Daily News Analysis - by Jatin Verma 3Rd January, 2020

Summary of Daily News Analysis - by Jatin Verma 3rd January, 2020

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Important News Articles

Polity & Governance related issues - G.S. Mains Paper-2

Page 8: Mannequins to handle traffic surveillance

 They will be equipped with secret cameras to take pictures of violators

Page 9: Architects question land use change for Central Vista revamp

 Reduction in recreational, public spaces and lack of scientific study flagged

Page 12: India, Nepal to hold talks on Kalapani

 At the weekly press interaction, the official spokesperson of the Ministry said the latest political map of India reflects the sovereign territory of India.

Indian Express: Telling Numbers: Projected drop in male tobacco use underlines shifting trends

 In India, which had a 44% prevalence of tobacco use (male and female combined) in 2000, this is expected to reduce almost by half to 22.3% by 2025.

Important News Articles

Economy & Internal Security related issues - G.S. Mains Paper-3

Page 1: NCLAT decision is a recipe for disaster, Tatas tell SC

 Group files plea against reinstatement of Cyrus Mistry

Page 15: Manufacturing sector activity rises in Dec.

 Companies cautious on 2020 outlook

Page 15: Banks’ credit grows 7.1% to ₹99.47 lakh cr.

 Banks’ credit and deposits grew by 7.1% and 10.09% to ₹99.47 lakh crore and ₹130.08 lakh crore in the fortnight ended December 20, respectively.

Page 15: IRDAI norms for standard health cover

 Regulator IRDAI issued guidelines on standard individual health insurance, asking general and health insurers to offer a product that can take care of basic health needs of customers.

Page 15: Sugar output drops by close to a third

 Production in first 3 months of marketing year at 7.79 MT, prices remain stable, exports at good pace

Page 15: India’s Arabica output at all-time low

 Rains, floods, landslides hit a chunk of plantations last year

Important News Articles

Environment & Ecology & Sci-Tech - G.S. Mains Paper-3

Page 8: 5 DRDO Young Scientists Labs launched

 Operating from different cities, they will pursue futuristic war tech

Page 9: India records less than 100 tiger deaths for the first time in three years

 84 cases of deaths and 11 cases of seizures were recorded in 2019

Page 9: Science Congress takes ‘extra care’ to avoid pseudo science

 107th edition to commence today in Bengaluru

Important News Articles

PIB

Year End Review 2019- Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

Important Editorials

Page 10: A weak test

Page 10: In the ruins of unilateralism

Page 10: When defection is a mere detour for an MLA

Page 11: Should the FM tweak direct taxes to spur the economy?

Page 11: Minimising the housing divide

Economy & Internal Security related issues - G.S. Mains Paper-3

Page 1: NCLAT decision is a recipe for disaster, Tatas tell SC

Tata Sons Private Limited have appealed to the Supreme Court saying the December 18 decision of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) to reinstate Cyrus Mistry as its chairman is a blow to corporate democracy and rights of the Board of Directors.

● The appeal said the tribunal crossed its jurisdiction by terming the appointment of incumbent N. Chandrasekaran illegal while restoring Mr. Mistry as Chairman. ● Mr. Mistry’s tenure as chairman and director of Tata Sons expired in March 2017. ● The NCLAT decision to restore him to his “original position” for the “rest of his tenure” is contrary to company law, a recipe for disaster and sets a dangerous precedent in law. JV’s Snippet into Prelims NCLAT and its powers: ● The NCLAT is a tribunal which was formed in 2016 under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013. ● It is responsible for hearing appeals from the orders of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). ● It also hears appeals from orders issued by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBC) under Section 202 and Section 211 of IBC.

● It also hears appeals from any direction issued, decision made, or order passed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). ● The NCLAT includes a Chairperson, a judicial member, and a technical member and a total of not more than eleven members. ● No criminal court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of any matter which the Appellate Tribunal is empowered to determine by or under the Companies Act. JV’s Backgrounder Tata-Mistry dispute: ● Cyrus Mistry succeeded Ratan Tata as Tata Sons chairman when he retired in December 2012. ● Mistry is the son of Pallonji Mistry, the single largest shareholder of Tata Sons, with a stake of over 18 per cent, and was a director of Tata Sons since 2006 until his ouster. ● On 24 October, 2016 the Tata group, which is led by holding company Tata Sons removed Cyrus Mistry as chairman. ● In January 2017, Tata Sons appointed N. Chandrasekaran, who had been the CEO of TCS as the chairman of Tata Sons. ● However, Mistry had alleged that following his appointment as chairman of the Tata Group, the Articles of Association were modified and “inappropriate interpretation” of the rules followed. ● He blamed that he was not given free hand. ● The issue was related to Article 118, which was amended in 2012 to give more powers to directors nominated by the Tata Trusts in the appointment and removal of the chairman.

● Two months after his removal, Mistry’s family-run firms approached the NCLT as minority shareholders, against Tata Sons, Ratan Tata and some other board members. ● Mistry in his pleas primarily argued that his removal was not in accordance with the Companies Act and that there was rampant mismanagement of affairs across Tata Sons. ● They appealed for NCLAT and it has restored Cyrus Mistry as executive chairman of Tata Sons on 18th December, 2019. ● It has also termed that appointment of N Chandrashekhar as executive chairman illegal. ● However, the tribunal has said that the restoration order will be operational only after four weeks, the time allowed to Tatas to file an appeal. Page 15: Manufacturing sector activity rises in Dec. ● The country’s manufacturing sector activity improved in December, driven by new orders that rose at the fastest pace since July, as companies ramped up production and resumed hiring efforts.

● Notwithstanding the improvement in operating conditions during December, companies were cautious regarding the annual outlook of 2020, and this could have an impact on job creation and investment in the year, the survey said. ● The IHS Markit India Manufacturing PMI rose from 51.2 in November to 52.7 in December, registering the ‘joint-strongest’ improvement in 10 months. ● Factories benefited from a rebound in demand and responded by scaling up production to the greatest extent since May. ● There were also renewed increases in input purchasing and employment during December. ● New work orders witnessed a marked improvement, with the pace of expansion picking up to the fastest since July.

JV’s Additional Info. What is a PMI?

● PMI or a Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an indicator of business activity — both in the manufacturing and services sectors. ● It is a survey-based measures that asks the respondents about changes in their perception of some key business variables from the month before. ● It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services sectors and then a composite index is constructed.

How is the PMI derived?

● The PMI is derived from a series of qualitative questions.

How does one read the PMI?

● A figure above 50 denotes expansion in business activity. ● Anything below 50 denotes contraction. ● Higher the difference from this mid-point greater the expansion or contraction. ● Also, if the figure is higher than the previous month’s then the economy is expanding at a faster rate. If it is lower than the previous month then it is growing at a lower rate.

What are its implications for the economy?

● The PMI is usually released at the start of the month, much before most of the official data on industrial output, manufacturing and GDP growth becomes available. ● It is, therefore, considered a good leading indicator of economic activity. ● Economists consider the manufacturing growth measured by the PMI as a good indicator of industrial output, for which official statistics are released later.

What does it mean for financial markets?

● The PMI also gives an indication of corporate earnings and is closely watched by investors as well as the bond markets. ● A good reading displays attractiveness of an economy w.r.t another competing economy.

Page 15: Banks’ credit grows 7.1% to ₹99.47 lakh cr.

● Banks’ credit and deposits grew by 7.1% and 10.09% to ₹99.47 lakh crore and ₹130.08 lakh crore in the fortnight ended December 20, respectively. ● In the year-ago fortnight, banks’ advances stood at ₹92.87 lakh crore, while deposits were at ₹118.16 lakh crore. ● In the previous fortnight ended December 6, credit had grown by 7.91% to ₹99.34 lakh crore and deposits had increased by 10.27% to ₹131.05 lakh crore.

● On a year-on-year basis, banks’ credit growth slowed to 7.2% to ₹86.73 lakh crore in November 2019 from a 13.8% increase to ₹80.93 lakh crore in the year-ago period.

● Bank credit is the total amount of credit available to a business or individual from a banking institution.

● It consists of the total amount of combined funds that financial institutions provide to an

individual or business.

● A business or individual's bank credit depends on the borrower's ability to repay the loan and the total amount of credit available in the banking institution.

Page 15: IRDAI norms for standard health cover

Regulator Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) have issued guidelines on standard individual health insurance, asking general and health insurers to offer a product that can take care of basic health needs of customers with a maximum sum insured of ₹5 lakh and a minimum of ₹1 lakh. ● The product will be named Arogya Sanjeevani Policy, succeeded by the name of the insurance company.

JV’s Snippet into Prelims

● Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India or the IRDAI is the apex body responsible for regulating and developing the insurance industry in India. ● It is an autonomous body. It was established by an act of Parliament known as the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999. ● IRDAI is headquartered in Hyderabad in Telangana. Prior to 2001, it was headquartered in New Delhi. ● The organization fought for an increase in the FDI limit in the insurance sector to 49% from the previous 26%. The FDI cap was hiked to 49% in July of 2014.

Page 15: Sugar output drops by close to a third

The country’s sugar production has fallen sharply by 30.22% to 7.79 million tonne (MT) in the first three months of current marketing year ending September, but ex-mill prices have remained stable so far, helping mills clear cane payment to farmers on time. ● The country’s total sugar production has dropped to 7.79 MT till December 2019 from 11.17 million tonne in the same period of the 2018-19 marketing year (October-September). ● In its first estimate, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) had pegged sugar production lower at 26 MT this year from 33.16 MT in 2018-19. ● Sugar production in Maharashtra — the country’s largest sugar producing State —

dropped to 1.65 MT till December 2019 against 4.45 MT in the same period last year. ● Since the Centre has not increased the fair and remunerative price (FRP) for 2019-20 as also State governments like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab have not hiked the state advised price (SAP), ex-mill prices remain stable and mills are in a better position to be able to pay cane prices to the farmers on time.

Sugar recovery

● The average sugar recovery in Maharashtra has declined to 10% from 10.5% achieved in the year-ago period due to loss of sucrose content in the flood-affected sugarcane crop. ● Production in U.P. rises ● Production in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s second largest producing State, rose to 3.31 MT so far compared to 3.10 MT a year ago. ● On exports, ISMA said the government is in the process of reviewing actual exports made by mills against MAEQ during October—December 2019 quarter, and has already announced in the policy to reallocate unexported quota to the sugar mills that have exported and are willing to take additional quota beyond their MAEQ (Maximum Admissible Export Quantity Quota).

JV’s Analysis Problems of Sugar Industry 1. Uncertain Production Output ● Sugarcane has to compete with several other food and cash crops like cotton, oil seeds, rice, etc. ● This affects the supply of sugarcane to the mills and the production of sugar also varies from year to year causing fluctuations in prices leading to losses in times of excess production due to low prices. 2. Low Yield of Sugarcane ● India yield per hectare is extremely low as compared to some of the major sugarcane producing countries of the world. ● For example, India’s yield is only 64.5 tonnes/hectare as compared to 90 tonnes in Java and 121 tonnes in Hawaii. 3. Short crushing season ● Sugar production is a seasonal industry with a short crushing season varying normally from 4 to 7 months in a year. ● It causes financial loss and seasonal employment for workers and lack of full utilization of sugar mills. 4. Low Sugar recovery rate ● The average rate of recovery of sugar from sugarcane in India is less than ten per cent which is quite low as compared to other major sugar producing countries. 5. High Production cost

● High cost of sugarcane, inefficient technology, uneconomic process of production and heavy excise duty result in high cost of manufacturing. ● Most of the sugar mills in India are of small size with a capacity of 1,000 to 1,500 tonnes per day thus fail to take advantage of economies of scale. 6. Government policy and control ● Government has been controlling sugar prices through various policy interventions like export duty, imposition of stock limit on sugar mills, change in meteorology rule etc., to balance supply demand mismatch. ● But these controls have resulted in unremunerative sugar prices, increasing arrears for sugar mills and dues to be paid to sugarcane farmers.

Government Initiatives

➢ Rangarajan committee (2012) was set up to give recommendations on regulation of sugar industry. Its major recommendations: ➢ Abolition of the quantitative controls on export and import of sugar, these should be replaced by appropriate tariffs. ➢ Committee recommended no more outright bans on sugar exports. ➢ The central government has prescribed a minimum radial distance of 15 km between any two sugar mills, this criterion often causes virtual monopoly over a large area can give the mills power over farmers. The Committee recommended that the distance norm be reviewed. ➢ There should be no restrictions on sale of by-products and prices should be market determined. ➢ States should also undertake policy reform to allow mills to harness power generated from bagasse. ➢ Remove the regulations on release of non-levy sugar. Removal of these controls will improve the financial health of the sugar mills. This, in turn, will lead to timely payments to farmers and a reduction in cane arrears.

Fair and Renumerative Price

➢ FRP is the minimum price that the sugar mills have to pay to farmers. ➢ It is determined on basis of recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and after consultation with State Governments and other stake- holders. State Advised Price (SAP)

➢ In other key growing states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand, farmers get the State Advised Price (SAP) fixed by state governments which is usually higher than FRP.

● Based on the report, Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommended a hybrid approach of fixing sugarcane prices, which involved fair and remunerative price (FRP). ● The year 2013-14 was a water-shed for the sugar industry. ● The Central Government considered the recommendations of the committee headed by Dr. C. Rangarajan on de-regulation of sugar sector and decided to ● discontinue the system of levy obligations on mills for sugar produced after September, 2012 and abolished the regulated release mechanism on open market sale of sugar. ● The de-regulation of the sugar sector was undertaken to improve the financial health of sugar mills, enhance cash flows, reduce inventory costs and also result in timely payments of cane price to sugarcane farmers. ● The recommendations of the Committee relating to Minimum Distance Criteria and adoption of the Cane Price Formula have been left to State Governments for adoption and implementation, as considered appropriate by them. ● With the aim of benefitting Sugar farmers and in order to clear their arrears/cane dues, the Union Government has decided to increase the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of Sugar from Rs. 29 to Rs. 31 for the year 2019-20. ● Apart from this, the government has also provided incentives on producing ethanol from B-heavy molasses and cane juice to divert the sugar surpluses towards biofuel, thus indirectly supporting sugar prices. ● The new Biofuel Policy 2018 has fixed a target of achieving 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol by 2030.

Way Forward

● The sector needs infusion of capital, but also policy measures and structural changes. ● Technological upgradation in age old mills especially in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to improve efficiency in production. ● Other states should also introduce revenue-sharing formula to ensure farmers receive a share in the profits like in Maharashtra and Karnataka . ● When domestic production is likely to be in excess of domestic consumption government should encourage exports through policy changes. ● Mills should be allowed to produce more alcohol (a higher value product with massive industrial demand). Exports of sugar and alcohol should also be decontrolled. ● The production cost of sugar in India is one of the highest in the world. Intense research is required to increase the sugarcane production in the agricultural field and to introduce new technology of production efficiency in the sugar mills. ● Production cost can also be reduced through proper utilisation of by- products of the industry. ● Government should encourage ethanol production. It will bring down the country’s oil import bill and help in diversion of sucrose to ethanol and to balance out the excess production of sugar.

Page 15: India’s Arabica output at all-time low

● India’s Arabica production has hit an all-time low this coffee-picking season. ● Coffee Board chairman said this year’s Arabica yield would fall more than 50% after the torrential rains, floods and landslides during August-September last year washed away a sizeable chunk of plantations and destroyed coffee plants in Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Kodagu and Wayanad districts. ● Most Arabica farmers are reporting a production decline of 50%, while the exact size of the output for this year will be known by end of January. ● Five years ago, India’s Arabica production was 1.5 lakh tonnes. ● It fell to 80,000 tonnes last year.

JV’s Snippet into Prelims

Coffee Cultivation in India ● India ranks 6th among the world’s 80 coffee producing countries, with some of the finest robusta and some top-notch arabica cultivated. ● Nearly 70% of India’s coffee is exported, largely to European and Asian markets. Climatic Conditions ● Coffee plant requires hot and humid climate with temperatures ranging between 15°C and 28 °C and rainfall from 150 to 250 cm. ● Frost, snowfall, high temperature above 30°C and strong sun shine is not good for coffee crop and is generally grown under shady trees. ● Dry weather is necessary at the time of ripening of the berries. ● Stagnant water is harmful and the crop is grown on hill slopes at elevations from 600 to 1,600 metres above sea level. ● Well drained, loams containing good deal of humus and minerals like iron and calcium are ideal for coffee cultivation.

Polity & Governance related issues - G.S. Mains Paper-2

Page 8: Mannequins to handle traffic surveillance

The Karimnagar Commissionerate of Police, which has been widely appreciated for curtailing open consumption of liquor by using drone cameras, has now decided to install mannequins for traffic surveillance in various parts of the district in Telangana.

Significance-

● The mannequins in traffic police gear, including uniform, reflector jacket, cap, boots, mask and sunglasses, would be installed at strategic locations to regulate traffic and prevent accidents. ● The mannequin traffic police would also keep surveillance with a secret camera and take photos of traffic violators. ● Police are also planning to fix magnetic cameras that will use 3G and 4G technology for live surveillance. ● The district police hit upon the mannequin idea after the life-size cut-out of a saluting policeman at the RTC bus station complex in August 2018 was a success. ● A hidden camera fixed on the cut-out sent live footage to the local Karimnagar One Town police station, and the police command control for necessary action.

● In the wake of shortage of traffic policemen at unmanned junctions, the mannequins would be of immense help to the district police. ● They would be installed in busy traffic junctions and places where rash and negligent driving and use of mobile phone while driving were common. ● Planning also to install the mannequins on National and State highways to reduce accidents.

Page 9: Architects question land use change for Central Vista revamp

● Several architects have raised concerns over the Centre’s proposed change of land-use of plots in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi to make way for a new Parliament House, residences and office buildings, flagging the potential reduction in land for general public use as well as the lack of a scientific study to justify the amendment of the Master Plan for Delhi-2021 (MPD).

● As part of the project, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on December 21, 2019 issued a notification inviting suggestions and objections to its proposed land-use change in the Master Plan. ● A 9.5-acre-plot opposite the existing Parliament House, currently earmarked for recreational use, was proposed to be changed to “Parliament House”, and a 15-acre plot near South Block to “residential”. Comments were invited for a period of 30 days. ● A citizens’ and architects’ collective, Let India Breathe, started a campaign to encourage people to send in their objections to the DDA. ● Over 115 people, including architects, designers and

citizens, had sent in their objections, which say: “there is a loss of at least 80 acres of land currently earmarked...directly or indirectly for the general public..” ● The DDA proposed to amend the zonal development plan of the area without specifying how it would compensate for the loss of land for public use.

Page 12: India, Nepal to hold talks on Kalapani

● Nepal and India will resolve the Kalapani border issue through dialogue, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

● The official spokesperson of the Ministry said that the latest political map of India reflects the sovereign territory of India. India’s position on the Kalapani region of Uttarakhand- ● Map depicts the sovereign territory of India. ● The new map in no manner revised boundary with Nepal. ● The boundary delineation exercise with Nepal is ongoing under the existing mechanism.

JV’s Analysis-

Kalapani Issue-

● Kalapani territory is a disputed territory between India and Nepal. While Nepal claims Kalapani to be a part of its Darchula district, the region is administered in India as a part of Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand ● Kalapani is located at an altitude of 3600m on the Kailash Manasarovar route. It borders Uttarakhand in India and Sudurpashchim Pradesh in Nepal.

● Kalapani has become an issue of contention between India and Nepal after the Nepal government raised objections to its inclusion in India's new political map. ● Since the Indo-China war of 1962, Kalapani is controlled by India's Indo-Tibetan Border Police. ● Nepal claims that the river located towards the west of the territory is the main Kali river and thus it falls in its territory, India claims a ridgeline towards the east of the Kalapani territory and hence, includes it in the Indian Union.

● The new political map also shows the Kalapani area as a part of India but the Nepal government is clear that the area lies within its territory. Nepal stated that it was the media

reports which brought its attention to the fact that Kalapani has been included in the new

Indian map.

Indian Express - Telling Numbers: Projected drop in male tobacco use underlines shifting trends

A recent report released by the World Health Organization projected what it calls “a powerful shift in the global tobacco epidemic”. While male tobacco use rose by around 40 million, from 1.050 billion in 2000 to 1.093 billion in 2018, the report projected a decline in the number of males using tobacco.

● The number has stopped growing and is projected to decline by more than 1 million male users come 2020 (or 1.091 billion) compared to 2018 levels, and 5 million less by 2025 (1.087 billion). ● In India, which had a 44% prevalence of tobacco use (male and female combined) in 2000, this is expected to reduce almost by half to 22.3% by 2025. ● Overall global tobacco use fell from 1.397 billion in 2000 to 1.337 billion in 2018 (around 60 million people). The fall was largely driven by reductions in the number of females using tobacco products — with their numbers shrinking from 346 million in 2000 to 244 million in 2018, or more than 100 million users. ● Globally, the prevalence of tobacco use was at 33.3% in 2000, and is projected to reach 20.9% in 2025. ● Current tobacco use rates in India in 2018 for people aged 15 years and older were higher than global rates among both males and females. However, the rates of tobacco smoking were lower than global rates. ● The report found that approximately 43 million children (aged 13-15) over the world used tobacco in 2018 (14 million girls and 29 million boys). ● More and more countries are implementing effective tobacco control measures, which are having the desired effect of reducing tobacco use. ● Tobacco taxes not only help reduce tobacco consumption and health-care costs, but also represent a revenue stream for financing for development in many countries

Environment & Ecology & Sci & Tech. G.S. Mains Paper-3

Page 9: India records less than 100 tiger deaths for the first time in three years

For the first time in the past three years, the number of tiger deaths in a year in the country has been less than 100. ● According to data from the Ministry of Forest Environment and Climate Change (MoEFCC), there were 84 cases of tiger deaths in the country and 11 cases of seizures (in which a tiger is presumed dead on the basis of body parts seized by authorities). ● Both put together, the number of tiger deaths in 2019 was 95. ● In 2018, the number of tiger deaths recorded was 100 (93 mortalities and seven seizures). ● The number was 115 (98 mortalities and 17 seizures) in 2017, and 122 (101 mortalities and 21 seizures) in 2016.

Growing numbers

● Secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), said that these figures should be seen in the context that tiger numbers in the country were growing.

 The last tiger census report, released in July 2019, had placed the number of tigers in India at 2,967, up by a third when compared with the numbers reported in 2014.  The reduced numbers of tiger mortalities are because of surveillance, good management of Tiger Reserves and a lot of awareness and education programmes on tiger conservation.

 The data for 2019 on tiger mortality also confirmed 22 cases of poaching and one case of tiger poisoning across the country.  An analysis showed that 16 out of the 22 poaching incidents were reported outside tiger reserves.  Madhya Pradesh, which has the highest number of tigers in the country (526, as per the last census), recorded the most number of cases (31) of tiger deaths. This was followed by Maharashtra, which reported 18 deaths.  Karnataka, another State with high tiger population, recorded 12 deaths, and Uttarakhand recorded ten deaths. Tamil Nadu recorded seven cases of tiger deaths.  Deaths were also recorded from non-tiger bearing States like Gujarat, where a tiger had strayed into the State and died.  India have 50 Tiger Reserves with an area of about 73,000 sq. km.

Page 9: Science Congress takes ‘extra care’ to avoid pseudo science On the eve of the 107th Indian Science Congress (ISC), set to commence in Bengaluru, organisers said they had taken “special care” to ensure that ‘pseudo-scientific’ articles or talks did not creep in.  At last year’s ISC at Lovely University, Jalandhar, the then vice-chancellor of Andhra University, asserted that the Kauravas of the Mahabharata were born of the stem- cell technology and test-tube baby science, and that Rama and Ravana had fought with ‘guided missiles.’  As part of the standard process, the ISCA constitutes sectional committees — 14 this year — to evaluate the scientific merit of papers submitted by its members.  The solicitations for papers, which span across fields like agricultural sciences to archaeology, are sent to prominent colleges, universities and research institutes.  The Kolkata-based ISCA has been the organiser of the congress since 1914, and is funded by the Union Department of Science and Technology.  PM is slated to inaugurate the congress, which is scheduled to take place between January 3-7, in Bengaluru.

PIB Year End Review 2019- Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

This was a year for consolidating the gains that accrued from major policy decisions taken in the previous five years, a time for monitoring of ongoing projects, tackling road-blocks and adding to the already impressive pace of work achieved during the past years.  During 2018-19, projects in about 5,494 km length were awarded and completion was achieved in about 10,855 km length of roads. The rate of development of roads has increased significantly from about 11.7 km during 2013-14 to about 30 km now.  During the current year, projects for 3211 km length have been awarded and 5958 km length has been constructed till November 2019.  During the year the Ministry and its associated organizations have carried forward the good work of the previous years, expanding the national highways network in the country, taking various steps to make these highways safe for the commuters and making best efforts to minimize adverse impact on the environment.  As a result, National Highways (NHs) length has increased from 91,287 km in April, 2014 to about 1,32,500 km. as on 31.12.2019.  Under (Toll operate transfer) ToT mode, a bundle of 9 projects with total length of 566 km has been awarded this Financial Year for a concession fee of Rs. 5,011 crores against the reserve price of Rs. 4,998.71 crore. Further initiatives are being taken up to bid out more projects under TOT mode during this Financial Year. Accelerated Development of Highways

 The Ministry proposes to develop additional 60,000 kms of National Highways in the next five years, of which 2500 km are Express Ways/Access Controlled Highways, 9000 kms Economic Corridors, 2000 kms for Coastal and Port Connectivity Highways and 2000 kms Border Road/ Strategic Highways.  The Ministry also intends to improve connectivity for 100 tourist destinations and construct Bypasses for 45 towns/cities during this period.

 Achievement till Nov, 2019  Targets for 2019-20 Award-10,000 Km Construction – 11,000 Km Augmenting Finances through Innovative Instruments  With a view to augmenting sources of funding for NH projects, the NHAI intends to raise Rupees one lakh crore through Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) Model of asset monetization in the next five years. Finances are also likely to accrue from Securitization of Toll Revenues as well as the setting up of Infra Investment Trust (InvIT). Other steps being taken by NHAI include financing new projects through National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) supported SPVs. Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) and Securitization of user fee receipts of NHs  NHAI is authorized to monetize public funded NH projects which are operational and are collecting toll for at least one year after the COD through the Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) on a case to case basis.  NHAI is authorized to vary the Concession Period between 15 to 30 years depending on project features.  The detailed proposal for every TOT bundle, including the proposed project stretches; estimated concession value & proposed concession period shall be approved by NHAI Board (Authority).

Infrastructure Investment Trusts ● NHAI is authorized to set up Infrastructure Investment Trust(s), as per InvIT Guidelines issued by SEBI, to monetize completed National Highways that have a toll collection track record of at least one year and NHAI reserves the right to levy toll on the identified highway. ● NHAI is authorized to incorporate SPV(s) which are essential and integral part of the entire InvIT structure. ● NHAI is authorized to set up its first InvIT as per the structure approved by NHAI Board and to incorporate two SPVs which are essential and integral part of the InvIT structure: ● An SPV to hold all identified public funded projects to be placed in an InvIT ● An SPV to act as an Investment Manager in the proposed InvIT ● NHAI is authorized to create a reserve fund from the sums received from InvIT, which shall be kept in a separate account for repayment of debt. Progress of Major Programmes/ Landmark Projects ● The work of major bridge across Sharavathi backwaters, approaches between Ambargodu and Kalasvali in Karnataka and 16 packages of Trans Rajasthan Highways project have been awarded. ● A three-lane underpass inaugurated at Parade Road junction near Manekshaw Centre on NH 8 in New Delhi on 12.07.2019. With opening of this underpass, movement of traffic from Airport to Dhaula Kuan has become signal free. ● National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program ● The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has launched National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program which provides for collection of user fee through FASTags based on RFID technology. ● In order to save fuel, time and pollution and to ensure seamless movement of traffic, it has been decided to enable all lanes in Fee Plazas for electronic toll collection program through FASTags. The Tolling systems would be spruced up to create a digital experience of seamless tolling for all the Highway users. Road Safety State Support Programme ● A State Support Programme aimed at incentivising the States to improve their road safety performance is proposed to launched to reduce the overall fatalities by road accidents by 25% by 2024. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 ● The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is the principal instrument through which road transport is regulated in the country. The same has been amended first time in a comprehensive way after thirty years by The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, passed by the Parliament and published in the Gazette of India on 9th August 2019.

Road Safety Provisions and Penalties ● It facilitates electronic monitoring of vehicles for enforcing traffic rules. ● Provision of a refresher training course to obtain the DL after its suspension or revocation for certain offences like over speeding, drunken driving etc. ● Penalties have been introduced for new offences and enhanced for existing offences. ● For offences committed by juveniles- ● penalty of Rs. 25000 and imprisonment up to 3 years for the owner/guardian. ● Digital intermediaries and aggregators (Ola and Uber) will follow guidelines prescribed by the Centre. ● Constitution of National Road Safety Board to render advice on Road Safety and Traffic Management. Citizen facilitation, Transparency and Reduction in Corruption ● All forms, fees and documents under the Act can be submitted online to avoid human intervention. ● Dealer point registration - for registration of new motor vehicles, the onus to apply for registration has been shifted to dealers and the requirement to produce vehicles before authority has been removed. ● Formulation of National Registers for DLs and registrations to bring transparency. ● Automated testing. ● The validity periods for DLs have been extended. ● DLs can be renewed anytime between 1 year before its expiry till 1 year after its expiry to facilitate citizen away from home, visiting abroad, chronic patients etc. Employment facilitation ● The requirement of minimum educational qualification for license to drive transport vehicles has been removed. ● Scheme for setting up driving schools with the Central assistance. Increased accountability of manufacturers of Motor Vehicles ● Centre can order recall of motor vehicles for any defect. Insurance and Compensation ● Constitution of Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. ● compensation for hit and run cases. ● Cashless treatment of road accident victims during golden hour. ● Drivers and Co-driver/helper have been included as third parties, for the purpose of insurance.

Data on “Road Accidents in India 2018” ● Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released its annual publication on ‘Road Accidents in India, 2018’. It provides data on accident related deaths and injuries, calendar yea- wise, based on information supplied by the Police Department of States and UTs. ● As per the Report, Road accidents in the country have increased marginally by 0.46 % during 2018 with the year seeing 4,67,044 road accidents as against 4,64,910 in 2017. ● The fatalities during the same period have also risen by about 2.37% and 1,51,471 persons were killed in 2018 as against 1,47,913 in 2017. Road accident injuries have however showed a decrease of 0.33% in 2018 as compared to 2017. Registration Mark for newly formed UT, Ladakh ● Ministry has assigned a new Registration Mark for newly formed UT, Ladakh as “LA” for registration of vehicles u/s 41(6) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. ● This is applicable from the date of publication of Notification. Practice MCQ Consider the following states- 1. Assam. 2. Tripura. 3. Bihar 4. West Bengal 5. Mizoram..

Which of above state shares border with both Myanmar and Bangladesh? (a) 1,2 and 3. (b) 1 only. (c) All. (d) None.

Answer - Correct option is ‘d’. Explanation: See Image

Practice MCQ Consider the following statement about tropical cyclone- 1. It is characterised by a low-pressure centre. 2. In this, counter clockwise wind flow in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise wind flow in the Southern Hemisphere. 3. It is warm core storm system. Which of the above statement are correct? (a) 1 and 2 (b) 1 and 3 (c) 2 and 3 (d) All of these Answer - Correct option is ‘d’. Explanation ● A tropical cyclone is a storm system, characterised by a low-pressure centre surrounded by a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. ● Their winds blowing counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. ● The opposite direction of circulation is due to the Coriolis effect. ● The environment near the center of tropical cyclones is warmer than the surroundings at all altitudes, thus they are characterized as "warm core" systems

Practice MCQ

With reference to Kalapani issue, Consider the following- 1. A disputed territory between India and China. 2. Kalapani is located on the Kailash Manasarovar route. 3. It shares border with Uttar Pradesh. Which of the above is/are correct? (a) 1 only. (b) 2 and 3 only. (c) 2 only. (d) 1 and 3 only.

Practice MCQ

Consider the following sentences regarding World Health Organisation-

● It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. ● It is a member of the United Nations Development Group and its headquarters are located at Geneva. Which of the above is/are incorrect?

(a) 1 only. (b) 2 only. (c) Both. (d) None.