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Working Group on Core Investment Companies

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted a working group to review the regulatory guidelines and supervisory framework applicable for Core...

04 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Total Solar Eclipse 2019

A Total Solar Eclipse was witnessed in the region of the South Pacific and parts of South America (Mainly Chile and Argentina) This was the only...

04 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Ascent Abort Test-2

NASA has carried out a successful test of a Launch-Abort System (LAS) for the Orion capsule designed to take U.S. astronauts to the Moon. The test...

04 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme

The Department of Commerce, under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has approved financial assistance for three trade promotion centres...

04 Jul 2019 News Analysis
In Depth – India’s Health Index

In 2017, NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the World Bank and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, developed the first comprehensive State...

04 Jul 2019 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Russia: An all-weather defence partner

This article is based on the editorial “Russia: An all-weather defence partner” that appeared in the Hindu Business Line on 3 July 2019....

03 Jul 2019 News Editorials
Anti Locust Fight

The officials from India and Pakistan are closely working together to prevent the movement of locusts and save crops in bordering districts. Both...

03 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Suicides in India

According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)’s ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India’ report for 2015, there were 1,336,623...

03 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Heat Stress and Labour Productivity: ILO Report

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) in its report ‘Working on a Warmer Planet: The Impact of Heat Stress on Labour Productivity and...

03 Jul 2019 News Analysis
National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)

The six himalayan glaciers, monitored by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), have been retreating in the range of 13 to 33...

03 Jul 2019 News Analysis
El-Nino Threatens Monsoon

According to the India Meteorological Department, the deficiency in rainfall in June was 33%. With the El-Nino phenomenon being observed since the...

03 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Non-Communicable Diseases in India

According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report titled “India: Health of the Nation’s States”, contribution of...

03 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Credit Cards for Fishermen

Recently the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying announced the extension of the facility of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to...

03 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Tamil Yeoman

Tamil Nadu has declared the Tamil Yeoman butterfly species (endemic to western ghats) as the state butterfly. Tamil Yeoman (Cirrochroa thais) is...

03 Jul 2019 News Analysis
Food Processing in India

Why In News? With farm distress making headlines, the state government of Tamil Nadu unveiled its own food processing policy keeping an eye on...

03 Jul 2019 Paper 3
Importance of Africa in Indo-Pacific Strategy

This article is based on “Reimagining India and Africa” that appeared in Indian Express on 2 July 2019. It talks about the need for...

02 Jul 2019 News Editorials
NASA’s Punch Mission

Dipankar Banerjee, a solar physicist from Indian Institute of Astrophysics is a co-investigator of NASA's PUNCH mission. PUNCH, which stands for...

02 Jul 2019 News Analysis
INS Viraat to be Scrapped

The Union Ministry of Defence has decided to scrap INS Virat after consultation with Indian Navy. The Navy has been incurring expenditure on its...

02 Jul 2019 News Analysis
European Heatwave

France has recorded the hottest temperature of 45.9°C amid European heatwaves. The heatwave in Europe has caused flash floods and forest...

02 Jul 2019 News Analysis
One Nation One Ration Card Scheme

Recently the Food Minister announced One Nation One Ration Card Scheme, which all states needs to implement by July 2020. One Nation One Ration...

02 Jul 2019 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Working Group on Core Investment Companies',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted a working group to review the regulatory guidelines and supervisory framework applicable for Core Investment Companies (CIC).</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In August 2010, the Reserve Bank had introduced a separate framework for the regulation of systemically important Core Investment Companies (CICs).</li>
<li>This was done because of the differences in the business model of a holding company relative to other non-banking financial companies.</li>
<li>Over the years, corporate group structures have become more complex involving multiple layering and leveraging, which has led to greater inter-connectedness with the financial system through their access to public funds.</li>
<li>Further, in light of recent developments, there is a need to strengthen the corporate governance framework of CICs.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Terms of Reference</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Terms of Reference of the Working Group are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To examine the current regulatory framework for CICs in terms of adequacy, efficacy and effectiveness of every component thereof and suggest changes therein.</li>
<li>To assess the appropriateness of and suggest changes to the current approach of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reserve Bank of India</a> towards registration of CICs including the practice of multiple CICs being allowed within a group.</li>
<li>To suggest measures to strengthen <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mechanism-to-prevent-insider-trading-t-k-viswanathan-committee-kotak-panel-recommendations-sebi-gs-ias-upsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">corporate governance</a> and disclosure requirements for CICs.</li>
<li>To assess the adequacy of supervisory returns submitted by CICs and suggest changes therein.</li>
<li>To suggest appropriate measures to enhance RBI&rsquo;s off-site surveillance and on-site supervision over CICs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The working group, headed by Tapan Ray, shall submit its report by October 31, 2019.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Core Investment Company</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Core Investment Companies (CICs) are a specialized <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/shadow-banking-and-the-crisis-in-the-indian-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)</a>.</li>
<li>They have asset size of Rs 100 crore and above.</li>
<li>Their main business is acquisition of shares and securities with certain conditions.</li>
<li>It holds not less than 90% of its net assets in the form of investment in equity shares, preference shares, bonds, debentures, debt or loans in group companies.</li>
<li>Its investments in the equity shares (including instruments compulsorily convertible into equity shares within a period not exceeding 10 years from the date of issue) in group companies constitutes not less than 60% of its net assets as mentioned in clause (iii) above.</li>
<li>It does not trade in its investments in shares, bonds, debentures, debt or loans in <strong>group companies</strong> except through block sale for the purpose of dilution or disinvestment.</li>
<li>It does not carry on any other financial activity referred to in RBI Act, 1934 except investment in bank deposits, money market instruments, government securities, loans to and investments in debt issuances of group companies or guarantees issued on behalf of <strong>group companies.</strong></li>
<li>It accepts public funds.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Group Companies</strong></p>
<p>Group companies are an arrangement involving two or more entities related to each other through any of the following relationships, viz.,Subsidiary, Joint venture, Associate, Promoter-promotee for listed companies, a related party, Common brand name, and investment in equity shares of 20% and above.</p>
</div>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Total Solar Eclipse 2019',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>A Total Solar Eclipse was witnessed in the region of the South Pacific and parts of South America (Mainly Chile and Argentina)</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This was the only Total Solar Eclipse of 2019.</li>
<li>The astonishing thing about this Total eclipse was that it was viewed from the world&rsquo;s clearest skies (Atacama desert).</li>
<li>The Total Solar Eclipse was not visible in India,</li>
</ul>
<h3>Solar and Lunar Eclipse</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Eclipses are divided into two major types: Solar and Lunar. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Solar eclipses</strong> occur when the Sun, Moon and earth all fall in the same line so that the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, leaving a moving region of shadow on Earth&rsquo;s surface.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/928image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/928image4.jpg" width="487" height="211" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Lunar eclipses</strong> occur when the Sun, Moon and earth all fall in the same line and Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/629image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/629image2.jpg" width="543" height="325" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Eclipses may be classified into 4 types i.e. Annular, Total, Partial and Hybrid</li>
<li>The type of eclipse we experience depends on the type of shadow that is involved.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both the Moon and Earth cast 3 shadows: umbra, penumbra, and an antumbra.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/882image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/882image5.jpg" width="316" height="172" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The umbra is a shadow's dark core: It means If you are standing within the umbra, you will not be able to see any part of the light source as the object blocks all direct light rays.</li>
<li>The penumbra is a half-shadow that occurs when a light source is only partly covered by an object</li>
<li>Antumbra &ndash; the lighter part of the shadow that begins where the umbra ends.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In Total or annular solar eclipse:</strong> The Moon completely covers the Sun completely but whether an eclipse is total or annular depends on the distance between these three objects(Sun, Moon and Earth)<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earth travels in an elliptical orbit around the Sun, and the Moon travels in an elliptical orbit around Earth, so the distance between these celestial bodies changes.</li>
<li><strong>Annular solar eclipse:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/195image8.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/195image8.jpg" width="144" height="210" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When the Sun is nearest to Earth and the Moon is at or near its greatest distance, the Moon appears smaller than the Sun in the sky. When an eclipse of the Sun happens in this situation, the Moon will not appear large enough to cover the disk of the Sun completely, and a rim or ring of light will remain visible in the sky.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Total solar eclipse:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Total solar eclipses occur when the New Moon comes between the Sun and Earth and casts the darkest part of its shadow, the umbra, on Earth. A full solar eclipse, known as totality, is almost as dark as night.</li>
<li>During a total eclipse of the Sun, the Moon covers the entire disk of the Sun. In partial and annular solar eclipses, the Moon blocks only part of the Sun.</li>
<li>When Moon completely covers the disk of the Sun, only the Sun's corona is visible.</li>
<li>It is called Total eclipse because at the maximum point of the eclipse( midpoint of time of totality), the sky goes dark and temperatures can fall.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/708image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/708image3.jpg" width="256" height="144" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>The reason why solar eclipses are so rare is that the Moon's umbra rarely hits the Earth's surface. Even during a total solar eclipse, the umbra only covers a small area on earth(path of totality)</li>
<li>That's why viewing a solar eclipse often depends upon where the viewer observes the event. A partial eclipse may be seen by viewers who stand outside of the region of shadow created by the umbra&mdash;the path of totality&mdash;but who remain within the large region of shadow covered by the penumbra, a region of lesser shadow where some light still penetrates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hybrid Eclipse :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A hybrid eclipse is a rare type of solar eclipse that changes its appearance as the Moon's shadow moves across the Earth's surface.</li>
<li>A hybrid eclipse is a type of solar eclipse that looks like an annular solar eclipse or a total solar eclipse, depending on the observer's location along the central eclipse path.</li>
<li>During a hybrid solar eclipse, the Earth's curvature brings some sections of the eclipse path into the Moon's umbra, the darkest part of its shadow that creates total solar eclipses, while other areas remain outside the umbra's reach, causing an annular eclipse.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both solar and lunar eclipses may also occur as <strong>Partial Eclipses.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A partial eclipse of the Sun also results when the Moon&rsquo;s penumbra falls on Earth but its umbra does not.</li>
<li>A partial eclipse of the Moon occurs when the Moon passes through only part of Earth&rsquo;s umbra or only its penumbra.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Moon does experience total eclipses. If the eclipse is a total lunar eclipse, the Moon will pass through the umbra (area of total shadow) created by Earth over the course of about two hours.</li>
<li><strong>There are no Annular lunar eclipse because the Earth is much bigger than the Moon, and its shadow will never be small enough to leave a ring.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Since Moon is much smaller than Earth, there is no path of totality in a lunar eclipse. The eclipse will be visible to any observer on the night side of Earth when the eclipse occurs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>During lunar eclipse, Moon does not typically go completely dark; it often takes on a red color, because the redder parts of sunlight that penetrate Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere are refracted into the umbra, and this light reaches the Moon.</strong></li>
</ul>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Ascent Abort Test-2',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>NASA has carried out a successful test of a <strong>Launch-Abort System (LAS)</strong> for the <strong>Orion capsule</strong> designed to take U.S. astronauts to the Moon.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The test of the Orion&rsquo;s LAS is also called the <strong>Ascent Abort Test-2 (AA-2).<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/880image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/880image1.jpg" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="249" height="640" /></a></strong></li>
<li>The <strong>aim</strong> was to test in almost real-life conditions the evacuation of astronauts from the capsule in the event of an explosion or rocket booster failure.</li>
<li>The test is a milestone in NASA's <strong>preparation for Artemis missions</strong> to the Moon that will ultimately lead to astronaut missions to Mars.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Artemis program</strong> will send the <strong>first woman and the next man to the Moon by the year 2024</strong> and develop a sustainable human presence on the Moon by the year 2028.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Orion Capsule</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The safest spacecraft ever built, Orion, will <strong>execute the Artemis program.</strong></li>
<li>An integral part of ensuring safe spaceflight is Orion&rsquo;s Launch Abort System, or LAS. This<strong> state-of-the-art crew escape system</strong> is attached to the top of the spacecraft and can propel the crew module away from the rocket within milliseconds should a life-threatening event arise during launch.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Demonstration by the test</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the test, an unmanned Orion capsule was launched by a mini-rocket.</li>
<li>Fifty-five seconds after the launch, at an altitude of 9,500 m, a rocket-powered tower on top of the crew module ignited its engines to quickly <strong>pull the Orion away from a hypothetical rocket experiencing problems.</strong></li>
<li>In just 15 seconds, the capsule gained two miles of altitude. Then the tower reoriented the capsule to prepare it for descent and disengagement from the tower, finally <strong>the crew module fell into the Atlantic Ocean.</strong></li>
<li>In real-life conditions, parachutes would also open to ease the manned capsule's fall toward the Atlantic Ocean.</li>
</ul>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ascent-abort-test-2'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Department of Commerce, under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has approved financial assistance for three trade promotion centres under the TIES.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The following are the approved projects with their implementing agencies:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Establishment of <strong>Main Exhibition Building (Phase-II)</strong> at Trade cum Permanent Exhibition Centre at Imphal, Manipur <strong>by Manipur Industrial Development Corporation (MANIDCO).</strong></li>
<li>Expansion of <strong>Chennai Trade Centre</strong> by Tamil Nadu Trade Promotion Organisation</li>
<li>Establishment of <strong>Trade Promotion Centre at Minto Hall,</strong> Bhopal <strong>by M.P. State Tourism Development Corporation</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) in March, 2017.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After delinking of the Assistance to States for Development of Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) Scheme in 2015, the State Governments had been consistently requesting the support of the Centre in creation of export infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/222image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/222image6.jpg" width="585" height="431" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The scheme would provide assistance for setting up and up-gradation of infrastructure projects with overwhelming export linkages like the Border Haats, Land customs stations, quality testing and certification labs, cold chains, trade promotion centres, dry ports, export warehousing and packaging, SEZs and ports/airports cargo terminuses.</li>
<li>The Central and State Agencies, including Export Promotion Councils, Commodities Boards, SEZ Authorities and Apex Trade Bodies recognised under the EXIM policy of Government of India; are eligible for financial support under this scheme.</li>
<li>The proposals of the implementing agencies for funding will be considered by an inter ministerial Empowered Committee.</li>
<li>An Empowered Committee has to periodically review the progress of the approved projects in the Scheme and will take necessary steps to ensure achievement of the objectives of the Scheme.</li>
<li>The Central Government funding will be in the form of grant-in-aid, normally not more than the equity being put in by the implementing agency or 50% of the total equity in the project. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In case of projects located in North Eastern States and Himalayan States including J&amp;K, this grant can be up to 80% of the total equity.</li>
<li>The grant in aid shall, normally, be subject to a ceiling of Rs 20 Cr for each infrastructure project.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In June, 2018, the Commerce Ministry approved 16 projects for export infrastructure under TIES
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The implementing agencies of these projects included Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd; Visvesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre, Bengaluru; Cochin SEZ; Airport Authority of India, Coffee Board, Exports Inspection Council and Andhra Pradesh Med Tech Zone (AMTZ).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/trade-infrastructure-for-export-scheme'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'In Depth – India’s Health Index',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wVSW400nxpQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>In <strong>2017,</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI Aayog</strong></a>, in collaboration with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and the <strong>Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,</strong> developed the first comprehensive State <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/niti-aayog-s-health-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Health Index</strong></a> in India. The first edition of <strong>&ldquo;Healthy States, Progressive India - Report on the Ranks of States and Union Territories&rdquo;,</strong> was released in<strong> February, 2018.</strong> It was the first attempt to establish an annual systematic tool to measure the heterogeneity of the nation&rsquo;s performance in the health sector. The index was launched with the hope <strong>to promote a cooperative and competitive spirit among the states and UTs.</strong></p>
<p><strong>The second edition,</strong> released on <strong>June 25, 2019,</strong> focuses on measuring the overall performance and incremental <strong>improvement over a two year period (2016-17 and 2017-18)</strong> in all states and union territories. The <strong>base year taken is 2015-16.</strong> For the second time in a row, Kerala has emerged as the top ranking state in overall health performance, while Uttar Pradesh was the worst-performing state.</p>
<h3>NITI Aayog Health Index 2018</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The indicators, methodology and categorisation of states and union territories in the health index 2018 were broadly <strong>consistent with the year 2017</strong> edition with a total of <strong>23 indicators</strong> grouped into the domains of <strong>health outcomes, governance and information and key inputs and processes.</strong></li>
<li>There were many indicators like birthweight of the child at the time of birth, sex ratio, accredition of healthcare facilities, infectious diseases like tuberculosis being controlled as per the government norms etc.</li>
<li>The states were <strong>ranked in two ways:</strong> on the <strong>overall</strong> or historical <strong>performance</strong> and on the <strong>incremental performance.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How is it different?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Health Index is an attempt by NITI Aayog to bring the <strong>focus on outcomes such as lower mortality and fertility rates.</strong> Generally, the practice is to look at the quantum of budget and the amount that has been spent and also some kinds of infrastructure like clinics, Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), district hospitals etc.</li>
<li>It is also a tool for assessing <strong>India&rsquo;s readiness on achieving the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SDG goals</a></strong></li>
<li>It also sets up incentives for the states that if they perform well on the health system measurements, more funds will be allocated to them. The Index has been linked to incentives under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Health Mission.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>2018 Rankings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>States and union territories, on the basis of population, have been ranked in three categories: Larger states, Smaller states and Union territories, to ensure comparison among similar entities.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Larger States</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Among the larger states, <strong>Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra</strong> are ranked on<strong> top</strong> in <strong>overall performance.</strong></li>
<li>Gujarat, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.</li>
<li>Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha were among the worst performing states.</li>
<li>In terms of annual <strong>incremental performance, Haryana, Rajasthan and Jharkhand</strong> are the <strong>top</strong> three states.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These states also show the <strong>maximum gains in improvement of health outcomes from base to reference year</strong> in indicators such as neonatal mortality rate (NMR), under-five mortality rate (U5MR), the proportion of low birth weight among newborns, proportion of community health centres and public health centres with quality accreditation certificates, full immunization coverage, institutional deliveries, and proportion of specialist positions vacant at district hospitals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Smaller States</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Among the smaller states, <strong>Mizoram ranked first</strong> followed by Manipur on overall performance. <strong>Tripura</strong> followed by Manipur were the top two states in terms of annual <strong>incremental performance.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Manipur registered maximum incremental progress on indicators such as full immunization coverage, institutional deliveries and total case notification rate of tuberculosis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Sikkim and Arunchal Pradesh had the biggest decrease in overall health index scores among the smaller states.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Union Territories</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Among the UTs, <strong>Chandigarh</strong> followed by <strong>Dadra and Nagar Haveli</strong> occupied the<strong> top two</strong> positions in terms of overall performance as well as annual incremental performance.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Other Findings</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report highlighted a <strong>decline</strong> in the overall health index score of the <strong>five empowered action group (EAG)</strong> states of <strong>Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha</strong> because of deterioration in various parameters.</li>
<li>The report points out that there was a general <strong>positive correlation between the heath index scores and the economic development levels</strong> of states and union territories as measured by per capita net state domestic product.</li>
<li>The report also notes that overall there is a room for improvement in all states even among the best.</li>
<li>Many states have also made good progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals included in the index.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>HAQ Index</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When it comes to world rankings, <strong>India was ranked 145<sup>th</sup></strong> among 195 countries on Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) index in 2016.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The index is based on 32 causes of death considered preventable with effective medical care.</li>
<li>It assigns a 0-100 score to each of the 195 countries and territories assessed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The comprehensive index released by Global Burden of Disease, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says that despite such low rankings, India has seen <strong>improvement in HAQ since the year 1990.</strong> India&rsquo;s HAQ score 41.2 has improved from 24.7 score in the year 1990.</li>
<li>Despite the16.5-point improvement in 26 years, India&rsquo;s score is well <strong>below the global average of 54.4.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India lags way behind its <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/brics-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BRICS</a> peers</strong> Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa on the HAQ index.</li>
<li>India, however, matches China in the <strong>disparity in healthcare access and quality between states.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Within India, the <strong>best performers Kerala and Goa</strong> scored more than 60 points on the HAQ index in the year 2016.</li>
<li>Other top performers in order of rank are Delhi (56.2), Himachal Pradesh (51.7) and the union territories other than Delhi (56.2).</li>
<li>The <strong>worst performers were</strong> Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, Bihar (37), Odisha (36.3), Uttar Pradesh (34.9) and Assam (34).</li>
<li>This gap between the highest and lowest scores increased from a 23.4 point difference in the year 1990 to a 30.8 difference in the year 2016.</li>
<li>The study said that these <strong>regional differences in India could be due to</strong> multiple reasons such as large variations in physical access to health facilities, the state of health infrastructure, the level and scale-up of medical technologies, and the provision of effective services across the spectrum of care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the index, India ranks worse than Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan among its neighbours but better than Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s rank is also worse than that of many poorer countries in Sub-Saharan Africa such as Sudan (136), Equatorial Guinea (129), Botswana (122) and Namibia (137).</li>
<li>The study found that, generally, <strong>countries that spend more on health per capita</strong> and had better health systems <strong>scored higher on the HAQ</strong> index. According to a report by the Journal IndiaSpend, <strong>India spends just 1.4% of its GDP on health.</strong> The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a> recommends that countries should spend 4-5% of their GDP on health to achieve <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/universal-health-coverage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>universal healthcare.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Healthcare System</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The healthcare delivery system is categorised into two major components: <strong>public and private.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The public healthcare system</strong> is made up of <strong>secondary and tertiary care institutions</strong> in key cities and provides basic healthcare facilities in the form of <strong>Primary Healthcare Centres</strong> in rural areas.</li>
<li><strong>The private sector</strong> provides the majority of <strong>secondary, tertiary, quaternary care institutions</strong> with a major concentration in metros, Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing sectors and is expected to reach 280 billion by the year 2020.</li>
<li>India is also one of the leading destinations for high end diagnostics services with tremendous capital investment for advanced diagnostic facilities.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Healthcare Initiatives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is on course to attain sustainable development goal targets for maternal and child health, much ahead of the agreed date of 2030.</li>
<li>In 2014, the central government launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anaemia-in-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan</strong></a> as part of which doctors pledged a day of service per month to the campaign and 16 million ante-natal care check-ups were performed.</li>
<li>In August 2018, the Government approved <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ayushman Bharat</strong></a>-<strong>National Health Protection Mission</strong> contributed by both the center and the state government at a ratio of 60:40 for all States, 90:10 for hilly North Eastern States and 60:40 for Union Territories with legislature. It provides <strong>healthcare facilities to over 10 crore urban and rural poor families.</strong></li>
<li>On September 23, 2018, the government launched the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana</a> (PMJAY),</strong> a cashless health insurance cover of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year covering 500 million poor citizens.</li>
<li>The mission <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intensified-mission-indradhanush-best-practice-in-the-world-bmj" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indradhanush</strong></a> covers immunization. Under this, the government reached 32.8 million children and 8.4 million pregnant women in the last three years. The number of vaccines has been increased from 7 to 12.</li>
<li>To address <strong>malnutrition</strong> among children, the government launched <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/poshan-abhiyaan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>POSHAN Abhiyan</strong></a> and is also implementing <strong>Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram</strong> that has provided 800 million health check-ups and free referral treatment to 20 million children in the last 4 years.</li>
<li>The <strong>Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana</strong> is expected to benefit 50 million pregnant women and lactating mothers. The scheme enables direct benefit transfer to their bank accounts to compensate for wage loss, enable better nutrition and adequate rest before and after delivery.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-health-index'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Russia: An all-weather defence partner',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on the editorial<a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/russia-an-all-weather-defence-partner/article28263881.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Russia: An all-weather defence partner&rdquo;</strong> </a>that appeared in the Hindu Business Line on 3 July 2019. It highlights the importance of Russia in India&rsquo;s strategic interest.</p>
</div>
<p>In March 2019, India signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Russia to lease another of its <strong>Akula-Class attack nuclear submarines (SSN).</strong> The agreement has invited a serious reaction from the USA over India's defence relationship with Russia. Russia is in the middle of economic sanctions imposed of USA under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indias-balancing-with-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CAATSA</strong></a>, USA has also been critical about India-Russia <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indias-balancing-with-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>S-400 Triumf deal</strong></a>.</p>
<p>During the Cold War, Indo and US were referred to as estranged democracies or as described by David Malone: The blind man and the elephant trying to understand each other. But this strategic realignment by India should not be at the expense of neglect of Russia, as Russia is an all-weather defence partner of India.</p>
<h3>What is the importance of Russia for India?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>After the end of the cold war, it became imperative for India to look westwards and by the start of the 21st century, the USA and India turned into strategic partners.</li>
<li>But it can be said that the idea and inspiration for India did come from technological strides made by the US, however, its implementation was done with the help of Russia.</li>
<li>In early 1966, India&rsquo;s Atomic Energy establishment started a feasibility programme on naval nuclear propulsion. India approached the US for its quest to develop marine propulsion.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But the US disapproved India's plea due to its broader policy of nuclear non-proliferation and arms control, and the need to maintain a strategic balance in South Asia.</li>
<li>Also, the sanctions imposed on India after the 1974 nuclear test further deserted India of high-end technology exposure from the western countries</li>
<li>In this scenario, Russia agreed to help India&rsquo;s indigenous nuclear submarine programme. It also acquiesced to leasing India its first nuclear submarine.</li>
<li>India had leased an Akula-class SSBN from Moscow in 2012. Rechristened as Chakra in the Indian fleet, it will continue to serve the Indian Navy until the commissioning of the new Akula submarine, most likely by 2025.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The US only provides non-lethal defence technology(which can't be used in event of war against Pakistan) like C-130 Super Hercules, C-13 Globemaster, P-8i Poseidon etc, while Russia provides high-end technology like Brahmos supersonic missile, 5<sup>th</sup> generation fighter aircraft Pak Fa, S-400 anti-missile system.</li>
<li>While India has diversified its defence procurement from Russia to Israel, France, US etc but still India is dependent on Russia for spare parts as India's current defence infrastructure is heavily Russian dominated.</li>
<li>Though Russia is not a superpower like it used to be in Soviet-era but in current times Russia has resurged, with its engagement in Afghanistan, Syria it has outsmarted the west. In this scenario, Russia remains a formidable player in international relations.</li>
<li>Also, Russia's support for India is critical for UNSC reforms and support on Kashmir.</li>
<li>Further sanctions on Russia have led to tactical convergence between Russia and China. If India gives in to American pressure vis-a-vis Russia, it will further push the convergence between Russia and China which may be not in India's favour.</li>
<li>Also, an independent Russia is essential to keep Asia&rsquo;s geopolitics in balance, especially given the rise of China.</li>
<li>Russia's role is very critical for the success of the International North-south Corridor and India's access to Central Asia.</li>
<li>Russia has signalled that if India can exercise its sovereignty in the diversification of defence partners then Russia also has other options(engagement with Pakistan), which may not be in India's interest.</li>
<li>India can benefit from hi-tech cooperation with Russia in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, outer space and nanotechnology and energy sector and other areas of critical technology</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India must promote a mutually beneficial trilateral cooperation between Russia, China and India that could contribute towards the reduction of mistrust and suspicion between India and China.</li>
<li>India today is in a unique position where it has favourable relation with all great powers, India must leverage this position to help in building a peaceful world order.</li>
<li>India can also build upon and benefit from increase of trade between India and Russia.</li>
</ul>
<p>Russia&rsquo;s closeness with China and Pakistan is tactical, mainly induced due to western sanctions, whereas Russia-India partnership is strategic. Russia always saw India as balancer that's why Russia facilitated India's inclusion into SCO and formation of RIC doctrine.</p>
<p>But if India didn't take proactive measures vis a vis Russia, and if Russia and China convergence continues to grow. In this context Russia can't act as a balancer for India against China. So India must very carefully conduct its foreign policy which is based on a long term policy, as Russia and India friendship is a win-win situation for both.<br /><br /></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="border-color: #fca4a4;">
<td style="width: 561.111px; background-color: #f7f6c8;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><em><strong>Drishti Input</strong></em></span><br />Contemporary geopolitics presses the need for strategic convergence between India and the US, but it should not come at the expense of neglect of Russia by India. Comment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/russia-an-all-weather-defence-partner'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Anti Locust Fight',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The <strong>officials from India and Pakistan</strong> are closely working together to <strong>prevent the movement of locusts</strong> and save crops in bordering districts.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both the countries are also consistently sharing inputs, including satellite data, via Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) to counter and restrict the movement of locusts.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Food and Agricultural Organization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1945, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was created In Quebec City, Canada, by the first session of the newly created United Nations.</li>
<li>FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.</li>
<li>FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps developing countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Locust</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A locust is a large,<strong> mainly tropical grasshopper</strong> with strong powers of flight. They <strong>differ from ordinary grasshoppers</strong> in their ability to change behaviour (gregarize) and form swarms that can migrate over large distances.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/201image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/201image6.jpg" width="538" height="469" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Locusts are generally seen during the<strong> months of June and July</strong> as the insects are active from summer to the rainy season.</li>
<li><strong>Locusts have a high capacity to multiply, form groups, migrate over</strong> relatively large distances (they can fly up to 150 km per day) and, if good rains fall and ecological conditions become favourable, rapidly reproduce and increase some 20-fold in three months.</li>
<li><strong>Threat to Vegetation: </strong>Locust adults can eat their own weight every day, i.e. about two grams of fresh vegetation per day. A very <strong>small swarm eats as much in one day as about 35,000 people,</strong> posing a devastating threat to crops and food security.</li>
<li><strong>If infestations are not detected and controlled, devastating plagues can develop</strong> that often take several years and hundreds of millions of dollars to bring under control with severe consequences on food security and livelihoods.</li>
<li><strong>Locust Control measures</strong> include destroying egg masses laid by invading swarms, digging trenches to trap nymphs, using hopperdozers (wheeled screens that cause locusts to fall into troughs containing water and kerosene), using insecticidal baits, and applying insecticides to both swarms and breeding grounds from aircraft.</li>
<li><strong>FAO</strong> provides information on the general locust situation to the global community and gives <strong>timely warnings</strong> and <strong>forecasts</strong> to those countries in danger of invasion.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FAO raised alarm over the locust outbreak in northeast Africa and Saudi Arabia in February, 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Locusts in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Four species</strong> viz. Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria), Bombay Locust ( Nomadacris succincta) and Tree locust (Anacridium sp.) are found in India.</li>
<li>The existing series of locust swarms that have entered India via Pakistan had originated in Iran. Movement of locusts is facilitated by summer dusty winds, which flow from the Arabian Sea, taking along these creatures from Sindh in Pakistan to western Rajasthan.</li>
<li>These creatures have wreaked havoc in Pakistan but have not caused any damage on the Indian side.</li>
<li><strong>Locust Warning Organisation (LWO), Jodhpur</strong> is currently handling 13-16 swarms of locusts in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan. It is currently using a <strong>pesticide 'malathion'.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The last major locust outbreak that was reported in Rajasthan was in the year 1993.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Locust Warning Organization ( LWO)</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/239image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/239image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="492" height="328" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Locust Warning Organisation (LWO), Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage, <strong>Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers Welfare,</strong>&nbsp;is responsible for monitoring, survey and control of Desert Locust in Scheduled Desert Areas mainly in the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat.</li>
<li>Incursion of exotic locust swarms into India is prevented through organization of suitable control operation. LWO keeps itself abreast with the prevailing locust situation at National and International level through monthly Desert Locust Bulletins of FAO.</li>
<li>Its <strong>objectives</strong> include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To monitor, forewarn and control locust in Scheduled Desert Area (SDA) being International obligation and commitment.</li>
<li>To conduct research on locust and grasshoppers.</li>
<li>Liaison and coordination with National and International Organizations.</li>
<li>Human resource development through training and demonstration for staff of Locust Warning Organization (LWO), State officials, BSF personnel and Farmers.</li>
<li>To maintain control potential to combat locust emergency by organizing locust control campaign.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anti-locust-fight'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Suicides in India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>According to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ncrb-to-track-complaints-on-sexual-violence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)</strong></a>&rsquo;s &lsquo;Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India&rsquo; report for 2015, there were 1,336,623 suicides across the country that year.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/320image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/320image3.jpg" width="476" height="319" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Among all states, Maharashtra (16,970) had the highest number of suicides in 2015. <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/668image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/668image2.jpg" width="200" height="240" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is followed by Tamil Nadu (15,777).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In exception, Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, had the 11th highest suicide count (3,902).</li>
<li>Bihar, one of the country&rsquo;s most populous states, was another exception, with its count of 516 suicides lower than that of many smaller states.</li>
<li>As per report, one-third of the suicides in the country in 2015 were committed by young adults under age 30, and another one-third by people in the age group 30-45.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/suicides-in-india'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Heat Stress and Labour Productivity: ILO Report',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/100th-anniversary-of-ilo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The International Labour Organisation</strong></a> (ILO) in its report <strong>&lsquo;Working on a Warmer Planet: The Impact of Heat Stress on Labour Productivity and Decent Work&rsquo;</strong> revealed that rising <strong>heat stress</strong> due to <strong>climate change</strong> could lead to the loss of <strong>80 million</strong> jobs by <strong>2030</strong>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report makes its projections based on a global temperature rise of <strong>1.5&deg;Celsius</strong> by the end of the century.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Heat Stress</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It refers to <strong>heat in excess</strong> of what the body can tolerate without suffering physiological impairment.</li>
<li>It generally occurs at temperatures <strong>above 35&deg;C</strong>, in high <strong>humidity</strong>.</li>
<li>Excess heat during work is an <strong>occupational health risk</strong> as it restricts workers<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Physical functions</strong> and capabilities,</li>
<li>Work <strong>capacity</strong> and thus, <strong>productivity.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Extreme heat can cause heat-related illnesses, such as <strong>heat stroke</strong> and <strong>exhaustion,</strong> increase <strong>mortality</strong>, and exacerbate existing health conditions.</li>
<li>According to <strong>the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/strategy-against-the-threat-of-influenza" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organisation</a></strong> heat stress linked to climate change is likely to cause 38,000 extra <strong>deaths</strong> a year worldwide <strong>between 2030 and 2050.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Economic Loss: 2% of total working hours</strong> worldwide is projected to be lost (costing the global economy <strong>$2.4 trillion</strong>) every year, either because it is too hot to work or because workers have to work at a slower pace.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/468image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/468image5.jpg" width="518" height="309" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li><strong>Affected Sectors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Agricultural workers,</strong> especially women, who make up the bulk of the 940 million laborers in the sector will be most affected.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Agricultural sector is projected to account for<strong> 60%</strong> of global working hours lost due to heat stress by the year 2030.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Construction sector</strong> will also be severely impacted with an estimated <strong>19%</strong> of global working hours lost by 2030.</li>
<li>Other sectors like <strong>environmental goods and services,</strong> refuse collection, emergency, repair work, <strong>transport, tourism, sports</strong> and some form of <strong>industrial work</strong> will be worst affected by rising heat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Affected Regions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The regions losing the most working hours are expected to be <strong>southern Asia and western Africa,</strong> where approximately <strong>5%</strong> of working hours are expected to be lost in 2030.</li>
<li>According to ILO, India lost 4.3% of working hours in 1995 because of heat stress, and it is projected to lose <strong>5.8%</strong> of its <strong>working hours</strong> in <strong>2030,</strong> which corresponds to <strong>34 million jobs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Most of the impact in India will be felt in the <strong>agricultural sector</strong> and more <strong>working hours</strong> are expected to be lost in the <strong>construction sector</strong>, where heat stress affects both male and female workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Consequence:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It could lead to more <strong>inequality</strong> between low and high income countries and <strong>worsening working conditions</strong> for the most vulnerable.</li>
<li>Heat stress will affect <strong>millions of women</strong> who make up the majority of workers in subsistence agriculture, as well as men who dominate the construction industry.</li>
<li>The social consequences of heat stress may include <strong>increasing migration,</strong> as workers leave rural areas to look for better prospects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Design, finance and implement <strong>national policies</strong> to address heat stress risks and protect workers.</li>
<li>Adequate<strong> infrastructure</strong> and improved <strong>early warning systems</strong> for heat events, and improved implementation of<strong> international labour standards</strong> such as in the area of occupational safety and health to help design policies to tackle heat-related hazards.</li>
<li>Employers and workers are best placed to <strong>assess risks and take appropriate action</strong> at the <strong>workplace</strong> so that workers can cope with high temperatures and continue to do their jobs.</li>
<li><strong>Employers</strong> can provide <strong>drinking water,</strong> and <strong>training</strong> on recognizing and managing heat stress.</li>
<li><strong>Social dialogue</strong> can play a crucial role in reaching consensus on indoor and outdoor working methods, adapting working hours, dress codes and equipment, use of new<strong> technologies,</strong> shade and rest breaks.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/heat-stress-and-labour-productivity-ilo-report'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The <strong>six <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-melting-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">himalayan glaciers</a>,</strong> monitored by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), have been <strong>retreating</strong> in the range of <strong>13 to 33 millimetres per year.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Six glaciers i.e. Sutri Dhaka, Batal, Bara Shigri, Samudra Tapu, Gepang Gath and Kunzum, are monitored for mass, energy and hydrological balance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Debris of thickness above two centimetres have reduced the melting rates up to 70 %, whereas the debris cover of below two centimetres thickness has accelerated melting up to 10 % of the total melting.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The NCPOR has undertaken studies in the Western Himalaya in Chandra basin in Lahaul-Spiti (Himachal Pradesh) since 2013.</li>
<li>The NCPOR has also established a high altitude research station named 'Himansh' in <strong>Himalaya</strong> at 4,000 metres altitude at Sutri Dhaka.</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established as an autonomous Research and Development Institution of the Ministry of Earth Sciences on the 25<sup>th</sup> May 1998.</li>
<li>Earlier known as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-to-expand-polar-research-to-arctic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR)</strong></a>, NCPOR is India&rsquo;s <strong>premier R&amp;D institution</strong> responsible for the country&rsquo;s research activities in the Polar and Southern Ocean realms.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>nodal agency</strong> for planning, promotion, coordination and execution of the entire gamut of polar and southern ocean scientific research in the country as well as for the associated logistics activities.</li>
<li>Its responsibilities include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Management and upkeep of the <strong>Indian Antarctic Research Bases</strong> &ldquo;Maitri&rdquo; and &ldquo;Bharati&rdquo;, and the <strong>Indian Arctic base</strong> &ldquo;Himadri&rdquo;.</li>
<li>Management of the Ministry&rsquo;s research vessel <strong>ORV Sagar Kanya</strong> as well as the other research vessels chartered by the Ministry.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Ocean Research Vehicle (ORV) Sagar Kanya is a versatile ocean observing platform equipped with technologically advanced scientific equipment and related facilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Playing a facilitatory role in the scientific research activities being undertaken by several national institutions and organizations in Antarctica, the Arctic and in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean.</li>
<li>Playing a lead role in the geoscientific surveys of the country&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-begins-talks-to-regulate-the-high-seas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exclusive Economic Zone</strong></a> (EEZ) and its extended continental shelf beyond 200m, deep-sea drilling in the Arabian Sea basin through the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), exploration for ocean non-living resources such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iit-madras-team-produces-gas-hydrates" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gas hydrates</strong></a> and multi-metal sulphides in mid-ocean ridges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is <strong>located</strong> in the state of <strong>Goa.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>international marine research collaboration</strong> that explores Earth's history and dynamics using ocean-going research platforms to recover data recorded in seafloor sediments and rocks and to monitor subseafloor environments.</li>
<li>It is in <strong>Phase II</strong> (tenured <strong>2013-2023</strong>) of what was formerly known as the <strong>Integrated Ocean Drilling Program &ndash; Phase I.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Phase I</strong> which was envisioned in the year 2003, ceased in October 2013, after which its 26 participating nations have continued collaboration through the International Ocean Discovery Program: Exploring the Earth under the sea. India joined the Phase I in the year 2009 as an Associate Member.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s continued participation in Phase II as a member of the International Ocean Discovery Program is a result of an agreement signed in September 2014.</li>
<li>NCPOR is the nodal agency for all the IODP related activities in India.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-centre-for-polar-and-ocean-research-ncpor-'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'El-Nino Threatens Monsoon',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>According to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-fani" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> India Meteorological Department</strong></a>, the deficiency in rainfall in June was 33%.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/near-normal-monsoon-in-2019-imd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>El-Nino</strong></a> phenomenon being observed since the beginning of 2019, there are fears that this might lead to a deficient monsoon.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/368image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/368image7.jpg" width="589" height="514" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Deficient rainfall in June is devastating for farmers in large reaches of the country who have sown in expectation of rains.</li>
<li>This shortfall is observed not only in aggregate but also across regions.</li>
<li>Although a direct correlation between the two (rainfall deficiency &amp; El-Nino) has not been established, rainfall data from 2000 onwards shows that monsoon rainfall is heavily impacted in the El-Nino years.</li>
<li>In five of these six El-Nino years (2002,2004,2006,2009,2014,2015), the monsoon rainfall was lower than the long-term average by 12% to 23%.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/el-nino-threatens-monsoon'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Non-Communicable Diseases in India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report titled <strong>&ldquo;India: Health of the Nation&rsquo;s States&rdquo;,</strong> contribution of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) to total death in the Country was 61.8% in 2016, as compared to 37.9% in 1990.</li>
<li>Some examples of common NCDs, i.e. diabetes, hypertension and cancers (Oral, Breast and Cervical cancer) are on the rise in India.</li>
<li>Risk factors for NCDs inter alia include ageing, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and overweight</li>
<li>Also In the States of Kerala, Goa and Tamil Nadu, due to <strong>epidemiological transition</strong>, fewer deaths are recorded for communicable, maternal, neonatal and nutritional diseases, thereby raising the share of NCDs in total deaths</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Epidemiologic Transition</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The epidemiologic transition is that process by which the pattern of mortality and disease is transformed from one of high mortality among infants and children to one of degenerative and man-made diseases (such as those attributed to smoking) affecting principally the elderly.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Though public health is a State subject, Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) is being implemented under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Health Mission (NHM)</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The objectives of the programme include health promotion activities and opportunistic screening for common Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cancer</li>
<li>Key components of population-based screening include community-based risk assessment, screening, referral, and follow up of all individuals of 30 years and above for common NCDs</li>
<li>The initiative will help in early diagnosis and will generate awareness on risk factors of NCDs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Citing growing occurrence of cancer in India, the Union government sought to enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Central Government is implementing Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer facilities scheme to support setting up of State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country.</li>
<li>Oncology in its various aspects has a focus in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/punjab-seeks-special-category-status" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).</strong></a></li>
<li>Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Deendayal outlets have been opened at 159 Institutions/Hospitals with an objective to make available Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases drugs and implants at discounted prices to the patients.</li>
<li>Jan Aushadhi stores are set up by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide generic medicines at affordable prices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/non-communicable-diseases-in-india'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Credit Cards for Fishermen',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying announced the extension of the facility of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to fisheries and animal husbandry farmers to help them meet their working capital needs</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This will help fisheries and animal husbandry farmers to meet their short term credit requirements of rearing of animals, poultry birds, fish, shrimp, other aquatic organisms and capture of fish.</li>
<li>Fish, Poultry &amp; Dairy Farmers (individual &amp; groups/partners/sharecroppers/tenant farmers), Self Help Groups, Joint Liability Groups and Woman group are eligible under extended KCC scheme.</li>
<li>Under KCC facility, Interest subvention is available for animal husbandry and fisheries farmers @ 2% per annum at the time of disbursal of loan and additional interest subvention @ 3 % per annum in case of prompt repayment as Prompt Repayment Incentive (repayment of the loan within a period of one year from the date of advance).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kisan Credit Card</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was introduced in 1998 for providing adequate and timely credit support from the banking system under a single window with flexible and simplified procedure to the farmers for their cultivation and other needs like purchase of agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. and draw cash for their production needs.</li>
<li>The scheme was further extended for the investment credit requirement of farmers viz. allied and non-farm activities in the year 2004.</li>
<li>KCC covers Post-harvest expenses; Produce marketing loan; Consumption requirements of farmer household; Working capital for maintenance of farm assets and activities allied to agriculture; Investment credit requirement for agriculture and allied activities.</li>
<li>The Kisan Credit Card Scheme is implemented by Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks and Cooperatives.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Interest Subvention Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The interest subvention scheme for farmers aims at providing short term credit to farmers at the <strong>subsidised interest rate.</strong></li>
<li>The policy came into force with effect from 2006-07</li>
<li>The Interest Subvention Scheme is being implemented by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-bank-for-agriculture-and-rural-development-nabard" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NABARD</strong></a> and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RBI</strong></a>.</li>
<li>In case farmers do not repay the short term crop loan in time they would be eligible for interest subvention of 2% as against 5% available.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/credit-cards-for-fishermen'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Tamil Yeoman',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Tamil Nadu has declared the Tamil Yeoman butterfly species (endemic to western ghats) as the <strong>state butterfly.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tamil Yeoman <strong>(Cirrochroa thais)</strong> is uniformly orange in colour with a dark brown outer ring.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/933image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/933image4.jpg" width="232" height="181" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>Also known as <strong>tamil maravan</strong> which means warrior.</li>
<li>Tamil Yeoman butterfly species moves in groups in <strong>large numbers</strong>, but at few places and are found mainly in hilly areas.</li>
<li>Butterflies are significant for environment as they play the main role in <strong>pollination</strong> and <strong>food chain.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For many other species like birds and reptiles, butterflies become a prey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Tamil Nadu is the<strong> fifth state</strong> in the country to announce its state butterfly and <strong>Maharashtra</strong> was the first in the country to announce its state butterfly <strong>(Blue Mormon)</strong> followed by Uttarakhand <strong>(Common Peacock)</strong>, Karnataka <strong>(the Southern Birdwing)</strong> and Kerala <strong>(Malabar banded peacock or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-19th-november-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">buddha butterfly</a>).</strong></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tamil-yeoman'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Food Processing in India',
			'catname' => 'Paper 3',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why In News?</h3>
<p>With farm distress making headlines, the state government of <strong>Tamil Nadu unveiled its own food processing policy</strong> keeping an eye on increasing farmers&rsquo; income, reducing wastage of food products and value addition of farm products, to ensure a healthy food processing industry.</p>
<p>The objective is to encourage setting up of food processing industries by agro-entrepreneurs, availing financial assistance from Union.</p>
<h3>What is Food Processing</h3>
<p><strong>Food Processing</strong> includes process under which any raw product of agriculture, dairy, animal husbandry, meat, poultry or fishing is transformed through a process (involving employees, power, machines or money) in such a way that its original physical properties undergo a change and the transformed product has commercial value and is suitable for human and animal consumption.</p>
<p>It also includes the <strong>process of value addition</strong> to produce products through methods such as preservation, addition of food additives, drying etc. with a view to preserve food substances in an effective manner, enhance their shelf life and quality.</p>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<p>The <strong>Food Processing Industry (FPI)</strong> is of enormous significance as it provides vital linkages and synergies that it promotes between the two pillars of the economy, i.e. agriculture and industry.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Employment Generation:</strong> It provides direct and indirect employment opportunities, because it acts as a bridge between Agriculture and Manufacturing.</li>
<li><strong>Doubling of farmers&rsquo; income:</strong> With the rise in demand for agri-products there will be commensurate rise in the price paid to the farmer, thereby increasing the income.</li>
<li><strong>Reduce malnutrition:</strong> Processed foods when fortified with vitamins and minerals can reduce the nutritional gap in the population.</li>
<li><strong>Reduce food wastage:</strong> UN estimates that 40% of production is wasted. Similarly, NITI Aayog estimated annual post-harvest losses of close to Rs 90,000 crore. With greater thrust on proper sorting and grading close to the farm gate, and diverting extra produce to FPI, this wastage could also be reduced, leading to better price realisation for farmers.</li>
<li><strong>Boosts Trade and Earns Foreign exchange:</strong> It is an important source of foreign exchange. For e.g. Indian Basmati rice is in great demand in Middle Eastern countries.</li>
<li><strong>Curbing Migration:</strong> Food Processing being a labour intensive industry will provide localized employment opportunities and thus will reduce the push factor in source regions of migration.</li>
<li><strong>Curbing Food Inflation:</strong> Processing increases the shelf life of the food thus keeping supplies in tune with the demand thereby controlling food-inflation. <strong>For e.g. Frozen Safal peas are available throughout the year.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Crop-diversification:</strong> Food processing will require different types of inputs thus creating an incentive for the farmer to grow and diversify crops.</li>
<li><strong>Preserve the nutritive quality of food and prolongs the shelf life</strong> by preventing them from spoilage due to microbes and other spoilage agents,</li>
<li><strong>Enhances the quality and taste of food</strong> thereby bringing more choices in food basket</li>
<li><strong>Enhances consumer choices:</strong> Today, food processing allows food from other parts of the world to be transported to our local market and vice versa.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Status of Food Processing In India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is the world's second largest producer of fruits &amp; vegetables after China but hardly 2% of the produce is processed.</li>
<li>In spite of a large production base, the level of processing is low (less than 10%). Approximately 2% of fruits and vegetables, 8% marine, 35% milk, 6% poultry are processed. Lack of adequate processable varieties continues to pose a significant challenge to this sector.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578481753_image19.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578481753_image19.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India's livestock population is largest in the world with 50% of the world's buffaloes and 20% of cattle, but only about 1% of total meat production is converted to value added products.</li>
<li>More than 75% of the industry is in unorganized sector.</li>
<li>Processing can be delineated into primary and secondary processing. Rice, sugar, edible oil and flour mills are examples of primary processing. Secondary processing includes the processing of fruits and vegetables, dairy, bakery, chocolates and other items.</li>
<li>Most processing in India can be classified as <strong>primary processing</strong>, which has lower value-addition compared to secondary processing. There is a need to move up the value chain in processed food products to boost farmer incomes. For instance, horticulture products, such as fruits and vegetables, carry the potential for higher value-addition when compared to cereal crops.</li>
<li>At present, India&rsquo;s agricultural exports predominantly consist of raw materials, which are then processed in other countries, again indicating the space to move up the value chain.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Food processing industry in India can be segmented as follows</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cereal/ pulse milling</li>
<li>Fruit &amp; vegetable processing</li>
<li>Milk &amp; milk products</li>
<li>Beverages like coffee, tea &amp; cocoa</li>
<li>Fish, poultry, eggs &amp; products</li>
<li>Meat &amp; meat products</li>
<li>Aerated waters/soft drinks 8. Beer/alcoholic beverages</li>
<li>Bread, biscuits &amp; other bakery products</li>
<li>Edible oil/fats.</li>
<li>Confectioneries</li>
<li>Breakfast cereals, malt protein, weaning, extruded food products</li>
</ul>
<h3>Problems in Food Processing Industries</h3>
<p>At present most of the industries are in unorganized sectors. So, number of problems are arising from different sections of the industries. Some of the basic problems encountered by Indian food industries at different levels are given below.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Farm level problems</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Poor yield of farm produce and therefore low returns.</li>
<li>Lack of material resources necessary for development.</li>
<li>Primitive methods of farming.</li>
<li>No control on the quality of inputs and lack of finance to manage.</li>
<li>Vagaries of weather.</li>
<li>Unavailability of reliable handling and transportation system.</li>
<li>Lack of storage facilities at farm.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Objectives of Draft National Food Processing Policy 2017</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To reduce wastages, increase value addition, ensure better prices for farmers while ensuring availability of affordable and quality produce to consumers</li>
<li>To address the challenges of malnourishment and malnutrition by ensuring availability of nutritionally balanced foods</li>
<li>To make food processing more competitive and future ready through creation of adequate infrastructure facilities along the supply chain, use of modern technology and innovation, promoting traceability, food safety, encouraging optimum capacity utilization of assets and resources.</li>
<li>To position India as the most preferred investment destination for the agribusiness and food processing.</li>
<li>To generate more opportunities for the development of the agribusiness and Food Processing Industry, and create employment.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Distributors&rsquo; problems</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lack of modern transportation facilities and high cost</li>
<li>Inadequate cold storage faculties</li>
<li>Irregular quality and quantity of farm produce</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Processing industries problem</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Financing</li>
<li>Higher import duties</li>
<li>Higher cost of raw material and packaging</li>
<li>Inadequate transport and cold storage facilities</li>
<li>Infrequent availability of refrigerated containers</li>
<li>Staggering advertising costs</li>
<li>Limited domestic market</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Consumer discontent</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Does not get value for money</li>
<li>The price variation is a day to day affair</li>
<li>Continued dependence on seasonal products</li>
<li>Lack of variety of semi processed or prepared convenience food at affordable prices.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons for slow growth of processed foods in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Majority of the population has low-income levels and cannot afford processed foods.</li>
<li>The high cost of packaging pushes up the cost of the processed items and thereby makes them out of reach of the common man.</li>
<li>Indians traditionally prefer fresh foods that are cooked rather than use preserved foods.</li>
<li>There is also no national character for food habits and these keep changing from region to region.</li>
<li>However, the scenario is changing with some foods, especially fast food, acquiring the national character. Also some foods such as idli, dosa, some Punjabi foods like chhole, alu mutter etc., some Chinese foods and now the western foods like burgers and pizza are fast gaining national popularity.</li>
<li>Transport (both road and railways) and communication are poor.</li>
<li>There are no reliable cold chains, which are necessary for temperature sensitive foods like fruits &amp; vegetables, ice creams etc.</li>
<li>Modernization is unaffordable for small-scale manufacturer but the large companies do not find investment justifiable due to small size of the market.</li>
<li>Supermarkets are not yet popular although a few are making an appearance.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Extensive use of fertilizers, pesticides</strong> and other chemicals has raised concerns about the quality of food which should be looked into. Further, protection is needed from unfair and hazardous practices such adulteration.</li>
<li>Care should be taken as processed foods <strong>may not be nutritionally balanced</strong> and may pose a health risk especially for children unless fortified. This could trigger a negative perception regarding processed foods and could likely impact the economic gains made by this sector.</li>
<li><strong>Low value-added in processing:</strong> There is major fragmentation of food processing capacity, with a large unorganized segment and widespread use of primitive processing. This results in lower value-addition at the processing stage, especially from a nutritional point of view.</li>
<li><strong>Limited ability to control quality and safety:</strong> The sheer number of players, especially in the large unorganized segment, involved in the food value-chain, makes implementation of quality and safety norms difficult. This has led to practices such as milk adulteration and use of carbide for fruit ripening becoming more widespread.</li>
<li><strong>Low consumer awareness:</strong> Consumer awareness is a critical aspect of an improved nutritional situation in the country. Consumers currently lack awareness of several nutritional and food safety and quality aspects.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Storage capacities and infrastructure</strong> should be increased.</li>
<li>Develop the <strong>agricultural facility</strong> with good agricultural practice which leads to the transition from staple food crops to diversification of crops.</li>
<li>Backward linkages to farmers need to be made more robust. <strong>Contract farming</strong> can be promoted. According to the <strong>Model Contract Farming Act, 2018,</strong> the contract will specify the quantity, quality and price of produce being supplied. This would shield farmers from price volatility, subject to quality commitments.</li>
<li><strong>Skilling is required at two levels.</strong> First at the farm gate in promoting agricultural best practices and in processing activities.</li>
<li><strong>Public investment and connectivity</strong> should be increased.</li>
<li><strong>Slaughter animal rules</strong> should be framed in a comprehensive policy framework.</li>
<li><strong>Farm pattern diversification</strong> which leads to a production of variety of crops other than constant set of crops which creates lot of job opportunities.</li>
<li><strong>Second Green Revolution</strong> should be updated with the diversified technologies.</li>
<li>We have to <strong>encourage the domestic startups and industry</strong> than the international companies.</li>
<li>There should be a <strong>Centre of Excellence</strong> between centre and state.</li>
<li>Should have more training institutes for upcoming entrepreneurs and it should be in all states.Scholarship should be given to the upcoming entrepreneurs.</li>
<li><strong>New technology should be updated</strong> in the training institutes and skill development should be given the top most priority.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Government&rsquo;s Initiative</h3>
<p>It has been the endeavor of the Government to promote food processing industry in the country to reduce wastage of agricultural produce and minimize post- harvest losses.</p>
<p>According to<strong> &ldquo;Assessment of Quantitative Harvest and Post-Harvest Losses of Major Crops and Commodities in India&rdquo;</strong> by ICAR the percentage of post-harvest losses as assessed by the study is as under:</p>
<table border="1" style="height: 181px; width: 60.3302%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" height="181">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #0f27ff;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Crops</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #0f27ff;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Cumulative wastage (%)</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Cereals</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">4.65 &ndash; 5.99</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Pulses</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">6.36 &ndash; 8.41</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Oil Seeds</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">3.08 &ndash; 9.96</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Fruits &amp; Vegetables</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">4.58 &ndash; 15.88</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Milk</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">0.92</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Fisheries (Inland)</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">5.23</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Fisheries (Marine)</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">10.52</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Meat</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">2.71</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Poultry</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">6.74</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With the above in view, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing <strong>PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The objective of PMKSY is to supplement agriculture, modernize processing and decrease agri-waste.</li>
<li>It is an umbrella scheme incorporating ongoing schemes</li>
<li>Under PMKSY the following schemes are to be implemented.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mega Food Parks.</li>
<li>Integrated Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure.</li>
<li>Creation/Expansion of Food Processing/Preservation Capacities.</li>
<li>Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters.</li>
<li>Scheme for Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages.</li>
<li>Food Safety &amp; Quality Assurance Infrastructure.</li>
<li>Human Resources and Institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy:</strong> FDI up to 100%, under the automatic route is allowed in food processing industries.</li>
<li><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)&ndash;</strong> an apex organization under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry &ndash; focusses on &lsquo;export&rsquo; of scheduled products.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Food processing has numerous advantages which are specific to Indian context. It has capacity to lift millions out of poverty and malnutrition. Government should develop industry in a way keeping in mind the interests of small scale industry along with attracting big ticket domestic and foreign investments.</li>
<li>The entire food value chain in India is controlled by multiple ministries, departments and laws. A comprehensive policy will ensure that various initiatives across the departments are aligned to the overall goal of ensuring availability, awareness, affordability, access, quality and safety of food.</li>
<li>The target of ensuring food security for more than a billion people requires a concerted effort by all stakeholders including government and the food processing industry. In addition to private players and government, industry bodies and academia will also have a crucial role in the success of these initiatives.</li>
</ul>',
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		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Importance of Africa in Indo-Pacific Strategy',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/re-imagining-india-and-africa-policy-narendra-modi-government-5809769/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Reimagining India and Africa&rdquo;</a> that appeared in Indian Express on 2 July 2019. It talks about the need for India to integrate Africa into its Indo-Pacific policy.</p>
</div>
<p>Geographically, Indo-Pacific refers to the Indian and the Pacific Oceans between the east coast of Africa and the American west coast and their several littoral countries. Though the term Indo-pacific has been in global strategic writings and speeches from the start of the 21st century but envisions of Indo-pacific by US President Trump (to check the rise of China) at the 2017 APEC Summit in Vietnam has changed geopolitical contours of the region.</p>
<p>Since then every major power in the Indo-pacific region has formulated their versions of Indo-pacific. For example, recently Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has adopted the &lsquo;ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific&rsquo; after more than a year of negotiations. But the strategy for Indo-Pacific neglects the importance of Africa and India is no exception to this fallacy.</p>
<h3>What is the importance of Africa in the Indo-Pacific equation especially for India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Envision of Indo-pacific seemed to have elevated India to a position of prominence in the region which can be reflected by:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Strategic convergence with the US</strong> that would help to contain China&rsquo;s dominance.</li>
<li>In pursuance to the above aim, India appeared to be a <strong>member of Quad</strong> (strategic talks and military exercises between the US, Japan, Australia and India)</li>
<li>But India must not forget Africa is the route through which India's global power aspirations pass.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Importance of Africa for India can be seen in the following dimensions:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Africa has turned from <strong>"The Hopeless Continent"</strong> to <strong>"A Hopeful Continent"</strong> given its demography, resources, market etc.</li>
<li>Also, India and Africa share historical ties, the 1955 Bandung Conference was not just about Asia or non-alignment but promoting Afro-Asian solidarity.</li>
<li>Africa assumes strategic importance for India in relation to:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Geopolitical interest:</strong> South-South cooperation, UNSC reforms, Competition with China, Cooperation in global issues such as climate change and WTO reforms.</li>
<li><strong>Geo-economic interest:</strong> Energy security - Oil (Nigeria), the supply of Uranium (South Africa), huge mineral resources of Africa, growing population of Africa provides for new opportunities for goods and services exports from India.</li>
<li><strong>Geostrategic interest:</strong> Maritime security - East coast countries are important for peace and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region, trade relations across and beyond Africa and interests of Indian diaspora in Africa.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since the rise of Asia and Africa, these continents are reconstituting the geographies of the eastern hemisphere and breaking down the artificial mental maps that emerged in the 20th century. Thus, India must recognise the growing importance of Africa for the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.</li>
<li>However, there are several issues that impede India's engagement with Africa</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>The New African Scramble</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Africa is witnessing a phenomenon called the <strong>&ldquo;New Scramble for Africa"</strong>.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If Europe and North America dominated Africa&rsquo;s economic relationship in the past, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the ASEAN share the geopolitical space today with the US and EU. China, Japan, Korea and India are also major investors in Africa as well as providers of development assistance</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s maritime silk road is about connecting China&rsquo;s eastern seaboard with the Indian Ocean littoral.</li>
<li>China is involved in the development of 47 ports in sub-Saharan Africa.</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s expanding defence and security engagement in Africa. Over the last few years, China has emerged as the largest major arms supplier to Sub-Saharan Africa.</li>
<li>The US, which was focused on terrorism and other non-military threats after 9/11, is paying attention to Africa&rsquo;s new geopolitics.</li>
<li>Russia, which seemed to turn its back on Africa after the collapse of the Soviet Union, is now returning with some vigour.</li>
<li>Also, many regional actors like Iran, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are taking a growing interest in African security affairs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India lacks diplomatic presence in Africa as India has an embassy only in 29 out of 54 African countries.</li>
<li>A lot of African countries are suffering from political instability.</li>
<li>Thus pan African strategy is not working as Africa is not homogenous</li>
<li>Also, there is a saying that - "India promises and China delivers". India's implementation and delivery have been flawed.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should focus on its comparative advantages like services sector, pharma and private sector relationship.</li>
<li>India has leverage over China as the latter's investments are perceived as neocolonial whereas India is engaged in partnership based on mutual benefit and capacity building</li>
<li>Africa is too big for both India and China, so they both must cooperate and wherever there is competition it must be constructive.</li>
<li>India elevated the engagement with Africa by hosting a summit in Delhi for all the African leaders, unveiling sustained high-level political contact, expanding India&rsquo;s diplomatic footprint, strengthening economic engagement and boosting military diplomacy.</li>
<li>But the scale and speed of Africa&rsquo;s current transformation need to be a priority on India's strategic map.</li>
</ul>
<p>Indian foreign policy has always envisaged a rules-based order anchored upon international law, openness, transparency, inclusivity and commitment to advancing economic engagement in the region. In this regard India can focus on four areas of cooperation with Africa i.e. maritime cooperation; connectivity; UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030; and economic development.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fcd4db; border-color: #c40a2c;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 1256px;"><em><strong>Drishti input:</strong></em><br /><br />Indi&rsquo;s Indo-pacific strategy reflects the neglect of strategically important Africa. Comment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
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		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'NASA’s Punch Mission',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Dipankar Banerjee, a solar physicist from Indian Institute of Astrophysics is a<strong> co-investigator of NASA's PUNCH mission.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>PUNCH, which stands for <strong>&ldquo;Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere,&rdquo;</strong> is focused on understanding the transition of particles from the Sun&rsquo;s outer corona to the solar wind that fills interplanetary space.</li>
<li>PUNCH will consist of a <strong>constellation of four suitcase-sized microsats</strong> that will orbit the Earth and study how the corona, which is the atmosphere of the Sun, connects with the interplanetary medium.</li>
<li>The mission will also image and track the solar wind and coronal mass ejections, which are huge masses of plasma that get thrown out of the Sun&rsquo;s atmosphere. The coronal mass ejections can affect and drive space weather events near the Earth.</li>
<li>There is also a plan to observe the Sun using joint observations from PUNCH and Indian mission Aditya, which is underway. India is planning to send up its own satellite Aditya-L1 with an aim to study the Sun&rsquo;s corona.</li>
<li>The mission is expected to be<strong> launched in the year 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Corona:</strong> It is the outermost region of the Sun&rsquo;s atmosphere, consisting of plasma (hot ionized gas).</li>
<li><strong>Solar Wind:</strong> It is the constant stream of solar coronal material that flows off the sun.</li>
<li><strong>Interplanetary Medium:</strong> It refers to thinly scattered matter that exists between the planets and other bodies of the solar system, as well as the forces (e.g., magnetic and electric) that pervade this region of space. The material components of the interplanetary medium consist of neutral hydrogen, plasma gas comprising electrically charged particles from the Sun, cosmic rays, and dust particles.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'INS Viraat to be Scrapped',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Union Ministry of Defence has decided to scrap<strong> INS Virat</strong> after consultation with Indian Navy.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Navy has been incurring expenditure on its upkeep such as the provision of electricity and water, and repairs till date.</li>
<li>The Navy has stated that it cannot keep Viraat indefinitely as it would block space in the already crowded Mumbai dockyard.</li>
<li>Efforts to keep it intact by converting it into a museum or other means have not been successful.</li>
<li>Ministry stated that INS Viraat could not be handed over to any State Government because of non-receipt of a self-sustaining financially complete proposal.</li>
<li>There had been demands from various quarters to not let Viraat go the INS Vikrant way, India&rsquo;s first carrier that was eventually scrapped.</li>
<li><strong>INS Vikrant, a Centaur class,</strong> was maintained by the Navy in Mumbai for 17 years as various proposals to convert it into a museum went back and forth unsuccessfully before the ship was eventually sent to a scrapyard in 2014.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Andhra Pradesh submitted a proposal in 2016 for the conversion of Viraat as an aircraft museum, including tourist and hospitality components on a commercial basis through a joint venture with the Union government.</li>
<li>But the Defence Ministry rejected the proposal.</li>
<li>In 2018, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved a proposal to convert the carrier into a museum and hospitality center on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis, but there were no takers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>INS Viraat</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Viraat, a Centaur class aircraft carrier weighing 27,800 tonnes, had served in the<strong> British Navy as HMS Hermes</strong> for 25 years from 1959 to 1984.</li>
<li>The Centaur class was the light fleet carrier designs built for the Royal Navy (British Navy) in the closing years of the Second World War.</li>
<li>After refurbishment, it was commissioned into the Indian Navy in May 1987.</li>
<li>It was decommissioned from the Navy in March 2017 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>longest serving warship in the world</strong>. It holds the Guinness Books of record for this.</li>
<li>Viraat has played a major role in Operation Jupiter in 1989 in the Sri Lankan peacekeeping operation.</li>
<li>It has been instrumental in sharpening the art of flying operations from a carrier deck in the Navy, which resulted in the seamless induction of INS Vikramaditya.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'European Heatwave',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><strong>France</strong> has recorded the hottest temperature of 45.9&deg;C amid European heatwaves.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/heat-wave-warning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heatwave</a> in Europe has caused <strong>flash floods</strong> and <strong>forest fires</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>European heatwave</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/768image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/768image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="640" height="598" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-the-global-climate-wmo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Meteorological Organization</a> (WMO), heatwaves in Europe are the result of warm air masses from Africa and extreme heat condition in <strong>India, Pakistan, parts of the Middle East and Australia</strong>.</li>
<li>According to weather experts, heatwaves are being amplified by a rise in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-warming-of-1-5-c-ipcc-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">global temperature</a>.</li>
<li>A scientific study on Europe-wide heatwave by the World Weather Attribution group concluded that high temperatures in the region were made more likely by <strong>human activities</strong> that contributed to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-melting-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate change</a>.</li>
<li>If the current trend were to continue, heatwaves across Europe could occur as often as every other year by the <strong>2040&rsquo;s</strong>, with the possibility that <strong>temperatures may rise</strong> by 3-5 degree Celsius by 2100.</li>
</ul>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'One Nation One Ration Card Scheme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently the Food Minister announced One Nation One Ration Card Scheme, which all states needs to implement by July 2020.</li>
<li>One Nation One Ration Card&rsquo; scheme seeks to provide <strong>portability of food security benefits</strong> all across the nation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Features</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The poor migrant workers will be able to buy subsidised rice and wheat from any ration shop in the country but for that their <strong>ration cards must be linked to Aadhaar</strong>.</li>
<li>Migrants would only be eligible for the subsidies supported by the Centre, which include rice sold at Rs. 3/kg and wheat at Rs. 2/kg, It would not include subsidies given by their respective state government in some other state.</li>
<li>This scheme will ensure that no poor person is deprived of subsidised grains.</li>
<li>The scheme can be implemented as already 77% of the ration shops across the country have PoS machines and more than 85% of people covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) have their cards linked to Aadhaar.</li>
<li>For remaining beneficiaries, all the States have been given one more year to use point of sale (PoS) machines in the ration shops and implement the scheme.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Food Security Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The basic concept of food security globally is to ensure that all people, at all times, should get access to the basic food for their active and healthy life and is characterized by availability, access, utilization and stability of food.</li>
<li>Food security can also be derived from the fundamental right to life enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution, as it may be interpreted to include right to live with human dignity, which may include the right to food and other basic necessities.</li>
<li>In pursuance of this, the enactment of the National Food Security Act, (NFSA) 2013 marks a paradigm shift in the approach to food security from welfare to the rights-based approach.</li>
<li>The Act legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System.</li>
</ul>
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		'title' => 'Working Group on Core Investment Companies',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted a working group to review the regulatory guidelines and supervisory framework applicable for Core Investment Companies (CIC).</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In August 2010, the Reserve Bank had introduced a separate framework for the regulation of systemically important Core Investment Companies (CICs).</li>
<li>This was done because of the differences in the business model of a holding company relative to other non-banking financial companies.</li>
<li>Over the years, corporate group structures have become more complex involving multiple layering and leveraging, which has led to greater inter-connectedness with the financial system through their access to public funds.</li>
<li>Further, in light of recent developments, there is a need to strengthen the corporate governance framework of CICs.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Terms of Reference</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Terms of Reference of the Working Group are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To examine the current regulatory framework for CICs in terms of adequacy, efficacy and effectiveness of every component thereof and suggest changes therein.</li>
<li>To assess the appropriateness of and suggest changes to the current approach of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reserve Bank of India</a> towards registration of CICs including the practice of multiple CICs being allowed within a group.</li>
<li>To suggest measures to strengthen <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mechanism-to-prevent-insider-trading-t-k-viswanathan-committee-kotak-panel-recommendations-sebi-gs-ias-upsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">corporate governance</a> and disclosure requirements for CICs.</li>
<li>To assess the adequacy of supervisory returns submitted by CICs and suggest changes therein.</li>
<li>To suggest appropriate measures to enhance RBI&rsquo;s off-site surveillance and on-site supervision over CICs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The working group, headed by Tapan Ray, shall submit its report by October 31, 2019.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Core Investment Company</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Core Investment Companies (CICs) are a specialized <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/shadow-banking-and-the-crisis-in-the-indian-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)</a>.</li>
<li>They have asset size of Rs 100 crore and above.</li>
<li>Their main business is acquisition of shares and securities with certain conditions.</li>
<li>It holds not less than 90% of its net assets in the form of investment in equity shares, preference shares, bonds, debentures, debt or loans in group companies.</li>
<li>Its investments in the equity shares (including instruments compulsorily convertible into equity shares within a period not exceeding 10 years from the date of issue) in group companies constitutes not less than 60% of its net assets as mentioned in clause (iii) above.</li>
<li>It does not trade in its investments in shares, bonds, debentures, debt or loans in <strong>group companies</strong> except through block sale for the purpose of dilution or disinvestment.</li>
<li>It does not carry on any other financial activity referred to in RBI Act, 1934 except investment in bank deposits, money market instruments, government securities, loans to and investments in debt issuances of group companies or guarantees issued on behalf of <strong>group companies.</strong></li>
<li>It accepts public funds.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Group Companies</strong></p>
<p>Group companies are an arrangement involving two or more entities related to each other through any of the following relationships, viz.,Subsidiary, Joint venture, Associate, Promoter-promotee for listed companies, a related party, Common brand name, and investment in equity shares of 20% and above.</p>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/working-group-on-core-investment-companies'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Total Solar Eclipse 2019',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>A Total Solar Eclipse was witnessed in the region of the South Pacific and parts of South America (Mainly Chile and Argentina)</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This was the only Total Solar Eclipse of 2019.</li>
<li>The astonishing thing about this Total eclipse was that it was viewed from the world&rsquo;s clearest skies (Atacama desert).</li>
<li>The Total Solar Eclipse was not visible in India,</li>
</ul>
<h3>Solar and Lunar Eclipse</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Eclipses are divided into two major types: Solar and Lunar. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Solar eclipses</strong> occur when the Sun, Moon and earth all fall in the same line so that the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, leaving a moving region of shadow on Earth&rsquo;s surface.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/928image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/928image4.jpg" width="487" height="211" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Lunar eclipses</strong> occur when the Sun, Moon and earth all fall in the same line and Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/629image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/629image2.jpg" width="543" height="325" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Eclipses may be classified into 4 types i.e. Annular, Total, Partial and Hybrid</li>
<li>The type of eclipse we experience depends on the type of shadow that is involved.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both the Moon and Earth cast 3 shadows: umbra, penumbra, and an antumbra.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/882image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/882image5.jpg" width="316" height="172" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The umbra is a shadow's dark core: It means If you are standing within the umbra, you will not be able to see any part of the light source as the object blocks all direct light rays.</li>
<li>The penumbra is a half-shadow that occurs when a light source is only partly covered by an object</li>
<li>Antumbra &ndash; the lighter part of the shadow that begins where the umbra ends.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In Total or annular solar eclipse:</strong> The Moon completely covers the Sun completely but whether an eclipse is total or annular depends on the distance between these three objects(Sun, Moon and Earth)<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earth travels in an elliptical orbit around the Sun, and the Moon travels in an elliptical orbit around Earth, so the distance between these celestial bodies changes.</li>
<li><strong>Annular solar eclipse:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/195image8.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/195image8.jpg" width="144" height="210" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When the Sun is nearest to Earth and the Moon is at or near its greatest distance, the Moon appears smaller than the Sun in the sky. When an eclipse of the Sun happens in this situation, the Moon will not appear large enough to cover the disk of the Sun completely, and a rim or ring of light will remain visible in the sky.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Total solar eclipse:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Total solar eclipses occur when the New Moon comes between the Sun and Earth and casts the darkest part of its shadow, the umbra, on Earth. A full solar eclipse, known as totality, is almost as dark as night.</li>
<li>During a total eclipse of the Sun, the Moon covers the entire disk of the Sun. In partial and annular solar eclipses, the Moon blocks only part of the Sun.</li>
<li>When Moon completely covers the disk of the Sun, only the Sun's corona is visible.</li>
<li>It is called Total eclipse because at the maximum point of the eclipse( midpoint of time of totality), the sky goes dark and temperatures can fall.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/708image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/708image3.jpg" width="256" height="144" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>The reason why solar eclipses are so rare is that the Moon's umbra rarely hits the Earth's surface. Even during a total solar eclipse, the umbra only covers a small area on earth(path of totality)</li>
<li>That's why viewing a solar eclipse often depends upon where the viewer observes the event. A partial eclipse may be seen by viewers who stand outside of the region of shadow created by the umbra&mdash;the path of totality&mdash;but who remain within the large region of shadow covered by the penumbra, a region of lesser shadow where some light still penetrates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hybrid Eclipse :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A hybrid eclipse is a rare type of solar eclipse that changes its appearance as the Moon's shadow moves across the Earth's surface.</li>
<li>A hybrid eclipse is a type of solar eclipse that looks like an annular solar eclipse or a total solar eclipse, depending on the observer's location along the central eclipse path.</li>
<li>During a hybrid solar eclipse, the Earth's curvature brings some sections of the eclipse path into the Moon's umbra, the darkest part of its shadow that creates total solar eclipses, while other areas remain outside the umbra's reach, causing an annular eclipse.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both solar and lunar eclipses may also occur as <strong>Partial Eclipses.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A partial eclipse of the Sun also results when the Moon&rsquo;s penumbra falls on Earth but its umbra does not.</li>
<li>A partial eclipse of the Moon occurs when the Moon passes through only part of Earth&rsquo;s umbra or only its penumbra.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Moon does experience total eclipses. If the eclipse is a total lunar eclipse, the Moon will pass through the umbra (area of total shadow) created by Earth over the course of about two hours.</li>
<li><strong>There are no Annular lunar eclipse because the Earth is much bigger than the Moon, and its shadow will never be small enough to leave a ring.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Since Moon is much smaller than Earth, there is no path of totality in a lunar eclipse. The eclipse will be visible to any observer on the night side of Earth when the eclipse occurs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>During lunar eclipse, Moon does not typically go completely dark; it often takes on a red color, because the redder parts of sunlight that penetrate Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere are refracted into the umbra, and this light reaches the Moon.</strong></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/total-solar-eclipse-2019'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Ascent Abort Test-2',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>NASA has carried out a successful test of a <strong>Launch-Abort System (LAS)</strong> for the <strong>Orion capsule</strong> designed to take U.S. astronauts to the Moon.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The test of the Orion&rsquo;s LAS is also called the <strong>Ascent Abort Test-2 (AA-2).<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/880image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/880image1.jpg" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="249" height="640" /></a></strong></li>
<li>The <strong>aim</strong> was to test in almost real-life conditions the evacuation of astronauts from the capsule in the event of an explosion or rocket booster failure.</li>
<li>The test is a milestone in NASA's <strong>preparation for Artemis missions</strong> to the Moon that will ultimately lead to astronaut missions to Mars.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Artemis program</strong> will send the <strong>first woman and the next man to the Moon by the year 2024</strong> and develop a sustainable human presence on the Moon by the year 2028.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Orion Capsule</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The safest spacecraft ever built, Orion, will <strong>execute the Artemis program.</strong></li>
<li>An integral part of ensuring safe spaceflight is Orion&rsquo;s Launch Abort System, or LAS. This<strong> state-of-the-art crew escape system</strong> is attached to the top of the spacecraft and can propel the crew module away from the rocket within milliseconds should a life-threatening event arise during launch.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Demonstration by the test</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the test, an unmanned Orion capsule was launched by a mini-rocket.</li>
<li>Fifty-five seconds after the launch, at an altitude of 9,500 m, a rocket-powered tower on top of the crew module ignited its engines to quickly <strong>pull the Orion away from a hypothetical rocket experiencing problems.</strong></li>
<li>In just 15 seconds, the capsule gained two miles of altitude. Then the tower reoriented the capsule to prepare it for descent and disengagement from the tower, finally <strong>the crew module fell into the Atlantic Ocean.</strong></li>
<li>In real-life conditions, parachutes would also open to ease the manned capsule's fall toward the Atlantic Ocean.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ascent-abort-test-2'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Department of Commerce, under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has approved financial assistance for three trade promotion centres under the TIES.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The following are the approved projects with their implementing agencies:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Establishment of <strong>Main Exhibition Building (Phase-II)</strong> at Trade cum Permanent Exhibition Centre at Imphal, Manipur <strong>by Manipur Industrial Development Corporation (MANIDCO).</strong></li>
<li>Expansion of <strong>Chennai Trade Centre</strong> by Tamil Nadu Trade Promotion Organisation</li>
<li>Establishment of <strong>Trade Promotion Centre at Minto Hall,</strong> Bhopal <strong>by M.P. State Tourism Development Corporation</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) in March, 2017.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After delinking of the Assistance to States for Development of Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) Scheme in 2015, the State Governments had been consistently requesting the support of the Centre in creation of export infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/222image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/222image6.jpg" width="585" height="431" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The scheme would provide assistance for setting up and up-gradation of infrastructure projects with overwhelming export linkages like the Border Haats, Land customs stations, quality testing and certification labs, cold chains, trade promotion centres, dry ports, export warehousing and packaging, SEZs and ports/airports cargo terminuses.</li>
<li>The Central and State Agencies, including Export Promotion Councils, Commodities Boards, SEZ Authorities and Apex Trade Bodies recognised under the EXIM policy of Government of India; are eligible for financial support under this scheme.</li>
<li>The proposals of the implementing agencies for funding will be considered by an inter ministerial Empowered Committee.</li>
<li>An Empowered Committee has to periodically review the progress of the approved projects in the Scheme and will take necessary steps to ensure achievement of the objectives of the Scheme.</li>
<li>The Central Government funding will be in the form of grant-in-aid, normally not more than the equity being put in by the implementing agency or 50% of the total equity in the project. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In case of projects located in North Eastern States and Himalayan States including J&amp;K, this grant can be up to 80% of the total equity.</li>
<li>The grant in aid shall, normally, be subject to a ceiling of Rs 20 Cr for each infrastructure project.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In June, 2018, the Commerce Ministry approved 16 projects for export infrastructure under TIES
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The implementing agencies of these projects included Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd; Visvesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre, Bengaluru; Cochin SEZ; Airport Authority of India, Coffee Board, Exports Inspection Council and Andhra Pradesh Med Tech Zone (AMTZ).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/trade-infrastructure-for-export-scheme'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'In Depth – India’s Health Index',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wVSW400nxpQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>In <strong>2017,</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI Aayog</strong></a>, in collaboration with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and the <strong>Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,</strong> developed the first comprehensive State <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/niti-aayog-s-health-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Health Index</strong></a> in India. The first edition of <strong>&ldquo;Healthy States, Progressive India - Report on the Ranks of States and Union Territories&rdquo;,</strong> was released in<strong> February, 2018.</strong> It was the first attempt to establish an annual systematic tool to measure the heterogeneity of the nation&rsquo;s performance in the health sector. The index was launched with the hope <strong>to promote a cooperative and competitive spirit among the states and UTs.</strong></p>
<p><strong>The second edition,</strong> released on <strong>June 25, 2019,</strong> focuses on measuring the overall performance and incremental <strong>improvement over a two year period (2016-17 and 2017-18)</strong> in all states and union territories. The <strong>base year taken is 2015-16.</strong> For the second time in a row, Kerala has emerged as the top ranking state in overall health performance, while Uttar Pradesh was the worst-performing state.</p>
<h3>NITI Aayog Health Index 2018</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The indicators, methodology and categorisation of states and union territories in the health index 2018 were broadly <strong>consistent with the year 2017</strong> edition with a total of <strong>23 indicators</strong> grouped into the domains of <strong>health outcomes, governance and information and key inputs and processes.</strong></li>
<li>There were many indicators like birthweight of the child at the time of birth, sex ratio, accredition of healthcare facilities, infectious diseases like tuberculosis being controlled as per the government norms etc.</li>
<li>The states were <strong>ranked in two ways:</strong> on the <strong>overall</strong> or historical <strong>performance</strong> and on the <strong>incremental performance.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How is it different?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Health Index is an attempt by NITI Aayog to bring the <strong>focus on outcomes such as lower mortality and fertility rates.</strong> Generally, the practice is to look at the quantum of budget and the amount that has been spent and also some kinds of infrastructure like clinics, Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), district hospitals etc.</li>
<li>It is also a tool for assessing <strong>India&rsquo;s readiness on achieving the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SDG goals</a></strong></li>
<li>It also sets up incentives for the states that if they perform well on the health system measurements, more funds will be allocated to them. The Index has been linked to incentives under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Health Mission.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>2018 Rankings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>States and union territories, on the basis of population, have been ranked in three categories: Larger states, Smaller states and Union territories, to ensure comparison among similar entities.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Larger States</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Among the larger states, <strong>Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra</strong> are ranked on<strong> top</strong> in <strong>overall performance.</strong></li>
<li>Gujarat, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.</li>
<li>Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha were among the worst performing states.</li>
<li>In terms of annual <strong>incremental performance, Haryana, Rajasthan and Jharkhand</strong> are the <strong>top</strong> three states.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These states also show the <strong>maximum gains in improvement of health outcomes from base to reference year</strong> in indicators such as neonatal mortality rate (NMR), under-five mortality rate (U5MR), the proportion of low birth weight among newborns, proportion of community health centres and public health centres with quality accreditation certificates, full immunization coverage, institutional deliveries, and proportion of specialist positions vacant at district hospitals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Smaller States</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Among the smaller states, <strong>Mizoram ranked first</strong> followed by Manipur on overall performance. <strong>Tripura</strong> followed by Manipur were the top two states in terms of annual <strong>incremental performance.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Manipur registered maximum incremental progress on indicators such as full immunization coverage, institutional deliveries and total case notification rate of tuberculosis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Sikkim and Arunchal Pradesh had the biggest decrease in overall health index scores among the smaller states.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Union Territories</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Among the UTs, <strong>Chandigarh</strong> followed by <strong>Dadra and Nagar Haveli</strong> occupied the<strong> top two</strong> positions in terms of overall performance as well as annual incremental performance.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Other Findings</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report highlighted a <strong>decline</strong> in the overall health index score of the <strong>five empowered action group (EAG)</strong> states of <strong>Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha</strong> because of deterioration in various parameters.</li>
<li>The report points out that there was a general <strong>positive correlation between the heath index scores and the economic development levels</strong> of states and union territories as measured by per capita net state domestic product.</li>
<li>The report also notes that overall there is a room for improvement in all states even among the best.</li>
<li>Many states have also made good progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals included in the index.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>HAQ Index</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When it comes to world rankings, <strong>India was ranked 145<sup>th</sup></strong> among 195 countries on Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) index in 2016.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The index is based on 32 causes of death considered preventable with effective medical care.</li>
<li>It assigns a 0-100 score to each of the 195 countries and territories assessed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The comprehensive index released by Global Burden of Disease, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says that despite such low rankings, India has seen <strong>improvement in HAQ since the year 1990.</strong> India&rsquo;s HAQ score 41.2 has improved from 24.7 score in the year 1990.</li>
<li>Despite the16.5-point improvement in 26 years, India&rsquo;s score is well <strong>below the global average of 54.4.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India lags way behind its <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/brics-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BRICS</a> peers</strong> Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa on the HAQ index.</li>
<li>India, however, matches China in the <strong>disparity in healthcare access and quality between states.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Within India, the <strong>best performers Kerala and Goa</strong> scored more than 60 points on the HAQ index in the year 2016.</li>
<li>Other top performers in order of rank are Delhi (56.2), Himachal Pradesh (51.7) and the union territories other than Delhi (56.2).</li>
<li>The <strong>worst performers were</strong> Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, Bihar (37), Odisha (36.3), Uttar Pradesh (34.9) and Assam (34).</li>
<li>This gap between the highest and lowest scores increased from a 23.4 point difference in the year 1990 to a 30.8 difference in the year 2016.</li>
<li>The study said that these <strong>regional differences in India could be due to</strong> multiple reasons such as large variations in physical access to health facilities, the state of health infrastructure, the level and scale-up of medical technologies, and the provision of effective services across the spectrum of care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the index, India ranks worse than Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan among its neighbours but better than Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s rank is also worse than that of many poorer countries in Sub-Saharan Africa such as Sudan (136), Equatorial Guinea (129), Botswana (122) and Namibia (137).</li>
<li>The study found that, generally, <strong>countries that spend more on health per capita</strong> and had better health systems <strong>scored higher on the HAQ</strong> index. According to a report by the Journal IndiaSpend, <strong>India spends just 1.4% of its GDP on health.</strong> The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a> recommends that countries should spend 4-5% of their GDP on health to achieve <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/universal-health-coverage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>universal healthcare.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Healthcare System</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The healthcare delivery system is categorised into two major components: <strong>public and private.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The public healthcare system</strong> is made up of <strong>secondary and tertiary care institutions</strong> in key cities and provides basic healthcare facilities in the form of <strong>Primary Healthcare Centres</strong> in rural areas.</li>
<li><strong>The private sector</strong> provides the majority of <strong>secondary, tertiary, quaternary care institutions</strong> with a major concentration in metros, Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing sectors and is expected to reach 280 billion by the year 2020.</li>
<li>India is also one of the leading destinations for high end diagnostics services with tremendous capital investment for advanced diagnostic facilities.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Healthcare Initiatives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is on course to attain sustainable development goal targets for maternal and child health, much ahead of the agreed date of 2030.</li>
<li>In 2014, the central government launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anaemia-in-women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan</strong></a> as part of which doctors pledged a day of service per month to the campaign and 16 million ante-natal care check-ups were performed.</li>
<li>In August 2018, the Government approved <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ayushman Bharat</strong></a>-<strong>National Health Protection Mission</strong> contributed by both the center and the state government at a ratio of 60:40 for all States, 90:10 for hilly North Eastern States and 60:40 for Union Territories with legislature. It provides <strong>healthcare facilities to over 10 crore urban and rural poor families.</strong></li>
<li>On September 23, 2018, the government launched the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana</a> (PMJAY),</strong> a cashless health insurance cover of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year covering 500 million poor citizens.</li>
<li>The mission <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intensified-mission-indradhanush-best-practice-in-the-world-bmj" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indradhanush</strong></a> covers immunization. Under this, the government reached 32.8 million children and 8.4 million pregnant women in the last three years. The number of vaccines has been increased from 7 to 12.</li>
<li>To address <strong>malnutrition</strong> among children, the government launched <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/poshan-abhiyaan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>POSHAN Abhiyan</strong></a> and is also implementing <strong>Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram</strong> that has provided 800 million health check-ups and free referral treatment to 20 million children in the last 4 years.</li>
<li>The <strong>Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana</strong> is expected to benefit 50 million pregnant women and lactating mothers. The scheme enables direct benefit transfer to their bank accounts to compensate for wage loss, enable better nutrition and adequate rest before and after delivery.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-health-index'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Russia: An all-weather defence partner',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on the editorial<a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/russia-an-all-weather-defence-partner/article28263881.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Russia: An all-weather defence partner&rdquo;</strong> </a>that appeared in the Hindu Business Line on 3 July 2019. It highlights the importance of Russia in India&rsquo;s strategic interest.</p>
</div>
<p>In March 2019, India signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Russia to lease another of its <strong>Akula-Class attack nuclear submarines (SSN).</strong> The agreement has invited a serious reaction from the USA over India's defence relationship with Russia. Russia is in the middle of economic sanctions imposed of USA under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indias-balancing-with-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CAATSA</strong></a>, USA has also been critical about India-Russia <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indias-balancing-with-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>S-400 Triumf deal</strong></a>.</p>
<p>During the Cold War, Indo and US were referred to as estranged democracies or as described by David Malone: The blind man and the elephant trying to understand each other. But this strategic realignment by India should not be at the expense of neglect of Russia, as Russia is an all-weather defence partner of India.</p>
<h3>What is the importance of Russia for India?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>After the end of the cold war, it became imperative for India to look westwards and by the start of the 21st century, the USA and India turned into strategic partners.</li>
<li>But it can be said that the idea and inspiration for India did come from technological strides made by the US, however, its implementation was done with the help of Russia.</li>
<li>In early 1966, India&rsquo;s Atomic Energy establishment started a feasibility programme on naval nuclear propulsion. India approached the US for its quest to develop marine propulsion.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But the US disapproved India's plea due to its broader policy of nuclear non-proliferation and arms control, and the need to maintain a strategic balance in South Asia.</li>
<li>Also, the sanctions imposed on India after the 1974 nuclear test further deserted India of high-end technology exposure from the western countries</li>
<li>In this scenario, Russia agreed to help India&rsquo;s indigenous nuclear submarine programme. It also acquiesced to leasing India its first nuclear submarine.</li>
<li>India had leased an Akula-class SSBN from Moscow in 2012. Rechristened as Chakra in the Indian fleet, it will continue to serve the Indian Navy until the commissioning of the new Akula submarine, most likely by 2025.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The US only provides non-lethal defence technology(which can't be used in event of war against Pakistan) like C-130 Super Hercules, C-13 Globemaster, P-8i Poseidon etc, while Russia provides high-end technology like Brahmos supersonic missile, 5<sup>th</sup> generation fighter aircraft Pak Fa, S-400 anti-missile system.</li>
<li>While India has diversified its defence procurement from Russia to Israel, France, US etc but still India is dependent on Russia for spare parts as India's current defence infrastructure is heavily Russian dominated.</li>
<li>Though Russia is not a superpower like it used to be in Soviet-era but in current times Russia has resurged, with its engagement in Afghanistan, Syria it has outsmarted the west. In this scenario, Russia remains a formidable player in international relations.</li>
<li>Also, Russia's support for India is critical for UNSC reforms and support on Kashmir.</li>
<li>Further sanctions on Russia have led to tactical convergence between Russia and China. If India gives in to American pressure vis-a-vis Russia, it will further push the convergence between Russia and China which may be not in India's favour.</li>
<li>Also, an independent Russia is essential to keep Asia&rsquo;s geopolitics in balance, especially given the rise of China.</li>
<li>Russia's role is very critical for the success of the International North-south Corridor and India's access to Central Asia.</li>
<li>Russia has signalled that if India can exercise its sovereignty in the diversification of defence partners then Russia also has other options(engagement with Pakistan), which may not be in India's interest.</li>
<li>India can benefit from hi-tech cooperation with Russia in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, outer space and nanotechnology and energy sector and other areas of critical technology</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India must promote a mutually beneficial trilateral cooperation between Russia, China and India that could contribute towards the reduction of mistrust and suspicion between India and China.</li>
<li>India today is in a unique position where it has favourable relation with all great powers, India must leverage this position to help in building a peaceful world order.</li>
<li>India can also build upon and benefit from increase of trade between India and Russia.</li>
</ul>
<p>Russia&rsquo;s closeness with China and Pakistan is tactical, mainly induced due to western sanctions, whereas Russia-India partnership is strategic. Russia always saw India as balancer that's why Russia facilitated India's inclusion into SCO and formation of RIC doctrine.</p>
<p>But if India didn't take proactive measures vis a vis Russia, and if Russia and China convergence continues to grow. In this context Russia can't act as a balancer for India against China. So India must very carefully conduct its foreign policy which is based on a long term policy, as Russia and India friendship is a win-win situation for both.<br /><br /></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="border-color: #fca4a4;">
<td style="width: 561.111px; background-color: #f7f6c8;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><em><strong>Drishti Input</strong></em></span><br />Contemporary geopolitics presses the need for strategic convergence between India and the US, but it should not come at the expense of neglect of Russia by India. Comment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/russia-an-all-weather-defence-partner'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Anti Locust Fight',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The <strong>officials from India and Pakistan</strong> are closely working together to <strong>prevent the movement of locusts</strong> and save crops in bordering districts.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both the countries are also consistently sharing inputs, including satellite data, via Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) to counter and restrict the movement of locusts.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Food and Agricultural Organization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1945, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was created In Quebec City, Canada, by the first session of the newly created United Nations.</li>
<li>FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.</li>
<li>FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps developing countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Locust</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A locust is a large,<strong> mainly tropical grasshopper</strong> with strong powers of flight. They <strong>differ from ordinary grasshoppers</strong> in their ability to change behaviour (gregarize) and form swarms that can migrate over large distances.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/201image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/201image6.jpg" width="538" height="469" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Locusts are generally seen during the<strong> months of June and July</strong> as the insects are active from summer to the rainy season.</li>
<li><strong>Locusts have a high capacity to multiply, form groups, migrate over</strong> relatively large distances (they can fly up to 150 km per day) and, if good rains fall and ecological conditions become favourable, rapidly reproduce and increase some 20-fold in three months.</li>
<li><strong>Threat to Vegetation: </strong>Locust adults can eat their own weight every day, i.e. about two grams of fresh vegetation per day. A very <strong>small swarm eats as much in one day as about 35,000 people,</strong> posing a devastating threat to crops and food security.</li>
<li><strong>If infestations are not detected and controlled, devastating plagues can develop</strong> that often take several years and hundreds of millions of dollars to bring under control with severe consequences on food security and livelihoods.</li>
<li><strong>Locust Control measures</strong> include destroying egg masses laid by invading swarms, digging trenches to trap nymphs, using hopperdozers (wheeled screens that cause locusts to fall into troughs containing water and kerosene), using insecticidal baits, and applying insecticides to both swarms and breeding grounds from aircraft.</li>
<li><strong>FAO</strong> provides information on the general locust situation to the global community and gives <strong>timely warnings</strong> and <strong>forecasts</strong> to those countries in danger of invasion.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FAO raised alarm over the locust outbreak in northeast Africa and Saudi Arabia in February, 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Locusts in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Four species</strong> viz. Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria), Bombay Locust ( Nomadacris succincta) and Tree locust (Anacridium sp.) are found in India.</li>
<li>The existing series of locust swarms that have entered India via Pakistan had originated in Iran. Movement of locusts is facilitated by summer dusty winds, which flow from the Arabian Sea, taking along these creatures from Sindh in Pakistan to western Rajasthan.</li>
<li>These creatures have wreaked havoc in Pakistan but have not caused any damage on the Indian side.</li>
<li><strong>Locust Warning Organisation (LWO), Jodhpur</strong> is currently handling 13-16 swarms of locusts in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan. It is currently using a <strong>pesticide 'malathion'.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The last major locust outbreak that was reported in Rajasthan was in the year 1993.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Locust Warning Organization ( LWO)</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/239image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/239image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="492" height="328" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Locust Warning Organisation (LWO), Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage, <strong>Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers Welfare,</strong>&nbsp;is responsible for monitoring, survey and control of Desert Locust in Scheduled Desert Areas mainly in the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat.</li>
<li>Incursion of exotic locust swarms into India is prevented through organization of suitable control operation. LWO keeps itself abreast with the prevailing locust situation at National and International level through monthly Desert Locust Bulletins of FAO.</li>
<li>Its <strong>objectives</strong> include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To monitor, forewarn and control locust in Scheduled Desert Area (SDA) being International obligation and commitment.</li>
<li>To conduct research on locust and grasshoppers.</li>
<li>Liaison and coordination with National and International Organizations.</li>
<li>Human resource development through training and demonstration for staff of Locust Warning Organization (LWO), State officials, BSF personnel and Farmers.</li>
<li>To maintain control potential to combat locust emergency by organizing locust control campaign.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anti-locust-fight'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Suicides in India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>According to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ncrb-to-track-complaints-on-sexual-violence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)</strong></a>&rsquo;s &lsquo;Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India&rsquo; report for 2015, there were 1,336,623 suicides across the country that year.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/320image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/320image3.jpg" width="476" height="319" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Among all states, Maharashtra (16,970) had the highest number of suicides in 2015. <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/668image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/668image2.jpg" width="200" height="240" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is followed by Tamil Nadu (15,777).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In exception, Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, had the 11th highest suicide count (3,902).</li>
<li>Bihar, one of the country&rsquo;s most populous states, was another exception, with its count of 516 suicides lower than that of many smaller states.</li>
<li>As per report, one-third of the suicides in the country in 2015 were committed by young adults under age 30, and another one-third by people in the age group 30-45.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/suicides-in-india'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Heat Stress and Labour Productivity: ILO Report',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/100th-anniversary-of-ilo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The International Labour Organisation</strong></a> (ILO) in its report <strong>&lsquo;Working on a Warmer Planet: The Impact of Heat Stress on Labour Productivity and Decent Work&rsquo;</strong> revealed that rising <strong>heat stress</strong> due to <strong>climate change</strong> could lead to the loss of <strong>80 million</strong> jobs by <strong>2030</strong>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report makes its projections based on a global temperature rise of <strong>1.5&deg;Celsius</strong> by the end of the century.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Heat Stress</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It refers to <strong>heat in excess</strong> of what the body can tolerate without suffering physiological impairment.</li>
<li>It generally occurs at temperatures <strong>above 35&deg;C</strong>, in high <strong>humidity</strong>.</li>
<li>Excess heat during work is an <strong>occupational health risk</strong> as it restricts workers<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Physical functions</strong> and capabilities,</li>
<li>Work <strong>capacity</strong> and thus, <strong>productivity.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Extreme heat can cause heat-related illnesses, such as <strong>heat stroke</strong> and <strong>exhaustion,</strong> increase <strong>mortality</strong>, and exacerbate existing health conditions.</li>
<li>According to <strong>the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/strategy-against-the-threat-of-influenza" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organisation</a></strong> heat stress linked to climate change is likely to cause 38,000 extra <strong>deaths</strong> a year worldwide <strong>between 2030 and 2050.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Economic Loss: 2% of total working hours</strong> worldwide is projected to be lost (costing the global economy <strong>$2.4 trillion</strong>) every year, either because it is too hot to work or because workers have to work at a slower pace.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/468image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/468image5.jpg" width="518" height="309" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li><strong>Affected Sectors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Agricultural workers,</strong> especially women, who make up the bulk of the 940 million laborers in the sector will be most affected.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Agricultural sector is projected to account for<strong> 60%</strong> of global working hours lost due to heat stress by the year 2030.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Construction sector</strong> will also be severely impacted with an estimated <strong>19%</strong> of global working hours lost by 2030.</li>
<li>Other sectors like <strong>environmental goods and services,</strong> refuse collection, emergency, repair work, <strong>transport, tourism, sports</strong> and some form of <strong>industrial work</strong> will be worst affected by rising heat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Affected Regions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The regions losing the most working hours are expected to be <strong>southern Asia and western Africa,</strong> where approximately <strong>5%</strong> of working hours are expected to be lost in 2030.</li>
<li>According to ILO, India lost 4.3% of working hours in 1995 because of heat stress, and it is projected to lose <strong>5.8%</strong> of its <strong>working hours</strong> in <strong>2030,</strong> which corresponds to <strong>34 million jobs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Most of the impact in India will be felt in the <strong>agricultural sector</strong> and more <strong>working hours</strong> are expected to be lost in the <strong>construction sector</strong>, where heat stress affects both male and female workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Consequence:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It could lead to more <strong>inequality</strong> between low and high income countries and <strong>worsening working conditions</strong> for the most vulnerable.</li>
<li>Heat stress will affect <strong>millions of women</strong> who make up the majority of workers in subsistence agriculture, as well as men who dominate the construction industry.</li>
<li>The social consequences of heat stress may include <strong>increasing migration,</strong> as workers leave rural areas to look for better prospects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Design, finance and implement <strong>national policies</strong> to address heat stress risks and protect workers.</li>
<li>Adequate<strong> infrastructure</strong> and improved <strong>early warning systems</strong> for heat events, and improved implementation of<strong> international labour standards</strong> such as in the area of occupational safety and health to help design policies to tackle heat-related hazards.</li>
<li>Employers and workers are best placed to <strong>assess risks and take appropriate action</strong> at the <strong>workplace</strong> so that workers can cope with high temperatures and continue to do their jobs.</li>
<li><strong>Employers</strong> can provide <strong>drinking water,</strong> and <strong>training</strong> on recognizing and managing heat stress.</li>
<li><strong>Social dialogue</strong> can play a crucial role in reaching consensus on indoor and outdoor working methods, adapting working hours, dress codes and equipment, use of new<strong> technologies,</strong> shade and rest breaks.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/heat-stress-and-labour-productivity-ilo-report'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The <strong>six <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-melting-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">himalayan glaciers</a>,</strong> monitored by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), have been <strong>retreating</strong> in the range of <strong>13 to 33 millimetres per year.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Six glaciers i.e. Sutri Dhaka, Batal, Bara Shigri, Samudra Tapu, Gepang Gath and Kunzum, are monitored for mass, energy and hydrological balance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Debris of thickness above two centimetres have reduced the melting rates up to 70 %, whereas the debris cover of below two centimetres thickness has accelerated melting up to 10 % of the total melting.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The NCPOR has undertaken studies in the Western Himalaya in Chandra basin in Lahaul-Spiti (Himachal Pradesh) since 2013.</li>
<li>The NCPOR has also established a high altitude research station named 'Himansh' in <strong>Himalaya</strong> at 4,000 metres altitude at Sutri Dhaka.</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established as an autonomous Research and Development Institution of the Ministry of Earth Sciences on the 25<sup>th</sup> May 1998.</li>
<li>Earlier known as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-to-expand-polar-research-to-arctic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR)</strong></a>, NCPOR is India&rsquo;s <strong>premier R&amp;D institution</strong> responsible for the country&rsquo;s research activities in the Polar and Southern Ocean realms.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>nodal agency</strong> for planning, promotion, coordination and execution of the entire gamut of polar and southern ocean scientific research in the country as well as for the associated logistics activities.</li>
<li>Its responsibilities include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Management and upkeep of the <strong>Indian Antarctic Research Bases</strong> &ldquo;Maitri&rdquo; and &ldquo;Bharati&rdquo;, and the <strong>Indian Arctic base</strong> &ldquo;Himadri&rdquo;.</li>
<li>Management of the Ministry&rsquo;s research vessel <strong>ORV Sagar Kanya</strong> as well as the other research vessels chartered by the Ministry.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Ocean Research Vehicle (ORV) Sagar Kanya is a versatile ocean observing platform equipped with technologically advanced scientific equipment and related facilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Playing a facilitatory role in the scientific research activities being undertaken by several national institutions and organizations in Antarctica, the Arctic and in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean.</li>
<li>Playing a lead role in the geoscientific surveys of the country&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-begins-talks-to-regulate-the-high-seas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exclusive Economic Zone</strong></a> (EEZ) and its extended continental shelf beyond 200m, deep-sea drilling in the Arabian Sea basin through the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), exploration for ocean non-living resources such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iit-madras-team-produces-gas-hydrates" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gas hydrates</strong></a> and multi-metal sulphides in mid-ocean ridges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is <strong>located</strong> in the state of <strong>Goa.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>international marine research collaboration</strong> that explores Earth's history and dynamics using ocean-going research platforms to recover data recorded in seafloor sediments and rocks and to monitor subseafloor environments.</li>
<li>It is in <strong>Phase II</strong> (tenured <strong>2013-2023</strong>) of what was formerly known as the <strong>Integrated Ocean Drilling Program &ndash; Phase I.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Phase I</strong> which was envisioned in the year 2003, ceased in October 2013, after which its 26 participating nations have continued collaboration through the International Ocean Discovery Program: Exploring the Earth under the sea. India joined the Phase I in the year 2009 as an Associate Member.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s continued participation in Phase II as a member of the International Ocean Discovery Program is a result of an agreement signed in September 2014.</li>
<li>NCPOR is the nodal agency for all the IODP related activities in India.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-centre-for-polar-and-ocean-research-ncpor-'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'El-Nino Threatens Monsoon',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>According to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-fani" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> India Meteorological Department</strong></a>, the deficiency in rainfall in June was 33%.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/near-normal-monsoon-in-2019-imd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>El-Nino</strong></a> phenomenon being observed since the beginning of 2019, there are fears that this might lead to a deficient monsoon.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/368image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/368image7.jpg" width="589" height="514" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Deficient rainfall in June is devastating for farmers in large reaches of the country who have sown in expectation of rains.</li>
<li>This shortfall is observed not only in aggregate but also across regions.</li>
<li>Although a direct correlation between the two (rainfall deficiency &amp; El-Nino) has not been established, rainfall data from 2000 onwards shows that monsoon rainfall is heavily impacted in the El-Nino years.</li>
<li>In five of these six El-Nino years (2002,2004,2006,2009,2014,2015), the monsoon rainfall was lower than the long-term average by 12% to 23%.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/el-nino-threatens-monsoon'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Non-Communicable Diseases in India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report titled <strong>&ldquo;India: Health of the Nation&rsquo;s States&rdquo;,</strong> contribution of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) to total death in the Country was 61.8% in 2016, as compared to 37.9% in 1990.</li>
<li>Some examples of common NCDs, i.e. diabetes, hypertension and cancers (Oral, Breast and Cervical cancer) are on the rise in India.</li>
<li>Risk factors for NCDs inter alia include ageing, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and overweight</li>
<li>Also In the States of Kerala, Goa and Tamil Nadu, due to <strong>epidemiological transition</strong>, fewer deaths are recorded for communicable, maternal, neonatal and nutritional diseases, thereby raising the share of NCDs in total deaths</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Epidemiologic Transition</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The epidemiologic transition is that process by which the pattern of mortality and disease is transformed from one of high mortality among infants and children to one of degenerative and man-made diseases (such as those attributed to smoking) affecting principally the elderly.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Though public health is a State subject, Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments. For example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) is being implemented under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Health Mission (NHM)</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The objectives of the programme include health promotion activities and opportunistic screening for common Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cancer</li>
<li>Key components of population-based screening include community-based risk assessment, screening, referral, and follow up of all individuals of 30 years and above for common NCDs</li>
<li>The initiative will help in early diagnosis and will generate awareness on risk factors of NCDs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Citing growing occurrence of cancer in India, the Union government sought to enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Central Government is implementing Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer facilities scheme to support setting up of State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country.</li>
<li>Oncology in its various aspects has a focus in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/punjab-seeks-special-category-status" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).</strong></a></li>
<li>Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Deendayal outlets have been opened at 159 Institutions/Hospitals with an objective to make available Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases drugs and implants at discounted prices to the patients.</li>
<li>Jan Aushadhi stores are set up by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide generic medicines at affordable prices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/non-communicable-diseases-in-india'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Credit Cards for Fishermen',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying announced the extension of the facility of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to fisheries and animal husbandry farmers to help them meet their working capital needs</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This will help fisheries and animal husbandry farmers to meet their short term credit requirements of rearing of animals, poultry birds, fish, shrimp, other aquatic organisms and capture of fish.</li>
<li>Fish, Poultry &amp; Dairy Farmers (individual &amp; groups/partners/sharecroppers/tenant farmers), Self Help Groups, Joint Liability Groups and Woman group are eligible under extended KCC scheme.</li>
<li>Under KCC facility, Interest subvention is available for animal husbandry and fisheries farmers @ 2% per annum at the time of disbursal of loan and additional interest subvention @ 3 % per annum in case of prompt repayment as Prompt Repayment Incentive (repayment of the loan within a period of one year from the date of advance).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kisan Credit Card</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was introduced in 1998 for providing adequate and timely credit support from the banking system under a single window with flexible and simplified procedure to the farmers for their cultivation and other needs like purchase of agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. and draw cash for their production needs.</li>
<li>The scheme was further extended for the investment credit requirement of farmers viz. allied and non-farm activities in the year 2004.</li>
<li>KCC covers Post-harvest expenses; Produce marketing loan; Consumption requirements of farmer household; Working capital for maintenance of farm assets and activities allied to agriculture; Investment credit requirement for agriculture and allied activities.</li>
<li>The Kisan Credit Card Scheme is implemented by Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks and Cooperatives.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Interest Subvention Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The interest subvention scheme for farmers aims at providing short term credit to farmers at the <strong>subsidised interest rate.</strong></li>
<li>The policy came into force with effect from 2006-07</li>
<li>The Interest Subvention Scheme is being implemented by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-bank-for-agriculture-and-rural-development-nabard" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NABARD</strong></a> and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RBI</strong></a>.</li>
<li>In case farmers do not repay the short term crop loan in time they would be eligible for interest subvention of 2% as against 5% available.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/credit-cards-for-fishermen'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Tamil Yeoman',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Tamil Nadu has declared the Tamil Yeoman butterfly species (endemic to western ghats) as the <strong>state butterfly.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tamil Yeoman <strong>(Cirrochroa thais)</strong> is uniformly orange in colour with a dark brown outer ring.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/933image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/933image4.jpg" width="232" height="181" style="float: right;" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>Also known as <strong>tamil maravan</strong> which means warrior.</li>
<li>Tamil Yeoman butterfly species moves in groups in <strong>large numbers</strong>, but at few places and are found mainly in hilly areas.</li>
<li>Butterflies are significant for environment as they play the main role in <strong>pollination</strong> and <strong>food chain.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For many other species like birds and reptiles, butterflies become a prey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Tamil Nadu is the<strong> fifth state</strong> in the country to announce its state butterfly and <strong>Maharashtra</strong> was the first in the country to announce its state butterfly <strong>(Blue Mormon)</strong> followed by Uttarakhand <strong>(Common Peacock)</strong>, Karnataka <strong>(the Southern Birdwing)</strong> and Kerala <strong>(Malabar banded peacock or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-19th-november-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">buddha butterfly</a>).</strong></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tamil-yeoman'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Food Processing in India',
		'catname' => 'Paper 3',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why In News?</h3>
<p>With farm distress making headlines, the state government of <strong>Tamil Nadu unveiled its own food processing policy</strong> keeping an eye on increasing farmers&rsquo; income, reducing wastage of food products and value addition of farm products, to ensure a healthy food processing industry.</p>
<p>The objective is to encourage setting up of food processing industries by agro-entrepreneurs, availing financial assistance from Union.</p>
<h3>What is Food Processing</h3>
<p><strong>Food Processing</strong> includes process under which any raw product of agriculture, dairy, animal husbandry, meat, poultry or fishing is transformed through a process (involving employees, power, machines or money) in such a way that its original physical properties undergo a change and the transformed product has commercial value and is suitable for human and animal consumption.</p>
<p>It also includes the <strong>process of value addition</strong> to produce products through methods such as preservation, addition of food additives, drying etc. with a view to preserve food substances in an effective manner, enhance their shelf life and quality.</p>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<p>The <strong>Food Processing Industry (FPI)</strong> is of enormous significance as it provides vital linkages and synergies that it promotes between the two pillars of the economy, i.e. agriculture and industry.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Employment Generation:</strong> It provides direct and indirect employment opportunities, because it acts as a bridge between Agriculture and Manufacturing.</li>
<li><strong>Doubling of farmers&rsquo; income:</strong> With the rise in demand for agri-products there will be commensurate rise in the price paid to the farmer, thereby increasing the income.</li>
<li><strong>Reduce malnutrition:</strong> Processed foods when fortified with vitamins and minerals can reduce the nutritional gap in the population.</li>
<li><strong>Reduce food wastage:</strong> UN estimates that 40% of production is wasted. Similarly, NITI Aayog estimated annual post-harvest losses of close to Rs 90,000 crore. With greater thrust on proper sorting and grading close to the farm gate, and diverting extra produce to FPI, this wastage could also be reduced, leading to better price realisation for farmers.</li>
<li><strong>Boosts Trade and Earns Foreign exchange:</strong> It is an important source of foreign exchange. For e.g. Indian Basmati rice is in great demand in Middle Eastern countries.</li>
<li><strong>Curbing Migration:</strong> Food Processing being a labour intensive industry will provide localized employment opportunities and thus will reduce the push factor in source regions of migration.</li>
<li><strong>Curbing Food Inflation:</strong> Processing increases the shelf life of the food thus keeping supplies in tune with the demand thereby controlling food-inflation. <strong>For e.g. Frozen Safal peas are available throughout the year.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Crop-diversification:</strong> Food processing will require different types of inputs thus creating an incentive for the farmer to grow and diversify crops.</li>
<li><strong>Preserve the nutritive quality of food and prolongs the shelf life</strong> by preventing them from spoilage due to microbes and other spoilage agents,</li>
<li><strong>Enhances the quality and taste of food</strong> thereby bringing more choices in food basket</li>
<li><strong>Enhances consumer choices:</strong> Today, food processing allows food from other parts of the world to be transported to our local market and vice versa.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Status of Food Processing In India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is the world's second largest producer of fruits &amp; vegetables after China but hardly 2% of the produce is processed.</li>
<li>In spite of a large production base, the level of processing is low (less than 10%). Approximately 2% of fruits and vegetables, 8% marine, 35% milk, 6% poultry are processed. Lack of adequate processable varieties continues to pose a significant challenge to this sector.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578481753_image19.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1578481753_image19.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India's livestock population is largest in the world with 50% of the world's buffaloes and 20% of cattle, but only about 1% of total meat production is converted to value added products.</li>
<li>More than 75% of the industry is in unorganized sector.</li>
<li>Processing can be delineated into primary and secondary processing. Rice, sugar, edible oil and flour mills are examples of primary processing. Secondary processing includes the processing of fruits and vegetables, dairy, bakery, chocolates and other items.</li>
<li>Most processing in India can be classified as <strong>primary processing</strong>, which has lower value-addition compared to secondary processing. There is a need to move up the value chain in processed food products to boost farmer incomes. For instance, horticulture products, such as fruits and vegetables, carry the potential for higher value-addition when compared to cereal crops.</li>
<li>At present, India&rsquo;s agricultural exports predominantly consist of raw materials, which are then processed in other countries, again indicating the space to move up the value chain.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Food processing industry in India can be segmented as follows</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cereal/ pulse milling</li>
<li>Fruit &amp; vegetable processing</li>
<li>Milk &amp; milk products</li>
<li>Beverages like coffee, tea &amp; cocoa</li>
<li>Fish, poultry, eggs &amp; products</li>
<li>Meat &amp; meat products</li>
<li>Aerated waters/soft drinks 8. Beer/alcoholic beverages</li>
<li>Bread, biscuits &amp; other bakery products</li>
<li>Edible oil/fats.</li>
<li>Confectioneries</li>
<li>Breakfast cereals, malt protein, weaning, extruded food products</li>
</ul>
<h3>Problems in Food Processing Industries</h3>
<p>At present most of the industries are in unorganized sectors. So, number of problems are arising from different sections of the industries. Some of the basic problems encountered by Indian food industries at different levels are given below.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Farm level problems</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Poor yield of farm produce and therefore low returns.</li>
<li>Lack of material resources necessary for development.</li>
<li>Primitive methods of farming.</li>
<li>No control on the quality of inputs and lack of finance to manage.</li>
<li>Vagaries of weather.</li>
<li>Unavailability of reliable handling and transportation system.</li>
<li>Lack of storage facilities at farm.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Objectives of Draft National Food Processing Policy 2017</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To reduce wastages, increase value addition, ensure better prices for farmers while ensuring availability of affordable and quality produce to consumers</li>
<li>To address the challenges of malnourishment and malnutrition by ensuring availability of nutritionally balanced foods</li>
<li>To make food processing more competitive and future ready through creation of adequate infrastructure facilities along the supply chain, use of modern technology and innovation, promoting traceability, food safety, encouraging optimum capacity utilization of assets and resources.</li>
<li>To position India as the most preferred investment destination for the agribusiness and food processing.</li>
<li>To generate more opportunities for the development of the agribusiness and Food Processing Industry, and create employment.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Distributors&rsquo; problems</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lack of modern transportation facilities and high cost</li>
<li>Inadequate cold storage faculties</li>
<li>Irregular quality and quantity of farm produce</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Processing industries problem</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Financing</li>
<li>Higher import duties</li>
<li>Higher cost of raw material and packaging</li>
<li>Inadequate transport and cold storage facilities</li>
<li>Infrequent availability of refrigerated containers</li>
<li>Staggering advertising costs</li>
<li>Limited domestic market</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Consumer discontent</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Does not get value for money</li>
<li>The price variation is a day to day affair</li>
<li>Continued dependence on seasonal products</li>
<li>Lack of variety of semi processed or prepared convenience food at affordable prices.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons for slow growth of processed foods in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Majority of the population has low-income levels and cannot afford processed foods.</li>
<li>The high cost of packaging pushes up the cost of the processed items and thereby makes them out of reach of the common man.</li>
<li>Indians traditionally prefer fresh foods that are cooked rather than use preserved foods.</li>
<li>There is also no national character for food habits and these keep changing from region to region.</li>
<li>However, the scenario is changing with some foods, especially fast food, acquiring the national character. Also some foods such as idli, dosa, some Punjabi foods like chhole, alu mutter etc., some Chinese foods and now the western foods like burgers and pizza are fast gaining national popularity.</li>
<li>Transport (both road and railways) and communication are poor.</li>
<li>There are no reliable cold chains, which are necessary for temperature sensitive foods like fruits &amp; vegetables, ice creams etc.</li>
<li>Modernization is unaffordable for small-scale manufacturer but the large companies do not find investment justifiable due to small size of the market.</li>
<li>Supermarkets are not yet popular although a few are making an appearance.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Extensive use of fertilizers, pesticides</strong> and other chemicals has raised concerns about the quality of food which should be looked into. Further, protection is needed from unfair and hazardous practices such adulteration.</li>
<li>Care should be taken as processed foods <strong>may not be nutritionally balanced</strong> and may pose a health risk especially for children unless fortified. This could trigger a negative perception regarding processed foods and could likely impact the economic gains made by this sector.</li>
<li><strong>Low value-added in processing:</strong> There is major fragmentation of food processing capacity, with a large unorganized segment and widespread use of primitive processing. This results in lower value-addition at the processing stage, especially from a nutritional point of view.</li>
<li><strong>Limited ability to control quality and safety:</strong> The sheer number of players, especially in the large unorganized segment, involved in the food value-chain, makes implementation of quality and safety norms difficult. This has led to practices such as milk adulteration and use of carbide for fruit ripening becoming more widespread.</li>
<li><strong>Low consumer awareness:</strong> Consumer awareness is a critical aspect of an improved nutritional situation in the country. Consumers currently lack awareness of several nutritional and food safety and quality aspects.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Storage capacities and infrastructure</strong> should be increased.</li>
<li>Develop the <strong>agricultural facility</strong> with good agricultural practice which leads to the transition from staple food crops to diversification of crops.</li>
<li>Backward linkages to farmers need to be made more robust. <strong>Contract farming</strong> can be promoted. According to the <strong>Model Contract Farming Act, 2018,</strong> the contract will specify the quantity, quality and price of produce being supplied. This would shield farmers from price volatility, subject to quality commitments.</li>
<li><strong>Skilling is required at two levels.</strong> First at the farm gate in promoting agricultural best practices and in processing activities.</li>
<li><strong>Public investment and connectivity</strong> should be increased.</li>
<li><strong>Slaughter animal rules</strong> should be framed in a comprehensive policy framework.</li>
<li><strong>Farm pattern diversification</strong> which leads to a production of variety of crops other than constant set of crops which creates lot of job opportunities.</li>
<li><strong>Second Green Revolution</strong> should be updated with the diversified technologies.</li>
<li>We have to <strong>encourage the domestic startups and industry</strong> than the international companies.</li>
<li>There should be a <strong>Centre of Excellence</strong> between centre and state.</li>
<li>Should have more training institutes for upcoming entrepreneurs and it should be in all states.Scholarship should be given to the upcoming entrepreneurs.</li>
<li><strong>New technology should be updated</strong> in the training institutes and skill development should be given the top most priority.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Government&rsquo;s Initiative</h3>
<p>It has been the endeavor of the Government to promote food processing industry in the country to reduce wastage of agricultural produce and minimize post- harvest losses.</p>
<p>According to<strong> &ldquo;Assessment of Quantitative Harvest and Post-Harvest Losses of Major Crops and Commodities in India&rdquo;</strong> by ICAR the percentage of post-harvest losses as assessed by the study is as under:</p>
<table border="1" style="height: 181px; width: 60.3302%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" height="181">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #0f27ff;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Crops</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #0f27ff;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Cumulative wastage (%)</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Cereals</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">4.65 &ndash; 5.99</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Pulses</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">6.36 &ndash; 8.41</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Oil Seeds</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">3.08 &ndash; 9.96</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Fruits &amp; Vegetables</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">4.58 &ndash; 15.88</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Milk</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">0.92</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Fisheries (Inland)</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">5.23</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Fisheries (Marine)</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">10.52</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Meat</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">2.71</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="width: 16.0648%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">Poultry</td>
<td style="width: 11.8745%; height: 17px; background-color: #d3eaf0;">6.74</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With the above in view, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing <strong>PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The objective of PMKSY is to supplement agriculture, modernize processing and decrease agri-waste.</li>
<li>It is an umbrella scheme incorporating ongoing schemes</li>
<li>Under PMKSY the following schemes are to be implemented.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mega Food Parks.</li>
<li>Integrated Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure.</li>
<li>Creation/Expansion of Food Processing/Preservation Capacities.</li>
<li>Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters.</li>
<li>Scheme for Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages.</li>
<li>Food Safety &amp; Quality Assurance Infrastructure.</li>
<li>Human Resources and Institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy:</strong> FDI up to 100%, under the automatic route is allowed in food processing industries.</li>
<li><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)&ndash;</strong> an apex organization under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry &ndash; focusses on &lsquo;export&rsquo; of scheduled products.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Food processing has numerous advantages which are specific to Indian context. It has capacity to lift millions out of poverty and malnutrition. Government should develop industry in a way keeping in mind the interests of small scale industry along with attracting big ticket domestic and foreign investments.</li>
<li>The entire food value chain in India is controlled by multiple ministries, departments and laws. A comprehensive policy will ensure that various initiatives across the departments are aligned to the overall goal of ensuring availability, awareness, affordability, access, quality and safety of food.</li>
<li>The target of ensuring food security for more than a billion people requires a concerted effort by all stakeholders including government and the food processing industry. In addition to private players and government, industry bodies and academia will also have a crucial role in the success of these initiatives.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Importance of Africa in Indo-Pacific Strategy',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/re-imagining-india-and-africa-policy-narendra-modi-government-5809769/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Reimagining India and Africa&rdquo;</a> that appeared in Indian Express on 2 July 2019. It talks about the need for India to integrate Africa into its Indo-Pacific policy.</p>
</div>
<p>Geographically, Indo-Pacific refers to the Indian and the Pacific Oceans between the east coast of Africa and the American west coast and their several littoral countries. Though the term Indo-pacific has been in global strategic writings and speeches from the start of the 21st century but envisions of Indo-pacific by US President Trump (to check the rise of China) at the 2017 APEC Summit in Vietnam has changed geopolitical contours of the region.</p>
<p>Since then every major power in the Indo-pacific region has formulated their versions of Indo-pacific. For example, recently Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has adopted the &lsquo;ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific&rsquo; after more than a year of negotiations. But the strategy for Indo-Pacific neglects the importance of Africa and India is no exception to this fallacy.</p>
<h3>What is the importance of Africa in the Indo-Pacific equation especially for India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Envision of Indo-pacific seemed to have elevated India to a position of prominence in the region which can be reflected by:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Strategic convergence with the US</strong> that would help to contain China&rsquo;s dominance.</li>
<li>In pursuance to the above aim, India appeared to be a <strong>member of Quad</strong> (strategic talks and military exercises between the US, Japan, Australia and India)</li>
<li>But India must not forget Africa is the route through which India's global power aspirations pass.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Importance of Africa for India can be seen in the following dimensions:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Africa has turned from <strong>"The Hopeless Continent"</strong> to <strong>"A Hopeful Continent"</strong> given its demography, resources, market etc.</li>
<li>Also, India and Africa share historical ties, the 1955 Bandung Conference was not just about Asia or non-alignment but promoting Afro-Asian solidarity.</li>
<li>Africa assumes strategic importance for India in relation to:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Geopolitical interest:</strong> South-South cooperation, UNSC reforms, Competition with China, Cooperation in global issues such as climate change and WTO reforms.</li>
<li><strong>Geo-economic interest:</strong> Energy security - Oil (Nigeria), the supply of Uranium (South Africa), huge mineral resources of Africa, growing population of Africa provides for new opportunities for goods and services exports from India.</li>
<li><strong>Geostrategic interest:</strong> Maritime security - East coast countries are important for peace and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region, trade relations across and beyond Africa and interests of Indian diaspora in Africa.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since the rise of Asia and Africa, these continents are reconstituting the geographies of the eastern hemisphere and breaking down the artificial mental maps that emerged in the 20th century. Thus, India must recognise the growing importance of Africa for the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.</li>
<li>However, there are several issues that impede India's engagement with Africa</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>The New African Scramble</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Africa is witnessing a phenomenon called the <strong>&ldquo;New Scramble for Africa"</strong>.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If Europe and North America dominated Africa&rsquo;s economic relationship in the past, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the ASEAN share the geopolitical space today with the US and EU. China, Japan, Korea and India are also major investors in Africa as well as providers of development assistance</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s maritime silk road is about connecting China&rsquo;s eastern seaboard with the Indian Ocean littoral.</li>
<li>China is involved in the development of 47 ports in sub-Saharan Africa.</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s expanding defence and security engagement in Africa. Over the last few years, China has emerged as the largest major arms supplier to Sub-Saharan Africa.</li>
<li>The US, which was focused on terrorism and other non-military threats after 9/11, is paying attention to Africa&rsquo;s new geopolitics.</li>
<li>Russia, which seemed to turn its back on Africa after the collapse of the Soviet Union, is now returning with some vigour.</li>
<li>Also, many regional actors like Iran, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are taking a growing interest in African security affairs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India lacks diplomatic presence in Africa as India has an embassy only in 29 out of 54 African countries.</li>
<li>A lot of African countries are suffering from political instability.</li>
<li>Thus pan African strategy is not working as Africa is not homogenous</li>
<li>Also, there is a saying that - "India promises and China delivers". India's implementation and delivery have been flawed.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should focus on its comparative advantages like services sector, pharma and private sector relationship.</li>
<li>India has leverage over China as the latter's investments are perceived as neocolonial whereas India is engaged in partnership based on mutual benefit and capacity building</li>
<li>Africa is too big for both India and China, so they both must cooperate and wherever there is competition it must be constructive.</li>
<li>India elevated the engagement with Africa by hosting a summit in Delhi for all the African leaders, unveiling sustained high-level political contact, expanding India&rsquo;s diplomatic footprint, strengthening economic engagement and boosting military diplomacy.</li>
<li>But the scale and speed of Africa&rsquo;s current transformation need to be a priority on India's strategic map.</li>
</ul>
<p>Indian foreign policy has always envisaged a rules-based order anchored upon international law, openness, transparency, inclusivity and commitment to advancing economic engagement in the region. In this regard India can focus on four areas of cooperation with Africa i.e. maritime cooperation; connectivity; UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030; and economic development.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fcd4db; border-color: #c40a2c;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 1256px;"><em><strong>Drishti input:</strong></em><br /><br />Indi&rsquo;s Indo-pacific strategy reflects the neglect of strategically important Africa. Comment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
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	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'NASA’s Punch Mission',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Dipankar Banerjee, a solar physicist from Indian Institute of Astrophysics is a<strong> co-investigator of NASA's PUNCH mission.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>PUNCH, which stands for <strong>&ldquo;Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere,&rdquo;</strong> is focused on understanding the transition of particles from the Sun&rsquo;s outer corona to the solar wind that fills interplanetary space.</li>
<li>PUNCH will consist of a <strong>constellation of four suitcase-sized microsats</strong> that will orbit the Earth and study how the corona, which is the atmosphere of the Sun, connects with the interplanetary medium.</li>
<li>The mission will also image and track the solar wind and coronal mass ejections, which are huge masses of plasma that get thrown out of the Sun&rsquo;s atmosphere. The coronal mass ejections can affect and drive space weather events near the Earth.</li>
<li>There is also a plan to observe the Sun using joint observations from PUNCH and Indian mission Aditya, which is underway. India is planning to send up its own satellite Aditya-L1 with an aim to study the Sun&rsquo;s corona.</li>
<li>The mission is expected to be<strong> launched in the year 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Corona:</strong> It is the outermost region of the Sun&rsquo;s atmosphere, consisting of plasma (hot ionized gas).</li>
<li><strong>Solar Wind:</strong> It is the constant stream of solar coronal material that flows off the sun.</li>
<li><strong>Interplanetary Medium:</strong> It refers to thinly scattered matter that exists between the planets and other bodies of the solar system, as well as the forces (e.g., magnetic and electric) that pervade this region of space. The material components of the interplanetary medium consist of neutral hydrogen, plasma gas comprising electrically charged particles from the Sun, cosmic rays, and dust particles.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nasas-punch-mission'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'INS Viraat to be Scrapped',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Union Ministry of Defence has decided to scrap<strong> INS Virat</strong> after consultation with Indian Navy.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Navy has been incurring expenditure on its upkeep such as the provision of electricity and water, and repairs till date.</li>
<li>The Navy has stated that it cannot keep Viraat indefinitely as it would block space in the already crowded Mumbai dockyard.</li>
<li>Efforts to keep it intact by converting it into a museum or other means have not been successful.</li>
<li>Ministry stated that INS Viraat could not be handed over to any State Government because of non-receipt of a self-sustaining financially complete proposal.</li>
<li>There had been demands from various quarters to not let Viraat go the INS Vikrant way, India&rsquo;s first carrier that was eventually scrapped.</li>
<li><strong>INS Vikrant, a Centaur class,</strong> was maintained by the Navy in Mumbai for 17 years as various proposals to convert it into a museum went back and forth unsuccessfully before the ship was eventually sent to a scrapyard in 2014.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Andhra Pradesh submitted a proposal in 2016 for the conversion of Viraat as an aircraft museum, including tourist and hospitality components on a commercial basis through a joint venture with the Union government.</li>
<li>But the Defence Ministry rejected the proposal.</li>
<li>In 2018, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved a proposal to convert the carrier into a museum and hospitality center on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis, but there were no takers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>INS Viraat</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Viraat, a Centaur class aircraft carrier weighing 27,800 tonnes, had served in the<strong> British Navy as HMS Hermes</strong> for 25 years from 1959 to 1984.</li>
<li>The Centaur class was the light fleet carrier designs built for the Royal Navy (British Navy) in the closing years of the Second World War.</li>
<li>After refurbishment, it was commissioned into the Indian Navy in May 1987.</li>
<li>It was decommissioned from the Navy in March 2017 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>longest serving warship in the world</strong>. It holds the Guinness Books of record for this.</li>
<li>Viraat has played a major role in Operation Jupiter in 1989 in the Sri Lankan peacekeeping operation.</li>
<li>It has been instrumental in sharpening the art of flying operations from a carrier deck in the Navy, which resulted in the seamless induction of INS Vikramaditya.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ins-viraat-to-be-scrapped'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'European Heatwave',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><strong>France</strong> has recorded the hottest temperature of 45.9&deg;C amid European heatwaves.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/heat-wave-warning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heatwave</a> in Europe has caused <strong>flash floods</strong> and <strong>forest fires</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>European heatwave</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/768image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/768image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="640" height="598" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-the-global-climate-wmo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Meteorological Organization</a> (WMO), heatwaves in Europe are the result of warm air masses from Africa and extreme heat condition in <strong>India, Pakistan, parts of the Middle East and Australia</strong>.</li>
<li>According to weather experts, heatwaves are being amplified by a rise in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-warming-of-1-5-c-ipcc-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">global temperature</a>.</li>
<li>A scientific study on Europe-wide heatwave by the World Weather Attribution group concluded that high temperatures in the region were made more likely by <strong>human activities</strong> that contributed to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-melting-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate change</a>.</li>
<li>If the current trend were to continue, heatwaves across Europe could occur as often as every other year by the <strong>2040&rsquo;s</strong>, with the possibility that <strong>temperatures may rise</strong> by 3-5 degree Celsius by 2100.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/european-heatwave'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'One Nation One Ration Card Scheme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently the Food Minister announced One Nation One Ration Card Scheme, which all states needs to implement by July 2020.</li>
<li>One Nation One Ration Card&rsquo; scheme seeks to provide <strong>portability of food security benefits</strong> all across the nation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Features</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The poor migrant workers will be able to buy subsidised rice and wheat from any ration shop in the country but for that their <strong>ration cards must be linked to Aadhaar</strong>.</li>
<li>Migrants would only be eligible for the subsidies supported by the Centre, which include rice sold at Rs. 3/kg and wheat at Rs. 2/kg, It would not include subsidies given by their respective state government in some other state.</li>
<li>This scheme will ensure that no poor person is deprived of subsidised grains.</li>
<li>The scheme can be implemented as already 77% of the ration shops across the country have PoS machines and more than 85% of people covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) have their cards linked to Aadhaar.</li>
<li>For remaining beneficiaries, all the States have been given one more year to use point of sale (PoS) machines in the ration shops and implement the scheme.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Food Security Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The basic concept of food security globally is to ensure that all people, at all times, should get access to the basic food for their active and healthy life and is characterized by availability, access, utilization and stability of food.</li>
<li>Food security can also be derived from the fundamental right to life enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution, as it may be interpreted to include right to live with human dignity, which may include the right to food and other basic necessities.</li>
<li>In pursuance of this, the enactment of the National Food Security Act, (NFSA) 2013 marks a paradigm shift in the approach to food security from welfare to the rights-based approach.</li>
<li>The Act legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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