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Donimalai : Iron Mining

National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) is set to restart mining at Donimalai in Bellari district of Karnataka. The iron ore supply is...

07 Oct 2019 News Analysis
MOSAiC: An Arctic Observatory

The Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) is an international research expedition to study the physical,...

07 Oct 2019 News Analysis
World Cotton Day

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is hosting the event at the request of Cotton-4 (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali) to celebrate their official...

07 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Geotail

Recently, an instrument on Chandrayaan-2 named CLASS (Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer) has detected charged particles present on the...

07 Oct 2019 News Analysis
India-Bangladesh

Recently, India and Bangladesh signed seven agreements and also inaugurated three projects to deepen their partnership. Key Highlights Seven...

07 Oct 2019 News Analysis
World Habitat Day

The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day. The theme for World Habitat Day 2019 is...

07 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Nomadic Elephant-14

The 14th edition of India-Mongolia joint military exercise is being held from 5th to 18th October at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. The Mongolian Army...

07 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Uniform Civil Code

Why in the news Recently, the Supreme Court in a case concerning the question of whether succession and inheritance of a Goan domicile is governed...

07 Oct 2019 Paper 2
Second Informal Summit between India and China

This article is based on “In search of the Wuhan spirit”, which was published in The Hindu, on 05/10/2019. It talks about preserving...

05 Oct 2019 News Editorials
The Big Picture: Eliminating Single Use Plastic

Government of India has laid great emphasis on eradicating single use plastic which has become one of the biggest sources of pollution. During...

05 Oct 2019 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
PRS Capsule August 2019

Key Highlights of PRS Polity Special Status of Jammu and Kashmir Repealed The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 Supreme Court...

05 Oct 2019 PRS Capsule
Massive Iceberg Breaks off Antarctica

Recently, the Iceberg-D28 broke away from the Amery ice shelf in Antarctica. The breaking of iceberg D28 is part of the normal cycle of ice...

05 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Youth Co:Lab

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India has launched ‘Youth Co:Lab’ which...

05 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Electric Vehicle Charging Guidelines and Specifications

The Government of India has approved amendments in Electric Vehicle (EV) charging guidelines and specifications. The revised guidelines...

05 Oct 2019 News Analysis
WEF India Economic Summit

The World Economic Forum’s 33rd India Economic Summit took place in New Delhi from 3rd - 4th October 2019. Hosted in collaboration with the...

05 Oct 2019 News Analysis
India’s First e-Waste Clinic

India’s first e-waste clinic for segregating, processing and disposal of waste from household and commercial units will soon be set-up in...

05 Oct 2019 News Analysis
Co-operative Banking in India

This article is based on “Co-operative banks: Is dual regulation the problem?” which was published in The Hindu on 04/10/2019. It talks...

04 Oct 2019 News Editorials
Human Migration in India

For...

04 Oct 2019 Paper 1
Human Migration in India

Why in News? According to the International Migrant Stock 2019 report (released by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of...

04 Oct 2019 Paper 1
15 Point Directive to Clean Ganga

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) recently has issued a 15-point directive to the 11-Ganga basin states to prevent idol immersion into...

04 Oct 2019 News Analysis

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		(int) 0 => [
			'title' => 'Donimalai : Iron Mining',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) is set to <strong>restart mining at Donimalai</strong> in Bellari district of <strong>Karnataka.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The iron ore supply is bound to increase and bring down prices particularly when many sponge iron and pellet manufacturers in the State have shut operations due to rise in cost and weak demand.</li>
<li>NMDC, which owned Donimalai mine since 1968, suspended operations in November 2018 after the Karnataka government sought 80% premium on iron mined to renew its lease for another 20 years.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570440240_image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570440240_image7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="566" height="527" /></a></p>
<h3>National Mineral Development Corporation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Incorporated in 1958 as a Government of India fully owned public enterprise, NMDC is under the administrative control of the <strong>Ministry of Steel, Government of India.</strong></li>
<li>Since inception involved in the exploration of a wide range of minerals including iron ore, copper, rock phosphate, limestone, dolomite, gypsum, bentonite, magnesite, diamond, tin, tungsten, graphite, beach sands etc.</li>
<li>NMDC is <strong>India's single largest iron ore producer,</strong> presently producing about 35 million tonnes of iron ore.</li>
<li>The company has been categorized by the Department of Public Enterprises as <strong>"Navratna"</strong> Public Sector Enterprise in 2008.</li>
<li>Its corporate office is located in <strong>Hyderabad.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/donimalai-effect-iron-ore-price-in-karnataka-set-to-fall-by-600tonne/article29611369.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HBL</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/donimalai-iron-mining'
		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'MOSAiC: An Arctic Observatory',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The <strong>Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC)</strong> is an international research expedition to study the physical, chemical, and biological processes that coupled the Arctic atmosphere, sea ice, ocean, and ecosystem.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>MOSAiC is the <strong>first year-round expedition</strong> into the <strong>central Arctic exploring the Arctic climate system.</strong></li>
<li>During the <strong>year-round operation of research,</strong> the distributed regional network of observational sites will be set up on the sea ice surrounding the ship<strong> icebreaker RV Polarstern.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The icebreaker RV Polarstern is a German Research Vessel which is mainly used for research in the Arctic and Antarctica.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The results of MOSAiC will contribute to enhance understanding of the regional and global consequences of Arctic climate change and sea-ice loss and improve weather and climate predictions.</li>
<li>The project has been designed by an international consortium of leading polar research institutions, under the umbrella of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Arctic Science Committee</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) is a non-governmental, international scientific organization</li>
<li>IASC promotes and supports leading-edge interdisciplinary research in order to foster a greater scientific understanding of the Arctic region and its role in the Earth system.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/indias-vishnu-nandan-among-300-researchers-to-join-largest-ever-arctic-expedition/article29612285.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mosaic-an-arctic-observatory'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'World Cotton Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is hosting the event at the request of <strong>Cotton-4 (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali)</strong> to celebrate their official application for recognition of October 7 as World Cotton Day by the United Nations.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is organizing World Cotton Day event in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Objective</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To give exposure and recognition to cotton and all its stakeholders in production, transformation and trade,</li>
<li>To engage donors and beneficiaries and strengthen development assistance for cotton,</li>
<li>To seek new collaborations with the private sector and investors for the cotton related industries and production in developing countries and promote technological advances, as well as further research and development on cotton.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cotton</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cotton is a kharif crop which requires 6 to 8 months to mature. Its time of sowing and harvesting differs in different parts of the country depending upon the climatic conditions.</li>
<li>Cotton is the crop of tropical and sub-tropical areas and requires uniformly high temperature varying between 21&deg;C and 30&deg;C. The growth of cotton is retarded when the temperature falls below 20&deg;C.</li>
<li>Cotton is a drought &ndash; resistant crop ideal for arid climates and requires an average annual rainfall of 50- 100 cm.</li>
<li>It requires at least 210 frost free days in a year.</li>
<li>It occupies just 2.1 % of the world&rsquo;s arable land, yet it meets 27% of the world&rsquo;s textiles need. In addition to its fibre used in textiles and apparel, food products are also derived from cotton like edible oil and animal feed from the seed.</li>
<li>India is the <strong>second largest</strong> producer of cotton in the world after China.</li>
<li>Between 2011 and 2018, India implemented a <strong>Cotton Technical Assistance Programme (Cotton TAP-I)</strong> for seven African countries namely <strong>Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad and also Uganda, Malawi and Nigeria.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The technical assistance focused on improving the competitiveness of the cotton and cotton-based textiles and apparel industry in these countries through a series of interventions which had significant outcomes leading to a demand for a follow on project.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cotton Corporation of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CCI was established on 31<sup>st</sup> July 1970 under the administrative control of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India as a Public Sector Undertaking under the Companies Act 1956.</li>
<li>CCI is having pan India presence through headquarters at <strong>Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra)</strong> to safeguard the economic interest of cotton farmers in all the cotton growing regions and to ensure smooth supply of good quality cotton to the textile industry in India.</li>
<li>The major role of the CCI is to undertake price support operations, whenever the market prices of cotton falls below the minimum support prices (MSP).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1587220" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Geotail',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, an instrument on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chandrayaan-2-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chandrayaan-2</strong></a> named <strong>CLASS (Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer)</strong> has detected charged particles present on the moon soil during the orbiter&rsquo;s passage through the &ldquo;Geotail&rdquo;.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to ISRO, the intensity of these charged particles (believed to be mostly electrons) changed as much as ten times the levels outside the Geotail.</li>
<li>The detection of these charged particles on the surface of the moon can <strong>help understand the complex interaction of these particles with the magnetic field.</strong></li>
<li>It will also help to <strong>measure the fluxes, energy spectra, and charge types of charged particles bombarding the lunar surface</strong> and to investigate the interaction of these particles and other forms of radiation with the lunar surface.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570435231_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570435231_image4.jpg" width="558" height="312" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Geotail region exists as a result of the <strong>interactions between the Sun and Earth.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Sun emits the solar wind, which is a continuous stream of charged particles.</li>
<li>These particles are embedded in the extended magnetic field of the Sun.</li>
<li>Since the Earth has a magnetic field, it obstructs the solar wind plasma.</li>
<li>This interaction results in the formation of a magnetic envelope around Earth.</li>
<li>On the Earth side facing the Sun, the envelope is compressed into a region that is approximately three to four times the Earth's radius.</li>
<li>On the opposite side, the envelope is stretched into a long tail, which extends beyond the orbit of the Moon called the<strong> Geotail.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Once every 29 days,</strong> the Moon traverses the Geotail <strong>for about six days.</strong></li>
<li>The G<strong>eotail region</strong> allows the <strong>best scientific observations.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer (CLASS)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The objective of CLASS is to map the abundance of major <strong>rock-forming elements</strong> on the lunar surface using the <strong>technique of X-ray fluorescence</strong> during <strong>solar flare events.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The solar flare provides a rich source of X-rays to illuminate the surface.</li>
<li>Secondary X-ray emission resulting from this can be detected by CLASS to directly detect the presence of key elements like Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), Aluminium (Al), Iron (Fe), etc. on the lunar surface.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/this-word-means-geotail-chandrayaan-isro-6056753/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/geotail'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'India-Bangladesh',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, India and Bangladesh signed seven agreements and also inaugurated three projects to deepen their partnership.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570434960_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570434960_image5.jpg" width="354" height="302" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Seven Agreements</strong> include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The use of the <strong>Chattogram and Mongla ports in Bangladesh</strong> for movement of goods to and from India, particularly from Northeastern India.</li>
<li>Use of <strong>Bangladesh&rsquo;s Feni river</strong> for drinking water supply in Tripura.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, <strong>no progress</strong> was reported on the long pending <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/trans-boundary-water-conflicts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Teesta water sharing agreement.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Exchange of data and information to <strong>prepare a framework of interim sharing agreements for six rivers &mdash;</strong> Manu, Muhuri, Khowai and Gomati rivers of Tripura and Dharla river of Bangladesh and Dudhkumar river of West Bengal.</li>
<li><strong>Daudkanti (Bangladesh)-Sonamura (Tripura)</strong> inland water trade route to be included under <strong>Protocol of the Inland Water Transit and Trade.</strong></li>
<li>Consensus on lifting restrictions on entry and exit from land ports in India for Bangladeshi citizens travelling on valid documents.</li>
<li>Implementation of the Lines of Credit (LoCs) committed by India to Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Three bilateral development partnership projects</strong> include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Import of bulk Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Bangladesh</li>
<li>Inauguration of Vivekananda Bhaban (students hostel) at Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaka.</li>
<li>Inauguration of Bangladesh-India Professional Skill Development Institute (BIPSDI) at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB), Khulna, Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both sides noted the progress made in <strong>finalization of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Establishment of Coastal Surveillance Radar System</strong> in Bangladesh.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has provided such systems to Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives and planning one in Myanmar.</li>
<li>The coastal surveillance system will pave way for Indo-Bangladesh White Shipping Agreement in future. This will be useful amid growing terror threats via seas and growing presence of China in the Bay of Bengal region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both Leaders agreed to <strong>early operationalization of the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement</strong> for movement of goods and passengers between the member countries who are willing and ready; or to work towards a bilateral <strong>India-Bangladesh Motor Vehicles Agreement,</strong> as appropriate.</li>
<li>The leaders directed their officials to expedite <strong>establishment of twelve Border Haats</strong> which have been agreed to by both countries.</li>
<li>A <strong>feasibility study for the Ganga-Padma barrage project</strong> to be conducted as part of an upgraded version of the <strong>1996 Ganga Water Sharing treaty.</strong></li>
<li>The Bangladesh Prime Minister <strong>raised concerns over roll out of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-paper-2-national-register-of-citizens-nrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam,</a></strong> an exercise carried to identify genuine Indian citizens living in Assam and weed out illegal Bangladeshis.</li>
<li>The Bangladesh Prime Minister requested the Indian counterpart to use his &ldquo;good relations&rdquo; with the Myanmar government <strong>to facilitate the return of all the refugees (Rohingyas),</strong> while appreciating the aid India has given to refugees in Bangladesh as well as 250 homes built for them in Myanmar.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Some Facts about the Relationship<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570434996_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570434996_image1.jpg" width="303" height="214" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India was one of the first countries</strong> to recognize Bangladesh and establish diplomatic relations immediately after its independence in December 1971.</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong> India and Bangladesh share the historical legacy of cooperation and support during the Liberation War of 1971.Various Joint exercises of <strong>Army (Exercise Sampriti)</strong> and <strong>Navy (Exercise Milan)</strong> take place between the two countries.</li>
<li><strong>Border Management:</strong> India and Bangladesh share 4096.7 km. of border, which is the <strong>longest land boundary that India shares</strong> with any of its neighbours. The <strong>India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA)</strong> came into force following the exchange of instruments of ratification in June 2015.</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation over Rivers:</strong> India and Bangladesh <strong>share 54 common rivers.</strong> A bilateral Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) is working since June 1972 to maintain liaison between the two countries to maximize benefits from common river systems.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Relations: Bangladesh is India&rsquo;s biggest trade partner in South Asia.</strong> India&rsquo;s exports to Bangladesh for financial year 2018-19 (April-March) stood at US $ 9.21 bn and imports from Bangladesh for the same period stood at US $ 1.22 bn.</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation in Power Sector:</strong> This has become one of the hallmarks of India- Bangladesh relations. <strong>Bangladesh is currently importing 1160 MW of power from India.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nrc-is-an-internal-legal-process-narendra-modi-assures-sheikh-hasina/article29606162.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-bangladesh'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'World Habitat Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The <strong>United Nations</strong> has designated the<strong> first Monday of October every year</strong> as <strong>World Habitat Day.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The theme for World Habitat Day 2019 is <strong>&ldquo;Frontier Technologies as an Innovative Tool to Transform Waste to Wealth&rdquo;.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570433395_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570433395_image3.jpg" width="306" height="213" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Frontier technologies refers to automation, robotics, electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, biotechnologies, and artificial intelligence which can transform social, economic and environmental spheres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The focus of this year&rsquo;s theme to promote the contribution of innovative technologies to <strong>sustainable waste management</strong> to achieve <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal 11.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sustainable Development Goal 11 aims to make cities more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The event focuses on the <strong>state of human settlements and people&rsquo;s right to sufficient shelter.</strong></li>
<li>It also aims to remind people that they are responsible for the habitat of future generations.</li>
<li>The global observation of the World Habitat Day 2019 will be hosted by the <strong>Government of Mexico in Mexico City on 7 October</strong> this year.</li>
<li>World Habitat Day was <strong>first celebrated in 1986</strong> with the theme <strong>&ldquo;Shelter is My Right&rdquo;.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nairobi was the host city for the observance that year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.un.org/en/events/habitatday/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: UN</a></strong></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-habitat-day'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Nomadic Elephant-14',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The 14<sup>th</sup> edition of<strong> India-Mongolia</strong> joint military exercise is being held from 5<sup>th</sup> to 18<sup>th</sup> October at <strong>Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Mongolian Army is being represented by officers and troops of the elite <strong>084 Airborne Special Task Battalion</strong> while Indian Army is being represented by a battalion of the <strong>RAJPUTANA RIFLES Regiment.</strong></li>
<li>It aimed at training troops in counter insurgency &amp; counter terrorism operations under <strong>United Nations mandate.</strong></li>
<li>The joint exercise will enhance defence co-operation and military relations between the two nations. It is an ideal platform for the armies of both the nations to share their experiences &amp; best practices and gain mutually during the joint training.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570432862_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570432862_image2.jpg" width="670" height="398" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=193609" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nomadic-elephant-14'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Uniform Civil Code',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in the news</h3>
<p>Recently, the Supreme Court in a case concerning the question of whether succession and inheritance of a Goan domicile is governed by the Portuguese Civil Code, 1867 or the Indian Succession Act of 1925, held that:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Constitution in <strong>Article 44</strong> requires the State to strive to secure for its citizens a Uniform Civil Code(UCC) throughout India, but till date, no action has been taken in this regard.</li>
<li>The <strong>Hindu personal laws</strong> were codified in the year 1956. However, there has been no attempt to frame a Uniform Civil Code applicable to all citizens of the country.</li>
<li>Despite exhortations of this Court in the case of <strong>Shah Bano in 1985,</strong> the government has done nothing to bring the Uniform Civil Code.</li>
<li>The Supreme Court hailed the State of Goa as a &ldquo;shining example&rdquo; where &ldquo;uniform civil code&rdquo; is applicable to all, regardless of religion except while protecting certain limited rights.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>Goa has a common civil code called Portuguese civil code 1867, whereby:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Muslim man whose marriage is registered in the State cannot practice polygamy.</li>
<li>A married couple share property equally, pre-nuptial agreements are the order of the day and assets are divided equally between the man and woman on divorce.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Uniform Civil Code</b></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><b>Uniform Civil Code </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">seeks to replace personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each major religious community in India with a common set of rules governing every citizen.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Status of Personal Law in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Personal law subjects like marriage, divorce, inheritance come under Concurrent list.</li>
<li>Hindu personal laws have been by and large <strong>secularized and modernized</strong> by statutory enactments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Hindu personal laws (that apply also to the Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists) have been codified by the Parliament in 1956</li>
<li>This Code Bill has been split into four parts:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955</li>
<li>The Hindu Succession Act, 1956</li>
<li>The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956</li>
<li>The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>On the other hand, Muslim personal laws are still primarily unmodified and traditional in their content and approach.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Shariat law of 1937 governs the personal matters of all Indian Muslims in India.</li>
<li>It clearly states that in matters of personal disputes, the State shall not interfere and a religious authority would pass a declaration based on his interpretations of the Quran and the Hadith.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Apart from it, Christians and Jews are also governed by different personal laws.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Need for a Uniform Civil Code</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Different personal laws <strong>promote communalism</strong> and it leads to discrimination at two levels:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, between people of different religions.</li>
<li>Second, between the two sexes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Uniform Civil Code will provide <strong>women with the right to equality and justice in courts of law-</strong> irrespective of their religion in matters pertaining to marriage, divorce, maintenance, custody of children, inheritance rights, adoption, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Supreme Court for the first time directed the Parliament to frame a UCC in the year 1985 in the case of Mohammad Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum , popularly known as the <strong>Shah Bano case.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this case, Shah Bano claimed for maintenance from her husband under <strong>Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure</strong> after she was given triple talaq by him.</li>
<li>However, government overturned the Shah Bano case decision by way of <strong>Muslim Women (Right to Protection on Divorce) Act, 1986</strong> which curtailed the right of a Muslim woman for maintenance under Section 125 of the Code of criminal Procedure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Supreme Court in <strong>Shayara Bano</strong> case (2017) had declared the practise of Triple Talaq (talaq-e-bidat) as unconstitutional.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges associated with UCC</h3>
<p><strong>Constitutional challenges</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Freedom of religion gets into conflict with the right to equality.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Article 25 lays down an individual&rsquo;s fundamental right to religion.</li>
<li>Article 26(b) upholds the right of each religious denomination or any section thereof to &ldquo;manage its own affairs in matters of religion&rdquo;</li>
<li>Article 29 defines the right to conserve distinctive culture.</li>
<li>These rights gets into conflict with the equality before law enshrined under article 14 and 15.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Moreover, an individual&rsquo;s freedom of religion under Article 25 is subject to <strong>&ldquo;public order, health, morality&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>In 2018, a report by the Law Commission of India stated that the Uniform Civil Code is <strong>&ldquo;neither necessary nor desirable at this stage&rdquo;</strong> in the country. The Commission said secularism cannot contradict the plurality prevalent in the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Social-political challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the name of uniformity, the minorities fears that the culture of the majority is being imposed over them.</li>
<li>Given vast cultural diversity in India, bringing uniformity among all such people will be a huge challenge.</li>
<li>Patriarchal mindset of Indian society poses a big challenge in implementation of UCC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can be reflected by the fact that, the Hindu code bill has been already in place from mid-1950s, yet the quantum of land actually inherited by Hindu women is only a fraction of the land they are entitled.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Merits of Uniform Civil Code</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Integration</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A unified code is imperative, both for the protection of the vulnerable sections in Indian society(women and religious minorities) and for the promotion of national unity and solidarity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Simplification of laws</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There exists so many personal laws like Hindu code bill, Shariat law, etc.</li>
<li>Presence of so many laws creates confusion, complexity and inconsistencies in the adjudication of personal matters, at times leading to delayed justice or no justice.</li>
<li>UCC will eliminate this overlapping of laws.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Simplification of Indian legal system:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UCC will lead to reduction in litigation emanating from multiple personal laws.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Establishing a secular society:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UCC will de-link law from religion which is a very desirable objective to achieve in a secular and socialist pattern of society.</li>
<li>Moreover, it fulfill constitutional mandates under Article 44 of Directive Principles of State Policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gender justice:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The rights of women are usually limited under the patriarchal discourse through religious laws.</li>
<li>UCC will liberate women from patriarchal domination and provide them with right to equality and liberty.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the long term, UCC would lead to the defeat of the communal and the divisionist forces.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The social transformation from diverse civil code to uniformity shall be gradual and cannot happen in a day. Therefore, the government must adopt a <strong>&ldquo;Piecemeal&rdquo; approach.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government could bring separate aspects such as marriage, adoption, succession and maintenance into a uniform civil code in stages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Government must emulate Goan practice of a common civil code, which has been the law since 1867, when the state was under the Portuguese colonial rule.</li>
<li>Moreover, when constitution espouses the cause of Uniform civil code in its Article 44, it shouldn&rsquo;t be misconstrued to be a &ldquo;common law&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The word uniform here means that all communities must be governed by uniform principles of gender justice and human justice.</li>
<li>It will mean modernization and humanization of each personal law.</li>
<li>It would mean, not a common law, but different personal laws based on principles of equality, liberty and justice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Government has to take steps towards increasing the awareness among the public, especially minorities, about the importance of having a UCC.</li>
</ul>
<p>The UCC must carve a balance between the protection of fundamental rights and religious dogmas of individuals. It should be a code, which is just and proper according to a man of ordinary prudence, without any bias with regards to religious and political considerations.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/uniform-civil-code'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Second Informal Summit between India and China',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/in-search-of-the-wuhan-spirit/article29598178.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;In search of the Wuhan spirit&rdquo;,</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu, on 05/10/2019. It talks about preserving the Wuhan spirit in changing geopolitical scenario.</p>
</div>
<p>The second informal summit <strong>(Mamallapuram summit)</strong> between leaders of India and China is scheduled to take place on October 2019. At Wuhan summit 2018, both sides agreed that such informal meetings will be held regularly to propel the future direction of India-China relations.</p>
<p>These informal meetings are aimed at ensuring <strong>higher levels of strategic communications</strong> between India and China.</p>
<h3>Why Mamallapuram is chosen?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Wuhan was picked by President Xi Jinping as the venue in 2018 to demonstrate China&rsquo;s economic might.</li>
<li>India has chosen Mamallapuram as a symbol of <strong>India&rsquo;s &lsquo;soft power&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Mamallapuram is an important town of the erstwhile Pallava dynasty that ruled in parts of South India from 275 CE to 897 CE.</li>
<li>It is renowned for its architecture, widely admired across the world.</li>
<li>Mamallapuram and the Pallava dynasty are also historically relevant, for <strong>the earliest recorded security pact between China and India</strong> (in the early 8<sup>th</sup> century) that involved a Pallava king (Rajasimhan, or Narasimha Varma II), from whom the Chinese sought help to counter Tibet.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What is the significance of these informal summits?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Informal summits have been used as<strong> trust-building exercises.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-china-ties-marching-on" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Informal meet at Wuhan</strong></a> resulted in invoking of <strong>Wuhan Spirit,</strong> which sought to <strong>reset</strong> ties between India and China.</li>
<li><strong>Wuhan Spirit</strong> is in line with the five principles of peaceful coexistence (Panchsheel) jointly advocated by China and India in the 1950s.<strong> Under Wuhan Spirt:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both countries agreed that they form the<strong> "backbone" of economic globalisation,</strong> and they should jointly make positive contributions to global peace and development.</li>
<li>The two nations have agreed to cooperate, for the first time ever, on a <strong>joint project in Afghanistan.</strong></li>
<li>China has indicated that India&rsquo;s refusal to join the Belt and Road Initiative will not come in the way of economic cooperation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Evaluation of Wuhan Spirit</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Though Wuhan summit was started with enthusiasm, however,<strong> little has changed</strong> as far as <strong>India-China relations</strong> are concerned.</li>
<li>The disputed border between the two countries remains an issue of concern.</li>
<li>In spite of cooperation in Afghanistan, the China-Pakistan axis has sought to sideline India from Afghanistan peace process.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The geopolitical backdrop of Mamallapuram Summit</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>After the Wuhan Summit, many things have changed, <strong>altering the circumstances surrounding India-China relations.</strong> For example:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/trade-war-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trade war,</strong></a> relations between China and the U.S. have sharply deteriorated.</li>
<li>While in 2018, the China-Russia axis appeared to be a new strategic alignment, which has been reset to some extent by India:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India's relations with Russia have acquired a fresh dimension, incorporating economics alongside a longstanding military relationship.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-russia-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s line of credit</strong></a> to develop <strong>Russia&rsquo;s Far East</strong> has fundamentally changed the nature of India-Russia relations.</li>
<li>Also, a new triangular relationship of Russia, India and Japan, appears to be altering equations in the East Asian region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India also has other reasons to be more optimistic than a year ago.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s relations with the U.S. have attained a new high.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/four%20corners:%20on%20the%20quad%E2%80%99s%20agenda" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad</strong></a> (the U.S., India, Japan and Australia) has gained a new lease of life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)</strong></a> has also come under increasing attack, due to <strong>debt trap diplomacy</strong> (China taking the lease of Sri Lanka's Hambantota port for 99 years, in lieu of its debt).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China will be wary of India's efforts in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is going to conduct <strong>&ldquo;all arms integrated&rdquo; exercise &lsquo;codenamed Changthang Prahar (assault)&rsquo;</strong> in a &ldquo;super high altitude&rdquo; in Ladakh.</li>
<li>The reopening of the <strong>Advanced Landing Ground</strong> at Vijoynagar in Arunachal Pradesh for the use of military aircraft.</li>
<li>Also, a proposed major combat exercise in Arunachal Pradesh, in which the new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/integrated-battle-groups" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Battle Groups</strong></a> will be seen in operation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Therefore, India needs to proceed with the utmost caution that <strong>&lsquo;Wuhan spirit' doesn't get undermined.</strong></li>
<li>India must also be aware of the Chinese tactics of <strong>PSY war</strong> (Subduing the enemy without fighting).</li>
<li>In perspective of these circumstances, India should also ensure that its engagement with China should not lead to disrupting the strategic alliances that India has forged, or strengthened, recently.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffce3;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br />Changing geopolitical scenario requires India to cautiously calibrate its foreign policy with respect to China. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/second-informal-summit-between-india-and-china'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture: Eliminating Single Use Plastic',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AzQvWDdOM0c" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Government of India</strong> has laid great emphasis on eradicating single use plastic which has become one of the biggest sources of pollution.</p>
<p>During Independence Day Speech, <strong>Prime Minister Narendra Modi</strong> had urged the people to <strong>take a pledge on Mahatma Gandhi's 150<sup>th</sup> Anniversary on 2<sup>nd</sup> October</strong> to make the <strong>country free of single use plastic.</strong></p>
<h3>What is Single Use Plastic?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Single-use plastics, also referred as <strong>disposable plastics,</strong> are commonly used for plastic packaging and intended to be <strong>used only once</strong> before they are thrown away or recycled. These include <strong>grocery (polythene) bags, food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, cups, cutlery </strong>etc.</li>
<li>Plastic is <strong>so cheap and convenient</strong> that it has replaced all other materials from the packaging industry but it takes hundreds of years to disintegrate.</li>
<li>It is a huge problem. If we look at the data, <strong>out of 9.46 million tonnes of plastic waste</strong> generated every year in our country, <strong>43% is single use plastic.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Focus</strong> is on the <strong>litter prone single use plastic</strong> like polythene carry bags, disposable cutlery. All packaging including food packaging are kept out of focus for the time being because there is no alternative for them yet.</li>
<li>Being consumer societies, we <strong>consume plastics</strong> and put it out on the road.<strong> 40%</strong> of the uncollected trash stays on the road, <strong>goes into water bodies</strong> where it <strong>leeches out the harmful chemicals and clogs</strong> the waterways.</li>
<li><strong>India's per capita plastic consumption is 11 kilogrammes</strong> compared to the <strong>United States,</strong> which is the <strong>world's highest at 109 kilogrammes,</strong> according to figures released by the <strong>Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Established in <strong>1927,</strong> FICCI is the<strong> largest and oldest apex business organisation</strong> in India.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>non-government, not-for-profit organisation.</strong></li>
<li>It provides a platform for networking and consensus building within and across sectors and is the first port of call for Indian industry, policy makers and the international business community.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>What are the challenges?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Low value:</strong> These are low value plastics so waste pickers do not collect them and they remain uncollected and littered.</li>
<li><strong>Visibility:</strong> Plastic waste is about 8-10% of the total municipal solid waste and just 4% at the landfill sites because all the good plastic is picked up. Single use plastic is just about 10-15% of that 4%, still they can be seen everywhere so it appears to be huge.</li>
<li><strong>Collection:</strong> Single use plastics largely remains uncollected. If collected cleanly then there are scopes of recycling or energy recovery (in case of <strong>thermoplastics</strong> specifically) but that is not the case.</li>
<li><strong>Inadequacy of data:</strong> We do not have data about the quantity of the plastic littering our roads.</li>
<li><strong>Non-biodegradable:</strong> The non-biodegradable nature of plastic adds to the issue as it will never truly disappear, instead it breaks into microplastics and gets into the ecological cycles.</li>
<li><strong>Dysfunctional systems:</strong> Our municipal corporations are dysfunctional and at loggerheads with the state governments for resources and funding. They are unable to collect both data on plastic and the litter itself.</li>
<li><strong>Unorganised labour:</strong> In plastic collection, mostly unorganised labour is involved without any kind of proper machinery or assorting units.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How to deal with the plastic slowly, steadily and replace it?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Making single use plastics more recyclable by change in the design and composition</strong> (making multi polymer based packaging less complicated by reducing the polymers) so that it is easy to be broken down while recycling.</li>
<li><strong>Looking for viable alternatives with special lifecycle</strong> which should not become a problem in itself when the economy of scale is achieved.</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening the collection mechanisms</strong> because any plastic which is collected has value in terms of recycling and energy production.</li>
<li><strong>Finding solutions</strong> for those items which are kept out of focus right now.</li>
<li><strong>Stopping the habit of littering</strong> through incentives, fines and behaviour change.</li>
<li><strong>Taking help of technologies</strong> like <strong>pyrolysis and composite waste management technology</strong> in which segregation is not needed and the plastic with other composite fuels is heated at very high temperature with fast acceleration process. With very less pollution, this process turns the composite wastes into basic elements which can be further used as resources in other sectors.</li>
<li><strong>Phasing out and replacing</strong> single use plastics gradually with better sustainable options instead of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ban-on-single-use-plastics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>banning</strong></a> it.</li>
<li><strong>Putting restraints on the manufacturing guidelines</strong> so that the number of litter prone plastics can be reduced. For example, effective control of polythene pollution can be achieved by increasing its thickness from 30 to 50 microns.</li>
<li><strong>Making sure</strong> that whatever plastic is collected, is <strong>recycled</strong> in the most environmentally sustainable way (like energy recovery) and <strong>reused</strong> in making decorative pieces.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What are the viable options?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Clothes and paper carry bags-</strong> These are simple to make, natural and biodegradable.</li>
<li><strong>Aluminium containers-</strong> Aluminium industry has to make products more customer friendly, cheaper and government has to play an active role in that.</li>
<li><strong>Glass-</strong> It was used widely before plastic came in so it needs revival.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>At the policy level, the <strong>concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) </strong>has to come in.<strong> More R&amp;D (Research &amp; Development) and finances</strong> for it, are needed to look for sustainably viable options.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a policy approach under which producers are given a significant responsibility &ndash; financial and/or physical &ndash; for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products.</li>
<li>Assigning such responsibility could in principle provide incentives to prevent wastes at the source, promote product design for the environment and support the achievement of public recycling and materials management goals.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Government</strong> has to look into it with a <strong>very holistic perspective</strong> while forming policies to take all aspects into consideration and ensure strict implementation of regulations.</li>
<li><strong>Economically affordable and ecologically viable alternatives</strong> which will not burden the resources are needed and their prices will also come down with time and increase in demand.</li>
<li><strong>Citizens have to bring behavioural change</strong> and<strong> contribute</strong> by <strong>not littering</strong> and <strong>helping in waste segregation and waste management.</strong> Everybody, by doing their bit, can ensure elimination of single use plastic.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-eliminating-single-use-plastic'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'PRS Capsule August 2019',
			'catname' => 'PRS Capsule',
			'desc' => '<p><em><strong>Key Highlights of PRS</strong></em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="#1">Polity</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#2">Special Status of Jammu and Kashmir Repealed</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#5">The National Medical Commission Bill, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#7">The Dam Safety Bill, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#8">The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#9">Economy</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#10">Recommendations of the Bimal Jalan Committee</a></li>
<li><a href="#11">Consolidation, Capital Infusion for PSBs</a></li>
<li><a href="#12">Regulatory Sandbox</a></li>
<li><a href="#13">Lending to NBFCs Classified as Priority Sector</a></li>
<li><a href="#14">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#15">Competition Law Review Committee Report</a></li>
<li><a href="#16">High-Level Committee on CSR</a></li>
<li><a href="#17">Review of FDI policy</a></li>
<li><a href="#18">Criteria for Suspension of Mining Operations</a></li>
<li><a href="#19">A joint venture of NALCO, HCL and MECL</a></li>
<li><a href="#20">High-Level Empowered Committee on stressed thermal power projects</a></li>
<li><a href="#21">Auction of Coal Linkage</a></li>
<li><a href="#22">Ocean Energy as a Renewable Energy</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#23">Security</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#24">Committee to review the Defence Procurement Procedure</a></li>
<li><a href="#25">Re-organisation of Army Headquarters</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#26">Social Justice</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#27">Childcare Leave Benefits</a></li>
<li><a href="#28">The Code on Wages, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#29">Institutions of Eminence Status</a></li>
<li><a href="#30">The National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2019</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#31">Culture</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#32">The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#33">Environment and Ecology</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#34">Composite Water Management Index 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#35">State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index (SARAL)</a></li>
<li><a href="#36">Ministry of Railways to ban single-use plastic</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1">Polity</h2>
<h3 id="2">Special Status of Jammu and Kashmir Repealed</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The special status given to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/article-370-and-35-a-revoked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 was repealed</strong></a> by the central government.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-article-370" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 370</strong></a>, the power of Parliament to legislate with respect to Jammu and Kashmir was restricted to defence, external affairs, communications, and central elections. However, the President could extend other central laws, with the concurrence of the state government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A resolution was adopted by Parliament recommending that the provisions of Article 370 be made inoperative and that it be amended to state that all provisions of the Indian Constitution would apply to Jammu and Kashmir.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On the basis of this resolution, the President issued a notification making Article 370 inoperative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="3">The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parliament passed the <strong>Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019.</strong></li>
<li>The Bill reorganises the state of Jammu and Kashmir into:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Union Territory of Ladakh without a legislature.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Union Territory of Ladakh</strong> will comprise Kargil and Leh districts, and</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir</strong> will comprise the remaining territories of the existing state of Jammu and Kashmir.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Features:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lieutenant Governor:</strong> The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be administered by the President through an Administrator appointed by him known as the <strong>Lieutenant Governor.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Union Territory of Ladakh will be administered by the President, through a <strong>Lieutenant Governor</strong> appointed by him.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Bill provides for a <strong>Legislative Assembly for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The total number of seats in the Assembly will be 107. Of these, 24 seats will remain vacant on account of certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir being under the occupation of Pakistan.</li>
<li>The Assembly may make laws for any part of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir related to:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Any matters <strong>specified in the State List of the Constitution,</strong> except &ldquo;Police&rdquo; and &ldquo;Public Order&rdquo;, and</li>
<li>Any matter in the <strong>Concurrent List is</strong> applicable to Union Territories.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, Parliament will have the power to make laws on any matter for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The extent of laws:</strong> The <strong>Schedule lists 106 central laws</strong> that will be made applicable to Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on a date notified by the central government.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include the <strong>Aadhaar Act, 2016, the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Right to Education Act, 2009.</strong></li>
<li>Further, it repeals 153 state laws of Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, 166 state laws will remain in force, and seven laws will be applicable with amendments.</li>
<li>These amendments include lifting of prohibitions on a lease of land to persons who are not permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="4">Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2019</strong> was passed by Parliament. It amends the <strong>Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.</strong></li>
<li>The earlier Act fixes the maximum number of judges in the Supreme Court at 30 judges (excluding the Chief Justice of India). The <strong>Bill increases this number from 30 to 33.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3 id="5">The National Medical Commission Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-national-medical-commission-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Medical Commission Bill, 2019</strong></a> was passed by Parliament. The Bill repeals the<strong> Indian Medical Council Act, 1956</strong> and provides for a medical education system which ensures: (i) availability of adequate and high quality medical professionals, (ii) adoption of the latest medical research by medical professionals, (iii) periodic assessment of medical institutions, and (iv) an effective grievance redressal mechanism.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-july-2019#16" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...</strong></a></p>
<h3 id="6">Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by Parliament.</strong></li>
<li>The Bill seeks to amend the <strong>Motor Vehicles Act, 1988</strong> to provide for road safety.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act provides for grant of licenses and permits related to motor vehicles, standards for motor vehicles, and penalties for violation of these provisions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Bill provides for recall of vehicles, exempting &lsquo;Good Samaritans&rsquo; at an accident from any legal proceedings, regulation of taxi aggregators and increasing penalties for various offences.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-july-2019#26" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...</strong></a></p>
<h3 id="7">The Dam Safety Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Dam Safety Bill, 2019</strong> was passed by Lok Sabha and is pending in Rajya Sabha. It provides for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams across the country. It also provides for an institutional mechanism to ensure the safety of such dams.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-july-2019#37" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...</strong></a></p>
<h3 id="8">The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019</strong> was passed by Lok Sabha and is pending in Rajya Sabha. It amends the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/inter-state-river-water-sharing-disputes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.</strong></a> The Act provides for the adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers and river valleys.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-july-2019#36" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...</strong></a></p>
<h2 id="9">Economy</h2>
<h3 id="10">Recommendations of the Bimal Jalan Committee</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the central government, had constituted a Committee (Chair: Dr Bimal Jalan) to review the current economic capital framework, in November 2018.</li>
<li>The <strong>terms and reference</strong> of the Committee included determining whether<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/transfer-of-surplus-from-rbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> RBI is holding reserves in surplus/deficit</strong></a> and proposing a suitable surplus distribution policy.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong> The economic capital framework provides a methodology for determining the appropriate level of risk provisions and profit distribution to be made under <strong>Section</strong> <strong>47 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;"></ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Key recommendations:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Economic capital of a central bank</strong> includes its realised equity and revaluation balances.</li>
<li>The realised equity consists of:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Contingency Fund,</strong> which represents provisions made for unforeseen contingencies.</li>
<li><strong>Asset Development Fund,</strong> which represents the amount set aside for investment in subsidiaries and internal capital expenditure.</li>
<li><strong>Capital and Reserve fund.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-rbi-s-surplus-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>current surplus distribution policy</strong></a> targets only total economic capital. The Committee recommended that the target should also include <strong>realised equity.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>realised equity</strong> (which would be required to cover monetary, financial stability risks, credit risks and operational risks) must be maintained between <strong>5.5% to 6.5% of the RBI&rsquo;s balance sheet</strong> (current target: 3% to 4%).
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A<strong> realized gain</strong> results from selling an asset at a price higher than the original purchase price. It occurs when an asset is sold at a level that exceeds its book value cost.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>total economic capital</strong> should be maintained between 20.8% to 25.4% of the balance sheet (current target: 28.1% to 29.1%).
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Economic capital</strong> is used for measuring and reporting market and operational risks across a financial organization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If the <strong>realised equity</strong> is above the required levels, the entire net income of RBI will be transferred to the government.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If it is lower, risk provisioning will be made to the necessary extent and only the residual net income will be transferred.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This framework may be <strong>reviewed every five years.</strong></li>
<li>The RBI Board has accepted all the recommendations of the Committee.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Based on accounts for 2018-19, the available realised equity stood at 6.8% of the balance sheet. This is higher than the upper bound recommended by the Committee.</li>
<li>The Board decided to maintain the realised equity level at 5.5% of the balance sheet, and transfer the resultant excess risk buffer of Rs 52,637 crore to the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As per the revised framework, the <strong>economic capital of RBI</strong> (as on June 30, 2019) stood at 23.3% of the balance sheet, which is within the range recommended by the Committee.</li>
<li>Hence, the Board decided to transfer the entire net income for 2018-19, that is Rs 1,23,414 crore, to the government.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="11">Consolidation, Capital Infusion for PSBs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Finance Minister, announced several measures related to public sector banks (PSBs).</li>
<li>This includes <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-big-bank-reform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>merging 10 PSBs into four PSBs</strong></a> in order to help banks achieve scale and higher capacity to increase credit.</li>
<li>The banks to be merged are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce,</strong> and <strong>United Bank of India</strong> will be merged into one bank, with <strong>Punjab National Bank being the anchor bank</strong> (the larger bank with which others will be merged).
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The resultant bank will be the <strong>second-largest PSB</strong> in the country, with a total business of Rs 17.94 lakh crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Canara Bank (anchor bank)</strong> and <strong>Syndicate Bank</strong> will be merged into one bank. This bank will be the fourth largest PSB (total business size of Rs 15.2 lakh crore).</li>
<li><strong>Union Bank of India (anchor bank), Andhra Bank,</strong> and <strong>Corporation Bank of India</strong> will be merged into a single bank, resulting in the fifth-largest PSB (total business size of Rs 14.59 lakh crore).</li>
<li><strong>Indian Bank (anchor bank),</strong> and <strong>Allahabad Bank</strong> will be merged into a single bank, resulting in the <strong>seventh-largest PSB</strong> (total business size of Rs 8.08 lakh crore).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Minister also announced <strong>a capital infusion</strong> of Rs 55,250 crore into 10 PSBs. These include Rs 16,000 crore into Punjab National Bank, Rs 11,700 crore into Union Bank of India and Rs 7,000 crore into Bank of Baroda, among others.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="12">Regulatory Sandbox</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Reserve Bank of India</strong> released the enabling framework for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/norms-for-regulatory-sandbox" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regulatory Sandbox.</strong></a> An <strong>inter-regulatory Working Group</strong> was set up in 2016 by the RBI to review the regulatory framework in the financial technology sector.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>sandbox provides an environment</strong> which allows market participants to test new products, services or business models with customers in a controlled environment.</li>
<li>The <strong>objective of the sandbox</strong> is to foster innovation in financial services, promote efficiency and bring benefits to consumers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Purpose of the framework:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The focus of the sandbox will be on encouraging innovations amongst FinTech companies where (a) there is an absence of governing regulations, (b) easing regulations enable the proposed innovation, or (c) the proposed innovation can significantly ease delivery of financial services.</li>
<li>In view of the above, the draft framework identified an indicative list of innovative products, services and technologies which could be considered for testing under the sandbox.</li>
<li>These include retail payments, money transfer services, mobile technology applicants, data analytics, financial advisory services, financial inclusion and cybersecurity products.</li>
<li>The framework also provides that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sandbox-for-fintech" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FinTech company</strong></a> should be incorporated in India for participation in <strong>regulatory sandbox.</strong> Financial institutions constituted under a statute are also eligible.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the entity should have a minimum net worth of <strong>twenty-five lakh rupees</strong> as per its latest audited balance sheet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Timeline of implementation:</strong> The sandbox process will consist of five stages spanning across 27 weeks.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The stages include the preliminary screening of product, test design, application assessment, testing and evaluation.</li>
<li>The relaxations provided to the participating companies will expire at the end of this period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The implementation will be overseen by the FinTech Unit at the RBI.</li>
<li>The RBI may discontinue sandbox testing for any product, service or technology at any time if it does not achieve its intended purpose or if it fails to comply with the regulatory requirements.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="13">Lending to NBFCs Classified as Priority Sector</h3>
<p>The Reserve Bank of India has <strong>issued guidelines</strong> that <strong>bank credit</strong> to registered <strong>Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)</strong> for the purpose of on-lending to certain sectors will be eligible to be classified as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-raises-cap-on-home-loan-under-psl" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>priority sector lending.</strong></a> These sectors include agriculture, micro and small enterprises and housing.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For <strong>agriculture,</strong> on-lending by NBFCs for term-lending is permitted up to Rs 10 lakh per borrower.</li>
<li>For <strong>micro and small enterprises,</strong> on-lending by NBFCs is permitted up to Rs 20 lakh per borrower.</li>
<li>For <strong>housing,</strong> the existing limits for on-lending by NBFCs are to be classified as priority sector has been doubled from <strong>Rs 10 lakh rupees to Rs 20 lakh rupees.</strong></li>
<li>The total bank credit to NBFCs for the purpose of on-lending should not exceed 5% of the bank&rsquo;s total priority sector lending.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="14">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2019</h3>
<p>The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by Rajya Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It amends the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-insolvency-and-bankruptcy-code-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.</strong></a> The Code provides a time-bound process for resolving insolvency in companies and among individuals.</li>
<li><strong>Key features of the Bill include:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Initiation of resolution process:</strong> The Code states that a financial creditor may file an application before the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-4th-march-2019-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)</strong></a> for initiating the insolvency resolution process. The NCLT must find the existence of default within 14 days. Based on its findings, NCLT may accept or reject the application.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill states that in case the NCLT does not find the existence of default and has not passed an order within 14 days, it must record its reasons in writing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Time-limit for resolution process:</strong> The Code states that the insolvency resolution process must be completed within 180 days, extendable by a period of up to 90 days.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill adds that the resolution process <strong>must be completed within 330 days.</strong> This includes the extension period granted and the time taken in legal proceedings in relation to the process.</li>
<li>On the enactment of the Bill, if any case is pending for over 330 days, it must be resolved within 90 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Resolution plan:</strong> The Code provides that the resolution plan must ensure that the operational creditors receive an amount which should not be less than the amount they would receive in case of liquidation.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill amends this to provide that the amounts to be paid to the operational creditor should be the higher of:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Amounts receivable under liquidation, and</li>
<li>The amount receivable under a resolution plan, if such amounts were distributed under the same order of priority (as for liquidation).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Representative of financial creditors:</strong> The Code specifies that, in certain cases, such as when the debt is owed to a class of creditors beyond a specified number, the financial creditors will be represented on the committee of creditors by an authorised representative.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These representatives will vote on behalf of the financial creditors as per instructions received from them.</li>
<li>The Bill states that such representative will vote on the basis of the decision taken by a majority of the voting shares of the creditors that they represent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="15">Competition Law Review Committee Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Competition Law Review Committee (Chair: Mr Injeti Srinivas)</strong> submitted its report recommending amendments to the <strong>Competition Act, 2002.</strong></li>
<li>In pursuance of its objective of ensuring that Competition Act is in sync with the needs of strong economic fundamentals, the Government has constituted a Competition Law Review Committee to review the Competition Act.</li>
<li>The Act establishes the <strong>Competition Commission of India (CCI)</strong> to promote competition, prevent anti-competitive practices and protect consumer rights.</li>
<li><strong>Key recommendations include:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Governing body:</strong> The Committee recommended that the Act be amended to provide for a governing body, to strengthen the accountability of the CCI.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The governing body will consist of a Chairperson, six whole time members, and six part-time members. The governing body will perform <strong>quasi-legislative functions, drive policy decisions,</strong> and perform a <strong>supervisory role.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Appellate Authority:</strong> The Committee noted that under the Act, appeals against the orders of the CCI are heard by the <strong>National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, it noted that the Tribunal is overburdened with cases. Therefore, it is recommended that a dedicated bench should be created to hear appeals under the Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Settlements:</strong> The Committee noted that remedies may be in the form of settlements and commitments. <strong>Settlements</strong> are generally available for cartels and require an admission of guilt from the parties. <strong>Commitments</strong> apply to all other cases and do not require any admission of guilt.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Committee recommended that the Act be amended to empower CCI to allow settlements and commitments for certain types of anti-competitive agreements (like exclusive supply agreements) and for abuse of dominance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Green channel notifications:</strong> Under the Act, combinations beyond a certain threshold require the approval of CCI. The Commission recommended a &lsquo;green channel&rsquo; route for automatic approval of CCI for specific merger and acquisition cases, where there are no major concerns of an appreciable adverse effect on competition.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This <strong>can include</strong> cases under the <strong>Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Time limits for merger assessment:</strong> The combination regulations notified under the Act require the CCI to provide its preliminary opinion on whether the combination will have an appreciable adverse effect on competition, within 30 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="16">High-Level Committee on CSR</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>High-Level Committee</strong> on <strong>Corporate Social Responsibility</strong> (Chair: Injeti Srinivas) submitted its report.</li>
<li>Under the <strong>Companies Act, 2013,</strong> companies above a specified net worth are required to <strong>spend 2% of their average net profits in the last three financial years,</strong> towards their CSR policy.</li>
<li>The Committee made several recommendations on the current CSR framework, ranging from its applicability to operational practices.</li>
<li><strong>Key recommendations include:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Applicability of CSR:</strong> Currently, only companies are required to comply with CSR regulations.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Committee recommended that CSR obligations should be extended to other forms of<strong> business enterprises such as Limited Liability Partnerships and banks.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>CSR Committees:</strong> Under the Act, all CSR eligible companies are required to form CSR Committees.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For operational ease, the Committee recommended that companies with CSR funds of below 50 lakh rupees should be exempt from this requirement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tax benefits for CSR activities:</strong> To incentivise CSR spending, the Committee recommended that all CSR expenditure should be made deductible from the taxable income of the company.</li>
<li><strong>CSR impact studies:</strong> The Committee recommended that companies having CSR funds of more than five crore rupees in the last three financial years, should undertake impact assessment studies for their CSR projects once in three years, and disclose the same in their board report.</li>
<li><strong>CSR Audit:</strong> The Committee recommended bringing CSR within the <strong>ambit of statutory financial audit,</strong> by requiring disclosure of CSR spending in the financial statements of the company.</li>
<li><strong>Penalties for non-spending:</strong> The Committee made certain recommendations to require companies to transfer unspent CSR funds to a separate account and spend such funds within three to five years, failing which penalties may be imposed upon them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> The recently passed Companies Act, 2019, incorporates these changes, and imposes imprisonment in addition.</p>
<h3 id="17">Review of FDI policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved certain amendments to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy across various sectors.</li>
<li><strong>Key changes to the policy include:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Coal mining:</strong> At present, <strong>100% FDI under automatic route</strong> is allowed for: (i) coal and lignite mining for captive consumption by power, cement, and iron and steel plants, and (ii) coal processing (though not allowed to sell coal in the open market).
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Cabinet allowed <strong>100% FDI under automatic route</strong> for sale of coal, commercial coal mining, and associated processing activities such as coal washing, crushing, and handling.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Contract manufacturing:</strong> The current policy allows 100% FDI under the automatic route in the manufacturing sector. In India, manufacturing activities can be conducted either by the investee entity or through contract manufacturing.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, there is no specific provision for contract manufacturing in FDI policy.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In this context, <strong>100% FDI under automatic route</strong> will be allowed for contract manufacturing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Single brand retail trading:</strong> Currently, single-brand retailers with over 51% FDI have to locally source 30% of the value of goods sold.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The amendments allow for all procurements made from India to be counted towards local sourcing, irrespective of whether the goods are sold in India or exported.</li>
<li>Further, the present policy requires all single-brand retailers to operate through brick and mortar stores before starting trading through e-commerce.</li>
<li>This has been amended to allow for online retail trading before the opening of brick and mortar stores. However, the retailers will be required to open stores within two years of the start of their online operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital media:</strong> Currently, 49% FDI through the approval route is allowed in uplinking of TV channels broadcasting news and current affairs. The amendments permit <strong>26% FDI under approval route</strong> for uploading and streaming of news and current affairs through digital media.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="18">Criteria for Suspension of Mining Operations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017</strong> mandates mining lease holders to undertake sustainable mining practices.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sustainable mining</strong> refers to the development of minerals and energy resources, onshore and offshore, in a way that maximises the economic and social benefits while minimising the environmental impacts of mining.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To adopt sustainable mining practices, the Ministry of Mines has prescribed a <strong>Sustainable Development Framework</strong> for mining lease holder.</li>
<li>The <strong>Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)</strong> awards a rating from one to five stars to leased mines for their efforts towards the implementation of this framework every year.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the 2017 Rules, mining operations <strong>can be suspended</strong> by IBM in those mines which have not received <strong>at least four-star rating</strong> within two years of commencement of mining operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Mines</strong> has amended these 2017 Rules to reduce the minimum rating requirement from four-star to three-star. The period for achieving the required rating has been revised to four years from the date of commencement, or four years from Feb 27, 2017, as applicable.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="19">A joint venture of NALCO, HCL and MECL</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Mines has set up a <strong>joint venture (JV)</strong> namely <strong>Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL)</strong> with the participation of three central public sector enterprises.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These are <strong>National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL)</strong> and <strong>Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>objective of &lsquo;KABIL&rsquo;</strong> is to ensure a consistent supply of strategic minerals to the domestic market and work toward the overall objective of import substitution.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Strategic minerals</strong> are those which are <strong>critical to the economy and defence of a country</strong> but are not available in that country in commercially viable quantities.</li>
<li>India has identified 12 such minerals including <strong>lithium, cobalt, tin, tungsten and selenium.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This JV will carry out identification, exploration, development, mining and processing of strategic minerals overseas for commercial use and meeting India&rsquo;s requirement of these minerals.</li>
<li>The minerals will be sourced in the following ways:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Creation of trading opportunities.</li>
<li>Government-to-Government collaborations with the producing countries.</li>
<li>Strategic acquisitions or investments in the exploration of mining assets in the source countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="20">High-Level Empowered Committee on stressed thermal power projects</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Power had constituted a <strong>High-Level Empowered Committee</strong> to resolve issues related to stressed thermal power assets in July 2018.</li>
<li>The Union Cabinet approved some of the Committee&rsquo;s recommendations in March 2019.</li>
<li>The Ministry has released implementation details of some of these recommendations.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Debt servicing of stressed thermal projects:</strong> The Ministry has approved a mechanism to ensure that the debt of stressed thermal power projects is serviced on priority.</li>
<li>This will apply to projects using coal linkages under the SHAKTI policy.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>The SHAKTI policy</strong> provides for the allocation of coal linkages for the power sector in a transparent manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The committee had suggested that the net surplus generated by the developer of the stressed thermal power project, after meeting operating expenses, must be used for servicing debt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As per the mechanism, all the revenues of the project will be deposited into a <strong>Trust and Retention Account (TRA).</strong> A cash flow monitoring agency will be appointed by lenders, to verify actual cash flow and costs of the project.</li>
<li>The priority order for expenditure from TRA will be as follows: (i) statutory payments including taxes and duties owed to the government, (ii) fuel cost, (iii) transmission cost, (iv) operation and maintenance expenses, (v) interest payment to lenders, and (vi) principal payment to lenders.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="21">Auction of Coal Linkage</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry has released a draft methodology for <strong>auction of coal linkages</strong> under the <strong>SHAKTI policy</strong> for the short term.</li>
<li>The objective of auctioning short term linkages is to cater to the<strong> dynamic requirements</strong> and demand variation in short-term and day-ahead markets.</li>
<li>The power plants which do not have a<strong> power purchase agreement (PPA)</strong> will be eligible to participate in the auction.</li>
<li>The duration of linkage will be a minimum of three months and a maximum of one year. This auction will be carried out at frequent intervals (at least twice a year).</li>
<li>The power generated under these coal linkages will have to be sold in:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The day-ahead market and intraday market through power exchanges, and</li>
<li>Short term through a transparent bidding process using <strong>Discovery of Efficient Energy Price (DEEP) portal.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The DEEP portal is an e-bidding and e-reverse auction portal for procurement of short term supply of power by distribution companies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="22">Ocean Energy as a Renewable Energy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Different types of ocean energy including <strong>tidal energy, wave energy, ocean thermal energy conversion and marine current energy</strong> have been recognised as renewable energy.</li>
<li>Accordingly, the energy produced using various forms of ocean energy will be eligible for meeting the non-solar <strong>Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO).</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>RPO refers to the obligation of certain entities who have to meet a part of their energy consumption by using energy from renewable sources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The total identified potential of tidal energy is about 12,455 MW. The total potential of wave energy and ocean thermal energy conversion is 40,000 MW and 1,80,000 MW respectively.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ocean-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...</strong></a></p>
<h2 id="23">Security</h2>
<h3 id="24">Committee to review the Defence Procurement Procedure</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Defence has approved setting up a Committee to review the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-flawed-defence-procurement-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), 2016</strong></a> and <strong>Defence Procurement Manual (DPM),</strong> 2009.</li>
<li>The <strong>objective of the Committee</strong> is to revise and align the procedures to ensure efficient procurement process for defence equipment and strengthen the &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; initiative. The terms and reference of the Committee include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Revising the procedures in DPP 2016 and DPM 2009 to remove procedural bottlenecks and hasten defence acquisition.</li>
<li>Aligning and standardising the provisions in DPP 2016 and DPM 2009 to optimise life cycle support for equipment.</li>
<li>Simplifying policy and procedures to facilitate greater participation of the domestic industry.</li>
<li>Examining and incorporating new concepts such as life cycle costing, performance-based logistics, and lease contracting.</li>
<li>Including provisions to support the &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; initiative and promote Indian start-ups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Committee is required to submit its <strong>report in six months.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3 id="25">Re-organisation of Army Headquarters</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reforms-in-army" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Defence has approved</strong></a> creating a <strong>separate vigilance cell</strong> under the <strong>chief of army staff.</strong> The cell will include representation from all three services (one colonel-level officer each from the Army, Air Force and Navy).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, there is no single agency for vigilance under the Chief of Army Staff.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, a special human rights section will be set up under the <strong>Vice Chief of Army Staff</strong> for enhanced focus on human rights issues.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This section will be headed by an <strong>Additional Director General (Major General rank officer)</strong> directly under the Vice Chief of Army Staff.</li>
<li>This will be the nodal point to examine any reports of human rights violations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="26">Social Justice</h2>
<h3 id="27">Childcare Leave Benefits</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Defence</strong> has approved <strong>extending benefits of childcare leave to single male service personnel.</strong> Presently, such leave is granted only to women officers in defence forces.</li>
<li>An age limit of 22 years was prescribed for availing child care leave in case of a child with 40% disability. This restriction has now been removed. Further, the minimum period for which childcare leave can be availed at a time has been reduced from 15 days to five days.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="28">The Code on Wages, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Code on Wages, 2019</strong> was passed by Parliament. It seeks to regulate wage and bonus payments in all employments where any industry, trade, business, or manufacturing is carried out.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-july-2019#19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...</strong></a></p>
<h3 id="29">Institutions of Eminence Status</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/stride" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>University Grants Commission (UGC)</strong></a> recently recommended 20 higher educational institutions for the status of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/institutions-of-eminence-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Institutions of Eminence&rsquo;.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These institutions were selected on the basis of recommendations of the <strong>Empowered Expert Committee</strong> (Chair: Mr. N. Gopalaswami).</li>
<li>Of these 20 institutions, 10 are in the public sector and the remaining are in the private sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In February 2018, the UGC constituted an <strong>Empowered Expert Committee</strong> to enable 10 public and 10 private higher educational institutions to emerge as a world-class teaching and research institutions i.e., as Institutions of Eminence.</li>
<li>These institutions would be allowed greater autonomy in admitting foreign students, fixing fees, and recruiting foreign faculty, among others. Further, each public higher educational institution will get financial assistance of up to Rs 1,000 crore for a period of five years.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="30">The National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2019</strong> was passed by Rajya Sabha and is pending in Lok Sabha.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill seeks to amend the <strong>National Institute of Design Act, 2014,</strong> which declares the <strong>National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad</strong> as an <strong>institution of national importance.</strong></li>
<li>The Bill seeks to declare four <strong>National Institutes of Design</strong> in<strong> Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam,</strong> and <strong>Haryana</strong> as <strong>institutions of national importance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Currently, these institutes are registered as <strong>Societies under the Societies Registration Act, 1860</strong> and do not have the power to grant degrees or diplomas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On being declared institutions of national importance, the four institutes will be granted the <strong>power to grant degrees and diplomas.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="31">Culture</h2>
<h3 id="32">The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019</h3>
<p>The <strong>Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019</strong> was passed by Lok Sabha and is pending in Rajya Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It amends the <strong>Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951.</strong> The Act provides for the erection of a National Memorial in memory of those killed or wounded on April 13, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar.</li>
<li>The Act creates a Trust to manage the National Memorial.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Composition of Trust: Under the 1951 Act,</strong> the Trustees of the Memorial include: (i) the Prime Minister, as Chairperson, (ii) the President of the Indian National Congress, (iii) the Minister-in-charge of Culture, (iv) the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, (v) the Governor of Punjab, (vi) the Chief Minister of Punjab, and (vii) three eminent persons nominated by the central government.</li>
<li>The <strong>Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019</strong> amends this provision to <strong>remove the President of the Indian National Congress as a Trustee.</strong></li>
<li>Further, it clarifies that when there is no Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, then <strong>the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha</strong> will be the Trustee.</li>
<li>The original Act provides that the <strong>three eminent persons</strong> nominated by the central government will have a term of five years and will be eligible for re-nomination.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill adds a proviso to allow the central government to terminate the term of a nominated trustee before the expiry of his term without assigning any reason.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="33">Environment and Ecology</h2>
<h3 id="34">Composite Water Management Index 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>NITI Aayog</strong> has developed the second edition of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/composite-water-management-index-2-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Composite Water Management Index</strong></a> to report the performance of states on key water management components.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In its report, it has noted that currently, about 82 crore Indians face water scarcity and about two lakh people die every year due to inadequate access to safe water.</li>
<li>In addition, by 2030, the country&rsquo;s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity and an eventual loss of 6% to the country&rsquo;s GDP.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Through the Composite Water Management Index, NITI Aayog has:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Identified states that are high or under-performers</li>
<li>Recognised areas that need deeper investment and engagement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The index aims to increase competitiveness among states for water use and conservation and develop a national data management platform for water.</li>
<li><strong>Key findings of the report include:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Food security:</strong> The population of India will be more than 1.5 billion people by 2030. Achieving food security for this rising population becomes more difficult with water scarcity. Many staple crops are being affected by water related issues. For example, about 74% of the area under wheat cultivation and 65% of the area under rice cultivation faces significant water scarcity.</li>
<li><strong>Urban sustainability:</strong> Five of the world&rsquo;s 20 largest cities facing water scarcity are in India. As of 2014, no Indian city supplied 24x7 water to its entire urban population, and only 35% of urban households in India had piped water.</li>
<li><strong>Economic risks:</strong> Estimates suggest that industrial water requirement will increase fourfold between 2005 and 2030. Water shortages can hamper industrial operations, which account for 30% of the national GDP.</li>
<li><strong>Biodiversity risks:</strong> The biodiversity of India is impacted by human activities undertaken to create additional water sources. These activities include dam construction and river diversion which can lead to changes in water flow, salinity levels, and monsoon patterns.</li>
<li><strong>Overall state performance:</strong> In the last three years, about 80% of the states have shown improvement in water management parameters such as groundwater source augmentation and water data reporting.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, 16 states (such as Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan) scored less than 50% of total achievable score. These states account for about 48% of the population, 40% of agricultural produce, and 35% of economic output of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="35">State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index (SARAL)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of New and Renewable Energy</strong> has launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-rooftop-solar-attractiveness-index-saral" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index (SARAL).</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will rank States based on the measures adopted by them to facilitate rooftop solar deployment.</li>
<li>It seeks to incentivise rooftop solar deployment by creating healthy competition among the states.</li>
<li>SARAL will evaluate the following aspects of the development of rooftop solar plants in the state:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Robustness of policy framework</li>
<li>Implementation environment</li>
<li>Investment climate</li>
<li>Consumer experience</li>
<li>Business ecosystem</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the rankings announced this month, <strong>Karnataka</strong> has achieved the first rank. Telangana, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have achieved 2nd, 3rd and 4th rank respectively.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="36">Ministry of Railways to ban single-use plastic</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Railways</strong> has announced a ban on usage of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-eliminating-single-use-plastic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>single-use plastic material</strong></a> from <strong>October 2, 2019.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition, all railway vendors must avoid the use of plastic carry bags. Railway staff should reduce, reuse and refuse plastic products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>IRCTC will implement the return of plastic drinking water bottles as part of <strong>Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>EPR</strong> is a policy approach under which producers are responsible for the treatment or disposal of their products that are no longer deemed useful by consumers. Such responsibility may be financial, physical, or both.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-august-2019'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Massive Iceberg Breaks off Antarctica',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, the <strong>Iceberg-D28</strong> broke away from the <strong>Amery ice shelf</strong> in Antarctica.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570264082_Image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570264082_Image1.jpg" width="338" height="190" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The breaking of iceberg D28 is part of the <strong>normal cycle of ice shelves,</strong> which are an extension of the ice cap thus the event is <strong>not related to climate change.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The shelf is essentially the floating extension of a number of glaciers that flow off the land into the sea.</li>
<li>Thus ice streams maintain equilibrium by losing such bergs to balance the input of snow upstream.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Iceberg D28</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a part of the Amery ice shelf which is the third-largest ice shelf in Antarctica.</li>
<li>The name D28 comes from a classification system run by the US National Ice Center, which divides the <strong>Antarctic into quadrants.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>D quadrant</strong> covers the longitudes 90 degrees East to 0 degrees, the Prime Meridian.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/huge-iceberg-breaks-off-antarctica/article29568380.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/massive-iceberg-breaks-off-antarctica'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Youth Co:Lab',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-gandhian-challenge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Innovation Mission (AIM),</strong></a> NITI Aayog and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Development Programme</strong></a> (UNDP) India has launched <strong>&lsquo;Youth Co:Lab&rsquo;</strong> which aims at <strong>accelerating social entrepreneurship and innovation in young India.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was <strong>co-created in 2017 by UNDP and the Citi Foundation</strong> and is operational in 25 countries across the Asia Pacific region.</li>
<li>The initiative aims to create <strong>an enabling ecosystem to promote youth leadership, innovation, and social entrepreneurship.</strong></li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;Youth Co:Lab&rsquo; in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For Promoting Entrepreneurship:</strong> The initiative will convene a series of youth dialogues across several cities such as New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai to promote entrepreneurship across India.</li>
<li><strong>Focus on Youth and SDGs:</strong> AIM and UNDP are collaborating to spread awareness about different issues pertaining to youth, the future of work and the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).</strong> </a></li>
<li><strong>Promoting Innovation:</strong> The initiative will convene <strong>social innovation challenges</strong> at the national and sub-national level, which will invite young people in the age group of 18-29 years and start-ups to showcase their proposed ideas and solutions to tackle some of the region&rsquo;s biggest social challenges.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They will also get the opportunity to pitch their ideas at the UNDP&rsquo;s regional centre in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Atal Innovation Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>AIM including Self-Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) is <strong>Government of India&rsquo;s endeavour</strong> to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.</li>
<li>Its objective is to serve as a platform for the promotion of world-class innovation hubs, grand challenges, start-up businesses and other self-employment activities, particularly in technology driven areas.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>NITI Aayog</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Institution for Transforming India, also called NITI Aayog, was formed via a resolution of the Union Cabinet on<strong> 1<sup>st</sup> January 2015.</strong></li>
<li>The Government of India constituted the NITI Aayog to<strong> replace the Planning Commission instituted in 1950.</strong></li>
<li>It is the premier policy <strong>&lsquo;Think Tank&rsquo;</strong> of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs.</li>
<li>While designing strategic and long term policies and programmes for the Government of India, NITI Aayog also provides relevant technical advice to the Centre and States.</li>
<li>The Governing Council of NITI, with the <strong>Prime Minister as its Chairman,</strong> comprises Chief Ministers of all States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories (UTs).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>United Nations Development Programme India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNDP works in almost 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion, while protecting the planet.</li>
<li>UNDP has worked in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development, from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods.</li>
<li><strong>UNDP India's country programme for 2018-2022</strong> has three major focus areas:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inclusive growth</li>
<li>Environment and energy</li>
<li>Strengthening systems and institutions</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>UNDP Country Office is<strong> located in New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1587240" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/youth-co-lab'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Electric Vehicle Charging Guidelines and Specifications',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Government of India has approved <strong>amendments in Electric Vehicle (EV) charging guidelines and specifications.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The revised guidelines include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A phase-wise installation of charging infrastructure :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> first</strong> phase ( 1-3 years) : All <strong>megacities and connected expressways</strong> with a population of <strong>4 million-plus as per census 2011.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>second</strong> phase (3-5 years) : <strong>State capitals, UT headquarters.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At least <strong>one charging station</strong> to be set up in a<strong> grid of 3 km X 3 km</strong> in the cities</li>
<li><strong>One charging station</strong> at <strong>every 25 km</strong> on <strong>both sides of highways/roads.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Fast charging station</strong> at <strong>every 100 kms (one on each side of the highways).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Private charging at residences/offices</strong> to be managed by <strong>DISCOMs.</strong></li>
<li>The Public Charging Stations (PCS) to be a <strong>de-licensed activity,</strong> implying that any individual/entity is free to set up public charging stations.</li>
<li><strong>Freedom to PCS owners to install the chargers</strong> (various types and numbers) as per the market requirement.</li>
<li>The tariffs to be charged in accordance with the <strong>tariff policy issued under Electricity Act 2003.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)</strong> will be the <strong>Central Nodal Agency,</strong> while State Nodal Agency for the respective states to be set up.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The revised policy is expected to help for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fame-india-phase-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &amp;) Electric Vehicles</strong></a> in India.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The BEE is a <strong>statutory body</strong> under the Ministry of Power, Government of India.</li>
<li>It assists in <strong>developing policies and strategies</strong> with the primary objective of<strong> reducing the energy intensity</strong> of the Indian economy.</li>
<li>BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations to identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the <strong>Energy Conservation Act, 2001.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1587249" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: PIB</a></strong></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electric-vehicle-charging-guidelines-and-specifications'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'WEF India Economic Summit',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The <strong>World Economic Forum&rsquo;s 33<sup>rd</sup> India Economic Summit</strong> took place in New Delhi from 3<sup>rd</sup> - 4<sup>th</sup> October 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hosted in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the <strong>theme</strong> of the Summit was: <strong>&lsquo;Innovating for India: Strengthening South Asia, Impacting the World&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina co-chaired the Summit with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.</li>
<li>The India Economic Summit came to a close with more than 800 participants meeting from across the region and around the world.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Challenge of Global Inequality:</strong> There is a growing inequality in terms of wealth and income--both within countries and across countries.</li>
<li>The <strong>challenge of Gender Equality -</strong> both in the region and across the globe.</li>
<li><strong>Vision For Agriculture:</strong> More than 70 global and regional leaders committed to <strong>supporting investments in integrated food value chains</strong> throughout the country.</li>
<li>The Co-chairs called for <strong>improved regional cooperation in South Asia and Southeast Asia.</strong></li>
<li>Bilateral cooperation and innovation is crucial for <strong>&lsquo;shared prosperity&rsquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Innovation</strong> can lift-up the region to become a &lsquo;great area&rsquo; for development of cutting-edge technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Aspects Related to India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>India Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2019 </strong>are<strong> Shanti Raghavan &amp; Dipesh Sutariya of EnAble India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>EnAble India changed the mindsets of 729 businesses and built frameworks for inclusion in universities and government agencies for the employment of persons with disabilities in formal and informal sectors across India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Policy Aspect:</strong> In a <strong>veiled reference to Pakistan,</strong> Union Minister for External Affairs said that the <strong>entire neighbourhood, minus one,</strong> has been a fairly good story for regional cooperation.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Aspect:</strong> India expressed cautious optimism about a <strong>potential free trade agreement between India and the United States.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Access to Health: Drones will soon deliver life-saving medical supplies</strong> and vaccines to rural communities in <strong>Telangana.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government will begin a drone delivery programme built on a World Economic Forum and Apollo Hospital Group framework.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sanitation:</strong> To support Prime Minister&rsquo;s initiative of ending open defecation, the Forum&rsquo;s Young Global Leaders community <strong>will mobilize more than $3.5 million in resources to finance the urban sanitation ecosystem</strong> in 10 Indian cities.</li>
<li><strong>Smart Cities:</strong> The Smart Cities Mission India joined the G20 Smart City Alliance, chaired by the World Economic Forum, to establish universal norms and guidelines for safe and responsible implementation of smart city technology.</li>
<li><strong>E-Mobility:</strong> People in Punjab will soon be driving down a 100km electric vehicle corridor, which is part of a sustainable pilot project with the World Economic Forum's Moving India initiative.</li>
<li><strong>Clean fuel:</strong> Clean India will fly 1 million airline passengers between Delhi and Mumbai by 2030 as the SpiceJet and others have joined the Forum&rsquo;s Clean Skies for Tomorrow Project, promoting the use of biofuels and blended fuels through public-private partnership.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>World Economic Forum</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was <strong>established in 1971</strong> as a <strong>not-for-profit foundation</strong> and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation.</strong></li>
<li>It engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Confederation of Indian Industry</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CII is a <strong>non-government, not-for-profit,</strong> industry-led and industry-managed organization, playing a proactive role in India's development process.</li>
<li><strong>Founded in 1895,</strong> it has around 9000 members, from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 300,000 enterprises from around 276 national and regional sectoral industry bodies.</li>
<li>It works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering industry, Government, and civil society, through advisory and consultative processes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/entire-neighbourhood-minus-one-has-been-a-good-story-jaishankar/article29600663.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wef-india-economic-summit'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'India’s First e-Waste Clinic',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>India&rsquo;s first e-waste clinic for <strong>segregating, processing and disposal</strong> of waste from household and commercial units will soon be set-up in <strong>Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) for its establishment.</li>
<li>The clinic is a three-month pilot project. If it would be a success, then the same would be replicated throughout the country.</li>
<li>Electronic waste will either be collected <strong>door-to-door</strong> or could be deposited directly at the clinic by individuals.</li>
<li>The CPCB will provide<strong> technical support</strong> at the unit and the collected <strong>hazardous waste</strong> will then be sent to <strong>Bengaluru</strong> for <strong>recycling.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would ensure <strong>scientific handling and disposal</strong> of electronic waste generated from households and commercial establishments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The clinic is being conceived in compliance with the <a href="/daily-news-editorials/solid-waste-management-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.</strong></a> These rules also focus on <strong>segregation of waste at source</strong> and charge user fees for collection, disposal, and processing from the bulk generator.</li>
<li>In the absence of a safe disposal mechanism, currently, the electronic waste which includes defunct and useless electrical or electronic devices is being discarded along with other household waste. Therefore, there was a dire need for such a clinic that could efficiently and safely segregate and dispose off the hazardous waste.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>statutory organization</strong> that was constituted in September 1974 under the <strong>Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.</strong></li>
<li>CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the <strong>Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.</strong></li>
<li>Principal <strong>functions</strong> of the CPCB are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>to <strong>promote cleanliness</strong> of streams and wells in different areas of the States through prevention, control, and abatement of <strong>water</strong> pollution, and</li>
<li>to <strong>improve the quality of air</strong> and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It also provides <strong>technical services</strong> to the Ministry of Environment and Forests regarding the provisions of the <strong>Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/indias-first-e-waste-clinic-to-be-set-up-in-bhopal/article29598165.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-first-e-waste-clinic'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Co-operative Banking in India',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/co-operative-banks-is-dual-regulation-the-problem/article29587375.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Co-operative banks: Is dual regulation the problem?&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 04/10/2019. It talks about the reasons for recent liquidity issues of PMC bank and suggests policy measures for effective regulation.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> imposed restrictions on withdrawals from Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank, which triggered a panic among bank customers. It has brought to the fore the issue of riskiness of banks, especially co-operative banks and the need to restore confidence among customers.</p>
<h3>Cooperative Banking</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Co-operative bank is a financial entity which belongs to its members, who are at the same time the owners and the customers of their bank.</li>
<li>Co-operative banks in India are registered under the <strong>States Cooperative Societies Act.</strong> The Co-operative banks are also regulated by the<strong> Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong> and <strong>governed by the</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Banking Regulations Act 1949</strong></li>
<li><strong>Banking Laws (Co-operative Societies) Act, 1955.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features of Cooperative Banks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Customer Owned Entities:</strong> Co-operative bank members are both customer and owner of the bank.</li>
<li><strong>Democratic Member Control:</strong>Co-operative banks are owned and controlled by the members, who democratically elect a board of directors. Members usually have equal voting rights, according to the cooperative principle of <strong>&ldquo;one person, one vote&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Profit Allocation:</strong> A significant part of the yearly profit, benefits or surplus is usually allocated to constitute reserves and a part of this profit can also be distributed to the co-operative members, with legal and statutory limitations.</li>
<li><strong>Financial Inclusion:</strong> They have played a significant role in the financial inclusion of unbanked rural masses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Structure of Cooperative Banking:</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570193576_Image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570193576_Image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="576" height="485" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Advantage of Cooperative Banking</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cooperative Banking provides effective alternative to the traditional defective credit system of the village money lender.</li>
<li>It provides cheap credit to masses in rural areas.</li>
<li>Cooperative Banks have <strong>discouraged unproductive borrowing</strong> personal consumption and have established the culture of productive borrowing.</li>
<li>Cooperative credit movement has <strong>encouraged saving and investment,</strong> instead of hoarding money the rural people tend to deposit their savings in the cooperative or other banking institutions.</li>
<li>Cooperative societies have also greatly helped in the introduction of better agricultural methods. Cooperative credit is available for purchasing improved seeds, chemical fertilizers, modern implements, etc</li>
<li>Cooperatives Banks offers higher interest rate on deposits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problems with Cooperative Banking in India</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Organisational and financial limitations of the <strong>primary credit societies</strong> considerably reduce their ability to provide adequate credit to the rural population.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Needs of tenants and small farmers are not fully met.</li>
<li>Primary credit societies are financially weak and are unable to meet the production-oriented credit needs</li>
<li>Overdues are increasing alarmingly at all levels.</li>
<li>Primary credit societies have not been able to provide adequate and timely credit to the borrowing farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The cooperatives have resource constraints as their owned funds hardly make a sizeable portfolio of the working capital. Raising working capital has been a major hurdle in their effective functioning.</li>
<li>A serious problem of the cooperative credit is the <strong>overdue loans of the cooperative banks</strong> which have been continuously increasing over the years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Large amounts of overdues <strong>restrict the recycling of the funds</strong> and adversely affect the lending and borrowing capacity of the cooperative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Most of the benefits from the cooperatives have been covered by the <strong>big land owners</strong> because of their strong socio-economic position.</li>
<li>Cooperative Banks are losing their lustre due to expansion of Scheduled Commercial Bank and adoption of technology. They are also facing stiff competition from payment banks and small-finance banks.</li>
<li>Long-term credit extended by them is declining.</li>
<li><strong>Regional Disparities:</strong> The cooperatives in northeast states and in states like West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha are not as well developed as the ones in Maharashtra and Gujarat. There is a lot of friction due to competition between different states, this friction affects the working of cooperatives.</li>
<li><strong>Political Interference:</strong> Politicians use them to increase their vote bank and usually get their representatives elected over the board of director in order to gain undue advantages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Dual Regulation of Urban Cooperative Bank</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Urban Co-operative Banks are regulated and supervised by <strong>State Registrars of Co-operative Societies (RCS)</strong> in case of single-State co-operative banks and <strong>Central Registrar of Co-operative Societies (CRCS)</strong> in case of multi-State co-operative banks and by the RBI.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>RCS</strong> exercises powers under the respective Co-operative Societies Act of the States with regard to incorporation, registration, management, amalgamation, reconstruction or liquidation and in case of UCBs that have multi-State presence, are exercised by the <strong>CRCS.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The banking related functions such as issue of license to start new banks/branches, matters relating to interest rates, loan policies, investments and prudential exposure norms are <strong>regulated and supervised by the Reserve Bank</strong> under the provisions of the <strong>Banking Regulation Act, 1949.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Case of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Restrictions imposed by RBI on withdrawals of money from PMC bank highlighted the strong case of malfunctioning in dual regulatory system in urban cooperative banking system.</li>
<li>In above PMC case, there are three major problems- <strong>financial irregularities, failure of internal control and system, and underreporting of exposures.</strong></li>
<li>PMC Bank has extended<strong> 73% of its assets to HDIL</strong> which created a panicky situation for depositors.</li>
<li>Since, PMC has deposits from other smaller cooperatives banks, the financial irregularities which includes governance and transparency issues will likely to have multi-dimensional impact.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Countering Dual Regulation Problem</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A high powered committee chaired by former Deputy Governor of RBI, <strong>R. Gandhi</strong> has recommended the <strong>merging and converting some of the cooperatives banks to small finance banks</strong> and the same has been implemented by RBI in form of scheme for voluntary transition of urban cooperative banks into small finance banks.</li>
<li>Setting up of an independent regulator for Urban Cooperative Banks.</li>
<li><strong>H Malegam committee</strong> recommended a board of management of eligible and proper persons as opposed to elected Directors.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An umbrella organisation should be promoted by the banks themselves to raise the capital as a joint stock company from the market to adequately tackle capital issues.</li>
<li>RBI should be empowered to implement resolution techniques such as winding-up and liquidating banks, without involving other regulators under the cooperative societies&rsquo; laws.</li>
<li>Audit plays an important supervisory role in ensuring the best performance of the cooperatives, but, it is observed that lots of irregularity &amp; negligence take place while conducting audit. Hence, an appropriate mechanism of checks &amp; balances may be evolved &amp; made mandatory for all the Cooperative Bank. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Accountability for erroneous audit along with penal action should also be ensured through appropriate statue. Further, the state government should also conduct a forensic Audit of the loan portfolios &amp; purchases of a representative sample of cooperative banks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The RBI must ensure that Cooperative Banks adopt more professionalism in order to retain people&rsquo;s confidence in the banking sector.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/co-operative-banking-in-india'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Human Migration in India',
			'catname' => 'Paper 1',
			'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571055499_Human%20Migration in India (Mind Map)_Artboard 1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571055499_Human Migration in India (Mind Map)_Artboard 1.png" width="377" height="1569" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/to-the-points/paper1/human-migration-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>For TTP</em></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper1/human-migration-in-india-mind-map'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Human Migration in India',
			'catname' => 'Paper 1',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-the-top-source-of-immigrants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Migrant Stock 2019</strong></a> report (released by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs), India with <strong>17.5 million</strong> international migrants has emerged as the top source of international migrants, constituting <strong>6.4%</strong> of world&rsquo;s total migrant population.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Human Migration</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Human migration is the movement of people from one place in the world to another. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>People can either choose to move <strong>(voluntary migration)</strong> or be forced to move <strong>(involuntary migration).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/migration-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The International Organization for Migration</strong></a> (The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong> </a>Migration Agency) defines a migrant as any person who is moving or has moved across an <strong>international border</strong> or <strong>within a state</strong> away from his/her habitual place of residence, regardless of :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Person&rsquo;s legal status</strong></li>
<li>Whether the movement is <strong>voluntary or involuntary</strong></li>
<li>What the <strong>causes</strong> for the movement are</li>
<li>What the <strong>length of the stay</strong> is</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Factors</h3>
<p>Migration is a <strong>global phenomenon</strong> caused not only by economic factors but many other factors like <strong>social, political, cultural, environmental, health, education</strong> are included under the broader classification of <strong>Push and Pull factors</strong> of migration:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184472_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184472_image1.jpg" width="614" height="479" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Push Factor:</strong> Push factors are those that <strong>compel</strong> a person, due to different reasons, to leave a place of <strong>origin</strong> (out-migration) and migrate to some other place.</li>
<li><strong>Pull Factor:</strong> Pull factors indicate the factors which <strong>attract</strong> migrant (in-migration) to an area (destination).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Types</h3>
<p>People move for many reasons, based on which types of human migration include <strong>internal migration</strong> (moving within a state, country, or continent) and <strong>external migration</strong> (moving to a different state, country, or continent).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Internal Migration</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184510_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184510_image3.jpg" width="560" height="360" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Types:</strong> Internal migration in India is primarily of two types: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Long term Migration,</strong> resulting in the relocation of an individual or household.</li>
<li><strong>Short term Migration,</strong> involving back and forth movement between a source and destination.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Key Source States:</strong> Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh.</li>
<li><strong>Key Destination States:</strong> Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Karnataka.</li>
<li><strong>Internal Migrants</strong> in India constitute a large population of 309 million internal migrants or <strong>30 percent</strong> of the population (Census of India 2001).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When a person is enumerated in the census at a different place than his / her place of birth, she/he is considered a migrant.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Female Migration:</strong> Out of the total internal migrants, <strong>70.7 percent</strong> are <strong>women</strong> (Census of India 2001) and <strong>marriage</strong> is one of the major reasons for <strong>female migration</strong> in both the rural and urban areas.</li>
<li><strong>Male Migration:</strong> Migration for <strong>employment-related</strong> reasons is one of the prominent reasons for <strong>male migration</strong> in both rural and urban areas.</li>
<li><strong>Employing Sectors:</strong> Migrants are mostly employed in <strong>subsectors</strong> like construction, domestic work, textile, brick-kilns, transportation, mines, quarries, and agriculture.</li>
<li><strong>Urbanization:</strong> Rates of urbanization influence <strong>rural-urban wage</strong> differences and an increase in the demand for labor in urban areas can push up urban wages and <strong>increase migration.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Facts and Figures</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Constitution of India (Article 19)</strong> gives the right to all citizens &ldquo;to move freely throughout the territory of India and to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India.</li>
<li>As per <strong>Census 2011,</strong> 45 million Indians moved outside their district of birth for economic opportunities (be it employment or business).</li>
<li>In India, <strong>internal migration</strong> (fueled by an increasing rate of urbanization and rural-urban wage difference) is far <strong>greater than an external migration.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India's urban population is expected to grow from 410 million in 2014 to <strong>814 million by 2050.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Instead of long term migration, there is a huge flow of short term migrants in the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>External Migration</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>External migration in India can broadly be classified as:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Emigration</strong> from India to various parts of the world.</li>
<li><strong>Immigration</strong> of people from different countries to India.</li>
<li><strong>Refugee Migration:</strong> There had also been a significant trend of an involuntary or forced immigration to India in the form of refugees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="list-style-type: none;"></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184569_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184569_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="420" height="238" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Migration and Global action</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2016 the United Nations General Assembly convened a high-level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and prepared the report<strong> &ldquo;Safety and Dignity: Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>United Nations member states adopted the <strong>New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants,</strong> which commits to protect the safety, dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants, regardless of their migratory status.</li>
<li>As a result of the New York Declaration, UN Member States agreed to cooperate in the elaboration of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-compact-on-migration" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration,</strong></a> adopted at an intergovernmental conference on international migration in December 2018 in Morocco.</li>
<li>Every year, 8<sup>th</sup> December is celebrated as<strong> International Migrants Day.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Causes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Employment:</strong> Basic reasons for intrastate, interstate (migration from rural to urban areas, urban to urban areas) and external migration can be attributed to the search for better employment in industries, trade, transport, and services.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Seasonal Migration:</strong> People seasonally migrate for employment in different areas and different industries. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, significant numbers of people from drought-prone regions migrate seasonally to work in brickmaking, construction, tile factories, and agricultural work.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Circular Migration or Repeat Migration</strong> is the temporary and usually repetitive movement of a migrant worker between home and host areas, typically for the purpose of employment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Education:</strong> Due to the lack of educational facilities at their place of residence, people migrate to urban areas in case of internal migration and other countries in the case of international migration for better academic opportunities. By 2020, India will become the world&rsquo;s largest pool of young people, in contrast, there is a lack of opportunities for employment in India, this leads to the emigration of qualified people.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of security:</strong> Political disturbances and inter-ethnic conflicts are also one of the reasons for internal and external migration.There can also be forced displacement due to reasons like wars, and internal political instability.</li>
<li><strong>Marriage:</strong> Marriage is one important social factor for internal migration and in case of intra-state migrants majority of the migration is from one rural area to another, due to marriage in the case of females.</li>
<li><strong>Environmental and Disaster-Induced Factors:</strong> There are migrants who are forced to move from rural to urban areas or from one country to another as a result of an environmental disaster in the form of drought, floods, heatwaves etc, that might have destroyed their homes and farms.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Positive Impact</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Labour Demand and Supply:</strong> Migration fills gaps in demand for and supply of labor, efficiently allocates skilled labor, unskilled labor, and cheap labor.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Remittances:</strong> Economic well being of migrants provides insurance against risks to households in the areas of origin, increases consumer expenditure and investment in health, education and assets formation.</li>
<li><strong>Skill Development:</strong> Migration enhances the knowledge and skills of migrants through exposure and interaction with the outside world.</li>
<li><strong>Quality of Life:</strong> Migration, enhances chances of employment and economic prosperity which in turn improves quality of life. The migrants also send extra income and remittance back home, thereby positively impacting their native place.</li>
<li><strong>Social Remittances:</strong> Migration helps to improve the social life of migrants, as they learn about new cultures, customs, and languages which helps to improve brotherhood among people and ensures greater equality and tolerance.</li>
<li><strong>Food and Nutrition Security:</strong> According to the 2018 State of Food and Agriculture report by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), outmigration often leads to improved food and nutrition security for migrants.</li>
<li><strong>Demographic Advantage:</strong> As a result of outmigration, the population density of the place of origin is reduced and the birth rate decreases.</li>
<li><strong>Climate Change Adaptive Mechanism:</strong> Migration has also emerged as a possible adaptive mechanism in the context of climate change and the occurrence of extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and cyclones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Migrants and the SDGs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>2030 Agenda</strong> (with core principle to <strong>"leave no one behind,"</strong> including migrants) for Sustainable Development recognizes for the first time the contribution of migration to <strong>sustainable development.</strong></li>
<li>11 out of the 17 <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals</strong></a> (SDGs) contain targets and indicators that are relevant to migration or mobility.</li>
<li>The SDGs&rsquo; central reference to migration is made in <strong>target 10.7,</strong> to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Negative Impact</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Demographic Profile:</strong> Emigration in large numbers can alter demographic profiles of communities, as most of the young men move out, leaving only the women and elderly to work on the land.</li>
<li><strong>Political Exclusion:</strong> Migrant workers are deprived of many opportunities to exercise their political rights like the right to vote.</li>
<li><strong>Population Explosion and the Influx</strong> of workers in the place of destination increases competition for the job, houses, school facilities etc and a large population puts too much pressure on natural resources, amenities, and services.</li>
<li><strong>Illiterate and Underskilled Migrants</strong> are not only unfit for most jobs, because of a lack of basic knowledge and life skills but are also prone to the victimization of <strong>exploitation, trafficking, psychological abuse,</strong> and gender-based violence in the case of female migrants.</li>
<li><strong>Increased Slum:</strong> Mass Migration results into an increase in slum areas, compromising quality of infrastructure and life at the destination, which further translates into many other problems such as unhygienic conditions, crime, pollution, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Brain Drain:</strong> Source state suffers from the loss of human capital.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inclusion and Integration of Migrants:</strong> Internal migration is not viewed positively in India and policies are often aimed at reducing internal migration, as a result, there is a <strong>lack of integration of migration</strong> with the process of development.</li>
<li><strong>Psychological and Emotional Stress:</strong> Any person migrating to a new country faces multiple challenges, from <strong>cultural adaptation</strong> and <strong>language barriers</strong> to <strong>homesickness</strong> and <strong>loneliness.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Employment challenges:</strong> Foreign labor migrants often face unacceptable treatment from their employers. For instance, some labor migrants are paid below their contract wage and may be forced to work long hours and denied regular time off. Systems like reservation of jobs in many states and countries for the locals(visa barriers in US, Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Nitaqat law) pose as the main hurdle.</li>
<li><strong>Contract Wage System:</strong> The problems faced by migrants in destination countries range from contract violation, non-payment of salary, long working hours, and poor working conditions.</li>
<li><strong>Health Hazards:</strong> The poor and harsh living conditions coupled with difficult and risky working conditions, lack of information, and lack of medical health support also leads to several health problems of the migrants.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Information:</strong> In spite of the challenges and problems faced by the migrants in the destination countries, low tendency to seek assistance from the diplomatic missions in the destination countries were also observed due to lack of knowledge, information about the role of diplomatic missions, trust and effectiveness to enhance access to justice.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For internal migrants also there is the <strong>Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act (1979),</strong> enacted to prevent migrant workers from being exploited, but it is rarely invoked and the penalty is minimal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exclusion from social benefits:</strong> The need to provide proof of address, ration cards, Voter IDs and Aadhaar cards, which is difficult due to the fluidity of their lives, deprive them from accessing welfare schemes and policies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Human Development Report</strong> by United Nation Development Programme (2009) highlights that migration is integral to the process of human development and it plays a very important role in achieving sustainable development goals, thereby preventing migration could even be counterproductive.</li>
<li><strong>The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization</strong> has highlighted that the policies and programs facilitating the integration of migrants at the destination remain weak at best or non-existent and suggested the inclusion and integration of migrants in development. <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184649_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184649_image4.jpg" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="270" height="272" /></a></li>
<li>Hence India needs to formulate migration centric <strong>policies, strategies, and institutional mechanisms</strong> in order to ensure inclusive growth and development and reduce <strong>distress induced migration,</strong> thereby increasing India&rsquo;s prospects for poverty reduction and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.</li>
<li>The government at Centre needs to provide amenities and social securities for the migrant population which is riddled with the issues of inadequate housing; low-paid, insecure or hazardous work; extreme vulnerability of women and children to trafficking and sex exploitation etc. For instance, schemes like <strong>Kerala government&rsquo;s</strong> Aawaz health insurance scheme, <strong>Apna Ghar project</strong> -accommodation for migrant workers, Portable Rights- ensures the basic rights to workers in their respective home state, even as they labour in other states.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/mind-map/gs-paper1/human-migration-in-india-mind-map" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>For Mind Map</em></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => '15 Point Directive to Clean Ganga',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The <strong>National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)</strong> recently has issued a <strong>15-point directive</strong> to the <strong>11-Ganga basin states</strong> to prevent idol immersion into river Ganga and its tributaries and on their banks, including cordoning off the ghats.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the directive, a fine of Rs. 50,000 would be imposed if immersion of idols took place in the Ganga or its tributaries during festivals, including Dussehra, Diwali, Chhath and Saraswati Puja.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to NMCG officials, the large-scale immersion of idols and puja material in the Ganga and its tributaries during festive occasions led to an <strong>alarming rise in pollutants</strong> in the river.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The directive has been sent to officials of these 11 states namely- Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Chief Secretaries of these 11 states have also been asked to submit an <strong>action taken report</strong> within <strong>seven days</strong> from the end of each festival.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These directives were issued by NMCG under<strong> Section-5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Initiatives to Clean Ganga</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ganga is a <strong>trans-boundary river</strong> of Asia which flows through India and Bangladesh. It is the<strong> longest river in India</strong> and is a lifeline to millions of people who live along its course.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570178335_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570178335_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="611" height="459" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Causes of Ganga Pollution:</strong> The main causes of water pollution in the river Ganga are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Industrial</strong> waste (dumping of various harmful &amp; untreated industrial waste into the river),</li>
<li><strong>Human</strong> waste (human activities such as bathing, washing clothes, etc.),</li>
<li><strong>Religious</strong> waste (religious bath, cremation near the ghats, idol immersion, etc.)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Initiatives to Prevent Ganga Pollution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ganga Action Plan:</strong> It was the <strong>first River Action Plan</strong> that was taken up by the Ministry of Environment &amp; Forests in 1985, to improve the water quality by the interception, diversion, and treatment of domestic sewage. It also aimed to prevent toxic and industrial chemical wastes (from identified polluting units) from entering the river.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>National River Conservation Plan</strong> was an extension to the Ganga Action Plan, so as to <strong>cover all the major rivers</strong> of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA)&rsquo;</strong> was formed by the Central Government of India in the year <strong>2009</strong> under <strong>Section-3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.</strong> It is <strong>chaired by the Prime Minister</strong> of India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It declared the Ganga as the<strong> &lsquo;National River&rsquo;</strong> of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In<strong> 2010, &lsquo;Government clean-up campaign&rsquo;</strong> was started to ensure that by 2020 no untreated municipal sewage or industrial runoff enters river.</li>
<li>In <strong>2014, &lsquo;Namami Gange Programme&rsquo;</strong> was launched as an <strong>Integrated Conservation Mission,</strong> to accomplish the <strong>twin objectives</strong> of effective abatement of pollution, conservation, and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The program is being <strong>implemented</strong> by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterpart organization viz., State Program Management Groups (SPMGs).</li>
<li>It is the flagship programme of the Union Government with a budget outlay of Rs. 20,000 crore.</li>
<li>The main pillars of the programme are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure &amp; Industrial Effluent Monitoring,</li>
<li>River-Front Development &amp; River-Surface Cleaning,</li>
<li>Bio-Diversity &amp; Afforestation,</li>
<li>Public Awareness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the implementation wing of the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management of River Ganga also known as <strong>National Ganga Council</strong> (set in 2016; which replaced the <strong>NRGBA</strong>).</li>
<li>NMCG was established in the year 2011 as a <strong>registered society.</strong></li>
<li>It has a <strong>two-tier</strong> management structure and comprises of <strong>Governing Council and Executive Committee.</strong></li>
<li>The aims and objectives of NMCG are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To ensure effective control of pollution and rejuvenation of the river Ganga by adopting a river basin approach to promote inter-sectoral coordination for comprehensive planning and management.</li>
<li>To maintain minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga with the aim of ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ganga Manthan-</strong> It was a <strong>national conference</strong> that was held in 2014 to discuss issues and possible solutions for cleaning the river. The event was organized by the <strong>National Mission for Clean Ganga.</strong></li>
<li>In 2014, <strong>Clean Ganga Fund</strong> was also formed for<strong> cleaning</strong> up of the Ganga,<strong> setting</strong> up of waste treatment plants,<strong> conservation</strong> of biotic diversity of the river, and <strong>development</strong> of public amenities (activities such as Ghat redevelopment, and Research and Development and innovative projects). This fund will also be used to finance National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).</li>
<li>In 2017, the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Green Tribunal</a> </strong>banned the disposal of any waste in the Ganga.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Suitable alternative arrangements for idol immersion must be made in an environmental-friendly manner in order <strong>to preserve and conserve</strong> both the religious beliefs &amp; sentiments and the environment.</li>
<li>The concerned authorities must ensure effective monitoring and strict enforcement of the enacted rules and regulations.</li>
<li>Even though the government has claimed that significant progress has been made, the data from the <strong>Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)</strong> from earlier this year (2019) stated that water from <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-properties-of-river-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener">River Ganga at several stretches is still unfit</a></strong> for direct drinking and bathing. So proper auditing and reporting must be done to take relevant actions.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rs-50000-fine-for-idol-immersion-in-ganga-its-tributaries-centre-6049652/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Donimalai : Iron Mining',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) is set to <strong>restart mining at Donimalai</strong> in Bellari district of <strong>Karnataka.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The iron ore supply is bound to increase and bring down prices particularly when many sponge iron and pellet manufacturers in the State have shut operations due to rise in cost and weak demand.</li>
<li>NMDC, which owned Donimalai mine since 1968, suspended operations in November 2018 after the Karnataka government sought 80% premium on iron mined to renew its lease for another 20 years.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570440240_image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570440240_image7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="566" height="527" /></a></p>
<h3>National Mineral Development Corporation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Incorporated in 1958 as a Government of India fully owned public enterprise, NMDC is under the administrative control of the <strong>Ministry of Steel, Government of India.</strong></li>
<li>Since inception involved in the exploration of a wide range of minerals including iron ore, copper, rock phosphate, limestone, dolomite, gypsum, bentonite, magnesite, diamond, tin, tungsten, graphite, beach sands etc.</li>
<li>NMDC is <strong>India's single largest iron ore producer,</strong> presently producing about 35 million tonnes of iron ore.</li>
<li>The company has been categorized by the Department of Public Enterprises as <strong>"Navratna"</strong> Public Sector Enterprise in 2008.</li>
<li>Its corporate office is located in <strong>Hyderabad.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/donimalai-effect-iron-ore-price-in-karnataka-set-to-fall-by-600tonne/article29611369.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HBL</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/donimalai-iron-mining'
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'MOSAiC: An Arctic Observatory',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The <strong>Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC)</strong> is an international research expedition to study the physical, chemical, and biological processes that coupled the Arctic atmosphere, sea ice, ocean, and ecosystem.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>MOSAiC is the <strong>first year-round expedition</strong> into the <strong>central Arctic exploring the Arctic climate system.</strong></li>
<li>During the <strong>year-round operation of research,</strong> the distributed regional network of observational sites will be set up on the sea ice surrounding the ship<strong> icebreaker RV Polarstern.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The icebreaker RV Polarstern is a German Research Vessel which is mainly used for research in the Arctic and Antarctica.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The results of MOSAiC will contribute to enhance understanding of the regional and global consequences of Arctic climate change and sea-ice loss and improve weather and climate predictions.</li>
<li>The project has been designed by an international consortium of leading polar research institutions, under the umbrella of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Arctic Science Committee</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) is a non-governmental, international scientific organization</li>
<li>IASC promotes and supports leading-edge interdisciplinary research in order to foster a greater scientific understanding of the Arctic region and its role in the Earth system.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/indias-vishnu-nandan-among-300-researchers-to-join-largest-ever-arctic-expedition/article29612285.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mosaic-an-arctic-observatory'
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	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'World Cotton Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is hosting the event at the request of <strong>Cotton-4 (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali)</strong> to celebrate their official application for recognition of October 7 as World Cotton Day by the United Nations.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is organizing World Cotton Day event in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Objective</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To give exposure and recognition to cotton and all its stakeholders in production, transformation and trade,</li>
<li>To engage donors and beneficiaries and strengthen development assistance for cotton,</li>
<li>To seek new collaborations with the private sector and investors for the cotton related industries and production in developing countries and promote technological advances, as well as further research and development on cotton.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cotton</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cotton is a kharif crop which requires 6 to 8 months to mature. Its time of sowing and harvesting differs in different parts of the country depending upon the climatic conditions.</li>
<li>Cotton is the crop of tropical and sub-tropical areas and requires uniformly high temperature varying between 21&deg;C and 30&deg;C. The growth of cotton is retarded when the temperature falls below 20&deg;C.</li>
<li>Cotton is a drought &ndash; resistant crop ideal for arid climates and requires an average annual rainfall of 50- 100 cm.</li>
<li>It requires at least 210 frost free days in a year.</li>
<li>It occupies just 2.1 % of the world&rsquo;s arable land, yet it meets 27% of the world&rsquo;s textiles need. In addition to its fibre used in textiles and apparel, food products are also derived from cotton like edible oil and animal feed from the seed.</li>
<li>India is the <strong>second largest</strong> producer of cotton in the world after China.</li>
<li>Between 2011 and 2018, India implemented a <strong>Cotton Technical Assistance Programme (Cotton TAP-I)</strong> for seven African countries namely <strong>Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad and also Uganda, Malawi and Nigeria.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The technical assistance focused on improving the competitiveness of the cotton and cotton-based textiles and apparel industry in these countries through a series of interventions which had significant outcomes leading to a demand for a follow on project.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cotton Corporation of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CCI was established on 31<sup>st</sup> July 1970 under the administrative control of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India as a Public Sector Undertaking under the Companies Act 1956.</li>
<li>CCI is having pan India presence through headquarters at <strong>Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra)</strong> to safeguard the economic interest of cotton farmers in all the cotton growing regions and to ensure smooth supply of good quality cotton to the textile industry in India.</li>
<li>The major role of the CCI is to undertake price support operations, whenever the market prices of cotton falls below the minimum support prices (MSP).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1587220" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-cotton-day'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Geotail',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, an instrument on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chandrayaan-2-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chandrayaan-2</strong></a> named <strong>CLASS (Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer)</strong> has detected charged particles present on the moon soil during the orbiter&rsquo;s passage through the &ldquo;Geotail&rdquo;.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to ISRO, the intensity of these charged particles (believed to be mostly electrons) changed as much as ten times the levels outside the Geotail.</li>
<li>The detection of these charged particles on the surface of the moon can <strong>help understand the complex interaction of these particles with the magnetic field.</strong></li>
<li>It will also help to <strong>measure the fluxes, energy spectra, and charge types of charged particles bombarding the lunar surface</strong> and to investigate the interaction of these particles and other forms of radiation with the lunar surface.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570435231_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570435231_image4.jpg" width="558" height="312" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Geotail region exists as a result of the <strong>interactions between the Sun and Earth.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Sun emits the solar wind, which is a continuous stream of charged particles.</li>
<li>These particles are embedded in the extended magnetic field of the Sun.</li>
<li>Since the Earth has a magnetic field, it obstructs the solar wind plasma.</li>
<li>This interaction results in the formation of a magnetic envelope around Earth.</li>
<li>On the Earth side facing the Sun, the envelope is compressed into a region that is approximately three to four times the Earth's radius.</li>
<li>On the opposite side, the envelope is stretched into a long tail, which extends beyond the orbit of the Moon called the<strong> Geotail.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Once every 29 days,</strong> the Moon traverses the Geotail <strong>for about six days.</strong></li>
<li>The G<strong>eotail region</strong> allows the <strong>best scientific observations.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer (CLASS)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The objective of CLASS is to map the abundance of major <strong>rock-forming elements</strong> on the lunar surface using the <strong>technique of X-ray fluorescence</strong> during <strong>solar flare events.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The solar flare provides a rich source of X-rays to illuminate the surface.</li>
<li>Secondary X-ray emission resulting from this can be detected by CLASS to directly detect the presence of key elements like Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), Aluminium (Al), Iron (Fe), etc. on the lunar surface.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/this-word-means-geotail-chandrayaan-isro-6056753/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/geotail'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'India-Bangladesh',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, India and Bangladesh signed seven agreements and also inaugurated three projects to deepen their partnership.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570434960_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570434960_image5.jpg" width="354" height="302" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Seven Agreements</strong> include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The use of the <strong>Chattogram and Mongla ports in Bangladesh</strong> for movement of goods to and from India, particularly from Northeastern India.</li>
<li>Use of <strong>Bangladesh&rsquo;s Feni river</strong> for drinking water supply in Tripura.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, <strong>no progress</strong> was reported on the long pending <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/trans-boundary-water-conflicts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Teesta water sharing agreement.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Exchange of data and information to <strong>prepare a framework of interim sharing agreements for six rivers &mdash;</strong> Manu, Muhuri, Khowai and Gomati rivers of Tripura and Dharla river of Bangladesh and Dudhkumar river of West Bengal.</li>
<li><strong>Daudkanti (Bangladesh)-Sonamura (Tripura)</strong> inland water trade route to be included under <strong>Protocol of the Inland Water Transit and Trade.</strong></li>
<li>Consensus on lifting restrictions on entry and exit from land ports in India for Bangladeshi citizens travelling on valid documents.</li>
<li>Implementation of the Lines of Credit (LoCs) committed by India to Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Three bilateral development partnership projects</strong> include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Import of bulk Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Bangladesh</li>
<li>Inauguration of Vivekananda Bhaban (students hostel) at Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaka.</li>
<li>Inauguration of Bangladesh-India Professional Skill Development Institute (BIPSDI) at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB), Khulna, Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both sides noted the progress made in <strong>finalization of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Establishment of Coastal Surveillance Radar System</strong> in Bangladesh.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has provided such systems to Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives and planning one in Myanmar.</li>
<li>The coastal surveillance system will pave way for Indo-Bangladesh White Shipping Agreement in future. This will be useful amid growing terror threats via seas and growing presence of China in the Bay of Bengal region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both Leaders agreed to <strong>early operationalization of the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement</strong> for movement of goods and passengers between the member countries who are willing and ready; or to work towards a bilateral <strong>India-Bangladesh Motor Vehicles Agreement,</strong> as appropriate.</li>
<li>The leaders directed their officials to expedite <strong>establishment of twelve Border Haats</strong> which have been agreed to by both countries.</li>
<li>A <strong>feasibility study for the Ganga-Padma barrage project</strong> to be conducted as part of an upgraded version of the <strong>1996 Ganga Water Sharing treaty.</strong></li>
<li>The Bangladesh Prime Minister <strong>raised concerns over roll out of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-paper-2-national-register-of-citizens-nrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam,</a></strong> an exercise carried to identify genuine Indian citizens living in Assam and weed out illegal Bangladeshis.</li>
<li>The Bangladesh Prime Minister requested the Indian counterpart to use his &ldquo;good relations&rdquo; with the Myanmar government <strong>to facilitate the return of all the refugees (Rohingyas),</strong> while appreciating the aid India has given to refugees in Bangladesh as well as 250 homes built for them in Myanmar.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Some Facts about the Relationship<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570434996_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570434996_image1.jpg" width="303" height="214" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India was one of the first countries</strong> to recognize Bangladesh and establish diplomatic relations immediately after its independence in December 1971.</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong> India and Bangladesh share the historical legacy of cooperation and support during the Liberation War of 1971.Various Joint exercises of <strong>Army (Exercise Sampriti)</strong> and <strong>Navy (Exercise Milan)</strong> take place between the two countries.</li>
<li><strong>Border Management:</strong> India and Bangladesh share 4096.7 km. of border, which is the <strong>longest land boundary that India shares</strong> with any of its neighbours. The <strong>India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA)</strong> came into force following the exchange of instruments of ratification in June 2015.</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation over Rivers:</strong> India and Bangladesh <strong>share 54 common rivers.</strong> A bilateral Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) is working since June 1972 to maintain liaison between the two countries to maximize benefits from common river systems.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Relations: Bangladesh is India&rsquo;s biggest trade partner in South Asia.</strong> India&rsquo;s exports to Bangladesh for financial year 2018-19 (April-March) stood at US $ 9.21 bn and imports from Bangladesh for the same period stood at US $ 1.22 bn.</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation in Power Sector:</strong> This has become one of the hallmarks of India- Bangladesh relations. <strong>Bangladesh is currently importing 1160 MW of power from India.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nrc-is-an-internal-legal-process-narendra-modi-assures-sheikh-hasina/article29606162.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-bangladesh'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'World Habitat Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The <strong>United Nations</strong> has designated the<strong> first Monday of October every year</strong> as <strong>World Habitat Day.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The theme for World Habitat Day 2019 is <strong>&ldquo;Frontier Technologies as an Innovative Tool to Transform Waste to Wealth&rdquo;.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570433395_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570433395_image3.jpg" width="306" height="213" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Frontier technologies refers to automation, robotics, electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, biotechnologies, and artificial intelligence which can transform social, economic and environmental spheres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The focus of this year&rsquo;s theme to promote the contribution of innovative technologies to <strong>sustainable waste management</strong> to achieve <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal 11.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sustainable Development Goal 11 aims to make cities more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The event focuses on the <strong>state of human settlements and people&rsquo;s right to sufficient shelter.</strong></li>
<li>It also aims to remind people that they are responsible for the habitat of future generations.</li>
<li>The global observation of the World Habitat Day 2019 will be hosted by the <strong>Government of Mexico in Mexico City on 7 October</strong> this year.</li>
<li>World Habitat Day was <strong>first celebrated in 1986</strong> with the theme <strong>&ldquo;Shelter is My Right&rdquo;.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nairobi was the host city for the observance that year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.un.org/en/events/habitatday/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: UN</a></strong></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-habitat-day'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Nomadic Elephant-14',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The 14<sup>th</sup> edition of<strong> India-Mongolia</strong> joint military exercise is being held from 5<sup>th</sup> to 18<sup>th</sup> October at <strong>Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Mongolian Army is being represented by officers and troops of the elite <strong>084 Airborne Special Task Battalion</strong> while Indian Army is being represented by a battalion of the <strong>RAJPUTANA RIFLES Regiment.</strong></li>
<li>It aimed at training troops in counter insurgency &amp; counter terrorism operations under <strong>United Nations mandate.</strong></li>
<li>The joint exercise will enhance defence co-operation and military relations between the two nations. It is an ideal platform for the armies of both the nations to share their experiences &amp; best practices and gain mutually during the joint training.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570432862_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570432862_image2.jpg" width="670" height="398" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=193609" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nomadic-elephant-14'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Uniform Civil Code',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in the news</h3>
<p>Recently, the Supreme Court in a case concerning the question of whether succession and inheritance of a Goan domicile is governed by the Portuguese Civil Code, 1867 or the Indian Succession Act of 1925, held that:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Constitution in <strong>Article 44</strong> requires the State to strive to secure for its citizens a Uniform Civil Code(UCC) throughout India, but till date, no action has been taken in this regard.</li>
<li>The <strong>Hindu personal laws</strong> were codified in the year 1956. However, there has been no attempt to frame a Uniform Civil Code applicable to all citizens of the country.</li>
<li>Despite exhortations of this Court in the case of <strong>Shah Bano in 1985,</strong> the government has done nothing to bring the Uniform Civil Code.</li>
<li>The Supreme Court hailed the State of Goa as a &ldquo;shining example&rdquo; where &ldquo;uniform civil code&rdquo; is applicable to all, regardless of religion except while protecting certain limited rights.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>Goa has a common civil code called Portuguese civil code 1867, whereby:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Muslim man whose marriage is registered in the State cannot practice polygamy.</li>
<li>A married couple share property equally, pre-nuptial agreements are the order of the day and assets are divided equally between the man and woman on divorce.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Uniform Civil Code</b></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><b>Uniform Civil Code </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">seeks to replace personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each major religious community in India with a common set of rules governing every citizen.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Status of Personal Law in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Personal law subjects like marriage, divorce, inheritance come under Concurrent list.</li>
<li>Hindu personal laws have been by and large <strong>secularized and modernized</strong> by statutory enactments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Hindu personal laws (that apply also to the Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists) have been codified by the Parliament in 1956</li>
<li>This Code Bill has been split into four parts:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955</li>
<li>The Hindu Succession Act, 1956</li>
<li>The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956</li>
<li>The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>On the other hand, Muslim personal laws are still primarily unmodified and traditional in their content and approach.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Shariat law of 1937 governs the personal matters of all Indian Muslims in India.</li>
<li>It clearly states that in matters of personal disputes, the State shall not interfere and a religious authority would pass a declaration based on his interpretations of the Quran and the Hadith.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Apart from it, Christians and Jews are also governed by different personal laws.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Need for a Uniform Civil Code</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Different personal laws <strong>promote communalism</strong> and it leads to discrimination at two levels:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, between people of different religions.</li>
<li>Second, between the two sexes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Uniform Civil Code will provide <strong>women with the right to equality and justice in courts of law-</strong> irrespective of their religion in matters pertaining to marriage, divorce, maintenance, custody of children, inheritance rights, adoption, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Supreme Court for the first time directed the Parliament to frame a UCC in the year 1985 in the case of Mohammad Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum , popularly known as the <strong>Shah Bano case.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this case, Shah Bano claimed for maintenance from her husband under <strong>Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure</strong> after she was given triple talaq by him.</li>
<li>However, government overturned the Shah Bano case decision by way of <strong>Muslim Women (Right to Protection on Divorce) Act, 1986</strong> which curtailed the right of a Muslim woman for maintenance under Section 125 of the Code of criminal Procedure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Supreme Court in <strong>Shayara Bano</strong> case (2017) had declared the practise of Triple Talaq (talaq-e-bidat) as unconstitutional.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges associated with UCC</h3>
<p><strong>Constitutional challenges</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Freedom of religion gets into conflict with the right to equality.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Article 25 lays down an individual&rsquo;s fundamental right to religion.</li>
<li>Article 26(b) upholds the right of each religious denomination or any section thereof to &ldquo;manage its own affairs in matters of religion&rdquo;</li>
<li>Article 29 defines the right to conserve distinctive culture.</li>
<li>These rights gets into conflict with the equality before law enshrined under article 14 and 15.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Moreover, an individual&rsquo;s freedom of religion under Article 25 is subject to <strong>&ldquo;public order, health, morality&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>In 2018, a report by the Law Commission of India stated that the Uniform Civil Code is <strong>&ldquo;neither necessary nor desirable at this stage&rdquo;</strong> in the country. The Commission said secularism cannot contradict the plurality prevalent in the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Social-political challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the name of uniformity, the minorities fears that the culture of the majority is being imposed over them.</li>
<li>Given vast cultural diversity in India, bringing uniformity among all such people will be a huge challenge.</li>
<li>Patriarchal mindset of Indian society poses a big challenge in implementation of UCC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can be reflected by the fact that, the Hindu code bill has been already in place from mid-1950s, yet the quantum of land actually inherited by Hindu women is only a fraction of the land they are entitled.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Merits of Uniform Civil Code</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Integration</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A unified code is imperative, both for the protection of the vulnerable sections in Indian society(women and religious minorities) and for the promotion of national unity and solidarity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Simplification of laws</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There exists so many personal laws like Hindu code bill, Shariat law, etc.</li>
<li>Presence of so many laws creates confusion, complexity and inconsistencies in the adjudication of personal matters, at times leading to delayed justice or no justice.</li>
<li>UCC will eliminate this overlapping of laws.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Simplification of Indian legal system:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UCC will lead to reduction in litigation emanating from multiple personal laws.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Establishing a secular society:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UCC will de-link law from religion which is a very desirable objective to achieve in a secular and socialist pattern of society.</li>
<li>Moreover, it fulfill constitutional mandates under Article 44 of Directive Principles of State Policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gender justice:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The rights of women are usually limited under the patriarchal discourse through religious laws.</li>
<li>UCC will liberate women from patriarchal domination and provide them with right to equality and liberty.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the long term, UCC would lead to the defeat of the communal and the divisionist forces.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The social transformation from diverse civil code to uniformity shall be gradual and cannot happen in a day. Therefore, the government must adopt a <strong>&ldquo;Piecemeal&rdquo; approach.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Government could bring separate aspects such as marriage, adoption, succession and maintenance into a uniform civil code in stages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Government must emulate Goan practice of a common civil code, which has been the law since 1867, when the state was under the Portuguese colonial rule.</li>
<li>Moreover, when constitution espouses the cause of Uniform civil code in its Article 44, it shouldn&rsquo;t be misconstrued to be a &ldquo;common law&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The word uniform here means that all communities must be governed by uniform principles of gender justice and human justice.</li>
<li>It will mean modernization and humanization of each personal law.</li>
<li>It would mean, not a common law, but different personal laws based on principles of equality, liberty and justice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Government has to take steps towards increasing the awareness among the public, especially minorities, about the importance of having a UCC.</li>
</ul>
<p>The UCC must carve a balance between the protection of fundamental rights and religious dogmas of individuals. It should be a code, which is just and proper according to a man of ordinary prudence, without any bias with regards to religious and political considerations.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/uniform-civil-code'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Second Informal Summit between India and China',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/in-search-of-the-wuhan-spirit/article29598178.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;In search of the Wuhan spirit&rdquo;,</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu, on 05/10/2019. It talks about preserving the Wuhan spirit in changing geopolitical scenario.</p>
</div>
<p>The second informal summit <strong>(Mamallapuram summit)</strong> between leaders of India and China is scheduled to take place on October 2019. At Wuhan summit 2018, both sides agreed that such informal meetings will be held regularly to propel the future direction of India-China relations.</p>
<p>These informal meetings are aimed at ensuring <strong>higher levels of strategic communications</strong> between India and China.</p>
<h3>Why Mamallapuram is chosen?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Wuhan was picked by President Xi Jinping as the venue in 2018 to demonstrate China&rsquo;s economic might.</li>
<li>India has chosen Mamallapuram as a symbol of <strong>India&rsquo;s &lsquo;soft power&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Mamallapuram is an important town of the erstwhile Pallava dynasty that ruled in parts of South India from 275 CE to 897 CE.</li>
<li>It is renowned for its architecture, widely admired across the world.</li>
<li>Mamallapuram and the Pallava dynasty are also historically relevant, for <strong>the earliest recorded security pact between China and India</strong> (in the early 8<sup>th</sup> century) that involved a Pallava king (Rajasimhan, or Narasimha Varma II), from whom the Chinese sought help to counter Tibet.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What is the significance of these informal summits?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Informal summits have been used as<strong> trust-building exercises.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-china-ties-marching-on" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Informal meet at Wuhan</strong></a> resulted in invoking of <strong>Wuhan Spirit,</strong> which sought to <strong>reset</strong> ties between India and China.</li>
<li><strong>Wuhan Spirit</strong> is in line with the five principles of peaceful coexistence (Panchsheel) jointly advocated by China and India in the 1950s.<strong> Under Wuhan Spirt:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both countries agreed that they form the<strong> "backbone" of economic globalisation,</strong> and they should jointly make positive contributions to global peace and development.</li>
<li>The two nations have agreed to cooperate, for the first time ever, on a <strong>joint project in Afghanistan.</strong></li>
<li>China has indicated that India&rsquo;s refusal to join the Belt and Road Initiative will not come in the way of economic cooperation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Evaluation of Wuhan Spirit</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Though Wuhan summit was started with enthusiasm, however,<strong> little has changed</strong> as far as <strong>India-China relations</strong> are concerned.</li>
<li>The disputed border between the two countries remains an issue of concern.</li>
<li>In spite of cooperation in Afghanistan, the China-Pakistan axis has sought to sideline India from Afghanistan peace process.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The geopolitical backdrop of Mamallapuram Summit</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>After the Wuhan Summit, many things have changed, <strong>altering the circumstances surrounding India-China relations.</strong> For example:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/trade-war-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trade war,</strong></a> relations between China and the U.S. have sharply deteriorated.</li>
<li>While in 2018, the China-Russia axis appeared to be a new strategic alignment, which has been reset to some extent by India:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India's relations with Russia have acquired a fresh dimension, incorporating economics alongside a longstanding military relationship.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-russia-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s line of credit</strong></a> to develop <strong>Russia&rsquo;s Far East</strong> has fundamentally changed the nature of India-Russia relations.</li>
<li>Also, a new triangular relationship of Russia, India and Japan, appears to be altering equations in the East Asian region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India also has other reasons to be more optimistic than a year ago.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s relations with the U.S. have attained a new high.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/four%20corners:%20on%20the%20quad%E2%80%99s%20agenda" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad</strong></a> (the U.S., India, Japan and Australia) has gained a new lease of life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)</strong></a> has also come under increasing attack, due to <strong>debt trap diplomacy</strong> (China taking the lease of Sri Lanka's Hambantota port for 99 years, in lieu of its debt).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China will be wary of India's efforts in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is going to conduct <strong>&ldquo;all arms integrated&rdquo; exercise &lsquo;codenamed Changthang Prahar (assault)&rsquo;</strong> in a &ldquo;super high altitude&rdquo; in Ladakh.</li>
<li>The reopening of the <strong>Advanced Landing Ground</strong> at Vijoynagar in Arunachal Pradesh for the use of military aircraft.</li>
<li>Also, a proposed major combat exercise in Arunachal Pradesh, in which the new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/integrated-battle-groups" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Battle Groups</strong></a> will be seen in operation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Therefore, India needs to proceed with the utmost caution that <strong>&lsquo;Wuhan spirit' doesn't get undermined.</strong></li>
<li>India must also be aware of the Chinese tactics of <strong>PSY war</strong> (Subduing the enemy without fighting).</li>
<li>In perspective of these circumstances, India should also ensure that its engagement with China should not lead to disrupting the strategic alliances that India has forged, or strengthened, recently.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffce3;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span><br />Changing geopolitical scenario requires India to cautiously calibrate its foreign policy with respect to China. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/second-informal-summit-between-india-and-china'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Eliminating Single Use Plastic',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AzQvWDdOM0c" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Government of India</strong> has laid great emphasis on eradicating single use plastic which has become one of the biggest sources of pollution.</p>
<p>During Independence Day Speech, <strong>Prime Minister Narendra Modi</strong> had urged the people to <strong>take a pledge on Mahatma Gandhi's 150<sup>th</sup> Anniversary on 2<sup>nd</sup> October</strong> to make the <strong>country free of single use plastic.</strong></p>
<h3>What is Single Use Plastic?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Single-use plastics, also referred as <strong>disposable plastics,</strong> are commonly used for plastic packaging and intended to be <strong>used only once</strong> before they are thrown away or recycled. These include <strong>grocery (polythene) bags, food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, cups, cutlery </strong>etc.</li>
<li>Plastic is <strong>so cheap and convenient</strong> that it has replaced all other materials from the packaging industry but it takes hundreds of years to disintegrate.</li>
<li>It is a huge problem. If we look at the data, <strong>out of 9.46 million tonnes of plastic waste</strong> generated every year in our country, <strong>43% is single use plastic.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Focus</strong> is on the <strong>litter prone single use plastic</strong> like polythene carry bags, disposable cutlery. All packaging including food packaging are kept out of focus for the time being because there is no alternative for them yet.</li>
<li>Being consumer societies, we <strong>consume plastics</strong> and put it out on the road.<strong> 40%</strong> of the uncollected trash stays on the road, <strong>goes into water bodies</strong> where it <strong>leeches out the harmful chemicals and clogs</strong> the waterways.</li>
<li><strong>India's per capita plastic consumption is 11 kilogrammes</strong> compared to the <strong>United States,</strong> which is the <strong>world's highest at 109 kilogrammes,</strong> according to figures released by the <strong>Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Established in <strong>1927,</strong> FICCI is the<strong> largest and oldest apex business organisation</strong> in India.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>non-government, not-for-profit organisation.</strong></li>
<li>It provides a platform for networking and consensus building within and across sectors and is the first port of call for Indian industry, policy makers and the international business community.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>What are the challenges?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Low value:</strong> These are low value plastics so waste pickers do not collect them and they remain uncollected and littered.</li>
<li><strong>Visibility:</strong> Plastic waste is about 8-10% of the total municipal solid waste and just 4% at the landfill sites because all the good plastic is picked up. Single use plastic is just about 10-15% of that 4%, still they can be seen everywhere so it appears to be huge.</li>
<li><strong>Collection:</strong> Single use plastics largely remains uncollected. If collected cleanly then there are scopes of recycling or energy recovery (in case of <strong>thermoplastics</strong> specifically) but that is not the case.</li>
<li><strong>Inadequacy of data:</strong> We do not have data about the quantity of the plastic littering our roads.</li>
<li><strong>Non-biodegradable:</strong> The non-biodegradable nature of plastic adds to the issue as it will never truly disappear, instead it breaks into microplastics and gets into the ecological cycles.</li>
<li><strong>Dysfunctional systems:</strong> Our municipal corporations are dysfunctional and at loggerheads with the state governments for resources and funding. They are unable to collect both data on plastic and the litter itself.</li>
<li><strong>Unorganised labour:</strong> In plastic collection, mostly unorganised labour is involved without any kind of proper machinery or assorting units.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How to deal with the plastic slowly, steadily and replace it?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Making single use plastics more recyclable by change in the design and composition</strong> (making multi polymer based packaging less complicated by reducing the polymers) so that it is easy to be broken down while recycling.</li>
<li><strong>Looking for viable alternatives with special lifecycle</strong> which should not become a problem in itself when the economy of scale is achieved.</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening the collection mechanisms</strong> because any plastic which is collected has value in terms of recycling and energy production.</li>
<li><strong>Finding solutions</strong> for those items which are kept out of focus right now.</li>
<li><strong>Stopping the habit of littering</strong> through incentives, fines and behaviour change.</li>
<li><strong>Taking help of technologies</strong> like <strong>pyrolysis and composite waste management technology</strong> in which segregation is not needed and the plastic with other composite fuels is heated at very high temperature with fast acceleration process. With very less pollution, this process turns the composite wastes into basic elements which can be further used as resources in other sectors.</li>
<li><strong>Phasing out and replacing</strong> single use plastics gradually with better sustainable options instead of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ban-on-single-use-plastics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>banning</strong></a> it.</li>
<li><strong>Putting restraints on the manufacturing guidelines</strong> so that the number of litter prone plastics can be reduced. For example, effective control of polythene pollution can be achieved by increasing its thickness from 30 to 50 microns.</li>
<li><strong>Making sure</strong> that whatever plastic is collected, is <strong>recycled</strong> in the most environmentally sustainable way (like energy recovery) and <strong>reused</strong> in making decorative pieces.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What are the viable options?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Clothes and paper carry bags-</strong> These are simple to make, natural and biodegradable.</li>
<li><strong>Aluminium containers-</strong> Aluminium industry has to make products more customer friendly, cheaper and government has to play an active role in that.</li>
<li><strong>Glass-</strong> It was used widely before plastic came in so it needs revival.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>At the policy level, the <strong>concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) </strong>has to come in.<strong> More R&amp;D (Research &amp; Development) and finances</strong> for it, are needed to look for sustainably viable options.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a policy approach under which producers are given a significant responsibility &ndash; financial and/or physical &ndash; for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products.</li>
<li>Assigning such responsibility could in principle provide incentives to prevent wastes at the source, promote product design for the environment and support the achievement of public recycling and materials management goals.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Government</strong> has to look into it with a <strong>very holistic perspective</strong> while forming policies to take all aspects into consideration and ensure strict implementation of regulations.</li>
<li><strong>Economically affordable and ecologically viable alternatives</strong> which will not burden the resources are needed and their prices will also come down with time and increase in demand.</li>
<li><strong>Citizens have to bring behavioural change</strong> and<strong> contribute</strong> by <strong>not littering</strong> and <strong>helping in waste segregation and waste management.</strong> Everybody, by doing their bit, can ensure elimination of single use plastic.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-eliminating-single-use-plastic'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'PRS Capsule August 2019',
		'catname' => 'PRS Capsule',
		'desc' => '<p><em><strong>Key Highlights of PRS</strong></em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="#1">Polity</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#2">Special Status of Jammu and Kashmir Repealed</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#5">The National Medical Commission Bill, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#7">The Dam Safety Bill, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#8">The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#9">Economy</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#10">Recommendations of the Bimal Jalan Committee</a></li>
<li><a href="#11">Consolidation, Capital Infusion for PSBs</a></li>
<li><a href="#12">Regulatory Sandbox</a></li>
<li><a href="#13">Lending to NBFCs Classified as Priority Sector</a></li>
<li><a href="#14">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#15">Competition Law Review Committee Report</a></li>
<li><a href="#16">High-Level Committee on CSR</a></li>
<li><a href="#17">Review of FDI policy</a></li>
<li><a href="#18">Criteria for Suspension of Mining Operations</a></li>
<li><a href="#19">A joint venture of NALCO, HCL and MECL</a></li>
<li><a href="#20">High-Level Empowered Committee on stressed thermal power projects</a></li>
<li><a href="#21">Auction of Coal Linkage</a></li>
<li><a href="#22">Ocean Energy as a Renewable Energy</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#23">Security</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#24">Committee to review the Defence Procurement Procedure</a></li>
<li><a href="#25">Re-organisation of Army Headquarters</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#26">Social Justice</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#27">Childcare Leave Benefits</a></li>
<li><a href="#28">The Code on Wages, 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#29">Institutions of Eminence Status</a></li>
<li><a href="#30">The National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2019</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#31">Culture</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#32">The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#33">Environment and Ecology</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#34">Composite Water Management Index 2019</a></li>
<li><a href="#35">State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index (SARAL)</a></li>
<li><a href="#36">Ministry of Railways to ban single-use plastic</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1">Polity</h2>
<h3 id="2">Special Status of Jammu and Kashmir Repealed</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The special status given to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/article-370-and-35-a-revoked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 was repealed</strong></a> by the central government.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-article-370" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 370</strong></a>, the power of Parliament to legislate with respect to Jammu and Kashmir was restricted to defence, external affairs, communications, and central elections. However, the President could extend other central laws, with the concurrence of the state government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A resolution was adopted by Parliament recommending that the provisions of Article 370 be made inoperative and that it be amended to state that all provisions of the Indian Constitution would apply to Jammu and Kashmir.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On the basis of this resolution, the President issued a notification making Article 370 inoperative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="3">The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parliament passed the <strong>Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019.</strong></li>
<li>The Bill reorganises the state of Jammu and Kashmir into:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Union Territory of Ladakh without a legislature.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Union Territory of Ladakh</strong> will comprise Kargil and Leh districts, and</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir</strong> will comprise the remaining territories of the existing state of Jammu and Kashmir.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Features:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lieutenant Governor:</strong> The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be administered by the President through an Administrator appointed by him known as the <strong>Lieutenant Governor.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Union Territory of Ladakh will be administered by the President, through a <strong>Lieutenant Governor</strong> appointed by him.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Bill provides for a <strong>Legislative Assembly for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The total number of seats in the Assembly will be 107. Of these, 24 seats will remain vacant on account of certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir being under the occupation of Pakistan.</li>
<li>The Assembly may make laws for any part of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir related to:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Any matters <strong>specified in the State List of the Constitution,</strong> except &ldquo;Police&rdquo; and &ldquo;Public Order&rdquo;, and</li>
<li>Any matter in the <strong>Concurrent List is</strong> applicable to Union Territories.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, Parliament will have the power to make laws on any matter for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The extent of laws:</strong> The <strong>Schedule lists 106 central laws</strong> that will be made applicable to Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on a date notified by the central government.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include the <strong>Aadhaar Act, 2016, the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Right to Education Act, 2009.</strong></li>
<li>Further, it repeals 153 state laws of Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, 166 state laws will remain in force, and seven laws will be applicable with amendments.</li>
<li>These amendments include lifting of prohibitions on a lease of land to persons who are not permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="4">Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2019</strong> was passed by Parliament. It amends the <strong>Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.</strong></li>
<li>The earlier Act fixes the maximum number of judges in the Supreme Court at 30 judges (excluding the Chief Justice of India). The <strong>Bill increases this number from 30 to 33.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3 id="5">The National Medical Commission Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-national-medical-commission-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Medical Commission Bill, 2019</strong></a> was passed by Parliament. The Bill repeals the<strong> Indian Medical Council Act, 1956</strong> and provides for a medical education system which ensures: (i) availability of adequate and high quality medical professionals, (ii) adoption of the latest medical research by medical professionals, (iii) periodic assessment of medical institutions, and (iv) an effective grievance redressal mechanism.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-july-2019#16" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...</strong></a></p>
<h3 id="6">Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by Parliament.</strong></li>
<li>The Bill seeks to amend the <strong>Motor Vehicles Act, 1988</strong> to provide for road safety.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act provides for grant of licenses and permits related to motor vehicles, standards for motor vehicles, and penalties for violation of these provisions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Bill provides for recall of vehicles, exempting &lsquo;Good Samaritans&rsquo; at an accident from any legal proceedings, regulation of taxi aggregators and increasing penalties for various offences.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-july-2019#26" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...</strong></a></p>
<h3 id="7">The Dam Safety Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Dam Safety Bill, 2019</strong> was passed by Lok Sabha and is pending in Rajya Sabha. It provides for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams across the country. It also provides for an institutional mechanism to ensure the safety of such dams.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-july-2019#37" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...</strong></a></p>
<h3 id="8">The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019</strong> was passed by Lok Sabha and is pending in Rajya Sabha. It amends the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/inter-state-river-water-sharing-disputes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.</strong></a> The Act provides for the adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers and river valleys.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-july-2019#36" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...</strong></a></p>
<h2 id="9">Economy</h2>
<h3 id="10">Recommendations of the Bimal Jalan Committee</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the central government, had constituted a Committee (Chair: Dr Bimal Jalan) to review the current economic capital framework, in November 2018.</li>
<li>The <strong>terms and reference</strong> of the Committee included determining whether<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/transfer-of-surplus-from-rbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> RBI is holding reserves in surplus/deficit</strong></a> and proposing a suitable surplus distribution policy.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong> The economic capital framework provides a methodology for determining the appropriate level of risk provisions and profit distribution to be made under <strong>Section</strong> <strong>47 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;"></ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Key recommendations:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Economic capital of a central bank</strong> includes its realised equity and revaluation balances.</li>
<li>The realised equity consists of:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Contingency Fund,</strong> which represents provisions made for unforeseen contingencies.</li>
<li><strong>Asset Development Fund,</strong> which represents the amount set aside for investment in subsidiaries and internal capital expenditure.</li>
<li><strong>Capital and Reserve fund.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-rbi-s-surplus-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>current surplus distribution policy</strong></a> targets only total economic capital. The Committee recommended that the target should also include <strong>realised equity.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>realised equity</strong> (which would be required to cover monetary, financial stability risks, credit risks and operational risks) must be maintained between <strong>5.5% to 6.5% of the RBI&rsquo;s balance sheet</strong> (current target: 3% to 4%).
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A<strong> realized gain</strong> results from selling an asset at a price higher than the original purchase price. It occurs when an asset is sold at a level that exceeds its book value cost.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>total economic capital</strong> should be maintained between 20.8% to 25.4% of the balance sheet (current target: 28.1% to 29.1%).
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Economic capital</strong> is used for measuring and reporting market and operational risks across a financial organization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If the <strong>realised equity</strong> is above the required levels, the entire net income of RBI will be transferred to the government.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If it is lower, risk provisioning will be made to the necessary extent and only the residual net income will be transferred.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This framework may be <strong>reviewed every five years.</strong></li>
<li>The RBI Board has accepted all the recommendations of the Committee.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Based on accounts for 2018-19, the available realised equity stood at 6.8% of the balance sheet. This is higher than the upper bound recommended by the Committee.</li>
<li>The Board decided to maintain the realised equity level at 5.5% of the balance sheet, and transfer the resultant excess risk buffer of Rs 52,637 crore to the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As per the revised framework, the <strong>economic capital of RBI</strong> (as on June 30, 2019) stood at 23.3% of the balance sheet, which is within the range recommended by the Committee.</li>
<li>Hence, the Board decided to transfer the entire net income for 2018-19, that is Rs 1,23,414 crore, to the government.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="11">Consolidation, Capital Infusion for PSBs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Finance Minister, announced several measures related to public sector banks (PSBs).</li>
<li>This includes <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-big-bank-reform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>merging 10 PSBs into four PSBs</strong></a> in order to help banks achieve scale and higher capacity to increase credit.</li>
<li>The banks to be merged are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce,</strong> and <strong>United Bank of India</strong> will be merged into one bank, with <strong>Punjab National Bank being the anchor bank</strong> (the larger bank with which others will be merged).
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The resultant bank will be the <strong>second-largest PSB</strong> in the country, with a total business of Rs 17.94 lakh crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Canara Bank (anchor bank)</strong> and <strong>Syndicate Bank</strong> will be merged into one bank. This bank will be the fourth largest PSB (total business size of Rs 15.2 lakh crore).</li>
<li><strong>Union Bank of India (anchor bank), Andhra Bank,</strong> and <strong>Corporation Bank of India</strong> will be merged into a single bank, resulting in the fifth-largest PSB (total business size of Rs 14.59 lakh crore).</li>
<li><strong>Indian Bank (anchor bank),</strong> and <strong>Allahabad Bank</strong> will be merged into a single bank, resulting in the <strong>seventh-largest PSB</strong> (total business size of Rs 8.08 lakh crore).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Minister also announced <strong>a capital infusion</strong> of Rs 55,250 crore into 10 PSBs. These include Rs 16,000 crore into Punjab National Bank, Rs 11,700 crore into Union Bank of India and Rs 7,000 crore into Bank of Baroda, among others.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="12">Regulatory Sandbox</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Reserve Bank of India</strong> released the enabling framework for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/norms-for-regulatory-sandbox" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regulatory Sandbox.</strong></a> An <strong>inter-regulatory Working Group</strong> was set up in 2016 by the RBI to review the regulatory framework in the financial technology sector.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>sandbox provides an environment</strong> which allows market participants to test new products, services or business models with customers in a controlled environment.</li>
<li>The <strong>objective of the sandbox</strong> is to foster innovation in financial services, promote efficiency and bring benefits to consumers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Purpose of the framework:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The focus of the sandbox will be on encouraging innovations amongst FinTech companies where (a) there is an absence of governing regulations, (b) easing regulations enable the proposed innovation, or (c) the proposed innovation can significantly ease delivery of financial services.</li>
<li>In view of the above, the draft framework identified an indicative list of innovative products, services and technologies which could be considered for testing under the sandbox.</li>
<li>These include retail payments, money transfer services, mobile technology applicants, data analytics, financial advisory services, financial inclusion and cybersecurity products.</li>
<li>The framework also provides that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sandbox-for-fintech" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FinTech company</strong></a> should be incorporated in India for participation in <strong>regulatory sandbox.</strong> Financial institutions constituted under a statute are also eligible.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the entity should have a minimum net worth of <strong>twenty-five lakh rupees</strong> as per its latest audited balance sheet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Timeline of implementation:</strong> The sandbox process will consist of five stages spanning across 27 weeks.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The stages include the preliminary screening of product, test design, application assessment, testing and evaluation.</li>
<li>The relaxations provided to the participating companies will expire at the end of this period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The implementation will be overseen by the FinTech Unit at the RBI.</li>
<li>The RBI may discontinue sandbox testing for any product, service or technology at any time if it does not achieve its intended purpose or if it fails to comply with the regulatory requirements.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="13">Lending to NBFCs Classified as Priority Sector</h3>
<p>The Reserve Bank of India has <strong>issued guidelines</strong> that <strong>bank credit</strong> to registered <strong>Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)</strong> for the purpose of on-lending to certain sectors will be eligible to be classified as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-raises-cap-on-home-loan-under-psl" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>priority sector lending.</strong></a> These sectors include agriculture, micro and small enterprises and housing.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For <strong>agriculture,</strong> on-lending by NBFCs for term-lending is permitted up to Rs 10 lakh per borrower.</li>
<li>For <strong>micro and small enterprises,</strong> on-lending by NBFCs is permitted up to Rs 20 lakh per borrower.</li>
<li>For <strong>housing,</strong> the existing limits for on-lending by NBFCs are to be classified as priority sector has been doubled from <strong>Rs 10 lakh rupees to Rs 20 lakh rupees.</strong></li>
<li>The total bank credit to NBFCs for the purpose of on-lending should not exceed 5% of the bank&rsquo;s total priority sector lending.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="14">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2019</h3>
<p>The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by Rajya Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It amends the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-insolvency-and-bankruptcy-code-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.</strong></a> The Code provides a time-bound process for resolving insolvency in companies and among individuals.</li>
<li><strong>Key features of the Bill include:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Initiation of resolution process:</strong> The Code states that a financial creditor may file an application before the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-4th-march-2019-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)</strong></a> for initiating the insolvency resolution process. The NCLT must find the existence of default within 14 days. Based on its findings, NCLT may accept or reject the application.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill states that in case the NCLT does not find the existence of default and has not passed an order within 14 days, it must record its reasons in writing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Time-limit for resolution process:</strong> The Code states that the insolvency resolution process must be completed within 180 days, extendable by a period of up to 90 days.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill adds that the resolution process <strong>must be completed within 330 days.</strong> This includes the extension period granted and the time taken in legal proceedings in relation to the process.</li>
<li>On the enactment of the Bill, if any case is pending for over 330 days, it must be resolved within 90 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Resolution plan:</strong> The Code provides that the resolution plan must ensure that the operational creditors receive an amount which should not be less than the amount they would receive in case of liquidation.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill amends this to provide that the amounts to be paid to the operational creditor should be the higher of:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Amounts receivable under liquidation, and</li>
<li>The amount receivable under a resolution plan, if such amounts were distributed under the same order of priority (as for liquidation).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Representative of financial creditors:</strong> The Code specifies that, in certain cases, such as when the debt is owed to a class of creditors beyond a specified number, the financial creditors will be represented on the committee of creditors by an authorised representative.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These representatives will vote on behalf of the financial creditors as per instructions received from them.</li>
<li>The Bill states that such representative will vote on the basis of the decision taken by a majority of the voting shares of the creditors that they represent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="15">Competition Law Review Committee Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Competition Law Review Committee (Chair: Mr Injeti Srinivas)</strong> submitted its report recommending amendments to the <strong>Competition Act, 2002.</strong></li>
<li>In pursuance of its objective of ensuring that Competition Act is in sync with the needs of strong economic fundamentals, the Government has constituted a Competition Law Review Committee to review the Competition Act.</li>
<li>The Act establishes the <strong>Competition Commission of India (CCI)</strong> to promote competition, prevent anti-competitive practices and protect consumer rights.</li>
<li><strong>Key recommendations include:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Governing body:</strong> The Committee recommended that the Act be amended to provide for a governing body, to strengthen the accountability of the CCI.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The governing body will consist of a Chairperson, six whole time members, and six part-time members. The governing body will perform <strong>quasi-legislative functions, drive policy decisions,</strong> and perform a <strong>supervisory role.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Appellate Authority:</strong> The Committee noted that under the Act, appeals against the orders of the CCI are heard by the <strong>National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, it noted that the Tribunal is overburdened with cases. Therefore, it is recommended that a dedicated bench should be created to hear appeals under the Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Settlements:</strong> The Committee noted that remedies may be in the form of settlements and commitments. <strong>Settlements</strong> are generally available for cartels and require an admission of guilt from the parties. <strong>Commitments</strong> apply to all other cases and do not require any admission of guilt.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Committee recommended that the Act be amended to empower CCI to allow settlements and commitments for certain types of anti-competitive agreements (like exclusive supply agreements) and for abuse of dominance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Green channel notifications:</strong> Under the Act, combinations beyond a certain threshold require the approval of CCI. The Commission recommended a &lsquo;green channel&rsquo; route for automatic approval of CCI for specific merger and acquisition cases, where there are no major concerns of an appreciable adverse effect on competition.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This <strong>can include</strong> cases under the <strong>Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Time limits for merger assessment:</strong> The combination regulations notified under the Act require the CCI to provide its preliminary opinion on whether the combination will have an appreciable adverse effect on competition, within 30 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="16">High-Level Committee on CSR</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>High-Level Committee</strong> on <strong>Corporate Social Responsibility</strong> (Chair: Injeti Srinivas) submitted its report.</li>
<li>Under the <strong>Companies Act, 2013,</strong> companies above a specified net worth are required to <strong>spend 2% of their average net profits in the last three financial years,</strong> towards their CSR policy.</li>
<li>The Committee made several recommendations on the current CSR framework, ranging from its applicability to operational practices.</li>
<li><strong>Key recommendations include:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Applicability of CSR:</strong> Currently, only companies are required to comply with CSR regulations.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Committee recommended that CSR obligations should be extended to other forms of<strong> business enterprises such as Limited Liability Partnerships and banks.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>CSR Committees:</strong> Under the Act, all CSR eligible companies are required to form CSR Committees.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For operational ease, the Committee recommended that companies with CSR funds of below 50 lakh rupees should be exempt from this requirement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tax benefits for CSR activities:</strong> To incentivise CSR spending, the Committee recommended that all CSR expenditure should be made deductible from the taxable income of the company.</li>
<li><strong>CSR impact studies:</strong> The Committee recommended that companies having CSR funds of more than five crore rupees in the last three financial years, should undertake impact assessment studies for their CSR projects once in three years, and disclose the same in their board report.</li>
<li><strong>CSR Audit:</strong> The Committee recommended bringing CSR within the <strong>ambit of statutory financial audit,</strong> by requiring disclosure of CSR spending in the financial statements of the company.</li>
<li><strong>Penalties for non-spending:</strong> The Committee made certain recommendations to require companies to transfer unspent CSR funds to a separate account and spend such funds within three to five years, failing which penalties may be imposed upon them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> The recently passed Companies Act, 2019, incorporates these changes, and imposes imprisonment in addition.</p>
<h3 id="17">Review of FDI policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved certain amendments to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy across various sectors.</li>
<li><strong>Key changes to the policy include:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Coal mining:</strong> At present, <strong>100% FDI under automatic route</strong> is allowed for: (i) coal and lignite mining for captive consumption by power, cement, and iron and steel plants, and (ii) coal processing (though not allowed to sell coal in the open market).
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Cabinet allowed <strong>100% FDI under automatic route</strong> for sale of coal, commercial coal mining, and associated processing activities such as coal washing, crushing, and handling.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Contract manufacturing:</strong> The current policy allows 100% FDI under the automatic route in the manufacturing sector. In India, manufacturing activities can be conducted either by the investee entity or through contract manufacturing.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, there is no specific provision for contract manufacturing in FDI policy.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In this context, <strong>100% FDI under automatic route</strong> will be allowed for contract manufacturing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Single brand retail trading:</strong> Currently, single-brand retailers with over 51% FDI have to locally source 30% of the value of goods sold.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The amendments allow for all procurements made from India to be counted towards local sourcing, irrespective of whether the goods are sold in India or exported.</li>
<li>Further, the present policy requires all single-brand retailers to operate through brick and mortar stores before starting trading through e-commerce.</li>
<li>This has been amended to allow for online retail trading before the opening of brick and mortar stores. However, the retailers will be required to open stores within two years of the start of their online operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital media:</strong> Currently, 49% FDI through the approval route is allowed in uplinking of TV channels broadcasting news and current affairs. The amendments permit <strong>26% FDI under approval route</strong> for uploading and streaming of news and current affairs through digital media.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="18">Criteria for Suspension of Mining Operations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017</strong> mandates mining lease holders to undertake sustainable mining practices.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sustainable mining</strong> refers to the development of minerals and energy resources, onshore and offshore, in a way that maximises the economic and social benefits while minimising the environmental impacts of mining.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To adopt sustainable mining practices, the Ministry of Mines has prescribed a <strong>Sustainable Development Framework</strong> for mining lease holder.</li>
<li>The <strong>Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)</strong> awards a rating from one to five stars to leased mines for their efforts towards the implementation of this framework every year.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the 2017 Rules, mining operations <strong>can be suspended</strong> by IBM in those mines which have not received <strong>at least four-star rating</strong> within two years of commencement of mining operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Mines</strong> has amended these 2017 Rules to reduce the minimum rating requirement from four-star to three-star. The period for achieving the required rating has been revised to four years from the date of commencement, or four years from Feb 27, 2017, as applicable.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="19">A joint venture of NALCO, HCL and MECL</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Mines has set up a <strong>joint venture (JV)</strong> namely <strong>Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL)</strong> with the participation of three central public sector enterprises.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These are <strong>National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL)</strong> and <strong>Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>objective of &lsquo;KABIL&rsquo;</strong> is to ensure a consistent supply of strategic minerals to the domestic market and work toward the overall objective of import substitution.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Strategic minerals</strong> are those which are <strong>critical to the economy and defence of a country</strong> but are not available in that country in commercially viable quantities.</li>
<li>India has identified 12 such minerals including <strong>lithium, cobalt, tin, tungsten and selenium.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This JV will carry out identification, exploration, development, mining and processing of strategic minerals overseas for commercial use and meeting India&rsquo;s requirement of these minerals.</li>
<li>The minerals will be sourced in the following ways:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Creation of trading opportunities.</li>
<li>Government-to-Government collaborations with the producing countries.</li>
<li>Strategic acquisitions or investments in the exploration of mining assets in the source countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="20">High-Level Empowered Committee on stressed thermal power projects</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Power had constituted a <strong>High-Level Empowered Committee</strong> to resolve issues related to stressed thermal power assets in July 2018.</li>
<li>The Union Cabinet approved some of the Committee&rsquo;s recommendations in March 2019.</li>
<li>The Ministry has released implementation details of some of these recommendations.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Debt servicing of stressed thermal projects:</strong> The Ministry has approved a mechanism to ensure that the debt of stressed thermal power projects is serviced on priority.</li>
<li>This will apply to projects using coal linkages under the SHAKTI policy.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>The SHAKTI policy</strong> provides for the allocation of coal linkages for the power sector in a transparent manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The committee had suggested that the net surplus generated by the developer of the stressed thermal power project, after meeting operating expenses, must be used for servicing debt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As per the mechanism, all the revenues of the project will be deposited into a <strong>Trust and Retention Account (TRA).</strong> A cash flow monitoring agency will be appointed by lenders, to verify actual cash flow and costs of the project.</li>
<li>The priority order for expenditure from TRA will be as follows: (i) statutory payments including taxes and duties owed to the government, (ii) fuel cost, (iii) transmission cost, (iv) operation and maintenance expenses, (v) interest payment to lenders, and (vi) principal payment to lenders.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="21">Auction of Coal Linkage</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry has released a draft methodology for <strong>auction of coal linkages</strong> under the <strong>SHAKTI policy</strong> for the short term.</li>
<li>The objective of auctioning short term linkages is to cater to the<strong> dynamic requirements</strong> and demand variation in short-term and day-ahead markets.</li>
<li>The power plants which do not have a<strong> power purchase agreement (PPA)</strong> will be eligible to participate in the auction.</li>
<li>The duration of linkage will be a minimum of three months and a maximum of one year. This auction will be carried out at frequent intervals (at least twice a year).</li>
<li>The power generated under these coal linkages will have to be sold in:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The day-ahead market and intraday market through power exchanges, and</li>
<li>Short term through a transparent bidding process using <strong>Discovery of Efficient Energy Price (DEEP) portal.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The DEEP portal is an e-bidding and e-reverse auction portal for procurement of short term supply of power by distribution companies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="22">Ocean Energy as a Renewable Energy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Different types of ocean energy including <strong>tidal energy, wave energy, ocean thermal energy conversion and marine current energy</strong> have been recognised as renewable energy.</li>
<li>Accordingly, the energy produced using various forms of ocean energy will be eligible for meeting the non-solar <strong>Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO).</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>RPO refers to the obligation of certain entities who have to meet a part of their energy consumption by using energy from renewable sources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The total identified potential of tidal energy is about 12,455 MW. The total potential of wave energy and ocean thermal energy conversion is 40,000 MW and 1,80,000 MW respectively.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ocean-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...</strong></a></p>
<h2 id="23">Security</h2>
<h3 id="24">Committee to review the Defence Procurement Procedure</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Defence has approved setting up a Committee to review the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-flawed-defence-procurement-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), 2016</strong></a> and <strong>Defence Procurement Manual (DPM),</strong> 2009.</li>
<li>The <strong>objective of the Committee</strong> is to revise and align the procedures to ensure efficient procurement process for defence equipment and strengthen the &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; initiative. The terms and reference of the Committee include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Revising the procedures in DPP 2016 and DPM 2009 to remove procedural bottlenecks and hasten defence acquisition.</li>
<li>Aligning and standardising the provisions in DPP 2016 and DPM 2009 to optimise life cycle support for equipment.</li>
<li>Simplifying policy and procedures to facilitate greater participation of the domestic industry.</li>
<li>Examining and incorporating new concepts such as life cycle costing, performance-based logistics, and lease contracting.</li>
<li>Including provisions to support the &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; initiative and promote Indian start-ups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Committee is required to submit its <strong>report in six months.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3 id="25">Re-organisation of Army Headquarters</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reforms-in-army" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Defence has approved</strong></a> creating a <strong>separate vigilance cell</strong> under the <strong>chief of army staff.</strong> The cell will include representation from all three services (one colonel-level officer each from the Army, Air Force and Navy).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, there is no single agency for vigilance under the Chief of Army Staff.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, a special human rights section will be set up under the <strong>Vice Chief of Army Staff</strong> for enhanced focus on human rights issues.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This section will be headed by an <strong>Additional Director General (Major General rank officer)</strong> directly under the Vice Chief of Army Staff.</li>
<li>This will be the nodal point to examine any reports of human rights violations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="26">Social Justice</h2>
<h3 id="27">Childcare Leave Benefits</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Defence</strong> has approved <strong>extending benefits of childcare leave to single male service personnel.</strong> Presently, such leave is granted only to women officers in defence forces.</li>
<li>An age limit of 22 years was prescribed for availing child care leave in case of a child with 40% disability. This restriction has now been removed. Further, the minimum period for which childcare leave can be availed at a time has been reduced from 15 days to five days.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="28">The Code on Wages, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Code on Wages, 2019</strong> was passed by Parliament. It seeks to regulate wage and bonus payments in all employments where any industry, trade, business, or manufacturing is carried out.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-july-2019#19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read more...</strong></a></p>
<h3 id="29">Institutions of Eminence Status</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/stride" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>University Grants Commission (UGC)</strong></a> recently recommended 20 higher educational institutions for the status of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/institutions-of-eminence-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Institutions of Eminence&rsquo;.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These institutions were selected on the basis of recommendations of the <strong>Empowered Expert Committee</strong> (Chair: Mr. N. Gopalaswami).</li>
<li>Of these 20 institutions, 10 are in the public sector and the remaining are in the private sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In February 2018, the UGC constituted an <strong>Empowered Expert Committee</strong> to enable 10 public and 10 private higher educational institutions to emerge as a world-class teaching and research institutions i.e., as Institutions of Eminence.</li>
<li>These institutions would be allowed greater autonomy in admitting foreign students, fixing fees, and recruiting foreign faculty, among others. Further, each public higher educational institution will get financial assistance of up to Rs 1,000 crore for a period of five years.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="30">The National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2019</strong> was passed by Rajya Sabha and is pending in Lok Sabha.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill seeks to amend the <strong>National Institute of Design Act, 2014,</strong> which declares the <strong>National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad</strong> as an <strong>institution of national importance.</strong></li>
<li>The Bill seeks to declare four <strong>National Institutes of Design</strong> in<strong> Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam,</strong> and <strong>Haryana</strong> as <strong>institutions of national importance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Currently, these institutes are registered as <strong>Societies under the Societies Registration Act, 1860</strong> and do not have the power to grant degrees or diplomas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On being declared institutions of national importance, the four institutes will be granted the <strong>power to grant degrees and diplomas.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="31">Culture</h2>
<h3 id="32">The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019</h3>
<p>The <strong>Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019</strong> was passed by Lok Sabha and is pending in Rajya Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It amends the <strong>Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951.</strong> The Act provides for the erection of a National Memorial in memory of those killed or wounded on April 13, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar.</li>
<li>The Act creates a Trust to manage the National Memorial.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Composition of Trust: Under the 1951 Act,</strong> the Trustees of the Memorial include: (i) the Prime Minister, as Chairperson, (ii) the President of the Indian National Congress, (iii) the Minister-in-charge of Culture, (iv) the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, (v) the Governor of Punjab, (vi) the Chief Minister of Punjab, and (vii) three eminent persons nominated by the central government.</li>
<li>The <strong>Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019</strong> amends this provision to <strong>remove the President of the Indian National Congress as a Trustee.</strong></li>
<li>Further, it clarifies that when there is no Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, then <strong>the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha</strong> will be the Trustee.</li>
<li>The original Act provides that the <strong>three eminent persons</strong> nominated by the central government will have a term of five years and will be eligible for re-nomination.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill adds a proviso to allow the central government to terminate the term of a nominated trustee before the expiry of his term without assigning any reason.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="33">Environment and Ecology</h2>
<h3 id="34">Composite Water Management Index 2019</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>NITI Aayog</strong> has developed the second edition of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/composite-water-management-index-2-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Composite Water Management Index</strong></a> to report the performance of states on key water management components.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In its report, it has noted that currently, about 82 crore Indians face water scarcity and about two lakh people die every year due to inadequate access to safe water.</li>
<li>In addition, by 2030, the country&rsquo;s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity and an eventual loss of 6% to the country&rsquo;s GDP.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Through the Composite Water Management Index, NITI Aayog has:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Identified states that are high or under-performers</li>
<li>Recognised areas that need deeper investment and engagement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The index aims to increase competitiveness among states for water use and conservation and develop a national data management platform for water.</li>
<li><strong>Key findings of the report include:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Food security:</strong> The population of India will be more than 1.5 billion people by 2030. Achieving food security for this rising population becomes more difficult with water scarcity. Many staple crops are being affected by water related issues. For example, about 74% of the area under wheat cultivation and 65% of the area under rice cultivation faces significant water scarcity.</li>
<li><strong>Urban sustainability:</strong> Five of the world&rsquo;s 20 largest cities facing water scarcity are in India. As of 2014, no Indian city supplied 24x7 water to its entire urban population, and only 35% of urban households in India had piped water.</li>
<li><strong>Economic risks:</strong> Estimates suggest that industrial water requirement will increase fourfold between 2005 and 2030. Water shortages can hamper industrial operations, which account for 30% of the national GDP.</li>
<li><strong>Biodiversity risks:</strong> The biodiversity of India is impacted by human activities undertaken to create additional water sources. These activities include dam construction and river diversion which can lead to changes in water flow, salinity levels, and monsoon patterns.</li>
<li><strong>Overall state performance:</strong> In the last three years, about 80% of the states have shown improvement in water management parameters such as groundwater source augmentation and water data reporting.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, 16 states (such as Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan) scored less than 50% of total achievable score. These states account for about 48% of the population, 40% of agricultural produce, and 35% of economic output of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="35">State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index (SARAL)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of New and Renewable Energy</strong> has launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-rooftop-solar-attractiveness-index-saral" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index (SARAL).</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will rank States based on the measures adopted by them to facilitate rooftop solar deployment.</li>
<li>It seeks to incentivise rooftop solar deployment by creating healthy competition among the states.</li>
<li>SARAL will evaluate the following aspects of the development of rooftop solar plants in the state:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Robustness of policy framework</li>
<li>Implementation environment</li>
<li>Investment climate</li>
<li>Consumer experience</li>
<li>Business ecosystem</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the rankings announced this month, <strong>Karnataka</strong> has achieved the first rank. Telangana, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have achieved 2nd, 3rd and 4th rank respectively.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="36">Ministry of Railways to ban single-use plastic</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Railways</strong> has announced a ban on usage of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-eliminating-single-use-plastic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>single-use plastic material</strong></a> from <strong>October 2, 2019.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition, all railway vendors must avoid the use of plastic carry bags. Railway staff should reduce, reuse and refuse plastic products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>IRCTC will implement the return of plastic drinking water bottles as part of <strong>Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>EPR</strong> is a policy approach under which producers are responsible for the treatment or disposal of their products that are no longer deemed useful by consumers. Such responsibility may be financial, physical, or both.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-august-2019'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Massive Iceberg Breaks off Antarctica',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, the <strong>Iceberg-D28</strong> broke away from the <strong>Amery ice shelf</strong> in Antarctica.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570264082_Image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570264082_Image1.jpg" width="338" height="190" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The breaking of iceberg D28 is part of the <strong>normal cycle of ice shelves,</strong> which are an extension of the ice cap thus the event is <strong>not related to climate change.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The shelf is essentially the floating extension of a number of glaciers that flow off the land into the sea.</li>
<li>Thus ice streams maintain equilibrium by losing such bergs to balance the input of snow upstream.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Iceberg D28</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a part of the Amery ice shelf which is the third-largest ice shelf in Antarctica.</li>
<li>The name D28 comes from a classification system run by the US National Ice Center, which divides the <strong>Antarctic into quadrants.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>D quadrant</strong> covers the longitudes 90 degrees East to 0 degrees, the Prime Meridian.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/huge-iceberg-breaks-off-antarctica/article29568380.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/massive-iceberg-breaks-off-antarctica'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Youth Co:Lab',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-gandhian-challenge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Innovation Mission (AIM),</strong></a> NITI Aayog and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Development Programme</strong></a> (UNDP) India has launched <strong>&lsquo;Youth Co:Lab&rsquo;</strong> which aims at <strong>accelerating social entrepreneurship and innovation in young India.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was <strong>co-created in 2017 by UNDP and the Citi Foundation</strong> and is operational in 25 countries across the Asia Pacific region.</li>
<li>The initiative aims to create <strong>an enabling ecosystem to promote youth leadership, innovation, and social entrepreneurship.</strong></li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;Youth Co:Lab&rsquo; in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For Promoting Entrepreneurship:</strong> The initiative will convene a series of youth dialogues across several cities such as New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai to promote entrepreneurship across India.</li>
<li><strong>Focus on Youth and SDGs:</strong> AIM and UNDP are collaborating to spread awareness about different issues pertaining to youth, the future of work and the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).</strong> </a></li>
<li><strong>Promoting Innovation:</strong> The initiative will convene <strong>social innovation challenges</strong> at the national and sub-national level, which will invite young people in the age group of 18-29 years and start-ups to showcase their proposed ideas and solutions to tackle some of the region&rsquo;s biggest social challenges.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They will also get the opportunity to pitch their ideas at the UNDP&rsquo;s regional centre in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Atal Innovation Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>AIM including Self-Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) is <strong>Government of India&rsquo;s endeavour</strong> to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.</li>
<li>Its objective is to serve as a platform for the promotion of world-class innovation hubs, grand challenges, start-up businesses and other self-employment activities, particularly in technology driven areas.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>NITI Aayog</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Institution for Transforming India, also called NITI Aayog, was formed via a resolution of the Union Cabinet on<strong> 1<sup>st</sup> January 2015.</strong></li>
<li>The Government of India constituted the NITI Aayog to<strong> replace the Planning Commission instituted in 1950.</strong></li>
<li>It is the premier policy <strong>&lsquo;Think Tank&rsquo;</strong> of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs.</li>
<li>While designing strategic and long term policies and programmes for the Government of India, NITI Aayog also provides relevant technical advice to the Centre and States.</li>
<li>The Governing Council of NITI, with the <strong>Prime Minister as its Chairman,</strong> comprises Chief Ministers of all States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories (UTs).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>United Nations Development Programme India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNDP works in almost 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion, while protecting the planet.</li>
<li>UNDP has worked in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development, from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods.</li>
<li><strong>UNDP India's country programme for 2018-2022</strong> has three major focus areas:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inclusive growth</li>
<li>Environment and energy</li>
<li>Strengthening systems and institutions</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>UNDP Country Office is<strong> located in New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1587240" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/youth-co-lab'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Electric Vehicle Charging Guidelines and Specifications',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Government of India has approved <strong>amendments in Electric Vehicle (EV) charging guidelines and specifications.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The revised guidelines include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A phase-wise installation of charging infrastructure :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> first</strong> phase ( 1-3 years) : All <strong>megacities and connected expressways</strong> with a population of <strong>4 million-plus as per census 2011.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>second</strong> phase (3-5 years) : <strong>State capitals, UT headquarters.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At least <strong>one charging station</strong> to be set up in a<strong> grid of 3 km X 3 km</strong> in the cities</li>
<li><strong>One charging station</strong> at <strong>every 25 km</strong> on <strong>both sides of highways/roads.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Fast charging station</strong> at <strong>every 100 kms (one on each side of the highways).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Private charging at residences/offices</strong> to be managed by <strong>DISCOMs.</strong></li>
<li>The Public Charging Stations (PCS) to be a <strong>de-licensed activity,</strong> implying that any individual/entity is free to set up public charging stations.</li>
<li><strong>Freedom to PCS owners to install the chargers</strong> (various types and numbers) as per the market requirement.</li>
<li>The tariffs to be charged in accordance with the <strong>tariff policy issued under Electricity Act 2003.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)</strong> will be the <strong>Central Nodal Agency,</strong> while State Nodal Agency for the respective states to be set up.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The revised policy is expected to help for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fame-india-phase-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &amp;) Electric Vehicles</strong></a> in India.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The BEE is a <strong>statutory body</strong> under the Ministry of Power, Government of India.</li>
<li>It assists in <strong>developing policies and strategies</strong> with the primary objective of<strong> reducing the energy intensity</strong> of the Indian economy.</li>
<li>BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations to identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the <strong>Energy Conservation Act, 2001.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1587249" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: PIB</a></strong></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electric-vehicle-charging-guidelines-and-specifications'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'WEF India Economic Summit',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The <strong>World Economic Forum&rsquo;s 33<sup>rd</sup> India Economic Summit</strong> took place in New Delhi from 3<sup>rd</sup> - 4<sup>th</sup> October 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hosted in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the <strong>theme</strong> of the Summit was: <strong>&lsquo;Innovating for India: Strengthening South Asia, Impacting the World&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina co-chaired the Summit with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.</li>
<li>The India Economic Summit came to a close with more than 800 participants meeting from across the region and around the world.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Challenge of Global Inequality:</strong> There is a growing inequality in terms of wealth and income--both within countries and across countries.</li>
<li>The <strong>challenge of Gender Equality -</strong> both in the region and across the globe.</li>
<li><strong>Vision For Agriculture:</strong> More than 70 global and regional leaders committed to <strong>supporting investments in integrated food value chains</strong> throughout the country.</li>
<li>The Co-chairs called for <strong>improved regional cooperation in South Asia and Southeast Asia.</strong></li>
<li>Bilateral cooperation and innovation is crucial for <strong>&lsquo;shared prosperity&rsquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Innovation</strong> can lift-up the region to become a &lsquo;great area&rsquo; for development of cutting-edge technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Aspects Related to India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>India Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2019 </strong>are<strong> Shanti Raghavan &amp; Dipesh Sutariya of EnAble India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>EnAble India changed the mindsets of 729 businesses and built frameworks for inclusion in universities and government agencies for the employment of persons with disabilities in formal and informal sectors across India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Policy Aspect:</strong> In a <strong>veiled reference to Pakistan,</strong> Union Minister for External Affairs said that the <strong>entire neighbourhood, minus one,</strong> has been a fairly good story for regional cooperation.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Aspect:</strong> India expressed cautious optimism about a <strong>potential free trade agreement between India and the United States.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Access to Health: Drones will soon deliver life-saving medical supplies</strong> and vaccines to rural communities in <strong>Telangana.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government will begin a drone delivery programme built on a World Economic Forum and Apollo Hospital Group framework.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sanitation:</strong> To support Prime Minister&rsquo;s initiative of ending open defecation, the Forum&rsquo;s Young Global Leaders community <strong>will mobilize more than $3.5 million in resources to finance the urban sanitation ecosystem</strong> in 10 Indian cities.</li>
<li><strong>Smart Cities:</strong> The Smart Cities Mission India joined the G20 Smart City Alliance, chaired by the World Economic Forum, to establish universal norms and guidelines for safe and responsible implementation of smart city technology.</li>
<li><strong>E-Mobility:</strong> People in Punjab will soon be driving down a 100km electric vehicle corridor, which is part of a sustainable pilot project with the World Economic Forum's Moving India initiative.</li>
<li><strong>Clean fuel:</strong> Clean India will fly 1 million airline passengers between Delhi and Mumbai by 2030 as the SpiceJet and others have joined the Forum&rsquo;s Clean Skies for Tomorrow Project, promoting the use of biofuels and blended fuels through public-private partnership.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>World Economic Forum</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was <strong>established in 1971</strong> as a <strong>not-for-profit foundation</strong> and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation.</strong></li>
<li>It engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Confederation of Indian Industry</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CII is a <strong>non-government, not-for-profit,</strong> industry-led and industry-managed organization, playing a proactive role in India's development process.</li>
<li><strong>Founded in 1895,</strong> it has around 9000 members, from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 300,000 enterprises from around 276 national and regional sectoral industry bodies.</li>
<li>It works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering industry, Government, and civil society, through advisory and consultative processes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/entire-neighbourhood-minus-one-has-been-a-good-story-jaishankar/article29600663.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wef-india-economic-summit'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'India’s First e-Waste Clinic',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>India&rsquo;s first e-waste clinic for <strong>segregating, processing and disposal</strong> of waste from household and commercial units will soon be set-up in <strong>Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) for its establishment.</li>
<li>The clinic is a three-month pilot project. If it would be a success, then the same would be replicated throughout the country.</li>
<li>Electronic waste will either be collected <strong>door-to-door</strong> or could be deposited directly at the clinic by individuals.</li>
<li>The CPCB will provide<strong> technical support</strong> at the unit and the collected <strong>hazardous waste</strong> will then be sent to <strong>Bengaluru</strong> for <strong>recycling.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would ensure <strong>scientific handling and disposal</strong> of electronic waste generated from households and commercial establishments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The clinic is being conceived in compliance with the <a href="/daily-news-editorials/solid-waste-management-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.</strong></a> These rules also focus on <strong>segregation of waste at source</strong> and charge user fees for collection, disposal, and processing from the bulk generator.</li>
<li>In the absence of a safe disposal mechanism, currently, the electronic waste which includes defunct and useless electrical or electronic devices is being discarded along with other household waste. Therefore, there was a dire need for such a clinic that could efficiently and safely segregate and dispose off the hazardous waste.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>statutory organization</strong> that was constituted in September 1974 under the <strong>Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.</strong></li>
<li>CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the <strong>Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.</strong></li>
<li>Principal <strong>functions</strong> of the CPCB are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>to <strong>promote cleanliness</strong> of streams and wells in different areas of the States through prevention, control, and abatement of <strong>water</strong> pollution, and</li>
<li>to <strong>improve the quality of air</strong> and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It also provides <strong>technical services</strong> to the Ministry of Environment and Forests regarding the provisions of the <strong>Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/indias-first-e-waste-clinic-to-be-set-up-in-bhopal/article29598165.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-first-e-waste-clinic'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Co-operative Banking in India',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/co-operative-banks-is-dual-regulation-the-problem/article29587375.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Co-operative banks: Is dual regulation the problem?&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 04/10/2019. It talks about the reasons for recent liquidity issues of PMC bank and suggests policy measures for effective regulation.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> imposed restrictions on withdrawals from Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank, which triggered a panic among bank customers. It has brought to the fore the issue of riskiness of banks, especially co-operative banks and the need to restore confidence among customers.</p>
<h3>Cooperative Banking</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Co-operative bank is a financial entity which belongs to its members, who are at the same time the owners and the customers of their bank.</li>
<li>Co-operative banks in India are registered under the <strong>States Cooperative Societies Act.</strong> The Co-operative banks are also regulated by the<strong> Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong> and <strong>governed by the</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Banking Regulations Act 1949</strong></li>
<li><strong>Banking Laws (Co-operative Societies) Act, 1955.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features of Cooperative Banks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Customer Owned Entities:</strong> Co-operative bank members are both customer and owner of the bank.</li>
<li><strong>Democratic Member Control:</strong>Co-operative banks are owned and controlled by the members, who democratically elect a board of directors. Members usually have equal voting rights, according to the cooperative principle of <strong>&ldquo;one person, one vote&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Profit Allocation:</strong> A significant part of the yearly profit, benefits or surplus is usually allocated to constitute reserves and a part of this profit can also be distributed to the co-operative members, with legal and statutory limitations.</li>
<li><strong>Financial Inclusion:</strong> They have played a significant role in the financial inclusion of unbanked rural masses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Structure of Cooperative Banking:</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570193576_Image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570193576_Image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="576" height="485" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Advantage of Cooperative Banking</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cooperative Banking provides effective alternative to the traditional defective credit system of the village money lender.</li>
<li>It provides cheap credit to masses in rural areas.</li>
<li>Cooperative Banks have <strong>discouraged unproductive borrowing</strong> personal consumption and have established the culture of productive borrowing.</li>
<li>Cooperative credit movement has <strong>encouraged saving and investment,</strong> instead of hoarding money the rural people tend to deposit their savings in the cooperative or other banking institutions.</li>
<li>Cooperative societies have also greatly helped in the introduction of better agricultural methods. Cooperative credit is available for purchasing improved seeds, chemical fertilizers, modern implements, etc</li>
<li>Cooperatives Banks offers higher interest rate on deposits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problems with Cooperative Banking in India</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Organisational and financial limitations of the <strong>primary credit societies</strong> considerably reduce their ability to provide adequate credit to the rural population.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Needs of tenants and small farmers are not fully met.</li>
<li>Primary credit societies are financially weak and are unable to meet the production-oriented credit needs</li>
<li>Overdues are increasing alarmingly at all levels.</li>
<li>Primary credit societies have not been able to provide adequate and timely credit to the borrowing farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The cooperatives have resource constraints as their owned funds hardly make a sizeable portfolio of the working capital. Raising working capital has been a major hurdle in their effective functioning.</li>
<li>A serious problem of the cooperative credit is the <strong>overdue loans of the cooperative banks</strong> which have been continuously increasing over the years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Large amounts of overdues <strong>restrict the recycling of the funds</strong> and adversely affect the lending and borrowing capacity of the cooperative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Most of the benefits from the cooperatives have been covered by the <strong>big land owners</strong> because of their strong socio-economic position.</li>
<li>Cooperative Banks are losing their lustre due to expansion of Scheduled Commercial Bank and adoption of technology. They are also facing stiff competition from payment banks and small-finance banks.</li>
<li>Long-term credit extended by them is declining.</li>
<li><strong>Regional Disparities:</strong> The cooperatives in northeast states and in states like West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha are not as well developed as the ones in Maharashtra and Gujarat. There is a lot of friction due to competition between different states, this friction affects the working of cooperatives.</li>
<li><strong>Political Interference:</strong> Politicians use them to increase their vote bank and usually get their representatives elected over the board of director in order to gain undue advantages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Dual Regulation of Urban Cooperative Bank</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Urban Co-operative Banks are regulated and supervised by <strong>State Registrars of Co-operative Societies (RCS)</strong> in case of single-State co-operative banks and <strong>Central Registrar of Co-operative Societies (CRCS)</strong> in case of multi-State co-operative banks and by the RBI.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>RCS</strong> exercises powers under the respective Co-operative Societies Act of the States with regard to incorporation, registration, management, amalgamation, reconstruction or liquidation and in case of UCBs that have multi-State presence, are exercised by the <strong>CRCS.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The banking related functions such as issue of license to start new banks/branches, matters relating to interest rates, loan policies, investments and prudential exposure norms are <strong>regulated and supervised by the Reserve Bank</strong> under the provisions of the <strong>Banking Regulation Act, 1949.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Case of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Restrictions imposed by RBI on withdrawals of money from PMC bank highlighted the strong case of malfunctioning in dual regulatory system in urban cooperative banking system.</li>
<li>In above PMC case, there are three major problems- <strong>financial irregularities, failure of internal control and system, and underreporting of exposures.</strong></li>
<li>PMC Bank has extended<strong> 73% of its assets to HDIL</strong> which created a panicky situation for depositors.</li>
<li>Since, PMC has deposits from other smaller cooperatives banks, the financial irregularities which includes governance and transparency issues will likely to have multi-dimensional impact.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Countering Dual Regulation Problem</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A high powered committee chaired by former Deputy Governor of RBI, <strong>R. Gandhi</strong> has recommended the <strong>merging and converting some of the cooperatives banks to small finance banks</strong> and the same has been implemented by RBI in form of scheme for voluntary transition of urban cooperative banks into small finance banks.</li>
<li>Setting up of an independent regulator for Urban Cooperative Banks.</li>
<li><strong>H Malegam committee</strong> recommended a board of management of eligible and proper persons as opposed to elected Directors.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An umbrella organisation should be promoted by the banks themselves to raise the capital as a joint stock company from the market to adequately tackle capital issues.</li>
<li>RBI should be empowered to implement resolution techniques such as winding-up and liquidating banks, without involving other regulators under the cooperative societies&rsquo; laws.</li>
<li>Audit plays an important supervisory role in ensuring the best performance of the cooperatives, but, it is observed that lots of irregularity &amp; negligence take place while conducting audit. Hence, an appropriate mechanism of checks &amp; balances may be evolved &amp; made mandatory for all the Cooperative Bank. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Accountability for erroneous audit along with penal action should also be ensured through appropriate statue. Further, the state government should also conduct a forensic Audit of the loan portfolios &amp; purchases of a representative sample of cooperative banks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The RBI must ensure that Cooperative Banks adopt more professionalism in order to retain people&rsquo;s confidence in the banking sector.</li>
</ul>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/co-operative-banking-in-india'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Human Migration in India',
		'catname' => 'Paper 1',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571055499_Human%20Migration in India (Mind Map)_Artboard 1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1571055499_Human Migration in India (Mind Map)_Artboard 1.png" width="377" height="1569" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/to-the-points/paper1/human-migration-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>For TTP</em></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper1/human-migration-in-india-mind-map'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Human Migration in India',
		'catname' => 'Paper 1',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-the-top-source-of-immigrants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Migrant Stock 2019</strong></a> report (released by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs), India with <strong>17.5 million</strong> international migrants has emerged as the top source of international migrants, constituting <strong>6.4%</strong> of world&rsquo;s total migrant population.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Human Migration</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Human migration is the movement of people from one place in the world to another. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>People can either choose to move <strong>(voluntary migration)</strong> or be forced to move <strong>(involuntary migration).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/migration-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The International Organization for Migration</strong></a> (The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong> </a>Migration Agency) defines a migrant as any person who is moving or has moved across an <strong>international border</strong> or <strong>within a state</strong> away from his/her habitual place of residence, regardless of :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Person&rsquo;s legal status</strong></li>
<li>Whether the movement is <strong>voluntary or involuntary</strong></li>
<li>What the <strong>causes</strong> for the movement are</li>
<li>What the <strong>length of the stay</strong> is</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Factors</h3>
<p>Migration is a <strong>global phenomenon</strong> caused not only by economic factors but many other factors like <strong>social, political, cultural, environmental, health, education</strong> are included under the broader classification of <strong>Push and Pull factors</strong> of migration:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184472_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184472_image1.jpg" width="614" height="479" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Push Factor:</strong> Push factors are those that <strong>compel</strong> a person, due to different reasons, to leave a place of <strong>origin</strong> (out-migration) and migrate to some other place.</li>
<li><strong>Pull Factor:</strong> Pull factors indicate the factors which <strong>attract</strong> migrant (in-migration) to an area (destination).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Types</h3>
<p>People move for many reasons, based on which types of human migration include <strong>internal migration</strong> (moving within a state, country, or continent) and <strong>external migration</strong> (moving to a different state, country, or continent).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Internal Migration</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184510_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184510_image3.jpg" width="560" height="360" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Types:</strong> Internal migration in India is primarily of two types: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Long term Migration,</strong> resulting in the relocation of an individual or household.</li>
<li><strong>Short term Migration,</strong> involving back and forth movement between a source and destination.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Key Source States:</strong> Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh.</li>
<li><strong>Key Destination States:</strong> Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Karnataka.</li>
<li><strong>Internal Migrants</strong> in India constitute a large population of 309 million internal migrants or <strong>30 percent</strong> of the population (Census of India 2001).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When a person is enumerated in the census at a different place than his / her place of birth, she/he is considered a migrant.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Female Migration:</strong> Out of the total internal migrants, <strong>70.7 percent</strong> are <strong>women</strong> (Census of India 2001) and <strong>marriage</strong> is one of the major reasons for <strong>female migration</strong> in both the rural and urban areas.</li>
<li><strong>Male Migration:</strong> Migration for <strong>employment-related</strong> reasons is one of the prominent reasons for <strong>male migration</strong> in both rural and urban areas.</li>
<li><strong>Employing Sectors:</strong> Migrants are mostly employed in <strong>subsectors</strong> like construction, domestic work, textile, brick-kilns, transportation, mines, quarries, and agriculture.</li>
<li><strong>Urbanization:</strong> Rates of urbanization influence <strong>rural-urban wage</strong> differences and an increase in the demand for labor in urban areas can push up urban wages and <strong>increase migration.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Facts and Figures</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Constitution of India (Article 19)</strong> gives the right to all citizens &ldquo;to move freely throughout the territory of India and to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India.</li>
<li>As per <strong>Census 2011,</strong> 45 million Indians moved outside their district of birth for economic opportunities (be it employment or business).</li>
<li>In India, <strong>internal migration</strong> (fueled by an increasing rate of urbanization and rural-urban wage difference) is far <strong>greater than an external migration.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India's urban population is expected to grow from 410 million in 2014 to <strong>814 million by 2050.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Instead of long term migration, there is a huge flow of short term migrants in the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>External Migration</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>External migration in India can broadly be classified as:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Emigration</strong> from India to various parts of the world.</li>
<li><strong>Immigration</strong> of people from different countries to India.</li>
<li><strong>Refugee Migration:</strong> There had also been a significant trend of an involuntary or forced immigration to India in the form of refugees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="list-style-type: none;"></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184569_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184569_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="420" height="238" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Migration and Global action</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2016 the United Nations General Assembly convened a high-level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and prepared the report<strong> &ldquo;Safety and Dignity: Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>United Nations member states adopted the <strong>New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants,</strong> which commits to protect the safety, dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants, regardless of their migratory status.</li>
<li>As a result of the New York Declaration, UN Member States agreed to cooperate in the elaboration of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-compact-on-migration" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration,</strong></a> adopted at an intergovernmental conference on international migration in December 2018 in Morocco.</li>
<li>Every year, 8<sup>th</sup> December is celebrated as<strong> International Migrants Day.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Causes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Employment:</strong> Basic reasons for intrastate, interstate (migration from rural to urban areas, urban to urban areas) and external migration can be attributed to the search for better employment in industries, trade, transport, and services.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Seasonal Migration:</strong> People seasonally migrate for employment in different areas and different industries. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, significant numbers of people from drought-prone regions migrate seasonally to work in brickmaking, construction, tile factories, and agricultural work.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Circular Migration or Repeat Migration</strong> is the temporary and usually repetitive movement of a migrant worker between home and host areas, typically for the purpose of employment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Education:</strong> Due to the lack of educational facilities at their place of residence, people migrate to urban areas in case of internal migration and other countries in the case of international migration for better academic opportunities. By 2020, India will become the world&rsquo;s largest pool of young people, in contrast, there is a lack of opportunities for employment in India, this leads to the emigration of qualified people.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of security:</strong> Political disturbances and inter-ethnic conflicts are also one of the reasons for internal and external migration.There can also be forced displacement due to reasons like wars, and internal political instability.</li>
<li><strong>Marriage:</strong> Marriage is one important social factor for internal migration and in case of intra-state migrants majority of the migration is from one rural area to another, due to marriage in the case of females.</li>
<li><strong>Environmental and Disaster-Induced Factors:</strong> There are migrants who are forced to move from rural to urban areas or from one country to another as a result of an environmental disaster in the form of drought, floods, heatwaves etc, that might have destroyed their homes and farms.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Positive Impact</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Labour Demand and Supply:</strong> Migration fills gaps in demand for and supply of labor, efficiently allocates skilled labor, unskilled labor, and cheap labor.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Remittances:</strong> Economic well being of migrants provides insurance against risks to households in the areas of origin, increases consumer expenditure and investment in health, education and assets formation.</li>
<li><strong>Skill Development:</strong> Migration enhances the knowledge and skills of migrants through exposure and interaction with the outside world.</li>
<li><strong>Quality of Life:</strong> Migration, enhances chances of employment and economic prosperity which in turn improves quality of life. The migrants also send extra income and remittance back home, thereby positively impacting their native place.</li>
<li><strong>Social Remittances:</strong> Migration helps to improve the social life of migrants, as they learn about new cultures, customs, and languages which helps to improve brotherhood among people and ensures greater equality and tolerance.</li>
<li><strong>Food and Nutrition Security:</strong> According to the 2018 State of Food and Agriculture report by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), outmigration often leads to improved food and nutrition security for migrants.</li>
<li><strong>Demographic Advantage:</strong> As a result of outmigration, the population density of the place of origin is reduced and the birth rate decreases.</li>
<li><strong>Climate Change Adaptive Mechanism:</strong> Migration has also emerged as a possible adaptive mechanism in the context of climate change and the occurrence of extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and cyclones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Migrants and the SDGs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>2030 Agenda</strong> (with core principle to <strong>"leave no one behind,"</strong> including migrants) for Sustainable Development recognizes for the first time the contribution of migration to <strong>sustainable development.</strong></li>
<li>11 out of the 17 <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals</strong></a> (SDGs) contain targets and indicators that are relevant to migration or mobility.</li>
<li>The SDGs&rsquo; central reference to migration is made in <strong>target 10.7,</strong> to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Negative Impact</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Demographic Profile:</strong> Emigration in large numbers can alter demographic profiles of communities, as most of the young men move out, leaving only the women and elderly to work on the land.</li>
<li><strong>Political Exclusion:</strong> Migrant workers are deprived of many opportunities to exercise their political rights like the right to vote.</li>
<li><strong>Population Explosion and the Influx</strong> of workers in the place of destination increases competition for the job, houses, school facilities etc and a large population puts too much pressure on natural resources, amenities, and services.</li>
<li><strong>Illiterate and Underskilled Migrants</strong> are not only unfit for most jobs, because of a lack of basic knowledge and life skills but are also prone to the victimization of <strong>exploitation, trafficking, psychological abuse,</strong> and gender-based violence in the case of female migrants.</li>
<li><strong>Increased Slum:</strong> Mass Migration results into an increase in slum areas, compromising quality of infrastructure and life at the destination, which further translates into many other problems such as unhygienic conditions, crime, pollution, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Brain Drain:</strong> Source state suffers from the loss of human capital.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inclusion and Integration of Migrants:</strong> Internal migration is not viewed positively in India and policies are often aimed at reducing internal migration, as a result, there is a <strong>lack of integration of migration</strong> with the process of development.</li>
<li><strong>Psychological and Emotional Stress:</strong> Any person migrating to a new country faces multiple challenges, from <strong>cultural adaptation</strong> and <strong>language barriers</strong> to <strong>homesickness</strong> and <strong>loneliness.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Employment challenges:</strong> Foreign labor migrants often face unacceptable treatment from their employers. For instance, some labor migrants are paid below their contract wage and may be forced to work long hours and denied regular time off. Systems like reservation of jobs in many states and countries for the locals(visa barriers in US, Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Nitaqat law) pose as the main hurdle.</li>
<li><strong>Contract Wage System:</strong> The problems faced by migrants in destination countries range from contract violation, non-payment of salary, long working hours, and poor working conditions.</li>
<li><strong>Health Hazards:</strong> The poor and harsh living conditions coupled with difficult and risky working conditions, lack of information, and lack of medical health support also leads to several health problems of the migrants.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Information:</strong> In spite of the challenges and problems faced by the migrants in the destination countries, low tendency to seek assistance from the diplomatic missions in the destination countries were also observed due to lack of knowledge, information about the role of diplomatic missions, trust and effectiveness to enhance access to justice.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For internal migrants also there is the <strong>Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act (1979),</strong> enacted to prevent migrant workers from being exploited, but it is rarely invoked and the penalty is minimal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exclusion from social benefits:</strong> The need to provide proof of address, ration cards, Voter IDs and Aadhaar cards, which is difficult due to the fluidity of their lives, deprive them from accessing welfare schemes and policies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Human Development Report</strong> by United Nation Development Programme (2009) highlights that migration is integral to the process of human development and it plays a very important role in achieving sustainable development goals, thereby preventing migration could even be counterproductive.</li>
<li><strong>The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization</strong> has highlighted that the policies and programs facilitating the integration of migrants at the destination remain weak at best or non-existent and suggested the inclusion and integration of migrants in development. <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184649_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570184649_image4.jpg" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="270" height="272" /></a></li>
<li>Hence India needs to formulate migration centric <strong>policies, strategies, and institutional mechanisms</strong> in order to ensure inclusive growth and development and reduce <strong>distress induced migration,</strong> thereby increasing India&rsquo;s prospects for poverty reduction and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.</li>
<li>The government at Centre needs to provide amenities and social securities for the migrant population which is riddled with the issues of inadequate housing; low-paid, insecure or hazardous work; extreme vulnerability of women and children to trafficking and sex exploitation etc. For instance, schemes like <strong>Kerala government&rsquo;s</strong> Aawaz health insurance scheme, <strong>Apna Ghar project</strong> -accommodation for migrant workers, Portable Rights- ensures the basic rights to workers in their respective home state, even as they labour in other states.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/mind-map/gs-paper1/human-migration-in-india-mind-map" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>For Mind Map</em></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper1/human-migration-in-india'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => '15 Point Directive to Clean Ganga',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The <strong>National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)</strong> recently has issued a <strong>15-point directive</strong> to the <strong>11-Ganga basin states</strong> to prevent idol immersion into river Ganga and its tributaries and on their banks, including cordoning off the ghats.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the directive, a fine of Rs. 50,000 would be imposed if immersion of idols took place in the Ganga or its tributaries during festivals, including Dussehra, Diwali, Chhath and Saraswati Puja.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to NMCG officials, the large-scale immersion of idols and puja material in the Ganga and its tributaries during festive occasions led to an <strong>alarming rise in pollutants</strong> in the river.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The directive has been sent to officials of these 11 states namely- Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Chief Secretaries of these 11 states have also been asked to submit an <strong>action taken report</strong> within <strong>seven days</strong> from the end of each festival.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These directives were issued by NMCG under<strong> Section-5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Initiatives to Clean Ganga</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ganga is a <strong>trans-boundary river</strong> of Asia which flows through India and Bangladesh. It is the<strong> longest river in India</strong> and is a lifeline to millions of people who live along its course.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570178335_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1570178335_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="611" height="459" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Causes of Ganga Pollution:</strong> The main causes of water pollution in the river Ganga are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Industrial</strong> waste (dumping of various harmful &amp; untreated industrial waste into the river),</li>
<li><strong>Human</strong> waste (human activities such as bathing, washing clothes, etc.),</li>
<li><strong>Religious</strong> waste (religious bath, cremation near the ghats, idol immersion, etc.)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Initiatives to Prevent Ganga Pollution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ganga Action Plan:</strong> It was the <strong>first River Action Plan</strong> that was taken up by the Ministry of Environment &amp; Forests in 1985, to improve the water quality by the interception, diversion, and treatment of domestic sewage. It also aimed to prevent toxic and industrial chemical wastes (from identified polluting units) from entering the river.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>National River Conservation Plan</strong> was an extension to the Ganga Action Plan, so as to <strong>cover all the major rivers</strong> of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA)&rsquo;</strong> was formed by the Central Government of India in the year <strong>2009</strong> under <strong>Section-3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.</strong> It is <strong>chaired by the Prime Minister</strong> of India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It declared the Ganga as the<strong> &lsquo;National River&rsquo;</strong> of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In<strong> 2010, &lsquo;Government clean-up campaign&rsquo;</strong> was started to ensure that by 2020 no untreated municipal sewage or industrial runoff enters river.</li>
<li>In <strong>2014, &lsquo;Namami Gange Programme&rsquo;</strong> was launched as an <strong>Integrated Conservation Mission,</strong> to accomplish the <strong>twin objectives</strong> of effective abatement of pollution, conservation, and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The program is being <strong>implemented</strong> by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterpart organization viz., State Program Management Groups (SPMGs).</li>
<li>It is the flagship programme of the Union Government with a budget outlay of Rs. 20,000 crore.</li>
<li>The main pillars of the programme are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure &amp; Industrial Effluent Monitoring,</li>
<li>River-Front Development &amp; River-Surface Cleaning,</li>
<li>Bio-Diversity &amp; Afforestation,</li>
<li>Public Awareness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the implementation wing of the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management of River Ganga also known as <strong>National Ganga Council</strong> (set in 2016; which replaced the <strong>NRGBA</strong>).</li>
<li>NMCG was established in the year 2011 as a <strong>registered society.</strong></li>
<li>It has a <strong>two-tier</strong> management structure and comprises of <strong>Governing Council and Executive Committee.</strong></li>
<li>The aims and objectives of NMCG are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To ensure effective control of pollution and rejuvenation of the river Ganga by adopting a river basin approach to promote inter-sectoral coordination for comprehensive planning and management.</li>
<li>To maintain minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga with the aim of ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ganga Manthan-</strong> It was a <strong>national conference</strong> that was held in 2014 to discuss issues and possible solutions for cleaning the river. The event was organized by the <strong>National Mission for Clean Ganga.</strong></li>
<li>In 2014, <strong>Clean Ganga Fund</strong> was also formed for<strong> cleaning</strong> up of the Ganga,<strong> setting</strong> up of waste treatment plants,<strong> conservation</strong> of biotic diversity of the river, and <strong>development</strong> of public amenities (activities such as Ghat redevelopment, and Research and Development and innovative projects). This fund will also be used to finance National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).</li>
<li>In 2017, the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Green Tribunal</a> </strong>banned the disposal of any waste in the Ganga.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Suitable alternative arrangements for idol immersion must be made in an environmental-friendly manner in order <strong>to preserve and conserve</strong> both the religious beliefs &amp; sentiments and the environment.</li>
<li>The concerned authorities must ensure effective monitoring and strict enforcement of the enacted rules and regulations.</li>
<li>Even though the government has claimed that significant progress has been made, the data from the <strong>Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)</strong> from earlier this year (2019) stated that water from <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-properties-of-river-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener">River Ganga at several stretches is still unfit</a></strong> for direct drinking and bathing. So proper auditing and reporting must be done to take relevant actions.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rs-50000-fine-for-idol-immersion-in-ganga-its-tributaries-centre-6049652/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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