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  • 18 Jun 2021
  • 36 min read
Economy

World Competitiveness Index 2021

Why in News

According to the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY), India maintained 43rd rank on the annual World Competitiveness Index.

  • The World Competitiveness Index is a comprehensive annual report and worldwide reference point on the competitiveness of countries.

Key Points

  • About:
    • Published by: WCY was first published in 1989 and is compiled by the Institute for Management Development (IMD).
      • In 2021, the IMD examined the impact of Covid-19 on economies around the world.
      • It provides extensive coverage of 64 economies.
    • Factors: It measures the prosperity and competitiveness of countries by examining four factors (334 competitiveness criteria):
      • Economic performance
      • Government efficiency
      • Business efficiency
      • Infrastructure
  • Top Global Performers:
    • Europe:
      • The European countries display regional strength in world competitiveness ranking with Switzerland (1st), Sweden (2nd), Denmark (3rd), the Netherlands (4th).
    • Asia:
      • The top-performing Asian economies are, in order, Singapore (5th), Hong Kong (7th), Taiwan (8th) and China (16th).
    • Others:
      • The UAE and the USA remain in their same spots as last year (9th and 10th, respectively).
  • India's Performance:
    • In Comparison to BRICS Nations: Among the BRICS nations, India ranked second (43rd) after China (16th), followed by Russia (45th), Brazil (57th) and South Africa (62nd).
    • Performance on Four Factors: Among the four indices used, India’s ranking in government efficiency increased to 46 from 50 a year ago, while its ranking in other parameters such as economic performance (37th), business efficiency (32th) and infrastructure (49) remained the same.
    • Improvements in Government Efficiency: Mostly due to relatively stable public finances. Despite difficulties brought by the pandemic, in 2020, the government deficit stayed at 7%. The Government also provided support and subsidies to the private companies.
    • India's Strengths:
      • India’s strengths lie in investments in telecoms (1st), mobile telephone costs (1st), ICT services exports (3rd), remuneration in services professions (4th) and terms of trade index (5th).
    • India’s Weaknesses:
  • Analysis:
    • Qualities of Top Performers: The qualities such as investment in innovation, digitalisation, welfare benefits, diversified economic activities, supportive public policy and leadership, resulting in social cohesion have helped countries better manage the crisis and thus ranking higher in competitiveness.
    • Addressed Unemployment: Competitive economies succeeded in transitioning to a remote work routine while also allowing remote learning.
    • Public Spending: The effectiveness of key public spending, such as public finance, tax policy and business legislation, are seen to relieve the pressure on the economies hit by the Covid-19.
  • Recent Steps Taken by India to Increase its Competitiveness :

Way Forward

  • As Michael Porter has stated, a nation that ensures balance between economic and social progress can enhance its productivity, followed by creating competitiveness and thus, prosperity.
  • Therefore, it is necessary to create an environment which not only pushes the businesses to compete successfully in local as well as international markets, but ensures that the average citizen’s standard of living also improves.
  • Governments need to provide an environment characterized by efficient infrastructures, institutions and policies that encourage sustainable value creation by the enterprises.

Source: BS

Indian Polity

Controversial Role of Governors

Why in News

Recently, the West Bengal Chief Minister described the Governor of the state as the central government’s own person.

  • The Chief Minister, including several MPs, have written to the President of India demanding the withdrawal of the Governor.

Key Points

  • Constitutional Provisions Related to Governor:
    • Article 153 says that there shall be a Governor for each State. One person can be appointed as Governor for two or more States.
      • A Governor is appointed by the President and is a nominee of the Central Government.
    • It is stated that the Governor has a dual role.
      • He is the constitutional head of the state, bound by the advice of his council of ministers (CoM).
      • He functions as a vital link between the Union Government and the State Government.
    • Articles 157 and 158 specify eligibility requirements for the post of governor.
    • Governor has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, etc. (Article 161).
    • There is a CoM with the CM at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except some conditions for discretion. (Article 163)
    • Governor appoints the Chief Minister and other Ministers (Article 164).
    • Governor assents, withholds assent, or reserves the bill for the consideration of the President passed by the Legislative Assembly (Article 200).
    • Governor may promulgate the Ordinances under certain circumstances (Article 213).
  • Controversies Related to Governor’s Role:
    • Abuse of Power by the Centre: There are numerous examples of the Governor’s position being abused, usually at the behest of the ruling party at the Centre.
      • The process of appointment has generally been the cause behind it.
    • Biased Ideology: In several cases, politicians and former bureaucrats identifying with a particular political ideology have been appointed as the Governors by the central government.
      • This goes against the constitutionally mandated neutral seat and has resulted in bias, as appears to have happened in Karnataka and Goa.
    • Puppet Rulers: Recently, the Governor of Rajasthan has been charged with the violation of the model code of conduct. His support of the central ruling party is against the spirit of non-partisanship that is expected from the person sitting on constitutional posts.
      • Due to such incidents, negative terms like an agent of the Centre, Puppet and rubber stamps are used to describe a governor of the state.
    • Favouring a Particular Political Party: Governor’s discretionary powers to invite the leader of the largest party/alliance, post-election, to form the government has often been misused to favour a particular political party.
    • Misuse of Power: A Governor's recommendation for President's Rule (Article 356) in a state has not always been based on 'objective material', but on political whim or fancy.

Related Recommendations

  • On Appointment and Removal of Governor:
    • The "Punchhi commission - 2010" recommended that there should be a provision for the impeachment of the governor by the state legislature.
      • The state chief minister should have a say in the governor’s appointment.
  • On the Use of Article 356:
    • The "Punchhi commission - 2010" recommended that Articles 355 & 356 be amended.
    • The Sarkaria Commission (1988) recommended that Article 356 should be used in very rare cases when it becomes unavoidable to restore the breakdown of constitutional machinery in the State.
    • Recommendations have also been given by the Administrative Reforms Commission (1968), Rajamannar Committee (1971) and Justice V.Chelliah Commission (2002).
  • On Dismissal of State Government under Article 356:
    • S.R. Bommai Judgment (1994): The case put an end to the arbitrary dismissal of State governments by a hostile Central government.
      • The verdict ruled that the floor of the Assembly is the only forum that should test the majority of the government of the day, and not the subjective opinion of the Governor.
  • On Discretionary Powers:
    • The Supreme Court in the Nabam Rebia judgment (2016) ruled that the exercise of Governor’s discretion Article 163 is limited and his choice of action should not be arbitrary or fanciful.

Way Forward

  • Governor’s Discretion Should Be Only Her Discretion: For the smooth functioning of government, it is equally essential that the governor must act judiciously, impartially and efficiently while exercising his discretion and personal judgment.
  • Strengthening of Federalism: In order to check misuse of the office of governor, there is a need to strengthen federal setup in India.
    • In this regard, the Inter-State council and the role of Rajya Sabha as the chamber of federalism must be strengthened.
  • Reform the Method of Appointment of Governor: The appointment can be made from a panel prepared by the state legislature and actual appointing authority should be the Inter-state Council, not the central government.
  • Code of Conduct for Governor: This 'Code of Conduct' should lay down certain 'norms and principles' which should guide the exercise of the governor's 'discretion' and his powers which he is entitled to use and exercise on his judgment.

Source:TH

Governance

Inland Vessel Bill 2021

Why in News

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021, which will replace the Inland Vessels Act, 1917 after passing in Parliament.

  • The Bill will regulate safety, security and registration of inland vessels.

Key Points

  • Features of the Bill:
    • A key feature of the Bill is a unified law for the entire country, instead of separate rules framed by the States.
      • The certificate of registration granted under the proposed law will be deemed to be valid in all States and Union Territories, and there will be no need to seek separate permissions from the States.
    • The Bill provides for a central database for recording the details of vessel, vessel registration, crew on an electronic portal.
    • All non-mechanically propelled vessels will also have to be enrolled at the district, taluk or panchayat or village level.
    • It enlarges the definition of ‘inland waters’, by including tidal water limit and national waterways declared by the Central Government.
    • It also deals with pollution control measures of Inland Vessels. This Bill directs the Central Government to designate a list of chemicals, substances, etc. as pollutants.
  • Inland Waterways:
    • About:
      • India has about 14,500 km of navigable waterways which comprise of rivers, canals, backwaters, creeks, etc.
      • As per the National Waterways Act 2016, 111 waterways have been declared as National Waterways (NWs).
        • NW-1: Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (Prayagraj-Haldia) with length 1620 km is the longest National Waterway in India.
        • The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is implementing the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for capacity augmentation of navigation on the Haldia-Varanasi stretch of Ganga (part of NW-1) with the technical and financial assistance of the World Bank.
    • Utilization:
      • About 55 million tonnes of cargo is being moved annually by IWT (Inland Water Transport), a fuel-efficient and environment-friendly mode.
        • However, freight transportation by waterways is highly underutilized in the country as compared to developed countries.
      • Its operations are currently restricted to a few stretches in the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly rivers, the Brahmaputra, the Barak river (northeastern India), the rivers in Goa, the backwaters in Kerala, inland waters in Mumbai and the deltaic regions of the Godavari - Krishna rivers.
      • Besides these organized operations by mechanized vessels, country boats of various capacities also operate in various rivers and canals and substantial quantum of cargo and passengers are transported in this unorganized sector as well.
      • In India, IWT has the potential to supplement the overburdened railways and congested roadways. In addition to cargo movement, the IWT sector also provides a convenient function in related activities such as carriage of vehicles {on Roll-on-Roll-off (Ro-Ro) mode of cross ferry} and tourism.
    • Steps Taken:

  • Inland Waterways Authority of India:
    • It came into existence on 27th October 1986 for development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
    • It primarily undertakes projects for development and maintenance of IWT (Inland Water Transport) infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping.
    • It is headquartered at Noida (Uttar Pradesh).

Source: TH

Governance

Improving Employability of the Youth

Why in News

Recently, the Ministry of Labour and Employment and UNICEF have signed a Statement of Intent to improve employment outcomes for the youth in India.

Key Points

  • Purpose of this Collaboration:
    • It intends to provide a platform for cooperation between the Ministry and UNICEF to leverage the existing mainstreamed initiatives of both parties in select states.
    • This will co-create and implement solutions at scale to tackle the employment and skilling challenges for adolescents and youth in India, with focus on vulnerable populations.
      • Vulnerable Populations include young people with special needs, youth leaving care institutions, migrant youth, victims of child labour, violence, child marriage and trafficking and like other matter.
  • Areas of Collaboration:
    • Connecting young people with employment opportunities.
    • Upskilling of young people on 21st century skills including life skills, financial skills, digital skills, vocations skills etc.
    • Strengthening National Career Service (NCS).
    • Support in Job forecasting by exploring the gaps.
    • Supporting direct dialogue and the establishment of a feedback mechanism between youth and policy stakeholders.
  • National Career Service (NCS):
    • About:
      • It was launched in 2015, within the umbrella of the e-governance plan.
      • It is a one-stop solution that provides a wide array of employment and career related services to the citizens of India.
    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment.
    • Three Pillars: The NCS project reaches out to the people of this country through its three essential pillars i.e.
      • A well designed ICT based portal which is NCS portal,
      • Country wide set up of Model Career Centers and
      • Interlinkage with all the states through employment exchanges.
  • UNICEF’s Initiative (YuWaah):
    • The India chapter of Generation Unlimited (GenU) – YuWaah – was born in 2018.
    • GenU is a global multi-stakeholder platform that aims to prepare young people to transition to productive work and active citizenship.
    • In India, by 2030, YuWaah aims to ensure, the following:
      • Build pathways for 100 million young people to aspirational economic opportunities.
      • Facilitate 200 million young people to gain relevant skills for productive lives and the future of work.
      • Partner with 300 million young people as changemakers and create spaces for developing their leadership.

Other Initiatives Taken to Improve Employability of the Youth

Source: PIB

Governance

Changes in Cable Television Network Rules

Why in News

The central government issued a notification amending the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 thereby providing a statutory mechanism for redressal of grievances/complaints of citizens.

  • These grievances/complaints are related to content broadcast by television channels in accordance with the provisions of the Cable Television Network Act, 1995.

Key Points

  • About the Notification: The notification issues Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021.
    • It provides for a three-level grievance redressal mechanism — self-regulation by broadcasters, self-regulation by the self-regulating bodies of the broadcasters, and oversight by an Inter-Departmental Committee at the level of the Union government.
  • Significance Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021:
    • Various Self-regulatory bodies like News Broadcasters Standards Authority (NBSA) and Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) will get legal recognition.
      • At present, there is an institutional mechanism by way of an Inter-Ministerial Committee to address grievances of citizens relating to violation of the Programme/Advertising Codes under the Rules.
      • Various broadcasters have also developed their internal self-regulatory mechanism for addressing grievances.
    • There are over 900 television channels that have been granted permission by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).
      • The recent notification is significant as it paves the way for a strong institutional system for redressing grievances while placing accountability and responsibility on the broadcasters and their self-regulating bodies.
    • This will bring the television’s self-regulatory mechanism at par with that being set-up for OTT players and digital news publishers, as envisaged in the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
  • Cable Television Network Act, 1995:
    • Objective: The Act aimed at regulating content and operation of cable networks. This Act regulates the ‘haphazard mushrooming of cable television networks’.
    • Important Provisions:
      • Section 2: Under the Act, district magistrates, sub-divisional magistrates and police commissioners are the ‘authorised officers’ to ensure that the Programme Code is not breached.
      • Section 3: No person shall operate a cable television network unless he is registered as a cable operator under this Act.
      • Section 4A: It is obligatory for cable operators to transmit programmes of any channel in an encrypted form through a digital addressable system when the centre asks them to do so.
      • Section 16: Whoever contravenes any of the provisions of this Act shall be punishable.
      • Section 19: Authorised officer has power to prohibit transmission of certain programmes in public interest if it promotes, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious, racial, linguistic or regional groups or castes or communities.
      • Section 20: Parliament has power to prohibit operation of cable television networks in public interest.

Source: IE

Governance

Helpline for Cyber Fraud

Why in News

The Ministry of Home Affairs has operationalised the national Helpline 155260 and Reporting Platform for preventing financial loss due to cyber fraud. The helpline was soft-launched on 1st April.

  • The National Helpline and Reporting Platform provides a mechanism for persons cheated in cyber frauds to report such cases to prevent loss of their hard earned money.
  • Also, a National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 is being formulated by the Office of National Cyber Security Coordinator at the National Security Council Secretariat.

Cyber Security

  • Cyber Security is protecting cyber space including critical information infrastructure from attack, damage, misuse and economic espionage.
  • Critical Information Infrastructure: According to Section 70(1) of the Information Technology Act, CII is defined as a “computer resource, the incapacitation or destruction of which, shall have debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health or safety”.
  • Cyber Fraud: It is the crime committed via a computer with the intent to corrupt another individual’s personal and financial information stored online.
    • It is the most common type of fraud and individuals and organisations need to be vigilant and protect their information from fraudsters.

Key Points

  • About:
    • The helpline has been made operational by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), in coordination with the Reserve Bank of India, all major banks, payment banks, wallets and online merchants.
    • The Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System has been developed by I4C to integrate Law Enforcement Agencies and Banks and Financial Intermediaries.
    • The facility empowers both the banks and the police, by leveraging new-age technologies for sharing online fraud related information and taking action in almost real time.
    • Since its soft launch, in a short span of two months, the helpline has assisted in saving more than Rs 1.85 crore.
  • Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre:
    • The scheme to set up I4C was approved in October 2018, to deal with all types of cybercrimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.
    • It has seven components:
      • National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit
      • National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
      • National Cyber Crime Training Centre
      • Cyber Crime Ecosystem Management Unit
      • National Cyber Crime Research and Innovation Centre
      • National Cyber Crime Forensic Laboratory Ecosystem
      • Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Team.
    • 15 States and Union Territories have given their consent to set up Regional Cyber Crime Coordination Centres.
    • This state-of-the-art Centre is located in New Delhi.
  • Other Initiatives to Tackle Cybercrime:
    • Draft Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 (based on the recommendation of Justice BN Srikrishna Committee) to secure citizens data.
    • Cyber Swachhta Kendra: The "Cyber Swachhta Kendra" (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre) is a part of the Government of India's Digital India initiative under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
    • Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN): It is an organisation of the MeitY, with the objective of securing Indian cyberspace. It is the nodal agency which deals with cybersecurity threats like hacking and phishing.
  • Related International Convention (Budapest Convention):
    • The Council of Europe’s (CoE) Cybercrime Convention, also known as the Budapest Convention is the sole legally binding international multilateral treaty on cybercrime. It coordinates cybercrime investigations between nation-states and criminalizes certain cybercrime conduct.
    • It was opened for signature in 2001 and came into force in 2004.
    • The Budapest Convention is supplemented by a Protocol on Xenophobia and Racism committed through computer systems.
    • India is not a party to it. India recently voted in favour of a Russian-led UN resolution to set up a separate convention. The resolution seeks to set up new cyber norms considered as a counter alternative to the US backed Budapest Accord.

Source: TH

Science & Technology

China’s Shenzhou-12 Manned Mission

Why in News

Recently, a Chinese spaceship “Shenzhou-12” carrying a three-person crew docked with China’s new space station module Tianhe-1.

  • This has come after the launch of the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft, which carried vital supplies for the space station.

Key Points

  • About Mission:
    • The Shenzhou-12 craft connected with the Tianhe space station module about six hours after takeoff from the Jiuquan launch center in Gobi Desert.
    • The three-man crew will spend three months on the Tianhe module, which is orbiting at some 340km to 380km above the earth.
      • China is the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to carry out a manned mission on its own.
    • This is the first of two manned space missions planned for this year, part of an intense schedule of launches aimed at completing the Chinese space station in 2022.
      • At least five more missions are planned for the year, with the Shenzhou-13 manned mission, also carrying three astronauts, set for later this year.
    • The three astronauts are the first to take up residency in the main living module and will carry out experiments, test equipment, conduct maintenance and prepare the station for receiving two laboratory modules next year.
    • It was China’s seventh crewed mission to space but marked a number of firsts for the country – the first manned one during the construction of China’s space station, the first in nearly five years after the country’s last manned mission in 2016 and China’s longest crewed space mission to date.
  • Purpose of the Mission:
    • It will help test technologies related to long-term astronaut-stays and health care, the recycling and life support system, the supply of space materials, extravehicular activities and operations, and in-orbit maintenance.
  • China’s Space Station:
    • China is not a participant in the International Space Station (ISS), largely as a result of US objections to the Chinese program's secrecy and close military ties.
      • The ISS is a joint project between five participating space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and b (Canada).
    • However, China has been stepping up cooperation with Russia and a host of other countries, and its station may continue operating beyond the ISS, which is reaching the end of its functional life.
  • Other Recent Space Missions of China:
    • China's Mars Probe:
      • In May 2021 China’s Tianwen spacecraft landed on Mars carrying a rover, the Zhurong.
        • It will conduct scientific investigations into the planet’s soil, geological structure, environment, atmosphere and water.
    • China’s Moon Probe:
      • In November 2020, Chang’e-5 mission landed on the moon’s less explored far side and brought back the first lunar samples by any country’s space program since the 1970s.
    • China and Russia have also unveiled an ambitious plan for a joint International Lunar Research Station running through 2036. That could compete and possibly conflict with the Multinational Artemis Accords (MAA).
      • MAA is a blueprint for space cooperation that supports NASA’s plans to return humans to the moon by 2024 and to launch an historic human mission to Mars.

Source: TH

Important Facts For Prelims

Namami Gange Programme

Why in News

Recently, an agreement was signed for Development of 35 MLD (Mega Liters per day) Sewage Treatment Plant in Maheshtala (City situated on the east bank of River Ganga), West Bengal under Namami Gange Programme.

Key Points

  • Namami Gange Programme:
    • Namami Gange Programme is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as a ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014 to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.
    • It is being operated under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
    • The program is being implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterpart organizations i.e State Program Management Groups (SPMGs).
    • NMCG is the implementation wing of National Ganga Council (set in 2016; which replaced the National Ganga River Basin Authority - NGRBA).
    • It has a Rs. 20,000-crore, centrally-funded, non-lapsable corpus and consists of nearly 288 projects.
    • The main pillars of the programme are:
      • Sewage Treatment Infrastructure
      • River-Front Development
      • River-Surface Cleaning
      • Biodiversity
      • Afforestation
      • Public Awareness
      • Industrial Effluent Monitoring
      • Ganga Gram
  • The Ganga River System:
    • The headwaters of the Ganga called the ‘Bhagirathi’ are fed by the Gangotri Glacier and joined by the Alaknanda at Devprayag in Uttarakhand.
    • At Haridwar, Ganga emerges from the mountains to the plains.
    • The Ganga is joined by many tributaries from the Himalayas, a few of them being major rivers such as the Yamuna, the Ghaghara, the Gandak and the Kosi.

Source: PIB

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