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Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)

Introduction Worldwide, MSMEs have been accepted as the engine of economic growth and for promoting equitable development. They constitute over...

17 Jul 2019 Paper 3
Behavioural Economics for New India

This article is based on editorial “India’s cautious adoption of behavioural economics” that appeared in the Live mint on 16 July...

16 Jul 2019 News Editorials
Jal Marg Vikas Project

The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for capacity augmentation of navigation on National Waterway-1 (NW-1) is being implemented by the support of World...

16 Jul 2019 News Analysis
National Digital Health Blueprint

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare has released the National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB) report in the public domain for inputs from...

16 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Declining Sex Ratio and Fertility Rates

As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) data from the Registrar General of India, the country’s sex ratio at birth (SRB) declined to 898 in...

16 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Common Lineblue and Dark Cerulean

Rare butterfly species Common Lineblue, (which was last seen in 1962 in Delhi) and Dark Cerulean (which was last spotted in the late 90s) were...

16 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Rotavirus Vaccination Drive

The government of India is set to launch a rotavirus vaccine drive across all states and Union territories by September 2019. The vaccine is...

16 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Subansiri Dam

Despite National Green Tribunal's order of not resuming construction or concretization work at Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project (LSHP) till...

16 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Bio-Capsules for Plants

Recently, ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) scientists have developed the technology to pack bio-fertilizers in tiny capsules. This...

16 Jul 2019 News Analysis
India’s take on E-commerce at WTO

This article is based on editorial “Opting out of e-comm talks, a good idea” that appeared in The Hindu Business Line on 15th July...

15 Jul 2019 News Editorials
Cape Verde Turtles and Climate Change

Recent study has warned that Loggerhead turtles born at a key breeding ground in Cape Verde (an island country in the central Atlantic Ocean) will...

15 Jul 2019 News Analysis
World Heritage Committee’s Concerns

The World Heritage Committee (WHC) has flagged some concerns related to the conservation of the heritage site of Hampi and the Darjeeling Himalayan...

15 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Next Dalai Lama

Recently, China has urged India not to recognize a successor to the Tibetan spiritual leader that it doesn't endorse. China has held that it will...

15 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Desalination without Electricity

Recently, researchers at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, have been able to desalinate seawater to produce drinking water...

15 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Visa-Free Access to Kartarpur Corridor

Recently, Pakistan has agreed to give year-long visa-free access for Indian pilgrims to the Gurdwara of Kartarpur Sahib. It allows visa-free...

15 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Shark Awareness Day

The World Wide Fund for Nature has released a report highlighting the risks to Sharks in the Mediterranean region on the occasion of Shark Awareness...

15 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Central Equipment Identity Register

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications has initiated a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) for mobile...

15 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Midday Meal Scheme

The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has received 35 complaints from 15 States and Union Territories (UTs) regarding substandard food...

15 Jul 2019 News Analysis
MSME Sector: Underutilised Engine of Growth

This article is based on the editorial “Tying up the loose ends for MSMEs” which appeared in The Hindu Business Line on 13th July 2019....

13 Jul 2019 News Editorials
Joint Economic Trade Committee

The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry will address India–UK Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting in London. The key issues...

13 Jul 2019 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)',
			'catname' => 'Paper 3',
			'desc' => '<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Worldwide, MSMEs have been accepted as the engine of economic growth and for promoting equitable development.</li>
<li>They constitute over 90% of total enterprises in most of the economies and are credited with generating the highest rates of employment growth.</li>
<li>With low investment requirements, operational flexibility and the capacity to develop appropriate indigenous technology, SMEs have the power to propel India to new heights.</li>
<li>Hence, it seems like there is a silent revolution happening in India powered by MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Importance of MSMEs for Indian Economy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Employment:</strong> It is the second largest employment generating sector after agriculture. It provides employment to around 120 million persons in India.</li>
<li><strong>Contribution to GDP:</strong> With around 36.1 million units throughout the geographical expanse of the country, MSMEs contribute around 6.11% of the manufacturing GDP and 24.63% of the GDP from service activities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>MSME ministry has set a target to up its contribution to GDP to 50% by 2025 as India becomes a $5 trillion economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exports</strong>: It contributes around 45% of the overall exports from India.</li>
<li><strong>Inclusive growth:</strong> MSMEs promote inclusive growth by providing employment opportunities in rural areas especially to people belonging to weaker sections of the society. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example: Khadi and Village industries require low per capita investment and employs a large number of women in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial inclusion:</strong> Small industries and retail businesses in tier-II and tier-III cities create opportunities for people to use banking services and products.</li>
<li><strong>Promote innovation:</strong> It provides opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to build creative products boosting business competition and fuels growth.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Thus, Indian MSME sector is the backbone of the national economic structure and acts as a bulwark for Indian economy, providing resilience to ward off global economic shocks and adversities.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">MSME redefined</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2018 proposes to reclassify all MSMEs, whether they are manufacturing or service-providing enterprises, on the basis of their annual turnover.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578480703_image40.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578480703_image40.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha and further referred to the Standing Committee which tabled its report on 28 December 2018.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Benefits of proposed reclassification</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The new classification would eliminate the need for frequent inspections which was earlier required to check the investment in plant and machinery.</li>
<li>It would be a non discriminatory, transparent and objective criterion.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Factors which led to growth of MSMEs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Campaigns</strong> like Skill India, Startup India, Digital India and Make in India aim to provide MSME players with a level playing field and a definitive push towards enhanced productivity.</li>
<li><strong>Digitization:</strong> Increasing internet penetration, customer&rsquo;s familiarization with digital payments fuelled by B2C ecommerce players facilitate MSME sector growth.</li>
<li>Tie-ups with new-age <strong>non-banking finance (FinTech) companies</strong> allowed access to timely collateral free finance to MSMEs.</li>
<li><strong>Changing employment patterns:</strong> Younger generation shifting from agriculture towards entrepreneurial activities creating job prospects for others.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Issues faced by MSMEs and steps taken to improve their condition</h3>
<p></p>
<table border="1" style="height: 0px; width: 0%; border-collapse: collapse;" height="992">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 27.7483%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #0059ff; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Issues and Challenges</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 45.5647%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #0059ff; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Steps Taken</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 27.7483%; height: 10px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<p><strong>Access to credit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>90% of the MSMEs are dependent on informal sources for funding</li>
<li>Lack of sufficient collateral and high working capital needs</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 45.5647%; height: 10px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">Launch of the <strong>59 minute loan portal</strong> to enable easy access to credit for MSMEs.</li>
<li>2 percent interest subvention for all GST registered MSMEs, on fresh or incremental loans.</li>
<li>Trade Receivables e-Discounting System <strong>(TReDS) </strong>to <strong>enable access to credit from banks,</strong> based on their upcoming trade receivables from corporate and other buyers.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 27.7483%; height: 19px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<p><strong>Access to Markets</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Low outreach and non availability of new markets.</li>
<li>Lack of skilled manpower and ineffective marketing strategy.</li>
<li>Difficult for MSMEs to sell products to government agencies.</li>
<li>Competition from MNCs and other big industries.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 45.5647%; height: 19px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Union government announced to launch an e-commerce platform on the lines of <strong>&ldquo;Amazon and Alibaba"</strong> to sell products from MSMEs and the Khadi and Village Industries Commission.</li>
<li>Public sector companies now <strong>compulsorily procure 25%,</strong> instead of 20% of their total purchases, from MSMEs.</li>
<li>More than 40,000 MSMEs registered on <strong>Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.</strong> It provides transparency in procurement and facilitates MSMEs to directly reach out to the buyers.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 27.7483%; height: 19px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<p><strong>Technology Access</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Limited human resources and weak financial standing.</li>
<li>MSMEs, particularly in the unorganised sector, show lower adaptability of new technology and innovation.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 45.5647%; height: 19px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>20 hubs and 100 spokes in the form of tool rooms will be established across the country. This will <strong>facilitate product design</strong> and easy access to latest technology to MSMEs.</li>
<li>Financial assistance is provided for implementation of <strong>lean manufacturing techniques</strong> to enhance the manufacturing competitiveness of MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 27.7483%; height: 10px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<p><strong>Quality and Export Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Low quality products impact export competitiveness.</li>
<li>Inadequate access to quality raw materials.</li>
<li>Use of traditional machines causes low productivity.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 45.5647%; height: 10px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Financial support to MSMEs in ZED(Zero Defect Zero Effect) certification to improve quality of products.</li>
<li>Government provides subsidy towards the expenditure incurred by enterprises to obtain the product certification licenses from national and international bodies.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 270px;">
<td style="width: 27.7483%; height: 60px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<p><strong>Ease of Doing Business</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cumbersome government procedures and rules for establishing new units.</li>
<li>Bureaucratic delays in getting clearances.</li>
<li>Poor litigation system in the country.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 45.5647%; height: 60px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<ul>
<li>The return under 8 labour laws and 10 Union regulations must now be filed only once a year.</li>
<li><strong>Computerised random allotment</strong> for inspector visits to the establishment.</li>
<li>Environmental Clearance under air pollution and water pollution laws, have been <strong>merged into one.</strong> Also, the return will be accepted through self-certification.</li>
<li>For minor violations under the Companies Act, the entrepreneur will no longer have to approach the courts, but can correct them through simple procedures. This signifies <strong>simplification of government procedures</strong> and instilling confidence among entrepreneurs.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><br />Government schemes to promote MSMEs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><em><strong>Udyami Mitra Portal </strong></em><strong>:</strong> launched by SIDBI to improve accessibility of credit and handholding services to MSMEs.</li>
<li><em><strong>MSME Sambandh </strong></em><strong>:&nbsp;</strong>To monitor the implementation of the public procurement from MSMEs by Central Public Sector Enterprises.</li>
<li><em><strong>MSME Samadhaan</strong></em> -MSME Delayed Payment Portal &ndash;&ndash; will empower Micro and Small entrepreneurs across the country to directly register their cases relating to delayed payments by Central Ministries/Departments/CPSEs/State Governments.</li>
<li><em><strong>Digital MSME Scheme</strong></em><strong> :</strong> It involves usage of Cloud Computing where MSMEs use the internet to access common as well as tailor-made IT infrastructure</li>
<li><em><strong>Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme</strong></em> : It is a credit linked subsidy program under Ministry of MSME.</li>
<li><em><strong>Revamped Scheme of Fund for Regeneration Of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)</strong></em> : organizes traditional industries and artisans into clusters and make them competitive by enhancing their marketability &amp; equipping them with improved skills.</li>
<li><strong><em>A Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Rural Industry &amp; Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE)</em></strong> : creates new jobs &amp; reduce unemployment, promotes entrepreneurship culture, facilitates innovative business solution etc.</li>
<li><em><strong>National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP)</strong></em> : to develop global competitiveness among Indian MSMEs by improving their processes, designs, technology and market access.</li>
<li><em><strong>Micro &amp; Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP)</strong></em> - adopts cluster development approach for enhancing the productivity and competitiveness as well as capacity building of MSEs.</li>
<li><em><strong>Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS</strong></em>) is operational for upgradation of technology for MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Other recent initiatives to promote MSMEs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In June 2019, <strong>RBI committee</strong> headed by former <strong>SEBI Chairman UK Sinha</strong> suggested a <strong>Rs 5,000 crore stressed asset fund</strong> for the MSME sector to provide relief to small businesses hurt by <strong>demonetisation, GST,</strong> and an ongoing <strong>liquidity crisis.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has also recommended doubling <strong>the cap on collateral-free loans to Rs 20 lakh</strong> from the current Rs 10 lakh extended to borrowers falling under the Mudra scheme, self-help groups, and MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>MSME Ministry announced in June 2019 to lift the ban on entry of <strong>corporates and private players</strong> in the MSME sector to pave way for the formation of <strong>700 clusters</strong> to reduce dependence on imports as well as for job creation.</li>
<li>MSME Ministry is also planning to set up <strong>enterprise facilitation centres</strong> across the country to make smaller businesses more competitive and help them integrate with big enterprises.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Therefore, the government should continue to put concerted efforts for holistic development of MSMEs in key areas like <strong>human capacity development, knowledge services, access to finance, technology, infrastructure, market access, and ease of doing business.</strong></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">International Experiences</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to World Bank, formal SMEs contribute up to 60% of total employment and up to 40% of national income (GDP) in emerging economies.</li>
<li>600 million jobs will be needed in the next 15 years to absorb the growing global workforce, mainly in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In emerging markets, most formal jobs are generated by SMEs, which also create 4 out of 5 new positions.</li>
<li>However, access to credit remains a major problem to the MSME sector globally.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578481188_image20.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578481188_image20.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="780" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In globalised world, it is imperative to enable MSMEs to adapt and thrive in a more open environment and participate more actively in the digital transformation, to boost economic growth and deliver a more inclusive globalisation.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Today enterprises need to adopt best practises and follow international standards to go forward for offering innovative solutions.</li>
<li>Focus should be on transfer of information and skill development to effectively use the transferred technology.</li>
<li>There is an urgent need to upgrade infrastructure utilities (like water, power supply, road/rail) for any enterprise to run its operations successfully.</li>
<li>Entrepreneurs need to develop quality conscious mindsets embedded in the organisational culture.</li>
<li>Sensitisation and handholding of MSMEs at different and upgraded level of certification is the need of the hour.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Finally, as recommended by <strong>India MSME Report 2018,</strong> we need an entitlement approach that can have the potential of compelling all related stakeholders to work on a common national agenda and solutions under a scientifically structured framework. This approach demands the identification and analysis of major security threats to the MSMEs, and entrepreneurship at the grass root level.</p>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Behavioural Economics for New India',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on editorial <a href="https://www.livemint.com/opinion/columns/opinion-india-s-cautious-adoption-of-behavioural-economics-1563215954563.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;India&rsquo;s cautious adoption of behavioural economics&rdquo;</a> that appeared in the Live mint on 16 July 2019. It analyses the economic survey&rsquo;s bet for Behavioural Economics Theory to bring social change, which in turn, will help India transit to a $5 trillion economy.</p>
</div>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/highlights-of-economic-survey-2018-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Economic Survey 2019</a> has drawn on <strong>Nobel Laureate Richard Thaler&rsquo;s Behavioural Economics Theory</strong> to lay out what it describes as an &ldquo;ambitious agenda" for behaviour change that will bring in social change, which in turn, will help India transit to a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25. Programmes such as Swachh Bharat Mission, Jan Dhan Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, provide testimony to the potential for behavioural change in India.</p>
<p>Given India's rich cultural and spiritual heritage, social norms(that play a very important role in shaping the behaviour), can be utilized to effect behavioural change. Behavioural economics is, however, not a panacea to policymaking.</p>
<h3>What is Behavioural Economics?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Behavioural economics is a method of economic analysis that applies psychological insights into human behaviour to explain economic decision-making</li>
<li>In reality, decisions made by people often deviate from the various theories of classical economics. Drawing on the psychology of human behaviour, behavioural economics provides insights to &lsquo;nudge&rsquo; people towards desirable behaviour.</li>
<li>The US academic Richard Thaler has won the Nobel prize in economics in 2017 for his pioneering work in this field.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What are the learnings of the economic survey on Behavioral Economics?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A key principle of behavioural economics is that while people&rsquo;s behaviour is influenced significantly by social norms, understanding the drivers of these social norms can enable change. In India, where <strong>social and religious norms</strong> play such a dominant role in influencing behaviour; behavioural economics can, therefore, provide a valuable instrument for change.</li>
<li>Many Indian schemes that employ insights from behavioural economics have met with success. For example:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)</strong> and the <strong>Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP)</strong> scheme, <strong>Give it up&nbsp;</strong>(LPG subsidy).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Survey, therefore, lays out an ambitious agenda for behavioural change by applying the principles of behavioural economics to several issues, including gender equality, a healthy and beautiful India, savings, tax compliance and credit quality.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How Behavioural Economics can be applied in the Indian context?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, behavioural economists have discovered the efficacy of a new class of policies called <strong>&ldquo;nudge&rdquo; policies</strong>. Nudge policies gently steer people towards desirable behaviour even while preserving their liberty to choose.</li>
<li>According to <strong>Nudge theory</strong>: People need reminders and positive reinforcement to sustain socially desirable behaviour.</li>
<li>According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, there are more than 202 government institutions using behavioural insights around the world.</li>
<li>Examples of nudge policies:
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>For increasing tax compliance in India:</strong> Citizens can be sent variations of text messages on how their taxes make a difference to public services.</li>
<li><strong>For reducing drop out rate in poor families:</strong> Parents can be informed about the average income gains from spending one more year in school for children.</li>
<li><strong>To increase savings rate:</strong> People can be offered specially designed savings accounts that locked up funds until a self-specified target was met.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Behavioural economics is, however, not a panacea to policymaking.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What are the limitations of Behavioural Economics?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>&lsquo;Give It Up&rsquo; -LPG subsidy was a comparatively easy policy to be induced by behavioural economics as it requires only a one-time action of affluent households, whereas task is very difficult in case of Beti Bachao, Beti Padao and SBM, as it requires continuous effort to dislodge mind-sets that prevailed for decades.</li>
<li>Community-led sanitation schemes, part of the SBM, did include steps to change behaviour, but advertising campaigns such as the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme did not target specific states where child sex ratios were already skewed (although it was effective in Haryana, which also has a very poor sex ratio)</li>
<li>The applications of behavioural insights appeared to be a result of <strong>confirmation bias</strong> (to the extent that past policies were viewed with a behavioural lens).</li>
<li>Survey held, reducing corruption, discouraging the conspicuous display of wealth and <strong>inculcating a sense of pride of being the highest taxpayer in a district&nbsp;(by naming buildings after them)</strong> would go a long way in ensuring behavioural change vis-&agrave;-vis tax compliance
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But this could easily lead to a backlash among lower taxpayers, and hurt tax morale disproportionately.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>In this scenario, government regulation, taxes and free-market policies should be clubbed with a nudge effect to increase the efficacy of policymaking. If it is implemented diligently than Indian policymaking will be transformed:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>From BBBP to BADLAV (Beti Aapki Dhan Lakshmi Aur Vijay Lakshmi)</li>
<li>From Swachh Bharat to Sundar Bharat</li>
<li>From &ldquo;Give it up&rdquo; for the LPG subsidy to &ldquo;Think about the Subsidy&rdquo;</li>
<li>From tax evasion to tax compliance</li>
</ul>
<p>And the dream of New India 2022 can be realised.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #faf9dc; border-color: #870101; border-style: dashed;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 1256px;"><em><strong>Drishti input:</strong></em><br /><br />Examine the efficacy of Behavioural Economics Theory to bring social change for success of welfare programmes and policy making in the long run.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Jal Marg Vikas Project',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for <strong>capacity augmentation of navigation</strong> on National Waterway-1 <strong>(NW-1)</strong> is being implemented by the support of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank</a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One of the major problems for a commercially viable and safe navigation on NW-1 is low depth upstream of Farakka barrage due to low discharges from tributaries and difficult hydro morphological characteristics of the river Ganga.</li>
<li>The project will contribute in <strong>bringing down the logistics cost</strong> in the country and will provide an alternative mode of transport which will be environment friendly and cost effective.</li>
<li>It is being implemented by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ladis-least-available-depth-information-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inland Waterways Authority of India</strong></a> (Ministry of Shipping).</li>
<li>The project envisages fairway development through performance based contract for least assured depth of 2.2 metres to 3 metres and bottom channel width of 45 metres, bank protection works, and provisions of navigation aids.</li>
<li>The<strong> states</strong> that are being covered under the Project are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal.</li>
<li>The Project is expected to be completed by <strong>March, 2023</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/276image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/276image2.jpg" width="666" height="458" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-marg-vikas-project'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'National Digital Health Blueprint',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare has released the National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB) report in the public domain for inputs from various stakeholders.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Citizen centricity, quality of care, better access, universal health coverage, and inclusiveness</strong> are some of the key principles of a robust healthcare system.</li>
<li>All these aspirations can be realized principally by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-prescription-for-the-future" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leveraging the power of the digital technologies</a>.</li>
<li>In the context of India, with its size and diversity, this mammoth task requires that a <strong>holistic, comprehensive and interoperable digital architecture</strong> is crafted and adopted by all the stakeholders, and therefore the need of a blueprint.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recommendations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A new entity, <strong>National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)</strong>, is recommended to be established as a purely <strong>government organization</strong> with complete functional autonomy on the lines of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aadhar-and-its-voluntary-use" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-27th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goods and Services Network GSTN</a>.</li>
<li>The Objectives of NDHB are aligned to the Vision of National Health Policy 2017 and the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)</a> relating to the health sector. These include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Establishing and managing the <strong>core digital health data and the infrastructure</strong> required for its seamless exchange.</li>
<li>Promoting the adoption of <strong>open standards by all the actors in the National Digital Health Ecosystem (NDHE)</strong>, for developing several digital health systems that span across the sector from wellness to disease management.</li>
<li>Creating a system of <strong>Personal Health Records</strong>, based on international standards, and easily accessible to the citizens and to the service providers, based on citizen-consent.</li>
<li>Following the <strong>best principles of cooperative federalism</strong> while working with the States and Union Territories for the realization of the Vision.</li>
<li>Promoting <strong>Health Data Analytics</strong> and <strong>Medical Research</strong>.</li>
<li>Enhancing the <strong>efficiency and effectiveness of Governance</strong> at all levels.</li>
<li>Ensuring <strong>Quality</strong> of Healthcare.</li>
<li>Leveraging the <strong>Information Systems already existing</strong> in the health sector</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>While the Blueprint has <strong>identified 23 Building Blocks</strong>, a few of the <strong>critical capabilities</strong> of NDHE are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Identification:</strong> The Blueprint handles the requirements of Unique identification of <strong>Persons, Facilities, Diseases and Devices through 2 Building Blocks, namely, Personal Health Identifier (PHI), and Health Master Directories &amp; Registries</strong>.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This can be achieved through a combination of <strong>Aadhaar-based Identification/ Authentication</strong>&nbsp;and <strong>through other specified types </strong>of identifiers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Citizen to be in Control:</strong> The Blueprint achieves the complex and mandatory requirements of maintaining the confidentiality, security, and privacy of health records through <strong>Consent Manager, Anonymizer and Privacy Operations Centre</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Service Access/ Delivery:&nbsp;</strong>Access and delivery to be implemented by a combination of <strong>Web (India Health Portal), Mobile (MyHealth App) and Call Centres besides Social Media Platforms</strong>.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Command, Control and Communication Centre enable real-time monitoring and real-time interventions needed in the NDHE.</li>
<li>Given the significant spread of smartphones and the prospects of its further growth, The Blueprint <strong>emphasizes the &lsquo;Mobile First&rsquo; principle</strong> for the majority of stakeholder-facing services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Interoperability:</strong> The Health Information Exchange and the National Health Informatics Standards enable and promote the interoperability of various building blocks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It can be noted that recently, as part of the high-level summit, the <strong>Delhi Declaration on digital health for sustainable development</strong> was adopted at the concluding session of the<strong> '4<sup>th</sup> Global Digital Health Partnership Summit&rsquo;</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Global Digital Health Partnership Summit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> &lsquo;4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit&rsquo;</strong> was held in<strong> February, 2019 in New Delhi</strong></li>
<li>It was hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with <strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong> and the <strong>Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP).</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Digital Health Partnership</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP)</strong> is an international collaboration of governments, government agencies and multinational organisations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of their citizens through the best use of evidence-based digital technologies.</li>
<li>It was<strong> established in February 2018,</strong> to provide an opportunity for transformational engagement between its participants.</li>
<li><strong>Australia</strong> was the host country for the <strong>inaugural summit in 2018.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong> is a <strong>specialized agency</strong> of the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations</strong></a> that is concerned with international public health.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.</strong></li>
<li>The WHO&rsquo;s constitution came into force on April 7, 1948 &ndash; a date now celebrated every year as <strong>World Health Day</strong>.</li>
<li>The <strong>World Health Assembly</strong> is the supreme decision-making body in WHO. The assembly meets annually and is attended by delegations from 194 member states.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-digital-health-blueprint'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Declining Sex Ratio and Fertility Rates',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) data from the Registrar General of India, the country&rsquo;s <strong>sex ratio at birth</strong> (SRB) declined to <strong>898</strong> in triennnium (three year period) ending 2017.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>fertility rate reduced</strong> from <strong>2.3</strong> in the year 2016 to <strong>2.2</strong> in the year 2017, close to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/changing-demographic-profile-faster-than-expectation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">replacement level of fertility</a> of 2.1.</li>
<li>This trend is in line with the population <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-population-boon-or-bane-rajya-sabha-lok-sabha-debate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">projections by the United Nations</a>, which have been revised downward in recent years. The year in which India will surpass China in population has been extended from 2022 (according to 2015 report) to 2027 (according to the 2019 report).</li>
<li>This trend also indicates that Indians want <strong>less children</strong> now but want them as sons. The Economic Survey 2017-18 underlined the meta preference towards son in detail.</li>
<li>It is Telangana, Delhi, Kerala along with Bihar, that have shown the sharpest worsening in sex ratio at birth in recent years.</li>
<li>Though use of sex-selection techniques is the biggest cause, social norms that prefer male children is a reason behind poor sex ratio in states like Bihar whereas in urbanised states, the richer households prefer more sons due to flawed social and economic reasons.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong> The SRS data also demonstrated that the proportion of economically active population (15-59) as well as old age population (60+) in India is rising. While the former constitutes 65.4 % of the populace, the latter was at 8.2 % in 2017.</p>
</div>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Sample Registration System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Office of Registrar General (under the Ministry of Home Affairs) initiated the scheme of sample registration of births and deaths in India popularly known as Sample Registration System (SRS) in <strong>1964-65</strong> on a pilot basis and on full scale from 1969-70. The SRS since then has been providing data on a regular basis.</li>
<li>The SRS in India is based on a <strong>dual record system</strong>. The field investigation under Sample Registration System consists of continuous enumeration of births and deaths in a sample of villages/urban blocks by a resident part-time enumerator, and an independent six monthly retrospective survey by a full-time supervisor. The data obtained through these two sources are matched. The unmatched and partially matched events are re-verified in the field to get an unduplicated count of correct events.</li>
<li>The <strong>revision of SRS sampling</strong> frame is undertaken every ten years based on the results of the latest Census.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/declining-sex-ratio-and-fertility-rates'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Common Lineblue and Dark Cerulean',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Rare butterfly species Common Lineblue, (which was last seen in 1962 in Delhi) and <strong>Dark Cerulean</strong> (which was last spotted in the <strong>late 90s</strong>) were spotted by researchers in <strong>2018</strong> after a gap of over half a century.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/514image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/514image4.jpg" width="596" height="521" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both Common Lineblue and Dark Cerulean butterflies are usually found in the <strong>Himalayan foothills</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Researchers </strong>and <strong>lepidopterologists</strong> (branch of entomology concerning the scientific study of moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies) have noted that resurfacing of the two rare species of butterflies in the Delhi points towards the&nbsp;<strong>expanding</strong> <strong>floral diversity</strong> of the region that attracts new butterfly species from adjoining places.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/common-lineblue-and-dark-cerulean'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Rotavirus Vaccination Drive',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The government of India is set to launch a rotavirus vaccine drive across <strong>all states and Union territories</strong> by September 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The vaccine is currently being administered in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Tripura, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>The Rotavac has been introduced in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intensified-mission-indradhanush-best-practice-in-the-world-bmj" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s Universal Immunisation Programme</a> (UIP) including <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-initiates-probe-into-type-2-polio-virus-contamination" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inactivated Polio Vaccine</a> (IPV), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measles-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Measles</a>, Rubella (MR) vaccine, Adult <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/japanese-encephalitis-je" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Japanese Encephalitis</a> (JE) vaccine, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lancet-building-a-tuberculosis-free-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tuberculosis</a>, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia and Meningitis due to Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rotavirus<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/760image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/760image1.jpg" width="492" height="453" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rotavirus can cause diarrohea, which can lead to dehydration (not having enough water in the body).</li>
<li>Rotavirus is a <strong>contagious disease</strong> that spreads easily from child to child.</li>
<li>Rotavirus spreads when a person comes in contact with the <strong>feces</strong> of someone who has rotavirus and then touches their own mouth. For example, rotavirus can spread when a child with rotavirus doesn&rsquo;t wash their hands properly after going to the bathroom and then touches food or other objects.</li>
<li><strong>Symptoms</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Severe diarrhea</li>
<li>Throwing up</li>
<li>Dehydration</li>
<li>Fever</li>
<li>Stomach pain</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organisation</a> (WHO) recommends that the <strong>first dose</strong> of rotavirus vaccine be administered as soon as possible <strong>after 6 weeks of age</strong>, along with DTP vaccination (diptheria, tetanus and pertussis).</li>
<li>WHO has recommended the inclusion of rotavirus vaccine in the <strong>National Schedules</strong>&nbsp;of the countries where under five mortality due to diarrhoeal diseases is more than 10%.</li>
<li>Currently, two vaccines are available against rotavirus:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rotarix</strong> (GlaxoSmithKline): is a <strong>monovalent vaccine recommended</strong> to be orally administered in two doses at 6-12 weeks.</li>
<li><strong>Rota Teq</strong> (Merck) is a <strong>pentavalent vaccine</strong> recommended to be orally administered in three doses starting at 6-12 weeks of age.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Monovalent vaccine and Pentavalent vaccine</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Monovalent vaccines are designed to immunize against a <strong>single antigen</strong> or <strong>single microorganism</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Pentavalent vaccine</strong> provides protection to a child from five life-threatening diseases &ndash; <strong>Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib)</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rotavirus-vaccination-drive'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Subansiri Dam',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Despite<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt"> National Green Tribunal's</a> order of not resuming construction or concretization work at Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project (LSHP) till safety issues are resolved, massive concretization has been carried out at the Subansiri hydroelectric project.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/845image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/845image3.jpg" width="252" height="178" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project</strong> (SLHEP), is an under-construction <strong>gravity dam</strong> on the <strong>Subansiri river</strong> along the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Subansiri River (gold river),</strong> originates in the Tibet Plateau and enters India through Miri hills in Arunachal Pradesh.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>largest tributary</strong> of Brahmaputra River.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project had been kept pending due to</strong> local agitation over several <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/dam-safety-bill-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dam safety</a> and administrative issues involved in the implementation of the project like:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SLHEP contravenes the <strong>1980 Brahmaputra Board Act</strong> by transferring the work of Water Resources Department of Subansiri Basin from the Brahmaputra Board to the <strong>public and private sector</strong>.</li>
<li>Increased <strong>seismic threat level</strong> to the dam, assessed by Indian Institute of Technology at Roorkee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gravity Dam</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Gravity dam</strong> is constructed from <strong>concrete</strong> or <strong>cement</strong> (unlike mud and masonry stones used in embankment).</li>
<li>It is designed to hold back water by primarily utilising the weight of the material alone to resist the horizontal pressure of water pushing against it.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Other Controversial Dams</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sardar Sarovar Dam:</strong> The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a <strong>gravity dam</strong> (2<sup>nd</sup> largest concrete gravity dam by volume in the world) on the <strong>Narmada river</strong> near <strong>Navagam</strong>, Gujarat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan</strong>, receive water and electricity supplied from the dam.</li>
<li>Dam is alleged to displace around <strong>2.5 lakh villagers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>MullaPeriyar Dam:</strong> It is a gravity dam on the <strong>Periyar River</strong> in <strong>Idukki district</strong> of <strong>Kerala</strong> but it is owned and operated by the <strong>Tamil Nadu government</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is an ongoing contention between Kerala and Tamilnadu governments over the height of the dam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Polavaram project:</strong> It is an under-construction multi-purpose National <strong>project</strong> on the <strong>Godavari River</strong> in the West Godavari District and East Godavari District in <strong>Andhra Pradesh</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project will submerge villages in Chhattisgarh and Odisha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Kishanganga Hydroelectric Plant</strong> is a <strong>run-of-the-river</strong> hydroelectric scheme that is designed to divert water from the Kishanganga River to a power plant in the <strong>Jhelum River basin</strong> and is located in <strong>Jammu and Kashmir</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank&rsquo;s</strong></a> court of arbitration failed to resolve the dispute between India and Pakistan over Indus water treaty issue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subansiri-dam'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Bio-Capsules for Plants',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) scientists have developed the technology to pack bio-fertilizers in tiny capsules. This eliminates the need for farmers to carry the sacks of biofertilizers.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is being called the <strong>one-gram capsule, which have many advantages</strong>:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One-gram capsules are very efficient as it contains the microbial population equivalent to what is present in a one-kg pack of powder-based biofertilizer or a one-litre bottle.</li>
<li>Also, as these microbial strains are retained in the dormant stage, there is no issue of their viable loss in room temperatures as is the case with many liquid-based bio formulations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Currently, various forms of Plant Growth-Promoting Biofertilizers like rhizobacteria (PGPR) formulations are sold commercially. While some are powder-based formulations, others are liquid-based.</li>
<li>Biofertilizers have become popular in the last few years with organic farming becoming increasingly popular.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Biofertilizer</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It consists of a carrier medium rich in live microorganisms. When applied to seed, soil or living plants, it increases soil nutrients or makes them biologically available.</li>
<li>Biofertilizers contain different types of fungi, root bacteria or other microorganisms. They form a mutually beneficial or symbiotic relationship with host plants as they grow in the soil.</li>
<li><strong>Advantages of Biofertilizer</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Increase the nitrogen and phosphorus available to plants more naturally than other fertilizers.</li>
<li>They are simple to use, even for novice small growers.</li>
<li>They do not pollute the soil or the environment, whereas chemical fertilizers often result in too much phosphate and nitrogen in the soil.</li>
<li>They are a cheap, easy-to-use alternative to manufactured petrochemical products.</li>
<li>They restore normal fertility to the soil and make it biologically alive. They boost the amount of organic matter and improve soil texture and structure.</li>
<li>They increase yield by up to 30 per cent because of the nitrogen and phosphorus they add to the soil.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The improvement in soil texture and quality helps plants grow better during periods of drought.</li>
<li>Biofertilizers help plants develop stronger root systems and grow better.</li>
<li>Biofertilizers also reduce the effects of harmful organisms in the soil, such as fungi and nematodes. Plants resist stress better and live longer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disadvantages of Biofertilizer</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Biofertilizers require special care for long-term storage because they are alive. They must be used before their expiration date.</li>
<li>If other microorganisms contaminate the carrier medium or if growers use the wrong strain, they are not as effective.</li>
<li>The soil must contain adequate nutrients for biofertilizer organisms to thrive and work.</li>
<li>They complement other fertilizers, but they cannot totally replace them.</li>
<li>They lose their effectiveness if the soil is too hot or dry.</li>
<li>Excessively acidic or alkaline soils also hamper successful growth of the beneficial microorganisms; moreover, they are less effective if the soil contains an excess of their natural microbiological enemies.</li>
<li>Shortages of particular strains of microorganisms or of the best growing medium reduce the availability of some biofertilizers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bio-capsules-for-plants'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'India’s take on E-commerce at WTO',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on editorial <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/opting-out-of-e-comm-talks-a-good-idea/article28429045.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Opting out of e-comm talks, a good idea&rdquo;</strong></a> that appeared in The Hindu Business Line on 15<sup>th</sup> July 2019. It talks about the reasons why India is not participating in global e-commerce negotiations.</p>
</div>
<p>India at the World Trade Organization (WTO) held that it will not join the negotiations to develop trade rules on e-commerce, as India felt these negotiations are against India's interests. Despite protests from major economies like India, 76 mostly developed nations agreed to initiate talks on e-commerce</p>
<p>It has raised concerns and anxiety amongst industry and policymakers in India. Is it right on part of India to stay away from such negotiations as there is a fear of losing out by not participating in the ongoing negotiations?</p>
<h3>Why India is not joining e-commerce negotiations?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Data is the new oil of the 21<sup>st</sup> century. Data is the heart of the digital revolution,</li>
<li>It is the key resource which can make or break a country in the digital era as all digital technologies like Big data analytics, artificial intelligence, IoT, Robotics, etc need data for them to become more efficient and intelligent.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The larger the population of a country, the larger will be the amount of data generated, and younger the population the more will be the data generated.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s 1.3-billion population is bigger than the population of OECD members (36 countries) taken together, with 66% of its population falling in the age group of 15-64 years, which is around 18 percent of the world&rsquo;s young population.</li>
<li>This amounts to huge data being generated every second in India, which is extremely valuable for the developed world for making efficient digital products and services in the future.</li>
<li>This is the root cause for the pressure being applied on India to join the plurilateral e-commerce negotiations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>During the first industrial revolution,the countries which processed oil were developed not the ones who produced it.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Similarly, today countries which process data are/will be developed rather than those generating huge data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In this scenario, where data is the new currency of the 21<sup>st</sup> century, the term<strong> &lsquo;e-commerce rules&rsquo; is misleading because:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The rules that are being negotiated go much beyond e-commerce and encompass all digital rules which are required by the developed world to make sure that they have free access to data of the world in future as well.</li>
<li>This accounts for India's reluctance over the negotiations on e-commerce as India still doesn't have any comprehensive law on data protection and data ownership nor an e-commerce law, subject to changing dynamics of the digital revolution.</li>
<li><strong>India fears that new rules could provide the pretext for unfair mandatory market access to foreign companies. This will hurt the rapidly growing domestic e-commerce sector, which is still developing in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>What are the steps that can be taken?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Cyber Security Law</strong> is an exemplary law which includes provisions around data not only leaving the country but storing data locally, having joint venture partners, and source code sharing provisions.</li>
<li>Many countries in Africa have started &lsquo;owning&rsquo; their data.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, <strong>Rwanda&rsquo;s Data Revolution Policy</strong> is based on the principle of national data sovereignty whereby Rwanda retains exclusive sovereign rights and power on its national data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Like China has secured the use of its data and EU through its General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), India also needs to make similar regulations.</li>
<li>Following this pursuit India has taken following steps:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has come out with its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-e-commerce-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Draft National E-Commerce Policy</strong></a> which will allow it to own its data and steer the country into processing its own data and develop the much-needed digital capacities</li>
<li>Similarly, draft Data Protection Policy prepared by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/justice-bn-srikrishna-committee-submits-data-protection-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BN Srikrishna committee,</strong></a> has asserted that the data generated in the country is a national asset, and citizens and the government have a sovereign right over it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Apart from this, Big Data analytical skills need to be encouraged so that India&rsquo;s key policies, like industrial and foreign trade policies, can be better digitally informed. Also,in future, the country&rsquo;s national security will also need to rely heavily on the digital technologies and software developed within India using its own data.</li>
</ul>
<p>It is a welcome move that India has realised the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/data-localisation-and-undivided-internet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>importance of data</strong></a> in the digital world. However, India has nothing to fear and lose by remaining out of these e-commerce negotiations, <strong>as India has a comparative advantage of the large population, growing young population and strong IT skills that make India the data mine of the future.</strong></p>
<p>In this context, many emerging initiatives taken by the Government, to establish its ownership over India' data, must be implemented as soon as possible.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 500px; background-color: #f2cece;"><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti input</strong></em></span><br />Data is the currency of the 21st century and India is poised to be future data mine of the world. In this context, India&rsquo;s reluctance to take part in global e-commerce negotiations is actually a good move. Comment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-take-on-e-commerce-at-wto'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Cape Verde Turtles and Climate Change',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recent study has warned that Loggerhead turtles born at a key breeding ground in Cape Verde (an island country in the central Atlantic Ocean) will all be turned<strong> female</strong> because of <strong>climate change.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The sex of turtles is determined by the <strong>temperatures</strong> at which they are incubated and warm temperatures favour females.</li>
<li>If high emissions continue, over <strong>90%</strong> turtles could be incubated at lethally high temperatures, killing youngsters before they hatch.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Even under a low emissions scenario, <strong>99.86%</strong> of hatchlings would be <strong>female</strong> by <strong>2100.</strong></li>
<li>Currently 84% of hatchlings at Cape Verde are female.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Cape Verde has the third largest population of nesting loggerhead turtles.</li>
<li>The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status of Loggerheads turtle is <strong>vulnerable</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Loggerhead Turtles<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/758image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/758image2.jpg" width="328" height="123" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Loggerhead sea turtles are named for their <strong>large heads</strong> that support powerful jaw muscles, allowing them to crush hard-shelled prey like clams and sea urchins.</li>
<li>Unlike other sea turtles they are less likely to be hunted for their meat or shell.</li>
<li>The accidental capture of marine animals in <strong>fishing gear,</strong> is a serious problem for loggerhead turtles because they frequently come in contact with fisheries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many of their nesting beaches are under threat from tourism development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Loggerheads are the most common turtle in the <strong>Mediterranean,</strong> nesting on beaches from <strong>Greece</strong> and<strong> Turkey</strong> to<strong> Israel</strong> and <strong>Libya.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Sea turtles</strong> are not only living representatives of a group of reptiles that has existed on Earth for the last 100 million years but are also a <strong>fundamental link</strong> in <strong>marine ecosystems</strong> and help maintain the health of <strong>coral reefs</strong> and <strong>seagrass beds.</strong></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cape-verde-turtles-and-climate-change'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'World Heritage Committee’s Concerns',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The World Heritage Committee (WHC) has flagged some concerns related to the conservation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kailash-mansarovar-in-tentative-list-of-world-heritage-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>heritage site</strong></a> of Hampi and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The WHC has regretted the lack of response from local authorities on concerns raised about developmental projects in the world heritage site of Hampi.</li>
<li>The Indian Railways, despite requests, have not furnished information between the years 2017 and 2019 regarding the lack of monitoring and general maintenance, and encroachment and waste dumping along the tracks &ndash; all considered violation of global heritage conservation norms.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Hampi<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/931image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/931image5.jpg" width="279" height="210" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The site of Hampi comprise mainly the remnants of the capital city of <strong>Vijayanagara Empire</strong> (14<sup>th</sup>-16<sup>th</sup> Cent CE), the last great Hindu Kingdom.</li>
<li>It encompasses an area of 4187, 24 hectares, located in the <strong>Tungabhadra</strong> basin in Central <strong>Karnataka</strong>, Bellary District.</li>
<li>Hampi&rsquo;s spectacular setting is dominated by river Tungabhadra, craggy hill ranges and open plains, with widespread physical remains.</li>
<li>The sophistication of the varied urban, royal and sacred systems is evident from the more than 1600 surviving remains that include forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, Mandapas etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/123image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/123image4.jpg" width="406" height="159" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Mountain Railways of India,</strong> the world heritage site, includes <strong>three railways:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Darjeeling Himalayan Railway located in the foothills of the Himalayas in West Bengal (Northeast India),</li>
<li>Nilgiri Mountain Railways located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu (South India) and</li>
<li>Kalka Shimla Railway located in the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh (Northwest India).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the most outstanding example of a hill passenger railway. Opened in 1881, its design applies bold and ingenious engineering solutions to the problem of establishing an effective rail link across a mountainous terrain of great beauty.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Heritage Committee is composed of representatives of <strong>21 States Parties</strong> to the <strong>World Heritage Convention</strong> who meet annually.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an <strong>international agreement</strong> that was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972.</li>
<li>It is based on the premise that certain places on Earth are of outstanding universal value and should therefore form part of the common heritage of humankind.</li>
<li>It basically <strong>defines the kind of natural or cultural sites</strong> which can be considered for inscription on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/architectural-heritage-of-orchha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Heritage List.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Committee is in charge of implementing the Convention.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-heritage-committee-s-concerns'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Next Dalai Lama',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, China has urged India not to recognize a successor to the Tibetan spiritual leader that it doesn't endorse.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China has held that it will reject any reincarnation of the Dalai Lama born among Tibetan exiles in India or elsewhere.</li>
<li>The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is a historical and controversial issue.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Dalai Lama</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dalai Lama is a title given by the Tibetan people for the foremost spiritual leader of the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism, the newest of the classical schools of Tibetan Buddhism.</li>
<li>The 14<sup>th</sup> and current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso.</li>
<li>The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron saint of Tibet.</li>
<li>Bodhisattvas are realized beings inspired by a wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings, who have vowed to be reborn in the world to help humanity.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Following the Buddhist belief in the principle of reincarnation, the current Dalai Lama is believed by Buddhists to be able to choose the body into which he is reincarnated.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>That person, when found, will then become the next Dalai Lama.</li>
<li>According to Buddhist scholars it is the responsibility of the High Lamas of the Gelugpa tradition and the Tibetan government to seek out and find the next Dalai Lama following the death of the incumbent.</li>
<li>If more than one candidate is identified, the true successor is found by officials and monks drawing lots in a public ceremony.</li>
<li>Once identified, the successful candidate and his family are taken to Lhasa (or Dharamsala) where the child studies the Buddhist scriptures in order to prepare for spiritual leadership.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>But , According to China, there was a well-established procedure for recognizing the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama,<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One of the conditions was that the name of the successor was pulled out of golden urns found in the Jokhang Temple (one of the most sacred monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism situated in Lhasa) and the Potala Palace which was the residence of the Dalai Lama till he fled to India in 1959.</li>
<li>The second was the reincarnation getting the approval of the Chinese government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/next-dalai-lama'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Desalination without Electricity',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, researchers at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, have been able to desalinate seawater to produce drinking water without using electricity.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Unlike the conventional reverse osmosis that is energy-intensive, the researchers used gold nanoparticles which required no external energy to produce potable water from seawater.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/342image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/342image3.jpg" width="271" height="271" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>Using gold nanoparticles that absorb sunlight over the entire visible region and even the near-infrared light, researchers were able to use sunlight to heat the water up to 85 degrees Celsius and generate steam to produce drinking water from seawater.</li>
<li>Alternatively, gold nanoparticles can also be used to convert carbon dioxide into methane.</li>
<li>However, This is only a preliminary study. The next step should be to replace gold with some inexpensive metal to make it sustainable,</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/desalination-without-electricity'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Visa-Free Access to Kartarpur Corridor',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, Pakistan has agreed to give year-long visa-free access for Indian pilgrims to the Gurdwara of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kartarpur-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kartarpur Sahib</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It allows visa-free travel for the Indian passport-holders and<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-diaspora" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&nbsp;Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)</strong></a> card-holders seven days a week.</li>
<li>India proposed that the holy shrine be open to Indian citizens of all faiths, acceding to this demand pakistan &ldquo;in-principle agreed&rdquo; to allow all people with Indian passport and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card-holders.</li>
<li>India also asked Pakistan to prevent <strong>Khalistan</strong> supporters from misusing this historic initiative.</li>
<li>India also urged Pakistan to allow <strong>&lsquo;Nagar Kirtan&rsquo;</strong> from Delhi to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan in July and during October-November 2019 as part of the celebrations to mark the <strong>550<sup>th</sup> birth of Guru Nanak dev,</strong> the first Sikh Guru.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Guru Nanak Dev</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti is observed on the full-moon day in the month of Katak to celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539).</li>
<li>He was the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus and the founder of Sikhism.</li>
<li>The Kartarpur corridor will be implemented as an integrated development project with Government of India funding. The development comes ahead of the 550<sup>th</sup> Prakash Purab or 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in 2019.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Nagar Kirtan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nagar Kirtan is a Punjabi term which literally means "Neighbourhood Kirtan".</li>
<li>The term refers to the possession of Sikh Sangat (Congregation) through the town singing holy hymns.</li>
<li>The concept of a Nagar Kirtan is to bring the message of God to the doorstep of the community.</li>
<li>It is common during the month of Vaisakhi(April-May) and take place all over the globe.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Khalistan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Khalistan movement is a Khalsa nationalist movement that wants to create an independent state for Sikh people, inside the current north-western region of India.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/visa-free-access-to-kartarpur-corridor'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Shark Awareness Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The World Wide Fund for Nature has released a report highlighting the risks to Sharks in the Mediterranean region on the occasion of Shark Awareness Day which is observed on July 14<sup>th</sup> every year.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/742image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/742image1.jpg" width="497" height="290" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Theme for the year 2019 is <strong>"The sharks in crisis: a call to action for the Mediterranean."</strong></li>
<li>The risks highlighted by the report are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Overfishing:</strong> While some species are targeted for food, many of the sharks fished in the Mediterranean are bycatch caught up in nets set for other fish.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aegean-sea-litter" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Plastic pollution:</strong></a> The explosion of plastic pollution is endangering shark populations, either through the animals ingesting or becoming enmeshed in refuse items.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>More than half of shark and ray species in the Mediterranean were under threat, and almost a third of them have been fished to the brink of extinction.</li>
<li>The report singled out <strong>Libya and Tunisia</strong> as the worst culprits, with each country&rsquo;s fishery hauling in about 4,200 tonnes of sharks a year &mdash; three times that of the next biggest Mediterranean fisher, Italy.</li>
<li>The IUCN Red List of <strong>endangered species</strong> counts 79 endangered shark and 120 endangered ray species.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>World Wide Fund for Nature</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1961, working in the field of wilderness preservation, and the reduction of humanity's footprint on the environment.</li>
<li>It was formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States.</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Gland, Switzerland.</li>
<li>The group's mission is <strong>"to stop the degradation of the planet&rsquo;s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature".</strong></li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/summary-of-important-reports/living-planet-report-2018-aiming-higher-by-wwf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Living Planet Report</a> </strong>published every two years by WWF is based on a Living Planet Index and ecological footprint calculation.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/shark-awareness-day'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Central Equipment Identity Register',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><strong>Department of Telecommunications</strong> (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications has initiated a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) for mobile service providers.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The National Telecom Policy of 2012</strong> calls for the establishment of a <strong>National Mobile Property Registry</strong>&nbsp;to address the issue of<strong> security, theft,</strong> and other concerns including <strong>reprogramming</strong> of mobile handsets.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Central Equipment Identity Register</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will be a <strong>central depository</strong> or database of all mobile phones connected to networks across India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every mobile network provider in India has an <strong>Equipment Identity Register</strong> (EIR), or a database of the phones connected to its network.</li>
<li>These EIRs will now share information with a single central database, i.e CEIR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CEIR will have information on the Device&rsquo;s :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number.</li>
<li>Model</li>
<li>Version</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Mobile Equipment Identity</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Every phone or mobile broadband device has this unique <strong>15 digit code</strong> that precisely identifies the device.</li>
<li>Mobile phone <strong>manufacturers</strong> assign IMEI numbers to each device based on ranges allotted to them by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association.</li>
<li><strong>Dual SIM phones</strong> will have<strong> two</strong> IMEI numbers.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Objective of CEIR</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Such centralized databases are meant to <strong>identify</strong> and<strong> block stolen or illegal mobile</strong> phones across networks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Presently, when a customer reports a mobile phone as missing or stolen, mobile service providers have the ability to blacklist the phone&rsquo;s IMEI in their EIRs and block it from accessing their network.</li>
<li>But if the SIM is changed to a new network, it can continue to be in use whereas in case of CEIR all network operators will be aware that the phone is blacklisted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The CEIR will also access the GSMA&rsquo;s database of IMEI numbers to check whether the phone is authentic. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are cases of phones being in use with duplicate IMEI numbers, or with all zeros instead of an authentic IMEI number.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CEIR will be able to block services to subscribers unlike present system that allows only individual networks to block services in case of theft and or stolen mobiles.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Major issue with CEIR is to identify the <strong>authority</strong> that should maintain such a high-value database (whether <strong>service provider</strong> or a <strong>neutral third party</strong>).</li>
<li>Another major issue is <strong>cloning</strong> or <strong>reprogramming stolen</strong> or unauthorized mobile phones to attach existing genuine IMEI numbers. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As blocking cloned IMEI numbers could result in the authentic ones also being blocked.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-equipment-identity-register'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Midday Meal Scheme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has received 35 complaints from 15 States and Union Territories (UTs) regarding substandard food quality in mid-day meals in the past three years.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Midday Meal Scheme comes under the HRD Ministry&rsquo;s Department of School Education and Literacy.</li>
<li>Launched in the year 1995 as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-hike-monthly-pensions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>centrally sponsored scheme</strong></a>, it provides that every child within the age group of six to fourteen years studying in<strong> classes I to VIII</strong> who enrolls and attends the school, shall be provided <strong>hot cooked meal</strong> having nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12 gm of protein for primary (I- V class) and 700 calories and 20 gm protein for upper primary (VI-VIII class), free of charge every day except on school holidays.</li>
<li>The scheme covers all <strong>government and government aided schools</strong> and also Madarsa and Maqtabs supported under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-21st-july-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan</strong></a> (SSA).</li>
<li>The last Mid Day Meal Rules were notified in the year 2015 under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-21st-july-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Food Security Act, 2013</strong></a> but amendments have been made from time to time.</li>
<li>The rules provide that <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The place of serving meals to the children shall be school only.</li>
<li>The meal shall be prepared in accordance with the Mid Day Meal guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time.</li>
<li>The latest guidelines provide instructions on procuring <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-27th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AGMARK</a></strong> quality items for preparation of midday meals, tasting of meals by two or three adult members of the school management committee, including at least one teacher, before serving to children.</li>
<li>If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to non-availability of food grains or any other reason, the State Government shall pay<strong> food security allowance</strong> by 15<sup>th</sup> of the succeeding month.</li>
<li>The School Management Committee mandated under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/Implementation-of-Section-12-1c-of-the-RTE-Act-A-Progress-Report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009</strong></a> shall also monitor implementation of the Mid-day meal Scheme.</li>
<li>The <strong>State Steering-cum Monitoring Committee (SSMC)</strong> shall oversee the implementation of the scheme including establishment of a mechanism for maintenance of nutritional standards and quality of meals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The government provides <strong>financial support</strong> to the eligible schools/implementing agencies in the form of free food grains and by bearing cooking related costs.</li>
</ul>',
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		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'MSME Sector: Underutilised Engine of Growth',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p><em>This article is based on the editorial &ldquo;<a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/tying-up-the-loose-ends-for-msmes/article28414141.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tying up the loose ends for MSMEs</a>&rdquo; which appeared in The Hindu Business Line on 13<sup>th</sup> July 2019. It talks about challenges and solution for the MSME sector.</em></p>
</div>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/going-beyond-the-credit-requirements-of-msmes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)</a> play a vital role for the growth of Indian economy by contributing 45% of industrial output, 40% of exports, employing 60 million people, creating 1.3 million jobs every year and producing more than 8000 quality products for the Indian and international markets.</p>
<p>Despite the importance of the MSMEs in Indian economic growth, the sector is facing several challenges and does not get the required support from the concerned government departments, financial institutions and corporates which is proving to be a hurdle in the growth of the MSMEs and subsequently Indian economy.</p>
<h3>What are the challenges faced by MSME?</h3>
<p>According to NITI Aayog's strategy document [email protected], it envisages doubling the current growth rate of the manufacturing sector by 2022. However, the following are some of the several challenges faced by the MSME sector:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Investment</strong>: There has been a cyclical slowdown in fresh investment since 2011-12. Also, The MSMEs are presently facing the problems of credit from the banks.</li>
<li><strong>Technology adoption:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The adoption of new technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, machine-to-machine communications, robotics and related technologies, collectively called &ldquo;Industry 4.0&rdquo;, is a bigger challenge for SMEs than for organized large-scale manufacturing.</li>
<li>Also, data security, reliability of data and stability in communication/transmission also pose challenges to technology adoption.</li>
<li>Further, in the present era of globalization, the MSMEs are facing great competition from the international manufacturing companies (which use Industry 4.0), as they are providing quality goods at the cheapest price.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exports and insufficient domestic demand:</strong> India's economic growth is not export-driven industrial growth. Also, domestic demand alone may not be adequate for sustained, high-value manufacturing.</li>
<li><strong>Challenges to doing business:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite recent improvements in our global Ease of doing business rank, it continues to be a drag on the system. Getting construction permits, enforcing contracts, paying taxes, starting a business and trading across borders, continue to constrain the ease of doing business.</li>
<li>Though MSMEs are developing rapidly, the infrastructure provided to them is very poor. With poor infrastructure, their production capacity remains low with the increasing production cost.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of training and skill development program:</strong> The training and development programs in respect of MSME`S development concern is very low.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>So, skilled manpower is not available to the MSMEs. Also, the skill developmental schemes conducted by the government are not sufficient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Labour laws along with most of the laws related to manufacturing and service concerned are very complex and compliance with these laws are practically difficult. Rad-tapism adds to the issues.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>MSMEs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>
<p>MSMEs are l<strong>abour intensive</strong>, have the advantage of the low cost of production and can make good use of locally available resources pushing demand and growth</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The sector <strong>offers a wide range of employment opportunities</strong> and absorbs most of the working age population</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Majorly consist of handlooms, handicrafts, coir, sericulture, khadi and village industries, small scale industries and powerlooms</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>A<strong>re complementary to large industries as ancillary units.</strong></p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Contribute in the <strong>inclusive industrial development.</strong></p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Function as the backbone by providing the <strong>linkage between different units within the economy</strong>, connecting the labour skills, intermediate parts and market to the respective specific manufacturing systems.</p>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-msme-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International MSME Day</a> is celebrated on 27th June.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The importance of MSMEs is reiterated in all policy documents and is the latest budget (2019-2020) is no different:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The budget has attempted to fix the problem of delays in payments to MSMEs. The government has spoken of creating a payment platform for MSMEs to facilitate the billing and payments through it.</li>
<li>This is in sync with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-panel-s-recommendations-on-msme">UK Sinha Committee recommendations</a> on MSME reforms.</li>
<li>The extension of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/support-and-outreach-initiative-for-msme-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener">59-minute loan scheme</a> to new entrepreneurs will fit well with the government&rsquo;s emphasis on startups and MSME</li>
<li>The limit for collateral-free loans has been raised to ₹20 lakh from ₹10 lakh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Institutional changes in SIDBI should be done so that it can be elevated as a market maker for funding of MSMEs.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SIDBI should be involved in getting micro-finance institutions (MFIs) and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) to finance MSMEs, and venture capital funds would be an integral part of the system that is linked to potential borrowers.</li>
<li>MUDRA should be reinvented so that SIDBI becomes more effective in its operations as it gets into underwriting, risk management and fund-raising on its own.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To make lending effective,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-elixir-for-msmes-access-to-credit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> credit guarantee</a> of loans to MSMEs is important. The UK Sinha panel stated that all these schemes should be regulated and brought under the RBI.</li>
<li>The issue of a potential default is relevant for MSMEs as the class of entrepreneurs is different from those in the corporate sector and the size of the loan is much smaller.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hence, using the normal 180-day rule under Insolvency and bankruptcy code should be relaxed in case of MSME.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For demand generation, augmentation of industrial infrastructure and promotion of MSMEs
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government can play a crucial role in creating domestic manufacturing capabilities by l<strong>everaging proposed public procurement and projects.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mega public projects such as Sagarmala, Bharatmala, industrial corridors, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)</strong> can stimulate domestic manufacturing activities provided the projects are suitably structured and demand is aggregated strategically.</li>
<li>This should be accompanied by a<strong> simplification of the regulatory process.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Industrial corridors</strong> should address the lack of infrastructure and logistics.</li>
<li>For India to become the world&rsquo;s workshop, we should <strong>encourage further FDI in manufacturing.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Disruptive technology</strong> (Industry 4.0) can be encouraged which, while leading to job losses in traditional areas, also presents new job opportunities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A greater connect between government-industry-academia is required to identify the changing requirements in manufacturing and prepare an employable workforce.</li>
<li>In the context of employability of engineers, there is a need for a thorough review of standards of engineering education and its linkages with industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian quality standards should be harmonized with global standards</strong> in many sectors. Lack of harmonization has affected <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/export-promotion-council-established-for-msme-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian exports</a> and prevented the leveraging of trade agreements adequately</li>
</ul>
<p>Industrialization is a progressive measure which creates social and economic change by transforming the human society from pre-industrialization to industrial era, also it plays a dominant role in the development of the economy, acts as a basic fundamental factor which is influenced on the growth prospects of the economy of a country.</p>
<p>In this context, the MSME sector acts as a factory for entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities as well as a tool for poverty eradication.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #faf4d4; border-color: #0049b8; border-style: dashed;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 899px;"><strong>Drishti Input:<br /><br /></strong>The MSME sector acts as a factory for entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities as well as a tool for poverty eradication. In this context highlight the challenges and solutions for MSME sector?</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Joint Economic Trade Committee ',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Union Minister of Commerce &amp; Industry will address <strong>India&ndash;UK Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO)</strong> meeting in London.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The key issues that will be addressed at JETCO process include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Future of the UK-India Financial Services Relationship.</li>
<li>Opportunities in India&rsquo;s growing economy.</li>
<li>Innovation in financial services (FinTech).</li>
<li>Investing in stressed assets.</li>
<li>Opportunities in green infrastructure financing.</li>
<li>Investing in innovation (private equity/venture capital) and the future of insurance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Joint Economic Trade Committee&nbsp;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>JETCO provides a forum to United Kingdom companies to enhance their links and develop new partnerships with India business and decision-makers.</li>
<li>Government to Government negotiations, which address issues of market liberalization and market access, are conducted through the JETCO process.</li>
<li>The UK India Business Council plays a key role in feeding the views of the UK business community into JETCO process with a view to achieving favorable outcomes for UK companies.</li>
<li>One of the key objectives of the JETCO process is to unveil opportunities for London&rsquo;s most prominent institutional investors to invest in India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India-UK Trade</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UK is the<strong> third largest FDI investor</strong> in India and is among India&rsquo;s main trading partners.</li>
<li>Trade totaled Euro 13.6 billion in 2018. Moreover, trade between India and UK increased at an average rate of 8.8% per year between 2002 and 2018.</li>
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		'title' => 'Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)',
		'catname' => 'Paper 3',
		'desc' => '<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Worldwide, MSMEs have been accepted as the engine of economic growth and for promoting equitable development.</li>
<li>They constitute over 90% of total enterprises in most of the economies and are credited with generating the highest rates of employment growth.</li>
<li>With low investment requirements, operational flexibility and the capacity to develop appropriate indigenous technology, SMEs have the power to propel India to new heights.</li>
<li>Hence, it seems like there is a silent revolution happening in India powered by MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Importance of MSMEs for Indian Economy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Employment:</strong> It is the second largest employment generating sector after agriculture. It provides employment to around 120 million persons in India.</li>
<li><strong>Contribution to GDP:</strong> With around 36.1 million units throughout the geographical expanse of the country, MSMEs contribute around 6.11% of the manufacturing GDP and 24.63% of the GDP from service activities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>MSME ministry has set a target to up its contribution to GDP to 50% by 2025 as India becomes a $5 trillion economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exports</strong>: It contributes around 45% of the overall exports from India.</li>
<li><strong>Inclusive growth:</strong> MSMEs promote inclusive growth by providing employment opportunities in rural areas especially to people belonging to weaker sections of the society. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example: Khadi and Village industries require low per capita investment and employs a large number of women in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial inclusion:</strong> Small industries and retail businesses in tier-II and tier-III cities create opportunities for people to use banking services and products.</li>
<li><strong>Promote innovation:</strong> It provides opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to build creative products boosting business competition and fuels growth.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Thus, Indian MSME sector is the backbone of the national economic structure and acts as a bulwark for Indian economy, providing resilience to ward off global economic shocks and adversities.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">MSME redefined</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2018 proposes to reclassify all MSMEs, whether they are manufacturing or service-providing enterprises, on the basis of their annual turnover.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578480703_image40.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578480703_image40.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha and further referred to the Standing Committee which tabled its report on 28 December 2018.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Benefits of proposed reclassification</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The new classification would eliminate the need for frequent inspections which was earlier required to check the investment in plant and machinery.</li>
<li>It would be a non discriminatory, transparent and objective criterion.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Factors which led to growth of MSMEs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Campaigns</strong> like Skill India, Startup India, Digital India and Make in India aim to provide MSME players with a level playing field and a definitive push towards enhanced productivity.</li>
<li><strong>Digitization:</strong> Increasing internet penetration, customer&rsquo;s familiarization with digital payments fuelled by B2C ecommerce players facilitate MSME sector growth.</li>
<li>Tie-ups with new-age <strong>non-banking finance (FinTech) companies</strong> allowed access to timely collateral free finance to MSMEs.</li>
<li><strong>Changing employment patterns:</strong> Younger generation shifting from agriculture towards entrepreneurial activities creating job prospects for others.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Issues faced by MSMEs and steps taken to improve their condition</h3>
<p></p>
<table border="1" style="height: 0px; width: 0%; border-collapse: collapse;" height="992">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 27.7483%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #0059ff; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Issues and Challenges</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 45.5647%; height: 19px; text-align: center; background-color: #0059ff; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Steps Taken</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 27.7483%; height: 10px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<p><strong>Access to credit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>90% of the MSMEs are dependent on informal sources for funding</li>
<li>Lack of sufficient collateral and high working capital needs</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 45.5647%; height: 10px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">Launch of the <strong>59 minute loan portal</strong> to enable easy access to credit for MSMEs.</li>
<li>2 percent interest subvention for all GST registered MSMEs, on fresh or incremental loans.</li>
<li>Trade Receivables e-Discounting System <strong>(TReDS) </strong>to <strong>enable access to credit from banks,</strong> based on their upcoming trade receivables from corporate and other buyers.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 27.7483%; height: 19px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<p><strong>Access to Markets</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Low outreach and non availability of new markets.</li>
<li>Lack of skilled manpower and ineffective marketing strategy.</li>
<li>Difficult for MSMEs to sell products to government agencies.</li>
<li>Competition from MNCs and other big industries.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 45.5647%; height: 19px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Union government announced to launch an e-commerce platform on the lines of <strong>&ldquo;Amazon and Alibaba"</strong> to sell products from MSMEs and the Khadi and Village Industries Commission.</li>
<li>Public sector companies now <strong>compulsorily procure 25%,</strong> instead of 20% of their total purchases, from MSMEs.</li>
<li>More than 40,000 MSMEs registered on <strong>Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.</strong> It provides transparency in procurement and facilitates MSMEs to directly reach out to the buyers.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 27.7483%; height: 19px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<p><strong>Technology Access</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Limited human resources and weak financial standing.</li>
<li>MSMEs, particularly in the unorganised sector, show lower adaptability of new technology and innovation.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 45.5647%; height: 19px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>20 hubs and 100 spokes in the form of tool rooms will be established across the country. This will <strong>facilitate product design</strong> and easy access to latest technology to MSMEs.</li>
<li>Financial assistance is provided for implementation of <strong>lean manufacturing techniques</strong> to enhance the manufacturing competitiveness of MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 27.7483%; height: 10px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<p><strong>Quality and Export Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Low quality products impact export competitiveness.</li>
<li>Inadequate access to quality raw materials.</li>
<li>Use of traditional machines causes low productivity.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 45.5647%; height: 10px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Financial support to MSMEs in ZED(Zero Defect Zero Effect) certification to improve quality of products.</li>
<li>Government provides subsidy towards the expenditure incurred by enterprises to obtain the product certification licenses from national and international bodies.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 270px;">
<td style="width: 27.7483%; height: 60px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<p><strong>Ease of Doing Business</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cumbersome government procedures and rules for establishing new units.</li>
<li>Bureaucratic delays in getting clearances.</li>
<li>Poor litigation system in the country.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="width: 45.5647%; height: 60px; background-color: #c0f1fa; vertical-align: top;">
<ul>
<li>The return under 8 labour laws and 10 Union regulations must now be filed only once a year.</li>
<li><strong>Computerised random allotment</strong> for inspector visits to the establishment.</li>
<li>Environmental Clearance under air pollution and water pollution laws, have been <strong>merged into one.</strong> Also, the return will be accepted through self-certification.</li>
<li>For minor violations under the Companies Act, the entrepreneur will no longer have to approach the courts, but can correct them through simple procedures. This signifies <strong>simplification of government procedures</strong> and instilling confidence among entrepreneurs.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><br />Government schemes to promote MSMEs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><em><strong>Udyami Mitra Portal </strong></em><strong>:</strong> launched by SIDBI to improve accessibility of credit and handholding services to MSMEs.</li>
<li><em><strong>MSME Sambandh </strong></em><strong>:&nbsp;</strong>To monitor the implementation of the public procurement from MSMEs by Central Public Sector Enterprises.</li>
<li><em><strong>MSME Samadhaan</strong></em> -MSME Delayed Payment Portal &ndash;&ndash; will empower Micro and Small entrepreneurs across the country to directly register their cases relating to delayed payments by Central Ministries/Departments/CPSEs/State Governments.</li>
<li><em><strong>Digital MSME Scheme</strong></em><strong> :</strong> It involves usage of Cloud Computing where MSMEs use the internet to access common as well as tailor-made IT infrastructure</li>
<li><em><strong>Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme</strong></em> : It is a credit linked subsidy program under Ministry of MSME.</li>
<li><em><strong>Revamped Scheme of Fund for Regeneration Of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)</strong></em> : organizes traditional industries and artisans into clusters and make them competitive by enhancing their marketability &amp; equipping them with improved skills.</li>
<li><strong><em>A Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Rural Industry &amp; Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE)</em></strong> : creates new jobs &amp; reduce unemployment, promotes entrepreneurship culture, facilitates innovative business solution etc.</li>
<li><em><strong>National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP)</strong></em> : to develop global competitiveness among Indian MSMEs by improving their processes, designs, technology and market access.</li>
<li><em><strong>Micro &amp; Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP)</strong></em> - adopts cluster development approach for enhancing the productivity and competitiveness as well as capacity building of MSEs.</li>
<li><em><strong>Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS</strong></em>) is operational for upgradation of technology for MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Other recent initiatives to promote MSMEs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In June 2019, <strong>RBI committee</strong> headed by former <strong>SEBI Chairman UK Sinha</strong> suggested a <strong>Rs 5,000 crore stressed asset fund</strong> for the MSME sector to provide relief to small businesses hurt by <strong>demonetisation, GST,</strong> and an ongoing <strong>liquidity crisis.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has also recommended doubling <strong>the cap on collateral-free loans to Rs 20 lakh</strong> from the current Rs 10 lakh extended to borrowers falling under the Mudra scheme, self-help groups, and MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>MSME Ministry announced in June 2019 to lift the ban on entry of <strong>corporates and private players</strong> in the MSME sector to pave way for the formation of <strong>700 clusters</strong> to reduce dependence on imports as well as for job creation.</li>
<li>MSME Ministry is also planning to set up <strong>enterprise facilitation centres</strong> across the country to make smaller businesses more competitive and help them integrate with big enterprises.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Therefore, the government should continue to put concerted efforts for holistic development of MSMEs in key areas like <strong>human capacity development, knowledge services, access to finance, technology, infrastructure, market access, and ease of doing business.</strong></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">International Experiences</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to World Bank, formal SMEs contribute up to 60% of total employment and up to 40% of national income (GDP) in emerging economies.</li>
<li>600 million jobs will be needed in the next 15 years to absorb the growing global workforce, mainly in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In emerging markets, most formal jobs are generated by SMEs, which also create 4 out of 5 new positions.</li>
<li>However, access to credit remains a major problem to the MSME sector globally.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578481188_image20.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578481188_image20.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="780" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In globalised world, it is imperative to enable MSMEs to adapt and thrive in a more open environment and participate more actively in the digital transformation, to boost economic growth and deliver a more inclusive globalisation.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Today enterprises need to adopt best practises and follow international standards to go forward for offering innovative solutions.</li>
<li>Focus should be on transfer of information and skill development to effectively use the transferred technology.</li>
<li>There is an urgent need to upgrade infrastructure utilities (like water, power supply, road/rail) for any enterprise to run its operations successfully.</li>
<li>Entrepreneurs need to develop quality conscious mindsets embedded in the organisational culture.</li>
<li>Sensitisation and handholding of MSMEs at different and upgraded level of certification is the need of the hour.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Finally, as recommended by <strong>India MSME Report 2018,</strong> we need an entitlement approach that can have the potential of compelling all related stakeholders to work on a common national agenda and solutions under a scientifically structured framework. This approach demands the identification and analysis of major security threats to the MSMEs, and entrepreneurship at the grass root level.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Behavioural Economics for New India',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on editorial <a href="https://www.livemint.com/opinion/columns/opinion-india-s-cautious-adoption-of-behavioural-economics-1563215954563.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;India&rsquo;s cautious adoption of behavioural economics&rdquo;</a> that appeared in the Live mint on 16 July 2019. It analyses the economic survey&rsquo;s bet for Behavioural Economics Theory to bring social change, which in turn, will help India transit to a $5 trillion economy.</p>
</div>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/highlights-of-economic-survey-2018-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Economic Survey 2019</a> has drawn on <strong>Nobel Laureate Richard Thaler&rsquo;s Behavioural Economics Theory</strong> to lay out what it describes as an &ldquo;ambitious agenda" for behaviour change that will bring in social change, which in turn, will help India transit to a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25. Programmes such as Swachh Bharat Mission, Jan Dhan Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, provide testimony to the potential for behavioural change in India.</p>
<p>Given India's rich cultural and spiritual heritage, social norms(that play a very important role in shaping the behaviour), can be utilized to effect behavioural change. Behavioural economics is, however, not a panacea to policymaking.</p>
<h3>What is Behavioural Economics?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Behavioural economics is a method of economic analysis that applies psychological insights into human behaviour to explain economic decision-making</li>
<li>In reality, decisions made by people often deviate from the various theories of classical economics. Drawing on the psychology of human behaviour, behavioural economics provides insights to &lsquo;nudge&rsquo; people towards desirable behaviour.</li>
<li>The US academic Richard Thaler has won the Nobel prize in economics in 2017 for his pioneering work in this field.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What are the learnings of the economic survey on Behavioral Economics?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A key principle of behavioural economics is that while people&rsquo;s behaviour is influenced significantly by social norms, understanding the drivers of these social norms can enable change. In India, where <strong>social and religious norms</strong> play such a dominant role in influencing behaviour; behavioural economics can, therefore, provide a valuable instrument for change.</li>
<li>Many Indian schemes that employ insights from behavioural economics have met with success. For example:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)</strong> and the <strong>Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP)</strong> scheme, <strong>Give it up&nbsp;</strong>(LPG subsidy).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Survey, therefore, lays out an ambitious agenda for behavioural change by applying the principles of behavioural economics to several issues, including gender equality, a healthy and beautiful India, savings, tax compliance and credit quality.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How Behavioural Economics can be applied in the Indian context?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, behavioural economists have discovered the efficacy of a new class of policies called <strong>&ldquo;nudge&rdquo; policies</strong>. Nudge policies gently steer people towards desirable behaviour even while preserving their liberty to choose.</li>
<li>According to <strong>Nudge theory</strong>: People need reminders and positive reinforcement to sustain socially desirable behaviour.</li>
<li>According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, there are more than 202 government institutions using behavioural insights around the world.</li>
<li>Examples of nudge policies:
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>For increasing tax compliance in India:</strong> Citizens can be sent variations of text messages on how their taxes make a difference to public services.</li>
<li><strong>For reducing drop out rate in poor families:</strong> Parents can be informed about the average income gains from spending one more year in school for children.</li>
<li><strong>To increase savings rate:</strong> People can be offered specially designed savings accounts that locked up funds until a self-specified target was met.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Behavioural economics is, however, not a panacea to policymaking.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What are the limitations of Behavioural Economics?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>&lsquo;Give It Up&rsquo; -LPG subsidy was a comparatively easy policy to be induced by behavioural economics as it requires only a one-time action of affluent households, whereas task is very difficult in case of Beti Bachao, Beti Padao and SBM, as it requires continuous effort to dislodge mind-sets that prevailed for decades.</li>
<li>Community-led sanitation schemes, part of the SBM, did include steps to change behaviour, but advertising campaigns such as the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme did not target specific states where child sex ratios were already skewed (although it was effective in Haryana, which also has a very poor sex ratio)</li>
<li>The applications of behavioural insights appeared to be a result of <strong>confirmation bias</strong> (to the extent that past policies were viewed with a behavioural lens).</li>
<li>Survey held, reducing corruption, discouraging the conspicuous display of wealth and <strong>inculcating a sense of pride of being the highest taxpayer in a district&nbsp;(by naming buildings after them)</strong> would go a long way in ensuring behavioural change vis-&agrave;-vis tax compliance
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But this could easily lead to a backlash among lower taxpayers, and hurt tax morale disproportionately.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>In this scenario, government regulation, taxes and free-market policies should be clubbed with a nudge effect to increase the efficacy of policymaking. If it is implemented diligently than Indian policymaking will be transformed:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>From BBBP to BADLAV (Beti Aapki Dhan Lakshmi Aur Vijay Lakshmi)</li>
<li>From Swachh Bharat to Sundar Bharat</li>
<li>From &ldquo;Give it up&rdquo; for the LPG subsidy to &ldquo;Think about the Subsidy&rdquo;</li>
<li>From tax evasion to tax compliance</li>
</ul>
<p>And the dream of New India 2022 can be realised.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #faf9dc; border-color: #870101; border-style: dashed;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 1256px;"><em><strong>Drishti input:</strong></em><br /><br />Examine the efficacy of Behavioural Economics Theory to bring social change for success of welfare programmes and policy making in the long run.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/behavioural-economics-for-new-india'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Jal Marg Vikas Project',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for <strong>capacity augmentation of navigation</strong> on National Waterway-1 <strong>(NW-1)</strong> is being implemented by the support of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank</a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One of the major problems for a commercially viable and safe navigation on NW-1 is low depth upstream of Farakka barrage due to low discharges from tributaries and difficult hydro morphological characteristics of the river Ganga.</li>
<li>The project will contribute in <strong>bringing down the logistics cost</strong> in the country and will provide an alternative mode of transport which will be environment friendly and cost effective.</li>
<li>It is being implemented by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ladis-least-available-depth-information-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inland Waterways Authority of India</strong></a> (Ministry of Shipping).</li>
<li>The project envisages fairway development through performance based contract for least assured depth of 2.2 metres to 3 metres and bottom channel width of 45 metres, bank protection works, and provisions of navigation aids.</li>
<li>The<strong> states</strong> that are being covered under the Project are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal.</li>
<li>The Project is expected to be completed by <strong>March, 2023</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/276image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/276image2.jpg" width="666" height="458" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-marg-vikas-project'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'National Digital Health Blueprint',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare has released the National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB) report in the public domain for inputs from various stakeholders.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Citizen centricity, quality of care, better access, universal health coverage, and inclusiveness</strong> are some of the key principles of a robust healthcare system.</li>
<li>All these aspirations can be realized principally by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-prescription-for-the-future" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leveraging the power of the digital technologies</a>.</li>
<li>In the context of India, with its size and diversity, this mammoth task requires that a <strong>holistic, comprehensive and interoperable digital architecture</strong> is crafted and adopted by all the stakeholders, and therefore the need of a blueprint.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recommendations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A new entity, <strong>National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)</strong>, is recommended to be established as a purely <strong>government organization</strong> with complete functional autonomy on the lines of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aadhar-and-its-voluntary-use" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-27th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goods and Services Network GSTN</a>.</li>
<li>The Objectives of NDHB are aligned to the Vision of National Health Policy 2017 and the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)</a> relating to the health sector. These include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Establishing and managing the <strong>core digital health data and the infrastructure</strong> required for its seamless exchange.</li>
<li>Promoting the adoption of <strong>open standards by all the actors in the National Digital Health Ecosystem (NDHE)</strong>, for developing several digital health systems that span across the sector from wellness to disease management.</li>
<li>Creating a system of <strong>Personal Health Records</strong>, based on international standards, and easily accessible to the citizens and to the service providers, based on citizen-consent.</li>
<li>Following the <strong>best principles of cooperative federalism</strong> while working with the States and Union Territories for the realization of the Vision.</li>
<li>Promoting <strong>Health Data Analytics</strong> and <strong>Medical Research</strong>.</li>
<li>Enhancing the <strong>efficiency and effectiveness of Governance</strong> at all levels.</li>
<li>Ensuring <strong>Quality</strong> of Healthcare.</li>
<li>Leveraging the <strong>Information Systems already existing</strong> in the health sector</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>While the Blueprint has <strong>identified 23 Building Blocks</strong>, a few of the <strong>critical capabilities</strong> of NDHE are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Identification:</strong> The Blueprint handles the requirements of Unique identification of <strong>Persons, Facilities, Diseases and Devices through 2 Building Blocks, namely, Personal Health Identifier (PHI), and Health Master Directories &amp; Registries</strong>.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This can be achieved through a combination of <strong>Aadhaar-based Identification/ Authentication</strong>&nbsp;and <strong>through other specified types </strong>of identifiers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Citizen to be in Control:</strong> The Blueprint achieves the complex and mandatory requirements of maintaining the confidentiality, security, and privacy of health records through <strong>Consent Manager, Anonymizer and Privacy Operations Centre</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Service Access/ Delivery:&nbsp;</strong>Access and delivery to be implemented by a combination of <strong>Web (India Health Portal), Mobile (MyHealth App) and Call Centres besides Social Media Platforms</strong>.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Command, Control and Communication Centre enable real-time monitoring and real-time interventions needed in the NDHE.</li>
<li>Given the significant spread of smartphones and the prospects of its further growth, The Blueprint <strong>emphasizes the &lsquo;Mobile First&rsquo; principle</strong> for the majority of stakeholder-facing services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Interoperability:</strong> The Health Information Exchange and the National Health Informatics Standards enable and promote the interoperability of various building blocks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It can be noted that recently, as part of the high-level summit, the <strong>Delhi Declaration on digital health for sustainable development</strong> was adopted at the concluding session of the<strong> '4<sup>th</sup> Global Digital Health Partnership Summit&rsquo;</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Global Digital Health Partnership Summit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> &lsquo;4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit&rsquo;</strong> was held in<strong> February, 2019 in New Delhi</strong></li>
<li>It was hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with <strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong> and the <strong>Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP).</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Digital Health Partnership</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP)</strong> is an international collaboration of governments, government agencies and multinational organisations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of their citizens through the best use of evidence-based digital technologies.</li>
<li>It was<strong> established in February 2018,</strong> to provide an opportunity for transformational engagement between its participants.</li>
<li><strong>Australia</strong> was the host country for the <strong>inaugural summit in 2018.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong> is a <strong>specialized agency</strong> of the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations</strong></a> that is concerned with international public health.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.</strong></li>
<li>The WHO&rsquo;s constitution came into force on April 7, 1948 &ndash; a date now celebrated every year as <strong>World Health Day</strong>.</li>
<li>The <strong>World Health Assembly</strong> is the supreme decision-making body in WHO. The assembly meets annually and is attended by delegations from 194 member states.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-digital-health-blueprint'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Declining Sex Ratio and Fertility Rates',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) data from the Registrar General of India, the country&rsquo;s <strong>sex ratio at birth</strong> (SRB) declined to <strong>898</strong> in triennnium (three year period) ending 2017.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>fertility rate reduced</strong> from <strong>2.3</strong> in the year 2016 to <strong>2.2</strong> in the year 2017, close to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/changing-demographic-profile-faster-than-expectation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">replacement level of fertility</a> of 2.1.</li>
<li>This trend is in line with the population <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-population-boon-or-bane-rajya-sabha-lok-sabha-debate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">projections by the United Nations</a>, which have been revised downward in recent years. The year in which India will surpass China in population has been extended from 2022 (according to 2015 report) to 2027 (according to the 2019 report).</li>
<li>This trend also indicates that Indians want <strong>less children</strong> now but want them as sons. The Economic Survey 2017-18 underlined the meta preference towards son in detail.</li>
<li>It is Telangana, Delhi, Kerala along with Bihar, that have shown the sharpest worsening in sex ratio at birth in recent years.</li>
<li>Though use of sex-selection techniques is the biggest cause, social norms that prefer male children is a reason behind poor sex ratio in states like Bihar whereas in urbanised states, the richer households prefer more sons due to flawed social and economic reasons.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong> The SRS data also demonstrated that the proportion of economically active population (15-59) as well as old age population (60+) in India is rising. While the former constitutes 65.4 % of the populace, the latter was at 8.2 % in 2017.</p>
</div>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Sample Registration System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Office of Registrar General (under the Ministry of Home Affairs) initiated the scheme of sample registration of births and deaths in India popularly known as Sample Registration System (SRS) in <strong>1964-65</strong> on a pilot basis and on full scale from 1969-70. The SRS since then has been providing data on a regular basis.</li>
<li>The SRS in India is based on a <strong>dual record system</strong>. The field investigation under Sample Registration System consists of continuous enumeration of births and deaths in a sample of villages/urban blocks by a resident part-time enumerator, and an independent six monthly retrospective survey by a full-time supervisor. The data obtained through these two sources are matched. The unmatched and partially matched events are re-verified in the field to get an unduplicated count of correct events.</li>
<li>The <strong>revision of SRS sampling</strong> frame is undertaken every ten years based on the results of the latest Census.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/declining-sex-ratio-and-fertility-rates'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Common Lineblue and Dark Cerulean',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Rare butterfly species Common Lineblue, (which was last seen in 1962 in Delhi) and <strong>Dark Cerulean</strong> (which was last spotted in the <strong>late 90s</strong>) were spotted by researchers in <strong>2018</strong> after a gap of over half a century.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/514image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/514image4.jpg" width="596" height="521" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both Common Lineblue and Dark Cerulean butterflies are usually found in the <strong>Himalayan foothills</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Researchers </strong>and <strong>lepidopterologists</strong> (branch of entomology concerning the scientific study of moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies) have noted that resurfacing of the two rare species of butterflies in the Delhi points towards the&nbsp;<strong>expanding</strong> <strong>floral diversity</strong> of the region that attracts new butterfly species from adjoining places.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/common-lineblue-and-dark-cerulean'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Rotavirus Vaccination Drive',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The government of India is set to launch a rotavirus vaccine drive across <strong>all states and Union territories</strong> by September 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The vaccine is currently being administered in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Tripura, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>The Rotavac has been introduced in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intensified-mission-indradhanush-best-practice-in-the-world-bmj" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s Universal Immunisation Programme</a> (UIP) including <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-initiates-probe-into-type-2-polio-virus-contamination" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inactivated Polio Vaccine</a> (IPV), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measles-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Measles</a>, Rubella (MR) vaccine, Adult <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/japanese-encephalitis-je" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Japanese Encephalitis</a> (JE) vaccine, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lancet-building-a-tuberculosis-free-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tuberculosis</a>, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia and Meningitis due to Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rotavirus<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/760image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/760image1.jpg" width="492" height="453" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rotavirus can cause diarrohea, which can lead to dehydration (not having enough water in the body).</li>
<li>Rotavirus is a <strong>contagious disease</strong> that spreads easily from child to child.</li>
<li>Rotavirus spreads when a person comes in contact with the <strong>feces</strong> of someone who has rotavirus and then touches their own mouth. For example, rotavirus can spread when a child with rotavirus doesn&rsquo;t wash their hands properly after going to the bathroom and then touches food or other objects.</li>
<li><strong>Symptoms</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Severe diarrhea</li>
<li>Throwing up</li>
<li>Dehydration</li>
<li>Fever</li>
<li>Stomach pain</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organisation</a> (WHO) recommends that the <strong>first dose</strong> of rotavirus vaccine be administered as soon as possible <strong>after 6 weeks of age</strong>, along with DTP vaccination (diptheria, tetanus and pertussis).</li>
<li>WHO has recommended the inclusion of rotavirus vaccine in the <strong>National Schedules</strong>&nbsp;of the countries where under five mortality due to diarrhoeal diseases is more than 10%.</li>
<li>Currently, two vaccines are available against rotavirus:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rotarix</strong> (GlaxoSmithKline): is a <strong>monovalent vaccine recommended</strong> to be orally administered in two doses at 6-12 weeks.</li>
<li><strong>Rota Teq</strong> (Merck) is a <strong>pentavalent vaccine</strong> recommended to be orally administered in three doses starting at 6-12 weeks of age.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Monovalent vaccine and Pentavalent vaccine</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Monovalent vaccines are designed to immunize against a <strong>single antigen</strong> or <strong>single microorganism</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Pentavalent vaccine</strong> provides protection to a child from five life-threatening diseases &ndash; <strong>Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib)</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rotavirus-vaccination-drive'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Subansiri Dam',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Despite<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt"> National Green Tribunal's</a> order of not resuming construction or concretization work at Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project (LSHP) till safety issues are resolved, massive concretization has been carried out at the Subansiri hydroelectric project.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/845image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/845image3.jpg" width="252" height="178" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project</strong> (SLHEP), is an under-construction <strong>gravity dam</strong> on the <strong>Subansiri river</strong> along the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Subansiri River (gold river),</strong> originates in the Tibet Plateau and enters India through Miri hills in Arunachal Pradesh.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>largest tributary</strong> of Brahmaputra River.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project had been kept pending due to</strong> local agitation over several <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/dam-safety-bill-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dam safety</a> and administrative issues involved in the implementation of the project like:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SLHEP contravenes the <strong>1980 Brahmaputra Board Act</strong> by transferring the work of Water Resources Department of Subansiri Basin from the Brahmaputra Board to the <strong>public and private sector</strong>.</li>
<li>Increased <strong>seismic threat level</strong> to the dam, assessed by Indian Institute of Technology at Roorkee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gravity Dam</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Gravity dam</strong> is constructed from <strong>concrete</strong> or <strong>cement</strong> (unlike mud and masonry stones used in embankment).</li>
<li>It is designed to hold back water by primarily utilising the weight of the material alone to resist the horizontal pressure of water pushing against it.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Other Controversial Dams</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sardar Sarovar Dam:</strong> The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a <strong>gravity dam</strong> (2<sup>nd</sup> largest concrete gravity dam by volume in the world) on the <strong>Narmada river</strong> near <strong>Navagam</strong>, Gujarat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan</strong>, receive water and electricity supplied from the dam.</li>
<li>Dam is alleged to displace around <strong>2.5 lakh villagers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>MullaPeriyar Dam:</strong> It is a gravity dam on the <strong>Periyar River</strong> in <strong>Idukki district</strong> of <strong>Kerala</strong> but it is owned and operated by the <strong>Tamil Nadu government</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is an ongoing contention between Kerala and Tamilnadu governments over the height of the dam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Polavaram project:</strong> It is an under-construction multi-purpose National <strong>project</strong> on the <strong>Godavari River</strong> in the West Godavari District and East Godavari District in <strong>Andhra Pradesh</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project will submerge villages in Chhattisgarh and Odisha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Kishanganga Hydroelectric Plant</strong> is a <strong>run-of-the-river</strong> hydroelectric scheme that is designed to divert water from the Kishanganga River to a power plant in the <strong>Jhelum River basin</strong> and is located in <strong>Jammu and Kashmir</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank&rsquo;s</strong></a> court of arbitration failed to resolve the dispute between India and Pakistan over Indus water treaty issue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/subansiri-dam'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Bio-Capsules for Plants',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) scientists have developed the technology to pack bio-fertilizers in tiny capsules. This eliminates the need for farmers to carry the sacks of biofertilizers.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is being called the <strong>one-gram capsule, which have many advantages</strong>:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One-gram capsules are very efficient as it contains the microbial population equivalent to what is present in a one-kg pack of powder-based biofertilizer or a one-litre bottle.</li>
<li>Also, as these microbial strains are retained in the dormant stage, there is no issue of their viable loss in room temperatures as is the case with many liquid-based bio formulations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Currently, various forms of Plant Growth-Promoting Biofertilizers like rhizobacteria (PGPR) formulations are sold commercially. While some are powder-based formulations, others are liquid-based.</li>
<li>Biofertilizers have become popular in the last few years with organic farming becoming increasingly popular.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Biofertilizer</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It consists of a carrier medium rich in live microorganisms. When applied to seed, soil or living plants, it increases soil nutrients or makes them biologically available.</li>
<li>Biofertilizers contain different types of fungi, root bacteria or other microorganisms. They form a mutually beneficial or symbiotic relationship with host plants as they grow in the soil.</li>
<li><strong>Advantages of Biofertilizer</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Increase the nitrogen and phosphorus available to plants more naturally than other fertilizers.</li>
<li>They are simple to use, even for novice small growers.</li>
<li>They do not pollute the soil or the environment, whereas chemical fertilizers often result in too much phosphate and nitrogen in the soil.</li>
<li>They are a cheap, easy-to-use alternative to manufactured petrochemical products.</li>
<li>They restore normal fertility to the soil and make it biologically alive. They boost the amount of organic matter and improve soil texture and structure.</li>
<li>They increase yield by up to 30 per cent because of the nitrogen and phosphorus they add to the soil.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The improvement in soil texture and quality helps plants grow better during periods of drought.</li>
<li>Biofertilizers help plants develop stronger root systems and grow better.</li>
<li>Biofertilizers also reduce the effects of harmful organisms in the soil, such as fungi and nematodes. Plants resist stress better and live longer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disadvantages of Biofertilizer</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Biofertilizers require special care for long-term storage because they are alive. They must be used before their expiration date.</li>
<li>If other microorganisms contaminate the carrier medium or if growers use the wrong strain, they are not as effective.</li>
<li>The soil must contain adequate nutrients for biofertilizer organisms to thrive and work.</li>
<li>They complement other fertilizers, but they cannot totally replace them.</li>
<li>They lose their effectiveness if the soil is too hot or dry.</li>
<li>Excessively acidic or alkaline soils also hamper successful growth of the beneficial microorganisms; moreover, they are less effective if the soil contains an excess of their natural microbiological enemies.</li>
<li>Shortages of particular strains of microorganisms or of the best growing medium reduce the availability of some biofertilizers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bio-capsules-for-plants'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'India’s take on E-commerce at WTO',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on editorial <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/opting-out-of-e-comm-talks-a-good-idea/article28429045.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Opting out of e-comm talks, a good idea&rdquo;</strong></a> that appeared in The Hindu Business Line on 15<sup>th</sup> July 2019. It talks about the reasons why India is not participating in global e-commerce negotiations.</p>
</div>
<p>India at the World Trade Organization (WTO) held that it will not join the negotiations to develop trade rules on e-commerce, as India felt these negotiations are against India's interests. Despite protests from major economies like India, 76 mostly developed nations agreed to initiate talks on e-commerce</p>
<p>It has raised concerns and anxiety amongst industry and policymakers in India. Is it right on part of India to stay away from such negotiations as there is a fear of losing out by not participating in the ongoing negotiations?</p>
<h3>Why India is not joining e-commerce negotiations?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Data is the new oil of the 21<sup>st</sup> century. Data is the heart of the digital revolution,</li>
<li>It is the key resource which can make or break a country in the digital era as all digital technologies like Big data analytics, artificial intelligence, IoT, Robotics, etc need data for them to become more efficient and intelligent.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The larger the population of a country, the larger will be the amount of data generated, and younger the population the more will be the data generated.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s 1.3-billion population is bigger than the population of OECD members (36 countries) taken together, with 66% of its population falling in the age group of 15-64 years, which is around 18 percent of the world&rsquo;s young population.</li>
<li>This amounts to huge data being generated every second in India, which is extremely valuable for the developed world for making efficient digital products and services in the future.</li>
<li>This is the root cause for the pressure being applied on India to join the plurilateral e-commerce negotiations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>During the first industrial revolution,the countries which processed oil were developed not the ones who produced it.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Similarly, today countries which process data are/will be developed rather than those generating huge data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In this scenario, where data is the new currency of the 21<sup>st</sup> century, the term<strong> &lsquo;e-commerce rules&rsquo; is misleading because:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The rules that are being negotiated go much beyond e-commerce and encompass all digital rules which are required by the developed world to make sure that they have free access to data of the world in future as well.</li>
<li>This accounts for India's reluctance over the negotiations on e-commerce as India still doesn't have any comprehensive law on data protection and data ownership nor an e-commerce law, subject to changing dynamics of the digital revolution.</li>
<li><strong>India fears that new rules could provide the pretext for unfair mandatory market access to foreign companies. This will hurt the rapidly growing domestic e-commerce sector, which is still developing in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>What are the steps that can be taken?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Cyber Security Law</strong> is an exemplary law which includes provisions around data not only leaving the country but storing data locally, having joint venture partners, and source code sharing provisions.</li>
<li>Many countries in Africa have started &lsquo;owning&rsquo; their data.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, <strong>Rwanda&rsquo;s Data Revolution Policy</strong> is based on the principle of national data sovereignty whereby Rwanda retains exclusive sovereign rights and power on its national data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Like China has secured the use of its data and EU through its General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), India also needs to make similar regulations.</li>
<li>Following this pursuit India has taken following steps:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has come out with its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-e-commerce-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Draft National E-Commerce Policy</strong></a> which will allow it to own its data and steer the country into processing its own data and develop the much-needed digital capacities</li>
<li>Similarly, draft Data Protection Policy prepared by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/justice-bn-srikrishna-committee-submits-data-protection-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BN Srikrishna committee,</strong></a> has asserted that the data generated in the country is a national asset, and citizens and the government have a sovereign right over it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Apart from this, Big Data analytical skills need to be encouraged so that India&rsquo;s key policies, like industrial and foreign trade policies, can be better digitally informed. Also,in future, the country&rsquo;s national security will also need to rely heavily on the digital technologies and software developed within India using its own data.</li>
</ul>
<p>It is a welcome move that India has realised the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/data-localisation-and-undivided-internet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>importance of data</strong></a> in the digital world. However, India has nothing to fear and lose by remaining out of these e-commerce negotiations, <strong>as India has a comparative advantage of the large population, growing young population and strong IT skills that make India the data mine of the future.</strong></p>
<p>In this context, many emerging initiatives taken by the Government, to establish its ownership over India' data, must be implemented as soon as possible.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 500px; background-color: #f2cece;"><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti input</strong></em></span><br />Data is the currency of the 21st century and India is poised to be future data mine of the world. In this context, India&rsquo;s reluctance to take part in global e-commerce negotiations is actually a good move. Comment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-take-on-e-commerce-at-wto'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Cape Verde Turtles and Climate Change',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recent study has warned that Loggerhead turtles born at a key breeding ground in Cape Verde (an island country in the central Atlantic Ocean) will all be turned<strong> female</strong> because of <strong>climate change.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The sex of turtles is determined by the <strong>temperatures</strong> at which they are incubated and warm temperatures favour females.</li>
<li>If high emissions continue, over <strong>90%</strong> turtles could be incubated at lethally high temperatures, killing youngsters before they hatch.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Even under a low emissions scenario, <strong>99.86%</strong> of hatchlings would be <strong>female</strong> by <strong>2100.</strong></li>
<li>Currently 84% of hatchlings at Cape Verde are female.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Cape Verde has the third largest population of nesting loggerhead turtles.</li>
<li>The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status of Loggerheads turtle is <strong>vulnerable</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Loggerhead Turtles<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/758image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/758image2.jpg" width="328" height="123" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Loggerhead sea turtles are named for their <strong>large heads</strong> that support powerful jaw muscles, allowing them to crush hard-shelled prey like clams and sea urchins.</li>
<li>Unlike other sea turtles they are less likely to be hunted for their meat or shell.</li>
<li>The accidental capture of marine animals in <strong>fishing gear,</strong> is a serious problem for loggerhead turtles because they frequently come in contact with fisheries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many of their nesting beaches are under threat from tourism development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Loggerheads are the most common turtle in the <strong>Mediterranean,</strong> nesting on beaches from <strong>Greece</strong> and<strong> Turkey</strong> to<strong> Israel</strong> and <strong>Libya.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Sea turtles</strong> are not only living representatives of a group of reptiles that has existed on Earth for the last 100 million years but are also a <strong>fundamental link</strong> in <strong>marine ecosystems</strong> and help maintain the health of <strong>coral reefs</strong> and <strong>seagrass beds.</strong></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cape-verde-turtles-and-climate-change'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'World Heritage Committee’s Concerns',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The World Heritage Committee (WHC) has flagged some concerns related to the conservation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kailash-mansarovar-in-tentative-list-of-world-heritage-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>heritage site</strong></a> of Hampi and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The WHC has regretted the lack of response from local authorities on concerns raised about developmental projects in the world heritage site of Hampi.</li>
<li>The Indian Railways, despite requests, have not furnished information between the years 2017 and 2019 regarding the lack of monitoring and general maintenance, and encroachment and waste dumping along the tracks &ndash; all considered violation of global heritage conservation norms.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Hampi<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/931image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/931image5.jpg" width="279" height="210" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The site of Hampi comprise mainly the remnants of the capital city of <strong>Vijayanagara Empire</strong> (14<sup>th</sup>-16<sup>th</sup> Cent CE), the last great Hindu Kingdom.</li>
<li>It encompasses an area of 4187, 24 hectares, located in the <strong>Tungabhadra</strong> basin in Central <strong>Karnataka</strong>, Bellary District.</li>
<li>Hampi&rsquo;s spectacular setting is dominated by river Tungabhadra, craggy hill ranges and open plains, with widespread physical remains.</li>
<li>The sophistication of the varied urban, royal and sacred systems is evident from the more than 1600 surviving remains that include forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, Mandapas etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/123image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/123image4.jpg" width="406" height="159" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Mountain Railways of India,</strong> the world heritage site, includes <strong>three railways:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Darjeeling Himalayan Railway located in the foothills of the Himalayas in West Bengal (Northeast India),</li>
<li>Nilgiri Mountain Railways located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu (South India) and</li>
<li>Kalka Shimla Railway located in the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh (Northwest India).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the most outstanding example of a hill passenger railway. Opened in 1881, its design applies bold and ingenious engineering solutions to the problem of establishing an effective rail link across a mountainous terrain of great beauty.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Heritage Committee is composed of representatives of <strong>21 States Parties</strong> to the <strong>World Heritage Convention</strong> who meet annually.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an <strong>international agreement</strong> that was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972.</li>
<li>It is based on the premise that certain places on Earth are of outstanding universal value and should therefore form part of the common heritage of humankind.</li>
<li>It basically <strong>defines the kind of natural or cultural sites</strong> which can be considered for inscription on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/architectural-heritage-of-orchha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Heritage List.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Committee is in charge of implementing the Convention.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-heritage-committee-s-concerns'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Next Dalai Lama',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, China has urged India not to recognize a successor to the Tibetan spiritual leader that it doesn't endorse.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China has held that it will reject any reincarnation of the Dalai Lama born among Tibetan exiles in India or elsewhere.</li>
<li>The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is a historical and controversial issue.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Dalai Lama</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dalai Lama is a title given by the Tibetan people for the foremost spiritual leader of the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism, the newest of the classical schools of Tibetan Buddhism.</li>
<li>The 14<sup>th</sup> and current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso.</li>
<li>The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the patron saint of Tibet.</li>
<li>Bodhisattvas are realized beings inspired by a wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings, who have vowed to be reborn in the world to help humanity.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Following the Buddhist belief in the principle of reincarnation, the current Dalai Lama is believed by Buddhists to be able to choose the body into which he is reincarnated.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>That person, when found, will then become the next Dalai Lama.</li>
<li>According to Buddhist scholars it is the responsibility of the High Lamas of the Gelugpa tradition and the Tibetan government to seek out and find the next Dalai Lama following the death of the incumbent.</li>
<li>If more than one candidate is identified, the true successor is found by officials and monks drawing lots in a public ceremony.</li>
<li>Once identified, the successful candidate and his family are taken to Lhasa (or Dharamsala) where the child studies the Buddhist scriptures in order to prepare for spiritual leadership.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>But , According to China, there was a well-established procedure for recognizing the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama,<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One of the conditions was that the name of the successor was pulled out of golden urns found in the Jokhang Temple (one of the most sacred monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism situated in Lhasa) and the Potala Palace which was the residence of the Dalai Lama till he fled to India in 1959.</li>
<li>The second was the reincarnation getting the approval of the Chinese government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/next-dalai-lama'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Desalination without Electricity',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, researchers at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, have been able to desalinate seawater to produce drinking water without using electricity.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Unlike the conventional reverse osmosis that is energy-intensive, the researchers used gold nanoparticles which required no external energy to produce potable water from seawater.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/342image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/342image3.jpg" width="271" height="271" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>Using gold nanoparticles that absorb sunlight over the entire visible region and even the near-infrared light, researchers were able to use sunlight to heat the water up to 85 degrees Celsius and generate steam to produce drinking water from seawater.</li>
<li>Alternatively, gold nanoparticles can also be used to convert carbon dioxide into methane.</li>
<li>However, This is only a preliminary study. The next step should be to replace gold with some inexpensive metal to make it sustainable,</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/desalination-without-electricity'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Visa-Free Access to Kartarpur Corridor',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, Pakistan has agreed to give year-long visa-free access for Indian pilgrims to the Gurdwara of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kartarpur-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kartarpur Sahib</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It allows visa-free travel for the Indian passport-holders and<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-diaspora" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&nbsp;Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)</strong></a> card-holders seven days a week.</li>
<li>India proposed that the holy shrine be open to Indian citizens of all faiths, acceding to this demand pakistan &ldquo;in-principle agreed&rdquo; to allow all people with Indian passport and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card-holders.</li>
<li>India also asked Pakistan to prevent <strong>Khalistan</strong> supporters from misusing this historic initiative.</li>
<li>India also urged Pakistan to allow <strong>&lsquo;Nagar Kirtan&rsquo;</strong> from Delhi to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan in July and during October-November 2019 as part of the celebrations to mark the <strong>550<sup>th</sup> birth of Guru Nanak dev,</strong> the first Sikh Guru.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Guru Nanak Dev</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti is observed on the full-moon day in the month of Katak to celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539).</li>
<li>He was the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus and the founder of Sikhism.</li>
<li>The Kartarpur corridor will be implemented as an integrated development project with Government of India funding. The development comes ahead of the 550<sup>th</sup> Prakash Purab or 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in 2019.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Nagar Kirtan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nagar Kirtan is a Punjabi term which literally means "Neighbourhood Kirtan".</li>
<li>The term refers to the possession of Sikh Sangat (Congregation) through the town singing holy hymns.</li>
<li>The concept of a Nagar Kirtan is to bring the message of God to the doorstep of the community.</li>
<li>It is common during the month of Vaisakhi(April-May) and take place all over the globe.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Khalistan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Khalistan movement is a Khalsa nationalist movement that wants to create an independent state for Sikh people, inside the current north-western region of India.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/visa-free-access-to-kartarpur-corridor'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Shark Awareness Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The World Wide Fund for Nature has released a report highlighting the risks to Sharks in the Mediterranean region on the occasion of Shark Awareness Day which is observed on July 14<sup>th</sup> every year.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/742image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/742image1.jpg" width="497" height="290" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Theme for the year 2019 is <strong>"The sharks in crisis: a call to action for the Mediterranean."</strong></li>
<li>The risks highlighted by the report are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Overfishing:</strong> While some species are targeted for food, many of the sharks fished in the Mediterranean are bycatch caught up in nets set for other fish.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aegean-sea-litter" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Plastic pollution:</strong></a> The explosion of plastic pollution is endangering shark populations, either through the animals ingesting or becoming enmeshed in refuse items.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>More than half of shark and ray species in the Mediterranean were under threat, and almost a third of them have been fished to the brink of extinction.</li>
<li>The report singled out <strong>Libya and Tunisia</strong> as the worst culprits, with each country&rsquo;s fishery hauling in about 4,200 tonnes of sharks a year &mdash; three times that of the next biggest Mediterranean fisher, Italy.</li>
<li>The IUCN Red List of <strong>endangered species</strong> counts 79 endangered shark and 120 endangered ray species.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>World Wide Fund for Nature</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1961, working in the field of wilderness preservation, and the reduction of humanity's footprint on the environment.</li>
<li>It was formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States.</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Gland, Switzerland.</li>
<li>The group's mission is <strong>"to stop the degradation of the planet&rsquo;s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature".</strong></li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/summary-of-important-reports/living-planet-report-2018-aiming-higher-by-wwf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Living Planet Report</a> </strong>published every two years by WWF is based on a Living Planet Index and ecological footprint calculation.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/shark-awareness-day'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Central Equipment Identity Register',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><strong>Department of Telecommunications</strong> (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications has initiated a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) for mobile service providers.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The National Telecom Policy of 2012</strong> calls for the establishment of a <strong>National Mobile Property Registry</strong>&nbsp;to address the issue of<strong> security, theft,</strong> and other concerns including <strong>reprogramming</strong> of mobile handsets.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Central Equipment Identity Register</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will be a <strong>central depository</strong> or database of all mobile phones connected to networks across India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every mobile network provider in India has an <strong>Equipment Identity Register</strong> (EIR), or a database of the phones connected to its network.</li>
<li>These EIRs will now share information with a single central database, i.e CEIR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CEIR will have information on the Device&rsquo;s :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number.</li>
<li>Model</li>
<li>Version</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Mobile Equipment Identity</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Every phone or mobile broadband device has this unique <strong>15 digit code</strong> that precisely identifies the device.</li>
<li>Mobile phone <strong>manufacturers</strong> assign IMEI numbers to each device based on ranges allotted to them by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association.</li>
<li><strong>Dual SIM phones</strong> will have<strong> two</strong> IMEI numbers.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Objective of CEIR</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Such centralized databases are meant to <strong>identify</strong> and<strong> block stolen or illegal mobile</strong> phones across networks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Presently, when a customer reports a mobile phone as missing or stolen, mobile service providers have the ability to blacklist the phone&rsquo;s IMEI in their EIRs and block it from accessing their network.</li>
<li>But if the SIM is changed to a new network, it can continue to be in use whereas in case of CEIR all network operators will be aware that the phone is blacklisted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The CEIR will also access the GSMA&rsquo;s database of IMEI numbers to check whether the phone is authentic. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are cases of phones being in use with duplicate IMEI numbers, or with all zeros instead of an authentic IMEI number.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CEIR will be able to block services to subscribers unlike present system that allows only individual networks to block services in case of theft and or stolen mobiles.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Major issue with CEIR is to identify the <strong>authority</strong> that should maintain such a high-value database (whether <strong>service provider</strong> or a <strong>neutral third party</strong>).</li>
<li>Another major issue is <strong>cloning</strong> or <strong>reprogramming stolen</strong> or unauthorized mobile phones to attach existing genuine IMEI numbers. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As blocking cloned IMEI numbers could result in the authentic ones also being blocked.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-equipment-identity-register'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Midday Meal Scheme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has received 35 complaints from 15 States and Union Territories (UTs) regarding substandard food quality in mid-day meals in the past three years.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Midday Meal Scheme comes under the HRD Ministry&rsquo;s Department of School Education and Literacy.</li>
<li>Launched in the year 1995 as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-hike-monthly-pensions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>centrally sponsored scheme</strong></a>, it provides that every child within the age group of six to fourteen years studying in<strong> classes I to VIII</strong> who enrolls and attends the school, shall be provided <strong>hot cooked meal</strong> having nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12 gm of protein for primary (I- V class) and 700 calories and 20 gm protein for upper primary (VI-VIII class), free of charge every day except on school holidays.</li>
<li>The scheme covers all <strong>government and government aided schools</strong> and also Madarsa and Maqtabs supported under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-21st-july-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan</strong></a> (SSA).</li>
<li>The last Mid Day Meal Rules were notified in the year 2015 under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-21st-july-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Food Security Act, 2013</strong></a> but amendments have been made from time to time.</li>
<li>The rules provide that <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The place of serving meals to the children shall be school only.</li>
<li>The meal shall be prepared in accordance with the Mid Day Meal guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time.</li>
<li>The latest guidelines provide instructions on procuring <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-27th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AGMARK</a></strong> quality items for preparation of midday meals, tasting of meals by two or three adult members of the school management committee, including at least one teacher, before serving to children.</li>
<li>If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to non-availability of food grains or any other reason, the State Government shall pay<strong> food security allowance</strong> by 15<sup>th</sup> of the succeeding month.</li>
<li>The School Management Committee mandated under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/Implementation-of-Section-12-1c-of-the-RTE-Act-A-Progress-Report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009</strong></a> shall also monitor implementation of the Mid-day meal Scheme.</li>
<li>The <strong>State Steering-cum Monitoring Committee (SSMC)</strong> shall oversee the implementation of the scheme including establishment of a mechanism for maintenance of nutritional standards and quality of meals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The government provides <strong>financial support</strong> to the eligible schools/implementing agencies in the form of free food grains and by bearing cooking related costs.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/midday-meal-scheme'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'MSME Sector: Underutilised Engine of Growth',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p><em>This article is based on the editorial &ldquo;<a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/tying-up-the-loose-ends-for-msmes/article28414141.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tying up the loose ends for MSMEs</a>&rdquo; which appeared in The Hindu Business Line on 13<sup>th</sup> July 2019. It talks about challenges and solution for the MSME sector.</em></p>
</div>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/going-beyond-the-credit-requirements-of-msmes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)</a> play a vital role for the growth of Indian economy by contributing 45% of industrial output, 40% of exports, employing 60 million people, creating 1.3 million jobs every year and producing more than 8000 quality products for the Indian and international markets.</p>
<p>Despite the importance of the MSMEs in Indian economic growth, the sector is facing several challenges and does not get the required support from the concerned government departments, financial institutions and corporates which is proving to be a hurdle in the growth of the MSMEs and subsequently Indian economy.</p>
<h3>What are the challenges faced by MSME?</h3>
<p>According to NITI Aayog's strategy document [email protected], it envisages doubling the current growth rate of the manufacturing sector by 2022. However, the following are some of the several challenges faced by the MSME sector:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Investment</strong>: There has been a cyclical slowdown in fresh investment since 2011-12. Also, The MSMEs are presently facing the problems of credit from the banks.</li>
<li><strong>Technology adoption:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The adoption of new technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, machine-to-machine communications, robotics and related technologies, collectively called &ldquo;Industry 4.0&rdquo;, is a bigger challenge for SMEs than for organized large-scale manufacturing.</li>
<li>Also, data security, reliability of data and stability in communication/transmission also pose challenges to technology adoption.</li>
<li>Further, in the present era of globalization, the MSMEs are facing great competition from the international manufacturing companies (which use Industry 4.0), as they are providing quality goods at the cheapest price.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exports and insufficient domestic demand:</strong> India's economic growth is not export-driven industrial growth. Also, domestic demand alone may not be adequate for sustained, high-value manufacturing.</li>
<li><strong>Challenges to doing business:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite recent improvements in our global Ease of doing business rank, it continues to be a drag on the system. Getting construction permits, enforcing contracts, paying taxes, starting a business and trading across borders, continue to constrain the ease of doing business.</li>
<li>Though MSMEs are developing rapidly, the infrastructure provided to them is very poor. With poor infrastructure, their production capacity remains low with the increasing production cost.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of training and skill development program:</strong> The training and development programs in respect of MSME`S development concern is very low.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>So, skilled manpower is not available to the MSMEs. Also, the skill developmental schemes conducted by the government are not sufficient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Labour laws along with most of the laws related to manufacturing and service concerned are very complex and compliance with these laws are practically difficult. Rad-tapism adds to the issues.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>MSMEs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>
<p>MSMEs are l<strong>abour intensive</strong>, have the advantage of the low cost of production and can make good use of locally available resources pushing demand and growth</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The sector <strong>offers a wide range of employment opportunities</strong> and absorbs most of the working age population</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Majorly consist of handlooms, handicrafts, coir, sericulture, khadi and village industries, small scale industries and powerlooms</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>A<strong>re complementary to large industries as ancillary units.</strong></p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Contribute in the <strong>inclusive industrial development.</strong></p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Function as the backbone by providing the <strong>linkage between different units within the economy</strong>, connecting the labour skills, intermediate parts and market to the respective specific manufacturing systems.</p>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-msme-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International MSME Day</a> is celebrated on 27th June.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The importance of MSMEs is reiterated in all policy documents and is the latest budget (2019-2020) is no different:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The budget has attempted to fix the problem of delays in payments to MSMEs. The government has spoken of creating a payment platform for MSMEs to facilitate the billing and payments through it.</li>
<li>This is in sync with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-panel-s-recommendations-on-msme">UK Sinha Committee recommendations</a> on MSME reforms.</li>
<li>The extension of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/support-and-outreach-initiative-for-msme-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener">59-minute loan scheme</a> to new entrepreneurs will fit well with the government&rsquo;s emphasis on startups and MSME</li>
<li>The limit for collateral-free loans has been raised to ₹20 lakh from ₹10 lakh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Institutional changes in SIDBI should be done so that it can be elevated as a market maker for funding of MSMEs.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SIDBI should be involved in getting micro-finance institutions (MFIs) and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) to finance MSMEs, and venture capital funds would be an integral part of the system that is linked to potential borrowers.</li>
<li>MUDRA should be reinvented so that SIDBI becomes more effective in its operations as it gets into underwriting, risk management and fund-raising on its own.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To make lending effective,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-elixir-for-msmes-access-to-credit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> credit guarantee</a> of loans to MSMEs is important. The UK Sinha panel stated that all these schemes should be regulated and brought under the RBI.</li>
<li>The issue of a potential default is relevant for MSMEs as the class of entrepreneurs is different from those in the corporate sector and the size of the loan is much smaller.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hence, using the normal 180-day rule under Insolvency and bankruptcy code should be relaxed in case of MSME.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For demand generation, augmentation of industrial infrastructure and promotion of MSMEs
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government can play a crucial role in creating domestic manufacturing capabilities by l<strong>everaging proposed public procurement and projects.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mega public projects such as Sagarmala, Bharatmala, industrial corridors, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)</strong> can stimulate domestic manufacturing activities provided the projects are suitably structured and demand is aggregated strategically.</li>
<li>This should be accompanied by a<strong> simplification of the regulatory process.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Industrial corridors</strong> should address the lack of infrastructure and logistics.</li>
<li>For India to become the world&rsquo;s workshop, we should <strong>encourage further FDI in manufacturing.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Disruptive technology</strong> (Industry 4.0) can be encouraged which, while leading to job losses in traditional areas, also presents new job opportunities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A greater connect between government-industry-academia is required to identify the changing requirements in manufacturing and prepare an employable workforce.</li>
<li>In the context of employability of engineers, there is a need for a thorough review of standards of engineering education and its linkages with industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian quality standards should be harmonized with global standards</strong> in many sectors. Lack of harmonization has affected <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/export-promotion-council-established-for-msme-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian exports</a> and prevented the leveraging of trade agreements adequately</li>
</ul>
<p>Industrialization is a progressive measure which creates social and economic change by transforming the human society from pre-industrialization to industrial era, also it plays a dominant role in the development of the economy, acts as a basic fundamental factor which is influenced on the growth prospects of the economy of a country.</p>
<p>In this context, the MSME sector acts as a factory for entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities as well as a tool for poverty eradication.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #faf4d4; border-color: #0049b8; border-style: dashed;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 899px;"><strong>Drishti Input:<br /><br /></strong>The MSME sector acts as a factory for entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities as well as a tool for poverty eradication. In this context highlight the challenges and solutions for MSME sector?</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/msme-sector-underutilised-engine-of-growth'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Joint Economic Trade Committee ',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Union Minister of Commerce &amp; Industry will address <strong>India&ndash;UK Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO)</strong> meeting in London.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The key issues that will be addressed at JETCO process include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Future of the UK-India Financial Services Relationship.</li>
<li>Opportunities in India&rsquo;s growing economy.</li>
<li>Innovation in financial services (FinTech).</li>
<li>Investing in stressed assets.</li>
<li>Opportunities in green infrastructure financing.</li>
<li>Investing in innovation (private equity/venture capital) and the future of insurance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Joint Economic Trade Committee&nbsp;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>JETCO provides a forum to United Kingdom companies to enhance their links and develop new partnerships with India business and decision-makers.</li>
<li>Government to Government negotiations, which address issues of market liberalization and market access, are conducted through the JETCO process.</li>
<li>The UK India Business Council plays a key role in feeding the views of the UK business community into JETCO process with a view to achieving favorable outcomes for UK companies.</li>
<li>One of the key objectives of the JETCO process is to unveil opportunities for London&rsquo;s most prominent institutional investors to invest in India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India-UK Trade</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UK is the<strong> third largest FDI investor</strong> in India and is among India&rsquo;s main trading partners.</li>
<li>Trade totaled Euro 13.6 billion in 2018. Moreover, trade between India and UK increased at an average rate of 8.8% per year between 2002 and 2018.</li>
</ul>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/joint-economic-trade-committee'
	]
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		'articles__description' => 'text',
		'articles.description' => 'text',
		'description' => 'text',
		'articles__shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles.shortdescription' => 'string',
		'shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles__featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles.featuredimage' => 'string',
		'featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles__tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.tag_id' => 'integer',
		'tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles.secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles__type' => 'integer',
		'articles.type' => 'integer',
		'type' => 'integer',
		'articles__publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles.publishon' => 'datetime',
		'publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles__posturl' => 'string',
		'articles.posturl' => 'string',
		'posturl' => 'string',
		'articles__metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles.metatitle' => 'string',
		'metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles__metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles.metadescription' => 'string',
		'metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles__metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles.metakeyword' => 'text',
		'metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles__status' => 'integer',
		'articles.status' => 'integer',
		'status' => 'integer',
		'articles__sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles.sort_order' => 'integer',
		'sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles__addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.addedby' => 'integer',
		'addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.updatedby' => 'integer',
		'updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.added' => 'timestamp',
		'added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.modified' => 'timestamp',
		'modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles.whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_comments' => 'integer',
		'display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles__pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles.pdf_name' => 'string',
		'pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles__display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_archive' => 'integer',
		'display_archive' => 'integer'
	],
	'decorators' => (int) 0,
	'executed' => false,
	'hydrate' => true,
	'buffered' => true,
	'formatters' => (int) 0,
	'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
	'contain' => [],
	'matching' => [],
	'extraOptions' => [],
	'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}

}
$page = (int) 204
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 303
$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 100
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/articlebox.ctp, line 5
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Search/index.ctp, line 85
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

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