loan Miscellaneous agreement with Asian Development Cabinet gave its approval for Bank notification of Preferential Treatment The Union Government on 9 November 2015 to LDCs in Trade in Services in WTO signed US$ 273 million loan agreement with The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Asian Development Bank (ADB) to continue Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its improving rural roads in the States of Assam, approval for notification of Preferential Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Treatment by India to Least Developed Bengal. Countries (LDCs) in Trade in Services in the The loan represents the third tranche, WTO. which is also the last tranche of the $800 million India will notify preferential treatment to the financing facility under the Rural Connectivity LDCs in Trade in Services in respect of: Investment Program. The loan will help in 1. Article XVI of the GATS (Market Access); constructing over 6,000 kilometers of all- 2. Technical Assistance and capacity weather rural roads in the aforesaid five States, building; and benefiting over 4200 rural habitations. 3. Waiver of visa fees for LDC applicants The program has supported the applying for Indian Business and Government’s objectives under the Pradhan Employment visas. Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) by providing The preferences will be bound with validity for all-weather road connectivity in selected rural 15 years from the date of notification by India. areas in the five states. He said that the A generous offer in Trade in Services by India enhanced connectivity will improve access of should win the country goodwill of LDCs. India rural communities to markets, district has already made a very generous offer to LDCs in the area of Trade in Goods in the form of a ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 80 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTF) scheme. An  Provisions requiring all WTO members to equally generous offer in Trade in Services will safeguard the trade interests of developing help India preserve and consolidate its countries, leadership position on LDC issues. Further,  Support to help developing countries build given the development dimension of the Doha the capacity to carry out WTO work, Round of the WTO, it is important that India handle disputes, and implement technical makes liberal offers to LDCs in Trade in standards, and Services also. Moreover, several of the LDCs  Provisions related to least-developed are located in South Asia while majority are in country (LDC) Members. Africa with whom India maintains special First U.S.-India-Japan Trilateral relations. Ministerial dialogue: New York India’s preferential treatment to the On September 29, United States Secretary of LDCs in Trade in Services would involve a cost State John Kerry hosted the inaugural U.S.- of Rs. 6.5 crore annually on account of waiver India-Japan Trilateral Ministerial dialogue of visa fees and Rs. 2.5 to 3 crore, per annum, with Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma for providing training in management and Swaraj and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio technical consultancy courses to LDC Kishida on the sidelines of the 70th United applicants. As regards offers under Article XVI Nations General Assembly in New York. The of the GATS (Market Access) is concerned, three countries representing a quarter of the there are no direct financial implications. world’s population and economic production Background: power, highlighted their shared support for As per the WTO mandate, decisions of the WTO peace, democracy, prosperity, and a rules- Ministerial Conferences and requests made by based international order. the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), The dialogue highlighted the growing developed country and developing country convergence of their respective countries’ members of the WTO, in a position to do so, were interests in the Indo-Pacific region. They also to voluntarily consider providing LDCs underscored the importance of international preferential treatment in Trade in Services. law and peaceful settlement of disputes; The WTO Agreements contain special freedom of navigation and overflight; and provisions which give developing countries unimpeded lawful commerce, including in the special rights and which give developed South China Sea. They reiterated their countries the possibility to treat developing support for ASEAN centrality in the countries more favourably than other WTO multilateral political and security architecture Members. These special provisions include, for in the Asia-Pacific region and emphasized the example, longer time periods for implementing importance of the East Asia Summit as the Agreements and commitments or measures to premier leaders- level forum for addressing increase trading opportunities for developing key political and security issues of the region. countries. The three countries agreed to work These provisions are referred to as “special and together to maintain maritime security differential treatment” (S&D) provisions. through greater collaboration. The United The special provisions include: States and India welcome Japan’s  Longer time periods for implementing participation in the 2015 MALABAR exercise. Agreements and commitments, Recognizing the three countries’ extensive  Measures to increase trading opportunities disaster response capabilities and converging for developing countries, interests, agreed to convene an experts-level

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 81 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD group on humanitarian assistance and disaster 1) Affirm the interest of BRICS countries in relief to enhance ability to respond jointly to exchanging views and sharing experience complex disasters. on migration issues; In an effort to capitalize on collective 2) Acknowledge the interrelationship capacities in promoting regional economic between transnational migration and linkages, the three Ministers launched an development and the need to deal with the experts-level group on regional connectivity to opportunities and challenges that identify collaborative efforts that can help migration presents and take advantage of strengthen regional connectivity, including its positive impacts; between South and Southeast Asia. The three 3) Reaffirm the openness of the BRICS to Ministers expressed interest in exploring deepen collaboration with other countries, trilateral cooperation on women’s skill international and regional organizations, enhancement and economic empowerment to based on principle of equality and mutual further social and economic development. respect for discussing and addressing the The ministerial meeting also provided a issue of international migration including venue for all sides to make advances on a range the facilitation of safe and orderly of important security, economic and diplomatic migration; issues. On maritime security, it is worth noting 4) Acknowledge the impact of migration to that all three countries have already stepped the social and economic development and up efforts to boost the capacity of individual demographic situation in the BRICS Southeast Asian states to tackle various countries; challenges, including China’s growing 5) Express the interest of BRICS countries assertiveness. in sharing best practices in the First BRICS ministerial meet on development and implementation of migration -2015: Sochi national migration policies or procedures; The First BRICS Ministerial migration meeting 6) Acknowledge the relevance of cooperation was held in Sochi on October 8, 2015. in the field of migration in the BRICS Alongside with the meeting the round table on space; “New strategies of managing migration as the 7) Recognize the importance of promoting key to a successful development of society” was the mobility of skilled workers in the space organized. The discussion of the meeting of the BRICS countries; focused on the regulation of migration processes 8) Reiterate the commitment to combat and exerting greater influence on the geopolitical prevent organized criminal human environment in the world. trafficking and migrant smuggling; After detailed deliberations, a joint 9) Welcome strengthening of the dialogue declaration was issued, which is a major and cooperation in the field of migration, milestone so far as orderly and legal migration including migration policies, procedures amongst BRICS countries is concerned. The and strategies as well as working Heads of the Migration Authorities from the meetings of representatives of the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the migration authorities of the BRICS People’s Republic of China, the Republic of South countries; Africa, guided by the Ufa Declaration and the The members also resolved to combat and commitment to respect human rights included prevent transnational organized crime in line in that declaration: with the Ufa declaration. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Shanghai

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 82 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD Cooperation Council (SCO), Commonwealth of economic challenges, utilizing such drivers as Independent States (CIS) and other science, technology and innovation (STI). BRICS International bodies on migration. STI Minister agreed on the collaboration for: According to a United Nations report, (i) Cooperation within large research “Globally, one in 122 humans is now either a infrastructures, including mega-science refugee, internally displaced, or seeking projects; coordination of the existing large- asylum.” scale national programme of the BRICS According to the U.N. refugee agency, countries; UNHCR, the migration crisis in 2015 reached (ii) Development and implementation of a an alarming level as “wars, conflict and BRICS Framework Programme for funding persecution forced more people than at any multilateral joint research projects, other time since records began, to flee their technology commercialization and homes and seek refuge and safety innovation; elsewhere…the worldwide displacement was at (iii) Establishment of BRICS Research and the highest level ever recorded. The number of Innovation Networking Platform. people forcibly displaced at the end of 2014 had BRICS STI Ministers also endorsed a BRICS risen to a staggering 59.5 million compared with Action Plan 2015-18 on BRICS Science, 51.2 million a year earlier and 37.5 million a Technology and Innovation cooperation. The decade ago.” Work Plan outline detailed modalities of BRICS India oppose uniform migration policy collaboration in previously agreed thematic at BRICS meet in Sochi areas such as Prevention and Mitigation of Though India offers asylum to a large number Natural Disasters led by Brazil; Water resources of refugees, but it has decided not to be a and pollution treatment led by Russia; signatory to a uniform migration policy that is Geospatial technology and its application for coming up for discussion at the first BRICS development led by India; New and renewable Migration Conference in Sochi, Russia. India energy, and energy efficiency with focus on is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Solid-state lightning led by China. This Work Convention. India also push for a liberalised Plan also included few new areas for BRICS STI visa regime for “skilled workers” among BRICS collaboration such as Material science including nations to promote business and economic Nanotechnology and Photonics jointly led by interests. India and Russia; Biotechnology and BRICS inks for supporting multilateral Biomedicine including Human Health R&D Projects &Neuroscience led by Russia or Brazil; BRICS countries- Brazil, Russia, India, China Information Technologies and High and South Africa agreed for co-investment of Performance Computing led jointly by China resources for supporting multilateral R&D and South Africa; Ocean and Polar Science and Projects in mutually agreed areas. The Indian Technology led jointly by Brazil and Russia. delegation led by the Union Minister for The 3rd BRICS S&T Ministers Meeting Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. endoresed India’s proposal to host the BRICS Harsh Vardhan, signed a joint Declaration called Young Scientist Forum Secretariat in India Moscow Declaration to this effect, at the 3rd with the Indian Department of Science and Meeting of BRICS Ministers for Science, Technology as coordinating point. The idea of Technology and Innovation held at Moscow on creation of BRICS Young Scientist Forum for 28 October, 2015. youth engagement was mooted by the Indian This Declaration reflects BRICS partnership in Prime Minister in VIth BRICS Summit in Brazil addressing common global and regional socio- in July 2014. India’s proactive role in creation ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 83 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INDIA AND WORLD of this Forum has been noted with interest by the BRICS Leaders at the VIIth BRICS Summit held in Ufa, Russia in July 2015. It was also agreed to develop a dedicated Website for BRICS Young Scientist Forum with an interactive online component to broadcast opportunities and initiative for young STI community in the BRICS Region. To take this initiative forward, India will be hosting the 5-day BRICS Young Scientist Conclave at National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) Bangalore during March 2016 with intent to create BRICS Young Scientists Corps. This event is seeking 50 to 75 young STI delegates from BRICS countries. The event will allow BRICS Youth connectivity & networking to harness their knowledge for resolving common societal challenges through research and innovation and strengthen advancement of skill & research competencies of youth primarily in the age group of 22-35 years drawn from Science, Engineering other allied disciplines. As outlined in the BRICS Action Plan 2015- 16, a series of of sceintific events will be orginased in 2015-16:  Holding of BRICS Working Group on Geospatial Technology Application for Development (March 2016, India);  Holding the 2nd Meeting of the BRICS SSL Working Group (November 2015, China);  Holding the first Meeting of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group (December 2015);  Holding annual conference “Innovative materials for energy and water saving and environmental protection, new trends in the technological development” (Russia).

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ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 84 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL 7TH BRICS Summit 2015: Ufa city, It reaffirmed strong commitment to the Russia United Nations as a universal multilateral The leaders of the Federative Republic of Brazil, organization, recall the 2005 World Summit the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, Outcome Document and reaffirm the need for the People’s Republic of China and the Republic a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, of South Africa, met on 9 July 2015, at Ufa city, including its Security Council with a view to Russia, at the Seventh BRICS Summit. The making it more representative and efficient so theme of summit is “BRICS Partnership – a that it could better respond to global challenges. Powerful Factor of Global Development”. The Emphasize the need for universal adherence agenda for this summit covers both political and to principles and rules of international law in economic issues but the emphasis remained their interrelation and integrity, discarding the on the economic cooperation. The BRICS resort to “double standards” and avoiding placing leaders discussed the future strategy to interests of some countries above others. promote cooperation in the field of trade and Condemn unilateral military finance among the member countries. And interventions and economic sanctions in infrastructure development, energy security violation of international law and universally and evolving a democratic and equitable model recognized norms of international relations. It of global economic. calls no state should strengthen its security at The summit emphasized the the expense of the security of others. importance to strengthen BRICS solidarity and It called for promote and protect all cooperation, and decided to further enhance human rights – civil, political, economic, social our strategic partnership on the basis of and cultural rights, as well as the right to principles of openness, solidarity, equality and development mutual understanding, inclusiveness and The BRICS countries reaffirm their mutually beneficial cooperation. commitment to the Financial Action Task Summit welcomes the establishment Force (FATF) International Standards on of BRICS financial institutions: the New Combating Money Laundering and the Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Financing of Terrorism & Proliferation. Reserves Arrangement (CRA). The BRICS bank It recognized that corruption is a global has now been ratified by the legislatures of challenge which undermines the legal systems Russia, India and China. It was proposed to of states, negatively affects their sustainable establish a $100 billion foreign currency development and may facilitate other forms of reserve pool for BRICS countries. The pool is crime. It decided to create a BRICS Working intended to protect national currencies from Group on Anti- Corruption Cooperation. the volatility of global markets and support It reiterate that outer space shall be them in times of liquidity crises. free for peaceful exploration and use by all With the aim of consolidating their States on a basis of equality in accordance engagement with other countries, particularly with international law, and the exploration and developing countries and emerging market use of outer space shall be carried out for the economies, as well as with international and benefit and in the interests of all countries, regional institutions, they decided held a irrespective of their degree of economic or meeting with the countries of the Eurasian scientific development. The summit stressed Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation that negotiations for the conclusion of an Organization (SCO), as well as the Heads of international agreement or agreements to observer States of the SCO. prevent an arms race in outer space are a

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 85 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL priority task of the Conference on multilateral joint research projects for Disarmament. research, technology commercialization It supports the inclusion of ICT-related and innovation. issues in the post-2015 development agenda  Establishment of a joint Research and and greater access to ICTs to empower women Innovation Platform. as well as vulnerable groups to meet the They are committed to further strengthening objectives of the agenda. Summit also decided and supporting South-South cooperation, while to constitute a BRICS working group on ICT stressing that South-South cooperation is not cooperation. a substitute for, but rather a complement to The BRICS nations agreed that the use North-South cooperation which remains the and development of ICTs through international main channel of international development cooperation and universally accepted norms cooperation. and principles of international law is of Modi proposes 10-point initiative for paramount importance in order to ensure a BRICS Pitching for closer cooperation and peaceful, secure and open digital and Internet coordination among BRICS nations, Prime space. Minister Narendra Modi proposed a 10-point Reaffirming their commitment to initiative, calling it ‘Das Kadam: Ten Steps for contribute to a comprehensive, just and lasting the Future’, that includes a trade fair, a Railway settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Research Centre, cooperation among supreme on the basis of a universally recognized audit institutions, a Digital Initiative and an international legal framework, including the Agricultural Research Centre etc. India hosting relevant UN resolutions, the Madrid Principles the first trade fair for the grouping and and the Arab Peace Initiative. establishing research centres for railways and The summit supports the effort aimed agriculture. at ensuring the early establishment in the India will host the Eighth BRICS Summit in Middle East of a zone free of nuclear weapons 2016. and all other weapons of mass destruction on Background the basis of agreements freely arrived at The BRIC [Brazil, Russia, India and China] idea among the states of the region. was first conceived in 2001 by Goldman Sachs Taking into consideration immense as part of an economic modeling exercise to research and technological potential in the forecast global economic trends over the next BRICS countries, they reaffirm the importance half century; the acronym BRIC was first used of the development of a BRICS Research and in 2001 by Goldman Sachs in their Global Innovation Initiative. The initiative shall cover Economics Paper “The World Needs Better actions including: Economic BRICs”.  Cooperation within large research BRICS infrastructures, including possible BRICS is the acronym for an association of five consideration of Mega science projects, to major emerging national economies: Brazil, achieve scientific and technological Russia, India, China and South Africa. The breakthroughs in the key areas of grouping was originally known as “BRIC” before cooperation outlined in the Memorandum; the inclusion of South Africa in 2010. The  Coordination of the existing large-scale BRICS members are all developing or newly national programs of the BRICS countries; industrialised countries, but they are  Development and implementation of a distinguished by their large, fast-growing BRICS Framework Programme for funding economies and significant influence on regional and global affairs; all five are G-20 ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 86 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL members. Since 2010, the BRICS nations have government forces and Russian-backed met annually at formal summits. The BRIC separatists. group first formal summit held in  The SCO members had agreed to add Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2009. Belarus to the list of observer states and ISSUES ON BRICS AGENDA that Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, and The agenda of BRICS meetings has considerably Nepal are joining the SCO family as widened over the years to encompass topical dialogue partners. global issues such as political developments of  In addition to expansion of SCO, it passed relevance like situation in Middle East and the SCO Development Strategy 2025, North Africa region, Afghanistan, Iran and approval of three years (2016-18) programme Syria, institutions of global governance such of cooperation in fight against terrorism, as UN, IMF, World Bank Group, international separatism and extremism. terrorism, climate change, food and energy  Russia has used the SCO and other regional security, MDGs, international economic and groupings in an effort to increase Russia’s financial situation, etc. clout in the former Soviet Union and beyond 15th SCO Summit 2015: Ufa city, and establish counterweights to the Russia European Union and NATO. The 15th Shanghai Cooperation Organization The summit in Ufa, capital of Russia’s (SCO) summit was held at Ufa city, capital of Bashkortostan region, came a day after a Russia’s Bashkortostan region on July 10, summit of the BRICS group of emerging 2015.During the meeting of the SCO members, economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and which brings together Russia, China, South Africa — in the same city. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Shanghai Cooperation Organization Uzbekistan and other observer countries are The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) participated. is an intergovernmental international Outcome of summit organization founded in Shanghai on June 15,  SCO leaders signed a document starting 2001 by six countries – China, Russia, the procedure of accession for India and Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan and Pakistan, nuclear-armed South Asian Uzbekistan. Its member states cover an area rivals that currently have observer status about three fifths of Eurasia, with a population in the SCO. Iran, Mongolia, and of 1.455 billion, about a quarter of the world’s Afghanistan also have observer status. total. Its working languages are Chinese and  The leaders also signed a declaration on Russian. the results of the gathering, in which they Purposes and Principles of SCO reiterated their readiness to continue According to the SCO Charter and the working on creation of a Development Declaration on the Establishment of the SCO, Bank and Development Fund within the the main purposes of SCO are: strengthening SCO and supported China’s proposal to mutual trust and good-neighborliness and create a Silk Road economic belt across the friendship among member states; developing SCO member-states. their effective cooperation in political affairs, the  The document also called for establishing economy and trade, science and technology, peace in Ukraine through implementation culture, education, energy, transportation, of the Minsk agreement, a February deal environmental protection and other fields; on a cease-fire and steps toward a political working together to maintain regional peace, solution to the conflict between security and stability; and promoting the

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 87 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL creation of a new international political and  By June 2014, 13.6 million people living economic order featuring democracy, justice and with HIV were receiving antiretroviral rationality. therapy (ART) globally, an immense Millennium Development Goals Report increase from just 800,000 in 2003. 2015  Between 2000 and 2013, tuberculosis The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) prevention, diagnosis and treatment Report 2015 it released on 8 July 2015.The interventions saved an estimated 37 MDGs have produced the most successful anti- million lives. poverty movement in history and will serve as  Worldwide 2.1 billion people have gained the jumping-off point for the new sustainable access to improved sanitation. development agenda to be adopted this year.  Globally, 147 countries have met the MDG The MDG Report 2015 found that the 15-year drinking water target, 95 countries have effort to achieve the eight aspirational goals set met the MDG sanitation target and 77 out in the Millennium Declaration in 2000 was countries have met both. largely successful across the globe, while  Official development assistance from acknowledging shortfalls that remain. developed countries increased 66 percent The final MDG report confirms that goal-setting in real terms from 2000 and 2014, can lift millions of people out of poverty, empower reaching $135.2 billion. women and girls, improve health and well-being, India and MDG report and provide vast new opportunities for better lives. Highlights  The number of people now living in extreme poverty has declined by more than half, falling from 1.9 billion in 1990 to 836 million in 2015.  The number of people in the working middle class—living on more than $4 a day— nearly tripled between 1991 and 2015.  The proportion of undernourished people in the developing regions dropped by almost half since 1990.  The number of out-of-school children of primary school age worldwide fell by almost half, to an estimated 57 million in 2015, The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) down from 100 million in 2000. Report 2015 it released on 8 July 2015.India  Gender parity in primary school has been has halved its incidence of extreme poverty, achieved in the majority of countries. from 49.4% in 1994 to 24.7% in 2011 ahead of  The mortality rate of children under-five the deadline of 2015 set by the United Nations. was cut by more than half since 1990. The report set the limit for extreme poverty  Since 1990, maternal mortality fell by 45 as those living on $1.25 or less a day. percent worldwide. However, this reduction in poverty is still less  Over 6.2 million malaria deaths have been than that achieved by several of India’s poorer averted between 2000 and 2015. neighbours. Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh  New HIV infections fell by approximately 40 have each outstripped India in poverty percent between 2000 and 2013. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 88 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL reduction over comparable time periods. India’s Iran reaches historic nuclear deal pace of progress on the poverty-reduction goal The US, UK, France, Russia, China and seems relatively slower than its neighbours in Germany ( P5+Germany) and UN atomic energy some part also due to the significantly bigger agency IAEA has reached a historic agreement size and greater diversity. with Iran on 14 July 2015 at Vienna, capital of Further, the report says that though Austria that calls for limits on Tehran’s nuclear India is on-track to achieving the hunger program in return for lifting economic targets, it still remains home to one quarter of sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy. the world’s undernourished population, over a Under the deal Iran will dismantle much of its third of the world’s underweight children, and nuclear infrastructure, while the UN, US and nearly a third of the world’s food-insecure people. EU will take down a wall of sanctions built The report is especially important because it around Iran over the past nine years. The marks 2015 is the deadline by which the MDG accord is aimed at resolving a 13-year standoff should have been achieved. India has already over Iran’s nuclear ambitions after repeated achieved 11 out of 22 parameters in the report— diplomatic failures and threats of military spanning issues like education, poverty, health, action. and education— and is on track to achieve one Conditions of the agreement are: more by the end of 2015.  Iran will reduce its enrichment capacity India is categorised as making ‘slow’ by two-thirds. It will stop using its progress on the other 10 parameters including underground facility at Fordow for maternal mortality, access to sanitation etc. enriching Uranium. India was still lagging on several health  Iran’s stockpile of low enriched uranium parameters such as maternal mortality, infant will be reduced to 300kg, a 96% reduction. mortality and basic sanitation. Although the It will achieve this reduction either by infant mortality rate fell drastically from 88.2 diluting it or shipping it out of the country. deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 43.8 in  The core of the heavy water reactor in Arak 2012, the annual progress on this has been slow. will be removed, and it will be redesigned While maternal mortality rate fell from 560 per in such a way that it will not produce lakh live births in 1990 to 190 in 2013. significant amounts of plutonium. Fall in Co2 emission  Iran will allow UN inspectors to enter sites, On the environment front, India is one of the including military sites, when the few countries that have reduced its carbon inspectors have grounds to believe dioxide emissions in relation to its GDP. India undeclared nuclear activity is being emitted 0.65 kg of carbon dioxide per $1 of GDP carried out there. It can object but a in 1990, which fell to 0.53 kg in 2010. multinational commission can override any objections by majority vote. After that Iran will have three days to comply. Inspectors will only come from countries with diplomatic relations with Iran, so no Americans.  Once the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has verified that Iran has taken steps to shrink its programme, UN, US and EU sanctions will be lifted.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 89 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL  Restrictions on trade in conventional endorses the historic deal on Iran’s nuclear weapons will last another five years, and programme and clears a path for international eight years in the case of ballistic missile sanctions crippling its economy to be lifted. technology. Those bans would be removed The resolution launches a progressive and even sooner if the International Atomic conditional lifting of sanctions, in exchange Energy Agency reached a definitive for guarantees that Iran will not develop a conclusion that the Iranian nuclear nuclear bomb. program is entirely peaceful, and that there The passing of the resolution marks was no evidence of cheating on the accord formal U.N. endorsement for the hard-won, or any activity to obtain weapons covertly. groundbreaking agreement reached between  If there are allegations that Iran has not Iran and the so-called P5+1 group after 18 met its obligations, a joint commission will straight days of talks that capped almost two seek to resolve the dispute for 30 days. If years of momentous negotiations. The that effort fails it would be referred to the agreement with Iran was reached in Vienna, UN security council, which would have to Austria, by the Security Council’s five vote to continue sanctions relief. A veto by permanent members - Britain, China, France, a permanent member would mean that Russia and the US plus Germany. sanctions are reimposed. The whole The document specifies that seven process would take 65 days. resolutions related to UN sanctions will be Furthermore, Iran has agreed to allow terminated when Iran has completed a series inspectors to visit the Parchin military base, of major steps to curb its nuclear programme where it is suspected to have experimented and the International Atomic Energy Agency with nuclear weapons production. UN (IAEA) has concluded that “all nuclear material inspectors will be allowed to collect information in Iran remains in peaceful activities”. But and evidence from Iranian nuclear scientists the measure also provides a mechanism for during this visit. UN sanctions to “snap back” in place if Iran However, the deal preserves Iran’s fails to meet its obligations. ability to produce as much nuclear fuel as it ‘Snap back’ provision wishes after year 15 of the agreement, and All provisions of the UN resolution will allows it to conduct research on advanced terminate in 10 years, including the “snap centrifuges after the eighth year. back” provision on sanctions. One of the biggest Full implementation depends on Iran challenges to negotiators during the Iran meeting obligations to curb its nuclear program nuclear talks was the question of how to and address concerns about possible military reimpose the sanctions if Iran was credibly dimensions of its work. Once inspectors verify found to be cheating. This is called a “snap compliance, the oil-rich nation will be allowed back” provision — i.e. the sanctions would to ramp up energy exports, re-enter the global somehow snap back into place if Iran was in financial system and access as much as $150 non-compliance. billion in frozen assets. Under the nuclear agreement, Iran’s U.N. Security Council adopted nuclear programme will be curbed for a decade resolution on Iran’s nuclear in exchange for potentially hundreds of billions programme deal of dollars’ worth of relief from international The U.N. Security Council (UNSC), all 15 sanctions. Many key penalties on the Iranian countries on the council, on 20 July 2015 economy, such as those related to the energy unanimously adopted a resolution that and financial sectors, could be lifted by the end of the year. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 90 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL The resolution calls for full implementation on The WTO also provides a legal and institutional the timetable established of the agreement framework for the implementation and reached in Vienna and urges UN member monitoring of these agreements, as well as for countries to facilitate the process. settling disputes arising from their Kazakhstan became 162th member of interpretation and application. WTO The WTO currently has 161 members, of Kazakhstan, a member of the Russia-led which 117 are developing countries or economic blocks became 162th member of World separate customs territories. Trade Organization (WTO). Kazakhstan’s entry UNO members reached agreement on has ended its long wait of 20 years to become a sustainable development agenda member of WTO as its accession talks were The 193 member states of the United Nations initiated in 1996. The agreement of accession on 2 August 2015 reached agreement on a new was signed between the WTO Director General Sustainable Development Agenda for the next Robert Azevedo and Kazakhstan president 15 years. It calls for eradicating poverty and Nursultan Nazarbayev at Geneva. The final hunger, achieving gender equality, improving accession will be done when the membership living standards and taking urgent action to agreement is ratified by Kazakhstan combat climate change. The draft agreement Parliament on 31 October 2015. outlines 17 goals with 169 specific targets on The path of Kazakhstan to become WTO issues ranging from ending poverty in all its member was difficult because of the complexity forms everywhere to ensuring quality education of process and it is also a member of two and affordable and reliable energy. economic blocks led by Russia; The Eurasian Economic Union, which has member nation like Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia. Kazakhstan also member of the Customs Union which has members like Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. WTO The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization which regulates international trade. The WTO officially commenced on 1 January 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, signed by 123 nations on 15 April 1994, replacing the General With this agreement, the document called Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for commenced in 1948 Sustainable Development” will be adopted at a The World Trade Organization (WTO) — UN summit, which will be held between 25 and primary purpose is to open trade for the benefit 27 September 2015 at United Nations of all and to create a strong and prosperous Headquarters in New York. international trading system. The WTO provides 17 proposed Sustainable Development a forum for negotiating agreements aimed at Goals reducing obstacles to international trade and  End poverty in all its forms and to fight ensuring a level playing field for all, thus inequality. contributing to economic growth and development.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 91 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL  End hunger, achieve food security and Russia bids at U.N. for vast Arctic improved nutrition, and promote territories sustainable agriculture. Russia has submitted its bid for vast  Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing territories in the Arctic to the United Nations for all at all ages. on August 4, 2015. Russia is claiming 1.2  Ensure inclusive and equitable quality million square km of Artic sea shelf extending education and promote lifelong learning more than 650 km from the shore. opportunities for all. The resubmitted bid contains new  Achieve gender equality and empower all arguments. To justify Russia’s rights in this women and girls. area, ample scientific data collected during  Ensure availability and sustainable many years of Arctic research has been used management of water and sanitation for all. alluding to exploratory missions and  Ensure access to affordable, reliable, development of Arctic research facilities and sustainable and modern energy for all. floating ice stations going back to the 1930s.  Promote sustained, inclusive and Russia was the first to submit its claim sustainable economic growth, full and in 2002, but the U.N. sent it back for lack of productive employment, and decent work for evidence. In 2007, Moscow staked a symbolic all. claim to the Arctic seabed by dropping a  Build resilient infrastructure, promote canister containing the Russian flag on the inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, ocean floor from a small submarine at the and foster innovation. North Pole. Amid tensions with the West over  Reduce inequality within and among Ukraine, the Kremlin also has moved to beef countries. up Russian military forces in the Arctic.  Make cities and human settlements The 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. of the Sea establishes the right of countries  Ensure sustainable consumption and to exercise sovereignty over an exclusive production patterns. economic zone extending 200 nautical miles  Take urgent action to combat climate from their recognized shoreline borders. In change and its impacts. cases where the continental shelf extends  Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, beyond that limit, the law of the sea allows a seas and marine resources for sustainable country to claim dominion up to 350 nautical development. miles from its shores.  Protect, restore and promote sustainable In the documents submitted to the use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably U.N., Russia argues that the undersea manage forests, combat desertification and territory it seeks to add to its recognized halt and reverse land degradation, and halt borders doesn’t fall under the 350-mile limit biodiversity loss. because the seabed and its resources are  Promote peaceful and inclusive societies “natural components of the continent”. for sustainable development, provide access Russia, the U.S., Canada, Denmark to justice for all and build effective, and Norway have all been trying to assert accountable and inclusive institutions at jurisdiction over parts of the Arctic, which is all levels. believed to hold up to a quarter of the planet’s  Strengthen the means of implementation undiscovered oil and gas. Rivalry for Arctic and revitalise the global partnership for resources has intensified as shrinking polar sustainable development. ice is opening up new opportunities for exploration. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 92 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL Moscow also is asserting ownership of the  It was built using a combination of forced emerging Northern Sea Route, the potentially peasant labor and state of the art lucrative seasonal shipping route opening above machinery. Beginning in late 1861 tens of its northern coastline as Arctic ice melts. thousands of peasants used picks and Retreating Arctic sea ice has opened up a shovels to dig the canal. summer shipping route across northern Russia  Egypt was the first country to dig a man- that can cut a cargo vessel’s sailing time from made canal across its lands to connect the Europe to Asia by nearly two weeks, raising the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea via the prospect of new income streams for Russia if River Nile - and the canal is the first of its its national claim to the Northern Sea Route is kind to link both seas. recognized by the United Nations.  It was completed November 1869. The Egypt unveils $9-bn ‘new Suez Canal’ canal was under the British Mandate until The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Egypt nationalised it in 1956. unveiled an expanded Suez Canal at port city of  The Statue of Liberty was originally Ismailiya with the first ships passing through intended for the canal under the name the waterway in what Egypt hopes will boost its ‘Egypt Bringing Light to Asia’. economy and global standing on 6 August 2015.  A fleet of ships was once stranded in the The new 72-kilometre (45 mile) project will run canal for more than eight years after the part of the way alongside the existing canal that Suez Canal was shut down by Egyptian connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. It authorities during the 1967 Six Day War involved 37 kilometres of dry digging and 35 with Israel. kilometres of expansion and deepening of the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meet: Suez Canal, in a bid to help speed up the Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia movement of vessels. The project is part of an The 48th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian ambitious plan to develop the zone around the Nations) Foreign Ministers’ meet was held in canal into an industrial and commercial hub, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between 4 and 6 August which would include the construction of ports 2015. The meet was held under the theme “Our and provide shipping services. People, Our Community, And Our Vision”, to The new canal is considered a “national project” create an ASEAN Community which is truly that aims to kick-start an economy battered by people-oriented, people-centered comprising all years of political turmoil since the ouster of areas of cooperation. They also discussed President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Authorities regional and international issues as well as raised $9 billion (7.9 billion euros) to build the their ongoing efforts to maintain peace, stability new canal by selling shares in the project to and prosperity in the region. domestic investors, with private Egyptian ASEAN companies tasked with its construction. The ASEAN is a political and economic organisation new canal is expected to more than double Suez of ten Southeast Asian countries. It was formed revenues from $5.3 billion expected at the end on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the of 2015 to $13.2 billion in 2023. Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Since Historical facts: the Suez Canal then, membership has expanded to include  Planning for the Suez Canal officially began Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), and in 1854 when a French former diplomat Vietnam. named Ferdinand de Lesseps negotiated an The group aims to accelerating economic agreement with the Egyptian viceroy to form growth, social progress, and socio-cultural the Suez Canal Company. evolution among its members, protection of

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 93 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL regional peace and stability, and opportunities Constitution that began with the abolition of for member countries to resolve differences the 239-year old monarchy in 2008. Further, it peacefully. also believed that the new constitution will bring fresh air in the Nepalese society plagued by devastating earthquake of April 2015 that killed around 9000 people. However, the acceptance of the constitution was not unanimous. Few members of the Constituent Assembly mainly royalists’ politicians voted against the constitution, on the voting day of 16 September 2015, as it favoured the republican form of government over the monarchy. Further, members of the lowlands Nepal inks breakthrough pact on new belonging to Madhesi and Tharu communities Constitution abstained from voting as they were dissatisfied Nepal’s rival parties have signed an agreement with the federal-provincial demarcation and drawing up the country’s internal borders in a constituency delimitation in the terai region. breakthrough that paves the way for a new Their dissatisfaction was with the fact that the national Constitution on 9 August, 2015. In June, Pahadi or hill community, who constitute 50 2015 Nepal’s parties struck a historic deal to percent of the population, got 100 seats in the divide the country into eight provinces but left parliament while the other half, Madhesi of the crucial task of delineating state borders to a plain region got only 65 seats. federal commission. China, Pakistan signed deals worth 1.6 Midnight deal billion US dollars to implement CPEC The new agreement, signed after midnight on China and Pakistan on 12 August 2015 signed Saturday, came after days of negotiation and 20 agreements worth 1.6 billion US dollars to resolves a major issue that has blocked progress implement the ambitious China-Pakistan on the charter since 2008. As a result, the Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. Both the commission will no longer be required to set state countries together also issued the Karamay boundaries. Manifesto on the China-Pakistan Economic The deal comes after a series of public Corridor (CPEC), a major project under China’s consultations held across the Himalayan nation Belt and Road Initiative. last month. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Adoption of Constitution The CPEC project is brainchild of China and Nepal on 20 September 2015 adopted its first was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping democratically-framed constitution with the during his visit to Pakistan in April 2015. The promulgation of the charter by the president Ram CPEC is 3,000-km long connecting Xinjiang Baran Yadav. It is called as a democratically- with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port through PoK. The framed constitution as it was conceptualized, project cost is $46 billion. The strategic developed and adopted by a representative corridor, regarded as the biggest connectivity Constituent Assembly. project between the two countries after the The adoption is considered as historic as it puts Karakorum highway built in 1979. It will an end to the 7-year long altercations among shorten the route for China’s energy imports political parties about the nature of the from the Middle East by about 12,000 kms. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 94 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL The project includes building of G20 Ministers and Governors exchanged views highways, railways as well as pipelines. It is on the recent global economic developments, among the six economic corridors conceived challenges and collective measures to address under China’s Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st- them. They also reviewed the progress in Century Maritime Silk Road. The CPEC project monitoring and adjustment of G20 growth seeks to boost economic cooperation, political strategies and evaluated the way forward for G20 trust and cultural exchanges between China and investment strategies. Ministers and Governors Pakistan. continued their meeting with the international For China, meanwhile, the project is a financial architecture issues, financial must if the broader Silk Road Economic Belt, regulation, international tax agenda and climate with its attendant benefits for China’s domestic finance. economy, geopolitical clout, and regional On the margins of this gathering, G20 Ministers stability, is to get off the ground. Pakistan, and Governors had the opportunity to hear B20 China’s “iron brother,” will likely be Beijing’s representatives’ perspectives on the 2015 B20 most eager partner along the planned Silk Road. agenda and B20 recommendations to the G20. China also sees the CPEC in particular as a way The Business 20 (B20) is a forum through which to diversify its energy supply, lessening reliance the private sector produces policy on easily disrupted maritime trade routes. recommendations for the annual meeting of Other analysts, however, point to the difficulties the Group of 20 (G20) leaders. The B20 brings still facing the CPEC. For one thing, there are together business leaders from across G20 lingering security concerns, given unrest and member countries to reflect the key role of the insurgencies in Balochistan, the province private sector as the main driver of strong, where Gwadar is located. There are also sustainable and balanced growth. domestic arguments in Pakistan over the exact Issues for Further Action route of the CPEC, which will determine which We look forward to the assessment by the IMF of provinces and cities will reap the windfall of the global financial safety net architecture by Chinese investment. early 2016. 3rd G20 Finance Ministers and We look forward to the finalization of the Joint Central Bank Governors meeting: Action Plan on SME Financing by the Investment Ankara, Turkey and Infrastructure Working Group and the G20 G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion. Governors convened for the third time under the Supporting our endeavor to integrate the asset- Turkish Presidency in Ankara on 4-5 September based financing models into global finance, we 2015. The meeting was attended by the Finance ask the BCBS to collaborate with the relevant Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the stakeholders to develop a proposal on options for G20 members, invited countries, and the heads modalities to promote a structured consultation and senior representatives of the relevant mechanism. international organizations. Acknowledging the role of closing information This meeting provided an important and timely gaps in financial stability, we welcome the opportunity to make a comprehensive significant progress through the Data Gaps evaluation of the progress on the agenda and Initiative and endorse the proposed Finance Track deliverables to be submitted to recommendations for its second phase (DGI-2), G20 Leaders at the Antalya Summit, and discuss and call on the IMF and FSB to report back to us actions required to achieve G20’s ambitions for on the progress of DGI-2 in the second half of this year. 2016. We expect the IMF, FSB and BIS to take

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 95 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL forward the work on data gaps on foreign systems and exchange rate flexibility to reflect currency exposures via the steps outlined in underlying fundamentals, and avoid persistent their report as part of the second phase of the exchange rate misalignments and refrain from Data Gaps Initiative. competitive devaluations, and resist all forms In its report to be delivered in November of protectionism. 2015, we expect the FATF to inform us on the It also commit to implement fiscal progress made on criminalizing terrorist policies flexibly to take into account near-term financing and applying targeted financial economic conditions, so as to support growth sanctions related to terrorism and terrorist and job creation, while putting debt as a share financing, and proposals to strengthen all of GDP on a sustainable path. To this end, counter-terrorism financing tools. members will continue to consider the We call on the IMF, in consultation with composition of their budget expenditures and other relevant parties, to continue to promote revenues to support productivity, inclusiveness and monitor the progress on the implementation and growth. of the strengthened collective action and pari In order to boost actual and potential passu clauses, and to further explore market- output growth is a key challenge for the global based ways to speed up incorporation of such economy, members remain committed to clauses to the outstanding stock of debt. We timely and effective implementation of our underline the need to strengthen information- growth strategies that include measures to sharing and transparency to ensure that debt support demand and lift potential growth. In sustainability assessments are based on implementing these strategies, they will take comprehensive, objective and reliable data and steps to promote greater inclusiveness, call on the IMF and World Bank to address this including to reduce income inequality. issue as part of the forthcoming review of their To boosting investment is a top priority, joint Debt Sustainability Framework for Low- it has prepared country-specific investment Income Countries. strategies that present concrete actions in Upon the conclusion of the meeting, the order to improve the investment ecosystem, agreed communiqué of the meeting was foster efficient infrastructure investment and released. support financing opportunities for SMEs. It also Highlights of joint statement welcomes the recommendations and It reviewed ongoing economic developments, assessment frameworks developed by the IMF, our respective growth prospects, and recent WBG, and OECD to help countries strengthen volatility in financial markets and its underlying their public investment management economic conditions. The G20 members pledged processes and enhance the quality of to take decisive action to keep the economic investment. Members also reiterate the recovery on track and we are confident the importance of mobilizing multilateral and global economic recovery will gain speed and will national development bank resources and continue to monitor developments, assess technical expertise. In this respect, we spillovers and address emerging risks as needed welcome the progress in the Multilateral to foster confidence and financial stability. Development Banks’ (MDBs) action plan for It is reaffirm the role of macroeconomic and balance sheet optimization. structural policies to support our efforts to In order to encourage private sector achieve strong, sustainable and balanced engagement, it recognised the consolidation of growth. It reiterates commitment to move best practices in public private partnership toward more market-determined exchange rate (PPP) models, which can address commonly- encountered challenges and welcomes the WBG ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 96 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL PPP Guidelines and the OECD/WBG PPP Project of the Paris Forum initiative, which contributes Checklist which provide guidance on to further the inclusiveness by fostering international best practices for preparation and dialogue between sovereign debtors and implementation of PPPs. Moreover, it also creditors. endorse the business plan of the Global In finance, the term pari-passu refers to loans, Infrastructure Hub, which will address data gaps, bonds or classes of shares that have equal rights lower barriers to investment and move of payment, or equal seniority. In addition, engagement with the private sector beyond secondary issues of shares that have equal business as usual. rights with existing shares rank pari-passu. In recognition of major financing needs Wills and trusts can assign an in pari-passu for long term investments, summit also focused distribution where all of the assets will be on examining possible alternative capital equally divided between the named parties. market instruments. As such, it takes note of To fight against terrorism is a major priority, systematically integrating the features of asset- members reiterate our resolve to tackle its based financing practices into global finance. To financing channels and deepen in cooperation ensure a strong corporate and public concerning the exchange of information and governance framework that will promote private freezing of terrorist assets, in particular to investment, summit also endorse the G20/OECD facilitate cross-border freezing requests, and Principles on Corporate Governance and work on modalities to promote further recognize the potential to facilitate financial transparency of financial flows. Criminalization intermediation for Small and Medium-sized of terrorist financing and the existence of Enterprises (SMEs) including by improving robust targeted financial sanctions regimes systems for credit reporting, lending against related to terrorism and terrorist financing are movable collateral, and insolvency reforms. The fundamental requirements to actively curb summit welcomes the progress on the G20/ terrorist financial flows. OECD High Level Principles on SME financing It also commitment to reach to a globally fair and the establishment of the private sector-led and modern international tax system and World SME Forum, a new initiative to serve as a continue to work to enhance the transparency global body to drive the contributions of SMEs to of our tax systems, and reaffirm previously growth and employment. agreed timelines for the implementation of We reaffirm that their earliest automatic exchange of information. implementation of 2010 IMF Quota and G20 reaffirm its commitment to promote an Governance Reforms, which is essential for the enabling global economic environment for credibility, legitimacy and effectiveness of the developing countries as they pursue their Fund and remains our highest priority and sustainable development agendas, including by reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a strengthening our policy dialogue. It welcomes strong, well-resourced and quota-based IMF. the positive outcomes of the Addis Ababa Te meet stress the importance of Conference on Financing for Development accelerating implementation of strengthened (FFD) and in support of them, G20 pledge to collective action and pari passu clauses in scale up their technical assistance efforts to international sovereign bond contracts. help developing countries build necessary Regarding debt sustainability, it recognises the institutional capacity, particularly in the areas existing initiatives aimed at improving specified in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. sustainable financing practices, as stressed in To support the climate change agenda of 2015, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and also take note summit welcomes the Climate Finance Study

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 97 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL Group (CFSG) report, take note of the inventory Data from China’s National Audit Office shows on climate funds developed by the OECD, and the that by the end of the year, the provinces have toolkit developed by the OECD. The Global to pay around $300 billion for servicing their Environment Facility (GEF) to enhance access to debts, incurred mainly on account of heavy adaptation finance by the low income and infrastructure investment that had been made developing countries, especially those that are earlier to lighten the impact of the 2008 global particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of financial crisis. climate change. Observers say that the government needs The summit recognises developed countries’ to take three concrete steps to ensure a ongoing efforts and call on them to continue to calibrated course correction. scale up climate finance in line with their First, borrowing costs for households and commitments and it commits on working businesses, which remain exceptionally high in together to reach a positive and balanced China, need to be lowered through an interest outcome at the 21st Conference of Parties of the rate cut in order to stimulate real growth. This UNFCCC (COP 21). should not be a problem given the high rate of China takes steps to fine-tune saving in the country. Economy It is also necessary that job creating China is narrowing its focus on the heavily infrastructure projects are swiftly implemented indebted local governments to help fine-tune a through a coordinated effort to streamline the transitioning economy, whose fundamentals availability of land and funds to execute well remain strong. China’s top legislature defined engineering plans. announced that local government debt in 2015 Besides, there is also a growing opinion cannot exceed $2.51 trillion. The ceiling imposes that President Xi Jinping’s rolling anti-graft significant restrictions on fresh borrowing, for campaign could be fine tuned to ease worries provincial governments had already among core officials that they would not accumulated a debt of $2.4 trillion by 2014. be falsely netted in the clean-up drive. Chinese authorities are focusing on Like-Minded Developing Countries stricter regulation of the financial sector to (LMDCs) meet on Climate Change: ensure enough liquidity is available to spur the New Delhi real economy, which is transitioning from Meeting of Like-Minded Developing Countries relatively low-end manufacturing to a (LMDCs) on Climate Change was held for two challenging services-oriented and technology- days from 14 September to 15 September 2015 driven “new normal” plain. in New Delhi. This was the first meeting of Besides, the government wants to defuse LMDCs to be held in India. The meeting was bubbles, before they grow large enough to convened to take stock of the climate change undermine investor confidence, by imposing negotiations under the UNFCCC and provide a fresh pressure on the markets. perspective of the LMDC on the way forward for Intervening to prevent a loan default, the Conference of Parties-21 (COP-21) of the authorities have allowed local governments to UNFCC to be held in Paris in December 2015. issue additional bonds to the tune of $200 billion, After a two-day meeting, the Like Minded raising the limit of debt-for-bonds swap to $500 Developing Countries (LMDCs) has issued a billion. Since the local governments have already strongly-worded joint statement -highlighted issued $300 billion worth of bonds by August 27, several of their long-held concerns that have they will be able to use the mechanism to raise been largely ignored including stressed that another $200 billion for the rest of the year. differentiation between developed and developing

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 98 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL nations across each element is “essential” for they barely managed to meet another of their enhanced effectiveness of the new agreement. commitments — providing $10 billion over a More importantly, they brought up a few four-year period for the Green Climate Fund. relatively new issues that could become points The UN Framework Convention on of conflict between the developed and developing Climate Change, the umbrella agreement of countries in the climate negotiations. 1992 for any climate negotiations, has clearly The LMDC agreed that the Paris identified those rich and developed countries Agreement should not be mitigation-centric but obligated to provide finance to developing must address in a balanced and comprehensive countries to help them deal with climate manner the six elements identified in the change. This list was based on the countries’ Durban mandate — mitigation, adaptation, ‘historical responsibility’ in emitting finance, capacity-building, technology greenhouse gases and also their economic development and transfer, transparency of capability. action and support, as well as loss and damage The attempt to expand this list, to in a balanced manner. The LMDC also include a few developing countries, is annoying emphasized that the Paris agreement should to the developing countries. Likewise, the comprehensively recognize and address the attempt to restrict the number of countries that adverse social and economic impact of can have access to international climate finance response measures in developing countries, is unacceptable to these countries. By current while the Paris outcome in general, must rules, India is eligible to access climate finance. provide modalities to enhance, develop and Climate finance is an extremely sensitive implement meaningful actions to avoid and subject for the developing countries, one over address the negative consequences of response which the success of the Paris agreement will measures. depend. Eligibility criteria for climate finance: Assessment of individual climate plans: Foremost is their concern over attempts to Another issue major issue for the LMDCs is the define an eligibility criteria for countries to idea to assess individual country’s climate claim international finance to deal with action plans. Each country is supposed to submit climate change, and the attempt to increase their INDC, or Intended Nationally Determined the donor base by trying to include even some Contributions, ahead of the Paris conference. developing countries in that bracket. These INDCs are going to be the most important The LMDCs “expressed concern building blocks of the agreement expected from regarding shifting the financial burden to the conference. developing countries and the attempt to expand The INDCs are nothing but the actions the list of countries with obligations under the nations commit themselves to for the fight on Convention (UNFCCC) to provide climate climate change. The Like Minded countries finance and at the same time shrink the list have argued that these actions plans are of countries eligible for receiving climate supposed to be ‘nationally determined’ and finance”. They also called on the developed therefore they would not agree to an outside countries “to provide a clear roadmap for the review. fulfillment of the $100 billion per year by 2020”. The LMDCs “expressed strong The developed countries are struggling to put reservation against any obligatory review together $100 billion every year from 2020 — mechanism for increasing individual efforts of a promise they had made at the 2009 developing countries. Any aggregate stocktaking Copenhagen climate conference. Last year, or review of implementation must be for both

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 99 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL action and support, taking into account U.N. adopts text-based negotiations on differentiated commitments of developed and council reforms developing countries”. The United Nations General Assembly, UNGA Text-based negotiations: The LMDC called for has unanimously adopted a document for reform text-based negotiations in the right earnest at of the Security Council. It adopted a negotiating the next Bonn session in an inclusive, open, text by consensus for the long-pending Security transparent and Party-driven negotiating process. Council reforms, setting the stage for talks on They reiterated that the UNFCCC is the primary the issue at its 70th session beginning. It will intergovernmental forum to negotiate the global boost India’s bid for a permanent seat in the response to climate change. They were deeply revamped world body. India has welcomed the concerned with the slow pace of negotiations decision to carry forward the text presented by given the limited negotiating time left before the UNGA President on the UNSC reform. COP21/CMP11 in Paris. While all countries After 23 years of the subject being on express optimism that Paris would be successful, the agenda of the United Nations and 7 years of it is becoming increasingly evident that this the inter-governmental negotiations process, agreement is going to be ‘minimalist’. finally have a text on the table and it is India’s UNFCC stands for United Nations hope and that of other reform minded countries Framework Convention on Climate Change that this text will now enable like-minded (UNFCCC). The primary agenda of the COP-21 is countries to move forward on this issue of to finalise post-2020 climate action plans as the U.N.Security Council Reform and it is the hope Doha Amendment to Kyoto Protocol is set to and expectation of the international community expire by the end of 2020. that in the 70th year of the United Nations, the Negotiators from 13 nations participated in the world community would be able to deliver on the meeting of LMDC- include Argentina, Bolivia, promise of U.N.Security Council Reform. China, Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Iran, It is indeed a very significant Nicaragua, Venezuela, Malaysia, Vietnam, Saudi development that the United Nations has for Arabia and India. the first time officially begun the process of the Like-Minded Developing Countries expansion of the United Nations Security The Like Minded Group of Developing Countries Council. Apart from India, Germany, Japan and (LMDC) is a group of developing countries who Brazil also referred to as the G4 Nations are organise themselves as a block negotiator in seeking admissions into this exclusive body of international organizations such as the United the UNSC as permanent veto carrying Nations and the World Trade Organization, they members. However, a small group of nation, 13 represent more than 50% of the world’s of them which include Pakistan, Italy, South population. Korea who are called uniting for consensus or The LMDC countries who negotiate in the UFC are opposed to this initiative. Thus, it United Nations Framework Convention on remains to be seen whether they would call for Climate Change fora, the members are Algeria, a division at the United Nations General Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Assembly in which case the process of the Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Jordan, Iraq, expansion of the UNSC will become more Koweit, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Mali, complex and contested. Nicaragua, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, The adoption of the document puts the Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Vietnam. Inter- Governmental Process formally on an “irreversible text-based negotiations path” and

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 100 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL changes the “dynamics” of the negotiations on The index shows the new ways through achieving UNSC reforms. which emerging-economy policymakers can U.N. General Assembly President Sam boost innovation and spur growth by building Kutesa convened a plenary meeting to take on local strengths and ensuring the action on the draft decision on the “Question of development of a sound national innovation equitable representation on and increase in the environment. membership of the Security Council and related The index is topped by Switzerland for matters”. The draft decision contains a being the most innovative nation. Countries negotiating text which has positions of U.N. like China, Malaysia, Viet Nam, India, Jordan, member states on Security Council reforms and Kenya and Uganda are among a group of how the powerful 15-nation body should be countries outperforming their economic peers expanded in its permanent and non-permanent as per the GII 2015. categories. Although India’s ranking has slipped Pakistan sets target to generate 40,000 further to 81 in the list, compared to 76 in 2014, MW nuclear energy by 2050 but it remained at the top of the regional Pakistan set to itself a target of generating ranking of Central and Southern Asia. 40,000 MW nuclear energy. It will be achieved Highlights of the GII 2015 as part of the Nuclear Energy Vision 2050.An  Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, announcement in this regard was made by the the Netherlands and the United States of Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy America are the world’s five most Commission (PAEA) on 17 September 2015 at the innovative nations. 59th IAEA General Conference at Vienna in  The United Kingdom (UK) with second place Austria. on the list is up from the 10th position in Features of Nuclear Energy Vision 2050 2011.  Its objective is to supply one-fourth of  In terms of innovation quality, US and the Pakistan’s total energy requirement as predicted UK stay ahead of the pack, largely as a for 2050. result of their world-class universities,  As part of the vision, 8800 MW and 40000 closely followed by Japan, Germany and MW of nuclear energy will be produced by Switzerland. 2030 and 2050 respectively.  Top-scoring middle-income economies on  To implement the vision, 32 nuclear power innovation quality are China, Brazil and plants (NPPS) will be set up in eight identified India with China increasingly outpacing sites by constructing 8 plants at a site. the others. The concerns are-China’s assistance to  A number of low-income economies are Pakistan in the nuclear front as a rebalancing innovation achievers with Sub-Saharan act vis-à-vis India and chances of terrorist Africa standing out- Rwanda at 94th place, organizations taking control of NPPs. Mozambique at 95th and Malawi at 98th. 8th edition Global Innovation Index In addition, Kenya, Mali, Burkina Faso and (GII) 2015 The 8th edition Global Innovation Uganda are generally outperforming other Index (GII) 2015 was released on 17 September economies at their level of development. 2015 jointly by Cornell University, INSEAD and  India’s ranking has slipped further to 81 the World Intellectual Property Organization in the list, compared to 76 in 2014. (WIPO). The GII 2015 was based on the theme of  A number of eastern European countries Effective Innovation Policies for Development. like Bulgaria (39th), or Montenegro (41st) display dynamism and an upward trend.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 101 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL  In North America, The United States of (5) Business sophistication America (5th) remains the top innovation The Innovation Output Sub-Index captures performer, while Canada (16th) remains in actual evidence of innovation results was the GII top 25 after slipping from the top 10 divided in two pillars: in 2012. (6) Knowledge and technology outputs  Latin America and the Caribbean is a region (7) Creative outputs. with improving but largely untapped Global Innovation Index (GII) innovation potential. Brazil (70th), Argentina The Global Innovation Index is published (72nd), and Mexico (57th) stand out as annually since 2007, it is now a leading economies performing above the region’s GII benchmarking tool for business executives, average. policy makers and others seeking insight into  In Western Asia, economies have started to the state of innovation around the world. The diversify and spur innovation in new sectors. Index creates an environment in which This has allowed for Saudi Arabia (43rd), innovation factors are under continual United Arab Emirates (UAE) (47th) and Qatar evaluation with 141 country profiles including (50th) to achieve top GII positions within the data, ranks and strengths and weaknesses on region. 81 indicators. GII follows a transparent  With half of its economies in the top 40, computation methodology including 90 percent South East Asia and Oceania maintained its confidence interval for each index ranking and innovation dynamism with Singapore (7th) an analysis of factors affecting year-on-year and Hong Kong (China) (11th) remain at the changes in rankings. top of the regional rankings. United Nations’ State of Broadband Central and Southern Asia region in GII Report 2015 2015 The State of Broadband 2015: Broadband as a India remained at the top of the regional ranking Foundation for Sustainable Development” of Central and Southern Asia, followed by report was launched by the United Nations (UN) Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka, which has Broadband Commission on 21 September 2015. significantly improved its position. Most It shows that the overall growth in broadband countries in the region remain outside the top has decreased significantly over the last years 100 of the GII. However, the economies at the and the gap between the people offline and top of the regional rankings can serve as models online remains persistent. 57 % of the world’s of good innovation policies with stronger population are still not connected to the institutions that will help stimulate higher Internet. This report shall be considered as levels of innovation-driven regional development an urgent reminder and call to take action to in the coming years. connect the next and last billion people around Elements measures in GII the globe and to ensure that they have the The GII 2015 was calculated as the average of capacities and content to make use of the two sub-indices. The Innovation Input Sub-Index Internet for enhancing their livelihood and gauges elements of the national economy which achieve sustainable development. embody innovative activities was grouped in five The report traces the progress that has pillars: been made in broadband connectivity and (1) Institutions points out future challenges and targets, (2) Human capital and research including in the fields of education, content (3) Infrastructure and multilingualism. The report provides a (4) Market sophistication global snapshot of where the Telecommunications and ICT Industry stands ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 102 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL with regard to fixed and mobile broadband 81.3% of households connected. The proportion deployment, affordability and usage, as well as of households in the developing world with the use of broadband for meeting the proposed Internet access has increased from 31.5% at the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). end of 2014 to over 34.1% a year later – still well Key findings short of the Broadband Commission target of 40% This year’s report finds mixed messages about by 2015. the growth of ICTs and the global state of Household connectivity figures mask broadband. Although strong growth rates strong disparities – fewer than 7% of households continue for mobile broadband and Facebook in LDCs have access, while in sub-Saharan usage, and mobile cellular subscriptions Africa only 1 in 9 households is connected. exceeded 7 billion for the first time during 2015, According to Point Topic, Asia has the largest growth in both mobile cellular subscriptions and total number of broadband-connected homes, Internet usage has slowed sharply. with nearly as many in total as Europe and the The UN Broadband Commission’s 2011 Americas combined. targets have not been achieved by the target The gender gap in Internet users is date of 2015 and seem unlikely to be achieved proving stubbornly persistent, with an estimated before 2020. Likewise, the milestone of four 200 million more men online than women as billion Internet users is unlikely to be recently as 2013; one major problem is that sex- surpassed before 2020. The growth in Facebook disaggregated data are not yet widely reported subscribers is now outpacing growth in the by national governments and statistics agencies. Internet. Mobile growth Internet growth The mobile industry is growing strongly, By end 2015, some 3.2 billion people will be but unevenly. ITU forecasts that the milestone online, equating to over 43.4% of the total world of seven billion mobile cellular subscriptions will population, and up from 2.9 billion a year earlier be exceeded by end 2015, equivalent to a global (almost 40.6% of the population). penetration rate of 97 subscriptions per 100 In the developing world, Internet penetration people. will surpass 35.3% by the end of 2015; ITU also estimates that there will be a penetration will still be under 10% at 9.5% in total of almost 3.5 billion mobile broadband the UN-designated Least Developed Countries, subscriptions by end 2015. Industry analysts however. predict 6.5 billion mobile broadband (3G/4G/5G) Even though Internet penetration is subscriptions by 2019, making mobile broadband approaching saturation in the developed world, the fastest growing ICT service in history. with 82.2% of the population online, the global Asia-Pacific now accounts for half of all target of 60% set by the Broadband Commission mobile broadband subscriptions, up from just in 2011, to be achieved by 2015, is unlikely to under 45% at the end of 2014. In January 2015, be achieved before 2021 at the earliest. China Mobile became the world’s largest mobile Internet user penetration in the operator by number of subscribers. developing world is unlikely to achieve the The rapid expansion of Asia-Pacific is Broadband Commission target of 50% before squeezing other world regions in terms of their 2020. By the end of 2015, there will still be 57% mobile broadband market share – Europe and of the world’s population – or four billion people the Americas saw declining proportional shares – still offline. of mobile broadband subscriptions from the end Household Internet access in developed of 2014 to the end of 2015, despite absolute countries is close to saturation, with more than increases in subscription numbers.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 103 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL Smartphones now dominate the mobile device 148 countries having adopted a national Plan market, and will continue to do so for the or strategy by mid-2015, and a further six foreseeable future. Ericsson forecasts that the countries planning to adopt a Plan. A total of 42 number of smartphones in service could exceed countries still do not have any form of Plan. ‘basic’ phones by 2016. While developed markets Although there has been good growth in become saturated in terms of total mobile the number of countries with a Plan, a penetration, analysts still see plenty of room for substantial number of Plans (many of which growth, with only an estimated one third of all were introduced around 2010) are reaching the mobile subscriptions currently associated with end of their term this year in 2015 (e.g. Belarus, a smartphone. Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Mongolia, Paraguay In hindsight, the year 2014 is likely to and Singapore). The ‘succession strategy’ for prove a tipping point as the year in which growth many of these Plans is unclear. in ‘3G’ services began to slow, as growth in ‘4G’ Future Internet users are likely to come services accelerated. from less well-educated, less urban backgrounds Affordability and from a base of languages and dialects outside Broadband is becoming more affordable: over the the handful of languages that currently five years since the creation of the Broadband dominate online services and content (including Commission in 2010, fixed broadband prices as Chinese, English, Spanish, French and a share of GNI per capita have dropped by 65% Russian). The large majority of languages are on average worldwide. without a significant online presence matching By 2014, most countries in the world had their real-world speaker base. The report finds reached the Commission’s target of basic fixed- that growth in the range of languages available broadband service at less than 5% of monthly for some of the main online services is not GNI per capita – however, in many of the world’s matching the growth in Internet use. Indeed, poorest countries, where broadband could the paucity of online representation of a greater potentially have the greatest benefit in terms diversity of languages is a major obstacle to of bridging development gaps, even basic increasing demand for relevant content and the broadband service remains prohibitively take-up of broadband services. expensive. There also remain very big Broadband and ICT industry differences in affordability within countries – The telecoms industry continues to grow even in countries where the 5% target has been strongly in terms of penetration and uptake. met, there are often parts of the country or According to IDC, the sector was worth an communities where affordable broadband has estimated US$1.67 trillion at end 2013, and is not been achieved, especially in rural and growing by 1-2% per year, driven mainly by remote areas. China and emerging markets. By the end of 2014, a basic fixed Broadband growth is not consistent broadband subscription cost less than 5% of across regions or across technologies – for average GNI per capita in 111 countries, of example, in Europe, some incumbent telcos are which 44 were developed nations and 67 were seeing revenues decline, while cable operators developing countries (compared with 57 and ‘altnets’ are being helped by TV revenue developing countries at the end of 2013, and 48 growth (cable) or more agile business models developing countries at the end of 2012). linked to their smaller size (altnets). Broadband policy New advances in satellite technology are There is still some growth in the number playing a key role in helping to deliver broadband countries with National Broadband Plans, with in rural and isolated areas (even in developed countries). Satellites have the advantage of ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 104 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL huge reach over massive areas, enabling advocacy targets set by the Commission in 2011. relatively cost-effective connection of many Released annually in September in New York, subscribers, and faster roll-out than a network it is the only report that features country-by- of point-to-point connections. They can also help country rankings based on access and overcome problems of difficult terrain in hard- affordability for over 160 economies worldwide. to-connect regions, such as mountainous areas. United Nations Broadband Commission The ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) is growing The United Nations (UN) Broadband Commission fast, with Deloitte predicting that one billion IoT for Digital Development was established in May devices will be shipped in 2015, up 60% on 2014 2010 by International Telecommunication figures. ITU forecasts 25 billion networked Union and UNESCO in response to step up UN devices by 2020 – meaning connected devices efforts to meet the Millennium Development could outnumber connected people by 6:1. Goals (MDGs). The Commission aims to boost For every person connecting to the the importance of broadband on the Internet over the next five years, ten as many international policy agenda and believes that times devices will connect. Indeed, some expanding broadband access is key to accelerate industry observers are concerned that the progress. Internet of Things may open up a new digital EU heads of state meet on migration divide in terms of access and use of connected and refuses crisis devices. European Union heads of state or government The top ten countries for Internet use held an emergency summit on migration and are all located in Europe. The lowest levels of refugee crisis at Brussels, 23 September Internet access are mostly found in sub- 2015.The summit decided on a number of Saharan Africa with Internet available to less immediate priorities, to uphold, apply and than 2 percent of the population in Guinea implement existing rules, including the Dublin (1.7%), Somalia (1.6%), Burundi (1.4%), Timor regulation and the Schengen acquis and had Leste (1.1%) and Eritrea (1.0). an in-depth discussion on how to achieve long- India’s ranking in State of Broadband term sustainable solutions. The leaders agreed Report 2015 they would respond to the urgent needs of According to the State of Broadband 2015 report, refugees in the region by helping the United India’s broadband penetration ranking has Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the fallen to 155th position from 113th position in World Food Programme and other agencies with 2013. While India’s overall broadband at least additional 1 billion euro. The World Food penetration (mobile and fixed line) ranking Programme needs money to provide food to 11 improved to 136 from 142 in 2014, it is still way million people in Syria and in the region. behind Syria, Zimbabwe and Ghana. The summit appeals the EU institutions However, the number of people with and our Governments to work speedily on the broadband access on mobile phones has gone Priority Actions proposed by the Commission. up to 5.5 percent of the population compared  Respond to the urgent needs of refugees in with just 3.2 percent in 2013. the region by helping the United Nations State of Broadband Report High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Produced annually by the Broadband Food Programme and other agencies with Commission, The State of Broadband Report is at least an additional 1 billion euro; a unique global snapshot of broadband network  Assist Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and other access and affordability, with country-by country countries in dealing with the Syrian data measuring broadband access against key refugee crisis, including through a

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 105 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL substantial increase of the EU’s Regional an estimated 12 million people to leave their Trust Fund in response to the Syrian homes; the EU commits to doing its part in this Crisis (“Madad Fund”); respect, as well as for the formation of a  Reinforce the dialogue with Turkey at all government of national unity in Libya. levels, including at the upcoming visit of The orientations agreed today must be the Turkish President, in order to complemented by the transposition and strengthen our cooperation on stemming implementation by Member States of the rules and managing the migratory flows; of the Common Asylum System. In this context  Assist the Western Balkan countries in it is important to create the conditions for all handling the refugee flows, including Member States to participate fully in the Dublin through pre-accession instruments, as system. well as ensure a speedy and solid In a rare move on the eve of the preparation of the Western Balkans route summit, interior ministers had forced through conference; a deal to relocate 120,000 refugees in the teeth  Increase the funding of the Emergency of opposition from eastern state Hungary, the Trust Fund for stability and addressing the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia. root causes of irregular migration and The relocations are just a fraction of displaced persons in Africa through the 500,000 migrants who have come to additional contributions by Member Europe’s shores so far this year and the States, and ensure an optimal preparation estimated four million camped on Syria’s of the Valletta Summit in November to borders. achieve maximum progress; But the move deepened a split between  Tackle the dramatic situation at external the EU’s richer western states led by the “power borders and strengthen controls at those couple” of Germany and France and the poorer borders, including through additional former communist eastern members, who said resources for Frontex, EASO and Europol, Brussels had no right to override their and with personnel and equipment from sovereignty. Member States; European Commission urges  Meet requests from front-line Member institutions, agencies and Member States to States for assistance by the institutions, accelerate their work on all aspects of the the agencies and other Member States in migration crisis. The Commission will present order to ensure identification, registration proposals on the mobilisation of the EU budget and fingerprinting of migrants, set up to support these orientations. Member States (hotspots) reception centres in frontline will match them with their contributions. states — probably in Greece and Italy — to The European Commission has more quickly sort genuine conflict announced a multi-billion euro package to refugees from economic migrants. and at tackle the refugee crisis including €1bn of aid the same time ensure relocation and Turkey and €17m for Serbia. EU have almost returns, at the latest by November 2015; doubled the resources to tackle the refugee  Enhance the funding of the Emergency crisis – from € 4.6 billion to € 9.5bn, set out the Fund for Asylum, Integration and Migration key points of further funding measures: and the Internal Security Fund-Borders.  €100m more for emergency assistance for As regards Syria, we call for a renewed UN-led the most affected Members States; international effort to bring an end to the war  €600m more for the EU agencies in 2016; that has caused so much suffering and forced

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 106 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL  €200m more for the World Food Program The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 in 2015; targets of the agenda demonstrate the scale and  €300 million more for humanitarian aid ambition of this new universal Agenda. They in 2016; seek to build on the Millennium Development  Up to €1bn for Turkey; Goals and complete what these did not achieve.  € 700 million for Serbia and the former The goals and targets seek to realize the human Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. rights of all and to achieve gender equality and UN General Assembly adopts the empowerment of all women and girls. They ‘Transforming Our World: the 2030 are integrated and indivisible and balance the Agenda for Sustainable Development three dimensions of sustainable development: and Global Goals’ the economic, social and environmental. The 193-Member United Nations General The agenda is determined to end poverty Assembly (UNGA) on 25 September 2015 and hunger in all their forms and dimensions formally adopted the Transforming Our World: and to ensure that all human beings can fulfil the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development their potential in dignity and equality and in a along with a set of bold new Global Goals that healthy environment. are a universal, integrated and transformative It aims to protect the planet from vision for a better world, during the UN degradation, including through sustainable Sustainable Development Summit that is being consumption and production, sustainably held at the UN headquarters in New York. managing its natural resources and taking The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable urgent action on climate change. Development is an agenda for people to end It will ensure that all human beings can poverty in all its forms. It is composed of 17 goals enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that and 169 targets to wipe out poverty, fight economic, social and technological progress inequality and tackle climate change over the occurs in harmony with nature. next 15 years. 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) While, the Global Goals aim to build on  End poverty in all its forms everywhere the work of the historic Millennium  End hunger, achieve food security and Development Goals (MDGs), which in improved nutrition and promote September 2000, rallied the world around a sustainable agriculture common 15-year agenda to tackle the indignity  Ensure healthy lives and promote well- of poverty. being for all at all ages The agenda conveys the urgency of  Ensure inclusive and equitable quality climate action. It is rooted in gender equality education and promote lifelong learning and respect for the rights of all. UN Secretary- opportunities for all General Ban Ki-moon urged the world leaders  Achieve gender equality and empower all and others to successfully implement the Global women and girls Goals or Agenda 30 by launching a revitalised  Ensure availability and sustainable Global Partnership for Sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Development, based on a spirit of strengthened  Ensure access to affordable, reliable, global solidarity. sustainable and modern energy for all Highlights of the 2030 Agenda for  Promote sustained, inclusive and Sustainable Development sustainable economic growth, full and This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet productive employment and decent work and prosperity. It seeks to strengthen universal for all peace in larger freedom. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 107 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL  Build resilient infrastructure, promote World Bank raised international inclusive and sustainable industrialization poverty line to $US 1.90 and foster innovation According to World Bank projections released  Reduce inequality within and among the information on the eve of its Annual countries Meetings in Lima, Peru, based its current  Make cities and human settlements projections on the latest available data, the inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable number of people living in extreme poverty  Ensure sustainable consumption and around the world is likely to fall to under 10 production patterns percent of the global population in 2015, giving  Take urgent action to combat climate change fresh evidence that a quarter-century-long and its impacts* sustained reduction in poverty is moving the  Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, world closer to the historic goal of ending poverty seas and marine resources for sustainable by 2030. development The Bank uses an updated international  Protect, restore and promote sustainable use poverty line of US $1.90 a day, which of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably incorporates new information on differences in manage forests, combat desertification, and the cost of living across countries (the PPP halt and reverse land degradation and halt exchange rates). The new line preserves the biodiversity loss real purchasing power of the previous line (of  Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for $1.25 a day in 2005 prices) in the world’s poorest sustainable development, provide access to countries. Using this new line (as well as new justice for all and build effective, accountable country-level data on living standards), the World and inclusive institutions at all levels Bank projects that global poverty will have fallen  Strengthen the means of implementation from 902 million people or 12.8 per cent of the and revitalize the global partnership for global population in 2012 to 702 million people, sustainable development or 9.6 per cent of the global population, 2015. The Revitalized Global Partnership The World Bank Group finds that the This Agenda, including its seventeen goals, can continued major reductions in poverty were due be met within the framework of a revitalized to strong growth rates in developing countries global partnership for sustainable development, in recent years, investments in people’s supported by the concrete policies and actions education, health, and social safety nets that outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, which helped keep people from falling back into is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for poverty. It cautioned, however, that with slowing sustainable development. global economic growth, and with many of the The Addis Ababa Action Agenda supports world’s remaining poor people living in fragile complements and helps contextualize the 2030 and conflict-affected states, and the Agenda’s means of implementation targets. considerable depth and breadth of remaining The revitalized Global Partnership will poverty, the goal to end extreme poverty facilitate an intensive global engagement in remained a highly ambitious target. support of implementation of all the goals and In April 2013, the World Bank Group’s targets. It will bring together Governments, civil Board of Governors endorsed two goals: to end society, the private sector, the United Nations extreme poverty by 2030 and to boost shared system and other actors and mobilize all available prosperity by raising the incomes of the bottom resources. 40 percent of populations.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 108 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL Further it says that further reductions  Sub-Saharan Africa declines to 35.2 per in poverty rates would come from evidence- cent in 2015, compared to 42.6 per cent in based approaches, including: broad-based 2012. growth that generates sufficient income-  Reliable current poverty data is not available earning opportunities; investing in people’s for the Middle East and North Africa development prospects through improving the because of conflict and fragility in key coverage and quality of education, health, countries in the region. sanitation, and protecting the poor and Further World Bank analysts said that, vulnerable against sudden risks of “Development has been robust over the last two unemployment, hunger, illness, drought and decades but the protracted global slowdown since other calamities. the financial crisis of 2008, is beginning to cast Poverty remains concentrated in Sub- its shadow on emerging economies”. “There is Saharan Africa and South Asia some turbulence ahead. The economic growth It noted that, for the last several decades, three outlook is less impressive for emerging regions, East Asia and Pacific, South Asia, and economies in the near future, which will create Sub-Saharan Africa, have accounted for some new challenges in the fight to end poverty and 95 percent of global poverty. Yet, the composition attend to the needs of the vulnerable, especially of poverty across these three regions has those living at the bottom 40 percent of their shifted dramatically. In 1990, East Asia societies.” accounted for half of the global poor, whereas Measuring Poverty Globally and some 15 percent lived in Sub-Saharan Africa; Nationally by 2015 forecasts, this is almost exactly The updated global poverty line and rate are based reversed: Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for half on newly-available price data from across the of the global poor, with some 12 percent living world- impacting not only where the global in East Asia. Poverty is declining in all regions poverty line is drawn, but the cost of the basic but it is becoming deeper and more entrenched food, clothing, and shelter needs of the poorest in countries that are either conflict ridden or around the world. However, this global measure overly dependent on commodity exports. is only one of many important measures to track The growing concentration of global in order to better reach the poor and vulnerable. poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa is of great G4 summit: calls for time-bound U.N. concern. Sub-Saharan poverty fell from an reforms estimated 56 percent in 1990 to a projected 35 On 26 September 2015, Group of Four (G4) percent in 2015. Rapid population growth Summit was held in New York on the eve of 70th remains a key factor blunting progress in many anniversary of the UNO. The summit, took place countries—as this year’s Global Monitoring after a decade, was hosted by Prime Minister Report shows. Narendra Modi, other three members: Brazilian In its regional forecasts of poverty for 2015 - President Dilma Rousseff, German Chancellor  East Asia and the Pacific would fall to 4.1 Angela Merkel and Japanese Prime Minister per cent of its population, down from 7.2 Shinzo Abe. In a show of solidarity and as a per cent in 2012; message to the world community, leaders of G4  Latin America and the Caribbean would called for urgent reforms of the United Nations fall to 5.6 per cent from 6.2 in 2012; “in a fixed time frame”, expressing  South Asia would fall to 13.5 per cent in disappointment that no substantial progress had 2015, compared to 18.8 per cent in 2012; been made in the past decade on the issue.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 109 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL The G-4 leaders stressed that a more Japan, Germany, India and Brazil are the third, representative, legitimate and effective Security fourth, seventh and eighth biggest economies, Council is needed more than ever to address the respectively. In terms of population, India is the global conflicts and crises, which had spiralled second biggest, Brazil fifth, Japan 10th and in recent years. They shared the view that this Germany 16th biggest in the world. can be achieved by reflecting the realities of the The U.S. also reiterated last week its international community in the 21st century, support for India’s claim for a permanent UNSC where more Member States have the capacity seat, but it has been calling for consensus before and willingness to take on major responsibilities reforms can move ahead. Pakistan is opposed with regard to maintenance of international to India, while China has been ambiguous in peace and security. its approach though not openly opposed to The leaders emphasised that the G4 reforms. countries are legitimate candidates for Group-4 Nations: permanent membership in an expanded and The G4 nations comprising Brazil, Germany, reformed [Security] Council and supported one India, and Japan are four countries which another’s candidature. They pledged to work support each other’s bids for permanent seats together with all member-states and to on the United Nations Security Council. Unlike accelerate outreach towards achieving an early the G7, where the common denominator is the and meaningful reform of the Security Council. economy and long-term political motives, the They also reaffirmed their resolve to continue G4’s primary aim is the permanent member contributing to the fulfillment of the purposes seats on the Security Council. Each of these and principles of the UN Charter. four countries has figured among the elected “The leaders noted with concern that no non-permanent members of the council since substantial progress had been made since the the UN’s establishment. 2005 World Summit where all the Heads of State Their economic and political influence and Government had unanimously supported the has grown significantly in the last decades, ‘early reform’ of the Security Council as an reaching a scope comparable to the permanent essential element of the overall effort to reform members (P5). However, the G4’s bids are often the United Nations.” opposed by Uniting for Consensus movement, The leaders also noted with appreciation and particularly their economic competitors or the efforts of Member States in moving towards political rivals text-based negotiations. They welcomed, in United Nations Security Council particular, the efforts undertaken by the Member The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) States of the African Group, CARICOM and the is one of the six principal organs of the United L.69 Group. They supported Africa’s Nations and is charged with the maintenance representation in both the permanent and non- of international peace and security as well as permanent membership in the Security accepting new members to the United Nations Council. They also noted the importance of and approving any changes to its United Nations adequate and continuing representation of small Charter. Its powers include the establishment and medium sized Member States, including the of peacekeeping operations, the establishment Small Island Developing States, in an expanded of international sanctions, and the and reformed Council. authorization of military action through The G4 leaders appreciated the fact that Security Council resolutions; it is the only UN the Inter-Governmental Negotiations on UN body with the authority to issue binding reforms has come out with a text that will form resolutions to member states. the basis for further negotiations. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 110 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL The Security Council consists of fifteen established in the negotiations. It also sets up members. The great powers that were the dispute settlement guidelines between victors of World War II—Russia, the United governments and foreign investors separate from Kingdom, France, China, and the United national courts. States—serve as the body’s five permanent With regarding several deal-breaking members. These permanent members can veto disputes- they resolved these disputes through any substantive Security Council resolution, covering commercial protections for drug- including those on the admission of new makers’ advanced medicines(intellectual member states or candidates for Secretary- property rights for biologic drugs), automotive- General. assembly rules, more open markets for dairy The Security Council also has 10 non- products and sugar, and a slow phase-out — over permanent members, elected on a regional two to three decades — of the tariffs on Japan’s basis to serve two-year terms. The body’s autos sold in North America. Some of these presidency rotates monthly among its members. disputes and their resolutions are: Critics of the council often describe it as an The trade deal has been in the works undemocratic international body, and argue it since 2008 but has been stymied by politically fails its principal task, mainly because of the sensitive disputes, including a fight between the veto power of the permanent members. U.S. and Japan over the automobile industry. U.S. Reaches Trans-Pacific Partnership One of the last disputes to be resolved Trade Deal With 11 Pacific Nations pitted Australia against the U.S., which was Twelve Pacific Rim countries reached the most seeking up to 12 years of protection for biologic ambitious trade pact -Pacific Partnership (TPP) drugs against generic imitators. The two - on 5 October, 2015 after lengthy negotiating countries reached a complicated compromise sessions in the US city of Atlanta. It aims to that provides at least five and potentially up to counter the might of China and will cut eight years of exclusivity for biologics. hundreds of trade barriers affecting everything Chile, Peru and other countries from the price of cheese to the cost of cancer remained concerned about adding to the price treatments and sets labour and environmental of drugs through long exclusivity periods, standards, crack down on wildlife trafficking and according to people following the talks. environmental abuses and protects Canada and Japan agreed to increase access to multinational corporations’ intellectual their tightly controlled dairy markets, allowing property. some American dairy products in, but New The TPP is designed to encourage trade Zealand also persuaded the U.S. to accept more between the United States, Australia, Brunei, of its milk products. Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Many of the details of the deal were Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. negotiated in deep secret, drawing persistent Together they account for 40 percent (two-fifths criticism that business interests dominated the of the global economy) of the world trade. The talks and that the public interest in many agreement - the largest regional trade deal in countries was being thrown aside. Public health history - will now have to be approved by the advocates, environmentalists, and labour groups legislators of each signing country. are among the critics. Under the internationally enforceable Yet the trade agreement almost certainly framework, the governments in the 12-nation will encounter stiff opposition. Its full 30-chapter bloc will be able to challenge fellow countries if text will not be available for perhaps a month, they don’t follow through with labor-action plans but labour unions, environmentalists and liberal

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 111 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL activists are poised to argue that the agreement Japan’s other barriers, like regulations and favours big business over workers and design criteria that effectively keep out U.S.- environmental protection. made cars and light trucks, would come down. Aid groups have argued that the TPP AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS IN THE protections concerning pharmaceutical drugs ASIA-PACIFIC will lead to companies raising prices and The TPP is the cornerstone of the Obama restricting access to products needed by some of Administration’s economic policy in the Asia the world’s poorest populations. Internet privacy Pacific. The large and growing markets of the advocates are also concerned that regulations on Asia-Pacific already are key destinations for intellectual property will go too far. U.S. manufactured goods, agricultural products, But the accord — a product of nearly eight and services suppliers, and the TPP will further years of negotiations— is a potentially legacy- deepen this trade and investment. As a group, making achievement for President Barack the TPP countries are the largest goods and Obama, and the capstone for his foreign policy services export market of the United States. “pivot” toward closer relations with fast-growing U.S. goods exports to TPP countries totaled $698 eastern Asia, after years of U.S. preoccupation billion in 2013, representing 44 percent of total with West Asia and North Africa. U.S. goods exports. U.S. exports of agricultural The deal is a victory for Mr. Obama, who products to TPP countries totaled $63 billion in sees it as boosting economic growth, enhancing 2013, 42 percent of total U.S. agricultural competitive industries and binding like-minded exports. U.S. private services exports totaled Pacific countries at a time when China—not a $172 billion in 2012, 27 percent of total U.S. part of the bloc—is adopting a more assertive private services exports to the world. America’s economic and military posture in the region. small- and medium-sized enterprises alone The deal, if approved by Congress, will mark an exported $247 billion to the Asia-Pacific in 2011. effective expansion of the North American Free Trade Agreement launched two decades ago to include Japan, Australia, Chile, Peru and several Southeast Asian nations. Office of U.S. Representative has repeatedly pressed their contention that the partnership would build a bulwark against China’s economic influence, and allow the U.S. and its allies — not Beijing — to set the standards for Pacific commerce. The TPP includes stepped-up powers for the U.S. to put pressure on developing nations to improve labor practices — such as requiring Operation Sophia: EU Mission against Vietnam to allow independent trade unions and human smugglers and traffickers in Malaysia to cut down on human trafficking. the Mediterranean Sea The partnership eventually would end So far in 2015, over half a million migrants and more than 18,000 tariffs that the participating refugees have crossed the Mediterranean Sea countries have placed on U.S. exports, including to enter Europe, triggering the region’s biggest autos, machinery, information technology and refugee crisis since World War II. The crisis consumer goods, chemicals and agricultural has also provided opportunities to human products ranging from avocados in California to traffickers and smugglers, who have exploited wheat, pork and beef from the Plains states. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 112 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL the situation to their benefit by cramming ‘peace enforcement’-type activities. This said, refugees in overcrowded boats bound for Europe just like all other CSDP operations, EUNAVFOR that have, in many cases, capsized and killed Med needs to be seen as one element of a broader thousands of people. multidimensional response, as one component Hence, the European Union is adopting of the Comprehensive Approach towards both a decidedly muscular approach to intercept the the refugee crisis and restoring stability in boats carrying migrants across the Libya. Mediterranean. The EU announced, on 7 In June, the EU launched the first phase October 2015, its second phase ( a new mission) of the operation, called ‘EUNAVFOR Med’, which called-‘Operation Sophia’. The new mission involves naval surveillance and monitoring called Sophia for the baby who was rescued with trafficking patterns. her mother off the coast of Libya in August. The China reopens its border trading post mission will allow naval vessels “be able to with Nepal board, search, seize, and divert vessels Amid mounting pressure on Nepal’s government suspected of being used for human smuggling over dwindling supplies of goods from India due or trafficking on the high seas.” to the ongoing violent agitation over the new Over the past year, the number of people Constitution, on 13 October 2015 China willing to risk the perilous journey across the reopened its border trading post at Jilung with Mediterranean has spiked, as conflict, war and Nepal in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous poverty in the Middle East and Africa continue Region in Tibet which will see “explosive growth” to take their toll. According to data compiled by in trade. the International Organization for Migration Madhesis and Tharu ethnic groups are (IOM), roughly 560,000 refugees who have protesting for more representation in the arrived on European shores this year, Constitution. They see the model to split Nepal approximately 133,000 have landed in Italy, into seven federal provinces as flawed and while over three times that number — nearly discriminatory to their rights. More than 40 428,000 — have landed in Greece, after people have died in the violent agitation. undertaking a high-risk voyage in over-packed Nepalese politicians have been saying rubber dinghies that set sail from Turkey. that they will turn to China for supplies. China Nearly 3,000 people have drowned in the region has been providing substantial aid in recent so far. years and has acquired strategic influence in This military component of the EU Nepal countering India’s support base. In a major response to the migrant and refugee crisis is development which is expected to henceforth innovative in different ways. Following the anti- expect to be a factor in Nepal’s ties with India, piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden (Atalanta), China on Tuesday succeeded in reopening its EUNAVFOR Med confirms the maritime border post with Nepal at Jilung-Tatopani. dimension of CSDP in the management of new The port, about 130 km away from types of security threats. The operation also Kathmandu, used to be the largest port linking brings CSDP closer to the EU internal security the two regions, but it gradually lost its portfolio and its Freedom, Security and Justice importance due to weak infrastructure. Though (FSJ) agenda. Tibet is well connected over the years with rail, Finally, EUNAVFOR Med or Operation road and air links, providing Nepal with supplies Sophia is the first CSDP operation with a of oil, gas and essential food supplies for a potential openly coercive mandate which, if prolonged period could pose a challenge for implemented, would lead the EU to engage in China.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 113 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL In 2014, the foreign trade volume of Tibet On the first stage, by the second quarter of dropped by nearly 33 per cent year-on-year, 2018, the gas pipeline will be built. On the largely due to a major landslide in Nepal that second stage, by the second quarter of 2019, disrupted road traffic between Tibet and the part of compressor stations will be completed. Tatopani trade port in Nepal from August to On the third stage, by the second quarter of October. At the end of 2014, the port was 2020, all compressor stations will be expanded to boost bilateral economic and commissioned bringing the pipeline to its full tourism development. capacity, which is 12.4 billion cubic meters a The border was closed after the road year. along the route on both sides was damaged The construction of the pipeline will during the massive April 25 earthquake in Nepal provide orders for Russian industrial which also partly affected border regions in enterprises and will contribute to an increase Tibet. in non-oil exports. The project will open up a Nepal, a land-locked country bordered by new market for Russian companies. India on the south, east and west, and China Russia has long been the largest on the north, is dependent on its neighbours for supplier of weaponry to Pakistan’s nuclear- transit and supplies. armed archrival India, which is the world’s top Nepal and China MoU for fuel supply arms buyer. But now Moscow appears to be Nepal has signed a Memorandum of pivoting towards Islamabad as New Delhi Understanding (MoU) with China in order to becomes closer allies with Washington. The import all kinds of fuel in order to ease fuel crisis Russian Ministry states that the project will in the country. It was signed by Nepal Oil Corp take cooperation between Russia and Pakistan (NOC) and China National United Oil “to a new level”. Corporation (PetroChina) in Beijing to supply all Russia had lifted its embargo on arms kind of the petroleum products for Nepal needs. supplies to Pakistan in June and was holding This is the first time that China is talks on supplying Islamabad with combat commercially supplying petroleum to Nepal and helicopters. In August, Pakistan and Russia already had agreed to donate 1.3 million litres signed a landmark defence deal for the sale of of petrol to landlocked Himalayan country. four Mi-35 ‘Hind E’ attack helicopters to Pakistan, Russia sign pact for Pakistan and are currently in talks about the construction of North-South gas delivery of Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets. pipeline Barack Obama nods for lifting Pakistan and Russia signed an agreement on sanctions on Iran October 2015 to build a gas pipeline stretching President Barack Obama ordered the U.S. hundreds of kilometres from Karachi on the government, on 18 October, to take steps Arabian Sea to the eastern city of Lahore. The towards lifting sanctions on Iran, in accordance 1,100-kilometre (680-mile) pipeline, with a with the historic nuclear deal struck between capacity of 12.4 billion cubic metres (438 billion six world powers and Tehran. Obama’s directive cubic feet) per year, will connect liquefied comes 90 days after the UN Security Council natural gas (LNG) terminals in Karachi with endorsed the accord signed in Vienna in July, those in Lahore. The North-South gas pipeline a milestone referred to as “Adoption Day”- the project would be built by Russian company RT first steps towards implementing it. The Global Resources — a part of Russian state European Union also passed legislation allowing corporation Rostec. Russia is to invest about $2 its members to start looking at ending billion in the pipeline. sanctions.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 114 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL The measures will take effect upon the total number of road traffic deaths has gone confirmation by the Secretary of State that Iran up to 1.25 million per year. The report shows has met its commitments under the so-called that road safety strategies are saving lives. But ‘Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action’. This is a it also tells us that the pace of change is too critical first step in the process of ensuring that slow. Iran’s nuclear programme will be exclusively However, the number of road traffic for peaceful purposes. deaths is stabilizing even though the number Greater access of motor vehicles worldwide has increased Iran also on 18 October 2015 notified the IAEA rapidly, as has the global population. In the last that it would apply a protocol granting inspectors three years, 79 countries have seen a decrease greater access to its nuclear sites, a further in the absolute number of fatalities while 68 step in the implementation of the historic deal. countries have seen an increase. Countries If Iran can meet the conditions that lead to that have had the most success in reducing the sanctions relief, it could economically number of road traffic deaths have achieved this rehabilitate itself. by improving legislation, enforcement, and Iran- P5+Germany nuclear deal making roads and vehicles safer. The US, UK, France, Russia, China and The WHO report highlights that road Germany ( P5+Germany) and UN atomic energy users around the world are unequally protected. agency IAEA has reached a historic agreement The risk of dying in a road traffic crash still with Iran on 14 July 2015 at Vienna, capital of depends, in great part, on where people live and Austria that calls for limits the Tehran’s how they move around. A big gap still separates nuclear program in return for lifting economic high-income countries from low- and middle- sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy. income ones where 90% of road traffic deaths Under the deal Iran will dismantle much of its occur in spite of having just 54% of the world’s nuclear infrastructure, while the UN, US and vehicles. Europe, in particular the region’s EU will take down a wall of sanctions built wealthier countries, has the lowest death rates around Iran over the past nine years. The per capita; Africa the highest. accord is aimed at resolving a 13-year standoff The report says that in the last three over Iran’s nuclear ambitions after repeated years, 17 countries have aligned at least one of diplomatic failures and threats of military their laws with best practice on seat-belts, action. drink–driving, speed, motorcycle helmets or The U.N. Security Council (UNSC), all child restraints. 15 countries on the council, on 20 July 2015 The report reveals that globally: unanimously adopted a resolution that  105 countries have good seat-belt laws that endorses the historic deal on Iran’s nuclear apply to all occupants; programme. The resolution launches a  47 countries have good speed laws defining progressive and conditional lifting of sanctions, a national urban maximum speed limit of in exchange for guarantees that Iran will not 50 Km/h and empowering local authorities develop a nuclear bomb. to further reduce speed limits; Global status report on road safety  34 countries have a good drink–driving law 2015: WHO with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) World Health Organization (WHO) on 19 October limit of less than or equal to 0.05 g/dl as 2015 released the Global status report on road well as lower limits of less than or equal to safety 2015. The report reflects information 0.02 g/dl for young and novice drivers; from 180 countries and indicates that worldwide

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 115 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL  44 countries have helmet laws that apply evidence, facts and best practices with to all drivers, passengers, roads and engine conclusions drawn following the analysis of the types; require the helmet to be fastened and data collected for 180 countries. In addition it refer to a particular helmet standard; and offers one-page profiles for each participating  52 countries have a child restraint law for country and statistical annexes. An interactive occupants of vehicles based on age, height online data visualization of the report is also or weight, and apply an age or height available. restriction on children sitting in the front The report is the third in its series and seat. is the official monitoring tool of the Decade of More attention required to protect Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. The vulnerable road users and improve publication of the report follows the adoption of vehicle safety the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable, which includes an ambitious road safety target making up 23% of all road traffic deaths. In many and precedes the 2nd Global High-Level regions this problem is increasing; in the region Conference on Road Safety that will be held in of the Americas, for example, the proportion of Brasilia, Brazil, 18-19 November 2015. motorcycle deaths out of all road traffic fatalities Trident Juncture 2015: NATO shows rose from 15% to 20% between 2010 and 2013. off its military muscle in 30-nation In the South-East Asia and Western Pacific exercise regions a third of all road traffic deaths are North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) among motorcyclists. allies and partner nations on 19 October 2015 Pedestrians and cyclists are also among launched the Alliance’s Trident Juncture the groups with the least protection, making up military exercise at the Trapani air force base 22% and 4% of global deaths respectively. in Italy. Trident Juncture will end on 6 “Decision-makers need to rethink transport November 2015. Trident Juncture 2015 — the policies,” – said Dr Etienne Krug, Director of largest NATO exercise in Europe since 2002 WHO’s Department for Management of — is in large part a response to Russia’s recent Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, aggression against Ukraine. Violence and Injury Prevention. “Improving The three week long intensive training public transport as well as making walking and exercise involves 36,000 personnel from more cycling safer requires us to refocus our attention than 30 Allied and Partner Nations, takes place on how vehicles and people share the road. The throughout Italy, Portugal, Spain, the Atlantic lack of policies aimed at vulnerable road users Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and also is killing people and harming our cities. If we Canada, Norway, Germany, Belgium and the make walking and cycling safer there will be Netherlands. Trident Juncture 2015 fewer deaths, more physical activity, better air demonstrates the NATO’s new increased level quality, and more pleasant cities. “ of ambition in joint modern warfare and will The report also found that some vehicles show-case a capable, forward-leading Alliance sold in 80% of all countries worldwide fail to meet equipped with the appropriate capability and basic safety standards, particularly in low- and capacity to meet present and future security middle-income countries where nearly 50% of challenges. More than 12 major International the 67 million new passenger cars were produced Organizations, aid agencies and non- in 2014. governmental organisations, such as the EU The Global status report on road safety and AU also participated in the exercise, 2015 comprises a narrative text combining demonstrating NATO’s commitment and contribution to a comprehensive approach. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 116 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL As the culminating event for units, population (population ageing) that is taking military and civilian staff belonging to more place everywhere. than 30 participating Nations, Trident Juncture Marriage patterns have also changed 2015 provides an opportunity for them to refine over the past two decades. Both women and men their operational capabilities. Air, Land, are marrying later, a reflection of increases in Maritime, and Special Forces participated education levels, later entry into the labour force, simultaneously in several locations and from greater economic independence of women and different Headquarters to train in a complex a rise in informal unions. Women continue to environment to improve Alliance’s full spectrum marry a few years earlier than men, at age 25 capabilities. on average, compared to 29 for men. The rate of World’s Women 2015: Trends and child marriage—a fundamental violation of Statistics report: UN human rights that limits girls’ opportunities for The Department of Economic and Social Affairs education and development and exposes them of the United Nations on 20 October 2015 to the risk of domestic violence and social released a report entitled The World’s Women isolation—has declined slightly. Still, almost half 2015: Trends and Statistics. The report provides of women aged 20 to 24 in Southern Asia and an update of the statistics and indicators on the two fifths in sub-Saharan Africa were married situation of women and men around the world before age 18. covering gender-specific information on eight Globally, the total fertility rate reached key areas-population and families, health, 2.5 children per woman in 2010–2015, a decline education, work, power and decision-making, from three children in 1990–1995. While fertility violence against women, environment and fell slightly in countries with high and medium poverty. fertility levels, it rose slightly in some countries Population and Families with low fertility. Increasingly, having children Worldwide, men outnumber women by some 62 is becoming delinked from formal marriage, as million. More baby boys are born than baby girls, reflected by the increase in the share of a by-product of enduring natural selection extramarital births. As a result of this trend and processes. The slight male advantage in a rise in divorce rates, one-parent households, numbers at birth disappears progressively among which single mothers with children during childhood and young adulthood, owing to make up more than three quarters, are generally higher male than female mortality. becoming common in both developing and Consequently, women outnumber men in older developed regions. age groups. Women represent 54 per cent of the Health population aged 60 and over and 62 per cent of Medical and technological improvements over those aged 80 and over. The number of years several decades have extended the lives of both lived as a person aged 60 and over is higher for women and men, who are expected at present women than for men by about three years. to live an average of 72 and 68 years, Noticeable differences are also found in respectively. An analysis of mortality data across the living arrangements of older women and age groups and regions shows that women and men. In the later stages of life, women are much men tend to die of different causes. In all regions, more likely than men to be widowed and to live biological factors, along with gender inequality alone. This has to be taken into account by and gender norms, influence sex differences in programmes and services targeted to older health trajectories throughout the life cycle. persons, particularly in the context of the Adolescence and young adulthood should be a increasing share of older persons in the time of general good health with low mortality

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 117 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL rates. Yet in developing regions, complications chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and linked to pregnancy and childbirth, as well as diabetes are the more common causes of death. sexually transmitted infections, particularly HIV, Over the entire life course, risk factors continue to take a heavy toll on the lives of contributing to these diseases have a clear adolescent girls and young women. This is due gender component. For instance, men smoke not only to underdeveloped health systems that tobacco and drink alcohol to a much greater are unable to address women’s needs, but also extent than women: 36 per cent of men aged to gender issues. Poor access to information and 15 and over smoke and 48 per cent drink, education, early marriage, and lack of decision- compared to 8 and 29 per cent of women, making power among girls who are married or respectively. However, large numbers of women in relationship increase their exposure to have adopted these unhealthy habits, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted particularly in developed regions. pregnancies and the risk of unsafe abortion. Moreover, while the prevalence of Traditional gender expectations also obesity has increased among both sexes, exert a harmful effect on men. Adolescent boys women appear to be slightly more affected (14 and young men often take up habits and risky per cent of women aged 20 and over are obese behaviours that are associated with images of compared to 10 per cent of men). Mental masculinity. During adolescence and young disorders, in particular dementia, are among adulthood, road injuries, interpersonal violence the major causes of disability in later life. In and self-harm are the leading causes of death 2013, an estimated 44 million people globally among young men in both developed and were living with dementia, a number that is developing regions. Injuries are also a leading expected to double every 20 years. Women are cause of death among young women in developed more affected than men due to women’s greater regions, although the corresponding mortality longevity and the typically late onset of rates are much lower than those of young men. dementia. Women also represent the majority For women of reproductive age, the of informal caregivers of people with biological functions of pregnancy and childbirth dementia—mostly in their role as partners, create additional health needs. Overall, daughters and daughters-in-law. reproductive and maternal health has improved Education considerably over the past two decades. A growing The past two decades have witnessed proportion of women are using contraceptives and remarkable progress in participation in the demand for family planning is increasingly education. Enrolment of children in primary being satisfied. Worldwide, the number of education is at present nearly universal. The maternal deaths declined by 45 per cent between gender gap has narrowed, and in some regions 1990 and 2013. Still, in sub-Saharan Africa, only girls tend to perform better in school than boys half of pregnant women receive adequate care and progress in a more timely manner. during childbirth. In 2014, 83 per cent of However, in some developing countries that pregnant women in developing regions had at have not reached gender parity, the disparities least one antenatal care visit, an improvement against girls are stark. Today, 58 million of 19 percentage points since 1990. However, only children of primary school age are out of school 52 per cent of pregnant women had the worldwide. More than half of these are girls and recommended minimum of four antenatal care nearly three quarters live in sub-Saharan visits. Africa and Southern Asia At older ages, non-communicable Secondary school enrolment has diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, increased but remains lower than primary school enrolment. Although gender disparities ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 118 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL in access to secondary education have been as household chores and caring for children are reduced, they remain wider and more prevalent taken into account, women work longer hours than at the primary level—to the advantage of than men—an average of 30 minutes a day boys in some countries and of girls in others. longer in developed countries and 50 minutes Gender disparities are even broader at the in developing countries. Gender differentials in tertiary level. Female participation in tertiary hours spent on domestic work have narrowed education overall has increased globally and over time, mainly as a result of less time spent currently surpasses male participation in on household chores by women and, to a smaller almost all developed countries and in half of extent, by an increase in time spent on developing countries. childcare by men. However, women are clearly Only 50 per cent of women of working underrepresented in fields related to science, age are in the labour force, compared to 77 per engineering, manufacturing and construction. cent of men. The gender gap in labour force Women are also underrepresented in the more participation remains especially large in advanced degree programmes, especially in Northern Africa, Western Asia and Southern science-related fields, resulting in fewer women Asia. Overall participation in the labour market than men in research. Women account for 30 is only slightly lower in 2015, compared to 1995. per cent of all researchers—an increase However, women and men aged 15 to 24 years compared to previous decades but still far from have experienced a decline in participation, parity. which is likely linked to expanding educational Progress in educational access has opportunities at the secondary and tertiary yielded improvements in adult literacy and levels. Older women aged 25 to 54 increased educational attainment. Illiteracy among their labour force participation in most regions, youths has been eradicated in many regions of while that of men in the same age group the world, and the vast majority of young women stagnated or declined slightly across regions. and men presently have basic reading and The proportion of women aged 55 to 64 in the writing skills. However, an estimated 781 labour force has risen in most regions, million people aged 15 and over remain reflecting changes in the statutory retirement illiterate. Nearly two thirds of them are women, age and pension reforms. a proportion that has remained unchanged for Women are more likely than men to be two decades. Illiteracy rates are highest among unemployed or to be contributing family older people and are higher among women than workers, which usually implies that they have men. At age 65 and over, 30 per cent of women no access to monetary income. In Oceania, sub- and 19 per cent of men are illiterate. The vast Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, between 30 majority of older persons are illiterate in and 55 per cent of employed women are Northern Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and contributing family workers, about 20 Southern Asia, where gender gaps are also percentage points higher than men in the same noted. As societies experience population regions. Women are also more likely than men ageing, it becomes increasingly important that to be employed part-time. However, while this literacy and other lifelong learning programmes can help them to better balance work, household enable women and men to become more self- and childrearing responsibilities, part-time jobs reliant, work as long as desired and remain are often associated with lower hourly wages, socially engaged at older ages. less job security and less training and promotion Work opportunities than full-time employment. As a group, women work as much as men, if not more. When both paid and unpaid work such ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 119 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL Women are also significantly face during the electoral process. The use by underrepresented in decision-making positions some countries of gender quotas has improved such as legislators, senior officials and women’s chances of being elected. Yet, once managers, but are overrepresented as domestic in office, few women reach the higher workers, positions that are characterized by low echelons of parliamentary hierarchies. pay, long hours and lack of social protection. Women are largely excluded from the Across all sectors and occupations, women on executive branches of government. Female average earn less than men; in most countries, Heads of State or Government are still the women in full-time jobs earn between 70 and 90 exception, although the number has increased per cent of what men earn. Many developed slightly (from 12 to 19) over the past 20 years. countries show a long-term decline in the gender Similarly, only 18 per cent of appointed pay gap, but the trend is mixed in recent years. ministers are women, and are usually assigned Over the past 20 years, an increasing to portfolios related to social issues. Women number of countries have adopted legislation are also underrepresented among senior-level providing maternity and paternity benefits, civil servants, and seldom represent their enabling workers to meet their responsibilities governments at the international level. outside work. Over half of all countries currently Women’s representation among offer at least 14 weeks of maternity leave and 48 corporate managers, legislators and senior per cent of countries have provisions for paternity officials remains low, with only about half of leave. These measures, however, often exclude countries having shares of women in workers in specific sectors or categories of managerial positions of 30 per cent or more, employment, such as paid domestic workers, and none reaching or surpassing parity. The own-account and contributing family workers, gender compositions of executive boards of casual and temporary workers, and agricultural private companies are nowhere near parity— workers. meaning that the “glass ceiling” remains a Power and Decision-Making reality for the vast majority of the world’s Inequality between women and men tends to be women. severe and highly visible in power and decision- Violence against Women making arenas. In most societies around the Women across the world are subjected to world, women hold only a minority of decision- physical, sexual, psychological and economic making positions in public and private violence, regardless of their income, age or institutions. Advances over the past two decades education. Such violence can lead to long-term are evident in all regions and in most countries, physical, mental and emotional health but progress has been slow. problems. Around one third of women worldwide Currently, only one in five members of have experienced physical and/or sexual lower or single houses of parliament worldwide violence by an intimate partner or sexual is a woman. A few factors contribute to this violence by a non-partner at some point in their blatant underrepresentation. Women are seldom lives. Intimate partner violence is the most leaders of major political parties, which are common form of violence, peaking during instrumental in forming future political leaders women’s reproductive years in both developed and in supporting them throughout the election and developing countries. Prevalence declines process. Gender norms and expectations also with age but still persists among older women. drastically reduce the pool of female candidates In the most extreme cases, violence against for selection as electoral representatives, and women can lead to death; around two thirds of contribute to the multiple obstacles that women victims of intimate partner or family-related homicides are women. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 120 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL In the majority of countries, less than hygiene may result in more female than male 40 per cent of the women who experienced deaths. Women in developing countries are also violence sought help of any sort. Among those more exposed than men to indoor pollutants who did, most looked to family and friends as resulting from the use of firewood and other solid opposed to the police and health services. In fuels, due to their role in cooking and caring for almost all countries with available data, the children and other family members. percentage of women who sought police help, The impact of extreme climate events out of all women who sought assistance, was and disasters also has a gender dimension. less than 10 per cent. Women’s reluctance to Although limited, available data suggest that age seek help may be linked to the widespread and sex are significant factors in mortality acceptability of violence against women. In resulting from natural disasters. Their many countries, both women and men believe contribution varies by country and by type of that wife-beating is justified in certain hazard. For instance, a higher risk of death circumstances. However, attitudes towards among women than men was noted mainly in violence are beginning to change. In almost all the context of recent tsunamis and heatwaves. countries with available information for more Gender roles and norms can also play a role in than one year, the level of both women’s and the aftermath of disasters. In some post-disaster men’s acceptance of violence has diminished settings, women’s access to work and their over time. involvement in decision-making related to More than 125 million girls and women recovery efforts and risk-reduction strategies alive today have been subjected to female remain more limited than men’s. genital mutilation across countries in Africa Environmental protection, and and the Middle East where this specific form of consequently sustainable development, requires violence against women is concentrated. that both women and men become actively Prevalence tends to be lower among younger involved through day-to-day activities and are women, indicating a decline in this harmful equally represented in decision-making at all practice. However, it remains commonplace in levels. More and more people are engaging in a number of these countries, with overall environmental protection activities, including prevalence rates of over 80 per cent. recycling and cutting back on driving to reduce Environment pollution; women tend to be more involved than Access to clean water and modern energy men, which is somewhat linked to the gender services has improved everywhere, but remains division of domestic labour. However women’s low in some developing regions, including involvement in local and national policy Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa and Southern formulation and decision-making in natural Asia. Poor access to both of these services has resources and environment management a huge impact on health and survival, while also remains limited. increasing the workloads of both women and Poverty men. About half of the population living in Gender disparities in poverty are rooted in developing regions lacks access to improved inequalities in access to economic resources. drinking water sources in their homes or on In many countries, women continue to be the premises, with the task of water collection economically dependent on their spouses. Lower falling mostly on the shoulders of women. In proportions of women than men have their own settings where women and men do not have cash income from labour as a result of the equal access to health services, as in some unequal division of paid and unpaid work. In parts of Asia, inadequate water, sanitation and developing countries, statutory and customary

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 121 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL laws continue to restrict women’s access to land General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) and and other assets, and women’s control over France’s EDF. household economic resources is limited. In Under the Strategic Investment nearly a third of developing countries, laws do Agreement, China General Nuclear (CGN) will not guarantee the same inheritance rights for invest £6 billion ($9 billion) in EDF Energy’s women and men, and in an additional half of project to construct the Hinkley Point C plant. countries discriminatory customary practices EDF’s share in the project will be 66.5% and against women are found. Moreover, about one CGN’s will be 33.5%. CGN will make its in three married women from developing investment in the UK through its new company regions has no control over household spending called General Nuclear International. CGN will on major purchases, and about one in 10 married take a two-thirds stake in the Bradwell nuclear women is not consulted on how their own cash plant east of London, where it plans to build a earnings are spent. Chinese-designed reactor. Gender disparities in poverty are more The Hinkley Point C plant - the first new visible with the diversification of family nuclear power station built in the UK in almost arrangements, including an increase in one- 20 years - will comprise two EPR reactors, with person households and one-parent families. first operation scheduled for 2025. Together, the Working-age women in developed and two reactors will provide about 7% of the UK’s developing countries are more likely to be poorer electricity. than men when they have dependant children CGN will also take a one-fifth stake in a and no partners to contribute to the household project for Areva-designed reactors at the income or when their own income is non- Sizewell plant. British oil giant BP and China existent or too low to support the entire family. Huadian Corporation also signed a sale and At older ages, women in developed countries are purchase agreement for BP to sell Huadian up more likely than men to be poor, particularly to 1 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) when living in one-person households. The per year. difference in poverty rates between women and In October 2013, following the signing of men, including among lone parents with a new memorandum of understanding on dependant children and among older persons, nuclear cooperation by Britain and China, the is narrowing in some countries while it UK Treasury confirmed that Chinese companies remains persistent in others. These points to could eventually become majority stakeholders the need for social protection systems that take in new UK nuclear plants, although initially they into account the emerging diversification of are only anticipated to take minority stakes. It family arrangements. further noted that any investment from any China inks with UK to invest in new country must comply with rigorous UK regulatory UK nuclear plants standards. Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime EU and Balkan nations agreed to adopt Minister David Cameron on 21 October 2015 a 17-point plan on managing flows of signed Strategic Investment Agreements at a migrants UK-China Business Summit in London during European Union (EU) and Balkan leaders on 25 the official visit of Xi Jinping. Under the October 2015 agreed to adopt a 17-point plan to agreement, China will help the UK in building cooperate on managing flows of migrants three nuclear plants including Hinkley Point C through the Balkan Peninsula. The agreement nuclear plant, which will be the first since was reached during a meet on migrants’ issue 1980s. The deal was signed between China in Brussels, Belgium that was participated by

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 122 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL heads of 11 EU states and three non-EU national and coordinated efforts to swiftly return countries. migrants not in need of international protection Agreed measures include- in full respect of their dignity and human  EU agreed to set up new reception centres rights.” up to 100000 migrants, along the route The agreement came about, in part, to from Greece toward Germany, half of them answer a question posed by Serbian Prime in Greece and half in countries to the north. Minister Aleksandar Vucic that the 28-nation  Greece has committed to opening enough bloc and non-EU nations like Serbia have been reception centres to house 30000 refugees unable to answer since the migratory trek by the end of the year 2015. UN refugee across the Mediterranean and through Turkey agency UNHCR will help provide at least started last spring: “What we are going to do with 20000 more places in Greece. hundreds of thousands of these people?”  Additional reception centres for 50000 Balkan Peninsula persons will come up in the Balkans The Balkan Peninsula, referred as the Balkans, countries, which became popular routes for is a geographical region of Southeast Europe. the refugees heading to Germany and The region takes its name from the Balkan Scandinavia after Hungary sealed its Mountains that stretch from the east of Serbia border with Serbia and Croatia. to the Black Sea at the east of Bulgaria.  They agreed to send 400 additional police The Balkan Peninsula is anywhere officers to support Slovenia, which has been between the Adriatic and the Black seas, having overwhelmed by the number of refugees often set as a northern limit the Danube and crossing into the country from Croatia. Sava rivers. It meets the Adriatic Sea on the  The leaders also agreed that the EU border northwest, Ionian Sea on the southwest, the agency Frontex would step up activity on Mediterranean and Aegean Sea on the south the Greek-Macedonian border to ensure and southeast, and the Black Sea on the east people trying to cross would be registered. and northeast. According to Frontex, over 7 lakh 10 The Balkans are generally considered to thousand refugees have arrived in the include, in whole or in part, Albania, Bosnia and European Union since the beginning of Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, 2015. Since mid-September, nearly 250000 the Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, people have passed through the Balkans. Slovenia, Romania, and the European part of Refugees now mainly travel across the water Turkey. from Turkey to Greece, and then north to UNGA adopted a draft resolution for the Macedonia and Serbia before entering Croatia abolition of nuclear arms and moving on to Slovenia and Austria. Most United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) are aiming to get to Germany or Scandinavia. Disarmament Committee or First Committee The agreement will help Greece and (Disarmament and International Security) has Balkan nations to cope with the raging refugee adopted a draft resolution calling for the abolition crisis, who are escaping war and poverty in their of nuclear arms. The resolution was submitted countries like Syria and other strife-torn by Japan and was adopted by 156 member regions. countries, while 17 abstaining and 3 voting The agreement also stressed that against it including China and Russia. But it refugees would be registered using “maximum failed to secure endorsement US, Britain, use of biometric data, notably fingerprints” and France and other key powers as they abstained that the nations involved would “step up our from voting despite supporting it.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 123 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL Features of Resolution medicine or physiology on Monday went to  Stresses the inhumanity of nuclear citizens of China and Japan, as well as an weapons and urges nuclear powers to be American. The physics prize went to experts more transparent in their disarmament in Japan and Canada. efforts. Prize in Chemistry — Sancar was born  Calls for efforts to raise awareness of the in Turkey, and Lindahl is the 29th native of humanitarian impact of the use of nuclear Sweden to be named a Nobel laureate. weapons. Nobel Prize in Medicine for parasite- Asks world leaders to visit the two Japanese fighting therapies cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which were Three scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize devastated by the nuclear attacks. Since 1994, in Medicine for discovering therapies that Japan has been spearheading efforts UNGA have revolutionised the treatment of some of Disarmament Committee to introduce the most devastating parasitic diseases. resolutions on nuclear arms every year. William C. Campbell and Satoshi The UNGA Disarmament Committee or Omura won for developing a new drug, First Committee deals with disarmament, Avermectin. A derivative of that drug, threats to peace and global challenges that affect Ivermectin, has nearly eradicated river the international community. It seeks out blindness and radically reduced the incidence solutions to the challenges in the international of filariasis, which causes the disfiguring security regime. swelling of the lymph system in the legs and Earlier, First Committee Approves Texts lower body known as elephantiasis. They on Disarmament Aspects of Outer Space, shared the $900,000 award with Youyou Tu, Weapons of Mass Destruction, in Voting Pattern who discovered Artemisinin, a drug that has Reflecting Complex Security Concerns. significantly reduced death rates from malaria. First Committee Parasitic worms afflict a third of the world’s The First Committee deals with disarmament, population, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, global challenges and threats to peace that affect South Asia and Latin America. Malaria, a the international community and seeks out mosquito-borne disease caused by single-cell solutions to the challenges in the international parasites that invade red blood cells, kills more security regime. than 450,000 people a year, most of them It considers all disarmament and children. In Africa alone, it saves more than international security matters within the scope 100,000 lives each year. of the Charter or relating to the powers and William C Campbell is an Irish biochemist, functions of any other organ of the United Biologist and Parasitologist, known for his Nations; the general principles of cooperation discoveries concerning a novel therapy against in the maintenance of international peace and infections caused by roundworms. security, as well as principles governing Satoshi Omura is a Japanese biochemist, disarmament and the regulation of armaments; known for the discovery and development of promotion of cooperative arrangements and various originally occurring microorganisms in measures aimed at strengthening stability pharmaceuticals to treat roundworm. through lower levels of armaments. Youyou Tu is a Chinese medical scientist, Nobel prizes 2015 pharmaceutical chemist, known for discovering This year’s Nobel Prizes reflect the globalisation artemisinin (also known as Qinghaosu) and of science, which the United States often dihydroartemisinin, used to treat malaria. dominated in the last century. The award in

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 124 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL Chemistry Nobel Prize for mapping Takaaki Kajita presented the discovery how cells repair damaged DNA that neutrinos from the atmosphere switch Tomas Lindahl, Paul L. Modrich and Aziz between two identities on their way to the Super- Sancar were awarded the Nobel Prize in Kamiokande detector in Japan. Chemistry for having mapped and explained While, the research group in Canada led how the cell repairs its DNA and safeguards its by Arthur B. McDonald demonstrated that the genetic information. Their systematic work neutrinos from the Sun were not disappearing has made a decisive contribution to the on their way to Earth. Instead they were captured understanding of how the living cell functions, with a different identity when arriving to the as well as providing knowledge about the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory. molecular causes of several hereditary Their experiments demonstrated that diseases and about mechanisms behind both neutrinos change identities. This cancer development and aging. metamorphosis requires that neutrinos have The chemistry prize interrupts the drift mass. The discovery has changed understanding toward the exotic end of the research spectrum. of the innermost workings of matter and can Instead, it honours scientists who zeroed in on prove crucial to view of the universe. one of life’s central mysteries: How the delicate With this, a neutrino puzzle that threads of DNA inside every living cell manage physicists had wrestled with for decades had been to maintain their integrity despite waves of resolved. Compared to theoretical calculations random mutations and environmental of the number of neutrinos, up to two thirds of assaults. the neutrinos were missing in measurements Tomas Lindahl, of the Francis Crick performed on Earth. Now, these two experiments Institute in London, was honoured for his discovered that the neutrinos had changed discoveries on base excision repair — the identities. cellular mechanism that repairs damaged DNA The discovery led to the far-reaching during the cell cycle. conclusion that neutrinos, which for a long time Paul L. Modrich, of the Howard Hughes were considered mass-less, must have some Medical Institute and Duke University School mass, however small. of Medicine, was recognised for showing how Nobel Peace Prize goes to Tunisian cells correct errors that occur when DNA is peace maker ‘Tunisian National replicated during cell division. Dialogue Quartet’ Aziz Sancar, of the University of North Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet won the Carolina, Chapel Hill, was cited for mapping the Nobel Peace Prize 2015. It was announced by the mechanism cells use to repair ultraviolet the Norwegian Nobel Committee on 9 October damage to DNA. 2015. It was awarded for its decisive contribution Nobel Prize in Physics for discovery to the building of a pluralistic democracy in of neutrino oscillations Tunisia in the wake of Jasmine revolution of Japan’s Takaaki Kajita and American Arthur 2011. The prize was intended to reward and B. McDonald have jointly won the 2015 Nobel bolster such efforts in Tunisia and beyond. Prize in Physics for their discovery of neutrino The quartet was set up in the summer of oscillations, which shows that neutrinos have 2013 at a time when the country’s Jasmine mass. Takaaki Kajita belongs to the University revolution, which had first sparked the Arab of Tokyo while McDonald is from Queen’s spring, looked like it would go the same way as University, Canada. Egypt’s brief democratic awakening, which had succumbed to a military coup in July of that year.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 125 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL A disparate coalition of Tunisian of basic economic gauges, including measures unionists, employers, lawyers and human rights of income, poverty and consumption. Prof. activists has helping to prevent the Jasmine Deaton is best known for his insight that revolution from descending into chaos like the economic averages such as measures of uprisings in other Arab spring countries. national income could be misleading, because Tunisia was suffering some of the same they concealed important variations among symptoms as Egypt: a high-handed Islamist-led individuals. government that was ignoring the views of the He was an early contributor to one of secular opposition in writing up a new the defining trends in modern economics: the constitution, street clashes, high-profile emphasis on building models of broad assassinations and the appearance of Salafist economic trends from the ground up, using extremists on the fringes. data about individual behaviour rather than The quartet – made up of the union relying on averages. He then used this federation UGTT, the employers’ institute, the carefully constructed data to address large Tunisian human rights league and the order of questions about wealth, health and well-being. lawyers – brokered talks between the different Deaton developed a system for estimating how forces and got them to agree a roadmap that demand for each good depends on the prices of included compromises on the constitution, a all goods and on individual incomes, now a technocratic caretaker government and an standard tool for researchers and in practical independent election commission. policy evaluation. Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet By linking detailed individual choices The Tunisian national dialogue quartet is a and aggregate outcomes, his research has coalition of civil society groups that came together helped transform the fields of microeconomics, in the summer of 2013 when Tunisia, the macroeconomics, and development birthplace of the Arab spring, was at a crossroads economics. between democracy and violence. The Islamist In one key work, “The Great Escape; party Ennahda and its allies, who had won Health, Wealth and the Origins of Inequality”, elections after the Jasmine revolution and the Deaton describes the huge increase in global fall of the dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, were prosperity in the past two centuries, filling the state machine with unqualified underpinned by medical and technological loyalists and trying to force through a constitution advances, but also looks in depth at the that made Islam the state religion and imposed inequalities to which that progress has given new limits on free expression and assembly. rise. The Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet Nobel Prize in Literature 2015 comprised four key organizations in Tunisian The Nobel Prize in Literature 2015 was civil society. These are: the Tunisian General awarded to Svetlana Alexievich “for her Labour Union; the Tunisian Confederation of polyphonic writings, a monument to suffering Industry, Trade and Handicrafts; the Tunisian and courage in our time”. Svetlana Alexievich, Human Rights League and The Tunisian Order the Belarusian writer whose oral histories of Lawyers. have recorded thousands of individual voices Economics Nobel Prize for studies on to map the implosion of the Soviet Union. income, poverty “Together they record verbally the history of Professor Angus Deaton, a British economist, was the country, their common history, while each awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic person puts into words the story of his/her own Science for his work to improving the accuracy life”. She becomes the 14th woman to win the

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 126 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] INTERNATIONAL prize since it was first awarded in 1901. The Kommaly Chanthavong, Laos: She was last woman to win, Canada’s Alice Munro, was recognized for her fearless, indomitable spirit handed the award in 2013. to revive and develop the ancient Laotian art of Ms. Alexievich used the skills of a silk weaving, creating livelihoods for thousands journalist to create literature chronicling the of poor, war-displaced Laotians, and thus great tragedies of the Soviet Union and its preserving the dignity of women and her collapse- World War II, the Soviet war in nation’s priceless silken cultural treasure. Afghanistan, the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa, the disaster and the suicides that ensued from the Philippines: She was recognized for her single- death of Communism. minded crusade in preserving the endangered Alexievich’s books include “The artistic heritage of southern Philippines, and Chernobyl Prayer,” “The War’s Unwomanly in creatively propagating a dance form that Face,” “Last Witness,” and “Zinky Boys.” celebrates and deepens the sense of shared Alexievich’s first book, “I’ve Left My cultural identity among Asians. Village,” gave her a reputation as a dissident. Kyaw Thu, Myanmar: He was recognized for his When she completed “The Unwomanly Face of generous compassion in addressing the the War,” in 1983, she was accused of the “de- fundamental needs of both the living and the glorification of the heroic Soviet woman.” The dead in Myanmar — regardless of their class or work was not published until 1985, when religion — and his channeling personal fame Mikhail Gorbachev came to power. and privilege to mobilize many others toward Ramon Magsaysay Award 2015 serving the greater social good. The Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Ramon Magsaysay Award Award Foundation (RMAF) on 29 July 2015 The Award established in 1957 is Asia’s highest announced the Ramon Magsaysay awardees for honour and is widely regarded as the region’s the year 2015. equivalent of the Nobel Prize. The Award List of Awardees honours those individuals whose lives are Sanjiv Chaturvedi, India: He was awarded for characterized by selfless service which impacts Emergent Leadership for his exemplary the lives of the greater many – the same ideals integrity, courage and tenacity in and achievement for which the Philippines uncompromisingly exposing and painstakingly third President Ramon Magsaysay is investigating corruption in public office. He is remembered. an Indian Forest Service officer and currently the deputy secretary of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He also served as a Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at AIIMS during 2012-14. Anshu Gupta, India: He was recognized for his creative vision in transforming the culture of giving in India and his enterprising leadership in treating cloth as a sustainable development resource for the poor. He founded Goonj in 1999, which is a non-governmental organisation based in Delhi and works in 21 states across India in disaster relief, humanitarian aid and community development.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 127 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY India and U.S signes Inter WTO strikes ‘landmark’ deal to cut Governmental Agreement to tariffs on IT products implement FATC Act World Trade Organization (WTO) members on India and U.S signed an Inter Governmental 24 July 2015 struck a deal to add more than Agreement (IGA) to implement the Foreign 200 products to the list of goods covered by zero- Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) to tariff and duty-free trade. In value terms, the promote transparency between the two nations deal cuts tariffs on 1 trillion US dollar worth of on tax matters. The agreement underscores information technology (IT) products, which is growing international co-operation to end tax equal to global trade in iron, steel, textiles and evasion everywhere. clothing combined. The signing of IGA is a re-affirmation of Products added range from advanced the shared commitment of India and USA computer chips to GPS devices, printer towards tax transparency and the fight against cartridges and video-game consoles, hi-fi offshore tax evasion and avoidance. It is a very systems, new -generation semi-conductors, important step for the Government of India, to medical products which include magnetic tackle offshore tax evasion. It reaffirms the resonance imaging machines, printed circuits Government of India’s commitment to fight the and satellites. menace of black money. The deal was agreed as part of need to The United States enacted FATCA in update the 18-year old Information Technology 2010 to obtain information on accounts held by Agreement (ITA) as it has become redundant. U.S. taxpayers in other countries. It requires Removing tariffs on trade worth $1.3 trillion is U.S. financial institutions to withhold a portion expected to give a $190 billion boost to the world of payments made to foreign financial economy. institutions (FFIs) who do not agree to identify However, five of the 54 WTO members and report information on U.S. account holders. that negotiated the deal - Taiwan, Turkey, As per the IGA, FFIs in India will be required to Thailand, Colombia and Mauritius - failed to report tax information about U.S. account sign up, leaving the deal short of a quorum, holders directly to the Indian Government measured as 90 percent of world trade in those which will, in turn, relay that information to products, needed to bring it into force for all 161 the IRS. The IRS will provide similar WTO members. information about Indian account holders in the Lok Sabha passes Negotiable United States. This automatic exchange of Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015 information is scheduled to begin on 30th The Lok Sabha, on 6 August 2015, has passed September, 2015. the Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, Both the signing of the IGA with U.S. as 2015. The Bill provides for filing of cheque well as India’s decision to join the Multilateral bounce cases at the place where a cheque is Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) on 3rd presented for clearance and not the place of June, 2015 are two important milestones in issue. The Bill seeks to amend the Negotiable India’s fight against the menace of black money Instruments Act, 1881. It will have implications as it would enable the Indian tax authorities to for over 18 lakh cheque bounce cases pending receive financial account information of in various courts. Indians from foreign countries on an automatic The Act defines promissory notes, bills basis. of exchange, cheques and creates penalties for issues such as bouncing of cheques. The Bill amends the Act to state that cases of bouncing of cheques can be filed only in a court in whose ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 128 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY jurisdiction the bank branch of the payee (person In terms of the gross value added (GVA), growth who receives the cheque) lies. was 7.1 per cent against 7.4 per cent in April- Provisions of the Bill July 2014. The revised methodology for GDP  If a complaint against a person issuing a calculation subtracts subsidy and adds taxes cheque has been filed in the court with the to the GVA to arrive at the GDP. The Modi appropriate jurisdiction, then all government’s Budget announcement of higher subsequent complaints against that person public spending this financial year did not will be filed in the same court, irrespective reflect in the data released as growth was low of the relevant jurisdiction area. at 2.7 per cent in “public administration,  If more than one case is filed against the defence and other services”. same person before different courts, the India had overtaken China as the case will be transferred to the court with world’s fastest growing major economy in the the appropriate jurisdiction. January-March quarter, growing 7.5 per cent  The Bills also amends the definition of against the neighbouring economy’s rate of cheque in the electronic form. The growth of 7 per cent. The International definition has been amended to mean a Monetary Fund forecast in July that India will cheque drawn in electronic medium using grow 7.5 per cent in the current year, any computer resource and which is signed compared with China’s 6.8 per cent, an average in a secure system with a digital signature, 4.2 per cent for emerging markets and 3.3 per or electronic system. cent for advanced nations. India’s 7 per cent in April-June RBI proposes formula to calculate quarter: remains fastest growing major Base Rate economy The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 1 According to Data released by the Central September 2015 proposed a formula to Statistics Office (CSO) - India remained the calculate the base rate for lending to bring in fastest growing major economy of the world for a uniformity among banks for calculation of base second straight quarter, with the Gross Domestic rate and for effective transmission of policy Product (GDP) growing at 7 per cent during April- rates instead of the present practice of picking June against 6.7 per cent during the any kind of cost of funds as a reference. corresponding quarter in 2014. Growth during RBI suggested banks to consider January-March 2015 was, however, higher at marginal cost of funds to calculate individual 7.5 per cent. lending rates. Marginal cost of funds is Data, however, showed a marginal calculated using the latest interest rate/card improvement in private consumption rate payable on current and savings deposits expenditure but gross capital formation rate — and the term deposits of various maturities. a barometer for investments — continued to The other components that go into decline. It was down to 27.8 per cent from 29.2 calculating base rate remained the same as per cent in April-June 2014. it was previously. Banks will continue to factor Growth during the quarter was driven negative carry on mandatory cash deposit with primarily by the services sector. The RBI and bond investment—cash reserve ratio manufacturing and construction industries and statutory liquidity ratio respectively, un- recorded favourable growth. The agriculture allocable overhead costs and average return sector saw a decline, growing at a mere 0.6 per on net worth. cent. Growth also slowed in the sectors “mining At present, banks follow different and quarrying” and “electricity, gas, water supply methodologies for computing their Base Rate. and utility services”. While some use the average cost of funds ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 129 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY method, some have adopted the marginal cost that could bring an estimated 20,000 tonnes of of funds while others use the blended cost of idle gold lying with Indian consumers into the funds (liabilities) method (i.e., Currently, banks, economy and also reduce India’s dependence according to their convenience, are using three on gold imports, as announced in the Union methods for calculating the cost of funds — Budget 2015-16. Since most of the demand for average, blended, or marginal). gold in India is met through imports, this As result, policy transmission could not scheme will, ultimately help in maintaining the become very effective as banks adopted various country’s Current Account Deficit within methods in calculating their cost of funds. For sustainable limits. example, any change in policy rates does not Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme get absorbed easily in the longer tenure of The issuance of the Sovereign Gold Bonds will deposits and hence when a bank uses average be within the government’s market borrowing cost of funds to calculate its base rate, the programme for 2015-16 and onwards. The impact is minuscule. Besides, the longer tenure scheme will help in reducing the demand for deposits do not come up for re-pricing physical gold by shifting a part of the estimated immediately and hence the cost of deposits for 300 tons of physical bars and coins purchased banks theoretically remain at an elevated level. every year for Investment into gold bonds. The In the first Bi-monthly Monetary Policy actual amount of issuance will be determined Statement this fiscal the RBI had stated that in by RBI, in consultation with the Ministry of order to improve the efficiency of monetary policy Finance. The risk of gold price changes will be transmission, it will encourage banks to move borne by the Gold Reserve Fund that is being in a time-bound manner to marginal-cost-of- created. The benefit to the Government is in funds-based determination of their Base Rate. terms of reduction in the cost of borrowing, which RBI’s proposed formula would implement these will be transferred to the Gold Reserve Fund. proposals with effect from April 1, 2016. Banks The bonds will be issued in were asked submit a road map clearly indicating denominations of 5 grams, 10 grams, 50 grams the time frame for adopting these guidelines two and 100 grams for a term of five years to seven months prior to the final implementation. years with a rate of interest to be calculated on Base rate system was introduced in 1 the value of the metal at the time of investment. July 2010 (in place of Benchmark Prime Lending Salient features of the scheme: Rate) so that banks cannot lend below a certain  Sovereign Gold Bonds will be issued on benchmark and also to ensure that policy payment of rupees and denominated in transmission takes place more effectively. grams of gold. The Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (BPLR),  Bonds will be issued on behalf of the is the reference interest rate based on which a Government of India by the RBI. Thus, the bank lends to its credit worthy borrowers. Bonds will have a sovereign guarantee. Normally, loans are given out a little more or a  The issuing agency will need to pay little less that this reference interest rate. distribution costs and a sales commission Union Cabinet approves introduction to the intermediate channels, to be of the Sovereign Gold Bonds and Gold reimbursed by Government. Monetisation Schemes  The bond would be restricted for sale to The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime resident Indian entities. The cap on bonds Minister, on 9 September 2015, gave its approval that may be bought by an entity would be for introduction of the Sovereign Gold Bond at a suitable level, not more than 500 grams Scheme and the Gold Monetisation Scheme — per person per year.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 130 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY  The Government will issue bonds with a agreed that amendments to the existing rate of interest to be decided by the provisions of the Income Tax Act, for Government. The rate of interest will take providing ‘indexation benefits to long term into account the domestic and capital gains arising on transfer of bond’; international market conditions and may and for ‘exemption for capital gains arising vary from one tranche to another. This rate on redemption of SGB’ will be considered of interest will be calculated on the value in the next budget (Budget 2016-17).This of the gold at the time of investment. The will ensure that an investor is indifferent rate could be a floating or a fixed rate, as in terms of investing in these bonds and decided. in physical gold- as far as tax treatment is  The bonds will be available both in demat concerned. and paper form.  The amount received from the bonds will  The bonds will be issued in denominations be used by Gol in lieu of government of 5,10,50,100 grams of gold or other borrowing and the notional interest saved denominations. on this amount would be credited in an  The price of gold may be taken from the account “Gold Reserve Fund” which will be reference rate, as decided, and the Rupee created. Savings in the costs of borrowing equivalent amount may be converted at compared with the existing rate on the RBI Reference rate on issue and government borrowings will be deposited in redemption. This rate will be used for the Gold Reserve Fund to take care of the issuance, redemption and LTV purpose and risk of increase in gold price that will be disbursement of loans. borne by the government. Further, the Gold  Banks/NBFCs/Post Offices/ National Reserve Fund will be continuously Saving Certificate (NSC) agents and monitored for sustainability. others, as specified, may collect money /  On maturity, the redemption will be in redeem bonds on behalf of the government rupee amount only. The rate of interest on (for a fee, the amount would be as decided). the bonds will be calculated on the value  The tenor of the bond could be for a of the gold at the time of investment. The minimum of 5 to 7 years, so that it would principal amount of investment, which is protect investors from medium term denominated in grams of gold, will be volatility in gold prices. Since the bond, will redeemed at the price of gold at that time. be a part of the sovereign borrowing, these If the price of gold has fallen from the time would need to be within the fiscal deficit that the investment was made, or for any target for 2015-16 and onwards. other reason, the depositor will be given  Bonds can be used as collateral for loans. an option to roll over the bond for three or The Loan to Value ratio is to be set equal more years. to ordinary gold loan mandated by the RBI  The deposit will not be hedged and all risks from time to time. associated with gold price and currency will  Bonds to be easily sold and traded on be borne by Government of lndia through exchanges to allow early exits for investors the Gold Reserve Fund. The position may who may so desire. be reviewed in case ‘Gold Reserve Fund’  KYC norms will be the same as that for gold. becomes unsustainable.  Capital gains tax treatment will be the  Upside gains and downside risks will be same as for physical gold for an ‘individual’ with the investor and the investors will investor. The Department of Revenue has

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 131 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY need to be aware of the volatility in gold jewellery sector. Over the course of time this prices. is also expected to reduce the country’s  In order to ensure wide availability, the dependence on the import of gold. The new bond will be marketed through post offices/ scheme consists of the revamped GDS and a banks/NBFCs and by various brokers/ revamped GML Scheme. agents (including NSC agents) who will be Revamped Gold Deposit Scheme paid a commission. Collection, Purity Verification and Deposit of Gold Monetization Scheme (GMS) Gold under the revamped GDS: Out of the 331 The objective of introducing the modifications Assaying and Hallmarking Centres spread in the schemes is to make the existing across various parts of the country, those which schemes more effective and to broaden the will meet criteria as specified by Bureau of ambit of the existing schemes from merely Indian Standards (BIS) will be allowed to act as mobilizing gold held by households and Collection and Purity Testing 1 Centres for institutions in the country to putting this gold purity of gold for the purpose of this scheme. into productive use. The long-term objective The minimum quantity of gold that a customer which is sought through this arrangement is can bring is proposed to be set at 30 grains. to reduce the country’s reliance on the import Gold can be in any form (bullion or jewellery). of gold to meet domestic demand. The number of these centres is expected to Through the Gold Monetisation Scheme, increase with time. gold in any form can be deposited with banks Gold Savings Account: In the revamped for a period of one to 15 years. This gold will scheme, a Gold Savings Account will be opened earn interest and redemption will be at the by customers at any time, with KYC norms, as prevailing market value at the end of the tenure applicable. This account would be denominated of deposit. in grams of gold. GMS would benefit the Indian gems and Transfer of Gold to Refiners: Collection and jewellery sector which is a major contributor to purity testing centres will send the gold to the India’s exports. In fiscal year 2014-15, gems and refiners. The refiners will keep the gold in jewellery constituted 12 per cent of India’s total their ware-houses, unless banks prefer to hold exports and the value of gold items alone was it themselves. For the services provided by the more than $13 billion (provisional figures). The refiners, they will be paid a fee by the banks, mobilized gold will also supplement RBI’s gold as decided by them, mutually. The customer reserves and will help in reducing the will not be charged. The banks will enter into government’s borrowing cost. a tripartite Legal Agreement with refiners and The revamped Gold Deposit Scheme Collection and Purity Testing Centres that are (GDS) and the Gold Metal Loan (GML) Scheme selected by them to be their partners in the involves changes in the scheme guidelines only. scheme. The risk of gold price changes will be borne by Tenure: The deposits under the revamped the Gold Reserve Fund that is being created. scheme can be made for a short-term period of The benefit to the Government is in terms of 1-3 years (with a roll out in multiples of one reduction in the cost of borrowing, which will year); a medium-term period of 5-7 years and be transferred to the Gold Reserve Fund. a long-term period, of 12-15 years (as decided The scheme will help in mobilizing the from time to time). Like a fixed deposit, large amount of gold lying as an idle asset with breaking of lock-in period will be allowed in households, trusts and various institutions in either of the options and there would be a India and will provide a fillip to the gems and penalty on premature redemption (including part withdrawal). ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 132 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY Interest rate: The amount of interest rate the interest rate paid by the Government under payable for deposits made for the short-term the medium/long term deposit will be credited period would be decided by banks on basis of to the Gold Reserve Fund. prevailing international lease rates, other costs, Revamped Gold Metal Loan Scheme market conditions etc. and will be denominated Gold Metal Loan Account: A Gold Metal Loan in grams of gold. For the medium and long-term Account, denominated in grams of gold, will be deposits, the rate of interest (and fees to be paid opened by the bank for jewelers. The gold to the bank for their services) will be decided by mobilized through the revamped GDS, under the the government, in consultation with the RBI short-term option, will be provided to jewelers from time to time. The interest rate for the on loan, on the basis of the terms and conditions medium and long-term deposits will be set-out by banks, under the guidance of RBI. denominated and payable in rupees, based on Delivery of gold to jewelers: When a gold loan the value of gold deposited. is sanctioned, the jewelers will receive physical Redemption: For short-term deposits, the delivery of gold from refiners. The banks will, in customer will have the option of redemption, for turn, make the requisite entry in the jewelers’ the principal deposit and interest earned, either Gold Loan Account. Interest received by banks: in cash (in equivalent rupees of the weight of The interest rate charged on the GML will be deposited gold at the prices prevailing at the decided by banks, with guidance from the RBI. time of redemption) or in gold (of the same Tenor: The tenor of the GML at present is weight of gold as deposited), which will have to 180 days. Given that the minimum lock-in be exercised at the time of making the deposit. period for gold deposits will be one year, based In case the customer will like to change the on experience gained, this tenor of GML may option, it will be allowed at the bank’s discretion. be re-examined in future and appropriate Redemption of fractional quantity (for which a modifications made, if required. standard gold bar/coin is not available) would RBI guidelines on gold deposit scheme be paid in cash. For medium and long-term The Reserve Bank of India has issued guidelines deposits, redemption will be only in cash, in for the gold monetisation scheme that allow equivalent rupees of the weight of the deposited banks to fix their own interest rates on gold gold at the prices prevailing at the time of deposits. The RBI notification in this regard redemption. The interest earned will however comes ahead of the formal launch of the scheme be based on the value of gold at the deposit on by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November the interest rate as decided. 5th. The gold deposit scheme is aimed at Utilization: The deposited gold will be utilized mobilising a part of an estimated 20,000 tonnes in the following ways: of idle precious metal with households and  Under medium and long-term deposit- institutions. Auctioning; Replenishment of RBIs Gold As per the guidelines- Reserves; Coins and Lending to jewelers.  Banks will be free to set interest rate on  Under short-term deposit – Coins; and such deposit, and principal and interest of Lending to jewelers. the deposit will be denominated in gold. Tax Exemption: Tax exemptions, same as those “Redemption of principal and interest at available under GDS would be made available maturity will, at the option of the depositor, to customers, in the revamped GDS, as be either in Indian rupee equivalent of the applicable. deposited gold and accrued interest based Gold Reserve Fund: The difference between the on the price of gold prevailing at the time current borrowing cost for the Government and of redemption, or in gold. The option in this regard shall be made in writing by the ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 133 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY depositor at the time of making the deposit productive purposes and, in the long run, and shall be irrevocable. to reduce India’s reliance on the import of  The interest will be credited in the deposit gold. Holdings of gold in the country are accounts on the respective due dates and estimated at 20,000 tonnes. will be withdrawable periodically or at  Banks will be allowed to accept three kinds maturity as per the terms of the deposit. of deposits under the scheme—a short- The designated banks will accept gold term deposit with maturity ranging deposits under the short term (1-3 years) between one and three years; a medium- bank deposit (STBD) as well as medium (5- term deposit with a five to seven year 7 years) and long (12-15 years) term horizon; and a long-term deposit maturing government deposit schemes. While the in 12-15 years. former will be accepted by banks on their  Banks can accept short-term gold deposits own account, the latter will be on behalf of on their own account; the medium and Government of India. long-term deposits will be accepted on behalf  Interest and principal payments on gold of the government, RBI said. deposits under the scheme will be  There will be a provision for premature denominated in gold. Banks can use the withdrawal subject to a minimum lock-in stock of gold they collect as part of their period and the penalty that’s payable will statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) requirement, be determined by individual banks. under which they have to make 21.5% of  Resident Indians, including individuals, their investments in government bonds. trusts, mutual funds and exchange-traded  Gold deposits will be subject to cash reserve funds registered with the Securities and ratio (CRR) requirements under which Exchanges Board of India, can make banks now have to maintain 4% of deposits deposits under the scheme. as interest-free buffer with the central  Banks can accept a minimum of 30g of raw bank. It’s not clear whether it will be 4% of gold of 995 fineness in the form of a bar, the gold deposits or whether it will be coin or jewellery under the scheme. There calculated after adding the value of the gold is no upper limit on the amount of gold to the overall deposit base. deposit. The gold will be accepted at the  The short term bank deposits will attract collection and purity testing centres (CPTC) applicable cash reserve ratio and statutory certified by Bureau of Indian Standards and liquidity ratio (SLR). However, the stock of notified by the central government under gold mobilised under the scheme by banks the scheme. will count towards the general SLR  Banks accepting gold under the short-term requirement, a move that will provide category can sell or lend it to state-owned additional capital to banks for lending MMTC Ltd or jewellers. The banks may also towards productive sectors. The CRR is the choose to lend it to other banks portion of the total deposits, which has to participating in the scheme. be kept with RBI in cash, while SLR portion  The gold deposited under medium- or long- of deposit compulsorily parked in term deposits will be auctioned by MMTC government securities. or any other agency authorized by the  The government announced the gold central government and the sale proceeds monetization scheme on 15 September to credited to the government’s account with mobilize gold held by households and RBI. institutions and facilitate its use for

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 134 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY  Designated banks should put in place a As a land mark in the history of India’s financial suitable risk management mechanism, sector, especially in terms of regulation, the including appropriate limits, to manage Forward Markets Commission (FMC) – India’s the risk arising from gold price commodity market regulator for long – merged movements in respect of their net with capital markets watchdog- the Securities exposure to gold. and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to create a Centre to exempt foreign firms unified regulatory body. Union finance minister covered by double taxation treaty Arun jaitley, on 28 September 2015, rang the In a big relief to foreign firms, government on customary stock market bell to formalise the 24 September 2015 in its official statement amalgamation. The announcement of the says the Income Tax Act will be amended with merger was made earlier this year during the retrospective effect to exempt from minimum budget. The move aims to streamline regulation alternate tax (MAT) the overseas companies and curb wild speculations in commodities that covered under double taxation avoidance market, while facilitating further market agreements (DTAAs). growth. Foreign companies that do not have a The commodity futures market in India permanent establishment in India will be will now be overseen by SEBI, making for an exempt from paying MAT on profits from April integrated regulation of both the securities and 2001. The provisions of Section 115JB of commodities markets in India. Income Tax will not apply to foreign companies In the history of India’s financial sector with effect from April 1, 2001, if they are and its evolution, regulators or rather regulatory resident of a country with which India has agencies were created in many cases after a DTAA and they do not have a permanent scam. It is, therefore, not just a reversal of a establishment (PE) in India. trend but also a pointer to the way in which In case the companies belong to regulatory structures in India’s financial countries with which India does not have a markets are set to change. DTAA, the MAT exemption will apply if they are The policy-makers have been of the view exempted from registration under Section 592 that the FMC which had not been empowered of the Companies Act 1956, or Section 380 of like other regulators wasn’t equipped to handle the Companies Act 2013. An appropriate the challenges of a growing market and that amendment to the Income-Tax Act in this there were synergies with this segment of the regard will be carried out. market which SEBI has. This would be mainly Earlier this month, the government had in the area of surveillance. exempted foreign institutional and portfolio This merger will be a key test as the investors from payment of MAT on the capital proposed merger of the insurance and pensions gains made by them before April 1, 2015. regulators will hinge on the success of this. What Through the amendment the government will counts ultimately is the quality of regulation and clarify that MAT provisions will not be the credibility and respect which a regulator applicable to FIIs/FPIs not having a place of draws from the market or those being policed. business/permanent establishment in India, From that perspective, this will be a challenge for the period prior to April 1. for SEBI too. Forward Markets Commission and the What may have prompted this merger is Securities and Exchange Board of the over Rs. 5,000 Crore NSEL scam. But, this India (SEBI) merged as unified has long been in the making. In the first year of regulatory body the UPA government, the Finance Minister

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 135 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY announced that the government would try to basis points from 7.25 per cent to 6.75 per ensure convergence of the two markets. cent with immediate effect; However, government managed to stall it till the  Keep the cash reserve ratio (CRR) of NSEL scam provided the trigger. A commission scheduled banks unchanged at 4.0 per cent (FSLRC), headed by Justice Srikrishna, had of net demand and time liability (NDTL); endorsed a proposal to have a unified regulator  Continue to provide liquidity under for the securities commodity besides insurance overnight repos at 0.25 per cent of bank- and pensions market. wise NDTL at the LAF repo rate and liquidity NSEL scam under 14-day term repos as well as longer The NSEL scam is a systematic and term repos of up to 0.75 per cent of NDTL of premeditated fraud perpetrated in the the banking system through auctions; and commodity market on JIgnesh Shah owned  Continue with daily variable rate repos and National Spot Exchange that is based in reverse repos to smooth liquidity. Mumbai, India. The NSEL is a company Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the promoted by Financial Technologies India Ltd LAF stands adjusted to 5.75 per cent, and the and the NAFED (only 100 shares given for marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the misusing the NAFED brand). The NSEL scam is Bank Rate to 7.75 per cent. estimated to be a Rs. 5600 crore (around Assessment US$0.95 billion) fraud that came out to light 1) Since the third bi-monthly statement of after the National Spot Exchange failed to pay August 2015, global growth has moderated, its investors in commodity pair contracts after especially in emerging market economies 31 July 2013. (EMEs), global trade has deteriorated further and downside risks to growth have increased. In the United States, industrial production slowed as capital spending in the energy sector was cut back and exports contracted, weighed down by the strength of the US dollar. Consumer spending stayed buoyant, however, amidst steadily improving labour market conditions. In the Euro area, a fragile recovery strengthened, supported by domestic consumption, less RBI fourth bi-monthly monetary slack in the labour market and improving policy: 2015-16 financial conditions engendered by ultra- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on 28 accommodative monetary policy. Economic September, has announced its fourth bi- activity in Japan, however, is faltering monthly monetary policy. The RBI has cut repo under the weight of weak private rate by 50bps to 6.75% from the earlier 7.25% consumption and exports, with both in the in an effort to boost economic growth. In business and consumer confidence the last bi-monthly policy meeting on August subdued. EMEs are caught in a vortex of 4, RBI had left rates unchanged. On the basis slowing global trade volumes, depressed of an assessment of the current and evolving commodity prices, weakening currencies macroeconomic situation, it has been decided and capital outflows, which is accentuating to: country-specific domestic constraints.  Reduce the policy repo rate under the China’s intended rebalancing from liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 50

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 136 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY investment towards consumption is being production. Rural demand, however, hit by the stock market meltdown, slower remains subdued as reflected in still industrial production and weaker exports. shrinking tractor and two-wheeler sales. The devaluation of the renminbi on August 4) Manufacturing has exhibited uneven 11, while mild, has unsettled financial growth in April-July, with industrial markets across the world. Brazil and activity slowing sequentially in July, Russia are grappling with recession and although it has been in expansionary mode runaway inflation, while South Africa is for the ninth month in succession. facing tightening structural constraints Industries such as apparel, furniture and which threaten to tip it into a downturn. motor vehicles have experienced 2) Since the Chinese devaluation, equity acceleration. Furthermore, the resumption prices, commodities and currencies have of growth in production of consumer fallen sharply. Capital flight from EMEs into durables in recent months, after a mature bond markets has pushed down protracted period of contraction over the developed market yields, and risk spreads last two years, is indicative of some pick- across asset classes have widened. up in consumption demand, primarily in Although volatility ebbed in early urban areas. Since our last review, September and capital flows returned however, external demand conditions have cautiously to some EMEs, sentiment in turned weaker, suggesting a more financial markets remains fragile. The persistent drag from lower exports and September 17 decision of the Federal Open cheaper imports due to global overcapacity. Market Committee to stay on hold in This contributes to continuing domestic response to global conditions and weak capacity under-utilisation, decelerating domestic inflation lifted financial markets new orders and a rising ratio of finished briefly, but overall financial conditions are goods inventories to sales. yet to stabilise. 5) As a result of still tepid aggregate demand, 3) In India, a tentative economic recovery is output price growth is weak, but input underway, but is still far from robust. In material costs have fallen further, leading agriculture, sown area has expanded to an increase in margins for most modestly from a year ago, reflecting the producers. Weak aggregate demand timely and robust onset of the monsoon in appears to have more than offset the effect June, but the southwest monsoon is of higher margins to hold back new currently deficient by 14 per cent – with investment intentions. The expansion in production-weighted rainfall deficiency at capital goods production, therefore, likely 20 per cent. Nevertheless, the first relates more to the revival of stalled advance estimates indicate that food grain projects than to a build-up of the green field production is expected to be higher than pipeline. Survey-based business last year, reflecting actions taken to sentiment has been falling in recent contain the adverse effects of rain quarters. The manufacturing purchasing deficiency through timely advisories and managers’ index (PMI) nevertheless regular monitoring of seed and fertiliser remained in expansion territory in August, availability. Allied farm activities, which although it slowed from July due to weak are more insulated from the monsoon, domestic and export order books. remain resilient and could partly offset the 6) In the services sector, construction activity effects of adverse weather on crop is weakening as reflected in low demand

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 137 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY for cement and the large inventory of unsold mobilisation in excess of credit flow, lower residential houses in some localities. Rising currency demand and pick-up in spending public expenditure on roads, ports and by the government contributed to the eventually railways could, however, provide surplus liquidity. In response, the Reserve some boost to construction going forward. Bank conducted variable rate reverse repos Lead indicators relating to freight and of overnight and longer tenors ranging from passenger traffic are mixed. In August, the 2 to 20 days. As a result, the average net services PMI remained in expansion for the daily liquidity absorption by the Reserve second consecutive month on improving Bank increased from ¹ 120 billion in July new business, but business expectations to ¹ 261 billion in August and further to ¹ remain subdued. 544 billion in September (up to September 7) Headline consumer price index (CPI) 15). Money market rates generally inflation reached its lowest level in August remained below the repo rate. As quarterly since November 2014. The ebbing of tax collections went out of the system from inflation in the year so far is due to a mid-September, deficit conditions returned combination of low month-on-month and the Reserve Bank engaged in average increases in prices and favourable base net injections of the order of ¹ 544 billion effects. Overall year-on-year food inflation (September 16 to 27), keeping the call dropped sharply, led by vegetables and sugar. money rate close to the repo rate. Some Cereal inflation moderated steadily during forms of bank credit such as personal loans April-August, but price pressures in respect grew strongly as did non-bank financing of pulses and onions remained elevated. flows through commercial paper, public 8) CPI inflation excluding food and fuel eased equity issues and housing finance. in August for the second consecutive 10) With the weakening of growth prospects in month, primarily due to the decline in petrol EMEs and world trade volume growth falling and diesel prices pulling down inflation in below world GDP growth, India’s transportation. Fares other than for air merchandise exports continued to decline transport have, however, remained in the first two months of Q2. Imports inflexible downwards. Inflation in house values also declined, but the sharp fall in rentals increased, but was more than offset international crude oil and gold prices was by some moderation in the heterogeneous offset by rising import volumes. Non-oil category of services, including education, non-gold imports went back into personal care and effects, and health. contraction after recording a marginal Inflation expectations of households pick-up in the previous quarter, although remained elevated in double digits likely in there were higher imports of fertilisers, response to recent month-on-month electronics and pulses. With services increases in the prices of vegetables and exports moderating, the widening of the pulses. Professional forecasters’ inflation merchandise trade deficit could lead to a expectations eased as credibility built modest increase in the current account around the January 2016 inflation target. deficit (CAD) during Q2. Net capital inflows Rural wage growth remains subdued and were buoyed by sustained foreign direct corporate staff costs decelerated. investment and accretion to non-resident 9) Liquidity conditions eased considerably deposits, and reduced by portfolio outflows, during August to mid-September. In addition mainly from equity markets. Foreign to structural factors such as deposit exchange reserves rose by US $ 10.4 billion during the first half of 2015-16. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 138 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY Policy Stance and Rationale that pro-active supply-side management by 11) In the bi-monthly policy statement of the government be in place to head off any August, the Reserve Bank indicated that food price pressures should they further monetary policy accommodation materialise, especially in respect of onion will be conditioned by the abating of recent and pulses. The pass-through of the recent inflationary pressures, the full monsoon depreciation of the rupee will have to be outturn, possible Federal Reserve actions carefully monitored, although benign crude and greater transmission of its front-loaded prices should have an offsetting effect. past actions. Since then, inflation has Taking all this into consideration, inflation dropped to a nine-month low, as projected. is expected to reach 5.8 per cent in January Despite the monsoon deficiency and its 2016, a shade lower than the August uneven spatial and temporal distribution, projection. food inflation pressures have been 13) The modest pick-up in the growth contained by resolute actions by the momentum in the first half of 2015-16 government to manage supply. The benefited from soft commodity prices, disinflation has been broad-based and disinflation, and comfortable liquidity inflation excluding food and fuel has also conditions, some de-clogging of stalled come off its recent peak in June. The projects, and higher capital expenditure by Federal Reserve has postponed policy the central government. Underlying normalisation. Markets have transmitted economic activity, however, remains weak the Reserve Bank’s past policy actions via on account of the sustained decline in commercial paper and corporate bonds, but exports, rainfall deficiency and weaker than banks have done so only to a limited extent. expected momentum in industrial The median base lending rates of banks production and investment activity. With have fallen by only about 30 basis points global growth and trade slower than initial despite extremely easy liquidity conditions. expectations, a continuing lack of appetite This is a fraction of the 75 basis points of for new investment in the private sector, the policy rate reduction during January- the constraint imposed by stressed assets June, even after a passage of eight months on bank lending and waning business since the first rate action by the Reserve confidence, output growth projected for Bank. Bank deposit rates have, however, 2015-16 is marked down slightly to 7.4 per been reduced significantly, suggesting that cent from 7.6 per cent earlier. Concurrent further transmission is possible. indicators also suggest that the new GDP 12) Looking forward, inflation is likely to go up series shows higher growth than would the from September for a few months as old series, which necessitates recalibrating favourable base effects reverse. The outlook old measures of potential output and the for food inflation could improve if the output gap to the new series. increase in sown area translates into 14) Since last review, the bulk of our conditions higher production. Moderate increases in for further accommodation have been met. minimum support prices should keep The January 2016 target of 6 per cent cereal inflation muted, while subdued inflation is likely to be achieved. In the international food price inflation should monetary policy statement of April 2015, the continue to put downward pressure on the Reserve Bank said that it would strive to prices of sugar and edible oil, and food reach the mid-point of the inflation band inflation more generally. It is important by the end of fiscal 2017-18. Therefore, the

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 139 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY focus should now shift to bringing inflation WTO Annual Report: 2015 to around 5 per cent by the end of fiscal The World Trade Organization (WTO) on 30 2016-17. In this context, the weakening of September 2015 released its 2015 Annual global activity since our last review suggests Report. It provided an overview of WTO activities that commodity prices will remain contained in 2014 and early 2015. for a while. Still-low industrial capacity Highlights utilisation indicates more domestic demand  World trade will grow by 2.8 percent in 2015 is needed to substitute for weakening global against 2.5 percent growth in 2014. demand in order that the domestic However the growth rate could be pegged investment cycle picks up. The coming Pay back further by a U.S. interest rate rise, Commission Report could add substantial China’s economic slowdown or Europe’s fiscal stimulus to domestic demand, but the refugee crisis. government has reaffirmed its desire to  In 2016, world trade is expected to grow by respect its fiscal targets and improve the 3.9 percent, a revision of the WTO’s quality of its spending. Under these previous forecast of 4.0 percent. circumstances, monetary policy has to be  Forecast for growth in Asian imports in accommodative to the extent possible, given 2015 is pegged at 2.6 percent down from a its inflation goals, while recognizing that 5.1 percent projection in April and Asian continuing policy implementation, exports to 3.1 percent from the previous structural reforms and corporate actions 5.0 percent forecast. leading to higher productivity will be the Seychelles was admitted as the 161st Member primary impetus for sustainable growth. of WTO in April 2015. Furthermore, investment is likely to Trade negotiations respond more strongly if there is more The success achieved at the WTO’s Ninth certainty about the extent of monetary Ministerial Conference, held in Bali in stimulus in the pipeline, even if December 2013, provided new impetus for work transmission is slow. Therefore, the on the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) in Reserve Bank has front-loaded policy action 2014. The Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) by a reduction in the policy rate by 50 basis met in February, 2014 to kick-start work on the points. Given our year-ahead projections of two tasks that resulted from Bali: the inflation, this ensures one year expected implementation of the decisions and Treasury bill real interest rates of about 1.5- agreements reached (the “Bali Package”) and 2.0 per cent, which are appropriate for this preparation of a work programme on the stage of the recovery. remaining DDA issues. 15) While the Reserve Bank’s stance will After intense discussions, WTO continue to be accommodative, the focus of members finally adopted three decisions at a monetary action for the near term will shift special meeting of the General Council on 27 to working with the Government to ensure November: on public stockholding for food that impediments to banks passing on the security purposes, on the protocol of amendment bulk of the cumulative 125 basis points cut to insert the TFA into the WTO Agreement, and in the policy rate are removed. The Reserve on the post-Bali work programme. Bank will continue to be vigilant for signs On public stockholding, members that monetary policy adjustments are committed to set a timeline of December 2015 needed to keep the economy on the target to find a permanent solution to this issue. A disinflationary path. peace clause remains in force until a permanent solution is found. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 140 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY On trade facilitation, the insertion of the TFA issues surrounding food safety and animal and into the WTO Agreement allowed the process plant health, adopted a new mediation procedure of ratification to begin. At the same time, the to help WTO members settle their differences Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility entered on specific SPS measures. into force to help developing countries The number of new “specific trade implement the newly approved Agreement. concerns” raised in the Technical Barriers to On post-Bali work, members agreed to Trade (TBT) Committee on issues such as resume work immediately and engage labelling requirements and safety-related constructively on the implementation of all Bali regulations was the highest since 1995, with decisions and to extend the deadline for the post- developing countries increasingly active in Bali work programme to July 2015. airing concerns. Government Procurement Agreement Least-developed countries Earlier in the year, the revised WTO Agreement The Committee on Rules of Origin agreed on on Government Procurement entered into force steps to implement the Bali ministerial decision after two-thirds of its parties accepted the on preferential rules of origin for least-developed amendment protocol. The revised agreement countries (LDCs). As a result of the Bali decision, is expected to add US$ 80-100 billion to parties’ governments will have for the first time a set of market access commitments. multilaterally agreed guidelines, which, if Implementation and monitoring implemented, should help make it easier for LDC Various WTO councils and committees seek exports to qualify for preferential market access. to ensure that WTO agreements and rules are Much of the Services Council’s work in 2014 was being properly implemented. The General devoted to implementing a key Bali decision in Council is the WTO’s highest-level decision- support of LDCs, the services waiver, which making body in Geneva. enables WTO members to grant more favourable A new facility entered into force at the treatment to services and service suppliers of same time to help developing countries LDCs and to enhance their participation in world implement the newly approved Trade services trade. Facilitation Agreement (see page 15). Trade monitoring In December, 2014 the General The WTO conducted 13 Trade Policy Reviews in Council approved the accession package of 2014 to examine the trade policies and practices Seychelles, paving the way for WTO of 21 WTO members. membership in 2015, and decided that the The trade monitoring reports showed that Tenth Ministerial Conference will be held in there was a continued increase in the stock of Nairobi, Kenya, from 15 to 18 December 2015. new trade-restrictive measures in 2014, and Work in WTO committees stressed the need for countries to show restraint The Committee on Agriculture examined how in imposing new measures. WTO economists countries are complying with their reported world trade growth of 2.8 per cent in commitments on subsidies and market access. 2014 and forecast 3.3 per cent growth for 2015. It was also tasked with implementing several Dispute settlement of the outcomes from the 2013 Bali Ministerial WTO members bring disputes to the WTO if they Conference, including on export competition, think their rights under trade agreements are such as export subsidies, and on tariff rate being infringed. Settling disputes is the quotas. responsibility of the Dispute Settlement Body The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (DSB). Measures (SPS) Committee, which deals with

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 141 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY  Dispute settlement had one of its most the end of 2013. The mechanism acts as active years in 2014 since the inception a focal point for reviewing the of the WTO in 1995. The DSB received 14 implementation of S&D provisions in WTO requests for consultations – the first stage agreements and decisions. Such in the dispute settlement process – and provisions range from increasing trade established 13 panels. opportunities to granting longer transition  Developing countries initiated five of the periods for the implementation of WTO 14 new requests for consultations filed in agreements and providing technical 2014, compared with nine requests assistance. initiated by developed countries. The  Annual review of steps taken by WTO European Union made five requests for members to provide duty- free and quota- consultations – including three with free market access to least-developed Russia – making it the most active WTO countries (LDCs). member in 2014.  A Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility  Highlighting the increasing number of entered into force in November to help disputes the area of trade remedies developing and least-developed countries (safeguards, anti-dumping etc.). implement the newly approved Trade  A highly anticipated dispute against Facilitation Agreement. For the first time Australia’s tobacco plain packaging in WTO history, the commitments of requirements got under way. It the largest developing and least-developed countries dispute ever brought before the dispute are linked to their capacity to implement settlement system in terms of member the Agreement. participation. Global trade growth in LDCs  Requests for compliance panels, whereby The WTO on global trends in LDC trade and WTO members challenge measures taken market access showed that LDC exports of goods to comply with previous rulings, increased and commercial services rebounded 6.0 per in 2014. cent, more than twice the world average, in  The upsurge in dispute settlement activity 2013. However, the participation of LDCs in continued to present challenges for the global trade remained marginal, at 1.23 per three dispute settlement divisions (Legal cent, and the overall participation of LDCs in Affairs Division, Rules Division and the world exports of commercial services remained Appellate Body Secretariat) as well as for low, at 0.7 per cent. translation services. Aid for Trade Building trade capacity Aid for Trade flows to developing countries The WTO aims to help developing countries rebounded in 2012, with commitments rising improve their trade capacity so that they can 21 per cent after sliding 14 per cent in the participate more effectively in the multilateral previous year. Africa was the region that trading system. benefited most. Implementation of Bali decisions The trade programme for the poorest  In 2014, the Committee on Trade and countries – the Enhanced Integrated Development implemented a number of Framework (EIF) – continued to grow in 2014, decisions including holding a first session with a rise in the number of active projects in on the monitoring mechanism on special EIF countries. The EIF committee agreed to and differential (S&D) treatment for extend the framework’s programme into a developing countries, as agreed in Bali at second phase, from 2016 to 2022, when the first phase ends in 2015. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 142 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY Training programme is harming the global economy’s ability to The WTO increased its training programme for improve living standards, solve persistently high government officials, these training activities unemployment and generate adequate covered virtually all WTO-related subjects, from resilience for future economic downturns. general courses on the WTO to more The Global Competitiveness Report 2015- specialized courses on topics such as 2016 finds countries need higher productivity agriculture and intellectual property. LDCs to address sluggish global growth and persistent benefited from nearly half of all technical high unemployment and failure to boost assistance activities. competitiveness is compromising resilience to Finally, together with the United recession and other shocks Nations Conference on Trade and Development The report highlights that after five and the Organisation for Economic Co- years of decline, India jumped 16 ranks to 55th operation and Development, the WTO published place compared to 71st rank in 2014-15 report. two reports on trade and investment The top five countries in ranking – Switzerland developments in the G20 economies. The (1), Singapore (2), U.S. (3), Germany (4) and November report urged the G20 to take decisive Netherlands (5). action to reduce its stock of trade restrictions Larger Emerging Countries: and to show restraint in the imposition of new The trend is for the most part one of decline or restrictions. stagnation. However, there are bright spots: With respect to India India ends five years of decline with a  Between 1995 and 2014, India is involved spectacular 16-place jump to 55th. South Africa in 43 trade disputes next to the highest re-enters the top 50, progressing seven places involvement (within Asia) recorded by to 49th. Elsewhere, macroeconomic instability China (44). and loss of trust in public institutions drag down  Within WTO, India undertook second Turkey (51st), as well as Brazil (75th), which highest anti dumping initiations, 13, next posts one of the largest falls. China, holding to Brazil (29) steady at 28, remains by far the most  India initiated the most investigations in competitive of this group of economies. However, 2014, with seven, followed by Indonesia its lack of progress moving up the ranking shows and Turkey with three. India also imposed the challenges it faces in transitioning its the greatest number of final measures – economy. four. Middle East: Global Competitiveness Report-2015: It reports that there is a mixed picture in Middle World Economic Forum East. Qatar (14th) leads the region, ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on 30 September United Arab Emirates (17th), although it 2015 released the Global Competitiveness remains more at risk than its neighbour to Report (GCR) 2015-2016. The report assesses continued low energy prices, as its economy is the competitiveness landscape of 140 less diversified. It says that with geopolitical economies, providing insight into the drivers conflict and terrorism threatening to take an of their productivity and prosperity and it even bigger toll, countries in the region must remains the most comprehensive assessment focus on reforming the business environment of national competitiveness worldwide. and strengthening the private sector. The report says that failure to embrace With respect to India long-term structural reforms that boost  It says that after five years of decline, India productivity and free up entrepreneurial talent was able to jump 16 ranks and was

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 143 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY positioned at the 55th place. It praises 2004. Defining competitiveness as the set of Indian government for this dramatic institutions, policies and factors that reversal through pro-business, pro-growth, determine the level of productivity of a country, and anti-corruption stance has improved GCI scores are calculated by drawing together the business community’s sentiment country-level data covering 12 categories – the toward the government. pillars of competitiveness – that collectively  The quality of India’s institutions is judged make up a comprehensive picture of a more favorably (60th, up 10), although country’s competitiveness. business leaders still consider corruption The 12 pillars are: institutions, to be the biggest obstacle to doing business infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, in the country. health and primary education, higher  India’s performance in the education and training, goods market macroeconomic stability pillar has efficiency, labour market efficiency, financial improved, although the situation remains market development, technological readiness, worrisome (91st, up 10). This market size, business sophistication, and macroeconomic stability was achieved due innovation. to lower commodity prices, inflation that RBI relaxes norms for FPI investment eased to 6 percent in 2014, down from near in government debt double-digit levels the previous year. Easing norms for foreign ownership of  The government budget deficit has government debt, the Reserve Bank of India gradually dropped since its 2008 peak, (RBI), on 6 October 2015, announced higher although it still amounted to 7 percent of investment limits in rupee terms in GDP in 2014, one of the world’s highest government securities by FPIs (foreign portfolio (131st). investors) with a view to bringing in an  Infrastructure has improved (81st, up six) additional Rs.1.2 lakh crore by March 2018 but remains a major growth bottleneck— under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign electricity in particular. Exchange Management Act, (FEMA) 1999.  India remains one of the least digitally The announcement follows a decision connected countries in the world (120th, by RBI to fix FPI investment limits in rupee up one). Fewer than one in five Indians terms and raise it in phases to reach 5 per access the Internet on a regular basis, and cent of the outstanding stock by March 2018. fewer than two in five are estimated to own RBI said in a notification. even a basic cell phone. For the current fiscal, RBI had been  The fact that the most notable decided to enhance the limit for investment improvements are in the basic drivers of by FPIs in G-secs in two tranches from October competitiveness bodes well for the future, 12, 2015, and January 1, 2016. The limit will especially the development of the be increased from Rs.1.53 lakh crore to Rs.1.7 manufacturing sector. But other areas also lakh crore from October 12 and Rs.1.86 lakh deserve attention, including technological crore from January 1. Additionally, there would readiness. be a separate limit for investment by all FPIs Global Competitiveness Report in the state development loans (SDLs), to be The Global Competitiveness Report’s raised in phases to reach 2 per cent of the competitiveness ranking is based on the Global outstanding stock by March 2018. Competitiveness Index (GCI), which was Those Central Government securities introduced by the World Economic Forum in in which aggregate investment by FPIs exceeds

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 144 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY the prescribed threshold of 20% will be put in a several key economies face substantial negative investment list. No fresh investments domestic imbalances and lower growth. Recent by FPIs in Central Government securities will market developments such as slumping be permitted till they are removed from the commodity prices, China’s bursting equity negative list. bubble and pressure on exchange rates There will be no security-wise limit for underscore these challenges. The prospect of SDLs for now. And the operational guidelines the U.S. Federal Reserve gradually raising relating to allocation and monitoring of limits interest rates points to an unprecedented will be issued by the Securities and Exchange adjustment in the global financial system as Board of India (SEBI). financial conditions and risk premiums The RBI issued these directions in “normalize” from historically low levels alongside perusal of the announcement made in the rising policy rates and a modest cyclical fourth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy recovery. Statement for the year 2015-16 issued on 29 Market Liquidity—Resilient or Fleeting: September 2015, wherein a Medium Term Global Financial Stability Report examines the Framework (MTF) for FPI limits in Government determinants of market liquidity and of its securities was announced to provide a more resilience. Only some markets show obvious predictable regime. signs of worsening market liquidity, although IMF Global Financial Stability Report: dynamics diverge across bond classes. The 2015 current levels of market liquidity are being International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 6 October sustained by benign cyclical conditions and 2015 released the Global Financial Stability accommodative monetary policy. At the same Report October 2015 entitled Vulnerabilities, time, some structural developments may be Legacies, and Policy Challenges-Risks Rotating eroding its resilience. Policymakers should have to Emerging Markets. The report assessed key a policy strategy in hand to cope with episodes risks facing the global financial system and of dry ups of market liquidity. A smooth came up with suggestions to the policy makers normalization of monetary policy in advanced to counter them. economies and the continuation of market The report pointed out that as the infrastructure reforms to ensure more efficient advanced economies are on recovery path the and transparent capital markets are important time is ripe for them to normalize domestic to avoid disruptions of market liquidity in interest rates. This will result in volatility in advanced and emerging market economies. the emerging economies that are more Although it is too early to assess the impact of integrated with global financial architecture. recent regulatory changes on market liquidity, Three Scenarios for Financial Stability: changes in market structure, such as larger Financial stability has improved in advanced holdings of corporate bonds by mutual funds, economies since April, but risks continue to appear to have increased the fragility of liquidity. rotate toward emerging markets. The global Corporate Leverage in Emerging financial outlook is clouded by a triad of policy Markets—A Concern: challenges: emerging market vulnerabilities, Global Financial Stability Report studies the legacy issues from the crisis in advanced growing level of corporate debt in emerging economies, and weak systemic market markets, which quadrupled between 2004 and liquidity. Although many emerging market 2014. The report finds that global drivers have economies have enhanced their policy played an increasing role in leverage growth, frameworks and resilience to external shocks, issuance, and spreads. Moreover, higher leverage has been associated with, on average, ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 145 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY rising foreign currency exposures. It also finds that despite weaker balance sheets, firms have managed to issue bonds at better terms as a result of favorable financial conditions. The greater role of global factors during a period when they have been exceptionally favorable suggests that emerging markets must prepare for the implications of global financial tightening. Vodafone wins Rs. 3,700 cr. transfer pricing case In a major relief to British telecom major Vodafone in the transfer pricing case, the Bombay High Court on Thursday ruled in its Fiscal balance turns surplus after 8 favour, setting aside a tax demand of Rs. 3,700 years crore imposed on Vodafone India by the income For the first time in 8 years, India’s fiscal balance tax authorities. The ruling is likely to benefit turned from deficit to surplus in the month of multinational companies such as IBM, Royal August, the latest data from the Controller- Dutch Shell and Nokia that face similar tax General of Accounts (CGA) show. The fiscal demands. deficit, the excess of the Centre’s expenditure The case dates back to financial year over its revenues, was (-) Rs. 15,808 crore in 2007-8 involving the sale of Vodafone India August. Services Private Ltd., the call centre business The negative figure indicates surplus of of Vodafone, to Hutchison, and the tax revenues over expenditure. In contrast, the authorities demanded a capital gain tax for the Centre ran up a fiscal deficit of Rs. 73,005 crore transaction. The Income Tax department in August 2014. demanded that Rs. 8,500 crore be added to the The latest data from the Controller- company’s taxable income. General of Accounts (CGA) show that, for the Transfer pricing is referred to the setting first time in 8 years, India’s fiscal balance of the price for goods and services sold between turned from deficit to surplus in the month of related legal entities within an enterprise. August. The fiscal deficit, the excess of the The court decision came as Vodafone challenged Centre’s expenditure over its revenues, was (-) the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Rs. 15,808 crore in August. The negative figure which held last year that it structured the deal indicates surplus of revenues over expenditure. with Hutchison Whampoa Properties, a company In contrast, the Centre ran up a fiscal deficit of based in India, to circumvent transfer pricing Rs. 73,005 crore in August 2014. norms, though it was an international Surge in revenue transaction wherein there was no arm’s length The total revenue was Rs. 1,47,022 crore in dealing between the related entities. August against Rs. 71,578 crore in July. In contrast, the total expenditure in August was Rs. 1,31,214 crore against Rs. 1,69,986 crore in July. August’s surplus, though, is not wide enough to offset the Centre’s fiscal deficit year to date. During the first five months of the current financial year from April to August,

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 146 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY cumulatively its fiscal deficit was Rs. 3.69 lakh business. As per the report, one of the major crore, which is lower than the Rs. 3.97 lakh reasons for India’s growth in the new age crore in the corresponding period last year. business is the rapid increase in the availability The cumulative fiscal deficit, at 66 per cent of of risk capital. the full-year budget target, is one of the lowest Bengaluru remains the hot destination in four years. Last year, the Centre had reached for entrepreneurs to launch their business and 75 per cent of its full-year budget target by the was ranked 15 globally. More than 65 per cent of end of August. the startups are located in Bengaluru, Mumbai The healthy 22.8 per cent growth in and National Capital Territory NCR. Around 26 gross tax revenues so far this year along with per cent of India’s start-ups are located in the 12 per cent reduction in the subsidy outgo Bengaluru; and NCR and Mumbai had 23 and 17 have contributed to the improvement in the per cent respectively. Centre’s fiscal position. Another reason cited for the growth of the Also, the Centre’s total receipts are entrepreneur ecosystem is the investment of significantly higher this year on the back of the business tycoons like Ratan Tata and Azim Rs. 66,000-crore dividend from the RBI, which Premji in startups. So far, Mr. Tata has made is the highest in its 80-year history and 22 per around 10 investments in startups. cent more than it paid last year. Large Indian enterprises have also The improvement this year is despite a formed dedicated corpus to invest in startups. lower realisation of revenues from the Wipro has set up $100 million VC fund to invest disinvestment route. Finance Minister Arun in startups while Infosys has formed a $500 Jaitley had laid down in the budget a target of million innovation fund, of which $250 million 3.9 per cent of GDP for this year’s fiscal deficit. is dedicated for India. A sharp surge in the Centre’s revenue receipts In 2015, Indian startup founders have as well as a steep decline in its total managed to raise capital to the tune of around expenditures made the fiscal surplus possible. $4.9 billion, an increase of over 125 per cent India- third largest base in global against last year. This is also much higher startup space compared to cumulative funding of approximately After the success in the IT services industries, $3.2 billion over 2010-14 period. India has now emerged as the youngest startup The report states that, while the overall nation in the world with over 72 per cent of VC/PE funding has grown by 2.2 times the seed founders are less than 35 years old. With the stage funding has grown by 6.5 times. More than presence of more than 4,200 startups, the 390 startups have received funding compared to country has also become the third largest 175 startups in 2014. startup base worldwide. By registering a growth Some of the major rounds of funding this of 40 per cent over the last year, India has year was $700 million by Flipkart from Tiger overtaken Israel to become the third largest Global and Steadview Capital, Snapdeal’s $500 startup base after the U.S. and the U.K. million round from Alibaba Group, SoftBank, According to a report-‘StartUp India Foxconn among others and Paytm $635 million. Momentous rise of the Indian Start-up The maturing Indian startup ecosystem Ecosystem’, published by Nasscom in is now contributing to the Indian economy in association with research firm Zinnov, around many ways. Apart from positively impacting the 1,200 tech startups were born in the year 2015, lifestyles of citizens involved, start-ups are now out of which more than 50 per cent focus on e- creating innovative technology solutions that are commerce, consumer services and aggregators addressing the key social problems that India is

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 147 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY facing and creating significant growth projected to grow by 1.3 percent to $588 opportunities for every stakeholder. billion. World Bank report: ‘Migration,  Slowing remittances this year will affect Remittances, Diaspora and most developing regions, in particular Development Brief’ 2015 Europe and Central Asia where flows are World Bank on 22 October 2015 released the expected to decline by 18.3 percent in 2015. Migration and Development Brief that conveyed A weakening of the Ruble against the US recent trends in remittance flows and migration Dollar is the main cause of that decline. across the world. As per the report, though a  Looking to 2016, the report says decrease in migrant remittances is expected remittances to developing countries are in 2015 amid global slowdown, it is set to rise expected to rise by about 4 percent, in 2016 and 2017 as the major economies of reaching an estimated $453 billion, buoyed the developed world are set to recover. by the continuing recovery in the United More than 250 million people live outside States and a modest acceleration of their countries of birth, and over 750 million economic activity in Europe. Global flows migrate within their countries. In the coming of remittances are expected to recover in decades, demographic forces, globalization and 2016 to reach $610 billion, and then rising climate change will increase migration to $635 billion in 2017. pressures both within and across borders.  The global average cost of sending $200 Remittance flows to developing countries are remained at about 7.7 percent in the estimated to have totaled $436 billion in 2014, second quarter of 2015. Remittance costs an increase of 4.4% over the previous year. varied significantly by region, and within Global remittance flows, including those to high- region by corridor. A major risk to the income countries, were an estimated $583 downward trajectory of remittance costs billion in 2014. arises from the closure of accounts of Important findings money transfer operators by correspondent  Weak economies in Europe, especially banks, due to concerns related to regulatory Russia, are slowing the growth of compliance. remittance flows in 2015.  In a major global policy shift, the recently- Weaker currencies vis-à-vis the US dollar adopted Sustainable Development Goals and lower oil prices are further (SDGs) and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda restricting the ability of many migrants to on Financing for Development endorsed send money back to family and friends, improvements in migration policies, efforts according to the World Bank’s latest to end human trafficking and promote Migration and Development Brief. decent labor conditions for migrant  Remittances to developing countries are workers, reductions in the costs of expected to reach $435 billion in 2015, remittances and recruitment, and the registering a modest growth rate of 2 collection of statistics disaggregated percent from last year. This represents a according to migratory status. significant slowing in the growth of Migration and remittances remittances from the rise of 3.3 percent  International migration – the movement of in 2014 and of 7.1 percent per year from people across international boundaries – 2010 -13. Global remittances, sent home has enormous implications for growth and from some 250 million migrants, are poverty alleviation in both origin and destination countries.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 148 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY  International migration boosts world  Remittance costs have fallen steadily in incomes. By allowing workers to move to recent years, but they remain high, where they are more productive, migration especially in Africa and in small nations results in an increase in aggregate output where remittances provide a lifeline to the and income. poor. Globally, migrants pay an average cost  Remittances generally reduce the level of 8.4% to send money home. Reducing the and severity of poverty and lead to: higher average remittance price to 5 percent, in human capital accumulation; greater line with G8 and G20 targets, could save health and education expenditures; better migrants around $14 billion a year. access to information and communication In 2006, the World Bank Group published Global technologies; improved access to formal Economic Prospects 2006: Economic Implications financial sector services; enhanced small of Remittances and Migration, and Remittances: business investment; more Development Impacts and Future Prospects entrepreneurship; better preparedness for NITI Aayog panel report on innovation adverse shocks such as droughts, and entrepreneur friendly ecosystem earthquakes, and cyclones; and reduced to drive job growth child labor. The NITI Aayog panel, on innovation and  Diasporas can be an important source of entrepreneur friendly ecosystem to drive job trade, capital, technology, and knowledge growth, submits its report on 27 October 2015 to for countries of origin and destination. The NITI Aayog. The committee has classified  Officially recorded remittances to its proposals in three slabs — top, intermediate developing countries were an estimated and base layers. $404 billion in 2013, an increase of about Under top layer recommendations, the 3.3% over the previous year. Global expert panel has suggested introducing remittance flows, including those to high- incentives to encourage entrepreneurship, income countries, are estimated at $542 roping in corporates to fund R&D, enhancing billion in 2013. efficiency and scope of incubators and fostering  The top recipients of officially recorded a culture of innovation at the national level. remittances in 2013 are India ($70 billion), At the intermediate layer, the panel China ($60 billion), the Philippines ($25 talks of the need to embrace digital platforms to billion), and Mexico ($22 billion). Other encourage entrepreneurship, reform the large recipients included Nigeria, Egypt, archaic education system and skill workers, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam and strengthen the intellectual property rights issue Ukraine. However, as a share of GDP, and improve ease of doing business. remittances were larger in smaller and The base layer covers linking lower income countries; top recipients entrepreneurship with nationwide programmes, relative to GDP were Tajikistan (52%), promoting high potential sectors through the Kyrgyz Republic (31%), Nepal and Moldova Make In India campaign, fostering a culture of (both 25%), and Samoa and Lesotho (both coordination and collaboration, redefining 23%). success and making entrepreneurship part of  Remittances sent home by migrants to the social inclusion agenda. developing countries are equivalent to Recommendations more than three times the size of official  The private sector should help fund development assistance. research and development, including in research labs at universities and startups.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 149 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY In contrast, Google’s origins can be traced tens of millions of dollars to those who can to research projects that were funded by the provide solutions to major technological U.S. National Science Foundation and a challenges”. The committee recommends large part of Apple’s success can be credited that the AIM budget of Rs.150 crore be used to the U.S. government’s small-business entirely to award up to 12 grand prizes administration program that provides annually. Each challenge should carry a investment assistance to startups. prize of between Rs.10 crore and Rs.30  Improved tax benefits for investments crore, panel also adding that AIM should equivalent to a percentage of corporate also consider setting aside part of the prize profits in research labs in universities and money to place orders for the products and startups. One per cent of corporate profit services that are generated by winners as could be directed toward research labs in this will help in creating a market for universities and/or industry-university winners’ products. collaborative research…A percentage of  The panel also pitched for an increase in corporate profit could be directed towards investment in business incubators with corporate venture capital funds, for the up to Rs.200 crore public spending per year purposes of investment in start-ups and/ and roping in the private sector for the or incubators. The government could offer purpose. tax credits against this.  Another key recommendation of the panel  The panel has also recommended that all is establishing a ‘fund-of-funds (FOF)’ by contracts with foreign defence companies the government to seed other early stage above $5 billion should include a clause for venture funds with a corpus of Rs.5, 000 five per cent of contract value to be directed crore. to establish research-centric universities The report says “In years to come, with strong emphasis on its core product entrepreneurship and innovation is expected areas in particular and broadly focused on to be an even more important source of growth the related areas in general. and job creation. New technology also has the  The panel also suggested a ‘Make in potential to find solutions to pressing economic Universities’ program which would involve and social problems”. setting up 500 tinkering labs, where AIM will be an innovation promotion aspiring entrepreneurs can experiment to platform involving academics, entrepreneurs create products that address local problems, and researchers drawing upon national and with one 3D printer per institute. For these international experiences to foster a culture labs, the panel recommends utilisation of of innovation, research and development (R&D) half of the Rs.1,000 crore government had and promote a network of world- class set aside for the Self Employed and Talent innovation hubs. Utilization (SETU) scheme. In his budget speech, Finance Minister  The expert committee also recommends Arun Jaitley had allocated Rs.150 crore for Atal “Grand Prizes” approach to finding ultra-low- Innovation Mission (AIM). Later, NITI Aayog cost solutions to India’ s most intractable has constituted an expert panel, to suggest problems, on the lines of what is followed ways to promote innovation and entrepreneur in some developed countries. Panel also friendly ecosystem for pushing job growth, mentioned “Incentivised innovation has under headed by Professor Tarun Khanna of worked around the world in stimulating the Harvard Business School. The group also innovation. In the U.S., XPrize is giving worked-out the detailed contours of Atal

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 150 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY Innovation Mission (AIM) and Self-Employment & Talent Utilisation (SETU).  Efforts to strengthen legal institutions and ‘Doing Business report 2016- frameworks were less common, with 66 Measuring Regulatory Quality and reforms implemented in 53 economies Efficiency’: World Bank during the past year. The largest number The World Bank Group’s annual ease of doing of such reforms was carried out in the area business -‘Doing Business 2016: Measuring of Getting Credit, with 32 improvements, Regulatory Quality and Efficiency’- which was of which nearly half were undertaken in released on 27 October 2015 finds that, Sub-Saharan Africa. Developing economies quickened the pace of  Doing Business data for the past 12 years their business reforms during the last 12 shows that in 2003, it took an average of months to make it easier for local businesses 51 days worldwide to start a new business. to start and operate. This has now been more than halved to 20 Doing Business 2016: Measuring days. In addition, the data shows Regulatory Quality and Efficiency finds that encouraging signs of convergence toward 85 developing economies implemented best practices, as lower-income economies 169 business reforms during the past year, have shown more improvement than high- compared with 154 reforms the previous year. income economies over time. The case of High-income economies carried out an Mozambique illustrates this trend. In 2003, additional 62 reforms, bringing the total for the it took an entrepreneur 168 days to start a past year to 231 reforms in 122 economies business, but now it only takes 19 days. around the world.  The report also notes the increasing use of Major findings the internet for entrepreneurs to interact  The majority of the new reforms during the with the government, given the potential past year were designed to improve the economic benefits of providing online efficiency of regulations, by reducing their electronic services across all areas cost and complexity, with the largest measured by Doing Business. In the past number of improvements made in the area year, 50 reforms were aimed at providing of Starting a Business, which measures or improving online tax payment systems, how long it takes to obtain a permit for import-export document processing, and starting a business and its associated business and property registration, amongst processing costs. A total of 45 economies, others. 33 of which were developing economies,  Regulatory quality matters as much as undertook reforms to make it easier for regulatory efficiency to ensure that the entrepreneurs to start a business. India, regulation achieves the aim of creating an for example, made significant enabling environment that contributes to improvements by eliminating the economic growth and prosperity for people. minimum capital requirement and a  There is strong relationship between business operations certificate, saving efficiency and quality of entrepreneurs an unnecessary procedure business regulations go hand-in-hand with and five days’ wait time. Kenya also made producing more competitive, viable business incorporation easier by companies and firms that help to grow simplifying pre-registration procedures, national economies. The increased reducing the time to incorporate by four emphasis on the quality of regulation, to days. complement the previous focus on

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 151 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY efficiency, is aimed at providing greater East Asia and the Pacific clarity between well-designed and badly- Reform activity continued apace in East Asia designed regulations, making it easier to and the Pacific, with more than half of the identify where regulation is region’s 25 economies implementing a total of enabling businesses to thrive and where it 27 reforms in the past year. The region hosts has the opposite effect. four of the top five ranked economies in the  Economies of Europe and Central Asia have world, including Singapore, the world’s top performed well on the new quality ranked economy. benchmarks, while those in the Middle East Middle East and North Africa and North Africa region have performed less In the Middle East and North Africa, reform well. activity picked up slightly with 21 reforms  The world’s top 10 improvers, i.e. implemented in 11 of the region’s 20 economies. economies that implemented at least three Economies that undertook more than one reforms during the past year and moved up reform included the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the rankings scale, are Costa Rica, Uganda, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. UAE is the Kenya, Cyprus, Mauritania, region’s highest ranked economy, with a global Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Jamaica, ranking of 31. Senegal, and Benin. Latin America and the Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa Latin America and the Caribbean region had By region, Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for the smallest share of reforms, with less about 30 percent of the improved global than half of the region’s 32 economies regulatory reforms and half of the world’s top 10 undertaking a total of 24 reforms. Costa improvers. Multiple reforms were also Rica and Jamaica were among the world’s top implemented n Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Niger, 10 improvers. Mexico is the region’s Togo and Rwanda. The region’s highest ranked highest ranked economy, with a global ranking economy is Mauritius, which has a global of 38. ranking of 32. In the global ranking stakes, Singapore Europe and Central Asia retains its top spot. Joining it on the list of the Europe and Central Asia region was also a major top 10 economies with the most business- reformer during the past year, with Cyprus, friendly regulatory environments are New Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, amongst the world’s Zealand, in second place; Denmark (3); Republic top 10 improvers. The region had both the largest of Korea (4); Hong Kong SAR, China (5); United share of economies implementing at least one Kingdom (6); United States (7); Sweden (8); reform and the largest average number of Norway (9); and Finland (10). regulatory reforms per economy. This year’s report unveils a two-year South Asia effort to significantly add more measurements In South Asia, six of the region’s eight economies of the quality of institutions supporting the implemented a total of nine reforms – the second business environment, to better capture largest share of any region after Europe and realities on the ground. For example, in the area Central Asia. Economies that implemented of Registering Property, a new index on the several reforms included India, Bhutan and Sri quality of land administration measures the Lanka. The region’s highest ranked economy reliability, transparency and geographic is Bhutan, which has a global ranking of 71. coverage of land administration systems as well as aspects of dispute resolution for land issues.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 152 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY The World Bank Group’s Doing Business report Terms of Reference tracks the regulatory and bureaucratic systems  To study and identify the provisions/ of nations by conducting detailed annual phrases in the Act which are leading to surveys. For policymakers faced with the litigation due to different interpretations; challenge of creating jobs and promoting  To study and identify the provisions which development. The WB Doing Business are impacting the ease of doing business; reports,started in 2002, review business  To study and identify the areas and regulations and their enforcement across 189 provisions of the Act for simplification in countries. the light of the existing jurisprudence; and India moves up in ‘ease of doing  To suggest alternatives and modifications business’ ranking to 130 from 134 Among South to the existing provisions and areas so Asian economies, India made the biggest identified to bring about predictability and improvement in business regulation, certainty in tax laws without substantial increasing its distance to frontier score by 2 impact on the tax base and revenue points and moving up in the ease of doing collection. business ranking from 134 to 130 in the World The Committee shall set its own procedures for Bank Doing Business 2016 ranking. India ranks regulating its work. It can also work in Sub- in the top 10 in Protecting Minority Investors Groups and the draft prepared by the Sub-Groups (8), as its law grants minority shareholders can then be approved by the whole Committee. strong protection from conflicts of interest and It will put its draft recommendations in the provides extensive rights to shareholders in public domain. After stakeholder consultations, major corporate governance. the Committee will formalise its According to the report, the recommendations. The Committee can give its improvement in two indicators, ‘starting a recommendations in batches. The First Batch business’ and ‘getting electricity,’ pushed India containing as many recommendations as up the ladder. “Now, companies can get possible shall be submitted by 31st January, connected to the grid and get on with their 2016. The Term of the Committee shall be for a business, 14 days sooner than before,” based on period of one year from the date of its the recently simplified procedures in Mumbai constitution. and Delhi. The number of days it takes to start Finance Ministry launches ‘e-Sahyog’ a new business has gone up marginally from pilot project to reduce Income-Tax last year, from to this year, but the report has compliance cost taken note of other measures in the last year Union Finance Ministry, on 29 October 2015, that made starting a business easier. has launched an e-Sahyog pilot project of India also improved its ‘distance to the frontier,’ Income-Tax Department to facilitate taxpayers a measure of a country’s absolute performance. to reduce their need to physically appear before Justice RV Easwar committee to tax authorities in New Delhi in line with Union simplify the Income Tax Act, 1961 Government flagship Digital India initiative. The Government of India, on 27 October 2015, The e-Sahyog project aims to reduce compliance has constituted a Committee with a view to cost, especially for small taxpayers and provide simplify the provisions of the Income Tax Act, an online mechanism to resolve mismatches 1961. The committee will be headed by Justice in Income-tax returns. RV Easwar, former Judge of Delhi High Court. As part of the digital initiative, IT Department will provide an end to end e-service using SMS, e-mails to inform the tax assesses

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 153 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY of the mismatch. Henceforth, by using this The directions were issued under section 10(4) service taxpayers will simply need to visit the and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management e-filing portal and log in with their user-ID and Act, 1999. password. It will help them to view mismatch Background related information and submit online response On the face of it, this move is of course a benefit on the issue without physically appearing before for NRIs, but the other side is that it is also a tax authorities. potential source of economic stability in India. Apart from it, Union Finance Minister Here’s how. also launched a campaign to provide public Time and again, India has faced some service at peoples’ door step by holding special kind of a problem on the external front, though PAN camps in remote areas. Under the the reasons have varied. In 1991, India went campaign, special camps will be held over for into a deep balance of payments crisis amid a two days at 43 remote, semi urban and rural political turmoil, even mortgaging its gold. In locations across the country. It is the first 1998, the nation staged nuclear tests that instance IT Department facilitating in such resulted in US sanctions that made the rupee areas for obtaining of PAN card by persons weaker. residing. Again, between 2008 and 2013, India RBI allows NRIs to subscribe to went through ups and downs as the global National Pension System economic crisis hurt export demand, and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 29 October 2015 domestic inflation caused its own weakenesses allowed non-resident Indians (NRIs) to subscribe amid high oil prices, resulting in the rupee to the National Pension System (NPS). RBI took facing a big attack in 2013. Dependent on the decision in consultation with the Union foreign exchange for oil and key food items like Government to enable National Pension System pulses, India always has to keep an eye on the (NPS) as an investment option for NRIs under rupee. Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), India had come out with its India 1999. Development Bonds after the 1991 crisis that NRIs may subscribe to the NPS governed raised $1.6 billion. Resurgent India Bonds after and administered by the Pension Fund the 1998 woes raised $4.2 billion and India Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), Millennium Deposit Scheme in 2000 fetched provided such subscriptions are made through $5.5 billion. normal banking channels and the person is In 2013, the RBI came up with some eligible to invest as per the provisions of the sophisticated currency swap arrangements to PFRDA Act. tide over the problems triggered by a weaker The subscription amounts shall be paid rupee, even as ideas popped up that India should by the NRIs either by inward remittance through be issuing bonds. normal banking channels or out of funds held The simple fact is that NRIs have time in their NRE/FCNR/NRO account. There will be and again helped India with their resources, no restriction on repatriation of the annuity/ but there is a catch to this. In 1990, it was the accumulated savings. flight of short-term NRI deposits that The decision is in accordance with the precipitated the balance of payments crisis. amendment to Foreign Exchange Management While various special schemes bolstered foreign (Transfer or Issue of Security by a Person exchange reserves that stabilised the rupee, Resident outside India) (Ninth Amendment) they were put together quickly when market Regulations, 2015 which was notified on 6 pressures were high. October 2015. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 154 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY India is the world’s largest recipient of of providing retirement income to all the remittances from its citizens working abroad. citizens. NPS aims to institute pension reforms The World Bank estimated in a report released and to inculcate the habit of saving for last week that in 2015, the amount is expected retirement amongst the citizens. Initially, NPS to touch $72 billion (R 470,000 crore) – a new was introduced for the new government recruits record! This is even higher than China’s $64 (except armed forces). With effect from 1 May, billion remittances. 2009, NPS has been provided for all citizens of The remittances are a great source of the country including the unorganised sector strength for India’s economy and so are workers on voluntary basis. schemes like the ones India came out with in RBI issues revised and uniform the aftermath of the nuclear crisis. But a steady Internet Banking for Cooperative flow of remittances can insulate India relatively Banks from the kind of ups and downs and high- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 5 November 2015 interest-bearing schemes in times of crises. issued revised and uniform guidelines on The NPS is a quiet vehicle for inflow of Internet Banking for all licensed cooperative foreign exchange that can boost India’s banks including Urban Cooperative Banks reserves. The notable factor is that the (UCBs), State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and minimum annual subscription in NPS is as low Districts Co-operative Banks (DCBs). These as R 6,000. NPS investments mature when a guidelines relate to Internet Banking (View participant turns 60. Only) facility and Internet Banking with Consider the fact that overseas Indians Transaction facility. are estimated to number more than 20 million Revised guidelines for Internet Banking but a huge number of them are rich citizens of (View Only) facility Western nations. They may not be interested  in Indian pension schemes – but those eligible All licensed StCBs, DCCBs and UCBs which may be tempted to join as investors as India have implemented Core Banking Solution becomes an economy promising sustained high (CBS) and migrated to Internet Protocol growth with prospects for a boom in equities. Version 6 (IPv6) may offer Internet Banking As much of 50% of NPS funds can be invested (View only) facility to their customers, in equities. without prior approval of RBI.  At the same time, NPS also enables In case, any service offered under ‘view modest variants of NRIs to remit more into only’ facility requires two-factor India. The Arabian Gulf area accounts for as authentication or One Time Password much as 5 million Indian nationals, many of (OTP), banks may adopt the security them not in the affluent category. features related to internet banking as The NPS can lead to smaller trickles prescribed by RBI, as appropriate to such coming into India from such people in a steady services.  flow, thereby stabilising the local currency. The cooperative banks offering this facility The RBI may well have quietly opened an to their customers should ensure that the alternative to expensive bonds and deposits by facility is strictly for non-transactional allowing NRIs to invest in the National Pension services such as balance enquiry and Scheme. balance viewing among others.  New Pension System The cooperative banks have to report The National Pension System (NPS) was commencement of the service to the launched on 1 January, 2004 with the objective concerned Regional Office of RBI (and also

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 155 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] ECONOMY NABARD in case of StCBs/DCCBs) within Liquidity Ratio (SLR) during the immediate one month of operationalisation of this preceding financial year. facility.  It has sound internal control system with Earlier in 2014, only Urban Cooperative Banks at least two professional directors on the (UCBs) were permitted to offer this facility to Board. their customers.  The bank has a track record of regulatory Revised guidelines for Internet Banking compliance and no monetary penalty has with Transaction facility been imposed on the bank for violation of Only those licensed StCBs, DCCBs and UCBs, RBI directives/guidelines during the two which have implemented CBS and have also financial years, preceding the year in migrated to IPv6 can offer this facility to their which the application is made. customers with prior approval of RBI if they fulfill the following criteria:  Credit to Risk Adequacy Ratio (CRAR) of not less than 10 per cent.  Net worth is 50 crore rupees or more as on 31 March of the immediate preceding financial year.  Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) less than 7 % and Net NPAs not more than 3%  The bank should have made a net profit in the immediate preceding financial year and overall, should have made net profit at least in three out of the preceding four financial years. *****  It should not have defaulted in maintenance of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)/Statutory

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 156 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY India launches Satellite-based Gagan works by augmenting and relaying data navigation system- GAGAN from GPS satellites with the help of two India has formally launched the GAGAN (GPS augmentation satellites and 15 earth-based AIDED GEO AUGMENTED NAVIGATION) system, reference stations. Since 14th February 2014, which will offer seamless navigation to the GAGAN has been continuously providing aviation industry, on 13 July 2015. In the navigation signals from GSAT-8 and GSAT-10 aviation field, GAGAN will support more direct satellites launched by ISRO, augmenting the air routes, reduce fuel consumption and performance of GPS signals received over Indian improve safety. The guided approach landing Airspace. with the help of GAGAN would immediately Gagan has been jointly developed by the benefit nearly 50 airports in India. GAGAN was Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and already certified for en route operation since Airports Authority of India (AAI). The system has 30th December 2013. been completed in 15 years at a total cost of GAGAN will provide augmentation Rs.774 crores. service for the GPS over the country, the Bay GAGAN of Bengal, South East Asia and Middle East and GPS and geo-augmented navigation up to Africa. The system would be available for system (GAGAN) is an implementation of a the member states of the South Asian regional satellite-based augmentation system Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). (SBAS) by the Indian government. It is a system Some of its benefits are improved efficiency, to improve the accuracy of a GNSS receiver by direct routes, increased fuel savings, approach providing reference signals. with vertical guidance at runways, significant The project has established 15 Indian cost savings because of the withdrawal of Reference Stations, 3 Indian Navigation Land ground aids and reduced workload of flight crew Uplink Stations, 3 Indian Mission Control and air traffic controllers. Centers, and installation of all associated In addition, GAGAN provides benefits to software and communication links. It will be able agriculture, all modes of transportation and to help pilots to navigate in the Indian airspace public services such a defence services, by an accuracy of 3 m. This will be helpful for security agencies and disaster recovery landing aircraft in tough weather and terrain management by aiding in search and rescue like Mangalore and Leh airports. to locate the disaster zone accurately. Akash Air Defence missile system The system also bridges the gap in the inducted into Indian Air Force coverage areas of the European Union’s The defence minister of India Manohar Parrikar European Geostationary Navigation Overlay formally handed over the indigenously designed, Service (EGNOS) and Japan’s Multi-functional developed and produced Akash Air Defence Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS). missile system to the Indian Air Force (IAF) at GAGAN is the first SBAS (Satellite Based Air Force Station, Gwalior on 10 Jul 2015. It is Augmentation System) in the world certified noted that Akash is the first made-in-India for Approach with Vertical Guidance operating missile system and is a hallmark of sustained in the Equatorial Ionospheric region and the and focused jointmanship between DRDO, BEL, third SBAS to have achieved this feat, after private sector and more importantly the IAF. WAAS of USA and EGNOS of Europe. India is Akash is a potent supersonic mobile the fourth country to offer space-based satellite multi-directional, multi-target point/ area Air navigation services to the aviation sector, other Defence system that can simultaneously engage are U.S., Europe and Japan. multiple air targets using sophisticated multi-

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 157 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY function phased array radars. The advanced These five satellites were launched as part of ECCM (Electronic Counter Counter Measures) the agreement entered into between DMC features provide secure communication links International Imaging (DMCii), a wholly owned with other Air Defence Command and Control subsidiary of Surrey Satellite Technology networks to handle the counter electronic Limited (SSTL), UK and Antrix Corporation warfare scenario. Limited, the commercial arm of the Indian Indigenous development of Akash Space Research Organisation (ISRO), a system has given impetus to the defence government of India Company under the industrial base of the country and generated Department of Space (DOS). business of more than Rs. 20,000 crore. PSLV was launched in its heaviest ‘XL’ PSLV C-28 launches five U.K. satellites version with six strap-on motors of the first In its thirtieth flight, ISRO’s Polar Satellite stage. This flight was unique since for the first Launch Vehicle PSLV-C28 successfully time, the ‘XL’ version of PSLV was used to launched three identical (Disaster Monitoring launch foreign payloads exclusively. Till now, Constellation) DMC3 commercial Earth the lighter ‘core alone’ version of PSLV has been Observation Satellites, along with two smaller used to launch foreign payloads exclusively. satellites from United Kingdom, into a polar Sun Through 29 successful flights during Synchronous Orbit conducted from Satish 1994-2015 period, PSLV has launched a total of Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, 77 satellites including 45 satellites for Sriharikota on July 10, 2015. The Sun customers from 19 countries. The vehicle has Synchronous Orbit is very close to the intended repeatedly proved its reliability and versatility orbit of 647 km height. Once in proper orbit, the by successfully launching satellites into a three DMC3 satellites were successfully variety of orbits including polar Sun deployed, following this, the 7 kg Nanosatellite Synchronous, Geosynchronous Transfer and De-OrbitSail and the 91 kg Microsatellite CBNT- Low Earth orbits thereby emerging as the 1 was also successfully deployed. The five workhorse launch vehicle of India. satellites together weighed about 1440 kg at lift- Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of off. This was the twenty ninth consecutively ISRO, has already signed service contracts for successful flight of PSLV. launching 28 satellites for various countries in The three mini DMC satellites have been the next two years. Antrix which recorded over designed for providing simultaneous spatial Rs. 1,600 crore revenue during 2013-14, got resolution and high temporal resolution for earth revenue of Rs. 1,850 crore during 2014-15. observation. These satellites are aimed at CSIR-NEERI develops E-Nose for capturing any target on the Earth’s surface every Environmental Monitoring day and are expected to help in surveying Nagpur based National Environmental resources, environment and urban Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) of infrastructure, besides its primary aim of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research monitoring disasters. (CSIR) and the Centre for Development of While the 91-kg CNBT-1 is an optical Advanced Computing (C-DAC) have jointly earth observation technology demonstration developed an ‘Electronic Nose’ for micro satellite where as the seven-kg De- environmental monitoring that can help sniff OrbitSail from the Surrey Space Centre is an out a variety of volatile organic compounds experimental nano satellite for demonstration (VOCs) and odorants at a pulp and paper mill of large thin membrane sail and drag deorbiting industry with a prime objective to protect the using this sail. health of thousands of workers working in this

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 158 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY industry. This portable device measures odour Centre (LPSC), the lead centre of Indian concentration and odour intensity. Space Research Organisation (ISRO) The pulp and paper industry emits a responsible for developing liquid propulsion variety of gases, namely, hydrogen sulphide, systems for Indian Space Programme. methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulphide, and LPSC has also developed a cryogenic upper dimethyl disulphide all of which beyond a stage of 12.5 tonne propellant loading and certain concentrations may adversely affect the successfully flight tested it in GSLV Mk-II environment and human health. This newly vehicle on January 05, 2014. Compared to developed Electronic Nose helps in continuous this stage, the C25 stage has a higher monitoring of these gases, overcoming all propellant loading (27 tonnes versus 12.5 limitations of the available analytical tonnes) and higher engine thrust (19 tonne instruments that are not only expensive and versus 7.5 tonne). time-consuming. Besides, it also establishes a Cryogenic technology involves the use of correlation between sensory and analytical rocket propellants at extremely low measurements for the sulphurous odorants temperatures. The combination of liquid generated from pulp and paper industries, oxygen and liquid hydrogen offers the highest tanneries and distilleries. energy efficiency for rocket engines that The Electronic Nose uses an array of need to produce large amounts of thrust. sensors that function on the principle similar NASA deploys new system to avoid to that of human olfaction. The sensor array traffic jams around Mars generates a pattern based on the type of aroma. The NASA has deployed its enhanced collision- The researchers are currently working on the avoidance system with an aim to ensure that application of Electronic Nose to monitor gas Mars orbiters do not approach each other too emissions from any source, be it an industry closely. The system involves process of traffic or leakage of petroleum pipes going through monitoring, communication and maneuver fields or farms. planning. Cryogenic engine of C25 Stage tested The new formal collision-avoidance successfully process for Mars is part of NASA’s Multi-Mission India’s first indigenously designed and Automated Deep-Space Conjunction developed High Thrust cryogenic rocket Assessment Process. A side benefit of it is that engine generating a nominal thrust of 19 information about when two orbiters will be near tonnes was successfully tested on July 16, each other — though safely apart — could be 2015 at ISRO Propulsion Complex, used for planning coordinated science Mahendragiri. This cryogenic engine of C25 observations. The pair could look at some part Stage operates on Gas Generator Cycle of Mars or its atmosphere from essentially the using extremely low temperature propellants same point of view simultaneously with – Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) at 20 Kelvin (-253 complementary instruments. deg C) and Liquid Oxygen (LOX) at 80K (-193 Five active spacecrafts are now orbiting deg C). The engine will be used for powering the Red Planet, including NASA’s Mars the Cryogenic stage (C25), the upper stage Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) and of the next generation GSLV Mk-III launch India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) vehicle of ISRO, capable of launching four joined the 2003 Mars Express from ESA (the tonne class satellites. European Space Agency) and two from NASA — This high performance cryogenic the 2001 Mars Odyssey and the 2006 Mars engine was conceived, configured and Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). realised by Liquid Propulsion Systems ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 159 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Odyssey, MRO and MAVEN — together with doctors through video link and also order NASA’s two active Mars rovers, Opportunity generic drugs. and Curiosity — are part of NASA’s robotic The flagship Digital India initiative is exploration of Mars that is preparing the way an umbrella programme that seeks to build for human-crewed missions there in the digital infrastructure, provide government 2030s and later, in NASA’s Journey to Mars service on the web and mobile platforms and strategy. digitally empower all the citizens with an Marketing of Bio-fuel Blended HSD in estimated investment of Rs.1.13 trillion over selected retail outlets the next three to five years. The Union Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas One of the targets of Digital India is to (MoP&NG) on 10 August 2015 announced connect all the villages at the panchayat level Marketing of High Speed Diesel (HSD) blended through some 250,000 common service with Bio-diesel in selected retail outlets of centres that will act as access points for OMC’s in New Delhi & Vishakhapatnam (by delivery of various government services to HPCL), Haldia (by BPCL) and Vijayawada (by citizens. It is a part of working to empower IOCL). It is a path breaking step in India’s retail the underprivileged and rural communities sector for launching Bio-diesel B 5 blend to diesel both socially and economically to build an consumers. inclusive India. Recently, the Ministry of Petroleum and Telemedicine can provide rural Natural gas has permitted direct sale of Bio- population access for basic, specialty and Diesel (B100) to bulk consumers like Railways, super specialty consultations. Since 80% of shipping and State Road Transport Corporations conditions do not require a doctor’s physical etc. Also, Ethanol Blended Petrol program (EBP) presence immediately, they can be dealt with is being promoted, where ethanol blending in through telemedicineMost lifestyle and petrol is going from 5 to 10 % based on the communicable diseases fall into this category. availability of ethanol. Promoting and Telemedicine encouraging Biofuels will not only reduce the Telemedicine is the use of telecommunication import of fossil fuel but also save foreign and information technologies in order to exchange and emphasise on “Make in India” provide clinical health care at a distance. It mission. Biofuels are renewable, biodegradable, helps eliminate distance barriers and can sustainable and environmental friendly. More improve access to medical services that would importantly, these programmes will connect often not be consistently available in distant agrarian community with direct cash flow. rural communities. It is also used to save lives Government launches “Sehat” in critical care and emergency situations. telemedicine initiative Apollo Hospitals has opened India’s first The government on 25 August 2015 launched a telemedicine centre in 2000 in Aragonda, pan-India health initiative called Sehat in line Andhra Pradesh, which was inaugurated by with its Digital India vision. Sehat is short for Bill Clinton, the then president of the US. Social Endeavour for Health and Telemedicine. ISRO successfully launches GSAT-6 The initiative, which will be run in collaboration communication satellite with Apollo Hospitals, aims to connect 60,000 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle common service centres across the country and (GSLV)-D6 was successfully launched on 27 provide healthcare access to citizens August 2015. It was launched from the Second irrespective of their geographical location. Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Under the initiative people will be able to consult Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota in

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 160 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Andhra Pradesh. GSAT-6 Satellite provides Sale of Diclofenac banned in multidose communication through five spot beams in S- vial for human use band and a national beam in C-band for Based on the recommendation of the Ministry strategic users. of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, One of the advanced features of GSAT- the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has 6 satellite is its S-Band Unfurlable Antenna of banned the sale of Diclofenac in multidose vial. 6 m diameter. This is the largest satellite It will be sold only in single-dose vial packaging. antenna realised by ISRO. This antenna is Keeping in view the severity of the utilised for five spot beams over the Indian situation and the need to conserve and protect main land. The spot beams exploit the vultures from extinction, the Ministry of frequency reuse scheme to increase frequency Environment, Forest and Climate Change has spectrum utilisation efficiency. The other requested the Ministry of Health and Family advanced feature of the satellite is the 70 V Welfare to restrict the pack of Diclofenac for bus, which is flying first time in an Indian human use in single dose only. Earlier, the communication satellite Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in This is the third time the indigenously consultation with Environment, Forest and developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) is being Climate Change, on 17th July, 2015, restriction carried on-board during a GSLV flight. The flight on packaging of multi-dose vial of Diclofenac to is significant since it intends to continue the single dose for human use. Even after banning testing of CUS. It is configured with all its three the use of Diclofenac for veterinary use, the stages including the CUS multi-dose vials available in the market for Importance of Cryogenic Upper Stage human use were widely misused for veterinary (CUS) purpose. This, in turn, has a severe impact on A Cryogenic rocket stage is more efficient and the population of vultures. provides more thrust for every kilogram of Earlier, in 2006, the Government of propellant it burns compared to solid and earth- India had imposed a ban on the use of Diclofenac storable liquid propellant rocket stages.The for treating cattle. cryogenic stage is technically a very complex Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti- system compared to solid or earth-storable inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to treat liquid propellant stages due to its use of mild to moderate pain or signs and symptoms of propellants at extremely low temperatures- osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Apart Oxygen liquifies at -183 deg C and Hydrogen at from human use, the drug is also effective in -253 deg C, and the associated thermal and treating cattle. Though the drug is harmless to structural challenges. the cattle it is administered to, but is fatal for GSAT System the vultures, who routinely feed on the carcass The GSAT or Geosynchronous satellite is a of dead cattle. Studies have shown that the drug constellation of communication satellites causes kidney and liver failure in vultures. developed by the Indian Space Research Apart from the environmental point of Organisation (ISRO) with an objective to make view, vultures have cultural significance also. India self-reliant in broadcasting services. The loss of vultures has had impact on the Indian Satellites are called GSAT because they Zoroastrian Parsi community that traditionally function in a geosynchronous orbit around the uses vultures to dispose of human corpses in Earth. Towers of Silence. Due to the loss of vultures in the wild they are compelled to seek alternative methods of disposal.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 161 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Hence, to protect the Critically Endangered energy, water, land, solid waste, air quality and species, as per the IUCN Red List of threatened noise levels during pre-construction, species, the government imposed the ban on its construction and post construction period. use. The objective of the Environmental Apoorva and C-421 Coast Guard ships Guidelines for Buildings was to enable energy commissioned into services efficient, water co-efficient and green sufficient Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on 21 September 2015 construction through reduced use of natural and commissioned two indigenously built ships depletable resources, recycling, recharge and Apoorva and C-421 at the Naval Dock in reuse of water. Mumbai. The induction of the vessels is The Workshop has been organized to expected to boost maritime security along the sensitize the States and other stakeholders to Arabian Sea coast. the need for green construction in view of the ICGS Apoorva fact that building sector consumes 40% of ICGS Apoorva is the 15th of the 20 FPVs being electricity generated in the country, 30% of raw built for the Coast Guard by the Cochin Shipyard materials and 20% each of water and land Limited. It’s a 50-meter long fast patrol vessel resources besides generating 30% of solid waste that displaces 317 tonnes and can achieve a and 20% of effluents. maximum speed of 33 knots. Post The States have broadly agreed to pro- commissioning, the ship will be based in Goa. active in ensuring compliance with green It is equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry, construction norms in view of the commitment advanced communication and navigational of the Central Government to mitigate emission equipment that make her an ideal platform for of Green House Gases responsible for climate undertaking multifarious close-coast change. Surveillance, interdiction, Search & Rescue and A broad consensus has emerged on the following medical evacuation missions. major provisions: ICGS C-421 1. At least 1% of connected applied load of The second ship, ICGS C-421, is an interceptor power shall be met from renewable energy boat with 27.8-meter length and displaces 106 sources such as photovoltaic cells or wind tonnes. The C-421 is a water jet propelled mills or hybrid mode. All common area vessel, 27th in the series of IBs constructed by lighting must be of LED/Solar lights. Energy L&T Limited. This ship can achieve a maximum meters must be installed to measure over speed of 45 knots. Post commissioning, the ship all energy consumption ; will be based at Andrott. 2. Regular Energy Audit shall be ensured Workshop on Climate Change through energy auditors certified by the Mitigation in Urban Sector- Bureau of Energy Efficiency; Environmental Guidelines for 3. One tree shall be planted for every 100 Buildings sq.mt of land area. When trees are to be Union Ministry of Urban Development on 21 cut or transplanted, compensatory September 2015 organised a consultative plantation of 3 trees for every cut to be workshop on ‘Climate Change Mitigation in ensured; Urban Sector’ in New Delhi. During the 4. Rain Water Harvesting Plan to be designed workshop, Union Ministry of Environment, providing one recharge bore for every 3,000 Forests and Climate Change made a detailed sq.mt of land area. A minimum of 30% of presentation on ‘Environmental Guidelines for area open to sky (unbuilt) to be left unpaved Buildings’ containing about 30 parameters to to facilitate ground water recharge and be complied with for efficient management of ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 162 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY reduce heat island effect. Area covered with Highlights of NHP grass will be treated as unpaved area: Every government hospital serves an estimated 5. Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) shall be 61,000 people in India, with one bed for every installed to ensure treatment of 100% solid 1833 people. In undivided Andhra Pradesh, waste generated and adopting decentralized every government hospital serves over 3 lakh STPs for larger projects; patients while in Bihar, there is only one bed 6. Natural flow of storm water channels can’t for every 8800 people. be altered without the approval of Every government allopathic doctor competent authority. Entry and exit points serves a population of over 11,000 people, with of such channels must be retained; Bihar and Maharashtra having the worst ratios. 7. Organic waste composter/Vermiculture pit The number of qualified allopathic doctors with a minimum capacity of 0.3 kg/ registered with medical councils fell in 2014 to tenement/day to be installed; 16,000, or less than half the previous year’s 8. Separate wet and dry bins to be provided at number; the data was however provisional. India the ground level facilitating segregation of now has cumulatively 9.4 lakh allopathic waste. All non-biodegradable waste shall be doctors, 1.54 lakh dental surgeons, and 7.37 lakh handed over to authorized recyclers; AYUSH doctors of whom more than half are 9. Fertile top soil must be retained to the Ayurvedic doctors. India’s 400 medical colleges maximum and for reuse on the site, since admit an estimated 47,000 students annually. it takes about 500 years for formation of Public expenditure on Health one inch of fertile top soil; and The Centre’s share of total public expenditure 10. Possession of buildings to be handed over on health has fallen over the last two years, and only after drainage and water connections India spends less of its GDP on health than some are in place and No Objection Certification of the world’s poorest countries. Among all obtained from the competent authority. States, undivided Andhra Pradesh had the Eleventh edition of National Health highest public expenditure on health in 2012- Profile (NHP) 2015 13. Goa and the north-eastern States spent the The Union Ministry of Health and Family most on health per capita while Bihar and Welfare, on 22 September 2015, has Jharkhand spent the least. released11th edition of the National Health Private expenditure on Health Profile (NHP) 2015 prepared by the Central Out-of-pocket private expenditure on health has Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI). The E- risen steadily over the years, with the cost of book (digital version) of NHP was also released medicines, followed by that of hospitalisation for the first time. NHP 2015 for the first time accounting for the largest share of the household also incorporates the health data from ESIC and expenditure. Absolute spending, as well as its Railways. The NHP 2015 indicates that share in total non-food expenditure, rises with significant progress has been made in the income levels. Kerala spends the most privately country for various health outcomes, which is on health. an encouraging signal. Communicable Diseases The National Health Profile covers Deaths from most communicable diseases have demographic, socio-economic, health status and been falling steadily in India. Despite recording health finance indicators, along with over 10 lakh cases, deaths from malaria are comprehensive information on health officially down to just over 500 annually; Odisha infrastructure and human resources in health. accounted for over one in three cases of malaria The National Health Profile is released every in 2014. The number of recorded chikungunya year by CBHI since its launch in 2005. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 163 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY cases has fallen since a 2010 outbreak, but transit and storage as well as to authenticate Maharashtra accounts for nearly half of all cases. the asserted identity of individuals and Just over 40,000 cases of dengue were officially computer systems. Encryption technology was reported in 2014 and 131 deaths. While the traditionally deployed most widely to protect the number of cases of Acute Diarrhoeal Disease confidentiality of military and diplomatic has risen every year to 1.16 crore in 2014, communication. mortality from the disease has been steadily With the advent of computer and declining. Internet revolution and online applications as However, 2014 saw a sharp spike in well as the recent innovations in the science cases and deaths due to Acute Encephalitis of encryption, a new market for cryptographic Syndrome, a disease concentrated in Uttar products in E-commerce & E-Governance Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal. civilian applications has rapidly developed. Japanese Encephalitis, concentrated in Assam Communication and E-commerce applications and Uttar Pradesh also rose last year. Pulmonary such as electronic mail and electronic fund tuberculosis remains the biggest communicable transfer, which require secure means of disease killer in India, accounting for over communication, make extensive use of 63,000 deaths in 2014. Since disease data is encryption for securing the information and largely reported from government health authentication. facilities only, it is likely to be heavily The recognition of the need to protect underestimated. privacy and increase the security of the Internet Non-communicable Diseases and associated information systems have Non-communicable diseases are on the rise resulted in the development of policies that with cardiovascular diseases according for a favour the spread of encryption worldwide. The quarter of deaths from non-communicable Information Technology Act 2000 provides for diseases and cancer accounting for six per cent. prescribing modes or methods for encryption As per NHP 2015 data, there will be 19 percent (Section 84A) and for decryption (Section 69). increase in cancer among men by 2020 with Taking into account the need to protect mouth cancer registering the highest spike information assets, international trends and despite the countrywide ban on gutkha and a concerns of national security, the cryptographic 23 percent increase among women with gall policy for domestic use supports the broad use bladder cancer showing the sharpest increase. of cryptography in ways that facilitates individual There will be a 48 percent increase in prostate / businesses privacy, international economic cancer, 31 percent increase in liver cancer and competitiveness in all sectors including 22 percent increase in lung cancer. Government. Draft of Encryption policy This policy is not applicable to sensitive The Department of Electronics & Information departments / agencies of the government Technology (DeitY) has proposed a Draft National designated for performing sensitive and Encryption Policy on its website inviting strategic roles. This policy is applicable to all comments from the public. The purpose of the Central and State Government Departments policy is to frame rules under Section 84A of the (including sensitive Departments / Agencies Information Technology Act, 2000, regarding use while performing non- strategic & non- of encryption methods. operational role), all statutory organizations, Cryptography has emerged as a powerful executive bodies, business and commercial tool that can help to assure the confidentiality, establishments, including public sector non-repudiability and integrity of information in undertakings and academic institutions and all

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 164 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY citizens (including Personnel of Government / C: All citizens (including personnel of Business performing non-official / personal Government / Business (G/B) performing functions). non- Vision: To enable information security official / personal functions). environment and secure transactions in Cyber G2G: Government to Government users Space for individuals, businesses, Government G2B,G2C,B2G & C2G: Government to including nationally critical information Business & Government to Citizen users systems and networks. B2B: Business to Business users Mission: To provide confidentiality of B2C & C2B: Business to Citizen users information in cyber space for individuals, 2. Use of Encryption technology for storage and protection of sensitive or proprietary information communication within G group of users for individuals & businesses, ensuring with protocols & algorithms for Encryption, continuing reliability and integrity of nationally key exchange, Digital Signature and critical information systems and networks. hashing will be as specified through Objectives notification by the Government from time i) To synchronize with the emerging global to time. digital economy / network society and use 3. Use of Encryption technology for of Encryption for ensuring the Security / communications between G group and B / confidentiality of data and to protect privacy C groups (i.e. in information and communication G2B and G2C sectors) with protocols and infrastructure without unduly affecting algorithms for encryption, key exchange, public safety and National Security. Digital Signature and hashing will be as ii) To encourage wider usage of Digital specified through notification by the Signature by all entities including Government from time to time. Government for trusted communication, 4. Users / Organizations within B group (i.e. transactions and authentication. B2B Sector) may use Encryption for storage iii) To encourage the adoption of information and communication. Encryption algorithms security best practices by all entities and and key sizes shall be prescribed by the Stakeholders in the Government, public & Government through Notifications from private sector and citizens that are time to time. On demand, the user shall be consistent with industry practice. able to reproduce the same Plain text and Strategies: encrypted text pairs using the software / 1. Category of Users: Based on the nature of hardware used to produce the encrypted text transactions that require encryption the from the given plain text. Such plain text users in the Policy are classified as: information shall be stored by the user/ G: Govt. - All Central and State Government organisation/agency for 90 days from the Departments (including sensitive date of transaction and made available to departments / agencies while performing Law Enforcement Agencies as and when non-strategic and non-operational role). demanded in line with the provisions of the B: All statutory organizations, executive laws of the country. bodies, business and commercial 5. B / C groups (i.e. B2C, C2B Sectors) may establishments, including all Public Sector use Encryption for storage and Undertakings, Academic institutions. communication. On demand, the user shall reproduce the same Plain text and encrypted text pairs using the software / hardware

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 165 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY used to produce the encrypted text from the While seeking registration, the vendors given plain text. All information shall be shall submit working copies of the stored by the concerned B / C entity for 90 encryption software / hardware to the days from the date of transaction and made Government along with professional available to Law Enforcement Agencies as quality documentation, test suites and and when demanded in line with the execution platform environments. The provisions of the laws of the country. In case vendors shall work with the designated of communication with foreign entity, the Government Agencies in security primary responsibility of providing readable evaluation of their encryption products. plain- text along with the corresponding Complete confidentiality will be Encrypted information shall rest on entity maintained in respect of information (B or C) located in India. shared by the vendors with designated 6. Service Providers located within and agency. The vendors shall renew their outside India, using Encryption technology registration as and when their products for providing any type of services in India are upgraded. Mass use products like SSL must enter into an agreement with the / TLS are exempted from registration. Government for providing such services in 2. The Government will notify the list of India. Government will designate an registered encryption products from time appropriate agency for entering into such to time, without taking responsibility for an agreement with the Service provider security claims made by the vendors. located within and outside India. The users 3. The vendors of encryption products or of any group G,B or C taking such services service providers offering encryption from Service Providers are also responsible services shall necessarily register their to provide plain text when demanded. products / services with Government for 7. Users within C group (i.e. C2C Sector) may conducting business in the country. use Encryption for storage and 4. Government may review this policy from communication. time to time and also during times of Encryption algorithms and key sizes will be special situations and concerns. prescribed by the Government through 5. Encryption products may be exported but Notification from time to time. All citizens (C), with prior intimation to the designated including personnel of Government / Business agency of Government of India. Users in (G/B) performing non-official / personal India are allowed to use only the products functions, are required to store the plaintexts registered in India. of the corresponding encrypted information for 6. Government reserves the right to take 90 days from the date of transaction and provide appropriate action as per Law of the the verifiable Plain Text to Law and Enforcement country for any violation of this Policy. Agencies as and when required as per the Promotion of Research and Development in provision of the laws of the country. Cryptography 8. Algorithms and key sizes for Encryption as 1. Research and Development programs will notified under the provisions in this Policy only be initiated for the development of will be used by all categories of users. indigenous algorithms and manufacture Regulatory Framework of indigenous products for Encryption, 1. Registration: All vendors of encryption hashing and other cryptographic products shall register their products with functions. These will be carried out by the designated agency of the Government.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 166 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Public and Private Sector / Government the northwestern province of Gansu on 25 Agencies and Academia. Continuous September 2015. The rocket delivered a trio of intensified R&D activities in the niche Tianwang satellites and the Pujiang 1 spacecraft areas of technical analysis and evaluation into a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at an of Encryption products will be altitude of about 299 miles (481 km), inclined strengthened. 97.3 degrees. 2. Testing and evaluation infrastructure for The Tianwang CubeSats (1A, 1B and 1C) Encryption products will be set up by the were developed by the Shanghai Engineering Government. Center for Microsatellites (SECM). The satellites 3. Technical Advisory Committee: The will participate in a series of networking technology is advancing at a fast pace. New experiments involving a small constellation of forms of applications / products are low-cost satellites. emerging which employ encryption as The main goal of the mission is to integral part of the product. Many newer experiment with Software Defined Radio (SDR) forms of communications with an intent in space. The amateur radio payloads will be to hide / protect information including used for exchanging Telemetry, Tracking and social network based communication, Command (TT&C) information with the amateur peer-to-peer communication etc are radio ground control station. Information about already becoming very popular. The the telemetry will be made publicly available so encryption deployed in such that radio amateurs around the world may track communication applications / devices and monitor the health of the satellites. uses both fixed and dynamic key The Pujiang 1 micro-satellite, built by the algorithms for key exchanges and Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology Encryption. Government agencies (SAST), is designed to be a technology constantly identify these new forms of demonstrator. It is meant to demonstrate communication. A Technical Advisory miniaturized satellite components like heat Committee will monitor the technology transfer pumps and microprocessors. The development in the area of Cryptography titanium structure of its antenna was made by to make appropriate recommendations on 3D printing in three days. It also features a Wi- all aspects of Encryption policies and Fi router providing a communication network technologies. It will carry out a continual between satellites. follow-up of the National and International The Long March 11 is a small, solid- activities in basic and applied research in fueled quick-reaction launch vehicle developed the science and technology of Encryption by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle However, after public outcry, government Technology (CALT). It uses the most powerful withdrew the controversial draft encryption solid-rocket motor that China currently policy and it would place it in public domain manufactures. It will mainly be used for again after reworking some of the “expressions” launching micro-satellites. that had given rise to “misgivings”. The Long March 11 measures some 6.6 China successfully debuts its Long ft. (2 m) in diameter and is capable of sending March 11 rocket up to 1,500 lbs. to low-Earth orbit (LEO) and 770 China has successfully conducted the debut lbs. to SSO. The rocket uses three solid-fueled launch of its Long March 11 rocket. The new stages with an auxiliary liquid-fueled upper booster lofted four micro-satellites into space module for precise insertion capability. The from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 167 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY vehicle is launched from a launch tube mounted Geosciences Division Physical Research on a road mobile vehicle. Laboratory, Ahmedabad The successful launch of the Long March Engineering Sciences: Dr Yogesh Moreshwar 11 booster marked a major breakthrough for Joshi of Department of Chemical Engineering, China in terms of developing key technology for Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur solid propellant rockets. Long March 11 is the Mathematical Sciences: Dr K Sandeep of TIFR next in a line of launch vehicles being Centre for Applicable Mathematics, Bangalore inaugurated by the country as part of the and Dr Ritabrata Munshi School of Mathematics beginning of a major transition in rocket Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, technology. The nation is switching from a toxic Mumbai propellant combination to what they have Medical Sciences: Dr Vidita Ashok Vaidya of described as environmentally-friendly Department of Biological Sciences Tata Institute propellants for medium and heavy-lift rockets of Fundamental Research, Mumbai and solid propellant for light-lift vehicles. Physical Sciences: Dr Bedangadas Mohanty of The debut of Long March 11 comes just School of Physical Sciences National Institute a few days after the maiden flight of China’s of Science Education and Research, other new booster, the Long March 6 on Sept. Bhubaneswar and Dr Mandar Madhukar 19. During that flight the new rocket orbited a Deshmukh of Department of Condensed Matter swarm of some 20 small satellites. Thursday’s Physics and Materials Science of Tata Institute flight was the 211th mission for the Long March of Fundamental Research, Mumbai rocket family and China’s eight launch of PLSV-C30 successfully launches the year. India’s first dedicated astronomy Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards- research satellite- ‘Astrosat’ 2015 On 28 September 2015,the Polar Satellite CSIR on 26 September 2015 announced Shanti Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C30, has successfully Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and blasted off the India’s first dedicated multi- Technology 2015 for eleven scientists in wavelength astronomy research satellite recognition of their work. The SSB Prize ‘Astrosat’ from the first launch pad of the Satish consists of a citation, a plaque and a cash prize Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and of 5 lakh rupees. The selected awardees in inserted Astrosat into the low earth, equatorial different fields are: orbit of 650 kilometre height. Biological Sciences: Dr Balasubramanian Gopal ASTROSAT aims at understanding the of Molecular Biophysics Unit Indian Institute high energy processes in binary star systems of Science Bangalore and Dr Rajeev Kumar containing neutron stars and black holes, Varshney of Centre of Excellence in Genomics pulsars, white dwarfs, quasars, and active International Crops Research Institute for the galactic nuclei, to estimate magnetic fields of Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad neutron stars, analyse how stars and galaxies Chemical Sciences: Dr D Srinivasa Reddy are actually born and how they ultimately die Division of Organic Chemistry CSIR National and high energy processes in star systems lying Chemical Laboratory, Pune and Dr Pradyut beyond the Milky Way galaxy. The turbo-charged Ghosh of Department of Inorganic Chemistry ‘mini Hubble Telescope’ will be used in Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science ASTROSAT. in Jadavapur, Kolkata The mission also intends to detect new Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary briefly bright X-ray sources in the sky, to Sciences: Dr Jyotiranjan Srichandan Ray of perform a limited deep field survey of the Universe in the ultraviolet region. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 168 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY The 1,531 kilogram satellite has a planned LAPAN-A2 (Indonesian): 76-kg satellite is a lifespan of five years. PSLV-C30, in its extended micro-satellite from the National Institute of version, also positioned six small satellites of Aeronautics and Space and will provide US, Canada and Indonesia into their orbits. This maritime surveillance using automatic marks the first commercial launch of US identification system (AIS). It will support payloads from India. Till recently, the US had Indonesian radio amateur communities for kept ISRO under sanctions and was denied the disaster mitigation and carrying out earth critical cryogenic engine technology which surveillance using video and digital camera. pushed back India’s foray into deep space by two NLS-14 (Ev9), Canada: 14-kg is a maritime decades. monitoring Canadian nano satellite using the Payloads of ASTROSAT next generation AIS. It was designed by the ASTROSAT has five payloads which have been Space Flight Laboratory, University of Toronto developed by ISRO in collaboration with four Institute for Advanced Studies. Indian institutions and two foreign LEMUR nano (USA): These are four non-visual organisations, namely Tata Institute of remote sensing satellites developed by Spire Fundamental Research (TIFR), Indian Institute Global Inc, San Francisco, US with focus of Astrophysics (IIA), Inter-University Centre for primarily on global maritime intelligence Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Raman through vessel tracking via AIS and high-fidelity Research Institute (RRI), Canadian Space weather forecasting using GPS radio occultation Agency (CSA) and University of Leiscester (UoL), technology. UK. With this, ISRO has successfully crossed Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT): capable the half century mark as for foreign satellites. of observing the sky in the Visible, Near ISRO has launched 51 satellites for foreign Ultraviolet and Far Ultraviolet regions of the satellites so far electromagnetic spectrum. The satellite during its mission life will Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter be managed by the spacecraft control centre at (LAXPC): It is designed for study the variations Mission Operations Complex (MOX) of ISRO in the emission of X-rays from sources like X- Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network ray binaries, Active Galactic Nuclei and other (ISTRAC) at Bangalore. cosmic sources. ISRO has been launching mostly Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT): It is designed for application oriented satellites for studying how the X-ray spectrum of 0.3-8 keV telecommunication, broadcasting and remote range coming from distant celestial bodies sensing purposes. However, missions like varies with time. Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan marked Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager (CZTI): significant advances in scientific studies. ISRO functioning in the X-ray region extends the has laid another milestone by establishing capability of the satellite to sense X-rays of high India’s own observatory in space by successfully energy in 10-100 keV range. putting Astrosat into orbit. Astrosat adds a new Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM): It is intended to dimension to India’s space programmes, laying scan the sky for long term monitoring of bright the foundation for a deeper understanding of the X-ray sources in binary stars, and for the Universe and its various exciting phenomena. detection and location of sources that become Though ASTROSAT may be similar to the bright in X-rays for a short duration of time. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, the former is Six foreign satellites about 10 times smaller and cannot be compared PSLV-C30 also carried six small satellites from to the Hubble, which is versatile. USA, Canada and Indonesia. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 169 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY With its successful launch, ISRO asserts, India Ojha first noticed these puzzling features as a will be the only country to have multi- University of Arizona undergraduate student in wavelength space-based observatory capable of 2010, using images from the MRO’s High monitoring intensity variations in a broad Resolution Imaging Science Experiment range of cosmic sources. According to ISRO, the (HiRISE). HiRISE observations now have satellite will have concurrent wide spectral documented RSL at dozens of sites on Mars. The coverage over visible, ultra-violet, soft X-ray and new study pairs HiRISE observations with hard X-ray regions of the spectrum. mineral mapping by MRO’s Compact With its successful launch, India Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for becomes the first country in the developing Mars (CRISM). world to have its own telescope in space and The spectrometer observations show joins a select club of US, Russia, European signatures of hydrated salts at multiple RSL Union and Japan to have such a capability. locations, but only when the dark features were China is still working on its first space relatively wide. When the researchers looked telescope called the ‘Hard X-ray Modulation at the same locations and RSL weren’t as Telescope’. extensive, they detected no hydrated salt. Evidence of liquid water on Mars: Ojha and his co-authors interpret the spectral NASA signatures as caused by hydrated minerals New findings from NASA’s Mars called perchlorates. The hydrated salts most Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) provide the consistent with the chemical signatures are strongest evidence yet that liquid water flows likely a mixture of magnesium perchlorate, intermittently on present-day Mars. Using an magnesium chlorate and sodium perchlorate. imaging spectrometer on MRO, researchers Some perchlorates have been shown to keep detected signatures of hydrated minerals on liquids from freezing even when conditions are slopes where mysterious streaks are seen on as cold as minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit (minus the Red Planet. These darkish streaks appear 70 Celsius). On Earth, naturally produced to ebb and flow over time. They darken and perchlorates are concentrated in deserts, and appear to flow down steep slopes during warm some types of perchlorates can be used as rocket seasons, and then fade in cooler seasons. They propellant. appear in several locations on Mars when Perchlorates have previously been seen temperatures are above minus 10 degrees on Mars. NASA’s Phoenix lander and Curiosity Fahrenheit (minus 23 Celsius), and disappear rover both found them in the planet’s soil, and at colder times. some scientists believe that the Viking These downhill flows, known as missions in the 1970s measured signatures of recurring slope lineae (RSL), often have been these salts. However, this study of RSL detected described as possibly related to liquid water. perchlorates, now in hydrated form, in different The new findings of hydrated salts on the slopes areas than those explored by the landers. This point to what that relationship may be to these also is the first time perchlorates have been dark features. The hydrated salts would lower identified from orbit. the freezing point of a liquid brine, just as salt Scientists in 2008 confirmed the on roads here on Earth causes ice and snow to existence of frozen water on Mars. But the latest melt more rapidly. Scientists say it’s likely a observations from an instrument aboard shallow subsurface flow, with enough water NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter support wicking to the surface to explain the the long-time theory that salt water in liquid darkening. form flows down certain Martian slopes each summer, according to the researchers. ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 170 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MRO has been examining Mars since triangulation(longitude, latitude, and altitude/ 2006 with its six science instruments. The elevation) to locate the user, through discovery is the latest of many breakthroughs calculations involving information from a by NASA’s Mars missions. number of satellites. Each satellite transmits The NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in coded signals at precise intervals. The receiver Pasadena, California, a division of the California converts signal information into position, Institute of Technology, manages the Mars velocity, and time estimates, which allows time Reconnaissance Orbiter Project for NASA’s synchronisation. Using this information, any Science Mission Directorate, Washington. receiver on or near the earth’s surface can Lockheed Martin built the orbiter and calculate the exact position of the transmitting collaborates with JPL to operate it. satellite and the distance (from the China launches 20th Beidou transmission time delay) between it and the navigation satellite receiver. Coordinating current signal data China launched a new-generation satellite into from four or more satellites enables the orbit, that will support its global navigation and receiver to determine its position. positioning network, by a Long March-3B carrier A satellite navigation system with rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center global coverage may be termed a global in the southwestern province of Sichuan on 30 navigation satellite system (GNSS).The present September, 2015. It was the 20th satellite for Satellite based Navigation Satellite Systems the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), are- Indian Regional Navigation Satellite and puts China one step closer to providing an System (IRNSS), India; Global Positioning alternative to the U.S.-operated GPS. For the System (GPS), United States; GLONASS, first time the satellite featured a hydrogen Russia; Doppler Orbitography and Radio- atomic clock. A series of tests related to the positioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS), clock and a new navigation-signal system will France ; Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), be undertaken. Japan and Galileo global navigation satellite The first Beidou satellite was not system (GNSS), European Union. launched until 2000. Nonetheless, by 2012, a WHO removes limitations on HIV regional network had already taken shape, treatment which provided positioning, navigation, timing The World Health Organisation (WHO), on and short message services in China and September 30 2015, has removed all several other Asian countries. The BeiDou was limitations on eligibility for antiretroviral named after the Chinese term for the plough or therapy (ART) among people living with HIV the Big Dipper constellation, the Beidou project soon after diagnosis. With this, all populations was formally launched in 1994, some 20 years and age groups will now eligible for treatment. after GPS. The expanded use of antiretroviral treatment China plans to expand the Beidou is supported by recent findings from clinical services to most of the countries covered in its trials confirming that early use of ART keeps “Belt and Road” initiative by 2018, and offer people living with HIV alive, healthier and global coverage by 2020. reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to Navigation Satellite System partners. Satellite-based navigation system is a system WHO has also recommended that people of satellites that provide autonomous geo-spatial at ‘substantial’ risk of HIV should be offered positioning with global coverage. Satellite-based preventive antiretroviral treatment. navigation systems use a version of

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 171 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY The recommendations were developed as part significantly reduces the power requirement of of a comprehensive update of the WHO the ship that is capable of attaining 15 knots. consolidated guidelines on the use of The ship also has modern power generation, antiretroviral drugs for preventing and treating distribution, navigation and communication HIV infection. This new recommendation follows systems. The unique hull form of the ship up the 2014 WHO guidance that offered a demonstrates the country’s ship design and combination of antiretroviral drugs to prevent shipbuilding capabilities. HIV acquisition, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis INS Astradhani will be used to carry out (PrEP), for men who have sex with men. the technical trials of underwater weapons and Following further evidence of the systems like torpedoes and mines developed by effectiveness and acceptability of PrEP, WHO has developed by NSTL, a naval systems laboratory now broadened this recommendation to support of Defence Research and Development the offer of PrEP to other population groups at Organisation (DRDO). It is an advanced significant HIV risk. PrEP will now be an replacement for Astravahini which was additional prevention choice based on a decommissioned on July 17 this year. comprehensive package of services, including Astravahini was 112 tonne 28.5 m auxiliary HIV testing, counselling and support and access ship. to condoms and safe injection equipment. This induction added thrust to the According to WHO, expanding access to country’s ongoing endeavours towards treatment is at the heart of a new set of targets indigenisation and achieving the goal of self for 2020 with the aim to end the Aids epidemic reliance in underwater weapons development. by 2030. These targets include 90% of people The Eastern Fleet comprises 30 living with HIV being aware of their HIV warships, which include destroyers, stealth infection, 90% of those receiving antiretroviral frigates, amphibious ships, anti-submarine treatment, and 90% of people on ART having no warfare corvette, missile corvettes, offshore detectable virus in their blood. patrol vessels, missile boats, and tankers. It states that according to UN-Aids Earlier last month, the Indian Navy had estimates, expanding ART to all people living also commissioned INS Kochi, the largest India- with HIV and expanding prevention choices can made warship. INS Kochi is the Indian Navy’s help avert 21 million Aids-related deaths and second warship with multi-function 28 million new infections by 2030. surveillance and threat alert radar. Torpedo launch and recovery vessel NASA outline of its plans to send ‘INS Astradharini’ commissioned into humans to Mars Indian Navy The US space agency, National Aeronautics and Addressing a long felt need of the Indian Navy Space Administration (NASA) has released a for a torpedo launch and recovery vessel (TLRV) detailed outline of its plans to send manned 50-metre catamaran hull, India’s first totally mission to Mars in its report titled “NASA’s indigenously designed and built, INS Journey to Mars: Pioneering Next Steps in Astradharini has commissioned at the Naval Space Exploration” on 9 October 2015 with the Jetty in Visakhapatnam on 6 October 2015 and goal of eventually establishing an added to the Eastern Fleet. extraterrestrial colony. In its report, NASA lists The unique design is a collaborative three “thresholds” that need to be crossed before effort of Naval Science and Technological humans can reach Mars. Although the space Laboratory (NSTL), IIT Kharagpur and Shoft agency did not announce a firm date for a Shipyard. The catamaran hull configuration manned mission, humans might be living and working in “Earth independent” habitats on ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 172 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Mars as early as the 2030s — if all goes according Further, NASA mentioned in its report that “the to plan. future Mars missions will represent a The first stage of the plan - “Earth collaborative effort between NASA and its Reliant” exploration - which is already underway partners — a global achievement that marks a focuses on testing technologies and studying the transition in humanity’s expansion as we go to impact of long-duration missions and Mars to seek the potential for sustainable life microgravity on human health through beyond Earth. Living and working in space experiments conducted aboard the International require accepting risks — and the journey to Space Station (ISS). Mars is worth the risks”. The second stage of plan -”Proving With the Space Launch System, Orion Ground” - the space agency will not only conduct crewed module, and revitalised space launch experiments and operations in the cislunar complex, the US space agency is developing core space — the space around the moon — it will transportation capabilities for the journey to also develop and test technologies required for Mars and ensuring continued access for human exploration of Mars. This includes a commercial crew and cargo partners to series of exploration missions — starting with maintain operations and stimulate new the first integrated test of the Space Launch economic activity in low-Earth orbit. System and the Orion spacecraft, tentatively However, before manned missions to Mars scheduled to take place in 2018 — and become a reality, there are certain as-of-yet developing a reliable habitation system that can insurmountable problems that NASA would need keep astronauts healthy and productive in the to address. The average surface temperature deep-space environment during missions that on Mars is approximately minus 80 degrees last up to 1,100 days. NASA will learn to conduct Fahrenheit — much lower than the human body complex operations in a deep space environment can tolerate — and since the planet’s that allows crews to return to Earth in a matter atmosphere is 100 times thinner than Earth’s, of days. astronauts would be subjected to relatively high The final stage - “Earth Independent” - levels of radiation both from the sun and from would implement what NASA learns on the ISS galactic cosmic rays. and in deep space to enable human missions to China launches Tianhui-1C mapping the vicinity of Mars and possibly to low-Mars orbit satellite or one of the Martian moons, and eventually the China on 26 October 2015 successfully launched Martian surface. the Tianhui-1C mapping satellite into its NASA added in the report that, it is also designated orbit from Jiuquan satellite launch committed to designing “a new and powerful centre in the north-western province of Gansu. transportation” system involving solar electric A Long March-2D carrier rocket carried the propulsion, which will use the sun’s energy to Tianhui-1C mapping satellite blasts off from the take spacecraft deeper into space. And other launch pad. The satellite will offer a boost to focus areas include solar electric propulsion country’s ability to carry out scientific with advanced ion thrusters, habitation experiments, land resource surveys, mapping, systems, nuclear fission for Mars surface power, crop yield estimation and disaster relief. EDL [Entry, Descent and Landing] systems, laser The Tianhui-1C, which is the third satellite in communications for high data rate the Tianhui-1 series, was designed by a transmission, deep-space atomic clocks for subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and precise navigation, and many others. in the Technology Corp (CASTC).The first Tianhui 1 report.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 173 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY mapping satellite was launched in August 2010, gap in 2030. Further, report says “Only a and Tianhui 1B was launched in May 2012. dynamic Paris climate agreement in December India test-fires BrahMos Supersonic can help keep global warming under the 2°C Cruise Missile successfully threshold, as the current levels of greenhouse India on 1 November 2015 successfully test-fired gas (GHG) emissions to be cut by 2030 — 11 BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile from INS gigatonnes — is only about half of the total Kochi off the west coast. BrahMos, in its 49th required”. test-firing, successfully destroyed target ship This is even if all conditional and Alleppey which was stationed 290 km away, the unconditional Intended Nationally Determined missile’s full range. The purpose of the test was Contributions (INDCs) of countries submitted to validate capabilities of BrahMos and INS by October 1 are fully implemented, as Kochi, the country’s newest stealth-destroyer, emissions will still be 12 gigatonnes of carbon which was inducted into the navy on 30 dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) beyond the level September 2015. that gives a likely chance of limiting global BrahMos Missile temperature rise to 2°C this century. It is the first supersonic cruise missile known Ahead of the U.N. climate meeting to to be in service and is capable of carrying a commence in December, the UNEP report conventional and nuclear warhead of 300 provides a sense of the scale of the task lying kilogram. It is a two-stage missile having Solid ahead of countries to curb global warming. It propellant in the first stage and Ramjet liquid shows that the 119 INDCs submitted so far propellant in the second stage. It can be represent GHG emission reductions in 2030 of launched from land, Sea, Sub-seas and air. 4 to 6 GtCO2e compared to what the emissions While the navy and army versions of the missile would be under the current policy trajectory. were inducted in 2005 and 2007 respectively, With regard to the various potential scenarios the air version is still in the testing stage. It for the emissions gap in 2025 and 2030, the approaches the enemy target with a top speed report finds the following: of Mach 2.8; which is about three times faster The global emission levels consistent than the US subsonic Tomahawk cruise with a chance of staying below the 2°C limit, missile. following a least-cost pathway from 2020, 48

The missile has been developed by the GtCO2e in 2025 and 42 GtCO2e in 2030.

BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited. It is a joint Emissions are projected to be 54 GtCO2e in 2025

venture between Russian Federation’s NPO and 56 GtCO2e in 2030, if all unconditional Mashinostroeyenia and India’s Defence INDCs are implemented. This gives emission

Research and Development Organisation gaps of 7 GtCO2e and 14 GtCO2e in 2025 and (DRDO) and the missile derives its name from 2030 respectively. the names of two rivers, namely the If conditional INDCs are included, the

Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia. global emissions projection is 53 GtCO2e in

Sixth UNEP Emissions Gap Report- 2025 and 54 GtCO2e in 2030. This would give

2015 emission gaps of 5 GtCO2e and 12 GtCO2e in The United Nations Environment Programme 2025 and 2030 respectively. (UNEP) Emissions Gap report launched on 6 If countries that have not yet submitted November 2015 in Geneva, which confirms that an INDC were to reduce their emissions at the the collective ambition of Intended Nationally same percentage as those that have already Determined Contributions (INDCs) is “far from submitted, the gap would narrow by a further

enough”, leaving a “very significant” emissions 0.5 GtCO2e in 2025 and 1 GtCO2e in 2030.

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 174 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY The report notes that 2030 projections Sustainability Initiative – can also be based on current policies are themselves 5 significant. Preliminary assessments indicate GtCO2e lower than the estimate of 65 GtCO2e an emission reduction in the range of the range by the Inter-governmental Panel for Climate of 0.75 to 2 GtCO2e in 2020. Change (IPCC) fifth assessment report, which This sixth UNEP Emissions Gap Report assumed no additional climate policies, put in provides a scientific assessment of the place after 2010. mitigation contributions from the submitted The report noted, it is clear from the INDCs. As in the previous reports, it then assessment of the mitigation contributions compares the resulting emission levels in 2030 from the INDCs that much more needs to be with what science tells us is required to be on done. It says “This round of INDCs should track towards the agreed target of a global therefore be considered as the first step in average temperature increase below 2°C by 2100. building foundations for a successful global The Report also provides data for the aspirational climate agreement”. target of keeping the temperature increase Forest loss below 1.5°C. In addition, the Report presents The report has a special chapter on Reducing selected areas where enhanced action can be Emissions from Deforestation and Forest taken, accelerated and scaled up to close the Degradation (REDD+), a U.N. programme emissions gap. focussing on opportunity for climate change Indian astronomers detect dying giant mitigation through forest-related actions in radio galaxy developing countries, and finds the theoretical A team of astronomers working at the National potential of reducing forest loss and restoring Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Pune have forests could be as high as 9 GtCO2e/yr in discovered, using the Giant Metrewave Radio Africa, Asia and the Pacific and Latin America Telescope (GMRT), an extremely rare galaxy of and the Caribbean combined. gigantic size. This galaxy - located about 9 billion The report noted, however, economic light years away towards the constellation Cetus and land-use factors may constrain the - emits powerful radio waves and has an end to achievable benefits to around 3 GtCO2e/yr. end extent of a whopping 4 million light years. This reflects the fact that forest loss, which Such galaxies with extremely large radio size reached 7.6 million hectares per year between are appropriately called giant radio galaxies. 2010-2015, accounts for the largest portion of It is believed that the presence of a super emissions from land use, the report notes. massive black hole at the centre of the galaxy While the full potential of REDD+ has not yet drives large scale jets of hot plasma in been reached, many countries are expressing diametrically opposite directions, which their willingness to undertake large-scale eventually give rise to large radio lobes (see forest-related mitigation. image). While radio galaxies with size less than REDD+ also has the potential to a million light years are common, giant radio contribute to the large-scale restoration of galaxies are extremely rare, even more so, at degraded forest landscapes, which would boost large cosmic distances where only a handful food production and support adaptation to have been discovered so far. climate change. This newly discovered galaxy, known by The report finds the impact of actions its scientific name ‘J021659-044920’, is the by International Cooperative Initiatives – such newest member of this elite group. Under some as the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, special circumstances, the central black hole the Compact of Mayors, and the Cement may stop producing the radio jet, and then the

ANALOG IAS INSTITUTE - The Right Choice of Achievers. Page | 175 www.analogeducation.in [email protected] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY bright radio lobes fade away, within a few million Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island off years, due to lack of replenishment. What Odisha coast on 9 November 2015. The Army’s makes J021659-044920 special is that it has Strategic Forces Command, which is entrusted been caught in this dying phase, where the with the task of handling strategic weapons, radio jet appears to have switched off and the launched from a road-mobile launcher. radio lobes have started fading. The fading of All the radar stations, telemetry and the lobes is caused by their losing energy in electro-optical systems along the East Coast two ways: one, by emitting radio waves which monitored the performance of the missile show up as the gigantic radio lobes, and two, by during the entire operation. After accelerating transferring energy to photons from the cosmic to a height of about 600 km, the re-entry microwave background via a process known as vehicle with a dummy payload withstood inverse Compton scattering. scorching temperatures as it re-entered the This latter mechanism leads to faint X- atmosphere and splashed down near the pre- ray emission, which is seen to emanate from designated area in the Bay of Bengal. the radio lobes of this galaxy. Such dying radio The two-stage solid-propelled, surface- objects are best studied using a low frequency to-surface ballistic missile is designed to carry radio telescope such as the GMRT. The GMRT, a one-tonne payload to a distance of 4,000 km. the world’s largest radio telescope facility Advanced ring laser gyro-based Inertial operating at low radio frequencies, is an array Navigation system and Micro Inertial of 30 fully steerable, 45 metre diameter Navigation System in redundant mode guided antennas, spread out over a 30 km region the missile to reach its pre-designated target around Khodad, near Narayangaon town of Pune area. district. For their analysis, the team, led by Agni-IV missile is equipped with 5th Prathamesh Tamhane from the Indian Institute generation onboard computer and distributed of Science Education and Research (IISER-Pune) architecture. It has the latest features to under the supervision of Yogesh Wadadekar at correct and guide itself for in-flight the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, disturbances combined their GMRT observations with Agni-I, II and III and Prithvi are already previous observations made with a slew of in the arsenal of the armed forces, giving them international ground and space based telescope reach of over 3000 kms and providing the facilities. country an effective deterrence capability. By using data from multiple telescopes spanning across the electromagnetic spectrum, they were able to carry out a comprehensive ***** and incredibly detailed analysis of the physical conditions around this distant galaxy. The properties of the magnetic field in the region between galaxies in the distant universe can be understood with these observations. Nuclear weapons-capable strategic missile Agni-IV test-fires successfully India’s 4,000-km range nuclear weapons- capable strategic missile, Agni-IV was successfully test-fired from the launch complex- 4 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam

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