Current Affairs December 2019 September 2020

CURRENT AFFAIRS ORGANIC AND ORGANISED DECEMBERSEPTEMBER 2019 2020

A LETTER FROM MY HEART

Dear IAS Aspirant Friends, It gives me immense happiness to present to you the 360º Current Affairs Magazine for the month of September 2020. I am proud of the dedicated team at IAS WINNISHERS that compiles and edits the Current Affairs. There has been sincere efforts to provide to you the most relevant and important news from the point of view of Interview, Mains and Prelims.

Our mission is to facilitate the current affairs knowledge that is ORGANIC and ORGANISED.

Due to the ongoing unfortunate situation, we fully empathize with your anxiety related to the exam. This exam requires complete focus and dedication, and it becomes all the more relevant in times like these. Believe in your abilities always and keep the spirit high no matter what the situation around. This compilation gives you the right direction and aids you in your preparation for the exam.

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

Contents

1. POLITY & CONSTITUTION...... 7 1.1.NO MCI QUOTA FOR IN-SERVICE CANDIDATES ...... 7 1.2.WHAT IS MISSION KARMAYOGI? ...... 8 1.3.JAMMU & KASHMIR: OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ...... 9 1.4.CEO OF RAILWAY BOARD ...... 9 1.5.OBC SUB-CATEGORISATION: FINDINGS, PROGRESS BY A PANEL SO FAR ...... 10 1.6.WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS ...... 12 1.7.WHAT ARE QUESTION HOUR AND ZERO HOUR, AND WHY THEY MATTER ...... 12 1.8.RAILWAYS PROPOSE TO DECRIMINALISE BEGGING ...... 14 1.9.PAROLE, FURLOUGH NOT AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT ...... 15 1.10.IN SC READING OF BASIC STRUCTURE, THE SIGNATURE OF KESAVANANDA BHARATI ...... 15 1.11.UTTARAKHAND GOVT TO DEVELOP ‘SANSKRIT GRAMS’ ACROSS STATE ...... 17 1.12.PRANAB MUKHERJEE OBITUARY ...... 17 1.13.IN KASHMIR, STILL A LONG WAY TO GO ...... 18 1.14.THE POLITICS OF HATE SPEECH ...... 19 1.15.WHO GAINS AND WHO LOSES FROM THE FARM BILLS? ...... 20 1.16.WHAT IS THE GST COMPENSATION DUE TO STATES? ...... 21 1.17.COURT’S DRIFT AND CHINKS IN THE JUDICIARY’S ARMOUR...... 22 1.18.A CASE FOR DOWN-TO-EARTH GOVERNANCE ...... 24 1.19.IN BLOCKCHAIN VOTING, LEAVE OUT THE GENERAL ELECTION ...... 25 1.20.PARLIAMENT AND ITS PANELS ...... 27 1.21.BREACH OF LEGISLATURE’S PRIVILEGE ...... 28 1.22.NDPS ACT, 1985 ...... 29

2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ...... 29 2.1.JAPAN ANNOUNCES EMERGENCY LOAN FOR INDIA TO FIGHT COVID-19 PANDEMIC ...... 30 2.2.SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE INITIATIVE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION ...... 31 2.3.GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 2020 ...... 32 2.4.5TH BRICS CULTURE MINISTERS MEET ...... 33 2.5.INDIA-US-ISRAEL SUMMIT: COLLABORATION IN 5G TECHNOLOGY ...... 34 2.6.THE NEW CHANGES IN QATAR’S LABOUR LAWS ...... 35 2.7.PYONGYANG JOINT DECLARATION ...... 37 2.8.SRI LANKA'S CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES ...... 38 2.9.REALISM AND THE UNDEMARCATED BORDER ...... 41 2.10.CHINESE ACTION VIOLATES 1993, 1996, AND 2013 BORDER AGREEMENTS ...... 43 2.11.GREAT POWER, LITTLE RESPONSIBILITY ...... 45 2.12.INDIA AND THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS...... 47

All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd.

3. ECONOMY ...... 49 AGRICULTURE& ALLIED ACTIVITIES ...... 49 3.1.AGRICULTURE 4.0...... 49 3.2.INDIA’S SEAFOOD EXPORTS HIT BY DEMAND SLUMP ...... 50 3.3.IJMA LAUNCHES E-MARKET PLACE ...... 50 3.4.BAN ON ONION EXPORT ...... 51 3.5.CAN OVER-RELIANCE ON MSP HARM AGRICULTURAL STATES? ...... 52 ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT ...... 55 3.6.WAIVING OF INTEREST WILL WEAKEN BANKING SECTOR: GOVT TELLS SC ...... 55 3.7.ONE PRODUCT ONE DISTRICT ...... 55 3.8.CUSTOMS TO ROLL OUT PAN-INDIA FACELESS ASSESSMENT ...... 56 3.9.RAJIV MEHARSHI PANEL ...... 57 3.10.INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE SIGNS MOU’s...... 57 3.11.AN ECONOMIC DISASTER FORETOLD ...... 58 3.12.‘$186 BN IMPORT SUBSTITUTION POSSIBLE’ ...... 60 FISCAL & MONETARY POLICY ...... 60 3.13.RANGE FOR FISCAL DEFICIT, DEBT-GDP RATIO ...... 60 3.14.NEW NORMS FOR PRIORITY SECTOR LENDING ...... 61 3.15.RBI’S LOAN RECAST PLAN ...... 62 3.16.GST SHORTFALL ...... 64 3.17.RBI ISSUES DRAFT RUPEE INTEREST RATE DERIVATIVES ...... 67 3.18.FACTORING REGULATION (AMENDMENT) BILL ...... 68 3.19.BANKING REGULATION (AMENDMENT) BILL-2020 ...... 69 3.20.CAG BUSTS MYTH OF REDUCED TAX DISPUTES ...... 70 3.21.RBI ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR UNIFORM COMPLIANCE ACROSS BANKS ...... 72 3.22.WHERE ARE THE FUNDS COLLECTED THROUGH CESS PARKED? ...... 73 3.23.E-WAY BILL GENERATION ...... 74 INDUSTRY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES SECTOR ...... 75 3.24.GOVT ASKS MAJOR PORTS TO USE ONLY LOCALLY BUILT TUG BOATS ...... 75 3.25.WHAT THE OPENING OF WATERWAY WITH BANGLADESH MEANS FOR TRIPURA? ...... 76 3.26.GOVT TARGETS 10,000 CNG OUTLETS IN FIVE YEARS ...... 78 3.27.CLONE TRAINS...... 78 3.28.INDIA’S FIRST BULLET TRAIN PROJECT FACES RESISTANCE ...... 79 3.29.GOVT TO TIGHTEN SCRUTINY OF IMPORTS FROM SEPTEMBER 21...... 80 4. ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY ...... 82 4.1.SHETRUNJI AND BHADAR DAMS ...... 82 4.2.ARGENTINA'S WETLANDS ...... 82 4.3.A FOREST IN MIDDLE OF MUMBAI ...... 83 4.4.PROJECT DOLPHIN...... 83 4.5.KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK ...... 85 4.6.WORLD HASN'T MET A SINGLE AICHI BIODIVERSITY TARGET ...... 85 4.7.UN SECRETARY GENERAL SLAMS INDIA FOR COAL SUBSIDY ...... 86 4.8.INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE EXPLAINED ...... 88

4.9.WORLD OZONE DAY ...... 89 4.10.CHANGES REQUIRED IN PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT ...... 89 4.11.SUPREME COURT ASKS GOVERNMENT TO PLEA TO BAN ART IN LIVESTOCK ...... 90 4.12.KRISHNA GODAVARI BASIN IS AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF METHANE ...... 90 4.13.SONNERATIA ALBA ...... 91 4.14.ENVIRONMENTALISM AT THE CORE ...... 91 5. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ...... 93 SPACE RELATED ...... 93 5.1.INDIA, FRANCE IN DISCUSSION FOR MISSION ALPHA-LIKE EQUIPMENT FOR GAGANYAAN ASTRONAUTS ...... 93 5.2.SEPTEMBER’S FULL MOON OR THE ‘CORN MOON’ ...... 94 5.3.MASSIVE BLACK HOLE MERGER DETECTED ...... 94 5.4.ASTEROIDS AND THE FEAR OF THEIR IMPACTS...... 95 5.5.NASA WANTS TO BUY MOON RESOURCES FROM PRIVATE COMPANIES ...... 96 5.6.LIFE SIGNATURE ON VENUS ...... 97 5.7.PI-PLANET ...... 99 5.8.ULTRAVIOLET AURORA IN COMET 67P ...... 99 5.9.NASA’S SONIFICATION PROJECT ...... 101 5.10.IS THE MOON RUSTING ...... 103 HEALTH AND COVID RELATED ...... 103 5.11.DETECTING CORONAVIRUS USING MASS SPECTROMETER ...... 103 5.12.MAKING INDOOR AIR COOL AND GERM-FREE ...... 104 5.13.ROBOT TO MEASURE COVID-19 PATIENTS’ VITAL SIGNS...... 105 5.14.VIRAL IMMUNOGENICITY TESTING ...... 106 5.15.TATA GROUP TO UNVEIL INDIA’S FIRST CRISPR TEST ...... 107 5.16.RUSSIA’S COVID-19 VACCINE CANDIDATE SPUTNIK V ...... 108 5.17.OXFORD-ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 VACCINE TRIAL PAUSE ...... 109 5.18.HIGHLY EFFECTIVE CORONAVIRUS ANTIBODIES IDENTIFIED MAY LEAD TO PASSIVE COVID-19 VACCINE ...... 111 OTHER NEWS ...... 112 5.19.DID A SUPERNOVA TRIGGER THE LATE DEVONIAN EXTINCTION? ...... 112 5.20.SUPER APPS ...... 113 5.21.SCIENCE BEHIND AIR-BREATHING SCRAMJET ENGINE ...... 115 5.22.INDIGENOUS SIGNALING TECHNOLOGY ...... 116 5.23.POTASSIUM DEFICIENCY IN RICE ...... 116 5.24.IoT SENSORS IN FARMING ...... 117 5.25.STARTUPS USE AI FOR INSTANT QUALITY CHECK OF FARM PRODUCE ...... 118 6. SECURITY ...... 120 6.1.NETRA...... 120 6.2.SWATHI...... 120 6.3.CHINA CONTROLS 1,000 SQ. KM OF AREA IN LADAKH ...... 120 6.4.INDRA 2020 ...... 121 6.5.APACHE HELICOPTERS ...... 121 6.6.TEJAS ...... 122 6.7.SUKHOI SU-30MKI ...... 122 6.8.KAMOV KA-226T ...... 122 6.9.MAAREECH ...... 123

6.10.LOGISTICS SUPPORT AGREEMENT ...... 123 6.11.THE FIVE POINT CONSENSUS ...... 124 6.12.TROPEX EXERCISE ...... 125 6.13.P-7 Heavy Drop System ...... 125 6.14.DRAFTING NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY 2020 ...... 126 6.15.NORTH BANK OF EASTERN LADAKH ...... 126 6.16.DEFENCE ACQUISITION PROCEDURE 2020 ...... 127 6.17.DOWN, BUT NOT OUT: ISLAMIC STATE (IS) ...... 127 6.18.FAKE NEWS ...... 129 6.19.HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR VEHICLE ...... 130 6.20.MILITARY EXERCISES ...... 131

7. SOCIAL ISSUES ...... 134 7.1.THE UN’S GUIDELINES ON ACCESS TO SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ...... 134 7.2.BONDA TRIBE ...... 135 7.3.NUMBER OF ACCIDENTAL DEATHS, SUICIDES GREW IN 2019: NCRB ...... 136 7.4.GENDER IDENTIFIERS ...... 137 7.5.BRADYKININ STORM ...... 138 7.6.STEROIDS ACTION IN THE TREATMENT OF COVID-19 ...... 139 7.7.‘HEALTH IN INDIA’ REPORT ...... 140 7.8.KERALA TOPS IN CARE FOR CHILDREN ...... 142 7.9.NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES (NDPS) ACT ...... 142 7.10.LEVELS AND TRENDS IN CHILD MORTALITY REPORT ...... 143 7.11.MAHARASHTRA HAS BANNED THE SALE OF LOOSE CIGARETTES AND BEEDIS ...... 144 7.12.SECTION 509 IPC ...... 145 7.13.INSURANCE SCHEME FOR FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS FIGHTING COVID-19 EXTENDED FOR 6 MONTHS ...... 146 7.14.SERIAL INTERVAL ...... 147 7.15.BRUCELLOSIS...... 147 7.16.WOMEN NAVY OFFICERS WHO WILL BE THE FIRST COMBAT AVIATORS ...... 148 7.17.SECTION 498A IPC ...... 148 7.18.E-LEARNING IN INDIA ...... 150 7.19.NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS (NCPCR) ...... 151 7.20.LIQUID MEDICAL OXYGEN(LMO) ...... 152 7.21.LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ...... 153 7.22.WEIGHING IN ON THE EFFICACY OF FEMALE LEADERSHIP ...... 153 7.23.DIAGNOSING WHAT AILS MEDICAL EDUCATION ...... 155 8. SCHEMES ...... 157 8.1.PM KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA ...... 157 8.2.ORUNODOI SCHEME ...... 158 8.3.POSHAN MAAH ...... 159 8.4. START-UP VILLAGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME ...... 160 8.5.NATIONAL BAMBOO MISSION ...... 161 8.6.PM MATSYA SAMPADA YOJANA ...... 163 8.7.CRITICAL EVALUATION OF FEW IMPORTANT SCHEMES ...... 164 8.8. VISVAS ...... 165 8.9.e-Kisan Mandi ...... 166

8.10.FIVE STAR VILLAGES SCHEME ...... 167 8.11.SHRAMIK YOJANA ...... 168 8.12.JK-GRAMS ...... 168 8.13. PRADHAN MANTRI JAN VIKAS KARYAKRAM ...... 169 8.14.SPICES ...... 170 8.15.SPIC MACAY ...... 171 8.16.O-SMART SCHEME ...... 171 8.17.STARTUP ECOSYSTEM FOR RURAL AND TRIBAL ENTREPRENEURS ...... 173 8.18.NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME ...... 174 8.19.GROUND WATER USAGE GUIDELINES BY MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI ...... 175 8.20.PLASTIC PARKS SCHEME ...... 176 8.21.MUKHYAMANTRI MAHILA UTKARSH YOJANA(MMUY) ...... 177 8.22. PADHAI TUHAR DWAR ...... 177

9. MISCELLANEOUS/FACTS ...... 179 GEOGRAPHY ...... 179 9.1.TROPICAL STORMS MARCO AND LAURA ...... 179 9.2.TYPHOON HAISHEN HITS JAPAN ...... 179 ART AND CULTURE ...... 179 9.3.GI PROTECTED SAREES AND FABRICS OF INDIA ...... 179 9.4.LINGARAJ TEMPLE ...... 182 9.5.RARE INSCRIPTION UNEARTHED IN ANDHRA PRADESH'S KADAPA DISTRICT ...... 184 9.6.ROGAN’S ART ...... 185 9.7.ANCIENT INDIAN CULTURE ...... 186 9.8.ANCIENT IDOLS OF INDIA ...... 186 9.9.ANCIENT EGYPTIAN CITY ...... 187 9.10.CHENDAMANGALAM SAREE ...... 188 9.11.MUGHALS ...... 189 PERSONS IN NEWS ...... 190 9.12.Dr. S I PADMAVATI ...... 190 9.13.NATIONAL TEACHERS DAY - 5TH SEPTEMBER ...... 191 9.14.SRI VISWANATHA SATYANARAYANA ...... 191 9.15.SWAMI SREE NARAYAN GURUJI ...... 192 9.16.GOVIND SWARUP ...... 193 9.17.AKKITHAM ACHUTHAN ...... 194 OTHER NEWS ...... 195 9.18.SOLAR TREE AT DURGAPUR ...... 195 9.19.KARNATAKA’S FIRST RO-RO TRAIN ...... 196 9.20.MEDBOT ...... 197 9.21.FAMOUS CHILLI OF SIKKIM “DALLE KHURSANI ” GETS GI TAG...... 198 9.22.GLOBAL ECONOMIC FREEDOM INDEX 2020 ...... 198 9.23.DPIIT’s RANKINGS...... 199 9.24.JUUKAN GORGE CAVES...... 201 9.25.13-MILLION-YEAR-OLD FOSSIL APE ...... 201 9.26.HUMAN CAPITAL INDEX ...... 202 9.27.KOSI RAIL MAHASETU...... 203

9.28.SMART CITY INDEX 2020...... 204 9.29.SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS ...... 205 9.30.EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANKING OF STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES...... 206 9.31.NATIONAL TRAINING ACADEMY FOR RURAL SELF EMPLOYMENT TRAINING ...... 207 9.32.‘REAL MANGO’ ...... 208 9.33.PATA AWARDS ...... 208 9.34.U-RISE PORTAL ...... 209

1. POLITY & CONSTITUTION

1.1.NO MCI QUOTA FOR IN-SERVICE CANDIDATES

Relevance: GS 2 - Government policies and intervention in various sectors and issues arising from their implementation

Why in news? A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court held that the Medical Council of India (MCI) cannot devise a quota for in-service candidates in postgraduate medical degree or diploma courses in any State.  State has the legislative competence and authority to provide for a separate source of entry for in-service candidates seeking admission to postgraduate degree/diploma courses in exercise of powers under Entry 25, List III,  MCI is a creation of a statute under Entry 66 of List 1 of the Constitution. The council’s role is to coordinate and determine the standards of medical education.

Entry 66 of union List Co-ordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions

Entry 25 List 3 (concurrent list) Education, including technical education, medical education and universities, subject to the provisions of Entries 63, 64, 65 and 66 of List I; vocational and technical training of labour

What is MCI? The Medical Council of India (MCI) is a statutory body for establishing uniform and high standards of medical education in India till formation of National medical commission. The Council grants recognition of medical qualifications, gives accreditation to medical schools, grants registration to medical practitioners, and monitors medical practices in India. The Medical Council of India (MCI) was set up under the Medical Council Act 1956

Amid allegations of corruption against MCI office bearers and probe into opaque accreditation to medical colleges, the Supreme Court in May 2016 directed the government to set up an oversight committee with the authority to oversee all statutory functions of MCI until the new legislation comes in.  In 2017, after the expiry of the one year term of the first committee, another oversight panel was set up with the approval of the apex court. However, the committee resigned in July 2018 citing non-compliance of their instructions by MCI.  In view of these developments and to put an alternative mechanism in place of MCI so as to bring transparency, accountability and quality in the governance of medical education in the country, it was decided to supersede the MCI through the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018, promulgated on 26th September,2018 and entrust its affairs to a Board of Governors consisting of eminent doctors.

 Till now, the Board of Governors has granted accreditation to more number of medical colleges, increased number of seats and reduced procedural hurdles.  Parliament has passed the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The Bill replaces the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Second Ordinance, 2019 which was promulgated on 21st February, 2019.  The Bill seeks to reduce the time period for supersession of The Medical Council of India (MCI) from three years to two years, with effect from 26th September, 2018, during which the government-constituted Board of Governors will exercise the powers and functions of MCI as assigned under the Indian Medical Council (IMC) Act, 1956.  The 1956 Act provides for supersession of the MCI and its reconstitution within a period of three years from the date of its supersession. In the interim period, the Act requires the central government to constitute a Board of Governors, to exercise the powers of the MCI.  The Bill also increases the strength of the Board appointed by the central government, from seven members to 12 members.  The government will soon come up with the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill that seeks to replace MCI with a National Medical Commission and overhaul the medical education system in India.

1.2.WHAT IS MISSION KARMAYOGI?

Relevance: GS 2 - Role of civil services in democracy

Why in news? Dubbed as the biggest bureaucratic reform initiative, the Union Cabinet approved ‘Mission Karmayogi’, a new capacity-building scheme for civil servants aimed at upgrading the post-recruitment training mechanism of the officers and employees at all levels.

What are the advantages of the new scheme?  This exercise will “radically” improve the government’s human resource management practices and asserted it will use state-of-the-art infrastructure to augment the capacity of civil servants.  Mission Karmayogi aims to prepare Indian civil servants for the future by making them more creative, constructive, imaginative, innovative, proactive, professional, progressive, energetic, enabling, transparent and technology-enabled

How will Mission Karmayogi unfold?  Mission Karmayogiprogramme will be delivered by setting up a digital platform called iGOTKarmayogi. Empowered with specific role-competencies, a civil servant will be able to ensure efficient service delivery of the highest quality standards.  The platform will act as a launchpad for the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB), which will enable a comprehensive reform of the capacity building apparatus at the individual, institutional and process levels.

 NPCSCB will be governed by the Prime Minister’s Human Resource Council, which will also include state Chief Ministers, Union Cabinet ministers and experts. This council will approve and review civil service capacity building programmes.  There will be a Cabinet Secretary Coordination Unit comprising of select secretaries and cadre controlling authorities.  There will be a Capacity Building Commission, which will include experts in related fields and global professionals. This commission will prepare and monitor annual capacity building plans and audit human resources available in the government.  There will be a wholly-owned Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which will govern the iGOT-Karmayogi platform. It will be set up under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.

How will it be funded?  To cover around 46 lakh central employees, a sum of Rs 510.86 crore will be spent over a period of 5 years from 2020-21 to 2024-25. The expenditure is partly funded by multilateral assistance to the tune of $50 million  An appropriate monitoring and evaluation framework will also be put in place for performance evaluation of all users of the iGOT-Karmayogi platform so as to generate a dashboard view of Key Performance Indicators.

1.3.JAMMU & KASHMIR: OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

Relevance: GS 2 - Parliament and state legislature structure organisation and functions

Why in news? The Union Cabinet approved a Bill to introduce Hindi, Kashmiri and Dogri as official languages in Jammu and Kashmir, in addition to Urdu and English.It is not only a fulfilment of a long-pending public demand of the region but also in keeping with the spirit of equality which was ushered after 5 August 2019

1.4.CEO OF RAILWAY BOARD

Relevance: GS 2 - Government policies and intervention in various sectors and issues arising from their implementation

Why in news? As part of restructuring of the Indian Railways on functional lines, decided by the Cabinet in December 2019, the government changed the designations of the Railway Board Members and formally constituted the Railway Board in the new avatar, appointing its first CEO in history. The new board will have four other members.

Composition: CEO: Chairman Railway Board, VK Yadav, is also the Chief Executive Officer now.

Members: 1. Pradeep Kumar, who was Member (Signalling and Telecom) is the new Member (Infrastructure), heading assets like tracks and land. 2. Member Traffic PS Mishra has been redesignated as Member (Operations and Business Development). 3. Member (Traction) Rajesh Tiwari will be Member (Traction and Rolling Stock) after the current incumbent PC Sharma retires end of the month. 4. As is the custom, Tiwari has been made an Officer on Special Duty in the Board. 5. ManjulaRangarajan, who is Financial Commissioner, will be Member (Finance).

 The redesignation is a part of recasting the Railway Board and also trimming the age-old administrative body on functional lines. These changes will also be reflected down the verticals in Railway Board.  As directed by the Cabinet decision, three Member-level posts are surrendered: Member (Staff), Member (Materials Management) and Member (Engineering).  The more contentious part of the restructuring exercise- merger of all eight services into a Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) is still in process and Railways hopes to conclude it before the end of this year.

1.5.OBC SUB-CATEGORISATION: FINDINGS, PROGRESS BY A PANEL SO FAR

Relevance: GS 2 - Government policies and intervention in various sectors and issues arising from their implementation

Why in news? Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court reopened the legal debate on sub- categorisation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for reservations, referring the issue to a larger bench to decide. While this concerns SCs and STs, a Commission has been examining sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBC) for almost three years now.

What is sub-categorisation of OBCs? OBCs are granted 27% reservation in jobs and education under the central government. The question of sub-categorisation arises out of the perception that only a few affluent communities among the over 2,600 included in the Central List of OBCs have secured a major part of this 27% reservation. The argument for sub-categorisation — or creating categories within OBCs for reservation — is that it would ensure “equitable distribution” of representation among all OBC communities.

Who is examining sub-categorisation? The Commission to Examine Sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes took charge on October 11, 2017. It is headed by retired Delhi High Court Chief Justice G Rohini, includes Centre for Policy Studies director Dr J K Bajaj as member, and has two other ex-officio members. Initially constituted with a tenure of 12 weeks ending January 3, 2018, it was granted an extension recently. Until November 2019, the government has spent over Rs 1.70 crore on the Commission including salary and other expenses.

What are its terms of references? It was originally set up with three terms of reference: 1. To examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes or communities included in the broad category of OBCs with reference to such classes included in the Central List; 2. To work out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters in a scientific approach for sub-categorisation within such OBCs; 3. To take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes or communities or sub- castes or synonyms in the Central List of OBCs and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.

Afourth was added on January 22, 2020, when the Cabinet granted it an extension: 4.To study the various entries in the Central List of OBCs and recommend correction of any repetitions, ambiguities, inconsistencies and errors of spelling or transcription.

What have its findings been so far?  In 2018, the Commission analysed the data of 1.3 lakh central jobs given under OBC quota over the preceding five years and OBC admissions to central higher education institutions, including universities, IITs, NITs, IIMs and AIIMS, over the preceding three years. The findings were:  97% of all jobs and educational seats have gone to just 25% of all sub-castes classified as OBCs;  24.95% of these jobs and seats have gone to just 10 OBC communities;  983 OBC communities — 37% of the total — have zero representation in jobs and educational institutions;  994 OBC sub-castes have a total representation of only 2.68% in recruitment and admissions

What is the level of OBC recruitment in central jobs?  As per the 2018-19 annual report of the Department of Personnel and Training (accessed online on August 28, 2020), OBC representation is 13.01% in group-A central government services, 14.78% in group-B, 22.65% in group-C (excluding safai karmacharis) and 14.46% in group-C (safai karmacharis).

What are the data that shows the lack of representation of OBCs?  According to an RTI-based report last year, there was not a single professor and associate professor appointed under the OBC quota in central universities. The data showed that 95.2% of the professors, 92.9% of associate professors and 66.27% of assistant professors were from the general category (which may also include SCs, STs and OBCs who had not availed the quota). At assistant professor level, representation of OBCs was just 14.38%.

Challenges for the commission :  A hurdle for the Commission has been the absence of data for the population of various communities to compare with their representation in jobs and admissions.  On August 31, 2018 the government had announced that in Census 2021, data of OBCs will also be collected, but since then the government has been silent on this.

 The Commission wrote to Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot on December 12, 2018, with a request for an appropriate Budget provision for a proposed all-India survey for an estimate of the caste-wise population of OBCs. But no actions are taken yet.

1.6.WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS

Why in news? India has just two universities among the world's top 400, as per World University Rankings 2021 released on Wednesday by the UK-based Times Higher Education (THE).

 Among Indian institutions, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc in Bengaluru) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, are the two in the world's top 400. While IISc has been placed in the 301-350 groupings, IIT Ropar is in the 351-400 bracket.  In the last edition of the World University Rankings, India had three. IIT Indore was the other institute, which finds itself in the 401-500 bracket this year. After these three, India has 15 universities in the 600-800 bracket.  This year's rankings are interesting as, for the first time, India's top seven IITs have boycotted THE voicing concerns about its transparency.  It said India's new education policy and its intention of internationalisation could improve country's performance in future. And at present, of the five major parameters of the World University Rankings, Indian university are generally placed low in terms of international outlook and citation impact of research papers.

1.7.WHAT ARE QUESTION HOUR AND ZERO HOUR, AND WHY THEY MATTER

Relevance: GS 2 - Parliament and state legislature structure organisation and functions

Why in news? The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariats notified that there will be no question hour during the monsoon session of Parliament, which has been truncated to September 14- October 1 in view of the covid-19, and that Zero Hour will be restricted in both Houses. Opposition MPs have criticised the move, saying they will lose the right to question the government.

What is Question Hour, and what is its significance? Question Hour is the liveliest hour in Parliament. It is during this one hour that Members of Parliament ask questions of ministers and hold them accountable for the functioning of their ministries. The questions that MPs ask are designed to elicit information and trigger suitable action by ministries. With the broadcasting of Question Hour since 1991, Question Hour has become one the most visible aspects of parliamentary functioning.Prior to Independence, the first

question asked of government was in 1893. It was on the burden cast on village shopkeepers who had to provide supplies to touring government officers.

What is Zero Hour?  While Question Hour is strictly regulated, Zero Hour is an Indian parliamentary innovation. The phrase does not find mention in the rules of procedure. The concept of Zero Hour started organically in the first decade of Indian Parliament, when MPs felt the need for raising important constituency and national issues.  During the initial days, Parliament used to break for lunch at 1 pm. Therefore, the opportunity for MPs to raise national issues without an advance notice became available at 12 pm and could last for an hour until the House adjourned for lunch. This led to the hour being popularly referred to as Zero Hour and the issues being raised during this time as Zero Hour submissions.

How is Question Hour regulated? Parliament has comprehensive rules for dealing with every aspect of Question Hour. And the presiding officers of the two houses are the final authority with respect to the conduct of Question Hour.

How frequently is Question Hour held? The process of asking and answering questions starts with identifying the days on which Question Hour will be held. At the beginning of Parliament in 1952, Lok Sabha rules provided for Question Hour to be held every day. Rajya Sabha, on the other hand, had a provision for Question Hour for two days a week. A few months later, this was changed to four days a week. Then from 1964, Question Hour was taking place in Rajya Sabha on every day of the session.

Question Hour in both Houses is held on all days of the session. But there are two days when an exception is made.  There is no Question Hour on the day the President addresses MPs from both Houses in the Central Hall. The President’s speech takes place at the beginning of a new Lok Sabha and on the first day of a new Parliament year.  Question Hour is not scheduled either on the day the Finance Minister presents the Budget.

How do ministers prepare their answers? Ministries receive the questions 15 days in advance so that they can prepare their ministers for Question Hour. They also have to prepare for sharp follow-up questions they can expect to be asked in the House. Governments officers are close at hand in a gallery so that they can pass notes or relevant documents to support the minister in answering a question.

Is there a limit to the number of questions that can be asked? Rules on the number of questions that can be asked in a day have changed over the years. In Lok Sabha, until the late 1960s, there was no limit on the number of unstarred questions that could be asked in a day. Now, Parliament rules limit the number of starred and unstarred questions an MP can ask in a day. The total number of questions asked by MPs in the starred and unstarred categories are then put in a

random ballot. From the ballot in Lok Sabha, 20 starred questions are picked for answering during Question Hour and 230 are picked for written answers.

Have there been previous sessions without Question Hour? Parliamentary records show that during the Chinese aggression in 1962, the Winter Session was advanced. The sitting of the House started at 12 pm and there was no Question Hour held. Before the session, changes were made limiting the number of questions. Thereafter, following an agreement between the ruling and the Opposition parties, it was decided to suspend Question Hour.

1.8.RAILWAYS PROPOSE TO DECRIMINALISE BEGGING

Relevance: GS 2 - Government policies and intervention in various sectors and issues arising from their implementation

Why in news? As part of an exercise to decriminalise/rationalise penalties under the provisions of the Railway Act, 1989, the Ministry of Railways has proposed to decriminalisebegging on trains or railway premises and compound the offence of smoking by levying spot fine and dropping all charges/action against the person involved.

 Section 144(2) of the Act says that if any person begs in any railway carriage or upon a railway station, he shall be liable for punishment as provided under sub- section (1), which prescribes imprisonment for a term that may extend to one year, or with fine that may extend to ₹2,000, or with both.  The railways now propose to amend the Section stating that “No person shall be permitted to beg in any railway carriage or upon any part of the Railway”.

Smoking Section 167 of the Act says that no person in any compartment of a train shall, if objected to by any other passenger, smoke therein. Irrespective of any objections raised, the railway administration may prohibit smoking in any train or part of a train. Whosoever contravenes these provisions shall be punishable with fine that may extend to Rs 100.  The railways now propose to amend this Section, saying: “Provided that if the person liable to pay the fine under this section is willing to pay such fine immediately, the officer authorised may compound the offence by charging the maximum fine payable under the section concerned, and the sum so recovered shall be paid to the railway administration. Provided further that the offender against whom the offence is compounded shall be discharged and no further proceeding shall be taken against him/her in respect of such offence”.  A couple of years ago, the Delhi High Court, while quashing provisions in the law that made begging in the national capital a punishable offence, said: “Criminalising begging is a wrong approach to deal with the underlying causes of the problem...The State simply cannot fail to do its duty to provide a decent life to its citizens and add insult to injury by arresting, detaining and, if necessary, imprisoning persons who beg in search for essentials of bare survival”.

1.9.PAROLE, FURLOUGH NOT AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT

Why in news? Expressing concern over crimes being committed by prisoners on parole, furlough or by those prematurely released, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sent an advisory to states, asking them to exercise due diligence in releasing prisoners and follow the guidelines it issued.

What are the guidelines issued ?  Release on parole is not an absolute right” and is a “concession”, and has asked states to review their existing practices for such an exercise.  The ministry has asked states to not release prisoners who are considered a threat to the security of the state or to individuals, and not grant such concessions as a “matter of routine” to those involved in heinous crimes  Imprisonment besides being a mode of punishment also aims at protecting the society from criminal activities. A balance is, therefore, considered essential between ensuring the rights of inmates and protecting the society from further harm  The ministry has said that prison is a state subject and all states have their own rules for parole, furlough, remission and premature release based on good conduct of the prisoners. It has, however, said that concerns have been raised about such prisoners committing crimes once out of jail and thus states must carefully regulate release of prisoners.

It has asked states to include four new provisions in guidelines for release of prisoners: 1. Grant of parole and furlough to those offenders whose release may have adverse impact on the security of the State or safety of individuals may be strictly restricted. 2. The parole rules of states, including the criteria, duration and frequency, may be reviewed after making an assessment based on their experience about the benefits and detriments of such parole. 3. Parole and furlough may not be granted as a matter of routine and may be decided by a committee of officers and behavioural experts, who may meet as per requirement, keeping in view all relevant factors, especially for inmates sentenced for sexual offences and serious crimes such as murder, child abduction, violence etc. 4. It may be useful to invariably include an expert psychologist/ criminologist/ correctional administration expert as a member of the sentence review board and in the committee which decides grant of parole and furlough to inmates and obtain their opinion before such temporary release.

1.10.IN SC READING OF BASIC STRUCTURE, THE SIGNATURE OF KESAVANANDA BHARATI

Relevance: GS 2 - Judiciary and it's functions

Why in news? The landmark ruling in which the Supreme Court announced the basic structure doctrine was in the case of His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru and Ors v State of Kerala. Kesavananda Bharati, the man who lent his name to this iconic case as the petitioner, passed away on 6th September 2020.

The ruling is considered among the most consequential decisions by the Supreme Court as it set out the “basic structure” of the constitution that Parliament cannot amend.

Who was Kesavananda Bharati? Kesavananda Bharati was the head seer of the Edneer Mutt in Kasaragod district of Kerala since 1961. He left his signature in one of the significant rulings of the Supreme Court when he challenged the Kerala land reforms legislation in 1970.

What was the case about? The case was primarily about the extent of Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution.  First, the court was reviewing a 1967 decision in Golaknath v State of Punjab which, reversing earlier verdicts, had ruled that Parliament cannot amend fundamental rights  Second, the court was deciding the constitutional validity of several other amendments. Notably, the right to property had been removed as a fundamental right, and Parliament had also given itself the power to amend any part of the Constitution and passed a law that it cannot be reviewed by the courts

The executive vs judiciary manoeuvres displayed in the amendments ended with the Kesavananda Bharati case, in which the court had to settle these issues conclusively.

What did the court decide?  In its majority ruling, the court held that fundamental rights cannot be taken away by amending them. While the court said that Parliament had vast powers to amend the Constitution, it drew the line by observing that certain parts are so inherent and intrinsic to the Constitution that even Parliament cannot touch it.  However, despite the ruling that Parliament cannot breach fundamental rights, the court upheld the amendment that removed the fundamental right to property. The court ruled that in spirit, the amendment would not violate the “basic structure” of the Constitution.  Kesavananda Bharati, in fact, lost the case. But as many legal scholars point out, the government did not win the case either

What is the basic structure doctrine? Its origin: The origins of the basic structure doctrine are found in the German Constitution which, after the Nazi regime, was amended to protect some basic laws. The original Weimar Constitution, which gave Parliament to amend the Constitution with a two-thirds majority, was in fact used by Hitler to his advantage to made radical changes. Learning from that experience, the new German Constitution introduced substantive limits on

Parliament’s powers to amend certain parts of the Constitution which it considered ‘basic law’.

In India :  In India, the basic structure doctrine has formed the bedrock of judicial review of all laws passed by Parliament.  No law can impinge on the basic structure.  What the basic structure is, however, has been a continuing deliberation.  While parliamentary democracy, fundamental rights, judicial review, secularism are all held by courts as basic structure, the list is not exhaustive.

1.11.UTTARAKHAND GOVT TO DEVELOP ‘SANSKRIT GRAMS’ ACROSS STATE

Relevance: GS 2 - Functions and responsibilities of union and state legislature

Why in news? After noting significant progress in a pilot programme to teach Sanskrit to residents of two villages in Uttarakhand, the state government gave it a go-ahead to authorities to develop ‘Sanskrit grams’ across the state.

 Sanskrit is the second official language in Uttarakhand. At a meeting of the Uttarakhand Sanskrit Academy, chaired by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, a list of villages was selected for the programme — to be run first at the district level and then at the block level for promotion of the language.  The state government currently runs 97 Sanskrit schools, where an average of 2,100 students study each year.  The Uttarakhand government has chosen villages from the districts of Haridwar, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Nainital, Almora, Pithoragarh, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar.

1.12.PRANAB MUKHERJEE OBITUARY

Relevance: Lessons from the lives of administrators

Having traversed the deceitful maze that New Delhi is since 1969, Mr. Mukherjee knew where power flowed from. He became the 13th president of India in 2012. And the long walks continued even after he left office in 2017, until August 9, when he walked 8 km — four in the morning, four in the evening. He also wrote his diary as he had done every day for decades.

A raconteur who could tell not only about British parliamentary precedents but also pick up random newspaper reports such as about competitive eater Rappai of Kerala who could clean off copious amounts of food, Mr. Mukherjee had everything on his fingertips. When he was not talking, he was reading — either files or books.

Important achievements of his times  He was appointed head of Planning Commission in 1991 and foreign minister in 1995.  Mr. Mukherjee was the Finance Minister in the early 1980s, and the grip over economic actors that he gained would remain handy for the rest of his life. He held the three of the four big portfolios — Defence, Finance and External Affairs.  He signed the nuclear agreement with the United States in 2008.  In 2018, the Government of India Announced Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour of the country, for him.

1.13.IN KASHMIR, STILL A LONG WAY TO GO

Relevance: GS 2 - Functions and responsibilities of union and state legislature

Background: In August last year, parliament removed Articles 370 and 35A of the constitution from the statute book, effectively emasculating the special status of Jammu And Kashmir (J&k). It followed this up by carving out two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh from the State of J&K.

Why in news? The asymmetric character of the Indian federal structure notwithstanding, the manner in which the changes were effected caused a great deal of dissonance. Criticism was, nevertheless, muted given assurances that the step would ensure a more closely integrated Indian Union.

Unrealised goals, concerns  Levels of violence continue to remain high, broadly approximating to what existed in earlier periods.  The incarceration of several senior political leaders for several months under various provisions of the law, including the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, has, meanwhile, undermined faith in the Centre’s commitment to an early return to orderly political discourse.  Among other major concerns has been the difficulty faced by the populace in accessing information, following the snapping of high speed Internet connections. Students, in particular, have faced serious problems on account of the lack of access to high speed Internet  Another has been the State government’s announcement (in May this year), to notify the J&K Grant of Domicile Certificate Procedure Rules, 2020 and set a fast track process in motion. The latest notification allows non-locals to apply for domicile certificates, thus potentially opening the floodgates for ‘outsiders’ to settle in the State, acquire property, and also apply for jobs in an already scarce job market.  The inability of local businesses to compete with goods from outside is another of their special concerns.

Way forward:

 Restoring normalcy should be an urgent priority even if many of the senior political leaders in Kashmir belonging to the National Conference, the People’s Democratic Party, or PDP, the J&K Congress, and the J&K Peoples’ Conference appear highly critical of the Centre’s policies.  An intense debate must start as to where we go from here. Introspection after the initial one year has become essential.

1.14.THE POLITICS OF HATE SPEECH

Relevance: GS 2 - Issues related to Fundamental Rights

Why in news? For years, Facebook has made us believe that it is committed to enforcing its policies against hate speech and misinformation. However, the recent article by The Wall Street Journal has made it clear that Facebook is not only deliberately unequipped in its handling of hate speech, but has also adopted different approaches in its treatment of hate speech in India as compared to other developed nations.

Change in it's policy in USA : In the run-up to the presidential election in the U.S., Facebook’s CEO announced that the company will change its policies to prohibit hate speech in its advertisements. Facebook also announced that it will fix labels on posts that violate hate speech or other policies. It will also not only remove posts that incite violence or attempt to suppress voting, including posts by political leaders, but also ramp up its teams for detecting and acting against hateful content. To show its commitment towards these new policies, it has even removed posts and ads from Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign over their use of Nazi imagery.

In India : However, in India, the company seems to follow a completely different set of rules. The company has taken no such action against hate speech, misinformation and the threats, bigotry and harassment which thrive on the platform here. This is despite evidence that the hate speech against minorities published on Facebook has time and again led to deadly violence.The continuous spread of fake news has invigorated hate crimes in India, the most recent being the riots in Delhi this year.

Issues ;  Facebook is unequal in its treatment of hate speech.  In an interview to TIME magazine, Facebook had said that it has functional hate speech detection algorithms in more than 40 languages worldwide. India has nearly 800 languages, of which 22 are official languages. Of these, only four — Hindi, Bengali, Urdu and Tamil — are covered by Facebook’s algorithms.  Disparity thus leaves the minorities and the marginalised groups of India most vulnerable.  Facebook in India is driven by profits,Thus, it is in the interest of Facebook that people find communities with similar views, even if such views are used as a tool

to spread and encourage hate speech, racism, misogyny, Islamophobia or homophobia.

Way forward:  It is time that we call for transparency and accountability in Facebook. The company must not disregard the interests of our marginalised and minority groups which might not be of any significance to it but on whose shoulders it reaps profits.

1.15.WHO GAINS AND WHO LOSES FROM THE FARM BILLS?

Relevance: GS 2 - Transport and marketing of agricultural produce

Background Farmers have taken to the streets, protesting against three bills on agriculture market reforms that were passed by Parliament last week and will become laws once they are signed by the President. In Punjab and Haryana, bandhs were observed, with blocked roads and mass rallies. Opposition parties and farmers groups across the political spectrum have expressed concern that the laws could corporatise agriculture, threaten the current mandi network and State revenues and dilute the system of government procurement at guaranteed prices.

What are the three Bills? The Bills which aim to change the way agricultural produce is marketed, sold and stored across the country were initially issued in the form of ordinances in June. 1. The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, allows farmers to sell their harvest outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis without paying any State taxes or fees. 2. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, facilitates contract farming and direct marketing. 3. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, deregulates the production, storage, movement and sale of several major foodstuffs, including cereals, pulses, edible oils and onion, except in the case of extraordinary circumstances. The government hopes the new laws will provide farmers with more choice, with competition leading to better prices, as well as ushering in a surge of private investment in agricultural marketing, processing and infrastructure.

Will farmers get minimum support price?  Most of the slogans at the farmers’ protests revolve around the need to protect MSPs, or minimum support prices, which they feel are threatened by the new laws. These are the pre-set rates at which the Central government purchases produce from farmers, regardless of market rates, and are declared for 23 crops at the beginning of each sowing season.  None of the laws directly impinges upon the MSP regime. However, most government procurement centres in Punjab, Haryana and a few other States are located within the notified APMC mandis. Farmers fear that encouraging tax-free private trade outside the APMC mandis will make these notified markets unviable, which could lead to a reduction in government procurement itself.

Why are protests vociferous in some States?  More than 85% of wheat and paddy grown in Punjab, and 75% in Haryana, is bought by the government at MSP rates. Farmers in these States fear that without MSPs, market prices will fall.  These States are also most invested in the APMC system, with a strong mandi network, a well-oiled system of arthiyas or commission agents facilitating procurement, and link roads connecting most villages to the notified markets and allowing farmers to easily bring their produce for procurement.  The Punjab government charges a 6% mandi tax (along with a 2.5% fee for handling central procurement) and earns an annual revenue of about ₹3,500 crore from these charges.

What are some other concerns?  One of the major concerns raised by regional political parties and non-BJP State governments is that agriculture falls in the State list, arguing that the Centre should not be making legislation on this subject at all. They are concerned about the loss of revenue from mandi taxes and fees, which currently range from 8.5% in Punjab to less than 1% in some States.  States such as Chhattisgarh and Odisha have only seen procurement increase over the last five years, after the implementation of decentralised procurement. Paddy farming has received a major boost with procurement at MSPs and farmers fear their newly assured incomes are at stake  Some economists and activists say both Punjab and Rajasthan are considering legal measures to expand the bounds of their APMC mandi yards to ensure that they can continue collecting taxes on all agricultural trade within their State’s borders.  Act could bring large corporate players into the agriculture space. Although they will bring much-needed investment, they could also skew the playing field, with small farmers unlikely to match them in bargaining power.

1.16.WHAT IS THE GST COMPENSATION DUE TO STATES?

Relevance: GS 2 - Issues related to Federal structure

Background: The 41st meeting of the GST Council was held on August 27 with the singular agenda of finding a solution to the question of how best to ensure that the compensation payable to the States as part of the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax continues to be paid. The background for the meeting was the fact that the Centre and the States were cognisant of the substantial impact on GST collections from the last fiscal year’s economic slowdown and more recently the lockdowns and COVID-19-related curbs that have severely shrunk the economy. At the meeting, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the GST Compensation Fund was projected to face a shortfall of about Rs 2.35 lakh crore at the end of the current financial year and suggested two borrowing options that the States could choose from to bridge the shortfall.

What is the GST compensation?  The Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016, was the law which created the mechanism for levying a nationwide GST. Written into this law was a provision to compensate the States for loss of revenue arising out of implementation of the GST.  The adoption of the GST was made possible by the States ceding almost all their powers to impose local-level indirect taxes and agreeing to let the prevailing multiplicity of imposts be subsumed under the GST. While the States would receive the SGST (State GST) component of the GST, and a share of the IGST (Integrated GST), it was agreed that revenue shortfalls arising from the transition to the new indirect taxes regime would be made good from a pooled GST Compensation Fund for a period of five years that is set to end in 2022.This corpus in turn is funded through a compensation cess that is levied on so-called ‘demerit’ goods.

1.17.COURT’S DRIFT AND CHINKS IN THE JUDICIARY’S ARMOUR

Relevance: GS 2 - Functioning of Judiciary

Background The decision of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of Prashant Bhushan’s Contempt Case, and the second was the retirement of Justice Arun Mishra. These events, in their own way, magnify the chinks in the armour of the Supreme Court.

The Bhushan case In the first instance, the Supreme Court, in a display of self-proclaimed “magnanimity”, let off Mr. Bhushan with a fine of one rupee in the contempt case against him over two tweets.In the alternative, the top court ordered for a three-month imprisonment term and three years’ debarment from practice. The Court chastised him for his “conduct”, which, according to the Court, “reflects adamance and ego, which has no place to exist in the system of administration of justice and in noble profession, and no remorse is shown for the harm done to the institution to which he belongs”.

Criticism :  At the background of the case the role of the office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in facilitating the creation of an executive court cannot be ignored.Through these judgments, the CJI defended the “master of the roster” system, indicating that the CJI was entitled to have unrestricted and untrammelled power in matters of case allocation.  The “master of the roster” system was designed for a different era, and indeed, may have worked well in the past even, when we had very tall judges, and judicial independence was rarely doubted. But things have changed now.  the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act was struck down by the Court on grounds of excessive executive interference in the selection of judges. But surely, this judgment is of no use if executive interference is anyway possible in more subtle ways.

 There is no need to expend energy in packing the Supreme Court with pro- government judges.  Unfortunate precedents in the recent past where CJIs have, without compunction, accepted politically-coloured post-retirement opportunities, have not really helped.  The combination of opaque systems like the “master of the roster”, and a certain kind of CJI are sufficient to destroy all that is considered precious by an independent judiciary.  The other thing to note is that these “reliable” judges not only ensure that the pro- executive nature of the Court is sustained, but also serve to protect the CJI in times of crises.

Way forward:  There is enough evidence that the “master of the roster” system does not work any more.  What we need today is legal certainty, and a rules-based mechanism for allocation of cases (e.g., as followed by the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, among many other jurisdictions where cases are decided not by full courts but by benches).This rule can be that cases are allocated randomly. But any kind of rule can be implemented only if judges themselves take a stand and decide.  There should be agreement that no discretion can be allowed, for that is the root cause of so many of our troubles.  A case allocation system that is neutral and rules-based will prevent bench packing, and demonstrate neutrality, impartiality, and transparency.  All this, in turn, ensures that courts are protected from outside interference; improves public confidence in the impartiality and independence of the judiciary; assures litigants of equality and fairness; and protects basic rights and freedoms by not compromising on them

What is executive court?  An Executive court is a court that fails to keep a check on the executive powers. It means that a court instead of being neutral and impartial in its judgements delivers verdicts in the favour of the Government.  This in turn leads to political interference in the functioning of Judiciary, shatters the image of the judiciary in the eyes of people and leads to loss of trust and confidence of people in Judiciary.

1. Acceptance of Post-retirement Jobs by the Judges 2. Pro-Government CJI 3. Master of Roster

What does master of roster mean ? Master of Roster system: Master of Roster which refers to the privilege of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to constitute benches to hear cases. Roster is prepared by the Registrar of Supreme Court under the orders of CJI.

Procedure to allocate cases:

 There is no written procedure in the top court that is followed to allocate cases.  When a case is filed, its details and subject matter are scrutinized by the SC registry, which receives and processes all documents.  The cases are then categorised on the basis of subject matter. There are 47 broad categories such as letter petitions, public interest matters, taxation, service matters and criminal appeals. Each category has multiple sub-categories.  The registry notifies the roster for the benches, which is done on the basis of the subjects (or categories), and the CJI approves it. More than one bench is allocated the same subject matter.  The CJI can issue a specific instruction to list a case before a particular bench. The CJI, as the master of roster, has the right to mark the sensitive cases to specific benches. As the institution’s head, the CJI also has the discretion to setup larger benches.  The CJI is informed by registry officials that a case is sensitive. It is then left to the CJI to decide if he wants to mark it as per the roster, retain it with himself or let another bench hear it.  As per convention, the CJI, on being informed in advance, either hears the matter or refers it to the top four judges in seniority after him.

1.18.A CASE FOR DOWN-TO-EARTH GOVERNANCE

Relevance: GS 2 - Important aspects of governance

Strong local governance remains the unfinished agenda to make India’s democracy strong and deep

It is about money  Around the world, electoral democracies have become infected by the disease of funding political parties and elections. Money is required to win elections legitimately, even when people are not bribed to vote, which is illegitimate.  Thus, the race to raise more money for legitimate electioneering purposes can corrupt the process of funding parties and elections. Solutions are not easy because the right to free speech, and to put one’s money where one’s mouth is, is a fundamental right that cannot be denied as the Supreme Court of the United States ruled.  Debates within India’s Parliament, in which all members have been elected by the world’s most impressive election machinery, hardly inspire citizens’ confidence in their representatives’ ability to govern the country.

Process and deliberations  The problem in electoral democracies is not only with the process by which representatives are elected, but also in the conduct of their deliberations when they come together. This problem is not due to the quality of the individuals — whether they are ‘educated’ or not or even whether they have criminal records or not. It is inherent in the design of the process for electing representatives.

 Representatives of the people must be chosen by smaller electorates within geographical constituencies. However, when they meet together in the national chamber, they are expected to govern the whole country. They must shed their local hats and put on a national hat to consider what will be best for the whole country. However, if the people who elected them find they are not protecting local interests, they will not be elected again.  All representatives need not be heard from in Parliament. One can speak for many. It is easier to form effective governments in electoral democracies when there are fewer parties.When there are too many parties and too many contradictory points of view to be accommodated within a coalition, governance can break down.

Citizens must solve issues  No doubt, electoral funding must be cleaned up, and democracy within political parties improved to make representative democracy work better.  Citizens must appreciate that they have to be the source of solutions, and not become only the source of problems for governments and experts to solve for them.  Citizens must learn to listen to each other’s perspectives in their villages and in their urban neighbourhoods. Those with the most needs in the community must be enabled to participate, alongside the most endowed, in finding solutions for all.

1.19.IN BLOCKCHAIN VOTING, LEAVE OUT THE GENERAL ELECTION

Relevance: GS 2 - Electoral reforms

The idea of further digitising India’s electoral infrastructure is problematic and could hinder free and fair polls.

Why in news? The Election Commission of India has for a while now been toying with the idea of further digitising the electoral infrastructure of the country. In furtherance of this, the Election Commission had, last month, held an online conference in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency (“TNeGA”) and IIT Madras, through which they explored the possibility of using blockchain technology for the purpose of enabling remote elections. While this exploration is still only in the nascent stages, there are several concerns that must be considered at the offset with utmost caution.

What are the merits of the new reform?  Arguments in favour of remote voting are plenty.  In the way the envisioned system has been described, ‘remote voting’ would appear to benefit internal migrants and seasonal workers, who account for roughly 51 million of the populace (Census 2011), and who have, as a matter of record, faced considerable difficulties in exercising their democratic right of voting.  The envisioned solution might also be useful for some remotely-stationed members of the Indian armed forces, though it should be noted that, for the most part, vote casting has not been an issue for those serving in even the remotest of

places including the Siachen Glacier, which, given its altitude, is considered to be the ‘highest battleground’ on the planet.

Key issues, security concerns  Digitisation and interconnectivity introduce additional points of failure external to the processes which exist in the present day. The system envisioned by the Election Commission is perhaps only slightly more acceptable than a fully remote, app-based voting system (which face a litany of issues of their own, and which have so far only been deployed in a few low-level elections in the West).  The systems used in such low-stakes elections have suffered several blunders too, some of which could have been catastrophic if they had gone undetected.  Blockchain solutions rely heavily on the proper implementation of cryptographic protocols. If any shortcomings exist in an implementation, it might stand to potentially unmask the identity and voting preferences of electors, or worse yet, allow an individual to cast a vote as someone else.  Ex : In Russia, during the vote on the recent controversial constitutional amendment ushered in by Russian President Vladimir Putin, citizens were able to cast their vote online. While the voting process was still under way, a Russian media outlet reported that it was possible to access and decrypt the votes stored on the blockchain due to a flaw in cryptographic implementation, which could have been used to unmask the votes cast by electors.  An attacker may be able to clone the biometric attributes required for authenticating as another individual and cast a vote on their behalf.  Physical implants or software backdoors placed on an individual system could allow attackers to collect and deduce voting choices of individuals.  Further, while the provisioning of a dedicated line may make the infrastructure less prone to outages, it may also make it increasingly prone to targeted Denial-of- Service attacks (where an attacker would be in a position to block traffic from the system, effectively preventing, or at the very least delaying the registration of votes).  More attack scenarios that the system might be vulnerable to will slowly become evident when additional details about the hypothesised system are disclosed.

 Apart from lingering security issues, digitised systems may also stand to exclude and disenfranchise certain individuals due to flaws in interdependent platforms, flaws in system design, as well as general failures caused by external factors.  use of such a system could perhaps only be justified for lower level elections, and not for something as significant and politically binding as the general election.

Other solutions:  Political engagement could perhaps be improved by introducing and improving upon other methods, such as postal ballots or proxy voting. Another proposed solution to this issue includes the creation of a ‘One Nation, One Voter ID’ system, though it is unclear whether such a radical (and costly) exercise would be required at all for the mere purpose of allowing individuals to vote out of their home State.  It is important to lay stress on the point that further digitisation, in itself, does not make processes more robust. Any solution to electoral problems must be software independent and fault tolerable, where failure or tampering of one mechanism — or several — would not affect the integrity or transparency of the overall process.

1.20.PARLIAMENT AND ITS PANELS

Relevance: GS 2 - Structure and functioning of Parliament

Why in news? There is a need to rethink the tenurial prescription for reconstitution of Department- related Standing Committees

The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees have a so-called tenure of one year. There was speculation in the media that the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, M. Venkaiah Naidu, is keen on amending the rules to give them a fixed tenure of two years. However, since these are joint committees of the two Houses of Parliament, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha also has to concur.

What the rules say  According to sub-rule (4) of Rule 331D of the Lok Sabha Rules and sub-rule (3) of Rule 269 of the Rajya Sabha Rules, the term of office of the “members” of the committees shall not exceed one year. Thus, it is the term of office of the members and not that of the committees per se that is one year.  Given the different election schedules of the two Houses and since the term is prescribed for the members, there is perhaps no need to mandate the same term for the members of both the Houses.Against this backdrop, there is definitely a need to rethink the tenurial prescription for reconstitution of Department-related Standing Committees.

Tenure of committees of both house: Rajya Sabha: The Rajya Sabha Rules prescribe no fixed tenure for all the other Standing Committees of the Rajya Sabha listed therein. The standard prescription relating to the constitution of those committees states that the committee shall hold office until a new committee is nominated and that the casual vacancies in the committee shall be filled in by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Lok Sabha: As far as the Lok Sabha is concerned, most of its committees listed in the Lok Sabha Rules have a tenure of one year, except a few for which no tenure has been prescribed. It would appear that committees concerned with deliberations of a serious nature were given a term coterminous with that of the House, while others were prescribed annual renewal. The Department-related Standing Committees, which were constituted later in 1993, came to be clubbed with the latter category by the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha followed suit.

Different tenures  The language of the Rules of the two Houses makes it clear that the one-year term is of the members of the committees and not of the committees per se. The Standing Committees are permanent.

 Hence, there should be no difficulty if the terms of the members of the two Houses on these committees are different, in consonance with the tenure of the Houses themselves. Given these facts, it would stand to reason if the tenure of Department-related Standing Committees is prescribed differently for the two Houses. It may be two years for the Rajya Sabha members and for the Lok Sabha members, it may be coterminous with its life. The Rules could also provide that casual vacancies may be filled in by the Presiding Officers, who may also be empowered to reconstitute the membership of their respective Houses in the committees, if they so desire.

1.21.BREACH OF LEGISLATURE’S PRIVILEGE

Why in news? A motion for breach of privilege was moved in the Maharashtra Assembly against Republic TV’s Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami. A similar motion was moved in the Maharashtra Legislative Council against actor Kangana Ranaut.

Parliamentary privileges  Parliamentary privilege refers to rights and immunities enjoyed by Parliament as an institution and MPs in their individual capacity, without which they cannot discharge their functions as entrusted upon them by the Constitution  According to the Constitution, the powers, privileges and immunities of Parliament and MP's are to be defined by Parliament (Article 105). No law has so far been enacted in this respect.  Article 194 deals with the powers, privileges and immunities of the State Legislatures, their Members and their committees.  In the absence of any such law, it continues to be governed by British Parliamentary conventions. Breach of privilege  While the Constitution has accorded special privileges and powers to parliamentarians and legislators to maintain the dignity and authority of the Houses, these powers and privileges are not codified. Thus, there are no clear, notified rules to decide what constitutes a breach of privilege, and the punishment it attracts.  Any act that obstructs or impedes either House of the state legislature in performing its functions, or which obstructs or impedes any Member or officer of such House in the discharge of his duty, or has a tendency, directly or indirectly, to produce such results is treated as breach of privilege.  It is a breach of privilege and contempt of the House to make speeches or to print or publish libel reflecting on the character or proceedings of the House, or its Committees, or on any member of the House for or relating to his character or conduct as a legislator.  A notice is moved in the form of a motion by any member of either House against those being held guilty of breach of privilege.  The Speaker/Chairperson can decide on the privilege motion himself or herself or refer it to the privileges committee of Parliament.  If the Speaker/Chair gives consent under Rule 222, the member concerned is given an opportunity to make a short statement.

1.22.NDPS ACT, 1985

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, commonly referred to as the NDPS Act, is an Act of the Parliament of India that prohibits a person the production/manufacturing/cultivation, possession, sale, purchasing, transport, storage, and/or consumption of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.

 The NDPS Act enacted in 1985 is the primary legislation for dealing with drugs and their trafficking.  It was passed as India had to fulfil obligations as a signatory of various international conventions on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances to prevent its use and illicit trafficking.  It has various provisions to punish manufacturing, sale, possession, consumption, use, transport of banned drugs.  Punishment under the Act can vary based upon the sections the accused is charged.  The central government can add or omit from the list of psychotropic substances.  India is a signatory to The UN Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs 1961, The Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and The Convention on Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988 which prescribe various forms of control aimed to achieve the dual objective of limiting the use of narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes as well as preventing the abuse of the same. Narcotics Control Bureau was constituted by the Government of India in 1986 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.  The aspect of drug supply reduction is looked after by various enforcement agencies under the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs and State Governments.  The aspect of drug demand reduction is handled by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and that of treatment of drug addicts and their rehabilitation falls under the domain of the Ministry of Health.

2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2.1.JAPAN ANNOUNCES EMERGENCY LOAN FOR INDIA TO FIGHT COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Relevance: GS 2 - Bilateral, Regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Why in news? Japan has extended an Emergency Support Loan of up to 50 Billion Japanese Yen (Approximately Rs 3, 500 Crore) to support India’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. The financial support will support India’s implementation of health, medical policies and development of hospitals equipped with ICUs.

This is the largest financial assistance announced by any country to support India’s response to the Covid-19 crisis.

Loan Agreement: Before the signing of the notes, Mohapatra and Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), New Delhi signed the Loan Agreement for the programme loan.

Exchange of Notes: Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs of the Finance Ministry, CS Mohapatra and Japanese Ambassador Suzuki Satoshi exchanged the notes for the loan.

Highlights:  According to the terms and conditions of the loan, there will be an interest rate of 0.01% per annum, a redemption period of 15 years, and also includes a four-year grace period.  The loan aims to support India’s efforts in fighting COVID-19 by preparing the health system to manage future epidemics and to improve the resilience of India’s health systems against infectious diseases.  The loan will have widespread impacts on the economy and health sector of India.  It is expected to enhance the use of telemedicine using digital technology in villages across India.

Provision of Grant Aid:  India and Japan also exchanged notes for provision of grant aid worth 1 Billion Yen under Japan’s Official Development Assistance scheme for India’s Economic and Social Development Programme. It will be implemented by the Health Ministry.  The programme will provide oxygen generators to the Government of India. Which will be employed for treatment of Covid-19 patients in critical conditions.  The programme will strengthen India’s countermeasures to the infectious disease.

Background: Other aspects of India-Japan relations:

Civil Nuclear Cooperation: India is not a signatory of Non-Proliferation Treaty. It is the only non-signatory to receive exemption from Japan to receive fuel to nuclear reactors.

QUAD: Both Japan and India counter actions of China in the Indo-Pacific. It was under the initiatives of these two countries that QUAD grouping was formed. It includes Australia and USA as well.

Military Exercises:  The military exercise between Indian Army and the Japanese Army is called Dharma Guardian  The bilateral exercise between Indian Air Forces and the Japanese Air Force is called the Shinyuu Maitri  Japan also participates in the India-US Malabar Navy Exercise  Japan has also joined the “Cope-India”. It is India-US air Force Exercise

2.2.SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE INITIATIVE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION

Relevance: GS 2 - Bilateral, Regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Why in News? India, Japan and Australia agreed to launch a trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) in the Indo-Pacific region. The initiative will help in building a resilient supply chain with focus on free, transparent trade & investment environment in the region. The initiative was decided at a virtual meeting comprising Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator Simon Birmingham, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry PiyushGoyal, and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Kajiyama Hiroshi.

Highlights:  The initiative was proposed by Japan and will aim to reduce the dependency on China and counter its dominance on trade.  The new initiative will be launched later in 2020 and officials will work out the details of the project.  The Three countries called on other countries in the region to share their view and participate in the initiative.  Australia, Japan and India are already part of another informal grouping, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue which includes the U.S.

Supply Chain Resilience: In International Trade, Supply Chain Resilience is an approach which will ensure that the supply chain of a country is diversified and is not dependent on one or two countries.

 The approach will be essential during unanticipated events such as tsunamis, earthquakes and pandemic, ensuring that there is no disruption or halt in trade which will impact the economic activity in the country.

Economic Dependence on China:  All the three countries are heavily dependent on China for its supply chains.  Japan has exported $135 billion worth goods to China in 2019 and imported $169 billion worth from China.  China is Australia’s largest trading partner and accounts for 32.6% of Australia’s exports.  According to an impact analysis by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in February 2020, India is heavily dependent on China for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients for medicines such as paracetamol. In electronics, China accounts for 45% of India’s imports.

India’s views on the initiative: India believes that Australia, India and Japan are the crucial players in the Indian Ocean Region. In 2019, their cumulative GDP was 9.3 billion USD and the goods and services trade was 2.7 trillion USD. According to India, this should be enhanced.

2.3.GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 2020

Relevance: GS 2 - Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Why in news? India joined the group of Top 50 Countries in the 13th Edition of Global Innovation Index (GII) 2020, as it took the 48th rank with a score of 35.59 in the Annual report jointly released by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Cornell University and INSEAD Business School.

 Switzerland, Sweden, United States(US), United Kingdom(UK) and Netherlands took the top spots in the 2020 ranking. A total of 131 countries were analysed under the GII before arriving at the rankings.  The Theme of the 13th edition of the GII 2020 is “Who Will Finance Innovation?”.  India's progress has been phenomenal in the last five years. In 2015, India was ranked at 81 on the list. In 2016, it jumped 15 places to number 66. In 2017, it jumped 6 places again to 60th rank. In 2018, India climbed three more ranks to land at 57th position. Last year, it jumped 5 places to rank 52nd on the list. This year, the country finally broked into top 50 and is listed at 48th position.

Indicators: The indicators for GII include institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, market sophistication and business sophistication, knowledge and technology outputs and creative outputs.

Highlights:  The top 10 positions are dominated by high-income countries such as Switzerland, Sweden, US, UK and the Netherlands.  According to the report, India came third in the most innovative Lower Middle- Income Economy, Vietnam took the top position and Ukraine took the second position.  India ranks in Top 15 in indicators such as ICT (Information and Communication Technology) services exports, Government Online Services, Graduates in Science and Engineering, and Research & Development intensive Global Companies.  WIPO also accepted India as one of the leading innovation achievers of 2019 in the Central and South Asian Region, India has shown a consistent improvement in rankings for the last five years.  India,Kenya, Republic of Moldova and Viet Nam hold record of being Innovation achievers for 10 consecutive years(2011-2020).

Switzerland, Sweden, U.S., U.K and Netherlands lead the innovation ranking, with a second Asian economy - the Republic of Korea - joining the top 10 for the first time (Singapore is number 8). The top 10 is dominated by high-income countries. The top- performing economies in the GII are still almost exclusively from the high-income group, with China (14th) remaining the only middle-income economy in the GII top 30. Malaysia (33rd) follows.

India (48th) and the Philippines (50th) make it to the top 50 for the first time this year. The Philippines achieves its best rank ever—in 2014, it ranked 100th. Heading the lower middle-income group, Viet Nam ranks 42nd for the second consecutive year— from 71st in 2014. Indonesia (85th) joins the top 10 of this group. Tanzania tops the low-income group (88th).

Background:  Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Department of Space have played a pivotal role in enriching the national innovation ecosystem  Indian Innovation Index, released last year by NITI Aayog has been accepted as a major step in the decentralisation of innovation across the country.

2.4.5TH BRICS CULTURE MINISTERS MEET

Relevance: Bilateral, Regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Why in News? Prahlad Singh Patel, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge-I/C) for Culture and Tourism represented India and addressed in 5th BRICS(Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Culture Ministers’ Meeting held through video conference under the Chairpersonship of Russian Federation.

Discussion: About the impact of the epidemiological situation on the cultural sphere in the BRICS countries and reviewed the possible implementation of joint cultural online-projects within BRICS.

Participants: The participants in the meeting include the delegates from Culture Ministries of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa.

Highlights: The Declaration of the meeting was agreed and was signed by all the representatives of BRICS Nations at the end of the meeting.

Suggestion Proposed by India:  The following are India’s perspective on strengthening cultural cooperation  Host a digital online exhibition  Under the aegis of BRICS Alliance of Museums, exploration of possibilities to be made to host a digital online exhibition on the shared theme at the end of 2021.  Open & Inaugurate BRICS Corner  Proposed to open BRICS Corner under the auspices of BRICS Alliance of Libraries and to inaugurate during India’s BRICS Presidency in 2021.  BRICS Corner will disseminate information associated with the history and culture of BRICS countries.  It will display the books, periodicals and other e-resources gifted by the BRICS countries.  National Gallery of Modern Arts will host BRICS Joint Exhibition.  BRICS Joint Exhibition titled ‘Bonding Regions & Imagining Cultural Synergies’, will be hosted by The National Gallery of Modern Arts, New Delhi under the aegis of the BRICS Alliance of Art Museums and Galleries.  BRICS Joint Exhibition is proposed to be organized in 2021, which will coincide with the BRICS event that will be hosted by India in 2021.  It aims to display about 100 works of art from the 5 prestigious institutions under the BRICS Alliance.

2.5.INDIA-US-ISRAEL SUMMIT: COLLABORATION IN 5G TECHNOLOGY

Relevance: GS 2 - Bilateral, Regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Why in News? The virtual US (United States)-India-Israel summit was held to focus on trilateral partnerships in the strategic, technology and development arenas. There it was decided that these trio nations will collaborate in 5G technology.

 The keynote address during the summit was provided by Ms. Bonnie Glick, Deputy Administrator USAID (United States Agency for International

Development). The summit was also addressed by Israeli Ambassador to India Ron Malka and his counterpart Sanjeev Singla.  This trilateral summit was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his historic visit to Israel three years ago in July 2017, community leaders on the basis of tech-triangle (Silicon Valley-Tel Aviv and Bangalore) concept which was presented by M R (Madhavan) Rangaswami to PM Modi.  Notably, Silicon Valley (US), Bengaluru (Karnataka, India) and Tel Aviv (Israel) are leading innovative technology hubs.

Background: India-Israel Relations: Israel is the third largest defence supplier to India. It accounts to 40% of defence exports of Israel. This includes Barack missiles, powerful Phalcon radar on Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).

The drone fleet in India is completely based on Israeli technology and many directly bought from Israel. Apart from Israeli drones, the DRDO (Defence Research Development Organization) has also developed drones such as Bharat, RUSTOM. Bharat drones are indigenously developed surveillance drones that are already carrying out surveillance long Line of Actual Control. On the other hand, RUSTOM are drones that are being developed. RUSTOM is to replace Heron drones. Heron was developed by Israel.

India-US Relations:  India imports 10 billion USD worth defence equipment from the US.  India and US have developed strong defence ties in the recent years. Some of the recent developments are as follows  In 2018, India became the third country to receive clearance in purchasing license-free space and defence technology under Strategic Trade Authorisation.  2+2 Dialogue: The dialogue is between the countries external affairs ministers and defence ministers. It aims at promoting synergy in security efforts.  Defence Technology Trade Initiative, also called the DTTI aims to simplify technology transfer between the countries and also exploring possibilities in co- development with strategic values.  India and the United States signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement). The agreement allows India and US to share encrypted communication equipment.  US designated India as STA-1. STA is Strategic Trade Authorization that allows country to buy advanced cutting edge technology from the United States.

2.6.THE NEW CHANGES IN QATAR’S LABOUR LAWS

Relevance: GS 2 - Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

Why in news? Qatar has brought about a change in its labour laws, scrapping rules requiring migrant workers to take their employers’ permission before changing jobs, and setting the

monthly minimum wage at about $274, an increase of over 25 per cent. The reforms, which were announced by the Emir of Qatar.

Qatar’s new labour laws:  The first reform has abolished the unjustified ‘kafala system’ or requirement for a “no objection certificate” that migrant workers needed to get from their employers before changing jobs. Now, workers will have to serve a one-month notice period if they have worked for less than two years and notice period of two months if they have worked longer.  The second reform involves increasing the minimum wage by 25 per cent to $274 or 1000 Qatari riyals and an additional 300 QAR for food and 500 QAR for accommodation in case not provided by the company. These reforms are now applicable to workers of all nationalities and in all sectors, including domestic workers who were previously excluded.

Why were they changed?  Qatar is hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and in the run-up to the sporting event that is viewed by more than half of the global population, the country has faced flak for its labour laws, seen by many as being exploitative of migrant labourers.  The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has hailed the move and notes that Qatar is the first country in the region to dismantle the “kafala” sponsorship system that is common in the Gulf region and requires workers to have a sponsor in the country they are working, who then becomes responsible for their visa and legal status. For unskilled workers, this means depending on their employers for such sponsorships.  ILO further said that the introduction of the non-discriminatory minimum wage would affect over 400,000 workers in the private sector and will increase remittances in the workers’ country of origin.

Kafala System :  The ‘kafala’ system is a system that lays down obligations in the treatment and protection of foreign ‘guests’. Kafala means ‘to guarantee’ or ‘to take care of’ in Arabic.  Under the system, a migrant worker’s immigration status is legally bound to an individual employer or sponsor (‘kafeel’) during the contract period.  The migrant worker cannot enter the country, transfer employment nor leave the country for any reason without first obtaining explicit written permission from the kafeel.

Origin: The kafala system began in the 1950s when several Middle East countries started hiring foreign workers to accelerate development following the discovery of oil.

States where it is practiced: It is being practiced in the Gulf Cooperation Council member countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and also in the Arab states of Jordan and Lebanon.

Concerns associated with this practice:  Human rights groups say the migration management system enables exploitation and forced labor—labor extracted by under the threat of penalty, and not offered voluntarily by the worker.  The media have likened employment conditions under kafala to “modern-day slavery.”  Some migrant workers end up absconding from their employers to seek refuge elsewhere. In the Gulf states, absconding is considered a crime and that leads to indefinite detention and deportation.  Complaining puts them in conflict with their sponsor, who has the power to cancel their residence visa and have them deported.  The kafala directly contradicts the labour law. The employer can dictate the recruitment process and working conditions.  It restricts labour mobility. It prohibits any mobility on part of the worker unless approved by the kafeel. If the kafeels are unwilling to let them go, workers cannot leave them for better employment.

2.7.PYONGYANG JOINT DECLARATION

Relevance: GS 2 - Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

Why in news? Two years since North Korea and South Korea signed the Pyongyang Joint Declaration, there has been a diplomatic deadlock with no progress in denuclearisation talks between North Korea and the US. While Pyongyang has made no mention of the anniversary, Seoul has been looking to push for and renew cooperation.

Pyongyang Joint Declaration: Officially titled Let Us Defend and Advance the Cause of Socialism.  It is an agreement signed by North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in in September 2018  It is focused on diffusing military tensions between the two countries.

 The economic cooperation was also a part of the agenda, with both countries agreeing to normalize the Gaeseong industrial complex located near the border and the Mt. Geumgang Tourism Project, located in North Korean territory, that involved creating a special joint tourism zone.  The two countries also agreed on cooperation in the field of public health care, particularly in context of epidemics and the implementation of emergency measures to prevent and control the spread of contagious diseases.  The agreement made provisions for family reunions on both sides of the border who were separated following the Korean War and the division of the peninsula.  The agreement also focussed on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula with North Korea agreeing to permanently dismantle the Dongchang-ri missile engine test site and launch platform.

Background : Panmunjeom Declaration:  The Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula was adopted during the Inter-Korean Summit Meeting in Pyongyang in 2018.  The two countries agreed to cooperate on officially ending the Korean War, beginning a new era of peace and national reconciliation and improve inter-Korean communications and relations.

Mt. Geumgang:  Mt. Geumgang or Mt.Kumgang is located at the east coast of Korea, south of Wonsan, and not far from the demarcation line with the South.  In Korean, Kumgang or Kumgansang means "Diamond Mountain".  It is one of the most famous mountains in North Korea.  It is a part of Taebak mountain range along the country's east coast which was once considered sacred by Korean Buddhists.  The Mount Kumgang Tourist Region is a special administrative region of North Korea which was established in 2002 to handle South Korean tourist traffic to Mount Kumgang.

2.8.SRI LANKA'S CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

Relevance: GS 2 - Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

Why in news? It was fully expected that the Rajapaksa brothers, with Mahinda having swept the parliamentary election last month, six months after Gotabaya won the presidential election in November 2019, would embark on a programme of constitutional changes. President and Prime minister Rajapaksa have lost no time. They have the two-thirds parliamentary majority that is required. Their first priority is to get rid of the 19th Amendment, and replace it with the 20th Amendment. There are concerns, including in India, that the 13th Amendment may also be repealed.

19th Amendment of Sri Lankan Constitution:  The 19th Amendment was brought in by the previous President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.  It rolled back the 18th amendment that had been brought in by the preceding President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  The 18th amendment had removed the two-term bar on running for office, and centralised more powers in the hands of the President. Repealing it was an election promise made by Sirisena.

Important provisions of 19th Amendment are:  It curbed the executive President’s vast powers by restoring a two-term limit  It reduced the term of the presidency to five years from the six years  It also placed a ceiling on the number of ministers and deputy ministers.  It made it difficult for the legislature to be dissolved at the President’s whim. The President also lost his power to sack the Prime Minister.  It also sought to protect the independence of oversight institutions by decentralising the appointments to the nine commissions including the Elections Commission, the National Police Commission, the Public Service Commission, among others to a Constitutional Council.  In addition to having parliamentarians, the Council also had civil society representation. This was seen as one of the most progressive parts of the 19th amendment.  It also barred dual citizens from the office.

Due Process Followed: The amendment was based on a popular mandate for change in the 2015 presidential election, and received more than the required two-thirds support in the previous Parliament

Significance of 19th Amendment: It was hailed as restoring Democratic spirit into Constitution and freeing the country from the clutches of Rajapaksha family who had concentrated power.

20th Amendment: The 20th amendment Bill reverses almost everything in the 19th Amendment. It only retains from it the two-term bar on the presidency, and the five-year term.

Impact of the 20th Amendment Bill:  Fundamental shift in the nature of the Sri Lanka state that signalled the return of the country to 1978 in a bizarre form of ‘forward to the past’. The 1978 Constitution introduced the office of the Executive President in Sri Lanka, making it one of the most powerful of similar systems in the world.  Erodes the Power of Parliament: Parliament is disempowered against the executive by the restoration of the President’s power to dissolve Parliament at will at any time after the first year of its term.  Removes Checks on Executive: The checks on presidential power within the executive are abolished by the removal of the requirement of the Prime Minister’s advice for the appointment and dismissal of Cabinet and other Ministers

 Reversing Democratic Spirit: It abolishes the binding limitations on presidential powers in relation to key appointments to independent institutions that used to happen through the deliberative process of the Constitutional Council.  Leads to Politicisation of Institutions: It effectively provides sweeping powers to the President to appoint individuals to key institutions, and with it, politicising institutions that are meant to function independently of the political executive and for the benefit of citizens.  Rights of Citizens Curtailed: It has also removed the opportunity for citizens to challenge the executive actions of the President through fundamental rights applications, suggesting that the President is above the law.  Undermine the accountability of government: The weakening of checks and balances to the executive presidency would adversely impact the efficient, effective, and transparent use of public funds.  Neglecting Minorities: The President’s address was also notable for the absence of any reference to ethnic minorities.

Concern of India about Sri Lanka’s 20th Amendment:  Fear of China’s incursion in India’s sphere of Influence: The Rajapakshas have shown greater inclination towards China in the past when they were in Power. With China becoming aggressive in the region, it may find suitable partner in present SriLankan government to further its interests at the cost of India’s interests  Concentration of Power doesn’t end here: Armed with a two-third majority in Parliament, the Rajapaksas may not be content only with bringing in the 20th Amendment.  Tamils will be impacted: The fear, especially among the Tamil minorities in SriLanka is that the 13th Amendment will go too. An internal problem of Sri Lanka will have repercussions on India given the Tamil ethnic linkage between two countries.

13th Amendment: It is an outcome of the Indo-Lanka Accord of July 1987, signed by the then PM Rajiv Gandhi and President J.R. Jayawardene, in an attempt to resolve the ethnic conflict and civil war.  The 13th Amendment, which led to the creation of Provincial Councils, assured a power-sharing arrangement to enable all nine provinces in the country, including Sinhala majority areas, to self-govern.  Subjects such as education, health, agriculture, housing, land and police are devolved to the provincial administrations.  But because of restrictions on financial powers and overriding powers given to the President, the provincial administrations have not made much headway. In particular, the provisions relating to police and land have never been implemented.

Contention:  The 13th Amendment carries considerable baggage from the country’s civil war years. It was opposed vociferously by both Sinhala nationalist parties and the LTTE.  The opposition within Sri Lanka saw the Accord and the consequent legislation as an imprint of Indian intervention.

 It was widely perceived as an imposition by a neighbour wielding hegemonic influence.  The Tamil polity, especially its dominant nationalist strain, does not find the 13th Amendment sufficient in its ambit or substance. However, some find it as an important starting point, something to build upon.

Significance: Till date, the Amendment represents the only constitutional provision on the settlement of the long-pending Tamil question. In addition to assuring a measure of devolution, it is considered part of the few significant gains since the 1980s, in the face of growing Sinhala-Buddhist majoritarianism.

Challenges with regard to 20th Amendment for Tamils:  Fear of abolishing Provincial Councils: The Minister for Provincial Councils and Local Government is an ardent campaigner for the repeal of the 13th Amendment and the abolition of Provincial councils.  Mahinda Rajapaksha’s sincerity is in doubt: Mahinda Rajapaksha expansively spoke of a 13 Plus solution for Tamil demands for political power sharing but his sincerity was in doubt.

Criticism:  Critics argue that in a small country, the provinces could be effectively controlled by the Centre.  The opposition camp also includes those fundamentally opposed to sharing any political power with the Tamil minority.  All the same, all political camps that vehemently oppose the system have themselves contested in provincial council elections.  The councils have over time also helped national parties strengthen their grassroots presence and organisational structures.

2.9.REALISM AND THE UNDEMARCATED BORDER

Relevance: GS 2- India and its Neighbourhood Relations

Why in news? Amid the India-China standoff in border areas, two high profile ministers in the Indian government have met their Chinese counterparts in the last one week. This situation of continuous diplomatic engagement along with frequent border clashes is new for the rest of the world.  The border dispute between India and China is generally regarded as the outcome of Chinese expansionist policy.  But the insensitivity of a colonial government to properly demarcate the border, the inability of diplomats to understand the nature of the border region and inability of few leaders to take hard calls are more responsible for the current

 In the present condition, a new national debate on demarcating the border is needed to find a practical solution of border standoff and secure national interest and economic development of India.

Diplomatic positions:  BOUNDARY INTERPRETATION : The origin of different interpretations of the boundary is poorly surveyed ancient mapsof uninhabited areas, visited only by traders and nomads.  SIGNIFICANCE : Commerce dominated economic activity and several trade routes converged on Leh.  STATUS OF AKSAI CHIN : With settled agriculture limited to strips along the Indus in the west, Aksai Chin was a kind of no-man’s land, as there was no need for an administration.

Pre-Independence efforts:  TREATY OF AMRITSAR : With the Treaty of Amritsar, in 1846, the British granted Gulab Singh Kashmir without specifying its eastern boundary in Aksai Chin.  According to Article 2 of the Treaty, the boundary was to be “defined by a separate engagement after survey”.  FIRST SURVEY : The first one, the Johnson-Ardagh Line surveyed in 1865, ran along the Kunlun Mountain, included Aksai Chin in Kashmir and was not communicated to China.  SECOND SURVEY : The McCartney-MacDonald Line, ran closer to the Karakoram Range, treating the Indus watershed as the border.  The later survey, officially sent by the British to China in 1899, was not followed up, and the border remained ‘undefined’.

Post-Independence efforts:  BOUNDARY TALKS : Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, in boundary talks with Premier Chou-en-lai [Zhou Enlai] in April 1960, argued that ‘it is true that the boundary is not marked on the ground; but if delimitation can take place by definition of high mountain areas # Kun Lun range.  RECOGNITION OF MCMAHON LINE : Premier Chou’s position was ‘we do not recognise the McMahon line but that we were willing to take a realistic view with Burma and India.  NATURAL BARRIER : It is easy to see that the national boundary between China and India is the Karakoram watershed.  This extends from Kilik Pass, passes through the Karakoram Pass to Kongka Pass.  A BROAD PICTURE : Rivers and streams to the south and west of this belong to India while those to the north and east of it are on China’s side’.

Ghosts of old: Three missteps by both countries have resulted in the current stalemate.  FIRST MISSTEP : Two civilisational states establishing their identity were ill- advised by poorly informed experts.  CARTOGRAPHIC MISADVENTURE : India issued new maps in 1954 removing the ‘un-demarcated territory’ tag and China in 1957 also showed Aksai Chin with the only traffic artery between Tibet and Xinjiang in its new map.

 A cartographic ambiguity was converted into clashing sovereignty, with unwarranted inherent notions of ‘concession’ and ‘aggression’.  SECOND MISSTEP : Reliance placed on experts to assist the diplomatic process in reconciling records and custom obfuscated the political nature of the settlement.  Deliberations only confirmed that trust, the essential element of a negotiation, was missing.  THIRD MISSTEP : Militaries remain tasked with defending borders where ‘grey areas’ and maximum restraint in ‘face to face’ situations have inherent limitations.

Re-framing differences:  NEEDED ACCOMMODATION :The context is no longer newly independent countries unsure of themselves, but neighbours confident in their national power seeking ‘accommodation’.  STRATEGIC INTERESTS : This translates to the Indus watershed lying within India, with the area to its east in China, including its strategic highway G219.  INDIA’s STAND : Wedded to the questionable line of 1865, on the Kunlun Range, India has not claimed the more legitimate line of 1899 on the Karakoram watershed (communicated by the British to the Chinese) .  CHINESE STAND : China has accepted as the boundary with Pakistan, and fully covers our patrolling points and strategic heights we now occupy.

2.10.CHINESE ACTION VIOLATES 1993, 1996, AND 2013 BORDER AGREEMENTS

Relevance: GS 2 - India and its Neighbourhood Relations

Why in news? China through its military action at Galwan in Ladakh, has violated three key bilateral agreements -- 1993, 1996 and 2013 – that have been central to maintaining peace and tranquility on the disputed Line of Actual Control. Until now, not a single soldier had been killed on either side of the LAC for over four decades.

 The 1993 agreement clearly states that in case personnel from either side cross the Line of Actual Control, “upon being cautioned by the other side, they shall immediately pull back to their side of the Line of Actual Control”. China has not done that either in Galwan or Pangong Tso. On the contrary, it has built structures and stationed its troops in a face-off like situation despite cautionary warnings.  The escalation is an extension of an aggressive posture on LAC, even though talks were on for de-escalation. The 1993 agreement, in fact, clearly states that both sides will “jointly check” the alignment of LAC where there is a doubt.

The key extract from the 1993 agreement:  “No activities of either side shall overstep the line of actual control. In case personnel of one side cross the Line of Actual Control, upon being cautioned by the other side, they shall immediately pull back to their own side of the Line of Actual Control. When necessary, the two sides shall jointly check and determine

the segments of the Line of Actual Control where they have different views as to its alignment.”  Three years later, both sides went into further specifics, making it clear that troops on both sides shall “exercise self-restraint” in case of a face-off situation and start “immediate consultations” through diplomatic channels.  The Chinese side has not shown self-restraint from Day One at all points of the stand-off. Those familiar with the details have told ET that the aggression has been high with Chinese troops assaulting Indian troops with sharp edged batons and rods. This is visible from the nature of injuries sustained by Indian soldiers during all the physical jostling.

Key extracts (1996): 1. "If the border personnel of the two sides come in a face-to-face situation due to differences on the alignment of the line of actual control or any other reason, they shall exercise self-restraint and take all necessary steps to avoid an escalation of the situation. Both sides shall also enter into immediate consultations through diplomatic and/or other available channels to review the situation and prevent any escalation of tension."The agreement, also for the first time in India-China rules of engagement, makes it clear that “neither side shall open fire or conduct blast operations within 2 km of the Line of Actual Control”. This is what led to a practice, where troops on both sides, never brandished weapons at each other and at most, indulged in a physical jostle. 2. “Neither side shall open fire, cause bio-degradation, use hazardous chemicals, conduct blast operations or hunt with guns or explosives within two kilometers from the line of actual control. This prohibition shall not apply to routine firing activities in small arms firing ranges.” It was this agreement of 1996 which also set the rules on military exercises, making it clear that the strategic direction of the main force in an exercise “shall not be towards the other side”. The Chinese PLA is carrying out its summer exercises opposite Ladakh which clearly are aimed at threatening India. 3. "Both sides shall avoid holding large scale military exercises involving more than one Division (approximately 1 5,000 troops) in close proximity of the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas. However, if such exercises are to be conducted, the strategic direction of the main force involved shall not be towards the other side.”

The latest document on confidence building measures on the LAC was the 2013 India- China Border Defence Cooperation Agreement in which both sides agreed “to not follow or tail patrols” in areas where there is no clarity on the LAC. Here again, the violence in Galwan raises doubts whether Chinese troops followed this protocol. Chinese maneuvers of the past two weeks has had the Indian side quite worried on this count.

Key extract (2013):  “The two sides agree that they shall not follow or tail patrols of the other side in areas where there is no common understanding of the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas.”  China’s track record on adhering to agreed CBMs and protocols on the LAC has been poor in the past few years. Having agreed to establish a hotline between the two military headquarters in 2013, the Chinese side scuttled the proposal by

saying its embassy in Delhi should be notified first in case the Indian side wanted to make a call. Then, there were differences on encryption codes and translation arrangements. As a result, a hotline is still to be operationalized despite positive noises from the Indian side.

2.11.GREAT POWER, LITTLE RESPONSIBILITY

Relevance: GS 2 - Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate

Why in news? The International Day of Peace (September 21) is an occasion for deep reflection about the prevalence of war, violence and insecurity in many parts of the world.

 Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21st September. Theme for 2020 : Shaping Peace Together.  This day is dedicated to fortifying the principles of peace, both within and among all member states and peoples.  This year’s celebrations are particularly significant because it is the 21st anniversary of the UN resolution on the programme of action on the culture of peace adopted in 1999.

International Day of Peace Background:  The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly.  Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as International Day of Peace.  The United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day.

Global Senario:  In the last calendar year, eight countries — Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Turkey, Somalia, Iraq, Mexico and Libya — suffered at least 1,000 deaths each (mainly civilians) through militarised attacks and battles, according to the World Population Review.  If one includes the Maghreb and Sahel regions of North and West Africa, over 25 countries are being ravaged by deadly wars today.  79.5 million were displaced at the end of 2019, due to armed conflicts, persecution and other reasons, according to the UN Refugee Agency.  The way the present international system is structured poses enormous obstacles to peace.  The countries that are escalating violence are predominantly the great powers who have military and economic might.

Fuelling instability:  On paper, the U.S., Russia and China uphold peace and stability as the permanent members of the UN Security Council.  But in practice, they fuel instability and are involved in most ongoing wars.  For example, the tragedy in Yemen, which the UN has declared as the world’s worst humanitarian disaster.  Disaster was the outcome of indiscriminate attacks by the U.S.-backed coalition of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, whose geopolitical goal is to counterbalance Iran.  Yet, undaunted by the moral burden, the Donald Trump administration is eagerly selling lethal weapons to its Gulf allies in the name of their ‘security’.  War is at once a geopolitical game and big business. This holds true not only for the U.S. but also Russia.  Libya’s descent into chaos is the product of the active involvement of mercenaries and weapons pumped in by Russia and the U.S.-allied Gulf Arab monarchies to push back Turkey’s influence.  Like the calamity in Syria, Yemen and Libya are victims of the conduct of great powers who arm and finance regional actors to prey upon weak states for counterbalancing rivals and sustaining profits of their military industrial complexes.

China joins the race:  Not to be left behind the U.S. and Russia, China has catapulted into the ranks of top sellers of weapons.  Chinese small arms enable ethnic violence and extreme human rights abuses from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Pakistan and Myanmar.  China also aims to tighten its grip over developing countries through ‘internal security’ aid, a code for technological tools of domestic surveillance and repression, which in turn build up societal pressure and armed revolts against authoritarian regimes.  Moreover, China’s own hegemonic expansionism against its neighbours and its ‘new Cold War’ with the U.S. have significantly raised risks of military clashes in Asia.  This year, the UN Secretary General is campaigning for a “global ceasefire” so that everyone’s attention shifts to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.  The UN as well as regional organisations like the African Union and the European Union are trying to negotiate cessation of hostilities in various war zones.

Way Forward:  But targeted micro-level diplomatic initiatives cannot ameliorate the underlying macro-level problem of great powers and their allies acting with brazen impunity.  On the International Day of Peace, we should diagnose the core problem — the unjust structure which privileges great powers and permits their ghastly machinations — and challenge it.  Altering the structure and nature of world politics is not child’s play. But we must strive for it.  Remember that if one fire is doused in Afghanistan through a peace process, 10 more fires can be lit as long as the global ‘system’ that reproduces violence and aggression is in place.

 Intellectuals, social movements and responsible states should prioritise struggling for an equitable world order. Nothing less will suffice to silence the guns.

2.12.INDIA AND THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS

Relevance: GS 2 - Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora

Why in news? The White House ceremony on 15th September 2020 marking the formal normalisation of Israel’s ties with UAE and Bahrain has created a significant inflection point in regional history and geopolitics. Under the agreement, the UAE and Bahrain would normalise ties with Israel, leading to better economic, political and security engagement.

Two friendships:  The two Gulf states have, thus, joined Egypt and Jordan which had their peace treaties with Israel in 1979 and 1994, respectively.Still, several nuances make the September 15 reconciliation different.  For one, the UAE and Bahrain do not have any territorial dispute with Israel, nor have they ever been at war with it.  Although formally committed to an Arab consensus over a two-state resolution of the Palestine cause, these two countries have steadily, albeit furtively, moved towards having substantive links with Israel in recent years.  Hence, the ‘Abraham Accords’ entered with the UAE and Bahrain are ‘peace-for- peace’ deals without any physical quid pro quo by Israel.  Multiple drivers are likely to spur the two new friendships to grow faster and deeper than the ‘cold peace’ Israel has had with its two Arab neighbours.  Externally, Israel, the UAE and Bahrain share the common threat perception of Iran against the backdrop of the ongoing diminution of Pax Americana in the region.  Internally, while all three have their respective hotheads opposing this reconciliation, these seem manageable.  They are relatively more modern societies which share the overarching and immediate priority of post-pandemic economic resuscitation.  They have lost no time to set up logistics such as Internet connectivity and direct flights to pave the way for more active economic engagement.  If these sinews evolve, other moderate Arab countries are likely to join the Israel fan club.  Israel’s détente with Egypt and Jordan did not have any major impact on India as our ties with them were relatively insignificant.  However, now India has stronger, multifaceted and growing socioeconomic engagements with Israel and the Gulf countries.  With over eight million Indian diaspora in the Gulf remitting annually nearly $50 billion, annual merchandise trade of over $150 billion, sourcing of nearly two- thirds of India’s hydrocarbon imports, major investments, etc., it is natural to ask how the new regional dynamic would affect India.

Implications for India:  Geopolitically, India has welcomed the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Israel, calling both its strategic partners.  In general, the Israel-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) breakthrough widens the moderate constituency for peaceful resolution of the Palestine dispute, easing India’s diplomatic balancing act.  However, nothing in West Asia is monochromatic: The Israel-GCC ties may provoke new polarisations between the Jihadi fringe and the mainstream.  The possibility of the southern Gulf becoming the new arena of the proxy war between Iran and Israel cannot be ruled out, particularly in Shia pockets.  India would have to be on its guard to monitor and even pre-empt any threat to its interests in the Gulf.  Even more important for India is to manage the economic fallout of the Israel-GCC synergy.  With defence and security cooperation as a strong impetus, both sides are ready to realise the full potential of their economic complementarity.  The UAE and Bahrain can become the entrepôts to Israeli exports of goods and services to diverse geographies.  Israel has niche strengths in defence, security and surveillance equipment, arid farming, solar power, horticultural products, high-tech, gem and jewellery, and pharmaceuticals.  Tourism, real estate and financial service sectors on both sides have suffered due to the pandemic and hope for a positive spin-off from the peer-to-peer interactions.  Further, Israel has the potential to supply skilled and semi-skilled manpower to the GCC states, particularly from the Sephardim and Mizrahim ethnicities, many of whom speak Arabic.  Even the Israeli Arabs may find career opportunities to bridge the cultural divide.  Israel is known as the start-up nation and its stakeholders could easily fit in the various duty-free incubators in the UAE.  Israeli foray into the Gulf has the potential to disrupt the existing politico- economic architecture India has carefully built with the GCC states.  India has acquired a large and rewarding regional footprint, particularly as the preferred source of manpower, food products, pharmaceuticals, gem and jewellery, light engineering items, etc.  Indians are also the biggest stakeholders in Dubai’s real estate, tourism and Free Economic Zones.

Way Forward:  India should use this opportunity to give itself a bigger role in a region which is its strategic backyard.  The deal opens up new opportunities for India to play a much larger role in the regional security and stability in the Gulf, where New Delhi enjoys special relations with both Abu Dhabi and Jerusalem.  In the evolving scenario, there may be scope for a profitable trilateral synergy, but India cannot take its preponderance as a given.

3. ECONOMY

AGRICULTURE& ALLIED ACTIVITIES

3.1.AGRICULTURE 4.0

Relevance: GS-3: E-technology in the aid of farmers.

Context: The global pandemic has yielded several opportunities andinnovations in agriculture as farmers display enthusiasm for embracing technology. For example, using WhatsApp, they’ve created a route to market—reaching out directly to consumers, elevating the experience with quality fulfillment and cutting out middlemen to increase both loyalty and their margins appreciably.  Globally, more than a fourth of the labour force is involved in agriculture. Despite much higher productivity, issues relating to viable farming are alive even in advanced nations. A farmer being unable to pay back loans is a reality in developing countries and advanced nations too.

How agrotech is benefitting farmers?  A case study from a state in India focused on rice and shrimp farming. o Sensors pick up data relating to soil and water and transmit them to a Smart Agri Platform at a Village Knowledge Centre (VKC). o The platform integrates this with weather data from satellites and analytics in a real-time dashboard. o Collaboration tools connect all stakeholders —farmers across 15 village councils, VKC reps, startups, industry, and government. o A local language web portal serves as a knowledge repository for e-learning, and a mobile app pushes real-time inputs and pre-emptive alerts. Exhaustive training acclimatises farmers to this digital transition. o This scalable project aims to harness tech to extract insights on crop health, yields, soil vitals, impurities, water use, weather, and disease patterns. o Through the VKC, farmers can obtain government policy updates, advisories, market rates, best-practice videos, and avail government provisioned financing. Optimisation and better planning are expected outcomes.  In Australia, Agriculture 4.0 projects focus on innovations that promote profitability, safety, and environmental consciousness. An example would be an IoT-enabled open platform for applications and tech solutions by independent entities, using unlicensed spectrum for free connectivity. This is used for geo- locating livestock and farm implements at large farms, and for detecting heat stress that affects cattle feeding.  In Italy, blockchain is now being used to facilitate traceability of wine, milk, and oil. Innovations gaining traction worldwide include, Using drones to assess levels of irrigation and fertiliser use through image analysis, the precision shooting of seeds into fields, and spraying pesticides to mitigate health hazards.

 Tractors equipped with IoT and cameras are now deployed for gauging seed placements and for tillage prescriptions to improve output quality.  Ubiquitous connectivity, virtual agri-markets, and the use of IoT, big data, and AI for trend analysis, safety, productivity, and prognostic guidance.

3.2.INDIA’S SEAFOOD EXPORTS HIT BY DEMAND SLUMP

Relevance: GS-3: Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

Why in news? Seafood exports from India have taken a hit due to a demand slump in key markets – the US and China – and estimated to decline by as much as 25% in the current fiscal from $6.68 billion in FY20 due to the pandemic-related issues.  While official data of exports of marine products so far in the current fiscal are not immediately available, the decline during the period is seen to have been sharper than anticipated for the full year.  According to the latest data by an US agency Indian shrimp exports to the US is seen lower by 27% at 42,650 tonne during April-June of 2020 against 58,708 tonne a year ago.  There is an anticipation of a drop of 15-25% in exports in the current fiscal due to Covid and the aftereffects of stress harvesting, low breeding and labour problems. The worry is the (sluggish) China market, which virtually no buyers there now. A fifth of India’s seafood exports are to China (especially silver pompret).  During 2019-20, frozen shrimp, which earned $4,889.12 million, retained its position as the most significant item in the basket of seafood exports, accounting for a share of 51% in quantity and 73% in dollar earnings.  The US, the largest market with an over 38% share, imported 2,85,904 tonne of frozen shrimp, followed by China with 1,45,710 tonne in the last year.  Last month, the state-run Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) had reported that the pandemic led to cancellation of several orders, reduced and delayed payments, slowdown of cargo movements and difficulty in getting new orders.

3.3.IJMA LAUNCHES E-MARKET PLACE

Relevance: GS-3: Storage, Transport and Marketing of Agricultural Produce and Issues and Related Constraints;

Background: Indian jute products have nearly no market demands at present. The domestic industry is surviving on the government orders of sacks, which is mainly governed by the Jute Packaging Material Act -1987. Without this Act the jute industry would have ceased to exist and there is a need to transform the demand from that of government orders to market driven orders and hence IJMA has created this integrated e-commerce platform.

About:  The e- commerce platform includes four portals — jutekart, fibreofindia, juteflash and juteindex. All of them together will facilitate the supply chain from procuring raw jute for mills, fabric for jute product manufacturers to showcasing jute products in both domestic and overseas markets. The integrated platform will provide end-to-end solution.  Although there are 92 jute mills and more than 5 lakh jute product manufacturers across the country, IJMA initiative has just roped in 3 jute mills and 200 manufacturers into its platform.  IJMA has roped in a lean management consultant, who is working closely with the ministry of textiles to convert the government dependent jute industry to a market driven industry.

Demand potential of Jute in India:  The demand for jute products is mainly coming up from the US, Europe and Japan and there already exists around $ 80 million market. This has been registering an annual compounded growth rate of 10% per annum. But these markets has more potential, which requires to be fully realised.  Besides, in India a ban has already been imposed on single use plastic, which has opened up new possibilities for jute packaging, though paper packaging is poised to give a stiff competition to it.  In Europe people initially spend a little money in buying RFID tagged jute bags but at a later stage it fetches returns by way of protecting environmental and health hazards. This can be implemented in India, if use of jute bags is made mandatory in departmental stores and malls.  The quality of raw jute that is produced in India mostly in West Bengal, fits only for sack manufacturing and it is difficult to make quality jute fabric that are used in making other products.  The textile ministry has taken keen interest on development of the e-market place and has expressed willingness to extend financial support to this initiative.

3.4.BAN ON ONION EXPORT

Relevance: GS-3: Storage, Transport and Marketing of Agricultural Produce and Issues and Related Constraints;

Why in news? The government banned the export of all varieties of onions with immediate effect, a move aimed at increasing availability and checking price of the commodity in the domestic market. It is anticipated a shortfall in the key cooking ingredient as exports shot up 30% in the April-July period.  The DGFT, an arm of the commerce ministry, deals with exports and imports- related issues issued the ban. The provisions under transitional arrangement shall not be applicable under this notification.  Exports of all varieties of onions are prohibited with immediate effect. The provisions under the Transitional Agreement shall not be applicable under this notification.

 India exported fresh onions worth $328 million and dried onions worth $112.3 million in FY20. Exports of onions shot up 158% to Bangladesh in the April-July period.

Background:  The ban comes at a time when the wholesale and retail price of onion in August fell 35% and 4%, respectively. In Delhi, retail price of onion stood at Rs 40 per kg.  Last year on 29 September, the government had banned exports of onions and imposed countrywide stock limits to bring down prices of onions that had soared ahead of state elections in Maharashtra and Haryana. The crackdown followed retail onion prices touching Rs 80 a kg in Delhi because of supply disruptions after floods in some states. In December, the prices hit Rs 160 per kg in certain parts of the country.

3.5.CAN OVER-RELIANCE ON MSP HARM AGRICULTURAL STATES?

Relevance: GS-3: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices

Context: Farmer agitations against the recently promulgated farm Acts are growing in northern states of Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Interestingly, these are states benefitting most from the government’s MSP operations.

What are their concerns, and if any underlying assumptions guide those?  The most contentious of the three ordinances is the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance 2020 (FPTC).  Indian agricultural markets are studied to have suffered at the hands of oligopolistic APMC traders/middlemen. The FPTC Bill provides an alternate to state APMCs and offers the freedom to sell and purchase agri-produce to both farmers and buyers. By creating alternate and competing markets, which do not levy taxes/fees, FPTC will help farmers by reducing transaction costs, increasing transparency, and improving their share in consumer’s rupee.  The biggest issue of agitating farmers is that they were not consulted while framing these Bills. They fear that with the implementation of FPTC, among other things, state APMCs will slowly die due to constraints of resources, leaving farmers to the whims of ‘exploitative’ traders and corporate buyers. Farmers also equated the Bill with the eventual phasing-out of government’s MSP operations, but those fears were allayed by the Govt, who confirmed their continuity.  There are two basic assumptions of these agitating farmers. o For them, the only alternative to APMC is a ‘villainous’ and ‘exploitative’ corporate buyer/trader. o By producing MSP crops (mainly rice and wheat) and selling them in assured markets at assured prices, farmers think they are maximizing their gains and are safeguarded for future.

For example with reference of two states—Punjab and Bihar. These represent two extreme examples—Punjab, on the one hand, has a robust procurement system, and financially thriving APMCs (used mainly for procurement), Bihar on the other, had

repealed APMC in 2006 and has a relatively small and insignificant level of procurement operations.

NAFIS(NABARD All-India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey)2016-17 report gives state- wise estimates of farmer incomes and its components, for 2015-16.

When we look into the income component that farmers earned from cultivation activities by dividing this income with average landholding size in the state we get a state-wise estimate of incomes generated per hectare (see graph). Let’s take a closer look at Punjab, Bihar, and Kerala.  Their average monthly incomes from cultivation were: Rs 12,481, Rs 1,652 and Rs 6,284, respectively,  Average landholding sizes were: 3.62ha, 0.39ha, and 0.18ha.  Upon dividing respective incomes with sizes, we find that on per hectare basis, Kerala farmers generated the highest incomes (Rs 34,910), followed by Bihar (Rs 4,236) and then by Punjab (Rs 3,448).  Even though a Punjab farmer earns more than a Bihar or a Kerala farmer, average incomes generated from every hectare in the state are much lower (perhaps, large differences in landholding sizes between these states could mathematically explain this counterintuitive trend).

But how can farmers in Bihar, for example, generate more income per hectare than in Punjab?  In 2015-16, Punjab’s agricultural output (current prices) valued at about Rs 1.3 lakh crore and Bihar’s at Rs 1.1 lakh crore. While Punjab’s agricultural basket emerged cereal-centric, Bihar’s was more diversified (see graph). Cereals constituted only 40% share in Bihar, but 70% in Punjab. Share of fruits and vegetables (F&V) in Bihar was high at 35%, but only 11% in Punjab. Bihar also

generated higher value from pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane, among others, unlike Punjab.  Cereals are low-valued crops compared to F&V, oilseeds, or pulses. In 2019- 20, MSPs of major cereal crops were below Rs 20/kg. But for pulses, MSPs averaged Rs 60/kg and for oilseeds, MSPs averaged Rs 44/kg. Average yearly prices of F&V are also higher than cereal prices. By focusing on lower-valued crops, Punjab is missing benefits of diversification that Bihar is tapping on.  Kerala is another striking example. With the smallest landholding size in the country (less than 0.2ha), the state generates the highest per hectare incomes (about Rs 35,000/month) (see graph). Condiments, spices, and coconuts, are the main produces. Prices of spices range between Rs 300 to Rs 1,500/kg, and MSP of coconut or copra (ball) was Rs 99/kg (2019).  Interestingly, both Kerala and Bihar do not have APMC systems. Bihar does not even have robust MSP procurement machinery. In 2018-19, GoI procured about 13 million metric tonnes (MMTs) of wheat and 11MMTs of rice (about 71% and 88% of state’s wheat and rice production) from Punjab. In Bihar, they procured about 3 thousand MTs wheat and about 1MMTs of rice (about 0.05% and 15% of state wheat and rice production).

What are the implications?  Government’s procurement at MSP offers assured markets to farmers. This market assurance encourages the majority of Punjab farmers to continue producing wheat and paddy year-on-year. As Bihar farmers do not have this assurance, they produce diversified crops. Despite a considerable advantage in the size of operational holdings, Punjab is unable to recover a high value on every hectare.  Besides, MSP is not the right remuneration benchmark, and there is only as much growth that GoI’s MSP operations will see going forward. Driven by environmental or economic factors, states dependent on paddy-wheat cropping patterns should consider diversifying their production baskets, and FPTC will facilitate triggering opportunities.

Way Forward:  By opening space for providing alternate marketing channels, the government seeks to provide a level-playing field to farmers.  States like Bihar should build on their enterprising farmers and immediately improve rural infrastructure and marketing facilities, and states like Punjab should look at devising ways to leverage benefits from diversification.  The government might handhold farmers and provides checks and balances together with a robust grievance redressal mechanism until farmers establish benefits of the new system. Likewise, the government should work with state governments to customise programmes for different regions.  Given that agriculture is a state subject, the government will do well by engaging with stakeholders. Only with consensus and convergence can the Bill reach where it is rightly positioned and intentioned to reach.

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

3.6.WAIVING OF INTEREST WILL WEAKEN BANKING SECTOR: GOVT TELLS SC

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Why in news? Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the banking sector plays a vital role in the revival of the economy and a “knee jerk reaction” to simply waive off interests on loans will weaken the sector. There were some options available for reviving the economy -  One was to write off the interest.  The second was a more holistic option in which the first step would be to ease the burden of repayment of loans.  Next priority was the revival of sectors so that economy gets moving, restructuring of stressed assets and then the operations of banking sectors.

Why just one plan doesn't work?  One has to take into account that banking sector is a multi-layered structure with different types of banks, non-banking financial corporations (NBFC), and passing a blanket order to all will not produce desired results. Besides, economy mostly runs on not large corporates but on smaller businesses.  The government had told the SC that another two years of the moratorium could be availed by borrowers under debt resolution (recast) window notified by RBI in early August. This will allow interest rate changes, but a waiver of interest on deferred installments would be against ‘the basic canons of finance’ and unfair to those who repaid loans as per schedule.

Way forward The moratorium should be extended for at least six months and even if the interest cannot be waived off, it should be reduced to a level at which banks pay depositors. The Association of Power Producers asked banks to forego profit for this year as it was among the most stressed sectors.

(Refer the link to know about RBI’s one time window to recast loans: https://iaswinnishers.com/2020/08/11/daily-current-affairs-on-aug-10/)

3.7.ONE PRODUCT ONE DISTRICT

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Why in news? The government will soon launch a ‘One Product One District’programme for every district in the country to expand the outreach of their ‘special’ product not just in India but across the world.

About:  The Commerce and Industry Ministry is rapidly working with all the states on the programme. For this, the ministry along with the private sector has also identified 24 products for which the government is focusing on partnership with the industry to expand their reach.  Through this effort, the government is looking to give a Rs 20 lakh crore boost to India’s manufacturing output. All these 24 sectors, can add at least Rs 20 lakh crore worth of manufacturing output in India in the next five years.  This will provide crores of job opportunities expand economic activity in the country and will lead the way to India’s rightful place in the world.

3.8.CUSTOMS TO ROLL OUT PAN-INDIA FACELESS ASSESSMENT

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Why in news? The Customs Department will roll out pan-India faceless assessment for all imported goods by October 31, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has said. While faceless assessment for import of certain goods was already rolled out in Bengaluru and Chennai ports, it was later extended to Delhi and Mumbai Customs. This will now be extended in phases to all ports across the country by December 31.  Faceless assessment enables an assessing officer, who is physically located in a particular jurisdiction, to assess a Bill of Entry pertaining to imports made at a different Customs station, whenever such a Bill of Entry has been assigned to him through an automated system.  The CBIC has constituted 11 National Assessment Centres (NACs), consisting of the Principal Commissioners/ Commissioners of Customs.  Functions of NAC’s o The NACs will work in a coordinated manner to ensure that all assessments are carried out in a timely manner and there is no delay or hold up of the Bills of Entry. The NACs would also examine the assessment practices of imported goods across Customs stations to bring about uniformity and enhanced quality of assessments. o The NAC would have to coordinate with Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Directorate General of Analytics and Risk Management (DGARM) and other Directorates to enhance risk assessment.

Turant Customs;  It is launched by CBIC as its flagship programme in April-2020.  Turant Customs is a mega reform for the ease of doing business. The programme has been launched at Bengaluru and Chennai to take a leap forward to take advantage of the technology for faster Customs clearance of imported goods.  With the initiation of programme it marks the first phase of the All India roll out which would get completed by 31st December 2020.

 They are faceless, contactless and paperless Customs clearance processes. This includes faceless or anonymised assessment, self-registration of goods by importers, automated clearances of bills of entry, digitisation of Customs documents, among others.  It can help India improve its ranking in World Bank’s “Trading Across Borders” parameter of its Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) index.  CBIC is the subsidiary of the Department of Revenue, Mo Finance.

3.9.RAJIV MEHARSHI PANEL

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Why in news? The government set up a panel under former comptroller and auditor general Rajiv Mehrishi to assess the impact of “waiving of interest and waiving of interest on interest on the Covid-19-related moratorium” on the economy and financial stability.  In a release, the finance ministry said: “Various concerns have been raised during the proceedings of the ongoing hearing in Honourable Supreme Court of India, in the matter of Gajendra Sharma Vs Union of India and Others, of the matter regarding the relief sought in terms of waiver of interest and waiver of interest on interest and other related issues. The government has accordingly constituted an expert committee for making an overall assessment so that its decisions in this regard are better informed.”  The committee will also make suggestions to “mitigate financial constraints of various sections of society in this respect and measures to be adopted in this regard”. At the same time, it’s also empowered to make any other recommendation or observations that may be necessary given the current situation, according to the statement. The panel can consult banks and other stakeholders.

3.10.INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE SIGNS MOU’s

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Why in news? The International Solar Alliance (ISA) has signed an MoU with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the World Bank to design a plan for implementing ‘One Solar One World and One Grid’ (OSOWOG).  The ISA also signed a MoU with India’s largest power generator, NTPC Limited, for implementing solar energy projects in 47 member countries of ISA.

ISA  Officially announced during the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015, the ISA is a partnership of solar resource-rich countries.

 Currently, 121 countries have agreed to be members of ISA. Most of these are countries with a large participation from Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Pakistan and China are not members of the ISA.  The alliance is headquartered in Gurugram.  ISA is the first inter-governmental organisation headquartered in India. The country is providing capacity building support to ISA member countries. India has also set up a project management agency to help set up bankable solar projects in ISA member countries.

OSOWOG  According to the draft plan prepared by the MNRE, the ambitious OSOWOG will connect 140 countries through a common grid which will be used to transfer solar power.  ISA will execute the bidding for the OSOWOG plan.  The vision behind the OSOWOG mantra is “The Sun Never Sets” and is a constant at some geographical locations, globally, at any given point of time.  With India at the fulcrum, the solar spectrum can easily be divided into two broad zones - the Far East, which would include countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Lao, Cambodia etc. and the far West which would cover the Middle East and the Africa region.

3.11.AN ECONOMIC DISASTER FORETOLD

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Why in news? According to the data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on August 31, 2020, real quarterly GDP contracted by a whopping 23.9% between April-June 2019 and April-June 2020. This magnitude of real GDP decline is unprecedented since the country started publishing quarterly GDP estimates in 1996.  According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), India’s real GDP contraction between April-June 2019 and April-June 2020 has been the largest among 13 large economies of the world. China is the only country which saw a positive growth of 3.2% in that period. However, even that reported contraction of the Indian economy in all likelihood is an underestimate for reasons of omission of statistical information and commission of policies of insidious intent.

An underestimated disaster  The unorganised sector forms a significant part of the Indian economy. According to some estimates, it accounts for 45% of output and 93% of employment of the working population.  While data collection methods have undoubtedly improved over time, coming up with reliable estimates of value added in the unorganised sector is challenging.  Typically, government statisticians combine information about value added per worker from enterprise surveys with information about employment from

employment-unemployment surveys to generate estimates of output in the unorganised sector.  This methodology is applied in benchmark years in which the enterprise and employment surveys are conducted, typically once every five years. The benchmark estimates are only available for those years. For other years, the estimate of output in the unorganised sector is extrapolated from benchmark year estimates using information about other indicators like the index of industrial production, the wholesale price index, and tax collection.  Such a methodology generates doubtful estimates for non-benchmark years even in the best of times. They have become misleadingly unreliable due to the sudden shock of the lockdown imposed by the Central government to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.  The lockdown has hit the unorganised sector disproportionately hard, as did the previous shock of demonetisation. As a result, standard methods of estimating the output of the unorganised sector by extrapolation and quantifying its contribution to the whole economy overestimates the income generated by it during the pandemic.

Can agriculture help? The sectoral pattern of real GDP decline provides important information.  The three sectors which contracted the most were construction (-50.3%), trade, hotels, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting (-47%) and manufacturing (-39.3%). Large parts of the first two fall in the unorganised sector underlining how the lockdown has disproportionately hit the non-agricultural unorganised sector.  The only sector which did not contract was agriculture, and that was because of a good monsoon year.  It grew between April-June 2019 and April-June 2020 at 3.4%.  In the present circumstances, agricultural growth will not help much in economic recovery. Agricultural output has risen, but agricultural income will not rise correspondingly due to the same lack of purchasing power in the unorganised sector for buying agricultural products.

A still bleaker future  India’s economic woes did not start with the pandemic. Its economy has been slowing down for the last couple of years. The year-on-year change in real GDP for the economy shows that the growth rate of quarterly real GDP has been slowing down at least since the fourth quarter of 2017, declining from 7.6% in Q4 2017 to 3.3% in Q1 2020.  Ill-conceived measures of the Central government have harmed the economy. In November 2016, demonetisation provided the first negative shock. The second one, in the form of the Goods and Services Tax in July 2017, came even before the economy had time to recover from the first shock. All this played out on the canvas of an economy where financial fragility was increasing due to unaddressed problems in the banking sector. Increasing financial fragility coupled with negative policy shocks halted the trajectory of rising growth and the lockdown has added to it.

3.12.‘$186 BN IMPORT SUBSTITUTION POSSIBLE’

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Context: Promoting self-reliance in sectors such as electronics and defence equipment, among others, can lead to import substitution of over $186 billion for India, says a study by Export and Import Bank of India (Exim Bank).

Deficit with China  The study has also included sectors such as auto components, and iron and steel where, though there is overall trade surplus for the country, but in some sub- categories, there is trade deficit, particularly with China.  These sectors account for more than $186 billion of imports by India, with a share of nearly 39% in overall imports and 50% in the non-oil imports by India.

FISCAL & MONETARY POLICY

3.13.RANGE FOR FISCAL DEFICIT, DEBT-GDP RATIO

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Context: Given the massive economic disruption due to Covid, the 15th Finance Commission will consider a suggestion to recommend a range instead of a fixed number for fiscal deficit and debt-to-GDP ratio in its report for award period of FY22- FY26, commission chairman NK Singh said.  FC do recognise that giving a range both for the Centre and an equally that for the states may be more in tune with the reality than giving a fixed point due to the fact that a more certain world has moved to a somewhat more uncertain world.  Many advisory panel members suggested considering a range for the key fiscal targets similar to the one on retail inflation (4% plus/minus 2%) set by the Monetary Policy Committee. “We need to be mindful that giving a range always have a deep inclination to only operate at the upper end of the range. But, we will be giving a mean target in case we do decide,” Singh said.  According to the FRBM mandate, the Centre’s fiscal deficit is to be 3% of GDP, however, that has eluded in the past decade with resetting of target multiple times. The fiscal deficit, which came in at 4.6% in FY20, is pegged to be 3.5% (to rise substantially, may be 6-7%) in FY21, before coming down to 3.1% in FY23.  The Singh-led committee on fiscal management has said that overall public debt-to-GDP ratio should be at 60% by 2022-23—40% for the Centre and 20% for states. The outstanding debt of states has risen over the last five years to an estimated 25% of the GDP in FY20, posing medium-term challenges to its sustainability.  The Centre’s debt-to-GDP was estimated to be around 49% of GDP in FY20, up from 48.7% in FY19, taking the general government debt-to-GDP of 74% (actual could be around 85% in FY21 as debt has increased and GDP size will shrink).

 The commission, which will submit its award report for five years (FY22-FY26) by end-October, will have four volumes.  The advisory panel of FC discussed a wide gamut of issues around GDP growth, tax buoyancy of the Centre and the states, GST compensation and fiscal consolidation. Specific issues relating to public expenditure on health, investment revival, recapitalisation of the financial system and its impact on public finances, focus on strengthening of defence capabilities, emerging trends in GST mop-up and its connection with improvements in its technology platform were also discussed.  The panel felt that the Commission is faced with unprecedented uncertainties and will have to take a nuanced approach towards tax devolution to the states, other transfers, financing of expenditures in the midst of revenue strains including via borrowings and the path of fiscal consolidation. The members also felt that the panel will have to think unconventionally, especially in treating the five years at hand.  They advised that the base year FY21 and the first year of FY22 may need to be viewed differently from the remaining four years when the revenue situation is likely to improve gradually.  The advisory panel consisted of experts like Chief Economic Adviser Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Pronab Sen, Indira Rajaraman etc.

3.14.NEW NORMS FOR PRIORITY SECTOR LENDING

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Why in news? The RBI has released new norms for priority sector lending (PSL), increasing weights associated with districts having a relatively lower credit penetration.

New norms  District based PSL norms: o From FY22, a weight of 125% would be assigned to the incremental priority sector credit in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively lower and the per capita PSL is less than Rs 6,000. There are 184 such districts. o A lower weight of 90% would be assigned for incremental priority sector credit in the 205 identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively higher and where the per capita PSL is greater than Rs 25,000. Other districts will continue to have the existing weightage of 100%.  The circular mandates a staggered increase in PSL by UCBs over a four-year period. The current target of 40% shall stand increased to 75% of adjusted net bank credit (ANBC) or credit equivalent of off-balance sheet exposures (CEOBE), whichever is higher, with effect from March 31, 2024.  The target for lending to small and marginal farmers will rise to 10% in FY24 from 8% now for all categories of banks, except UCBs.

 The target for credit to weaker sections will rise to 12% in FY24 from 10% now for all banks, except RRBs, who will continue to have a 15% target for this category.  All domestic banks (other than UCBs) and foreign banks with more than 20 branches are directed to ensure that the overall lending to Non-Corporate Farmers (NCFs) does not fall below the system-wide average of the last three years’ achievement which will be separately notified every year.  The applicable target for lending to the non-corporate farmers for FY21 will be 12.14% of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher. Banks must also work towards the target of achieving 13.5% of ANBC going to NCFs.  Other changes made to PSL classification include a higher eligibility of loans to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)/(FPC), with credit of up to Rs 5 crore to such entities now qualifying as PSL.  Loans up to Rs 50 lakh against pledge/hypothecation of agricultural produce (including warehouse receipts) for a period of up to 12 months will qualify as PSL.  Bank loans up to a limit of Rs 30 crore to borrowers for purposes like solar-based power generators, biomass-based power generators, wind mills, micro-hydel plants and for non-conventional energy based public utilities, like street lighting systems and remote village electrification etc, will be eligible for PSL classification.  The PSL classification limit for building health care facilities including under ‘Ayushman Bharat’ in Tier II to Tier VI centres will be Rs 10 crore per borrower.  Loans up to `50 crore to start-ups, as per definition of the ministry of commerce and industry, will qualify under PSL.  Bank credit to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and housing finance companies (HFCs) for on-lending will be allowed up to an overall limit of 5% of the individual bank’s total PSL.

(To know more about PSL refer: https://iaswinnishers.com/2020/08/07/daily-current- affairs-on-aug-7/ )

3.15.RBI’S LOAN RECAST PLAN

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Why in news? The RBI has specified five key financial parameters that lenders must consider before finalising resolution plans (RP) for eligible borrowers in 26 sectors, ranging from auto to trading, to mitigate the impact of Covid-related stress.  The financial parameters relating to leverage, liquidity and debt serviceability are based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee, headed by former ICICI Bank chief KV Kamath, on a ‘Resolution Framework for Covid-related stress’.  Besides auto and trading, the major sectors for which the parameters (ceilings or floors, as the case may be) have been prescribed include aviation, construction, consumer durables/FMCG, corporate retail outlets, gems and jewellery, hotel, restaurants, tourism, power, and real estate.

The five financial parameters are: 1. Total Outside Liabilities (TOL)/Adjusted Tangible Net Worth (ATNW) 2. Total Debt/EBITDA 3. Current Ratio 4. Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR); 5. Average DSCR.  For each of these parameters, RBI has prescribed either a floor or a ceiling.  Moreover, this ratio needs to be maintained, in all cases, as per the plan, by March,31 2022, and on an ongoing basis thereafter.  However, wherever there is equity infusion, the ratio may be suitably phased-in over the period.  All other key ratios shall have to be maintained as per the resolution plan by March 31, 2022 and on an ongoing basis thereafter.  Under the RBI’s framework, only borrowers classified as standard and with arrears of less than 30 days as on March 1, 2020 are eligible for resolution.  The committee sets 180 days to implement the plan and makes an inter creditor agreement (ICA) mandatory.  The tenure of a loan may be extended by a maximum of two years, with or without a moratorium.  The resolution process shall be treated as invoked once lenders representing 75% by value and 60% by number agree to invoke the same.  In these financial projections, the threshold TOL/adjusted TNW and debt/Ebitda ratios should be met by FY23.  The other three threshold ratios should be met for each year of the projections starting from FY22, adding that the base case financial projections need to be prepared as part of the plan.  Severe stress cases would require comprehensive restructuring. Exceptions to thresholds were made for five sectors — auto manufacturing, aviation, real estate, roads and trading — wholesale.  Any default by the borrower with any of the signatories to the ICA during the monitoring period shall trigger a review period of 30 days.  If the borrower is in default with any of the signatories to the ICA at the end of the review period, the asset classification of the borrower with all lending institutions, including those who did not sign the ICA, shall be downgraded to non-performing asset (NPA) from the date of implementation of the plan or the date from which the borrower had been classified as NPA before implementation of the plan, whichever is earlier.

Other sectors  Where sector-specific thresholds have not been specified, lending institutions shall make their own internal assessments regarding TOL/ATNW; and Total Debt/EBITDA.  However, the current ratio and the DSCR in all cases shall be 1.0 and above, and ADSCR shall be 1.2 and above.  Lending institutions are free to consider other financial parameters as well while finalising the resolution plan apart from the mandatory five key ratios and the sector-specific thresholds prescribed.

Graded approach Given the varying impact of the pandemic on sectors/entities, the lending institutions may, at their discretion, adopt a graded approach depending on the severity of the impact on the borrowers, while preparing or implementing the resolution plan. Such an approach may also entail classification of the impact on the borrowers into mild, moderate or severe, as recommended by the Committee.  India Ratings has estimated that around 7.7 per cent (₹8.4-lakh crore) of the total bank credit as at end-March 2020 from corporate and non-corporate segments could get restructured under the Covid resolution framework.

3.16.GST SHORTFALL

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Context: The central government wrote to states suggesting options of borrowing money to make up for the Rs 2.35 lakh crore shortfalls in GST revenues expected in the ongoing fiscal. In the GST Council meeting on August 27, Finance Minister had said that COVID-19 is an “Act of God” and it was necessary to differentiate between GST shortfall and the pandemic-related shortfall.  After suggesting to states to borrow money to make up for the shortfall at the GST Council meeting, the finance ministry wrote to state governments saying they could borrow either via a special window it will facilitate through the RBI or raise debt from the market.

What is the stand of finance ministry?  In a letter to all states and union territories, Union Finance Ministry said while additional borrowing by the Centre influences the yields on central government securities (G-secs) and has other macro-economic repercussions; the yields on state securities do not directly influence other yields and do not have the same repercussions.  Hence, it is in the collective interest of Centre and states and in the interest of the nation and of all economic entities including the private sector, not to do any avoidable borrowing at the central level when it could be done at the state level.  In the current fiscal, the compensation requirement of states has been estimated at Rs 3 lakh crore, of which Rs 65,000 crore would be funded from the revenues garnered by levy of cess. This leaves a shortfall of Rs 2.35 lakh crore.  The Centre has estimated that of this Rs 2.35 lakh crore, Rs 97,000 crore compensation requirement is due to GST rollout and the remaining is on account of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.  Giving two options, states can borrow either Rs 97,000 crore — the deficit arising out of GST implementation — or the entire Rs 2.35 lakh crore.  Explaining in detail the borrowing options to meet shortfall, the finance ministry said borrowing by states typically incurs a higher interest cost than borrowing by the Centre. The Government of India is conscious of this and has factored this (in the options) with a view to protecting the states so that they are not adversely affected.

 First Option: o If the states choose to borrow Rs 97,000 crore, which is the shortfall, arising out of GST implementation, under a specialwindow, the Centre will endeavor to keep the cost at or close to the G-sec yield. Such a borrowing would be over and above any other borrowing ceilings for which a state is eligible. o The interest on the borrowing under the special window will be paid from the cess as and when it arises until the end of the transition period… The state will not be required to service the debt or to repay it from any other source. o The borrowing under the special window will not be treated as debt of the state for any norms which may be prescribed by the Finance Commission.  Second option: o The entire shortfall of Rs 2.35 lakh crore will be borrowed by states through issue of market debt. o The interest shall be paid by the states from their resources, while the principal on the amount under will be paid from proceeds of the cess. o To the extent of the shortfall arising due to implementation of GST (i.e. Rs 97,000 crore approximately in aggregate), the borrowing will not be treated as debt of the state for any norms which may be prescribed by the Finance Commission.

Justification from the states:  While the Centre has reasoned its recommendations on premise that it is already saddled with a large borrowing requirement given the slowdown in revenue collections due to a slump in the economy, non-BJP ruled states such as Punjab, Kerala, Delhi and West Bengal have already stated that raising debt is not an option for already stretched state finances. States, on their part, have said that such a distinction is not constitutionally valid.  There was no reference to the “Act of God” in the agreement, nor was there a provision that the states will have to borrow and pay interest on the compensation loans.

GST Compensation Act conundrum:  The GST Compensation Act requires compensating the states for a shortfall in their revenue collections because of GST implementation every two months.  The states had joined the GST regime in 2017 on the agreement that they will receive compensation equivalent to the difference between the revenue from the taxes subsumed in GST in2015-16, increased at 14% every year, and the actual revenue collection from the tax.  Of course, it was optimistic to take a high growth rate, but that was a part of the “grand bargain”, a lure for the states to join the reform. With a sharp decline in revenue collections due to the pandemic, the Union finance ministry has put forward two alternative proposals in the meeting of the GST Council, held specifically to discuss the issue. The states have been asked to decide on the proposals within seven working days.

 Even as the fine print of the two proposals is unfolding, there is considerable consternation among states on the recommendations. They are vexed with the solutions offered as an abrogation of the agreement.  The entire episode brings out the fact that despite eulogising “cooperative federalism”, ultimately, it is the relative bargaining power and not the spirit of the agreement that decides the solutions. Even if the states feel that they have been given the short-shrift, there is very little they can do. They cannot go back to the pre-GST regime, nor is there a dispute resolution mechanism.  Although Clause 11 of Article 279A of the Constitution provides for the creation of an adjudication mechanism by the GST Council, it has not been done so far.  The states were persuaded to forgo their fiscal autonomy in favour of tax harmonisation only after assuring that their revenue interests will besafeguarded for five years.  The compensation amount was to be estimated as discussed above, and to finance this, a provision was made to enable the Centre to levy compensation as cess on some ‘luxury’ items and ‘demerit’ goods. The proceeds were to be deposited in the compensation fund to be kept in public accounts.  The GST Compensation Act states that if there is excess in the fund on the expiry of five years, 50% of the excess will be transferred to the Consolidated Fund of India and remaining to the states.

Why states in dire need of compensation funds?  The States do not have recourse to multiple options that the Centre has, such as issue of a sovereign bond (in dollars or rupees) or a loan against public sector unit shares from the Reserve Bank of India.  The Centre can anyway command much lower rates of borrowing from the markets as compared to the States.  In terms of aggregate public sector borrowing, it does not matter for the debt markets, orthe rating agencies, whether it is the States or the Centre that is increasing their indebtedness.  Fighting this recession through increased fiscal stimulus is basically the job of macroeconomic stabilisation, which is the Centre’s domain.  Most importantly, breaking this important promise, using the alibi of the COVID-19 pandemic causes a serious dent in the trust built up between the Centre and States.

The proposals raise a number of issues.  The projections and adjustments made to account for the “Act of God” are contestable. The world over, GST is considered as the “money machine”. However, in India, even after three years, the GSTN failed to stabilise the technology platform, and with no mechanism to match invoices to monitor input tax credit, compliance has fallen.  Nowhere in the GST Compensation Act, or the relevant Rules, the “Act of God” finds a place.  Considering the fact that the entire repayment of the loans will be made from the proceeds of the cess collections in future years, it would have been better for the Union government to borrow. The credit rating agencies would not have taken this negatively as this liability would not burden the Consolidated Fund of India.

 We do not know the details of the special window to be opened by RBI and how the interest rates will be kept at a rate lower than the market rate.

Way Forward:  Many states are naturally disappointed, and some have openly expressed their disagreement on any of the two proposals. Even in this late hour, the Union government can take the decision to take the loan to compensate the states, which may be serviced and repaid in later years from the proceeds of the compensation cess in the spirit of the agreement and foster the spirit of cooperative federalism.  The GST reform was hailed as a great experiment in “cooperative federalism” with all the states and UTs with legislatures joining the Centre in the reform to harmonise domestic trade taxes. But, the real test of cooperative federalism comes in a crunch situation. Faced with significant erosion of their own revenues and substantial decline in the tax devolution from the Centre and faced with sharp increases in their liabilities on account of fighting the pandemic, providing livelihoods to the people and reviving the economy, they were hoping that the Centre, armed with greater strength and borrowing powers, would help them tide over the difficulties.  However, according to the minutes of the 7th and 8th GST Council meetings, the FM had assured that compensation to the states shall be paid in full for the five years within the stipulated period. And, in case of a shortfall, the GST Council shall decide the mode of raising additional resources including borrowing from the market, which could be repaid by collecting the cess in subsequent years. In the prevailing situation, the states were hoping that the Union government would borrow the required funds, which could be repaid from the collections from the cess in future.

3.17.RBI ISSUES DRAFT RUPEE INTEREST RATE DERIVATIVES

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Why in news? The Reserve Bank proposed allowing Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) to undertake exchange-traded rupee interest rate derivatives transactions subject to an overall ceiling of Rs 5,000 crore.

What is Interest Rate Derivatives? Interest Rate Derivatives (IRD) are contracts whose value is derived from one or more interest rates, prices of interest-rate instruments, or interest rate indices.

About:  FPIs may transact in permitted exchange-traded IRDs subject to the conditions that, at any point in time “the net long position of FPIs, collectively, and across all exchanges, in exchange-traded IRDs shall not exceed Rs 5,000 crore”.

 Also, the net short position of an FPI on exchange-traded IRDs should not exceed its long position in government securities and other rupee debt securities.  The purpose of offering Rupee IRD contracts to a user, the market-maker (entities which provide bid and offer prices to users in order to provide liquidity to the market) should classify the user either as a retail user or as a non-retail user.  Non-retail users, as per the draft, are entities regulated by RBI, SEBI, IRDAI or PFRDA; resident companies with a minimum net worth of Rs 500 crore; and non- residents, other than individuals.  Any user who is not eligible to be classified as a non-retail user shall be classified as a retail user.  The proposed Rupee Interest Rate Derivatives (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2020 are aimed at encouraging higher non-resident participation, enhance the role of domestic market makers in the offshore market, improve transparency, and achieve better regulatory oversight.

3.18.FACTORING REGULATION (AMENDMENT) BILL

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

Why in news? The Bill seeks to amend the Factoring Regulation Act, 2011 to widen the scope of entities which can engage in factoring business.  Under the Factoring Regulation Act, 2011, factoring business is a business where an entity (referred as factor) acquires the receivables of another entity (referred as assignor) for an amount.  Receivables are the total amount that is owed or yet to be paid by the customers (referred as the debtors) to the assignor for the use of any goods, services or facility.  Factor can be a bank, a registered non-banking financial company or any company registered under the Companies Act. Note that credit facilities provided by a bank against the security of receivables are not considered as factoring business.

New Provisions:  Change in the definition of receivables: The Act defines receivables as (all or part of or undivided interest in) the monetary sum which is the right of a person under a contract. This right may be existing, arise in the future, or contingent arising from use of any service, facility or otherwise. The Bill amends the definition of receivables to mean any money owed by a debtor to the assignor for toll or for the use of any facility or services.  Change in the definition of assignment: The Act defines assignment to mean transfer (by agreement) of undivided interest of any assignor in any receivable due from the debtor, in favour of the factor. The Bill amends the definition to add that such a transfer can be in whole or in part (of the undivided interest in the receivable dues).

 Change in the definition of factoring business: The Act defines a factoring business to mean the business of: o Acquisition of receivables of an assignor by accepting assignment of such receivables, OR o Financing against the security interests of any receivables through loans or advances. The Bill amends this to define factoring business as acquisition of receivables of an assignor by assignment for a consideration. The acquisition should be for the purpose of collection of the receivables or for financing against such assignment.  Registration of factors: Under the Act, no company can engage in factoring business without registering with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The Bill removes the threshold for NBFCs to engage in factoring business.  Registration of transactions: Under the Act, factors are required to register the details of every transaction of assignment of receivables in their favour. These details should be recorded with the Central Registry setup under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002 within a period of 30 days. If they fail to do so, the company and each officer failing to comply may be punished with a fine of up to five thousand rupees per day till the default continues. The Bill removes the 30 day time period. It states that the time period, manner of registration, and payment fee for late registration may be specified by the regulations.  Further, the Bill states that where trade receivables are financed through Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), the details regarding transactions should be filed with the Central Registry by the concerned TReDS, on behalf of the factor. Note that TReDS is an electronic platform for facilitating financing of trade receivables of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.  RBI to make regulations: The Bill empowers RBI to make regulations for: (i) the manner of granting registration certificates to a factor, (ii) the manner of filing of transaction details with the Central Registry for transactions done through the TReDS, and (iii) any other matter as required.

3.19.BANKING REGULATION (AMENDMENT) BILL-2020

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

Need of the amendment to cooperative banks:  Co-operative banks provide banking facilities to people of small means. However, absence of regulatory oversight by RBI on par with commercial banks has contributed to the poor performance of co-operative banks. The Bill seeks to extend RBI regulation of co-operative banks with respect to management, capital, audit and winding up.  ‘Banking’ is a Union List subject in the Constitution and ‘incorporation, regulation and winding up’ of co-operative societies’ is in the State List. The question is whether regulation of management, audit, capital and winding up of

co-operative banks are essential to regulating the activity of banking, and therefore whether the Bill falls within the legislative competence of Parliament.  The Bill enables co-operative banks to issue equity shares to members and to persons residing within the banks’ area of operation. Since co-operative societies raise capital from members, it is unclear what it means to raise equity capital from the public. Further, restrictions on redemption of share capital by members may limit their option to exit.

Highlights of the Bill (to Cooperative Banks)  Co-operative banks are exempted from several provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The Bill applies some of these provisions to them, making their regulation under the Act similar to that of commercial banks.  Co-operative banks may raise equity or unsecured debt capital from the public subject to prior RBI approval.  RBI may prescribe conditions on and qualifications for employment of Chairman of co-operative banks. RBI may remove a Chairman not meeting ‘fit and proper’ criteria and appoint a suitable person. It may issue directions to reconstitute the Board of Directors in order to ensure sufficient number of qualified members.  RBI may supersede the Board of Directors of a co-operativebank after consultation with the state government.  The Bill allows RBI to undertake reconstruction or amalgamation of a bank without imposing a moratorium.  Under the Bill, audit of co-operative banks would be conducted on par with scheduled commercial banks. Accounts would be audited by a qualified person and RBI approval would be required before appointing, re-appointing or removing an auditor.  The Bill provides that the Board of Directors must have not less than 51% of members who have special knowledge or practical experience in areas such as accountancy, banking, economics or law among others.  Co-operative banks are excluded from the provision on issuance of shares and securities under the BR Act.

3.20.CAG BUSTS MYTH OF REDUCED TAX DISPUTES

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Context: Despite a series of dispute resolution initiatives, including the latest ‘Vivad Se Vishwas’ scheme and oft-articulated commitment to reduce the backlog of litigation by withdrawing frivolous pleas, the government’s tax officers at the field level seem to have relented little when it comes to tax aggression.

CAG’s findings:  The CAG of India’s audit report with respect to the tax department, for the financial year 2018-19, revealed that the number of disputes and also the amounts locked up at various forums, including the tribunal’s courts, have only risen.

 The amount locked up in appeal cases with CIT-Appeals (Rs 5.63 lakh crore) in 2018-19 was more than the Centre’s revenue deficit in the year, the CAG observed.  Also, the auditor has noted a trend of increase in ‘demands difficult to recover’, in what reflects the taxman’s refusal to stop pushing cases lacking merit.  Also, “revenue impact of tax incentives” continued to be sticky at least until 2018-19 (last September’s corporate tax reforms may have addressed this issue to an extent), despite the government being vocal about the phasing out of exemptions/deductions and other sops to clean up the tax system.  Revenues forgone on account of tax incentives were a considerable Rs 2,13,225 crore in 2018-19, and these have in fact risen from 18.3% of direct taxes collected in 2016-17 to 18.7% in 2018-19.  The income tax appeal cases of all categories of taxpayers pending at the Income Tax Appellate Tribunals (ITATs), High Courts and Supreme Court rose by a whopping 65% year-on-year to 1.35 lakh in FY19, the CAG reported. The appeal cases at the courts involved Rs 2,10,833 crore in FY19 compared with Rs 2,07,826 crore in FY18.  As far as the cases before the tribunals, the CAG has reviewed data up to FY18 only – when it stood at Rs 2.35 lakh crore – but given that the overall cases with all these forums jumped in FY19, the disputed amounts stuck at tribunals must have also risen.  Increase in demand difficult to recover in FY 2018-19 was more than the increase in total arrears of demand during the same year by Rs 5,566 crore.

Measures taken:  Based on number of submissions made to the department under Vivad se Vishwas scheme till September 8, 2020, dispute resolution process is underway in 35,074 cases. The scheme was aimed at encouraging people to avail the opportunity to avoid much higher tax liabilities that could potentially befall on them in the normal course of dispute resolution involving tax adjudicators and courts.  Personal Income Tax (PIT) dispute amounts which used to rise steadily bucked trend in FY18, the year after demonetisation, with a year-on-year fall of nearly Rs 80,000 crore or over 25% to Rs 2.24 lakh crore. The decline was attributable to the two income disclosure schemes — IDS and PM-GKY– that ran for a few months in FY17 before and after note-ban, respectively.

3.21.RBI ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR UNIFORM COMPLIANCE ACROSS BANKS

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Why in news? The RBI issued guidelines to enforce uniform compliance practices across banks. Among the requirements laid down by the central bank are a board-approved compliance policy, appointment of a chief compliance officer (CCO) and internal audit of the compliance function.

Uniform Compliance Practices:  As part of a robust compliance system, banks are required to have an effective compliance culture, an independent corporate compliancefunction and a strong compliance risk management programme at the bank and group levels.  Such an independent compliance function is required to be headed by a designated Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) selected through a suitable process with an appropriate ‘fit and proper’ evaluation/selection criterion to manage compliance risk effectively.  However, it is observed that the banks follow diverse practices in this regard. The following guidelines are meant to bring uniformity in approach followed by banks, as also to align the supervisory expectations on CCOs with best practices.  The guidelines mandate that banks must lay down board-approved compliance policies clearly spelling out their compliance philosophy, expectations on compliance culture covering tone from the top, accountability, incentive structure and effective communication and the challenges thereof.  Boards must also define the structure and role of the compliance function, the role of the CCO and processes for identifying, assessing, monitoring, managing and reporting on compliance risk throughout the bank.  Banks shall develop and maintain a quality assurance and improvement programme covering all aspects of the compliance function. The programme shall be subject to independent external review periodically, at least once in three years.  The policy should lay special thrust on building up compliance culture, vetting of the quality of supervisory/regulatory compliance reports to RBI by the top executives, non-executive chairman/chairman and ACB (audit committee of the board) of the bank, as the case may be. The policy shall be reviewed at least once a year.

Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)  The CCO shall be a senior executive of the bank, preferably in the rank of a general manager or an equivalent position and not below two levels from the chief executive.  The CCO could also be recruited from the market. They should not be more than 55 years old. The CCO must have an overall experience of at least 15 years in banking or financial services, out of which at least five years shall be in the audit, finance, compliance, legal or risk management functions.

 The CCO shall have the ability to independently exercise judgement as also the freedom and sufficient authority to interact with regulators and supervisors directly, and ensure compliance. No vigilance case or adverse observation from the RBI should be pending against the candidate identified for appointment as the CCO.  The CCO shall have direct reporting lines to the MD and CEO and/or the board and ACB of the bank. In case the CCO reports to the MD and CEO, the audit committee of the board shall meet the CCO quarterly on the one-on-one basis without the presence of the senior management, including the MD and CEO. The CCO shall not have any reporting relationship with the business verticals of the bank and shall not be given any business targets. Further, the performance appraisal of the CCO shall be reviewed by the board/ACB.

3.22.WHERE ARE THE FUNDS COLLECTED THROUGH CESS PARKED?

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Context: The CAG of India, in its latest audit report of government accounts, has observed that the Union government withheld in the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) more than Rs1.1 lakh crore out of the almost Rs 2.75 lakh crore collected through various cesses in 2018-19.  The CAG found this objectionable since cess collections are supposed to be transferred to specified Reserve Funds that Parliament has approved for each of these levies.  The nation’s highest auditor also found that fund collected as Cess on Crude Oil over the last decade had not been transferred to the designated Reserve Fund — the Oil Industry Development Board — and had instead been retained in the Centre’s coffers.  Similarly, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Compensation Cess was also “short- credited” to the relevant reserve fund to the extent of Rs 47,272 crore in two years (Rs 40,806 crore in 2018-19 and Rs 6,466 crore in 2017-18).

What is a cess? The centre is empowered to raise revenue through a gamut of levies, including taxes (both direct and indirect), surcharges, fees and cess. While direct taxes, including income tax, and indirect taxes such as GST are taxes where the revenue received can be spent by the government for any public purpose in any manner it deems appropriate for the nation’s good, a cess is a earmarked tax that is collected for a specific purpose and ought to be spent only for that.  Every cess is collected after Parliament has authorised its creation through an enabling legislation that specifies the purpose for which the funds are being raised.  Article 270 of the Constitution allows cess to be excluded from the purview of the divisible pool of taxes that the Union government must share with the States.

How many cesses does government levy?

 A report submitted to the Fifteenth Finance Commission listed 42 cesses that have been levied at various points in time since 1944.  The very first cess was levied on matches, according to this study. Post- Independence, the cess taxes were linked initially to the development of a particular industry, including a salt cess and a tea cess in 1953.  Subsequently, the introduction of a cess was motivated by the aim of ensuring labour welfare. Some cesses that exemplified this thrust were the iron ore mines labour welfare cess in 1961, the limestone and dolomite mines labour welfare cess of 1972 and the cine workers welfare cess introduced in 1981.  The introduction of the GST in 2017 led to most cesses being done away with and as of August 2018, there were only seven cesses that continued to be levied. These were Cess on Exports, Cess on Crude Oil,Health and Education Cess, Road and Infrastructure Cess, Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess, National Calamity Contingent Duty on Tobacco and Tobacco Products and the GST Compensation Cess. And in February, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced a new cess — a Health Cess of 5% on imported medical devices — in the Finance Bill for 2020-2021.

Why is the issue in the news currently?  The CAG’s finding that the Centre retained₹47,272 crore of GST compensation cess in the Consolidated Fund instead of crediting it to the GST compensation fund in the very first two years of the implementation of the new indirect tax regime has raised several key questions. For one, most crucially, the express purpose of this particular cess is to help recompense States for the loss of revenue on account of their having joined the GST regime by voluntarily giving up almost all the power to levy local indirect taxes on goods and services.  Also, as a report observed, the share of revenue to the Centre’s annual tax kitty from cess had risen to 11.88% of the estimated gross tax receipts in 2018-19, from 6.88% in 2012-13. Given that cess does not need to be a part of the divisible pool of resources, this increasing share of cess in the Union government’s tax receipts has a direct impact on fiscal devolution.

Cess vs. Surcharge Cess is imposed by the central government and is a tax on tax and is levied for a specific purpose. It is levied until the government gets enough money for that purpose. The usage of the fund created out of cess is restricted to specific purposes only. A surcharge is a tax on any tax. The objective of imposing of levying surcharge is to put high tax burden on rich persons who can bear or have the capacity to pay high tax.

3.23.E-WAY BILL GENERATION

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Why in news?

More than 4.87 crore e-way bills, valued at over Rs 13.85 lakh crore, were generated by businesses and transporters in August, reflecting a pick-up in economic activity, GSTN data show.

What are e-way bills?  Electronic way, or e-way bills, is required for inter-State movement of goods worth over Rs 50,000. For intra-State movement, the limits vary from State to State.  GSTN, which manages the technology backbone of GST, said businesses can now download e-way bill data for the past one-month from the e-way bill portal run by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).  In February, before the COVID-19 lockdowns, 5.63 crore e-way bills were generated, valued at ₹15.39 lakh crore.

INDUSTRY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES SECTOR

3.24.GOVT ASKS MAJOR PORTS TO USE ONLY LOCALLY BUILT TUG BOATS

Relevance: GS-3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc

Why in news? In line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme, the shipping ministry has directed all 12 major ports to procure or charter only those tug boats which are made in India. However, some relaxation will be provided to the ports keeping in mind the time required to build such vessels that maneuvers large ships into the shore.  It is a step towards bolstering the revival of Indian Ship building and a big move towards Aatmanirbhar shipping in Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The government is taking 360 degree actions to revive old shipyards and promote shipbuilding in India said an official statement.  The government will try to create an ecosystem for shipbuilding, ship repair, ship recycling and flagging in India.  Procurement/chartering of port crafts would need to be aligned with the revised Make in India Order to promote shipbuilding in India.  The ministry has proposed to set up a standing specifications committee headed by managing director of the Indian Ports Association and comprising representatives from Cochin Ship Yard, Shipping Corporation of India, Indian Register of Shipping and director general of Shipping.  The Committee will shortlist around five variants of tug boats and prepare an approved standardised tug design and specifications.

Tug boats: A tugboat is a secondary boat which helps in mooring or berthing operation of a shipby either towing or pushing a vessel towards the port.  A tug is a special class of boat without which mega-ships cannot get into a port. Along with the primary purpose of towing the vessel towards the harbour, tug boats can be engaged in the purpose of providing essentials such as water, air, etc. to the vessel.

Shipping Industry in India:  According to the Ministry of Shipping, around 95 per cent of India's trading by volume and 70 per cent by value is done through maritime transport.  India has 12 major - Deendayal (erstwhile Kandla), Mumbai, JNPT, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar (earlier Ennore), VO Chidambaranar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) and 205 notified minor and intermediate ports.  Under the National Perspective Plan for Sagarmala, six new mega ports will be developed in the country.  India is the sixteenth largest maritime country in the world with a coastline of about 7,517 kms.  India has allowed FDI of up to 100 per cent under the automatic routefor port and harbour construction and maintenance projects. It has also facilitated a 10-year tax holiday to enterprises that develop, maintain and operate ports, inland waterways and inland ports.  Project UNNATI was started by the Government of India to identify opportunities for improvement in the operations of major ports. Under the project, 116 initiatives were identified, out of which 91 initiatives were implemented as of November 2018.

Market Size  In FY20, major ports in India handled 704.82 million tonnes (MT) of cargo traffic, implying a CAGR of 2.74 per cent during FY16-FY20. Cargo traffic at non- major ports reached 447.21 MT in FY20 (till December 2019).  The major ports had a capacity of 1,514.09 MT per annum (MTPA) in FY19. The Maritime Agenda 2010-20 has a 2020 target of 3,130 MT of port capacity.

3.25.WHAT THE OPENING OF WATERWAY WITH BANGLADESH MEANS FOR TRIPURA?

Relevance: GS-3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc

Why in news? As Tripura opens its first-ever inland waterway with Bangladesh from Sonamura in Sepahijala district, along with the expectations and hopes, there are also questions around the ambitious project and its trade potential.  The route connecting Sonamura, about 60 km from Agartala in the Indian side, and Daudkandi of Chittagong in Bangladesh was included in the list of Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) routes agreed up on May 20 this year. The ambitious project has already been projected as a major catalyst to catapult Tripura into a gateway to the North-East.  A big boat carrying 50 MT cement from Bangladesh’s Munshiganj port is scheduled to come in as part of the trial run Saturday.

Tripura’s foreign trade  Tripura’s cross-border trade has commenced since 1995. Currently, the state exports a handful of goods and materials worth Rs 30 crore to Bangladesh

annually, but imports good worth Rs 645 crore. This huge trade deficit is due to abnormally high import duty apparatus in Bangladesh and the absence of many commodities abundant in the state in the list of goods allowed for export as well as port restrictions.  Now, the forthcoming Agartala-Akhaura rail project, Indo-Bangla bridge over River Feni and a second Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sabroom are also aimed at taking up the quantum of trade between the two sides.  Akhaura Integrated Check Post alone imports 150 times more than Sonamura jetty’s trade volume — the state has six other land crossings.

Tripura’s first Inland waterway  Since 2018, expert teams from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) and local authorities held a series of visits and studied the feasibility of launching inland waterways connectivity on River Gomati. The river connects with Meghna in Bangladesh via a 90-km stretch of water from Sonamura till Daudkandi.  The plan included dredging the riverbed to make way for small ship and boats from Sonamura till Ashuganj river port in Bangladesh, 60 km away. Dredging was deemed necessary given the shallow depth of riverbed and constant sedimentation in the areas where the river meanders below hills.

Making Gomati navigable  River Gomati is the largest and longest river of Tripura with cumulative length of 180 km. It is also considered a sacred river and devotees converge along its banks at Tirthmukh every Makar Sankranti.  Gomati is also a regulated river. Due to the high altitude of in its upper catchment and Dumbur dam built in 1974 as part of the Gumti hydro-electric power project, the river erodes a lot of sand and rocky particles in its upper segment. The flow slows down a lot after it reaches the plains and at Maharani barrage in Gomati district, a large volume of the water is extracted for irrigation and is held back for beautification of Dumbur dam as a tourist spot.  A river needs at least 4-5 feet depth for goods carriers to navigate on a regular basis. Gomati riverbed remains navigable for less than four months a year, that too only during monsoon days. For rest of the year, scanty rainfall in the hills results in low volume while accumulating sediments raise the average riverbed, rendering Gomati even shallower. In comparison, the inland waterway route with

Bangladesh at Karimganj in Assam operates small ships to large boats for nearly six months a year. 3.26.GOVT TARGETS 10,000 CNG OUTLETS IN FIVE YEARS

Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Why in news? Government aims to have 10,000 retail outlets of compressed natural gas (CNG) in the next five years as the country plans to increase the share of gas in its energy basket.  Currently, about 75% of the CNG stations are concentrated in Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra.  The total number of CNG outlets in the country now stands at 2,307.  The regulator had proposed 44 new geographical areas for the upcoming CGD auctions, with most located in Tamil Nadu (eight), followed by Maharashtra (seven) and Madhya Pradesh (six).  At present, the CGD network covers 232 geographical areas spread over 407 districts in 27 states.  The present share of gas in the energy basket of the country is 6.2%, and the target is to take it to 15% by 2030.

3.27.CLONE TRAINS

Relevance: GS-3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Why in news? Indian Railways has decided to run 20 pairs of clone special train services from 21 September 2020, considering the huge demand for travel on specific routes!

What are Clone Trains?  The clone trains have been proposed based on the patronization of already operating IRCTC Special trains on the Indian Railways network with limited stoppages/halts and faster transit time. As the name suggests, these clone trains are a replica of the original trains on a route, aimed at meeting high demand by passengers.  Clone trains will be primarily 3 AC train services and will run ahead of the already operating Special trains by Indian Railways.  The national transporter has announced that these clone trains will be operationalized on the railway routes having high patronage and demand.  The speed of clone trains will be higher than the existing special trains.  The Advance Reservation Period (ARP) of these Clone Trains will be 10 days.  In the past, Clone Trains have not been operated on the Indian Railways.  19 pairs of clone special trains will be operated by utilizing Indian Railways’ Humsafar rakes.

 One pair- train Lucknow – Delhi Clone Special train service will run as Jan Shatabdi Express.  The train fare of Humsafar rake will be charged as per the fare of Humsafar trains, while for the Jan Shatabdi rake, the fare will be charged from passengers as per the fare of Jan Shatabdi Express.

Humsafar Express  It is a fully premium service with AC-3 Tier and Sleeper Class accommodation having all the modern facilities designed and operated by Indian Railways. Its services include long haul routes.  The first service was inaugurated on 16 December 2016 between Gorakhpur and Anand Vihar Terminal, New Delhi.  The fares of Humsafar Express at the time of launch are around 15-20% higher compared to normal AC-3 tier and Sleeper Class fares.

3.28.INDIA’S FIRST BULLET TRAIN PROJECT FACES RESISTANCE

Relevance: GS-3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Why in news? India’s first bullet train project is facing resistance from farmers in Gujarat over the issue of compensation for their land to be acquired for the Rs 1.5-lakh-crore project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

What is the agitation about?  According to sources, the high speed rail project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is a multi-state project and hence it should be implemented as per central government norms.  Unfortunately there is no uniformity in compensation being paid to farmers of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Union Territory (Dadra & Nagar Haveli), adding that as per central government norms farmers should be paid compensation four times higher than market rates, but in Gujarat it is not being followed.  Sources in National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) — the implementing agency for the bullet train project — claimed that over 60% work related to land acquisition has been completed. On this, farmer organization said that hardly 10% of the land is in the possession of NHSRCL.  As per NHSRCL claim, out of the required 1,380 hectare land, nearly 700 hectare has been acquired. A senior official said that the land acquisition process is speedier in Gujarat compared to neighbouring Maharashtra. Out of 940 hectare land in Gujarat, more than 600 hectare land is acquired as per NHSRCL sources. In the case of Maharashtra, around 80 hectare land out of 431 hectares has been acquired. As farmers of Dadra & Nagar Haveli are getting compensation as per central government norms, almost 7 hectare out of 8.7 hectare land acquired there.

Bullet train project:  The 508-km high-speed rail (HSR) will have 12 stations including two end-to-end stations — Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai and Sabarmati in Ahmedabad. Of the remaining 10 stations including Kalupur (Ahmedabad

station), Anand, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Bilimora and Vapi in Gujarat, while rest of the four Boisar, Virar, Thane and BKC fall under Maharashtra.  It is based on Japan’s E5 Shinkansen technology.  The ambitious railway project, which will boast speeds of over 300 km per hour

Also in news? Indian Railways has sanctioned the feasibility studies for seven more bullet train corridors. According to the Railway Board Chairman and CEO, all these seven new high- speed rail corridor projects will be open to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The upcoming seven bullet train projects for which feasibility studies have been permitted are: 1) Delhi-Amritsar 2) Varanasi-Howrah 3) Delhi-Varanasi 4) Delhi-Ahmedabad 5) Mumbai-Hyderabad 6) Mumbai-Nagpur 7) Chennai-Mysore

3.29.GOVT TO TIGHTEN SCRUTINY OF IMPORTS FROM SEPTEMBER 21

Relevance: GS-3: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

Context: A broad range of imports, including of mobile phones, set-top boxes, camera and various white goods, will come under stricter scrutiny from September 21, as the government will enforce tougher customs rules to curb abuse of its Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with trading partners by unscrupulous elements.

Why this move?  Customs officials have long suspected that China may be diverting its supplies to India through ASEAN nations, abusing rules of origin, to illegally take advantage of duty-free market access under the FTA. Given the latest Indo-China border skirmish, the diversion may surge, they fear.  In fact, after Singapore and Hong Kong, Vietnam has emerged as the third Asian trade partner, which counts on massive Chinese investments, to turn its usual trade deficit with India into a decent surplus in a span of just three years. Between FY18 and FY20, India’s trade balance with Vietnam swung from a surplus of $2.8 billion to a deficit of $2.2 billion, according to official data.  The budget earlier this year had introduced a change in Section 28DA of Customs Act that pertains to procedures regarding claim of preferential rate of duty. To tighten the rules of origin of imported products, the revenue department last month stipulated that the importer or his agent, at the time of filing bill of entry, has to make a declaration that the purchased items qualify for preferential duty, and also produce certificates of origin. The claims can be rejected if the certificate of origin is incomplete or has any alteration not authenticated by the issuing authority or the certificate is produced after its validity period has expired.  Finance ministry sources say investigations have revealed that items, including TVs, mobile phones, set-top boxes, telecom network products and metals, coming

from FTA countries did not meet the prescribed origin criterion. Also, various FTAs have only caused India’s trade deficit to soar.  For instance, in ASEAN case, the trade gap has risen from $5 billion in 2010, when the FTA with ASEAN was implemented, to over $22 billion now. Apart from Singapore and Vietnam, it has widened with Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia as well.

Rules Of Origin: Rules of origin are the criteria needed to determine the national source of a product. Their importance is derived from the fact that duties and restrictions in several cases depend upon the source of imports.

Rules of origin are used:  To implement measures and instruments of commercial policy such as anti- dumping duties and safeguard measures;  To determine whether imported products shall receive most-favoured-nation (MFN) treatment or preferential treatment;  For the purpose of trade statistics;  For the application of labeling and marking requirements;  For government procurement.

4. ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

4.1.SHETRUNJI AND BHADAR DAMS

Why in news? Following heavy rains, the irrigation department discharged water in large volumes from Shetrunji and Bhadar dams, the two largest reservoirs in the water-starved Saurashtra region, on Aug 30th.  The two dams are across Shetrunji and Bhadar rivers. These rivers flow in opposite directions and the two dams have different catchment areas. While Bhadar originates from Jasdan taluka of Rajkot, Shetrunji originates from the neighbouring Amreli district. Parts of Amreli also drain into Bhadar.  However, their geographical location in Saurashtra makes these two dams a good indicator of rainfall distribution in the region, according to officers of the irrigation department.  Following good rainfall in their catchment areas, Sehtrunji dam overflowed on August 19 and Bhadar dam followed on August 21. It was for the first time since 2015, and the 16th time overall, that the two dams overflowed simultaneously during the same season.  Shetrunji and Bhadar dams are the first and second largest dams of saurashtra respectively and they both overflow simultaneously only when the entire saurashtra receives good rainfall.

4.2.ARGENTINA'S WETLANDS

Why in news? The worst fires in more than a decade are cutting through Argentina's vast wetlands, exacerbated by low water levels in the Parana River delta region that have exposed carbon-rich soil ripe for burning.  Infrared technology and satellite imagery have detected more hot spots, or potential fires, in the country's largest wetland during August than have been found in any other month this year, scientists said.  Wetlands play a crucial role in mitigating floods and purifying water, so their destruction is a major concern for scientists. The water-logged ecosystem is home to thousands of species, including the capybara, the world's largest rodent.  Some of driest conditions in Argentina since at least 2008 have fueled the spread of the fires over the last three months.  Nearly 200,000 hectares of wetlands, an area roughly half the size of the U.S. state of Rhode Island, have been scorched, government data shows.  When water levels are low, more land is vulnerable to burning. Organic carbon stored in the soil of the wetlands becomes exposed and acts as sort of fuel,

scientists said. This makes it harder to contain the flames, which cause harmful emissions into the atmosphere when the carbon burns, they said.  Environmental groups including Greenpeace said the fires begin when ranchers burn terrain to make way for new growth, a common annual practice in South America.  A permit is required for agricultural burning, but authorities have struggled to regulate and extinguish illegal fires. The Supreme Court in August ordered creation of an environmental committee to establish fire-prevention measures the protect the wetlands.

4.3.A FOREST IN MIDDLE OF MUMBAI

Why in news? Maharashtra Chief Minister announced that the state government would designate a 600-acre parcel of land in the heart of urban Mumbai as a reserved forest.  Under Section 4 of The Indian Forest Act, 1927, the state government can “constitute any land a reserved forest” by issuing a notification in the Official Gazette, “declaring that it has been decided to constitute such land a reserved forest”, and “specifying, as nearly as possible, the situation and limits of such land”.  Under the law, the government must also appoint a Forest Settlement Officer (FSO) “to inquire into and determine the existence, nature and extent of any rights alleged to exist in favour of any person in or over any land comprised within such limits or in or over any forest-produce, and to deal with the same”.  The FSO will seek suggestions and objections from residents and others within 45 days of initiating the process. After taking into account the suggestions and objections, the process of turning the land into a reserved forest will be completed. Thereafter, the area will be protected from any construction.

4.4.PROJECT DOLPHIN

Relevance : GS 3 – Conservation efforts

In his Independence Day Speech this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the government’s plan to launch a Project Dolphin. The proposed project is aimed at saving both river and marine dolphins.  Modi said in his speech that Project Dolphin will be on the lines of Project Tiger, which has helped increase the tiger population. Such an initiative got in-principle approval in December last year itself, at the first meeting of the National Ganga Council (NGC), headed by the Prime Minister.  So far, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), which implements the government’s flagship scheme Namami Gange, has been taking some initiatives for saving dolphins. Now, Project Dolphin is expected to be implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

What is gangetic dolphin?

 The Gangetic dolphin is one of five species of river dolphin found around the world. It is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Ganga- Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems.  The construction of dams and barrages, and increasing pollution have led to a decline in the population of aquatic animals in the rivers in general and of dolphins in particular.  Aquatic life is an indicator of the health of river ecosystems. As the Gangetic dolphin is at the top of the food chain, protecting the species and its habitat will ensure conservation of aquatic lives of the river.  Gangetic dolphin population in India could be about 2,500-3,000. Increasing pollution in the Ganga has brought down the number over the years.  Although efforts to save them were started in the mid-1980s, but the estimates suggest the numbers have not risen as a result. The Gangetic dolphin remains listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.  After the launch of Ganga Action Plan in 1985, the government on November 24, 1986 included Gangetic dolphins in the First Schedule of the Indian Wildlife (Protection), Act 1972.  This was aimed at checking hunting and providing conservation facilities such as wildlife sanctuaries. For instance, Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary was established in Bihar under this Act.  On October 5, 2009, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while chairing the maiden meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority, declared the Gangetic river dolphin as the national aquatic animal. Now, the National Mission for Clean Ganga celebrates October 5 as National Ganga River Dolphin Day.

Similar examples of conservation across the globe  Rhine Action Plan (1987) of the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) — representing Switzerland, France, Germany, Luxemburg and the Netherlands — brought back the salmon  The return of the migratory fish is taken as an indicator of the river’s improved health.  Salmon used to migrate from the North Sea to the Rhine every year and reproduce, but this stopped when pollution increased in the river.  After a chemical accident in 1986 that caused the death of fish and microorganisms, the Action Plan was launched. This led to improvement in the quality of the river water, and the salmons began to return.

4.5.KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

Relevance: GS 3 - Conservation Efforts

Why in news? The Assam government has approved the addition of 30.53 sq km to the 884 sq km Kaziranga National Park.  The additional areas straddling two districts — Nagaon and Sonitpur — would make the KNPTR larger.  the three additions are habitat corridors and would help provide connectivity to Orang and Nameri National Parks across river Brahmaputra from KNPTR besides the hills of Karbi Anglong to the south of the park, where the rhino, tiger, deer and other animals take refuge during the floods.  The additions include encroachment-evicted areas and suitable wildlife habitat on river islands (sandbars) that are vulnerable to encroachment  On August 17, the Gauhati High Court had directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and the Chief Wildlife Warden, Assam, to submit an action-taken report on eviction of encroachers in areas added to the park earlier.  Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, the KNPTR has an estimated 2,413 rhinos and 121 tigers.

4.6.WORLD HASN'T MET A SINGLE AICHI BIODIVERSITY TARGET

None of the 20 ‘Aichi Biodiversity Targets’ agreed on by national governments through the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have been met, according to CBD’s Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 report.  The world was supposed to meet these targets by 2020.  “At the global level, none of the 20 targets have been fully achieved, though six targets have been partially achieved,” the report said.  The Aichi Biodiversity targets were included in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity for the 2011-2020 period adopted by the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity.  These targets are about increasing awareness about the importance of biodiversity, incorporation of biodiversity values into local and national development and poverty reduction strategies, removal of incentives and subsidies which are harmful to biodiversity, sustainable production and consumption etc.  Biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate and the pressures driving this decline are intensifying,” the CBD report warned.  The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the importance of the relationship between people and nature and it reminds us all of the profound consequences to our own well-being and survival that can result from continued biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystems  CBD is one of the three conventions along with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD), to emerge out of the United Nations

Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, in 1992.

4.7.UN SECRETARY GENERAL SLAMS INDIA FOR COAL SUBSIDY

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Aug 28th criticised India for subsidising fossil fuels and promoting coal auctions. His remarks were part of the Darbari Seth Lecture organised by The Energy Resources Institute, Delhi, which was also attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.  “Clean energy and closing the energy access gap are good business. They are the ticket to growth and prosperity. Yet, here in India, subsidies for fossil fuels are still some seven times more than subsidies for clean energy. Continued support for fossil fuels in so many places around the world is deeply troubling,” he said  “Recent research on G20 recovery packages shows that twice as much recovery money has been spent on fossil fuels as clean energy. In some cases, we are seeing countries doubling down on domestic coal and opening up coal auctions,” he added.  Mr. Guterres commended several of India’s commitments to clean energy: for taking the initiative on the International Solar Alliance, plans for a World Solar Bank that would mobilise ₹70 trillion of investments in solar projects over the coming decade and committing to installing 500,000 MW of renewable energy by 2030.  His criticism of coal auctions is significant in the light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launching an auction of 41 coal blocks for commercial mining on June 18, as part of India’s Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan.  At the launch, Mr. Modi said it marked not only the implementation of reforms to the coal mining sector but also the beginning of creation of lakhs of jobs and it would liberate the sector from decades of “lockdown”.  The government had decided to spend ₹50,000 crore on creating infrastructure for coal extraction and transport, which would also create job opportunities for locals closer to their homes.  However, there has been severe criticism of the decision to auction these blocks, as independent analysts have said that it not only paves the way for destruction of pristine forests in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh (which is where some of these potential blocks are located) but that investing in polluting coal plants was also economically unsound, given that renewable solar energy projects were far more sustainable. Mr. Guterres, too, underlined the latter point in his address.

Rejecting the inequitable climate change proposal by UN Secretary General

 The UN Secretary General António Guterres’s call for India to give up coal immediately and reduce emissions by 45% by 2030 is a call to de-industrialise the country and abandon the population to a permanent low-development trap.  In an extraordinary move in climate diplomacy, Mr. Guterres, delivering the Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture on August 28, at the Energy and Resources

Institute (TERI), in New Delhi, called on India to make no new investment in coal after 2020.  Superficially framed as an even-handed appeal to all G20 nations, it was in reality a deliberate setting aside of the foundational principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that distinguish sharply between the responsibilities and commitments of developed countries vis-à- vis those of developing countries.

India's track record  Its renewable energy programme is ambitious while its energy efficiency programme is delivering, especially in the domestic consumption sector. India is one of the few countries with at least 2° Celsius warming compliant climate action, and one of a much smaller list of those currently on track to fulfilling their Paris Agreement commitments.  Despite the accelerated economic growth of recent decades India’s annual emissions, at 0.5 tonnes per capita, are well below the global average of 1.3 tonnes, and also those of China, the United States and the European Union (EU), the three leading emitters in absolute terms, whose per capita emissions are higher than this average.  What then lies behind the UN chief’s call to India to set aside coal right away? The UNFCCC itself has reported that between 1990 and 2017, the developed nations (excluding Russia and east Europe) have reduced their annual emissions by only 1.3%. This amounts to practically nil, given the inevitable errors in such accounting. While talking about their phasing out of coal, which is often a decade or more into the future, the global North has obscured the reality of its continued dependence on oil and natural gas, both equally fossil fuels, with no timeline for their phaseout.  While it is amply clear that their commitments into the future set the world on a path for almost 3°C warming, they have diverted attention by fuzzy talk of “carbon neutrality” by 2050, and the passage of resolutions declaring a climate emergency that amount to little more than moral posturing.

Ending Coal Investment  What will be the consequences if India indeed ceases all coal investment from this very year? Currently, roughly 2 GW of coal-based generation is being decommissioned per year, which implies that by 2030, India will have only 184 GW of coal-based generation. But meeting the 2030 electricity consumption target of 1,580 to 1,660 units per person per year, based on the continuation or a slight increase of the current decadal growth rate, will require anywhere between 650 GW to 750 GW of renewable energy.  Unlike the developed nations, India cannot substitute coal substantially by oil and gas and despite some wind potential, a huge part of this growth needs to come from solar. None of this will really drive industry, particularly manufacturing, since renewables at best can meet residential consumption and some part of the demand from the service sector. Currently, manufacturing growth powered by fossil fuel-based energy is itself a necessity, both technological and economic, for the transition to renewables.  Whether providing 70% to 80% of all generation capacity is possible through renewables depends critically on technology development, including improvements

in the efficiency of conversion of energy from its source into electricity, in the management of the corresponding electricity grids, as well as advance in storage technologies. But since the Copenhagen Accord signalled the end of legally binding commitments to emissions reduction by the developed countries, technology development in climate change mitigation technologies has registered a significant fall.  Lacking production capacity in renewable energy technologies and their large- scale operation, deployment on this scale will expose India to increasing and severe dependence on external sources and supply chains.  It is also a truism that renewables alongside coal will generate, directly and indirectly, far more employment than renewables alone. Apart from the impossibility of India implementing a 45% reduction in emissions by 2030, the advice by the UN Secretary General, taken all together, amounts to asking for the virtual de-industrialisation of India, and stagnation in a low-development trap for the vast majority of its population.  India must unanimously reject the UN Secretary General’s call and reiterate its long-standing commitment to an equitable response to the challenge of global warming.

4.8.INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE EXPLAINED

What is this alliance? The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then French President Francois Hollande at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Paris on November 30, 2015. The idea was to form a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to collaborate on addressing the identified gaps in their energy requirements through a common approach. Towards this, the ISA has set a target of 1 TW of solar energy by 2030.

Who are the member countries? The ISA is open to 121 prospective member countries, most of them located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn as this is the region worldwide with a surplus of bright sunlight for most of the year.

What is India's role?  Apart from being a founding-member, India plays a significant role in the alliance in terms of being a host as well as a major contributor to the achievement of the target. The ISA is the first international body that will have a secretariat in India.  India, with a target to produce 100 GW of solar energy by 2022, would account for a tenth of ISA’s goal. “India will produce 175 GW electricity from renewable sources by 2022 and 100 GW will be from solar energy,” Mr. Modi said, addressing the ISA.  India will also provide 500 training slots for ISA member-countries and start a solar tech mission to lead R&D.

4.9.WORLD OZONE DAY

16 September is World Ozone Day. The theme for 2020 is Ozone for life: 35 years of ozone layer protection. It marks 35 years of the Vienna Convention.  In 1985, the world’s governments adopted the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.  Under the Convention’s Montreal Protocol, governments, scientists and industry worked together to cut out 99 per cent of all ozone-depleting substances. Thanks to the Montreal Protocol, the ozone layer is healing and expected to return to pre- 1980 values by mid-century.  In support of the Protocol, the Kigali Amendment, which came into force in 2019, will work towards reducing hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs), greenhouse gases with powerful climate-warming potential and damaging to the environment.  World Ozone Day shows that collective decisions and action, guided by science, are the only way to solve major global crises.

4.10.CHANGES REQUIRED IN PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 punishes the most serious forms of animal violence with a paltry fine of ₹50. However, this is not the only issue plaguing the PCA Act. Several other aspects of this legislation need reconsideration if India is to develop a meaningful animal rights regime.

Classification of offences  Section 11 lists a series of offences, which vary from abandoning an animal to kicking it, mutilating it or killing it, and prescribes the same punishment for all these offences. Severe offences are treated on a par with less severe ones. This is a clear departure from established principles of penology.  An amendment is required to grade the offences according to their severity, and specify punishments accordingly.  Further, the more severe offences must be made cognisable and non-bailable. At present, a majority of the offences under the Act are non-cognisable, which means the police cannot investigate the offence or arrest the accused without the permission of a Magistrate.  The PCA Act creates a plethora of exceptions which significantly dilute the protections available to animals. Though Section 11 criminalises several forms of animal cruelty, sub-section (3) carves out exceptions for animal husbandry procedures such as dehorning, castration, nose-roping, and branding.  The law does not provide any guidelines for these procedures. This allows individuals to resort to cruel methods. Many farmers remove horns using hot irons, knives or wires.  Nose-roping involves piercing the animal’s nasal septa using a thick, blunt needle. Branding is traditionally done by applying a hot iron directly to the animal’s skin to imprint an identification mark on its body. These procedures cause tremendous physical and psychological pain to animals.

Viable alternatives  On August 10, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) India moved the Delhi High Court seeking the enactment of proper regulations for such animal husbandry procedures.  The exceptions in favour of animal husbandry practices need to be reconsidered as there are viable alternatives that would prevent animals from undergoing such trauma.  The available options include use of anesthetics prior to castration, and the replacement of cruel practices such as nose-roping with face halters and branding with radio frequency identification.  The PCA Act also suffers from ambiguity in definition. The law was enacted to “prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals”. However, this phrase is not defined anywhere in the Act.

4.11.SUPREME COURT ASKS GOVERNMENT TO PLEA TO BAN ART IN LIVESTOCK

The Supreme Court on Sept 18th asked the government to respond to a plea to ban Artificial Reproduction Technique (ART), including Artificial Insemination (AI), used on livestock and other animals.  The petition was filed by Madurai resident Dr. S. Venkatesh.  The petition said ART performed on livestock/animals without any proven biomedical need was cruel, illegal, mala fide, and contrary to the established principles of law. It said invasive techniques were used on animals which were not even anaesthetised to the pain but merely restrained physically.  Reproduction is a basic natural and biological need as well as urge of all living beings... No authority can arbitrarily trample or destroy the rights or needs of any living being including animals by means of policy or practice, which in itself against nature and natural principles,” the petition said.  The petition said ART is violative of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the Biological Diversity Act, the Environment (Protection) Act, and several Articles of the Constitution.

4.12.KRISHNA GODAVARI BASIN IS AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF METHANE

As the world runs out of fossil fuels and looks out for alternate sources of clean energy, there is good news from the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin.  The methane hydrate deposit in this basin is a rich source that will ensure adequate supplies of methane, a natural gas.  Methane is a clean and economical fuel. It is estimated that one cubic meter of methane hydrate contains 160-180 cubic meters of methane.  Even the lowest estimate of methane present in the methane hydrates in KG Basin is twice that of all fossil fuel reserves available worldwide.  In a recent study conducted by researchers at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have found that the methane hydrate deposits are located in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin are of biogenic origin.

 This study using molecular and culturing techniques revealed maximum methanogenic diversity in the KG basin, which is one of the prominent reasons to confirm it to be the extreme source of biogenic methane in comparison to the Andaman and Mahanadi basins.

4.13.SONNERATIA ALBA

Why in news? Maharashtra became the first Indian state to declare a state mangrove tree.  Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) cleared a proposal to declare Sonneratia alba as the State mangrove tree and approved a recovery programme for the Arabian Sea Humpback Whale.

About Sonneratia alba  Sonneratia alba or mangrove apple is an evergreen mangrove species found along the Maharashtra’s coastline.  Sonneratia alba grow up to five feet and bear white flowers with a pink base as well as green fruits, that resemble apple and are used to make pickles.  The flowers, which bloom at night, are pollinated by nocturnal creatures like bats.

 The species was introduced in Maharashtra and is native to Andaman Islands.

Distribution  They often grow on newly-formed mudflats and play an important role in combating land erosion.  They are confined to the west coast and some parts of Orissa.  It is found along wetlands in Thane creek, Bhandup, Vasai and Dombivli along major mudflats.  Sonneratia alba grows naturally in many tropical and subtropical areas from East Africa to the Indian subcontinent, southern China, the Ryukyu Islands, Indochina, Malesia, Papuasia, Australia and the Western Pacific region.

4.14.ENVIRONMENTALISM AT THE CORE

The United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the World Bank Group’s global practices have recognised sustainability as an essential issue of global importance. Economic, social and other forms of sustainability have evolved over the years, but it is environmental sustainability that has gained significant popularity.  Environmental sustainability is understood as buying greener products, avoiding hazardous materials, energy optimisation, and waste reduction. While some firms

are still reluctant to engage in environmentally beneficial activities as they are afraid to compromise on the economic benefits, some others have positioned environmental practices at the forefront due to legislation, and industry and government commitments.  In several firms, high importance has been given to environmentalism due to compelling regulatory norms, and a potential to manage costs, risks and optimise eco-friendly practices. However, in this process, organisations, especially in the manufacturing sector, get so serious about the low-hanging fruits of waste reduction and energy efficiency improvements that they fail to recognise the need for restructuring their learning imperatives and see the big picture of environmentalism.  While government norms, organisational policies and corporate environmental responsibility projects drive environment-friendly practices, these are merely short-term actions towards environmental sustainability.  Only through organisational learning can people be urged to work towards long- lasting benefits. In this context, green supply chain practices are useful. These include green procurement, green manufacturing, green distribution, and reverse logistics.  With practices starting from acquisition of eco-friendly raw material to disposal/ reuse/ recycle of used products,employees, suppliers, distributors, retailers and customers will be able to integrate environmental concerns in the daily operations of a firm. Thus, green supply chain practices enable organisational learning in environmental sustainability.  Drawing linkages between green supply chain practices, corporate environmental performance, corporate economic performance and the dimensions of learning organisations in firms is necessary for an organisation’s progress and environmental protection in society.  Understanding these inevitable links will enable managers and experts to shape their organisational values, work practices, and performances for the greater good of society.  Policymakers should support this thinking by not merely imposing environmental practices as regulatory norms but by emphasising on the creation of green supply chain-based learning systems in manufacturing.

5. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SPACE RELATED

5.1.INDIA, FRANCE IN DISCUSSION FOR MISSION ALPHA-LIKE EQUIPMENT FOR GAGANYAAN ASTRONAUTS

 Space agencies of India and France are in an advanced stage of discussions for providing necessary equipment to Gaganyaan’ astronauts, similar to the one to be used by French astronaut Thomas Pesquet for Mission Alpha next year, officials said.  A senior official of the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), the space agency of France, said work on the equipment for Mission Alpha is on.  French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, as part of the European Space Agency (ESA), will be returning to the International Space Station (ISS) while flying on Crew Dragon spacecraft early next year.  India and France share a robust collaboration in the area of space. Space agencies of the two countries are also collaborating on nearly Rs 10,000 crore Gaganyaan mission that aims to send three Indians to space by 2022.  Last year, flight surgeon Brigitte Godard, then with the CNES, was in India to train physicians and engineers.  France has a well-established mechanism for space medicine. It also has the MEDES (French Institute of Space Medicine and Physiology) space clinic, a subsidiary of CNES, where space surgeons undergo training.  The Indian space surgeons will also go to France next year once the coronavirus situation eases - an ISRO official said. He also did not comment on specific collaboration for supply of the equipment to Gaganyaan astronauts.  Four short-listed Indian Air Force pilots and prospective astronauts for the Gagangyaan mission are currently undergoing training in Russia.  Meanwhile, Alpha’ was chosen as the name for Pesquet’s new mission after a competition organised by the European Space Agency in partnership with CNES that attracted more than 27,000 entries. The name came up 47 times in the entries received.  Pesquet, who spent six months on ISS between November 2016 and June 2017, is currently training with Crew Dragon spacecraft and station simulators for Mission Alpha.  To give Europe’s scientists an opportunity to gain access to ISS and to coordinate activities on the station, the ESA has established User Support and Operations Centres (USOC), of which the CADMOS centre for the development of microgravity applications and space operations at CNES’s Toulouse Space Centre is one.  For human space flights, CADMOS is the point of contact between the ground segments in Europe, the United States and Russia and the science teams supporting astronauts, as they perform experiments in real time.

5.2.SEPTEMBER’S FULL MOON OR THE ‘CORN MOON’

 The night sky will lit up with the ‘Corn Moon’ this year in September.  According to NASA, this full moon will be the last one before the autumnal equinox which is usually called the ‘Harvest Moon’.  The autumnal equinox will take place on September 22 this year when the day and night will be of the same duration.  The reason why this September’s full moon will be called as the ‘Corn Moon’ because it comes before the autumnal equinox.  The corn moon got its name from the Native Americans as it also indicated right time to harvest corn.  This moon is also known as the Barley Moon as farmers consider this as the right time to harvest barley crop.  Following this, the full moon on October 1 will be called the ‘Harvest Moon’ instead of ‘Hunter Moon’ which will now be on October 31. This also means that there will be a rare blue moon shining on the night of Halloween. According to Old Father’s Almanac, the blue moon is only visible once in 18 to 19 years. The next blue moon on Halloween will be in 2039.  In India, the Corn Moon was visible from September 1 and will continue to be at its peak on September 2 as well. This event happens only once in three years.

5.3.MASSIVE BLACK HOLE MERGER DETECTED

 A team of international gravitational wave astronomers has detected the most massive and most distant black hole collision recorded till date.  This is the first time that a collision leading to the formation of a black hole, which is 142 times heavier than the Sun, has been discovered by collaborators of Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (LIGO) and VIRGO interferometer, located in Italy.  India is building the third of the LIGO observatories at Hingoli in Maharashtra.  A gravitational wave signal lasting 0.1 second emanated when black holes weighing 85 times and 66 times of solar mass, respectively, collided in a binary system. This newly- formed black hole, GW190521, then sent out a gravitational wave whichtravelled a distance of 17.2 billion light years, and was captured by detectors LIGO and VIRGO on May 21, 2019.  This is the most distant gravitational wave signal observed so far by the gravitational wave detectors.  Black holes, formed when massive stars collapse and die, is an invisible space located in the centre of the galaxy. It is packed with huge amounts of matter fused into a relatively small space.  So far, two types of black holes - Stellar and Supermassive have been discovered. 1. A stellar blackholeweighsup to a 100 times more than the Sun. 2. A supermassive blackhole can have a mass of over one million times of the solar mass. 3. Theoretically, black holes with mass ranging between 100 to 1 lakh solar mass are termed as Intermediate Mass Black holes.

 This discovery gives the first direct observation of such black holes in the gravitational wave window.  Black holes with masses ranging between 65 - 120 solar mass cannot be formed by a collapsing star as massive stars are highly unstable. However, an 85 solar mass black hole in this binary system suggests a newer possibility of black hole formation.  The significance of this extraordinary pair of stellar mass merger is the fact that this collision has been detected at the farthest distance so far.  The first gravitational waves detected by LIGO, in 2016, emerged from black hole collision that happened at a distance of 1.6 billion light years away.  In this case, the signals have travelled from 17.2 billion light years away.  The detectors captured signals even in the low-frequency range, essentially allowing scientists to travel further back into the history of the formation of the universe. This has been possible mainly due to the enhanced sensitivity of the gravitational wave detectors LIGO and VIRGO.  Gravitational waves interact weakly with intervening matter. Since the signals are mostly unaffected by anything lying in its path, this allows the understanding of the emitter or the source in a very precise manner.  Scientists are hopeful about more discoveries of such intermediary black holes in the coming years using LIGO-India, which will add to the overall sensitivity of the detector.

5.4.ASTEROIDS AND THE FEAR OF THEIR IMPACTS

 Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun, much smaller than planets. They are also called minor planets. According to NASA, 994,383 is the count for known asteroids, the remnants from the formation of the solar system over 4.6 billion years ago.  Asteroids are divided into three classes. First, those found in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, which is estimated to contain somewhere between 1.1-1.9 million asteroids. The second group is that of Trojans, which are asteroids that share an orbit with a larger planet. NASA reports the presence of Jupiter, Neptune and Mars trojans. In 2011, they reported an Earth trojan as well. The third classification is Near-Earth Asteroids (NEA), which have orbits that pass close by the Earth. Those that cross the Earth’s orbit are called Earth-crossers. More than 10,000 such asteroids are known, out of which over 1,400 are classified as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs).

What is the level of threat that Earth faces from asteroids?  According to The Planetary Society, there are estimated to be around 1 billion asteroids having a diameter greater than 1 metre. The ones that can cause significant damage upon impacting Earth are larger than 30 metres.  As per NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observations Programme, asteroids that are 140 metres or larger (bigger than a small football stadium) are of “the greatest concern” due to the level of devastation their impact is capable of causing.  However, it has been pointed out that no asteroid larger than 140 metres has a “significant” chance of hitting the Earth for the next 100 years.

 A meteoroid - a small particle from a comet or asteroid, the size of a football field impacts Earth every 2,000 years, causing serious damage to the area it hits.  Asteroids the size of 1 km or more in diameter, capable of causing catastrophic worldwide effects, are extremely rare, impacting our planet once every 100,000 years.  The probability of comets causing such damage is even lower, around once every 500,000 years.  The Chicxulub impactor, the 10-kilometre diameter large space object that caused the sudden extinction of most dinosaur species, hit our planet 66 million years ago.  According to NASA, every single day, the Earth receives more than 100 tonnes of dust and sand-sized particles from space.  Every year, a car-sized asteroid enters our planet’s atmosphere, and forms an impressive fireball. It burns up before reaching the Earth’s surface.

Way to deflect asteroids  Over the years, scientists have suggested different ways to ward off more serious threats, such as blowing up the asteroid before it reaches Earth, or deflecting it off its Earth-bound course by hitting it with a spacecraft.  The most drastic measure undertaken so far is the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA), which includes NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission and the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Hera.  The mission’s target is Didymos, a binary near-Earth asteroid, one of whose bodies is of the size that could pose a significant threat to Earth.  In 2018, NASA announced that it had started the construction of DART, which is scheduled to launch in 2021 with an aim to slam into the smaller asteroid of the Didymos system at around 6 km per second in 2022.  Hera, which is scheduled to launch in 2024, will arrive at the Didymos system in 2027 to measure the impact crater produced by the DART collision and study the change in the asteroid’s orbital trajectory.  NASA said: “Yes, asteroids safely pass by Earth all the time, and there is no known asteroid impact threat for the next 100 years. Regardless, stories sometimes surface with alarming headlines surrounding particular asteroids, so we like to reassure everyone when we see such conversations.”

5.5.NASA WANTS TO BUY MOON RESOURCES FROM PRIVATE COMPANIES

 On September 10, NASA announced that it is looking for private companies to mine resources on the moon. NASA said that they willbuy rock, dirt and other lunar materials from these companies.  With this announcement, NASA seeks companies to develop robots that can do the mining on the moon as the contract does not specify whether this will involve getting on the moon, a feat which is rarely achieved. Also, the competition is open for companies across the world.  According to the requirements outlined by NASA, the companies will collect a small amount of Moon “dirt” or rocks and have to provide the imagery to the US

Space agency as well including the location. The resources collected will be the sole property of NASA after the ownership transfer.  When considering such proposals, it is required that all actions be taken in a transparent fashion, in full compliance with the Registration Convention, Article II and other provisions of the Outer Space Treaty, and all other international obligations.  NASA aims to complete the process of mining and transferring of the ownership of lunar materials before 2024, the year when they aim to put first woman or next man on Moon.  This competition may include one or more awards as well. The payment of the lunar regolith (the layer of unconsolidated solid material covering the bedrock of a planet/moon or a celestial body) will be made in three parts. The 10 per cent will be paid at the award, 10 per cent when its launched and the rest of 80 per cent upon mission’s success

5.6.LIFE SIGNATURE ON VENUS

 Scientists, on 14th September 2020, have detected in the harshly acidic clouds of Venus a gas called phosphine that indicates microbes may inhabit Earth’s inhospitable neighbour, a tantalizing sign of potential life beyond Earth.  The researchers did not discover actual life forms, but noted that on Earth phosphine is produced by bacteria thriving in oxygen-starved environments.  The international scientific team first spotted the phosphine using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii and confirmed it using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) radio telescope in Chile.  The existence of extraterrestrial life long has been one of the paramount questions of science. Scientists have used probes and telescopes to seek “biosignatures”, indirect signs of life on other planets and moons in our solar system and beyond.  Phosphine, a phosphorus atom with three hydrogen atoms attached, is highly toxic to people. Apart from being produced in industrial processes, phosphine, a colourless but smelly gas, is known to be made only by some species of bacteria that survive in the absence of oxygen.  Phosphine was seen at 20 parts-per-billion in the Venusian atmosphere, a trace concentration.  Venus is Earth’s closest planetary neighbour. Similar in structure but slightly smaller than Earth, it is the second planet from the sun. Earth is the third. Venus is wrapped in a thick, toxic atmosphere that traps in heat. Surface temperatures reach a scorching 880 degrees Fahrenheit (471 degrees Celsius), hot enough to melt lead.  Some scientists have suspected that the Venusian high clouds, with mild temperatures around 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), could harbor aerial microbes that could endure extreme acidity. These clouds are around 90% sulphuric acid. Earth microbes could not survive that acidity.  If it’s microorganisms, they would have access to some sunlight and water, and maybe live in liquid droplets to stop themselves dehydrating, but they would need some unknown mechanism to protect against corrosion by acid, said the researchers.  What scientists have discovered is the presence of a chemical which is known to be produced only through biological process, and not through any naturally

occurring chemical process. There are some other ways in which this chemical might be produced, for example, in the underbelly of volcanoes or meteorite activity, but that would have shown in much lower concentrations. In any case, scientists have ruled out all those kinds of known possibilities which could be attributed for the presence of that gas.  In fact, this discovery was made in 2017, and the scientists checked and re-checked their data over the last three years before deciding to make it public.  The only possible explanation for the origin of this phosphine, based on the current knowledge, could be in the biological processes, the way it is produced on Earth, by some microbes.  On Earth, microorganisms in “anaerobic” environments – ecosystems that do not rely on oxygen – produce phosphine. These include sewage plants, swamps, rice fields, marshlands, lake sediments and the excrements and intestinal tracts of many animals. Phosphine also arises non-biologically in certain industrial settings.  To produce phosphine, Earth bacteria take up phosphate from minerals or biological material and add hydrogen.  The presence of phosphine in the clouds of Venus, doesn’t mean it is life. It just means that some exotic process is producing phosphine, and the understanding of Venus needs work.  Venus should be hostile to phosphine. Its surface and atmosphere are rich in oxygen compounds that would rapidly react with and destroy phosphine.  Something must be creating the phosphine on Venus as fast as it is being destroyed.

Why is it significant then?  This is the most credible evidence yet for the possibility of life away from Earth. Scientists say it is more significant, for example, than the discovery of water on the Moon or Mars.  The temperature of Venus is too high, and its atmosphere is highly acidic, just two of the things that would make life impossible.

Have space missions been sent to Venus?  There have been several space missions to study Venus, and some of the recent dedicated missions are the European Space Agency’s Venus Express and JAXA’s Akatsuki.  Many space missions have flown by Venus: for example, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe used the gravity of Venus to achieve gravity-assisted boosts to its velocity on its journey to the Sun.

What can this mean for Venus missions?  In fact, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is also planning a mission to Venus, tentatively called Shukrayaan, in the near future.  All future missions to Venus would now be attuned to investigating further evidence of the presence of life.  During Soviet times, the Russian space agency had started a number of Venus exploration missions, under the program “Venera”. Ten probes managed to make successful landings on Venus, which provided information about the planet in great detail.

 However, the probes could only survive a very short time on the planetary surface, due to the harsh and highly corrosive atmospheric conditions of Venus.  According to a Russian news agency The Moscow Times, Roscosmos also announced plans recently to launch an independent Russian expedition to Venus “without involving wide international cooperation.”  The expedition will take place in addition to the previously planned Venera-D mission, which is being carried out in cooperation with the United States.  It also became known that the Breakthrough Initiatives program funded by the Russian billionaire Yuri Milner announced a study to find the possibilities of primitive life on Venus’ surface and its clouds, led by Sara Seager from the Massachusets Institute of Technology

5.7.PI-PLANET

 Astronomers at MIT have claimed to find a new look-alike planet similar to the Earth.  The planet has been called as ‘Pi-Planet’ pertaining to the fact that it takes exactly 3.14 days to revolve around its star.  The planet moves on the path of its orbit at the speed of 81kms per second while it has been named as K2-315b.  According to the researchers, this planet is apparently inhospitable due to its orbit’s proximity to the star around which it revolves. As a consequence of this phenomenon, the temperatures on the surface of the planet go as high as 350-degree Fahrenheit.  As per the group of astronomers the signal of the planet orbiting around the star were first found in 2017 through NASA’s Kelper space telescope K2 mission by syncing data from ground-based telescopes.  The planet moves in a clockwork-like fashion.  The terrestrial planet orbits a cool, low-mass star that is almost one-fifth the size of the sun. It has a radius equivalent to that of 0.95 of the earth, making it almost the size of our planet.  The research has been made possible only through a system of SPECULOOS telescopes. This indeed is a network of 1-meter telescope in Chile’s Atacama Desert for monitoring Habitable Planets Orbiting Ultra Cool Stars. They mostly observe across the swathes of the southern hemisphere to find more such objects in the space.

5.8.ULTRAVIOLET AURORA IN COMET 67P

 Aurora, the dancing glow of ionised particles in Earth's upper atmosphere is not unique to our planet.  The phenomenon has been spotted shining in the atmospheres of every other planet except Mercury. Even Jupiter's moons Ganymede and Europa have auroras.  Never, until now, had an aurora been detected on a comet. But, in a new analysis of data collected by the Rosetta spacecraft, the space around Comet 67P Churyumov-

Gerasimenko (67P/C-G) has been observed glowing with far-ultraviolet auroral radiation.  Finding auroras around 67P, which lacks a magnetic field, is surprising and fascinating.  Comet 67P/C-G doesn't even have a borrowed magnetic field. But it does have an atmosphere, of sorts - the envelope of gas called a coma that surrounds the nucleus of an active comet when it draws close enough to the Sun for ices trapped therein to sublimate.  It was in this coma that the far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectrograph on the Alice instrument aboard the Rosetta spacecraft detected a glow in far ultraviolet light.  Initially, it was thought the ultraviolet emissions at comet 67P were phenomena known as 'dayglow,' a process caused by solar photons interacting with cometary gas.  It is now discovered that the UV emissions are aurora, driven not by photons, but by electrons in the solar wind that break apart water and other molecules in the coma and have been accelerated in the comet's nearby environment. The resulting excited atoms make this distinctive light.  However, because the comet has no magnetic field of its own, the aurora itself is diffuse, in contrast to contained auroras generated by solar wind excitation on Earth and Mars.  The discovery could offer new clues to understanding how auroras are generated throughout the Solar System.

Auroras in Solar System:  Auroras are generated by the excitation of charged particles in an atmosphere. On Earth, the solar wind blows into the magnetosphere and interacts with charged particles present there. These particles rain down into the upper atmosphere and are funneled up the magnetic field lines to the poles, where they manifest as rippling curtains of light.  The auroras of Ganymede and Europa are generated by interactions with Jupiter's magnetic field.  Venus doesn't have a magnetic field of its own that we know of, but interactions with the solar wind creates one strong enough to trigger auroras.  Mars' atmosphere is extremely thin, but its weak magnetic field can support auroras.  Jupiter's permanent auroraisn't caused by the solar wind, but some mysterious mechanism yet to be discovered.  Saturn's main auroral ring seems to be solar wind-generated,there are patches of it that are unpredicted. That's also still a mystery.

About Rosetta Spacecraft:  Rosetta was launched by European Space Agency on 2 March 2004 from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on an Ariane 5 rocket and reached Comet Churyumov–Gerasimenko on 7 May 2014.  It performed a series of manoeuvres to enter orbit and became the first spacecraft to orbit a comet.  The spacecraft consisted of the Rosetta orbiter, which featured 12 instruments, and the Philae lander, with nine additional instruments.

 Rosetta's Philae lander successfully made the first soft landing on a comet nucleus when it touched down on Comet Churyumov–Gerasimenko on 12 November 2014.  The lander sits on its side wedged into a dark crevice of the comet, explaining the lack of electrical power to establish proper communication with the orbiter.

5.9.NASA’S SONIFICATION PROJECT

 Telescopes offer glimpses of outer space by translating digital data into stunning images, but NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Center (CXC) has gone a step further by unveiling a new ‘sonification’ project that transforms data from astronomical images into audio.  Users can now ‘listen’ to images of the Galactic Centre, the remains of a supernova called Cassiopeia A, as well as the Pillars of Creation Nebula, which are all located in a region around 26,000 light years away from Earth.  The data has been collected by NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer Space Telescope, each of which is represented by a different musical ‘instrument’.

What is data sonification?  Data sonification refers to the use of sound values to represent real data.  Simply put, it is the auditory version of data visualisation.  In NASA’s recent Chandra project, for instance, data is represented using a number of musical notes.  With this data sonification project, users can now experience different phenomena captured in astronomical images as an aural experience. The birth of a star, a cloud of dust or even a black hole can now be ‘heard’ as a high or low pitched sound.

How did NASA translate astronomical images into sound?  NASA’s distant telescopes in space collect inherently digital data, in the form of ones and zeroes, before converting them into images.  The images are essentially visual representations of light and radiation of different wavelengths in space, that can’t be seen by the human eye.  The Chandra project has created a celestial concert of sorts by translating the same data into sound.  Pitch and volume are to denote the brightness and position of a celestial object or phenomenon.  So far, the astronomers behind Project Chandra have released three examples made using data collected from some of the most distinct features in the sky - the Galactic Centre, Cassiopeia A, and Pillars of Creation Nebula.

The Galactic Centre  The first example is that of the Galactic Centre, which is the rotational centre of the Milky Way galaxy. It comprises a collection of celestial objects - neutron and white dwarf stars, clouds of dust and gas, and most notably, a supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A*, that weighs four million times the mass of the sun.  The translation begins on the left side of the image and then moves to the right.

 Stars and other compact sources are represented using individual short notes, while a longer humming sound is used to denote clouds of gas dust. It all builds up to a crescendo, which takes place around the bright region to the lower right of the image where Sagittarius A* is located.

Cassiopeia A  Located around 11,000 light years away from Earth in the northern Cassiopeia constellation, Cassiopeia A is one of the most well-known remnants of a once- massive star that was destroyed by a supernova explosion around 325 years ago, according to NASA.  The image shows the supernova remnant as a ball of different coloured filaments. Each colour represents a particular element - red is used for silicon, yellow for sulfur, purple denotes iron, while green is used for calcium.  Unlike with the sonification of the Galactic Centre, where the translation plays from left to right, here the sounds move outwards from the centre of the circular structure.

The Pillars of Creation  The iconic Pillars of Creation is located in the centre of the Eagle Nebula, which is also known as Messier 16.  The Hubble Star Telescope was used for images of the celestial structure, which comprises wispy towers of cosmic dust and gas.  Here too, different colours are used to represent elements - blue for oxygen, red for sulphur and green for both nitrogen and hydrogen.  Like with the Galactic Centre, this sound translation also plays from left to right.

Why is this sonification project useful?  The sonification project was led by the Chandra X-ray Center in collaboration with NASA’s Universe of Learning Program (UoL), which aims to “incorporate NASA science content into the learning environment effectively and efficiently for learners of all ages”.  Over the years, NASA has been working towards making data about space accessible for a larger audience. According to a statement released by team Chandra, sonification projects like this allow audiences including visually-impaired communities to experience space through data.

Cloud computing for better flood inundation mapping  The new flood inundation maps showed an accuracy of over 94%.  Space-based sensors known as synthetic aperture radar (SAR) have been used widely for monitoring and mapping of flood-water inundation.  SAR is capable of acquiring data in all-weather condition, making it useful for mapping and monitoring flood inundation areas.

Copernicus programme  These sensors operate on the constellation of two SAR satellites belonging to the Copernicus Programme launched by the European Space Agency.  The data from the satellites was utilized on a cloud-based platform known as Google Earth Engine (GEE) for the rapid processing of big data.

 The GEE also has publicly made available numerous satellite image collections and has functions for image processing and analysis.  Once you have the data, it just takes a few minutes as you can apply machine learning and computer vision techniques to quickly generate the water inundation maps. This can help swiftly deploying the rescue team and rescue operations can be started immediately.

5.10.IS THE MOON RUSTING

 On September 6, 2020, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that images sent by Chandrayaan-1 suggest that the moon may be rusting along the poles.  A recently published study has found an oxidised iron mineral called hematite (Fe2O3) at high latitudes on the Moon.  The researchers say that this lunar hematite is formed through oxidation of the iron on the Moon's surface by the oxygen from Earth's upper atmosphere.  The team analysed the data acquired by the Moon Mineralogy Mapper onboard Chandrayaan-1.  More hematite on the lunar nearside suggested that it may be related to Earth.  Along with the oxygen, water on the lunar surface and heat from interplanetary dust also helped in the oxidation process.  Hematite is not absolutely absent on the lunar farside.  There, a small amount of iron oxides might be formed under the presence of water and energies induced by interplanetary dust impacts and then bedecomposed to hematite.  They write that the hematite formed at lunar craters of different ages may help understand the oxygen of Earth’s atmosphere in the past 2.4 billion years and reveal facts about the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere in the past billions of years.  The team hopes that NASA's ARTEMIS missions can bring some hematite samples, and detailed chemical studies can confirm if the lunar hematite was indeed oxidised by Earth’s oxygen.

HEALTH AND COVID RELATED

5.11.DETECTING CORONAVIRUS USING MASS SPECTROMETER

 Using mass spectrometer, researchers at the Delhi-based Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have been able to detect novel coronavirus with 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity with respect to RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction).  Detection of the virus takes less than three minutes, time from sample preparation to detection takes less than 30 minutes.  The new method can directly detect the virus without amplifying the RNA for detection, as is the case with RT-PCR.

 The new method relies on detecting the presence of two peptides which are unique to SARS-CoV-2 virus and not seen in any other coronavirus or other viruses.  Though seven peptides were found to be unique to SARS-CoV-2, only two peptides are used for quick virus detection. 1. One of the peptides is the spike protein. 2. The other is a replicase protein.  The unique peptides were seen in over 54,000 genomic sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 virus deposited in a public database (GISAID) as on July 1.  The researchers could detect the peptides of SARS-CoV-2 virus even in patients who have recovered from the symptoms and have tested negative for the virus by RT-PCR. The peptides were present even after 14 days of initial infection. This highlights the sensitivity of the technique.  The virus in the swab samples are inactivated using detergent and further processed before being used for virus detection.  The mass spectrometer is expensive but it would cost only about ₹ 100 per test, and so cheaper than RT-PCR. Many research labs have the mass spectrometer.  Since it takes less than 30 minutes to detect the virus and is also highly sensitive and specific, it can be used for screening and diagnostic purposes. It can either complement RT-PCR or be used as an alternative to RT-PCR.

5.12.MAKING INDOOR AIR COOL AND GERM-FREE

 Killing the virus seems to be the predominant sentiment in the technology industry these days.  As more offices are gradually opening up, there has been a growing concern over pollution and allergen levels inside buildings.  Samsung has debuted a new range of Wind-Free ACs with PM 1.0 filtration capability. Targeted at both B2B and B2C segment, the new ACs can filter dust particles upto 0.3 micron in size and also sterilise virus and bacteria using an electrostatic charger.  There’s a plethora of new technologies in the new line-up of indoor units, designed to provide clean and pure air to homes as well as hospitals, hotels, malls, restaurants and retail among other establishments.  Equipped with PM 1.0 filter, the new range of Wi-Fi enabled ACs not only provide clean and breathable air but also come with Samsung’s proprietary Wind-Free cooling technology that delivers cooler indoor climate and optimal energy efficiency without the discomfort of direct cold airflow.  The Wind-Free models leverage a sophisticated detection system with advanced sensors and a display that provides users with precise information about cooling and air quality conditions.  These ACs are equipped with a 4-step display, a PM 1.0 sensor and three different types of filters. 1. The Pre-Filter tackles large dust particles. 2. The Deodorisation Filter eliminates unpleasant odours.

3. The PM 1.0 Filter has an electrostatic charger to capture and sterilise ultra-fine dust upto 0.3 microns. It then sterilises the virus and bacteria through the electrostatic charger. The PM 1.0 filter is washable and reusable. 4. The new range also comes with the option of installing an ioniser that generates active hydrogen and oxygen ions which reduce biological contaminants and reactive oxygen.  The next generation Wi-Fi enabled Wind-Free ACs allow users to operate their air conditioners remotely.  The new range of ACs are suitable for residential and commercial applications, and available in three panel variants: 1-way Cassette for unilateral air flow, 4-way Cassette for a synchronised air flow in four directions and 360 Cassette for omni- directional airflow.

5.13.ROBOT TO MEASURE COVID-19 PATIENTS’ VITAL SIGNS

 Researchers have shown that a robot can measure vital signs such as body temperature and breathing rate in people, from a distance.  They now plan to test it in patients with Covid- 19 symptoms, and hope the innovation can reduce the risk faced by healthcare workers who assess people with symptoms of Covid-19.  The robot, called Spot, has been developed by Boston Dynamics, of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  Controlled by a handheld device, it can walk on four legs, similarly to a dog. Researchers from MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts showed it canmeasure skin temperature, breathing rate, pulse rate, and blood oxygen saturation in healthy patients, from 2 metres away.  On the robot are mounted four cameras - one infrared, three monochrome. 1. BODY TEMPERATURE: The infrared camera measures skin temperature on the face. An algorithm then correlates the facial skin temperature with core body temperature. 2. BREATHING RATE: When a patient wearing a mask breathes, their breath changes the temperature of the mask. The infrared camera measures this temperature change, enabling researchers to calculate the breathing rate. 3. PULSE RATE & OXYGEN LEVEL: When haemoglobin binds to oxygen and flows through blood vessels, it results in slight changes in colour. These changes are measured with the help of the three monochrome cameras, which filter lights of three different wavelengths (670, 810, 880 nanometres). Using these measurements, the algorithm calculates pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation.  The researchers said that in triage areas where suspected cases of Covid-19 assemble, healthcare workers can avoid exposing themselves to risk, by manoeuvring the robot to wherever patients are sitting.

 The robot can also carry a tablet that allows doctors to ask patients about their symptoms without being in the same room.  In the longer term, the researchers suggest that these robots could be deployed in hospital rooms.

5.14.VIRAL IMMUNOGENICITY TESTING

 Department of Biotechnology, Government of India has taken myriads of initiatives to increase investments in research and development (R&D) of affordable Biotech healthcare products.  Establishment of National Biopharma Mission is one such endeavour to identify the needs and gaps of Biotherapeutics, Vaccine and Devices Industry and address those capacity bottlenecks.  Vaccine development requires extensive evaluation in humans to establish safety, immunogenicity and clinical efficacy. Centralised Viral and Bacterial clinical Immunogenicity labs meeting the stringent GCLP standards were therefore identified as a critical need for the vaccine Industry.  National Immunogenicity & Biologics Evaluation Center (NIBEC) for assessing clinical Immunogenicity of viral vaccines is established jointly by Bharati Vidyapeeth University through its constituent unit Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA) and BIRAC-DBT, Government of India through National Biopharma Mission.  NIBEC, having a dedicated area of about 10,000 sq ft, was established in a record time of just a year.  Key immunogenicity evaluation tests like- 1. Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT). 2. Microneutralization assay, IgM and IgG ELISA have been developed, standardized and validated for Dengue, Chikungunya and SARS-CoV-2 viruses.  The laboratory has already started associating closely with leading Indian vaccine manufacturing companies and National and International institutes engaged in vaccine developments.  It is further elaborated that having domestic capabilities maintaining international standards in such space, will accelerate and fast track development of indigenous vaccines in the country.

About DBT: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, promotes and accelerates the development of biotechnology in India, including growth and application of biotechnology in the areas of agriculture, healthcare, animal sciences, environment and industry.

About BIRAC: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit Section 8, Schedule B, Public Sector Enterprise, set up by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India as an Interface Agency to strengthen and empower the emerging Biotech enterprise to undertake strategic research and innovation, addressing nationally relevant product development needs.

About National Biopharma Mission:  The Industry-Academia Collaborative Mission of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India for accelerating discovery research to early development for Biopharmaceuticals approved by the Cabinet for a total cost US$ 250 million and 50% co-funded by the World Bank is being implemented at Biotechnology Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).  This program is dedicated to deliver affordable products to the nation with an aim to improve the health standards of India’s population.  Vaccines, medical devices and diagnostics and biotherapeutics are few of its most important domains, besides, strengthening the clinical trial capacity and building technology transfer capabilities in the country.

About IRSHA: Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA) is a unique constituent unit of Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), totally dedicated to research. The institute was established in 2001. The institute is mandated to conduct research in priority areas of human health in co-ordination with other constituents of the university like Medical, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Dental colleges, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of IT & BT, Environmental sciences etc. The core area of research includes Mother and child health, Cancer, Diabetes, Obesity, Osteoarthritis & Herbal medicine.

5.15.TATA GROUP TO UNVEIL INDIA’S FIRST CRISPR TEST

 The Tata Group has announced that the Tata CRISPR test, developed by CSIR-IGIB ‘Feluda’ (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology) had received regulatory approvals on 19th September 2020, from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for commercial roll-out in accordance with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines.  The test has met high benchmarks, with 96% sensitivity and 98% specificity for detecting the novel coronavirus.  It uses indigenously developed CRISPR technology for the detection of the genomic sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  The Tata CRISPR test is the world’s first diagnostic test to deploy a specially adapted Cas9 protein to successfully detect the virus causing Covid-19. This marks a significant achievement for the Indian scientific community, moving from R&D to a high-accuracy, scalable and reliable test in less than 100 days.  The Tata CRISPR test achieves the accuracy levels of the traditional RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) tests, with quicker turnaround time, less expensive equipment, and better ease of use.  The effort is the result of collaboration between the scientific community and industry. The Tata Group worked closely with CSIR-IGIB and ICMR to create a high- quality test that will help India ramp up COVID-19 testing quickly and economically, with a ‘Made in India’ product that is safe, reliable, affordable, and accessible.  The commercialisation of the Tata CRISPR test reflects the tremendous R&D talent in the country, which can collaborate to transform India’s contributions to the global healthcare and scientific research world.

 The work started by CSIR under the sickle cell mission for genome diagnostics and therapeutics led to new knowledge that could be harnessed to quickly develop a new diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2.

5.16.RUSSIA’S COVID-19 VACCINE CANDIDATE SPUTNIK V

 On September 16, Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories announced that it had signed an agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to conduct large human trials (Phase-3) of Sputnik V.  A candidate vaccine for COVID-19, it has been developed by Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute and piloted by the RDIF, the country’s sovereign wealth fund.  If these trials are successful and the vaccine is proved to be safe, Russia has committed itself to supplying 100 million doses to India through Dr. Reddy’s.  Much like the launch of the Sputnik-1 satellite in 1957 heralded the Space Age, Russia claims the vaccine candidate will “reinvigorate” vaccine development and a potential solution to the coronavirus pandemic.

About Sputnik V  Sputnik V is being developed as a two-dose vaccine using two human recombinant adenovirus vectors - rAd5 and rAd26 - known to cause respiratory infections.  These vectors have been modified to not replicate in the body. These inactivated vectors are also tweaked to carry the ‘S gene’ that encodes the ‘spike protein’ of the coronavirus.  The hope is that these vectors will inveigle themselves into a small number of the body’s cells, trick the body into registering the coronavirus’ spike protein and thus activate the immune system into producing specialised ‘T’ cells that can neutralise the affected cells.  Once this happens the immune system is expected to produce antibodies as well as ‘memory B cells’, which can produce the right offensive cells when needed to neutralise future SARS-CoV-2 infections the body may encounter.  There have been several experimental vaccines and drugs that use human adenovirus vectors but none has been commercially approved for use in people.  Sputnik V is also a two-dose regimen, meaning that individual shots are dispensed three weeks apart. The argument is that the second dose acts as a booster shot and Gamaleya has said the use of two vectors is what differentiates the Russian vaccine from the other adenovirus-based approaches.  CanSino Biologics of China and the vaccine being developed by Oxford University (ChAdOx1) are also based on adenovirus platforms, except that the Oxford candidate uses an adenovirus vector that is known to infect chimpanzees.

What are the key challenges?  The challenge with using human adenoviruses is that because they commonly infect people, many have pre-existing immunity to the virus and so antibodies may

block the vector even before it infiltrates cells and synthesises proteins that can specifically induce immune cells specific to the coronavirus.  The rAd5 has been previously used to produce vaccines as well as drugs against other diseases including HIV, but that didn’t work.  CanSino Biologics used the same vector to make a vaccine against the Ebola virus during an outbreak in West Africa. The vaccine was tested in people but wasn’t licensed, though it reportedly induced a short-term antibody response in those who were inoculated. Researchers suggested that the pre-existing rAd5 immunity in people may have blunted the response.  An adenovirus-based vaccine has been commercially licensed for rabies.  The second vector being used by Sputnik V, rAd26, is a rarer adenovirus and is devised to work as a backup or a booster to stimulate a stronger response. The risks are that too strong a response may cause severe adverse reactions.

Has Russia started large trials of Sputnik V?  Earlier this month, Russia said it had begun testing the vaccine in the country among 40,000 volunteers as part of its large Phase-3 trials.  Experience from Phase-1 and Phase-2 in a smaller group of volunteers and designed to test for safety and efficacy suggested that it was promising enough to progress onto the larger trials.  The most controversial aspect of Sputnik V is that it has already been preapproved by the country’s health agency even before Phase-1 and 2 trial results were published. According to health experts, this indicated that speed, and not safety, was being prioritised.  Pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. and Europe have pledged not to approach regulators before Phase-3 trials concluded.

5.17.OXFORD-ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 VACCINE TRIAL PAUSE

 Global pharma major AstraZeneca announced, that it was putting a halt on ongoing clinical trials for a coronavirus vaccine it is developing in collaboration with Oxford University.  It said it was a “voluntary” and “routine action” that happens “whenever there is a potentially unexplained illness in one of the trials”.  The Oxford-AstraZeneca candidate vaccine was undergoing phase-3 clinical trials at more than 60 locations in the US, Brazil and South Africa. It is the same vaccine that was cleared for combined phase-2 and phase-3 trials in India.

Why have the Oxford-AstraZeneca candidate vaccine trials been halted?  Though AstraZeneca did not specify what exactly had happened, it has been reported that a trial participant in England developed “serious adverse” illnesses.  The pause will enable the company to review what was the cause.  This is a temporary pause, to investigate the illness in the affected patient.  There do not appear to be any serious question marks over the safety of the vaccine, because such incidents are not uncommon in trials for vaccines or drugs.  The only direct impact of the incident could be on the timeline for producing the vaccine. AstraZeneca, like other developers, has been targeting early next year for making its vaccine available.

 It demonstrates the inherent uncertainties in the process of developing a vaccine, and the importance of rigorously following the scientific method during trials.  In the current rush to produce a coronavirus vaccine as early as possible, several usual regulatory procedures have been bypassed, raising concerns amongst experts and scientists.  For Example, the Russian vaccine, and a couple of candidates in China, have been approved in their respective countries without phase-3 trials having been initiated. It is only now, after much criticism, that these vaccines are also preparing to undergo phase-3 trials.

Are such incidents unusual during trials?  Unlike phase-1 and phase-2 trials, where the volunteers are carefully chosen to be healthy adults, phase-3 trials involve a very large number of participants, some of whom can have underlying diseases or weaknesses.  As a result, it is not unusual for a case like the current one to emerge during the trials.  When such things emerge, and they do quite regularly, have to pause, reassess, re- examine. And that is what is happening in this case.  Nine pharma companies, including AstraZeneca, said they would seek approval for their vaccine candidates only “after demonstrating safety and efficacy through a phase-3 clinical study”.

Why is Phase-3 of COVID-19 vaccine trial complicated?  The University of Oxford and AstraZeneca were resuming clinical trials for a new coronavirus vaccine across all U.K. sites, after it had suspended the Phase-3 global trial of AZD1222, the COVID-19 vaccine it has been developing with Oxford University researchers.  The pause was announced after a volunteer in Britain fell ill. It emerged that a recipient of the vaccine in the United Kingdom contracted transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord, and this led AstraZeneca to pause its trials.

How are vaccine and drugs tested in trials?  There are similarities and differences in the way new drugs and vaccines are tested.  Broadly both follow a four-stage process when they are tested in people.  After a drug has proven itself safe in a variety of animals usually mice, rabbits, hamsters and primates that mirror human physiology and the way it reacts to diseases it enters Phase-1 studies.  Phase-1: small group of volunteers is given the drug in small doses and monitored to see if it is safe and whether it was well tolerated. This is also when any occurrences of side effects are closely monitored. On an average, 10-50 candidates are chosen. In the normal course, those undergoing the trial must report results to the drug regulator which gives the go-ahead for the next stage of trials.  Phase-2: when a group of volunteers, usually in the hundreds, are selected. This is the stage when researchers try to determine what dosage would be necessary for it to take effect or produce the desired response. In the case of the COVID-19 vaccine, this is the stage when it’s determined if the inoculation had triggered a desired level of antibodies and a sufficient cell response in terms of stimulating T-cells that are known to block and neutralise the virus particles respectively. Again, side effects and adverse reactions are monitored and reported.

What is different about Phase-3 part of the trial?  Each of these stages can take several months and that includes the time taken to recruit patients as well as the time involved in observing the effects of drugs and vaccines at various intervals of time.  Such data is again sent to regulators, who, if satisfied, give the green signal for Phase-3.  In this stage, the drug or vaccine is tested at multiple locations in thousands of volunteers or patients.  In the case of a drug, this is the stage when a new drug is compared to the existing standard of care and when it must prove that it is either more efficacious, or is of similar potency but is safer, better tolerable or delivers any of the goods that the drugmakers had claimed when making the drug.  In the case of a vaccine for a new disease, there is usually nothing to compare it to, so Phase-3 becomes a larger version of the Phase-2 trial.  A Phase-3 trial is held at multiple locations to capture the demographic variability in the population.  It is also double-blinded and randomised and may have multiple treatment arms, meaning some participants may get a placebo, some may get lower doses, some higher doses, and in an ideal trial, neither the doctor nor the recipient knows who is getting the drug and who the placebo.  When the scale and scope of a trial increases and a diverse population group is exposed to a new vaccine, the odds of encountering adverse and the dreaded ‘severe adverse reaction’ are magnified.  When severe reactions are manifested, medical researchers have to determine if the reaction was due to the drug and if a pattern is apparent, a drug or vaccine can be pulled out.  Because of the multiple locations and the number of patients that are required, this is also the most expensive stage of a trial.  Sometimes, phases are combined, given the kind of drug or vaccine and the urgency of the situation. Several COVID-19 vaccines are being developed on accelerated time lines.

What happens in Phase-4?  A drug or vaccine candidate that clears Phase-3 is usually approved and licensed and the entire infrastructure of the company is devoted to ramping up production and working out the logistics of storing the drug or vaccine safely without it degrading or losing potency.  Once the product goes out into the field, there is post-marketing surveillance, or a Phase-4, where all instances of the product’s failure and adverse events are recorded.  Companies are expected to furnish periodic data to the drug regulator.

5.18.HIGHLY EFFECTIVE CORONAVIRUS ANTIBODIES IDENTIFIED MAY LEAD TO PASSIVE COVID-19 VACCINE

Scientists have identified highly effective antibodies against the novel coronavirus, which they say can lead to the development of a passive vaccination for Covid-19.

 Unlike in active vaccination, passive vaccination involves the administration of ready-made antibodies, which are degraded after some time.  However, the effect of a passive vaccination is almost immediate, whereas with an active vaccination it has to build up first.  The research also shows that some SARS-CoV-2 antibodies bind to tissue samples from various organs, which could potentially trigger undesired side effects.  The scientists at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin isolated almost 600 different antibodies from the blood of individuals who had overcome Covid-19, the disease triggered by SARS-CoV-2.  By means of laboratory tests, they were able to narrow this number down to a few antibodies that were particularly effective at binding to the virus.  The researchers then produced these antibodies artificially using cell cultures.  The so-called neutralising antibodies bind to the virus, as crystallographic analysis reveals, and thus prevent the pathogen from entering cells and reproducing.  In addition, virus recognition by antibodies helps immune cells to eliminate the pathogen. Studies in hamsters which, like humans, are susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 confirmed the high efficacy of the selected antibodies.  Three antibodies are particularly promising for clinical development.Using these antibodies, they have started to develop a passive vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.  In addition to the treatment of patients, preventive protection of healthy individuals who have had contact with infected persons is also a potential application.  In general, the protection provided by a passive vaccination is less persistent than that provided by an active vaccination.

OTHER NEWS

5.19.DID A SUPERNOVA TRIGGER THE LATE DEVONIAN EXTINCTION?

 Explosion of a nearby star, occurred at between Devonian and Carboniferous periods, could have caused a mass extinction event that took place 359 million years ago.  The Earth suffered an intense loss of species diversity that lasted for at least 300,000 years. The event is thought to have been caused by long-lasting ozone depletion, which would have allowed much more of the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation to reach and harm life on Earth. It was called the Hangenberg crisis.  Researchers said- “Extensive volcanism and global warming can also rupture the ozone layer but shreds of evidence for these are indefinite as far as the time period is concerned. So, we put up that one or more supernovae explosions, at a distance of 65 light years away from the Earth, may have caused a prolonged loss of ozone.”  It is said that events like gamma-ray bursts, solar eruptions and meteorite collisions end up very soon. As such, they cannot pave way for gradual ozone depletion that took place at the close of the Devonian eon.  Betelgeuse, a supernova, around 600 light-years away and present outside the kill distance of 25 light-years poses a danger today.  A supernova event can be powerful enough to bathe its galaxy in light for days and months alike. It can be spotted across the universe as well.

 Supernovae (SNe) are quick sources of ionising photons that include fatal X-rays, UV and gamma rays. Over a longer period of time, the bang clashes with the nearby gas, resulting in a shockwave that causes particle acceleration.  As such, cosmic rays are generated by SNe. These charged particles with high energies get magnetically confined on the inside of SN remains.  The fossil evidence shows a 300,000 year shrink in biodiversity leading the way to Devonian-Carboniferous Boundary (DCB) mass extinction. This puts forward the possibility of multiple catastrophes or multiple supernovae explosions.  The gigantic stars appear in clusters with other bigger stars. And one supernova explosion can cause a chain of other such explosions.  The group of participants involved eminent scientists from Kings College, the United Kingdom, the University of Kansas, the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Estonia, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, Switzerland, the United States Air Force Academy and Washburn University, have suggested a confirmation for the study.  They propose that radioactive isotopes like plutonium-244 and samarium-146 should be discovered from the rocks and fossils dumped at the time of extinction.  This, according to them, canprove the theory of supernova incident, mainly because isotopes don’t have a natural existence on Earth. The only means through which they can arrive here is through celestial explosions.  Although the finders are yet to look for the Pu-244 or Sm-146 isotopes in the DCB strata, the team believes that explanation of the pattern of evidence in the geological history can be of much help. Through this, a conclusion on supernova explosions can be reached easily.  Life began on Earth some 3.5 billion years ago through a series of evolutionary changes. The recent research bounds us to think that life on Earth is not alone. In fact, it is affected by the responses of the cosmos that we all are a part of.

5.20.SUPER APPS

 Salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group is planning to launch an all-in-one super app by the end of this year or early next year.  The omnichannel digital platform, expected to bring together all the consumer- facing businesses of the group, is likely to be developed by the newly formed entity Tata Digital.  A super app is a platform developed by a company offering various services under one umbrella.  For example: China’s WeChat, which started out as a messaging app, expanded into payments, cabs, shopping, food ordering, cab services to become a super app.  A physical world comparison of a super app would be a mall, which allows retail space to various brands and shops across businesses and verticals.

Who makes super apps?  Typically, companies that have a slew of services and products to offer tend to consolidate these offerings into a super app.  The concept first emerged in China and southeast Asia where internet companies like WeChat, GoJek, Grab leveraged the opportunity of customer

traffic on their platforms that originally came for social media and communication needs by offering these customers additional services leading to increased revenue realisations.  However, in the west Asia region, a different approach has been taken.  There, traditional business conglomerates such as real estate firms Majid Al Futtaim Group, Emaar, Chalhoub Group, having a large portfolio with presence in shopping malls, grocery and entertainment are building digital assets.  These businesses observe high customer footfall and high repeat purchase frequency, which when seen from the lens of online players is the most critical parameter for a super app in any region to grow.  The plan of Tatas to get into aggregating its consumer offerings align more with firms in the Gulf region than the technology companies in China and southeast Asia.

Which companies in India are building super apps?  The Tata Group will be an entrant in an already crowded super app ecosystem of India.  Currently, Reliance Industries, under its Jio umbrella, is consolidated various services and offerings such as shopping, content streaming, groceries, payments, cloud storage services, ticket bookings, etc.  Further, Alibaba Group investee Paytm has also brought together services like payments, ticket bookings, games, online shopping, banking, consumer finance, etc into one app.  Flipkart Group-owned payments app PhonePe has tied up with companies such as Ola Cabs, Swiggy, Grofers, AJio, Decathlon, Delhi Metro,booking.com,etc to offer these services from within its own app.

Why do Indian companies want to build super-apps?  A country or a region becomes super app-ready when its large base of the population is smartphone-first instead of desktop and the ecosystem of apps customised to local needs is not evolved.  India has already become a market where a majority of thoseexperiencing the internet for the first time are doing so on their mobile phones. This is one of the main reasons why Indian companies are looking at building super apps.  Apart from increased revenue realisation due to consolidation of services at one place, such apps also provide companies large swaths of consumer data which can then be harnessed to learn more about user behaviour.

Concerns about super apps  The very concept of a conglomerate trying to keep a customer within its own ecosystem for most services they might require,increases the possibility of a monopoly.  This is in addition to concerns of privacy in cases where a super app has onboarded third-party service providers.  Experts pointed out that data collected by the master app could then be used to train machines in artificial intelligence and predict consumer behaviour even more accurately. It is one of the main reasons why super apps have not picked pace in countries such as the US and the UK.

5.21.SCIENCE BEHIND AIR-BREATHING SCRAMJET ENGINE

 The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) performed a major technological feat on September 7 when it flew a cruise vehicle at a hypersonic speed of Mach six for 20 seconds.  The DRDO called the cruise vehicle Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV).  The centerpiece of the HSTDV was the indigenously developed air-breathing scramjet engine, which formed the HSTDV’s propulsion system. If the mission’s aim was to prove this air-breathing scramjet engine in flight, it was achieved.  The critical technologies developed for the HSTDV mission were the scramjet engine and its ignition, sustaining the ignition, ethylene fuel, generation of maximum energy from the engine, development of materials to take care of the high temperatures that occurred due to air friction on the leading edges of the cruiser’s wings, tail surface and nose tip, and controlling the HSTDV with minimum drag and maximum thrust.  In an air-breathing scramjet engine, air from the atmosphere is rammed into the engine’s combustion chamber at a supersonic speed of more than Mach two. In the chamber, the air mixes with the fuel to ignite a supersonic combustion but the cruiser’s flight will be at a hypersonic speed of Mach six to seven. So it is called supersonic combustion ramjet or Scramjet.

Mode of Operation  On 7th September 2020, a launch vehicle, which was derived from Agni 1 missile, rose from its launch pad in Odisha, carrying the HSTDV. The Agni 1 booster climbed to a height of 30 km in 12 seconds at a speed of Mach 5.6.  When the launch vehicle reached an altitude of 30 km, the air intake ducts in the scramjet engine opened just before the launch vehicle separated smoothly from the HSTDV.  At 30 km altitude, the cruise vehicle’s nose cone split in two and fell off. Besides, the heat shield covering the cruiser was jettisoned. All these events took place in micro seconds as planned.  Air from the atmosphere was then rammed into the scramjet engine’s combustion chamber at a supersonic speed. The air mixed with the atomised fuel, the fuel was ignited and the scramjet engine revved into action.  The HSTDV flew for the next 20 seconds at a hypersonic speed of Mach six and fell 40 km away in the Bay of Bengal. The mission was a success.  DRDO developed special materials to take care of the cruise vehicle's nose-tip, tail and the wings’ leading edges which were impacted by very high temperatures due to air friction. Higher the vehicle's velocity, much higher the temperature.

Indigenous technology  The DRDO’s missile complex in Hyderabad, comprising the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), the Research Centre, Imarat (RCI), and the Advanced Systems' Laboratory (ASL) developed all the technologies needed for the mission.

 Mastering the air-breathing scramjet technology will lead to the development of hypersonic missiles, faster civilian air transportation and facilities for putting satellites into orbit at a low cost.

5.22.INDIGENOUS SIGNALING TECHNOLOGY

 The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on 15th September 2020,launched ‘i- ATS’, an indigenously-built communication-based train control signaling technology for the metro.  The i-ATS (Automatic Train Supervision) is a computer-based system that manages train operation.  This system is indispensable for high-density operations such as the metro, where services are scheduled every few minutes.  i-ATS is indigenously-developed technology, which will significantly reduce the dependence of Indian metros on foreign vendors dealing with such technologies. This was an initiative taken under Atmanirbhar Bharat.  Apart from being put to use in all Phase IV corridors, the ATS of the Red Line (Rithala to Ghaziabad) will be upgraded to the new system.  It can work with train control and signaling systems of various suppliers. It can also work with different technologies of train control and signalling systems. Additionally, it is suitable for introduction in Indian Railways, which is now introducing centralised train control on a large scale that uses ATS functions.  The prototype system was launched by Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra and DMRC managing director Mangu Singh.  Some of the important features of this technology are: 1) It can work with Train Control & Signaling Systems of different suppliers. 2) i-ATS can work with different levels of technology of Train control and Signaling systems. 3) It is also suitable for introduction in Indian Railways which is now introducing Centralized Train control, on a large scale, which uses part of ATS functions.  Predictive Maintenance module shall also be introduced in the Phase IV corridors using the i-ATS system, the statement said.

5.23.POTASSIUM DEFICIENCY IN RICE

The Green Revolution of the 1960s was driven by plant hormone called Gibberellins (GA), regulate various developmental processes, including stem elongation, germination, dormancy, flowering, flower development, and leaf and fruit senescence.  The new study suggests that future research could be targeted towards Jasmonate (JA) that could help achieveboth, nutrient- efficient crops and protection against pests.  The plant hormone called Jasmonate (JA) is often associated with the plant’s defence against biotic factors like insects, pests and other pathogens.  Targeting this specific plant hormone would help rice plants have greater tolerance to potassium deficiency, in turn, improving rice productivity, a new study has suggested.

 The overexpression of a gene called OsJAZ9 helped make rice plants more tolerant of potassium deficiency.  It was conducted by a team of scientists at the Department of Biotechnology’s New Delhi-based National Institute of Plant Genome Research (DBT-NIPGR).  There was an enhanced accumulation of JA-Ile, a bioactive form of the hormone, in rice on potassium deficiency. The JA-Ile then activates potassium transporters for its uptake from the media.

About Potassium:  Potassium is one of the most important macronutrients for plants. Plants require, among other things, a high and relatively stable concentration of potassium ion to activate many enzymes that are involved in respiration and photosynthesis.  Potassium is also involved in key cellular processes such as energy production, and cell expansion.  However, despite being among the most abundant minerals in the soil, its availability to plants is limited. This is because most of the soil potassium (about 98 per cent) is in bound forms and its release into the soil solution is far slower than the rate of its acquisition by the roots.  The availability of potassium in the soil solution or exchangeable form depends on multiple factors like soil acidity, presence of other monovalent cations like sodium and ammonium ions and the type of soil particles.  Deficiency in potassium affects plants by inhibiting the growth of the roots and the shoots. Studies have shown that plants that are deficient in potassium are more susceptible to salt, drought, chilling and other abiotic and biotic stresses.

5.24.IoT SENSORS IN FARMING

 In India, a majority of people in the rural areas farm to earn their livelihood. However, poor soil conditions, irregular rainfall and poverty that forces them to stick to conventional farming methods, resulting in poorer yields, that hamper the farmer’s progress, or worse, put them in debt, forcing them to end their lives.  Understanding the health of the soil and picking the right crops to better its productivity and health could come a long way in helping farmers get better yields.  Today, most farmers are stuck with the conventional soil analysis technique that uses soil samples to be sent to a lab and most of the time, the results take a long time, with fairly inaccurate results.  A farmer’s son turned innovator, Lalit Gautam, with his startup SenseGrass, has developed an IoT sensor that collects soil health data and puts it through 18 parameters to predict appropriate water and fertiliser usage to improve crop yield.  He's among 12 finalists with Qualcomm Design in India Challenge, in collaboration with AGNIi, the program by Invest India that helps in commercializing Indian technological innovation.  IoT Sensor is Implemented with the Nano-Satellite analytic which measure values from both under and above the soil for high efficiency, making agriculture more precise through nanosatellite field images for farms with accurate precision farming through smart ground sensors for small farms which are hard to monitor.

 Inhouse Smart soil sensing device predicts accurate data surveillance under and above the soil.  In terms of hardware, the device is plug and play and it doesn’t require any technician for setup like other IoT offerings. They simply need to dig the land and insert the machine there, and turn it on.  The device works on the cellular network which doesn’t require any high end infra like Wi-Fi.

5.25.STARTUPS USE AI FOR INSTANT QUALITY CHECK OF FARM PRODUCE

 A major legacy of the ‘Amul model’ is that dairy farmers today are paid not just for the quantity, but also quality, of milk they supply. Both cooperative and private dairies fix the purchase price of milk based on its fat and solids-not-fat content.  The Gerber centrifuge and lactometer that measure these enable farmers to be paid more for the same volume of milk containing higher total solids.  The benefit, of receiving a price linked to quality, isn’t available to other farmers, more so in crops that, unlike milk or sugarcane, are sold through APMC (agricultural produce market committee) mandis. Ex: 1. Soyabeans traders hardly check for oil. They visually inspect grain samples drawn from a farmer’s lot to gauge size uniformity and the extent of damaged/discoloured beans or foreign matter. Moisture level is determined by simply biting the bean. The moisture is low if it cracks and high (unacceptable) if the teeth sink in. 2. Pungency of chilli is ascertained by feeling it on the tongue and the colour by seeing the inside of the fruit.  The loser is the farmer, who cannot bargain with traders encircling his grain unloaded in the mandi auction platform. There’s no equivalent of a Gerber-lactometer reading that he can cite to demand a better price, even if his crop is above “fair average quality”.  This is where new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies - computer vision and spectrometry hold promise.

New innovations  AI is about seeing like a computer, but analysing like a human being.  Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur-incubated companyAgNext has developed machine-learning algorithms that can do quality assessment of various farm produce “in 30 seconds”.  That includes physical analysis through computer vision.  It has a handheld device SpecX Visio that can be taken to the mandi and click a picture of a sample of, say, rice. It will digitise that image and immediately tell how many of the grains are broken, shriveled, weevilled (bored by insects) or chalky (opaque).  AgNext has also come out with an AI-based solution to undertake fine leaf count in tea.

 AgNext has built algorithm models based on spectrometry to analyse the chemical characteristics of food. It draws on the concept that when light is thrown at different wavelengths on an object, that object (produce) would generate a reflectance spectrum graph. Each of its molecules will, in turn, have a unique signature in that graph. The molecular signature of the chemical of interest, it could be curcumin (the key active ingredient in turmeric), capsaicin (which imparts pungency to chilli), polyphenols in tea, caffeine in coffee, nicotine and chloride in tobacco, gluten in wheat and amylose in paddy, can then be analysed and an AI model developed after scanning several samples of the produce.  AgNext’s SpecX series of computer vision and spectrometry algorithms-based devices – one of them can instantly analyse even protein, lactose and the presence of adulterants such as palm oil in milk – operate on a common AI ‘Qualix’ platform.  Being lightweight, they can be taken to the field, with internet connection required only to transfer data onto the platform.  The mobile app IntelloTrack uses neural network machine learning algorithms to analyse physical quality of fruits & vegetables. The app captures images of a representative sample of the produce that is brought and categorises it as grade A, B or C.  A handheld NIR (near infrared spectroscopy) scanner that measures Brix/total soluble solids for sweetness, pH, dry matter, moisture and pesticide residues in apples, mango, papaya and sapota.  Nebulaa’s MATT Grain Analyser can, likewise, give a full morphological analysis of cereals, pulses, mustard, soyabean and cumin from their broken and admixtures content to length/breadth ratio and thousand count weight “within 1 minute”.  If such analysis can be pushed to the primary procurement point, the truck can be approved even before it starts. Breweries and animal feed makers can similarly gain from instant quality estimation of barley or maize at the mandi itself, instead of the plant.

Quality assessment should become digital, verifiable and scalable. Once produce is automatically graded and standardised, the power of assaying will get democratised and taken away from traders.

6. SECURITY

6.1.NETRA  It is the first indigenously built Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&CS) developed by DRDO.  It is light-weight autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for long range surveillance and reconnaissance operations. This radar system is also mounted on Embraer aircraft which gives 240-degree coverage of airspace.  It helps to detect and track aircraft, missiles, ships and vehicles.  The other countries which have developed Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) are United States, Russia and Israel.  For the first time, an IL-78 refueller aircraft has recently carried out air-to-air refueling of the Embraer aircraft.  Air-to-air refueling allows the aircraft to stay airborne much beyond their limits, allowing better exploitation of capabilities.

6.2.SWATHI  It is a Weapon Locating Radar, developed by DRDO‘s Electronics & Radar Development Establishment.  It provides fast, automatic and accurate location of all enemy weapons like mortars, shells and rockets firing within in its effective zone of coverage.  It simultaneously handles multiples projectiles fired from different weapons at different locations.  The system is capable of adjusting the fire of our own artillery weapon too.  Thus WLR has two roles to perform i.e. Weapon Location Mode for enemy Artillery and Direction of Own artillery Fire (DOOAF) Mode for our own Artillery.

6.3.CHINA CONTROLS 1,000 SQ. KM OF AREA IN LADAKH

About 1,000 square kilometers of area in Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is under Chinese control, intelligence inputs provided to the Centre suggest. China has been amassing troops and fortifying its presence along the LAC since April-May. Twenty soldiers were killed on June 15 in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh in violent clashes with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops.

 Official report estimated that about 20 sq. km in Galwan Valley and 12 sq. km in Hot Springs area is said to be under Chinese occupation. In Pangong Tso, the area under Chinese control is 65 sq. km, whereas in Chushul it is 20 sq. km.  The standoff at the China border continues even after several rounds of diplomatic and military level talks. However, as per the agreement, Indian troops also moved back from their existing positions leading to creation of buffer zones at all the disputed sites.

6.4.INDRA 2020

Amid high operational alert by the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) due to the ongoing standoff with China in Ladakh, India and Russia are scheduled to hold the bilateral naval exercise, Indra 2020, in the Andaman Sea, close to the strategic Strait of Malacca in September.

Three Russian navy ships will take part in the exercise on September 4 and 5 along with an equal number from the Indian Navy, along with some aircraft, and this is also the first bilateral naval exercise since all such engagements were suspended due to COVID-19.

6.5.APACHE HELICOPTERS

Eight US made Apache AH-64E stealth attack helicopters, has been inducted into IAF.  The IAF has signed a contract with The Boeing and the US government for 22 Apache attack helicopters.  Apache is the most advanced multi- role heavy attack helicopter in the world.  Its modern capabilities includes, fire- and-forget, anti-tank missiles, air-to- air missiles, rockets, and other ammunition.  Apaches has their ability to operate at much higher altitudes, unlike the aging Russian Mi-24/Mi-35 attack helicopters.  It also has modern electronic warfare capabilities to provide versatility in network-centric aerial warfare.  It carries a 30 mm chain gun with 1,200 rounds as part of the area weapon subsystem.  The helicopter carries the fire control Longbow radar, which has 360-degree coverage.  It also has a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night-vision systems.  The Radar systems in the helicopter will enhance the capability of the IAF in providing integrated combat aviation cover.  It is day/night, all weather capable, and have high agility and survivability against battle damage.  These are easily maintainable even in field conditions, and are capable of prolonged operations in tropical and desert regions.  Recent Developments: o The deal for 6 Apache attack helicopters for the Indian Army is likely to be signed early next year. o These are in addition to 22 Apaches being inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) which are expected to be delivered by 2020.

o In 2017, the Defence Acquisition Council approved the purchase of six Apache attack helicopters from the U.S. for the Army. o It will replace the ageing Russian Mi-35 attack helicopters in service.

6.6.TEJAS  It is an indigenous fighter aircraft inducted in to Indian Air force in the year 2016. It has recently commenced its operation.  It is designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).  It is a single-seat, single-jet engine, multirole light fighter. It is the smallest and lightest multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft in its class.  It can fire Air to Air Missiles, carry bombs and Precision Guided ammunition.  It has its root in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the 1980s to replace the ageing MiG-21 fighters.  MiG-21 fighters are purchased from Russia in 1961.  Recent Developments – o The naval variant of the LCA Tejas has made a first successful Arrested landing test. o Arrested landing means to rapidly decelerate an aircraft as it lands. An "arrested landing" on the deck of an aircraft carrier is a feat achieved byonly a handful of fighter jets developed in the US, Russia, the UK, France and China. o The aircraft has to land on a 100-metre run away on an aircraft carrier (a normal LCA lands on a one- kilometer runway). o The Tejas will need to replicate this, out at sea when it attempts to land on the deck of India's only operational aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya.

6.7.SUKHOI SU-30MKI  Sukhoi Aircraft was developed by Russia. The license for building it was given to Indian Air Force in the past 2 decades.  It is twin-finned, twin-jet multi-role aircraft capable of attaining speeds of Mach 2 at high altitudes.  It can carry guns, missiles, bombs, rockets and other weaponry.  The first indigenously overhauled Sukhoi Su-30MKI supersonic aircraft was recently handed over to the Indian Air Force.  During the overhaul, the aircraft was stripped completely and rebuilt from scratch, replacing certain worn out parts/components.

6.8.KAMOV KA-226T  Russia plans to deliver 10 Kamov Ka-226T military helicopters to India in a first tranche as part of a $1-billion deal, signed in Indo-Russia Summit in Moscow, 2015.  The Kamov 226T is a light weight, twin-engine multi-role chopper offers services for both military and civilian purposes.  It will replace India's ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak.  The military version is capable of working in extreme and difficult weather conditions such as hot climate, marine areas and high mountains.

 The helicopter has a maximum speed of 250 km/hour and maximum takeoff weight is 3,600 kg.

6.9.MAAREECH  It is an Advanced Torpedo Defence System (ATDS) that is capable of being fired from all frontline ships.  It has been designed and developed indigenously by DRDO.  It is capable of detecting, locating and neutralizing incoming torpedoes.  It applies counter-measures to protect the naval platform against attack.  Bharat Electronics Limited, a Defence PSU, would undertake the production of this decoy system.  Torpedoes are self-propelled weapons with a warhead and can be used under or on the water surface.  They are one of the mainstay of sea-warfare attack systems.

6.10.LOGISTICS SUPPORT AGREEMENT

Recently, India has signed a logistics support agreement with Japan, and now India is working on three such agreements with Russia, the U.K. and Vietnam. India now has military logistics agreements with all Quad countries, Australia, Japan and the U.S., significantly improving interoperability as they also operate on several common military platforms.

 The agreement with Russia, the Reciprocal Logistics Support (ARLS), is expected to be signed during the bilateral summit in October. The agreement gives India access to Russian facilities in the Arctic region which is seeing increased global activity as new shipping routes open up and resources become available. India has recently announced investments in the Russian Far East.

 In June, India and Australia signed the long pending Mutual Logistics Support (MLSA), elevated their partnership to Comprehensive Strategic partnership and also announced a joint declaration on a shared vision for maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The logistics pact with Japan, Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between armed forces, and have already signed an implementing arrangement for deeper cooperation between the Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF).  There has been a sharp increase in India’s maritime interactions with the Quad countries on a bilateral basis centred around information sharing for improved Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in the Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific. The Andaman and Nicobar islands located close to the strategic Strait of Malacca have been of interest to several countries including Australia and Japan.

India-US Agreement In recent times, India has signed several logistics agreements beginning with the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (LEMOA) with the U.S. in 2016, and the Navy has been the biggest beneficiary of them.  After India signed foundational agreement Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) with the U.S., it got access to encrypted communication systems for seamless communication. As part of this, in March 2019 the Navy and U.S. Navy signed a loan agreement and installed two Pacific fleet provided CENTRIXS (Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System) kits at the Indian Navy headquarters.  Logistics agreements are administrative arrangements facilitating access to military facilities for exchange of fuel and provisions on mutual agreement simplifying logistical support and increasing operational turnaround of the military when operating away from India.

6.11.THE FIVE POINT CONSENSUS

The “five-point consensus” reached by the Foreign Ministers of India and China in Moscow provides a glimmer of hope of a diplomatic solution, while thousands of troops from both countries remain deployed along the border.It is, however, only a glimmer.

Deescalating Tensions:  Each point, outlined in a joint statement, has been affirmed previously by the two neighbours, both in past boundary agreements and in talks held since June that have failed to de-escalate tensions.  The LAC remains tense, facing its worst crisis since 1962. Both sides have agreed to take guidance from previous understandings, including on “not allowing differences to become disputes”, a formulation of 2017 that has not lived up to its promise.  They agreed the current situation suits neither side, troops should quickly disengage, maintain proper distance, and ease tensions. Both sides said “they would abide by all existing agreements, continue dialogue, and expedite work on finding confidence building measures to maintain peace”.

Status quo ante demand:  At the same time, stark differences remain, including on the key question of whether both sides will return to the status quo ante prior to China’s transgressions. The issuing of the joint statement was somewhat unusually accompanied by separate press statements, which struck discordant notes on key issues. India stressed that peace on the boundary was essential for ties, and that recent incidents had impacted the broader relationship.  The Chinese statement, on the other hand, sought to emphasise the importance of “moving the relationship in the right direction” and to put the border “in a proper context”. China’s statement also quoted India’s Foreign Minister as saying India believed China’s policy toward India had not changed and that it did not consider relations to be dependent on the settlement of the boundary question.  This characterisation of India’s stand was a sharp contrast from Delhi’s recent public statements, which have emphasised border peace as a prerequisite to taking forward the broader relationship.  Moreover, a day before the talks, China’s official news agency issued a commentary placing the onus entirely on India to defuse tensions, accusing India of “reckless provocations”, telling India “to learn from history”, and reiterating that China “will not lose an inch of territory”.

Way ahead: It is welcome that India and China have finally found something to agree on. This consensus, however, is only the first step of a long road ahead. The continuing rounds of talks should be aimed sincerely at disengagement, and not at presenting a veneer of diplomatic engagement even while China strengthens its hold along the LAC.

Conclusion: India will need to verify before it can trust each of China’s steps from now on.

6.12.TROPEX EXERCISE

The Navy has begun preparing for its major theatre-level exercise. TROPEX or Theatre- Level Readiness and Operational Exercise, is carried out by the Indian Navy every alternate year, with individual command exercises- Defence of Gujarat (DGX) by the Western Command, and the Eastern Naval Command Operational Readiness Exercise (ENCORE) — held in the intervening period.

TROPEX is meant to assess the Navy’s operational preparedness based on fixed contingencies that are kept classified. The exercise goes on for nearly a month and is followed by a debriefing session. The previous TROPEX was held in January-February 2019, and reportedly involved about 60 Navy ships, 12 Indian Coast Guard ships, and 60 aircraft.

6.13.P-7 Heavy Drop System

Defence Research and Development Organization, DRDO has developed P-7 Heavy Drop System which is capable of para dropping military stores up to seven tonne weight class from IL- 76 aircraft.

 It consists of a platform and specialized parachute system. The parachute system is a multi-stage system comprises of five Main canopies, five Brake chutes, two Auxiliary chutes, one Extractor parachute and platform is a metallic structure made up of Aluminium or steel alloys.  The system has been developed successfully with 100 per cent indigenous resources. P-7 Heavy Drop System has been inducted in the Army.

6.14.DRAFTING NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY 2020

The Union government is set to come up with National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 for ensuring a safe, secured, trusted and resilient cyber space.

What in National Cyber Security Strategy 2020? It is said that attempts were being made by adversaries to exploit the crisis in the wake of the pandemic through various misinformation, fake news and social media campaigns. Malicious domains and websites to the tune of around 5,000 were registered in a short span of time. India have also witnessed an increase of 500% in cybercrime owing to people’s limited awareness and poor cyber hygiene. Financial frauds have also increased tremendously owing to the increased reliance on digital payment platforms.

Indigenous solutions It is lamented that lack of indigenous digital solutions like data-sharing facilities and social media platforms had adversely affected the nation’s self-reliance and cybersecurity. Indian Government urged start-ups to come up with solutions in tune with the country’s requirements and build capacity to ensure that the nation’s critical cyber assets were being manned by skilful native professionals in resonance with the Prime Minister’s call for Atmanirbhar.

6.15.NORTH BANK OF EASTERN LADAKH

The People’s Liberation Army has deployed over two regular divisions (about 40,000 troops) along with supporting arms, logistic services and air force along the Eastern Ladakh frontline and as back-up. India too, has about two regular Army divisions supported by the Indian Air Force in this sector.

 Along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the PLA has now occupied many areas which were earlier considered ‘disputed’, that is, lying between Chinese and Indian perceptions of the LAC.  On the north bank of Pangong Tso, there are eight major finger-like spurs coming down to the Tso (lake). From heights along these spurs, one can observe military activity on the north and south banks of Pangong Tso.  The situation in eastern Ladakh has already caused tension and the deployment of additional troops along the LAC and vulnerable points in the Central and Eastern sectors. This has become necessary due to the breach of trust with China.In Demchok, the PLA has been objecting to India’s non-military developmental activities — road and water channel — for India’s civilian population. About 90 km from Demchok, at Chumar, it had made territorial claims and military advances in September 2014.

6.16.DEFENCE ACQUISITION PROCEDURE 2020

The new policy for procurement of defence equipment, titled Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, which has been in the works since August 2019, will come into effect from October 1.  Under the new policy “offset guidelines have been revised, wherein preference will be given to manufacture of complete defence products over components and various multipliers have been added to give incentivisation in discharge of Offsets,” the government said.  The DAP has reserved procurement under several important categories for companies that are owned 50 per cent or more by Indians. The categories including Buy (Indian — Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured), Make I — with 70 per cent initial government funding, Make II — industry funded, Production Agency in Design and Development, and Strategic Partner model will be exclusively reserved for Indian vendors with ownership and control by resident Indian citizens with up to 49 per cent maximum FDI.  The government has also decided to increase the indigenous content (IC) requirement for all projects from 40 per cent to 50 per cent earlier, depending on the category, to 50 per cent to 60 per cent now. Only under procurement through Buy (Global), foreign vendors can have 30 per cent IC from Indian companies.

6.17.DOWN, BUT NOT OUT: ISLAMIC STATE (IS)

The U.N. counterterrorism chief’s statement to the Security Council on the continuing presence of Islamic State (IS) terrorists in West Asia, Africa and elsewhere should be seen as a serious warning by the countries in these regions.  Two years after the Sunni jihadist group was declared defeated, more than 10,000 IS fighters remain active in Iraq and Syria. IS-driven terror attacks are on the rise.

Proto-state:  A proto-state, also known as a quasi-state, is a political entity that does not represent a fully institutionalized or autonomous sovereign state. The precise

definition of proto-state in political literature fluctuates depending on the context in which it is used and operating from remote areas.  The IS had established a proto-state in 2014 but it was gradually destroyed by multilateral war efforts that lasted four years.  The terror outfit has a “province” in West Africa with nearly 3,000 fighters, according to the UN. In war-torn Afghanistan, it continues to stage attacks, targeting ethnic and religious minorities.  The IS may no longer control any big city, but its rise from a breakaway faction of al-Qaeda in Iraq to one of the world’s most potent terrorist groups should be a lesson for all stakeholders.  Ever since they lost territories, IS fighters withdrew from the front lines and started operating in cells in the deserts, mountains and hinterlands of conflict- ridden countries.

Resurgence:  Iraq and Syria are particularly vulnerable to the IS’s resurgence as these countries are yet to be fully stabilised after the wars.  In Syria, the Bashar al-Assad government has practically won the civil war. But Syria is now a divided country. While the government controls most of the territories, a coalition of jihadists and rebels is running the Idlib province. In the northeast, the Kurdish rebels have declared autonomy.  On the Syrian-Turkish border, Turkey, backed by pro-Turkish rebels, has carved out a buffer and has been in permanent conflict with the Kurds. Though there is an uneasy quiet in Syria, the situation is inflammable.  Iraq, after months of protests and instability, has finally got a government. But Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi is torn between the U.S. and Iran. Pro-Iran Shia militias continue to target U.S. troops inside Iraq, which could turn the country into a battlefield between Washington and Tehran.  The story is not very different in Africa. Libya has two governments, which were fighting each other till last week’s ceasefire.  The Libyan conflict has spilled over into Mali and Burkina Faso, where jihadists have established a solid presence. The IS has its roots in the U.S. invasion of Iraq. It started growing by exploiting the civil war in Syria.  The regional governments as well as their international backers (and rivals) should be mindful of this fact.

Conclusion:  Chaos breeds militancy, and as the main group here is the IS, it would remain active as long as these countries remain unstable.  If they fail to address the regional fault-lines and continue to fight each other, the jihadists could emerge winners once again.  Political instability in parts of West Asia and North Africa is allowing the IS space to operate.

6.18.FAKE NEWS

There is a rapid spread of misinformation through social networks such as facebook, Whats-app and Twitter. Social media outlets have no journalistic norms. Anyone can say anything at any time about any topic without any scant respect for truth. As a result, most of the news available on these platforms are biased. Spread of misinformation influences outcomes of elections which is dangerous for a democracy. Spread of false and malicious news can stoke violence at a short notice e.g. A Video to spread information about child abduction in Pakistan was edited and spread through whatsapp in India which triggered resulting in frenzied mob attacks across India, which have so far claimed several lives. Hardening political stances due to spread of misinformation is triggering acute polarisation among masses. Use of echo chamber algorithms by these social media websites keeps on bombarding the user with related such news which shapes his/her views. Example if someone search a right wing leaning posts, the algorithm will keep providing with more such ideological posts. In India, Cheap internet led to around 500- 700 million people online. New users are most likely to fall in prey of these targeted advertising.

Some Initiatives in India to check Fake News in India:  PIB initiated #PIBFactCheck to check menace of fake news.  The Indian government said the messaging platform whatsapp will need to set up a local entity and find a tech solution to trace the origin of fake messages on its platform.  Indian govt. had also asked twitter to remove accounts spreading rumors on issues like Kashmir issues.  In 2018, new draft rules were proposed by the government that seek to curtail the misuse of social networks and increase accountability.

Although there is no specific provision in Indian law that specifically deals with fake news but, there are several offenses in India’s Penal Code that criminalize certain forms of speech that may be relevant to fake news and may apply to online or social media content, including the crimes of sedition and promoting enmity between different groups.

Way Forward:  India might need to chart its own path by keeping these social media firms under check before they proliferate. New Indian legislation needs to preserve free speech while still applying pressure to make sure that Internet content is filtered for accuracy, and sometimes, plain decency.  Corporate Responsibility of these social media firms. Facebook, for instance, has started to address this matter by publishing ‘transparency reports’ and setting up an ‘oversight board’ to act as a sort of Supreme Court for Facebook’s internal matters.  Regulatory attempts to control the spread of misinformation should be transparent and kept before public view instead of being converted into secret corporate processes.

6.19.HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR VEHICLE

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV). It is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft that can travel at hypersonic speed. It uses hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology. The vehicle travelled its desired flight path at a velocity of six times the speed of sound i.e. Mach 6.  Mach number: It describes an aircraft’s speed compared with the speed of sound in air, with Mach 1 equating to the speed of sound i.e. 343 metre per second.

Background:  The DRDO started on the development of the HSTDV engine in early 2010s. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has also worked on the development of the technology and successfully tested a system in 2016.  DRDO conducted a test of this system in June 2019 also.

Air Breathing Engine:  Air-breathing engines use oxygen from the atmosphere in the combustion of fuel. They include the turbojet, turboprop, ramjet, and pulse-jet. This system is lighter, efficient and cost-effective than other systems in use.  Worldwide efforts are on to develop the technology for air breathing engines for satellite launch vehicles.  Presently, satellites are launched into orbit by multi-staged satellite launch vehicles that can be used only once (expendable). These launch vehicles carry oxidiser along with the fuel for combustion to produce thrust.  A propulsion system which can utilise the atmospheric oxygen during their flight will considerably reduce the total propellant required to place a satellite in orbit.  If those vehicles are made reusable, the cost of launching satellites will further come down significantly.

Types of Air Breathing engines:  Ramjet: A ramjet is a form of air-breathing jet engine that uses the vehicle’s forward motion to compress incoming air for combustion without a rotating compressor. Ramjets work most efficiently at supersonic speeds but they are not efficient at hypersonic speeds.  Scramjet: A scramjet engine is an improvement over the ramjet engine as it efficiently operates at hypersonic speeds and allows supersonic combustion.  Dual Mode Ramjet (DMRJ): A dual mode ramjet (DMRJ) is a type of jet engine where a ramjet transforms into a scramjet over Mach 4-8 range, which means it can efficiently operate both in subsonic and supersonic combustion modes.

Advantages:  The indigenous development of the technology will boost the development of the systems built with hypersonic vehicles at its core.  It can be developed as a carrier vehicle for long range cruise missiles in the defence sector. This includes both offensive and defensive hypersonic cruise missile systems,

 Due to its high speed, most RADARs will be unable to detect it. It will also be able to penetrate most missile defence systems.  This technology will be helpful in the space sector in development of low-cost, high efficiency reusable satellites.

Disadvantages:  Very high cost in initial period or if India chooses Importing technology.

Way Forward  The successful demonstration is certainly a significant milestone towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. DRDO with this mission, has demonstrated capabilities for highly complex technology that will serve as the building block for NextGen Hypersonic vehicles in partnership with industries.  While the successful test is a major milestone, many more rounds of tests will have to be done to achieve the level of technology with countries like the US, Russia and China.

6.20.MILITARY EXERCISES

Name Military Partners (Countries) 1. Varuna It is an Indo-French Joint Naval Exercise. It is held either in the Indian Ocean or Mediterranean Sea with the aim of improving Indo-French coordination. 2. Ekuverin It is a joint military exercise between Indian and Maldives. Its 10th edition will be organised in Maharashtra. 3. Nomadic It is Indo-Mongolian joint military training. Its 14th edition Elephant will be conducted in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. 4. Kazind It is an annual military exercise between India and Kazakhstan. Its 4th edition commenced in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. 5. Maitree 2019 It is the joint military exercise between India and Thailand. It was recently conducted in Meghalaya. Its scope encompassed joint training in various facets of counter terrorism operations in urban and jungle environments. 6. Dharma It is a joint military exercise between India and Japan. It Guardian 2019 covers joint training on counter terrorism operations in jungle and urban scenario. 7. IMNEX-2019 It is India Myanmar Naval Exercise going to be held in Visakhapatnam. 8. Shakti-2019 Exercise Shakti is a series of joint military exercise between India and France. It was commenced in the year 2011 and it is a biennial exercise. It is conducted alternately in India and France. This year exercise is going to be organised in the State of Rajasthan. It will focus on Counter Terrorism operations in backdrop of semi-desert terrain under United Nations Mandate.

9. Dustlik-2019 It is the first ever India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise. It will be organised in Tashkent and focus on Counter terrorism. 10. SCOJtEx-2019 India‘s NDRF is hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Joint Exercise on Urban Earthquake Search and Rescue. It is to rehearse the disaster response mechanism, share knowledge, experience and technology for mutual coordination. 11. Samudra Shakti It is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Indonesia. It is being held in Visakhapatnam. INS Kamorta, an Anti- Submarine Warfare Corvette participates in the exercise from Indian Side. The joint exercises include manoeuvres, Surface Warfare exercises, Air Defence exercises, Weapon firing drills, Helicopter Operations and Boarding Operations. 12. Ex-Roar of the It is conducted between the Indian Navy and Qatari Emiri Sea Naval Forces. It would strengthen cooperation and enhance interoperability between the two navies. This Bilateral Maritime Exercise between the two navies would strengthen the robust defence co-operation between the two countries. 13. MILAN 2020 It is a biennial naval exercise held under the command Indian Navy. The Last (10th) edition was held in 2018 and the next (2020) is going to be held in Vishakhapatnam. In its forthcoming edition, 41 countries have been invited for the participation. USA and Russia have been invited while Pakistan and China are not. The areas of cooperation include Capacity Building, Marine Domain Awareness, Training, Hydrography, Technical Assistance, Operational Exercise etc. 14. Exercise HIM It is a routine military exercise conducted to validate VIJAY operational capabilities of our combat formations. It is to test mobility, communication and coordination of such huge body of fast-moving troops in difficult terrain. Three Battle Groups, each comprising around 4000 soldiers, are participating which will include troop mobilization, mountain assault and air assault. Air force and Army helicopters will be transferring troops and equipment at the terrain of upto 15,000 ft. This year, it was taken place in Arunachal Pradesh. 15. Ex-SURYA It is a Joint military exercise between India and Nepal will be KIRAN conducted in Nepal. It is an annual event which is conducted alternatively in Nepal and India. The aim of this exercise is to conduct a Battalion level combined training between Indian Army and Nepal Army to increase interoperability in jungle warfare and counter terrorist operations in mountainous terrain, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, medical and environmental conservation including aviation aspects. 16. Ex-Tiger It is the maiden India US joint Tri services Humanitarian Triumph Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise. Indian Naval ships Jalashwa, Airavat and Sandhayak, would be participating in the exercise. The US would be represented by

US Navy Ship Germantown. The Exercise is aimed at developing interoperability for conducting HADR operations.

Malabar India US and Japan – Naval exercise. Started in 1992 between 17. India and US. Expanded to trilateral format in 2015. Planning to include Australia. 18. Pitch Black Multilateral Air combat training hosted by Australia. 2020 edition cancelled due to Covid 19. Biennial exercise. Note – AUSINDEX – Naval exercise between India and Australia. 19. Red Flag USA‟s flagship multilateral Air exercise India joined the exercise in 2008 and take part in it with its Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets. 20. PASSEX India and US Navy Conducted near Andaman and Nicobar islands India also conducted similar PASSEXs with the Japanese Navy and the French Navy in the recent past. 21. Kavkaz 2020 Multilateral strategic command-post exercise held in Russia 18 countries including China, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey apart from other Central Asian Republics part of the SCO. India also take part in the exercise (this year India planning to skip this exercise)

7. SOCIAL ISSUES

7.1.THE UN’S GUIDELINES ON ACCESS TO SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Context : The United Nations has released its first-ever guidelines on access to social justice for people with disabilities to make it easier for them to access justice systems around the world. The guidelines outline a set of 10 principles and detail the steps for implementation. The 10 principles are:

1. Principle 1 : All persons with disabilities have legal capacity and, therefore, no one shall be denied access to justice on the basis of disability. 2. Principle 2 : Facilities and services must be universally accessible to ensure equal access to justice without discrimination of persons with disabilities. 3. Principle 3 : Persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, have the right to appropriate procedural accommodations. 4. Principle 4: Persons with disabilities have the right to access legal notices and information in a timely and accessible manner on an equal basis with others. 5. Principle 5 : Persons with disabilities are entitled to all substantive and procedural safeguards recognized in international law on an equal basis with others, and States must provide the necessary accommodations to guarantee due process. 6. Principle 6 :Persons with disabilities have the right to free or affordable legal assistance. 7. Principle 7 :Persons with disabilities have the right to participate in the administration of justice on an equal basis with others. 8. Principle 8 :Persons with disabilities have the rights to report complaints and initiate legal proceedings concerning human rights violations and crimes, have their complaints investigated and be afforded effective remedies. 9. Principle 9 :Effective and robust monitoring mechanisms play a critical role in supporting access to justice for persons with disabilities. 10. Principle 10:All those working in the justice system must be provided with awareness-raising and training programmes addressing the rights of persons with disabilities, in particular in the context of access to justice.

As per the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (adopted in 2007): Persons with disabilities are those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

Discrimination on the basis of disability :  Discrimination on the basis of disability’ means any distinction, exclusion or restriction on the basis of disability which has the purpose or effect of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal basis with others, of

all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. It includes all forms of discrimination, including denial of reasonable accommodation.  Reasonable accommodation means the modification and adjustment in a particular case so that persons with disabilities can enjoy and exercise human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis.

How many people are disabled in India?  As per statistics maintained by the UN, in India 2.4 % of males are disabled and two per cent of females from all age groups are disabled.  Disabilities include psychological impairment, intellectual impairment, speaking, multiple impairments, hearing, seeing among others.  In comparison, the disability prevalence in the US is 12.9 % among females and 12.7 % among males. Disability prevalence in the UK is at 22.7 % among females and 18.7 % among males.

7.2.BONDA TRIBE

Why in news? The COVID-19 pandemic has reached the Bondas, a tribal community residing in the hill ranges of Malkangiri district in Odisha. Four members of the community have tested positive for COVID-19. They have been isolated from the rest of the community members.

About the Bondas: • Bondas, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG), live in settlements comprising small hutments in the hills of the Khairaput block of Odisha. Their population is around 7,000. • The Bondas scattered across 32 remote hilltop villages on in the Eastern Ghats of Malkangiri district are believed to have come to India as part of the first wave of migration out of Africa about 60,000 years ago. • They were the first forest settlers in India. • Though the Odisha government set up the Bonda Development Agency in 1977, there has not been much progress in the community with malnutrition still rampant among the children.

Distinctive culture • The Bondas continue to speak in their language, Remo, which comes under the Austroasiatic language belonging to the Mundari group. • They have a unique dressing style—women are semiclad and wear various types of rings and necklaces around their bodies, while the men carry lethal bows and arrows. • A matriarchal society, the women prefer to marry men who are younger by at least 5-10 years, so that the men can earn for them when they grow old. • The tribe is divided into three groups: the Upper Bondas or Bara-Jangar group, who live on the slopes at over 900 metres above sea level; the Lower Bondas, who live at the foothills, and the Gadaba-Bondas, who live at the same altitude as the Upper Bondas. • Primarily forest dwellers, the Bondas used to hunt and forage for food in the wild.

• Researchers say the Bondas had fewer livelihood options as they were reluctant to work in plains. Depleting forest cover has affected their self-sufficient life. Bondas now practice shifting agriculture in the hills not only for consumption, but also to sell the produce in the markets.

Status of Tribals in Odisha : • Odisha is home to 62 tribal communities — the largest diverse groups of tribal population in India. • 13 of them are PVTGs,they are Bonda, Birhor, Chuktia Bhunjia, Didayi, Dungaria Kandha, Hill Kharia, Juang, Kutia Kondh, Lanjia Saora, Lodha, Mankirdia, Paudi Bhuyan and Saora. • Tribal populations are found in the entire seven districts of Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkanagiri and Rayagada, and in parts of six other districts. • There are around 20 blocks where 13 PVTGs have sizeable populations. • None of the blocks have been spared by the Covid pandemic.

7.3.NUMBER OF ACCIDENTAL DEATHS, SUICIDES GREW IN 2019: NCRB

Report on Suicides in the country: • Suicides in the country went up slightly from 1,34,516 to 1,39,123. • Of the 97,613 male suicides, the most were of daily wage earners (29,092), followed by self-employed persons (14,319) and the unemployed (11,599). • Of the 41,493 female, over half were housewives.  Most suicides by unemployed persons were in Kerala at 14% (1,963), followed by 10.8% in Maharashtra, 9.8% in Tamil Nadu, 9.2% in Karnataka and 6.1% in Odisha. • Most suicides by those in business activities were in Maharashtra (14.2%), Tamil Nadu (11.7%), Karnataka (9.7%), West Bengal (8.2%) and Madhya Pradesh (7.8%). • The suicide rate in cities (13.9%) was higher compared to the all-India average. • Most cases of mass/family suicides were reported from Tamil Nadu (16), followed by Andhra Pradesh (14), Kerala (11) and Punjab (9) and Rajasthan (7).

Report on Accidental deaths: • Accidental deaths in the country increased by 2.3%. Compared with 4,11,824 in 2018, the figure stood at 4,21,104 last year. • The most casualties of 30.9% were reported in the 30-45 age group, followed by 26% in the 18-30 age group. • Maharashtra reported the highest deaths (70,329), amounting to nearly one-sixth of the total figure. • A total of 8,145 deaths was due to the causes attributable to forces of nature, including 35.3% due to lightning, 15.6% by heat/sun stroke and 11.6% deaths in floods. • Most deaths (400) due to lightning was reported each from Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, followed by Jharkhand (334) and Uttar Pradesh (321). • The major causes were ‘traffic accidents’ (43.9%), ‘sudden deaths’ (11.5%), ‘drowning’ (7.9%), ‘poisoning’ (5.1%), ‘falls’ (5.1%) and ‘accidental fire’ (2.6%). A majority (57.2%) of deaths was in the age groups of 18-45 years.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) : • It is a government agency responsible for collecting and analysing crime data as defined by the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL). • It is headquartered in New Delhi and is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. • It was set up based on the recommendations of the National Police Commission (1977-1981) and the MHA’s Task Force (1985).

• NCRB brings out the annual comprehensive statistics of crime across the country namely ‘ Crime in India’ report .

7.4.GENDER IDENTIFIERS

Relevance : GS 1 Social Empowerment

Why in News? Hollywood actor William Shatner took offence to being called ‘CIS’, short for ‘cisgendered’. In a Twitter battle that raged for days, many pointed out to him that cisgender was not a derogatory at all, that it was simply a descriptor. But Shatner persisted: “It’s used as a slur and term of harassment.”

Cisgender :  The term cisgendered is used to define people whose gender identity matches the identity assigned to them at birth.  When a child is born, it is assigned a gender identity based on its physical characteristics. Many believe that gender is a social construct, and growing up, the child may or may not confirm to the birth identity.  The latin prefix ‘cis’ literally means ‘on the same side of’, while ‘trans’ means on the other side.

Gender identity labels in use : 1) Agender: Someone who identifies as not belonging to any gender 2) Androgynous: Someone who identifies as neither man nor woman 3) Bigender: Someone who identifies as both man and woman 4) Non-binary: Someone who rejects the binaries of male and female 5) Genderfluid: Someone whose gender identity changes 6) Genderquestioning: Someone who is exploring which gender they identify as 7) Genderqueer: An umbrella term for people not subscribing to traditional genders

8) AFAB, AMAB: Assigned Female At Birth, Assigned Male At Birth 9) Intersex: Those who do not possess the physical characteristics of either males or females 10) Third Gender: Those who have a gender identity beyond man or woman.

Other terms in gender discourse : 1. Gender dyspohoria: Distress and trauma, significant, long-term, caused by the incongruence between your birth gender and what you feel your gender is. 2. TERF: Trans-exclusionary radical feminist (recently used prominently for author JK Rowling). These are feminists who deny that transwomen are women, and do not admit that the struggle for women’s rights should include support for transgender rights. 3. Misgender: Using for someone a gender other than what they identify as. 4. Cissexism: Favouring cisgendered people over others.

7.5.BRADYKININ STORM

Relevance : GS 2 Issues related to health

Context : A supercomputer’s recent analysis of data on the contents collected earlier from the lungs of patients with the COVID-19 infection has showed that a phenomenon called a ‘bradykinin storm’ might explain how the SARS-CoV-2 virus works in the body, including some of the more puzzling extreme events.

What is the bradykinin hypothesis? • Bradykinin is a potent vasodilator peptide that exerts its vasodilatory action through stimulation of specific endothelial B2 receptors, thereby causing the release of prostacyclin, Nitric Oxide(NO) and Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor (EDHF). • Bradykinin is a compound that is related to pain sensation and lowering blood pressure in the human body. • According to the researchers, “SARS-CoV-2 uses a human enzyme called ACE2 like a ‘Trojan Horse’ to sneak into the cells of its host. ACE2 lowers blood pressure in the human body and works against another enzyme known as ACE (which has the opposite effect).” • The analyses further found that the virus caused the levels of ACE to fall in the lungs, and consequently pushed up the levels of ACE2. • As a chain reaction, this increases the levels of the molecule bradykinin in the cells, causing a bradykinin storm. • Bradykinin causes the blood vessels to expand and become leaky, leading to swelling of the surrounding tissue. • In addition, the levels of a substance called hyaluronic acid, which can absorb more than 1,000 times its own weight in water to form a hydrogel, increased. • In effect, the bradykinin storm-induced leakage of fluid into the lungs combined with the excess hyaluronic acid would likely result in a Jello-like substance that is preventing oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide in the lungs of severely affected COVID-19 patients.

7.6.STEROIDS ACTION IN THE TREATMENT OF COVID-19

Relevance : GS 2 Issues related to health

Why in news? The World Health Organization (WHO) issued new guidelines on the use of corticosteroids for the treatment of novel coronavirus infection.

What are corticosteroids? • Corticosteroids are low-cost anti-inflammatory drugs that closely mimic cortisol, the hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands in humans. • They are commonly used in treatment for rheumatological inflammatory conditions: inflammations of muscles, inflammation of blood vessels, chronic arthritis, and lupus. They are used in lung diseases, kidney inflammation, eye inflammation, and to reduce swelling associated with tumours of the brain and spine. • Three commonly used corticosteroids are dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, and methylprednisolone.

Findings from the study : • The analysis found that corticosteroids were associated with lower mortality among critically ill patients who were and were not receiving invasive mechanical ventilation at randomization. • Trial results from diverse clinical and geographic settings suggest that in the absence of compelling contraindications, a corticosteroid regimen should be a component of standard care for critically ill patients with Covid-19.

New WHO guidelines : • WHO recommends systemic corticosteroids rather than no systemic corticosteroids for the treatment of patients with severe and critical COVID-19 (strong recommendation, based on moderate certainty evidence) • The WHO also highlighted that in contrast to other experimental treatment that is “expensive and “difficult” to obtain and require “advanced medical infrastructure”, corticosteroids are “low cost, easy to administer, and readily available globally”. • Accordingly, systemic corticosteroids are among a relatively small number of interventions for Covid-19 that have the potential to reduce inequities and improve equity in health. Those considerations influenced the strength of this recommendation. • “The ease of administration, the relatively short duration of a course of systemic corticosteroid therapy, and the generally benign safety profile of systemic corticosteroids administered for up to 7–10 days led the panel to conclude that the acceptability of this intervention was high. • It suggests not to use corticosteroids in the treatment of patients with non-severe Covid-19 (conditional recommendation, based on low certainty evidence). • If the clinical condition of patients with non-severe Covid-19 worsens (i.e. increase in respiratory rate, signs of respiratory distress or hypoxemia) they should receive systemic corticosteroids. • It recommended, however, that non-severe Covid-19 patients who are already being treated with systemic corticosteroids for other reasons chronic autoimmune

disease and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) need not discontinue the course.

What is India’s clinical management protocol on corticosteroids? • In June, the Indian government issued revised guidelines on clinical management of Covid-19 patients, where it recommended dexamethasone as an alternative to another steroid — methylprednisolone — for moderate to severe cases. • Corticosteroids are currently indicated in moderate to severe Covid-19 patients. The recovery trial has used dexamethasone. However, both IV dexamethasone or methyl prednisolone may be used based on the availability.

7.7.‘HEALTH IN INDIA’ REPORT

Relevance : GS 2 Issues related to health • Although almost all children in India are vaccinated against tuberculosis, and receive their birth dose of polio vaccine, two out of five children do not complete their immunisation programme, according to the ‘Health in India’ report recently published by the National Statistical Organisation (NSO). • Most of these children remain unprotected against measles, and partially protected against a range of other diseases. In the national capital, less than half of all children have been given all eight required vaccines. • The report is based on the 75th round of the National Sample Survey (July 2017- June 2018) on household social consumption related to health. • Across the country, only 59.2% of children under five years are fully immunised, according to the NSO report. This contradicts the Centre’s Health Management Information System portal data, which claimed that full immunisation coverage for 2017-18 stood at 86.7%. • Full immunisation means that a child receives a cocktail of vaccine doses in the first year of life: • BCG vaccine injected in a single dose shortly after birth, which protects against a childhood attack of tuberculosis. • 2.Measles vaccine. • 3.Oral polio vaccine (OPV) whose first dose is given at birth, followed by two more doses at intervals of four weeks • 4. DPT/pentavalent vaccine, generally injected in three doses, which is meant to protect a child from diphtheria, pertussis or whooping cough, tetanus, Hepatitis B, and meningitis and pneumonia caused by hemophilus influenza type B. • 5. Booster doses for OPV and DPT are also given between 16 and 24 months. • Among States, Manipur (75%), Andhra Pradesh (73.6%) and Mizoram (73.4%) recorded the highest rates of full immunisation. • At the other end of the spectrum lies Nagaland, where only 12% of children received all vaccinations, followed by Puducherry (34%) and Tripura (39.6%).

Diphtheria: • It is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. • In severe cases, a grey or white patch develops in the throat.This can block the airway and create a barking cough as in croup.The neck may swell in part due to enlarged lymph nodes. • A form of diphtheria which involves the skin, eyes or genitals also exists.

• Complications may include myocarditis, inflammation of nerves, kidney problems, and bleeding problems due to low levels of platelets. • Myocarditis may result in an abnormal heart rate and inflammation of the nerves may result in paralysis.

Pertussis : • It is also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. • It is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe.

Tetanus : • It is an infection caused by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. • It is known as "Lockjaw" • When the bacteria invade the body, they produce a toxin that causes painful muscle contractions. • It often causes a person’s neck and jaw muscles to lock, making it hard to open the mouth or swallow.

Merger of NSSO with CSO to form NSO : • The National Sample Survey Office(NSSO) used to work under the Ministry of Statistics of the Indian government until May 2019. • On 23rd May 2019, the NSSO merged with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) to form the National Statistical Office (NSO). • The Government stated that the NSO will be headed by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI).

National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) • The NSSO was set up in 1950 to conduct large-scale sample surveys throughout India. • The employees of the NSSO are from the Indian Statistical Service (appointed through the UPSC) and the Subordinate Statistical Service (appointed through the Staff Selection Commission).

Composition: • The proposed NSO would be headed by Secretary (Statistics and Programme Implementation). • There will be three Director Generals —DG(Statistics), DG (Coordination, Administration and Policy) and DG (National Sample Survey) — reporting to the Secretary (S&PI).

Objective of restructuring: To streamline and strengthen the present nodal functions of the ministry and to bring in more synergy by integrating.

7.8.KERALA TOPS IN CARE FOR CHILDREN

Why in news? Mobile Creches, a non-governmental organization has released Young Child Outcomes Index(YCOI) and Young Child Environment Index(YCEI) as a part of its ‘State of the Young Child in India’ report.

YCOI:  The young child outcomes index measures health, nutrition and cognitive growth with the help of indicators such as infant mortality rate, stunting and net attendance at the primary school level.  Kerala, Goa, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and Mizoram are among the top five States for well-being of children.  It identifies eight States that have scores below the country’s average: they are Assam, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

YCCI:  Young Child Environment Index aims to understand the policy and environment enablers that influence a child’s well-being.  According to the environment index, Kerala, Goa, Sikkim, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh secured the top five positions.  It uses five policy enablers that influence child well-being outcomes, including poverty alleviation, strengthening primary healthcare, improving education levels, safe water supply and promotion of gender equity.

Public spending:  The report calls for an increase in public spending on children.  The report points out that while the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Women and Child Development has seen a year-on-year increase, all the additional funds have been allocated towards nutrition delivery under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).  While the population of children under six years of age is 158.8 million, the ICDS covers only 71.9 million children as calculated from the total number of beneficiaries across States.

7.9.NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES (NDPS) ACT

Why in news? Actor Rhea Chakraborty and nine others so far have been booked under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

About NDPS Act:  The NDPS Act, enacted in the country in 1985, is the primary legislation for dealing with drugs and their trafficking.

 It was passed as India had to fulfil obligations as a signatory of various international conventions on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances to prevent its use and illicit trafficking.  It has various provisions to punish manufacturing, sale, possession, consumption, use, transport of banned drugs.  Punishment under the Act can vary based upon the sections the accused is charged.  The Act has provisions for the court to grant immunity from prosecution to an addict involved in a small quantity of drugs after they voluntarily seek to undergo medical treatment for deaddiction under section 64A.  The Act also has the maximum punishment of the death penalty under section 31A for certain offences involving commercial quantities of a drug if the accused has been convicted before as well.  The central government can add or omit from the list of psychotropic substances.  For instance, in 2015, the central government classified mephedrone – also called as meth or meow meow – as a psychotropic substance in the Act after its popularity grew among the youth and experts warned of its grave health consequences.

2014 Amendment:  The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2014 amended the NDPS Act to relax restrictions placed by the Act on Essential Narcotic Drugs (Morphine, Fentanyl and Methadone), making them more accessible for use in pain relief and palliative care.  The Amendment also contained measures to improve treatment and care for people dependent on drugs, opened up the processing of opium and concentrated poppy straw to the private sector, and strengthened provisions related to the forfeiture of property of persons arraigned on charges of drug trafficking.  The Amendment also removed the NDPS Act's imposition of a mandatory death sentence in case of a repeat conviction for trafficking large quantities of drugs, giving courts the discretion to use the alternative sentence of 30 years imprisonment for repeat offences.  However, the Amendment increased the punishment for "small quantity" offences from a maximum of 6 months to 1 year imprisonment.

Psychoactive substances: These are substances that, when taken in or administered into one's system, affect mental processes, e.g. cognition or affect. This term and its equivalent, psychotropic drug, are the most neutral and descriptive term for the whole class of substances, licit and illicit, of interest to drug policy.

7.10.LEVELS AND TRENDS IN CHILD MORTALITY REPORT

Why in news? The ‘Levels & Trends in Child Mortality’ Report 2020 said that the number of global under-five deaths dropped to its lowest point on record in 2019 — down to 5.2 million from 12.5 million in 1990.

Levels and Trends in Child Mortality’ report is released by the United Nations inter- agency group for child mortality.

Findings in the Report :  According to the new mortality estimates released by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the World Bank Group, the under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in India declined to 34 in 2019 from 126 in 1990.  The country registered a 4.5 per cent annual rate of reduction in under-five mortality between 1990-2019. The number of under-five deaths in India dropped from 3.4 million in 1990 to 824,000 in 2019.  The infant mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in India declined from 89 in 1990 to 28 last year, with the country registering 679000 infant deaths last year, a significant decline from 2.4 million infant deaths in 1990.  The country also witnessed a decrease in neonatal mortality rate between 1990 and 2019 from 57 to 22 - 1.5 million neonatal deaths in 1990 to 522,000 deaths in 2019.  Nearly half (49 %) of all under-five deaths in 2019 occurred in just five countries: Nigeria, India, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia. Nigeria and India alone account for almost a third, the report said.  The report said that meeting the SDG target on under-five mortality would save the lives of almost 11 million children.  The regions of Central and Southern Asia and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand) both saw a faster decline in under-five mortality from 2010-2019 compared to 2000-2009. However, the global burden of under-five deaths weighs most heavily on just two regions – sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asia.

7.11.MAHARASHTRA HAS BANNED THE SALE OF LOOSE CIGARETTES AND BEEDIS

Why in news? The Maharashtra government has banned the sale of loose cigarettes and beedis, in a bid to reduce the consumption of tobacco and to comply with the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) , 2003. Before this, Chhattisgarh had banned the sale of loose cigarettes earlier this year, while Karnataka banned the sale of loose cigarettes, beedis and chewing tobacco in 2017. About:  As per the Tobacco Free Union, over 1 million people die from tobacco-related diseases in India every year.  Under COTPA, tobacco products need to be sold with graphic health warnings on their packaging and loose cigarettes do not comply with this rule. Section 7 of the Act mentions, “ No person shall, directly or indirectly, produce, supply or distribute 6 cigarettes or any other tobacco products unless every package of cigarettes or any other tobacco products produced, supplied or distributed by him

bears thereon, or on its label 1 [such specified warning including a pictorial warning as may be prescribed.]”  The Act also mentions that the warning should be specified on not less than one of the largest panels of the packet in which the cigarettes or any other tobacco products have been packed for distribution, sale and supply.  India is a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control(FCTC), whose core tobacco demand reduction provisions include regulating the packaging and labelling of tobacco products and product disclosures. India ratified the WHO FCTC in 2004.

Are such bans effective?  The effectiveness of this ban remains to be seen and depends on how widespread and stringent the implementation is.  According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of the Scientific Society, raising tax on tobacco products is one of the key ways of controlling tobacco consumption.  While on one hand making tobacco products dearer may lead to an overall decrease in consumption of tobacco globally, on the other hand, it can lead to an increase in the sale of loose cigarettes.  This study found that 57 % of cigarette smokers (3.46 million approximately) in India (based on data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, India 2009–2010) bought loose cigarettes.

7.12.SECTION 509 IPC

Section 509 I.P.C criminalises a 'word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman' and in order to establish this offence it is necessary to show that the modesty of a particular woman or a readily identifiable group of women has been insulted by a spoken word, gesture or physical act

To establish an offence under this section, a person requires the following essential elements. These are as follows:  Intention to insult the modesty of a woman,  The insult must be caused- 1. by uttering some word, or making some sound, or gesture or exhibiting any object or so as to be heard or seen by such woman, or 2. by intruding upon the privacy of such woman.

 To provide protection to women at large, this section, IPC 509 was enforced.  The offence is a cognizable, bailable, as well as non-compoundable which is triable by any Magistrate.  Also, a person can be subject to imprisonment for a term of 3 years of simple imprisonment including fine.

Verma Committee Report and 2013 Criminal Law Amendment:  It is interesting to note that the Justice JS Verma Committee, in its report, suggested a repeal of Section 509. Instead, the committee suggested to incorporate this offence as Section 354C (Stalking).  The committee recommended Section 354D read as follows: Whoever follows a person and contacts, or attempts to contact such person to foster personal interaction repeatedly, despite a clear indication of disinterest by such person, or whoever monitors the use by a person of the internet, email or any other form of electronic communication, or watches or spies on a person in a manner that results in a fear of violence or serious alarm or distress in the mind of such person, or interferes with the mental peace of such person, commits the offence of stalking.  But the Parliament did not accept this suggestion as regards Section 509 repeal.

Information Technology Act  Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, made any information that is grossly offensive or has menacing character punishable.  This section would have dealt with the crime of online abuse as well.  But since the Supreme Court struck this provision down, there is currently no provision in the IT Act which deals directly with offensive and abusive online abuse punishable.

7.13.INSURANCE SCHEME FOR FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS FIGHTING COVID- 19 EXTENDED FOR 6 MONTHS

Context: The Rs 50-lakh insurance cover to frontline health workers fighting COVID-19 has been extended for six months and till date, 61 claims have been processed and payments made. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package insurance scheme for health workers fighting COVID-19 :

 The scheme was announced on March 30 for 90 days and was extended for 90 days (up to Sept. 25).  It provides an insurance cover of ₹50 lakhs to healthcare providers.  There is no age limit for this scheme and individual enrolment is not required.  The entire amount of premium is being borne by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.  The benefit/claim is in addition to the amount payable under any other policies.  The Ministry has collaborated with the New India Assurance (NIA) Company Limited for providing the insurance amount based on the guidelines prepared for the scheme.  The scheme also provides cover to private hospital staff, retired, volunteer, local urban bodies, contract, daily wage, ad hoc, outsourced staff requisitioned by states, central hospitals, autonomous hospitals of centre, states, Union Territories, AIIMS and INIs, hospitals of central ministries drafted for coronavirus- related responsibilities.  It also includes accidental loss of life on account of contracting COVID-19.

7.14.SERIAL INTERVAL

 The serial interval is the duration between symptom onset of a primary case and symptom onset of secondary cases (contacts) generated by the primary case. In simple terms, the serial interval is the gap between the onset of Covid-19 symptoms in Person A and Person B, who is infected by Person A.  The term was first used by British physician William Pickles, who had initially referred to it as transmission interval with reference to a hepatitis epidemic in the United Kingdom during 1942-45.  Later, another British physician RE Hope Simpson used the term serial interval, defining it as the interval between successive illness onsets.

What does changes in serial interval indicate?  The serial interval helps to gauge the effectiveness of infection control interventions besides indicating rising population immunity and forecast future incidence. Thus, the more quickly persons who contracted Covid-19 are identified and isolated, the shorter the serial interval becomes and cuts down opportunities for transmission of the virus.  To manage serial interval, a robust system of contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation protocols should be in place.

How did China manage the serial interval?  Serial interval in Wuhan came down from 7.8 days to 2.6 days between early January and early February.  Quarantining contacts within 1 day from symptom onset helped reduce Covid-19 transmission by 60 %.  It was made possible due to aggressive contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation, thereby ensuring that infected patients, because they were isolated, could not infect any more people later in the infection cycle.  Interventions such as suspension of intra- and intercity travel, and different forms of social distancing widely implemented in different Chinese cities kept the serial interval low.

7.15.BRUCELLOSIS

Why in news? The Health Commission of Lanzhou in Gansu province in northeastern China has announced 3,245 people have been confirmed positive for the bacterial disease, brucellosis linked an outbreak caused by a leak at a biopharmaceutical company last year.

What is brucellosis?  Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that mainly infects cattle, swine, goats, sheep and dogs.  Humans can get infected if they come in direct contact with infected animals or by eating or drinking contaminated animal products or by inhaling airborne agents.

 According to the WHO, most cases of the disease are caused by ingesting unpasteurised milk or cheese from infected goats or sheep.  Symptoms of the disease include fever, sweats, malaise, anorexia, headache and muscle pain.  Human to human transmission is rare.

Other disease outbreaks since COVID-19: 1.Hantavirus:  The hantavirus is not novel and its first case dates back to 1993, according to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  It is contracted by humans from infected rodents.

2.African Swine Fever (AFS):  Amid the COVID-19 lockdown, an outbreak of ASF killed thousands of pigs in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.  ASF is a severe viral disease that affects wild and domestic pigs typically resulting in an acute haemorrhagic fever.  The disease has a case fatality rate (CFR) of almost 100 % .  Its routes of transmission include direct contact with an infected or wild pig (alive or dead), indirect contact through ingestion of contaminated material such as food waste, feed or garbage, or through biological vectors such as ticks.

7.16.WOMEN NAVY OFFICERS WHO WILL BE THE FIRST COMBAT AVIATORS

 Two women officers Sub Lt. Riti Singh and Sub Lt. Kumudini Tyagi from Indian Navy have been selected to join as ‘Observers’ (Airborne Tacticians) in the helicopter stream.  The two are a part of a group of 17 officers of the Navy, including four women officers and three officers of the Indian Coast Guard, who were awarded ‘Wings’ on graduating as ‘Observers’ at a ceremony held today at INS Garuda, in Kerala’s Kochi.  These officers would serve on-board Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti- Submarine Warfare aircraft of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

7.17.SECTION 498A IPC

Why in news? The Bombay high court has refused to quash a first information report (FIR) registered under section 498A (cruelty meted to a married woman at her matrimonial home) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in Mumbai for a complaint of alleged harassment at Badlapur in eastern Uttar Pradesh’s (UP) Jaunpur district.

What the Section reads? Whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.

The basic essentials to attract Section 498A are:  The woman must be married;  She must be subjected to cruelty or harassment; and  Such cruelty or harassment must have been inflicted either by the husband of the woman or by the relative of her husband.

For the purposes of this section, “cruelty” means:  any willful conduct which is of such a nature as is likely to drive the woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health (whether mental or physical) of the woman; or  harassment of the woman where such harassment is with a view to coercing her or any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable security or is on account of failure by her or any person related to her to meet such demand.

Classification of Offense under Section 498A : Cognizable offense : Cognizable offenses are those where the police can arrest without any warrant in accordance with the First Schedule or under any other law for the time being in force. The cases reported under 498A are cognizable if information related to the commission of the offense is given to the officer.

Non-Compoundable Offense : The offenses registered under 498A are non-compoundable except in Andhra Pradesh. Non-compoundable offenses are those in which the complaint cannot be withdrawn e.g., rape, dowry death, murder, etc.

Non-Bailable Offense : 498A is non-bailable. Non-bailable offenses are serious offenses where bail is a privilege and only the courts can grant it. The cases under 498A are non-bailable and bail can be granted under the discretion of the magistrate.

Limitation Period for Filing a 498A Complaint As per section 468 CrPC, the complaint regarding the offenses under 498A must be filed within the time period of 3 years from the time the alleged last incident of cruelty happened.

Recovery in Case of False 498A Accusations : The men whose reputation is defamed with false accusations can opt for some legal measures for recovery and seek protection against Section 498A IPC. Here they are:

 The husband can file a case of defamation under Section 500 of the Indian Panel Code.  Under Section 9 of CPC, the husband can file an application for damage recovery which he and his family have undergone for the false accusations of cruelty and harassment.  Section 182 of IPC is one of the prevalently used measures against false 498A cases. When the authority finds that the averments made were bogus, the culprit is subjected to imprisonment of 6 months or fine or both under Section 182 of

IPC. The person will be charged on the grounds of misleading the judiciary with false information.

7.18.E-LEARNING IN INDIA

Equality of opportunity to all is one of the basic principles of our Constitution. John Dewey, American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, strongly argued that“An environment in which some are limited will always in reaction create conditions that prevent the full development even of those who fancy they enjoy complete freedom for unhindered growth.”

The key issues :  The main thrust of providing learning opportunities while schools are shut is online teaching. There are several sets of guidelines and plans issues by the government, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for this purpose.  The Internet space is teeming with learning schemes, teaching videos, sites and portals for learning opportunities.  The content of all government sites and schemes is primarily the NCERT-issued Alternative Academic Calendar ,videos of teaching, digital editions of textbooks, and links to other such material.  There are three pertinent issues in this whole effort of online education and schemes that need serious consideration : 1. On exacerbation of inequality 2. Pedagogical issues leading to bad quality education 3. An unwarranted thrust on online education, post-COVID-19.

Exacerbation of inequality:  The plight of millions of migrant labourers, many of who walked thousands of kilometres right in the beginning of the lockdown, proved the point adequately.  A similar but less noticed deprivation is being visited to children of the same people, which may push the next generation in a direction of even greater comparative disadvantage.  In our society there is no large movement that may generate any hope of an improved situation in terms of equality and social justice.  Therefore, any positive change that might come about will be a cumulative result of the development of capabilities and grit in individuals.  The COVID-19 shutdown has affected this opportunity for the poor even harder than their counterparts from well-to-do sections of society.  The government began plans for students with no online access only by the end of August. The plans themselves were the usual glib talk always served to the poor.  These plans assume semi-literate or illiterate parents teaching children, community involvement, mobile pools, and so on.  Anyone with an understanding of rural India will immediately note these to be imaginary.

No focus on concepts:  In the science and mathematics videos, in particular, there are many misconceptions and ambiguities.  The emphasis is more on ‘tricks’ to remember for success in an examination than laying the stress on conceptual understanding.  Many American educators have questioned the quality of teaching and have pointed out inadequate or plainly wrong concepts, particularly in mathematics.  The secondary students are in a better position still because of their relative independence in learning and possible self-discipline.

The thrust, post-Covid-19:  All reliable studies seem to indicate that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the classroom helps in already well-functioning systems, and either has no benefits or negative impact in poorly performing systems.  Transformation of schools in the current understanding of pedagogy, suitability of learning material and quality of learning provided through IT will further devastate the already inadequate system of school education in the country.  IT can be used in a balanced manner where it can help; but it should not be seen as a silver bullet to remedy all ills in the education system.

Institutional environment:  The institutional environment plays an important role online teaching.  Even when the institutions function sub-optimally, students themselves create an environment that supports their growth morally, socially and intellectually in conversations and interactions with each other.  The online mode of teaching completely forecloses this opportunity.

7.19.NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS (NCPCR)

Why in news? The country’s apex child rights body National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has directed eight States that account for over 70% of children in care homes to ensure their return to their families, noting that it is the right of every child to grow up in a familial environment.

Details :  The eight States – Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Mizoram, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Meghalaya – have 1.84 lakh (or nearly 72%) children in child care homes out of a total of 2.56 lakh in the country.  The NCPCR has directed the district Magistrates and Collectors of these States to ensure that the children living in these care homes return to their families, preferably within a 100-day period.  The principle of the Juvenile Justice Act is to keep children with families and keeping children in child care homes must be the last resort till all attempts are made to give them an atmosphere of home.  The States have been asked to immediately produce all the children in need of care and protection staying in these CCIs before the Child Welfare Committee

concerned (CWC) for their immediate return to family, and apprise the Commission of the progress.  For those who could not be repatriated and restored due to prevailing abject poverty in the family, “obligation falls upon your good office to ensure that the family is linked to various social welfare schemes and entitlements that have been introduced by the State government in this regard.  The Commission recommended that the repatriation and restoration of these children shall be conducted while ensuring strict adherence to the guidelines issued by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).  The safety and security of child care homes have been a matter of concern ever since sexual assaults were reported in child care institutions in Deoria in Uttar Pradesh and Muzaffarpur in Bihar in 2018.

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) :  The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) was set up in March 2007 under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005.  It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Women & Child Development ,Government of India.  The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) emphasizes the principle of universality and inviolability of child rights and recognizes the tone of urgency in all the child related policies of the country.  For the Commission, protection of all children in the 0 to 18 years age group is of equal importance.

7.20.LIQUID MEDICAL OXYGEN(LMO)

Why in news? National drug pricing regulator, NPPA has capped the price of medical oxygen cylinders and liquid medical oxygen for six months.

Details:  The present situation of COVID-19 has resulted in increased demand of medical oxygen up to almost four times from 750 MT per day to around 2,800 MT per day.  National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, upon being directed by the Health ministry, has announced it will cap the price of liquid oxygen at Rs. 15.22 per cubic metre on the manufacturing end.  The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare delegated powers under Section 10(2) (l) of Disaster Management Act, 2005 to NPPA to take all necessary steps to immediately regulate the availability and pricing of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) and medical oxygen in cylinders.  The existing rate contracts of state governments for oxygen purchase, as applicable, shall continue, in consumer interest, it added.  The ex-factory price cap of LMO and oxygen gas cylinders will be applicable to domestic production and supply.

7.21.LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF COVID-19

Though SARS-CoV-2 is essentially a virus that hits the lungs, in a smaller subset, it also seems to have an impact on the lungs, heart and brain, increasing the risk of long-term health issues, and life-threatening complications.

The Mayo Clinic lists organs that may be affected by COVID-19:  Heart: imaging tests taken months after recovery show lasting damage to the heart muscle, even in those with only mild symptoms, increasing the risk of heart failure or other heart complications.  Lungs: long-standing damage to the air sacs inside the lungs, leading to long-term breathing problems  Brain: strokes, seizures and Guillain-Barre syndrome that causes temporary paralysis. An increased risk of developing Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease is possible  Blood: blood cells are more likely to clump up and form clots. While large clots can cause heart attacks and strokes, much of the heart damage caused by COVID-19 is believed to stem from very small clots that block capillaries in the heart muscle. Blood throwing such clots can affect other organs as well — the lungs, legs, liver, kidneys.  Mood disorders: simply surviving this experience can make a person more likely to later develop post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.

Solutions :  Countries across the world are beginning to realise the importance of assessing the long-term impact, and exploring solutions to rectify damage.  The U.K.’s PHOSP(post-hospitalisation)-COVID project is one of several such projects globally to study patients who have been hospitalised with COVID-19.  Over the course of a year, clinical assessments will track 10,000 patients to gain a comprehensive picture of the impact COVID-19 has had on longer-term health outcomes.  In Chennai, post-COVID clinics in the government sector have begun assessing people who have recovered for after-effects. Clearly, a great deal of time, and money should go into research on long-term rehabilitation strategies for the post- COVID phase.

7.22.WEIGHING IN ON THE EFFICACY OF FEMALE LEADERSHIP

Context :  Germany, New Zealand and Taiwan are located in three different continents.  The three countries seem to have managed the pandemic much better than their neighbours.  As of September 23, Germany has approximately 20,000 active cases which are far less than 350,000 active cases in France.  New Zealand and Taiwan have 65 and 22 active cases respectively.  These are all countries that have women heading their governments.

 Germany is ruled by the chancellor Angela Markel, New Zealand by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.Tsai Ing-Wen is President of Taiwan.  A detailed recent study by researchers in the United States reports that States which have female governors had fewer COVID-19 related deaths.

India’s gram panchayats: Female leaders perform significantly better than men in implementing policies that promote the interests of women.

Study by Duflo and Chattopadhyay:  This was demonstrated in another study conducted by Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo and co-author Raghabendra Chattopadhyay, who used the system of mandated reservations of pradhans in gram panchayats to test the effectiveness of female leadership.  Their study was made possible by the 1993 amendment of the Indian Constitution, which mandated that all States had to reserve one-third of all positions of pradhan for women.  Since villages chosen for the mandated reservations were randomly selected, subsequent differences in investment decisions made by gram panchayats could be attributed to the differences in gender of the pradhans.  For instance, women pradhans were more likely to invest in providing easy access to drinking water since the collection of drinking water is primarily, if not solely, the responsibility of women.

Suffrage to women:  Women were allowed to vote from 1950 onwards and so could participate on an equal footing with men from the first general election of 1951-52.  This is in striking contrast to the experience in the so-called “mature democracies” of western Europe and the United States.  In the U.S., it took several decades of struggle before women were allowed to vote in 1920.  Most countries in Europe also achieved universal suffrage during the inter-war period.  Since most able- bodied men went away to the battlefields during the First World War, increasing numbers of women had the opportunity to show that they were adequate substitutes in activities that were earlier the sole preserve of men.

Underrepresentation of women legislators in India:  Female members make up only about 10% of the total ministerial strength in India  The underrepresentation of female Ministers in India is also reflected in the fact that there is only one female Chief Minister.  Despite this, women constitute just over 14% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.  This gives us the dismal rank of 143 out of 192 countries for which data are reported by the Inter-Parliamentary Union.  Rwanda comes out on top with a staggering 60% of seats in its lower house occupied by women.

 As a region, Nordic countries (relating to Scandinavia, Finland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands) are leaders with an average of about 40%.  The UK and the US are relative laggards with 32% and 23%, respectively.

The women’s Bill languishes:  Since women running for elections face numerous challenges, it is essential to create a level-playing field through appropriate legal measures.  The establishment of quotas for women is an obvious answer.  Attempts have also been made to extend quotas for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies through a Women’s Reservation Bill.  Unfortunately, the fate of this Bill represents a blot on the functioning of the Indian Parliament.  Although the Rajya Sabha did pass the bill in 2010, the Lok Sabha and the State legislatures are yet to give their approval despite the 24 years that have passed since it was first presented in the Lok Sabha.

Solutions:  The major party constituents can sidestep the logjam in Parliament by reserving say a third of party nominations for women.  This will surely result in increasing numbers of women in legislatures and subsequently in cabinets. The importance of this cannot be overestimated.  There is substantial evidence showing that increased female representation in policy making goes a long way in improving perceptions about female effectiveness in leadership roles.  This decreases the bias among voters against women candidates, and results in a subsequent increase in the percentage of female politicians contesting and winning elections.

7.23.DIAGNOSING WHAT AILS MEDICAL EDUCATION

Context: Confusion over policy for human resource development and economic policy is affecting quality, equity and integrity.

About NEP,2020:  The new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to provide “universal access to quality education…” and bridge the “gap between the current state of learning outcomes and what is required… through undertaking major reforms that bring the highest quality, equity and integrity into the system, from early childhood care and education through higher education”.  It suggests that where it differs from previous policies is that in addition to the issues of access and equity, the present policy lays an emphasis on quality and holistic learning.  With regard to medical education, it states that the aim is to train health care professionals “primarily required for working in primary care and secondary hospitals.”

On private entities:  In the field of health care, there is a continuing shortage of health-care personnel.  The infrastructure required for high-quality modern medical education is expensive.  Faced with public demand for high-quality medical care on the one hand and severe constraints on public resources on the other, private entities have been permitted to establish medical educational institutions to supplement government efforts.  Though they are supposed to be not-for-profit, taking advantage of the poor regulatory apparatus and the ability to both tweak and create rules, these private entities, with very few exceptions, completely commercialised education.  None of the three stated objectives of medical education has been achieved by the private sector — that is, providing health-care personnel in all parts of the country, ensuring quality and improving equity.  The overwhelming majority of private medical colleges provide poor quality education at extremely high costs.

NEET and Equity:  NEET may have improved the quality of candidates admitted to private institutions to some extent, but it seems to have further worsened equity.  Under any scheme of admission, the number of students from government schools who are able to get admission to a medical college is very low.  With NEET, the number has become lower. The high fees of private medical colleges have always been an impossible hurdle for students from government schools, whatever the method used for admission.  Allowing government medical colleges to admit students based on marks in Standard XII and using NEET scores for admission to private colleges will be more equitable right now.  The basic cause of inequity in admission to higher educational institutions is the absence of a high quality school system accessible to all.  In medical education, the situation is made far worse by the rent seeking and profiteering of the majority of private medical colleges.

8. SCHEMES

8.1.PM KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA

Why in News? Government gave its nod to 27 projects under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana for development of integrated cold chains and value addition infrastructure in the country.

Significance  The new integrated cold chain projects will generate direct and indirect employment for over sixteen thousand people and benefit nearly 2 lakh 57 thousand farmers.  Saving the perishable produce, by provisioning adequate infrastructure, will help in augmenting farmers’ incomes and will also act towards making India self- reliant in fruits and vegetables sector.  These projects will help in streamlining the agricultural supply chain and generate direct and indirect employment opportunities in rural areas.  The 27 new projects will leverage a total investment of 743 crore rupees for the creation of modern, innovative infrastructure and effective cold chain facilities for the food processing sector across various states including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.  85 Cold Chain Projects have also been considered for financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana.

About the Scheme  Central Sector Scheme - SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters)was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in 2017.  This umbrella scheme was later renamed as the "Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)" to be implemented by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).

OBJECTIVES OF PM KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA  Creation of modern infrastructure for food processing mega food parks/ clusters and individual units.  To create effective backward and forward linkages - linking farmers, processors and markets.  To create robust supply chain infrastructure for perishables.

The following schemes will be implemented under PM Kisan SAMPADA Yojana :

(i). Mega Food Parks (ii). Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (iii). Creation / Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities (iv). Infrastructure for Agro-processing Clusters (v). Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages

(vi). Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure (vii). Human Resources and Institutions

NOTE 100% FDI is permitted under the automatic route in food processing sector, and the same percentage is also allowed through government approval route for retail trading, in respect of food products manufactured and/or produced in India.

For other details of scheme refer : https://iaswinnishers.com/2020/05/07/daily- current-affairs-on-may-7/

8.2.ORUNODOI SCHEME

Why in News? ‘Orunodoi’ or Arunodoi Scheme is a new scheme of Government of Assam that will be launched on 2nd October 2020.

Scheme details  ‘Orunodoi’ scheme will provide Financial Assistance of Rs. 830 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme to around 17 Lakh Families in the state.  They will receive the amount on the first day of every month, starting from October, 2020.  Women being primary caretaker of family are kept as beneficiaries of the scheme.

Eligibility  Applicant should be a permanent resident of Assam.  Applicant should be presently resident in Assam. Composite Household Income of the Applicant should be less than Rs. 2 Lakh per annum.  The beneficiary (nominated female member) should have a bank account wherein the name in the bank records should match the scheme records. In case, the beneficiary does not possess a bank account then a bank account would be required to be opened prior to the date of approval of the application.  Under the scheme, priority shall be given to household with Widow/divorced/unmarried female/separated female Specially abled nominated female Specially abled household member

Benefits of Assam Orunodoi Scheme 2020 – The support of Rs 830 per month will mean an additional per annum income of Rs 10,000 to the poor households, to meet their medical & nutritional needs. – An amount of 2800 crore rupees is earmarked for the Arunodoi Scheme (Orunodoi scheme) in this year’s budget. – The amount will be sent by DBT to bank account of nominated woman of the family. – The selection of beneficiaries to started from August 17, 2020. – It shall benefit all poor households whether they are covered under NFSA or not. – Under this initiative, the State has set a commitment to alleviate the financial problems of impoverished families in Assam through ‘Substantial Income Support’.

8.3.POSHAN MAAH

Why in news? The 3rd Rashtriya Poshan Maah is being celebrated during the month of September 2020.National Nutrition Week 2020 is celebrated from September 1 to 7. About National Nutrition Week  The theme for National Nutrition Week 2020 is 'Eat Right, Bite by Bite'. Every year the Poshan Maah is celebrated under POSHAN Abhiyaan (PM’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment), which was launched in 2018.  Ministry of Women and Child Development, being the nodal Ministry for POSHAN Abhiyaan, is celebrating the Poshan Maah in convergence with partner Ministries and departments, at National, States/UTs, Districts, and grass root level.

History  National Nutrition Week was started by the members of the American Dietetic Association (now the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) in March 1973.  It aimed to deliver the message of nutrition literacy to the public along with the promotion of the profession of the nutritionist.  In 1982, National Nutrition week celebration was initiated by the Indian government. This campaign aimed at bringing awareness and motivating people to understand the importance of nutrition.

Objective The objective of the Poshan Maah is to encourage Jan Bhagidaari, in order to create a Jan Andolan, for addressing malnutrition amongst young children, and women and to ensure health and nutrition for everyone.

Activities undertaken as part of Poshan Maah  Identification of Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) Children and their management and plantation of Poshan Vaatikas- Nutri gardens, will be undertaken as focus activities during Poshan Maah, along with awareness generation regarding importance of early breast feeding, Need for good nutrition during first 1000 days of life, measures for reducing Anaemia in young women and children etc.  Department of School Education, Ministry of Education has asked States to conduct Nutrition e-quiz and Meme making competition amongst students.  Ministry of Panchayati Raj is planning to conduct special Committee meetings in every gram Panchayat during the month.  Ministry of Rural Development has advised States to promote Nutri-gardens with the support of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA.  Ministry of Ayush has offered to support building a healthy lifestyle by adopting Yoga and holistic nutrition.

About POSHAN ABHIYAAN  The Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition or POSHAN Abhiyaan or National Nutrition Mission, is Government of India’s flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

 Launched by the Prime Minister on the occasion of the International Women’s Day on 8 March, 2018 from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, the POSHAN (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) Abhiyaan directs the attention of the country towards the problem of malnutrition and address it in a mission-mode.

For implementation of POSHAN Abhiyaan the four point strategy/pillars of the mission are:  Inter-sectoral convergence for better service delivery  Use of technology (ICT) for real time growth monitoring and tracking of women and children  Intensified health and nutrition services for the first 1000 days  Jan Andolan

NOTE :As a part of its mandate, NITI Aayog is required to submit implementation status reports of POSHAN Abhiyaan every six months to the PMO.

Vision and Target  POSHAN Abhiyaan is a multi-ministerial convergence mission with the vision to ensure attainment of malnutrition free India by 2022.  The objective of POSHAN Abhiyaan to reduce stunting in identified Districts of India with the highest malnutrition burden by improving utilization of key Anganwadi Services and improving the quality of Anganwadi Services delivery.  Its aim to ensure holistic development and adequate nutrition for pregnant women, mothers and children.  The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is implementing POSHAN Abhiyaan in 315 Districts in first year, 235 Districts in second year and remaining districts will be covered in the third year.  POSHAN Abhiyaan targets to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia (among young children, women and adolescent girls) and reduce low birth weight by 2%, 2%, 3% and 2% per annum respectively.  Although the target to reduce Stunting is at least 2% p.a., Mission would strive to achieve reduction in Stunting from 38.4% (NFHS-4) to 25% by 2022

8.4. START-UP VILLAGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME

Why in News? Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) is propelling enterprises in rural areas and building rural entrepreneurs

About  Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) is implemented by (DAY- NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development, as a sub-scheme since 2016.  With an objective to support the rural poor come out of poverty, supporting them setup enterprises and provide support till the enterprises stabilize, SVEP focusses on providing self-employment opportunities with financial assistance and training in business management and soft skills while creating local community cadres for promotion of enterprises.

Working  SVEP addresses three major pillars of rural start-ups namely – finances, incubation and skill ecosystems.  Activities under SVEP are strategically designed to promote rural enterprises, one of the key areas is to develop pool of community resource persons – enterprise promotion (CRP-EP) who are local and support entrepreneurs setting-up rural enterprises.  Another key area is to promote the block resource center (BRC) in SVEP blocks, to monitor and manage the community resource persons, appraise SVEP loan application and acts as the repository of enterprise related information in the concern block.  BRCs play the role to support sustainable revenue model to operate effectively and independently.

Progress so far  Over the years the SVEP has made an impressive progress and has extended business support services and capital infusion to 153 blocks of 23 states as of August 2020.  Around, 2,000 trained cadre of Community Resource Person-Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EP) are providing services to rural entrepreneurs and as on August 2020, around 100,000 enterprises are supported by them. Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad is the technical support partner of SVEP.

The response to COVID pandemic  As the country fought the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19), women SHGs of DAY- NRLM stepped up as effective frontline responders and reached the last mile ensuring an immediate relief to the rural communities and the most vulnerable population.  These SHG women shouldered the responsibilities of the situation and emerged as a strong task force in producing several quality products like masks, protective gear kits, sanitizers and hand wash across the country.

8.5.NATIONAL BAMBOO MISSION

Why in News? Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Shri Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated by virtual mode 22 bamboo clusters in 9 States (Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Karnataka). A logo for the National Bamboo Mission was also released.

Efforts to boost bamboo industry  Keeping in consideration the importance of bamboo, the Indian Forest Act 1927 was amended in the year 2017 to remove bamboo for the category of trees, as a result now anyone can undertake cultivation and business in bamboo and its products.  Import policy has also been modified to ensure progress of the bamboo industry in the country.

 Youth are also being given training for bamboo industry.

Link to AatmaNirbhar Bharat  Taking forward the objectives of the Bamboo Mission would contribute to the call of Hon’ble Prime Minister of an Aatma Nirbhar Bharat through an AatmaNirbharKrishi.  The support being given by the Mission to local artisans through locally grown bamboo species will also actualize the goal of Vocal for Local.  This will help increase income of farmers and at the same reduce dependency on imports of some raw material.

About National Bamboo Mission National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was initially started as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 2006-07 and was subsumed under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) during 2014-15 and continued till 2015-16.

Need for restructuring  There was weak linkage between the producers (farmers) and the industry.  The restructured proposal gives simultaneous emphasis to propagation of quality plantations of bamboo, product development and value addition including primary processing and treatment; micro, small & medium enterprises as well as high value products; markets and skill development, thus addressing the complete value chain for growth of the bamboo sector.  The restructured National Bamboo Mission was launched in 2018-19 for holistic development of the complete value chain of the sector.  The Mission is being implemented in a hub (industry) and spoke model, with the main goal of connecting farmers to markets so as to enable farmer producers to get a ready market for the bamboo grown and to increase supply of appropriate raw material to domestic industry.  Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in its meeting held on 25.04.2018  The Mission was launched as a natural corollary of the historic amendment of the Indian Forest Act in 2017,removing bamboo from the definition of trees, hence bamboo grown outside forests no longer need felling and transit permissions.  The new bamboo mission will have a three-level subsidy. Firstly, farmers growing bamboo on a commercial basis will get input subsidies on a per-hectare model. Secondly, entrepreneurs will also get subsidies to set up processing centres.  Thirdly, industries will qualify for a credit-linked back-ended subsidy.

Its Progress  The bamboo ecosystem has been energized with 23 States being assisted, including all the 8 States of North East.  10 most important species which are required by industry have been identified and quality planting material is being made available to farmers for plantations. Assam has already engaged FPOs for raising plantations.

 New FPOs will also be formed under the recently approved scheme of DACFW(Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare) for formation of 10,000 FPOs in 5 years.  Further primary processing, CFCs are being set up close to the plantations which will enable cost of transportation of whole bamboo to be reduced, increase local entrepreneurship and move to a zero waste approach.

Logo  The winner of the logo contest, Shri Sai Ram Goudi Edigi of Telengana was selected from 2033 entries received on MyGov platform from across the country.  The logo portrays a bamboo culm in the center of a circle composed of half an industrial wheel and half farmers, depicting the objectives of NBM appropriately.  The green and yellow colour of the logo symbolise bamboo often termed as green gold.

NOTE  Bamboo covers 13.96 million hectare area with 136 species  Land degradation is a major problem confronting India. According to the State of India’s Environment 2017, nearly 30 per cent of India’s land is degraded.  With its unique ability to stitch and repair damaged soils, bamboo is ideal for rehabilitating degraded soil.  It has been proposed that the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the government’s flagship programme for housing, will utilise the scheme to install bamboo houses.  The Central Government recently took decision to increase import duty on bamboo sticks from 10% to 25% which will open up new avenues of self- employment in the country.  India produces 14.6 million tons of bamboo every year with nearly 70,000 farmers engaged in bamboo plantation. While 136 varieties of bamboo are found in India; the Bambusa Tulda variety, which is used for making agarbatti sticks, is found in abundance in the North eastern region.

8.6.PM MATSYA SAMPADA YOJANA

Why in News? Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), along with the e-Gopala App on September 11,2020.

About the scheme  PMMSY is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country with an estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crores for its implementation during a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024- 25 in all States and Union Territories, as a part of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat Package.

 Out of this, an investment of about Rs 12,340 crores is proposed for beneficiary- oriented activities in Marine, Inland fisheries and Aquaculture and about Rs 7,710 crores investment for fisheries infrastructure.

Objectives  It aims at enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024- 25, increasing fisheries export earnings to Rs 1,00,000 crores by 2024-25, doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers, reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25 per cent to about 10 per cent and generation of additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in the fisheries sector and allied activities. e-Gopala App  It is a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers.  At present no digital platform is available in the country for farmers managing livestock including buying and selling of disease free germplasm in all forms, availability of quality breeding services and guiding farmers for animal nutrition, treatment of animals using appropriate medicine.  There is no mechanism to send alerts on due date for vaccination, pregnancy diagnosis and calving among other issues and inform farmers about various government schemes and campaigns in the area.  The e-Gopala app will provide solutions to farmers on all these aspects.

NOTE  Among other launches by Modi is the comprehensive fish production technology centre at Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University in Pusa in Bihar.  Also there is a plan for the establishment of a fish brood bank at Sitamarhi and of aquatic disease referral laboratory at Kishanganj, for which assistance has been provided under the PMMSY.

For more information on Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana refer: https://iaswinnishers.com/2020/05/21/daily-current-affairs-on-may-21/

8.7.CRITICAL EVALUATION OF FEW IMPORTANT SCHEMES

Opinion: Each of the poverty alleviation programmes seems to have a recurring theme of being funded by the poor themselves.

Supporting Arguments are as follows A.PM KISAN

 Under PM Kisan, each landowning farmer (landless are excluded) receives Rs 6,000 annually.  As per a Punjab Agriculture University study, a farmer growing a combination of paddy and wheat utilises about 50 litres of diesel per acre.  The diesel usage differs, depending on the crop and practices. Today, each litre of diesel gets taxed at about Rs 45. Even if one is to discount the average country-

wide diesel usage per acre to 60 per cent — 30 litres — the government is virtually collecting a tax of Rs 1,200 per acre from farmers.  A small five-acre farmer could be paying about Rs 6,000 as diesel tax, the same as the largesse being received.  Additionally, according to the single-tax regime, farmers pay GST on purchase of inputs like seeds, pesticides, fertilisers, tractors and implements and such others for which, unlike industry, they cannot claim input credit.

B. UJWALA SCHEME  When international crude price was at $60 per barrel in July 2019, the Ujwala- scheme-subsidised gas cylinder was available to the underprivileged at Rs 503. Then came COVID-19, when crude prices fell to stabilise at about two-thirds the price at $40.  When everything was reeling downwards, by this July, the price of the subsidised cylinder increased by nearly a fourth to Rs 611.  Incredibly, the government is collecting more per cylinder from the poorest sections of society .  Broadly, each of these poverty alleviation programmes seems to have a recurring theme — being funded by the poor themselves.

C.MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE  Amid the COVID clampdown, the MSP for paddy was increased by 2.9 per cent, while even the CACP report on which this MSP is based, projected an increase of 5.1 per cent in the composite input price index for 2020-21 over 2019-20, indicating a higher cost of cultivation.  Even the food inflation in cereals for 2019 was 8.4 per cent. In real terms, the MSP for paddy will decrease by the time of marketing in October. In 2018, in the run- up to the 2019 parliamentary elections, the government magnanimously raised MSP for paddy by 12.9 per cent.  Having attained a resounding victory, thereafter the increases in MSP have been minuscule at 3.7 per cent in 2019 and 2.9 per cent in 2020.  The MSP has changed from being the minimum support price to becoming the maximum selling price. It is not surprising that the demand for MSP as a legal right has begun to resonate in the field.

Even though different wings of the government are seemingly working at cross purposes, issues of governance aren’t fatally flawed, but perfectible.

8.8. VISVAS

Why in News? Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot released a book containing 33 Action Plans 2020-21 of all the schemes of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment on 7th September, 2020. This is the first time that theDepartment of Social Justice and Empowerment has embarked on a comprehensive Annual Action Plan 2020-21 for each of the Schemes with an objective to give clear targets and milestones.

About VISVAS yojana

 Vanchit Ikai Samooh aur Vargon ki Aarthik Sahayta Yojana (VISVAS Yojana)” is for the benefit of Scheduled Castes and OBC Self Help Groups/Individual member with annualfamily income upto Rs. 3 Lakh.  Under the scheme SC and OBC Self Help Groups and Individuals will be able to avail Interest Subvention on bank loans at 5%.  VISVAS Yojana will be implemented by the apex corporation of MoSJ&E i.e. National Scheduled Castes Finance Development Corporation (NSFDC) and National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC).  The scheme will significantly help to expand the outreach to OBC and SC members and reduce interest burden in these times of pandemic.

8.9.e-Kisan Mandi

Why in News?

Pune gets first E-Kisan Mandi. In order to bring sellers and buyers together amid the COVID-19 outbreak and ensure profit to the farmers, the government is setting up a number of e-kisan mandis in various cities and the first one has already become operational in Pune.

About  Set up under the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED), the first e-kisan mandi became operational in Pune as a result of a joint venture between Federation of Farmer Producer Organisations and Aggregators and Maharashtra Farmers Producer companies.  NAFED is planning to open at least 100 more such facilities across the country in the next six to nine months at an annual cost of Rs.100 to Rs.150 crore. According to reports, the next two e-mandis will be started in Mumbai and Nashik. It will be further expanded to Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Jharkhand.

Significance  Unlike e-NAM, which focuses on APMCs, the e-kisan mandis will seek to bring farmers, agri-producers, traders and small buyers on a common platform for trading agricultural commodities.  An online electronic market will not work unless it is accompanied by proper physical infrastructure. Physical sorting and grading facilities will be established to help farmers get access to an efficient price discovery mechanism.  The e-kisan mandis are being set up in such a way that the government and the farmers can make full use of the physical infrastructure.  Under the model, land owned by NAFED will be used as a hub by the farmers’ union of a particular area while these unions will collect orders from online platforms and provide service.  For this, NAFED will construct warehouses and cold storages and provide services like the electronic auction, product display and retail counter, value addition infrastructure for cleaning, grading, packaging of the produce.

 Drying, sorting and grading facilities will also be provided by NAFED to deal with high level perishable and non-perishable commodities.  NAFED will charge one to 1.5 per cent of the total turnover as service charge under the model. The amount will be used to meet operational expenses like salaries, electricity and water bills and local taxes.

8.10.FIVE STAR VILLAGES SCHEME

Why in news? In order to bridge the gaps in public awareness and reach of postal products and services in interior villages, the Department of Posts has launched a scheme called Five Star Villages to ensure universal coverage of flagship postal schemes in rural areas of the country. All postal products and services will be made available and marketed and publicized at the village level, under the Five Star Villages scheme. Branch offices will function as a one-stop-shop to cater to all post-office-related needs of villagers.

The schemes covered under the Five Star scheme include:

1.Savings Bank accounts, Recurrent Deposit Accounts, NSC/ KVP certificates 2. Sukanya Samridhi Accounts/ PPF Accounts 3. Funded Post Office Savings Account linked India Post Payments Bank Accounts 4. Postal Life Insurance Policy/Rural Postal Life Insurance Policy 5. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana Account/ Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Account.

 If a village attains universal coverage for four schemes from the above list, then that village gets four-star status; if a village completes three schemes, then that village gets three-star status and so on.  The scheme is being launched on a pilot basis in Maharashtra; based on the experience here, it will be implemented nation-wide.

Implementation  The scheme will be implemented by a team of five Gramin Dak Sevaks who will be assigned a village for the marketing of all products, savings, and insurance schemes of the Department of Posts.  This team will be headed by the Branch Post Master of the concerned Branch Office. The mail overseer will keep personal watches on the progress of the team on daily basis. The teams will be led and monitored by concerned Divisional Head, Assistant Superintendents Posts, and Inspector Posts.  The team of Gramin Dak Sevaks will conduct a door-to-door awareness campaign on all schemes, covering all eligible villagers.  Required training and infrastructure, covering all schemes, would be provided to all branch offices in identified villages. The scheme progress and target achievement will be closely monitored at Circle, Regional and Divisional levels. Monthly progress will be reviewed by the Chief Post Master General.

8.11.SHRAMIK YOJANA

Mukhyamantri SHRAMIK (Shahri Rozgar Manjuri For Kamgar) Yojana

Why in news?  Jharkhand cabinet approved the Mukhyamantri Shramik Yojana — a job guarantee scheme under which urban workers will demand 100 days of work.  The wages under the scheme are likely to be at least 40 per cent higher than the Rs 194 a day under the MGNREGA programme in the state.  It is like urban NREGA. However, the minimum wages will be wages for a day’s work.  The minimum wage per day in Jharkhand ranges from Rs 274.81 to Rs 438.39, based on skill.

Eligibility  Workers who are over 18 years and living in civic body-run areas since April 1, 2015, are eligible to apply for the scheme.  The state urban development department will be responsible for executing the scheme.  The scheme would also help municipalities that lack the needed manpower to undertake projects for daily city management and beautification.  Jharkhand is now the second state after Kerala to launch an employment scheme for the urban poor  Kerala had in June 2020 launched the Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme.

8.12.JK-GRAMS

Why in News? In a step towards making grievance redressal robust and efficient, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha launched the Jammu and Kashmir Integrated Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (JK-IGRAMS) in Srinagar.

What is it?

 The revamped system will decentralise handling and redressal of public grievances by making district collectors and deputy commissioners the primary level of receiving, disposing and monitoring grievances.  The existing portal has been integrated downwards to the district level by mapping nearly 1,500 public offices in 20 districts of the Union Territory.  This makes it the first online grievance management system in the country which is linked to the central government (at the top level) and districts, tehsils and blocks (at the bottom level).  The administrative secretaries of different departments are also linked to the mechanism.  In addition to this, the new system will be available 24x7 with applicant OTP authentication, acknowledgement to applicant at each stage, feedback by

complainant, and grievance submission through call centre via phone call between 9.30am and 5.30pm on all days except Sunday  The new system is initially being launched on a pilot basis for three districts of Jammu, Srinagar, and Reasi. It will gradually be rolled out in the remaining districts by or before October 2. It will replace the current portal which was launched back in 2018.

Note:CPGRAMS  CPGRAMS stands for Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System.  It is an online web-enabled system for public grievance redressal.  It is a system by which citizens can register complaints to various departments under the central and state governments.  The CPGRAMS was launched in 2007 by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances under the Union ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions.  The system was developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC).

8.13. PRADHAN MANTRI JAN VIKAS KARYAKRAM

MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS Why in News?  Out of various schemes being implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, only one scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) is Centrally Sponsored Scheme, under which funds are released to the State Governments.  The Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) has been restructured in 2018 and is now being implemented in 1300 identified Minority Concentration Areas (MCAs), with an objective of developing socio-economic infrastructure and basic amenities in the said areas.  For larger coverage of the scheme, the areas under PMJVK have been increased from 90 Districts originally to 308 Districts of the country, which include 870 Blocks, 321 Towns and 109 District Headquarters

About  Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram(PMJVK) is a Scheme designed to address the development deficits of the identified Minority Concentration Areas.  Prior to PMJVK, the Ministry implemented Multi-sectoral Development Programme since 2008-09.  The areas of implementation, under PMJVK, have been identified on the basis of minority population and socio-economic and basic amenities data of Census 2011 and will be known as Minority Concentration Areas.  870 MCBs, 321 MCTs and 109 MCDs Hqs which are backward, have been identified.  PMJVK will continue to support the State/UTs in creating infrastructure to improve the quality of life of people and reduce the imbalances in the identified minority concentration areas to be at par with the rest of the country.

 To further strengthen the programme and ensure the benefit reaches the intended beneficiaries, project proposals will also be accepted from Central Government Departments/Organizations, Central Public Sector Enterprises/Undertakings, Central/State Universities and Armed Police Forces, apart from the State/UT governments.  Under PMJVK, 80% of the resources would be utilized for projects related to education, health and skill development of which at least 33-40% will be earmarked for creation of assets/facilities for women/girls.

For complete details of the scheme refer: https://iaswinnishers.com/2020/06/01/daily-current-affairs-on-june-1/

8.14.SPICES

Why in News? A total of 12 faculty members of AICTE-approved institutes received the first-ever Visvesvarya Best Teacher Awards 2020.The awards were conferred by Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ on the eve of Engineers Day.

Significance  This is aimed to recognise the meritorious faculties on the Engineer’s Day every year at the National level and, encourage them to update themselves to the ever- changing needs of higher education at the global level and thereby becoming an effective contributor towards the society.  The evaluation parameters for these awards were predefined with a focus on research, 360-degree feedback, contribution to student development and resolution of societal problems.  At the award ceremony, Pokhriyal also launched Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity, and Ethics among Students (SPICES) to “promote healthy co-curricular activity amongst the students for their all-round development”.

AICTE-Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity and Ethics among Students (SPICES) Introduction  Scheme provides financial support to institutions for developing students club for well-rounded development of students by promoting their interests, creativity and ethics.  This club should serve as a model for other clubs in the institution and also those in other institutions.

Objective To energize and position students club/ Chapters/ Societies as facilitating entity for pursuit of individual interests, creative work, showcasing talent, networking and teamwork opportunities, social experience; organization and management skills, exposure to professional ethics etc.

Eligibility (a) AICTE approved institutes with minimum 5 years of existence.

(b) Only one proposal per institute for a club (with minimum student members 50) will be admissible. Institute may choose its best performing club for applying under the scheme for the grant. (c) The institute must commit a contribution of minimum Rs. 1 Lakh to the club. Contributions over and above Rs. 1 Lakh from institution to club will get weightage for consideration. (d) Coordinator must be full-time regular faculty with at least 10-year experience in teaching/ industry. (e) Institute should also identify a Co-coordinator who must be a faculty with at least 5 year of experience in teaching/industry. (f) Experience and inclination of organizing events/ co-curriculum activities are desirable for coordinator and co-coordinator.

Duration : One-Year Limit of Funding : Rs. 1 Lakh only (one time grant to one institute)

8.15.SPIC MACAY

Why in News? SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth) hosted an online memorial concert for legendary Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj on August 30.

About  SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth) is a non-political, nationwide, voluntary movement founded in 1977 by Dr. Kiran Seth, Professor-Emeritus at IIT-Delhi who was awarded the 'Padma Shri' for his contribution to the arts in 2009.  SPIC MACAY’s intention is to enrich the quality of formal education by increasing awareness about different aspects of Indian heritage and inspiring the young mind to imbibe the values embedded in it.  In 2011, SPIC MACAY was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana award in recognition of its contribution to youth development.

NOTE Pt Jasraj belonged to the Mewati gharana, a school of music, known for its traditional performances of khayals.

8.16.O-SMART SCHEME

Ocean Services, Modelling, Applications, Resources and Technology (O-SMART) SCHEME

Ministry of Earth Science

The objectives of O-SMART (Ocean Services, Modelling, Applications, Resources and Technology) scheme are

(1) To generate and regularly update information on Marine Living Resources and their relationship with the physical environment in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), (2) To periodically monitor levels of sea water pollutants for health assessment of coastal waters of India, to develop shoreline change maps for assessment of coastal erosion due to natural and anthropogenic activities, (3) To develop a wide range of state-of-the art ocean observation systems for acquisition of real-time data from the seas around India, (4) To generate and disseminate a suite of user-oriented ocean information, advisories, warnings, data and data products for the benefit of society, (5) To develop high resolution models for ocean forecast and reanalysis system, (6) To develop algorithms for validation of satellite data for coastal research and to monitor changes in the coastal research, (7) Acquisition of 2 Coastal Research Vessels (CRVs) as replacement of 2 old CRVs for coastal pollution monitoring, testing of various underwater components and technology demonstration, (8) To develop technologies to tap the marine bio resources, (9) To develop technologies generating freshwater and energy from ocean, (10) To develop underwater vehicles and technologies, (11) Establishment of Ballast water treatment facility, (12) To support operation and maintenance of 5 Research vessels for ocean survey/monitoring/technology demonstration programmes, (13) Establishment of state of the art sea front facility to cater to the testing and sea trial activities of ocean technology, (14) To carryout exploration of Polymetallic Nodules (MPN) from water depth of 5500 m in site of 75000 sq.km allotted to India by United Nations in Central Indian Ocean Basin, to carryout investigations of gas hydrates, (15) Exploration of polymetallic sulphides near Rodrigues Triple junction in 10000 sq. km of area allotted to India in International waters by International Seabed Authority/UN and, (16) Submission of India's claim over continental shelf extending beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone supported by scientific data, and Topographic survey of EEZ of India.

About INCOIS  The Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) was established at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, an autonomous body under Ministry of Earth Sciences which continues to provide timely tsunami advisories to stake holders and has functioned flawlessly since its establishment in October 2007.  The ITEWC is also providing tsunami services to 25 Indian Ocean Countries as part of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO framework.  INCOIS has established a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) & Strong Motion Accelerometers in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for quick and reliable estimation of source parameters for near source earthquakes.  In addition, INCOIS has carried out Multi-hazard Vulnerability Mapping (MHVM) along the mainland of Indian coastland MHVM atlas has been prepared.

 The ITEWC, INCOIS regularly conducts workshops, training sessions and tsunami mock exercises to create awareness and preparedness about the tsunamis.  In addition to workshops and trainings for disaster managers, ITEWC is also coordinating with coastal States/UTs to implement Tsunami Ready Programme, a concept introduced by UNESCO, at community level.  Odisha has implemented the programme in two villages (Venkatraipur and Noliasahi) and based on the national board recommendation, IOC (UNESCO) recognized these villages as Tsunami ready communities.

8.17.STARTUP ECOSYSTEM FOR RURAL AND TRIBAL ENTREPRENEURS

A glance at various Initiatives by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Rural Development for implementing entrepreneurship development schemes and programme for the youth and women of the Country through entrepreneurship education, handholding & mentorship and essential linkages with financial and market institutions.

1.Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is implementing a project on entrepreneurship promotion and mentoring of micro and small enterprises in six temple towns of Puri, Varanasi, Haridwar, Kollur, Pandharpur and Bodh Gaya, to tap the entrepreneurial potential of first generation entrepreneurs, educated unemployed youth, school/college dropouts, women, youth from backward community etc.

2.To encourage women entrepreneurship, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is implementing a project named ‘Economic Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs and Startups by Women’ in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Germany. The project pilots incubation and acceleration programmes for women micro entrepreneurs to start new businesses and scale up existing enterprises in Assam, Rajasthan and Telangana. The project has the target to pilot the incubation programme with 250 women and the acceleration programme with 100 women.

3.PM YUVA

MSDE is implementing a pilot scheme, PM YUVA (PM Yuva Udyamita Vikas Abhiyan) towards creating an enabling ecosystem through entrepreneurship education, training advocacy and easy access to the entrepreneurship network and focuses on students/trainees and alumni coming out of the skilling ecosystem such as Industrial Training Institutes, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra, Jan Shikshan Sansthan, etc.

4. RSETIs

 Further, Govt. of India, through Ministry of Rural Development, is implementing Skill development Training programmes through Rural Self Employment and Training Institutes (RSETIs) which has the provision of Bank Credit facility for setting-up micro enterprises by the skill trainees.  This scheme is aimed at increasing employability of rural poor youth for either wage or self employment. RSETI program is currently being implemented through 585 RSETIs by 23 Leading Banks (both Public Sector and Private Sector as well as

few Gramin Banks) in 33 States/UTs covering 566 Districts in the country. Out of these, there are 30 RSETIs in Odisha, including 3 RSETIs in the KBK region, for providing training to the rural poor in various skill entrepreneurship development activities, free of cost to enable them to start enterprises of their own.

5. SVEP  Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) is implemented by Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana –National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY- NRLM),Ministry of Rural Development, since 2016,with the objective to support the rural poor come out of poverty, supporting them set up enterprises and provide support till the enterprises stabilize, SVEP focusses on providing self- employment opportunities with financial assistance and training in business management and soft skills while creating local community cadres for promotion of enterprises.  SVEP has extended business support services and capital infusion in 23 states, including Odisha.

6. Stand-up India Government of India through Department of Financial Services has launched the Stand-up India Scheme to facilitate Bank loans from Scheduled Commercial Banks between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 1 crore to at least 1 Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe borrower and at least 1 women borrower per bank branch for setting up a Greenfield enterprise in trading services or manufacturing sector.

7. PMEGP  Further, Govt. of India through Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), which has the target to generate self-employment opportunities through establishment of micro enterprises for non-farm sector.  The maximum cost of projects is Rs. 25 lakh in the manufacturing sector and Rs. 10 lakh in the service sector. Benefit can be availed under PMEGP for setting up of new units only.

8.18.NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME

Why in News? National Service Scheme is a public service program conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Every year, NSS day is observed on September 24 across India.

About The National Service Scheme was launched in 1969, the birth centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi in 37 universities involving 40,000 students. The scheme was kicked off by the then Union Education Minister VKRV Rao at 37 universities across all states on September 24, 1969. It has now been extended to all the states and universities of the country.

History of National Service Scheme:

 The University Grants Commission (UGC) that was headed by S Radhakrishnan,had recommended the introduction of voluntary national service in academic institutions post-independence.  In the year 1952, the government emphasized the requirement of social and labour service by Indian students for a year.  In 1958, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru considered the idea of social service as a prerequisite for graduation in his letter to all chief ministers. He also instructed the Ministry of Education to form a competent scheme.

Significance of National Service Scheme  The National Service Scheme (NSS) is a central sector scheme of the government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.  It allows the students of 11th & 12th Technical Institutions, graduate & postgraduate at colleges and university level of India to be a part of various government-led community service activities & programmes.  It aims to provide hands-on experience to young students in delivering community service. Since the formation of NSS in 1969, the number of students has increased from 40,000 to over 3.8 million up to the end of March 2018.  The ideological orientation of the NSS is inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.  Very appropriately, the motto of NSS is “NOT ME, BUT YOU”.

Significance of National Service Scheme logo  The symbol for the NSS has been taken from the Rath Wheel of the world-famous Konark Sun temple. The eight strokes in the wheel represent 24 hours of a day which is a reminder to be ready in the service of the nation round the clock.  The red colour indicates youth full of passion, energy. The blue colour indicates NSS as a tiny part of the cosmos, always ready to contribute to the welfare of mankind.

8.19.GROUND WATER USAGE GUIDELINES BY MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

Why in news? The Centre has notified fresh guidelines on groundwater use, prescribing penalties for extracting water without permission and for other offences after a set of rules notified in 2018 was struck down by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Detail  The guidelines notified by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under the Jal Shakti ministry prescribe a minimum environmental compensation of ₹1 lakh on industrial, mining and infrastructure users for extracting ground water without a no objection certificate (NOC).  This can rise, depending on the quantum of water extracted and the duration of the breach.

 The notification exempts domestic consumers, rural drinking water schemes, armed forces, farmers and micro and small enterprises drawing water up to a limit from the requirement of a no objection certificate from the CGWA.  The new guidelines, which come into force immediately, seek to plug a regulatory vacuum in granting no objection certificates for groundwater use as the earlier set of rules was struck down by the NGT in January 2019.  Although the new rules exempt farmers from the need for obtaining an NOC from CGWA, it highlights a key factor that leads to excessive groundwater extraction in the agriculture sector—free electricity supply to farmers.  In the agriculture sector, a participative approach is better to ensure sustainable groundwater management, the new norms noted.  States/Union Territories are advised to review their free/subsidised electricity policy to farmers, bring suitable water pricing policy and may work further towards crop rotation/diversification/other initiatives to reduce overdependence on groundwater,the new guidelines said.

ATAL JAL  Named Atal Jal Yojana, the scheme was targeted at Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat where the ground water situation is very worrisome.  As per official data, 90% of groundwater is used for irrigation and 10% by domestic and industrial consumers.

8.20.PLASTIC PARKS SCHEME

MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

Why in news? To consolidate and synergize the plastic processing industry Government is setting up Plastic Parks with state-of-the-art infrastructure.Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has approved setting up of 10 Plastic Parks in the country, out of which 6 parks have been given final approval in the States of Assam, Madhya Pradesh (two parks),Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand.

1. Madhya Pradesh: Plastic Park at Tamot has completed physical infrastructure and purchase of equipment for common facility centers (CFC) is in progress. 2. Madhya Pradesh: Plastic Park at Bilaua is at implementation stage and work of development of physical infrastructure is in progress. 3. Odisha: Plastic Park at Paradeep is at implementation stage and work of development of physical infrastructure is almost completed. 4. Jharkhand: Plastic Park at Deoghar is at implementation stage and work of development of physical infrastructure is in progress. 5. Tamil Nadu: The work at Plastic Park at Thiruvallur has started recently and land filling on the site is in progress. 6. Assam: Plastic Park at Tinsukia is at implementation stage and work of development of physical infrastructure is in progress.

NOTE

For more details refer: https://iaswinnishers.com/2020/04/13/daily-current-affairs- april-13/

8.21.MUKHYAMANTRI MAHILA UTKARSH YOJANA(MMUY)

Why in News? The scheme was praised to be better than the micro finance scheme of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh as it gives loan at zero percent interest and it can solve many problems of women so that their per capita income increases which can help increase per capita income of the state.

About the scheme  MMUY is the scheme of the Gujarat launched on September 17, birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  Under the scheme, a women’s self-help group consisting of 10 members can get zero interest loan of Rs 1 lakh. The government is planning to give such loan to 1 lakh such groups.

Difference the scheme makes Earlier, Sakhi Mandals used to get loans from banks after its formation and after it does some business successfully. Under this , on the first day of the scheme, the government had signed MoUs with private banks, cooperative banks and credit societies and they gave loans to 337 women SHGs the same day.

8.22. PADHAI TUHAR DWAR

Why in news? Chhattisgarh Government announced to launch a special scheme under which school students will be able to learn in their respective localities in view of the suspension of classes due to the coronavirus outbreak.

About Padhai Tuhar Dwar Yojana  The online education platform ‘Padhai Tuhar Dwar’ scheme launched by the state government earlier during the lockdown yielded better results and around 22 lakh children are getting its benefit.  Due to the outbreak of the Novel coronavirus, schools all over the country are closed to make prevention against the spread of the infection.  Therefore, the students have to stay in their homes as they cannot go to the schools as the schools are closed. The students, therefore, should be provided with the opportunity to read and write while staying in there homes.  With this, students will now be able to continue their studies under the e-process through a simple enrolment process. Currently, it has been started from the first to the 10th grade.  Later it will be extended to 12th.

Padhai Tuhar Para’  Taking the initiative further, the state Government is starting the ‘Padhai Tuhar Para’ scheme to teach children with the help of community in their localities and villages.  Besides, a Bluetooth-based programme ‘Bultu Ke Bol’ will be introduced for providing study materials to students in remote areas who do not have access to internet facility.

Other initiatives  Further Mukhyamantri Slum Swasthya Yojana will be launched in urban areas under which people will be provided health facilities at their doorstep through 70 mobile medical units in all the 14 municipal corporations.  Similarly, Radhabai Diagnostic Centre Scheme will also be introduced under which pathology and other testing facilities will be provided at concessional rates.

9. MISCELLANEOUS/FACTS

GEOGRAPHY

9.1.TROPICAL STORMS MARCO AND LAURA

Why in news? Two tropical storms, formed in the western Atlantic Ocean at nearly the same time, are likely to impact the Gulf of Mexico, sparking concerns of the rare Fujiwhara effect that occurs when two hurricanes combine to form a mega hurricane.  The last time two tropical storms formed at the same time and struck the region was in 1933.  The last time a proper Fujiwhara effect happened was in 2009 in the Philippine Sea, when typhoons Parma and Melor interacted with each other.  The major concern with back-to-back storms (in this case a tropical storm and a hurricane) is massive storm surges, which could inundate coastal areas and push river waters inland.  storm surge is a rise in sea level that occurs during tropical storms, cyclones and hurricanes.  The surge causes large-scale flooding and brings saline water into agricultural fields and people’s homes, leading to long-term damage, including a decrease in soil quality. Another threat from the storms is of heavy rainfall which could range from 10-15 centimetres in the coastal areas.

9.2.TYPHOON HAISHEN HITS JAPAN

Typhoon Haishen made landfall over southern Japan on Sept 6th becoming the country’s second landfalling typhoon within a week. Japan’s meteorological agency has referred to the tropical storm as "large" and "very strong".  Multiple typhoons hit Japan every year and typically, typhoon season is expected to last till November.  The typhoon is categorised as a Category 4 storm which means well-built framed houses can suffer severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and exterior walls.  The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has warned people of torrential rains, strong winds and tidal surges in some areas, even as the tropical storm is now making its way to the Korean peninsula. ART AND CULTURE

9.3.GI PROTECTED SAREES AND FABRICS OF INDIA Each state of India has its own specialty and range of Sarees. Some of the specific varieties are : Kanjeevaram Silk and Saree  The Kanchipuram silk sari is a type of silk sari made in the Kanchipuram region in Tamil Nadu, India.

 These saris are worn as bridal & special occasion saris by most women in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh.  It has been recognized as a Geographical indication by the Government of India in 2005–2006.  Kanjeevaram sarees are characterized by gold dipped silver thread that is woven on the premium quality silk. These sarees are also known for their durability, heaviness and high cost because of Zari work. The heavier is the silk and Zari; the better is considered the quality.

Banaras Brocade  Banarasi brocade is in existence since Mughal era and can be identified with a narrow fringe like pattern, called Jhhalar, found along the inner and outer border. This fringe resembles a string of leaves.  In 2009, after two years of wait, weaver associations in Uttar Pradesh, secured Geographical Indication (GI) rights for the ‘Banaras Brocades and saris’.  As per the GI registry, brocade sarees made only in the districts of Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Jaunpur, Bhadohi and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh can be authentically identified as Banarasi saree or brocade.

Kota Doria / Kota Jali  Kota doria is one of many types of sari garments made at Kota, Rajasthan and Muhammadabad Gohna, Mau in Uttar Pradesh and its nearby area. Sarees are made of pure cotton and silk and have square like patterns known as khats on them.  Originally, such sarees were called Masuria because they were woven in Mysore. Kota Doria was granted a G.I. in. July 2005.  Kota Doria is lightweight and transparent and areconsidered to be lightest cotton sarees in India.

Molakalmuru Saree  Molakalmuru Sari are the traditional silk sari that are weaved in the Molakalmuru, Chitradurga district, Karnataka, India.  In 2011, it has been granted Geographical Indiaction tag and the motifs include that of fruits, animals, and flowers

Uppada Jamdani Sarees  Uppada Jamdani Sari is a silk sari style woven in Uppada of East Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.  It was registered as one of the geographical indication from Andhra Pradesh by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.  Uppada Jamdani saris are known for their light weight.

Balaramapuram Sarees and Fine Cotton Fabrics  Balaramapuram Sarees are prestigious and GI protected Saree produced in Balaramapuram in Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala.  This fabric is Kerala’s first handloom product to get GI protection. Balarampur is an historically important weaving place in Kerala where Kings of Travancore patronized the art.

Gadwal Saree  Gadwal saree from Gadwal of Mahbubnagar district, Telangana is a GI protected variety of Saree.  The saree consists of cotton body with silk pallu which is also given a new name as Sico sarees. The weavers design in such a way that it can be folded and fit in a matchbox.

Pochampalli Ikat  Pochampalli Ikat is a saree made in Bhoodan Pochampally in Nalgonda district, Telangana State, India.  Its uniqueness lies in the transfer of intricate design and colouring onto warp and weft threads first and then weave them together globally known as double ikat textiles.  Pochampally saree received Intellectual Property Rights Protection or Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2005.

Salem Fabric  Salem Fabric is a saree made out of silk yarn and cotton yarn and designed by using superior grade fabrics and advanced machinery.  In 2006, Salem Fabric became the first GI product from Tamil Nadu.

Chanderi Fabric  Chanderi Fabric is a traditional sari made in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh, India.  It is characterized by its lightweight, sheer texture and fine luxurious feel. Chanderi fabric is produced by weaving in silk and golden Zari in the traditional cotton yarn.

Orissa Ikat, Odisha  Orissa Ikat is a kind of ikat, a resist dyeing technique, originating from Odisha. Also known as “Bandha of Orissa”, it is a geographically tagged product of Orissa since 2007.  It is made through a process of tie-dying the warp and weft threads to create the design on the loom prior to weaving.

Ilkal Sarees  Ilkal saree is a traditional form of saree which is a common feminine wear in India. Ilkal saree takes its name from the town of Ilkal in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka state, India.  Ilkal sarees are woven using cotton warp on the body and art silk warp for border and art silk warp for pallu portion of the saree. In some cases instead of art silk, pure silk is also used.  Ilkal saree has been accorded Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Puneri Pagadi  The Puneri Pagadi is a turban, which is considered as a symbol of pride and honour in the city of Pune. It was introduced two centuries ago. Though it is a

symbol of honour, the use of the pagadi has changed over the years and now it is also used on traditional days in colleges.  To preserve the identity of the pagadi, there were demands from the locals to grant it a Geographical Indication (GI) status. Their demand was fulfilled and the pagadi became an intellectual property on 4 September 2009.

Balaramapuram Sarees and Fine Cotton Fabrics  Kerala’s prestigious ‘Balaramapuram Sarees’ have become the first handloom product in the state to receive the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection through Geographical Indications Act.  Balaramapuram in Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala is one of the most historically important places for weaving fine cotton sarees and fabrics in India.

Kasaragod Sarees  The saree of Kasaragod is a world-famous Saree of Kerala. The weavers here have done all the work on their traditional machine from yarn cutting to hand weaving to saree. It is very light and comfortable in weight, which is its specialty and this is its identity.  It is one of the relevant products of Kerala which has been tagged by Indian Government its Geographical Indication (GI) in 04/08/2010.

Kuthampully Sarees  Kuthampully Saree is a type of Sari traditionally made by weavers from Kuthampully village in Thiruvilwamala Grama Panchayat of Thrissur district of Kerala state in India. The Kuthampully Saree is distinguished by its Saree borders.  In September 2011, the Kuthampully Saree got exclusive Intellectual Property rights through Geographical indication Act (GI).

9.4.LINGARAJ TEMPLE

News: Odisha to give facelift to 11th century Lingaraj Temple  Notwithstanding the massive financial burden on the State economy in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, the Odisha government announced to give a facelift to the 11th century Lingaraj Temple, akin to its pre-350-year structural status.  A high-level committee chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved the redevelopment plan of peripheral area of the 55-metre-tall temple, known as ‘EkamravanKshetra’, in Bhubaneswar.  The redevelopment will take place over 66 acres of land surrounding the temple, said the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in a statement.

More space:  At present, the space in front of the temple could barely accommodate 10,000 to 15,000 devotees during Shivratri congregation. However, upon revamping of adjoining areas of temple, 2 lakh devotees could easily congregate in the space.  After the Lingaraj Temple, the Bindusagar (a sprawling pond) is the second major attraction for devotees. The pond has religious relationship with the main temple.

Rs700-crore project  As per reports, the State government had proposed to spend a total of Rs 700 crore for the temple project. In this year’s budget, a fund to the tune of Rs 150 crore was earmarked for bringing transformational changes in areas surrounding the Lingaraj Temple.  Other infrastructural projects, including an orientation centre, parking, a food plaza, a prayer hall, renovation of the Bindusagar and drainage development will be taken up simultaneously. About Lingaraja Temple  Lingaraja Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the Indian state of Odisha. The temple is the most prominent landmark of Bhubaneswar city and one of the major tourist attractions of the state.  The Lingaraja temple is the largest temple in Bhubaneswar. The central tower of the temple is 180 ft (55 m) tall.  The temple is believed to be built by the kings from the Somavamsi dynasty, with later additions from the Ganga rulers.  Bhubaneswar is called the EkamraKshetraas the deity of Lingaraja was originally under a mango tree (Ekamra) as noted in EkamraPurana, a 13th-century Sanskrit treatise.  The temple is active in worship practises, unlike most other temples in Bhubaneswar and Shiva is worshipped as Harihara, a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva. The temple has images of Vishnu, possibly because of the rising prominence of Jagannath sect emanating from the Ganga rulers who built the Jagannath Temple in Puri in the 12th century.  Lingaraja temple is maintained by the Temple Trust Board and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).  Shivaratri festival is the major festival celebrated in the temple and event during 2012 witnessed 200,000 visitors. The temple compound is not open to non-Hindus, but there is a viewing platform beside the wall offering a good view of the main exteriors. This was originally erected for a visit by Lord Curzon when Viceroy.

Architecture  The Lingaraja temple is the largest temple in Bhubaneswar. James Fergusson (1808–86), a noted critic and historian rated the temple as "one of the finest examples of purely Hindu temple in India".  The temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga architecture and culminating the medieval stages of the architectural tradition at Bhubaneswar.

 It is enshrined within a spacious compound wall of laterite  The Lingaraja temple faces east and is built of sandstone and laterite. The main entrance is located in the east, while there are small entrances in the north and south.  The temple is built in the Deula style that has four components namely, vimana (structure containing the sanctum), jagamohana (assembly hall), natamandira (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa(hall of offerings), with all four in axial alignment with descending height.  The dance hall was associated with the raising prominence of the devadasi system that existed during the time.

9.5.RARE INSCRIPTION UNEARTHED IN ANDHRA PRADESH'S KADAPA DISTRICT  A rare inscription dating back to the Renati Chola era has been unearthed in a remote village of Kadapa district that has kindled interest among the fraternity of archaeology and history.  Found engraved on a dolomite slab and shale, which are part of a fragmentary pillar excavated from the farmer fields  Going by the language and characters, the inscription was written in archaic Telugu which was readable in 25 lines -- the first side with eleven lines and the remaining on the other side. It was assigned to the 8th Century A.D., when the region was under the rule of Chola Maharaja of Renadu.

What this inscription reveals?  The last lines are indicative of the priority given to morality in those days.  It says the people who safeguards this inscription for future generations will acquire the status of conducting Aswamedha Yaga and those destroying it will incur sin equivalent to causing a death in Varanasi.  The inscription seems to throw light on the record of a gift of six Marttus (a measuring unit) of land gifted to a person Sidyamayu, one of the Brahmins serving the temple at Pidukula village.

About Renati Cholas:  The Telugu Cholas of Renadu (also called as Renati Cholas) ruled over Renadu region, the present day Cuddapah district.  They were originally independent, later forced to the suzerainty of the Eastern Chalukyas.  They had the unique honour of using the Telugu language in their inscriptions belonging to the 7th and 8th centuries.  The earliest of this family was Nandivarman (500 AD) who claimed descent from the family of Karikala and the Kasyapa gotra.

 Their territory extended over the whole of Cuddapah district and the adjoining areas of Anantapur, Kurnool and Chittoor districts.

Chola Administration  The capital of the Cholas was Tanjore. The Chola Empire was divided into three major administrative units called Central Government, Provincial government and local government.  Uttaramerur inscriptions throws light on the administration of the Cholas.  The administration was headed by the king. The Chola kingship was hereditary in nature. As per the Chola royal family tradition, the eldest son succeeded the king to the Chola throne. The heir apparent was called Yuvaraja.  The tiger was the royal emblem of Chola kings. The king was assisted in his work by a council of ministers. The lower officials were called Siruntaram while higher officials were called Peruntaram.  The whole empire had been divided into nine provinces called mandalams. Each province was headed by a viceroy who received orders from the king.  Each mandalam was divided into number of Kottams or Valanadus which was further sub-divided into nadu. Each nadu was further divided into villages called Urs.  Chola government depended mainly on the land revenue as the main source of income. 1/6 of the land produce was collected as tax. Besides land revenue, customs and tolls were the other source of income for the empire. Moreover, taxes on ports, forests and mines contributed to the treasure of the king.  The Cholas possessed an efficient army and navy. The army was made of 70 regiments. Chola kings imported highly efficient Arabian horses at a very high price.  The Chola king acted as the chief justice, as the trial in major cases were conducted by the king himself. The minor disputes at the village level were heard by the village assembly.  One of the most important administrative units of the Cholas was Nadu. Each nadu was headed by a Nattar while the council of nadu was named nattavai.  The responsibility of the village administration was entrusted to the village assembly called Grama Sabha, the lowest unit of the Chola administration. It was involved in the maintenance of roads, tanks, temples and public ponds. The village assembly was also in charge of payment of taxes due from the villages to the King’ s treasure.  The village administration was carried on effectively by variyams who used to be the male members of the society. There were types of variams. For example the justice was administered by Niyaya variyam while temples were looked after by the Dharma variyan. The control of the finance was given to the pon variyam.

9.6.ROGAN’S ART News: Rogan art’s connect during COVID-19  The months between July and September bring rains to Nirona village of the Kutch region in Gujarat. Along with the monsoon come hordes of college students wanting to experience, through craft workshops, a slice of the ancient Rogan art of fabric printing.

 The pandemic has made the village go silent, with no students or researchers. When a centuries-old tradition of hand painting on cloth, Rogan art— practised by the Khatris— affected, members struggled to stay motivated., managing to stay connected digitally.  The Khatris are the surviving custodians of the art form. During the first phase of lockdown, the Khatris collaborated with India Craft Week, Delhi and Paramparik Karigaar Mumbai showcasing their collection in online exhibitions.

About Rogan art  Rogan painting, is an art of cloth printing practiced in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India. In this craft, paint made from boiled oil and vegetable dyes is laid down on fabric using either a metal block (printing) or a stylus (painting).  The word rogan comes from Persian, meaning varnish or oil. The process of applying this oil-based paint to fabric began among the Khatris, a Muslim community who came to India from Sindh, Pakistan.

9.7.ANCIENT INDIAN CULTURE

News: Formed 16-member committee to study ancient Indian culture  Union Minister of Culture and Minister of Tourism of India, Prahlad Patel announced the formation of an expert committee to conduct a study on the origin and evolution of Indian culture dating back to around 12,000 years ago  The 16-member committee will include K N Dikshit, Chairman, Indian Archaeological Society, New Delhi and former Joint Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, among others.  A committee has been set up for conducting a holistic study of origin and evolution of Indian culture since 12,000 years before present and its interface with other cultures of the world.

9.8.ANCIENT IDOLS OF INDIA

News: UK hands over 3 stolen ancient idols to India.  The British police handed over to India ancient idols of Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita that were stolen from Tamil Nadu in 1978, as part of growing efforts to return artefacts of India’s cultural heritage from across the world.  The idols, being sent back to Tamil Nadu, were stolen from a temple built in the Vijayanagar period in the Nagapattinam district.  They were voluntarily handed over to the police by an unidentified UK-based collector when informed that they were stolen property. Information from S Vijay Kumar of the India Pride Project helped trace and identify the idol.  Indian officials said renewed impetus in recent years to the protection of India’s cultural heritage has led to coordinated action by various agencies, including the ministry of external affairs, Archaeological Survey of India and law enforcement agencies such as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.

 Successful restitutions have taken place in recent years from various countries including Germany, France, Australia and the US, while work is ongoing on more such items.  The high commission in London has so far repatriated the following idols:  The Bramha- Brahmani sculpture, stolen from the world heritage site Rani-Ki Vav, was returned to the Archaeological Survey of Inida in 2017. It has found a prominent place in the Purana Quila museum in Delhi.  On August 15, 2018 a 12th century bronze statue of Gautam Buddha was restituted to the high commission by the Metropolitan Police.  On August 15, 2019, two antiques – a 17th century bronze idol of Navanitha Krishna and a 2nd century limestone carved pillar motif were returned to the high commission by the US embassy in London.  On July 29, 2020, the Natesha Shiva statue stolen in 1998 from the Ghateshwar temple in Baroli, Rajasthan was repatriated to the ASI.

9.9.ANCIENT EGYPTIAN CITY

News: Archaeologists unearthed 27 sarcophagi in an ancient Egyptian city of the dead  More than two millennia ago, 27 Egyptians were laid to rest in Saqqara, an ancient city of the dead. Their organs were removed, and their bodies wrapped in linens. Priests placed them inside wooden boxes adorned with hieroglyphics.  The mummies stayed buried in those sarcophagi for 2,500 years — until their recent discovery by Egyptian archaeologists.  The finding is one of Egypt's largest in over a century.  It happened in two parts: In early September, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced more than a dozen coffins had been found in a burial shaft under the ancient city of Saqqara. Then two weeks later, the shaft yielded a second set of sarcophagi.  "Initial studies indicate that these coffins are completely closed and haven't been opened since they were buried.

 The archaeologists also uncovered various artifacts in the burial shaft, including small statues and figurines.  This is the first time complete mummy of a lion or lion cub" has been found in Egypt.  Ancient Egyptians mummified and buried millions of animals, often treating creatures like hawks, cats, and crocodiles with the same reverence that they would a human corpse.  The Egyptians believed animals were reincarnations of gods, so they honored them by mummifying the creatures and worshipping these animals in temples. Mummified animals could also serve as offerings to those gods.

About Saqqara city  The ancient Egyptians buried their dead in Saqqara — which is 20 miles south of Cairo in the Western Desert — for some 3,000 years.  Saqqara was the necropolis, or city of the dead, for the ancient capital of Memphis. Its name likely derives from Sokar, the Memphite god of the dead.  Saqqara is home to one of Egypt's oldest pyramids: the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which was built about 4,600 years ago.  The architect Imhotep built the pyramid to house the remains of King Djoser, an ancient Egyptian pharaoh from the Third Dynasty.  It was the first building ever made of stone, and it paved the way for other pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Giza.

9.10.CHENDAMANGALAM SAREE

News: Chendamangalam sari: a saga of hope and resilience  Chendamangalam is a small town near Ernakulam in Kerala that stands at the crossroads of three rivers and centuries of history and culture. Dotted with Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Hindu places of worship, the town was part of the ancient port complex of Muziris and known for its fine cotton spun here by the Devanga Chettiars, a community of weavers originally from Karnataka.  The Care 4 Chendamangalam (C4C) initiative is supporting the 2018 Kerala flood-affected weavers.  C4C has two objectives: the first is to revive the cluster that we have adopted, the second is to train the next generation.  Kerala Kasavu Sarees: The term kasavu refers to the zari (gold thread) used in the border of the Kerala saree. The identity of the saree comes from the geographical cluster they are associated with.  Geographical Clusters: The Indian government has identified three clusters in Kerala - Balaramapuram, Chendamangalam and Kuthampully - that have been given a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Chendamangalam Saree:  It is recognisable by its puliyilakara border, a thin black line that runs side by side with the sari’s selvedge.  It has extra-weft chuttikara and stripes and checks of varying width.  It is widely believed that weaving in Chedamangalam was introduced by the Paliam family.  Called the Paliath Achans, the family was hereditary to the prime minister post to the Maharaja of Cochin, having been associated with Chendamangalam from the 16th century onwards.

9.11.MUGHALS

News: Agra: The city built by Mughals didn’t have much of a history before it  Agra’s Mughal heritage came under scrutiny when chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced the name change of the under-construction Mughal museum at Agra that was to showcase Mughal era culture, artefacts, and cuisine.  Questioning ‘how Mughals can be our heroes’, Adityanath decided to change the museum ’ s name after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. With the decision, officials in Uttar Pradesh are out on the hunt to establish links between Shivaji and Agra.  Historians, however, are of the opinion that though the city existed in some form before and after Mughal rule, it was definitely under the Mughals that Agra shone in its brightest spirit.  The city that lies on the Ganga-Yamuna doab region had an intriguing political significance in the history of medieval India. While political authority in northern India was largely concentrated in Delhi from the 13th century, Agra emerged as the capital when the Lodi rulers of the 16th century wanted to establish a tight grip over the subcontinent. Towards the end of the Delhi Sultanate in 1504, emperor Sikander Lodi shifted his capital to Agra.

Agra: Before the Mughals glory  It is astonishing how little is known about the early history of Agra, other than the fact that it had been raided by the Turkik ruler Mahmud of Ghazni.  Other early records of the city include a fort built by the Rajput ruler Badal Singh in 1475, which was taken over by Lodi when he moved court to Agra. Archaeological digs have revealed some Mauryan bricks and coins, and a few ancient temples exist carrying forward mythological traditions associated with the city.

Agra: Days of Mughals glory  When Mughal emperor Babur invaded India in 1526, he made Agra his capital, logically because it had been the administrative centre of Lodi rule.  Consequently, he initiated a remodelling of Agra’s urban landscape. One of the first features he introduced to the city was the Persian Timurid garden tradition.  Babur called his first garden at Agra laid out in 1526, a chahar bagh, like some of the earlier gardens in present day Afghanistan.

 While Babur’s heir Humayun chose Delhi as his residence, Akbar moved court back to Agra in 1558 and the city once again grew in size, wealth and power.  Under Akbar, Agra came to be called ‘Akbarabad’.  He initially lived in the old fort, but in 1565, he demolished the old structure and built a new fort in its place. “We often think of the Red Fort as the one in Delhi. But the first Red Fort was actually built in Agra by Akbar,”  Shah Jahan’s rule from 1628, also saw the development of Agra. The emperor, most famous for his creative building projects introduced the white marble, characteristic of his architectural contributions in Agra, Delhi and Lahore. While the Taj Mahal is of course his most famed creation in Agra, he is also known to have constructed an octagonal bazaar (now lost), linking the palace fortress, the Agra Fort and the new Jami Masjid, which was sponsored by his daughter Jahanara.  However, with time, Shah Jahan found the Agra Fort too cramped for his convenience and shifted the capital to Delhi, where he built the grand city of Shahjahanabad in 1639.

Agra: The days of Mughal decline  By the 18th century, and particularly after Aurangzeb ’s death in 1707, the Mughal court was in turmoil. A string of weak rulers had followed. Unsurprisingly, the chaos of the regime resulted in Agra changing several hands and eventually the city lost the significance it had enjoyed at the peak of Mughal rule.  The city was on different occasions occupied by the Marathas, Jats and Mughals, before being retaken by a Maratha army under a European mercenary, General Perron. Finally, it fell to the British East India Company in 1803. Speaking about the decision to change the name of the museum, Ira Mukhoty an Indian authorsaid, “It is a dangerous idea to celebrate or not celebrate something based on binary categories of one ruler being good and other being bad. The Mughals are a part of us and our culture in north India.” She added, “There is a lot that the Mughals have given to Agra. It is by definition one of the greatest of Mughal cities.”

PERSONS IN NEWS

9.12.Dr. S I PADMAVATI

News: Eminent Cardiologist Dr S I Padmavati Dies Of COVID-19 At 103  Noted cardiologist Dr S I Padmavati has died at 103 due to COVID-19, the National Heart Institute(NHI),Delhi.  SivaramakrishnaIyerPadmavati was born in Burma (now Myanmar) in 1917, a year before the world was hit by the Spanish Flu pandemic.  Dr S Padmavati, an eminent cardiologist, rather the first female cardiologist of the India, popularly known as ''God Mother of Cardiology''.  She received a MBBS degree from Rangoon Medical College, Rangoon and later moved to London in 1949, for higher education.  In 1952, she joined Harvard Medical School (Harvard University), where she studied under Paul Dudley White, a pioneer in modern cardiology.

 In 1962, DrPadmavati founded the All India Heart Foundation and went on to set up National Heart Institute in 1981 as a tertiary care modern heart hospital in Delhi with first cardiac catheterisation laboratory in the private sector in the Southern Hemisphere.  For her achievements and contributions to development of cardiology in India, she was awarded Fellowship of the American College of Cardiology and FAMS, and Padma Bhushan in 1967 and Padma Vibhushan in 1992 by the Government of India.

9.13.NATIONAL TEACHERS DAY - 5TH SEPTEMBER  The National Teachers Day is observed every year on 5th September in India to commemorate birthday of country’s first Vice President and second President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.  On this occasion, Environment Ministry launched Prakarti khoj, an environment awareness initiative. It is an online environmental quiz competition conducted at national level. The objective of quiz was to generate interest among school children about the science related to environment.

Dr SARVEPALLI RADHAKRISHNAN

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on 5 September 1888 in Thiruttani in then Madras Presidency of British India (now in Tamil Nadu). He was Indian philosopher and statesman and one of best known scholars in field of comparative religion and philosophy in India in 20th century.  He had tremendously contributed towards new contemporary Hindu identity in eyes of the ill-informed Westeners. He held great respect for teachers and always believed that teachers are real nation builders and thus should always be the best minds in the country. Since 1962, his birthday has been celebrated in India as Teachers' Day on 5 September every year.  He was the first Vice President of India (in office from 1952–1962), Second President of India (in office from 1962 to 1967).  He was first recipient Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award along with politician C. Rajagopalachari, scientist C. V. Raman. He was also awarded British Royal Order of Merit (1963).  He is the only President of India who could not attend the Delhi Republic Day parade due to his ill health. He served as the professor of philosophy at Mysore(1918-21) and Calcutta(1937-41) universities.

9.14.SRI VISWANATHA SATYANARAYANA

News: Vice President inaugurates 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Viswanatha Satyanarayana  The Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu said that preserving and protecting the mother tongue, Indian culture, values and the environment will be real tribute one could pay to the Telugu literary legend, Shri Viswanatha Satyanarayana.

 Viswanatha Satyanarayana (10 September 1895 – 18 October 1976) was a 20th century Telugu writer.  His works included poetry, novels, dramatic play, short stories and speeches, covering a wide range of subjects such as analysis of history, philosophy, religion, sociology, political science, linguistics, psychology and consciousness studies, epistemology, aesthetics and spiritualism.  Viswanatha's wrote in both a modern and classical style, in complex modes.  His popular works include Ramayana Kalpa Vrukshamu (Ramayana the wish- granting divine tree), Kinnersani Patalu (Mermaid songs) and the novel Veyipadagalu (The Thousand Hoods).  In 1971 he was awarded with Jnanpith Award for his book "Ramayana Kalpavriksham". He was the first Telugu writer to receive Jnanpith Award. and Padma Bhushan in 1970.

9.15.SWAMI SREE NARAYAN GURUJI

News: Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah pays tributes to venerable Swami Sree Narayana Guru ji on his Jayanti. • In a tweet, Shri Amit Shah said, “As a social reformer, spiritual leader and strong advocate of equality & brotherhood, he played an instrumental role in setting up the foundations for social reform in Kerala against discrimination and injustice.” • Narayana Guru (28 August 1855 – 20 September 1928) was a philosopher, spiritual leader and social reformer in India. He was born into a family that belonged to the Ezhava caste. He led a reform movement against the injustice in the caste-ridden society of Kerala in order to promote spiritual enlightenment and social equality.

Legacy Fight against casteism • Casteism was practised in Kerala during the 19th and early 20th centuries and the lower caste people such as Ezhavas and the untouchable castes like Paraiyars, tribals and Pulayars had to suffer discrimination from the upper caste people such as Brahmins. It was against this discrimination that Guru performed his first major public act, the consecration of Siva idol at Aruvippuram in 1888.

Vaikom Satyagraha • The social protest of Vaikom Satyagraha was an agitation by the lower caste against untouchability in Hindu society of Travancore. • It was reported that the trigger for the protest was an incident when Narayana Guru was stopped from passing through a road leading to Vaikom Temple by an upper caste person. • It prompted Kumaran Asan and Muloor S.Padmanabha Panicker, both disciples of Guru, to compose poems in protest of the incident.

• A host of people including K. Kelappan and K. P. Kesava Menon, formed a committee and announced Kerala Paryatanam movement and with the support of Mahatma Gandhi, the agitation developed into a mass movement which resulted in the opening of the temple as well as three roads leading to it to people of all castes. The protest also influenced the Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936.

Sivagiri pilgrimage • Sivagiri pilgrimage was conceived by three of the disciples of Guru viz. Vallabhasseri Govindan Vaidyar, T. K. Kittan Writer and Muloor S. Padmanabha Panicker which Guru approved in 1928, with his own recommendations.

All Religions' Conference • Guru organized an All Region Conference in 1923 at Alwaye Advaita Ashram, which was reported to be first such event in India. • It was an effort to counter the religious conversions Ezhava community was susceptible to and at the entrance of the conference, he arranged for a message to be displayed which read, We meet here not to argue and win, but to know and be known.

9.16.GOVIND SWARUP

News: Govind Swarup, the man who pioneered radio astronomy in India, passes away on 7th September  Govind Swarup, the man who pioneered radio astronomy in India, died on 7th September in Pune following a brief illness. He was 91.  Swarup is credited with conceptualising and leading the team that set up the Ooty Radio Telescope (ORT) and Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT).  Regarded as the “ Father of Indian Radio Astronomy ” , Swarup was the founding director of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), in Pune,Which is a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research  The principal scientific advisor to the government of India, K VijayRaghavan, said on Twitter, “…the world of astronomy has lost a great scientist, institution-, and telescope- builder. Ever-smiling, not one to take a no for anything he wanted to be done, he took on many impossible tasks, inspired colleagues to accomplish them.”  Among the rewards that Swarup received during his lifetime are the Herschel Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, Padma Shri, the URSI Dellinger Medal, and the Grote Reber Medal of Australia.

Who was Govind Swarup?  Govind Swarup (March 23, 1929 – September 7, 2020) was a radio astronomer and one of the pioneers of radio astronomy, known not only for his many important research contributions in several areas of astronomy and astrophysics, but also for his outstanding achievements in building ingenious, innovative and powerful observational facilities for front-line research in radio astronomy.  Swarup was born in Thakurwada in Uttar Pradesh in 1929. He completed his master’s degree from Allahabad University in 1950 and went on to pursue his doctoral studies at Stanford University in 1961.

 Swarup returned to India in 1965, and soon joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.  A tribute offered to Swarup on his 90th birthday in the Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage mentions that he accepted an Assistant Professorship in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University in 1961, soon after he had completed his doctorate. The tribute goes on to refer to Swarup as someone with “ remarkableinventions ” who “ helped reshape astronomical instrumentation”.  Setting up the ORT was no easy task but Swarup was aware of the geographical advantage India enjoyed owing to its proximity to the equator. His clear vision helped set up the 500 metre-long, 30 metre-wide set of dishes in a cylindrical parabolic fashion, covering an area of 15,000 square metre in the lowest cost possible, yet the telescope was the largest at that time.  The ORT, which was completed in 1970, makes it possible to track celestial objects for 10 hours continuously and is one of the most sensitive telescopes in the world.  With the experience of ORT, Swarup decided to set up Pune’s GMRT, an array of 30 dish antennas spread across a distance of 25 km, arranged in a ‘Y’ shape at a pristine yet suitable location at Khodad in Junnar taluka.  Since 2002, GMRT has facilitated some novel discoveries in the field of astronomy. Swarup had also guided the upgradation process that the GMRT underwent in recent years.

9.17.AKKITHAM ACHUTHAN

News: Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan wins Jnanpith award  Malayalam literature witnessed a golden moment when the Jnanpith Award was handed over to poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri.  Minister for Law, Cultural Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs and SC, ST and OBC Welfare A.K. Balan presented the Jnanpith, the country’s highest literary award, to Akkitham.  Malayalis across the world had celebrated it when Akkitham became the sixth writer to bring Jnanpith Award to Malayalam literature .  While poet G. Sankara Kurup won the maiden Jnanpith award in 1965, S.K. Poettekkatt brought the laurel to Malayalam after 15 years in 1980. Four years later, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai won the coveted award. M.T. Vasudevan Nair became the fourth Malayali to win the award in 1995. The last Jnanpith reached Kerala in 2007 when O.N.V. Kurup won the laurel. Akkitham won the 55th edition of the Jnanpith.

About Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri  Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri (born 19 March 1926), popularly known as Akkitham, is an Indian poet and essayist of Malayalam language.  The man who introduced “ meaningful modernism ” several decades ago in Malayalam poetry, Akkitham is the only living poet being called Mahakavi (great poet) in Malayalam.  Akkitham has contributed such seminal works as Pathalathinte Muzhakkam, Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasam, and Balidarshanam. He has nearly four dozen

works to his credit. Among them are anthologies of poems, stories, dramas and essays.  He had worked for nearly three decades with Akashvani as scriptwriter and editor. Akkitham had close associations with Communist ideologue E.M.S. Namboodiripad in his early years of career.  His work Balidarshanam won the State and Central Sahitya Akademi Awards in 1972-73. He was the co-editor of the Mangalodayam and the Yogakshemam journals. He was awarded Padmashri in 2017. Apart from the Ezhuthachan Award he won in 2008, Akkitham was bestowed with Odakkuzhal Award, Asan Award, Sanjayan Award, Lalithambika Antharjanam Award and several other honours.

OTHER NEWS

9.18.SOLAR TREE AT DURGAPUR

News: CMERI installed the world's largest solar tree at Durgapur  The CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur, has developed the World’s Largest Solar Tree, which is installed at CSIR-CMERI Residential Colony, Durgapur.  The installed capacity of the Solar Tree is above 11.5 kWp. It has the annual capacity to generate 12,000-14,000 units of Clean and Green Power.  The Solar Tree has been designed in a manner to ensure maximum exposure of each Solar PV Panel to Sunlight and also creation of the least amount of shadow area beneath. There are a total of 35 Solar PV Panels in each tree with a capacity of 330 wp each.  The inclination of the arms holding the Solar PV Panels are flexible and can be adjusted as per requirement, this feature is not available in Roof-Mounted Solar facilities. The energy generation data can be monitored either real-time or on a daily basis.  These Solar Trees can be aligned with Agriculture for substituting price-volatile fossil fuels. Each Solar Tree has the potential to save 10-12 tons of CO2 emissions being released into the atmosphere as Greenhouse Gases when compared with fossil fuel fired energy generation.  Besides, the surplus generated power can be fed into an Energy Grid. This Agricultural Model can provide a consistent economic return and help the farmers counter the effects of the uncertain variations in Agriculture related activities, thus, making farming an Economic and Energy Sustainable practice.  Each Solar Tree will cost Rs 7.5 lakhs and the interested MSMEs can align their Business Model with the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme for farmers, for developing a Renewable Energy based Energy Grid.  The solar tree has the capability to incorporate IOT based features, i.e. round-the- clock CCTV surveillance in agricultural fields, real-time humidity, wind speed, rainfall prediction and soil analytics sensors.  The CSIR-CMERI developed solar powered e-Suvidha Kiosks may also be connected to the Solar Trees for real-time access to the vast majority of agricultural database as well as to the eNAM i.e. National Agricultural MarketPlace

for instant and real-time access to an unified online market.This Solar Tree is a Quantum Leap towards making an Energy Reliant and Carbon Negative India.

About The Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI)  In India, mechanical engineering technology has accounted for nearly half of the total technology imported. In terms of products, nearly one third of the value of total imports is for mechanical engineering equipment.  In order to develop indigenously mechanical engineering technology for the industries so that R&D can play a key role in self-reliance, the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute at Durgapur, West Bengal was established in February 1958 with the specific task of development of mechanical engineering technology.  The Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (also known as CSIR- CMERI Durgapur or CMERI Durgapur) is a public engineering research and development institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, in Durgapur, West Bengal, India.  Chairman : Prime Minister of India  It is a constituent laboratory of the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). This institute is the only national level research institute in the field of mechanical engineering in India  Being the only national level research institute in this field, CMERI · s mandate is to serve industry and develop mechanical engineering technology so that India · s dependence on foreign collaboration is substantially reduced in strategic and economy sectors. Besides, the institute is facilitating innovations and inventions for establishing the claims of Indian talent in international fields where Indian products shall ultimately compete.  In the mid-sixties, the Green Revolution triggered large-scale tractor usage in India. To meet this growing demand in 1965, CMERI initiated a project for design and development of 35 HP tractor based on indigenous know how. The developed tractor technology has been named as Swaraj by Indira Gandhi (the then Prime Minister of India).

9.19.KARNATAKA’S FIRST RO-RO TRAIN

News: Karnataka’s first RO-RO train chugs off from Nelamangala  At the Nelamangala railway station (Bengaluru Rural district) 30th August, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and Minister of State for Railways Suresh C Angadi flagged off the trial run of the first Roll-On Roll-Off (RORO) service of the South Western Railway via video link.

 The train,is set to reach Bale station at Solapur district in Maharashtra, after travelling 682 kms within 17 to 18 hours.  The rake can accommodate atleast 42 trucks onboard its open wagons.Shipping 42 trucks bearing 1260 tonnes on each train, it is an eco-friendly transportation mode as the trucks will now go off roads.  Each truck will be allowed a maximum of 30 tonnes with the freight charge levied by the Bengaluru Railway Division at Rs 2,700 per tonne for a round trip. The rake has been leased from Konkan Railway Corporation Limited.  Minister of State for Railways Suresh C Angadi said the service was much needed at an average of 7,000 trucks operated daily between Bengaluru and Solapur. Referring to the controversy-ridden Hubballi-Ankola Railway line approved by the Wildlife Board, on March 20 this year but stayed by the High Court on July 18, following a PIL filed against it by an NGO, Angadi called upon activists to back the project.

About Konkan Railway Corporation  Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) is a Union Government Company headquartered at CBD Belapur in Navi Mumbai that operates Konkan Railway.  The company started its full operations of trains on 26 January 1998.The first passenger train which ran on Konkan railway tracks on 20 March 1993 between Udupi and Mangalore.  Konkan Railway Corporation is at the forefront of research and development of new technologies and concepts for Indian railways.  During its initial years of operations in the mountainous Konkan region, a spate of accidents prompted Konkan Railway to investigate new technologies. The anti- collision devices, the Sky Bus and RORO are a few of the innovations from Konkan Railways.

About RORO  RORO means Roll-on/roll-off, where loaded trucks are directly carried by railway wagons to their destination.  The first ever RO-RO service in India was run by Konkan Railway.  Konkan Railways passes through tough terrains of India. There is NH-66 passing through same route. Truck drivers find it extremely difficult to drive loaded trucks through ghats, undulating surfaces, narrow roads and poor road and weather conditions. The KRC came with concept of RORO, where loaded trucks are moved on wagons and are travelled by train.  This has helped in saving of fuels, decrease in wear and tear of lorries (trucks), relief to drivers of driving in extreme conditions, can reach faster to destination.  This also helps in decongestion of roads and lowering of pollution. This concept has been beneficial for both truck operators and KRCL.

9.20.MEDBOT

News: Indian Railways develops remote-controlled medical trolley ‘MEDBOT’ to deliver food, medicines to COVID-19 patients

 During Corona crisis, apart from providing transport facilities and essential items like foodgrains to people, Indian Railways has also provided facilities for COVID- 19 patients.  It has developed a remote-controlled medical trolley named ‘MEDBOT’ to help deliver food and medicines to COVID-19 patients.  It is providing service in the Central Hospital of the Diesel Rail Engine Factory of Indian Railways.

9.21.FAMOUS CHILLI OF SIKKIM “DALLE KHURSANI ” GETS GI TAG  The red cherry pepper chilli of Sikkim which is locally known as the “Dalle Khursani ” has earned the geographical indication (GI) tag from the Union department of Industry promotion and internal trade.  Notably it is considered as one of the hottest chilli in the world.  Dalle Khursani has been included in the GI Registry of the Government of India on the basis of an application filed by the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (Neramac) on behalf of Sikkim.  It is to be mentioned that the largest manufacturer of Dalle Khursani products is the state government-owned Sikkim Supreme.

9.22.GLOBAL ECONOMIC FREEDOM INDEX 2020

News: India slips 26 spots on Global Economic Freedom Index 2020.  India has fallen 26 spots to the 105th position on the Global Economic Freedom Index 2020.  The country was at the 79th spot in last year’s rankings.

Key findings  The report said prospects for increasing economic freedom in India depend on next generation reforms in factor markets and in greater openness to international trade.  India reported marginal decrease in size of government (from 8.22 to 7.16), legal system and property rights (from 5.17 to 5.06), freedom to trade internationally (6.08 to 5.71) and regulation of credit, labour and business (6.63 to 6.53).  According to the report, based on 2018 data, Hong Kong and Singapore once again topped the index, continuing their streak as first and second ranked, respectively.  India has been ranked higher than China, which stands at the 124th position.  New Zealand, Switzerland, US, Australia, Mauritius, Georgia, Canada and Ireland round out the top-10.  The 10 lowest-rated countries are African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Republic of Congo, Algeria, Iran, Angola, Libya, Sudan and Venezuela. Other notable rankings include Japan (20th), Germany (21st), Italy (51st), France (58th), Mexico (68th), Russia (89th) and Brazil (105th).

About Global Economic Freedom Index  The Economic Freedom of the World: 2020 Annual Report by Canada’s Fraser Institute has been released in India in conjunction with New Delhi-based think tank Centre For Civil Society.

 A score closer to 10 indicates a higher level of economic freedom.  The report measures economic freedom (levels of personal choice, ability to enter markets, security of privately owned property, rule of law, among others) by analysing the policies and institutions of 162 countries and territories.  Centre for Civil Society President Partha J Shah said since the ranking is based on 2018 data, many new restrictions on international trade, tightening of the credit market due to NPAs and COVID-19 ’ s impact on debt and deficits are not reflected in India’s score.

9.23.DPIIT’s RANKINGS

News: India announces the states' startup ranking list; Gujarat emerges as best performer in DPIIT’s rankings  In the second edition of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade’s states' startup rankings, Gujarat retained its best performer tag in the competition which saw a participation of 22 states and three union territories.  The DPIIT Ministry of Commerce and Industry conducted the second edition of the exercise with the key objective to foster competitiveness and propel states and union territories to work proactively towards uplifting the startup ecosystem. An evaluation committee comprising independent experts from the startup ecosystem carried out a detailed assessment of responses across various parameters.  The ranking framework 2019, has 7 broad reform areas consisting of 30 action points ranging from institutional support, easing compliances, relaxation in public procurement norms, incubation centres, seed funding, venture funding, and awareness and outreach.  The last 2018 edition ranked Gujarat as the best performer in developing the startup ecosystem for budding entrepreneurs. Other top performers were Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha and Rajasthan Key findings  Best Performer: Gujarat (State), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (UT)  Top Performers: Karnataka and Kerala  Leaders: Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Chandigarh  Aspiring Leaders: Haryana, Jharkhand, Punjab, Telangana, Uttrakhand  Emerging Startup Ecosystem: Andra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh.

Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2020  This report is released by Startup Genome, a California- headquartered innovation policy advisory and research firm, analyses cities around the world where early stage startups have

the best shot at building global success.  Startup Genome collected data and information from Google Trends, GitHub and Meetup & also considered the impact of coronavirus crisis on startups and public policy actions taken by governments to support startup ecosystems.  Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2020: Global  London and New York also overtook Silicon Valley in the connectedness ranking, a factor based on the number of tech meetups in the ecosystem and a life sciences- focused measure of accelerators and incubators, research grants, and R&D anchors in the ecosystem.  As per the report, 30% of the top ecosystems comes from Asia-Pacific region region, compared to 20% in 2012.  Out of the 11 new ecosystems that included into the top ecosystems list, 6 are from the Asia-Pacific region.

Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2020: India  Two Indian cities made it onto the top 40 of the world ’ s most favorable ecosystems to build a globally successful startup, topped by the Silicon Valley in California.  Bangalore was ranked 26th and Delhi 36th in ‘The Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2020 ’ by Startup Genome, with Mumbai topping a parallel “ Top Emerging Ecosystems” ranking.  Bangalore stood out for high access to funding and Delhi ranked well for the volume and complexity of patent creation in the analysis, which found London and New York tied for second spot.

9.24.JUUKAN GORGE CAVES

Rio Tinto (RIO) CEO Jean-Sébastien Jacques has resigned under pressure from investors over the company's destruction of a 46,000-year-old sacred Indigenous site in Australia to expand an iron ore mine.  The destruction of the Juukan Gorge caves went ahead on May 24 despite a seven-year battle by the local custodians of the land, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people, to protect the site. Rio Tinto apologized in June.  In a report published, the company said that it failed to meet some of its own standards "in relation to the responsible management and protection of cultural heritage." But it didn't fire any executives — a decision that drew criticism from investor groups that accused the company of failing to take full responsibility for the demolition of the caves. The caves had significant archeological value and deep cultural meaning for Aboriginal people.

About The Hamersley Range  The Hamersley Range is a mountainous region of the Pilbara region of Western Australia.  The range was named on 12 June 1861 by explorer Francis Thomas Gregory after Edward Hamersley, a prominent promoter of his exploration expedition to the northwest.  Juukan Gorge lies within the ranges, about 60 kilometres (37 mi) from the mining town of Tom Price, as does Karijini National Park.  The range runs from the Fortescue River in the northeast, 460 kilometres (290 mi) to the south. The range contains Western Australia's highest point, Mount Meharry, which reaches approximately 1,249 metres (4,098 ft).  Karijini National Park (formerly Hamersley National Park), one of Australia's largest national parks, is centred in the range.

About Kurrama people  The Kurrama people, also known as the Puutu Kunti Kurrama people, are an Aboriginal Australian people from the Pilbara region of Western Australia.  Aboriginal Australians is a western term for the people who are from the Australian mainland and many of its islands, such as Tasmania, Fraser Island, Hinchinbrook Island, the Tiwi Islands, and Groote Eylandt, but excluding the Torres Strait Islands.

9.25.13-MILLION-YEAR-OLD FOSSIL APE

News: 13-million-year-old fossil ape discovered in Jammu & Kashmir's Udhampur  An international team of researchers has unearthed a 13-million-year-old fossil of a newly discovered ape species in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur District, which is the earliest known ancestor of the modern-day gibbon.  The finding, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, fills a major void in the ape fossil record and provides important new evidence about when the ancestors of today's gibbon migrated to Asia from Africa.

 The fossil, a complete lower molar, belongs to a previously unknown genus and species (Kapi ramnagarensis), and represents the first new fossil ape species discovered at the famous fossil site of Ramnagar in nearly a century.  Today, gibbons and orangutans can both be found in Sumatra and Borneo in Southeast Asia, and the oldest fossil apes are from Africa.

About Gibbon :  Gibbons are apes in the family Hylobatidae. The family historically contained one genus, but now is split into four extant genera and 18 species.  Gibbons live in subtropical and tropical rainforest from eastern Bangladesh to Northeast India to southern China and Indonesia (including the islands of Sumatra, Borneo, and Java).  Also called the lesser apes or small apes, gibbons differ from great apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans and humans) in being smaller, exhibiting low sexual dimorphism, and not making nests. Like all apes, gibbons are tailless. Unlike most of the great apes, gibbons frequently form long-term pair bonds.

9.26.HUMAN CAPITAL INDEX

News: India ranks 116 in World Bank’s human capital index  India has been ranked at the 116th position in the latest edition of the World Bank’ s annual Human Capital Index that benchmarks key components of human capital across countries.  However, India’s score increased to 0.49 from 0.44 in 2018, as per the Human Capital Index report released by the World Bank  The 2020 Human Capital Index update includes health and education data for 174 countries — covering 98 per cent of the world’s population — up to March 2020, providing a pre-pandemic baseline on the health and education of children, with the biggest strides made in low-income countries.  The analysis shows that pre-pandemic, most countries had made steady progress in building human capital of children, with the biggest strides made in low-income countries.  Despite this progress, and even before the effects of the pandemic, a child born in a typical country could expect to achieve just 56 per cent of their potential human capital, relative to a benchmark of complete education and full health, the Bank said.  Due to the pandemic's impact, most children more than 1 billion have been out of school and could lose out, on average, half a year of schooling, adjusted for learning, translating into considerable monetary losses. Data also shows

significant disruptions to essential health services for women and children, with many children missing out on crucial vaccinations.  Last year, India had raised "serious reservations" over the Human Capital Index, wherein India was ranked 115 out of 157 countries. This year India finds itself at 116th from among 174 countries.

About human capital index  The Human Capital Index is a report prepared by the World Bank.  The Human Capital Index (HCI) is an international metric that benchmarks key components of human capital across countries. Measuring the human capital that a child born today can expect to attain by her 18th birthday, the HCI highlights how current health and education outcomes shape the productivity of the next generation of workers.  In this way, it underscores the importance for governments and societies of investing in the human capital of their citizens. The HCI was launched in 2018 as part of the Human Capital Project (HCP), a lobal effort to accelerate progress towards a world where all children can achieve their full potential.

9.27.KOSI RAIL MAHASETU

News: PM Modi dedicated Kosi Rail Mahasetu to nation through video-conference  The dedication of the Kosi Rail Mahasetu(mega bridge) is a watershed moment in the history of Bihar and the entire region connecting to the North East.  This mega bridge project is said to be of strategic importance along the border of India-Nepal. The Kosi Rail Mahasetu project was sanctioned by the government during 2003-04.  The Kosi Rail Mahasetu is 1.9 KM long and its construction cost is Rs. 516 Crore.  The project was completed during the COVID-pandemic where the migrant labour also participated.  The dedication of this project will fulfil the 86 year old dream.  In 1887, a meter gauge link was built between Nirmali and Bhaptiahi in the region but it was washed away during the heavy flood and severe Indo-Nepal earthquake in 1934. Since then no attempt was made to restore this rail connectivity for a long period due to the meandering nature of Kosi river, the PMO statement said.  Apart from this, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate 12 rail projects related to passenger facilities for the benefit of the Bihar.  These include a new railway bridge on the Kiul River, two new railway lines, five electrification projects, one electric locomotive shed and 3rd line project between Barh-Bakhtiyarpur.

About Kosi river  The Kosi or Koshi is a trans-boundary river which flows through Tibet, Nepal and India.  It drains the northern slopes of the Himalayas in Tibet and the southern slopes in Nepal. From a major confluence of tributaries north of the Chatra Gorge onwards, the Kosi River is also known as Saptakoshi for its seven upper tributaries.

 These include the Tamor River originating from the Kanchenjunga area in the east and Arun River and Sun Kosi from Tibet. The Sun Koshi's tributaries from east to west are Dudh Koshi, Bhote Koshi, Tamakoshi River, Likhu Khola and Indravati.  The Saptakoshi crosses into northern Bihar, India where it branches into distributaries before joining the Ganges near Kursela in Katihar district.  The Kosi River is known as the "Sorrow of Bihar" as the annual floods affect about 21,000 km2 (8,100 sq mi) of fertile agricultural lands thereby disturbing the rural economy.  The Kosi was also called Kausika in Rigveda.It is a major tributary of the Ganges. One major tributary of the Kosi is the Arun, much of whose course is in Tibet. This river is mentioned in the epic 'Mahabharata' as Kausiki. Formerly known as 'Kausiki,' named after the sage Viśvāmitra.  In Nepal two protected areas are located in the Koshi River basin.

1.Sagarmatha National Park:  The Sagarmatha National Park encompasses the upper catchments of the Dudh Koshi River system.  Established in 1976 the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

2. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve  The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is situated in the flood plains of the Saptkoshi River in the eastern Terai.

9.28.SMART CITY INDEX 2020

News: Smart City Index 2020: Indian Cities Drop in Global Smart City Index; Singapore On Top. • The Institute for Management Development (IMD), in collaboration with Singapore University for Technology and Design (SUTD), released the 2020 Smart City Index, with key findings on how technology is playing a role in the COVID-19 era. • Four Indian cities New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru witnessed a significant drop in their rankings in the global listing of smart cities that was topped by Singapore. • In the 2020 Smart City Index, Hyderabad was placed at the 85th position (down from 67 in 2019), New Delhi at 86th rank (down from 68 in 2019), Mumbai was at 93rd place (in 2019 it was at 78), and Bengaluru at 95th (79 in 2019). • “Cities in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru) suffer significant drops this year. This can be attributed to the detrimental effect that the pandemic has had where the technological advancement was not up to date,” the report said. • It further added that “Indian cities have suffered more from the pandemic because they were not prepared”. • From 15 indicators that the respondents perceive as the priority areas for their city, all four cities highlighted air pollution as one of the key areas that they felt their city needed to prioritize on.

• For cities like Bangalore and Mumbai, this was closely followed by road congestion while for Delhi and Hyderabad it was basic amenities, the report said. • The 2020 Smart City Index (SCI) was topped by Singapore, followed by Helsinki and Zurich in the second and the third place respectively. Others in the top 10 list include Auckland (4th), Oslo (5th), Copenhagen (6th), Geneva (7th), Taipei City (8th), Amsterdam (9th), and New York at the 10th place.

About Smart City Index • The Institute for Management Development, in collaboration with Singapore University for Technology and Design (SUTD), releases this report. • In SCI’s context, ‘smart city’ describes an urban setting that applies technology to enhance the benefits and diminish the shortcomings of urbanization. • The second edition of the SCI ranked 109 cities worldwide by capturing perceptions of randomly chosen 120 residents in each city. • Hundreds of citizens from 109 cities were surveyed in April and May 2020 and asked questions on the technological provisions of their city across five key areas: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance. • Reflected in this year’s rankings is that cities have ever differing approaches to technology as managing the pandemic has become increasingly important in local politics, the report said.

9.29.SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

News: Indian teenager named by UN to 2020 Class of Young Leaders for Sustainable Development Goals  Udit Singhal, an 18-year-old boy from India has been named by the United Nations to the 2020 cohort of young leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals, the highest profile recognition opportunity at the world body for youngsters who are leading efforts to combat the world's most pressing issues.  Singhal has been named to the 2020 Class of 17 Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He is the founder of Glass2Sand, a zero-waste ecosystem that addresses the growing menace of glass waste in Delhi.  Through the initiative, empty glass bottles are prevented from being dumped into landfills, where they won't decompose for a million years, and are crushed into commercially valuable sand.  According to Singhal's profile on his website, the student at The British School in New Delhi conceived the Glass2Sand project in late 2018 when collection of bottles had become unviable for waste collectors due to dropping demand, because large storage spaces were needed and the transport costs were high.  Empty glass bottles were not segregated anymore and started to go for dumping in the landfills, the Glass2Sand website said, adding that Singhal's initiative has stopped over 8,000 bottles from being dumped in landfills and produced 4,815 kilograms of high-grade silica sand so far.

About The Young Leaders for the SDGs  The Young Leaders for the SDGs initiative is organised on a biennial basis by the Office of the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth and is the office's highest

profile recognition opportunity for young people who are leading efforts to combat the world's most pressing issues and whose leadership is catalysing the achievement of the SDGs.  The young leaders — between the ages of 18 and 29 years old — represent the diverse voices of young people from every region of the world, and are collectively responsible for activating millions of young people in support of the SDGs.  This group will come together as a community to support efforts to engage young people in the realisation of the SDGs both through strategic opportunities with the UN and through their existing initiatives, platforms and networks.  The 2020 Class of 17 Young Leaders includes representatives from Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Egypt, India, Ireland, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Senegal, Turkey, Uganda and the United States.  In 2017, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Wickramanayake of Sri Lanka as his Special Envoy on Youth and as the youngest senior official in the history of the organisation.  Wickramanayake's mandate is to harmonise the UN system efforts on youth development, enhance the UN response to youth needs, advocate for the development needs and rights of young people, as well as to bring the work of the United Nations on youth closer to them.  The Envoy on Youth also acts as the advisor to and the representative of the Secretary-General on youth related matters.

9.30.EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANKING OF STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES

News: Andhra Pradesh tops for the third time in 'ease of doing business' ranking of states, Union Territories. • Andhra Pradesh has topped in the ease of doing annual business ranking of states and Union Territories by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade for the third time in a row. • This was the fourth edition of the report, which was first released in 2015. • The ranking is based on the implementation of the business reform action plan 2019, according to a report released by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on September 5. • Registering a jump of 10 places in the rankings, Uttar Pradesh occupied the second position in 2019 as against 12th in 2018. Telangana slipped to the third position from second in 2018. • It was followed by Madhya Pradesh (4th), Jharkhand (5th), Chhattisgarh (6th), Himachal Pradesh (7th), Rajasthan (8th), West Bengal (9th) and Gujarat (10th). Delhi’s position improved to 12th from 23rd in the last edition, while Gujarat slipped from 5th place in 2018. • Among the laggard states and UTs in the ranking, Assam was at 20th, J&K at 21st, Goa at 24th, Bihar at 26th and Kerala 28th place. Tripura was ranked at the bottom 36th. • In 2015 Index, Gujarat featured at the top, with Andhra Pradesh grabbing the second position and Telangana 13th. • In 2016, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana jointly topped the chart.

• In the last ranking released in July 2018, Andhra Pradesh topped the chart, followed by Telangana and Haryana.

About Ease of doing business' ranking of states, Union Territories • The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT) in collaboration with the World Bank conducts an annual reform exercise for all States/UTs under the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP). • The Business Reform Action Plan 2018-19 includes 181 reform points covering 45 business regulatory areas such as access to information, single window system, labour, and environment. • The exercise is aimed at promoting competition among states with a view to improving the business climate to attract domestic as well as foreign investments. • In the World Bank’s latest ’Doing Business’ report, India has jumped 14 places to the 63rd position.

9.31.NATIONAL TRAINING ACADEMY FOR RURAL SELF EMPLOYMENT TRAINING

News : E-Foundation stone laid for National Training Academy for Rural Self Employment Training Institutes in Bengaluru.

National Training Academy for Rural Self Employment Training Institutes in Bengaluru.  The NAR undertakes monitoring, mentoring and capacity building of the Rural Self Employment Training Institutes staff (585 RSETIs are spread across 566 districts of the country), State/UT Rural Livelihood Mission staff and the concerned Bank officials on behalf of the Ministry of Rural Development.  NAR standardizes the activities of RSETIs, the NAR accelerates the efforts in this direction and the establishment of new campus of NAR would be a good support.

Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs)  Lakhs of youth are entering the job market every year in this country but are unable to find suitable employment.  Non-availability of adequate employment opportunities in the organized & unorganized sectors is one of the serious challenges the country is facing.  In such a scenario, the need for promoting self employment for the unemployed rural youth, particularly those below the poverty line, and periodic skill up gradation to keep them abreast of latest technologies, need not be overstated.  Once trained appropriately, the youth will launch profitable micro-enterprises and enhance their own standards of living and thereby contribute to the overall national economy. They can also feed the services sector, both within the country and abroad.  With the aim of mitigating the unemployment problem among the youth, a new initiative was tried jointly by Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Educational Trust, Syndicate Bank and Canara Bank in 1982 which was the setting up of the “RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND SELF EMPLOYMENT TRAINING INSTITUTE” with

its acronym RUDSETI near It in Karnataka. Several centers of the RUDSETI are already operating successfully now.  Since the RUDSETI has today become a replicable model, the MoRD proposes to support establishment of one RUDSETI type of institution in each district of the country to tap the rural BPL youth from the rural hinterland.

RSETIs are unique initiative where State Governments, the Union Govt. and the commercial Banks are working together to address the issue of rural poverty. It helps in mitigating the problem of unemployment in the country.

Objectives of RSETIs  Rural BPL youth will be identified and trained for self-employment.  The trainings offered will be demand driven.  Area in which training will be provided to the trainee will be decided after assessment the candidate’s aptitude.  Hand holding support will be provided for assured credit linkage with banks.  Escort services will be provided for at least for two years soon to ensure sustainability of micro enterprise trainees.  The trainees will be provided intensive short-term residential self-employment training programmes with free food and accommodation.

9.32.‘REAL MANGO’

News: 50 held for operating illegal train ticket booking software 'Real Mango'.  In a nationwide investigation, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Indian Railways has disrupted the operation of illegal software called `Real Mango` used for cornering confirmed railway reservation.  Field units of RPF have been able to apprehend 50 criminals so far including the Kingpin (system developer) and key managers involved in the operation of this illegal software and block live tickets worth more than Rs five lakhs.  Operation of an illegal software called “Rare Mango” (later changed its name to “Real Mango”) was revealed on August 9 during action against touts by the field units of RPF. The RPF units of North Central Railway (NCR), Eastern Railway (ER) and Western Railway (WR) apprehended some suspects and initiated the process of understanding and unravelling the operation of RareMango/Real Mango Software.

How does software works?  The agent logs into the IRCTC server through multiple Ids. The software bypasses captcha code which is a major time taking process while booking the tickets over the website. The software also gets sync with the bank OTP with the help of a mobile app and feeds it to the requisite form to book tickets automatically. It also auto-fills the passenger and payment details in the forms and makes the whole process a quick and less time-consuming process. The software is mainly used by the ticket booking agent who by illegal means books the tatkal ticket and sells to the customer on a high rate. 9.33.PATA AWARDS

Kerala Tourism’s ‘Human by Nature Print Campaign’ bagged the Prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Grand Title Winner 2020 for Marketing. The awards were announced during a presentation ceremony of Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2020 in Beijing. The PATA Awards are supported and sponsored by Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO). Campaign"Script Your Adventure 2019" Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, India bags the PATA Gold Award 2020 Marketing Campaign (State and city - Global).

About Human by Nature Print Campaign:  ‘Human by Nature’ was a marketing strategy to revive tourism that was hit by the 2018 floods and the Nipah outbreak. Showcasing culture and daily life of the people, it was conceptualised and scripted by Stark Communications.  The campaign which was carried out in national and international channels, newspapers, magazines, portals, and airport displays in key cities helped in achieving Kerala’s record growth rate of 17.2 percent in 2019, the highest growth rate in tourism arrivals in 24 years.

About Script Your Adventurecampaign  Karnataka Tourism launches ‘Script Your Adventure’, its latest campaign to attract national and international tourists to the state, which is projecting itself as a year-round tourist destination.  In lines with the new theme, a new brand campaign TVC along with a print ad campaign and marketing collaterals was launched in 2019.

About Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) award PATA 2020 presented 21 Gold Awards and three Grand Title Winners for best of show entries in the three categories of 1. Marketing 2. Sustainability 3. Human Capital Development It was for the first time that this year’s PATA Gold Awards, supported and sponsored by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), were announced virtual since its inception in 1995. Pacific Asia Travel Association Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand.

9.34.U-RISE PORTAL

A portal 'Unified Re-imagined Innovation for Student Empowerment' or 'U-Rise' was launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath which will contain a database of around 20 lakh engineering and vocational courses students and help them with study material and also get employment.  The portal will contain details of each student from their time of enrolment till they get employment.  It will also have an e-library which can be accessed by students from anywhere, giving students even in the most remote districts of the state access to quality study material.

 The database will also help in getting students employment as their details will be available at one place for prospective employers.  The aim of the portal is to ensure uniform quality education to all students. It is a place with a unique network of trainers, faculty and industry. Students once registered will continue to receive life-long benefits and their track records will be digitally stored to help them employment in future," said an official.  The portal has been developed by the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University and is a joint initiative by the technical education department, training and employment department and skill development mission.