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Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Important Schemes and Policies Pradhan Manti Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) It is a market-linked tribal entrepreneurship development program for...

06 Apr 2020 Paper 2
Online Classes due to Covid-19

Why in News The lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic has led to closing of educational institutes like schools, colleges and coaching...

06 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Grounding of Aircraft Affects Weather Forecasting

Why in News Beginning mid-March, India began restricting incoming international flights into the country and by March 24 had imposed a total...

06 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Free Testing and Treatment for Covid-19

Why in News Recently, the Central government has decided to provide free testing and treatment of coronavirus under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme or...

06 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Agriculture Reforms

This article is based on “Reforming Indian Agriculture” which was published in Economic and Political Weekly on 14/03/2020. It talks...

04 Apr 2020 News Editorials
Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Culture

Important Events Commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi The President of India, presided over the second meeting of the...

04 Apr 2020 Paper 1
EIA Not Needed for Bulk Drug Makers

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has exempted manufacturers of bulk drugs and intermediates from...

04 Apr 2020 News Analysis
New Features Added to e-NAM

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has launched three new features of the National Agriculture Market...

04 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Rise in Violence Against Women

Why in News The National Commission for Women (NCW) has recorded a more than twofold rise in gender-based violence. It has been argued that the...

04 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Impact of Economic Slowdown Due to Covid-19

Why in News Amid the ongoing economic slowdown due to Covid-19 pandemic, the government witnessed a fall in tax collections. foreign investors...

04 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Amendments to the J&K Order

Why in News The Ministry of Home Affairs has amended the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order-2020. The Order was...

04 Apr 2020 News Analysis
National Investigation Agency

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was constituted under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008. Headquarters: New Delhi It is a...

04 Apr 2020 News Analysis
50 Years of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

This article is based on “[email protected]: The Genesis of a Flawed Bargain”. It talks about issues pertaining to Non-Proliferation of Nuclear...

03 Apr 2020 News Editorials
Impact of Covid-19 on Global Economy

Why in News Recently, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has observed that the economic uncertainty sparked by the...

03 Apr 2020 News Analysis
PRS Capsule February 2020

Key Highlights of PRS Polity Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill 22nd Law Commission Select Committee on the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill Science...

03 Apr 2020 PRS Capsule
In Depth - The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020

Recently, a Bill to amend the Companies Act, 2013 and decriminalise various offences under it was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The proposed...

03 Apr 2020 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Classes in Distance Mode

Why in News The Centre is planning to start the next academic year virtually. Many schools have been shut since early March due to the COVID-19...

03 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Demand for MGNREGA Work Increased

Why in News The demand for work by households under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) programme surged to a...

03 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Impact of Lockdown on Banks

Why News Banks are concerned about the build up of Non-performing Assets (NPAs) as the disruption caused to business operations and supply chains...

03 Apr 2020 News Analysis
Covid-19 Quarantine Alert System (CQAS)

Why in News The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has shared a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with all telecom service providers regarding...

03 Apr 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Tribal Affairs',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><strong>Pradhan Manti Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a market-linked tribal entrepreneurship development program for forming clusters of tribal SHGs and strengthening them into Tribal Producer Companies.</li>
<li>Launched in 2018, the scheme is being implemented by<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> TRIFED.</strong></a></li>
<li>PMVDY is an initiative targeting livelihood generation for tribals by harnessing the wealth of forest i.e. Van Dhan.</li>
<li>The programme aims to tap into traditional knowledge &amp; skill sets of tribals by adding technology &amp; IT to upgrade it at each stage and to convert the tribal wisdom into a viable economic activity.</li>
<li>The Van Dhan initiative shall promote and leverage the collective strength of tribals to achieve a viable scale to take on the predatory market forces in the areas where these are still prevalent.</li>
<li>Proposition is to set-up tribal community owned Minor Forest Produce (MFP)-centric multi-purpose Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (the Kendra) in predominantly tribal districts.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eklavya-model-residential-schools" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs)</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>55 EMRSs have been made functional in 2019 with an enrolment of 4833 new students.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eklavya-model-residential-and-day-boarding-schools" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)</strong> </a>started in the year 1997-98 to impart quality education to ST children in remote areas.</li>
<li>As per the budget 2018-19, every block with more than 50% Schedule Tribe (ST) population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an Eklavya Model Residential School by the year 2022.</li>
<li>These are being set up by grants provided under Article 275(1) of the Constitution.</li>
<li>There will be an autonomous society under the ministry of tribal affairs &mdash; similar to Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti &mdash; to run the EMRSs.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To provide quality middle and high-level education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas, not only to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and as jobs in government and public and private sectors but also to have access to the best opportunities in education at par with the non ST population.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Minor Forest Produce</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The number of Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) notified has been revised from 23 to 49 under &lsquo;Mechanism for Marketing of MFP through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP&rsquo; scheme. MFPs contribute up to 80% of tribal communities&rsquo; cash income.</li>
<li>Launched in 2013, the central sector scheme aims to ensure fair monetary returns to MFP gatherers for their efforts in the collection, primary processing, storage, packaging, transportation etc.</li>
<li>The scheme envisages fixation and declaration of Minimum Support Price for the selected MFP based on the suggestions /inputs received from TRIFED.</li>
<li>MFPs include all non-timber forest produce of plant origin and will include bamboo, canes, fodder, leaves, gums, waxes, dyes, resins and many forms of food including nuts, wild fruits, Honey, Lac, Tusser etc.</li>
<li>The Minor Forest Produces provide both subsistence and cash income for people who live in or near forests. They form a major portion of their food, fruits, medicines and other consumption items and also provide cash income through sale.</li>
<li>Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, defined MFPs for the first time in 2007.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>e-Governance Initiatives for ST Welfare Schemes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ministry is funding about 250 NGOs for 350 projects mainly on Health and Education in the deficient service area, LWS areas, Border areas.</li>
<li>In order to bring transparency and efficiency in the release of funds to NGOs, the process of inviting applications, verification and release of funds is through a dedicated NGO portal.</li>
<li>Each NGO can now track the status of its application. In order to ensure NGOs utilize funds for the given purpose only, funds are monitored through EAT Module.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p><strong>EAT (Expenditure Advance Transfer) Module-</strong> Expenditure is done for running office requirement. Advance is given to Vendors, Staff and Beneficiaries for supply or service. Transfer is always done to the lower level agency. EAT Module is also called Expenditure Filing Module.</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Focus on Health, Water and Livelihood</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ice stupas are being established in 50 villages in Ladakh which will solve the problem of drinking water and water required for agriculture.</li>
<li>Projects have been given to some of the private companies on sheep rearing, packaging of apricot and peas.</li>
<li>Ministry has prepared a Health Action Plan to mitigate the gaps in health infrastructure and other health services in the tribal dominated areas.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Tribal Healers and Knowledge</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tribals have vast traditional knowledge of treating diseases with locally available medicinal plants.</li>
<li>Tribal Research Institute (TRI) Uttarakhand has been made nodal TRI for coordination of research works being conducted for tribal medicine by various Centres of Excellence and TRIS so as to create a centralized knowledge hub on the subject.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Tribal Forest Rights</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has completely withdrawn the draft amendment to Indian Forest Act (IFA), 1927.</li>
<li>The amendments had drawn a lot of criticism from tribal organisations as it gave forest officers the power to shoot people and notify any area as &lsquo;production forests&rsquo; among other issues.</li>
</ul>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Online Classes due to Covid-19',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a> has led to closing of educational institutes like schools, colleges and coaching institutions.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The educational institutes are thus switching to <strong>e-learning.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Different e-learning Techniques Being Used</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>YouTube, Zoom app</strong> and<strong> Google Classroom</strong> are being used by some institutions.</li>
<li>The <strong>Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan</strong> has deployed its <strong>SWAYAM Prabha portal</strong> which has lectures on <strong>DTH (<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-dth-v-s-ott" target="_blank" rel="noopener">direct-to-home</a>)</strong> and online, to help students.</li>
<li>Few states are <strong>trying to tap Doordarshan</strong> to remove access barriers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>e-learning</strong> poses a <strong>challenge</strong> to teachers, students and their parents over <strong>technology and access</strong> that is why the <strong>effectiveness</strong> of the instructors (teachers) can <strong>not be analysed</strong> and also not every student is joining the virtual classes.</li>
<li><strong>Challenges</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All of the students do not have laptops or tablet computers. Parents also use the computer for their work from home so children do not get a chance to use it.</li>
<li>Teachers are apprehensive about students using smartphones because of distracting apps.</li>
<li>Teachers too might have technical constraints and if teachers are equipped but the same might not be the case for the institutions.</li>
<li>The lockdown makes it worse for those who have technical problems in their devices.</li>
<li>Parents are finding it difficult to adjust to the online system. The added household work due to the absence of domestic help adds to their problem.</li>
<li>Most of the subjects like beauty culture, fashion design and tailoring, office management, travel and tourism, web design etc need practical learning so it is difficult to teach them from a distance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Online classes offered as live teaching can be sustained only with a mix of activities, worksheets and interactive sessions.</li>
<li>Teachers should have a structured plan which does not suffocate or burden them and also keep the students involved.</li>
<li>All institutions will have to chalk out an infrastructure plan which can be used in such a crisis.</li>
<li>Teachers need to be considerate about how children feel or what they are going through these days so an understanding should be developed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>SWAYAM Prabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an initiative of the <strong>Ministry of Human Resources Development</strong> to provide <strong>32 High Quality Educational Channels</strong> through DTH across the length and breadth of the country on 24X7 basis.</li>
<li>It has <strong>curriculum-based course content</strong> covering diverse disciplines.</li>
<li>This is primarily <strong>aimed</strong> at making<strong> quality learning resources</strong> accessible to remote areas where internet availability is still a challenge.</li>
<li>The DTH channels are using the<strong> GSAT-15 satellite</strong> for programme telecasts.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-the-time-of-the-pandemic-classes-go-online-and-on-air/article31264767.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Grounding of Aircraft Affects Weather Forecasting',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Beginning mid-March, India began restricting incoming international flights into the country and by March 24 had imposed a total shutdown on domestic air travel as well to contain the spread of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The grounding of India&rsquo;s civilian aircraft has strangled a key source of weather data that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/statement-on-climate-of-india-during-2019-imd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong></a> uses for its forecasts.</li>
<li>Officials from the IMD, however,have clarified that India&rsquo;s annual monsoon forecast system is on track, with the first forecast scheduled to be issued in mid-April.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A major factor for gauging the performance of the monsoon is the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/el-nino-forecast-for-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>El Nino</strong></a>, a warming of the ocean waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. This data is measured by observational data buoys located in the sea and relayed via satellite. This <strong>data is not impacted so far.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aviation and Weather Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Aircraft <strong>relay data about temperature and wind speed</strong> in the upper atmosphere to meteorological agencies the world over and this is used in the dynamical models.</li>
<li>Input from aircraft is important for the dynamical models as it determines the <strong>initial conditions</strong> for these models.</li>
<li>Aviation-generated data is also helpful to warn of <strong>developing thunderstorms or swings in temperatures</strong> that often begin at the heights aircraft traverse.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dynamical model:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Dynamic models are generally models that contain or depend upon an <strong>element of time, especially allowing for interactions between variables over time.</strong></li>
<li>These stimulate the state of the atmosphere and oceans at a particular time and then extrapolate into the future using standard laws of physics.</li>
<li>These models are run on<strong> supercomputers</strong> and are relied on to give weather forecasts three days, or even two weeks ahead.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>IMD will move to traditional weather forecasting system:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This year, the IMD will likely rely on its traditional statistical forecast system, the one developed on the basis of historical data.</li>
<li>However, even this will be difficult due to shortage of manpower in the Department owing to Covid-19.</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The IMD issues its first forecast for the June-September monsoon in April and updates it in June.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and Weather Forecasting Model</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Traditional Model:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Until 2010,</strong> the IMD used <strong>only statistical models</strong> to forecast the monsoon.</li>
<li>These <strong>involved identifying climate parameters</strong> linked to the performance of the monsoon. For example, the sea surface temperature gradient between North Atlantic and North Pacific, the volume of warm water in the equatorial Pacific, the Eurasian snow cover.</li>
<li>Their values in February and March are correlated to values of actual rainfall over a hundred years and then, using statistical techniques, extrapolated to forecast a particular year&rsquo;s monsoon.</li>
<li>This has, however, proved wrong and the <strong>IMD missed its mark on forecasting</strong> major droughts and rain-deficits particularly 2002, 2004 and 2006.</li>
<li>The IMD responded by finding new parameters but keeping the technique the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dynamic Model:</strong> IMD started testing a dynamical system around 2015.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This <strong>simulates the weather at a chosen set of locations on a given day &mdash;</strong> the land and ocean temperature, moisture, wind speeds at various heights, etc &mdash; and <strong>powerful computers</strong> calculate how these weather variables will change over days, weeks, months.</li>
<li>It's able to do this by solving physics equations that show how each of these weather variables is related to each other.</li>
<li>The IMD and several private weather agencies are increasingly relying on more sophisticated and high-resolution computer models to give localised forecasts, or warn farmers of changes in weather 10-15 days ahead. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Rather than long-range forecasts that only give a broad tenuous picture of the likely performance of the monsoon, the shorter forecasts are far more reliable and help farmers make decisions about sowing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These models are also useful for<strong> anticipating heat-wave or a cold-wave</strong> and therefore useful to urban planners and government.</li>
<li>Though meteorological agencies around the world are shifting to such techniques, they still aren&rsquo;t considered entirely reliable for forecasting the monsoon.</li>
<li>Further,<strong> India&rsquo;s dynamical model is still not as adept</strong> as meteorologists want them to be, for <strong>warning of a drought or extreme changes in <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/monsoon-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">monsoon</a> rainfall.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India Meteorological Department</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IMD was <strong>established in 1875.</strong></li>
<li>It is an agency of the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.</strong></li>
<li>It is the principal agency responsible for <strong>meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-lockdown-grounding-of-planes-partially-hits-imds-weather-data-supply/article31257641.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/grounding-of-aircraft-affects-weather-forecasting'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Free Testing and Treatment for Covid-19',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Central government has decided to <strong>provide free testing and treatment</strong> of coronavirus under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ayushman Bharat Scheme or the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana</strong></a> (PMJAY).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To<strong> increase the supply</strong> of testing and treatment facilities.</li>
<li>To increase access by <strong>roping in the private sector</strong> through AB-PMJAY as per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/antibody-kits-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council for Medical Research</strong></a> (ICMR) guidelines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will help more than 50 crore Ayushman beneficiaries to <strong>avail free testing</strong> and <strong>timely and standard treatment</strong> in designated private hospitals across India.</li>
<li>It will significantly <strong>expand government&rsquo;s capacities</strong> and <strong>mitigate the adverse impact</strong> of this <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a> on the poor.</li>
<li>States have already enlisted private sector hospitals to convert them into <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <strong>only hospitals.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hospitals can use their own authorised testing facilities or tie up with an authorised testing facility for the scheme.</li>
<li>These tests would be carried out as per the protocol set by ICMR and by <strong>private labs approved/registered</strong> by the ICMR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Information on <strong>symptoms, testing and treatment</strong> for the disease can be accessed from the website of the <strong>Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</strong> and by calling the <strong>national Covid-19 helpline 1075.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ayushman Bharat</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>government-sponsored health insurance scheme</strong> which provides <strong>free coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year</strong> at any government or even empanelled private hospitals all over India for secondary and tertiary medical care facilities.</li>
<li>Modicare is available for 74 crore beneficiary families and about 50 crore Indian citizens. Under the process, 80 percent of beneficiaries, based on the <strong>Socio-Economic Caste Census</strong> (SECC) data in the rural and the urban areas, have been identified.</li>
<li>There is <strong>no restriction on the basis of family size, age or gender.</strong></li>
<li>Ayushman Bharat is unlike other medical insurance schemes where there is a waiting period for pre-existing diseases. <strong>All kinds of diseases are covered</strong> from day one of the Ayushman Bharat policy. The benefit cover includes both <strong>pre and post hospitalization expenses.</strong></li>
<li>The expenditure incurred in premium payment will be shared between Central and State Governments in a specified ratio. The <strong>funding</strong> for the scheme is shared &ndash; <strong>60:40 for all states and UTs</strong> with their own legislature, <strong>90:10 in Northeast states and Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand</strong> and <strong>100% Central funding for UTs without legislature.</strong></li>
<li>It draws <strong>additional resources</strong> from the <strong>Health and Education Cess</strong> and also depends on funding from States to boost the Central allocation. The<strong> premiums</strong> are in the range of <strong>₹1,000-₹1,200 per annum.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>pays</strong> for the hospitalisation costs of its beneficiaries <strong>through strategic purchasing from public and private hospitals.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-testing-treatment-now-available-for-free-under-ayushman-bharat-scheme/article31261580.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Agriculture Reforms',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.epw.in/journal/2020/11/special-articles/reforming-indian-agriculture.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Reforming Indian Agriculture&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in Economic and Political Weekly on 14/03/2020. It talks about challenges and solutions pertaining to India&rsquo;s Agriculture sector.</p>
</div>
<p>India&rsquo;s agriculture policies have had <strong>multiple mandates,</strong> including a <strong>production imperative</strong> (national food security),<strong> a consumer imperative</strong> (keeping food prices low for a large low-income population), and<strong> a farmer welfare imperative</strong> (raising farmer&rsquo;s income).</p>
<p>Tensions between these mandates have resulted in costly, contradictory policies whose costs have been increasingly borne by farmers, the government purse, and the natural environment.</p>
<p>Realising the <strong>significance of Agriculture</strong> in India&rsquo;s socio-economic order, the government has set an <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/doubling-farmers-income-a-promise-to-be-fulfilled-by-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>agenda of doubling farmer incomes</strong></a> by raising productivity and cutting down costs, and going for diversification towards high value agriculture.</p>
<p>However, Indian Agriculture is in the need for many fundamental reforms.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Significance of Agriculture in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Highest Employment Provider: More Indians depend directly or indirectly on agriculture</strong> for employment than on any other sector.</li>
<li><strong>Addresses Malnutrition and provides food security:</strong> Agriculture holds a key to <strong>reducing India&rsquo;s malnutrition problem,</strong> directly affecting public health and worker productivity.</li>
<li><strong>Augmenting Economic Growth:</strong> Agriculture has the potential <strong>to</strong> <strong>spur India&rsquo;s overall gross domestic product (GDP)</strong> growth.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Agricultural growth of 4%, would add at least a percentage point to GDP, increase exports and improve India&rsquo;s trade deficit.</li>
<li><strong>Economic transformation</strong> in developing nations is propelled by increases in agricultural incomes underpinning industrial growth. For example, China's economic growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s vital land and water resources, which farmers used for agricultural production, assumes more significance especially in the face of mounting scarcity, environmental degradation, and climate change.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Actions Taken by Government to Increase Farmer Income</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Subsidizing Input Costs:</strong> Providing water,power and fertilizer subsidies to decrease production costs.</li>
<li><strong>Green Revolution:</strong> Increasing yields through better farming practices and timely availability of quality inputs, especially high yielding seeds, chemical fertilisers and water.</li>
<li><strong>Stabilizing Output Prices:</strong> Through minimum support prices (MSP) and public procurement.</li>
<li><strong>Augmenting Non-Crop related Agriculture Income: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/annadata-to-urjadata" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KUSUM scheme.</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Providing Direct Income Transfers to Farmers: <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/08-02-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Associated Challenges In India&rsquo;s Agriculture</h3>
<p><strong>Issue Related to Subsidies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Agricultural subsidies</strong> were introduced to incentivise farmers to take up the green revolution. Subsidies also intended to reduce the cost of production for farmers and to check food price inflation and protect consumers.</li>
<li>However, today it has become apparent that subsidies are<strong> inflicting significant damage on different aspects of the economy.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Subsidised Urea</strong> has led to massive overuse of nitrogenous fertilisers, leading to damaged soils and pollution of local water bodies.</li>
<li>Similarly, <strong>power subsidies</strong> have not only led to an alarming overuse of groundwater,, but also it has severely damaged the health of power distribution companies.</li>
<li><strong>Credit subsidies like loan waivers</strong> have weakened the Indian banking system (due to increased NPAs), having negative spillover effects on the economy.</li>
<li><strong>Output price supports in the form of minimum support price (MSP)</strong> basically apply to only a handful of crops, especially wheat and rice that are procured by the government in a handful of states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Consumer Oriented Policies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Whenever there is a price rise in any agricultural commodity, the <strong>government imposes restrictions on exports to protect Indian consumers.</strong> It creates hindrances for farmers taking advantage of high prices in foreign markets.</li>
<li>This, coupled with the <strong>Essential Commodities Act (ECA),</strong> has meant lower private investment in export infrastructure such as warehouses and cold storage systems.</li>
<li>This lack of storage infrastructure compels farmers to go for Distress sale.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Flawed Agricultural Marketing Policies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to restrictions imposed by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-produce-to-agriculture-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agricultural Produce Market Committee Acts</strong></a> passed by various states, <strong>Indian farmers today can only sell their produce at</strong> Farmgate or local market (haat) to village aggregators, APMC mandis and to government at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/msp-agrarian-crisis-and-reform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>minimum support price (MSP).</strong></a></li>
<li>The introduction of the electronic national agriculture market (e-NAM)&mdash;an online trading platform for agricultural commodities in India&mdash;is a step in the right direction. However, its effects have been underwhelming due to three major bottlenecks:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Time cost of transactions</li>
<li>Quality assessment challenges</li>
<li>Transportation logistics</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Marginal Land Holdings</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Raising farm productivity is critical for long-term increase in farmer incomes in India, as land fragmentation means that many Indian farmers are farming plots of such small sizes that even doubling their incomes would leave them with meagre earnings.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, <strong>nearly 85% of agricultural land holdings are small and marginal</strong> (less than 2 hectare).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Slow Agricultural Growth Rate</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/income-inequality-among-farmers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ashok Dalwai Committee Report</strong></a> on doubling farmers&rsquo; income, estimated that the doubling farmers' income will require an agricultural growth rate of 10-11% per annum, until 2022&ndash;23.</li>
<li>However, agricultural growth rate and farmers' income growth rate has been stagnating and well below the required rate of growth.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps to Increase Farmers' Income</h3>
<p><strong>Addressing Subsidies Problem</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>This can be done by:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Freeing up input prices to market levels,</strong> or charging an optimum cost pricing for fertilisers, power, agri-credit, and canal waters fees.</li>
<li>Channelizing the resulting savings for expenditures on investments in agricultural R&amp;D, irrigation, marketing infrastructure, building value chains by involving <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)</strong></a> and linking farms to organised retail, food processing, and export markets.</li>
<li>Direct income transfers to farmers&rsquo; should be promoted by leveraging the trinity of <strong>Jan Dhan&ndash;Aadhaar&ndash;Mobile (JAM) to reduce the leakages and pilferage.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Allowing Land Leasing</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The central government, in association with the state governments, should free up <strong>land lease markets,</strong> which can help provide farmers with a steady income, while maintaining asset security.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In remote dry areas, leasing land to solar or wind power companies could provide farmers with relatively higher and steadier incomes.</li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/19-08-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Model Land Lease Act, 2016</strong></a> offers an appropriate template for the states and UTs to draft their own piece of legislations, in consonance with the local requirements and adopt an enabling Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Increasing Avenues for Non-Farm Income</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Subsidised electricity should be rationalised, as today <strong>solar water pumps</strong> are operationally and financially sustainable.</li>
<li>This will reduce government burden of electricity subsidies, while at the same time allowing <strong>surplus power from the solar powered pumps to be sold back to the grid.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Promoting value-added uses of biomass</strong> like Bamboo for construction and other applications, rice husk and bagasse-based mini-power plants, and ethanol from sugar cane and corn can all help augment farmer incomes in sustainable ways while developing more dynamic local rural economies.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Improving Agricultural Export Scenario</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India needs to<strong> address the composition of its agriculture export basket.</strong> Currently agricultural exports constitute 10% of the country&rsquo;s exports, but the majority of its exports are low value, raw or semi-processed, and marketed in bulk.</li>
<li>The share of India&rsquo;s high value and value-added agriculture produce is less than 15%.</li>
<li>Robust agriculture exports will increase the demand for India&rsquo;s farm output (and hence, incomes of farmers).</li>
<li>In this context, the government has launched <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/agriculture-export-policy-2018-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agriculture Export Policy 2018</strong></a>. It is aimed at doubling the agricultural exports and integrating Indian farmers and agricultural products with the global value chains.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Investing in Agriculture Infrastructure</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The most sustainable way to augment farmers&rsquo; real incomes over the long term is <strong>through investments in productivity-enhancing areas, ranging from agricultural research and development (R&amp;D), to irrigation to the development of rural and marketing infrastructure.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Local level investments</strong> that seek to build village level storage facilities, better surface irrigation management, and investments in drip irrigation, tile drainage, trap crops, etc, that can give results in a relatively short period of time.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Agricultural Marketing Reforms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Farmers&rsquo; income can improve substantially if they are able to capture a greater share in the supply chain from farm gate to consumer.</li>
<li>For this to happen, farmers must have the freedom to sell what they want, where they want, and when they want without any restrictions on sale, stocking, movement, and export of farm produce.</li>
<li>These will require legal and institutional changes, major investments in market infrastructure and storage (including cold-chain storage), and incentives for the creation and operation of infrastructure by FPOs.</li>
<li>In this context, the state needs to adopt <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/22-11-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Model Agriculture Produce and Livestock Marketing Act, 2017</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Need For Cooperative Federalism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Agriculture is a state subject</strong> and many of the important levers&mdash;water, power, irrigation, extension, etc&mdash;are controlled by the states. However, the central government continues to play a larger role.</li>
<li>Thus, reforms can only succeed if the central and state governments work closely together in a spirit of &ldquo;cooperative federalism.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586004518_Editorial%20Image (4-4-2020)-1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586004518_Editorial Image (4-4-2020)-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #dceef7;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Indian Agriculture is in a dire need of fundamental reforms for better fiscal and environmental sustainability. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-reforms'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Culture',
			'catname' => 'Paper 1',
			'desc' => '<h3>Important Events</h3>
<p><strong>Commemoration of the 150<sup>th</sup> Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The President of India, presided over the second meeting of the National Committee for Commemoration of the 150<sup>th</sup> Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/portugal-s-gandhi-citizenship-education-prize" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Committee was constituted for commemorating the 150<sup>th</sup> birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi</strong></a> at the national and international level.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sanskriti Kumbh</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A 29 days cultural extravaganza was organised at Kumbh Mela Area, Prayagraj in January 2019 to showcase the rich Cultural Heritage of India in all its rich and varied dimensions viz. Performing Arts- Folk, Tribal and Classical art forms, Handicrafts, Cuisines, Exhibitions etc. all in one place.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bharat Rang Mahotsav</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The 20<sup>th</sup> edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM), the international theatre festival of India, was organized by National School of Drama.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Jaipur- India&rsquo;s 38<sup>th</sup> UNESCO World Heritage Site</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-heritage-site-certificate-to-jaipur" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s nomination of the Jaipur City</strong></a>, Rajasthan got inscribed on 6<sup>th</sup> July, 2019 on the World Heritage List of UNESCO during the 43<sup>rd</sup> Session of the World Heritage Committee held at Baku, Azerbaijan.</li>
<li>With Successful inscription of Jaipur City, India has 38 world heritage sites that include 30 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="height: 916px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #bfa302;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 100%; height: 19px; text-align: center;" colspan="4"><span style="font-size: 18px; color: #ffffff;"><strong>UNESCO's World Heritage Sites of India</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 75%; height: 29px; text-align: center; background-color: #a2f2e8;" colspan="3"><strong>Tangible Heritage</strong></td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 29px; background-color: #a2f2e8; text-align: center;"><strong>Intangible Cultural Heritage</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 30.8075%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #faafbf;"><em>Cultural</em></td>
<td style="width: 23.8862%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #faafbf;"><em>Natural</em></td>
<td style="width: 20.3063%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #faafbf;"><em>Mixed</em></td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #faafbf;"><em>Indian Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity</em><em><br /></em></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 10px;">
<td style="width: 30.8075%; height: 10px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #f2e7a7;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Taj Mahal, Agra</li>
<li>Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh</li>
<li>Hampi, Karnataka</li>
<li>Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra</li>
<li>Ellora Caves, Maharashtra</li>
<li>Bodh Gaya, Bihar</li>
<li>Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha</li>
<li>Red Fort Complex, Delhi</li>
<li>Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh</li>
<li>Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu</li>
<li>Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu</li>
<li>Humayun&rsquo;s Tomb, New Delhi</li>
<li>Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, Rajasthan</li>
<li>Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh</li>
<li>Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh</li>
<li>Rani Ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat</li>
<li>Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka</li>
<li>Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra</li>
<li>Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University), Bihar</li>
<li>Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), Maharashtra</li>
<li>Mountain Railways of India</li>
<li>Qutub Minar and its Monuments, New Delhi</li>
<li>Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat</li>
<li>Hill Forts of Rajasthan</li>
<li>Churches and Convents of Goa</li>
<li>Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh</li>
<li>Capitol Complex, Chandigarh</li>
<li>The Historic City of Ahmedabad</li>
<li>The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 23.8862%; height: 10px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #f2e7a7;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh</li>
<li>Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam</li>
<li>Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan</li>
<li>Manas Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam</li>
<li>Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, Uttarakhand</li>
<li>Western Ghats</li>
<li>Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 20.3063%; height: 10px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #f2e7a7;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim</span></li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 10px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #f2e7a7;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The tradition of Vedic chanting</li>
<li>Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana</li>
<li>Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre</li>
<li>Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas, India</li>
<li>Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala</li>
<li>Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan</li>
<li>Chhau dance</li>
<li>Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India</li>
<li>Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur</li>
<li>Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India</li>
<li>Yoga</li>
<li>Navroz</li>
<li>Kumbh Mela</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Commemoration event of &lsquo;76<sup>th</sup> Year of Formation of Azad Hind Government&rsquo;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/76th-anniversary-of-azad-hind-government" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>76<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the formation of the Azad Hind Government</strong></a> was celebrated on 21<sup>st</sup> October, 2019, at the Red Fort, Delhi.</li>
<li>On 21<sup>st</sup> October 1943, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subhash-chandra-bose" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Subhash Chandra Bose</strong></a> announced the formation of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind (Free India) in Singapore, with himself as the Head of State, Prime Minister and Minister of War.</li>
<li>The Provisional Government not only enabled Bose to negotiate with the Japanese on an equal footing but also facilitated the mobilisation of Indians in East Asia to join and support the Indian National Army (INA).</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unesco-s-network-of-creative-cities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mumbai and Hyderabad: UNESCO&rsquo;s Creative Cities Network (UCCN)</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)</strong> </a>has included Mumbai and Hyderabad in its network of 'Creative Cities' among the 66 cities selected on the occasion of World Cities Day 2019 (31<sup>st</sup> October).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019 Passed by Parliament</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It seeks to make apolitical the trust that runs Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial by removing the clause pertaining to the President of INC as a permanent member of the trust.</li>
<li>The Bill also amends to include the Leader of Opposition recognised as such in the House of the People (LokSabha) or where there is no such Leader of Opposition, then the Leader of the single largest Opposition Party in that House as a member of the trust.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Records Relating to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Azad Hind Fauj De-classified</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All records relating to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subhash-chandra-bose" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Azad Hind Fauj</strong></a> de-classified and were placed in the National Archives of India.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/netaji-subhash-chandra-bose-jayanti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose</strong></a> (23 January 1897 &ndash; 18 August 1945) is one of the most celebrated freedom fighters of India.</li>
<li>In 1942, he earned the title &lsquo;Netaji&rsquo;, in Germany by the Indian soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj.</li>
<li>He is also credited to be the first man to call Mahatma Gandhi &ldquo;Father of the Nation&rdquo;, in his address from Singapore.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Sites</h3>
<p><strong>Markandeshwar Temple, Maharashtra<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585999804_885image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585999804_885image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Archaeological Survey of India initiated the restoration work of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/markandeshwar-temple" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Markandeshwar temple</strong></a> in Maharashtra.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Known as the &ldquo;Khajuraho of Vidarbha&rdquo;, the temple of Markandadeo is situated on the bank of River Wainganga in district Gadchiroli of Maharashtra.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Phupgaon, Maharashtra</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recent excavation carried out by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Maharashtra&rsquo;s Phupgaon has revealed evidence of an Iron Age settlement in the Vidarbha region.</li>
<li>The site is situated in the vast meander of the river Purna, a major tributary of Tapi, which used to be a perennial river, but at present is completely dried-up due to the dam construction in the upper stream.</li>
<li>Chronologically, the site could be placed between 7<sup>th</sup> C BCE and 4th C BCE.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gottiprolu-an-early-trade-centre-of-andhra-pradesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gottiprolu, Andhra Pradesh</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Excavations indicate it as a Trade Centre of Early Historic Period.</li>
<li>The site lies on the right bank of a distributary of river Swarnamukhi.</li>
<li>The proximity of the site (at southern coastal location) to the seacoast suggests that the site could have served as a strategic settlement involved in maritime trade.</li>
<li>Among many other antiquities unearthed are one life-size Vishnu sculpture and a wide variety of pottery of the early centuries of current era.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper1/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-culture'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'EIA Not Needed for Bulk Drug Makers',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> has exempted manufacturers of bulk drugs and intermediates from <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environment Impact Assessment</strong></a> (EIA) till 30<sup>th</sup> September as an interim measure.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was done to <strong>expedite clearances</strong> to such manufacturers and intermediaries which are making medicines related to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Environment Impact Assessment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a process of <strong>evaluating the likely environmental impacts</strong> of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.</li>
<li><strong>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/not-all-animals-migrate-by-choice-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Environment Programme</a> (UNEP)</strong> defines EIA as a tool used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making.</li>
<li>It <strong>aims</strong> to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment and present the predictions and options to decision-makers.</li>
<li>Environment Impact Assessment in India is <strong>statutorily backed</strong> by the <strong>Environment Protection Act, 1986</strong> which contains various provisions on its methodology and process.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All proposals for projects or activities in respect of <strong>Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients</strong> (API, also called <strong>Bulk Drugs</strong>), received up to the 30<sup>th</sup> September 2020, shall be appraised as <strong>Category B2 projects,</strong> provided that any subsequent amendment or expansion or change in product mix, after the 30<sup>th</sup> September 2020, shall be considered as per the provisions in force at that time.</li>
<li>Rules notified under the<strong> Environment Protection Act, 1986</strong> classify projects into <strong>three categories:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Category A Projects-</strong> These are appraised by the Union Ministry.</li>
<li><strong>Category B Projects-</strong> These are appraised by the states.</li>
<li><strong>Category B2 Projects-</strong> These are projects which are exempted from EIA and public hearings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The drug production and availability to reduce the impact of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/novel-strain-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Novel CoronaVirus</strong></a> are to be ensured as part of a<strong> comprehensive and robust system to handle</strong> the outbreak.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These are <strong>significant ingredients</strong> in the manufacture of drugs.</li>
<li>The <strong>Hubei province of China</strong> is the hub of the API manufacturing industry.</li>
<li>India is <strong>heavily import-dependent for APIs from China.</strong></li>
<li>Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved <strong>two schemes,</strong> namely the scheme on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-approved-to-promote-drug-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks and Production Linked Incentive (PLI)</strong></a> Scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials/Drug Intermediates and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/green-impact-assessment-not-needed-for-bulk-drug-makers-govt/1918577/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: FE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eia-not-needed-for-bulk-drug-makers'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'New Features Added to e-NAM',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare</strong> has launched three new features of the <strong><a href="/infographics/info-paper3/infographics-paper-3-national-agriculture-market-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Agriculture Market</a> (e-NAM)</strong> Platform.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The new features will strengthen agriculture marketing by <strong>reducing farmers&rsquo; need to physically go to wholesale mandis</strong> for selling their harvested produce.</li>
<li>It is an important move at a time when there is a critical need to <strong>decongest mandis</strong> to effectively fight against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Integration of Negotiable Warehouse Receipt System (e-NWRs) Module with e-NAM</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under it, <strong>a warehouse trading module with payment feature</strong> is launched.</li>
<li>It will enable small and marginal farmers to directly trade their stored produce from selected <strong>Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) registered warehouses</strong> which are declared deemed market by the State.</li>
<li>Farmers will be able to place their produce in WDRA accredited warehouses.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Telangana (14 warehouses) and Andhra Pradesh (23 warehouses) have already declared designated warehouses as deemed markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Depositor can save the logistics expenses and will have better income.</li>
<li>Farmers can sell the produce across the Nation at better price without the hassle of going to mandi.</li>
<li>Farmers with their produce in WDRA accredited warehouses can avail the benefit of pledge loan, if required.</li>
<li>Price stabilization by matching supply and demand through time and place utility.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>FPO trading Module</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will enable <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Farmer Producers&rsquo; Organisations</a> (FPOs)</strong> to upload the picture of their produce and quality parameters from their premise/collection centres for bidding.</li>
<li>Distant bidders can visualise the produce before bidding by seeing the pictures and quality.</li>
<li>After successful bidding, FPOs can deliver the produce from their premises or by bringing it to mandi.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will decongest mandis and also reduce the hassle.</li>
<li>This will help FPOs by reducing logistics costs and enhance their bargaining power.</li>
<li>Facilitates FPOs to avail online payment facility with ease of doing business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Launch of Logistic Module</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A provision has been made for <strong>linking large logistic aggregator</strong> platforms providing choices to users.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Presently, e-NAM provides a database of <strong>individual transporters</strong> to the traders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Traders will be able to use the link to navigate to the logistics provider&rsquo;s website and select appropriate services.</li>
<li>With these additions, more than 3,75,000 number of trucks from large logistic providers would be added for logistic purpose.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will help in seamless transportation of agri-produce.</li>
<li>This will promote inter-state trade by providing online transport facilities for distant buyers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>e-NAM</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was launched on 14<sup>th</sup> April 2016 as a <strong>pan-India electronic trade portal</strong> linking <strong>Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs)</strong> across the States.</li>
<li>It provides for contactless remote bidding and mobile-based anytime payment for which traders do not need to either visit mandis or banks for the same.</li>
<li>Already 585 mandis in 16 States and 2 Union Territories have been integrated on e-NAM portal and will be soon expanded to cover additional 415 mandis, which will take the total number of e-NAM mandis to 1,000.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Negotiable Warehouse Receipt System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was launched in <strong>2011</strong> but the <strong>Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food &amp; Public Distribution.</strong></li>
<li>Farmers can <strong>seek loans from banks against the warehouse receipts</strong> issued to them against their storage.</li>
<li>These <strong>receipts issued by the warehouses registered with the WDRA</strong> would become a fully negotiable instrument backed by a Central legislation.</li>
<li>The <strong>Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (e-NWR) System</strong> was launched in<strong> 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was constituted on 26<sup>th</sup> October 2010 under the <strong>Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2007.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>statutory authority</strong> under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.</li>
<li>It is headquartered in <strong>New Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>The Act provides for the establishment of the WDRA to exercise the powers conferred on it and to perform the functions assigned to it under the Act, Rules and Regulations for the development and regulation of warehouses, negotiability of warehouse receipts and promote orderly growth of the warehousing business in the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=200941" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-features-added-to-e-nam'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Rise in Violence Against Women',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>National Commission for Women</strong> (NCW) has recorded a <strong>more than twofold rise</strong> in <strong>gender-based violence.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has been argued that the national <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong> </a>has left many people jobless, uncertain over salaries, in forced isolation and in stressed households which have resulted in a <strong>steep rise in violence against women.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data Analysis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Total complaints-</strong> Rose from 116 in the first week of March to 257 in the final week of March.</li>
<li><strong>Rape or attempt to rape-</strong> Rose sharply from 2 to 13.</li>
<li><strong>Domestic violence-</strong> Increased from 30 to 69 over the same comparative period.</li>
<li><strong>Police apathy towards women-</strong> Almost threefold increase as the police are busy enforcing the lockdown to curb the spread of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Right to live with dignity (Article 21)-</strong> Rose to 77 from 35. Such cases could pertain to discrimination on the basis of gender, class or caste or all three of them combined.</li>
<li>These cases might be a <strong>fragment of the actual number</strong> as many women will not be able to reach out due to various reasons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Possible Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Privacy:</strong> Women are not be able to reach out because of restrictions on movement as well as a lack of privacy within homes. Women need privacy and certainty that they will not be discovered by their family but that becomes impossible in the presence of the entire house.</li>
<li><strong>Frustration among Males:</strong> There is a lot of <strong>anxiety in people&rsquo;s minds</strong> about their jobs, salaries and livelihood. <strong>Women become easy targets for men</strong> for venting out their anger in<strong> patriarchal societies.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Lockdown:</strong> It has <strong>restricted the movement</strong> and closed women&rsquo;s avenues to escape violence such as by relocating to their natal homes or contacting the local police.</li>
<li>There is evidence that in situations of crisis or calamity there is an increase in violence against women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The police do not seem the first port of call for victims of domestic violence and, therefore, <strong>alternative arrangements</strong> should be put in place.</li>
<li>The government should<strong> ensure resources to help</strong> women in <strong>distress,</strong> and put <strong>health services</strong> to women and abortion in the list of essential services.</li>
<li><strong>Inspiration</strong> can be taken from <strong>France</strong> which announced that it would pay for 20,000 hotel bookings and contribute &euro;1 million to organisations that fight domestic abuse as well as set up assistance points at supermarkets and pharmacies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Commission for Women</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was set up as a <strong>statutory body</strong> in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.</li>
<li>Its<strong> mission</strong> is to strive towards enabling women to achieve equality and equal participation in all spheres of life by securing her due rights and entitlements through suitable policy formulation, legislative measures, etc.</li>
<li>Its <strong>functions</strong> are to:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Review the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-for-the-elimination-of-violence-against-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>constitutional and legal safeguards for women.</strong></a></li>
<li>Recommend remedial legislative measures.</li>
<li>Facilitate redressal of grievances.</li>
<li>Advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-lockdown-spike-in-domestic-violence-says-ncw/article31238659.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-violence-against-women'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Impact of Economic Slowdown Due to Covid-19',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Amid the ongoing economic slowdown due to Covid-19 pandemic,</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>the government witnessed a fall in tax collections.</li>
<li>foreign investors sold over ₹1 lakh-crore securities in a month (March), for the first time in history.</li>
<li>the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> has decided to shorten trading hours for foreign exchange and money markets products.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Fall in Tax Collections</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Direct Tax Collections</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Direct tax is a tax paid directly by an individual or organization to the imposing entity. For example, income tax is a direct tax.</li>
<li>The government&rsquo;s net direct tax collections have <strong>missed the downward revised target</strong> for 2019-20 by Rs 1.42 lakh crore. The overall collection stood at Rs 10.27 lakh crore.</li>
<li>This is a <strong>decline of over 8%</strong> from previous year&rsquo;s receipts.</li>
<li>The contraction in direct tax collections in a financial year has been witnessed after a <strong>gap of 20 years.</strong> The Centre&rsquo;s direct tax receipts had last seen a year-on-year decline in 1998-99, when collections recorded a contraction of 3.5% in that financial year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indirect Tax Collections</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indirect tax</strong> is a tax collected by one entity in the supply chain and paid to the government, but it is passed on to the consumer as part of the purchase price of a good or service. GST is an indirect tax.</li>
<li>The government has missed its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fall-in-goods-and-services-tax-gst-collections" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections target.</strong> </a></li>
<li>The <strong>reasons</strong> that led to the fall in GST collections in March below the Rs 1 lakh crore mark are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A drop of 7.8% in returns filing over last month.</li>
<li>4% fall over last year in domestic revenue.</li>
<li>A sharp 23% fall in revenue from imports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Consequences</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government is likely to miss its revised <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/government-budgeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fiscal deficit</strong></a> target of 3.8% for 2019-20.</li>
<li>The government&rsquo;s fiscal deficit during April-February increased to 135.2% of the revised estimate for the fiscal year 2019-20.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) Sell Securities</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For the first time in the history of the Indian capital markets, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/investments-through-p-notes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Foreign Portfolio Investors</strong></a> (FPIs) have sold securities worth over ₹1 lakh crore in a single month (March 2020).</li>
<li>As per data from <strong>the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL),</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The cumulative net outflow from the debt and equity segments was pegged at ₹1.18 lakh crore in March</li>
<li>This is more than double the previous high of ₹44,000 crore witnessed in June.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to market participants, the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> pandemic that has affected stocks worldwide is the primary reason for such record outflows as foreign investors move away from<strong> riskier assets and emerging markets. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of the sales on Sensex:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-covid-19-outbreak" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sensex</strong></a> registered its worst monthly fall in over 11 years.</li>
<li>In March, the Sensex lost a little over 23% which was the highest since October 2008 when it fell 23.89%.</li>
<li>Currently, the Sensex after falling.</li>
<li>However, buying by <strong>Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs)</strong> has been acting as a strong counter force to the selling by foreign investors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Securities Depository Limited</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The enactment of <strong>Depositories Act in August 1996</strong> paved the way for establishment of NSDL in August 1996.</li>
<li>It handles most of the securities held and settled in dematerialized form in the Indian capital market.</li>
<li>NSDL works to support the investors and brokers in the capital market of the country.</li>
<li>It aims at ensuring the safety and soundness of Indian marketplaces by developing settlement solutions that increase efficiency, minimize risk and reduce costs.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Domestic institutional investors</strong></p>
<p>DIIs are those institutional investors which undertake investment in securities and other financial assets of the country they are based in.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DIIs include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Banks</li>
<li>Insurance companies</li>
<li>Mutual funds</li>
<li>Domestic financial institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Shortening of Trading Hours</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> has decided to shorten trading hours for foreign exchange and money markets products in the light of challenges posed by lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).</li>
<li>The shortened hours, from 10 am to 2 pm (earlier 9 am to 5 pm), will be in place from April 7-17.</li>
<li>The new hours will be applicable to <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Call/term money.</li>
<li>Market <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-s-covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>repo in g-secs</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Tri-party repo in g-secs.</li>
<li>Commercial Paper</li>
<li>Certificates of Deposit</li>
<li>Repo in corporate bonds.</li>
<li>Foreign currency and rupee trades.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong>Call Money</strong> refers to the borrowing or lending of funds for 1 day.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong>Term money</strong> refers to borrowing and lending of funds for a period of more than 14 days.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong>Commercial Paper (CP)</strong> is a short-term debt instrument issued by companies to raise funds generally for a time period up to one year.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">A <strong>Certificate of Deposit (CD)</strong> is a product offered by banks and credit unions that provides an interest rate premium in exchange for the customer agreeing to leave a lump-sum deposit untouched for a predetermined period of time.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/india-economic-slowdown-coronavirus-impact-direct-tax-6346413/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-economic-slowdown-due-to-covid-19'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Amendments to the J&K Order',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs</strong> has amended the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/centre-defines-j-k-domicile-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order-2020.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Order was issued by the Ministry on 31<sup>st</sup> March, 2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Amendments</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Protection to domiciles to &ldquo;any post&rdquo;</strong> in the government <strong>including senior level positions in Group A and Group B category.</strong> This reserves all jobs in the Union Territory for only its domiciles.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier the protection to domiciles was<strong> provided only in Group D</strong> and entry level non-gazetted government posts. This opened all other government posts to anyone from the rest of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The amended order also<strong> removed the clause</strong> that any person fulfilling the criteria of domicile eligibility will &ldquo;deemed to be&rdquo; a domicile. The <strong>power to issue domicile certificates has been given to &ldquo;tahsildar&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Criteria for Domiciles in J&amp;K</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Someone who has <strong>resided for a period of 15 years</strong> in the UT of J&amp;K, or</li>
<li>Someone who has<strong> studied for a period of seven years and appeared in Class 10<sup>th</sup>/12<sup>th</sup> examination</strong> in an educational institution located in the UT of J&amp;K, or</li>
<li>Someone who is <strong>registered as a migrant</strong> by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants).</li>
<li><strong>Children</strong> of Central government officials, All India Services, PSUs, autonomous body of Centre, Public Sector Banks, officials of statutory bodies, Central Universities, recognised research institutes of <strong>Centre who shall have served in J&amp;K.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Children of such residents of J&amp;K who reside outside J&amp;K</strong> in connection with their employment or business or other professional or vocational reasons but <strong>their parents fulfil any of the conditions provided.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mha-modifies-jk-domicile-order-offers-protection-to-domiciles-in-all-government-posts/article31253516.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amendments-to-the-j-k-order'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'National Investigation Agency',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was constituted under the <strong>National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> New Delhi</li>
<li>It is a central agency to<strong> investigate and prosecute offences</strong> related to terrorism and certain other Act <strong>post-2008 Mumbai terror attacks</strong> such as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Affecting the <strong>sovereignty, security and integrity of India,</strong> security of State, friendly relations with foreign States.</li>
<li>Against <strong>atomic and nuclear facilities.</strong></li>
<li>Smuggling in High-Quality <strong>Counterfeit Indian Currency.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It <strong>implements international treaties, agreements, conventions and resolutions</strong> of the United Nations, its agencies and other international organisations.</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s objective is also to <strong>combat terror in India.&nbsp;</strong>It acts as the <strong>Central Counter-Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Assist all States and other investigating agencies in the <strong>investigation of terrorist cases.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Build a database</strong> of all terrorist-related information and share the database available with the States and other agencies.</li>
<li>Study and analyse laws relating to terrorism in other countries and regularly <strong>evaluate the adequacy of existing laws</strong> in India and propose changes as and when necessary.</li>
<li>To execute in-depth professional investigation <strong>of scheduled offences</strong> using the latest scientific methods of investigation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Scheduled Offences</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The schedule to the Act specifies a<strong> list of offences</strong> which are to be investigated and prosecuted by the NIA.</li>
<li>These include offences under Acts such as the<strong> Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Mandate of NIA</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cases are assigned to the NIA by the Central Government in accordance with <strong>section VI of the NIA Act, 2008.</strong></li>
<li>The investigation of the cases is done by the Agency<strong> independently.</strong></li>
<li>After investigation, the cases are placed before <strong>the NIA Special Court.</strong></li>
<li>It is empowered to deal<strong> with terror-related crimes across states without special permission from the states.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Recent Amendments</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The various features or provisions of the<strong> NIA (Amendment) ACT, 2019</strong> are as follows:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It applied the provisions of the NIA Act <strong>also to persons who commit a scheduled offence beyond India</strong> against Indian citizens or affecting the interest of India.</li>
<li>It provided that the officers of the NIA shall have the similar powers, duties, privies and liabilities being exercised by the <strong>police officers in connection with the investigation of offences,</strong> not only in India but also outside India.</li>
<li>It empowered the central government, with respect to a scheduled offence committed outside India, to direct the NIA to register the case and take up investigation as if <strong>such offence had taken place in India.</strong></li>
<li>It provided that the central government and the state governments may designate <strong>Sessions Courts as Special Courts for conducting the trial of offences</strong> under the NIA Act.</li>
<li>It inserted certain new offences in the <strong>Schedule of the NIA Act.</strong> Consequently, the NIA is also empowered to probe the offences relating to<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>human trafficking,</li>
<li>counterfeit currency or bank notes,</li>
<li>manufacture or sale of prohibited arms,</li>
<li>cyber-terrorism and</li>
<li>explosive substances.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues in the Recent Amendments</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under schedule VII of the Constitution, the maintenance of <strong>public order and police forces are matters of state list.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, <strong>Criminal law forms part of the concurrent list</strong> and national security comes under the domains of the union list.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Central government gets the authority to have the NIA take over the investigation of crimes, which involve allegations of human trafficking, offences under the Explosives Act, and certain offences under the Arms Act.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, <strong>not every criminal offence in the above act is a threat to national security and sovereignty</strong> and consequently, states have the competence to deal with the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Amendment Bill puts<strong> Section 66F of the Information Technology Act, 2000</strong> into the Schedule listing offences. Section 66F deals with <strong>cyber terrorism.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But India <strong>does not have a data protection act </strong>and there is <strong>no definition of cyber terrorism.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The amendment to the NIA Act also gives the agency authority to investigate crimes committed by persons which are against Indian citizens or <strong>&ldquo;affecting the interest of India&rdquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the term &ldquo;affecting the interest of India&rdquo; is <strong>undefined</strong> and can be <strong>misused by governments</strong> to curb freedom of speech and expression.</li>
<li>Further, the laws, under which the NIA has the authority to investigate, themselves <strong>do not mention &ldquo;affecting the interest of India&rdquo; as an offence.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/activists-decry-akhil-gogois-serial-rearrest-in-assam/article31253206.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-investigation-agency-1'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => '50 Years of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://idsa.in/issuebrief/npt-50-genesis-flawed-avkumar-310320" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;[email protected]: The Genesis of a Flawed Bargain&rdquo;</strong></a>. It talks about issues pertaining to Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT).</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Year 2020 marked the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary</strong> of the entry-into-force of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/npt-must-for-india-s-entry-into-nsg-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)</strong></a>, a legal instrument treated as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.</p>
<p>The treaty institutionalised the non-proliferation norm by de-legitimising &lsquo;proliferation&rsquo; (production and transfer) of nuclear weapons, fissile materials and related technology by the <strong>non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS)</strong> while the recognised<strong> five nuclear-weapon states (NWS) &mdash;</strong> namely the <strong>US, Russia, the UK, France and China,</strong> can continue to possess nuclear weapons.</p>
<p>The Treaty can be described to have <strong>three objectives of non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.</strong> However, NNWS criticised this treaty of having <strong>structural flaws</strong> and viewed it as an imbalanced instrument.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the treaty has attained a near-universal status with just <strong>four hold-outs &mdash; India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea</strong> and it is widely acknowledged that having a treaty to halt the spread of nuclear weapons was better than having none at all.</p>
<h3>Issues Pertaining to NPT</h3>
<p><strong>Failure of Disarmament Process</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NPT is largely seen as a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War era</strong> </a>instrument that has failed to fulfil the objective of creating a pathway towards a credible disarmament process.</li>
<li>Treaty proposes <strong>no tangible disarmament roadmap, no reference to test ban or to the freezing of production of either fissile materials or nuclear weapons, and omitted provisions for reductions and elimination.</strong></li>
<li>It instead allowed sustenance and expansion of arsenals by stipulating <strong>January 1, 1967</strong> as the cut-off date to determine the NWS.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>System of Nuclear &lsquo;Haves&rsquo; and &lsquo;Have-Nots&rsquo;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NNWS criticizes the treaty to be discriminatory as it focuses on <strong>preventing only horizontal proliferation while there is no limit for vertical proliferation.</strong></li>
<li>In this context, NNWS groupings demand that the NWS should renounce their arsenals and further production in return for commitment of NNWS not to produce them.</li>
<li>Apart from it, <strong>other reasons for tussle between NWS and NNWS.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NNWS held that Articles I &amp; II of the treaty (prohibition of possessing nuclear weapons) did not prohibit nuclear weapons on allied territory of NWS. For example, NATO countries for the US.</li>
<li>NWWS also feels that the restrictions on <strong>Peaceful Nuclear Explosion (PNE)</strong> technology are one-sided.</li>
<li>Under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) protocols of nuclear safety, the NWS allowed to maintain &lsquo;voluntary&rsquo; safeguards while the rest were subjected to comprehensive safeguards, which seemed intrusive and discriminatory to the NNWS.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Due to this tussle, most of the quadrennial <strong>Review Conferences (RevCon),</strong> the forum that reviews the health and functioning of the treaty, has remained largely inconclusive since 1995.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Vertical Proliferation vs Horizontal Proliferation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Vertical proliferation</strong> can be defined as the advancement or modernization of a nation-state's nuclear arsenal, whereas <strong>horizontal proliferation</strong> is the direct or indirect transfer of technologies from one nation-state to another, which ultimately leads to the more advanced development and proliferation of nuclear weapons.</li>
<li>As there is no explicit obligation on part of NWS to reduce their arsenal, NWS have continued to expand their respective arsenals without any constraints.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Peaceful Nuclear Explosions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Peaceful nuclear explosions (PNEs) are nuclear explosions conducted for non-military purposes.</li>
<li>The US proposed to prohibit PNE rights and instead offered to provide the technology on a commercial basis.</li>
<li>The Indian representatives consistently termed the offer as 'atomic apartheid' and 'commercial super-monopoly,' and insisted that PNE rights need to be integral to all peaceful uses of nuclear energy.</li>
<li>India conducted its first PNE in 1974 in opposition to this discriminatory principle.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Post-Cold War Challenges</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The treaty&rsquo;s existential challenges began in the post-Cold War setting when the attempts by a few State Parties to break-out or gain nuclear latency led to numerous instances of non-compliance, violations and defiance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, the US alleges Iran of building nuclear Weapons of Mass Destruction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The NPT&rsquo;s indefinite extension in 1995, while invoking its irreplaceability, also underlined the inability of states to formulate a stand-alone instrument towards the objective of disarmament, as enshrined in the NPT.</li>
<li>The emergence of non-state actors with declared intent to access weapons of mass destruction and the detection of a global nuclear black-market, has raised concerns on the limitations of the treaty to address the challenges thrown up by the new strategic milieu.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand on NPT</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India is one of the only five countries that either did not sign the NPT or signed but withdrew,</strong> thus becoming part of a list that includes Pakistan, Israel, North Korea, and South Sudan.</li>
<li>India always considered the NPT as <strong>discriminatory</strong> and had refused to sign it.</li>
<li>India has opposed the international treaties aimed at non-proliferation since they were selectively applicable to the non-nuclear powers and legitimised the monopoly of the five nuclear weapons powers.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rising energy demands have led to a growing number of countries pursuing nuclear energy, and many countries wish to be energy-independent, in order to ensure a sustainable and dependable domestic energy supply. As clean energy, development, and peaceful coexistence are essential for every country.</li>
<li>Thus, the challenge for the international community will be to reconcile states&rsquo; desire for energy independence with their desire to both reduce the intrusiveness of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/63rd-general-conference-of-iaea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IAEA</strong></a> safeguards and diminish the possibility of proliferation.</li>
<li>Also, NNWS welcomes<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-start-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> New START</strong> </a>and other initiatives, but is anxious to see more concrete actions on reducing the role of nuclear weapons in national security doctrines, reducing alert levels, increasing transparency, and other steps.</li>
<li>More regions in the world (preferably comprising NWS) should enter into an arrangement of establishing <strong>Nuclear-weapon-free zones.</strong></li>
<li>Further, Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is a step in the right direction for nuclear disarmament.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ) is a geographical area declared free of nuclear weapons as described</li>
<li>under Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and in the United Nations Guidelines on NuclearWeapon-Free Zones from 1999. As of 2016, there are five such regional treaties in place in populated areas</li>
<li>of the world: Latin-America and the Caribbean, Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific.</li>
<li>In addition, the status of Mongolia as a nuclear-free territory has been recognized by the United Nations General Assembly. Antarctica is also considered nuclear-free, and so is outer space.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585915432_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585915432_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fff9e3;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the issues pertaining to Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons treaty.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/50-years-of-nuclear-non-proliferation-treaty-npt'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Impact of Covid-19 on Global Economy',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uncdat-world-investment-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Conference on Trade and Development</a> (UNCTAD)</strong> has observed that the economic uncertainty sparked by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> will likely cost the global economy $1 trillion in 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The observation is based on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-economic-situation-and-prospects-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Situation and Prospects 2020</strong></a> released by UNCTAD.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Observations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>slowdown in the global economy to under 2%</strong> for this year is envisaged which will probably cost in the order of $1 trillion.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Worst possible scenario:</strong> If the world economy grew at only 0.5% which would involve a $2 trillion hit to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gross domestic product</strong></a> (GDP).</li>
<li><strong>Best case scenario:</strong> With moderate declines in private consumption, investment and exports and offsetting increases in government spending, global growth would fall to 1.2% in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global financial market is fluctuating</strong> due to the<strong> supply-chain interruptions from China</strong> and<strong> oil price uncertainty</strong> among major producers.</li>
<li><strong>European economies</strong> had already been performing extremely badly towards the end of 2019.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Europe</strong> is almost certain to go into <strong>recession</strong> over the coming months.</li>
<li><strong>German</strong> economy is in a<strong> fragile</strong> state.</li>
<li><strong>Italian</strong> economy and other parts of the <strong>European periphery</strong> are also facing very <strong>serious stresses</strong> right now.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Many parts of the <strong>Latin American</strong> region are also vulnerable.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Argentina</strong> in particular will be struggling as a consequence of the knock-on effects of this pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>least developed countries</strong> whose economies are driven by the<strong> sale of raw materials</strong> will also face hard consequences.</li>
<li>Heavily-indebted <strong>developing countries,</strong> particularly <strong>commodity exporters,</strong> face a particular threat due to the <strong>weaker export returns linked to a stronger US dollar.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The likelihood of a <strong>stronger dollar</strong> as investors seek safe-havens for their money and the almost certain<strong> rise in commodity prices</strong> as the global economy slows down, means that commodity exporters are particularly <strong>vulnerable.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A series of <strong>dedicated policy responses and institutional reforms</strong> are needed to prevent a localized health scare from turning into a global economic meltdown.</li>
<li>Governments need to <strong>spend now in order to prevent more damaging meltdown</strong> in the coming times.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Chinese</strong> Government is likely to introduce <strong>significant expansionary measures &ndash;</strong> shorthand for increasing spending or tax cuts.</li>
<li>The<strong> US</strong> government is in an election year and it needs to do <strong>more than simply cutting taxes and reducing interest rates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Conference on Trade and Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established in <strong>1964</strong> to promote development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy.</li>
<li>UNCTAD is a <strong>permanent intergovernmental body</strong> headquartered at <strong>Geneva</strong> in Switzerland.</li>
<li>Some of the <strong>reports published by it are:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Trade and Development Report</li>
<li>World Investment Report</li>
<li>The Least Developed Countries Report</li>
<li>Information and Economy Report</li>
<li>Technology and Innovation Report</li>
<li>Commodities and Development Report</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/03/1059011" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: UN</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-covid-19-on-global-economy'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'PRS Capsule February 2020',
			'catname' => 'PRS Capsule',
			'desc' => '<p><em><strong>Key Highlights of PRS</strong></em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="#1">Polity</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#2">Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">22<sup>nd</sup> Law Commission</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">Select Committee on the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#5">Science &amp; Technology</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#6">Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#7">Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#8">Draft Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Amendment Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#9">Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#10">National Technical Textiles Mission</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#11">Environment</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#12">Revised Guidelines for Central Crop Insurance Schemes</a></li>
<li><a href="#13">Draft National Fisheries Policy</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1">Polity</h2>
<h3 id="2">Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/direct-tax-vivad-se-vishwas-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill, 2020</strong></a> was introduced in Lok Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill provides a mechanism for resolution of pending tax disputes related to income tax and corporation tax.</li>
<li>The idea behind the scheme is to reduce litigation in the direct tax arena.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Features</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Appellant:</strong> An appellant is the income-tax authority or the person, or both, whose appeal is pending before any appellate forum (the Supreme Court, the High Courts, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunals, or the Commissioner (Appeals) as on January 31, 2020.</li>
<li><strong>Resolution mechanism:</strong> The Bill proposes a mechanism under which an appellant can file a declaration to the designated authority to initiate the resolution of pending direct tax disputes.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The last date to file the declaration will be notified by the central government.</li>
<li>Based on the declaration, the designated authority will determine the amount payable by the appellant against the dispute and grant a certificate, containing particulars of the amount payable, within 15 days.</li>
<li>The appellant must pay this amount within 15 days and inform the designated authority.</li>
<li>The amount paid will not be refundable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Amount payable for resolution:</strong> The amount payable by the appellant for resolution of disputes is determined based on whether the dispute relates to the payment of tax, or payment of interest, penalty, or fee.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An additional amount is required to be paid if such payment is made after March 31, 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Once the designated authority issues the certificate, appeals pending before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunals and the Commissioner (Appeals) will be deemed to be withdrawn.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In case of appeals or petitions pending before the Supreme Court and High Courts, the appellant is required to withdraw the appeal or petition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="3">22<sup>nd</sup> Law Commission</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet approved the constitution of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/22nd-law-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>22<sup>nd</sup> Law Commission</strong></a> of India for a period of 3 years.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will consist of:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Chairperson,</li>
<li>four members,</li>
<li>Secretaries of the Legislative Department and the Department of Legal Affairs, as ex-officio members, and</li>
<li>up to five part-time members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Commission&rsquo;s responsibilities will include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>identifying laws which are no longer relevant,</li>
<li>recommending laws which are necessary to implement the Directive Principles of State Policy,</li>
<li>giving its views on subjects referred to it by the government, and</li>
<li>revising central laws of general importance to simplify them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>First Law Commission in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first Law Commission was established during the British Raj era in 1834 by the Charter Act of 1833 and was chaired by Lord Macaulay.</li>
<li>The first Law Commission of independent India was established in 1955 for a three-year term. Since then, 21 more Commissions have been established.</li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong>Read More: <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/law-commission-of-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">To The Point on Law Commission of India</a></strong></em></p>
</div>
<h3 id="4">Select Committee on the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill</h3>
<p>The Select Committee on the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-approves-bill-to-regulate-surrogacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill</a>,</strong> 2019 submitted its report.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Surrogacy is the practice where one woman carries the child for another with the intention of handing over the child after birth.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Features</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-new-surrogacy-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Commercial vs. altruistic surrogacy</strong></a>: The Bill prohibits commercial surrogacy and allows altruistic surrogacy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Altruistic surrogacy</strong> involves no compensation to the surrogate mother other than the medical and insurance expenses related to the pregnancy.</li>
<li>The Committee recommended a surrogacy model based on compensation rather than altruistic surrogacy.</li>
<li>The compensation must take care of the losses suffered by the surrogate mother in terms of health and wages.</li>
<li>The Committee observed that surrogacy has been considered as an economic opportunity by women from economically weak backgrounds. By banning commercial surrogacy, the Bill ignores the fact that altruistic surrogacy is also exploitative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In this regard, the Committee recommended that surrogacy could be classified on the basis of the specific intention with which a woman agrees to be a surrogate mother. The intention could be to either:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>render a paid service and make money, or</li>
<li>do it for altruistic reasons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Surrogate being a &lsquo;close relative&rsquo;:</strong> Under the Bill, the surrogate can only be a &lsquo;close relative&rsquo; of the intending couple.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Committee noted that the criteria of being a &lsquo;close relative&rsquo; potentially restricts the availability of surrogate mothers and may affect persons in genuine need.</li>
<li>Hence, it recommended deleting the definition of &lsquo;close relative&rsquo; and allowing any willing woman to act as a surrogate mother.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Five year waiting period:</strong> Under the Bill, the intending couple can undertake a surrogacy arrangement following the inability to conceive after five years of unprotected coitus or other medical conditions preventing conception.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Committee observed that the requirement of a five-year waiting period is too long particularly in conditions like absent uterus, removal of the uterus due to cancer, and medical conditions where normal pregnancy is ruled out.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Committee recommended removing the definition of infertility from the Bill and the five-year waiting period.</li>
<li>It recommended that any couple who have a medical condition (could be either or both members of the couple) which necessitates gestational surrogacy, should be allowed to undertake surrogacy.</li>
<li><strong>Gestational surrogacy</strong> is a practice where a surrogate mother carries a child for the intending couple through implantation of embryo in her womb and the child is not genetically related to the surrogate mother.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="5">Science &amp; Technology</h2>
<h3 id="6">Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet approved the introduction of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assisted-reproductive-technology-regulation-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill seeks to regulate assisted reproductive technology services in the country.</li>
<li><strong>Assisted reproductive technology (ART)</strong> means all techniques that attempt to obtain a pregnancy by handling the sperm (the oocyte) outside the human body and transferring the gamete (the embryo) into the reproductive tract of a woman.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes in-vitro fertilisation, intrauterine insemination, and gestational surrogacy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>A copy of the Bill is not available in the public domain.</strong> However, as per the press release, the Bill sets up a National Board to regulate ART services by:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>laying down a code of conduct to be observed by persons working at clinics, and</li>
<li>setting the minimum standards of physical infrastructure, laboratory and diagnostic equipment, and expert manpower to be employed by clinics and banks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, the Bill provides for a National Registry and Registration Authority to maintain a central database of all ART Banks and clinics.</li>
<li>The Bill also proposes a stringent punishment for those practising sex selection, sale of human embryos or gametes, and running organisations for such unlawful practices.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="7">Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020</h3>
<p>The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was introduced in Lok Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It seeks to amend the Aircraft Act, 1934.</li>
<li>The Act regulates the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of civil aircrafts, and licensing of aerodromes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Features</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Authorities:</strong> The Bill converts three existing bodies under the Ministry of Civil Aviation into statutory bodies under the Act. These are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA),</li>
<li>the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and</li>
<li>the Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Each of these bodies will be headed by a Director-General who will be appointed by the centre.</li>
<li><strong>The DGCA</strong> will carry out safety oversight and regulatory functions with respect to matters under the Bill.</li>
<li><strong>The BCAS</strong> will carry out regulatory oversight functions related to civil aviation security.</li>
<li><strong>The AAIB</strong> will carry out investigations related to aircraft accidents and incidents.</li>
<li><strong>Offences and penalties:</strong> Under the Act, the penalty for various offences is imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh, or both. These offences include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Carrying arms, explosives, or other dangerous goods aboard an aircraft,</li>
<li>Constructing buildings or structures within the specified radius around an aerodrome reference point, and</li>
<li>Contravening rules notified under the Act.</li>
<li>The Bill raises the maximum limit of fines for these offences from Rs 10 lakh to 1 crore rupees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Bill allows for the compounding of certain offences under the Act or rules under the Act. These include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>flying to cause danger to any person or property and</li>
<li>the contravention of any directions issued by the Director-General of any of the three bodies.</li>
<li>Offences may be compounded by the Director Generals as prescribed by the centre.</li>
<li>Compounding of offences is not allowed in case of repeat offences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="8">Draft Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Amendment Bill, 2020</h3>
<p>The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released the draft Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) (Amendment) Bill, 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Bill amends the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 which controls the advertisement of certain drugs in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Amendments Proposed</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Prohibition on advertisement of certain drugs:</strong> The Act prohibits advertisements of drugs and remedies that claim to have magical properties, and makes doing so an offence.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the Act, advertisement is prohibited for drugs for 54 diseases, disorders and conditions.</li>
<li>The draft Bill adds 24 more diseases and disorders to this schedule.</li>
<li>These include:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>drugs or treatment for enhancing sexual performance,</li>
<li>fairness of skin,</li>
<li>premature ageing, and</li>
<li>improvement in height of kids and adults.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Penalties:</strong> Under the Act, the first conviction is punishable with imprisonment of up to six months, and a fine. A subsequent conviction may result in imprisonment of up to a year, and a fine.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The draft Bill proposes to increase the penalties. For the first conviction, the punishment will be imprisonment of up to two years and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh as against a six months imprisonment presently under the act.</li>
<li>For any subsequent conviction, the imprisonment may extend to five years with a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh extending from imprisonment of 1 year as of now in the act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="9">Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill, 2020</h3>
<p>The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill, 2020 was introduced in Lok Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill seeks to merge three Ayurveda institutes into one institution by the name of Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill declares the Institute to be an <strong>institution of National Importance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Institutes of National Importance (INI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a status that may be conferred on a premier public higher education institution in India by an act of Parliament of India,</li>
<li>An institution which "serves as a pivotal player in developing highly skilled personnel within the specified region of the country/state" may be conferred a status of INI.</li>
<li>Institutes of National Importance receive special recognition and funding from the Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Merger:</strong> The existing institutes which will be merged into the Institute are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Institute of Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar,</li>
<li>Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Jamnagar, and,</li>
<li>Indian Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jamnagar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The proposed Institute will be situated in the campus of Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives of Institute:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Develop patterns of teaching in medical education in Ayurveda and Pharmacy</li>
<li>Bring together educational facilities for training of personnel in all branches of Ayurveda</li>
<li>Attain self-sufficiency in postgraduate education to meet the need for specialists and medical teachers in Ayurveda</li>
<li>Make an in-depth study and research in the field of Ayurveda</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Composition of Institute:</strong> The Bill provides that the Institute will consist of 15 members. These include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Minister of AYUSH</li>
<li>Secretary and technical head of Ayurveda, Ministry of AYUSH</li>
<li>Secretary, department of health, government of Gujarat</li>
<li>Director of the Institute</li>
<li>Director-General, Central Council for Research in Ayurveda</li>
<li>Three experts in Ayurveda with expertise in education, industry and research, and</li>
<li>Three Members of Parliament</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Director of the Institute of Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar will be appointed as the first Director of the Institute.</li>
<li>Further, the Bill states that there will be a Governing Body of the Institute, which will exercise powers and such functions of the Institute, as specified.</li>
<li><strong>Functions of Institute:</strong> The functions of the Institute will include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>provide for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in Ayurveda (including pharmacy),</li>
<li>prescribe courses and curricula for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Ayurveda,</li>
<li>provide facilities for research in the various branches of Ayurveda,</li>
<li>hold examinations and grant degrees, diplomas and other distinctions and titles in education in Ayurveda and pharmacy, and</li>
<li>maintain well-equipped colleges and hospitals for Ayurveda supporting staff such as nurses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="10">National Technical Textiles Mission</h3>
<p>The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, approved the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-technical-textiles-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Technical Textiles Mission.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Technical textiles are textiles manufactured for technical performance and functional properties rather than aesthetic characteristics.</li>
<li>They have applications in areas such as railway tracks and bulletproof jackets.</li>
<li>Based on usage, there are 12 technical textile segments; Agrotech, Meditech, Buildtech, Mobiltech, Clothtech, Oekotech, Geotech, Packtech, Hometech, Protech, Indutech and Sportech.</li>
<li>The Mission will be implemented over a period of four years, from 2020-21 to 2023-24.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Features</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Research:</strong> The Mission will promote research into the development of:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>fibres such as carbon fibre and nylon fibre</li>
<li>textiles such as geo-textiles and biodegradable textiles</li>
<li>This component will have an outlay of Rs 1,000 crore</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promotion and market development:</strong> Indian technical textiles consist of approximately 6% (USD 16 billion) of the USD 250 billion global technical textiles market.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Mission aims to increase the domestic market size to USD 40-50 billion by 2024 through market development and investment promotion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Export:</strong> The current annual value of exports of technical textiles is approximately Rs 14,000 crore.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Mission aims to increase the annual value of exports to Rs 20,000 crore by 2021-22, and ensure a 10% average growth in exports per year up to 2023-24.</li>
<li>Further, an <strong>Export Promotion Council</strong> for technical textiles will be set up for effective coordination and promotion activities relating to exports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Education:</strong> The Mission also aims to promote technical education in higher engineering in areas related to technical textiles and its application.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="11">Environment</h2>
<h3 id="12">Revised Guidelines for Central Crop Insurance Schemes</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet approved <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revamp-of-the-crop-insurance-schemes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>revised guidelines for central crop insurance schemes</strong></a>, namely the <a href="/printpdf/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana-(pmfby)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)</strong></a> and the <strong>Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme,</strong> with the aim of addressing the existing implementation challenges. <strong>The revised guidelines will be effective from the Kharif season 2020-21.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The crop insurance schemes provide insurance coverage to farmers for crop failure due to various risks such as calamities, adverse weather conditions, pest attacks, and other yield and post-harvest losses.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Changes Proposed</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Voluntary enrolment:</strong> Both the schemes have been made voluntary for all farmers.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, they were mandatory for farmers who have taken crop loans (loanee farmers).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flexibility to select insurance cover:</strong> States have been given the flexibility to select additional risk covers, such as mid-season adversity, prevented sowing, post-harvest losses, and localised calamity, under both the schemes.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the case of PMFBY, states can also offer specific single-risk insurance covers with or without opting for the base cover.</li>
<li>Earlier, PMFBY did not allow states to add any risk other than the ones specified.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limit on centre&rsquo;s premium subsidy:</strong> Under the schemes, farmers are required to pay an insurance premium, which is a certain percentage of the sum insured <strong>(2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial and horticultural crops).</strong> Rest of the premium amount is equally paid by the central and state government in the form of premium subsidy, with no limit applicable.</li>
<li>Under the revised guidelines, the premium subsidy payable by the central government will not be higher than:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>25% of the sum insured for irrigated areas, and</li>
<li>30% of the sum insured for unirrigated areas.</li>
<li>For this purpose, districts with more than 50% area under irrigation will be considered as irrigated districts or areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase in the centre&rsquo;s share for the north-eastern states:</strong> Under the two schemes, premium subsidy is equally shared by the central and state government.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For north-eastern states, the central government will provide 90% of the subsidy, with the remaining 10% coming from the state government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delay by states:</strong> States will not be allowed to implement the schemes in subsequent seasons in case they considerably delay the release of premium subsidy to insurance companies beyond a prescribed time limit.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="13">Draft National Fisheries Policy</h3>
<p>The Department of Fisheries released the draft <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/blue-revolution-that-will-be" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Fisheries Policy.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The policy aims to integrate the various policies relating to different aspects of fisheries (such as inland fisheries, marine plants and animals, processing, and marketing) for its comprehensive development.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Features</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>enhancing fish production and productivity in a responsible and sustainable manner,</li>
<li>providing a robust regulatory framework for effective fisheries resource management,</li>
<li>modernising and diversifying fishing practices in oceans and seas through use of science and technology,</li>
<li>strengthening and modernising the value chain, and</li>
<li>generating gainful employment and entrepreneurship opportunities leading to higher income of fishers and fish farmers and improvement of their living standards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legal framework:</strong> Fisheries governance will be improved to facilitate coordination among states, national agencies, and other stakeholders.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Comprehensive management and regulation of fisheries resources in the <strong>Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)</strong> will be ensured through a national law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note: Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)</strong> is the area of the sea outside territorial water to which India has the exclusive rights for economic activities, and <strong>extends to 200 nautical miles from the coast of India.</strong></p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The central government will empower coastal state governments by delegating the powers to grant marine fishing licences for the EEZ and high seas (the area beyond EEZ).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustainability:</strong> The central government will encourage and empower traditional and small fisher and fisher groups to undertake resource-specific deep-sea fishing to harness untapped high-value resources sustainably.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The expertise of scientific institutions and fishers will be utilized to optimise fishing efforts and implement measures to check resource depletion and ensure sustainability.</li>
<li>Comprehensive fisheries management plans will be made to conserve and sustainably manage natural fisheries resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inter-sector coordination:</strong> The central and state governments will take up with Nodal departments such as water, irrigation, and rural development to ensure that the Department of Fisheries is fittingly represented in all the committees entrusted with the management and usages of water resources.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The fisheries sector requires greater attention of the government in the form of incentives such as the ones given to the agriculture sector.</li>
<li>The scope of land use categories at state level needs to be increased to specifically include fisheries and aquaculture as integral components of agriculture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-february-2020'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'In Depth - The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z9_6cVJhDSU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>Recently, a Bill to amend the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/committee-to-review-the-offences-under-the-companies-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Companies Act, 2013</strong></a> and decriminalise various offences under it was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The proposed amendments aim to reduce the burden on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/final-report-on-penal-provisions-of-company-act-2013" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Company Law Tribunal.</strong></a> The Bill was however vehemently opposed and was demanded to be referred to the <strong>Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance.</strong></p>
<h3>Proposed Amendments in the Bill</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill removes the penalty and imprisonment in certain offences along with the reduction in the amount of fine payable.</li>
<li><strong>Decriminalization:</strong> The Bill proposed 72 amendments to the Companies Act, 2013 to decriminalise various offences which can promote <strong>Ease of doing ethical business and Ease of doing honest business.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will also boost the confidence of the investors along with giving an impetus to the business as the fear of imprisonment will be reduced.</li>
<li>The decriminalization is only for <strong>minor, procedural and technical falls</strong> which do not involve fraud, injury to the public interest, or non- compoundable offences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recategorization:</strong> The changes <strong>recategorize</strong> at least 23 offences out of the 66 compoundable offences mentioned under the Act in case of <strong>defaults</strong> (which can be <strong>determined objectively</strong> and which <strong>lack an element of fraud</strong> or do not involve larger public interest). Such cases will be dealt with an <strong>in-house adjudication framework.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Compoundable Offences</strong> are those which can be conciliated by the parties under dispute (without the requirement of the permission of the Court).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Producer Companies:</strong> Under the 2013 Act, certain provisions from the Companies Act, 1956 continue to apply to producer companies. These include provisions on their membership, the conduct of meetings, and maintenance of accounts. The Bill removes these provisions and adds a new chapter in the Act with similar provisions on producer companies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Producer companies include companies which are engaged in the production, marketing and sale of agricultural produce, and sale of produce from cottage industries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Direct Listing in Foreign Jurisdictions:</strong> The Bill empowers the Central government to allow certain classes of Indian public companies to directly list classes of securities (as may be prescribed) in foreign jurisdictions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is likely to<strong> help start-ups to tap overseas markets</strong> for raising capital.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Remuneration to non-executive Directors:</strong> The 2013 Act made special provisions for payment of remuneration to executive directors of a company (including managing director and other full-time directors) if the company has inadequate or no profits in a year. The Bill extends this provision to non-executive directors, including independent directors.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will <strong>enhance the productivity</strong> of such non-executive directors because of their increased remuneration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial Results Filing &amp; Corporate Governance:</strong> Specified class of unlisted companies will now have to prepare and file their financial results periodically and also complete the <strong>audit or review</strong> of such results.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, the Bill provides for a window within which the penalties shall not be levied for delay in filing of annual returns.</li>
<li>This aims to improve corporate governance as it will bring more transparency into affairs of closely held companies which are used by major shareholders of large public interest companies <strong>to divert funds</strong> through transactions that are not on an <strong>arm&rsquo;s length basis.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benches of NCLAT:</strong> The Bill seeks to establish benches of the <strong>National Company Law Appellate Tribunal</strong> in order to ease their burden and decrease the pendency of cases.</li>
<li><strong>Penalties:</strong> It extends <strong>lesser penalties</strong> for small companies (i.e., with lower paid-up share capital and turnover thresholds), one-person companies (i.e., companies with only one member), and producer companies, in case of all offences which attract monetary penalties.</li>
<li><strong>Exclusion from listed companies:</strong> The Bill empowers the Central government, in consultation with the <strong>Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI),</strong> to exclude companies issuing specified classes of securities from the definition of a &ldquo;listed company&rdquo;.</li>
<li><strong>Exemptions from filing resolutions:</strong> The 2013 Act required companies to file certain resolutions with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). However, banking companies were exempted from filing such resolutions. This exemption has been extended to registered non-banking financial companies and housing finance companies by the proposed Bill.</li>
<li><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):</strong> Under <strong>Section 135</strong> of the Companies Act, 2013, companies with net worth, turnover or profits above a specified amount are required to constitute <strong>CSR Committees</strong> and spend 2% of their average net profits in the last three financial years, towards its CSR policy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill exempts companies with a CSR liability of up to Rs 50 lakh a year from setting up CSR Committees.</li>
<li>Further, the Bill allows eligible companies (which spend any amount in excess of their CSR obligation in a financial year) to set off the excess amount towards their CSR obligations in the subsequent financial years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Corporate Social Responsibility</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/companies-amendment-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility</strong></a> is a management concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders.</li>
<li>While CSR law mandates spending across <strong>12 prescribed schedules</strong> ranging from education and health care to sports or gender equality, few companies spend towards community development, infrastructure, social &amp; child welfare, etc.</li>
<li>Under it, companies are mandated to constitute a<strong> CSR committee,</strong> comprising at least 3 members of the Board (with at least 1 independent member).</li>
<li><strong>Related Facts:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian businesses spend more than Rs. 10,000 crore a year on CSR.</li>
<li><strong>CSR expenditure</strong> of companies listed at the <strong>National Statistical Commission</strong> have <strong>grown</strong> at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17% over the last 5 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Companies (Amendment) Act, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was enacted to consolidate and amend the laws relating to companies.</li>
<li>It tightened the <strong>CSR compliance norms</strong> and ensured stricter norms for non-compliance of the company law regulations.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It allowed companies to transfer their unspent CSR funds to a separate account, the same has to be spent within three financial years.</li>
<li>In case, the money remains unspent, then it should be transferred to any fund specified in Schedule VII of the Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It empowered the Registrar <strong>of Companies</strong> to initiate action for removal of a company&rsquo;s name if it is not carrying out business activities as per the Companies Act.</li>
<li>It provided for <strong>transferring of functions</strong> with regard to dealing with applications for change of financial year and <strong>shifting of powers</strong> for conversion from public to private companies from NCLT to the Central government.</li>
<li>It provided more teeth to the Central government to deal with violators and reduced the burden on special courts and enabled the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-financial-reporting-authority" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)</strong></a> to perform its functions through divisions and executive bodies.</li>
</ul>
<p>A healthy business can only succeed in a healthy society. Thus, it is in the best interest of a company to produce goods and services which strengthen the health of the society along with the supportive efforts of the government to provide and create a conducive environment for the growth of the companies.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-the-companies-amendment-bill-2020'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Classes in Distance Mode',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Centre is planning to start the next academic year virtually.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Many schools have been shut since early March due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> pandemic, even before the countrywide lockdown.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This means that the new academic calendar will begin as usual in April for classes 9 to 12, though the last academic year may have been somewhat truncated, with examinations postponed in some cases including the CBSE exams for classes 10 and 12.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, it has been decided that the cbse will conduct exams only for the main subjects: required for promotion or may be crucial for admission in higher educational institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Centre plans to restart classes in the distance mode, with teaching via <strong>dedicated TV and radio channels in English and Hindi.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is an existing program,<strong> Swayam Prabha,</strong> which is a group of 32 DTH channels devoted to telecasting high-quality educational programmes on 24X7 basis using the GSAT-15 satellite.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)</strong> has been asked to create a structured programme for schools class-wise. This is being done along with the <strong>National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)</strong> using their syllabus.</li>
<li>The material will be ready for use by schools following the NIOS or the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus.</li>
<li><strong>For the State Boards</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) mobile app has been offered to States</strong> as a platform to provide content in local languages.</li>
<li>If States are willing to produce the content in local languages, the Centre can give them 2-3 hours on the channel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Diksha Portal was launched by the<strong> Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)</strong></li>
<li>in 2017 for providing a digital platform to teachers giving them an opportunity to <strong>learn and train themselves and connect with the teacher community.</strong></li>
<li>It is built considering the <strong>whole teacher's life cycle</strong> - from the time student teachers enroll in Teacher Education Institutes (TEIs) to after they retire as teachers.</li>
<li><strong>States, government bodies and even private organisations,</strong> can integrate DIKSHA into their respective teacher initiatives based on their goals, needs and capabilities.</li>
<li>It also provides access to NCERT textbooks and lessons, following the regular school curriculum.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Institute of Open Schooling</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NIOS, formerly known as National Open School (NOS) was established in November,1989 as an <strong>autonomous organisation in pursuance of National Policy on Education 1986</strong> by the <strong>Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).</strong></li>
<li>NIOS provides a number of <strong>Vocational, Life Enrichment and community oriented courses besides General and Academic Courses at Secondary and Senior Secondary level.</strong></li>
<li>It also offers <strong>Elementary level Courses</strong> through its Open Basic Education Programmes (OBE).</li>
<li>Government of India has vested NIOS with the authority to <strong>examine and certify</strong> learners registered with it upto pre degree level courses whether Academic, Technical or Vocational.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-plans-classes-in-distance-mode/article31194604.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Demand for MGNREGA Work Increased',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The demand for work by households under the <strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act</strong> (MGNREGA) programme surged to a nine-year high in 2019-20.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the MGNREGA official portal, 5.47 crore households sought MGNREGA works, <strong>the highest since 2010-11,</strong> when the number was 5.5 crore.</li>
<li><strong>More individuals too worked under MGNREGA in 2019-20,</strong> with 7.86 crore employed at various sites across the country. This is the highest since 2012-13, when 7.97 crore individuals worked under this programme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>disruption caused by the coronavirus lockdown,</strong> however, may impact the final figure of the person days generated in March 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>gram panchayats not recording any MGNREGA expenditure has also declined.</strong> This shows that more and more panchayats are using MGNREGA to provide unskilled work to the unemployed.</li>
<li>These new <strong>MGNREGA figures coincide with the sharp fall in GDP growth rate</strong> to 5% in 2019-20, the lowest in a decade.</li>
<li>The <strong>demand for works under MGNREGA is surging despite the fact that wages have been flattening</strong> in recent years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019-20, average MGNREGA wage per day per person was Rs 182.09, barely Rs 3 higher than Rs 179.13 in 2018-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The data also showed that <strong>263.73 crore person days</strong> were generated during 2019-20, slightly lower than 267.96 crore in 2018-19 but significantly higher than the total person days generated during each financial year from 2012-13 to 2017-18.</li>
<li>During 2019-20, the Centre released Rs 72,162.13 crore for the MGNREGA, the <strong>highest ever amount,</strong> and substantially higher than the Rs 62,125.07 crore released in 2018-19.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Act <strong>aims at enhancing the livelihood security </strong>of people<strong> in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage employment in a financial year to a rural household</strong> whose <strong>adult members</strong> (at least 18 years of age) volunteer to do unskilled work.</li>
<li>The <strong>central government bears the full cost of unskilled labour,</strong> and 75% of the cost of material (the rest is borne by the states).</li>
<li>It is a demand-driven, social security and labour law that aims to enforce the<strong> &lsquo;right to work&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Rural Development (MRD),</strong> Government of India in association with state governments, <strong>monitors the implementation of the scheme.</strong></li>
<li>Agriculture and allied activities constitute more than 65% of the works taken up under the programme.</li>
<li>Social inclusion, gender parity, social security and equitable growth are the founding pillars of MGNREGA.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/as-growth-slows-demand-for-work-under-mnrega-shoots-to-9-yr-high-6344865/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Impact of Lockdown on Banks',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Banks are concerned about the build up of Non-performing Assets (NPAs) as the disruption caused to business operations and supply chains during the 21-day <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> period will take time to repair.</li>
<li>This is despite the fact that the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India</strong></a> (RBI) has injected fresh liquidity into the banking system and given banks leeway to deal with potential stress in loan accounts.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Non-Performing Asset</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NPA refers to a classification for loans or advances that are in <strong>default or are in arrears</strong> on scheduled payments of principal or interest.</li>
<li>In most cases, debt is classified as non-performing, when the loan payments have not been made for a <strong>minimum period of 90 days.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Gross non-performing assets</strong> are the sum of all the loans that have been defaulted by the individuals who have acquired loans from the financial institution.</li>
<li><strong>Net non-performing assets</strong> are the amount that is realized after provision amount has been deducted from the gross non-performing assets.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Concerns of Bankers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fresh NPAs</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 21-day period lockdown would cause pain to lenders, especially in loan</li>
<li>accounts from sectors including <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Micro, Small &amp; Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)</strong></a>, airlines, real estate, auto dealers, gems and jewellery, metals among others.</li>
<li>Banks are concerned about MSME loans and those extended to manufacturing sectors, such as auto, steel, renewable energy, as those where fresh NPAs are looming.</li>
<li>According to the RBI&rsquo;s financial stability report, the share of large borrowers in scheduled commercial banks&rsquo; total loan portfolios and their share in GNPAs was at 51.8%and 79.3% respectively, in September 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problems Within Different Sectors</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Even if the lockdown is lifted on April 14, operations of a number of companies in specific sectors will not see business getting back to normal as the labour has moved out and the production may not be able to restart.</li>
<li>Apart from these, capital intensive sectors such as aviation, real estate, consumer durables, and jewellery may take a long time before there is a demand revival.</li>
<li>Renewable power is struggling because of complete disruption of supply chains from China, as a result of which they are way behind on project schedules and could face payment issues from their customers, the power discoms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fear of Extended Lockdown:</strong> Measures by the RBI will provide banks some relief during the next three months, but a buildup of bad loans looks inevitable.While moratorium provides temporary relief to borrowers and helps check the NPAs during that period, an extended lockdown is expected to have a significant adverse effect on the economy.</li>
<li><strong>Analysis By Different Rating Agencies</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Moody&rsquo;s Investors Service:</strong> It expects deterioration in banks&rsquo; asset quality due to disruption in economic activity. It has changed the outlook for Indian banking system to negative from stable.</li>
<li><strong>According to a report released by Crisil:</strong> The asset classes will see continuing pressures on asset quality due to weaker profiles of borrowers and expectation of only a gradual economic recovery. In study of 35 sectors, both from manufacturing and services,there is a sharp variation in resilience in a post-Covid-19 landscape. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>High Resilience Category:</strong> Pharmaceuticals, telecom, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), fertiliser, oil refineries, power &amp; gas distribution and transmission are among the sectors comprising nearly 44% of the debt.</li>
<li><strong>Moderate Resilience Category:</strong> Another 52% debt is in sectors such as automobile manufacturers, power generators, roads and construction.</li>
<li><strong>Least Resilient Category:</strong> Around 4% of debt in sectors such as airlines, gems and jewellery, auto dealers and real estate, given the discretionary nature of goods and services, and weak balance sheets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/coronavirus-india-lockdown-despite-rbi-liquidity-push-banks-stare-at-fresh-npas-6344760/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Covid-19 Quarantine Alert System (CQAS)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has shared a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with all telecom service providers regarding the application called<strong> COVID-19 Quarantine Alert System (CQAS).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CQAS collects phone data, including the device&rsquo;s location, on a common secured platform and alerts the local agencies in case of a violation by<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> COVID</strong></a> patients under watch or in isolation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Developed By:</strong> The DoT and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), in coordination with telecom service providers, have developed and tested the application.</li>
<li><strong>Working:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The CQAS prepares a list of mobile numbers, segregates them on the basis of telecom service providers, and the location data provided by the telecom companies is run on the application to create <strong>geo-fencing.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Geo-fencing</strong> is a location-based service in which an app or other software uses GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi or cellular data to trigger a pre-programmed action when a mobile device or RFID tag enters or exits a <strong>virtual boundary</strong> set up around a <strong>geographical location, known as a geofence.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Geo-fencing will only work</strong> if the quarantined person has a mobile phone from Airtel, Vodafone-Idea or Reliance Jio, as &ldquo;BSNL/MTNL&rdquo; do not support location based services. BSNL and MTNL are government owned.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The location information is received periodically over a secure network for the authorised cases with <strong>&ldquo;due protection of the data received&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The System <strong>triggers e-mails and SMS alerts</strong> to an authorised government agency if a person has jumped quarantine or escaped from isolation, based on the person&rsquo;s mobile phone&rsquo;s cell tower location. The<strong> &ldquo;geo-fencing&rdquo; is accurate by up to 300 m.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of Powers under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Centre is using powers under the <strong>Indian Telegraph Act</strong> to <strong>&ldquo;fetch information&rdquo;</strong> from telecom companies<strong> every 15 minutes</strong> to track COVID-19 cases across the country.</li>
<li>The States have been asked to seek the approval of their Home Secretaries under the provisions of<strong> Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885,</strong> for the specified mobile phone numbers to request the DoT to provide information by email or SMS in case of violation of &ldquo;geo-fencing&rdquo;.</li>
<li>Section 5(2) authorises State or Centre to access information of a user&rsquo;s phone data in case of<strong> &ldquo;occurrence of any public emergency or in the interest of the public safety.&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection of Data</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the SOP, the phone number should be deleted from the system after the period for which location monitoring required is over and the data would be deleted four weeks from thereon.</li>
<li>The data collected shall be used only for the purpose of <strong>Health Management in the context of COVID-19</strong> and is strictly not for any other purposes. Any violation in this regard would attract penal provisions under the relevant laws.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Centre for Development of Telematics</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>C-DOT was established in August 1984 as <strong>an autonomous Telecom R&amp;D Centre of DoT.</strong></li>
<li>It is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.</li>
<li>It is a<strong> registered &lsquo;public funded research institution&rsquo;</strong> with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science &amp; Technology.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Positioning System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Global Positioning System is a <strong>Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS),</strong> used to determine the ground position of an object. It is a US-owned utility that provides users with Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Radio-Frequency Identification</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is the <strong>use of radio waves</strong> to read and capture information stored on a tag attached to an object. A tag can be read from up to several feet away and does not need to be within the direct line-of-sight of the reader to be tracked.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Wi-Fi</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Wi-Fi is the name of a wireless networking technology that<strong> uses radio waves</strong> to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections. WiFi network <strong>enables connection between two or more devices</strong> wirelessly for data sharing purposes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-geo-fencing-app-will-be-used-to-locate-quarantine-violators/article31241055.ece"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Tribal Affairs',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><strong>Pradhan Manti Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a market-linked tribal entrepreneurship development program for forming clusters of tribal SHGs and strengthening them into Tribal Producer Companies.</li>
<li>Launched in 2018, the scheme is being implemented by<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> TRIFED.</strong></a></li>
<li>PMVDY is an initiative targeting livelihood generation for tribals by harnessing the wealth of forest i.e. Van Dhan.</li>
<li>The programme aims to tap into traditional knowledge &amp; skill sets of tribals by adding technology &amp; IT to upgrade it at each stage and to convert the tribal wisdom into a viable economic activity.</li>
<li>The Van Dhan initiative shall promote and leverage the collective strength of tribals to achieve a viable scale to take on the predatory market forces in the areas where these are still prevalent.</li>
<li>Proposition is to set-up tribal community owned Minor Forest Produce (MFP)-centric multi-purpose Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (the Kendra) in predominantly tribal districts.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eklavya-model-residential-schools" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs)</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>55 EMRSs have been made functional in 2019 with an enrolment of 4833 new students.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eklavya-model-residential-and-day-boarding-schools" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)</strong> </a>started in the year 1997-98 to impart quality education to ST children in remote areas.</li>
<li>As per the budget 2018-19, every block with more than 50% Schedule Tribe (ST) population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an Eklavya Model Residential School by the year 2022.</li>
<li>These are being set up by grants provided under Article 275(1) of the Constitution.</li>
<li>There will be an autonomous society under the ministry of tribal affairs &mdash; similar to Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti &mdash; to run the EMRSs.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To provide quality middle and high-level education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas, not only to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and as jobs in government and public and private sectors but also to have access to the best opportunities in education at par with the non ST population.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Minor Forest Produce</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The number of Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) notified has been revised from 23 to 49 under &lsquo;Mechanism for Marketing of MFP through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP&rsquo; scheme. MFPs contribute up to 80% of tribal communities&rsquo; cash income.</li>
<li>Launched in 2013, the central sector scheme aims to ensure fair monetary returns to MFP gatherers for their efforts in the collection, primary processing, storage, packaging, transportation etc.</li>
<li>The scheme envisages fixation and declaration of Minimum Support Price for the selected MFP based on the suggestions /inputs received from TRIFED.</li>
<li>MFPs include all non-timber forest produce of plant origin and will include bamboo, canes, fodder, leaves, gums, waxes, dyes, resins and many forms of food including nuts, wild fruits, Honey, Lac, Tusser etc.</li>
<li>The Minor Forest Produces provide both subsistence and cash income for people who live in or near forests. They form a major portion of their food, fruits, medicines and other consumption items and also provide cash income through sale.</li>
<li>Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, defined MFPs for the first time in 2007.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>e-Governance Initiatives for ST Welfare Schemes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ministry is funding about 250 NGOs for 350 projects mainly on Health and Education in the deficient service area, LWS areas, Border areas.</li>
<li>In order to bring transparency and efficiency in the release of funds to NGOs, the process of inviting applications, verification and release of funds is through a dedicated NGO portal.</li>
<li>Each NGO can now track the status of its application. In order to ensure NGOs utilize funds for the given purpose only, funds are monitored through EAT Module.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p><strong>EAT (Expenditure Advance Transfer) Module-</strong> Expenditure is done for running office requirement. Advance is given to Vendors, Staff and Beneficiaries for supply or service. Transfer is always done to the lower level agency. EAT Module is also called Expenditure Filing Module.</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Focus on Health, Water and Livelihood</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ice stupas are being established in 50 villages in Ladakh which will solve the problem of drinking water and water required for agriculture.</li>
<li>Projects have been given to some of the private companies on sheep rearing, packaging of apricot and peas.</li>
<li>Ministry has prepared a Health Action Plan to mitigate the gaps in health infrastructure and other health services in the tribal dominated areas.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Tribal Healers and Knowledge</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tribals have vast traditional knowledge of treating diseases with locally available medicinal plants.</li>
<li>Tribal Research Institute (TRI) Uttarakhand has been made nodal TRI for coordination of research works being conducted for tribal medicine by various Centres of Excellence and TRIS so as to create a centralized knowledge hub on the subject.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Tribal Forest Rights</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has completely withdrawn the draft amendment to Indian Forest Act (IFA), 1927.</li>
<li>The amendments had drawn a lot of criticism from tribal organisations as it gave forest officers the power to shoot people and notify any area as &lsquo;production forests&rsquo; among other issues.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-tribal-affairs'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Online Classes due to Covid-19',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a> has led to closing of educational institutes like schools, colleges and coaching institutions.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The educational institutes are thus switching to <strong>e-learning.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Different e-learning Techniques Being Used</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>YouTube, Zoom app</strong> and<strong> Google Classroom</strong> are being used by some institutions.</li>
<li>The <strong>Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan</strong> has deployed its <strong>SWAYAM Prabha portal</strong> which has lectures on <strong>DTH (<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-dth-v-s-ott" target="_blank" rel="noopener">direct-to-home</a>)</strong> and online, to help students.</li>
<li>Few states are <strong>trying to tap Doordarshan</strong> to remove access barriers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>e-learning</strong> poses a <strong>challenge</strong> to teachers, students and their parents over <strong>technology and access</strong> that is why the <strong>effectiveness</strong> of the instructors (teachers) can <strong>not be analysed</strong> and also not every student is joining the virtual classes.</li>
<li><strong>Challenges</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All of the students do not have laptops or tablet computers. Parents also use the computer for their work from home so children do not get a chance to use it.</li>
<li>Teachers are apprehensive about students using smartphones because of distracting apps.</li>
<li>Teachers too might have technical constraints and if teachers are equipped but the same might not be the case for the institutions.</li>
<li>The lockdown makes it worse for those who have technical problems in their devices.</li>
<li>Parents are finding it difficult to adjust to the online system. The added household work due to the absence of domestic help adds to their problem.</li>
<li>Most of the subjects like beauty culture, fashion design and tailoring, office management, travel and tourism, web design etc need practical learning so it is difficult to teach them from a distance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Online classes offered as live teaching can be sustained only with a mix of activities, worksheets and interactive sessions.</li>
<li>Teachers should have a structured plan which does not suffocate or burden them and also keep the students involved.</li>
<li>All institutions will have to chalk out an infrastructure plan which can be used in such a crisis.</li>
<li>Teachers need to be considerate about how children feel or what they are going through these days so an understanding should be developed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>SWAYAM Prabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an initiative of the <strong>Ministry of Human Resources Development</strong> to provide <strong>32 High Quality Educational Channels</strong> through DTH across the length and breadth of the country on 24X7 basis.</li>
<li>It has <strong>curriculum-based course content</strong> covering diverse disciplines.</li>
<li>This is primarily <strong>aimed</strong> at making<strong> quality learning resources</strong> accessible to remote areas where internet availability is still a challenge.</li>
<li>The DTH channels are using the<strong> GSAT-15 satellite</strong> for programme telecasts.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-the-time-of-the-pandemic-classes-go-online-and-on-air/article31264767.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/online-classes-due-to-covid-19'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Grounding of Aircraft Affects Weather Forecasting',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Beginning mid-March, India began restricting incoming international flights into the country and by March 24 had imposed a total shutdown on domestic air travel as well to contain the spread of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The grounding of India&rsquo;s civilian aircraft has strangled a key source of weather data that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/statement-on-climate-of-india-during-2019-imd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong></a> uses for its forecasts.</li>
<li>Officials from the IMD, however,have clarified that India&rsquo;s annual monsoon forecast system is on track, with the first forecast scheduled to be issued in mid-April.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A major factor for gauging the performance of the monsoon is the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/el-nino-forecast-for-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>El Nino</strong></a>, a warming of the ocean waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. This data is measured by observational data buoys located in the sea and relayed via satellite. This <strong>data is not impacted so far.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aviation and Weather Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Aircraft <strong>relay data about temperature and wind speed</strong> in the upper atmosphere to meteorological agencies the world over and this is used in the dynamical models.</li>
<li>Input from aircraft is important for the dynamical models as it determines the <strong>initial conditions</strong> for these models.</li>
<li>Aviation-generated data is also helpful to warn of <strong>developing thunderstorms or swings in temperatures</strong> that often begin at the heights aircraft traverse.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dynamical model:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Dynamic models are generally models that contain or depend upon an <strong>element of time, especially allowing for interactions between variables over time.</strong></li>
<li>These stimulate the state of the atmosphere and oceans at a particular time and then extrapolate into the future using standard laws of physics.</li>
<li>These models are run on<strong> supercomputers</strong> and are relied on to give weather forecasts three days, or even two weeks ahead.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>IMD will move to traditional weather forecasting system:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This year, the IMD will likely rely on its traditional statistical forecast system, the one developed on the basis of historical data.</li>
<li>However, even this will be difficult due to shortage of manpower in the Department owing to Covid-19.</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The IMD issues its first forecast for the June-September monsoon in April and updates it in June.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and Weather Forecasting Model</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Traditional Model:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Until 2010,</strong> the IMD used <strong>only statistical models</strong> to forecast the monsoon.</li>
<li>These <strong>involved identifying climate parameters</strong> linked to the performance of the monsoon. For example, the sea surface temperature gradient between North Atlantic and North Pacific, the volume of warm water in the equatorial Pacific, the Eurasian snow cover.</li>
<li>Their values in February and March are correlated to values of actual rainfall over a hundred years and then, using statistical techniques, extrapolated to forecast a particular year&rsquo;s monsoon.</li>
<li>This has, however, proved wrong and the <strong>IMD missed its mark on forecasting</strong> major droughts and rain-deficits particularly 2002, 2004 and 2006.</li>
<li>The IMD responded by finding new parameters but keeping the technique the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dynamic Model:</strong> IMD started testing a dynamical system around 2015.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This <strong>simulates the weather at a chosen set of locations on a given day &mdash;</strong> the land and ocean temperature, moisture, wind speeds at various heights, etc &mdash; and <strong>powerful computers</strong> calculate how these weather variables will change over days, weeks, months.</li>
<li>It's able to do this by solving physics equations that show how each of these weather variables is related to each other.</li>
<li>The IMD and several private weather agencies are increasingly relying on more sophisticated and high-resolution computer models to give localised forecasts, or warn farmers of changes in weather 10-15 days ahead. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Rather than long-range forecasts that only give a broad tenuous picture of the likely performance of the monsoon, the shorter forecasts are far more reliable and help farmers make decisions about sowing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These models are also useful for<strong> anticipating heat-wave or a cold-wave</strong> and therefore useful to urban planners and government.</li>
<li>Though meteorological agencies around the world are shifting to such techniques, they still aren&rsquo;t considered entirely reliable for forecasting the monsoon.</li>
<li>Further,<strong> India&rsquo;s dynamical model is still not as adept</strong> as meteorologists want them to be, for <strong>warning of a drought or extreme changes in <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/monsoon-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">monsoon</a> rainfall.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India Meteorological Department</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IMD was <strong>established in 1875.</strong></li>
<li>It is an agency of the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.</strong></li>
<li>It is the principal agency responsible for <strong>meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-lockdown-grounding-of-planes-partially-hits-imds-weather-data-supply/article31257641.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/grounding-of-aircraft-affects-weather-forecasting'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Free Testing and Treatment for Covid-19',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Central government has decided to <strong>provide free testing and treatment</strong> of coronavirus under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ayushman Bharat Scheme or the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana</strong></a> (PMJAY).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To<strong> increase the supply</strong> of testing and treatment facilities.</li>
<li>To increase access by <strong>roping in the private sector</strong> through AB-PMJAY as per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/antibody-kits-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council for Medical Research</strong></a> (ICMR) guidelines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will help more than 50 crore Ayushman beneficiaries to <strong>avail free testing</strong> and <strong>timely and standard treatment</strong> in designated private hospitals across India.</li>
<li>It will significantly <strong>expand government&rsquo;s capacities</strong> and <strong>mitigate the adverse impact</strong> of this <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a> on the poor.</li>
<li>States have already enlisted private sector hospitals to convert them into <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <strong>only hospitals.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hospitals can use their own authorised testing facilities or tie up with an authorised testing facility for the scheme.</li>
<li>These tests would be carried out as per the protocol set by ICMR and by <strong>private labs approved/registered</strong> by the ICMR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Information on <strong>symptoms, testing and treatment</strong> for the disease can be accessed from the website of the <strong>Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</strong> and by calling the <strong>national Covid-19 helpline 1075.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ayushman Bharat</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>government-sponsored health insurance scheme</strong> which provides <strong>free coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year</strong> at any government or even empanelled private hospitals all over India for secondary and tertiary medical care facilities.</li>
<li>Modicare is available for 74 crore beneficiary families and about 50 crore Indian citizens. Under the process, 80 percent of beneficiaries, based on the <strong>Socio-Economic Caste Census</strong> (SECC) data in the rural and the urban areas, have been identified.</li>
<li>There is <strong>no restriction on the basis of family size, age or gender.</strong></li>
<li>Ayushman Bharat is unlike other medical insurance schemes where there is a waiting period for pre-existing diseases. <strong>All kinds of diseases are covered</strong> from day one of the Ayushman Bharat policy. The benefit cover includes both <strong>pre and post hospitalization expenses.</strong></li>
<li>The expenditure incurred in premium payment will be shared between Central and State Governments in a specified ratio. The <strong>funding</strong> for the scheme is shared &ndash; <strong>60:40 for all states and UTs</strong> with their own legislature, <strong>90:10 in Northeast states and Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand</strong> and <strong>100% Central funding for UTs without legislature.</strong></li>
<li>It draws <strong>additional resources</strong> from the <strong>Health and Education Cess</strong> and also depends on funding from States to boost the Central allocation. The<strong> premiums</strong> are in the range of <strong>₹1,000-₹1,200 per annum.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>pays</strong> for the hospitalisation costs of its beneficiaries <strong>through strategic purchasing from public and private hospitals.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-testing-treatment-now-available-for-free-under-ayushman-bharat-scheme/article31261580.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/free-testing-and-treatment-for-covid-19'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Agriculture Reforms',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.epw.in/journal/2020/11/special-articles/reforming-indian-agriculture.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Reforming Indian Agriculture&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in Economic and Political Weekly on 14/03/2020. It talks about challenges and solutions pertaining to India&rsquo;s Agriculture sector.</p>
</div>
<p>India&rsquo;s agriculture policies have had <strong>multiple mandates,</strong> including a <strong>production imperative</strong> (national food security),<strong> a consumer imperative</strong> (keeping food prices low for a large low-income population), and<strong> a farmer welfare imperative</strong> (raising farmer&rsquo;s income).</p>
<p>Tensions between these mandates have resulted in costly, contradictory policies whose costs have been increasingly borne by farmers, the government purse, and the natural environment.</p>
<p>Realising the <strong>significance of Agriculture</strong> in India&rsquo;s socio-economic order, the government has set an <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/doubling-farmers-income-a-promise-to-be-fulfilled-by-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>agenda of doubling farmer incomes</strong></a> by raising productivity and cutting down costs, and going for diversification towards high value agriculture.</p>
<p>However, Indian Agriculture is in the need for many fundamental reforms.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Significance of Agriculture in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Highest Employment Provider: More Indians depend directly or indirectly on agriculture</strong> for employment than on any other sector.</li>
<li><strong>Addresses Malnutrition and provides food security:</strong> Agriculture holds a key to <strong>reducing India&rsquo;s malnutrition problem,</strong> directly affecting public health and worker productivity.</li>
<li><strong>Augmenting Economic Growth:</strong> Agriculture has the potential <strong>to</strong> <strong>spur India&rsquo;s overall gross domestic product (GDP)</strong> growth.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Agricultural growth of 4%, would add at least a percentage point to GDP, increase exports and improve India&rsquo;s trade deficit.</li>
<li><strong>Economic transformation</strong> in developing nations is propelled by increases in agricultural incomes underpinning industrial growth. For example, China's economic growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s vital land and water resources, which farmers used for agricultural production, assumes more significance especially in the face of mounting scarcity, environmental degradation, and climate change.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Actions Taken by Government to Increase Farmer Income</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Subsidizing Input Costs:</strong> Providing water,power and fertilizer subsidies to decrease production costs.</li>
<li><strong>Green Revolution:</strong> Increasing yields through better farming practices and timely availability of quality inputs, especially high yielding seeds, chemical fertilisers and water.</li>
<li><strong>Stabilizing Output Prices:</strong> Through minimum support prices (MSP) and public procurement.</li>
<li><strong>Augmenting Non-Crop related Agriculture Income: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/annadata-to-urjadata" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KUSUM scheme.</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Providing Direct Income Transfers to Farmers: <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/08-02-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Associated Challenges In India&rsquo;s Agriculture</h3>
<p><strong>Issue Related to Subsidies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Agricultural subsidies</strong> were introduced to incentivise farmers to take up the green revolution. Subsidies also intended to reduce the cost of production for farmers and to check food price inflation and protect consumers.</li>
<li>However, today it has become apparent that subsidies are<strong> inflicting significant damage on different aspects of the economy.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Subsidised Urea</strong> has led to massive overuse of nitrogenous fertilisers, leading to damaged soils and pollution of local water bodies.</li>
<li>Similarly, <strong>power subsidies</strong> have not only led to an alarming overuse of groundwater,, but also it has severely damaged the health of power distribution companies.</li>
<li><strong>Credit subsidies like loan waivers</strong> have weakened the Indian banking system (due to increased NPAs), having negative spillover effects on the economy.</li>
<li><strong>Output price supports in the form of minimum support price (MSP)</strong> basically apply to only a handful of crops, especially wheat and rice that are procured by the government in a handful of states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Consumer Oriented Policies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Whenever there is a price rise in any agricultural commodity, the <strong>government imposes restrictions on exports to protect Indian consumers.</strong> It creates hindrances for farmers taking advantage of high prices in foreign markets.</li>
<li>This, coupled with the <strong>Essential Commodities Act (ECA),</strong> has meant lower private investment in export infrastructure such as warehouses and cold storage systems.</li>
<li>This lack of storage infrastructure compels farmers to go for Distress sale.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Flawed Agricultural Marketing Policies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to restrictions imposed by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-produce-to-agriculture-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agricultural Produce Market Committee Acts</strong></a> passed by various states, <strong>Indian farmers today can only sell their produce at</strong> Farmgate or local market (haat) to village aggregators, APMC mandis and to government at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/msp-agrarian-crisis-and-reform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>minimum support price (MSP).</strong></a></li>
<li>The introduction of the electronic national agriculture market (e-NAM)&mdash;an online trading platform for agricultural commodities in India&mdash;is a step in the right direction. However, its effects have been underwhelming due to three major bottlenecks:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Time cost of transactions</li>
<li>Quality assessment challenges</li>
<li>Transportation logistics</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Marginal Land Holdings</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Raising farm productivity is critical for long-term increase in farmer incomes in India, as land fragmentation means that many Indian farmers are farming plots of such small sizes that even doubling their incomes would leave them with meagre earnings.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, <strong>nearly 85% of agricultural land holdings are small and marginal</strong> (less than 2 hectare).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Slow Agricultural Growth Rate</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/income-inequality-among-farmers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ashok Dalwai Committee Report</strong></a> on doubling farmers&rsquo; income, estimated that the doubling farmers' income will require an agricultural growth rate of 10-11% per annum, until 2022&ndash;23.</li>
<li>However, agricultural growth rate and farmers' income growth rate has been stagnating and well below the required rate of growth.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps to Increase Farmers' Income</h3>
<p><strong>Addressing Subsidies Problem</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>This can be done by:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Freeing up input prices to market levels,</strong> or charging an optimum cost pricing for fertilisers, power, agri-credit, and canal waters fees.</li>
<li>Channelizing the resulting savings for expenditures on investments in agricultural R&amp;D, irrigation, marketing infrastructure, building value chains by involving <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)</strong></a> and linking farms to organised retail, food processing, and export markets.</li>
<li>Direct income transfers to farmers&rsquo; should be promoted by leveraging the trinity of <strong>Jan Dhan&ndash;Aadhaar&ndash;Mobile (JAM) to reduce the leakages and pilferage.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Allowing Land Leasing</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The central government, in association with the state governments, should free up <strong>land lease markets,</strong> which can help provide farmers with a steady income, while maintaining asset security.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In remote dry areas, leasing land to solar or wind power companies could provide farmers with relatively higher and steadier incomes.</li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/19-08-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Model Land Lease Act, 2016</strong></a> offers an appropriate template for the states and UTs to draft their own piece of legislations, in consonance with the local requirements and adopt an enabling Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Increasing Avenues for Non-Farm Income</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Subsidised electricity should be rationalised, as today <strong>solar water pumps</strong> are operationally and financially sustainable.</li>
<li>This will reduce government burden of electricity subsidies, while at the same time allowing <strong>surplus power from the solar powered pumps to be sold back to the grid.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Promoting value-added uses of biomass</strong> like Bamboo for construction and other applications, rice husk and bagasse-based mini-power plants, and ethanol from sugar cane and corn can all help augment farmer incomes in sustainable ways while developing more dynamic local rural economies.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Improving Agricultural Export Scenario</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India needs to<strong> address the composition of its agriculture export basket.</strong> Currently agricultural exports constitute 10% of the country&rsquo;s exports, but the majority of its exports are low value, raw or semi-processed, and marketed in bulk.</li>
<li>The share of India&rsquo;s high value and value-added agriculture produce is less than 15%.</li>
<li>Robust agriculture exports will increase the demand for India&rsquo;s farm output (and hence, incomes of farmers).</li>
<li>In this context, the government has launched <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/agriculture-export-policy-2018-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agriculture Export Policy 2018</strong></a>. It is aimed at doubling the agricultural exports and integrating Indian farmers and agricultural products with the global value chains.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Investing in Agriculture Infrastructure</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The most sustainable way to augment farmers&rsquo; real incomes over the long term is <strong>through investments in productivity-enhancing areas, ranging from agricultural research and development (R&amp;D), to irrigation to the development of rural and marketing infrastructure.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Local level investments</strong> that seek to build village level storage facilities, better surface irrigation management, and investments in drip irrigation, tile drainage, trap crops, etc, that can give results in a relatively short period of time.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Agricultural Marketing Reforms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Farmers&rsquo; income can improve substantially if they are able to capture a greater share in the supply chain from farm gate to consumer.</li>
<li>For this to happen, farmers must have the freedom to sell what they want, where they want, and when they want without any restrictions on sale, stocking, movement, and export of farm produce.</li>
<li>These will require legal and institutional changes, major investments in market infrastructure and storage (including cold-chain storage), and incentives for the creation and operation of infrastructure by FPOs.</li>
<li>In this context, the state needs to adopt <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/22-11-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Model Agriculture Produce and Livestock Marketing Act, 2017</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Need For Cooperative Federalism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Agriculture is a state subject</strong> and many of the important levers&mdash;water, power, irrigation, extension, etc&mdash;are controlled by the states. However, the central government continues to play a larger role.</li>
<li>Thus, reforms can only succeed if the central and state governments work closely together in a spirit of &ldquo;cooperative federalism.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586004518_Editorial%20Image (4-4-2020)-1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1586004518_Editorial Image (4-4-2020)-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #dceef7;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Indian Agriculture is in a dire need of fundamental reforms for better fiscal and environmental sustainability. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-reforms'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Culture',
		'catname' => 'Paper 1',
		'desc' => '<h3>Important Events</h3>
<p><strong>Commemoration of the 150<sup>th</sup> Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The President of India, presided over the second meeting of the National Committee for Commemoration of the 150<sup>th</sup> Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/portugal-s-gandhi-citizenship-education-prize" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Committee was constituted for commemorating the 150<sup>th</sup> birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi</strong></a> at the national and international level.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sanskriti Kumbh</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A 29 days cultural extravaganza was organised at Kumbh Mela Area, Prayagraj in January 2019 to showcase the rich Cultural Heritage of India in all its rich and varied dimensions viz. Performing Arts- Folk, Tribal and Classical art forms, Handicrafts, Cuisines, Exhibitions etc. all in one place.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bharat Rang Mahotsav</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The 20<sup>th</sup> edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM), the international theatre festival of India, was organized by National School of Drama.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Jaipur- India&rsquo;s 38<sup>th</sup> UNESCO World Heritage Site</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-heritage-site-certificate-to-jaipur" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s nomination of the Jaipur City</strong></a>, Rajasthan got inscribed on 6<sup>th</sup> July, 2019 on the World Heritage List of UNESCO during the 43<sup>rd</sup> Session of the World Heritage Committee held at Baku, Azerbaijan.</li>
<li>With Successful inscription of Jaipur City, India has 38 world heritage sites that include 30 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="height: 916px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #bfa302;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 100%; height: 19px; text-align: center;" colspan="4"><span style="font-size: 18px; color: #ffffff;"><strong>UNESCO's World Heritage Sites of India</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 75%; height: 29px; text-align: center; background-color: #a2f2e8;" colspan="3"><strong>Tangible Heritage</strong></td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 29px; background-color: #a2f2e8; text-align: center;"><strong>Intangible Cultural Heritage</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 30.8075%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #faafbf;"><em>Cultural</em></td>
<td style="width: 23.8862%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #faafbf;"><em>Natural</em></td>
<td style="width: 20.3063%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #faafbf;"><em>Mixed</em></td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #faafbf;"><em>Indian Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity</em><em><br /></em></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 10px;">
<td style="width: 30.8075%; height: 10px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #f2e7a7;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Taj Mahal, Agra</li>
<li>Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh</li>
<li>Hampi, Karnataka</li>
<li>Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra</li>
<li>Ellora Caves, Maharashtra</li>
<li>Bodh Gaya, Bihar</li>
<li>Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha</li>
<li>Red Fort Complex, Delhi</li>
<li>Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh</li>
<li>Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu</li>
<li>Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu</li>
<li>Humayun&rsquo;s Tomb, New Delhi</li>
<li>Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, Rajasthan</li>
<li>Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh</li>
<li>Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh</li>
<li>Rani Ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat</li>
<li>Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka</li>
<li>Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra</li>
<li>Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University), Bihar</li>
<li>Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), Maharashtra</li>
<li>Mountain Railways of India</li>
<li>Qutub Minar and its Monuments, New Delhi</li>
<li>Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat</li>
<li>Hill Forts of Rajasthan</li>
<li>Churches and Convents of Goa</li>
<li>Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh</li>
<li>Capitol Complex, Chandigarh</li>
<li>The Historic City of Ahmedabad</li>
<li>The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 23.8862%; height: 10px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #f2e7a7;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh</li>
<li>Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam</li>
<li>Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan</li>
<li>Manas Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam</li>
<li>Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, Uttarakhand</li>
<li>Western Ghats</li>
<li>Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 20.3063%; height: 10px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #f2e7a7;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim</span></li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 10px; vertical-align: top; background-color: #f2e7a7;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The tradition of Vedic chanting</li>
<li>Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana</li>
<li>Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre</li>
<li>Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas, India</li>
<li>Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala</li>
<li>Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan</li>
<li>Chhau dance</li>
<li>Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India</li>
<li>Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur</li>
<li>Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India</li>
<li>Yoga</li>
<li>Navroz</li>
<li>Kumbh Mela</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Commemoration event of &lsquo;76<sup>th</sup> Year of Formation of Azad Hind Government&rsquo;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/76th-anniversary-of-azad-hind-government" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>76<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the formation of the Azad Hind Government</strong></a> was celebrated on 21<sup>st</sup> October, 2019, at the Red Fort, Delhi.</li>
<li>On 21<sup>st</sup> October 1943, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subhash-chandra-bose" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Subhash Chandra Bose</strong></a> announced the formation of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind (Free India) in Singapore, with himself as the Head of State, Prime Minister and Minister of War.</li>
<li>The Provisional Government not only enabled Bose to negotiate with the Japanese on an equal footing but also facilitated the mobilisation of Indians in East Asia to join and support the Indian National Army (INA).</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unesco-s-network-of-creative-cities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mumbai and Hyderabad: UNESCO&rsquo;s Creative Cities Network (UCCN)</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)</strong> </a>has included Mumbai and Hyderabad in its network of 'Creative Cities' among the 66 cities selected on the occasion of World Cities Day 2019 (31<sup>st</sup> October).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019 Passed by Parliament</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It seeks to make apolitical the trust that runs Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial by removing the clause pertaining to the President of INC as a permanent member of the trust.</li>
<li>The Bill also amends to include the Leader of Opposition recognised as such in the House of the People (LokSabha) or where there is no such Leader of Opposition, then the Leader of the single largest Opposition Party in that House as a member of the trust.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Records Relating to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Azad Hind Fauj De-classified</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All records relating to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subhash-chandra-bose" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Azad Hind Fauj</strong></a> de-classified and were placed in the National Archives of India.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/netaji-subhash-chandra-bose-jayanti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose</strong></a> (23 January 1897 &ndash; 18 August 1945) is one of the most celebrated freedom fighters of India.</li>
<li>In 1942, he earned the title &lsquo;Netaji&rsquo;, in Germany by the Indian soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj.</li>
<li>He is also credited to be the first man to call Mahatma Gandhi &ldquo;Father of the Nation&rdquo;, in his address from Singapore.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Sites</h3>
<p><strong>Markandeshwar Temple, Maharashtra<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585999804_885image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585999804_885image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Archaeological Survey of India initiated the restoration work of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/markandeshwar-temple" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Markandeshwar temple</strong></a> in Maharashtra.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Known as the &ldquo;Khajuraho of Vidarbha&rdquo;, the temple of Markandadeo is situated on the bank of River Wainganga in district Gadchiroli of Maharashtra.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Phupgaon, Maharashtra</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recent excavation carried out by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Maharashtra&rsquo;s Phupgaon has revealed evidence of an Iron Age settlement in the Vidarbha region.</li>
<li>The site is situated in the vast meander of the river Purna, a major tributary of Tapi, which used to be a perennial river, but at present is completely dried-up due to the dam construction in the upper stream.</li>
<li>Chronologically, the site could be placed between 7<sup>th</sup> C BCE and 4th C BCE.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gottiprolu-an-early-trade-centre-of-andhra-pradesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gottiprolu, Andhra Pradesh</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Excavations indicate it as a Trade Centre of Early Historic Period.</li>
<li>The site lies on the right bank of a distributary of river Swarnamukhi.</li>
<li>The proximity of the site (at southern coastal location) to the seacoast suggests that the site could have served as a strategic settlement involved in maritime trade.</li>
<li>Among many other antiquities unearthed are one life-size Vishnu sculpture and a wide variety of pottery of the early centuries of current era.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper1/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-culture'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'EIA Not Needed for Bulk Drug Makers',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> has exempted manufacturers of bulk drugs and intermediates from <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environment Impact Assessment</strong></a> (EIA) till 30<sup>th</sup> September as an interim measure.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was done to <strong>expedite clearances</strong> to such manufacturers and intermediaries which are making medicines related to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Environment Impact Assessment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a process of <strong>evaluating the likely environmental impacts</strong> of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.</li>
<li><strong>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/not-all-animals-migrate-by-choice-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Environment Programme</a> (UNEP)</strong> defines EIA as a tool used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making.</li>
<li>It <strong>aims</strong> to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment and present the predictions and options to decision-makers.</li>
<li>Environment Impact Assessment in India is <strong>statutorily backed</strong> by the <strong>Environment Protection Act, 1986</strong> which contains various provisions on its methodology and process.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>All proposals for projects or activities in respect of <strong>Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients</strong> (API, also called <strong>Bulk Drugs</strong>), received up to the 30<sup>th</sup> September 2020, shall be appraised as <strong>Category B2 projects,</strong> provided that any subsequent amendment or expansion or change in product mix, after the 30<sup>th</sup> September 2020, shall be considered as per the provisions in force at that time.</li>
<li>Rules notified under the<strong> Environment Protection Act, 1986</strong> classify projects into <strong>three categories:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Category A Projects-</strong> These are appraised by the Union Ministry.</li>
<li><strong>Category B Projects-</strong> These are appraised by the states.</li>
<li><strong>Category B2 Projects-</strong> These are projects which are exempted from EIA and public hearings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The drug production and availability to reduce the impact of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/novel-strain-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Novel CoronaVirus</strong></a> are to be ensured as part of a<strong> comprehensive and robust system to handle</strong> the outbreak.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These are <strong>significant ingredients</strong> in the manufacture of drugs.</li>
<li>The <strong>Hubei province of China</strong> is the hub of the API manufacturing industry.</li>
<li>India is <strong>heavily import-dependent for APIs from China.</strong></li>
<li>Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved <strong>two schemes,</strong> namely the scheme on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-approved-to-promote-drug-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks and Production Linked Incentive (PLI)</strong></a> Scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials/Drug Intermediates and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/green-impact-assessment-not-needed-for-bulk-drug-makers-govt/1918577/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: FE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eia-not-needed-for-bulk-drug-makers'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'New Features Added to e-NAM',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare</strong> has launched three new features of the <strong><a href="/infographics/info-paper3/infographics-paper-3-national-agriculture-market-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Agriculture Market</a> (e-NAM)</strong> Platform.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The new features will strengthen agriculture marketing by <strong>reducing farmers&rsquo; need to physically go to wholesale mandis</strong> for selling their harvested produce.</li>
<li>It is an important move at a time when there is a critical need to <strong>decongest mandis</strong> to effectively fight against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Integration of Negotiable Warehouse Receipt System (e-NWRs) Module with e-NAM</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under it, <strong>a warehouse trading module with payment feature</strong> is launched.</li>
<li>It will enable small and marginal farmers to directly trade their stored produce from selected <strong>Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) registered warehouses</strong> which are declared deemed market by the State.</li>
<li>Farmers will be able to place their produce in WDRA accredited warehouses.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Telangana (14 warehouses) and Andhra Pradesh (23 warehouses) have already declared designated warehouses as deemed markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Depositor can save the logistics expenses and will have better income.</li>
<li>Farmers can sell the produce across the Nation at better price without the hassle of going to mandi.</li>
<li>Farmers with their produce in WDRA accredited warehouses can avail the benefit of pledge loan, if required.</li>
<li>Price stabilization by matching supply and demand through time and place utility.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>FPO trading Module</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will enable <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-producer-bodies-need-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Farmer Producers&rsquo; Organisations</a> (FPOs)</strong> to upload the picture of their produce and quality parameters from their premise/collection centres for bidding.</li>
<li>Distant bidders can visualise the produce before bidding by seeing the pictures and quality.</li>
<li>After successful bidding, FPOs can deliver the produce from their premises or by bringing it to mandi.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will decongest mandis and also reduce the hassle.</li>
<li>This will help FPOs by reducing logistics costs and enhance their bargaining power.</li>
<li>Facilitates FPOs to avail online payment facility with ease of doing business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Launch of Logistic Module</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A provision has been made for <strong>linking large logistic aggregator</strong> platforms providing choices to users.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Presently, e-NAM provides a database of <strong>individual transporters</strong> to the traders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Traders will be able to use the link to navigate to the logistics provider&rsquo;s website and select appropriate services.</li>
<li>With these additions, more than 3,75,000 number of trucks from large logistic providers would be added for logistic purpose.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will help in seamless transportation of agri-produce.</li>
<li>This will promote inter-state trade by providing online transport facilities for distant buyers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>e-NAM</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was launched on 14<sup>th</sup> April 2016 as a <strong>pan-India electronic trade portal</strong> linking <strong>Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs)</strong> across the States.</li>
<li>It provides for contactless remote bidding and mobile-based anytime payment for which traders do not need to either visit mandis or banks for the same.</li>
<li>Already 585 mandis in 16 States and 2 Union Territories have been integrated on e-NAM portal and will be soon expanded to cover additional 415 mandis, which will take the total number of e-NAM mandis to 1,000.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Negotiable Warehouse Receipt System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was launched in <strong>2011</strong> but the <strong>Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food &amp; Public Distribution.</strong></li>
<li>Farmers can <strong>seek loans from banks against the warehouse receipts</strong> issued to them against their storage.</li>
<li>These <strong>receipts issued by the warehouses registered with the WDRA</strong> would become a fully negotiable instrument backed by a Central legislation.</li>
<li>The <strong>Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (e-NWR) System</strong> was launched in<strong> 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was constituted on 26<sup>th</sup> October 2010 under the <strong>Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2007.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>statutory authority</strong> under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.</li>
<li>It is headquartered in <strong>New Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>The Act provides for the establishment of the WDRA to exercise the powers conferred on it and to perform the functions assigned to it under the Act, Rules and Regulations for the development and regulation of warehouses, negotiability of warehouse receipts and promote orderly growth of the warehousing business in the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=200941" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-features-added-to-e-nam'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Rise in Violence Against Women',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>National Commission for Women</strong> (NCW) has recorded a <strong>more than twofold rise</strong> in <strong>gender-based violence.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has been argued that the national <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong> </a>has left many people jobless, uncertain over salaries, in forced isolation and in stressed households which have resulted in a <strong>steep rise in violence against women.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data Analysis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Total complaints-</strong> Rose from 116 in the first week of March to 257 in the final week of March.</li>
<li><strong>Rape or attempt to rape-</strong> Rose sharply from 2 to 13.</li>
<li><strong>Domestic violence-</strong> Increased from 30 to 69 over the same comparative period.</li>
<li><strong>Police apathy towards women-</strong> Almost threefold increase as the police are busy enforcing the lockdown to curb the spread of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Right to live with dignity (Article 21)-</strong> Rose to 77 from 35. Such cases could pertain to discrimination on the basis of gender, class or caste or all three of them combined.</li>
<li>These cases might be a <strong>fragment of the actual number</strong> as many women will not be able to reach out due to various reasons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Possible Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Privacy:</strong> Women are not be able to reach out because of restrictions on movement as well as a lack of privacy within homes. Women need privacy and certainty that they will not be discovered by their family but that becomes impossible in the presence of the entire house.</li>
<li><strong>Frustration among Males:</strong> There is a lot of <strong>anxiety in people&rsquo;s minds</strong> about their jobs, salaries and livelihood. <strong>Women become easy targets for men</strong> for venting out their anger in<strong> patriarchal societies.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Lockdown:</strong> It has <strong>restricted the movement</strong> and closed women&rsquo;s avenues to escape violence such as by relocating to their natal homes or contacting the local police.</li>
<li>There is evidence that in situations of crisis or calamity there is an increase in violence against women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The police do not seem the first port of call for victims of domestic violence and, therefore, <strong>alternative arrangements</strong> should be put in place.</li>
<li>The government should<strong> ensure resources to help</strong> women in <strong>distress,</strong> and put <strong>health services</strong> to women and abortion in the list of essential services.</li>
<li><strong>Inspiration</strong> can be taken from <strong>France</strong> which announced that it would pay for 20,000 hotel bookings and contribute &euro;1 million to organisations that fight domestic abuse as well as set up assistance points at supermarkets and pharmacies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Commission for Women</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was set up as a <strong>statutory body</strong> in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.</li>
<li>Its<strong> mission</strong> is to strive towards enabling women to achieve equality and equal participation in all spheres of life by securing her due rights and entitlements through suitable policy formulation, legislative measures, etc.</li>
<li>Its <strong>functions</strong> are to:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Review the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-for-the-elimination-of-violence-against-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>constitutional and legal safeguards for women.</strong></a></li>
<li>Recommend remedial legislative measures.</li>
<li>Facilitate redressal of grievances.</li>
<li>Advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-lockdown-spike-in-domestic-violence-says-ncw/article31238659.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-violence-against-women'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Impact of Economic Slowdown Due to Covid-19',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Amid the ongoing economic slowdown due to Covid-19 pandemic,</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>the government witnessed a fall in tax collections.</li>
<li>foreign investors sold over ₹1 lakh-crore securities in a month (March), for the first time in history.</li>
<li>the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> has decided to shorten trading hours for foreign exchange and money markets products.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Fall in Tax Collections</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Direct Tax Collections</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Direct tax is a tax paid directly by an individual or organization to the imposing entity. For example, income tax is a direct tax.</li>
<li>The government&rsquo;s net direct tax collections have <strong>missed the downward revised target</strong> for 2019-20 by Rs 1.42 lakh crore. The overall collection stood at Rs 10.27 lakh crore.</li>
<li>This is a <strong>decline of over 8%</strong> from previous year&rsquo;s receipts.</li>
<li>The contraction in direct tax collections in a financial year has been witnessed after a <strong>gap of 20 years.</strong> The Centre&rsquo;s direct tax receipts had last seen a year-on-year decline in 1998-99, when collections recorded a contraction of 3.5% in that financial year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indirect Tax Collections</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indirect tax</strong> is a tax collected by one entity in the supply chain and paid to the government, but it is passed on to the consumer as part of the purchase price of a good or service. GST is an indirect tax.</li>
<li>The government has missed its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fall-in-goods-and-services-tax-gst-collections" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections target.</strong> </a></li>
<li>The <strong>reasons</strong> that led to the fall in GST collections in March below the Rs 1 lakh crore mark are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A drop of 7.8% in returns filing over last month.</li>
<li>4% fall over last year in domestic revenue.</li>
<li>A sharp 23% fall in revenue from imports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Consequences</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government is likely to miss its revised <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/government-budgeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fiscal deficit</strong></a> target of 3.8% for 2019-20.</li>
<li>The government&rsquo;s fiscal deficit during April-February increased to 135.2% of the revised estimate for the fiscal year 2019-20.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) Sell Securities</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For the first time in the history of the Indian capital markets, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/investments-through-p-notes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Foreign Portfolio Investors</strong></a> (FPIs) have sold securities worth over ₹1 lakh crore in a single month (March 2020).</li>
<li>As per data from <strong>the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL),</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The cumulative net outflow from the debt and equity segments was pegged at ₹1.18 lakh crore in March</li>
<li>This is more than double the previous high of ₹44,000 crore witnessed in June.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to market participants, the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> pandemic that has affected stocks worldwide is the primary reason for such record outflows as foreign investors move away from<strong> riskier assets and emerging markets. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of the sales on Sensex:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-covid-19-outbreak" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sensex</strong></a> registered its worst monthly fall in over 11 years.</li>
<li>In March, the Sensex lost a little over 23% which was the highest since October 2008 when it fell 23.89%.</li>
<li>Currently, the Sensex after falling.</li>
<li>However, buying by <strong>Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs)</strong> has been acting as a strong counter force to the selling by foreign investors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Securities Depository Limited</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The enactment of <strong>Depositories Act in August 1996</strong> paved the way for establishment of NSDL in August 1996.</li>
<li>It handles most of the securities held and settled in dematerialized form in the Indian capital market.</li>
<li>NSDL works to support the investors and brokers in the capital market of the country.</li>
<li>It aims at ensuring the safety and soundness of Indian marketplaces by developing settlement solutions that increase efficiency, minimize risk and reduce costs.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Domestic institutional investors</strong></p>
<p>DIIs are those institutional investors which undertake investment in securities and other financial assets of the country they are based in.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DIIs include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Banks</li>
<li>Insurance companies</li>
<li>Mutual funds</li>
<li>Domestic financial institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Shortening of Trading Hours</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> has decided to shorten trading hours for foreign exchange and money markets products in the light of challenges posed by lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).</li>
<li>The shortened hours, from 10 am to 2 pm (earlier 9 am to 5 pm), will be in place from April 7-17.</li>
<li>The new hours will be applicable to <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Call/term money.</li>
<li>Market <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-s-covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>repo in g-secs</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Tri-party repo in g-secs.</li>
<li>Commercial Paper</li>
<li>Certificates of Deposit</li>
<li>Repo in corporate bonds.</li>
<li>Foreign currency and rupee trades.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong>Call Money</strong> refers to the borrowing or lending of funds for 1 day.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong>Term money</strong> refers to borrowing and lending of funds for a period of more than 14 days.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong>Commercial Paper (CP)</strong> is a short-term debt instrument issued by companies to raise funds generally for a time period up to one year.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">A <strong>Certificate of Deposit (CD)</strong> is a product offered by banks and credit unions that provides an interest rate premium in exchange for the customer agreeing to leave a lump-sum deposit untouched for a predetermined period of time.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/india-economic-slowdown-coronavirus-impact-direct-tax-6346413/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-economic-slowdown-due-to-covid-19'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Amendments to the J&K Order',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs</strong> has amended the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/centre-defines-j-k-domicile-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order-2020.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Order was issued by the Ministry on 31<sup>st</sup> March, 2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Amendments</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Protection to domiciles to &ldquo;any post&rdquo;</strong> in the government <strong>including senior level positions in Group A and Group B category.</strong> This reserves all jobs in the Union Territory for only its domiciles.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier the protection to domiciles was<strong> provided only in Group D</strong> and entry level non-gazetted government posts. This opened all other government posts to anyone from the rest of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The amended order also<strong> removed the clause</strong> that any person fulfilling the criteria of domicile eligibility will &ldquo;deemed to be&rdquo; a domicile. The <strong>power to issue domicile certificates has been given to &ldquo;tahsildar&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Criteria for Domiciles in J&amp;K</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Someone who has <strong>resided for a period of 15 years</strong> in the UT of J&amp;K, or</li>
<li>Someone who has<strong> studied for a period of seven years and appeared in Class 10<sup>th</sup>/12<sup>th</sup> examination</strong> in an educational institution located in the UT of J&amp;K, or</li>
<li>Someone who is <strong>registered as a migrant</strong> by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants).</li>
<li><strong>Children</strong> of Central government officials, All India Services, PSUs, autonomous body of Centre, Public Sector Banks, officials of statutory bodies, Central Universities, recognised research institutes of <strong>Centre who shall have served in J&amp;K.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Children of such residents of J&amp;K who reside outside J&amp;K</strong> in connection with their employment or business or other professional or vocational reasons but <strong>their parents fulfil any of the conditions provided.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mha-modifies-jk-domicile-order-offers-protection-to-domiciles-in-all-government-posts/article31253516.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amendments-to-the-j-k-order'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'National Investigation Agency',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was constituted under the <strong>National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> New Delhi</li>
<li>It is a central agency to<strong> investigate and prosecute offences</strong> related to terrorism and certain other Act <strong>post-2008 Mumbai terror attacks</strong> such as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Affecting the <strong>sovereignty, security and integrity of India,</strong> security of State, friendly relations with foreign States.</li>
<li>Against <strong>atomic and nuclear facilities.</strong></li>
<li>Smuggling in High-Quality <strong>Counterfeit Indian Currency.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It <strong>implements international treaties, agreements, conventions and resolutions</strong> of the United Nations, its agencies and other international organisations.</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s objective is also to <strong>combat terror in India.&nbsp;</strong>It acts as the <strong>Central Counter-Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Assist all States and other investigating agencies in the <strong>investigation of terrorist cases.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Build a database</strong> of all terrorist-related information and share the database available with the States and other agencies.</li>
<li>Study and analyse laws relating to terrorism in other countries and regularly <strong>evaluate the adequacy of existing laws</strong> in India and propose changes as and when necessary.</li>
<li>To execute in-depth professional investigation <strong>of scheduled offences</strong> using the latest scientific methods of investigation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Scheduled Offences</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The schedule to the Act specifies a<strong> list of offences</strong> which are to be investigated and prosecuted by the NIA.</li>
<li>These include offences under Acts such as the<strong> Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Mandate of NIA</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cases are assigned to the NIA by the Central Government in accordance with <strong>section VI of the NIA Act, 2008.</strong></li>
<li>The investigation of the cases is done by the Agency<strong> independently.</strong></li>
<li>After investigation, the cases are placed before <strong>the NIA Special Court.</strong></li>
<li>It is empowered to deal<strong> with terror-related crimes across states without special permission from the states.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Recent Amendments</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The various features or provisions of the<strong> NIA (Amendment) ACT, 2019</strong> are as follows:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It applied the provisions of the NIA Act <strong>also to persons who commit a scheduled offence beyond India</strong> against Indian citizens or affecting the interest of India.</li>
<li>It provided that the officers of the NIA shall have the similar powers, duties, privies and liabilities being exercised by the <strong>police officers in connection with the investigation of offences,</strong> not only in India but also outside India.</li>
<li>It empowered the central government, with respect to a scheduled offence committed outside India, to direct the NIA to register the case and take up investigation as if <strong>such offence had taken place in India.</strong></li>
<li>It provided that the central government and the state governments may designate <strong>Sessions Courts as Special Courts for conducting the trial of offences</strong> under the NIA Act.</li>
<li>It inserted certain new offences in the <strong>Schedule of the NIA Act.</strong> Consequently, the NIA is also empowered to probe the offences relating to<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>human trafficking,</li>
<li>counterfeit currency or bank notes,</li>
<li>manufacture or sale of prohibited arms,</li>
<li>cyber-terrorism and</li>
<li>explosive substances.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues in the Recent Amendments</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under schedule VII of the Constitution, the maintenance of <strong>public order and police forces are matters of state list.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, <strong>Criminal law forms part of the concurrent list</strong> and national security comes under the domains of the union list.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Central government gets the authority to have the NIA take over the investigation of crimes, which involve allegations of human trafficking, offences under the Explosives Act, and certain offences under the Arms Act.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, <strong>not every criminal offence in the above act is a threat to national security and sovereignty</strong> and consequently, states have the competence to deal with the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Amendment Bill puts<strong> Section 66F of the Information Technology Act, 2000</strong> into the Schedule listing offences. Section 66F deals with <strong>cyber terrorism.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But India <strong>does not have a data protection act </strong>and there is <strong>no definition of cyber terrorism.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The amendment to the NIA Act also gives the agency authority to investigate crimes committed by persons which are against Indian citizens or <strong>&ldquo;affecting the interest of India&rdquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the term &ldquo;affecting the interest of India&rdquo; is <strong>undefined</strong> and can be <strong>misused by governments</strong> to curb freedom of speech and expression.</li>
<li>Further, the laws, under which the NIA has the authority to investigate, themselves <strong>do not mention &ldquo;affecting the interest of India&rdquo; as an offence.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/activists-decry-akhil-gogois-serial-rearrest-in-assam/article31253206.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-investigation-agency-1'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => '50 Years of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://idsa.in/issuebrief/npt-50-genesis-flawed-avkumar-310320" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;[email protected]: The Genesis of a Flawed Bargain&rdquo;</strong></a>. It talks about issues pertaining to Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT).</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Year 2020 marked the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary</strong> of the entry-into-force of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/npt-must-for-india-s-entry-into-nsg-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)</strong></a>, a legal instrument treated as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.</p>
<p>The treaty institutionalised the non-proliferation norm by de-legitimising &lsquo;proliferation&rsquo; (production and transfer) of nuclear weapons, fissile materials and related technology by the <strong>non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS)</strong> while the recognised<strong> five nuclear-weapon states (NWS) &mdash;</strong> namely the <strong>US, Russia, the UK, France and China,</strong> can continue to possess nuclear weapons.</p>
<p>The Treaty can be described to have <strong>three objectives of non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.</strong> However, NNWS criticised this treaty of having <strong>structural flaws</strong> and viewed it as an imbalanced instrument.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the treaty has attained a near-universal status with just <strong>four hold-outs &mdash; India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea</strong> and it is widely acknowledged that having a treaty to halt the spread of nuclear weapons was better than having none at all.</p>
<h3>Issues Pertaining to NPT</h3>
<p><strong>Failure of Disarmament Process</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NPT is largely seen as a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War era</strong> </a>instrument that has failed to fulfil the objective of creating a pathway towards a credible disarmament process.</li>
<li>Treaty proposes <strong>no tangible disarmament roadmap, no reference to test ban or to the freezing of production of either fissile materials or nuclear weapons, and omitted provisions for reductions and elimination.</strong></li>
<li>It instead allowed sustenance and expansion of arsenals by stipulating <strong>January 1, 1967</strong> as the cut-off date to determine the NWS.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>System of Nuclear &lsquo;Haves&rsquo; and &lsquo;Have-Nots&rsquo;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NNWS criticizes the treaty to be discriminatory as it focuses on <strong>preventing only horizontal proliferation while there is no limit for vertical proliferation.</strong></li>
<li>In this context, NNWS groupings demand that the NWS should renounce their arsenals and further production in return for commitment of NNWS not to produce them.</li>
<li>Apart from it, <strong>other reasons for tussle between NWS and NNWS.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NNWS held that Articles I &amp; II of the treaty (prohibition of possessing nuclear weapons) did not prohibit nuclear weapons on allied territory of NWS. For example, NATO countries for the US.</li>
<li>NWWS also feels that the restrictions on <strong>Peaceful Nuclear Explosion (PNE)</strong> technology are one-sided.</li>
<li>Under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) protocols of nuclear safety, the NWS allowed to maintain &lsquo;voluntary&rsquo; safeguards while the rest were subjected to comprehensive safeguards, which seemed intrusive and discriminatory to the NNWS.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Due to this tussle, most of the quadrennial <strong>Review Conferences (RevCon),</strong> the forum that reviews the health and functioning of the treaty, has remained largely inconclusive since 1995.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Vertical Proliferation vs Horizontal Proliferation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Vertical proliferation</strong> can be defined as the advancement or modernization of a nation-state's nuclear arsenal, whereas <strong>horizontal proliferation</strong> is the direct or indirect transfer of technologies from one nation-state to another, which ultimately leads to the more advanced development and proliferation of nuclear weapons.</li>
<li>As there is no explicit obligation on part of NWS to reduce their arsenal, NWS have continued to expand their respective arsenals without any constraints.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Peaceful Nuclear Explosions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Peaceful nuclear explosions (PNEs) are nuclear explosions conducted for non-military purposes.</li>
<li>The US proposed to prohibit PNE rights and instead offered to provide the technology on a commercial basis.</li>
<li>The Indian representatives consistently termed the offer as 'atomic apartheid' and 'commercial super-monopoly,' and insisted that PNE rights need to be integral to all peaceful uses of nuclear energy.</li>
<li>India conducted its first PNE in 1974 in opposition to this discriminatory principle.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Post-Cold War Challenges</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The treaty&rsquo;s existential challenges began in the post-Cold War setting when the attempts by a few State Parties to break-out or gain nuclear latency led to numerous instances of non-compliance, violations and defiance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, the US alleges Iran of building nuclear Weapons of Mass Destruction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The NPT&rsquo;s indefinite extension in 1995, while invoking its irreplaceability, also underlined the inability of states to formulate a stand-alone instrument towards the objective of disarmament, as enshrined in the NPT.</li>
<li>The emergence of non-state actors with declared intent to access weapons of mass destruction and the detection of a global nuclear black-market, has raised concerns on the limitations of the treaty to address the challenges thrown up by the new strategic milieu.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand on NPT</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India is one of the only five countries that either did not sign the NPT or signed but withdrew,</strong> thus becoming part of a list that includes Pakistan, Israel, North Korea, and South Sudan.</li>
<li>India always considered the NPT as <strong>discriminatory</strong> and had refused to sign it.</li>
<li>India has opposed the international treaties aimed at non-proliferation since they were selectively applicable to the non-nuclear powers and legitimised the monopoly of the five nuclear weapons powers.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rising energy demands have led to a growing number of countries pursuing nuclear energy, and many countries wish to be energy-independent, in order to ensure a sustainable and dependable domestic energy supply. As clean energy, development, and peaceful coexistence are essential for every country.</li>
<li>Thus, the challenge for the international community will be to reconcile states&rsquo; desire for energy independence with their desire to both reduce the intrusiveness of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/63rd-general-conference-of-iaea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IAEA</strong></a> safeguards and diminish the possibility of proliferation.</li>
<li>Also, NNWS welcomes<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-start-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> New START</strong> </a>and other initiatives, but is anxious to see more concrete actions on reducing the role of nuclear weapons in national security doctrines, reducing alert levels, increasing transparency, and other steps.</li>
<li>More regions in the world (preferably comprising NWS) should enter into an arrangement of establishing <strong>Nuclear-weapon-free zones.</strong></li>
<li>Further, Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is a step in the right direction for nuclear disarmament.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ) is a geographical area declared free of nuclear weapons as described</li>
<li>under Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and in the United Nations Guidelines on NuclearWeapon-Free Zones from 1999. As of 2016, there are five such regional treaties in place in populated areas</li>
<li>of the world: Latin-America and the Caribbean, Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific.</li>
<li>In addition, the status of Mongolia as a nuclear-free territory has been recognized by the United Nations General Assembly. Antarctica is also considered nuclear-free, and so is outer space.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585915432_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585915432_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fff9e3;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the issues pertaining to Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons treaty.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/50-years-of-nuclear-non-proliferation-treaty-npt'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Impact of Covid-19 on Global Economy',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uncdat-world-investment-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Conference on Trade and Development</a> (UNCTAD)</strong> has observed that the economic uncertainty sparked by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> will likely cost the global economy $1 trillion in 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The observation is based on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-economic-situation-and-prospects-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Situation and Prospects 2020</strong></a> released by UNCTAD.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Observations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>slowdown in the global economy to under 2%</strong> for this year is envisaged which will probably cost in the order of $1 trillion.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Worst possible scenario:</strong> If the world economy grew at only 0.5% which would involve a $2 trillion hit to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gross domestic product</strong></a> (GDP).</li>
<li><strong>Best case scenario:</strong> With moderate declines in private consumption, investment and exports and offsetting increases in government spending, global growth would fall to 1.2% in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global financial market is fluctuating</strong> due to the<strong> supply-chain interruptions from China</strong> and<strong> oil price uncertainty</strong> among major producers.</li>
<li><strong>European economies</strong> had already been performing extremely badly towards the end of 2019.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Europe</strong> is almost certain to go into <strong>recession</strong> over the coming months.</li>
<li><strong>German</strong> economy is in a<strong> fragile</strong> state.</li>
<li><strong>Italian</strong> economy and other parts of the <strong>European periphery</strong> are also facing very <strong>serious stresses</strong> right now.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Many parts of the <strong>Latin American</strong> region are also vulnerable.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Argentina</strong> in particular will be struggling as a consequence of the knock-on effects of this pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>least developed countries</strong> whose economies are driven by the<strong> sale of raw materials</strong> will also face hard consequences.</li>
<li>Heavily-indebted <strong>developing countries,</strong> particularly <strong>commodity exporters,</strong> face a particular threat due to the <strong>weaker export returns linked to a stronger US dollar.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The likelihood of a <strong>stronger dollar</strong> as investors seek safe-havens for their money and the almost certain<strong> rise in commodity prices</strong> as the global economy slows down, means that commodity exporters are particularly <strong>vulnerable.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A series of <strong>dedicated policy responses and institutional reforms</strong> are needed to prevent a localized health scare from turning into a global economic meltdown.</li>
<li>Governments need to <strong>spend now in order to prevent more damaging meltdown</strong> in the coming times.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Chinese</strong> Government is likely to introduce <strong>significant expansionary measures &ndash;</strong> shorthand for increasing spending or tax cuts.</li>
<li>The<strong> US</strong> government is in an election year and it needs to do <strong>more than simply cutting taxes and reducing interest rates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Conference on Trade and Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established in <strong>1964</strong> to promote development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy.</li>
<li>UNCTAD is a <strong>permanent intergovernmental body</strong> headquartered at <strong>Geneva</strong> in Switzerland.</li>
<li>Some of the <strong>reports published by it are:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Trade and Development Report</li>
<li>World Investment Report</li>
<li>The Least Developed Countries Report</li>
<li>Information and Economy Report</li>
<li>Technology and Innovation Report</li>
<li>Commodities and Development Report</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/03/1059011" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: UN</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-covid-19-on-global-economy'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'PRS Capsule February 2020',
		'catname' => 'PRS Capsule',
		'desc' => '<p><em><strong>Key Highlights of PRS</strong></em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="#1">Polity</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#2">Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">22<sup>nd</sup> Law Commission</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">Select Committee on the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#5">Science &amp; Technology</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#6">Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#7">Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#8">Draft Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Amendment Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#9">Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#10">National Technical Textiles Mission</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#11">Environment</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#12">Revised Guidelines for Central Crop Insurance Schemes</a></li>
<li><a href="#13">Draft National Fisheries Policy</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1">Polity</h2>
<h3 id="2">Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/direct-tax-vivad-se-vishwas-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill, 2020</strong></a> was introduced in Lok Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill provides a mechanism for resolution of pending tax disputes related to income tax and corporation tax.</li>
<li>The idea behind the scheme is to reduce litigation in the direct tax arena.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Features</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Appellant:</strong> An appellant is the income-tax authority or the person, or both, whose appeal is pending before any appellate forum (the Supreme Court, the High Courts, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunals, or the Commissioner (Appeals) as on January 31, 2020.</li>
<li><strong>Resolution mechanism:</strong> The Bill proposes a mechanism under which an appellant can file a declaration to the designated authority to initiate the resolution of pending direct tax disputes.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The last date to file the declaration will be notified by the central government.</li>
<li>Based on the declaration, the designated authority will determine the amount payable by the appellant against the dispute and grant a certificate, containing particulars of the amount payable, within 15 days.</li>
<li>The appellant must pay this amount within 15 days and inform the designated authority.</li>
<li>The amount paid will not be refundable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Amount payable for resolution:</strong> The amount payable by the appellant for resolution of disputes is determined based on whether the dispute relates to the payment of tax, or payment of interest, penalty, or fee.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An additional amount is required to be paid if such payment is made after March 31, 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Once the designated authority issues the certificate, appeals pending before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunals and the Commissioner (Appeals) will be deemed to be withdrawn.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In case of appeals or petitions pending before the Supreme Court and High Courts, the appellant is required to withdraw the appeal or petition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="3">22<sup>nd</sup> Law Commission</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet approved the constitution of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/22nd-law-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>22<sup>nd</sup> Law Commission</strong></a> of India for a period of 3 years.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will consist of:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Chairperson,</li>
<li>four members,</li>
<li>Secretaries of the Legislative Department and the Department of Legal Affairs, as ex-officio members, and</li>
<li>up to five part-time members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Commission&rsquo;s responsibilities will include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>identifying laws which are no longer relevant,</li>
<li>recommending laws which are necessary to implement the Directive Principles of State Policy,</li>
<li>giving its views on subjects referred to it by the government, and</li>
<li>revising central laws of general importance to simplify them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>First Law Commission in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first Law Commission was established during the British Raj era in 1834 by the Charter Act of 1833 and was chaired by Lord Macaulay.</li>
<li>The first Law Commission of independent India was established in 1955 for a three-year term. Since then, 21 more Commissions have been established.</li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong>Read More: <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/law-commission-of-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">To The Point on Law Commission of India</a></strong></em></p>
</div>
<h3 id="4">Select Committee on the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill</h3>
<p>The Select Committee on the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-approves-bill-to-regulate-surrogacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill</a>,</strong> 2019 submitted its report.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Surrogacy is the practice where one woman carries the child for another with the intention of handing over the child after birth.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Features</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-new-surrogacy-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Commercial vs. altruistic surrogacy</strong></a>: The Bill prohibits commercial surrogacy and allows altruistic surrogacy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Altruistic surrogacy</strong> involves no compensation to the surrogate mother other than the medical and insurance expenses related to the pregnancy.</li>
<li>The Committee recommended a surrogacy model based on compensation rather than altruistic surrogacy.</li>
<li>The compensation must take care of the losses suffered by the surrogate mother in terms of health and wages.</li>
<li>The Committee observed that surrogacy has been considered as an economic opportunity by women from economically weak backgrounds. By banning commercial surrogacy, the Bill ignores the fact that altruistic surrogacy is also exploitative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In this regard, the Committee recommended that surrogacy could be classified on the basis of the specific intention with which a woman agrees to be a surrogate mother. The intention could be to either:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>render a paid service and make money, or</li>
<li>do it for altruistic reasons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Surrogate being a &lsquo;close relative&rsquo;:</strong> Under the Bill, the surrogate can only be a &lsquo;close relative&rsquo; of the intending couple.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Committee noted that the criteria of being a &lsquo;close relative&rsquo; potentially restricts the availability of surrogate mothers and may affect persons in genuine need.</li>
<li>Hence, it recommended deleting the definition of &lsquo;close relative&rsquo; and allowing any willing woman to act as a surrogate mother.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Five year waiting period:</strong> Under the Bill, the intending couple can undertake a surrogacy arrangement following the inability to conceive after five years of unprotected coitus or other medical conditions preventing conception.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Committee observed that the requirement of a five-year waiting period is too long particularly in conditions like absent uterus, removal of the uterus due to cancer, and medical conditions where normal pregnancy is ruled out.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Committee recommended removing the definition of infertility from the Bill and the five-year waiting period.</li>
<li>It recommended that any couple who have a medical condition (could be either or both members of the couple) which necessitates gestational surrogacy, should be allowed to undertake surrogacy.</li>
<li><strong>Gestational surrogacy</strong> is a practice where a surrogate mother carries a child for the intending couple through implantation of embryo in her womb and the child is not genetically related to the surrogate mother.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="5">Science &amp; Technology</h2>
<h3 id="6">Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet approved the introduction of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assisted-reproductive-technology-regulation-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill seeks to regulate assisted reproductive technology services in the country.</li>
<li><strong>Assisted reproductive technology (ART)</strong> means all techniques that attempt to obtain a pregnancy by handling the sperm (the oocyte) outside the human body and transferring the gamete (the embryo) into the reproductive tract of a woman.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes in-vitro fertilisation, intrauterine insemination, and gestational surrogacy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>A copy of the Bill is not available in the public domain.</strong> However, as per the press release, the Bill sets up a National Board to regulate ART services by:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>laying down a code of conduct to be observed by persons working at clinics, and</li>
<li>setting the minimum standards of physical infrastructure, laboratory and diagnostic equipment, and expert manpower to be employed by clinics and banks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, the Bill provides for a National Registry and Registration Authority to maintain a central database of all ART Banks and clinics.</li>
<li>The Bill also proposes a stringent punishment for those practising sex selection, sale of human embryos or gametes, and running organisations for such unlawful practices.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="7">Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020</h3>
<p>The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was introduced in Lok Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It seeks to amend the Aircraft Act, 1934.</li>
<li>The Act regulates the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of civil aircrafts, and licensing of aerodromes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Features</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Authorities:</strong> The Bill converts three existing bodies under the Ministry of Civil Aviation into statutory bodies under the Act. These are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA),</li>
<li>the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and</li>
<li>the Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Each of these bodies will be headed by a Director-General who will be appointed by the centre.</li>
<li><strong>The DGCA</strong> will carry out safety oversight and regulatory functions with respect to matters under the Bill.</li>
<li><strong>The BCAS</strong> will carry out regulatory oversight functions related to civil aviation security.</li>
<li><strong>The AAIB</strong> will carry out investigations related to aircraft accidents and incidents.</li>
<li><strong>Offences and penalties:</strong> Under the Act, the penalty for various offences is imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh, or both. These offences include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Carrying arms, explosives, or other dangerous goods aboard an aircraft,</li>
<li>Constructing buildings or structures within the specified radius around an aerodrome reference point, and</li>
<li>Contravening rules notified under the Act.</li>
<li>The Bill raises the maximum limit of fines for these offences from Rs 10 lakh to 1 crore rupees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Bill allows for the compounding of certain offences under the Act or rules under the Act. These include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>flying to cause danger to any person or property and</li>
<li>the contravention of any directions issued by the Director-General of any of the three bodies.</li>
<li>Offences may be compounded by the Director Generals as prescribed by the centre.</li>
<li>Compounding of offences is not allowed in case of repeat offences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="8">Draft Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Amendment Bill, 2020</h3>
<p>The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released the draft Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) (Amendment) Bill, 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Bill amends the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 which controls the advertisement of certain drugs in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Amendments Proposed</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Prohibition on advertisement of certain drugs:</strong> The Act prohibits advertisements of drugs and remedies that claim to have magical properties, and makes doing so an offence.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the Act, advertisement is prohibited for drugs for 54 diseases, disorders and conditions.</li>
<li>The draft Bill adds 24 more diseases and disorders to this schedule.</li>
<li>These include:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>drugs or treatment for enhancing sexual performance,</li>
<li>fairness of skin,</li>
<li>premature ageing, and</li>
<li>improvement in height of kids and adults.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Penalties:</strong> Under the Act, the first conviction is punishable with imprisonment of up to six months, and a fine. A subsequent conviction may result in imprisonment of up to a year, and a fine.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The draft Bill proposes to increase the penalties. For the first conviction, the punishment will be imprisonment of up to two years and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh as against a six months imprisonment presently under the act.</li>
<li>For any subsequent conviction, the imprisonment may extend to five years with a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh extending from imprisonment of 1 year as of now in the act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="9">Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill, 2020</h3>
<p>The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill, 2020 was introduced in Lok Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill seeks to merge three Ayurveda institutes into one institution by the name of Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill declares the Institute to be an <strong>institution of National Importance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Institutes of National Importance (INI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a status that may be conferred on a premier public higher education institution in India by an act of Parliament of India,</li>
<li>An institution which "serves as a pivotal player in developing highly skilled personnel within the specified region of the country/state" may be conferred a status of INI.</li>
<li>Institutes of National Importance receive special recognition and funding from the Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Merger:</strong> The existing institutes which will be merged into the Institute are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Institute of Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar,</li>
<li>Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Jamnagar, and,</li>
<li>Indian Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jamnagar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The proposed Institute will be situated in the campus of Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives of Institute:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Develop patterns of teaching in medical education in Ayurveda and Pharmacy</li>
<li>Bring together educational facilities for training of personnel in all branches of Ayurveda</li>
<li>Attain self-sufficiency in postgraduate education to meet the need for specialists and medical teachers in Ayurveda</li>
<li>Make an in-depth study and research in the field of Ayurveda</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Composition of Institute:</strong> The Bill provides that the Institute will consist of 15 members. These include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Minister of AYUSH</li>
<li>Secretary and technical head of Ayurveda, Ministry of AYUSH</li>
<li>Secretary, department of health, government of Gujarat</li>
<li>Director of the Institute</li>
<li>Director-General, Central Council for Research in Ayurveda</li>
<li>Three experts in Ayurveda with expertise in education, industry and research, and</li>
<li>Three Members of Parliament</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Director of the Institute of Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar will be appointed as the first Director of the Institute.</li>
<li>Further, the Bill states that there will be a Governing Body of the Institute, which will exercise powers and such functions of the Institute, as specified.</li>
<li><strong>Functions of Institute:</strong> The functions of the Institute will include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>provide for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in Ayurveda (including pharmacy),</li>
<li>prescribe courses and curricula for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Ayurveda,</li>
<li>provide facilities for research in the various branches of Ayurveda,</li>
<li>hold examinations and grant degrees, diplomas and other distinctions and titles in education in Ayurveda and pharmacy, and</li>
<li>maintain well-equipped colleges and hospitals for Ayurveda supporting staff such as nurses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="10">National Technical Textiles Mission</h3>
<p>The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, approved the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-technical-textiles-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Technical Textiles Mission.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Technical textiles are textiles manufactured for technical performance and functional properties rather than aesthetic characteristics.</li>
<li>They have applications in areas such as railway tracks and bulletproof jackets.</li>
<li>Based on usage, there are 12 technical textile segments; Agrotech, Meditech, Buildtech, Mobiltech, Clothtech, Oekotech, Geotech, Packtech, Hometech, Protech, Indutech and Sportech.</li>
<li>The Mission will be implemented over a period of four years, from 2020-21 to 2023-24.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Features</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Research:</strong> The Mission will promote research into the development of:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>fibres such as carbon fibre and nylon fibre</li>
<li>textiles such as geo-textiles and biodegradable textiles</li>
<li>This component will have an outlay of Rs 1,000 crore</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promotion and market development:</strong> Indian technical textiles consist of approximately 6% (USD 16 billion) of the USD 250 billion global technical textiles market.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Mission aims to increase the domestic market size to USD 40-50 billion by 2024 through market development and investment promotion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Export:</strong> The current annual value of exports of technical textiles is approximately Rs 14,000 crore.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Mission aims to increase the annual value of exports to Rs 20,000 crore by 2021-22, and ensure a 10% average growth in exports per year up to 2023-24.</li>
<li>Further, an <strong>Export Promotion Council</strong> for technical textiles will be set up for effective coordination and promotion activities relating to exports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Education:</strong> The Mission also aims to promote technical education in higher engineering in areas related to technical textiles and its application.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="11">Environment</h2>
<h3 id="12">Revised Guidelines for Central Crop Insurance Schemes</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet approved <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revamp-of-the-crop-insurance-schemes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>revised guidelines for central crop insurance schemes</strong></a>, namely the <a href="/printpdf/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana-(pmfby)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)</strong></a> and the <strong>Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme,</strong> with the aim of addressing the existing implementation challenges. <strong>The revised guidelines will be effective from the Kharif season 2020-21.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The crop insurance schemes provide insurance coverage to farmers for crop failure due to various risks such as calamities, adverse weather conditions, pest attacks, and other yield and post-harvest losses.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Changes Proposed</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Voluntary enrolment:</strong> Both the schemes have been made voluntary for all farmers.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, they were mandatory for farmers who have taken crop loans (loanee farmers).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flexibility to select insurance cover:</strong> States have been given the flexibility to select additional risk covers, such as mid-season adversity, prevented sowing, post-harvest losses, and localised calamity, under both the schemes.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the case of PMFBY, states can also offer specific single-risk insurance covers with or without opting for the base cover.</li>
<li>Earlier, PMFBY did not allow states to add any risk other than the ones specified.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limit on centre&rsquo;s premium subsidy:</strong> Under the schemes, farmers are required to pay an insurance premium, which is a certain percentage of the sum insured <strong>(2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial and horticultural crops).</strong> Rest of the premium amount is equally paid by the central and state government in the form of premium subsidy, with no limit applicable.</li>
<li>Under the revised guidelines, the premium subsidy payable by the central government will not be higher than:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>25% of the sum insured for irrigated areas, and</li>
<li>30% of the sum insured for unirrigated areas.</li>
<li>For this purpose, districts with more than 50% area under irrigation will be considered as irrigated districts or areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase in the centre&rsquo;s share for the north-eastern states:</strong> Under the two schemes, premium subsidy is equally shared by the central and state government.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For north-eastern states, the central government will provide 90% of the subsidy, with the remaining 10% coming from the state government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delay by states:</strong> States will not be allowed to implement the schemes in subsequent seasons in case they considerably delay the release of premium subsidy to insurance companies beyond a prescribed time limit.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="13">Draft National Fisheries Policy</h3>
<p>The Department of Fisheries released the draft <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/blue-revolution-that-will-be" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Fisheries Policy.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The policy aims to integrate the various policies relating to different aspects of fisheries (such as inland fisheries, marine plants and animals, processing, and marketing) for its comprehensive development.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Features</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>enhancing fish production and productivity in a responsible and sustainable manner,</li>
<li>providing a robust regulatory framework for effective fisheries resource management,</li>
<li>modernising and diversifying fishing practices in oceans and seas through use of science and technology,</li>
<li>strengthening and modernising the value chain, and</li>
<li>generating gainful employment and entrepreneurship opportunities leading to higher income of fishers and fish farmers and improvement of their living standards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legal framework:</strong> Fisheries governance will be improved to facilitate coordination among states, national agencies, and other stakeholders.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Comprehensive management and regulation of fisheries resources in the <strong>Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)</strong> will be ensured through a national law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note: Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)</strong> is the area of the sea outside territorial water to which India has the exclusive rights for economic activities, and <strong>extends to 200 nautical miles from the coast of India.</strong></p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The central government will empower coastal state governments by delegating the powers to grant marine fishing licences for the EEZ and high seas (the area beyond EEZ).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustainability:</strong> The central government will encourage and empower traditional and small fisher and fisher groups to undertake resource-specific deep-sea fishing to harness untapped high-value resources sustainably.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The expertise of scientific institutions and fishers will be utilized to optimise fishing efforts and implement measures to check resource depletion and ensure sustainability.</li>
<li>Comprehensive fisheries management plans will be made to conserve and sustainably manage natural fisheries resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inter-sector coordination:</strong> The central and state governments will take up with Nodal departments such as water, irrigation, and rural development to ensure that the Department of Fisheries is fittingly represented in all the committees entrusted with the management and usages of water resources.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The fisheries sector requires greater attention of the government in the form of incentives such as the ones given to the agriculture sector.</li>
<li>The scope of land use categories at state level needs to be increased to specifically include fisheries and aquaculture as integral components of agriculture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-february-2020'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'In Depth - The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z9_6cVJhDSU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>Recently, a Bill to amend the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/committee-to-review-the-offences-under-the-companies-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Companies Act, 2013</strong></a> and decriminalise various offences under it was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The proposed amendments aim to reduce the burden on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/final-report-on-penal-provisions-of-company-act-2013" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Company Law Tribunal.</strong></a> The Bill was however vehemently opposed and was demanded to be referred to the <strong>Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance.</strong></p>
<h3>Proposed Amendments in the Bill</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill removes the penalty and imprisonment in certain offences along with the reduction in the amount of fine payable.</li>
<li><strong>Decriminalization:</strong> The Bill proposed 72 amendments to the Companies Act, 2013 to decriminalise various offences which can promote <strong>Ease of doing ethical business and Ease of doing honest business.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will also boost the confidence of the investors along with giving an impetus to the business as the fear of imprisonment will be reduced.</li>
<li>The decriminalization is only for <strong>minor, procedural and technical falls</strong> which do not involve fraud, injury to the public interest, or non- compoundable offences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recategorization:</strong> The changes <strong>recategorize</strong> at least 23 offences out of the 66 compoundable offences mentioned under the Act in case of <strong>defaults</strong> (which can be <strong>determined objectively</strong> and which <strong>lack an element of fraud</strong> or do not involve larger public interest). Such cases will be dealt with an <strong>in-house adjudication framework.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Compoundable Offences</strong> are those which can be conciliated by the parties under dispute (without the requirement of the permission of the Court).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Producer Companies:</strong> Under the 2013 Act, certain provisions from the Companies Act, 1956 continue to apply to producer companies. These include provisions on their membership, the conduct of meetings, and maintenance of accounts. The Bill removes these provisions and adds a new chapter in the Act with similar provisions on producer companies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Producer companies include companies which are engaged in the production, marketing and sale of agricultural produce, and sale of produce from cottage industries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Direct Listing in Foreign Jurisdictions:</strong> The Bill empowers the Central government to allow certain classes of Indian public companies to directly list classes of securities (as may be prescribed) in foreign jurisdictions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is likely to<strong> help start-ups to tap overseas markets</strong> for raising capital.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Remuneration to non-executive Directors:</strong> The 2013 Act made special provisions for payment of remuneration to executive directors of a company (including managing director and other full-time directors) if the company has inadequate or no profits in a year. The Bill extends this provision to non-executive directors, including independent directors.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will <strong>enhance the productivity</strong> of such non-executive directors because of their increased remuneration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial Results Filing &amp; Corporate Governance:</strong> Specified class of unlisted companies will now have to prepare and file their financial results periodically and also complete the <strong>audit or review</strong> of such results.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, the Bill provides for a window within which the penalties shall not be levied for delay in filing of annual returns.</li>
<li>This aims to improve corporate governance as it will bring more transparency into affairs of closely held companies which are used by major shareholders of large public interest companies <strong>to divert funds</strong> through transactions that are not on an <strong>arm&rsquo;s length basis.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benches of NCLAT:</strong> The Bill seeks to establish benches of the <strong>National Company Law Appellate Tribunal</strong> in order to ease their burden and decrease the pendency of cases.</li>
<li><strong>Penalties:</strong> It extends <strong>lesser penalties</strong> for small companies (i.e., with lower paid-up share capital and turnover thresholds), one-person companies (i.e., companies with only one member), and producer companies, in case of all offences which attract monetary penalties.</li>
<li><strong>Exclusion from listed companies:</strong> The Bill empowers the Central government, in consultation with the <strong>Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI),</strong> to exclude companies issuing specified classes of securities from the definition of a &ldquo;listed company&rdquo;.</li>
<li><strong>Exemptions from filing resolutions:</strong> The 2013 Act required companies to file certain resolutions with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). However, banking companies were exempted from filing such resolutions. This exemption has been extended to registered non-banking financial companies and housing finance companies by the proposed Bill.</li>
<li><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):</strong> Under <strong>Section 135</strong> of the Companies Act, 2013, companies with net worth, turnover or profits above a specified amount are required to constitute <strong>CSR Committees</strong> and spend 2% of their average net profits in the last three financial years, towards its CSR policy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill exempts companies with a CSR liability of up to Rs 50 lakh a year from setting up CSR Committees.</li>
<li>Further, the Bill allows eligible companies (which spend any amount in excess of their CSR obligation in a financial year) to set off the excess amount towards their CSR obligations in the subsequent financial years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Corporate Social Responsibility</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/companies-amendment-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility</strong></a> is a management concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders.</li>
<li>While CSR law mandates spending across <strong>12 prescribed schedules</strong> ranging from education and health care to sports or gender equality, few companies spend towards community development, infrastructure, social &amp; child welfare, etc.</li>
<li>Under it, companies are mandated to constitute a<strong> CSR committee,</strong> comprising at least 3 members of the Board (with at least 1 independent member).</li>
<li><strong>Related Facts:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian businesses spend more than Rs. 10,000 crore a year on CSR.</li>
<li><strong>CSR expenditure</strong> of companies listed at the <strong>National Statistical Commission</strong> have <strong>grown</strong> at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17% over the last 5 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Companies (Amendment) Act, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was enacted to consolidate and amend the laws relating to companies.</li>
<li>It tightened the <strong>CSR compliance norms</strong> and ensured stricter norms for non-compliance of the company law regulations.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It allowed companies to transfer their unspent CSR funds to a separate account, the same has to be spent within three financial years.</li>
<li>In case, the money remains unspent, then it should be transferred to any fund specified in Schedule VII of the Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It empowered the Registrar <strong>of Companies</strong> to initiate action for removal of a company&rsquo;s name if it is not carrying out business activities as per the Companies Act.</li>
<li>It provided for <strong>transferring of functions</strong> with regard to dealing with applications for change of financial year and <strong>shifting of powers</strong> for conversion from public to private companies from NCLT to the Central government.</li>
<li>It provided more teeth to the Central government to deal with violators and reduced the burden on special courts and enabled the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-financial-reporting-authority" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)</strong></a> to perform its functions through divisions and executive bodies.</li>
</ul>
<p>A healthy business can only succeed in a healthy society. Thus, it is in the best interest of a company to produce goods and services which strengthen the health of the society along with the supportive efforts of the government to provide and create a conducive environment for the growth of the companies.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-the-companies-amendment-bill-2020'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Classes in Distance Mode',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Centre is planning to start the next academic year virtually.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Many schools have been shut since early March due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> pandemic, even before the countrywide lockdown.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This means that the new academic calendar will begin as usual in April for classes 9 to 12, though the last academic year may have been somewhat truncated, with examinations postponed in some cases including the CBSE exams for classes 10 and 12.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, it has been decided that the cbse will conduct exams only for the main subjects: required for promotion or may be crucial for admission in higher educational institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Centre plans to restart classes in the distance mode, with teaching via <strong>dedicated TV and radio channels in English and Hindi.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is an existing program,<strong> Swayam Prabha,</strong> which is a group of 32 DTH channels devoted to telecasting high-quality educational programmes on 24X7 basis using the GSAT-15 satellite.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)</strong> has been asked to create a structured programme for schools class-wise. This is being done along with the <strong>National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)</strong> using their syllabus.</li>
<li>The material will be ready for use by schools following the NIOS or the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus.</li>
<li><strong>For the State Boards</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) mobile app has been offered to States</strong> as a platform to provide content in local languages.</li>
<li>If States are willing to produce the content in local languages, the Centre can give them 2-3 hours on the channel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Diksha Portal was launched by the<strong> Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)</strong></li>
<li>in 2017 for providing a digital platform to teachers giving them an opportunity to <strong>learn and train themselves and connect with the teacher community.</strong></li>
<li>It is built considering the <strong>whole teacher's life cycle</strong> - from the time student teachers enroll in Teacher Education Institutes (TEIs) to after they retire as teachers.</li>
<li><strong>States, government bodies and even private organisations,</strong> can integrate DIKSHA into their respective teacher initiatives based on their goals, needs and capabilities.</li>
<li>It also provides access to NCERT textbooks and lessons, following the regular school curriculum.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Institute of Open Schooling</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NIOS, formerly known as National Open School (NOS) was established in November,1989 as an <strong>autonomous organisation in pursuance of National Policy on Education 1986</strong> by the <strong>Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).</strong></li>
<li>NIOS provides a number of <strong>Vocational, Life Enrichment and community oriented courses besides General and Academic Courses at Secondary and Senior Secondary level.</strong></li>
<li>It also offers <strong>Elementary level Courses</strong> through its Open Basic Education Programmes (OBE).</li>
<li>Government of India has vested NIOS with the authority to <strong>examine and certify</strong> learners registered with it upto pre degree level courses whether Academic, Technical or Vocational.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-plans-classes-in-distance-mode/article31194604.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/classes-in-distance-mode'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Demand for MGNREGA Work Increased',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The demand for work by households under the <strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act</strong> (MGNREGA) programme surged to a nine-year high in 2019-20.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the MGNREGA official portal, 5.47 crore households sought MGNREGA works, <strong>the highest since 2010-11,</strong> when the number was 5.5 crore.</li>
<li><strong>More individuals too worked under MGNREGA in 2019-20,</strong> with 7.86 crore employed at various sites across the country. This is the highest since 2012-13, when 7.97 crore individuals worked under this programme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>disruption caused by the coronavirus lockdown,</strong> however, may impact the final figure of the person days generated in March 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>gram panchayats not recording any MGNREGA expenditure has also declined.</strong> This shows that more and more panchayats are using MGNREGA to provide unskilled work to the unemployed.</li>
<li>These new <strong>MGNREGA figures coincide with the sharp fall in GDP growth rate</strong> to 5% in 2019-20, the lowest in a decade.</li>
<li>The <strong>demand for works under MGNREGA is surging despite the fact that wages have been flattening</strong> in recent years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019-20, average MGNREGA wage per day per person was Rs 182.09, barely Rs 3 higher than Rs 179.13 in 2018-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The data also showed that <strong>263.73 crore person days</strong> were generated during 2019-20, slightly lower than 267.96 crore in 2018-19 but significantly higher than the total person days generated during each financial year from 2012-13 to 2017-18.</li>
<li>During 2019-20, the Centre released Rs 72,162.13 crore for the MGNREGA, the <strong>highest ever amount,</strong> and substantially higher than the Rs 62,125.07 crore released in 2018-19.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Act <strong>aims at enhancing the livelihood security </strong>of people<strong> in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage employment in a financial year to a rural household</strong> whose <strong>adult members</strong> (at least 18 years of age) volunteer to do unskilled work.</li>
<li>The <strong>central government bears the full cost of unskilled labour,</strong> and 75% of the cost of material (the rest is borne by the states).</li>
<li>It is a demand-driven, social security and labour law that aims to enforce the<strong> &lsquo;right to work&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Rural Development (MRD),</strong> Government of India in association with state governments, <strong>monitors the implementation of the scheme.</strong></li>
<li>Agriculture and allied activities constitute more than 65% of the works taken up under the programme.</li>
<li>Social inclusion, gender parity, social security and equitable growth are the founding pillars of MGNREGA.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/as-growth-slows-demand-for-work-under-mnrega-shoots-to-9-yr-high-6344865/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/demand-for-mgnrega-work-increased'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Impact of Lockdown on Banks',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Banks are concerned about the build up of Non-performing Assets (NPAs) as the disruption caused to business operations and supply chains during the 21-day <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong></a> period will take time to repair.</li>
<li>This is despite the fact that the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India</strong></a> (RBI) has injected fresh liquidity into the banking system and given banks leeway to deal with potential stress in loan accounts.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Non-Performing Asset</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NPA refers to a classification for loans or advances that are in <strong>default or are in arrears</strong> on scheduled payments of principal or interest.</li>
<li>In most cases, debt is classified as non-performing, when the loan payments have not been made for a <strong>minimum period of 90 days.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Gross non-performing assets</strong> are the sum of all the loans that have been defaulted by the individuals who have acquired loans from the financial institution.</li>
<li><strong>Net non-performing assets</strong> are the amount that is realized after provision amount has been deducted from the gross non-performing assets.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Concerns of Bankers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fresh NPAs</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 21-day period lockdown would cause pain to lenders, especially in loan</li>
<li>accounts from sectors including <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Micro, Small &amp; Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)</strong></a>, airlines, real estate, auto dealers, gems and jewellery, metals among others.</li>
<li>Banks are concerned about MSME loans and those extended to manufacturing sectors, such as auto, steel, renewable energy, as those where fresh NPAs are looming.</li>
<li>According to the RBI&rsquo;s financial stability report, the share of large borrowers in scheduled commercial banks&rsquo; total loan portfolios and their share in GNPAs was at 51.8%and 79.3% respectively, in September 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problems Within Different Sectors</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Even if the lockdown is lifted on April 14, operations of a number of companies in specific sectors will not see business getting back to normal as the labour has moved out and the production may not be able to restart.</li>
<li>Apart from these, capital intensive sectors such as aviation, real estate, consumer durables, and jewellery may take a long time before there is a demand revival.</li>
<li>Renewable power is struggling because of complete disruption of supply chains from China, as a result of which they are way behind on project schedules and could face payment issues from their customers, the power discoms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fear of Extended Lockdown:</strong> Measures by the RBI will provide banks some relief during the next three months, but a buildup of bad loans looks inevitable.While moratorium provides temporary relief to borrowers and helps check the NPAs during that period, an extended lockdown is expected to have a significant adverse effect on the economy.</li>
<li><strong>Analysis By Different Rating Agencies</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Moody&rsquo;s Investors Service:</strong> It expects deterioration in banks&rsquo; asset quality due to disruption in economic activity. It has changed the outlook for Indian banking system to negative from stable.</li>
<li><strong>According to a report released by Crisil:</strong> The asset classes will see continuing pressures on asset quality due to weaker profiles of borrowers and expectation of only a gradual economic recovery. In study of 35 sectors, both from manufacturing and services,there is a sharp variation in resilience in a post-Covid-19 landscape. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>High Resilience Category:</strong> Pharmaceuticals, telecom, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), fertiliser, oil refineries, power &amp; gas distribution and transmission are among the sectors comprising nearly 44% of the debt.</li>
<li><strong>Moderate Resilience Category:</strong> Another 52% debt is in sectors such as automobile manufacturers, power generators, roads and construction.</li>
<li><strong>Least Resilient Category:</strong> Around 4% of debt in sectors such as airlines, gems and jewellery, auto dealers and real estate, given the discretionary nature of goods and services, and weak balance sheets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/coronavirus-india-lockdown-despite-rbi-liquidity-push-banks-stare-at-fresh-npas-6344760/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-lockdown-on-banks'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Covid-19 Quarantine Alert System (CQAS)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has shared a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with all telecom service providers regarding the application called<strong> COVID-19 Quarantine Alert System (CQAS).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CQAS collects phone data, including the device&rsquo;s location, on a common secured platform and alerts the local agencies in case of a violation by<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> COVID</strong></a> patients under watch or in isolation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Developed By:</strong> The DoT and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), in coordination with telecom service providers, have developed and tested the application.</li>
<li><strong>Working:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The CQAS prepares a list of mobile numbers, segregates them on the basis of telecom service providers, and the location data provided by the telecom companies is run on the application to create <strong>geo-fencing.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Geo-fencing</strong> is a location-based service in which an app or other software uses GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi or cellular data to trigger a pre-programmed action when a mobile device or RFID tag enters or exits a <strong>virtual boundary</strong> set up around a <strong>geographical location, known as a geofence.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Geo-fencing will only work</strong> if the quarantined person has a mobile phone from Airtel, Vodafone-Idea or Reliance Jio, as &ldquo;BSNL/MTNL&rdquo; do not support location based services. BSNL and MTNL are government owned.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The location information is received periodically over a secure network for the authorised cases with <strong>&ldquo;due protection of the data received&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The System <strong>triggers e-mails and SMS alerts</strong> to an authorised government agency if a person has jumped quarantine or escaped from isolation, based on the person&rsquo;s mobile phone&rsquo;s cell tower location. The<strong> &ldquo;geo-fencing&rdquo; is accurate by up to 300 m.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of Powers under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Centre is using powers under the <strong>Indian Telegraph Act</strong> to <strong>&ldquo;fetch information&rdquo;</strong> from telecom companies<strong> every 15 minutes</strong> to track COVID-19 cases across the country.</li>
<li>The States have been asked to seek the approval of their Home Secretaries under the provisions of<strong> Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885,</strong> for the specified mobile phone numbers to request the DoT to provide information by email or SMS in case of violation of &ldquo;geo-fencing&rdquo;.</li>
<li>Section 5(2) authorises State or Centre to access information of a user&rsquo;s phone data in case of<strong> &ldquo;occurrence of any public emergency or in the interest of the public safety.&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection of Data</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the SOP, the phone number should be deleted from the system after the period for which location monitoring required is over and the data would be deleted four weeks from thereon.</li>
<li>The data collected shall be used only for the purpose of <strong>Health Management in the context of COVID-19</strong> and is strictly not for any other purposes. Any violation in this regard would attract penal provisions under the relevant laws.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Centre for Development of Telematics</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>C-DOT was established in August 1984 as <strong>an autonomous Telecom R&amp;D Centre of DoT.</strong></li>
<li>It is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.</li>
<li>It is a<strong> registered &lsquo;public funded research institution&rsquo;</strong> with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science &amp; Technology.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Positioning System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Global Positioning System is a <strong>Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS),</strong> used to determine the ground position of an object. It is a US-owned utility that provides users with Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Radio-Frequency Identification</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is the <strong>use of radio waves</strong> to read and capture information stored on a tag attached to an object. A tag can be read from up to several feet away and does not need to be within the direct line-of-sight of the reader to be tracked.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Wi-Fi</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Wi-Fi is the name of a wireless networking technology that<strong> uses radio waves</strong> to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections. WiFi network <strong>enables connection between two or more devices</strong> wirelessly for data sharing purposes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-geo-fencing-app-will-be-used-to-locate-quarantine-violators/article31241055.ece"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
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$title = 'Search'
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