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The Big Picture- Big Bank Reform

The Finance Ministry recently announced a mega plan to merge 10 public sector banks into 4 large entities. This will bring down the total number of...

14 Sep 2019 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Zero-Budget Natural Farming

This article is based on “Is zero budget natural farming working?” that appeared in The Hindu Business Line on 14/09/2019. It talks...

14 Sep 2019 News Editorials
INTERPOL Notices

The INTERPOL has issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi's brother Nehal in connection with the multi-billion...

14 Sep 2019 News Analysis
UN Convention to Combat Desertification: COP 14

The 14th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP-14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) ended on 13th September 2019. Held...

14 Sep 2019 News Analysis
National Conference on ‘Criminal Activities and Radicalization in Jails’

Recently, a National Conference on ‘Criminal Activities and Radicalization in Jails: Vulnerability of Inmates and Jail Staff and their...

14 Sep 2019 News Analysis
Jan Soochna Portal

The State Government of Rajasthan has recently launched the first-ever public information portal named “Jan Soochna Portal-2019”. The...

14 Sep 2019 News Analysis
India’s Embrace of Strategic Hedging

This article is based on “India’s Embrace of Strategic Hedging” that appeared in The Hindustan Times on 09/09/2019. It talks...

13 Sep 2019 News Editorials
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana

The Prime Minister recently launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana, & National Pension Scheme for the Traders and the Self-Employed,...

13 Sep 2019 News Analysis
NATGRID to Link Social Media Accounts to Central Database

Recently, National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has proposed to link social media accounts to central databases. Linking social media accounts will...

13 Sep 2019 News Analysis
Samudra Laksamana

The Indian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy will be participating in the bilateral exercise ‘Samudra Laksamana’ that will take place...

13 Sep 2019 News Analysis
Military Medicine Conference

India is hosting the first conference of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in New Delhi from 12th-13th...

13 Sep 2019 News Analysis
Exercise MAITREE

Indian Army and Royal Thailand Army (RTA) will conduct their joint Military Exercise MAITREE-2019 at Meghalaya from Sept 16-29, 2019. Exercise...

13 Sep 2019 News Analysis
Desertification

For...

13 Sep 2019 Paper 3
Regulatory Roadblock to Ease of Doing Business

This article is based on “How easy is it to do business, after all?” that appeared in The Hindustan Times on 12 September 2019. It...

12 Sep 2019 News Editorials
The Big Picture- Rising Oceans, Sinking Cities

Oceans act as a sponge for the ill effects of climate change. They absorb the heat and CO2 generated by greenhouse gas emissions. However, the same...

12 Sep 2019 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Lord Natraja

An antique panchaloha ( an alloy of gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe)) idol of Lord Nataraja, stolen from a temple in...

12 Sep 2019 News Analysis
World University Rankings 2020

The TIMES Higher Education (THE) recently released its World University Rankings 2020 edition. In its 16th edition, THE’s World University...

12 Sep 2019 News Analysis
Ladakh Under Sixth Schedule

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has recommended that the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh be included in the Sixth Schedule of the...

12 Sep 2019 News Analysis
DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous Anti-tank Missile

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight tested indigenously developed Man-Portable Antitank Guided...

12 Sep 2019 News Analysis
Jeevan Kaushal Programme

Recently, the Government has launched the Curriculum for Life Skills (Jeevan Kaushal) programme designed by the University Grants Commission...

12 Sep 2019 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'The Big Picture- Big Bank Reform',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IWR5zFLenJ4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>The Finance Ministry recently announced a mega plan to merge<strong> 10</strong> public sector banks into<strong> 4</strong> large entities. This will bring down the total number of Public Sector Banks in the country to 12 from 27.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The new banks formed after the mega-merger are:</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 96.3175%; height: 131px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 6.06299%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #3679ff;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Sr. No.</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 52.7559%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #3679ff;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Amalgamated Banks</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 16.063%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #3679ff;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Anchor Banks</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;">
<td style="width: 6.06299%; height: 18px; text-align: center; background-color: #e6eafa;">1.</td>
<td style="width: 52.7559%; height: 18px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Punjab National Bank (PNB), Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC), and United Bank of India</td>
<td style="width: 16.063%; height: 18px; background-color: #e6eafa;">PNB</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 6.06299%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #e6eafa;">2.</td>
<td style="width: 52.7559%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank</td>
<td style="width: 16.063%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Canara Bank</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 6.06299%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #e6eafa;">3.</td>
<td style="width: 52.7559%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Union Bank of India, Andhra Bank, and Corporation Bank</td>
<td style="width: 16.063%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Union Bank of India</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 6.06299%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #e6eafa;">4.</td>
<td style="width: 52.7559%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Indian Bank and Allahabad Bank</td>
<td style="width: 16.063%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Indian Bank</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The consolidation will help in<strong> strengthening</strong> the <strong>national presence and global reach</strong> of these banks.</li>
<li>The merger move was followed by ₹55,000 crore <strong>recapitalization plan</strong> for the merged entities and 6 other banks, enabling them to enhance their lending capacity.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rationale Behind the Merger Plan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mega-merger plan focuses on creating <strong>banks of scale</strong> that would enable India to meet its aspirations of a <strong>$5 trillion</strong> GDP economy.</li>
<li>To keep pace with the growing economy, there is a need for big banks that can lend to big industries &amp; entrepreneurs that require large amounts of credit. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to banks&rsquo; <strong>prudential norms,</strong> banks take risks only for those entities that are appropriate as per banks&rsquo; size. Banks generally avoid investing in a single entity or business.</li>
<li>Hence to invest in large projects, banks with huge lending capacity were needed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Banks also need <strong>large credit</strong> in order to invest in,<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Better <strong>customer service &amp; connect,</strong></li>
<li><strong>Technology</strong> upgradation,</li>
<li>Fraud detection, etc.</li>
<li>Larger banks can invest in <strong>standardizing these processes</strong> in larger set of customer-facing entities.</li>
<li>This will help in bringing good synergy between the banks &amp; the customers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Merger Parameters</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>core principles</strong> that were kept in mind during the merger process are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, there should be <strong>minimal customer disruption</strong> during and immediately after the merger process.</li>
<li>Secondly, the <strong>credit activity</strong> of the bank must not get disrupted &amp; disturbed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Accordingly, the following parameters were taken into consideration while merging:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Similar <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amalgamation-of-national-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Core Banking System</strong></a>, i.e, the software on which a particular bank works must be common between the merged banks. For e.g, <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Canara &amp; Syndicate Bank</strong> worked on similar software named <strong>iFlex.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Indian Bank &amp; Allahabad Bank</strong> worked upon software named the <strong>BaNCS</strong> software.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Banks sharing a <strong>glorious tradition &amp; rich history</strong> were looked upon if they could complement each other at the<strong> level of their NPAs,</strong> current capital availability, <strong>distribution of their branches,</strong> etc. Synergies that could have been unlocked between different banks became a crucial parameter while selecting them for the merger.</li>
<li>The other factors like their <strong>geographical</strong> presence, line of <strong>activity,</strong> the extent of savings account or <strong>CASA (Current &amp; Savings Accounts) deposits</strong> were also taken into consideration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Non-Performing Assets (NPA)</strong> refer to a classification for loans or advances that are in default or are in arrears on scheduled payments of <strong>principal or interest.</strong></li>
<li>In most cases, debt is classified as non-performing, when the loan payments have not been made for a minimum period of <strong>90 days.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Need For Merger</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There was a dire need for <strong>increased competition</strong> between the banks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian Public Sector Banks were not taking any concrete steps to distinguish themselves from another bank in terms of- encouraging in the deposits and offering credits &amp; interesting products to the customers.</li>
<li>Despite the name they carried, there was no difference in the value they offered. Hence, merging them into one big entity was the desired move.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Strong banks are beneficial in bringing the <strong>synergy and profits</strong> for both- the banks&rsquo; employees &amp; the customers. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For e.g., After the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amalgamation-of-three-public-sector-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>amalgamation of Bank of Baroda (BoB), Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank,</strong></a> BOB in the first quarter itself recorded a huge profit after the merger as compared to the huge loss it incurred in the previous year before the merger.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps to be Taken for Improvement in Performance Matrix</h3>
<p>For a merger to be successful various reforms have to be taken in a continuous manner like,</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need for <strong>additional capital</strong> that can keep the banks sustained for a longer duration.</li>
<li><strong>EASE agenda</strong> on the basis of which individual banks are measured and their scorecard is publicly disclosed, can be to be followed.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>EASE (Enhanced Access and Service Excellence) Reform Index</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>EASE index is prepared by the <strong>Indian Banking Association (IBA)</strong> and the Boston Consulting Group.</li>
<li>It is commissioned by the <strong>Ministry of Finance.</strong></li>
<li>It is a framework that was adopted to strengthen the public sector banks and rank them on parameters such as responsible banking, financial inclusion, credit offtake and digitization.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There must be a common <strong>unified messaging &amp; performance review system</strong> to maintain uniformity across banks. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Processes that are rolled out in one bank from the top must percolate downwards to every employee in that bank for<strong> effective communication.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact of Merger on Indian Economy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Banks perform an <strong>intermediation role</strong> in the economy. They take the savings of households and make it available for firms as investments. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For any economic growth to take place, there is need of<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Credit</strong> in terms of debt, &amp;</li>
<li><strong>Capital</strong> in terms of equity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Larger banks have a better ability to raise resources from the market rather than relying only on State exchequer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The increased lending capacity of the banks can <strong>bring best in class services</strong> for the industries as well as the retail individuals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For e.g, After the SBI merger, it was able to attract its customer by launching the <strong>SBI Yono cards.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Underlying Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Despite the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/merger-of-psbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>merger of Vijaya Bank, Bank of Baroda and Dena Bank,</strong></a> their <strong>credit rate</strong> (the rate of interest a bank offers) has not significantly improved. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Their market capitalization was the underlying reason for the increased profits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The merged banks have different levels of profitability, &amp; the ability to handle loans. The associated crucial aspect is the <strong>structure of the management.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Composition of Bank Boards &amp; selection of the CEO on the basis of the seniority level only, will not be very impactful.</li>
<li>Their selection must be done on a <strong>merit basis</strong> transparently. Applications can be invited from the market for that purpose.</li>
<li>Leadership in the merged entity will be vital to deliver the planned outcome.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need to <strong>give greater powers</strong> to the banks board in order to drive, review &amp; oversight the decision-making process. And for that, the best talent must be recruited.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, there is the requirement of a much stronger risk handling mechanism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The need is to now <strong>look at foreign markets,</strong> and set up appropriate <strong>business policies</strong> (in terms of the global location &amp; the product these banks can target) that will help in increasing the efficiency and the competition of these banks with their global counterparts.</li>
<li>Continuous reforms should be undertaken regarding, <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Product innovation,</li>
<li>Investments in technologies,</li>
<li>Better back-end processes,</li>
<li>Reduction in turnaround time</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Zero-Budget Natural Farming',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/is-zero-budget-natural-farming-working/article29410335.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Is zero budget natural farming working?&rdquo;</strong></a> that appeared in The Hindu Business Line on 14/09/2019. It talks about the benefits and issues related to Zero-Budget Natural Farming.</p>
</div>
<p>Addressing the <strong>United Nations conference on desertification (COP-14)</strong>, Indian PM told the global community that India is <strong>focusing on Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).</strong> ZBNF was also highlighted in<strong> budget 2019</strong> in the bid to double farmer's income by 2022.</p>
<p>However, scientists from the <strong>National Academy of Agricultural Sciences</strong> suggested that there is no need for the government to promote ZBNF unless there is proper scientific validation.</p>
<h3>Zero Budget Natural Farming</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Zero budget natural farming is a method of <strong>chemical-free agriculture</strong> drawing from traditional Indian practices.</li>
<li>It was originally promoted by <strong>agriculturist Subhash Palekar,</strong> who developed it in the mid-1990s as an <strong>alternative to the Green Revolution&rsquo;s methods</strong> that are driven by chemical fertilizers and pesticides and intensive irrigation.</li>
<li>It is a unique model that relies on <strong>Agro-ecology.</strong></li>
<li>It aims to bring down the <strong>cost of production to nearly zero</strong> and return to a <strong>pre-green revolution style of farming.</strong></li>
<li>It claims that there is <strong>no need</strong> for expensive inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides and intensive irrigation.</li>
<li>ZBNF is based on 4 pillars:
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Jeevamrutha:</strong> It is a mixture of fresh cow dung and aged cow urine (both from India's indigenous cow breed), jaggery, pulse flour, water and soil; to be applied on farmland.</li>
<li><strong>Bijamrita:</strong> It is a concoction of neem leaves &amp; pulp, tobacco and green chilies prepared for insect and pest management, that can be used to treat seeds.</li>
<li><strong>Acchadana (Mulching)</strong>: It protects topsoil during cultivation and does not destroy it by tilling.</li>
<li><strong>Whapasa</strong>: It is the condition where there are both air molecules and water molecules present in the soil. Thereby helping in reducing irrigation requirement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Benefits of ZBNF</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With the rising cost of external inputs (fertilizers and pesticides), which is the leading <strong>cause of indebtedness and suicide among farmers.</strong> According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/restructuring-of-indian-statistical-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)</a> data, <strong>almost 70% of agricultural households</strong> spend more than they earn and more than half of all farmers are in debt.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since in ZBNF there is the need to spend money or take loans for external inputs, the cost of production could be reduced and <strong>farming made into a &ldquo;zero budget&rdquo; exercise.</strong></li>
<li>This would <strong>break the debt cycle</strong> for many small farmers and help to envisage the doubling of farmer's income by 2022.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At a time when chemical-intensive farming is resulting in soil and environmental degradation, a zero-cost environmentally-friendly farming method is definitely a timely initiative.</li>
<li>The ZBNF method promotes <strong>soil aeration,</strong> minimal watering, intercropping, bunds and topsoil mulching and discourages intensive irrigation and deep ploughing.</li>
<li>It suits all crops in all agro-climatic zones.</li>
<li>Citing the benefits of ZBNF, in June 2018, <strong>Andhra Pradesh</strong> rolled out an ambitious plan to become <strong>India&rsquo;s first State to practise 100% natural farming by 2024.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to ZBNF</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sikkim (India's first organic state), has seen some <strong>decline in yields</strong> following conversion to organic farming.</li>
<li>Many farmers have <strong>reverted to conventional farming</strong> after seeing their ZBNF returns drop after a few years.</li>
<li>While ZBNF has definitely helped preserve soil fertility, its role in boosting productivity and farmers&rsquo; income <strong>isn&rsquo;t conclusive</strong> yet.</li>
<li>ZBNF advocates the <strong>need of an Indian breed cow,</strong> whose numbers are <strong>declining at a fast pace.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to Livestock Census, the country&rsquo;s total population of indigenous and nondescript cattle has dropped by 8.1%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Low expenditure by the government:</strong> Last year, the government launched Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, a flagship Green Revolution scheme with an allocation of Rs 3,745 crore for the financial year 2019-20.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Whereas the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, which was meant to promote organic farming and soil health has been allocated Rs 325 crore only.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a host of structural marketing issues which needs to be addressed first before aiming to achieve the ambitious goal of ZBNF. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthening of agricultural market infrastructure.</li>
<li>Extending the procurement mechanism to all foodgrain and non-foodgrain crops to all States.</li>
<li>Implementation of price deficiency payment system for selected crops.</li>
<li>Fixing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/msp-agrarian-crisis-and-reform" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minimum support prices</a> (MSP) in consonance with the cost of cultivation.</li>
<li>Abolishing minimum export price for agricultural commodities.</li>
<li>Enacting legislation on &lsquo;right to sell at MSP&rsquo; needs immediate attention.</li>
<li>MGNREGS must also be linked with farm work in order to reduce the cost of cultivation which has escalated at a faster pace over the past few years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Unless these issues are resolved, the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/doubling-farmers-income-a-promise-to-be-fulfilled-by-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">doubling of farmers' income</a> will remain a distant reality. In this context, farmers&rsquo; ease of doing business and ease of living should also be taken into consideration.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #faffe8;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Critically analyse the role Zero Budget Natural Farming can play in achieving the goal of doubling farmer&rsquo;s income by 2022.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Sources:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/what-is-zero-budget-natural-farming/article28733122.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/what-is-zero-budget-natural-farming/article28733122.ece</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thewire.in/agriculture/budget-2019-zero-budget-natural-farming" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://thewire.in/agriculture/budget-2019-zero-budget-natural-farming</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-should-stop-promoting-zero-budget-natural-farming-pending-proof-scientists/article29386358.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-should-stop-promoting-zero-budget-natural-farming-pending-proof-scientists/article29386358.ece</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-seeds-of-sustainability/article24213217.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-seeds-of-sustainability/article24213217.ece</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fao.org/agroecology/detail/en/c/443712/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>http://www.fao.org/agroecology/detail/en/c/443712/</strong></a></li>
</ul>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'INTERPOL Notices',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The<strong> INTERPOL has issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN)</strong> against fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi's brother Nehal in connection with the multi-billion dollar Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>INTERPOL Notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is an intergovernmental organization</strong> that helps coordinate the police force of 194 member countries.</li>
<li>Each of the member countries hosts an <strong>INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB).</strong> This connects their national law enforcement with other countries and with the General Secretariat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/central-bureau-of-investigation-cbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Bureau of Investigation</strong></a> (CBI) is designated as the National Central Bureau of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The General Secretariat provides a range of expertise and services to the member countries.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered in Lyon, France</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Notices can also be used by the United Nations, International Criminal Tribunals and the International Criminal Court to seek persons wanted for committing crimes within their jurisdiction, notably genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568450428_Notices%20poster 2017.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568450428_Notices poster 2017.jpg" width="566" height="318" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/interpol-issues-red-corner-notice-against-nirav-modis-brother-nehal/articleshow/71107654.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: ToI</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/interpol-notices'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'UN Convention to Combat Desertification: COP 14',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The 14<sup>th</sup> edition of the Conference of Parties (COP-14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) ended on 13<sup>th</sup> September 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Held in Greater Noida, this was the <strong>first time that India hosted</strong> an edition of the UNCCD COP.</li>
<li>The <strong>theme</strong> of the Conference was<strong> &lsquo;Restore land, Sustain future&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>India being the global host for COP 14<strong> has taken over the COP Presidency from China for the next two years</strong> till 2021.</li>
<li>India is among the select few countries to have hosted the COP of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-day-to-combat-desertification-and-drought" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>all three Rio conventions</strong></a> on <strong>climate change, biodiversity and land.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Delhi Declaration:</strong> Commitment for a range of issues, including gender and health, ecosystem restoration, taking action on climate change, private sector engagement, <strong>Peace Forest Initiative</strong> and <strong>recovery of five million hectares</strong> of degraded land in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The country parties have agreed to make the <strong>Sustainable Development Goal target of achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030,</strong> a national target for action.</li>
<li><strong>Peace Forest Initiative:</strong> It is an initiative of <strong>South Korea</strong> to use ecological restoration as a peace-building process. It aims at addressing the issue of land degradation in <strong>conflict-torn border areas</strong> and would go a long way in alleviating tensions and building trust between communities living there and between enemy countries in particular.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Drought Toolbox:</strong> It is launched as a one-stop-shop for all <strong>actions on drought.</strong> It is a <strong>sort of knowledge bank which contains tools that strengthen the ability of countries to anticipate and prepare for drought effectively</strong> and mitigate their impacts as well as tools that enable communities to anticipate and find the land management tools that help them to build resilience to drought.</li>
<li><strong>International coalition for action on Sand and Dust storms (SDS):</strong> The coalition will develop an <strong>SDS source base map</strong> with the goal of improving monitoring and response to these storms. SDS affects approximately 77% of UNCCD country Parties or approximately 151 countries.</li>
<li><strong>Initiative of Sustainability, Stability and Security (3S):</strong> Launched by <strong>14 African countries to address migration driven by land degradation.</strong> It aims at restoring land and creating green jobs for migrants and vulnerable groups.</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation From Youth:</strong> The global <strong>Youth Caucus on Desertification and Land</strong> convened its first official gathering in conjunction with the UNCCD COP14 to bring together youth advocates from different parts of the world, to build their capacity, share knowledge, build networks and to engage them meaningfully in the UNCCD processes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>High-Level Segment Meeting of the COP14</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Prime Minister of India inaugurated and addressed the high-level segment meeting of the COP-14.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India seeks to propose initiatives for greater <strong>South-South cooperation</strong> in addressing issues of climate change, biodiversity and land degradation.</li>
<li>India would raise its ambition of the total area that would be restored from its land degradation status, from twenty-one million hectares to twenty-six million hectares between now and 2030.</li>
<li>India has proposed to set up a <strong>global technical support institute</strong> for the member countries of the UNCCD for their capacity building and support regarding the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Program.</li>
<li>India called upon the leadership of UNCCD to conceive a <strong>global water action agenda which is central to the Land Degradation Neutrality strategy.</strong></li>
<li>India advocated on the need to <strong>eradicate the menace of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ban-on-single-use-plastics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">single-use plastic</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568450173_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568450173_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="615" height="317" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1585020" 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/un-convention-to-combat-desertification-cop-14'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'National Conference on ‘Criminal Activities and Radicalization in Jails’',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, a National Conference on <strong>&lsquo;Criminal Activities and Radicalization in Jails: Vulnerability of Inmates and Jail Staff and their Protection&rsquo;</strong> was held in New Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>two-day</strong> conference was organized by the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-bureau-of-police-research-and-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&amp;D)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>The conference will <strong>focus</strong> on the following issues:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To consider vulnerabilities at individual and gang levels and to suggest safety measures for the same.</li>
<li>To understand various facets of radicalization as well as de-radicalization in prisons.</li>
<li>To analyze and formulate the security and protection standards for prison staff.</li>
<li>To provide an interdisciplinary platform for correctional personnel to exchange and share their experience on prison reforms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The conference enforced an aspect of <strong>&ldquo;Correctional Administration&rdquo;</strong> in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/prison-reforms-and-way-forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prison reforms.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Correctional Administration</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A program that prepares individuals to plan and manage institutional facilities and programs for housing and rehabilitating prisoners in the public and/or private sectors.</li>
<li>Correctional Administration includes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Programme of the welfare of convicts/undertrials</li>
<li>Rehabilitation after release.</li>
<li>Involvement of Community.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It also emphasized to convert <strong>the prison as a centre of reformation.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Challenges</strong> addressed during the conference include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Aggravation of sufferings during the process of imprisonment.</li>
<li>Rehabilitating and streamlining convicts back into society,</li>
<li>Overcrowding in prisons,</li>
<li>A large number of under-trials,</li>
<li>Inadequate prison infrastructure,</li>
<li>Criminal activities and radicalization in jails,</li>
<li>Safety of women prisoners and their young children,</li>
<li>Shortage of funds and staff for proper prison administration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rights of Prisoners</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Article 21</strong> of Indian Constitution enforces <strong>&ldquo;Right to Life&rdquo;</strong> as a Fundamental Right.</li>
<li>The Imprisonment itself is a punishment for a convicted person thus <strong>prison conditions should not be an additional punishment.</strong></li>
<li>Imprisonment deprives someone of their <strong>liberty and impacts on certain other rights, such as freedom of movement,</strong> but human rights and fundamental freedoms of convicts shall not be restricted.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Prison Administration in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Article 39(A)</strong> of Indian Constitution states that State shall ensure <strong>Equal Justice</strong> and<strong> Free Legal Aid for poor.</strong></li>
<li>Prisons being a <strong>State subject,</strong> its modernisation is undertaken by respective State Governments.</li>
<li>In a number of judgements on various aspects of prison administration, <strong>the Supreme Court of India has laid down three broad principles:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A person in prison does not become a non-person.</li>
<li>A person in prison is entitled to all human rights within the limitations of imprisonment.</li>
<li>There is no justification in aggravating the suffering already inherent in the process of incarceration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Ministry of Home Affairs</strong> is supporting the States/UTs in implementing the <strong>E-Prisons Project</strong> and has issued the <strong>Model Prison Manual.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>E-Prisons Project.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It aims to introduce efficiency in prison management through digitization.</li>
<li>It supplements the <strong>Prisoner Information Management system (PIMS),</strong> which provides a <strong>centralized approach for recording and managing prisoner information.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Model Prison Manual</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It mentions Legal Aid, provides detailed information about the legal services available to prison inmates and also free legal services available to them.</li>
<li>It is intended to provide assistance to under trial prison inmates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)</strong> had also launched a web application to facilitate the <strong>under trial prisoners</strong> for providing them with<strong> free legal services.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1584860" 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/national-conference-on-criminal-activities-and-radicalization-in-jails'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Jan Soochna Portal',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The State Government of Rajasthan has recently launched the first-ever <strong>public information portal</strong> named <strong>&ldquo;Jan Soochna Portal-2019&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The portal aims to <strong>provide information</strong> to the public about government authorities and departments empowering them with access to useful information.</li>
<li>The portal was developed by the government officials in close collaboration with the IT professionals and civil society groups.</li>
<li>It initially gives information of about <strong>13 government departments</strong> on a <strong>single platform.</strong></li>
<li>Information related to the availability of food grains &amp; ration shops, <strong>implementation of schemes</strong> and their beneficiaries, land records and social security pensions, inter alia, will be available on a <strong>real-time basis</strong> on this platform.</li>
<li><strong>Information kiosks</strong> in <em>village panchayats</em> and <strong>self-service e-Mitra centres</strong> in the towns will be established to enable the people to access the information.</li>
<li>The Department of Information Technology will serve as the <strong>nodal department</strong> for the development, operationalization, and maintenance of the JSP.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The norms and standards are laid down through the digital dialogue by the<strong> advisory group</strong>. And, to ensure that the responsibilities are carried out smoothly, the advisory group will be the <strong>monitoring agency.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Grievance redressal</strong> officers will be appointed so that citizens can keep a check upon the accountability aspect of the State government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The launch of this portal is in accordance with the true spirit of the <strong>Right to Information (RTI) Act</strong> and ensures compliance with <strong>Section 4(2) of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/right-to-information-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RTI Act</a></strong> that mandates the public authorities to <strong>proactively disclose information</strong> in the public domain.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Right to Information (RTI) Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RTI Act was enacted in <strong>2005</strong> with the aim to secure the citizens' access to information which is under the control of public authorities.</li>
<li>The primary purpose behind this enactment was to promote <strong>transparency</strong> and <strong>accountability</strong> in the working of every public authority.</li>
<li><strong>Section 4</strong> of the RTI Act requires <strong>suo-moto disclosure of information</strong> by each public authority.</li>
<li>In 2018, an amendment was proposed to the RTI Act that aimed at giving the Central government the power to fix the tenure and salaries of state and central information commissioners, which are statutorily protected under the RTI Act. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The proposed move may dilute the autonomy and independence of Information Commissioners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Benefits</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Jan Soochna Portal (JSP) is a <strong>remarkable achievement</strong> in advancing the Right to Information (RTI).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Now, the people would not need to file applications separately under the law to obtain information. They could <strong>freely</strong> access the information publicly</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>JSP is unique for it ensures both- transparency accompanied by accountability.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>digital divide</strong> is a serious problem in India. To bridge this gap, utmost care must be taken to ensure that access points are open and free for all.</li>
<li>There are huge challenges with regard to the <strong>maintenance</strong> issues and ensuring that there is <strong>no abatement in the availability</strong> of information.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The need is to host the JSP in <strong>decentralized locations,</strong> right down to the municipal ward and panchayat levels. This will ensure that people have access to welfare schemes, revenue activities such as mining, and other service delivery issues such as health and education.</li>
<li>The portal would eventually turn out to be an effective medium for the digital dialogue with the people as well as a strong instrument for ensuring transparency in governance.</li>
<li>The need of the hour is that other State governments must follow the Rajasthan government&rsquo;s pioneering initiative and make people, including the marginalized sections, a part of the governance process.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/rajasthan-launches-information-portal/article29411172.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/jan-soochna-portal'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'India’s Embrace of Strategic Hedging',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=2cdd5644" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;India&rsquo;s Embrace of Strategic Hedging&rdquo;</strong></a> that appeared in The Hindustan Times on 09/09/2019. It talks about the importance of strategic hedging for India&rsquo;s foreign policy in dealing with great powers.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, Indian PM attended three summit-level meetings with France, United States and Russian President, within a<strong> time period of two weeks.</strong> Further, in the month of October 2019, China's President Xi Jinping will visit India.</p>
<p>The simultaneous engagements with Russia, the US and China point towards the significance of <strong>remarkable strategic hedging</strong> in India&rsquo;s foreign policy. Despite the differences between these countries, India strategically maintains sound relationships with great powers in global politics.</p>
<p>The present-day geopolitical and geostrategic circumstances present a multifaceted challenge to India&rsquo;s foreign policy. Therefore, India's cold war narrative of strategic neutrality is being gradually replaced by strategic hedging.</p>
<h3>Strategic Hedging</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Strategic hedging means a state spreads its risk by <strong>pursuing two opposite policies towards another state i.e. balancing and engagement.</strong></li>
<li>A state <strong>prepares for the worst</strong> by balancing: maintaining a strong military, building and strengthening alliances.</li>
<li>Also, the state <strong>prepares for the best</strong> through engagement: building trade networks, increasing diplomatic links, and creating binding multilateral frameworks</li>
<li>In short, strategic hedging would mean a calculated <strong>combination of soft and hard power.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Strategic Hedging in India&rsquo;s Foreign Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In international relations, there are <strong>no permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests.</strong> This makes strategic hedging a must for India which can be observed from its relations with the following nations:</li>
<li><strong>India-France relations:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and France have together launched the International solar alliance.</li>
<li>India is procuring Rafale Fighter jet from France.</li>
<li>The latest joint statement has laid a roadmap for cybersecurity and digital technology, quantum computing and artificial intelligence.</li>
<li>India and France are implementing a joint-strategic vision for cooperation in the Indian Ocean.</li>
<li>France has stood rock solid by India vis a vis Indian government revoking article 370 in the state of J&amp;K.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India- US relations:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s foreign policy will meet its <strong>most stringent test</strong> for it needs to pursue excellent ties with the US, while maintaining strong relations with China and Russia.</li>
<li>India <strong>is worried about US-Pakistan rapprochement, given US plan to exit from Afghanistan.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pakistan sought to leverage this by engaging the US against India&rsquo;s action of revoking Article 370.</li>
<li>However, in a big diplomatic victory, recently <strong>the US has held that Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has participated more frequently in issues of international concern as far as the South China Sea is concerned. Apart from it India is also a member of an <strong>informal grouping called Quad</strong> (in order to balance China).</li>
<li>However, at present<strong> trade is the biggest irritant</strong> in the India-US relations and both countries are trying to resolve issues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-Russia relations</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s relationship with Russia is a <strong>time-tested friendship.</strong></li>
<li>In this context India's recent participation in the Eastern Economic Forum is symbolic.</li>
<li>India has announced $1 billion credit for the development of the Russian Far East. The engagement is also marked by the launch of <strong>India&rsquo;s Act Far East policy.</strong></li>
<li>Moreover, on account of the S-400 deal, India has taken a position of principle in the national interest that it will not sacrifice its ties with Russia, despite pressure from the US.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sino-India relations:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s ties with China are one of the <strong>most- challenging at this time.</strong></li>
<li>Issues like <strong>China&rsquo;s axis with Pakistan</strong> aimed at India, its persistent thwarting of India's great power ambitions, the <strong>balance of trade</strong> (favouring China), China's deliberate policy aimed at <strong>diminishing India&rsquo;s strategic space in the neighbourhood,</strong> all pose a threat to India&rsquo;s interests.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>Wuhan summit</strong> with China has opened new possibilities for the transformation of Sino-India relations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India <strong>should end ambiguity</strong> in its foreign policy, especially one that sways between the pulls of its <strong>erstwhile non-aligned stance and the need for realpolitik</strong> in current times.</li>
<li>India should learn from China on account of strategic hedging
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has proven exemplary in current times to have clandestinely mixed elements of hard power with soft, leading to what some have labelled<strong> &lsquo;sharp power&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>However, India's economic status doesn't allow it to pursue India's version of BRI but India can act as a<strong> fast power</strong> in taking decisions impacting global politics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Strategic hedging dilutes binaries in foreign relations, particularly between friend and foe nations, and creates navigable yet cautious space to take the relationships forward. How India adapts to strategic hedging will mould its course to becoming a stable Asian pivot, going into the future.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #feffeb;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />Bilateral relations play a fundamental role in India&rsquo;s foreign policy in a multipolar world. Discuss.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Sources:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="https://theasiadialogue.com/2018/04/19/strategic-hedging-the-way-forward-for-indias-foreign-policy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://theasiadialogue.com/2018/04/19/strategic-hedging-the-way-forward-for-indias-foreign-policy/</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thegeopolitics.com/strategic-hedging-through-foreign-policy-exploring-indias-options/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://thegeopolitics.com/strategic-hedging-through-foreign-policy-exploring-indias-options/</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/41800-india-hedging-strategy-bound-fail/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/41800-india-hedging-strategy-bound-fail/</strong></a></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-embrace-of-strategic-hedging'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Prime Minister recently launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana, &amp; National Pension Scheme for the Traders and the Self-Employed, at an event in Ranchi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)</strong> aims to <strong>secure the lives</strong> of 5 crore small and marginal farmers by providing them a minimum pension of ₹3000 per month, who attains the age of 60 years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong> All <strong>small and marginal farmers</strong> (who own cultivable land up to <strong>2 hectares)</strong> as per the land records of the concerned State/UT and are between <strong>18 and 40 years</strong> of age are eligible under this scheme..</li>
<li><strong>Contributions:</strong> Under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kisan-maan-dhan-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-KMY,</strong></a> monthly contributions by a farmer can be made from the instalments of<strong> Pradhan Mantri-Kisan Samman Nidhi</strong> (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/will-the-6000-farmer-payout-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-KISAN</strong></a>) or through <strong>Common Service Centres</strong> (CSCs).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Common Service Centres (CSCs)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The CSC is a strategic cornerstone of the <strong>National e-Governance Plan (NeGP),</strong> approved by the Government of India in <strong>May 2006,</strong> as part of its commitment in the <strong>National Common Minimum Programme</strong> to introduce e-governance on a massive scale.</li>
<li>The objective of CSCs is to provide high quality and cost-effective video, voice and data content and services, in the areas of e-governance, education, health, telemedicine, entertainment as well as other private services.</li>
<li>A highlight of the CSCs is that it offers <strong>web-enabled e-governance services in rural areas,</strong> including application forms, certificates, and utility payments such as electricity, telephone and water bills.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>National Pension Scheme for the Traders and the Self-Employed</strong> aims at providing a <strong>minimum assured pension of ₹ 3000 per month,</strong> to small traders and self-employed individuals <strong>after they attain the age of 60 years.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Around <strong>3 crore</strong> small traders would be benefitted from this scheme.</li>
<li>Traders and self-employed persons in the age group of <strong>18-40 years</strong> are eligible to join the scheme.</li>
<li>The monthly contribution under the scheme is of ₹ 55 to ₹ 200, depending on the age of the applicant.</li>
<li>The self-employed shop owners, retail owners and other traders having an annual turnover of<strong> less than</strong> ₹ 1.5 crores will <strong>only</strong> be able to join the scheme.</li>
<li>Any person making a contribution to <strong>Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund Organisation</strong> (EPFO), <strong>Employees' State Insurance Corporation</strong> (ESIC), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/streamlining-of-national-pension-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Pension System (NPS)</strong></a>, <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-shram-yogi-maan-dhan-pm-sym" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM)</a></strong>, and/or paying income tax is <strong>not eligible</strong> for the scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>government organization</strong> that manages the provident fund and pension accounts of member employees and <strong>implements the Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 provides for the institution of provident funds for employees in factories and other establishments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is <strong>administered by the Ministry of Labour &amp; Employment,</strong> Government of India.</li>
<li>It is <strong>one of the World's largest Social Security Organisations</strong> in terms of its customer base and the volume of financial transactions undertaken.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>government organization</strong> formed under the provisions of <strong>Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948.</strong></li>
<li>It looks at providing<strong> social security benefits</strong> to the workers registered under the <strong>Employee State Insurance Scheme.</strong></li>
<li>It is<strong> administered by the Ministry of Labour &amp; Employment,</strong> Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Prime Minister also launched <strong>462</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eklavya-model-residential-schools" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ekalavya model residential schools</strong></a> across the country in tribal-dominated areas.<br />
<ul>
<li>The schools would focus to provide quality upper primary, secondary and senior secondary level education to Scheduled Tribe students in these areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1584882" 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/pradhan-mantri-kisan-maan-dhan-yojana-1'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'NATGRID to Link Social Media Accounts to Central Database',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has proposed to link social media accounts to central databases.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Linking social media accounts will help to track online terror-related information exchange through individual accounts, online Radicalisation across the country.</li>
<li>But at the same time linking the social media accounts to sensitive government data could expose the system to <strong>&ldquo;Trojan Attacks.&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NATGRID is the integrated intelligence grid connecting databases of core security agencies of the Government of India.</li>
<li>NATGRID is intending to set up an Entity Extraction, Visualization, and Analytics (EVA) system.</li>
<li>It was first proposed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai in 2008.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>counter-terrorism measure</strong> that collects and collates a host of information from government databases including:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tax and Bank account details,</li>
<li>Credit card transactions,</li>
<li>Visa and Immigration records,</li>
<li>Itineraries of Rail and Air travel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The combined data from NATGRID will be made available to <strong>10 Central Intelligence Agencies.</strong></li>
<li>NATGRID faced opposition on charges of possible violations of privacy and leakage of confidential personal information.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Trojan Attacks</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Trojans are non-replication programs</li>
<li>It operates without the permission or knowledge of computer users.</li>
<li>Trojans infect outside machines only with the assistance of a computer user, like clicking a file that comes attached with an email from an unknown person, plugging USB without scanning, opening unsafe URLs.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/natgrid-wants-to-link-social-media-accounts-to-central-database/article29402252.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/natgrid-to-link-social-media-accounts-to-central-database'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Samudra Laksamana',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Indian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy will be participating in the bilateral exercise <strong>&lsquo;Samudra Laksamana&rsquo;</strong> that will take place from 12<sup>th</sup> to 15<sup>th</sup> September 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The exercise includes two phases: <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568362837_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568362837_image1.jpg" width="344" height="243" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A<strong> harbour phase</strong> wherein professional interactions, official calls, social engagements, visits by the local populace and various sports events would be conducted.</li>
<li>The <strong>Sea Phase</strong> of the exercise would enable the two navies to further sharpen their skills in order to <strong>enhance interoperability</strong> between the navies to ensure<strong> peaceful and secure seas for all.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>From the Indian side,</strong> Indian Navy Ships <strong>Sahyadri and Kiltan</strong> will participate in the exercise.</li>
<li>The visit of the IN ships would further bolster the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries and contribute to the<strong> security and stability</strong> in the region.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>INS Sahyadri and Kiltan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ships are part of the Indian Navy's <strong>Eastern Naval Command,</strong> based at <strong>Visakhapatnam.</strong></li>
<li><strong>INS Sahyadri</strong> is a Shivalik-class multi-role<strong> guided missile</strong> stealth frigate.</li>
<li><strong>INS Kiltan</strong> is a Kamorta-class <strong>anti-submarine</strong> warfare corvette.</li>
<li>INS Sahyadri and Kiltan, are the <strong>latest, indigenously designed and built multi-role</strong> ships of the Indian Navy.</li>
<li>The two ships are equipped with a versatile array of weapons and sensors and can carry multi-role helicopters representing the &lsquo;coming of age&rsquo; of India&rsquo;s warship building capabilities.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1584854" 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/samudra-laksamana'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Military Medicine Conference',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>India is hosting the <strong>first conference of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) of</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</strong></a> in New Delhi from 12<sup>th</sup>-13<sup>th</sup> September 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Also, this is the first military cooperation event, being hosted by India, after it joined SCO in June 2017.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568370046_drishtiias_Member_states_of_%20SCO.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568370046_drishtiias_Member_states_of_ SCO.jpg" width="718" height="523" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The conference has been organised by the Indian Armed Forces supported by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defence-space-research-agency-dsra" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The primary objectives of the conference are <strong>to share best practices in the field of military medicine,</strong> build capacities and overcome common challenges.</li>
<li>Deliberations are taking place between military medicine experts of SCO Member States on <strong>rendering of combat medical support, humanitarian assistance during disasters</strong> and <strong>measures to improve patient safety.</strong></li>
<li>The Defence Minister of India has called upon the <strong>Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS)</strong> of SCO countries to devise ways to effectively deal with new threats posed to soldiers by the ever-advancing battlefield technology.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, the <strong>Directorate General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) is an apex organization</strong> which coordinates the medical services of the Army, Navy and Air Force.</li>
<li>It is under the Ministry of Defence, headed by a Lieutenant General (Lt Gen)/equivalent officer of Navy or Air Force.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The conference gains importance in the background of building capabilities to <strong>deal with the menace of bioterrorism,</strong> a real threat the world is facing today.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)</strong> is a permanent organ of the SCO which serves to promote cooperation of member states <strong>against the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism.</strong> It is <strong>headquartered in Tashkent,&nbsp;Uzbekistan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bio-terrorism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A biological attack or bioterrorism is the <strong>intentional release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs that can sicken or kill people, livestock, or crops.</strong></li>
<li>Bacillus anthracis, the bacteria that causes anthrax, is one of the most likely agents to be used in a biological attack.</li>
<li>In the Indian context, with the existence of hostile neighbours like Pakistan, the threat of biological warfare cannot be ruled out entirely.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Preparedness</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Several nodal ministries have been earmarked for dealing with epidemics caused by bioterrorism.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Early Detection: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</strong> is tasked with providing directions and technical support for capacity building, surveillance and <strong>early detection of an outbreak.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Assessment of Threat: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)</strong> is responsible for the assessment of the threat, intelligence inputs and implementation of preventive mechanisms.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-7th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)</strong></a> is a specialised force constituted under MHA to deal with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biowarfare: The Ministry of Defence (MoD)</strong> is responsible for managing the matters and <strong>consequences of biowarfare.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence R&amp;D Organization (DRDO)</strong></a> is actively pitched into developing <strong>protective systems and equipment</strong> for troops to contend against nuclear, biological and chemical warfare.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has ratified the <strong>Biological Weapons Convention (BWC),</strong> which effectively prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons and is a key element in the international community&rsquo;s efforts to address the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.</li>
<li>India is one of the participants in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/npt-must-for-india-s-entry-into-nsg-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the Australia Group</strong></a>, an informal arrangement which aims to allow exporting or transshipping countries to minimise the risk of assisting chemical and biological weapon (CBW) proliferation.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1584842" 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/military-medicine-conference'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Exercise MAITREE',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Indian Army and Royal Thailand Army (RTA) will conduct their joint Military Exercise <strong>MAITREE-2019</strong> at Meghalaya from Sept 16-29, 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Exercise MAITREE is an <strong>annual training event</strong> that is conducted in India and Thailand alternatively, since <strong>2006.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568359464_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568359464_image3.jpg" width="336" height="238" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></strong></li>
<li>In the backdrop of changing facets of global terrorism, this exercise is a significant exercise for both the nations as they face the <strong>security challenges</strong> from terrorism.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Southern regions</strong> of Thailand (eg. Satun city, Patthalung province, Bangkok, etc) that are mostly visited by foreigners are prone to terrorist attacks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The scope of this exercise covers <strong>company level joint training</strong> on insurgency &amp; counter-terrorism operations in jungles and urban scenarios.</li>
<li>The joint military exercise between the Indian Army (IA) and the Royal Thailand Army (RTA) will give a boost to the <strong>defence cooperation and bilateral relations</strong> between the two nations.</li>
<li>The Royal Thailand <strong>Navy</strong> and the Indian Navy have been participating in Coordinated Patrols <strong>(CORPATs)</strong> in the Indian Ocean region since 2005.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 29px;">
<td style="width: 34.0472%; height: 29px; background-color: #709efa; text-align: center;" colspan="2"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Joint Military Exercises of India with Other Countries</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;"><strong>Name of Exercise</strong></td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;"><strong>Country</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Garuda Shakti</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Indonesia</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Ekuverin</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Maldives</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 18px; background-color: #e8effa;">Hand-in-Hand</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 18px; background-color: #e8effa;">China</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Kurukshetra</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Singapore</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Mitra Shakti</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Sri Lanka</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Nomadic Elephant</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Mongolia</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Shakti</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">France</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Surya Kiran</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Nepal</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Yudh Abhyas</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">USA</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><br /><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1584871" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a><br /><br /></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-maitree'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Desertification',
			'catname' => 'Paper 3',
			'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568358838_Desertification%20(Mind Map).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568358838_Desertification (Mind Map).png" width="443" height="1783" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/desertification-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>For TTP</em></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper3/desertification-mind-map'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Regulatory Roadblock to Ease of Doing Business',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-dampens-business-sentiment/story-ExIre7drg2GEsAyFUM1J8I.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;How easy is it to do business, after all?&rdquo;</strong></a> that appeared in The Hindustan Times on 12 September 2019. It talks about the lacunae in the Indian regulatory framework, affecting India's ease of doing business.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, <strong>the World Bank&rsquo;s Ease of Doing Business 2019 report ranked India 77<sup>th</sup> among 190 countries,</strong> apart from it India is counted as <strong>one of the world&rsquo;s most attractive investment destinations.</strong></p>
<p>However, in order to <strong>become a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25,</strong> India certainly needs to improve more on ease of doing the business front.</p>
<h3>Legislations and Challenges to Ease of Doing Business in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to experts, there are structural reasons for India, <strong>the regulatory framework being the biggest challenge in it.</strong></li>
<li>Certain laws and their enforcement, act big impediments to ease of doing business in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A plethora of regulatory and compliance requirement.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Overreach by enforcing agencies</strong> in the execution of direct and indirect tax laws, also known as<strong> &ldquo;tax terrorism&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>For instance, the Income-Tax (I-T) Act, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act and even the laws governing corporate social responsibility (CSR).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues related to these laws:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Overlapping laws:</strong> The Companies Act, 2013 and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, have overlapping provisions, which act as deterrents to the ease of doing business in India.</li>
<li><strong>Disproportionate criminal penalties:</strong> The risk of being charged with fraud in the running of a company is at par with the risk of being charged with drug running.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of coherence in policymaking:</strong> Barring matters related to CSR, all other laws are in the administrative domain of the revenue department in the finance ministry. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>CSR is part of the Companies Act under the administrative control of the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Subjective interpretation of the law:</strong> Tax laws are prone to the subjective interpretation of tax officers which causes undue hardships to taxpayers and leaves <strong>scope for corruption.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Legislation losing its way:</strong> PMLA was originally conceived as a law that would essentially address global concerns over money laundering offences such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and terror.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, with the consequent amendments in the PMLA, the act now also focuses on trivial issues pertaining to corporate governance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inability to fulfil the compliance requirement:</strong> GST sought to implement the <strong>concept of one nation, one tax.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, numerous rate and law changes and a less-than-efficient technology platform, complex and cumbersome compliance with the GST laws have made GST as one of the biggest areas of concern to the trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Retrospective nature of law:</strong> The Benami law, aimed at punishing the common practice under which a property is held by proxies for the real owners. However, the retrospective nature of the law causes lots of difficulties to genuine people as administrators are indiscriminately applying these provisions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, assets get attached and redressal in Indian legal system takes an unduly long time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>All these factors create a situation of mistrust in the market, proving to be a hindrance to the concept of ease of doing business.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Companies Act should be reviewed in order to minimise criminalisation of violations.</li>
<li>Taxation laws should be made simpler and tax administration should be impersonal. Direct Tax Code (DTC) will be the right step in this direction.</li>
<li>Human interface between tax officers and taxpayer should be reduced while automating the tax machinery (Fintech).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This coupled with uniform guidelines to facilitate compliance will be instrumental in mitigating tax terrorism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The GST law should be stabilised and the technology backbone should be strengthened rather than making more changes.</li>
</ul>
<p>The implementation of laws should not lead to harassment of genuine/honest citizens.</p>
<p>India's tryst to ease of doing business lies in Napoleon's notion of law i.e. law should be so succinct that it can be carried in the pocket of the coat and it should be so simple that it can be understood by a peasant.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #faf4eb;"><span style="color: #003366;"><em><strong>Drishti Input</strong></em></span><br /><br />India&rsquo;s regulatory framework pertaining to corporate governance is the biggest challenge in India&rsquo;s pursuit of improving ease of doing business. Comment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/regulatory-roadblock-to-ease-of-doing-businessq'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture- Rising Oceans, Sinking Cities',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XQnUmopftow" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>Oceans act as a sponge for the ill effects of climate change. They absorb the heat and CO<sub>2</sub> generated by greenhouse gas emissions. However, the same oceans are today likely to unleash their wrath on a global scale.</p>
<p>According to a draft report of the United Nations <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-warming-of-1-5-c-ipcc-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</strong></a> (IPCC), destructive changes have already been set into motion. By the year 2050, many low-lying megacities and small island nations will experience extreme sea-level events every year. The final report is yet to be released in September after a thorough discussion with all the stakeholders.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Climate Change</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Earth's climate has changed throughout history. In the last 650,000 years, there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat, with the <strong>abrupt end of the last ice age about 7,000 years ago</strong> marking the beginning of the modern climate era, and of human civilization.</li>
<li>The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is extremely likely (almost greater than 95%) to be the result of human activity since the mid-20<sup>th</sup> century and is proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented over decades to millennia.</li>
<li>The <strong>oceans</strong> have <strong>absorbed</strong> much of this increased heat, with the top 700 meters (about 2,300 feet) of ocean showing warming of more than 0.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1969.</li>
<li>Global <strong>sea level rose</strong> about 8 inches in the last century. The rate in the last two decades, however, is nearly double that of the last century and is accelerating slightly every year.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Current Scenario</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the draft report of the IPCC, the events that were expected to happen in the future such as increased number of <strong>cyclones,</strong> enhanced <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-melting-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>melting of glaciers</strong></a>, changed <strong>rainfall &amp; wind flow</strong> pattern, changed chemistry of oceans, inter alia, are faced today itself by mankind.</li>
<li>The volume of water has also increased significantly in recent years due to<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Melting of ice-</strong> presently almost 400 million tonnes of ice is melting every year, and</li>
<li><strong>Thermal expansion</strong> of water (expansion due to the heating of water caused by global warming).</li>
<li>This poses a grave danger to the low-lying areas located throughout the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The number of <strong>Heatwaves</strong> (whereby the surface temperature of the oceans remains above normal for 2-5 consecutive days) &amp; their intensity has increased significantly in the recent past. Their number is going to increase enormously in the times to come.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Findings From the Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report states that the <strong>big four</strong> namely, the United States of America, China, India, and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> will face the most devastating fall out of the ocean and ice-related impacts of climate change.</li>
<li>Although three of them <strong>(except India)</strong> have been the major contributors to this man-made problem, yet the biggest sufferers from climate change would be the smaller island nations &amp; countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For e.g, <strong>Kiribati</strong> is expected to wipe out &amp; Kiribas are looking for land in other places.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indonesia-s-new-capital" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indonesia recently changed its capital</strong></a> from <strong>Jakarta to Borneo</strong> due to the fear of submergence of the world&rsquo;s fastest sinking city, i.e, Jakarta.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s emissions are peaking at an extremely high rate.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Its gross emissions are <strong>twice</strong> as that of the US (the second-largest emitter) &amp; per-capita emissions of China are touching the average per-capita emissions of OECD countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the draft report, even if <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cop24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris agreement targets</strong></a> are met on time, global emissions will reach up to 3&deg;C.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Paris agreement just ended the <strong>capping &amp; fixed target system</strong> that was adopted during the Kyoto protocol, &amp; introduced a new system known as the<strong> &lsquo;Pledge &amp; Review system.&rsquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kyoto Protocol</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 and entered into force in 2005.</li>
<li>The detailed rules for the implementation of the Protocol were adopted at <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COP-7</strong></a> in Marrakesh, in 2001, and are referred to as the <strong>Marrakesh Accords.</strong></li>
<li>Its first commitment period started in the year 2008 and ended in 2012.</li>
<li>Kyoto Protocol Phase-1 <strong>(2005-12)</strong> gave the target of cutting down emissions by 5%.</li>
<li>Kyoto Round- 2 gave the target of reducing emissions by at least 18% by the industrialized countries.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The situation is extremely serious today, &amp; the currently adopted <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/co2-level-hit-record-high" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)</strong></a> pledges are leading the world towards a higher rise in temperature than expected.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Global Actions Aggravating Climate Change</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Paris agreement is losing its force today.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The US has withdrawn from the Paris agreements, and the US President was absent at the recently held <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g7-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G7</strong></a> summit.</li>
<li>Even China is opening new coal mines because of its <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/trade-war-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>trade war</strong></a> with the US, thereby reducing its pollution control measures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Brazil is ignoring the repercussions of &lsquo;development&rsquo; on the environment. The recent example of which is the deadly <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amazon-rainforest" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>amazon forest fires.</strong></a> The same is the case with <strong>Canada, Bolivia, </strong>&amp;<strong> Australia.</strong></li>
<li>Sustainable Development Goals are difficult to achieve if similar situations prevail.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Actions Required</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Globally:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>There is a closed relationship between water, land &amp; cryosphere.</strong> There is a need to adequately address and appreciate that relationship globally.</li>
<li>Oceans cover <strong>three-fourths</strong> of the globe. A large number of fishermen &amp; the economy of various countries are dependent upon the oceans. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Because of global warming, pollution, oil spills, etc. oceans are badly abused. Hence, there is a need for aggressive cuts &amp; a reduction in the abuse of oceans.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Costs of adaptation of mitigation measures are highly uncertain</strong> &amp; no country in the world is prepared today to face climate change. Hence, both developed &amp; developing economies need to take a dramatic shift &amp; percolate down the efforts through societies on a war-footing level.</li>
<li>If serious actions are taken immediately, it is possible to restrict the temperature rise to 1.5&deg; C.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>At India&rsquo;s level:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Apart from adaptation, the need of the hour is to avert &amp; delay the calamity by <strong>promoting the non-fossil fuels. I</strong>ndia has already achieved its reduction targets, &amp; is now raising the targets, focussing on <strong>renewable energies.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For e.g, India has met its Solar capacity installation targets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India needs to calibrate its developmental programs to ensure that it performs better than industrialized nations. Such areas include <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Road transport-</strong> that is given considerable importance today. But we need to look at the environmental costs it raises for the nation.</li>
<li><strong>Railways</strong> network can be upgraded much more cheaply in a more eco-friendly manner to complement the road network.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is doing well as compared to other countries on the basis of its Paris targets. Diplomatically, India needs to look at its actions that can be matched abroad like
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India in collaboration with France launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-assembly-of-international-solar-alliance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance.</strong></a> The need is to take the leadership &amp; pressurize other countries in terms of diplomacy on the issue of reducing their emission targets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The challenges of droughts, shrinking &amp; sinking cities, high temperatures that we face today demand much more aggressive efforts. The time for action has come.</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s resolve to prepone &amp; fulfill its NDC targets from 2030 to 2025 is a welcome step in mitigating climate change.</li>
<li>There are certain sectors &amp; industries which are harmful to the environment. Because of the fear of loss of jobs in such industries (e.g automobile sector), nations have to keep them alive &amp; sustaining. There is a need to identify viable alternatives for such industries.</li>
<li>Oceans are going to increase further. There is a need to plan and prepare for the suitable <strong>rehabilitation program</strong> for the affected people (also known as <strong>Ecological Refugees)</strong>. Nations need to appropriately identify the required efforts to relocate them properly, &amp; the associated costs with their rehabilitation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This issue gains much significance in the Indian context which has 7500 km long coastline, on which many megacities are situated.</li>
<li>The need is to avoid any forced eviction of people, and <strong>empower &amp; invest</strong> in local coastal communities, so as to avert similar situations in the future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-rising-oceans-sinking-cities'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Lord Natraja',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>An antique panchaloha (<strong> an alloy of gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe)</strong>) idol of Lord Nataraja, stolen from a temple in southern Tamil Nadu and smuggled to Australia 37 years ago, has been brought back to India.</p>
<h3>Lord Natraja</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nataraja (Lord of the Dance),</strong> the Hindu god Shiva in his form as the cosmic dancer, is represented in metal or stone in many Shaivite temples, particularly in South India.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568280765_drishti_Natraj.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568280765_drishti_Natraj.jpg" style="float: right;" width="329" height="329" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>It is an important piece of <strong>Chola sculpture.</strong></li>
<li>Some of the features of the Nataraja sculpture are: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The upper right-hand holds the drum, which signifies the <strong>sound of creation.</strong> All creations spring from the great sound of the damru.</li>
<li>The upper left-hand holds the eternal fire, which represents the <strong>destruction.</strong> Destruction is the precursor and inevitable counterpart of creation.</li>
<li>The lower right hand is raised in the gesture of <strong>Abhay mudra</strong> signifying <strong>benediction and reassuring the devotee to not be afraid.</strong></li>
<li>The lower left-hand points towards the upraised foot and indicates the <strong>path of salvation.</strong></li>
<li>Shiva is dancing on the figure of a <strong>small dwarf.</strong> The dwarf symbolises<strong> ignorance and the ego of an individual.</strong></li>
<li>The matted and flowing locks of Shiva represent the<strong> flow of river Ganges.</strong></li>
<li>In ornamentation, one ear of Shiva has a male earring while the other has female. This represents the fusion of male and female and is often referred to as <strong>Ardhanarishwar.</strong></li>
<li>A snake is twisted around the arm of Shiva. The snake symbolises the <strong>kundalini power,</strong> which resides in the human spine in the dormant stage. If aroused, one can attain true consciousness.</li>
<li>The Nataraja is surrounded by a nimbus of glowing lights which symbolises the <strong>vast unending cycles of time.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/stolen-nataraja-idol-on-the-way-back-to-tamil-nadu/article29395752.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/lord-natraja'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'World University Rankings 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The TIMES Higher Education <strong>(THE)</strong> recently released its World University Rankings 2020 edition.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In its 16<sup>th</sup> edition, THE&rsquo;s World University Rankings 2020 included over 1,300 universities from <strong>92 countries.</strong></li>
<li><strong>56 Indian institutions</strong> (up from 49 last year) made entry into the table this year, making India the <strong>fifth most-represented country</strong> in the list and the <strong>third in Asia</strong> (behind Japan and China).</li>
<li>The University of Oxford retained the <strong>top</strong> position for the consecutive fourth year.</li>
<li>The Indian Institute of Science <strong>(IISc)</strong> Bangalore<strong> topped</strong> the Indian universities on the list (although its ranking fell from the 251-300 group in 2019 to the 301-350 bracket in 2020). It now shares this position with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar- which made a debut entry into the list.</li>
<li>It is the first time since <strong>2012,</strong> that <strong>an Indian university has not featured in the top 300</strong> of the ranking.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568277497_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568277497_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="342" height="421" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to THE, the best Indian institutions are generally characterized by relatively strong scores for teaching environment and industry income, but when it comes to an international outlook they perform poorly.</li>
<li>The Indian government has strong ambitions to boost the global standing of its top universities and attract foreign students, academics and research collaboration. It now needs to back up these aspirations with high levels of investment, increasing global competition.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/more-indian-institutes-in-list-but-iisc-slips-in-rank/story-7rSEoYAYTJ5j3QaDvf8NPM.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HT</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-university-rankings-2020'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Ladakh Under Sixth Schedule',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The <strong>National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)</strong> has recommended that the <strong>Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>NCST, a constitutional body</strong> to safeguard socio-cultural rights of Scheduled Tribes, was entrusted with the responsibility of examining the status of tribals in Ladakh, by the Centre.</li>
<li><strong>If included, Ladakh will be the only UT in the Sixth Schedule.</strong> Also, bestowing such a status to Ladakh would <strong>require a constitutional amendment.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons Behind the Recommendation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is estimated that <strong>more than 90% of Ladakh&rsquo;s population is tribal.</strong> The primary <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/xaxa-committee-on-tribal-communities-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheduled Tribes (STs)</strong></a> in Ladakh are <strong>Balti Beda, Bot (or Boto), Brokpa (or Drokpa, Dard, Shin), Changpa, Garra, Mon and Purigpa.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thereby&nbsp;<strong>several distinct cultural heritages</strong>&nbsp;of these communities in Ladakh region&nbsp;needs to be preserved and promoted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/article-370-and-35-a-revoked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prior to the creation of Union Territory of Ladakh,</strong></a> <strong>people in Ladakh region had certain agrarian rights</strong> including right on land which restricted people from other parts of the country to purchase or acquire land in Ladakh.</li>
<li>Inclusion in the sixth schedule <strong>will help in democratic devolution of powers</strong> in the region and will also enhance the transfer of funds for speedy development of the region.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568275773_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568275773_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="721" height="163" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Sixth Schedule</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Constitution, under Sixth Schedule, contains <strong>special provisions for the administration of tribal areas</strong> in the <strong>four north-eastern</strong> states of <strong>Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Autonomous Districts:</strong> The tribal areas in these four states have been constituted as autonomous districts. The <strong>governor is empowered to organise and re-organise the autonomous districts.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The acts of Parliament or the state legislature do not apply to autonomous districts or apply with specified modifications and exceptions.</li>
<li>The power of direction, in this regard, lies <strong>either with the President or Governor.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>District Council:</strong> Each autonomous district has a district <strong>council consisting of 30 members, of whom four are nominated by the Governor</strong> and the remaining 26 are elected on the basis of adult franchise. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The elected members hold office for a term of five years (unless the council is dissolved earlier) and nominated members hold office during the pleasure of the governor.</li>
<li>Each autonomous region also has a separate regional council.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Powers of the Council:</strong> The district and regional councils administer the areas under their jurisdiction. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They can make <strong>laws on certain specified matters like land, forests, canal water, shifting cultivation,</strong> village administration, the inheritance of property, marriage and divorce, social customs and so on. But <strong>all such laws require the assent of the Governor.</strong></li>
<li>They can <strong>constitute</strong> village councils or <strong>courts for trial of suits and cases between the tribes.</strong> They hear appeals from them. The jurisdiction of the high court over these suits and cases is specified by the governor.</li>
<li>The district council can establish, construct or manage primary schools, dispensaries, markets, ferries, fisheries, roads and so on in the district.</li>
<li>They are empowered to <strong>assess and collect land revenue</strong> and to impose certain specified taxes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Commission for Scheduled Tribes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Formation:</strong> The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by <strong>amending Article 338</strong> and inserting a new <strong>Article 338A</strong> in the Constitution through the <strong>Constitution (89<sup>th</sup> Amendment) Act, 2003.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely- the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) w.e.f. 19<sup>th</sup> February 2004.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong> The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has a <strong>Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and 3 other Members.</strong> These are are appointed by the <strong>President</strong> by warrant under his hand and seal.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One of the three other Members has to be a <strong>woman.</strong></li>
<li>The Vice-Chairperson and all other Members, out of whom <strong>at least two</strong> are appointed from amongst persons <strong>belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Term of Office:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The term of office of each member of the Commission is <strong>three years</strong> from the date of assumption of charge.</li>
<li>The members are <strong>not eligible for appointment</strong> for more <strong>than two terms.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution or under any other law or under any order of the Government</li>
<li>To participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes,</li>
<li>To evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State,</li>
<li>To present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> New Delhi.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1584746" 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/ladakh-under-sixth-schedule'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous Anti-tank Missile',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)</strong></a> has successfully flight tested indigenously developed <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-17th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Man-Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM).</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>low weight</strong> and<strong> fire and forget</strong> missile.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568275178_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568275178_image2.jpg" width="241" height="137" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>The missile was launched from a <strong>man-portable Tripod launcher.</strong></li>
<li>This is the <strong>third series</strong> of successful testing of MPATGM.</li>
<li>The missile is incorporated with <strong>Infrared Imaging Seeker</strong> along with <strong>advanced avionics.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1584802" 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/drdo-successfully-tests-indigenous-anti-tank-missile'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Jeevan Kaushal Programme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, the Government has launched the <strong>Curriculum for Life Skills (Jeevan Kaushal)</strong> programme designed by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/stride" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>University Grants Commission (UGC).</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Jeevan Kaushal</strong> is aimed at:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inculcation of an Emotional Intelligence.</li>
<li>Development of Intellectual Competencies.</li>
<li>Development of verbal and non-verbal communication skills.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The program has been framed for <strong>Undergraduate courses</strong> across the country.</li>
<li>The Designed program is for 8 credit points and can be accommodated in<strong> any semester of the course.</strong></li>
<li>The program will comprise of <strong>four courses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Communication skills,</li>
<li>Professional and Leadership skills,</li>
<li>Problem-solving and Decision-making,</li>
<li>Universal human values.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Institute of Skills, Mumbai</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Also, to make <strong>India the Skill Capital of the World,</strong> the Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has laid the foundation stone of the <strong>Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) at Mumbai.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will provide skill training to students who want to pursue <strong>technical education after completing Class X and Class XII,</strong> making them employable and industry-ready.</li>
<li>The Tata Education Development Trust (TEDT) is the private partner for setting up IIS in Mumbai.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Institute of Skills (IIS)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) are in line with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/institutions-of-eminence-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Institutes of Eminence (IoEs)</strong></a> including IITs and IIMs.</li>
<li>IIS aims to enrol <strong>5,000 students per year with campus placement of 70% trainees.</strong></li>
<li>The Union Cabinet has given its nod to set up Indian Institute of Skills (IISs) in <strong>three</strong> locations of the country :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mumbai</strong></li>
<li><strong>Ahmedabad</strong></li>
<li><strong>Kanpur</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These institutes will be <strong>constructed &amp; operated on a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model and on a not-for-profit basis.</strong></li>
<li>It will facilitate learnings and <strong>training through</strong> strong industry connect in both the <strong>public and private sectors.</strong></li>
<li>It will help promote programs like Make in India, Skill India as well as to cater to the demand of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth:-industrial-revolution-4.0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industry 4.0.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1584801" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'The Big Picture- Big Bank Reform',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IWR5zFLenJ4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>The Finance Ministry recently announced a mega plan to merge<strong> 10</strong> public sector banks into<strong> 4</strong> large entities. This will bring down the total number of Public Sector Banks in the country to 12 from 27.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The new banks formed after the mega-merger are:</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 96.3175%; height: 131px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 6.06299%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #3679ff;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Sr. No.</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 52.7559%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #3679ff;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Amalgamated Banks</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 16.063%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #3679ff;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Anchor Banks</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;">
<td style="width: 6.06299%; height: 18px; text-align: center; background-color: #e6eafa;">1.</td>
<td style="width: 52.7559%; height: 18px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Punjab National Bank (PNB), Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC), and United Bank of India</td>
<td style="width: 16.063%; height: 18px; background-color: #e6eafa;">PNB</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 6.06299%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #e6eafa;">2.</td>
<td style="width: 52.7559%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank</td>
<td style="width: 16.063%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Canara Bank</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 6.06299%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #e6eafa;">3.</td>
<td style="width: 52.7559%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Union Bank of India, Andhra Bank, and Corporation Bank</td>
<td style="width: 16.063%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Union Bank of India</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 6.06299%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #e6eafa;">4.</td>
<td style="width: 52.7559%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Indian Bank and Allahabad Bank</td>
<td style="width: 16.063%; height: 19px; background-color: #e6eafa;">Indian Bank</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The consolidation will help in<strong> strengthening</strong> the <strong>national presence and global reach</strong> of these banks.</li>
<li>The merger move was followed by ₹55,000 crore <strong>recapitalization plan</strong> for the merged entities and 6 other banks, enabling them to enhance their lending capacity.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rationale Behind the Merger Plan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mega-merger plan focuses on creating <strong>banks of scale</strong> that would enable India to meet its aspirations of a <strong>$5 trillion</strong> GDP economy.</li>
<li>To keep pace with the growing economy, there is a need for big banks that can lend to big industries &amp; entrepreneurs that require large amounts of credit. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to banks&rsquo; <strong>prudential norms,</strong> banks take risks only for those entities that are appropriate as per banks&rsquo; size. Banks generally avoid investing in a single entity or business.</li>
<li>Hence to invest in large projects, banks with huge lending capacity were needed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Banks also need <strong>large credit</strong> in order to invest in,<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Better <strong>customer service &amp; connect,</strong></li>
<li><strong>Technology</strong> upgradation,</li>
<li>Fraud detection, etc.</li>
<li>Larger banks can invest in <strong>standardizing these processes</strong> in larger set of customer-facing entities.</li>
<li>This will help in bringing good synergy between the banks &amp; the customers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Merger Parameters</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>core principles</strong> that were kept in mind during the merger process are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, there should be <strong>minimal customer disruption</strong> during and immediately after the merger process.</li>
<li>Secondly, the <strong>credit activity</strong> of the bank must not get disrupted &amp; disturbed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Accordingly, the following parameters were taken into consideration while merging:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Similar <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amalgamation-of-national-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Core Banking System</strong></a>, i.e, the software on which a particular bank works must be common between the merged banks. For e.g, <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Canara &amp; Syndicate Bank</strong> worked on similar software named <strong>iFlex.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Indian Bank &amp; Allahabad Bank</strong> worked upon software named the <strong>BaNCS</strong> software.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Banks sharing a <strong>glorious tradition &amp; rich history</strong> were looked upon if they could complement each other at the<strong> level of their NPAs,</strong> current capital availability, <strong>distribution of their branches,</strong> etc. Synergies that could have been unlocked between different banks became a crucial parameter while selecting them for the merger.</li>
<li>The other factors like their <strong>geographical</strong> presence, line of <strong>activity,</strong> the extent of savings account or <strong>CASA (Current &amp; Savings Accounts) deposits</strong> were also taken into consideration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Non-Performing Assets (NPA)</strong> refer to a classification for loans or advances that are in default or are in arrears on scheduled payments of <strong>principal or interest.</strong></li>
<li>In most cases, debt is classified as non-performing, when the loan payments have not been made for a minimum period of <strong>90 days.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Need For Merger</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There was a dire need for <strong>increased competition</strong> between the banks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian Public Sector Banks were not taking any concrete steps to distinguish themselves from another bank in terms of- encouraging in the deposits and offering credits &amp; interesting products to the customers.</li>
<li>Despite the name they carried, there was no difference in the value they offered. Hence, merging them into one big entity was the desired move.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Strong banks are beneficial in bringing the <strong>synergy and profits</strong> for both- the banks&rsquo; employees &amp; the customers. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For e.g., After the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amalgamation-of-three-public-sector-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>amalgamation of Bank of Baroda (BoB), Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank,</strong></a> BOB in the first quarter itself recorded a huge profit after the merger as compared to the huge loss it incurred in the previous year before the merger.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps to be Taken for Improvement in Performance Matrix</h3>
<p>For a merger to be successful various reforms have to be taken in a continuous manner like,</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need for <strong>additional capital</strong> that can keep the banks sustained for a longer duration.</li>
<li><strong>EASE agenda</strong> on the basis of which individual banks are measured and their scorecard is publicly disclosed, can be to be followed.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>EASE (Enhanced Access and Service Excellence) Reform Index</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>EASE index is prepared by the <strong>Indian Banking Association (IBA)</strong> and the Boston Consulting Group.</li>
<li>It is commissioned by the <strong>Ministry of Finance.</strong></li>
<li>It is a framework that was adopted to strengthen the public sector banks and rank them on parameters such as responsible banking, financial inclusion, credit offtake and digitization.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There must be a common <strong>unified messaging &amp; performance review system</strong> to maintain uniformity across banks. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Processes that are rolled out in one bank from the top must percolate downwards to every employee in that bank for<strong> effective communication.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact of Merger on Indian Economy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Banks perform an <strong>intermediation role</strong> in the economy. They take the savings of households and make it available for firms as investments. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For any economic growth to take place, there is need of<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Credit</strong> in terms of debt, &amp;</li>
<li><strong>Capital</strong> in terms of equity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Larger banks have a better ability to raise resources from the market rather than relying only on State exchequer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The increased lending capacity of the banks can <strong>bring best in class services</strong> for the industries as well as the retail individuals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For e.g, After the SBI merger, it was able to attract its customer by launching the <strong>SBI Yono cards.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Underlying Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Despite the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/merger-of-psbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>merger of Vijaya Bank, Bank of Baroda and Dena Bank,</strong></a> their <strong>credit rate</strong> (the rate of interest a bank offers) has not significantly improved. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Their market capitalization was the underlying reason for the increased profits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The merged banks have different levels of profitability, &amp; the ability to handle loans. The associated crucial aspect is the <strong>structure of the management.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Composition of Bank Boards &amp; selection of the CEO on the basis of the seniority level only, will not be very impactful.</li>
<li>Their selection must be done on a <strong>merit basis</strong> transparently. Applications can be invited from the market for that purpose.</li>
<li>Leadership in the merged entity will be vital to deliver the planned outcome.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need to <strong>give greater powers</strong> to the banks board in order to drive, review &amp; oversight the decision-making process. And for that, the best talent must be recruited.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, there is the requirement of a much stronger risk handling mechanism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The need is to now <strong>look at foreign markets,</strong> and set up appropriate <strong>business policies</strong> (in terms of the global location &amp; the product these banks can target) that will help in increasing the efficiency and the competition of these banks with their global counterparts.</li>
<li>Continuous reforms should be undertaken regarding, <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Product innovation,</li>
<li>Investments in technologies,</li>
<li>Better back-end processes,</li>
<li>Reduction in turnaround time</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
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	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Zero-Budget Natural Farming',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/is-zero-budget-natural-farming-working/article29410335.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Is zero budget natural farming working?&rdquo;</strong></a> that appeared in The Hindu Business Line on 14/09/2019. It talks about the benefits and issues related to Zero-Budget Natural Farming.</p>
</div>
<p>Addressing the <strong>United Nations conference on desertification (COP-14)</strong>, Indian PM told the global community that India is <strong>focusing on Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).</strong> ZBNF was also highlighted in<strong> budget 2019</strong> in the bid to double farmer's income by 2022.</p>
<p>However, scientists from the <strong>National Academy of Agricultural Sciences</strong> suggested that there is no need for the government to promote ZBNF unless there is proper scientific validation.</p>
<h3>Zero Budget Natural Farming</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Zero budget natural farming is a method of <strong>chemical-free agriculture</strong> drawing from traditional Indian practices.</li>
<li>It was originally promoted by <strong>agriculturist Subhash Palekar,</strong> who developed it in the mid-1990s as an <strong>alternative to the Green Revolution&rsquo;s methods</strong> that are driven by chemical fertilizers and pesticides and intensive irrigation.</li>
<li>It is a unique model that relies on <strong>Agro-ecology.</strong></li>
<li>It aims to bring down the <strong>cost of production to nearly zero</strong> and return to a <strong>pre-green revolution style of farming.</strong></li>
<li>It claims that there is <strong>no need</strong> for expensive inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides and intensive irrigation.</li>
<li>ZBNF is based on 4 pillars:
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Jeevamrutha:</strong> It is a mixture of fresh cow dung and aged cow urine (both from India's indigenous cow breed), jaggery, pulse flour, water and soil; to be applied on farmland.</li>
<li><strong>Bijamrita:</strong> It is a concoction of neem leaves &amp; pulp, tobacco and green chilies prepared for insect and pest management, that can be used to treat seeds.</li>
<li><strong>Acchadana (Mulching)</strong>: It protects topsoil during cultivation and does not destroy it by tilling.</li>
<li><strong>Whapasa</strong>: It is the condition where there are both air molecules and water molecules present in the soil. Thereby helping in reducing irrigation requirement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Benefits of ZBNF</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With the rising cost of external inputs (fertilizers and pesticides), which is the leading <strong>cause of indebtedness and suicide among farmers.</strong> According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/restructuring-of-indian-statistical-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)</a> data, <strong>almost 70% of agricultural households</strong> spend more than they earn and more than half of all farmers are in debt.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since in ZBNF there is the need to spend money or take loans for external inputs, the cost of production could be reduced and <strong>farming made into a &ldquo;zero budget&rdquo; exercise.</strong></li>
<li>This would <strong>break the debt cycle</strong> for many small farmers and help to envisage the doubling of farmer's income by 2022.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At a time when chemical-intensive farming is resulting in soil and environmental degradation, a zero-cost environmentally-friendly farming method is definitely a timely initiative.</li>
<li>The ZBNF method promotes <strong>soil aeration,</strong> minimal watering, intercropping, bunds and topsoil mulching and discourages intensive irrigation and deep ploughing.</li>
<li>It suits all crops in all agro-climatic zones.</li>
<li>Citing the benefits of ZBNF, in June 2018, <strong>Andhra Pradesh</strong> rolled out an ambitious plan to become <strong>India&rsquo;s first State to practise 100% natural farming by 2024.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to ZBNF</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sikkim (India's first organic state), has seen some <strong>decline in yields</strong> following conversion to organic farming.</li>
<li>Many farmers have <strong>reverted to conventional farming</strong> after seeing their ZBNF returns drop after a few years.</li>
<li>While ZBNF has definitely helped preserve soil fertility, its role in boosting productivity and farmers&rsquo; income <strong>isn&rsquo;t conclusive</strong> yet.</li>
<li>ZBNF advocates the <strong>need of an Indian breed cow,</strong> whose numbers are <strong>declining at a fast pace.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to Livestock Census, the country&rsquo;s total population of indigenous and nondescript cattle has dropped by 8.1%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Low expenditure by the government:</strong> Last year, the government launched Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, a flagship Green Revolution scheme with an allocation of Rs 3,745 crore for the financial year 2019-20.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Whereas the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, which was meant to promote organic farming and soil health has been allocated Rs 325 crore only.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a host of structural marketing issues which needs to be addressed first before aiming to achieve the ambitious goal of ZBNF. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthening of agricultural market infrastructure.</li>
<li>Extending the procurement mechanism to all foodgrain and non-foodgrain crops to all States.</li>
<li>Implementation of price deficiency payment system for selected crops.</li>
<li>Fixing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/msp-agrarian-crisis-and-reform" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minimum support prices</a> (MSP) in consonance with the cost of cultivation.</li>
<li>Abolishing minimum export price for agricultural commodities.</li>
<li>Enacting legislation on &lsquo;right to sell at MSP&rsquo; needs immediate attention.</li>
<li>MGNREGS must also be linked with farm work in order to reduce the cost of cultivation which has escalated at a faster pace over the past few years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Unless these issues are resolved, the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/doubling-farmers-income-a-promise-to-be-fulfilled-by-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">doubling of farmers' income</a> will remain a distant reality. In this context, farmers&rsquo; ease of doing business and ease of living should also be taken into consideration.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #faffe8;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Critically analyse the role Zero Budget Natural Farming can play in achieving the goal of doubling farmer&rsquo;s income by 2022.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Sources:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/what-is-zero-budget-natural-farming/article28733122.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/what-is-zero-budget-natural-farming/article28733122.ece</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thewire.in/agriculture/budget-2019-zero-budget-natural-farming" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://thewire.in/agriculture/budget-2019-zero-budget-natural-farming</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-should-stop-promoting-zero-budget-natural-farming-pending-proof-scientists/article29386358.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-should-stop-promoting-zero-budget-natural-farming-pending-proof-scientists/article29386358.ece</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-seeds-of-sustainability/article24213217.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-seeds-of-sustainability/article24213217.ece</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fao.org/agroecology/detail/en/c/443712/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>http://www.fao.org/agroecology/detail/en/c/443712/</strong></a></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/zero-budget-natural-farming'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'INTERPOL Notices',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The<strong> INTERPOL has issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN)</strong> against fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi's brother Nehal in connection with the multi-billion dollar Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>INTERPOL Notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is an intergovernmental organization</strong> that helps coordinate the police force of 194 member countries.</li>
<li>Each of the member countries hosts an <strong>INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB).</strong> This connects their national law enforcement with other countries and with the General Secretariat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/central-bureau-of-investigation-cbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Bureau of Investigation</strong></a> (CBI) is designated as the National Central Bureau of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The General Secretariat provides a range of expertise and services to the member countries.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered in Lyon, France</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Notices can also be used by the United Nations, International Criminal Tribunals and the International Criminal Court to seek persons wanted for committing crimes within their jurisdiction, notably genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568450428_Notices%20poster 2017.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568450428_Notices poster 2017.jpg" width="566" height="318" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/interpol-issues-red-corner-notice-against-nirav-modis-brother-nehal/articleshow/71107654.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: ToI</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/interpol-notices'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'UN Convention to Combat Desertification: COP 14',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The 14<sup>th</sup> edition of the Conference of Parties (COP-14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) ended on 13<sup>th</sup> September 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Held in Greater Noida, this was the <strong>first time that India hosted</strong> an edition of the UNCCD COP.</li>
<li>The <strong>theme</strong> of the Conference was<strong> &lsquo;Restore land, Sustain future&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>India being the global host for COP 14<strong> has taken over the COP Presidency from China for the next two years</strong> till 2021.</li>
<li>India is among the select few countries to have hosted the COP of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-day-to-combat-desertification-and-drought" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>all three Rio conventions</strong></a> on <strong>climate change, biodiversity and land.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Delhi Declaration:</strong> Commitment for a range of issues, including gender and health, ecosystem restoration, taking action on climate change, private sector engagement, <strong>Peace Forest Initiative</strong> and <strong>recovery of five million hectares</strong> of degraded land in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The country parties have agreed to make the <strong>Sustainable Development Goal target of achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030,</strong> a national target for action.</li>
<li><strong>Peace Forest Initiative:</strong> It is an initiative of <strong>South Korea</strong> to use ecological restoration as a peace-building process. It aims at addressing the issue of land degradation in <strong>conflict-torn border areas</strong> and would go a long way in alleviating tensions and building trust between communities living there and between enemy countries in particular.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Drought Toolbox:</strong> It is launched as a one-stop-shop for all <strong>actions on drought.</strong> It is a <strong>sort of knowledge bank which contains tools that strengthen the ability of countries to anticipate and prepare for drought effectively</strong> and mitigate their impacts as well as tools that enable communities to anticipate and find the land management tools that help them to build resilience to drought.</li>
<li><strong>International coalition for action on Sand and Dust storms (SDS):</strong> The coalition will develop an <strong>SDS source base map</strong> with the goal of improving monitoring and response to these storms. SDS affects approximately 77% of UNCCD country Parties or approximately 151 countries.</li>
<li><strong>Initiative of Sustainability, Stability and Security (3S):</strong> Launched by <strong>14 African countries to address migration driven by land degradation.</strong> It aims at restoring land and creating green jobs for migrants and vulnerable groups.</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation From Youth:</strong> The global <strong>Youth Caucus on Desertification and Land</strong> convened its first official gathering in conjunction with the UNCCD COP14 to bring together youth advocates from different parts of the world, to build their capacity, share knowledge, build networks and to engage them meaningfully in the UNCCD processes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>High-Level Segment Meeting of the COP14</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Prime Minister of India inaugurated and addressed the high-level segment meeting of the COP-14.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India seeks to propose initiatives for greater <strong>South-South cooperation</strong> in addressing issues of climate change, biodiversity and land degradation.</li>
<li>India would raise its ambition of the total area that would be restored from its land degradation status, from twenty-one million hectares to twenty-six million hectares between now and 2030.</li>
<li>India has proposed to set up a <strong>global technical support institute</strong> for the member countries of the UNCCD for their capacity building and support regarding the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Program.</li>
<li>India called upon the leadership of UNCCD to conceive a <strong>global water action agenda which is central to the Land Degradation Neutrality strategy.</strong></li>
<li>India advocated on the need to <strong>eradicate the menace of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ban-on-single-use-plastics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">single-use plastic</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568450173_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568450173_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="615" height="317" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1585020" 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/un-convention-to-combat-desertification-cop-14'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'National Conference on ‘Criminal Activities and Radicalization in Jails’',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, a National Conference on <strong>&lsquo;Criminal Activities and Radicalization in Jails: Vulnerability of Inmates and Jail Staff and their Protection&rsquo;</strong> was held in New Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>two-day</strong> conference was organized by the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-bureau-of-police-research-and-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&amp;D)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>The conference will <strong>focus</strong> on the following issues:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To consider vulnerabilities at individual and gang levels and to suggest safety measures for the same.</li>
<li>To understand various facets of radicalization as well as de-radicalization in prisons.</li>
<li>To analyze and formulate the security and protection standards for prison staff.</li>
<li>To provide an interdisciplinary platform for correctional personnel to exchange and share their experience on prison reforms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The conference enforced an aspect of <strong>&ldquo;Correctional Administration&rdquo;</strong> in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/prison-reforms-and-way-forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prison reforms.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Correctional Administration</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A program that prepares individuals to plan and manage institutional facilities and programs for housing and rehabilitating prisoners in the public and/or private sectors.</li>
<li>Correctional Administration includes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Programme of the welfare of convicts/undertrials</li>
<li>Rehabilitation after release.</li>
<li>Involvement of Community.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It also emphasized to convert <strong>the prison as a centre of reformation.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Challenges</strong> addressed during the conference include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Aggravation of sufferings during the process of imprisonment.</li>
<li>Rehabilitating and streamlining convicts back into society,</li>
<li>Overcrowding in prisons,</li>
<li>A large number of under-trials,</li>
<li>Inadequate prison infrastructure,</li>
<li>Criminal activities and radicalization in jails,</li>
<li>Safety of women prisoners and their young children,</li>
<li>Shortage of funds and staff for proper prison administration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rights of Prisoners</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Article 21</strong> of Indian Constitution enforces <strong>&ldquo;Right to Life&rdquo;</strong> as a Fundamental Right.</li>
<li>The Imprisonment itself is a punishment for a convicted person thus <strong>prison conditions should not be an additional punishment.</strong></li>
<li>Imprisonment deprives someone of their <strong>liberty and impacts on certain other rights, such as freedom of movement,</strong> but human rights and fundamental freedoms of convicts shall not be restricted.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Prison Administration in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Article 39(A)</strong> of Indian Constitution states that State shall ensure <strong>Equal Justice</strong> and<strong> Free Legal Aid for poor.</strong></li>
<li>Prisons being a <strong>State subject,</strong> its modernisation is undertaken by respective State Governments.</li>
<li>In a number of judgements on various aspects of prison administration, <strong>the Supreme Court of India has laid down three broad principles:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A person in prison does not become a non-person.</li>
<li>A person in prison is entitled to all human rights within the limitations of imprisonment.</li>
<li>There is no justification in aggravating the suffering already inherent in the process of incarceration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Ministry of Home Affairs</strong> is supporting the States/UTs in implementing the <strong>E-Prisons Project</strong> and has issued the <strong>Model Prison Manual.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>E-Prisons Project.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It aims to introduce efficiency in prison management through digitization.</li>
<li>It supplements the <strong>Prisoner Information Management system (PIMS),</strong> which provides a <strong>centralized approach for recording and managing prisoner information.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Model Prison Manual</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It mentions Legal Aid, provides detailed information about the legal services available to prison inmates and also free legal services available to them.</li>
<li>It is intended to provide assistance to under trial prison inmates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)</strong> had also launched a web application to facilitate the <strong>under trial prisoners</strong> for providing them with<strong> free legal services.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1584860" 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/national-conference-on-criminal-activities-and-radicalization-in-jails'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Jan Soochna Portal',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The State Government of Rajasthan has recently launched the first-ever <strong>public information portal</strong> named <strong>&ldquo;Jan Soochna Portal-2019&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The portal aims to <strong>provide information</strong> to the public about government authorities and departments empowering them with access to useful information.</li>
<li>The portal was developed by the government officials in close collaboration with the IT professionals and civil society groups.</li>
<li>It initially gives information of about <strong>13 government departments</strong> on a <strong>single platform.</strong></li>
<li>Information related to the availability of food grains &amp; ration shops, <strong>implementation of schemes</strong> and their beneficiaries, land records and social security pensions, inter alia, will be available on a <strong>real-time basis</strong> on this platform.</li>
<li><strong>Information kiosks</strong> in <em>village panchayats</em> and <strong>self-service e-Mitra centres</strong> in the towns will be established to enable the people to access the information.</li>
<li>The Department of Information Technology will serve as the <strong>nodal department</strong> for the development, operationalization, and maintenance of the JSP.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The norms and standards are laid down through the digital dialogue by the<strong> advisory group</strong>. And, to ensure that the responsibilities are carried out smoothly, the advisory group will be the <strong>monitoring agency.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Grievance redressal</strong> officers will be appointed so that citizens can keep a check upon the accountability aspect of the State government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The launch of this portal is in accordance with the true spirit of the <strong>Right to Information (RTI) Act</strong> and ensures compliance with <strong>Section 4(2) of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/right-to-information-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RTI Act</a></strong> that mandates the public authorities to <strong>proactively disclose information</strong> in the public domain.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Right to Information (RTI) Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RTI Act was enacted in <strong>2005</strong> with the aim to secure the citizens' access to information which is under the control of public authorities.</li>
<li>The primary purpose behind this enactment was to promote <strong>transparency</strong> and <strong>accountability</strong> in the working of every public authority.</li>
<li><strong>Section 4</strong> of the RTI Act requires <strong>suo-moto disclosure of information</strong> by each public authority.</li>
<li>In 2018, an amendment was proposed to the RTI Act that aimed at giving the Central government the power to fix the tenure and salaries of state and central information commissioners, which are statutorily protected under the RTI Act. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The proposed move may dilute the autonomy and independence of Information Commissioners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Benefits</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Jan Soochna Portal (JSP) is a <strong>remarkable achievement</strong> in advancing the Right to Information (RTI).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Now, the people would not need to file applications separately under the law to obtain information. They could <strong>freely</strong> access the information publicly</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>JSP is unique for it ensures both- transparency accompanied by accountability.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>digital divide</strong> is a serious problem in India. To bridge this gap, utmost care must be taken to ensure that access points are open and free for all.</li>
<li>There are huge challenges with regard to the <strong>maintenance</strong> issues and ensuring that there is <strong>no abatement in the availability</strong> of information.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The need is to host the JSP in <strong>decentralized locations,</strong> right down to the municipal ward and panchayat levels. This will ensure that people have access to welfare schemes, revenue activities such as mining, and other service delivery issues such as health and education.</li>
<li>The portal would eventually turn out to be an effective medium for the digital dialogue with the people as well as a strong instrument for ensuring transparency in governance.</li>
<li>The need of the hour is that other State governments must follow the Rajasthan government&rsquo;s pioneering initiative and make people, including the marginalized sections, a part of the governance process.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/rajasthan-launches-information-portal/article29411172.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/jan-soochna-portal'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'India’s Embrace of Strategic Hedging',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=2cdd5644" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;India&rsquo;s Embrace of Strategic Hedging&rdquo;</strong></a> that appeared in The Hindustan Times on 09/09/2019. It talks about the importance of strategic hedging for India&rsquo;s foreign policy in dealing with great powers.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, Indian PM attended three summit-level meetings with France, United States and Russian President, within a<strong> time period of two weeks.</strong> Further, in the month of October 2019, China's President Xi Jinping will visit India.</p>
<p>The simultaneous engagements with Russia, the US and China point towards the significance of <strong>remarkable strategic hedging</strong> in India&rsquo;s foreign policy. Despite the differences between these countries, India strategically maintains sound relationships with great powers in global politics.</p>
<p>The present-day geopolitical and geostrategic circumstances present a multifaceted challenge to India&rsquo;s foreign policy. Therefore, India's cold war narrative of strategic neutrality is being gradually replaced by strategic hedging.</p>
<h3>Strategic Hedging</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Strategic hedging means a state spreads its risk by <strong>pursuing two opposite policies towards another state i.e. balancing and engagement.</strong></li>
<li>A state <strong>prepares for the worst</strong> by balancing: maintaining a strong military, building and strengthening alliances.</li>
<li>Also, the state <strong>prepares for the best</strong> through engagement: building trade networks, increasing diplomatic links, and creating binding multilateral frameworks</li>
<li>In short, strategic hedging would mean a calculated <strong>combination of soft and hard power.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Strategic Hedging in India&rsquo;s Foreign Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In international relations, there are <strong>no permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests.</strong> This makes strategic hedging a must for India which can be observed from its relations with the following nations:</li>
<li><strong>India-France relations:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and France have together launched the International solar alliance.</li>
<li>India is procuring Rafale Fighter jet from France.</li>
<li>The latest joint statement has laid a roadmap for cybersecurity and digital technology, quantum computing and artificial intelligence.</li>
<li>India and France are implementing a joint-strategic vision for cooperation in the Indian Ocean.</li>
<li>France has stood rock solid by India vis a vis Indian government revoking article 370 in the state of J&amp;K.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India- US relations:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s foreign policy will meet its <strong>most stringent test</strong> for it needs to pursue excellent ties with the US, while maintaining strong relations with China and Russia.</li>
<li>India <strong>is worried about US-Pakistan rapprochement, given US plan to exit from Afghanistan.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pakistan sought to leverage this by engaging the US against India&rsquo;s action of revoking Article 370.</li>
<li>However, in a big diplomatic victory, recently <strong>the US has held that Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has participated more frequently in issues of international concern as far as the South China Sea is concerned. Apart from it India is also a member of an <strong>informal grouping called Quad</strong> (in order to balance China).</li>
<li>However, at present<strong> trade is the biggest irritant</strong> in the India-US relations and both countries are trying to resolve issues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-Russia relations</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s relationship with Russia is a <strong>time-tested friendship.</strong></li>
<li>In this context India's recent participation in the Eastern Economic Forum is symbolic.</li>
<li>India has announced $1 billion credit for the development of the Russian Far East. The engagement is also marked by the launch of <strong>India&rsquo;s Act Far East policy.</strong></li>
<li>Moreover, on account of the S-400 deal, India has taken a position of principle in the national interest that it will not sacrifice its ties with Russia, despite pressure from the US.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sino-India relations:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s ties with China are one of the <strong>most- challenging at this time.</strong></li>
<li>Issues like <strong>China&rsquo;s axis with Pakistan</strong> aimed at India, its persistent thwarting of India's great power ambitions, the <strong>balance of trade</strong> (favouring China), China's deliberate policy aimed at <strong>diminishing India&rsquo;s strategic space in the neighbourhood,</strong> all pose a threat to India&rsquo;s interests.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>Wuhan summit</strong> with China has opened new possibilities for the transformation of Sino-India relations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India <strong>should end ambiguity</strong> in its foreign policy, especially one that sways between the pulls of its <strong>erstwhile non-aligned stance and the need for realpolitik</strong> in current times.</li>
<li>India should learn from China on account of strategic hedging
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has proven exemplary in current times to have clandestinely mixed elements of hard power with soft, leading to what some have labelled<strong> &lsquo;sharp power&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>However, India's economic status doesn't allow it to pursue India's version of BRI but India can act as a<strong> fast power</strong> in taking decisions impacting global politics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Strategic hedging dilutes binaries in foreign relations, particularly between friend and foe nations, and creates navigable yet cautious space to take the relationships forward. How India adapts to strategic hedging will mould its course to becoming a stable Asian pivot, going into the future.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #feffeb;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />Bilateral relations play a fundamental role in India&rsquo;s foreign policy in a multipolar world. Discuss.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Sources:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="https://theasiadialogue.com/2018/04/19/strategic-hedging-the-way-forward-for-indias-foreign-policy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://theasiadialogue.com/2018/04/19/strategic-hedging-the-way-forward-for-indias-foreign-policy/</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thegeopolitics.com/strategic-hedging-through-foreign-policy-exploring-indias-options/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://thegeopolitics.com/strategic-hedging-through-foreign-policy-exploring-indias-options/</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/41800-india-hedging-strategy-bound-fail/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/41800-india-hedging-strategy-bound-fail/</strong></a></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-embrace-of-strategic-hedging'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Prime Minister recently launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana, &amp; National Pension Scheme for the Traders and the Self-Employed, at an event in Ranchi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)</strong> aims to <strong>secure the lives</strong> of 5 crore small and marginal farmers by providing them a minimum pension of ₹3000 per month, who attains the age of 60 years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong> All <strong>small and marginal farmers</strong> (who own cultivable land up to <strong>2 hectares)</strong> as per the land records of the concerned State/UT and are between <strong>18 and 40 years</strong> of age are eligible under this scheme..</li>
<li><strong>Contributions:</strong> Under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kisan-maan-dhan-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-KMY,</strong></a> monthly contributions by a farmer can be made from the instalments of<strong> Pradhan Mantri-Kisan Samman Nidhi</strong> (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/will-the-6000-farmer-payout-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-KISAN</strong></a>) or through <strong>Common Service Centres</strong> (CSCs).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Common Service Centres (CSCs)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The CSC is a strategic cornerstone of the <strong>National e-Governance Plan (NeGP),</strong> approved by the Government of India in <strong>May 2006,</strong> as part of its commitment in the <strong>National Common Minimum Programme</strong> to introduce e-governance on a massive scale.</li>
<li>The objective of CSCs is to provide high quality and cost-effective video, voice and data content and services, in the areas of e-governance, education, health, telemedicine, entertainment as well as other private services.</li>
<li>A highlight of the CSCs is that it offers <strong>web-enabled e-governance services in rural areas,</strong> including application forms, certificates, and utility payments such as electricity, telephone and water bills.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>National Pension Scheme for the Traders and the Self-Employed</strong> aims at providing a <strong>minimum assured pension of ₹ 3000 per month,</strong> to small traders and self-employed individuals <strong>after they attain the age of 60 years.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Around <strong>3 crore</strong> small traders would be benefitted from this scheme.</li>
<li>Traders and self-employed persons in the age group of <strong>18-40 years</strong> are eligible to join the scheme.</li>
<li>The monthly contribution under the scheme is of ₹ 55 to ₹ 200, depending on the age of the applicant.</li>
<li>The self-employed shop owners, retail owners and other traders having an annual turnover of<strong> less than</strong> ₹ 1.5 crores will <strong>only</strong> be able to join the scheme.</li>
<li>Any person making a contribution to <strong>Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund Organisation</strong> (EPFO), <strong>Employees' State Insurance Corporation</strong> (ESIC), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/streamlining-of-national-pension-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Pension System (NPS)</strong></a>, <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-shram-yogi-maan-dhan-pm-sym" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM)</a></strong>, and/or paying income tax is <strong>not eligible</strong> for the scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>government organization</strong> that manages the provident fund and pension accounts of member employees and <strong>implements the Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 provides for the institution of provident funds for employees in factories and other establishments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is <strong>administered by the Ministry of Labour &amp; Employment,</strong> Government of India.</li>
<li>It is <strong>one of the World's largest Social Security Organisations</strong> in terms of its customer base and the volume of financial transactions undertaken.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>government organization</strong> formed under the provisions of <strong>Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948.</strong></li>
<li>It looks at providing<strong> social security benefits</strong> to the workers registered under the <strong>Employee State Insurance Scheme.</strong></li>
<li>It is<strong> administered by the Ministry of Labour &amp; Employment,</strong> Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Prime Minister also launched <strong>462</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eklavya-model-residential-schools" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ekalavya model residential schools</strong></a> across the country in tribal-dominated areas.<br />
<ul>
<li>The schools would focus to provide quality upper primary, secondary and senior secondary level education to Scheduled Tribe students in these areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1584882" 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/pradhan-mantri-kisan-maan-dhan-yojana-1'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'NATGRID to Link Social Media Accounts to Central Database',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has proposed to link social media accounts to central databases.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Linking social media accounts will help to track online terror-related information exchange through individual accounts, online Radicalisation across the country.</li>
<li>But at the same time linking the social media accounts to sensitive government data could expose the system to <strong>&ldquo;Trojan Attacks.&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NATGRID is the integrated intelligence grid connecting databases of core security agencies of the Government of India.</li>
<li>NATGRID is intending to set up an Entity Extraction, Visualization, and Analytics (EVA) system.</li>
<li>It was first proposed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai in 2008.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>counter-terrorism measure</strong> that collects and collates a host of information from government databases including:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tax and Bank account details,</li>
<li>Credit card transactions,</li>
<li>Visa and Immigration records,</li>
<li>Itineraries of Rail and Air travel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The combined data from NATGRID will be made available to <strong>10 Central Intelligence Agencies.</strong></li>
<li>NATGRID faced opposition on charges of possible violations of privacy and leakage of confidential personal information.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Trojan Attacks</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Trojans are non-replication programs</li>
<li>It operates without the permission or knowledge of computer users.</li>
<li>Trojans infect outside machines only with the assistance of a computer user, like clicking a file that comes attached with an email from an unknown person, plugging USB without scanning, opening unsafe URLs.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/natgrid-wants-to-link-social-media-accounts-to-central-database/article29402252.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/natgrid-to-link-social-media-accounts-to-central-database'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Samudra Laksamana',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Indian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy will be participating in the bilateral exercise <strong>&lsquo;Samudra Laksamana&rsquo;</strong> that will take place from 12<sup>th</sup> to 15<sup>th</sup> September 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The exercise includes two phases: <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568362837_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568362837_image1.jpg" width="344" height="243" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A<strong> harbour phase</strong> wherein professional interactions, official calls, social engagements, visits by the local populace and various sports events would be conducted.</li>
<li>The <strong>Sea Phase</strong> of the exercise would enable the two navies to further sharpen their skills in order to <strong>enhance interoperability</strong> between the navies to ensure<strong> peaceful and secure seas for all.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>From the Indian side,</strong> Indian Navy Ships <strong>Sahyadri and Kiltan</strong> will participate in the exercise.</li>
<li>The visit of the IN ships would further bolster the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries and contribute to the<strong> security and stability</strong> in the region.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>INS Sahyadri and Kiltan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ships are part of the Indian Navy's <strong>Eastern Naval Command,</strong> based at <strong>Visakhapatnam.</strong></li>
<li><strong>INS Sahyadri</strong> is a Shivalik-class multi-role<strong> guided missile</strong> stealth frigate.</li>
<li><strong>INS Kiltan</strong> is a Kamorta-class <strong>anti-submarine</strong> warfare corvette.</li>
<li>INS Sahyadri and Kiltan, are the <strong>latest, indigenously designed and built multi-role</strong> ships of the Indian Navy.</li>
<li>The two ships are equipped with a versatile array of weapons and sensors and can carry multi-role helicopters representing the &lsquo;coming of age&rsquo; of India&rsquo;s warship building capabilities.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1584854" 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/samudra-laksamana'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Military Medicine Conference',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>India is hosting the <strong>first conference of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) of</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</strong></a> in New Delhi from 12<sup>th</sup>-13<sup>th</sup> September 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Also, this is the first military cooperation event, being hosted by India, after it joined SCO in June 2017.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568370046_drishtiias_Member_states_of_%20SCO.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568370046_drishtiias_Member_states_of_ SCO.jpg" width="718" height="523" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The conference has been organised by the Indian Armed Forces supported by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/defence-space-research-agency-dsra" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The primary objectives of the conference are <strong>to share best practices in the field of military medicine,</strong> build capacities and overcome common challenges.</li>
<li>Deliberations are taking place between military medicine experts of SCO Member States on <strong>rendering of combat medical support, humanitarian assistance during disasters</strong> and <strong>measures to improve patient safety.</strong></li>
<li>The Defence Minister of India has called upon the <strong>Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS)</strong> of SCO countries to devise ways to effectively deal with new threats posed to soldiers by the ever-advancing battlefield technology.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, the <strong>Directorate General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) is an apex organization</strong> which coordinates the medical services of the Army, Navy and Air Force.</li>
<li>It is under the Ministry of Defence, headed by a Lieutenant General (Lt Gen)/equivalent officer of Navy or Air Force.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The conference gains importance in the background of building capabilities to <strong>deal with the menace of bioterrorism,</strong> a real threat the world is facing today.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)</strong> is a permanent organ of the SCO which serves to promote cooperation of member states <strong>against the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism.</strong> It is <strong>headquartered in Tashkent,&nbsp;Uzbekistan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bio-terrorism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A biological attack or bioterrorism is the <strong>intentional release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs that can sicken or kill people, livestock, or crops.</strong></li>
<li>Bacillus anthracis, the bacteria that causes anthrax, is one of the most likely agents to be used in a biological attack.</li>
<li>In the Indian context, with the existence of hostile neighbours like Pakistan, the threat of biological warfare cannot be ruled out entirely.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Preparedness</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Several nodal ministries have been earmarked for dealing with epidemics caused by bioterrorism.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Early Detection: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</strong> is tasked with providing directions and technical support for capacity building, surveillance and <strong>early detection of an outbreak.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Assessment of Threat: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)</strong> is responsible for the assessment of the threat, intelligence inputs and implementation of preventive mechanisms.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-7th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)</strong></a> is a specialised force constituted under MHA to deal with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biowarfare: The Ministry of Defence (MoD)</strong> is responsible for managing the matters and <strong>consequences of biowarfare.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence R&amp;D Organization (DRDO)</strong></a> is actively pitched into developing <strong>protective systems and equipment</strong> for troops to contend against nuclear, biological and chemical warfare.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has ratified the <strong>Biological Weapons Convention (BWC),</strong> which effectively prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons and is a key element in the international community&rsquo;s efforts to address the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.</li>
<li>India is one of the participants in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/npt-must-for-india-s-entry-into-nsg-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the Australia Group</strong></a>, an informal arrangement which aims to allow exporting or transshipping countries to minimise the risk of assisting chemical and biological weapon (CBW) proliferation.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1584842" 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/military-medicine-conference'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Exercise MAITREE',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Indian Army and Royal Thailand Army (RTA) will conduct their joint Military Exercise <strong>MAITREE-2019</strong> at Meghalaya from Sept 16-29, 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Exercise MAITREE is an <strong>annual training event</strong> that is conducted in India and Thailand alternatively, since <strong>2006.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568359464_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568359464_image3.jpg" width="336" height="238" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></strong></li>
<li>In the backdrop of changing facets of global terrorism, this exercise is a significant exercise for both the nations as they face the <strong>security challenges</strong> from terrorism.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Southern regions</strong> of Thailand (eg. Satun city, Patthalung province, Bangkok, etc) that are mostly visited by foreigners are prone to terrorist attacks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The scope of this exercise covers <strong>company level joint training</strong> on insurgency &amp; counter-terrorism operations in jungles and urban scenarios.</li>
<li>The joint military exercise between the Indian Army (IA) and the Royal Thailand Army (RTA) will give a boost to the <strong>defence cooperation and bilateral relations</strong> between the two nations.</li>
<li>The Royal Thailand <strong>Navy</strong> and the Indian Navy have been participating in Coordinated Patrols <strong>(CORPATs)</strong> in the Indian Ocean region since 2005.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 29px;">
<td style="width: 34.0472%; height: 29px; background-color: #709efa; text-align: center;" colspan="2"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Joint Military Exercises of India with Other Countries</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;"><strong>Name of Exercise</strong></td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;"><strong>Country</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Garuda Shakti</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Indonesia</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Ekuverin</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Maldives</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 18px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 18px; background-color: #e8effa;">Hand-in-Hand</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 18px; background-color: #e8effa;">China</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Kurukshetra</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Singapore</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Mitra Shakti</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Sri Lanka</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Nomadic Elephant</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Mongolia</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Shakti</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">France</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Surya Kiran</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Nepal</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 18.461%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">Yudh Abhyas</td>
<td style="width: 15.5862%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8effa;">USA</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><br /><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1584871" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a><br /><br /></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-maitree'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Desertification',
		'catname' => 'Paper 3',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568358838_Desertification%20(Mind Map).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568358838_Desertification (Mind Map).png" width="443" height="1783" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/desertification-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>For TTP</em></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper3/desertification-mind-map'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Regulatory Roadblock to Ease of Doing Business',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-dampens-business-sentiment/story-ExIre7drg2GEsAyFUM1J8I.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;How easy is it to do business, after all?&rdquo;</strong></a> that appeared in The Hindustan Times on 12 September 2019. It talks about the lacunae in the Indian regulatory framework, affecting India's ease of doing business.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, <strong>the World Bank&rsquo;s Ease of Doing Business 2019 report ranked India 77<sup>th</sup> among 190 countries,</strong> apart from it India is counted as <strong>one of the world&rsquo;s most attractive investment destinations.</strong></p>
<p>However, in order to <strong>become a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25,</strong> India certainly needs to improve more on ease of doing the business front.</p>
<h3>Legislations and Challenges to Ease of Doing Business in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to experts, there are structural reasons for India, <strong>the regulatory framework being the biggest challenge in it.</strong></li>
<li>Certain laws and their enforcement, act big impediments to ease of doing business in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A plethora of regulatory and compliance requirement.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Overreach by enforcing agencies</strong> in the execution of direct and indirect tax laws, also known as<strong> &ldquo;tax terrorism&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>For instance, the Income-Tax (I-T) Act, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act and even the laws governing corporate social responsibility (CSR).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues related to these laws:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Overlapping laws:</strong> The Companies Act, 2013 and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, have overlapping provisions, which act as deterrents to the ease of doing business in India.</li>
<li><strong>Disproportionate criminal penalties:</strong> The risk of being charged with fraud in the running of a company is at par with the risk of being charged with drug running.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of coherence in policymaking:</strong> Barring matters related to CSR, all other laws are in the administrative domain of the revenue department in the finance ministry. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>CSR is part of the Companies Act under the administrative control of the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Subjective interpretation of the law:</strong> Tax laws are prone to the subjective interpretation of tax officers which causes undue hardships to taxpayers and leaves <strong>scope for corruption.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Legislation losing its way:</strong> PMLA was originally conceived as a law that would essentially address global concerns over money laundering offences such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and terror.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, with the consequent amendments in the PMLA, the act now also focuses on trivial issues pertaining to corporate governance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inability to fulfil the compliance requirement:</strong> GST sought to implement the <strong>concept of one nation, one tax.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, numerous rate and law changes and a less-than-efficient technology platform, complex and cumbersome compliance with the GST laws have made GST as one of the biggest areas of concern to the trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Retrospective nature of law:</strong> The Benami law, aimed at punishing the common practice under which a property is held by proxies for the real owners. However, the retrospective nature of the law causes lots of difficulties to genuine people as administrators are indiscriminately applying these provisions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, assets get attached and redressal in Indian legal system takes an unduly long time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>All these factors create a situation of mistrust in the market, proving to be a hindrance to the concept of ease of doing business.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Companies Act should be reviewed in order to minimise criminalisation of violations.</li>
<li>Taxation laws should be made simpler and tax administration should be impersonal. Direct Tax Code (DTC) will be the right step in this direction.</li>
<li>Human interface between tax officers and taxpayer should be reduced while automating the tax machinery (Fintech).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This coupled with uniform guidelines to facilitate compliance will be instrumental in mitigating tax terrorism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The GST law should be stabilised and the technology backbone should be strengthened rather than making more changes.</li>
</ul>
<p>The implementation of laws should not lead to harassment of genuine/honest citizens.</p>
<p>India's tryst to ease of doing business lies in Napoleon's notion of law i.e. law should be so succinct that it can be carried in the pocket of the coat and it should be so simple that it can be understood by a peasant.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #faf4eb;"><span style="color: #003366;"><em><strong>Drishti Input</strong></em></span><br /><br />India&rsquo;s regulatory framework pertaining to corporate governance is the biggest challenge in India&rsquo;s pursuit of improving ease of doing business. Comment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/regulatory-roadblock-to-ease-of-doing-businessq'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture- Rising Oceans, Sinking Cities',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XQnUmopftow" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>Oceans act as a sponge for the ill effects of climate change. They absorb the heat and CO<sub>2</sub> generated by greenhouse gas emissions. However, the same oceans are today likely to unleash their wrath on a global scale.</p>
<p>According to a draft report of the United Nations <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-warming-of-1-5-c-ipcc-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</strong></a> (IPCC), destructive changes have already been set into motion. By the year 2050, many low-lying megacities and small island nations will experience extreme sea-level events every year. The final report is yet to be released in September after a thorough discussion with all the stakeholders.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Climate Change</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Earth's climate has changed throughout history. In the last 650,000 years, there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat, with the <strong>abrupt end of the last ice age about 7,000 years ago</strong> marking the beginning of the modern climate era, and of human civilization.</li>
<li>The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is extremely likely (almost greater than 95%) to be the result of human activity since the mid-20<sup>th</sup> century and is proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented over decades to millennia.</li>
<li>The <strong>oceans</strong> have <strong>absorbed</strong> much of this increased heat, with the top 700 meters (about 2,300 feet) of ocean showing warming of more than 0.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1969.</li>
<li>Global <strong>sea level rose</strong> about 8 inches in the last century. The rate in the last two decades, however, is nearly double that of the last century and is accelerating slightly every year.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Current Scenario</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the draft report of the IPCC, the events that were expected to happen in the future such as increased number of <strong>cyclones,</strong> enhanced <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-melting-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>melting of glaciers</strong></a>, changed <strong>rainfall &amp; wind flow</strong> pattern, changed chemistry of oceans, inter alia, are faced today itself by mankind.</li>
<li>The volume of water has also increased significantly in recent years due to<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Melting of ice-</strong> presently almost 400 million tonnes of ice is melting every year, and</li>
<li><strong>Thermal expansion</strong> of water (expansion due to the heating of water caused by global warming).</li>
<li>This poses a grave danger to the low-lying areas located throughout the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The number of <strong>Heatwaves</strong> (whereby the surface temperature of the oceans remains above normal for 2-5 consecutive days) &amp; their intensity has increased significantly in the recent past. Their number is going to increase enormously in the times to come.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Findings From the Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report states that the <strong>big four</strong> namely, the United States of America, China, India, and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> will face the most devastating fall out of the ocean and ice-related impacts of climate change.</li>
<li>Although three of them <strong>(except India)</strong> have been the major contributors to this man-made problem, yet the biggest sufferers from climate change would be the smaller island nations &amp; countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For e.g, <strong>Kiribati</strong> is expected to wipe out &amp; Kiribas are looking for land in other places.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indonesia-s-new-capital" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indonesia recently changed its capital</strong></a> from <strong>Jakarta to Borneo</strong> due to the fear of submergence of the world&rsquo;s fastest sinking city, i.e, Jakarta.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s emissions are peaking at an extremely high rate.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Its gross emissions are <strong>twice</strong> as that of the US (the second-largest emitter) &amp; per-capita emissions of China are touching the average per-capita emissions of OECD countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the draft report, even if <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cop24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris agreement targets</strong></a> are met on time, global emissions will reach up to 3&deg;C.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Paris agreement just ended the <strong>capping &amp; fixed target system</strong> that was adopted during the Kyoto protocol, &amp; introduced a new system known as the<strong> &lsquo;Pledge &amp; Review system.&rsquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kyoto Protocol</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 and entered into force in 2005.</li>
<li>The detailed rules for the implementation of the Protocol were adopted at <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COP-7</strong></a> in Marrakesh, in 2001, and are referred to as the <strong>Marrakesh Accords.</strong></li>
<li>Its first commitment period started in the year 2008 and ended in 2012.</li>
<li>Kyoto Protocol Phase-1 <strong>(2005-12)</strong> gave the target of cutting down emissions by 5%.</li>
<li>Kyoto Round- 2 gave the target of reducing emissions by at least 18% by the industrialized countries.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The situation is extremely serious today, &amp; the currently adopted <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/co2-level-hit-record-high" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)</strong></a> pledges are leading the world towards a higher rise in temperature than expected.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Global Actions Aggravating Climate Change</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Paris agreement is losing its force today.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The US has withdrawn from the Paris agreements, and the US President was absent at the recently held <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g7-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G7</strong></a> summit.</li>
<li>Even China is opening new coal mines because of its <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/trade-war-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>trade war</strong></a> with the US, thereby reducing its pollution control measures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Brazil is ignoring the repercussions of &lsquo;development&rsquo; on the environment. The recent example of which is the deadly <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amazon-rainforest" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>amazon forest fires.</strong></a> The same is the case with <strong>Canada, Bolivia, </strong>&amp;<strong> Australia.</strong></li>
<li>Sustainable Development Goals are difficult to achieve if similar situations prevail.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Actions Required</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Globally:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>There is a closed relationship between water, land &amp; cryosphere.</strong> There is a need to adequately address and appreciate that relationship globally.</li>
<li>Oceans cover <strong>three-fourths</strong> of the globe. A large number of fishermen &amp; the economy of various countries are dependent upon the oceans. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Because of global warming, pollution, oil spills, etc. oceans are badly abused. Hence, there is a need for aggressive cuts &amp; a reduction in the abuse of oceans.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Costs of adaptation of mitigation measures are highly uncertain</strong> &amp; no country in the world is prepared today to face climate change. Hence, both developed &amp; developing economies need to take a dramatic shift &amp; percolate down the efforts through societies on a war-footing level.</li>
<li>If serious actions are taken immediately, it is possible to restrict the temperature rise to 1.5&deg; C.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>At India&rsquo;s level:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Apart from adaptation, the need of the hour is to avert &amp; delay the calamity by <strong>promoting the non-fossil fuels. I</strong>ndia has already achieved its reduction targets, &amp; is now raising the targets, focussing on <strong>renewable energies.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For e.g, India has met its Solar capacity installation targets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India needs to calibrate its developmental programs to ensure that it performs better than industrialized nations. Such areas include <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Road transport-</strong> that is given considerable importance today. But we need to look at the environmental costs it raises for the nation.</li>
<li><strong>Railways</strong> network can be upgraded much more cheaply in a more eco-friendly manner to complement the road network.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is doing well as compared to other countries on the basis of its Paris targets. Diplomatically, India needs to look at its actions that can be matched abroad like
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India in collaboration with France launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-assembly-of-international-solar-alliance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance.</strong></a> The need is to take the leadership &amp; pressurize other countries in terms of diplomacy on the issue of reducing their emission targets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The challenges of droughts, shrinking &amp; sinking cities, high temperatures that we face today demand much more aggressive efforts. The time for action has come.</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s resolve to prepone &amp; fulfill its NDC targets from 2030 to 2025 is a welcome step in mitigating climate change.</li>
<li>There are certain sectors &amp; industries which are harmful to the environment. Because of the fear of loss of jobs in such industries (e.g automobile sector), nations have to keep them alive &amp; sustaining. There is a need to identify viable alternatives for such industries.</li>
<li>Oceans are going to increase further. There is a need to plan and prepare for the suitable <strong>rehabilitation program</strong> for the affected people (also known as <strong>Ecological Refugees)</strong>. Nations need to appropriately identify the required efforts to relocate them properly, &amp; the associated costs with their rehabilitation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This issue gains much significance in the Indian context which has 7500 km long coastline, on which many megacities are situated.</li>
<li>The need is to avoid any forced eviction of people, and <strong>empower &amp; invest</strong> in local coastal communities, so as to avert similar situations in the future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-rising-oceans-sinking-cities'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Lord Natraja',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>An antique panchaloha (<strong> an alloy of gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe)</strong>) idol of Lord Nataraja, stolen from a temple in southern Tamil Nadu and smuggled to Australia 37 years ago, has been brought back to India.</p>
<h3>Lord Natraja</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Nataraja (Lord of the Dance),</strong> the Hindu god Shiva in his form as the cosmic dancer, is represented in metal or stone in many Shaivite temples, particularly in South India.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568280765_drishti_Natraj.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568280765_drishti_Natraj.jpg" style="float: right;" width="329" height="329" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>It is an important piece of <strong>Chola sculpture.</strong></li>
<li>Some of the features of the Nataraja sculpture are: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The upper right-hand holds the drum, which signifies the <strong>sound of creation.</strong> All creations spring from the great sound of the damru.</li>
<li>The upper left-hand holds the eternal fire, which represents the <strong>destruction.</strong> Destruction is the precursor and inevitable counterpart of creation.</li>
<li>The lower right hand is raised in the gesture of <strong>Abhay mudra</strong> signifying <strong>benediction and reassuring the devotee to not be afraid.</strong></li>
<li>The lower left-hand points towards the upraised foot and indicates the <strong>path of salvation.</strong></li>
<li>Shiva is dancing on the figure of a <strong>small dwarf.</strong> The dwarf symbolises<strong> ignorance and the ego of an individual.</strong></li>
<li>The matted and flowing locks of Shiva represent the<strong> flow of river Ganges.</strong></li>
<li>In ornamentation, one ear of Shiva has a male earring while the other has female. This represents the fusion of male and female and is often referred to as <strong>Ardhanarishwar.</strong></li>
<li>A snake is twisted around the arm of Shiva. The snake symbolises the <strong>kundalini power,</strong> which resides in the human spine in the dormant stage. If aroused, one can attain true consciousness.</li>
<li>The Nataraja is surrounded by a nimbus of glowing lights which symbolises the <strong>vast unending cycles of time.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/stolen-nataraja-idol-on-the-way-back-to-tamil-nadu/article29395752.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/lord-natraja'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'World University Rankings 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The TIMES Higher Education <strong>(THE)</strong> recently released its World University Rankings 2020 edition.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In its 16<sup>th</sup> edition, THE&rsquo;s World University Rankings 2020 included over 1,300 universities from <strong>92 countries.</strong></li>
<li><strong>56 Indian institutions</strong> (up from 49 last year) made entry into the table this year, making India the <strong>fifth most-represented country</strong> in the list and the <strong>third in Asia</strong> (behind Japan and China).</li>
<li>The University of Oxford retained the <strong>top</strong> position for the consecutive fourth year.</li>
<li>The Indian Institute of Science <strong>(IISc)</strong> Bangalore<strong> topped</strong> the Indian universities on the list (although its ranking fell from the 251-300 group in 2019 to the 301-350 bracket in 2020). It now shares this position with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar- which made a debut entry into the list.</li>
<li>It is the first time since <strong>2012,</strong> that <strong>an Indian university has not featured in the top 300</strong> of the ranking.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568277497_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568277497_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="342" height="421" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to THE, the best Indian institutions are generally characterized by relatively strong scores for teaching environment and industry income, but when it comes to an international outlook they perform poorly.</li>
<li>The Indian government has strong ambitions to boost the global standing of its top universities and attract foreign students, academics and research collaboration. It now needs to back up these aspirations with high levels of investment, increasing global competition.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/more-indian-institutes-in-list-but-iisc-slips-in-rank/story-7rSEoYAYTJ5j3QaDvf8NPM.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HT</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-university-rankings-2020'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Ladakh Under Sixth Schedule',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The <strong>National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)</strong> has recommended that the <strong>Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>NCST, a constitutional body</strong> to safeguard socio-cultural rights of Scheduled Tribes, was entrusted with the responsibility of examining the status of tribals in Ladakh, by the Centre.</li>
<li><strong>If included, Ladakh will be the only UT in the Sixth Schedule.</strong> Also, bestowing such a status to Ladakh would <strong>require a constitutional amendment.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons Behind the Recommendation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is estimated that <strong>more than 90% of Ladakh&rsquo;s population is tribal.</strong> The primary <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/xaxa-committee-on-tribal-communities-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheduled Tribes (STs)</strong></a> in Ladakh are <strong>Balti Beda, Bot (or Boto), Brokpa (or Drokpa, Dard, Shin), Changpa, Garra, Mon and Purigpa.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thereby&nbsp;<strong>several distinct cultural heritages</strong>&nbsp;of these communities in Ladakh region&nbsp;needs to be preserved and promoted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/article-370-and-35-a-revoked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prior to the creation of Union Territory of Ladakh,</strong></a> <strong>people in Ladakh region had certain agrarian rights</strong> including right on land which restricted people from other parts of the country to purchase or acquire land in Ladakh.</li>
<li>Inclusion in the sixth schedule <strong>will help in democratic devolution of powers</strong> in the region and will also enhance the transfer of funds for speedy development of the region.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568275773_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568275773_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="721" height="163" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Sixth Schedule</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Constitution, under Sixth Schedule, contains <strong>special provisions for the administration of tribal areas</strong> in the <strong>four north-eastern</strong> states of <strong>Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Autonomous Districts:</strong> The tribal areas in these four states have been constituted as autonomous districts. The <strong>governor is empowered to organise and re-organise the autonomous districts.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The acts of Parliament or the state legislature do not apply to autonomous districts or apply with specified modifications and exceptions.</li>
<li>The power of direction, in this regard, lies <strong>either with the President or Governor.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>District Council:</strong> Each autonomous district has a district <strong>council consisting of 30 members, of whom four are nominated by the Governor</strong> and the remaining 26 are elected on the basis of adult franchise. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The elected members hold office for a term of five years (unless the council is dissolved earlier) and nominated members hold office during the pleasure of the governor.</li>
<li>Each autonomous region also has a separate regional council.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Powers of the Council:</strong> The district and regional councils administer the areas under their jurisdiction. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They can make <strong>laws on certain specified matters like land, forests, canal water, shifting cultivation,</strong> village administration, the inheritance of property, marriage and divorce, social customs and so on. But <strong>all such laws require the assent of the Governor.</strong></li>
<li>They can <strong>constitute</strong> village councils or <strong>courts for trial of suits and cases between the tribes.</strong> They hear appeals from them. The jurisdiction of the high court over these suits and cases is specified by the governor.</li>
<li>The district council can establish, construct or manage primary schools, dispensaries, markets, ferries, fisheries, roads and so on in the district.</li>
<li>They are empowered to <strong>assess and collect land revenue</strong> and to impose certain specified taxes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Commission for Scheduled Tribes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Formation:</strong> The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by <strong>amending Article 338</strong> and inserting a new <strong>Article 338A</strong> in the Constitution through the <strong>Constitution (89<sup>th</sup> Amendment) Act, 2003.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely- the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) w.e.f. 19<sup>th</sup> February 2004.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong> The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has a <strong>Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and 3 other Members.</strong> These are are appointed by the <strong>President</strong> by warrant under his hand and seal.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One of the three other Members has to be a <strong>woman.</strong></li>
<li>The Vice-Chairperson and all other Members, out of whom <strong>at least two</strong> are appointed from amongst persons <strong>belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Term of Office:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The term of office of each member of the Commission is <strong>three years</strong> from the date of assumption of charge.</li>
<li>The members are <strong>not eligible for appointment</strong> for more <strong>than two terms.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution or under any other law or under any order of the Government</li>
<li>To participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes,</li>
<li>To evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State,</li>
<li>To present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> New Delhi.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1584746" 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/ladakh-under-sixth-schedule'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous Anti-tank Missile',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)</strong></a> has successfully flight tested indigenously developed <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-17th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Man-Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM).</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>low weight</strong> and<strong> fire and forget</strong> missile.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568275178_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1568275178_image2.jpg" width="241" height="137" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>The missile was launched from a <strong>man-portable Tripod launcher.</strong></li>
<li>This is the <strong>third series</strong> of successful testing of MPATGM.</li>
<li>The missile is incorporated with <strong>Infrared Imaging Seeker</strong> along with <strong>advanced avionics.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1584802" 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/drdo-successfully-tests-indigenous-anti-tank-missile'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Jeevan Kaushal Programme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, the Government has launched the <strong>Curriculum for Life Skills (Jeevan Kaushal)</strong> programme designed by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/stride" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>University Grants Commission (UGC).</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Jeevan Kaushal</strong> is aimed at:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inculcation of an Emotional Intelligence.</li>
<li>Development of Intellectual Competencies.</li>
<li>Development of verbal and non-verbal communication skills.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The program has been framed for <strong>Undergraduate courses</strong> across the country.</li>
<li>The Designed program is for 8 credit points and can be accommodated in<strong> any semester of the course.</strong></li>
<li>The program will comprise of <strong>four courses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Communication skills,</li>
<li>Professional and Leadership skills,</li>
<li>Problem-solving and Decision-making,</li>
<li>Universal human values.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Institute of Skills, Mumbai</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Also, to make <strong>India the Skill Capital of the World,</strong> the Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has laid the foundation stone of the <strong>Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) at Mumbai.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will provide skill training to students who want to pursue <strong>technical education after completing Class X and Class XII,</strong> making them employable and industry-ready.</li>
<li>The Tata Education Development Trust (TEDT) is the private partner for setting up IIS in Mumbai.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Institute of Skills (IIS)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) are in line with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/institutions-of-eminence-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Institutes of Eminence (IoEs)</strong></a> including IITs and IIMs.</li>
<li>IIS aims to enrol <strong>5,000 students per year with campus placement of 70% trainees.</strong></li>
<li>The Union Cabinet has given its nod to set up Indian Institute of Skills (IISs) in <strong>three</strong> locations of the country :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Mumbai</strong></li>
<li><strong>Ahmedabad</strong></li>
<li><strong>Kanpur</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These institutes will be <strong>constructed &amp; operated on a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model and on a not-for-profit basis.</strong></li>
<li>It will facilitate learnings and <strong>training through</strong> strong industry connect in both the <strong>public and private sectors.</strong></li>
<li>It will help promote programs like Make in India, Skill India as well as to cater to the demand of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth:-industrial-revolution-4.0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industry 4.0.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1584801" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

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