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Guidelines for Licencing of Small Finance Banks

Why in News Recently, the Reserve Bank of India has released final Guidelines for ‘on tap’ Licencing for Small Finance Banks...

06 Dec 2019 News Analysis
Dr B. R. Ambedkar's 63rd Mahaparinirvan Diwas

Why in News Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed every year on December 6 to commemorate death anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar. He is known as the...

06 Dec 2019 News Analysis
War on Women

This article is based on “Rape, impunity and state of denial” which was published in The Hindu on 05/12/2019. It highlights the rising...

05 Dec 2019 News Editorials
Telecom Sector: Issues and Challenges

Introduction India is currently the world’s second-largest telecommunications market with a subscriber base of 1.20 billion and has...

05 Dec 2019 Paper 3
Telecom Sector: Issues and Challenges

For...

05 Dec 2019 Paper 3
Bharat Bond Exchange Traded Fund

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister of India, has approved the Government’s plan to create and launch...

05 Dec 2019 News Analysis
Global Climate Risk Index 2020

Why in News The international environmental think tank ‘Germanwatch’ has recently released the Global Climate Risk Index 2019. The...

05 Dec 2019 News Analysis
World Soil Day

Why in News World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on 5 December to highlight the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable...

05 Dec 2019 News Analysis
World Malaria Report, 2019

Why in News The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the World Malaria Report, 2019. The report provides a comprehensive update on global...

05 Dec 2019 News Analysis
Navy Day

Why in News The Indian Navy Day is celebrated on December 4 every year to commemorate Operation Trident. The Navy also organises a Beating Retreat...

05 Dec 2019 News Analysis
Revamping the Agricultural Sector

This article is based on the “New Approach to Agriculture Sector” which was published in Livemint on 02/12/2019. It highlights the...

04 Dec 2019 News Editorials
Typhoon Kammuri

Why in News Recently, a typhoon struck the Philippines, bringing heavy rains and suspending air travel. The government issued the warnings of...

04 Dec 2019 News Analysis
Anaemia in Indian Children

Why in News A paper published in ‘Scientific Reports’ pointed out that about 58.5% of children below five years of age in India are...

04 Dec 2019 News Analysis
Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019

Why in News Recently, the Parliament has passed the Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The SPG Bill will amend the SPG Act of...

04 Dec 2019 News Analysis
GST Compensation

Why in News The GST Council has informed all the States that the central government might not be able to compensate them for losses arising out of...

04 Dec 2019 News Analysis
Swedish Technology to Reduce Stubble Burning

Why in News The pollution from stubble burning in winter is a major factor for the sharp decline in air quality in Delhi. To overcome this issue,...

04 Dec 2019 News Analysis
Seed Bill

This article is based on “The Seed Bill must be tweaked for better results” which was published in The Hindu Business Line on...

03 Dec 2019 News Editorials
The Big Picture- India, China Diplomatic Ties

In 2020, India and China will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations with 70 celebratory activities...

03 Dec 2019 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Tanbo Art

Why in News A progressive farmer in Kerala is using Tanbo Art (a 3D art form) to depict the celebrated Guruvayur temple elephant that died in...

03 Dec 2019 News Analysis
Data Bank of Independent Directors

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs launched the Independent Directors Databank in accordance with the provisions of the...

03 Dec 2019 News Analysis

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		(int) 0 => [
			'title' => 'Guidelines for Licencing of Small Finance Banks',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India</strong></a> has released final <strong>Guidelines for &lsquo;on tap&rsquo; Licencing for Small Finance Banks (SFBs).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RBI had issued in-principle approval to ten applicants for SFB in 2015. It was mentioned that after gaining experience in dealing with these banks, RBI would grant &lsquo;on-tap&rsquo; licensing.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An &ldquo;on-tap&rdquo; facility would mean the RBI will <strong>accept applications and grant licences </strong>for banks<strong> throughout the year.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Guidelines for &lsquo;on-tap&rsquo; Licencing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Capital requirement:</strong> The minimum paid-up voting equity capital / net worth requirement shall be <strong>₹ 200 crores.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For <strong>Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs),</strong> desirous of voluntarily transiting into SFBs initial requirement of net worth shall be at <strong>₹ 100 crores,</strong> which will have to be <strong>increased to ₹ 200 crores</strong> within<strong> 5 years</strong> from the date of commencement of business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scheduled bank status to SFBs:</strong> SFBs will be given scheduled bank status <strong>immediately upon commencement of operations.</strong> Also, SFBs will have general permission to <strong>open banking outlets</strong> from the date of commencement of operations.</li>
<li><strong>Payments Banks conversion to SFBs:</strong> The<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/india-post-payment-bank-ippb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> payment banks</strong></a> can apply for conversion into SFB after <strong>5 years of operations</strong> if they are otherwise eligible as per these guidelines.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575626074_1575619092_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575626074_1575619092_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Small Finance Bank</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The small finance bank will primarily undertake <strong>basic banking activities of acceptance of deposits and lending</strong> to unserved and underserved sections including small business units, small and marginal farmers, micro and small industries and unorganised sector entities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can also undertake other non-risk sharing simple financial services activities such as the distribution of mutual fund units, insurance products, pension products, etc. with the prior approval of the RBI</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligible candidates</strong> for setting up SFB are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Resident<strong> individuals/professionals with 10 years of experience</strong> in <strong>banking and finance.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>companies and societies</strong> owned and controlled by <strong>residents.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Existing</strong> Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs), Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), Local Area Banks (LABs) and payment banks that are owned and controlled by residents.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It needs to open at least <strong>25%</strong> of its banking outlets in <strong>unbanked rural centres.</strong></li>
<li>The bank will be required to extend <strong>75% of its adjusted net bank credit</strong> to the <strong>Priority Sector Lending (PSL).</strong></li>
<li>At least<strong> 50% of its loan portfolio</strong> should constitute loans and advances of up to <strong>₹ 25 lakhs.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>maximum loan size and investment limit</strong> exposure to a single and group would be restricted to <strong>10% and 15% of its capital funds,</strong> respectively. They <strong>cannot extend large loans.</strong></li>
<li>If the initial shareholding by promoters in the bank is in excess of <strong>40% of paid-up voting equity capital,</strong> it should be brought <strong>down to 40% within a period of 5 years.</strong></li>
<li>The small finance banks will be subject to <strong>Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) </strong>and <strong>Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Banks are required to hold a certain proportion of their deposits in the form of cash is known as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-keeps-policy-rates-unchanged" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CRR</strong></a>. This minimum ratio (that is the part of the total deposits to be held as cash) is stipulated by the RBI.</li>
<li>The share of Net Demand and Time Liabilities that a bank is required to maintain safe and liquid assets, such as government securities, cash, and gold is termed as <strong>SLR.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/rbi-lays-down-guidelines-for-payments-banks-sfb-licence/article30195255.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Dr B. R. Ambedkar's 63rd Mahaparinirvan Diwas',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed every year on December 6 to commemorate death anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>He is known as the <strong>Father of the Indian Constitution</strong> and was independent <strong>India&rsquo;s first law minister.</strong></li>
<li>Dr. Ambedkar was a social reformer, jurist, economist, author, polyglot orator, a scholar and thinker of comparative religions.<strong></strong></li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong>&ldquo;Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment. It has to be cultivated. We must realise that our people have yet to learn it. Democracy in India is only a top-dressing on an Indian soil which is essentially undemocratic.&rdquo;</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>― B.R. Ambedkar, Annihilation of Caste</em></p>
<p><em><strong>&ldquo;I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved&rdquo;</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em><strong>― </strong>B.R. Ambedkar</em></p>
<h3>About Dr. Ambedkar</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ambedkar-jayanti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow, Central Province</strong></a> (now Madhya Pradesh).</li>
<li>He founded <strong>Bahishkrit Hitkarni Sabha (1923).</strong></li>
<li>He led the <strong>Mahad Satyagraha in March 1927</strong> to challenge the regressive customs of the Hindus.</li>
<li>He <strong>participated in all three round-table conferences.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Round Table Conferences</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First Round Table Conference:</strong> It was held in<strong> London on Nov. 12, 1930</strong> but the <strong>Congress did not participate</strong> in it.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In March 1931, Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin (Viceroy of India 1926-31) entered into a Pact, <strong>called Gandhi-Irwin Pact,</strong> by which the Congress called off the Civil Disobedience Movement and agreed to participate in the Round Table Conference.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Second Round Table Conference:</strong> It was held in London on the <strong>7<sup>th</sup> of September, 1931.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Third Round Table Conference:</strong> It was held in London on the <strong>17<sup>th</sup> of November, 1932</strong> to consider the reports of various sub-committees appointed from time to time. It ultimately led to the <strong>passage of Govt. of India Act, 1935.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Congress did not participate</strong> as most of the leaders were in jail.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1932 he signed <strong>Poona pact with Mahatma Gandhi,</strong> which abandoned the idea of separate electorates for the depressed classes (Communal Award). However, the seats reserved for the depressed classes were increased from 71 to 147 in provincial legislatures and to 18% of the total in the Central Legislature.</li>
<li>In 1936, he was elected to the Bombay Legislative Assembly as a legislator (MLA).</li>
<li>In 1947, Dr. Ambedkar accepted PM Nehru's invitation to <strong>become Minister of Law in the first Cabinet of independent India.</strong></li>
<li>On August 29, 1947, he was appointed <strong>Chairman of the Drafting Committee</strong> for the new Constitution.</li>
<li>He resigned from the cabinet in 1951, over <strong>differences on the Hindu Code Bill.</strong></li>
<li>In 1956, he <strong>converted to Buddhism.</strong></li>
<li>He passed away on <strong>6<sup>th</sup> December 1956.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Chaitya Bhoomi</strong> is a memorial to B. R. Ambedkar located in Dadar, Mumbai.</li>
</ul>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'War on Women',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/rape-impunity-and-state-of-denial/article30169803.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Rape, impunity and state of denial&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 05/12/2019. It highlights the rising cases of crimes against women and the issues associated with it.</p>
</div>
<p>In the wake of the recent brutal rape and murder of a young woman in Hyderabad, much of the public discourse has been confined to outrage, policing, punishment, and tougher laws. The horrific sexual crime incidents highlight the sorrow state of national emergency in India as far as crimes against women, specifically sexual crimes, are concerned.</p>
<h3>Worrisome Facts</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <strong>National Crime Records Bureau data-2017</strong> (released in 2019), a total of <strong>3.59 lakh cases of</strong> <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/violence-against-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>crimes against women</strong></a> were reported, marking a 6% rise as compared to 2016. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Of this, assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty comprised 21.7%, and rape 7% which implies on an average, around 1,000 crimes were registered every day and 93 women were victims of rape every day (of which one-third were minors).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the data, <strong>Uttar Pradesh</strong> reported the <strong>highest number</strong> of crimes against women whereas <strong>Madhya Pradesh</strong> registered the<strong> highest number of rape cases</strong> in the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Underlying Issues and Challenges</h3>
<p><strong>Unreported Cases</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The above mentioned figures reflect only a small percentage of the crimes committed against women, as most of the cases go unreported.</li>
<li>The fear of<strong> societal shame and the patriarchal dominance</strong> in society prevents a woman from fighting for her justice.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, the <strong>National Family Health Survey-4</strong> revealed that every third married woman had experienced physical and/or sexual violence but only 1.5% had sought help from the police.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In many cases, it has been noted that the culprit is the <strong>familiar individual.</strong> This prevents the victim from raising any voice against them.</li>
<li>The reluctant and less-sensitive attitude of the police officials while registering the cases makes the victim feel more victimized leading to under-reporting of cases.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Laxity in Criminal Justice System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pendency of Cases:</strong> The NCRB report shows that the backlog of cases, including cases of child rape, is huge. For all crimes against women, the pendency of cases is <strong>as high as 89.6%.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2017, there were as many as 1.17 lakh rape cases from previous years pending trial.</li>
<li>Even the<strong> conviction rate</strong> is way too low (only 5,822 accused were convicted in 28,750 cases sent for trial in that year, that makes around 20%).</li>
<li>This failure to reform the justice system and ensure conviction leads to an increase in the impunity with which crimes against women are committed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bureaucratic Hurdles:</strong> The lax behavior by the concerned official authorities while conducting the investigation in a time-bound manner destroys the very purpose of the criminal justice system.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government tries to turn the attention to the issue of the extent of punishment, instead of focusing on the urgent steps required for the <strong>prevention of such crimes.</strong> For example, the <strong>Muzaffarpur Shelter Home</strong> sexual abuse, rape and torture of at least 35 girls, reported early last year (2018) is still under investigation with no justice of any kind in sight for the girls. It later came to light how government funding was misused by the perpetrators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Erring Laws:</strong> Most of the times, laws and legislations for women safety are either not in compliance with the international standards or are not implemented properly.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After the <strong>2012 Nirbhaya outrage</strong> in Delhi, and on the recommendations of the Justice J.S. Verma Committee, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 was passed, by bringing in changes to the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 to <strong>provide for death penalty for rape</strong> that led to death of the victim or reduced the survivor to a persistent vegetative state and anyone found guilty of rape more than once. In 2018, further changes were introduced giving death as the maximum punishment for every perpetrator in a gang-rape when the victim is less than 12, and life-long imprisonment if the victim is less than 16.</li>
<li>For instance, the <strong>Kathua and Unnao rapes</strong> only proved that legislation alone cannot ensure women&rsquo;s safety. Women remain unsafe, both in public or within the home.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Solutions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Environment:</strong> India needs an <strong>ecosystem of care and empathy</strong> that focuses on the prevention of sexual assault, the protection of victims and the certainty of action against culprits. This places the onus significantly on the entire criminal justice system.</li>
<li><strong>Awareness:</strong> Preventive measures such as <strong>education and awareness</strong> (important in a deeply patriarchal society) help ensure women&rsquo;s safety. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Equally important is recognising the acts of sexual violence are deeply traumatic for survivors, and that it takes great courage and faith in the system to report them.</li>
<li>The police, dominated by men, must do more to clear all obstacles in the path of survivors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reporting:</strong> There is a need of a <strong>comprehensive and systematic research and analysis on crime against women</strong> at Central, State, district and block level. Accurate data collection is very important to inform policy initiatives.</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure:</strong> In India, after the Nirbhaya case, the committee under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-s-verma-committee-on-sexual-harassment-at-workplace-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Justice J.S. Verma</strong></a> had made a series of recommendations for prevention of crimes that placed the responsibility on the Central and State governments to ensure the presence of social and physical infrastructure to prevent crimes against women. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The suggestions included changes in school and college syllabi to educate social values of equality and respect for women&rsquo;s autonomy; ensuring safe public transport, city and street lighting, CCTV cameras; mapping unsafe areas and provision of increased police patrolling in such areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government Initiatives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Safeguards:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fundamental Rights:</strong> It guarantees all Indians the right to equality (Article 14), no discrimination by the State on the basis of gender (Article 15(1)) and special provisions to be made by the State in favour of women (Article 15(3)).</li>
<li><strong>Fundamental Duties:</strong> It ensures that practices derogatory to the dignity of women are prohibited under Article 51 (A).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legislative Framework:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005:</strong> It provides victims of domestic violence with a means for practical remedy through prosecution.</li>
<li><strong>The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961:</strong> It prohibits the request, payment or acceptance of a dowry.</li>
<li><strong>The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013:</strong> This legislative act seeks to protect women from sexual harassment at their place of work.</li>
<li><strong>The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), 2012:</strong> enacted to protect minors from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography, while safeguarding the interest of the child at every stage of the judicial process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has taken some steps, but there is a long way to go before women, especially from marginalised backgrounds, to feel secure and safe. Enhanced accessibility to justice needs to be ensured.</li>
<li>A <strong>UN report</strong> on<strong> &lsquo;steps required to provide safety and security for women&rsquo;</strong> states that, women&rsquo;s safety involves strategies and policies that have been formed before violence have prevented perpetration or victimisation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Prevention efforts involve strategic, long-term, comprehensive initiatives that address the risk and protective factors related to perpetration, victimisation and spectator behaviour.</li>
<li><strong>Awareness and sensitization</strong> of people is equally important in this regard to prevent the crime itself. In every curriculum gender sensitisation must be included right from school. Public places must be made safer for all. Boys and girls should be raised right in an atmosphere of freedom and a culture of mutual respect.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capacity building and training</strong> programmes to service providers and law enforcement officers needs to be conducted to effectively handle cases of violence against women. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Better policing, <strong>fast-track courts,</strong> quick sentencing are the need of the hour as each can serve as a deterrent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There needs to be an <strong>overhaul of the criminal justice system</strong> in the country rather than emphasising on the stringent penalties.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The death penalty for rape and murder is already on the statute book. But the evidence suggests that such punishments have also not led to a decrease in crimes. Hence it is not just the extent and stringency of punishment, but also the certainty of fair procedures that need to be followed to discourage the crime.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #4000ff; background-color: #e1effa;"><strong><span style="color: #000080;">Drishti Mains Question</span><br /><br /></strong>India has taken some steps but there is a long way to go before women to feel secure and safe. Comment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/war-on-women'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Telecom Sector: Issues and Challenges',
			'catname' => 'Paper 3',
			'desc' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is currently the world&rsquo;s second-largest telecommunications market with a subscriber base of 1.20 billion and has registered strong growth in the past decade and a half.</li>
<li>Contribution of mobile phone industry as a part of gross domestic product (GDP) of the country in 2014 has been to the tune of US$ 400 billion.</li>
<li>According to a report prepared by the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA), as of January 2019, India has witnessed a 165% growth in app downloads in the past two years.</li>
<li>Based on the data available from GSMA, this sector will create close to 4 million additional jobs by 2020.</li>
<li>Tele-density of Indian telecom industry (wireless plus wire line) has grown from a low of 3.60% in March 2001 to 84% in March 2016.</li>
<li><strong>Telecom is the second highest revenue earner for the government, after income tax:</strong> The sector is expected to contribute as much as 90% of the government&rsquo;s non-tax revenue. Digital India programme is also almost completely dependent on the telecom sector.</li>
<li>The liberal and reformist policies of the Government of India have been instrumental along with strong consumer demand in the rapid growth in the Indian telecom sector. The deregulation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms has made the sector one of the fastest growing and a top five employment opportunity generator in the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Evolution of the Telecom Sector in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian telecom sector is <strong>more than 165 years old.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Telecommunications was first introduced in India in 1851</strong> when the first operational land lines were laid by the government near Kolkata (then Calcutta), although telephone services were formally introduced in India much later in 1881.</li>
<li>Further, in 1883, telephone services were merged with the postal system. <strong>In 1947, after India attained independence, all foreign telecommunication companies were nationalised to form the Posts, Telephone and Telegraph (PTT),</strong> a body that was governed by the Ministry of Communication.</li>
<li><strong>The Indian telecom sector was entirely under government ownership until 1984,</strong> when the private sector was allowed in telecommunication equipment manufacturing only.</li>
<li>The government concretised its earlier efforts towards developing R&amp;D in the sector by setting up an autonomous body &ndash; <strong>Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) in 1984</strong> to develop state-of-the-art telecommunication technology to meet the growing needs of the Indian telecommunication network.</li>
<li>The actual evolution of the industry started after the <strong>Government separated the Department of Post and Telegraph in 1985 by setting up the Department of Posts and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).</strong><strong></strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575544757_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575544757_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="601" height="451" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Issues and Challenges of Telecom Sector</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>High Right-of-Way (ROW)</strong> cost: Sometimes, state governments charge a huge amount for permitting the laying of fiber, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of fixed line penetration:</strong> India has very little penetration of fixed-line in its network whereas most of the developed countries have a very high penetration of fixed lines (telephone line that traveled through a metal wire or optical fiber as part of a nationwide telephone network).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Only around 25% of Towers in India are connected with fibre networks, whereas in developed nations, it is in excess of 70%.</li>
<li>5G Network requires towers to be connected to with very high-speed systems. Those high speeds are not possible on the present radio systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Declining Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):</strong> ARPU decline now is sharp and steady, which, combined with falling profits and in some cases serious losses, is prompting the Indian telecom industry to look at consolidation as the only way to boost revenues.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, the Supreme Court allowed the government&rsquo;s plea to recover adjusted gross revenue of about Rs 92,000 crore from telcos, that further adds to their stress.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limited Spectrum Availability:</strong> Available spectrum is less than 40% as compared to European nations and 50% as compared to China.</li>
<li><strong>Low Broadband Penetration:</strong> Low broadband penetration in the country is a matter of concern. As per white paper presented on broadband at the last International Telecommunication Union (ITU), <strong>broadband penetration in India is only 7%.</strong></li>
<li>Over the Top (OTT) applications such as WhatsApp, OLA and so on do not need permission or a pact with a telecommunications company. This hampers the revenue of telecommunication service providers.</li>
<li><strong>Huge fluctuations in the duties on Telecom Equipment</strong> which contribute to connecting the whole system from the central server to the consumer.</li>
<li><strong>Timeframe of policy execution:</strong> Government have withdrawn a lot of things to benefit telecom sector but by the time it gets executed to the market, it becomes too late.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Telecom Infrastructure in Semi-rural and Rural areas:</strong> Service providers have to incur huge initial fixed cost to enter semi-rural and rural areas.</li>
<li><strong>Pressure on Margins Due to Stiff Competition:</strong> With competition heating up post entry of Reliance Jio, other telecom players are feeling the heat of substantial drop in tariff rates both for voice and data (more significant for data subscribers).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps Taken by the Government</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-national-digital-communications-policy-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Digital Communications Policy</strong></a> - <strong>2018 (NDCP-2018)</strong> was unveiled in Oct 2018, to replace National Telecom Policy-2012, to cater to the modern needs of the digital communications sector of India. The policy aims to attract USD 100 billion worth of investments and generate 4 million jobs in the sector by 2022.</li>
<li>Telecom Commission was re-designated as the <strong>"Digital Communications Commission&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>In 2017, Department of Telecom (DoT) came up with a gazette notification, advising the state governments to give quicker ROW permission and charge very little amount to service providers. Though, only some states responded.</li>
<li>The government has provided benefits to telecom sector by withdrawing some duties.</li>
<li>The government has fast-tracked reforms in the telecom sector and continues to be proactive in providing room for growth for telecom companies.</li>
<li>The Department of Information Technology intends to <strong>set up over 1 million internet-enabled common service centres across India</strong> as per the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National e-Governance Plan.</strong></a></li>
<li>FDI cap in the telecom sector has been increased to 100% from 74%. Out of 100%, 49% will be done through automatic route and the rest will be done through the FIPB approval route.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FDI of up to 100% is permitted for infrastructure providers offering dark fibre, electronic mail and voice mail.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Government of India has introduced Digital India programme under which all the sectors such as healthcare, retail, etc. will be connected through the internet.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>NDCP-2018 advocates:-</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Establishment of a <strong>National Digital Grid</strong> by creating a National Fibre Authority;</li>
<li>Establishing <strong>Common Service Ducts and utility corridors</strong> in all new city and highway road projects;</li>
<li>Creating a <strong>collaborative institutional mechanism</strong> between Centre, States and Local Bodies for Common Rights of Way, standardization of costs and timelines;</li>
<li><strong>Removal of barriers to approvals;</strong> and</li>
<li>Facilitating development of <strong>Open Access Next Generation Networks.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Explore the option of revenue sharing agreement</strong> between Internet players and telecommunication companies.</li>
<li><strong>Outsourcing non-core functions</strong> such as network maintenance, IT operations and customer service.</li>
<li><strong>Divestment of tower assets</strong> into separate companies will enable curb costs and focus on core operations.</li>
<li><strong>Introduce new and efficient technologies</strong> such as M2M (technology that enables networked devices to exchange information and perform actions without the manual assistance of humans) and cloud computing.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits of industry status</strong> in line with other infrastructure sectors in the country to be implemented.</li>
<li><strong>Penetration of rural markets</strong> (72% of population staying in rural areas) will be the key growth driver.</li>
<li>The government should <strong>increase the network area through optical fibre</strong> instead of copper which is expensive. This is necessary to ensure last mile connectivity.</li>
<li>The government needs to prepare a ground for <strong>easy right-of-way permissions</strong> and lower cost of right-of-ways.</li>
<li>It is time to go for a <strong>generational shift</strong> to ensure that <strong>current tariff is financially viable</strong> for service providers.</li>
<li>Telecom Operators should leverage on the talent pool in the country which is bringing in a lot of<strong> new innovations in AI, blockchain technology</strong> etc.</li>
<li><strong>New Infrastructure on shareable basis</strong> just like the way telecom service providers share the cost of towers is need of the hour.</li>
<li>The government should spend more on R&amp;D and create an environment that makes India capable of manufacturing and exporting hardware components like mobile handsets, CCTV Cameras, touch screen monitors etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The telecom sector in India has to deal with various challenges like maintaining the sufficient spectrum, adoption of new technologies faster to be able to use the new features and techniques to serve the customers with better and feature rich service.</li>
<li>A proactive and facilitatory government role regarding telecom sector is the need of the hour given the huge opportunities provided by the sector.</li>
<li>Independent and statutory body, <strong>Telecom Regulatory Authority of India</strong> (TRAI) has an important role to play as a watchdog of the sector. A more proactive and timely Dispute Resolution by <strong>TDSAT</strong> (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) is the need of the hour.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/mind-map/gs-paper3/telecom-sector-issues-and-challenges-mindmap" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>For Mind Map</em></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/telecom-sector-issues-and-challenges'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Telecom Sector: Issues and Challenges',
			'catname' => 'Paper 3',
			'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1577351950_Telecom%20Sector Issues and Challenges (Mind Map).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1577351950_Telecom Sector Issues and Challenges (Mind Map).png" width="464" height="923" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/telecom-sector-issues-and-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>For TTP</em></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper3/telecom-sector-issues-and-challenges-mindmap'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Bharat Bond Exchange Traded Fund',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The <strong>Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs,</strong> chaired by the Prime Minister of India, has approved the Government&rsquo;s plan to create and launch <strong>India&rsquo;s first corporate bond Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) &mdash; Bharat Bond ETF.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Fund will provide additional source of money for Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), Central Public Financial Institutions (CPFIs) and other Government organizations to meet their borrowing requirements, apart from bank financing.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Exchange Traded Fund</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) is a <strong>basket of securities that trade on an exchange,</strong> just like a stock.</li>
<li>ETF <strong>reflects the composition of an Index,</strong> like BSE Sensex. Its trading value is based on the Net Asset Value (NAV) of the underlying stocks (such as shares) that it represents.</li>
<li>ETF share prices fluctuate all day as it is bought and sold. This is <strong>different from mutual funds</strong> that only trade once a day after the market closes.</li>
<li>An ETF can own hundreds or thousands of stocks across various industries, or it could be isolated to one particular industry or sector.</li>
<li><strong>Bond ETFs</strong> are a type of ETFs which may include government bonds, corporate bonds, and state and local bonds&mdash;called municipal bonds.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>bond</strong> is an instrument that represents a loan made by an investor to a borrower (typically corporate or governmental).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Besides being cost efficient, ETFs offer a diversified investment portfolio to investors.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Features of Bharat Bond ETF<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575534725_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575534725_image5.jpg" width="369" height="300" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ETF will comprise a basket of bonds issued by the CPSEs, CPSUs, CPFIs, and other government organisations.</li>
<li>The<strong> unit size</strong> of the bond has been kept at <strong>just ₹1,000</strong> so that even retail investors can invest.</li>
<li>Each ETF will have a fixed maturity date and initially they will be issued in two series, of 3 years and 10 years. Each series will have a separate index of the same maturity series.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Index will be constructed by an independent index provider &ndash; <strong>National Stock Exchange.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advantages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bharat Bond ETF will ensure <strong>broader investor base</strong> through the participation of retail and High Networth Individuals (HNI).This will lead to an increase in the demand for bonds, thus <strong>reducing the cost of borrowing</strong> for borrowers i.e. government organizations.</li>
<li>The Bond ETF will provide safety, liquidity and predictable tax efficient returns.</li>
<li>The launch of this ETF is expected to eventually<strong> increase the size of bond ETFs in India</strong> leading to achieving key objectives at a larger scale - deepening bond markets, enhancing retail participation and reducing borrowing costs.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/cabinet-okays-bond-etfs/article30169849.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/bharat-bond-exchange-traded-fund'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Global Climate Risk Index 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The international environmental think tank &lsquo;Germanwatch&rsquo; has recently released the Global Climate Risk Index 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The index analyses the extent to which countries and regions have been affected by the impacts of weather-related loss events (storms, floods, heat waves etc.).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575534282_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575534282_image3.png" width="163" height="366" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Worst affected in 2018:</strong> Japan, Philippines and Germany</li>
<li><strong>Worst affected between 1999-2018 (long-term index):</strong> Puerto Rico, Myanmar and Haiti</li>
<li><strong>Deaths and financial loss between 1999-2018:</strong> Altogether, about 5 lakh people died as a direct result of more than 12 000 extreme weather events globally. Losses amounted to around US$ 3.54 trillion (in purchasing power parities).</li>
<li><strong>Poor countries had to face much higher impacts:</strong> Of the ten most affected countries and territories in the period 1999-2018, seven were developing countries in the low income or lower-middle income country group, two were classified as upper-middle income countries (Thailand and Dominica) and one was an advanced economy generating high income (Puerto Rico).</li>
<li><strong>Link between climate change and the frequency &amp; severity of extreme heat:</strong> Heatwaves were one major cause of damage in 2018. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Of the ten most affected countries in 2018, Germany, Japan and India were suffering from extended periods of heat.</li>
<li>Across Europe, extreme heat spells are now up to 100 times more likely than a century ago.</li>
<li>Impact of heatwaves on African countries may be under-represented due to a lack of data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India, which suffered water shortages, crop failures and worst flooding, holds the <strong>5<sup>th</sup> position.</strong> It has fallen from its 14<sup>th</sup> rank of countries hit most by climate change-induced weather phenomena in 2017.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has also recorded the <strong>highest number of fatalities due to climate change</strong> and the <strong>second-highest monetary losses from its impact in 2018.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The 2019 Climate Summit in Madrid needs to address the lack of additional climate finance to help the poorest people and countries to address loss and damage. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These countries are <strong>more vulnerable to the damaging effects</strong> of a hazard but <strong>have lower coping capacity.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The climate summit needs to result in: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>a decision on how the need for support for vulnerable countries concerning future loss and damage is to be determined on an ongoing basis</li>
<li>the necessary steps to generate and make available financial resources to meet these needs</li>
<li>strengthening the implementation of measures for adapting to climate change</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Germanwatch</strong></p>
<p>Germanwatch, based in Bonn and Berlin (Germany), is an independent development and environmental organisation which works for sustainable global development.</p>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-climate-risk-index-2020'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'World Soil Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>World Soil Day (WSD)</strong> is held annually on <strong>5 December</strong> to highlight the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>theme</strong> for WSD 2019 is<strong> &lsquo;Stop Soil Erosion, Save Our Future&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575533952_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575533952_image4.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="216" height="210" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was recommended by the <strong>International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)</strong> in <strong>2002.</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-22nd-march-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)</strong></a> has supported the formal establishment of WSD as a global awareness-raising platform under the leadership of the<strong> Kingdom of Thailand</strong> within the framework of the<strong> Global Soil Partnership.</strong></li>
<li><strong>5 December 2014</strong> was designated as the <strong>first official World Soil Day</strong> by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN General Assembly</strong></a> <strong>(UNGA).</strong></li>
<li>The date of 5 December was chosen because it corresponds with the official <strong>birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand,</strong> who <strong>officially sanctioned</strong> the event.</li>
<li>FAO gives <strong>two awards</strong> in line with this day-<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award-</strong> an annual award that honours individuals, communities, organizations and countries that organized remarkable and engaging World Soil Day activities or campaigns in the previous year.</li>
<li><strong>The Glinka World Soil Prize-</strong> an annual award for dynamic change-makers dedicated to solving one of our world&rsquo;s most pressing environmental issue: <strong>soil degradation.</strong> It honours individuals and organizations whose leadership and activities have contributed, or are still contributing to the promotion of sustainable soil management and the protection of soil resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: FAO</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-soil-day'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'World Malaria Report, 2019',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a> has released the <strong>World Malaria Report, 2019.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report provides a comprehensive update on global and regional malaria data and trends including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, elimination and surveillance.</li>
<li>According to the report, <strong>228 million cases</strong> of malaria are observed <strong>worldwide, down from</strong> 251 million cases in <strong>2010.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Highest Burden:</strong> India along with 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa carried almost <strong>85% of the global malaria burden.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though <strong>India</strong> has observed the <strong>largest absolute reductions</strong> among the countries that share 85% of the malaria burden.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global Analysis:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Incidence rate:</strong> It has declined globally between 2010 and 2018, from 71 to 57 cases per 1000 population.</li>
<li><strong>Deaths:</strong> The <strong>number of deaths due to malaria</strong> has <strong>decreased</strong> globally. (405,000 deaths in 2018 from 416,000 deaths in 2017).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Analysis:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Incidence rate:</strong> India reported <strong>2.6 million fewer cases</strong> in 2018 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-report-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>compared to 2017.</strong></a> Thus the overall incidence of malaria in the country has reduced.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However,<strong> 7 states</strong> (Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh) account for about <strong>90% of the burden</strong> of malaria cases in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deaths:</strong> Overall number of deaths due to malaria in India have reduced.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575533289_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575533289_image2.jpg" width="509" height="194" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Steps taken at the global level</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>WHO&rsquo;s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria, 2016-2030.</li>
<li>WHO has also released a new country-driven approach&ndash;<strong>&ldquo;High burden to high impact&rdquo;</strong> to enhance response to malaria in countries where malaria cases increased in 2018 as compared to 2017</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps taken by the Indian government</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (NSPME) (2017-22)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Strategic Plan gives year wise elimination targets in various parts of the country depending upon the endemicity of malaria in the next 5 years.</li>
<li>It is based on the <strong>National Framework for Malaria Elimination 2016</strong> which is in line with <strong>WHO&rsquo;s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria, 2016-2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has established <strong>&lsquo;Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India)</strong> which is a conglomeration of partners working on malaria control.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Malaria</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Malaria is caused by <strong>Plasmodium parasites.</strong></li>
<li>The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called <strong>"malaria vectors",</strong></li>
<li><strong>World Malaria Day</strong> is observed on <strong>25<sup>th</sup> April.</strong></li>
<li>It can be noted that WHO officially endorses disease-specific global awareness days for only four diseases viz. HIV-AIDS, TB, Malaria, and Hepatitis.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/malaria-drop-is-sharpest-in-india-90-of-cases-are-in-7-states-6151060/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-report-2019'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Navy Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Indian Navy Day is celebrated on <strong>December 4</strong> every year to commemorate <strong>Operation Trident.</strong> The Navy also organises a <strong>Beating Retreat ceremony at Gateway of India in Mumbai</strong> on the eve of the Navy Day.</p>
<h3>Operation Trident</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was a counter-attack by Indian Navy<strong> on the Karachi harbour</strong> during the<strong> Indo-Pakistan war in 1971.</strong></li>
<li>India used <strong>anti-ship missiles</strong> for the first time during this operation and destroyed the Pakistani destroyer ship <strong>PNS Khaibar.</strong></li>
<li>The Indian Navy's <strong>three warships - INS Nipat, INS Nirghat and INS Veer -</strong> played an important role in the attack.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Navy<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575530918_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575530918_image1.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="150" height="223" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>headed</strong> by the <strong>President of India</strong> as its <strong>Supreme Commander.</strong></li>
<li>Indian Navy&rsquo;s <strong>Motto</strong> is - <strong>Sam no Varunah</strong> (शं नो वरूण&zwnj;:) that means that the God of water, Varuna, should be auspicious unto us.</li>
<li>Some of the <strong>earliest operations</strong> of the Indian Navy include its contribution in&nbsp;<strong>liberating Goa from Portugal in 1961.</strong></li>
<li>The Navy has developed as an admirable force with the making of the <strong>nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/deterrence-or-danger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">INS Arihant</a></strong> and several other ships.</li>
<li>Indian Navy currently has <strong>one aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya</strong> which was a <strong>former Russian ship</strong> that was commissioned into service in 2013.</li>
<li>It <strong>operates three classes of submarines: Chakra</strong> (it has the <strong>nuclear-powered INS Chakra), Sindhughosh, and Shishumar.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Marine Commandos or MARCOS</strong> is the special force unit of the Indian Navy, trained to conduct amphibious warfare, counter-terrorism, special reconnaissance, hostage rescue and asymmetric warfare.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They were the first to respond to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ten-years-after-the-mumbai-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>26/11 Mumbai</strong> </a>terror attacks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navy-day-heres-a-quick-look-at-the-indian-navy-today/article21260246.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/navy-day'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Revamping the Agricultural Sector',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on the &ldquo;New Approach to Agriculture Sector&rdquo; which was published in Livemint on 02/12/2019. It highlights the problems faced by the Indian agricultural sector and the solutions to tackle it.</p>
</div>
<p>India faces several challenges related to <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/agricultural-distress-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>agriculture and food security</strong> </a>that include fragmentation of landholdings, degradation of resource quality, climate change induced adverse impact, large scale migration of agriculturists to non-farming sectors, etc. The current status of agriculture, therefore, needs critical evaluation in order to provide suitable remedial measures.</p>
<h3>Historical Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food security</strong></a> has been a national priority since Independence to fulfill the food demands of a rapidly growing population.</li>
<li><strong>Green Revolution</strong> that started in the mid-1960s through adoption of fertilizer-responsive high yielding varieties (HYVs), farm mechanization and use of agrochemicals including fertilizers transformed India from being a <strong>food importer to food exporter country</strong> within five decades.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the last 50 years, food grain production (in the form of oilseeds, horticulture crops, etc.) in the country has increased by almost 3 times which has outpaced the growth of the population that went up by 2.6 times during this period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues in the Agriculture Sector</h3>
<p>While Green Revolution technologies intensified agricultural production, the misuse of inputs and deviant farm practices have led to an <strong>emergence of second-generation problems.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Multi-nutrient Deficiencies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Practising the high yielding intensive agriculture has put an extreme pressure on soil health reflected by the <strong>continuous depletion of soil fertility.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to selective subsidy scheme in the form of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-approves-nutrient-based-subsidy-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme</strong></a> only for phosphatic and potassic (P&amp;K) fertilizers, there has been an overuse of these fertilizers. This has lead to the problem of <strong>nutrient mining</strong> (agricultural practices resulting in a negative nutrient balance) <strong>in Indian soil,</strong> impacting soil health over time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In addition to primary nutrients (NPK), deficiencies of secondary and micronutrients (boron, copper, iron, manganese, etc) have increased in Indian soils.</li>
<li>Inadequate, imbalanced and inefficient use of mineral fertilizers with lack of use of organic sources of plant nutrients has given rise to multi-nutrient deficiencies.</li>
<li><strong>Fertilizer/nutrient use efficiency</strong> (economic production obtained per unit of fertilizer/nutrient applied) is also relatively low in India such as, with nitrogen (30-40%), phosphorus (15-20%) and potash (60-70%). This not only affects the <strong>crop yields but also affects the environment</strong> due to the escape of unused nutrients.</li>
<li>Also, the <strong>crop response to fertilizers</strong> has been declining continuously. The average crop response to fertilizer application (kg grain produced per kg of NPK applied) decreased from 12.1:1 (during the 1960s) to 5:1 (in the 2010s). With the decrease in crop response to fertilizers, the<strong> profitability of the farmers has gone down</strong> year after year.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Inefficient Water Management</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the agriculture sector, water management related challenges include low water use efficiency, water-energy nexus, growing water-intensive crops in water-deficient areas, poor quality waters characterized by the excessive toxic elements and salts, and poor rainwater management.</li>
<li><strong>Water salinization and waterlogging</strong> in canal command areas (like Punjab, Haryana, Western UP) and rapidly<strong> falling water tables</strong> in the tube well-irrigated areas have aggravated the problem.</li>
<li>Also, the <strong>practise of flood irrigation</strong> (one of the most inefficient methods of irrigation) has led to the transformation of agro-climatic cropping patterns in India. For instance, easier availability of water through pumping of groundwater because of the <strong>availability of free electricity to farmers</strong>&nbsp;has made the farmers of north-western India shift to rice cultivation during <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>kharif season</strong></a> by replacing traditional maize and coarse cereals production.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Decreasing Farmers Income</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The declining farmers&rsquo; income is largely on account of <strong>low average crop productivity and poor price realization.</strong></li>
<li>Government announces <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minimum Support Price</strong></a> (MSP) for crops. However, farmers are forced to sell their produce at much lower prices due to the exploitation by the middlemen, called Aadhtees.</li>
<li>Therefore, in the absence of effective market interventions, infrastructure, backward and forward linkages, farmers are <strong>unable to recover the cost of production.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Remedial Measures</h3>
<p><strong>Sustenance of Soil Health</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Organic carbon content</strong> in Indian soils is relatively poor. Effective steps are needed to augment the organic nutrient sources that include agricultural composting (natural process of decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms under controlled conditions), returning crop residues to the soil, etc.</li>
<li>For <strong>soil health enhancement,</strong>&nbsp;the government can <strong>link composting to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/who-applauds-swachh-bharats-rural-component" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Swachh Bharat Mission</a></strong> and provide it free of cost to the farmers.</li>
<li>The target of reducing the use of chemical fertilizers up to 25% can be achieved by <strong>doubling the nutrient use efficiency.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Correction in Fertilizer Policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, a number of initiatives such as shift from urea to 100% neem coated urea, reducing the weight of urea bag from 50 kg to 45 kg and providing soil health cards to all farmers have been taken <strong>to reduce urea consumption </strong>and <strong>promote more efficient use of nitrogen.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, it has not helped much because under the prevailing fertilizer pricing policy there is a huge gap in urea vis-&agrave;-vis P&amp;K prices that continues to distort the NPK use ratio.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is time to revisit the present fertilizer pricing and subsidy scheme. Fertilizer policy should ensure balanced pricing of N, P, K, and micronutrients.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A simple solution in this regard is to bring urea under NBS scheme and transfer the subsidy directly into the farmers&rsquo; accounts rather than routing through the fertilizer industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Efficient Water Management</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Education of the society at large on the necessity of <strong>&lsquo;judicious use of water&rsquo;, &lsquo;har khet ko pani&rsquo; and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-krishi-sinchayee-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &lsquo;more crop per drop'</a></strong> is a welcome step towards efficient usage of water.</li>
<li>Focus should be on agriculture sector with management technologies which have the potential of making water savings.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Savings on water and nutrients under <strong>drip-fertigation</strong> (method of fertilizer application in which fertilizer is incorporated within the irrigation water by the drip system) range from 20% to 60% and 20-30%, respectively. The adoption and development of cropping/farming systems should be guided by the potential water availability.</li>
<li>Regulatory mechanisms should be put in place for sustainable development and utilization of groundwater resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Enhancing Farmers&rsquo; Income</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The inter-ministerial committee constituted to examine issues relating to <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/doubling-farmers-income-a-promise-to-be-fulfilled-by-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>doubling of farmers&rsquo; income by 2022,</strong></a> has identified seven sources of income growth namely,
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Improvement in crop productivity,</li>
<li>Improvement in livestock productivity,</li>
<li>Resource use efficiency or savings in the cost of production,</li>
<li>Increase in the cropping intensity,</li>
<li>Diversification towards high-value crops,</li>
<li>Improvement in real prices received by farmers, and</li>
<li>Shift from farm to non-farm occupations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For the livelihood security of the country&rsquo;s millions of farmers (especially small and marginal ones), it is essential to shift to the approach of <strong>Integrated Farming System (IFS).</strong> The IFS model integrates the latest production technologies of farming and livestock/ aquaculture development and management.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Market Reforms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Market reforms are needed to ensure that remunerative prices to the farmers are given for their produce. A step towards bringing reforms in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/unaddressed-issues-in-agri-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agricultural Produce Market Committees</strong></a> (APMC) was taken by the government in July 2015 through the creation of <strong>National Agricultural Market (NAM).</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since the APMCs are a state subject, operation of NAM faces innumerable difficulties. Unless NAM becomes successful, farmers shall keep facing exploitation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Central and State Governments need to work in tandem to provide support and required financial assistance to the farmers, so as to improve the availability and use of organic sources of plant nutrients.</li>
<li>Fertilizer policies need immediate course correction to promote the use of nutrients from inorganic, organic and biological sources. Industry freed from controls and task of reaching subsidy to the farmers by implementing DBT in true sense will encourage innovation in products and services.</li>
</ul>
<p>Indian agriculture is passing through a phase where the sustainability of soil health and crop yields have come into question. The dependence on fertilizers will continue to increase in the foreseeable future to meet the increasing nutrient demands for higher food production.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcffcc;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />Briefly discuss the issues faced by the Indian agricultural sector and suggest corrective measures that can be undertaken to overcome them.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revamping-the-agricultural-sector'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Typhoon Kammuri',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a typhoon struck the Philippines, bringing heavy rains and suspending air travel. The government issued the warnings of floods, storm surges and landslides.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is known locally as<strong> Tisoy</strong> and is the 20<sup>th</sup> typhoon to hit the country this year.</li>
<li><strong>Tropical Cyclone</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-western-disturbance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cyclone</strong></a> is the formation of a very <strong>low-pressure system</strong> with <strong>very high-speed winds</strong> revolving around it. Factors like wind speed, wind direction, temperature and humidity contribute to the development of cyclones.</li>
<li>Cyclones are called <strong>'Hurricanes' in the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific, 'Typhoons' in South-East Asia and China</strong> and <strong>&lsquo;Tropical Cyclones&rsquo; in the South-West Pacific and Indian Ocean Region.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575454819_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575454819_image3.jpg" width="443" height="424" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/one-killed-as-typhoon-hits-philippines-hundreds-of-flights-halted-6148229/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/typhoon-kammuri'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Anaemia in Indian Children',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A paper published in &lsquo;Scientific Reports&rsquo; pointed out that <strong>about 58.5% of children below five years of age in India are anaemic.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Over one lakh children were analyzed using the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anaemia-in-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Family Health Survey (2015-16) data.</strong> </a></li>
<li><strong>Socio-demographic factors</strong> such as the wealth of the family, maternal education, maternal age, type of residence are the main reasons behind the incidence of childhood anaemia.</li>
<li>Recently, a &lsquo;Lancet Global Health report&rsquo; also revealed that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anaemia-among-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>23% of Indian men suffer from anaemia.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Anaemia</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong> defines anaemia as a condition in which the <strong>number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiological needs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Iron deficiency</strong> is the <strong>most common cause</strong> of anaemia, although other conditions, such as folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies, chronic inflammation, parasitic infections, and inherited disorders can all cause anaemia.</li>
<li>In its severe form, it is associated with fatigue, weakness, dizziness and drowsiness. <strong>Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575452346_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575452346_image2.jpg" width="527" height="444" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Maternal Education</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Maternal education increases the chances of mothers being aware of different health issues and thus taking the correct and appropriate steps towards preventing such issues.</li>
<li>There exists an inverse relationship between the mother's education and the incidence of childhood anaemia. In other words, as the mother&rsquo;s education level increases, the tendency of the child to be anaemic decreases significantly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wealth of the Family</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>52.9% of children in rich households were marked anaemic.</li>
<li>The number was 63.2% in the poorest households.</li>
<li>This suggests that a large number of children in poor households are anaemic, though the situation in rich households is also not that well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maternal Age</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There exists an inverse relationship between the age of mothers and the incidence of anaemia in children. The children of younger mothers are more anaemic.</li>
<li>This reveals the powerlessness of mothers in the age group 15-19 years in ensuring that the children get the right food.</li>
<li>This also reveals the power dimension in the allocation and use of resources in the household.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Programmes Related to Anaemia</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In <strong>2018,</strong> the government of India launched <strong>Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB)</strong> as part of the <strong>Intensified National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) Program</strong> for <strong>accelerating</strong> the <strong>annual rate of decline</strong> of anaemia from <strong>one to three percentage points.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The target groups for AMB are <strong>Children</strong> (6-59 months, 5-9 years), <strong>Adolescent Girls &amp; Boys</strong> (10-19 years), <strong>Women of Reproductive Age</strong> (15-49 years), <strong>Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also launched the <strong>Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS)</strong> Programme to meet the challenge of high prevalence and incidence of anaemia amongst <strong>adolescent girls and boys.</strong></li>
<li>Other programmes introduced include Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), National Nutritional Anemia Control Program (NNACP), etc to combat anemia.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A broader health strategy is required to effectively address the issue of anaemia. Also, there is a need to bridge the gap between policy and practice.</li>
<li>The mother&rsquo;s health needs to be addressed as anaemia in mothers and premature delivery can also lead to childhood anaemia.</li>
<li>In addition to the maternal influence on childhood anaemia, paternal and overall household influences need to be considered for a more comprehensive policy framework for intervention at the household level.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/study-of-one-lakh-individuals-finds-why-indias-children-are-anaemic/article30062583.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/anaemia-in-indian-children'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019 ',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Parliament has <strong>passed</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-protection-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Special Protection Group</strong> </a><strong>(Amendment) Bill, 2019.</strong> The SPG Bill will amend the <strong>SPG Act of 1988.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The proposed amendments in the <strong>Special Protection Group (SPG) Bill</strong> aims to <strong>reduce the financial burden of VIP security on the state exchequer.</strong></li>
<li>The reduction of SPG coverage will also help to<strong> eliminate the notion of a status symbol</strong> attached to it.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Special Protection Group</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SPG was raised in <strong>1985</strong> to provide security cover to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members.</li>
<li>The SPG comprises of the personnel from the CRPF, Border Security Force and other Central and State forces.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Amendments</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reduced SPG Coverage:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The protection to be offered <strong>only to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family</strong> members that will reside with him at <strong>his official residence.</strong></li>
<li>Currently, the security cover is provided to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Time period:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The security will be provided <strong>only for a period of five years to the former Prime Ministers</strong> and their immediate family <strong>after they leave the office.</strong></li>
<li>However, the immediate family members need to be residing with the former Prime Minister at the allotted residence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Withdrawal:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When the proximate security is withdrawn from a former Prime Minister such proximate security will also stand withdrawn from members of his immediate family.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/spg-act-amendment-bill-gets-parliament-nod/article30152583.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/special-protection-group-amendment-bill-2019'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'GST Compensation',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>GST Council</strong> has informed all the States that the central government might not be able to compensate them for losses arising out of the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The GST Council is a <strong>Constitutional body</strong> chaired by the Union Finance Minister and comprises the Minister of State for Finance/ Revenue and finance ministers of all States.</li>
<li>It <strong>makes recommendations</strong> on all important issues related to the Goods and Services Tax.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Background</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The GST became applicable from 1<sup>st</sup> July 2017 after the enactment of the 101<sup>st</sup> Constitution Amendment Act, 2016. With GST, a large number of central and state indirect taxes merged into a single tax.</li>
<li>The <strong>Centre promised compensation to the States</strong> for any shortfall in tax revenue due to GST implementation for a period of five years. This promise convinced a large number of reluctant States to sign on to the new indirect tax regime.</li>
<li>As per the GST Act, states are guaranteed compensation for any revenue shortfall below 14% growth (base year 2015-16) for the first five years ending 2022. GST compensation is <strong>paid out of Compensation Cess every two months</strong> by the Centre to states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Compensation Cess is a cess that will be collected on the supply of select goods and or services or both till 1st July 2022.</li>
<li>All the taxpayers, except those who export specific notified goods and those who have opted for GST composition scheme, are liable to collect and remit the GST compensation cess to the central government.</li>
<li>Subsequently, the central government distributes it to the states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Centre has already delayed compensating states for the shortfall in GST revenues for August-September 2019, payment for which was due in October, 2019. At least five states/UTs &ndash; Kerala, West Bengal, Delhi, Rajasthan and Punjab issued a joint statement on 20<sup>th</sup> November 2019 raising concerns about the same.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Revenue Status:</strong> The government budgeted for ₹6,63,343 crore in GST collections for the current financial year 2019-20, out of which it has collected only about 50% in the first eight months. It targeted ₹1,09,343 crore of compensation cess collections, of which it has so far collected ₹64,528 crores.</li>
<li><strong>Compensation Status</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Centre collected Rs 64,528 crore in compensation cess during April-November, 2019 and paid out Rs 45,744 crore for April-July period.</li>
<li>It has been reported that the payments were held back to the states for August - September in anticipation of the shortfall in collections and the resultant impact on the government&rsquo;s fiscal deficit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The GST Council has also asked states to give their inputs and proposals regarding review of items under the exemption, GST and compensation cess rates on various items among others by 6<sup>th</sup> December 2019.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given that cess is imposed only on luxury and sin goods under GST, any measure to generate more cess collections would either include imposing a higher cess on those items or tinkering at the highest tax slab of 28% under the GST regime.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A shortfall in Centre&rsquo;s tax receipts hurts states more since the absolute amount they receive as per the devolution formula takes a hit.</li>
<li>At a time when growth is faltering, the delays in paying compensation to states as guaranteed by the GST Act will make it more difficult for them to meet their own finances.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need to boost the economic growth of the country.</li>
<li>The Government needs to think about the ways through which it can increase GST collections.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/gst-revenues-not-enough-for-states-compensation-centre/article30152551.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/gst-compensation'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Swedish Technology to Reduce Stubble Burning',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The pollution from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/stubble-burning-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>stubble burning</strong></a> in winter is a major factor for the sharp <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/health-emergency-in-new-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>decline in air quality in Delhi</strong></a>. To overcome this issue, India is testing <strong>Swedish technology &mdash; torrefaction</strong> that can convert rice stubble into <strong>&lsquo;bio-coal&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government has funded a<strong> pilot project</strong> at the<strong> National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute in Mohali (Punjab)</strong> with a Swedish company to evaluate the feasibility of the technology.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Torrefaction Technology - Stubble to Bio-coal</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575444745_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575444745_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="606" height="200" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Torrefaction is a <strong>thermal process</strong> to <strong>convert biomass into a coal-like material,</strong> which has better fuel characteristics than the original biomass.</li>
<li>The process involves <strong>heating up</strong> straw, grass, sawmill residue and wood biomass to<strong> 250 degrees celsius - 350 degrees celsius</strong>.</li>
<li>This changes the elements of the biomass into<strong> &lsquo;coal-like&rsquo; pellets.</strong> These pellets can be used for combustion along with coal for industrial applications like steel and cement production.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advantages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project has a capacity of converting <strong>150-200 kilograms of paddy straw to bio-coal every hour</strong> and <strong>reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 95%.</strong></li>
<li>Torrefied biomass is <strong>more brittle,</strong> making grinding easier and <strong>less energy-intensive.</strong></li>
<li>Compared to fresh biomass, <strong>storage</strong> of the torrefied material can be substantially simplified since <strong>biological degradation</strong> and water uptake is<strong> minimized.</strong></li>
<li>The torrefied pellets are ideal for <strong>coal replacement</strong> because it has <strong>lower shipping and transport costs, lower sulfur and ash content (compared with coal),</strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Disadvantages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The volume of torrefied biomass is<strong> reduced only slightly, ~ 10-20%</strong> lower than the dried feedstock during the process.</li>
<li>Despite higher calorific values, <strong>energy density</strong> is <strong>not improved significantly.</strong></li>
<li>Torrefaction <strong>does not reduce corrosion</strong> of machinery especially boiler tubes.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bio-coal</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bio-coal, also commonly referred to as<strong> synthetic</strong> <strong>coal,</strong> is created through the torrefaction of biomass.</li>
<li>The bio-coal has<strong> similar characteristics to traditional fossil-based coal,</strong> and thus viable option<strong> to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/india-tests-swedish-technology-to-reduce-stubble-burning/article30153719.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/swedish-technology-to-reduce-stubble-burning'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Seed Bill',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/the-seed-bill-needs-to-be-tweaked-to-serve-the-interests-of-all-stakeholders-better/article30095614.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The Seed Bill must be tweaked for better results&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu Business Line on 02/12/2019. It highlights the provisions of the draft Seed Bill-2019 and issues associated with it.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers&rsquo; Welfare</strong> has finalized the <strong>draft Seed Bill 2019</strong> and is expected to table it in the ongoing winter session of Parliament. The Bill aims to <em><strong>regulate the quality of seeds sold and facilitate the production and supply of these seeds to farmers.</strong></em> It aims to <strong>foster competition</strong> by amending the<strong> Seed Act, 1966</strong> and <strong>Seed Rules, 1968.</strong> There are certain proposals in the Bill such as registration of seed varieties, powers granted to the government to fix prices inter-alia which suffer from certain drawbacks. In this regard, the <strong>seed industry</strong> has made certain observations and recommendations to the government.</p>
<h3>Highlights of the Seed Bill- 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an important legislation to ensure the supply of modern, high quality, cutting edge seed technologies to the farmers which will help them in <strong>enhancing their productivity and profitability.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Formation of Seed Committee</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill authorizes the Central government to reconstitute a <strong>Central Seed Committee</strong> (based in <strong>New Delhi</strong>) that will be responsible for the effective implementation of its provisions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Registration of Seed Varieties</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Draft Bill Provision:</strong> All varieties of seeds <strong>for sale</strong> have to be <strong>registered</strong> and are required to meet certain <strong>prescribed minimum standards.</strong> For instance, for transgenic varieties of seeds, registration is to be obtained under the <strong>Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</strong> This can bring <strong>greater accountability</strong> to seed companies.</li>
<li><strong>Industry Recommendation:</strong> Make the registration process <strong>time-bound.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exemptions</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> Exempt farmers from obtaining registration for<strong> varieties developed by them.</strong> However, if the farmer sells such seeds for a monetary consideration, then that sale needs to be registered. This is to protect the interests of other farmers who buy seeds from such a farmer.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Also, farmers are allowed to sow, exchange or sell their farm seeds and planting material without having to conform to the prescribed minimum limits of germination, physical purity and genetic purity (as required by registered seeds). However, farmers cannot sell any seed under a brand name.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> Exemption of <strong>export-oriented varieties</strong> from registration has been made. This will encourage <strong>custom production of seeds</strong> in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Research-based Companies</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> In the proposed Bill, there is a differentiation between the seed producer, seed processor and seed dealer for the purpose of <strong>licensing.</strong> However, there is <strong>no recognition of National Level Integrated Seed Companies</strong> with R&amp;D capabilities.</li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> There must be a system of accreditation of national level research-based companies with integrated facilities for research, product testing, data analytics, seed production, seed quality control, seed processing, farmer extension and marketing. <strong>These companies need to be given a national licence</strong> that can be renewed at regular intervals based on fresh inspections and track record.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Truthfully labelled seeds</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> Currently, a large percentage of seed is sold under a<strong> self-certification programme</strong> called Truthfully Labelled (TL) seeds. The certification process has been kept <strong>voluntary.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> TL seeds category must continue, as the mandatory registration of seed varieties eliminates the risk of misuse of TL provision. The TL certification has helped the industry to grow and facilitated the supply of high-quality seeds to the farmer in the last 30 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nurseries</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> Licences/ registration of<strong> fruit nurseries.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> Apply this provision to all nurseries and not just fruit nurseries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Price Control</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> Empowers<strong> the government to fix prices of selected varieties</strong> in case of &lsquo;emergent&rsquo; situations such as seed shortage, abnormal increase in price, monopolistic pricing, profiteering, etc. which are open to subjective interpretation.</li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> The industry opposes any kind of price control, as it can stifle innovation and result in a scale back of research investments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Review of complaints</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-consumer-protection-bill-2018-amendment-1986-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consumer Protection Act, 1986</strong></a> to be used to deal with complaints related to the non-performance of seed.</li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> Seed performance is dependent on several <strong>agro-climatic and biological factors</strong> and is <strong>not always</strong> related to the<strong> quality of the seed.</strong> Hence, this aspect must be kept in mind while reviewing a complaint.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Penal Provisions</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> Differentiates the agronomic performance of the seed, its physical quality and the supply of spurious seed, and consequently penalizes the offences and prescribes punishment.</li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> All offences are not criminal. <strong>Minor offences</strong> (unintended offences) <strong>and major offences</strong> (made intentionally) should be differentiated. The minor offences in the Bill must be made as compoundable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Legislative Frameworks for Seeds in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Historically, the seed industry in India has been governed by several legislative &amp; policy frameworks such as Seed Act (1966), Seed Rules (1968), Seed (Control) Order (1983), New Policy on Seed Development (1988), Plants, Fruits &amp; Seeds (Regulation of Import into India) Order (1989), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pepsico-sues-potato-farmershttps://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pepsico-sues-potato-farmers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers&rsquo; Right Act (2001)</strong></a>, and the <strong>Essential Commodities Act, 1955</strong> including Seeds (1955), National Seed Policy (2002), and Seed Bill (2004).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All of these legislations were passed to take care of <strong>seeds right from the production level to marking, labeling, and marketing levels</strong> so as to <strong>maintain</strong> the quality standards as prescribed by the Central Seed Committee (formed under the Seed Act, 1966).</li>
<li>These laws make <strong>quality seeds and planting material available</strong> to a common farmer and provide him a mechanism to approach concerned authority for justice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Seed Bill (2004) was proposed to replace the Seed Act (1966), however, owing to several shortcomings it was not passed. The 2019 draft version tries to overcome the drawbacks of the 2004 Bill.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Agriculture production is purely based on the basic input,i.e., <strong>seed.</strong> Until and unless the purity, quality and seed standards are maintained, production programme cannot be successful. Hence, to maintain these quality standards, legislations in this regard are equally important.</li>
<li>It is also necessary <strong>to disseminate the information</strong> regarding seed legislations to the farmers in order to make them <strong>aware of their rights.</strong></li>
<li>Companies with national licence and accreditation must be allowed to <strong>conduct trials for seed varieties and generate data</strong> (which is to be made acceptable for product registration purposes). This will help in speedy reach of new research products to the market for the timely benefit of the farmer.</li>
</ul>
<p>Overall, the seed law must have the <strong>twin objective</strong> of <strong>regulating the supply of seeds</strong> for the benefit of the farmers and, at the same time, <strong>enable the development</strong> of the seed industry.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 83px;">
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffbd4; height: 83px;">
<p><em><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">Drishti Mains Question</span><br /><br /></strong></em>Discuss the challenges faced by the seed industry in India and suggest steps that can be taken to overcome them.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/seed-bill'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture- India, China Diplomatic Ties',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nXakvlu1MjU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>In 2020, India and China will commemorate the <strong>70<sup>th</sup> anniversary</strong> of the establishment of their diplomatic relations with 70 celebratory activities (like cultural, religious and trade promotion events). These events were finalized during the <strong>second India-China informal summit</strong> held at <strong>Mamallapuram</strong> on October 11-12, 2019. In 1950, India became the <strong>first non-socialist bloc country</strong> to establish diplomatic relations with the People&rsquo;s Republic of China.</p>
<p>Besides hosting parliamentary exchanges, the two countries will conduct activities to trace <strong>civilizational links.</strong> And to foster business and trade relations, China will hold an <strong>India-China Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum</strong> and organize the <strong>second India-China Drug Regulation Forum in India.</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India-China Drug Regulation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> first forum</strong> was held in <strong>Shanghai, China on 21<sup>st</sup> June 2019.</strong></li>
<li>The major focus of this forum was to <strong>enhance cooperation in the pharmaceuticals sector</strong> with a focus on exports of Indian medicines to China.</li>
<li>China under its <strong>Healthy China 2030 policy</strong> is committed to provide quality drugs at affordable prices to its citizens. And, India <strong>has emerged as the pharmacy of the world</strong> (exported around $17.3 billion-worth drugs in 2017-18) by providing high-quality generic drugs at a very affordable price.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this backdrop, China is keen to strengthen ties with India in the field of pharmaceuticals sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Present Sino-Indian Ties</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The two emerging and enduring powers representing two modes of civilization signify a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-china-relations-an-analysis%C2%A0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>complex and dynamic relationship</strong></a> in world politics.</li>
<li>In the recent past, relations between India and China have broadened which can be exemplified by <strong>enhanced people-to-people cultural exchanges, improved commerce &amp; economic ties</strong> inter-alia.</li>
<li>At the official level, <strong>high-level exchanges</strong> have become regular in the form of recently organized <strong>two informal summits-</strong> <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indias-china-pak-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wuhan Summit (2018)</strong></a> <strong>&amp;</strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-2nd-informal-summit-mamallapuram-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Chennai Connect (2019)</strong></a>, and frequent meetings on the bilateral/ multilateral fora.</li>
<li>The<strong> soft diplomacy</strong> practiced in the form of<strong> increased tourism</strong> (granting of multiple-entry visa for 5 years by India to Chinese travellers), frequent visits by <strong>armed forces &amp; naval activities, 10 pillar agreement</strong> (2018), finalizing of <strong>70 events</strong> in the second informal summit, etc. have given a <strong>cushioning effect-</strong> marking the progress in the relations.</li>
<li>This highlights the enhanced engagement between the two nations. However, issues on certain major parameters still persist.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>10 Pillar Agreement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>10 pillars of cooperation to enhance <strong>cultural and people-to-people exchanges</strong> were finalized between India and China in <strong>December 2018.</strong></li>
<li>These pillars are <em><strong>cultural exchange, cooperation in films and television, museum management, sports, youth exchanges, tourism, state and city-level exchanges, traditional medicine, yoga, and education (e.g. Chinese language teaching in India).</strong></em></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Underlying Issues</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a <strong>widening gulf</strong> between the two nations on certain<strong> core issues</strong> like:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ongoing <strong>border/territorial disputes</strong> (e.g. <strong>Pangong Tso</strong> Lake issue 2019, <strong>Doklam</strong> stand-off 2017,<strong> Asaphila</strong> issue of Arunachal Pradesh)</li>
<li>Chinese activism on <strong>Kashmir</strong> after abrogation of certain provisions of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-article-370" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 370</strong></a></li>
<li>Cross-border <strong>terrorism</strong></li>
<li>China&rsquo;s stand on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-nsg-bid" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s entry to Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-unsc-and-permanent-seat-for-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)</strong></a>, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns with India:</strong> China perceives itself as a leading power ruling the <strong>unipolar</strong> <strong>world</strong> by 2050. It is therefore not comfortable with the <strong>rise of India</strong> in the region as the potential competitive power.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China follows a <strong>maximalist expectations approach</strong> towards India in which it demands much from the Indian side as can be seen from &lsquo;Hindi-Chini bhai bhai&rsquo; phase in the 1950s to the stable periphery demand, or demand to join <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)</strong></a>. However, China does not reciprocate the same by addressing India&rsquo;s concerns.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Stance regarding Pakistan:</strong> For decades, China has used Pakistan as a wedge against India in order to confine India to the South Asia region and prevent India&rsquo;s rise as a global competitor. This can be substantiated by China&rsquo;s support to Pakistan on cross-border terrorism, resisting to designate certain terrorists globally, etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges faced on the Global Platforms</h3>
<p>On the global stage, India and China are working together on different platforms where they display both convergence and divergence on the global issues.</p>
<p><strong>Convergence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Climate Change:</strong> In the recently held <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-environment-ministers-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) minister&rsquo;s meet</strong></a>, the ministers from these nations advocated the concept of <strong>equal but differentiated responsibility</strong> that acknowledges different capabilities and differing responsibilities of individual countries in addressing climate change.</li>
<li><strong>Economic:</strong> In the <strong>recent</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/11th-brics-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BRICS summit (Brasilia Declaration)</strong></a>, in the backdrop of trade war between China and the U.S. and rising protectionism, there was a call for supporting multilateralism, and appreciating the central role of the U.N. in international affairs.</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Forum:</strong> Both countries believe in upholding of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> charter and its non-interference policy, <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>, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organization (WTO)</strong></a>- where both fight for G7 countries, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/east-asia-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>East Asian Summit.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Divergence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/3rd-rcep-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>3<sup>rd</sup> Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)</strong></a>, China tried to trick on India in order to get access to the Indian markets.</li>
<li>China also has concerns about India&rsquo;s role (being a member of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad</strong></a>) in the <strong>Indian Ocean region.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Other Domestic Challenges</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chinese economy is suffering due to the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/global-trade-war-the-apology-of-protectionism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US-China trade war.</strong></a></li>
<li>Also, the domestic issues like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hongkong-protest" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hongkong protests,</strong></a> issue of atrocities against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persecution-of-uighurs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Uighur muslims</strong></a> in Xinjiang province is affecting China.</li>
<li>China is worried with concerns related to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/viability-of-bri-and-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)</strong></a> due to rising insurgency in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Strategic: </strong>There is a need for defining, demarcating and delineating the borders so as to remove fear from the minds of people residing in the vicinity and strengthen the ties.</li>
<li>On the<strong> economic</strong> front, China has a trade surplus of around <strong>$750 billion</strong> (in the last 10 years) with India, which it needs to bring down. Service sector can play a major role in reducing the trade deficit.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China must<strong> create a level playing field</strong> by allowing Indian services such as in pharmaceuticals and software packages in its market. Also, in the RCEP, equitable distribution and differences between the two nations needs to be bridged.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both countries can effectively <strong>use their soft power</strong> (in the form of <strong>tourism</strong>) to further integrate their economies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tourism:</strong> More Indian nationals visit to China as compared to the Chinese tourists coming to India. This<strong> cultural cross connect must be increased</strong> so as to build up the co-constituencies and enhance businesses that can consequently lead to resolving of conflicts at the national level.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/tourism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Promotion of tourism</strong></a> through education, spiritual visits especially on the Buddhist circuit, etc. must be promoted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The problems between India and China are difficult to be resolved in the short run but by <strong>managing the relationship</strong> by minimising the existing strategic gap, narrowing the divergences and maintaining the status quo, it can be improved over time. For this purpose, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-china-ties-marching-on" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>increased engagement with China</strong> </a>at every level from government to people, academia, business, etc. has to be targeted.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-china-diplomatic-ties'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Tanbo Art',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A progressive farmer in Kerala is using <strong>Tanbo Art (a 3D art form)</strong> to depict the celebrated Guruvayur temple elephant that died in 1976.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575368703_Image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575368703_Image5.jpg" width="479" height="269" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The farmer used several indigenous varieties of rice like <strong>Krishna Kamod, Gandhakasala and Jeerakasala</strong> to give shape to the image.</li>
<li>Tanbo Art is a <strong>rice paddy art</strong> developed by the farmers of Inakadate village in <strong>Japan about three decades ago</strong> to beautify their paddy fields.</li>
<li>They drew huge replicas of famous paintings, including Mona Lisa, by growing rice crops with fronds of different colours.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/guruvayur-kesavan-comes-alive-on-a-field-in-kerala/article30142043.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Data Bank of Independent Directors',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Corporate Affairs</strong> launched the <strong>Independent Directors Databank</strong> in accordance with the provisions of the <strong>Companies Act, 2013</strong> and the rules made thereunder.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ministry was working on ways to <strong>strengthen the framework for independent directors,</strong> who have an important role in ensuring good corporate governance practices at companies.</li>
<li>It seeks to make the process stringent because in many cases political appointees with standard financial background were also getting rehabilitated in several companies as independent directors.</li>
<li>Recent<strong> Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&amp;FS) crisis</strong> highlighted the reckless grading by credit rating agencies who liberally granted and downgraded the companies as per their wish and got away with it.</li>
<li>Apart from the launch of <strong>Independent Directors Bank,</strong> the government has also decided to <strong>conduct examinations for appointments</strong> of independent directors in which a<strong> score of 60% marks</strong> will be mandatory criteria for qualification.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The change is in line with the amended <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/committee-to-review-the-offences-under-the-companies-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Companies Act.</strong></a> The government will also maintain a database of professionals qualifying in the test that can be used by companies looking to expand their board or making fresh appointments under the current regulations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Independent directors <strong>must not assume a passive role,</strong> merely reacting to ideas foreseen by the controlling shareholder or their appointees. They should be willing to question the status quo in the interest of shareholders not play a risk-free mute spectator limiting to attending just number of board meetings.</li>
<li><strong>Strict accountability and eligibility</strong> will curb promoters placing their own ineligible candidates and family members on the listed company boards.</li>
<li>The concept of the institution of Independent Director is of utmost importance for <strong>Corporate Governance</strong> who should act act as the trustees of stakeholders.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Data Bank</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has been developed and maintained by the <strong>Indian Institute for Corporate Affairs (IICA)</strong> under Ministry of Corporate Affairs.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>first of its kind initiative</strong> which provides for a wide array of <strong>e-learning courses</strong> on various topics including the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/final-report-on-penal-provisions-of-company-act-2013" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Companies Act</strong></a>, <strong>Securities laws, basic accountancy, board practices, board ethics and board effectiveness.</strong></li>
<li>It provides an <strong>easy to access navigation platform</strong> for the registration of existing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/e-registration-for-independent-directors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Independent Directors</strong> </a>as well as individuals aspiring to become independent directors.</li>
<li><strong>Companies can register</strong> themselves with the databank to search, select and connect with individuals aspiring to be Independent Directors.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Independent Director</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An <strong>Independent Director (also sometimes known as an outside director)</strong> is a director on a board of directors representing minority shareholders and <strong>who does not have a pecuniary relationship</strong> with the company or related persons, except for sitting fees.</li>
<li>Their role is to take a stand unambiguously and independently to have a check and balance on the exuberance of majority shareholders that may expose the company to unwarranted risks.</li>
<li>The Companies Act, 2013 has mandated all listed public companies to have <strong>at least one-third</strong> of the total Directors to be independent.</li>
<li>Their role requires them to be clinical while businesses expect them to be practical, that&rsquo;s the tight rope they walk on.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1594558" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Guidelines for Licencing of Small Finance Banks',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India</strong></a> has released final <strong>Guidelines for &lsquo;on tap&rsquo; Licencing for Small Finance Banks (SFBs).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RBI had issued in-principle approval to ten applicants for SFB in 2015. It was mentioned that after gaining experience in dealing with these banks, RBI would grant &lsquo;on-tap&rsquo; licensing.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An &ldquo;on-tap&rdquo; facility would mean the RBI will <strong>accept applications and grant licences </strong>for banks<strong> throughout the year.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Guidelines for &lsquo;on-tap&rsquo; Licencing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Capital requirement:</strong> The minimum paid-up voting equity capital / net worth requirement shall be <strong>₹ 200 crores.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For <strong>Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs),</strong> desirous of voluntarily transiting into SFBs initial requirement of net worth shall be at <strong>₹ 100 crores,</strong> which will have to be <strong>increased to ₹ 200 crores</strong> within<strong> 5 years</strong> from the date of commencement of business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scheduled bank status to SFBs:</strong> SFBs will be given scheduled bank status <strong>immediately upon commencement of operations.</strong> Also, SFBs will have general permission to <strong>open banking outlets</strong> from the date of commencement of operations.</li>
<li><strong>Payments Banks conversion to SFBs:</strong> The<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/india-post-payment-bank-ippb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> payment banks</strong></a> can apply for conversion into SFB after <strong>5 years of operations</strong> if they are otherwise eligible as per these guidelines.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575626074_1575619092_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575626074_1575619092_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Small Finance Bank</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The small finance bank will primarily undertake <strong>basic banking activities of acceptance of deposits and lending</strong> to unserved and underserved sections including small business units, small and marginal farmers, micro and small industries and unorganised sector entities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can also undertake other non-risk sharing simple financial services activities such as the distribution of mutual fund units, insurance products, pension products, etc. with the prior approval of the RBI</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligible candidates</strong> for setting up SFB are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Resident<strong> individuals/professionals with 10 years of experience</strong> in <strong>banking and finance.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>companies and societies</strong> owned and controlled by <strong>residents.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Existing</strong> Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs), Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), Local Area Banks (LABs) and payment banks that are owned and controlled by residents.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It needs to open at least <strong>25%</strong> of its banking outlets in <strong>unbanked rural centres.</strong></li>
<li>The bank will be required to extend <strong>75% of its adjusted net bank credit</strong> to the <strong>Priority Sector Lending (PSL).</strong></li>
<li>At least<strong> 50% of its loan portfolio</strong> should constitute loans and advances of up to <strong>₹ 25 lakhs.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>maximum loan size and investment limit</strong> exposure to a single and group would be restricted to <strong>10% and 15% of its capital funds,</strong> respectively. They <strong>cannot extend large loans.</strong></li>
<li>If the initial shareholding by promoters in the bank is in excess of <strong>40% of paid-up voting equity capital,</strong> it should be brought <strong>down to 40% within a period of 5 years.</strong></li>
<li>The small finance banks will be subject to <strong>Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) </strong>and <strong>Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Banks are required to hold a certain proportion of their deposits in the form of cash is known as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-keeps-policy-rates-unchanged" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CRR</strong></a>. This minimum ratio (that is the part of the total deposits to be held as cash) is stipulated by the RBI.</li>
<li>The share of Net Demand and Time Liabilities that a bank is required to maintain safe and liquid assets, such as government securities, cash, and gold is termed as <strong>SLR.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/rbi-lays-down-guidelines-for-payments-banks-sfb-licence/article30195255.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Dr B. R. Ambedkar's 63rd Mahaparinirvan Diwas',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed every year on December 6 to commemorate death anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>He is known as the <strong>Father of the Indian Constitution</strong> and was independent <strong>India&rsquo;s first law minister.</strong></li>
<li>Dr. Ambedkar was a social reformer, jurist, economist, author, polyglot orator, a scholar and thinker of comparative religions.<strong></strong></li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong>&ldquo;Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment. It has to be cultivated. We must realise that our people have yet to learn it. Democracy in India is only a top-dressing on an Indian soil which is essentially undemocratic.&rdquo;</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em>― B.R. Ambedkar, Annihilation of Caste</em></p>
<p><em><strong>&ldquo;I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved&rdquo;</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><em><strong>― </strong>B.R. Ambedkar</em></p>
<h3>About Dr. Ambedkar</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ambedkar-jayanti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow, Central Province</strong></a> (now Madhya Pradesh).</li>
<li>He founded <strong>Bahishkrit Hitkarni Sabha (1923).</strong></li>
<li>He led the <strong>Mahad Satyagraha in March 1927</strong> to challenge the regressive customs of the Hindus.</li>
<li>He <strong>participated in all three round-table conferences.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Round Table Conferences</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First Round Table Conference:</strong> It was held in<strong> London on Nov. 12, 1930</strong> but the <strong>Congress did not participate</strong> in it.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In March 1931, Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin (Viceroy of India 1926-31) entered into a Pact, <strong>called Gandhi-Irwin Pact,</strong> by which the Congress called off the Civil Disobedience Movement and agreed to participate in the Round Table Conference.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Second Round Table Conference:</strong> It was held in London on the <strong>7<sup>th</sup> of September, 1931.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Third Round Table Conference:</strong> It was held in London on the <strong>17<sup>th</sup> of November, 1932</strong> to consider the reports of various sub-committees appointed from time to time. It ultimately led to the <strong>passage of Govt. of India Act, 1935.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Congress did not participate</strong> as most of the leaders were in jail.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1932 he signed <strong>Poona pact with Mahatma Gandhi,</strong> which abandoned the idea of separate electorates for the depressed classes (Communal Award). However, the seats reserved for the depressed classes were increased from 71 to 147 in provincial legislatures and to 18% of the total in the Central Legislature.</li>
<li>In 1936, he was elected to the Bombay Legislative Assembly as a legislator (MLA).</li>
<li>In 1947, Dr. Ambedkar accepted PM Nehru's invitation to <strong>become Minister of Law in the first Cabinet of independent India.</strong></li>
<li>On August 29, 1947, he was appointed <strong>Chairman of the Drafting Committee</strong> for the new Constitution.</li>
<li>He resigned from the cabinet in 1951, over <strong>differences on the Hindu Code Bill.</strong></li>
<li>In 1956, he <strong>converted to Buddhism.</strong></li>
<li>He passed away on <strong>6<sup>th</sup> December 1956.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Chaitya Bhoomi</strong> is a memorial to B. R. Ambedkar located in Dadar, Mumbai.</li>
</ul>',
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	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'War on Women',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/rape-impunity-and-state-of-denial/article30169803.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Rape, impunity and state of denial&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 05/12/2019. It highlights the rising cases of crimes against women and the issues associated with it.</p>
</div>
<p>In the wake of the recent brutal rape and murder of a young woman in Hyderabad, much of the public discourse has been confined to outrage, policing, punishment, and tougher laws. The horrific sexual crime incidents highlight the sorrow state of national emergency in India as far as crimes against women, specifically sexual crimes, are concerned.</p>
<h3>Worrisome Facts</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <strong>National Crime Records Bureau data-2017</strong> (released in 2019), a total of <strong>3.59 lakh cases of</strong> <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/violence-against-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>crimes against women</strong></a> were reported, marking a 6% rise as compared to 2016. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Of this, assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty comprised 21.7%, and rape 7% which implies on an average, around 1,000 crimes were registered every day and 93 women were victims of rape every day (of which one-third were minors).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the data, <strong>Uttar Pradesh</strong> reported the <strong>highest number</strong> of crimes against women whereas <strong>Madhya Pradesh</strong> registered the<strong> highest number of rape cases</strong> in the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Underlying Issues and Challenges</h3>
<p><strong>Unreported Cases</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The above mentioned figures reflect only a small percentage of the crimes committed against women, as most of the cases go unreported.</li>
<li>The fear of<strong> societal shame and the patriarchal dominance</strong> in society prevents a woman from fighting for her justice.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, the <strong>National Family Health Survey-4</strong> revealed that every third married woman had experienced physical and/or sexual violence but only 1.5% had sought help from the police.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In many cases, it has been noted that the culprit is the <strong>familiar individual.</strong> This prevents the victim from raising any voice against them.</li>
<li>The reluctant and less-sensitive attitude of the police officials while registering the cases makes the victim feel more victimized leading to under-reporting of cases.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Laxity in Criminal Justice System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pendency of Cases:</strong> The NCRB report shows that the backlog of cases, including cases of child rape, is huge. For all crimes against women, the pendency of cases is <strong>as high as 89.6%.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2017, there were as many as 1.17 lakh rape cases from previous years pending trial.</li>
<li>Even the<strong> conviction rate</strong> is way too low (only 5,822 accused were convicted in 28,750 cases sent for trial in that year, that makes around 20%).</li>
<li>This failure to reform the justice system and ensure conviction leads to an increase in the impunity with which crimes against women are committed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bureaucratic Hurdles:</strong> The lax behavior by the concerned official authorities while conducting the investigation in a time-bound manner destroys the very purpose of the criminal justice system.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government tries to turn the attention to the issue of the extent of punishment, instead of focusing on the urgent steps required for the <strong>prevention of such crimes.</strong> For example, the <strong>Muzaffarpur Shelter Home</strong> sexual abuse, rape and torture of at least 35 girls, reported early last year (2018) is still under investigation with no justice of any kind in sight for the girls. It later came to light how government funding was misused by the perpetrators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Erring Laws:</strong> Most of the times, laws and legislations for women safety are either not in compliance with the international standards or are not implemented properly.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After the <strong>2012 Nirbhaya outrage</strong> in Delhi, and on the recommendations of the Justice J.S. Verma Committee, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 was passed, by bringing in changes to the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 to <strong>provide for death penalty for rape</strong> that led to death of the victim or reduced the survivor to a persistent vegetative state and anyone found guilty of rape more than once. In 2018, further changes were introduced giving death as the maximum punishment for every perpetrator in a gang-rape when the victim is less than 12, and life-long imprisonment if the victim is less than 16.</li>
<li>For instance, the <strong>Kathua and Unnao rapes</strong> only proved that legislation alone cannot ensure women&rsquo;s safety. Women remain unsafe, both in public or within the home.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Solutions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Environment:</strong> India needs an <strong>ecosystem of care and empathy</strong> that focuses on the prevention of sexual assault, the protection of victims and the certainty of action against culprits. This places the onus significantly on the entire criminal justice system.</li>
<li><strong>Awareness:</strong> Preventive measures such as <strong>education and awareness</strong> (important in a deeply patriarchal society) help ensure women&rsquo;s safety. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Equally important is recognising the acts of sexual violence are deeply traumatic for survivors, and that it takes great courage and faith in the system to report them.</li>
<li>The police, dominated by men, must do more to clear all obstacles in the path of survivors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reporting:</strong> There is a need of a <strong>comprehensive and systematic research and analysis on crime against women</strong> at Central, State, district and block level. Accurate data collection is very important to inform policy initiatives.</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure:</strong> In India, after the Nirbhaya case, the committee under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-s-verma-committee-on-sexual-harassment-at-workplace-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Justice J.S. Verma</strong></a> had made a series of recommendations for prevention of crimes that placed the responsibility on the Central and State governments to ensure the presence of social and physical infrastructure to prevent crimes against women. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The suggestions included changes in school and college syllabi to educate social values of equality and respect for women&rsquo;s autonomy; ensuring safe public transport, city and street lighting, CCTV cameras; mapping unsafe areas and provision of increased police patrolling in such areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government Initiatives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Safeguards:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fundamental Rights:</strong> It guarantees all Indians the right to equality (Article 14), no discrimination by the State on the basis of gender (Article 15(1)) and special provisions to be made by the State in favour of women (Article 15(3)).</li>
<li><strong>Fundamental Duties:</strong> It ensures that practices derogatory to the dignity of women are prohibited under Article 51 (A).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legislative Framework:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005:</strong> It provides victims of domestic violence with a means for practical remedy through prosecution.</li>
<li><strong>The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961:</strong> It prohibits the request, payment or acceptance of a dowry.</li>
<li><strong>The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013:</strong> This legislative act seeks to protect women from sexual harassment at their place of work.</li>
<li><strong>The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), 2012:</strong> enacted to protect minors from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography, while safeguarding the interest of the child at every stage of the judicial process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has taken some steps, but there is a long way to go before women, especially from marginalised backgrounds, to feel secure and safe. Enhanced accessibility to justice needs to be ensured.</li>
<li>A <strong>UN report</strong> on<strong> &lsquo;steps required to provide safety and security for women&rsquo;</strong> states that, women&rsquo;s safety involves strategies and policies that have been formed before violence have prevented perpetration or victimisation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Prevention efforts involve strategic, long-term, comprehensive initiatives that address the risk and protective factors related to perpetration, victimisation and spectator behaviour.</li>
<li><strong>Awareness and sensitization</strong> of people is equally important in this regard to prevent the crime itself. In every curriculum gender sensitisation must be included right from school. Public places must be made safer for all. Boys and girls should be raised right in an atmosphere of freedom and a culture of mutual respect.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capacity building and training</strong> programmes to service providers and law enforcement officers needs to be conducted to effectively handle cases of violence against women. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Better policing, <strong>fast-track courts,</strong> quick sentencing are the need of the hour as each can serve as a deterrent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There needs to be an <strong>overhaul of the criminal justice system</strong> in the country rather than emphasising on the stringent penalties.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The death penalty for rape and murder is already on the statute book. But the evidence suggests that such punishments have also not led to a decrease in crimes. Hence it is not just the extent and stringency of punishment, but also the certainty of fair procedures that need to be followed to discourage the crime.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #4000ff; background-color: #e1effa;"><strong><span style="color: #000080;">Drishti Mains Question</span><br /><br /></strong>India has taken some steps but there is a long way to go before women to feel secure and safe. Comment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/war-on-women'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Telecom Sector: Issues and Challenges',
		'catname' => 'Paper 3',
		'desc' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is currently the world&rsquo;s second-largest telecommunications market with a subscriber base of 1.20 billion and has registered strong growth in the past decade and a half.</li>
<li>Contribution of mobile phone industry as a part of gross domestic product (GDP) of the country in 2014 has been to the tune of US$ 400 billion.</li>
<li>According to a report prepared by the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA), as of January 2019, India has witnessed a 165% growth in app downloads in the past two years.</li>
<li>Based on the data available from GSMA, this sector will create close to 4 million additional jobs by 2020.</li>
<li>Tele-density of Indian telecom industry (wireless plus wire line) has grown from a low of 3.60% in March 2001 to 84% in March 2016.</li>
<li><strong>Telecom is the second highest revenue earner for the government, after income tax:</strong> The sector is expected to contribute as much as 90% of the government&rsquo;s non-tax revenue. Digital India programme is also almost completely dependent on the telecom sector.</li>
<li>The liberal and reformist policies of the Government of India have been instrumental along with strong consumer demand in the rapid growth in the Indian telecom sector. The deregulation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms has made the sector one of the fastest growing and a top five employment opportunity generator in the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Evolution of the Telecom Sector in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian telecom sector is <strong>more than 165 years old.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Telecommunications was first introduced in India in 1851</strong> when the first operational land lines were laid by the government near Kolkata (then Calcutta), although telephone services were formally introduced in India much later in 1881.</li>
<li>Further, in 1883, telephone services were merged with the postal system. <strong>In 1947, after India attained independence, all foreign telecommunication companies were nationalised to form the Posts, Telephone and Telegraph (PTT),</strong> a body that was governed by the Ministry of Communication.</li>
<li><strong>The Indian telecom sector was entirely under government ownership until 1984,</strong> when the private sector was allowed in telecommunication equipment manufacturing only.</li>
<li>The government concretised its earlier efforts towards developing R&amp;D in the sector by setting up an autonomous body &ndash; <strong>Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) in 1984</strong> to develop state-of-the-art telecommunication technology to meet the growing needs of the Indian telecommunication network.</li>
<li>The actual evolution of the industry started after the <strong>Government separated the Department of Post and Telegraph in 1985 by setting up the Department of Posts and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).</strong><strong></strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575544757_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575544757_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="601" height="451" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Issues and Challenges of Telecom Sector</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>High Right-of-Way (ROW)</strong> cost: Sometimes, state governments charge a huge amount for permitting the laying of fiber, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of fixed line penetration:</strong> India has very little penetration of fixed-line in its network whereas most of the developed countries have a very high penetration of fixed lines (telephone line that traveled through a metal wire or optical fiber as part of a nationwide telephone network).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Only around 25% of Towers in India are connected with fibre networks, whereas in developed nations, it is in excess of 70%.</li>
<li>5G Network requires towers to be connected to with very high-speed systems. Those high speeds are not possible on the present radio systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Declining Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):</strong> ARPU decline now is sharp and steady, which, combined with falling profits and in some cases serious losses, is prompting the Indian telecom industry to look at consolidation as the only way to boost revenues.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, the Supreme Court allowed the government&rsquo;s plea to recover adjusted gross revenue of about Rs 92,000 crore from telcos, that further adds to their stress.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limited Spectrum Availability:</strong> Available spectrum is less than 40% as compared to European nations and 50% as compared to China.</li>
<li><strong>Low Broadband Penetration:</strong> Low broadband penetration in the country is a matter of concern. As per white paper presented on broadband at the last International Telecommunication Union (ITU), <strong>broadband penetration in India is only 7%.</strong></li>
<li>Over the Top (OTT) applications such as WhatsApp, OLA and so on do not need permission or a pact with a telecommunications company. This hampers the revenue of telecommunication service providers.</li>
<li><strong>Huge fluctuations in the duties on Telecom Equipment</strong> which contribute to connecting the whole system from the central server to the consumer.</li>
<li><strong>Timeframe of policy execution:</strong> Government have withdrawn a lot of things to benefit telecom sector but by the time it gets executed to the market, it becomes too late.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Telecom Infrastructure in Semi-rural and Rural areas:</strong> Service providers have to incur huge initial fixed cost to enter semi-rural and rural areas.</li>
<li><strong>Pressure on Margins Due to Stiff Competition:</strong> With competition heating up post entry of Reliance Jio, other telecom players are feeling the heat of substantial drop in tariff rates both for voice and data (more significant for data subscribers).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps Taken by the Government</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-national-digital-communications-policy-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Digital Communications Policy</strong></a> - <strong>2018 (NDCP-2018)</strong> was unveiled in Oct 2018, to replace National Telecom Policy-2012, to cater to the modern needs of the digital communications sector of India. The policy aims to attract USD 100 billion worth of investments and generate 4 million jobs in the sector by 2022.</li>
<li>Telecom Commission was re-designated as the <strong>"Digital Communications Commission&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>In 2017, Department of Telecom (DoT) came up with a gazette notification, advising the state governments to give quicker ROW permission and charge very little amount to service providers. Though, only some states responded.</li>
<li>The government has provided benefits to telecom sector by withdrawing some duties.</li>
<li>The government has fast-tracked reforms in the telecom sector and continues to be proactive in providing room for growth for telecom companies.</li>
<li>The Department of Information Technology intends to <strong>set up over 1 million internet-enabled common service centres across India</strong> as per the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National e-Governance Plan.</strong></a></li>
<li>FDI cap in the telecom sector has been increased to 100% from 74%. Out of 100%, 49% will be done through automatic route and the rest will be done through the FIPB approval route.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FDI of up to 100% is permitted for infrastructure providers offering dark fibre, electronic mail and voice mail.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Government of India has introduced Digital India programme under which all the sectors such as healthcare, retail, etc. will be connected through the internet.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>NDCP-2018 advocates:-</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Establishment of a <strong>National Digital Grid</strong> by creating a National Fibre Authority;</li>
<li>Establishing <strong>Common Service Ducts and utility corridors</strong> in all new city and highway road projects;</li>
<li>Creating a <strong>collaborative institutional mechanism</strong> between Centre, States and Local Bodies for Common Rights of Way, standardization of costs and timelines;</li>
<li><strong>Removal of barriers to approvals;</strong> and</li>
<li>Facilitating development of <strong>Open Access Next Generation Networks.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Explore the option of revenue sharing agreement</strong> between Internet players and telecommunication companies.</li>
<li><strong>Outsourcing non-core functions</strong> such as network maintenance, IT operations and customer service.</li>
<li><strong>Divestment of tower assets</strong> into separate companies will enable curb costs and focus on core operations.</li>
<li><strong>Introduce new and efficient technologies</strong> such as M2M (technology that enables networked devices to exchange information and perform actions without the manual assistance of humans) and cloud computing.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits of industry status</strong> in line with other infrastructure sectors in the country to be implemented.</li>
<li><strong>Penetration of rural markets</strong> (72% of population staying in rural areas) will be the key growth driver.</li>
<li>The government should <strong>increase the network area through optical fibre</strong> instead of copper which is expensive. This is necessary to ensure last mile connectivity.</li>
<li>The government needs to prepare a ground for <strong>easy right-of-way permissions</strong> and lower cost of right-of-ways.</li>
<li>It is time to go for a <strong>generational shift</strong> to ensure that <strong>current tariff is financially viable</strong> for service providers.</li>
<li>Telecom Operators should leverage on the talent pool in the country which is bringing in a lot of<strong> new innovations in AI, blockchain technology</strong> etc.</li>
<li><strong>New Infrastructure on shareable basis</strong> just like the way telecom service providers share the cost of towers is need of the hour.</li>
<li>The government should spend more on R&amp;D and create an environment that makes India capable of manufacturing and exporting hardware components like mobile handsets, CCTV Cameras, touch screen monitors etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The telecom sector in India has to deal with various challenges like maintaining the sufficient spectrum, adoption of new technologies faster to be able to use the new features and techniques to serve the customers with better and feature rich service.</li>
<li>A proactive and facilitatory government role regarding telecom sector is the need of the hour given the huge opportunities provided by the sector.</li>
<li>Independent and statutory body, <strong>Telecom Regulatory Authority of India</strong> (TRAI) has an important role to play as a watchdog of the sector. A more proactive and timely Dispute Resolution by <strong>TDSAT</strong> (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) is the need of the hour.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/mind-map/gs-paper3/telecom-sector-issues-and-challenges-mindmap" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>For Mind Map</em></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/telecom-sector-issues-and-challenges'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Telecom Sector: Issues and Challenges',
		'catname' => 'Paper 3',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1577351950_Telecom%20Sector Issues and Challenges (Mind Map).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1577351950_Telecom Sector Issues and Challenges (Mind Map).png" width="464" height="923" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/telecom-sector-issues-and-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>For TTP</em></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper3/telecom-sector-issues-and-challenges-mindmap'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Bharat Bond Exchange Traded Fund',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The <strong>Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs,</strong> chaired by the Prime Minister of India, has approved the Government&rsquo;s plan to create and launch <strong>India&rsquo;s first corporate bond Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) &mdash; Bharat Bond ETF.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Fund will provide additional source of money for Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), Central Public Financial Institutions (CPFIs) and other Government organizations to meet their borrowing requirements, apart from bank financing.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Exchange Traded Fund</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) is a <strong>basket of securities that trade on an exchange,</strong> just like a stock.</li>
<li>ETF <strong>reflects the composition of an Index,</strong> like BSE Sensex. Its trading value is based on the Net Asset Value (NAV) of the underlying stocks (such as shares) that it represents.</li>
<li>ETF share prices fluctuate all day as it is bought and sold. This is <strong>different from mutual funds</strong> that only trade once a day after the market closes.</li>
<li>An ETF can own hundreds or thousands of stocks across various industries, or it could be isolated to one particular industry or sector.</li>
<li><strong>Bond ETFs</strong> are a type of ETFs which may include government bonds, corporate bonds, and state and local bonds&mdash;called municipal bonds.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>bond</strong> is an instrument that represents a loan made by an investor to a borrower (typically corporate or governmental).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Besides being cost efficient, ETFs offer a diversified investment portfolio to investors.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Features of Bharat Bond ETF<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575534725_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575534725_image5.jpg" width="369" height="300" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ETF will comprise a basket of bonds issued by the CPSEs, CPSUs, CPFIs, and other government organisations.</li>
<li>The<strong> unit size</strong> of the bond has been kept at <strong>just ₹1,000</strong> so that even retail investors can invest.</li>
<li>Each ETF will have a fixed maturity date and initially they will be issued in two series, of 3 years and 10 years. Each series will have a separate index of the same maturity series.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Index will be constructed by an independent index provider &ndash; <strong>National Stock Exchange.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advantages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bharat Bond ETF will ensure <strong>broader investor base</strong> through the participation of retail and High Networth Individuals (HNI).This will lead to an increase in the demand for bonds, thus <strong>reducing the cost of borrowing</strong> for borrowers i.e. government organizations.</li>
<li>The Bond ETF will provide safety, liquidity and predictable tax efficient returns.</li>
<li>The launch of this ETF is expected to eventually<strong> increase the size of bond ETFs in India</strong> leading to achieving key objectives at a larger scale - deepening bond markets, enhancing retail participation and reducing borrowing costs.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/cabinet-okays-bond-etfs/article30169849.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/bharat-bond-exchange-traded-fund'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Global Climate Risk Index 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The international environmental think tank &lsquo;Germanwatch&rsquo; has recently released the Global Climate Risk Index 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The index analyses the extent to which countries and regions have been affected by the impacts of weather-related loss events (storms, floods, heat waves etc.).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575534282_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575534282_image3.png" width="163" height="366" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Worst affected in 2018:</strong> Japan, Philippines and Germany</li>
<li><strong>Worst affected between 1999-2018 (long-term index):</strong> Puerto Rico, Myanmar and Haiti</li>
<li><strong>Deaths and financial loss between 1999-2018:</strong> Altogether, about 5 lakh people died as a direct result of more than 12 000 extreme weather events globally. Losses amounted to around US$ 3.54 trillion (in purchasing power parities).</li>
<li><strong>Poor countries had to face much higher impacts:</strong> Of the ten most affected countries and territories in the period 1999-2018, seven were developing countries in the low income or lower-middle income country group, two were classified as upper-middle income countries (Thailand and Dominica) and one was an advanced economy generating high income (Puerto Rico).</li>
<li><strong>Link between climate change and the frequency &amp; severity of extreme heat:</strong> Heatwaves were one major cause of damage in 2018. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Of the ten most affected countries in 2018, Germany, Japan and India were suffering from extended periods of heat.</li>
<li>Across Europe, extreme heat spells are now up to 100 times more likely than a century ago.</li>
<li>Impact of heatwaves on African countries may be under-represented due to a lack of data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India, which suffered water shortages, crop failures and worst flooding, holds the <strong>5<sup>th</sup> position.</strong> It has fallen from its 14<sup>th</sup> rank of countries hit most by climate change-induced weather phenomena in 2017.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has also recorded the <strong>highest number of fatalities due to climate change</strong> and the <strong>second-highest monetary losses from its impact in 2018.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The 2019 Climate Summit in Madrid needs to address the lack of additional climate finance to help the poorest people and countries to address loss and damage. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These countries are <strong>more vulnerable to the damaging effects</strong> of a hazard but <strong>have lower coping capacity.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The climate summit needs to result in: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>a decision on how the need for support for vulnerable countries concerning future loss and damage is to be determined on an ongoing basis</li>
<li>the necessary steps to generate and make available financial resources to meet these needs</li>
<li>strengthening the implementation of measures for adapting to climate change</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Germanwatch</strong></p>
<p>Germanwatch, based in Bonn and Berlin (Germany), is an independent development and environmental organisation which works for sustainable global development.</p>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-climate-risk-index-2020'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'World Soil Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>World Soil Day (WSD)</strong> is held annually on <strong>5 December</strong> to highlight the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>theme</strong> for WSD 2019 is<strong> &lsquo;Stop Soil Erosion, Save Our Future&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575533952_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575533952_image4.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="216" height="210" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was recommended by the <strong>International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)</strong> in <strong>2002.</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-22nd-march-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)</strong></a> has supported the formal establishment of WSD as a global awareness-raising platform under the leadership of the<strong> Kingdom of Thailand</strong> within the framework of the<strong> Global Soil Partnership.</strong></li>
<li><strong>5 December 2014</strong> was designated as the <strong>first official World Soil Day</strong> by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN General Assembly</strong></a> <strong>(UNGA).</strong></li>
<li>The date of 5 December was chosen because it corresponds with the official <strong>birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand,</strong> who <strong>officially sanctioned</strong> the event.</li>
<li>FAO gives <strong>two awards</strong> in line with this day-<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award-</strong> an annual award that honours individuals, communities, organizations and countries that organized remarkable and engaging World Soil Day activities or campaigns in the previous year.</li>
<li><strong>The Glinka World Soil Prize-</strong> an annual award for dynamic change-makers dedicated to solving one of our world&rsquo;s most pressing environmental issue: <strong>soil degradation.</strong> It honours individuals and organizations whose leadership and activities have contributed, or are still contributing to the promotion of sustainable soil management and the protection of soil resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: FAO</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-soil-day'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'World Malaria Report, 2019',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a> has released the <strong>World Malaria Report, 2019.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report provides a comprehensive update on global and regional malaria data and trends including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, elimination and surveillance.</li>
<li>According to the report, <strong>228 million cases</strong> of malaria are observed <strong>worldwide, down from</strong> 251 million cases in <strong>2010.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Highest Burden:</strong> India along with 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa carried almost <strong>85% of the global malaria burden.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though <strong>India</strong> has observed the <strong>largest absolute reductions</strong> among the countries that share 85% of the malaria burden.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global Analysis:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Incidence rate:</strong> It has declined globally between 2010 and 2018, from 71 to 57 cases per 1000 population.</li>
<li><strong>Deaths:</strong> The <strong>number of deaths due to malaria</strong> has <strong>decreased</strong> globally. (405,000 deaths in 2018 from 416,000 deaths in 2017).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Analysis:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Incidence rate:</strong> India reported <strong>2.6 million fewer cases</strong> in 2018 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-report-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>compared to 2017.</strong></a> Thus the overall incidence of malaria in the country has reduced.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However,<strong> 7 states</strong> (Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh) account for about <strong>90% of the burden</strong> of malaria cases in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deaths:</strong> Overall number of deaths due to malaria in India have reduced.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575533289_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575533289_image2.jpg" width="509" height="194" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Steps taken at the global level</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>WHO&rsquo;s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria, 2016-2030.</li>
<li>WHO has also released a new country-driven approach&ndash;<strong>&ldquo;High burden to high impact&rdquo;</strong> to enhance response to malaria in countries where malaria cases increased in 2018 as compared to 2017</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps taken by the Indian government</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (NSPME) (2017-22)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Strategic Plan gives year wise elimination targets in various parts of the country depending upon the endemicity of malaria in the next 5 years.</li>
<li>It is based on the <strong>National Framework for Malaria Elimination 2016</strong> which is in line with <strong>WHO&rsquo;s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria, 2016-2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has established <strong>&lsquo;Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India)</strong> which is a conglomeration of partners working on malaria control.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Malaria</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Malaria is caused by <strong>Plasmodium parasites.</strong></li>
<li>The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called <strong>"malaria vectors",</strong></li>
<li><strong>World Malaria Day</strong> is observed on <strong>25<sup>th</sup> April.</strong></li>
<li>It can be noted that WHO officially endorses disease-specific global awareness days for only four diseases viz. HIV-AIDS, TB, Malaria, and Hepatitis.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/malaria-drop-is-sharpest-in-india-90-of-cases-are-in-7-states-6151060/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-report-2019'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Navy Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Indian Navy Day is celebrated on <strong>December 4</strong> every year to commemorate <strong>Operation Trident.</strong> The Navy also organises a <strong>Beating Retreat ceremony at Gateway of India in Mumbai</strong> on the eve of the Navy Day.</p>
<h3>Operation Trident</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was a counter-attack by Indian Navy<strong> on the Karachi harbour</strong> during the<strong> Indo-Pakistan war in 1971.</strong></li>
<li>India used <strong>anti-ship missiles</strong> for the first time during this operation and destroyed the Pakistani destroyer ship <strong>PNS Khaibar.</strong></li>
<li>The Indian Navy's <strong>three warships - INS Nipat, INS Nirghat and INS Veer -</strong> played an important role in the attack.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Navy<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575530918_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575530918_image1.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="150" height="223" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>headed</strong> by the <strong>President of India</strong> as its <strong>Supreme Commander.</strong></li>
<li>Indian Navy&rsquo;s <strong>Motto</strong> is - <strong>Sam no Varunah</strong> (शं नो वरूण&zwnj;:) that means that the God of water, Varuna, should be auspicious unto us.</li>
<li>Some of the <strong>earliest operations</strong> of the Indian Navy include its contribution in&nbsp;<strong>liberating Goa from Portugal in 1961.</strong></li>
<li>The Navy has developed as an admirable force with the making of the <strong>nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/deterrence-or-danger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">INS Arihant</a></strong> and several other ships.</li>
<li>Indian Navy currently has <strong>one aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya</strong> which was a <strong>former Russian ship</strong> that was commissioned into service in 2013.</li>
<li>It <strong>operates three classes of submarines: Chakra</strong> (it has the <strong>nuclear-powered INS Chakra), Sindhughosh, and Shishumar.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Marine Commandos or MARCOS</strong> is the special force unit of the Indian Navy, trained to conduct amphibious warfare, counter-terrorism, special reconnaissance, hostage rescue and asymmetric warfare.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They were the first to respond to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ten-years-after-the-mumbai-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>26/11 Mumbai</strong> </a>terror attacks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navy-day-heres-a-quick-look-at-the-indian-navy-today/article21260246.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/navy-day'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Revamping the Agricultural Sector',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on the &ldquo;New Approach to Agriculture Sector&rdquo; which was published in Livemint on 02/12/2019. It highlights the problems faced by the Indian agricultural sector and the solutions to tackle it.</p>
</div>
<p>India faces several challenges related to <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/agricultural-distress-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>agriculture and food security</strong> </a>that include fragmentation of landholdings, degradation of resource quality, climate change induced adverse impact, large scale migration of agriculturists to non-farming sectors, etc. The current status of agriculture, therefore, needs critical evaluation in order to provide suitable remedial measures.</p>
<h3>Historical Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-security-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food security</strong></a> has been a national priority since Independence to fulfill the food demands of a rapidly growing population.</li>
<li><strong>Green Revolution</strong> that started in the mid-1960s through adoption of fertilizer-responsive high yielding varieties (HYVs), farm mechanization and use of agrochemicals including fertilizers transformed India from being a <strong>food importer to food exporter country</strong> within five decades.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the last 50 years, food grain production (in the form of oilseeds, horticulture crops, etc.) in the country has increased by almost 3 times which has outpaced the growth of the population that went up by 2.6 times during this period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues in the Agriculture Sector</h3>
<p>While Green Revolution technologies intensified agricultural production, the misuse of inputs and deviant farm practices have led to an <strong>emergence of second-generation problems.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Multi-nutrient Deficiencies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Practising the high yielding intensive agriculture has put an extreme pressure on soil health reflected by the <strong>continuous depletion of soil fertility.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to selective subsidy scheme in the form of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-approves-nutrient-based-subsidy-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme</strong></a> only for phosphatic and potassic (P&amp;K) fertilizers, there has been an overuse of these fertilizers. This has lead to the problem of <strong>nutrient mining</strong> (agricultural practices resulting in a negative nutrient balance) <strong>in Indian soil,</strong> impacting soil health over time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In addition to primary nutrients (NPK), deficiencies of secondary and micronutrients (boron, copper, iron, manganese, etc) have increased in Indian soils.</li>
<li>Inadequate, imbalanced and inefficient use of mineral fertilizers with lack of use of organic sources of plant nutrients has given rise to multi-nutrient deficiencies.</li>
<li><strong>Fertilizer/nutrient use efficiency</strong> (economic production obtained per unit of fertilizer/nutrient applied) is also relatively low in India such as, with nitrogen (30-40%), phosphorus (15-20%) and potash (60-70%). This not only affects the <strong>crop yields but also affects the environment</strong> due to the escape of unused nutrients.</li>
<li>Also, the <strong>crop response to fertilizers</strong> has been declining continuously. The average crop response to fertilizer application (kg grain produced per kg of NPK applied) decreased from 12.1:1 (during the 1960s) to 5:1 (in the 2010s). With the decrease in crop response to fertilizers, the<strong> profitability of the farmers has gone down</strong> year after year.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Inefficient Water Management</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the agriculture sector, water management related challenges include low water use efficiency, water-energy nexus, growing water-intensive crops in water-deficient areas, poor quality waters characterized by the excessive toxic elements and salts, and poor rainwater management.</li>
<li><strong>Water salinization and waterlogging</strong> in canal command areas (like Punjab, Haryana, Western UP) and rapidly<strong> falling water tables</strong> in the tube well-irrigated areas have aggravated the problem.</li>
<li>Also, the <strong>practise of flood irrigation</strong> (one of the most inefficient methods of irrigation) has led to the transformation of agro-climatic cropping patterns in India. For instance, easier availability of water through pumping of groundwater because of the <strong>availability of free electricity to farmers</strong>&nbsp;has made the farmers of north-western India shift to rice cultivation during <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>kharif season</strong></a> by replacing traditional maize and coarse cereals production.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Decreasing Farmers Income</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The declining farmers&rsquo; income is largely on account of <strong>low average crop productivity and poor price realization.</strong></li>
<li>Government announces <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minimum Support Price</strong></a> (MSP) for crops. However, farmers are forced to sell their produce at much lower prices due to the exploitation by the middlemen, called Aadhtees.</li>
<li>Therefore, in the absence of effective market interventions, infrastructure, backward and forward linkages, farmers are <strong>unable to recover the cost of production.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Remedial Measures</h3>
<p><strong>Sustenance of Soil Health</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Organic carbon content</strong> in Indian soils is relatively poor. Effective steps are needed to augment the organic nutrient sources that include agricultural composting (natural process of decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms under controlled conditions), returning crop residues to the soil, etc.</li>
<li>For <strong>soil health enhancement,</strong>&nbsp;the government can <strong>link composting to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/who-applauds-swachh-bharats-rural-component" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Swachh Bharat Mission</a></strong> and provide it free of cost to the farmers.</li>
<li>The target of reducing the use of chemical fertilizers up to 25% can be achieved by <strong>doubling the nutrient use efficiency.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Correction in Fertilizer Policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, a number of initiatives such as shift from urea to 100% neem coated urea, reducing the weight of urea bag from 50 kg to 45 kg and providing soil health cards to all farmers have been taken <strong>to reduce urea consumption </strong>and <strong>promote more efficient use of nitrogen.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, it has not helped much because under the prevailing fertilizer pricing policy there is a huge gap in urea vis-&agrave;-vis P&amp;K prices that continues to distort the NPK use ratio.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is time to revisit the present fertilizer pricing and subsidy scheme. Fertilizer policy should ensure balanced pricing of N, P, K, and micronutrients.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A simple solution in this regard is to bring urea under NBS scheme and transfer the subsidy directly into the farmers&rsquo; accounts rather than routing through the fertilizer industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Efficient Water Management</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Education of the society at large on the necessity of <strong>&lsquo;judicious use of water&rsquo;, &lsquo;har khet ko pani&rsquo; and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-krishi-sinchayee-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &lsquo;more crop per drop'</a></strong> is a welcome step towards efficient usage of water.</li>
<li>Focus should be on agriculture sector with management technologies which have the potential of making water savings.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Savings on water and nutrients under <strong>drip-fertigation</strong> (method of fertilizer application in which fertilizer is incorporated within the irrigation water by the drip system) range from 20% to 60% and 20-30%, respectively. The adoption and development of cropping/farming systems should be guided by the potential water availability.</li>
<li>Regulatory mechanisms should be put in place for sustainable development and utilization of groundwater resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Enhancing Farmers&rsquo; Income</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The inter-ministerial committee constituted to examine issues relating to <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/doubling-farmers-income-a-promise-to-be-fulfilled-by-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>doubling of farmers&rsquo; income by 2022,</strong></a> has identified seven sources of income growth namely,
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Improvement in crop productivity,</li>
<li>Improvement in livestock productivity,</li>
<li>Resource use efficiency or savings in the cost of production,</li>
<li>Increase in the cropping intensity,</li>
<li>Diversification towards high-value crops,</li>
<li>Improvement in real prices received by farmers, and</li>
<li>Shift from farm to non-farm occupations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For the livelihood security of the country&rsquo;s millions of farmers (especially small and marginal ones), it is essential to shift to the approach of <strong>Integrated Farming System (IFS).</strong> The IFS model integrates the latest production technologies of farming and livestock/ aquaculture development and management.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Market Reforms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Market reforms are needed to ensure that remunerative prices to the farmers are given for their produce. A step towards bringing reforms in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/unaddressed-issues-in-agri-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agricultural Produce Market Committees</strong></a> (APMC) was taken by the government in July 2015 through the creation of <strong>National Agricultural Market (NAM).</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since the APMCs are a state subject, operation of NAM faces innumerable difficulties. Unless NAM becomes successful, farmers shall keep facing exploitation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Central and State Governments need to work in tandem to provide support and required financial assistance to the farmers, so as to improve the availability and use of organic sources of plant nutrients.</li>
<li>Fertilizer policies need immediate course correction to promote the use of nutrients from inorganic, organic and biological sources. Industry freed from controls and task of reaching subsidy to the farmers by implementing DBT in true sense will encourage innovation in products and services.</li>
</ul>
<p>Indian agriculture is passing through a phase where the sustainability of soil health and crop yields have come into question. The dependence on fertilizers will continue to increase in the foreseeable future to meet the increasing nutrient demands for higher food production.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcffcc;"><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br /><br />Briefly discuss the issues faced by the Indian agricultural sector and suggest corrective measures that can be undertaken to overcome them.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revamping-the-agricultural-sector'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Typhoon Kammuri',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a typhoon struck the Philippines, bringing heavy rains and suspending air travel. The government issued the warnings of floods, storm surges and landslides.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is known locally as<strong> Tisoy</strong> and is the 20<sup>th</sup> typhoon to hit the country this year.</li>
<li><strong>Tropical Cyclone</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-western-disturbance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cyclone</strong></a> is the formation of a very <strong>low-pressure system</strong> with <strong>very high-speed winds</strong> revolving around it. Factors like wind speed, wind direction, temperature and humidity contribute to the development of cyclones.</li>
<li>Cyclones are called <strong>'Hurricanes' in the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific, 'Typhoons' in South-East Asia and China</strong> and <strong>&lsquo;Tropical Cyclones&rsquo; in the South-West Pacific and Indian Ocean Region.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575454819_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575454819_image3.jpg" width="443" height="424" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/one-killed-as-typhoon-hits-philippines-hundreds-of-flights-halted-6148229/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/typhoon-kammuri'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Anaemia in Indian Children',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A paper published in &lsquo;Scientific Reports&rsquo; pointed out that <strong>about 58.5% of children below five years of age in India are anaemic.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Over one lakh children were analyzed using the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anaemia-in-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Family Health Survey (2015-16) data.</strong> </a></li>
<li><strong>Socio-demographic factors</strong> such as the wealth of the family, maternal education, maternal age, type of residence are the main reasons behind the incidence of childhood anaemia.</li>
<li>Recently, a &lsquo;Lancet Global Health report&rsquo; also revealed that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anaemia-among-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>23% of Indian men suffer from anaemia.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Anaemia</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong> defines anaemia as a condition in which the <strong>number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiological needs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Iron deficiency</strong> is the <strong>most common cause</strong> of anaemia, although other conditions, such as folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies, chronic inflammation, parasitic infections, and inherited disorders can all cause anaemia.</li>
<li>In its severe form, it is associated with fatigue, weakness, dizziness and drowsiness. <strong>Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575452346_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575452346_image2.jpg" width="527" height="444" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Maternal Education</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Maternal education increases the chances of mothers being aware of different health issues and thus taking the correct and appropriate steps towards preventing such issues.</li>
<li>There exists an inverse relationship between the mother's education and the incidence of childhood anaemia. In other words, as the mother&rsquo;s education level increases, the tendency of the child to be anaemic decreases significantly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wealth of the Family</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>52.9% of children in rich households were marked anaemic.</li>
<li>The number was 63.2% in the poorest households.</li>
<li>This suggests that a large number of children in poor households are anaemic, though the situation in rich households is also not that well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maternal Age</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There exists an inverse relationship between the age of mothers and the incidence of anaemia in children. The children of younger mothers are more anaemic.</li>
<li>This reveals the powerlessness of mothers in the age group 15-19 years in ensuring that the children get the right food.</li>
<li>This also reveals the power dimension in the allocation and use of resources in the household.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Programmes Related to Anaemia</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In <strong>2018,</strong> the government of India launched <strong>Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB)</strong> as part of the <strong>Intensified National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) Program</strong> for <strong>accelerating</strong> the <strong>annual rate of decline</strong> of anaemia from <strong>one to three percentage points.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The target groups for AMB are <strong>Children</strong> (6-59 months, 5-9 years), <strong>Adolescent Girls &amp; Boys</strong> (10-19 years), <strong>Women of Reproductive Age</strong> (15-49 years), <strong>Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also launched the <strong>Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS)</strong> Programme to meet the challenge of high prevalence and incidence of anaemia amongst <strong>adolescent girls and boys.</strong></li>
<li>Other programmes introduced include Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), National Nutritional Anemia Control Program (NNACP), etc to combat anemia.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A broader health strategy is required to effectively address the issue of anaemia. Also, there is a need to bridge the gap between policy and practice.</li>
<li>The mother&rsquo;s health needs to be addressed as anaemia in mothers and premature delivery can also lead to childhood anaemia.</li>
<li>In addition to the maternal influence on childhood anaemia, paternal and overall household influences need to be considered for a more comprehensive policy framework for intervention at the household level.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/study-of-one-lakh-individuals-finds-why-indias-children-are-anaemic/article30062583.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/anaemia-in-indian-children'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019 ',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Parliament has <strong>passed</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-protection-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Special Protection Group</strong> </a><strong>(Amendment) Bill, 2019.</strong> The SPG Bill will amend the <strong>SPG Act of 1988.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The proposed amendments in the <strong>Special Protection Group (SPG) Bill</strong> aims to <strong>reduce the financial burden of VIP security on the state exchequer.</strong></li>
<li>The reduction of SPG coverage will also help to<strong> eliminate the notion of a status symbol</strong> attached to it.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Special Protection Group</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SPG was raised in <strong>1985</strong> to provide security cover to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members.</li>
<li>The SPG comprises of the personnel from the CRPF, Border Security Force and other Central and State forces.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Amendments</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reduced SPG Coverage:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The protection to be offered <strong>only to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family</strong> members that will reside with him at <strong>his official residence.</strong></li>
<li>Currently, the security cover is provided to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Time period:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The security will be provided <strong>only for a period of five years to the former Prime Ministers</strong> and their immediate family <strong>after they leave the office.</strong></li>
<li>However, the immediate family members need to be residing with the former Prime Minister at the allotted residence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Withdrawal:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When the proximate security is withdrawn from a former Prime Minister such proximate security will also stand withdrawn from members of his immediate family.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/spg-act-amendment-bill-gets-parliament-nod/article30152583.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/special-protection-group-amendment-bill-2019'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'GST Compensation',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>GST Council</strong> has informed all the States that the central government might not be able to compensate them for losses arising out of the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The GST Council is a <strong>Constitutional body</strong> chaired by the Union Finance Minister and comprises the Minister of State for Finance/ Revenue and finance ministers of all States.</li>
<li>It <strong>makes recommendations</strong> on all important issues related to the Goods and Services Tax.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Background</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The GST became applicable from 1<sup>st</sup> July 2017 after the enactment of the 101<sup>st</sup> Constitution Amendment Act, 2016. With GST, a large number of central and state indirect taxes merged into a single tax.</li>
<li>The <strong>Centre promised compensation to the States</strong> for any shortfall in tax revenue due to GST implementation for a period of five years. This promise convinced a large number of reluctant States to sign on to the new indirect tax regime.</li>
<li>As per the GST Act, states are guaranteed compensation for any revenue shortfall below 14% growth (base year 2015-16) for the first five years ending 2022. GST compensation is <strong>paid out of Compensation Cess every two months</strong> by the Centre to states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Compensation Cess is a cess that will be collected on the supply of select goods and or services or both till 1st July 2022.</li>
<li>All the taxpayers, except those who export specific notified goods and those who have opted for GST composition scheme, are liable to collect and remit the GST compensation cess to the central government.</li>
<li>Subsequently, the central government distributes it to the states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Centre has already delayed compensating states for the shortfall in GST revenues for August-September 2019, payment for which was due in October, 2019. At least five states/UTs &ndash; Kerala, West Bengal, Delhi, Rajasthan and Punjab issued a joint statement on 20<sup>th</sup> November 2019 raising concerns about the same.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Revenue Status:</strong> The government budgeted for ₹6,63,343 crore in GST collections for the current financial year 2019-20, out of which it has collected only about 50% in the first eight months. It targeted ₹1,09,343 crore of compensation cess collections, of which it has so far collected ₹64,528 crores.</li>
<li><strong>Compensation Status</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Centre collected Rs 64,528 crore in compensation cess during April-November, 2019 and paid out Rs 45,744 crore for April-July period.</li>
<li>It has been reported that the payments were held back to the states for August - September in anticipation of the shortfall in collections and the resultant impact on the government&rsquo;s fiscal deficit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The GST Council has also asked states to give their inputs and proposals regarding review of items under the exemption, GST and compensation cess rates on various items among others by 6<sup>th</sup> December 2019.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given that cess is imposed only on luxury and sin goods under GST, any measure to generate more cess collections would either include imposing a higher cess on those items or tinkering at the highest tax slab of 28% under the GST regime.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A shortfall in Centre&rsquo;s tax receipts hurts states more since the absolute amount they receive as per the devolution formula takes a hit.</li>
<li>At a time when growth is faltering, the delays in paying compensation to states as guaranteed by the GST Act will make it more difficult for them to meet their own finances.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need to boost the economic growth of the country.</li>
<li>The Government needs to think about the ways through which it can increase GST collections.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/gst-revenues-not-enough-for-states-compensation-centre/article30152551.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/gst-compensation'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Swedish Technology to Reduce Stubble Burning',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The pollution from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/stubble-burning-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>stubble burning</strong></a> in winter is a major factor for the sharp <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/health-emergency-in-new-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>decline in air quality in Delhi</strong></a>. To overcome this issue, India is testing <strong>Swedish technology &mdash; torrefaction</strong> that can convert rice stubble into <strong>&lsquo;bio-coal&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government has funded a<strong> pilot project</strong> at the<strong> National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute in Mohali (Punjab)</strong> with a Swedish company to evaluate the feasibility of the technology.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Torrefaction Technology - Stubble to Bio-coal</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575444745_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575444745_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="606" height="200" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Torrefaction is a <strong>thermal process</strong> to <strong>convert biomass into a coal-like material,</strong> which has better fuel characteristics than the original biomass.</li>
<li>The process involves <strong>heating up</strong> straw, grass, sawmill residue and wood biomass to<strong> 250 degrees celsius - 350 degrees celsius</strong>.</li>
<li>This changes the elements of the biomass into<strong> &lsquo;coal-like&rsquo; pellets.</strong> These pellets can be used for combustion along with coal for industrial applications like steel and cement production.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advantages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project has a capacity of converting <strong>150-200 kilograms of paddy straw to bio-coal every hour</strong> and <strong>reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 95%.</strong></li>
<li>Torrefied biomass is <strong>more brittle,</strong> making grinding easier and <strong>less energy-intensive.</strong></li>
<li>Compared to fresh biomass, <strong>storage</strong> of the torrefied material can be substantially simplified since <strong>biological degradation</strong> and water uptake is<strong> minimized.</strong></li>
<li>The torrefied pellets are ideal for <strong>coal replacement</strong> because it has <strong>lower shipping and transport costs, lower sulfur and ash content (compared with coal),</strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Disadvantages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The volume of torrefied biomass is<strong> reduced only slightly, ~ 10-20%</strong> lower than the dried feedstock during the process.</li>
<li>Despite higher calorific values, <strong>energy density</strong> is <strong>not improved significantly.</strong></li>
<li>Torrefaction <strong>does not reduce corrosion</strong> of machinery especially boiler tubes.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bio-coal</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bio-coal, also commonly referred to as<strong> synthetic</strong> <strong>coal,</strong> is created through the torrefaction of biomass.</li>
<li>The bio-coal has<strong> similar characteristics to traditional fossil-based coal,</strong> and thus viable option<strong> to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/india-tests-swedish-technology-to-reduce-stubble-burning/article30153719.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/swedish-technology-to-reduce-stubble-burning'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Seed Bill',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/the-seed-bill-needs-to-be-tweaked-to-serve-the-interests-of-all-stakeholders-better/article30095614.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The Seed Bill must be tweaked for better results&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu Business Line on 02/12/2019. It highlights the provisions of the draft Seed Bill-2019 and issues associated with it.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers&rsquo; Welfare</strong> has finalized the <strong>draft Seed Bill 2019</strong> and is expected to table it in the ongoing winter session of Parliament. The Bill aims to <em><strong>regulate the quality of seeds sold and facilitate the production and supply of these seeds to farmers.</strong></em> It aims to <strong>foster competition</strong> by amending the<strong> Seed Act, 1966</strong> and <strong>Seed Rules, 1968.</strong> There are certain proposals in the Bill such as registration of seed varieties, powers granted to the government to fix prices inter-alia which suffer from certain drawbacks. In this regard, the <strong>seed industry</strong> has made certain observations and recommendations to the government.</p>
<h3>Highlights of the Seed Bill- 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an important legislation to ensure the supply of modern, high quality, cutting edge seed technologies to the farmers which will help them in <strong>enhancing their productivity and profitability.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Formation of Seed Committee</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill authorizes the Central government to reconstitute a <strong>Central Seed Committee</strong> (based in <strong>New Delhi</strong>) that will be responsible for the effective implementation of its provisions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Registration of Seed Varieties</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Draft Bill Provision:</strong> All varieties of seeds <strong>for sale</strong> have to be <strong>registered</strong> and are required to meet certain <strong>prescribed minimum standards.</strong> For instance, for transgenic varieties of seeds, registration is to be obtained under the <strong>Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</strong> This can bring <strong>greater accountability</strong> to seed companies.</li>
<li><strong>Industry Recommendation:</strong> Make the registration process <strong>time-bound.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exemptions</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> Exempt farmers from obtaining registration for<strong> varieties developed by them.</strong> However, if the farmer sells such seeds for a monetary consideration, then that sale needs to be registered. This is to protect the interests of other farmers who buy seeds from such a farmer.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Also, farmers are allowed to sow, exchange or sell their farm seeds and planting material without having to conform to the prescribed minimum limits of germination, physical purity and genetic purity (as required by registered seeds). However, farmers cannot sell any seed under a brand name.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> Exemption of <strong>export-oriented varieties</strong> from registration has been made. This will encourage <strong>custom production of seeds</strong> in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Research-based Companies</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> In the proposed Bill, there is a differentiation between the seed producer, seed processor and seed dealer for the purpose of <strong>licensing.</strong> However, there is <strong>no recognition of National Level Integrated Seed Companies</strong> with R&amp;D capabilities.</li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> There must be a system of accreditation of national level research-based companies with integrated facilities for research, product testing, data analytics, seed production, seed quality control, seed processing, farmer extension and marketing. <strong>These companies need to be given a national licence</strong> that can be renewed at regular intervals based on fresh inspections and track record.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Truthfully labelled seeds</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> Currently, a large percentage of seed is sold under a<strong> self-certification programme</strong> called Truthfully Labelled (TL) seeds. The certification process has been kept <strong>voluntary.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> TL seeds category must continue, as the mandatory registration of seed varieties eliminates the risk of misuse of TL provision. The TL certification has helped the industry to grow and facilitated the supply of high-quality seeds to the farmer in the last 30 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nurseries</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> Licences/ registration of<strong> fruit nurseries.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> Apply this provision to all nurseries and not just fruit nurseries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Price Control</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> Empowers<strong> the government to fix prices of selected varieties</strong> in case of &lsquo;emergent&rsquo; situations such as seed shortage, abnormal increase in price, monopolistic pricing, profiteering, etc. which are open to subjective interpretation.</li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> The industry opposes any kind of price control, as it can stifle innovation and result in a scale back of research investments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Review of complaints</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-consumer-protection-bill-2018-amendment-1986-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consumer Protection Act, 1986</strong></a> to be used to deal with complaints related to the non-performance of seed.</li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> Seed performance is dependent on several <strong>agro-climatic and biological factors</strong> and is <strong>not always</strong> related to the<strong> quality of the seed.</strong> Hence, this aspect must be kept in mind while reviewing a complaint.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Penal Provisions</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bill:</strong> Differentiates the agronomic performance of the seed, its physical quality and the supply of spurious seed, and consequently penalizes the offences and prescribes punishment.</li>
<li><strong>Recommendation:</strong> All offences are not criminal. <strong>Minor offences</strong> (unintended offences) <strong>and major offences</strong> (made intentionally) should be differentiated. The minor offences in the Bill must be made as compoundable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Legislative Frameworks for Seeds in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Historically, the seed industry in India has been governed by several legislative &amp; policy frameworks such as Seed Act (1966), Seed Rules (1968), Seed (Control) Order (1983), New Policy on Seed Development (1988), Plants, Fruits &amp; Seeds (Regulation of Import into India) Order (1989), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pepsico-sues-potato-farmershttps://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pepsico-sues-potato-farmers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers&rsquo; Right Act (2001)</strong></a>, and the <strong>Essential Commodities Act, 1955</strong> including Seeds (1955), National Seed Policy (2002), and Seed Bill (2004).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All of these legislations were passed to take care of <strong>seeds right from the production level to marking, labeling, and marketing levels</strong> so as to <strong>maintain</strong> the quality standards as prescribed by the Central Seed Committee (formed under the Seed Act, 1966).</li>
<li>These laws make <strong>quality seeds and planting material available</strong> to a common farmer and provide him a mechanism to approach concerned authority for justice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Seed Bill (2004) was proposed to replace the Seed Act (1966), however, owing to several shortcomings it was not passed. The 2019 draft version tries to overcome the drawbacks of the 2004 Bill.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Agriculture production is purely based on the basic input,i.e., <strong>seed.</strong> Until and unless the purity, quality and seed standards are maintained, production programme cannot be successful. Hence, to maintain these quality standards, legislations in this regard are equally important.</li>
<li>It is also necessary <strong>to disseminate the information</strong> regarding seed legislations to the farmers in order to make them <strong>aware of their rights.</strong></li>
<li>Companies with national licence and accreditation must be allowed to <strong>conduct trials for seed varieties and generate data</strong> (which is to be made acceptable for product registration purposes). This will help in speedy reach of new research products to the market for the timely benefit of the farmer.</li>
</ul>
<p>Overall, the seed law must have the <strong>twin objective</strong> of <strong>regulating the supply of seeds</strong> for the benefit of the farmers and, at the same time, <strong>enable the development</strong> of the seed industry.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 83px;">
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffbd4; height: 83px;">
<p><em><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">Drishti Mains Question</span><br /><br /></strong></em>Discuss the challenges faced by the seed industry in India and suggest steps that can be taken to overcome them.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/seed-bill'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture- India, China Diplomatic Ties',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nXakvlu1MjU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>In 2020, India and China will commemorate the <strong>70<sup>th</sup> anniversary</strong> of the establishment of their diplomatic relations with 70 celebratory activities (like cultural, religious and trade promotion events). These events were finalized during the <strong>second India-China informal summit</strong> held at <strong>Mamallapuram</strong> on October 11-12, 2019. In 1950, India became the <strong>first non-socialist bloc country</strong> to establish diplomatic relations with the People&rsquo;s Republic of China.</p>
<p>Besides hosting parliamentary exchanges, the two countries will conduct activities to trace <strong>civilizational links.</strong> And to foster business and trade relations, China will hold an <strong>India-China Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum</strong> and organize the <strong>second India-China Drug Regulation Forum in India.</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India-China Drug Regulation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> first forum</strong> was held in <strong>Shanghai, China on 21<sup>st</sup> June 2019.</strong></li>
<li>The major focus of this forum was to <strong>enhance cooperation in the pharmaceuticals sector</strong> with a focus on exports of Indian medicines to China.</li>
<li>China under its <strong>Healthy China 2030 policy</strong> is committed to provide quality drugs at affordable prices to its citizens. And, India <strong>has emerged as the pharmacy of the world</strong> (exported around $17.3 billion-worth drugs in 2017-18) by providing high-quality generic drugs at a very affordable price.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this backdrop, China is keen to strengthen ties with India in the field of pharmaceuticals sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Present Sino-Indian Ties</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The two emerging and enduring powers representing two modes of civilization signify a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-china-relations-an-analysis%C2%A0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>complex and dynamic relationship</strong></a> in world politics.</li>
<li>In the recent past, relations between India and China have broadened which can be exemplified by <strong>enhanced people-to-people cultural exchanges, improved commerce &amp; economic ties</strong> inter-alia.</li>
<li>At the official level, <strong>high-level exchanges</strong> have become regular in the form of recently organized <strong>two informal summits-</strong> <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indias-china-pak-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wuhan Summit (2018)</strong></a> <strong>&amp;</strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-2nd-informal-summit-mamallapuram-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Chennai Connect (2019)</strong></a>, and frequent meetings on the bilateral/ multilateral fora.</li>
<li>The<strong> soft diplomacy</strong> practiced in the form of<strong> increased tourism</strong> (granting of multiple-entry visa for 5 years by India to Chinese travellers), frequent visits by <strong>armed forces &amp; naval activities, 10 pillar agreement</strong> (2018), finalizing of <strong>70 events</strong> in the second informal summit, etc. have given a <strong>cushioning effect-</strong> marking the progress in the relations.</li>
<li>This highlights the enhanced engagement between the two nations. However, issues on certain major parameters still persist.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>10 Pillar Agreement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>10 pillars of cooperation to enhance <strong>cultural and people-to-people exchanges</strong> were finalized between India and China in <strong>December 2018.</strong></li>
<li>These pillars are <em><strong>cultural exchange, cooperation in films and television, museum management, sports, youth exchanges, tourism, state and city-level exchanges, traditional medicine, yoga, and education (e.g. Chinese language teaching in India).</strong></em></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Underlying Issues</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a <strong>widening gulf</strong> between the two nations on certain<strong> core issues</strong> like:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ongoing <strong>border/territorial disputes</strong> (e.g. <strong>Pangong Tso</strong> Lake issue 2019, <strong>Doklam</strong> stand-off 2017,<strong> Asaphila</strong> issue of Arunachal Pradesh)</li>
<li>Chinese activism on <strong>Kashmir</strong> after abrogation of certain provisions of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-article-370" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 370</strong></a></li>
<li>Cross-border <strong>terrorism</strong></li>
<li>China&rsquo;s stand on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-nsg-bid" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s entry to Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-unsc-and-permanent-seat-for-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)</strong></a>, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns with India:</strong> China perceives itself as a leading power ruling the <strong>unipolar</strong> <strong>world</strong> by 2050. It is therefore not comfortable with the <strong>rise of India</strong> in the region as the potential competitive power.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China follows a <strong>maximalist expectations approach</strong> towards India in which it demands much from the Indian side as can be seen from &lsquo;Hindi-Chini bhai bhai&rsquo; phase in the 1950s to the stable periphery demand, or demand to join <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)</strong></a>. However, China does not reciprocate the same by addressing India&rsquo;s concerns.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Stance regarding Pakistan:</strong> For decades, China has used Pakistan as a wedge against India in order to confine India to the South Asia region and prevent India&rsquo;s rise as a global competitor. This can be substantiated by China&rsquo;s support to Pakistan on cross-border terrorism, resisting to designate certain terrorists globally, etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges faced on the Global Platforms</h3>
<p>On the global stage, India and China are working together on different platforms where they display both convergence and divergence on the global issues.</p>
<p><strong>Convergence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Climate Change:</strong> In the recently held <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-environment-ministers-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) minister&rsquo;s meet</strong></a>, the ministers from these nations advocated the concept of <strong>equal but differentiated responsibility</strong> that acknowledges different capabilities and differing responsibilities of individual countries in addressing climate change.</li>
<li><strong>Economic:</strong> In the <strong>recent</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/11th-brics-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BRICS summit (Brasilia Declaration)</strong></a>, in the backdrop of trade war between China and the U.S. and rising protectionism, there was a call for supporting multilateralism, and appreciating the central role of the U.N. in international affairs.</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Forum:</strong> Both countries believe in upholding of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> charter and its non-interference policy, <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>, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organization (WTO)</strong></a>- where both fight for G7 countries, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/east-asia-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>East Asian Summit.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Divergence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/3rd-rcep-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>3<sup>rd</sup> Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)</strong></a>, China tried to trick on India in order to get access to the Indian markets.</li>
<li>China also has concerns about India&rsquo;s role (being a member of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad</strong></a>) in the <strong>Indian Ocean region.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Other Domestic Challenges</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chinese economy is suffering due to the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/global-trade-war-the-apology-of-protectionism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US-China trade war.</strong></a></li>
<li>Also, the domestic issues like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hongkong-protest" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hongkong protests,</strong></a> issue of atrocities against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persecution-of-uighurs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Uighur muslims</strong></a> in Xinjiang province is affecting China.</li>
<li>China is worried with concerns related to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/viability-of-bri-and-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)</strong></a> due to rising insurgency in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Strategic: </strong>There is a need for defining, demarcating and delineating the borders so as to remove fear from the minds of people residing in the vicinity and strengthen the ties.</li>
<li>On the<strong> economic</strong> front, China has a trade surplus of around <strong>$750 billion</strong> (in the last 10 years) with India, which it needs to bring down. Service sector can play a major role in reducing the trade deficit.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China must<strong> create a level playing field</strong> by allowing Indian services such as in pharmaceuticals and software packages in its market. Also, in the RCEP, equitable distribution and differences between the two nations needs to be bridged.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both countries can effectively <strong>use their soft power</strong> (in the form of <strong>tourism</strong>) to further integrate their economies.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tourism:</strong> More Indian nationals visit to China as compared to the Chinese tourists coming to India. This<strong> cultural cross connect must be increased</strong> so as to build up the co-constituencies and enhance businesses that can consequently lead to resolving of conflicts at the national level.</li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/tourism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Promotion of tourism</strong></a> through education, spiritual visits especially on the Buddhist circuit, etc. must be promoted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The problems between India and China are difficult to be resolved in the short run but by <strong>managing the relationship</strong> by minimising the existing strategic gap, narrowing the divergences and maintaining the status quo, it can be improved over time. For this purpose, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-china-ties-marching-on" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>increased engagement with China</strong> </a>at every level from government to people, academia, business, etc. has to be targeted.</p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-china-diplomatic-ties'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Tanbo Art',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A progressive farmer in Kerala is using <strong>Tanbo Art (a 3D art form)</strong> to depict the celebrated Guruvayur temple elephant that died in 1976.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575368703_Image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575368703_Image5.jpg" width="479" height="269" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The farmer used several indigenous varieties of rice like <strong>Krishna Kamod, Gandhakasala and Jeerakasala</strong> to give shape to the image.</li>
<li>Tanbo Art is a <strong>rice paddy art</strong> developed by the farmers of Inakadate village in <strong>Japan about three decades ago</strong> to beautify their paddy fields.</li>
<li>They drew huge replicas of famous paintings, including Mona Lisa, by growing rice crops with fronds of different colours.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/guruvayur-kesavan-comes-alive-on-a-field-in-kerala/article30142043.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Data Bank of Independent Directors',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Corporate Affairs</strong> launched the <strong>Independent Directors Databank</strong> in accordance with the provisions of the <strong>Companies Act, 2013</strong> and the rules made thereunder.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ministry was working on ways to <strong>strengthen the framework for independent directors,</strong> who have an important role in ensuring good corporate governance practices at companies.</li>
<li>It seeks to make the process stringent because in many cases political appointees with standard financial background were also getting rehabilitated in several companies as independent directors.</li>
<li>Recent<strong> Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&amp;FS) crisis</strong> highlighted the reckless grading by credit rating agencies who liberally granted and downgraded the companies as per their wish and got away with it.</li>
<li>Apart from the launch of <strong>Independent Directors Bank,</strong> the government has also decided to <strong>conduct examinations for appointments</strong> of independent directors in which a<strong> score of 60% marks</strong> will be mandatory criteria for qualification.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The change is in line with the amended <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/committee-to-review-the-offences-under-the-companies-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Companies Act.</strong></a> The government will also maintain a database of professionals qualifying in the test that can be used by companies looking to expand their board or making fresh appointments under the current regulations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Independent directors <strong>must not assume a passive role,</strong> merely reacting to ideas foreseen by the controlling shareholder or their appointees. They should be willing to question the status quo in the interest of shareholders not play a risk-free mute spectator limiting to attending just number of board meetings.</li>
<li><strong>Strict accountability and eligibility</strong> will curb promoters placing their own ineligible candidates and family members on the listed company boards.</li>
<li>The concept of the institution of Independent Director is of utmost importance for <strong>Corporate Governance</strong> who should act act as the trustees of stakeholders.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Data Bank</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has been developed and maintained by the <strong>Indian Institute for Corporate Affairs (IICA)</strong> under Ministry of Corporate Affairs.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>first of its kind initiative</strong> which provides for a wide array of <strong>e-learning courses</strong> on various topics including the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/final-report-on-penal-provisions-of-company-act-2013" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Companies Act</strong></a>, <strong>Securities laws, basic accountancy, board practices, board ethics and board effectiveness.</strong></li>
<li>It provides an <strong>easy to access navigation platform</strong> for the registration of existing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/e-registration-for-independent-directors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Independent Directors</strong> </a>as well as individuals aspiring to become independent directors.</li>
<li><strong>Companies can register</strong> themselves with the databank to search, select and connect with individuals aspiring to be Independent Directors.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Independent Director</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An <strong>Independent Director (also sometimes known as an outside director)</strong> is a director on a board of directors representing minority shareholders and <strong>who does not have a pecuniary relationship</strong> with the company or related persons, except for sitting fees.</li>
<li>Their role is to take a stand unambiguously and independently to have a check and balance on the exuberance of majority shareholders that may expose the company to unwarranted risks.</li>
<li>The Companies Act, 2013 has mandated all listed public companies to have <strong>at least one-third</strong> of the total Directors to be independent.</li>
<li>Their role requires them to be clinical while businesses expect them to be practical, that&rsquo;s the tight rope they walk on.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1594558" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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