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Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana

Why in News Setting up of 22 new regional AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) has been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya...

20 May 2021 News Analysis
Single-Use Plastic

Why in News Recently, a report was published which gave details of who makes single-use plastic, 130 million tons a year at last count, and who...

20 May 2021 News Analysis
Tianwen-1: China's Mars Mission

Why in News Recently, China’s spacecraft Tianwen-1 landed on Mars carrying its first Mars rover named Zhurong. It became the third country...

20 May 2021 News Analysis
Malerkotla: The 23rd District of Punjab

Why in News Recently, the Punjab government has announced the formation of Malerkotla as the 23rd district of the state. Section 5 of the Punjab...

20 May 2021 News Analysis
India’s Western Pivot

This article is based on “Act west, think east: India is sealing relationships with US, UK, Europe after the double reality check from...

19 May 2021 News Editorials
Medicine from the Sky Project: Telangana

Why in News Recently, the Telangana government has selected 16 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) for pilot testing the ambitious ‘Medicine...

19 May 2021 News Analysis
Initiative for Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MTA) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to support the digital...

19 May 2021 News Analysis
International Museums Day

Why in News International Museum Day is observed on 18th May every year to raise awareness among people about the museums. 2021 Theme: The Future...

19 May 2021 News Analysis
TRIPS Waiver or Compulsory License

This article is based on “Walk the talk on TRIPS waiver” which was published in The Hindu on 18/05/2021. It talks about the need for...

18 May 2021 News Editorials
Independent Collegium for Election Commission

Why in News Recently, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court (SC) seeking the constitution of an independent collegium to appoint members of the...

18 May 2021 News Analysis
The Big Picture: Israel-Palestine Conflict

Why in News India, the United States and several other countries have called for calm and restraint amid escalating tensions and violence between...

18 May 2021 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Proposal for Gold Exchange

Why in News The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a framework for setting up a spot gold exchange. The spot exchange is...

18 May 2021 News Analysis
Farzad-B Gas Field: Iran

Why in News Recently, Iran gave the Farzad-B Gas Field to Petropars, a domestic gas producer. This is a setback for India’s energy ties...

18 May 2021 News Analysis
Cyclone Tauktae

Why in News Recently, Cyclone Tauktae made landfall in Gujarat. The cyclone has left a trail of destruction as it swept through the coastal...

18 May 2021 News Analysis
National Tribunals Commission

This article is based on “Restructuring the tribunals system” which was published in The Hindu on 17/05/2021. It talks about the...

17 May 2021 News Editorials
Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Mongolia

Why in News Recently, the Minister of State for Culture discussed various issues under the Cultural Exchange Programme with his Mongolian...

17 May 2021 News Analysis
India Resists Community Transmission Tag

Why in News As per a latest report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), India continues to label itself as a country with no Community...

17 May 2021 News Analysis
The Office of Speaker of Lok Sabha

Introduction About: The Office of the Speaker in India is a living and dynamic institution which deals with the actual needs and problems of...

17 May 2021 Paper 2
SWAMIH Fund

Why in News Recently, the Government of India’s Special Window for Affordable & Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) completed its first...

17 May 2021 News Analysis
Rethinking PSE Policy

This article is based on “Is it time to rethink PSE policy?” which was published in The Hindu Business Line on 14/05/2021. It talks...

15 May 2021 News Editorials

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			'title' => 'Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Setting up of<strong> 22 new regional AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences)</strong> has been approved under the <strong>Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)</strong> so far.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Launch:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>PMSSY</strong> was announced <strong>in 2003</strong> with objectives of correcting regional imbalances in the availability of affordable/reliable tertiary healthcare services and also to augment facilities for quality medical education in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nodal Ministry:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ministry of <strong>Health and Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Two Components:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Setting up of <strong>AIIMS like institutions.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Upgradation of government medical colleges</strong> in various states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>project cost</strong> for upgradation of each medical college institution is <strong>shared by the Centre and the state.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives Related to Healthcare Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-swasthya-suraksha-nidhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi (PMSSN)</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A<strong> single non-lapsable reserve fund for Health</strong> from the proceeds of Health and Education Cess.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-atmanirbhar-swasth-bharat-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Scheme:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Announced in the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-02-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Union Budget 2021-22.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Aims</strong> to develop capacities of primary, secondary, and tertiary care health systems even in the last miles of the nation, and developing a modern ecosystem for research, testing and treatment in the country itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-digital-health-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Digital Health Mission (NDHM):</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The NDHM is a complete digital health ecosystem with four key features &mdash; <strong>health ID, personal health records, Digi Doctor </strong>and<strong> health facility registry.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ayushman Bharat</strong></a> (a two-pronged approach):<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Creation of <strong>health and wellness centres</strong> to bring health care closer to homes.</li>
<li>The formulation of a <strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)</strong> to protect poor and vulnerable families against financial risk arising out of catastrophic health episodes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-digital-health-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Health Policy (NHP) 2017</strong></a>:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Aims<strong> to provide healthcare in an &ldquo;assured manner&rdquo; to all,</strong> the NHP 2017 strives to address current and emerging challenges arising from the ever-changing socio-economic, technological and epidemiological scenarios.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/janaushadhi-week" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>PMBJP stores have been set up<strong> to provide generic drugs,</strong> which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Health Mission</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NHM was launched by the government of India<strong> in 2013</strong> subsuming the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission.</li>
<li>The main programmatic components include Health System Strengthening in rural and urban areas for - <strong>Reproductive-Maternal- Neonatal-Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A),</strong> and <strong>Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719809#:~:text=So%20far%20setting%20up%20of,only%20MBBS%20classes%20has%20started." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Single-Use Plastic',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a report was published which gave details of who makes <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-eliminating-single-use-plastic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>single-use plastic</strong></a>, <strong>130 million tons a year</strong> at last count, and <strong>who makes money from it.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report was published by <strong>Minderoo, a nonprofit organization</strong> based in Australia along with <strong>academics at the University of Oxford and the Stockholm Environment Institute.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Major Producers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Half of the world&rsquo;s single-use plastic is made by <strong>20 big companies.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Two US companies</strong> followed by a <strong>Chinese-owned petrochemicals</strong> giant, and another one based in Bangkok.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Investors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Production is financed by <strong>financial services companies including banks.</strong></li>
<li>Governments are also big stakeholders in this industry. About <strong>40% of the</strong> <strong>largest single-use plastic makers are partly owned by governments</strong>, including <strong>China and Saudi Arabia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Growth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Single-use plastic has been a very good business, and that&rsquo;s projected to continue. In the <strong>next five years alone, production capacity is forecast to grow by 30%</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Usage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There&rsquo;s a huge disparity between richer and poorer nations:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An average <strong>American uses and throws away 50 kilograms</strong> of single-use plastic every year whereas an average <strong>Indian uses less than one-twelfth of an American.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Less Recycling:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Only about <strong>8% of plastic gets recycled in the US.</strong> It is far <strong>cheaper to make things out of newly produced plastic than from recycled plastic.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limited Efforts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>State and municipal governments have had success in banning certain items like plastic grocery bags, foam cups and drinking straws. But the <strong>efforts focused on curtailing the production of single-use plastic have been limited so far.</strong></li>
<li>Advocacy efforts to persuade consumers to use less plastic <strong>have failed to gain traction.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> issued a directive calling for consumer brands to use at least 30% recycled content in plastic bottles by 2025.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019, the Union government in a bid to <strong>free India of single-use plastics by 2022</strong>, had <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ban-on-single-use-plastics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>laid out a multi-ministerial plan</strong></a> to discourage the use of single-use plastics across the country.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/e-retailers-to-collect-plastic-waste" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016</strong></a> which <strong>extended the responsibility to collect waste generated from the products</strong> to their producers and brand owners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Single-Use Plastics</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are <strong>used only once before they are thrown away or recycled.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These items are things like <strong>plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Plastic is so <strong>cheap and convenient</strong> that it has replaced all other materials from the packaging industry but it <strong>takes hundreds of years to disintegrate.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a huge problem. If we look at the data, out of <strong>9.46 million tonnes of plastic waste generated every year</strong> in our country, <strong>43% is single use plastic.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The single-use plastic products also <strong>prevent the spread of infection.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Instruments such as <strong>syringes, applicators, drug tests, bandages and wraps are often made to be disposable.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, single-use plastic products have been <strong>enlisted in the fight against food waste</strong>, keeping food and water fresher for longer and <strong>reducing the potential for contamination.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problems:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Petroleum-based plastic is not biodegradable</strong> and usually goes into a landfill where it is buried or it gets into the water and finds its way into the ocean.</li>
<li>In the process of breaking down, <strong>it releases toxic chemicals</strong> (additives that were used to shape and harden the plastic) which <strong>make their way into our food and water supply.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621501697_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621501697_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Economically <strong>affordable and ecologically viable alternatives</strong> which will not burden the resources are needed and their prices will also come down with time and increase in demand.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Need to <strong>promote alternatives</strong> like cotton, khadi bags and biodegradable plastics.</li>
<li>More R&amp;D (Research &amp; Development) and finances for it, are needed to <strong>look for sustainably viable options.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Citizens have to bring <strong>behavioural change</strong> and contribute by not littering and helping in waste segregation and waste management.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/who-behind-global-surge-single-use-plastic-7321181/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/single-use-plastic-4'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Tianwen-1: China's Mars Mission',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, China&rsquo;s spacecraft <strong>Tianwen-1</strong> landed on Mars carrying its <strong>first Mars rover</strong> named <strong>Zhurong.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It became the <strong>third country</strong> to land on Mars <strong>after the US and Soviet Union.</strong></li>
<li><strong>China's previous</strong> <strong>&lsquo;Yinghuo-1&rsquo; Mars mission</strong>, which was supported by a Russian spacecraft, <strong>had failed</strong> after it did not leave the earth's orbit and disintegrated over the Pacific Ocean <strong>in 2012.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Tianwen-1 Mission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Launch:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Tianwen-1 Spacecraft</strong> was <strong>lifted off on a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/long-march-5b-rocket-by-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Long March 5 rocket</a></strong>, from the Wenchang launch center in <strong>July 2020.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Three Parts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Spacecraft consists of three parts - the <strong>orbiter, the lander and the rover</strong> - which separated in Mars orbit.</li>
<li>The <strong>orbiter will remain in the orbit for scientific operations</strong> and to relay signals while the <strong>lander-rover combination has made an autonomous descent and landing.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>lander from Tianwen-1 has touched down on Utopia Planitia</strong>, a large plain in the northern hemisphere of Mars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To conduct scientific investigations into the planet&rsquo;s soil, geological structure, environment, atmosphere and water.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The mission <strong>will be the first to place a ground-penetrating radar</strong> on the Martian surface, which will be able to study local geology, as well as rock, ice, and dirt distribution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Other Space Programmes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chang-e-5-mission-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chang&rsquo;e-5</strong></a> (Moon)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-permanent-space-station" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tianhe</strong></a> (Permanent Space Station)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Mars Missions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nasa-s-ingenuity-mars-helicopter" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NASA&rsquo;s Perseverance Rover</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uae-s-hope-mars-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UAE&rsquo;s Hope Mars Mission</strong></a> (UAE&rsquo;s first-ever interplanetary mission)</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)</a>&nbsp;</strong>or<strong> Mangalyaan:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation</strong></a> in November 2013.</li>
<li>It was launched on board a PSLV C25 rocket with the aim of studying Martian surface and mineral composition as well as scan its atmosphere for methane (an indicator of life on Mars).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<h3>Mars</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Size and Distance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>fourth planet from the Sun</strong> and the <strong>second-smallest</strong> planet in the Solar System.</li>
<li>Mars is about<strong> half the size of Earth.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Similarity to the Earth (Orbit and Rotation):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As Mars orbits the Sun, it completes <strong>one rotation every</strong> <strong>24.6 hours</strong>, which is very similar to one day on <strong>Earth (23.9 hours).</strong></li>
<li>Mars' axis of rotation is <strong>tilted 25 degrees</strong> with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. This is similar to <strong>Earth</strong>, which has <strong>an axial tilt of 23.4 degrees.</strong></li>
<li>Mars has distinct seasons like Earth, but <strong>they last longer than seasons on Earth.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Martian days</strong> are <strong>called sols</strong>&mdash;short for <strong>&lsquo;solar day&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Features:</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> reason</strong> Mars <strong>looks reddish</strong> is due to oxidation or rusting of iron in the rocks, and dust of Mars. Hence it is also called the<strong> Red Planet.</strong></li>
<li>It has the <strong>largest volcano</strong> in the solar system i.e. <strong>Olympus Mons.</strong></li>
<li>It has <strong>two small moons, Phobos and Deimos.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/chinese-spacecraft-successfully-lands-on-surface-of-mars/article34562542.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tianwen-1-china-s-mars-mission-1'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Malerkotla: The 23rd District of Punjab',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Punjab government has announced the formation of <strong>Malerkotla</strong> as the <strong>23<sup>rd</sup> district of the state.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Section 5 of the <strong>Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887</strong> says the &ldquo;State government may, by notification, vary the limits and alter the numbers of tehsils, districts and divisions into which the State is divided.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>History of Malerkotla:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Malerkoltla is former princley state and only <strong>Muslim-dominated town of Punjab.</strong></li>
<li>Historically, Malerkotla <strong>owes its foundations in the 15<sup>th</sup> century to Sufi saint Sheikh Sadrauddin Sadar-i-Jahan</strong>, also known as Haider Sheikh.</li>
<li><strong>After the decline of the Mughal empire</strong>, Malerkotla&rsquo;s rulers exercised greater independence and at the time of the invasion of India by <strong>Ahmad Shah Abdali</strong> from Afghanistan, they <strong>aligned with</strong> him.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ahmed Shah Abdali <strong>invaded India eight times from 1748 to 1767.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 19<sup>th</sup> century, Malerkotla became one among the <strong>cis-Sutlej states.</strong></li>
<li>Malerkotla <strong>continued under the British protection</strong> and the alliance with the neighbouring Sikh states <strong>till 1947</strong> when it <strong>became the only Muslim majority Sikh state</strong> in East Punjab.</li>
<li>After the dissolution of the princely states in 1948, <strong>Malerkotla joined the new state of PEPSU</strong> or Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU). <strong>PEPSU itself was dissolved in 1954</strong> and Malerkotla became a part of Punjab.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cis- Sutlej Sates</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Cis-Sutlej states <strong>were a group of small states in Punjab region in the 19<sup>th</sup> century</strong>, lying between the Sutlej River on the north, the Himalayas on the east, the Yamuna River and Delhi District on the south, and Sirsa District on the west.</li>
<li>The states were c<strong>alled Cis- Sutlej by the British</strong> because they were on the British, or southern, side of the Sutlej River.</li>
<li>The Cis-Sutlej states <strong>included Kaithal, Patiala, Jind, Thanesar, Malerkotla and Faridkot.</strong></li>
<li>Under the threat of absorption into Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh&rsquo;s kingdom, they appealed to the British, who established dominance over them by the <strong>Treaty of Amritsar with Ranjit Singh (1809).</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>states survived until the independence of India (1947)</strong>, at which time they were organized into the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU).</li>
<li>They subsequently were <strong>absorbed into the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Malerkotla and the Sikh Community:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>&lsquo;Haa Da Naara&rsquo; Episode (1705):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Malerkotla Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan had raised his voice (&lsquo;Haa Da Naara&rsquo;) against brutal execution of Chote Sahibzade (youngest sons of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/guru-gobind-singh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Guru Gobind Singh</strong></a> &mdash; Zorawar Singh (9) and Fateh Singh (6) &ndash; by Nawab of Sirhind, Wazir Khan in 1705.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Gurdwara Haa da Naara Sahib was built in Malerkotla</strong> to commemorate the voice raised by Sher Mohammad Khan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wadda Ghallugara (1762):</strong> The Nawab Bhikam Shah <strong>fought on the side of Abdali&rsquo;s forces in a battle against the Sikhs</strong> in 1762. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The battle is known as &lsquo;Wadda Ghallugara&rsquo; or the Great Holocaust where tens and thousands of Sikhs were killed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treaty of Friendship (1769):</strong> In 1769, a treaty of friendship was signed with Raja Amar Singh of Patiala by the then Nawab of Malerkotla.</li>
<li><strong>Namdhari Massacre (1872):</strong> The <strong>British administration of Malerkotla (Punjab)</strong> was <strong>attacked by the contingents of Namdharis</strong> (a sect of Sikhs) under the leadership of <strong>Hira Singh</strong> and <strong>lehna Singh</strong>, on 15<sup>th</sup> January, 1872.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The British Administration ordered that the Namdhari revolutionaries should be brought to the Parade Ground and blown up with cannons.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>That ground as a symbol of martyrdom has been named now as<strong> &lsquo;Kukian Da Shaheedi Park&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Creation of New District</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Role of State:</strong> The <strong>power to create new districts or alter or abolish existing districts</strong> rests with the <strong>State governments.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can <strong>either be done through an executive order or by passing a law</strong> in the State Assembly.</li>
<li>Many States prefer the executive route by simply issuing a notification in the official gazette.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Purpose of Creation:</strong> States argue that smaller districts <strong>lead to better administration and governance.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, in 2016, the <strong>Assam government</strong> issued a notification to upgrade the Majuli sub-division to <a href="/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-11th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Majuli district</strong></a> for &ldquo;administrative expediency&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of Centre:</strong> The Centre has <strong>no role to play in the alteration of districts or creation of new ones.</strong> States are free to decide. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Role of Home Ministry:</strong> The Home Ministry comes into the picture <strong>when a State wants to change the name of a district or a railway station.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The State government&rsquo;s request is sent to other departments and agencies such as the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, Geographical Survey of India Sciences and the Railway Ministry seeking clearance.</li>
<li>A <strong>no-objection certificate</strong> may be issued after examining their replies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Number of Districts in India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <strong>2011 Census</strong>, there were <strong>593 districts</strong> in the country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Between 2001-2011, as many as 46 districts were created by States.</li>
<li>Though the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/census-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2021 Census</strong></a> is yet to happen, <strong>currently there are 718 districts in the country.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The surge in number is also due to <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/statehood-demand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh</strong></a> into A.P and Telangana in 2014.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/malerkotla-punjab-sikhs-amarinder-singh-7318919/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/malerkotla-the-23rd-district-of-punjab'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'India’s Western Pivot',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/Globespotting/act-west-think-east-india-is-sealing-relationships-with-us-uk-europe-after-the-double-reality-check-from-china/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Act west, think east: India is sealing relationships with US, UK, Europe after the double reality check from China&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Times of India on 16/05/2021. It talks about the growing relationship between India and western countries.</p>
</div>
<p>In the recent months, India took two big steps in the domain of foregin policy viz. crafting a post-Brexit relationship with the UK and reinvigorating the India-Europe relationship.</p>
<p>Improved trade is the bedrock of both the deals. This is significant after India decided to exit the RCEP in 2019 and calls for Atmanirbhar Bharat and resilient supply chains became the dominant narrative. Moreover, India and the US are also negotiating a mini trade deal.</p>
<p>Apart from trade engagement, India&rsquo;s strategic convergence with the EU, UK and US signals the formation of India&rsquo;s western pivot. This growing relationship between India and the West is also a result of rising China.</p>
<p>In this scenario where the global economy has been hit by the pandemic, India must seriously consider reforms that make the relationship with the western countries permanent in nature.</p>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Western Pivot</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Acting Swiftly After Brexit:</strong> Taking advantage of Brexit, the enhanced trade partnership between India and the UK will start with market access to confidence-building measures (CBMs) before graduating to an Free-Trade Agreement (FTA).</li>
<li><strong>Reinvigorating India-EU Relationship:</strong> In a recently held virtual summit, India and the EU have decided to resume negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the summit witnessed the launching of an ambitious &ldquo;connectivity partnership&rdquo; in digital, energy, transport, and people-to-people sectors, enabling the two to pursue sustainable joint projects in regions spanning from Africa, Central Asia to the wider Indo-Pacific.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Engaging With Independent European Countries:</strong> For years, India has treated the EU as an anomaly, preferring to build independent ties with France, Germany, the UK etc.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, France has become India&rsquo;s go-to partner in Europe, cutting across sectors such as defence, strategic, nuclear and multilateral spheres, to the extent that it can almost replace Russia.</li>
<li>The Nordics countries are India favourites in areas like smart cities, 5G, AI and semiconductors.</li>
<li>Further, India&rsquo;s interest in things like clean water, sanitation, and smart cities naturally gravitated towards European countries that had solutions on tap.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Quad:</strong> As a member of the Quad and at the geopolitical heart of the Indo-Pacific, India is a strategic opportunity for the West.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Involved</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>A Rigid EU:</strong> The UK deal is likely to be much faster because of vested interests on both sides. However, the EU is much more rigid and more demanding of reciprocity.</li>
<li><strong>Chinese Lesson:</strong> The US and Europe were collectively instrumental in the growth of China. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Their idea was a prosperous China would become a more democratic China, not a threatening China.</li>
<li>However, today China's actions are a prime strategic challenge for these countries.</li>
<li>So, India should not expect that its transformation as a result of its engagement with the EU, US and UK will be anything but hard won.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Resistance From China:</strong> China sees Quad as a small geopolitical grouping that wants to divide Asia and contain China. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this narrative, preventing the emergence of any countervailing Asian coalition is very much the top strategic priority for China now.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Building Domestic Consensus:</strong> For closer convergence between India and the western countries, India should bridge the supply-chain gaps and build domestic consensus on the big issues: Goods, services, agriculture, government procurement, international arbitration.</li>
<li><strong>Alignment With Middle Powers:</strong> India should supplement its partnership with the US with a network of multilateral groups with other middle powers, such as the India-Australia-Japan forum and the trilateral dialogue with France and Australia.</li>
<li><strong>Natural Relationship:</strong> India is already a robust democracy and a market economy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, India can leverage a lot of its strengths: Technology advances; a western-oriented pool of 21<sup>st</sup> century talent; a climate change believer to strengthen its relationship with wetern countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>From Indian perspective, collaboration with the western countries can provide regional stability, promote peace, bring economic growth and enhance sustainable development.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdf5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>India&rsquo;s recent foregin policy developments reflects the formation of western pivot. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-western-pivot'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Medicine from the Sky Project: Telangana',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Telangana government has selected 16 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) for pilot testing the ambitious <strong>&lsquo;Medicine from the sky&rsquo;,</strong> the <strong>first-of- its-kind project.</strong></p>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621422909_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621422909_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project <strong>involves delivery of medicines through multiple drones.</strong></li>
<li>The project is being launched following the<strong> approval granted by the Civil Aviation Ministry.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Ministry has granted <strong>conditional exemption</strong> to the Telangana Government from the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-unmanned-aircraft-system-uas-rules-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Unmanned Aircraft System Rules</a> 2021</strong> for conducting experimental<strong> Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)</strong> drone flights for delivery of vaccines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The project <strong>would be launched in three waves</strong> starting with a pilot followed by mapping the route network for operation of drones for delivering vaccine/medicine in the desired community health centres and PHCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Collaborators:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Telangana government, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Forum</strong> </a>and HealthNet Global.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>HealthNet Global</strong> is a<strong> private limited company</strong> which provides quality affordable health plans for individuals, families, Medicare and businesses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To assess <strong>alternative logistics routes</strong> in providing<strong> safe, accurate and reliable pick up and delivery of health care items</strong> like medicines, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-vaccination" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 vaccines</strong></a>, units of blood and other lifesaving equipment <strong>from the distribution centre to specific locations and back.</strong></li>
<li>To ensure <strong>healthcare equity for rural areas.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The model, once successful, would <strong>enable deliveries from district medical stores and blood banks to PHCs, Community Healthcare Centres (CHCs)</strong> and further <strong>from PHCs/CHCs to central diagnostic laboratories.</strong></li>
<li>It has the<strong> potential to disrupt the healthcare industry and save many lives</strong> during emergencies and in less accessible geographies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Projects involving Use of Drones:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Similar permission was granted to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-to-test-for-community-transmission-of-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong></a> for <strong>conducting feasibility study of Covid-19 vaccine delivery using drones,</strong> in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/climate-resistant-chickpea-varieties" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Crops Research Institute (ICRISAT)</strong></a> was <strong>permitted to deploy drones for agricultural research activities,</strong> apart from some agriculture universities and educational institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Drones</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Drone is a layman terminology for <strong>Unmanned Aircraft (UA).</strong> There are <strong>three subsets of Unmanned Aircraft-</strong> Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Autonomous Aircraft and Model Aircraft.</li>
<li>Remotely piloted aircraft have been divided into <strong>five categories based on their weight-</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nano :</strong> Less than or equal to 250 grams.</li>
<li><strong>Micro :</strong> From 250 grams to 2kg.</li>
<li><strong>Small :</strong> From 2 kg to 25kg.</li>
<li><strong>Medium :</strong> From 25kg to 150kg.</li>
<li><strong>Large :</strong> Greater than 150kg.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-sky-platform-drone-regulation-1-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Drone Regulation in 2018</strong></a>, the Ministry of Civil Aviation partitioned the Air space into <strong>Red Zone</strong> (flying not permitted), <strong>Yellow Zone</strong> (controlled airspace), and <strong>Green Zone</strong> (automatic permission).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Beyond Visual Line of Sight </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a term relating to the operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and drones at <strong>distances outside the normal visible range of the pilot.</strong></li>
<li>BVLOS flights typically<strong> require additional equipment and extra training and certification,</strong> and are subject to permission from aviation authorities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Unmanned Aircraft System Rules 2021 states that <strong>drones will not be allowed to operate BVLOS,</strong> which would<strong> limit the use of these gadgets to surveys, photography, security</strong> and various information gathering purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They are more <strong>cost-effective and efficient,</strong> as there are fewer takeoff and landing phases, so the UAV will cover more ground in a single mission.</li>
<li>BVLOS flights <strong>require less human intervention</strong> as some or all of the missions may be automated. They may also allow <strong>easier access to remote or hazardous areas.</strong></li>
<li>BVLOS capabilities <strong>enable a drone to cover far greater distances.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Risk:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These operations<strong> carry more safety concerns due to the fact that the pilot may only be observing potential obstacles</strong> via a remote camera feed, or, in the case of automated flights, there may be no human observation at all.</li>
<li>There is a risk of<strong> collisions with other aircraft, or damage to property and people,</strong> especially when flights take place in non-segregated airspace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/medicine-from-the-sky-pilot-at-vikarabad-area-hospital/article34590408.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/medicine-from-the-sky-project-telangana'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Initiative for Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MTA)</strong> inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with <strong>Microsoft</strong> to support the digital transformation of schools such as <strong>Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)</strong> and<strong> Ashram Schools,</strong> among others under the Ministry.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is aimed at building an inclusive, skills-based economy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the MoU:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></a> curriculum will be made available to tribal students in both English and Hindi at all EMRS schools to skill educators and students in next-generation technologies.</li>
<li>In the<strong> first phase, 250 EMRS schools have been adopted by Microsoft,</strong> out of which 50 EMRS schools will be given intensive training and 500 master trainers would be trained in the first phase.</li>
<li><strong>Teachers across states in India will be trained in a phased manner</strong> for using productivity technologies like Office 365 and AI applications in teaching.</li>
<li>The program will also offer opportunities for<strong> teachers to earn professional e-badges and e-certificates</strong> from the Microsoft Education Centre.</li>
<li>Students from schools under the Ministry will be mentored on projects that involve AI applications for <strong>societal good</strong> and the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=To%20bring%20sustainable%20development%20in,over%20the%20next%2015%20years.&amp;text=SDGs%20are%20not%20legally%20binding." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN&rsquo;s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expected Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This program will ensure that tribal students get a chance to <strong>change their future, their environment, their village, and overall community.</strong></li>
<li>The initiative will also enable the <strong>professional development of educators, enabling them to use technology in classrooms.</strong></li>
<li>It will help in the success of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>digital India Mission.</strong></a></li>
<li>It will be able to<strong> bridge the gap between the tribal students and others.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Educational Schemes for Tribals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme (RGNF):</strong> RGNF was introduced in the year 2005-2006 with the objective to encourage the students belonging to the ST community to pursue higher education.</li>
<li><strong>Vocational Training Center in Tribal Areas:</strong> The aim of this scheme is to develop the skill of ST students depending on their qualification and present market trends.</li>
<li><strong>National Overseas Scholarship Scheme:</strong> It provides financial assistance to 20 students selected for pursuing higher studies abroad for PhD and postdoctoral studies.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pre-matric-scholarship-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pre and Post Matric Scholarship Schemes.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Eklavya Model Residential Schools</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eklavya-model-residential-and-day-boarding-schools" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>EMRS</strong> </a>started in the<strong> year 1997-98</strong> to impart quality education to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Schedule Tribes</strong></a> children in remote areas.</li>
<li>The schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of the students.</li>
<li>The <strong>objective</strong> of EMRS is to provide quality middle and high level education to ST students in remote areas, not only to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and as jobs in government and public and private sectors but also to have access to the best opportunities in education at par with the non ST population.</li>
<li>Each school has a capacity of <strong>480 students, catering to students from Class VI to XII.</strong></li>
<li>These are being set up by grants provided <strong>under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/post-devolution-revenue-deficit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Article 275(1) of the Constitution</a>.</strong></li>
<li>These are <strong>funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>In order to give further impetus to EMRS, it has been decided that by <strong>the year 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons,</strong> will have an EMRS.</li>
<li>Eklavya schools are on <strong>par with Navodaya Vidyalaya</strong> and have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) scheme</strong> envisages setting up of one Navodaya Vidyalaya in each district of the country. It is under the <strong>Ministry of Education.</strong></li>
<li>These residential schools impart<strong> good quality modern education to rural talented children</strong> irrespective of their socio-economic background including ST children.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Ashram Schools</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ashram schools are residential schools, in which <strong>free boarding and lodging along with other facilities and incentives are provided to the students.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from formal education, there is emphasis put upon <strong>physical activities, meditation, sight-seeing, play, sports, games, and other.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The Ministry of Tribal Affairs</strong> provides construction costs and the<strong> State Government</strong> is responsible for running and overall maintenance of these Ashram schools including selection of medium of instruction.</li>
<li>So far, the Ministry has funded<strong> 1,205 Ashram Schools</strong> across the country for quality education of ST children.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719441" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiative-for-digital-transformation-of-tribal-schools'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'International Museums Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>International Museum Day is observed on <strong>18<sup>th</sup> May</strong> every year to raise awareness among people about the museums.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>2021 Theme:</strong> The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>History:</strong> The Day was <strong>instituted in 1977</strong> by the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-museum-day#:~:text=The%20International%20Museum%20Day%20is,cooperation%20and%20peace%20among%20peoples.%E2%80%9D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Council of Museums (ICOM)</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong>International Council of Museum (ICOM):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ICOM is <strong>a</strong> <strong>membership association and a non-governmental organisation</strong> which establishes professional and ethical standards for museum activities. It is the <strong>only global organisation in the museum field.</strong></li>
<li>It was <strong>created in 1946</strong> and is <strong>headquartered in Paris, France.</strong></li>
<li>It serves as <strong>a network of museum professionals</strong> (more than 40,000 members in over 138 countries).</li>
<li>The <strong>ICOM Red Lists of Cultural Objects at Risk</strong> are practical tools to curb the illegal traffic of cultural objects.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Red Lists</strong> present the categories of cultural objects that can be subjected to theft and traffic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Administration of Museums in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Multiple ministries hold charges of various Museums.</li>
<li>Not all Museums are administered by the Ministry of Culture.</li>
<li>Some are run without government support by a handful of people under a Board of Trustees.</li>
<li><strong>Related Constitutional Provision:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Article 49:</strong> Protect monuments, places and objects of artistic or historic interest which are declared to be of national importance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives Related to Museums:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Museum Grant Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Culture</strong> provides financial assistance under the Scheme to the State Governments and Societies, Autonomous bodies, Local Bodies and Trusts registered under the Societies Act, for setting up new Museums.</li>
<li>It also aims to strengthen and modernize the existing museums at the Regional, State and District level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>National Portal and Digital Repository for Indian Museums</strong> (under the Ministry of Culture) have been launched for <strong>digitisation of the collections</strong> of the Museums.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Notable Museums in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Museum, New Delhi (Subordinate Office under the Ministry of Culture).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naimisha-2020#:~:text=to%20the%20universe.-,National%20Gallery%20of%20Modern%20Art,and%20the%20other%20at%20Bengaluru." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Gallery of Modern Art</strong></a>, New Delhi</li>
<li>Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad</li>
<li>Indian Museum, Kolkata</li>
<li>Archaeological Survey of India site Museum, Goa</li>
<li>National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), New Delhi</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1719673" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source : PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-museums-day'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'TRIPS Waiver or Compulsory License',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/walk-the-talk-on-trips-waiver/article34581499.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &ldquo;Walk the talk on TRIPS waiver&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Hindu on 18/05/2021. It talks about the need for invoking compulsory licensing under WTO norms to bridge the vaccine shortage for Covid-19.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, India and South Africa have piloted the proposal to waive key provisions of the TRIPS agreement on Covid-19 vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, and related technologies. This proposal has been now backed by the U.S also.</p>
<p>The TRIPS waiver proposal would give immunity to member countries from a legal challenge at the WTO if their domestic Intellectual Property Regulation (IPR) laws suspend or do not enforce IP protection.</p>
<p>The core idea behind this TRIPS proposal is that the IPR should not become barriers in scaling up production of medical products essential to combat Covid-19. However, the TRIPS waiver is unlikely to solve India&rsquo;s Covid-19 vaccine shortage.</p>
<p>Instead of trying to obtain an IP waiver, the Indian government must enable vaccine manufacturers to expand production (through compulsory licensing) &amp; reduce inefficiencies in procurement &amp; distribution.</p>
<h3>TRIPS Agreement &amp; Indian Law</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The TRIPS agreement was negotiated in 1995 at the WTO, it requires all its signatory countries to enact domestic law.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It guarantees minimum standards of IP protection.</li>
<li>Such legal consistency enables innovators to monetise their intellectual property in multiple countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2001, the WTO signed the Doha Declaration, which clarified that in a public health emergency, governments could compel companies to license their patents to manufacturers, even if they did not think the offered price was acceptable.</li>
<li>This provision, commonly referred to as &ldquo;compulsory licensing&rdquo;, was already built into the TRIPS Agreement and the Doha declaration only clarified its usage.</li>
<li>Under Section 92 of the 1970 Indian Patents Act, the central government has the power to allow compulsory licenses to be issued at any time in case of a national emergency or circumstances of extreme urgency.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why is the TRIPS waiver unlikely to solve India&rsquo;s Covid-19 vaccine shortage?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Complex Intellectual Property Mechanism:</strong> The process of vaccine development and manufacturing has several steps, and involves a complex intellectual property mechanism. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Different types of IP rights apply to different steps and there is no one kind of IP that could unlock the secret to manufacturing a vaccine.</li>
<li>The expertise to manufacture it may be protected as a trade secret, and the data from clinical trials to test vaccine safety and efficacy may be protected by copyright.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Complex Manufacturing Mechanism:</strong> Manufacturing vaccines will need to design the process for manufacturing the vaccines, source necessary raw materials, build production facilities, and conduct clinical trials to get regulatory approvals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The manufacturing process itself has different steps, some of which may be subcontracted to other parties.</li>
<li>Thus, a patent waiver alone does not empower manufacturers to start vaccine production immediately.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward: Need for Invoking Compulsory Licensing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Plugging Shortage of Vaccine:</strong> The richest countries have cornered about 80 percent of vaccine supplies so far. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While India needs to supplement its output to ensure that a population of over 900 million which is above 18 years of age gets about 1.8 billion doses at the earliest.</li>
<li>Thus, compulsory licensing can be used to augment the supply of drugs and other therapeutics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nudging Voluntary Licensing:</strong> An assertive posture on compulsory licences would also have the advantage of forcing several pharmaceutical companies to offer licences voluntarily.</li>
<li><strong>Leading By Example:</strong> Licensing Covaxin widely would enable India to live up to its reputation of being the &lsquo;pharmacy of the world&rsquo; and also put pressure on developed countries to transfer their vaccine technology to developing countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, the government should not only transfer Covaxin&rsquo;s technology to domestic pharmaceutical companies, to boost national supplies, but also offer it to foreign corporations.</li>
<li>By unlocking its vaccine technical know-how to the world, India would demonstrate its resolve to walk the talk on the TRIPS waiver.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Favourable Regulatory Environment:</strong> A commitment to supply vaccines to India requires trust in the country&rsquo;s regulatory and institutional environment, which the government must strive to instil through dependable commitments. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such confidence, combined with the expedited process for vaccine approval, can help India quickly overcome its supply shortage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India has historically played a leading role in mainstreaming TRIPS flexibilities like the compulsory licence at the WTO. In this global and national health emergency, the government should inexplicably make use of compulsory licences.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #ebfffe;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The world&rsquo;s population should be vaccinated against Covid-19 as quickly as possible, which cannot happen without lower prices and technology transfer. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/trips-waiver-or-compulsory-license'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Independent Collegium for Election Commission',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a petition was filed in the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court (SC)</strong></a> seeking the <strong>constitution of an independent collegium to appoint members of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Election Commission</a>.</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Election Commission of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an<strong> autonomous constitutional authority</strong> responsible for administering <strong>Union and State election</strong> processes in India.</li>
<li>The body administers elections to the<strong> Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 324 of the Constitution:</strong> It provides for appointment of a Election commission to superintend, direct and control the elections.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Structure :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Originally the commission had only one election commissioner but after the<strong> Election Commissioner Amendment Act 1989,</strong> it has been made a multi-member body.</li>
<li>The commission <strong>presently consists of one <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chief-election-commissioner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)</a> and two <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/election-commissioner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Election Commissioners (ECs).</a></strong></li>
<li>The secretariat of the <strong>commission is located in New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Present System of Appointment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is <strong>no prescribed procedure for appointment</strong> of the<strong> CEC </strong>and<strong> EC as per the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>Under the Transaction of Business rules 1961, <strong>the President shall appoint the CEC and EC</strong> based on the <strong>recommendations made by the Prime Minister.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Therefore, it is the<strong> executive power of the President</strong> to appoint CEC and ECs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, according to <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/is-the-election-commission-of-india-free" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Article 324</a>(5), the Parliament has the power to regulate the terms of conditions of service and tenure of ECs. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991</strong> was passed to determine the conditions of service of the CEC and other ECs and to provide for the procedure for transaction of business by the ECI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is under <strong>Article 324(5)</strong> that the Parliament has made laws till date, and not under <strong>Article 324(2)</strong> in which the Parliament can establish a selection committee for regulating the appointments made by the President.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Article 324(2)</strong> states that the President shall, with aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, appoint CEC and ECs, till Parliament enacts a law fixing the criteria for selection, conditions of service and tenure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for an Independent Collegium:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Recommendation of Committees:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The recommendation to have a neutral collegium to fill up vacancies in the Election Commission have been given by<strong> several expert committees, commissions from 1975.</strong></li>
<li>The recommendation was also part of the <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-election-commission-collegium-system-appointments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Law Commission&rsquo;s 255<sup>th</sup> report</a> in March 2015.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2009,</strong> the<a href="/summary-of-important-reports/right-to-information-master-key-to-good-governance-2nd-arc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Second Administrative Reforms Commission</strong></a> in its fourth report suggested a collegium system for CEC and ECs.</li>
<li>In <strong>1990,</strong> the<strong> Dinesh Goswami Committee</strong> recommended effective consultation with neutral authorities like the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of the Opposition for the appointment in the Election Commission.</li>
<li>In <strong>1975, the Justice Tarkunde Committee</strong> recommended that the members of the Election Commission should be appointed by the President on the advice of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Insulation from Political and Executive Interference:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The appointment of members of the Election Commission on the whims and fancies of the Executive <strong>violates the very foundation on which it was created,</strong> thus, making the Commission a branch of the Executive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unfair Election Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Election Commission is <strong>not only responsible for conducting free and fair elections, but it also renders a quasi judicial function</strong> between the various political parties including the ruling government and other parties.</li>
<li>In such circumstances, the Executive cannot be the sole participant in the appointment of members of the Election Commission as it gives <strong>unfettered discretion to the ruling party</strong> to choose someone whose loyalty to it is ensured and thereby renders the selection process vulnerable to manipulation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Similar Demand for Others:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For other constitutional positions, similar demands can be raised where it is the imperative of the executive to make such appointments like for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/attorney-general-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Attorney General</strong></a> or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/comptroller-and-auditor-general-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comptroller &amp; Auditor-General.</strong></a></li>
<li>For the appointment of<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/central-bureau-of-investigation-cbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)</strong> </a><strong>director</strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-vigilance-commission-2#:~:text=Background%3A,statutory%20status%20on%20the%20CVC." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Vigilance Commissioner</strong></a>, committees are constituted. But these are statutory positions. As of now, there is no committee for constitutional appointments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Distinction between CEC &amp; EC:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is a difference between the position of a CEC &amp; EC. The <strong>appointments to both the positions may differ</strong> according to the task they perform.</li>
<li>Therefore, <strong>to differentiate the process of appointment which is still done on an ad-hoc basis</strong> (because of absence of any constitutional law) <strong>becomes a challenging task</strong> that needs to be addressed properly to ensure the independent working of the commission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Judicial Overreach:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The SC interprets any law on the basis of provisions of the constitution, and constitutionally the <strong>decision for appointment procedure of EC comes under executive domain.</strong></li>
<li>Thereby, <strong>decisions by the SC</strong> in this regard <strong>can possibly shake the harmonious balance of power.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Deficiencies in the present system of appointment process needs to be removed. And <strong>adequate safeguards must be put into place to ensure that ethical and capable people head the concerned positions.</strong></li>
<li>There is a <strong>need for debate and discussions in the Parliament on the issue of independence of ECI</strong> and consequently passing of required legislation.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/plea-for-independent-panel-to-appoint-ec-members/article34581010.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/independent-collegium-for-election-commission'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture: Israel-Palestine Conflict',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uyFPmpf-N2A" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India, the United States and several other countries have called for calm and restraint amid escalating tensions and violence between<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Israel and Palestinian</strong> </a>militants.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dozens of people have been killed in clashes and airstrikes since the violence broke out, including a 30-year-old Indian woman in Israel who was killed in a rocket attack by Palestinian militants from Gaza.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> At the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Security Council</strong></a> meeting, India expressed deep concern at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ai-aqsa-mosque-sheikh-jarrah-israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>clashes and violence in Jerusalem</strong></a> and called on both sides to avoid changing the status-quo on the ground.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the UN, stressed the need to<strong> immediately resume direct peace talks</strong> and commitment to a two-state solution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>US Stand:</strong> The US President has also called for de-escalation of the deadly violence that has claimed dozens of lives.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the US added that Israel has a right to defend itself if it is attacked by thousands of rockets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Response by the Arab World:</strong> Iran, Qatar and Turkey completely support the Palestinian cause and are backing Hamas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UAE and Saudi Arabia are almost <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/israel-uae-peace-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>de facto allies of Israel.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Israel - Palestine</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Conflict:</strong> It is linked to the age-old <strong>tussle over identity and land</strong> starting with Jerusalem.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <strong>first Arab Israel war of 1948,</strong> the Israelis captured the western half of the city, and Jordan took the eastern part which Israel later captured and annexed.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since then, Israel has expanded settlements in East Jerusalem.</li>
<li>The Palestinians want to make East Jerusalem the capital of their yet to be formed state.</li>
<li>Israel sees the whole city as its &ldquo;unified, eternal capital&rdquo;, whereas the Palestinian leadership denies for any compromise unless East Jerusalem is recognised as the capital of future Palestinian state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Palestinians</strong> are facing the<strong> threat of eviction from Sheikh Jarrah,</strong> a neighbourhood in east Jerusalem. Their land is to be given to the Jewish settlers.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Moreover, the Israeli armed forces have recently attacked the Al-Aqsa Mosque ahead of a march by Zionist nationalists.</li>
<li>The Al Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest shrine for Islam after Mecca and Medina.</li>
<li>It created a fear for the followers, all over the region and the radicals began to call for defending the Al Aqsa Mosque.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, earlier this year (2021), the Central Court in East Jerusalem upheld a decision to <strong>evict four Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah</strong> in favor of Jewish settlers.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The issue remains unresolved and potentially inflammable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>current outbreak of violence is the most severe one since 2014</strong> involving the rocket-firing by the Palestinians and the air-strikes conducted by Israelis in retaliation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621339894_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621339894_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Factors Triggering the Conflict</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Hamas in Rule in Palestine:</strong> Hamas, found in 1987, is a violent offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood seeking "to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine" through violent jihad.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Palestinian President is quite old age and hence, senile and unable to fight for the cause.</li>
<li>So, <strong>Hamas is the more radical faction of the Palestinians which has now started retaliating.</strong></li>
<li>The so-called president authority of Palestine is neither conducting elections, nor functioning properly, the dictatorship of the Hamas and Israeli seizure of territories and limitations is aggravating the Palestinians.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Instability in Both the States:</strong> There is <strong>incapability and stagnation in the leadership structures</strong> on the both sides thus leading to too many groups getting out of control, who are resorting to maximum violence.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, <strong>Israel has had 4 elections in the last two years</strong> and all of them were inconclusive. The Prime Minister of Israel has retained his post but only in a caretaker form.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Divided Israel:</strong> The Israelis are all highly divided.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Arabian Israelis</strong> who are just 20% of the population,<strong> identify with the Palestinians</strong> due to the same ethnicity.</li>
<li>The Arabian Israelis and the far-right community of Israel are engaging in civil war like activities inside the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues with the Palestinian People:</strong> The ground sentiments of the Palestinians are also changing, the <strong>majority of them saying they do not want a two state solution.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is also not decided if Hamas will rule over the Palestinian state or the Fatah or neither of these.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Palestinians have been a divide lot between between the Hamas and the Fatah</strong> and the two are moving on the different tracks which is the main reason for the defeat of the ultimate Palestinian cause.</li>
<li>United Palestine with the help from the Arab world and the other countries could have achieved much more than it is achieving now.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are <strong>geographically separated by Israeli territory</strong> so it is not a viable state anymore, plus, the<strong> land going into the Jewish hands is further aggravating the Palestinians.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The US Losing its Significance in the Region:</strong> The US is preventing the meeting from taking place at the UNSC for Palestinian cause and <strong>completely recognises the rights of Israelis</strong> to defend themselves.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The US President recognising Jerusalem as Israel&rsquo;s de facto capital also became a major problem.</li>
<li>The US, under President Joe Biden, <strong>does not have much leverage on Israel,</strong> unlike the US under Donald Trump who clearly supported Israel. <strong>They are trying to be more even handed.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Although the current administration in the US has talked about being neutral, it <strong>hasn&rsquo;t invested much diplomatic energy in this conflict.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Change in Leadership:</strong> The leadership and generational change in politics of the two States is really very crucial.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both the Isreali and Palestinian Prime Ministers have been in power for quite long. Ideally, they shall step aside, the domestic survival politics for power and the desire of holding on to their chairs is overriding the broader interest of the region and its people.</li>
<li>There is hope for the newer generation to come and rethink for a two state solution.</li>
<li>Also, bringing Hamas into moderation is much required.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Preventing Disproportionate Retaliation:</strong> There has to be a certain extent for both the states upto which they can retaliate, disproportionate use of force is not a solution, it will only create more terrorism and extremism.</li>
<li><strong>Role of the Regional Players:</strong> The regional players like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE possibly have a better pathway for peace talk than the US. The US does not have as much hold over the region as it used to have.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Qatar and Egypt are already working closely to bring peace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s role:</strong> India believes that peace talks are the only way ahead for stability to come in the region and ending this decades old conflict.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has close relationships with both the states and it supports Palestine but choosing one over the other is not wise.</li>
<li>However, Palestine wants, to some extent, India to act as interlocutor as their faith does not lie much within the US, China or Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The situation on the ground is really bad, the tensions are escalating and looking at the complex issues involved, the issue does not seem to be getting solved in the near future.</li>
<li>Peace talks have been taking place for at least 2 decades but in vain. However, India&rsquo;s stand still remains for peace talks.</li>
<li>Both sides have to come for a possible solution which is in mutual interest but that can happen only through talks and not bloodshed.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-israel-palestine-conflict'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Proposal for Gold Exchange',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)</strong></a> has <strong>proposed a framework</strong> for setting up a <strong>spot gold exchange.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>spot exchange</strong> is where financial instruments, such as commodities, currencies, and securities, are traded for immediate delivery.</li>
<li><strong>SEBI</strong> is a <strong>statutory body</strong> established in April, 1992 in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621336832_image%202.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621336832_image 2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Framework of Gold Exchange:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <strong>first tranche, an entity desirous of delivering gold</strong>, locally manufactured or imported, <strong>on the exchange platform would have to approach a SEBI regulated vault manager</strong> and deposit physical gold meeting quality and quantity parameters with it.</li>
<li>Against this, the <strong>vault manager will issue an EGR (Electronic Gold Receipt)</strong>, which will be tradeable on the exchanges, in the <strong>second tranche.</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>beneficial owner will surrender the EGR to a vault manager</strong> and <strong>take delivery of the gold</strong> in <strong>the third tranche.</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>common interface</strong> will be developed between <strong>vault managers, depositories, clearing corporations</strong> and <strong>stock exchanges</strong> to enable seamless execution of the three tranches.</li>
<li>The <strong>proposed denominations</strong> - reflecting underlying physical gold - of <strong>EGRs</strong> are <strong>1 kilogram, 100 gram, 50 gram</strong> and subject to conditions, those can also be even for <strong>5 and 10 gram.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/taxes-and-india-s-equity-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener">STT (Security Transaction Tax)</a> will be levied</strong> on trading of the EGR and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax)</strong></a> at the time of delivery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Issues Raised by SEBI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes <strong>fungibility and interoperability</strong> between vault managers.</li>
<li><strong>Fungibility</strong> means gold deposited under, say, EGR 1 can be delivered against surrender of EGR 2 meeting the same contract specifications.</li>
<li><strong>Interoperability</strong> means gold deposited at one location and with one vault manager can be withdrawn from a different location of the same or different vault manager, subject to availability of the physical gold. This will <strong>reduce the cost for buyers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for Creating Separate Exchange for Gold:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>create a vibrant gold ecosystem in India</strong> which is commensurate with its large share of global gold consumption.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> (after China) <strong>is the second largest consumer of gold globally</strong>, with annual gold demand of approximately 800-900 tonnes, and holds an important position in the global markets.</li>
<li>The objective behind setting up gold exchanges is for India to <strong>become a price setter</strong> rather than <strong>a price taker</strong> and to establish an <strong>India good delivery standard</strong>, akin to <strong>London Bullion Market Association (LBMA)</strong> accredited gold bars.</li>
<li>Setting up a new stock spot gold exchange <strong>has advantages</strong> such as single good delivery standard, reduced market fragmentation, improved liquidity, and single reference price.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/sebi-invites-comments-on-gold-exchange/article34582364.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-for-gold-exchange'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Farzad-B Gas Field: Iran',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Iran gave the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farzad-B Gas Field</strong> </a>to Petropars, a domestic gas producer.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is <strong>a setback for India&rsquo;s energy ties with Iran as ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL)</strong> had discovered the gas field in 2008 and <strong>has been part of the ongoing cooperation on that front.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Farzad-B Gas Field:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is located in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persian-gulf-region" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Persian Gulf</strong></a> (Iran).<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621330999_Image%201.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621330999_Image 1.png" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>The <strong>contract for exploration</strong> of the field was <strong>signed in 2002 by Indian consortium</strong> comprising ONGC Videsh, Indian Oil Corporation and Oil India.</li>
<li>The <strong>contract expired in 2009</strong> after declaration of commerciality of the field, based on the gas discovery.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has gas reserves of more than <strong>19 trillion cubic feet.</strong></li>
<li>ONGC has <strong>invested approximately USD 100 million.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since then, the consortium has been trying to secure the contract for development of the field.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>major dispute between India and Iran was over setting up of two pipelines</strong>, and also over money to be quoted on the development plan.</li>
<li>Around<strong> 75% of the deal was finalised by May 2018</strong>, when the <strong>US</strong> unilaterally <strong>withdrew from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/restoration-of-jcpoa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nuclear deal</a></strong> and announced <strong>sanctions on Iran.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>January 2020, India was informed that in the immediate future, Iran would develop the field on its own</strong> and would like to involve India appropriately at a later stage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Recent Developments:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian merchants have almost entirely stopped signing new export contracts with Iranian buyers due to caution about <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/falling-rupee-reserves-of-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iran&rsquo;s falling rupee reserves with Indian banks</a>.</strong></li>
<li>Iran in 2020 dropped India&rsquo;s USD 2-billion offer and decided to build the Chabahar railway link (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-dropped-from-chabahar-rail-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chabahar-Zahedan Railway Line</strong></a>) on its own.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Growing Influence of China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In April 2021, China and Iran signed a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-iran-strategic-cooperation-pact#:~:text=China%20and%20Iran%20have%20signed,from%20the%20Iranian%20nuclear%20deal." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>25-year "strategic cooperation pact&rdquo;</strong></a> which includes political, economic and strategic components.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China is also concluding a <strong>security and military partnership with Iran.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>China Iran strategic partnership</strong> may be an impediment for Indian entry routes into Afghanistan through Chabahar and further connectivity to <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-central-asia-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC)</strong></a>, although Iran has not given any signals of disruption of these projects.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, <strong>Iran seems to be sceptical of India&rsquo;s diplomatic ties with the US.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Energy Security:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has <strong>stopped purchasing Iranian oil</strong>, which accounts for around <strong>90% of its imports from the Islamic nation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India was Iran's leading oil client after China until mid-2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India needs gas and Iran remains one of the best options as geographically, <strong>Iran is closest to India of all the countries in the Persian gulf region.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, the <strong>Farzad-B Gas Field could have improved India-Iran ties</strong> as the crude oil import from Iran remains impacted due to the US sanctions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Role in the Region:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Maintaining ties with Iran even as it forges a new relationship with Saudi Arabia and Israel is <strong>critical for India&rsquo;s balancing policy in West Asia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity to Central Asia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chabahar is not only a key to maritime relations between both the countries, but also <strong>provides an opportunity to India to reach Russia and Central Asia.</strong></li>
<li>Further, it <strong>allows India to bypass Pakistan</strong> which had blocked Indian aid to Afghanistan and all trade over land.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Peaceful Afghanistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India, having made <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-in-afghan-peace-process#:~:text=Major%20projects%20include%20the%20Afghan,cemented%20its%20position%20in%20Afghanistan." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>significant investments in Afghanistan</strong></a>, will always hope for an Afghan elected, Afghan led, Afghan owned peace and reconciliation process and a popular democratic government in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>However, India has to be watchful of <strong>Iran - Pakistan- China axis developing in the neighbourhood of Afghanistan</strong>, with tentacles in the form of terror groups inside it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is very <strong>reliant upon Middle East oil and gas</strong> and <strong>must maintain cordial relations with most of the major suppliers, including Iran</strong>, UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, as well as Iraq.</li>
<li>India needs to play a <strong>balancing act between the US and Iran.</strong></li>
<li>In a world where connectivity is seen as the new currency, <strong>India&rsquo;s loss on account of these projects can become gain for some other country</strong>, especially China.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/iran-to-develop-farzad-b-gas-field-domestically-dumps-india/article34581669.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/farzad-b-gas-field-iran'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Cyclone Tauktae',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Cyclone Tauktae</strong> made landfall in <strong>Gujarat.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cyclone has left a trail of destruction as it swept through the coastal states of <strong>Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Named by:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is<strong> a tropical cyclone, named by Myanmar.</strong> It means 'gecko', a highly vocal lizard, in the Burmese language.</li>
<li>Typically, <strong>tropical cyclones</strong> in the North Indian Ocean region<strong> (Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea)</strong> develop during the <strong>pre-monsoon</strong> (April to June) and <strong>post-monsoon</strong> (October to December) periods. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>May-June and October-November</strong> are known to produce cyclones of severe intensity that affect the Indian coasts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Classification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has <strong>weakened into a "very severe cyclonic storm"</strong> from the "extremely severe cyclonic storm".</li>
<li>The <strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies cyclones on the basis of the maximum sustained surface wind speed (MSW)</strong> they generate.</li>
<li>The cyclones are classified as <strong>severe (MSW of 48-63 knots), very severe (MSW of 64-89 knots),</strong> <strong>extremely severe (MSW of 90-119 knots)</strong> and<strong> super cyclonic storm (MSW of 120 knots or more).</strong> <strong>One knot</strong> is equal to<strong> 1.8 kmph (kilometers per hour).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Developed in Arabian Sea:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Tauktae is the <strong>fourth cyclone in consecutive years</strong> to have developed<strong> in the Arabian Sea,</strong> that too <strong>in the pre-monsoon period (April to June).</strong></li>
<li>After <strong>Cyclone Mekanu</strong> in 2018, which struck Oman, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-vayu" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cyclone Vayu</strong></a> in 2019 struck Gujarat, followed by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-nisarga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cyclone Nisarga</strong></a> in 2020 that struck Maharashtra.</li>
<li>All these cyclones<strong> since 2018</strong> have been categorised either<strong> &lsquo;Severe Cyclone&rsquo; or above.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arabian Sea becoming Hotbed of Cyclones:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Annually, five cyclones on average</strong> form in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea combined. Of these, <strong>four develop in the Bay of Bengal, which is warmer than the Arabian Sea.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2018,</strong> while the Bay of Bengal maintained its average of four cyclones a year, the <strong>Arabian Sea produced three cyclonic storms.</strong> In <strong>2019,</strong> the <strong>Arabian Sea overtook</strong> the <strong>Bay of Bengal</strong> with<strong> five cyclones to three.</strong></li>
<li>In<strong> 2020,</strong> the <strong>Bay of Bengal</strong> produced <strong>three cyclonic storms</strong> while the <strong>Arabian Sea</strong> generated <strong>two.</strong></li>
<li>In recent years, meteorologists have observed that the <strong>Arabian Sea, too, has been warming.</strong> This is a phenomenon<strong> associated with global warming.</strong></li>
<li>It has been observed that the<strong> sea surface temperature in the Arabian Sea has been rising</strong> for about 40 years. The <strong>increase</strong> in temperature is in the zone<strong> of 1.2-1.4 degree Celsius.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tropical Cyclone:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A tropical cyclone is <strong>an intense circular storm that originates over warm tropical oceans</strong> and is characterized by low atmospheric pressure, high winds, and heavy rain.</li>
<li>A<strong> characteristic feature</strong> of tropical cyclones is the<strong> eye,</strong> a central region of clear skies, warm temperatures, and low atmospheric pressure.</li>
<li>Storms of this type<strong> are called hurricanes</strong> in the <strong>North Atlantic and eastern Pacific </strong>and<strong> typhoons in SouthEast Asia and China.</strong> They are called <strong>tropical cyclones in the southwest Pacific and Indian Ocean</strong> region and <strong>Willy-willies</strong> in north-western <strong>Australia.</strong></li>
<li>Storms<strong> rotate counterclockwise</strong> in the <strong>northern hemisphere</strong> and<strong> clockwise in the southern</strong> hemisphere.</li>
<li>The<strong> conditions favourable</strong> for the<strong> formation and intensification</strong> of tropical storms are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Large sea surface</strong> with <strong>temperature higher than 27&deg; C.</strong></li>
<li>Presence of the<strong> Coriolis force.</strong></li>
<li>Small variations in the<strong> vertical wind speed.</strong></li>
<li>A pre-existing weak low-<strong> pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Upper divergence</strong> above the sea level system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Naming of Tropical Cyclones:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to <strong>WMO (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-the-global-climate-wmo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Meteorological Organization</a>) guidelines,</strong> countries in every region are supposed to give names for cyclones.</li>
<li>The <strong>North Indian Ocean Region</strong> covers tropical cyclones formed over Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.</li>
<li>The<strong> 13 members,</strong> which come under the region, are <strong>Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE </strong>and <strong>Yemen.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-the-climate-report-2020-imd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong></a>, one of the six <strong>Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMC)</strong> in the world, is mandated to issue advisories and name tropical cyclones in the <strong>north Indian Ocean Region.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is an agency of the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-in-cyclone-tauktae-a-continuing-new-trend-from-the-arabian-sea-7317913/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-tauktae'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'National Tribunals Commission',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/restructuring-the-tribunals-system/article34574959.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Restructuring the tribunals system&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 17/05/2021. It talks about the benefits associated with the establishment of the National Tribunals Commission.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-tribunals-reforms-rationalisation-and-conditions-of-service-ordinance-2021#:~:text=the%20Act%20itself.-,The%20Finance%20Act%202017,and%20Service%20Tax%20Appellate%20Tribunal)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance 2021</strong></a> has been promulgated by the central government. Through this ordinance the centre has abolished several appellate tribunals and transferred their jurisdiction to other existing judicial bodies.</p>
<p>The Ordinance has met with sharp criticism for not only bypassing the usual legislative process, but also for abolishing several tribunals such as the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal without consultations with stakeholders.</p>
<p>Further,<a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/25-07-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> this is not the time</strong> </a>that the central government has tried to interfere with the functioning of the tribunal. This interference of the executive in the domain of the tribunals can be dubbed as violation of separation of powers.</p>
<p>One way to regulate the matters of tribunals without compromising their independence is the establishment of the National Tribunals Commission (NTC).</p>
<h3>Current State of Tribunals in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of Independence:</strong> According to the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy report (Reforming The Tribunals Framework in India) the lack of independence is one of the key issues plaguing tribunals in India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At the outset, the system of appointment through selection committees severely affects the independence of tribunals.</li>
<li>Additionally, the issues of reappointment and the proclivity to appoint retired judges have the potential to affect the independence of tribunals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problem of Non-Uniformity:</strong> Added to this is the problem of non-uniformity across tribunals with respect to service conditions, tenure of members, varying nodal ministries in charge of different tribunals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These factors contribute significantly to malfunctioning in the managing and administration of tribunals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Institutional Issues:</strong> Executive interference in the functioning of tribunals is often seen in provision of finances, infrastructure, personnel and other resources required for day-to-day functioning of the tribunals.</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Tribunals Commission &amp; Its Impact</h3>
<p>The idea of an NTC was first mooted by the Supreme Court in L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India (1997).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> NTC is envisaged to be an independent umbrella body to supervise the functioning of tribunals, appointment of and disciplinary proceedings against members, and to take care of administrative and infrastructural needs of the tribunals.</li>
<li><strong>Uniformity:</strong> NTC will support uniform administration across all tribunals. It could set performance standards for the efficiency of tribunals and their own administrative processes.</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring Separation of Powers:</strong> Giving the NTC the authority to set members&rsquo; salaries, allowances, and other service conditions, subject to regulations, would help maintain tribunals&rsquo; independence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The NTC could pave the way for the separation of the administrative and judicial functions carried out by various tribunals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expansion of Services:</strong> A &lsquo;corporatised&rsquo; structure of NTC with a Board, a CEO and a Secretariat will allow it to scale up its services and provide requisite administrative support to all tribunals across the country.</li>
<li><strong>Autonomous Oversight:</strong> NTC could function as an independent recruitment body to develop and operationalise the procedure for disciplinary proceedings and appointment of tribunal members. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An NTC will effectively be able to bring in uniformity in the appointment system meanwhile ensuring that it is independent and transparent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Legal Backing:</strong> Developing an independent oversight body for accountable governance requires a legal framework that protects its independence and impartiality.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, the NTC should be established via a constitutional amendment or be backed by a statute that guarantees it functional, operational and financial independence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Learning From NJAC Issue:</strong> NTC will need to adhere to the standards set by the judiciary in maintaining its independence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to an overwhelming executive role, the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was seen to be severely compromising the independence of the judiciary.</li>
<li>Thus, the executive as well as the bar, being relevant stakeholders, should form a part of any NTC, but it needs to give primacy to judicial members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Doing Away With Re-Appointments:</strong> The NTC must also do away with the system of re-appointment of tribunal members due to its impact on the independence of the tribunal.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>It is important to understand that the tribunals were set up to reduce the burden of cases from regular courts. A reform to the tribunals system in India may as well be one of the keys to remedy the age old problem that still cripples the Indian judicial system &ndash; the problem of judicial delay and backlog.</p>
<p>In this context, establishing the NTC will definitely entail a radical restructuring of the present tribunals system.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f1fceb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Establishing the National Tribunal Commission will definitely entail a radical restructuring of the present tribunals system. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/national-tribunals-commission'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Mongolia',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Minister of State for Culture discussed various issues under the <strong>Cultural Exchange Programme</strong> with his Mongolian counterpart.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621251270_pasted%20image 0 (2).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621251270_pasted image 0 (2).png" width="350" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Highlights of the Meet:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthening the <strong>strategic partnership</strong>- established in 2015.</li>
<li>The <strong>Cultural Exchange Program</strong> between India and Mongolia stands renewed until 2023.</li>
<li><strong>10 dedicated <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/70-years-of-indian-council-for-cultural-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICCR scholarships</a></strong> for studying<strong> &lsquo;Tibetan Buddhism&rsquo;</strong> have been allocated for Mongolians to study in specialized institutes of CIBS, Leh and CUTS, Varanasi, starting from 2020-2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)</strong> is an <strong>autonomous organisation of the Government of India</strong>, involved in <strong>India's external cultural relations (cultural diplomacy)</strong>, through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples.</li>
<li>Tibetan Buddhism c<strong>ombines the essential teachings of Mahayana Buddhism with Tantric and Shamanic</strong>, and material from an ancient Tibetan religion called Bon.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India reiterated its commitment for <strong>digitization of Buddhist manuscripts in Gandan monastery and would consider Mongolia&rsquo;s request for assistance in setting up a museum-cum-library</strong> there.</li>
<li>The Ministry of Culture is likely to complete reprinting of about <strong>100 sets of sacred <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mongolian-kanjur-being-reprinted" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mongolian Kanjur</a></strong> by 2022 for distribution in the main centers of Buddhism in Mongolia. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mongolian Kanjur</strong> is a <strong>Buddhist canonical text in 108 volumes</strong> and is considered to be the most important religious text in Mongolia. It has been translated from Tibetan and is <strong>written in classical mongolian.</strong></li>
<li>In the Mongolian language &lsquo;Kanjur&rsquo; means &lsquo;Concise Orders&rsquo;- the words of Lord Buddha in particular.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Highlighted steps taken to <strong>facilitate the visa and travel of Buddhist monks from Mongolia</strong> within India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-Mongolia Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Historical Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India and Mongolia have interacted through <a href="/printpdf/buddhism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Buddhism</strong></a> throughout history.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Diplomatic Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India was the first country outside the former Soviet bloc of nations to open diplomatic relations with Mongolia in 1955.</li>
<li>In 2015, Mongolia witnessed the first ever visit by the Prime Minister of India (a part of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s Act East policy</strong></a>).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mongolia has publicly reiterated its <strong>support for India&rsquo;s membership to the permanent</strong> <strong>seat of the expanded <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Security Council (UNSC)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>India has played an important role in <strong>getting Mongolia membership to key international forums</strong>, including the <strong>United Nations (UN)</strong>, despite strong opposition from China and Taiwan. India also championed the <strong>inclusion of Mongolia in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Non-Aligned Movement</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In a reciprocal gesture, <strong>Mongolia co-sponsored a 1972 UN resolution</strong> with India and Bhutan <strong>for the recognition of the newly liberated Bangladesh.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Other Forums of which both the countries are members: <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/12th-asia-europe-meeting-asem-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asia-Europe Meeting</a> (ASEM), <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Trade Organisation</a> (WTO).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is a member whereas Mongolia is an observer state at the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</a> (SCO).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India - Mongolia bilateral trade was USD 35.3 million in 2020, down from USD 38.3 million in 2019.</li>
<li>India has undertaken the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-mongolia-relations-1#:~:text=India%2C%20the%20first%20country%20outside,of%20India%27s%20Act%20East%20policy)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Mongol refinery project&rsquo;</strong></a> under its Lines of Credit (LoC) programme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>India-Mongolian Agreement on Cultural Cooperation</strong>, signed in 1961, has governed the <strong>Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP)</strong> between the two countries.</li>
<li>The Agreement envisages co-operation in the fields of education by way of scholarships, exchange of experts, participation in conferences, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Joint defence exercises code-named <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nomadic-elephant-14#:~:text=The%2014th%20edition%20of,October%20at%20Bakloh%2C%20Himachal%20Pradesh.&amp;text=The%20joint%20exercise%20will%20enhance,relations%20between%20the%20two%20nations." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nomadic Elephant</a>.</strong></li>
<li>India is also an active participant in an annual week-long joint training exercise called the <strong>Khaan Quest</strong>, hosted by Mongolia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation over Environmental Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Part of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-snow-leopard-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bishkek Declaration (snow leopard)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mongolia&rsquo;s strategic position at the cross junction of Central Asia, Northeast Asia, far East, China and Russia attracts major powers towards it. India should consider Mongolia as a green zone of economic development that absorbs hi-tech features and production skills in a modernization process.</li>
<li>To preserve and promote the common heritage of Indo-Mongolian culture is important. This should serve as the basis for nurturing and pursuing future common interests.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1718343" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cultural-exchange-programme-between-india-and-mongolia'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'India Resists Community Transmission Tag',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>As per a latest report by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a>, <strong>India</strong> continues to <strong>label itself as a country with no Community Transmission (CT)</strong> since the beginning of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reasons-for-rising-covid-19-infections-second-wave" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 pandemic</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Countries such as the <strong>United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, France</strong> have all labelled themselves as being in the<strong> &lsquo;community transmission&rsquo;</strong> stage whereas <strong>Italy and Russia do not label</strong> themselves as being in &lsquo;community transmission&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Community Transmission (CT):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>one of the stages of the Pandemic.</strong></li>
<li>Broadly, CT is <strong>when new cases in the last 14 days can&rsquo;t be traced to those who have an international travel history</strong>, when cases can&rsquo;t be linked to specific clusters.</li>
<li>CT classification is now <strong>divided into four levels</strong>, from low incidence (CT1) to very high incidence (CT4).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Four Stages of a Pandemic</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Stage 1-Imported Transmission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is reported among the travellers entering the country via the borders and airports. This can be controlled through thermal screening and quarantine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stage 2-Local Transmission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is defined as the transmission through direct contact with an infected person within the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stage 3-Community Transmission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It signifies that a virus is circulating in the community and can affect people with no history of travel to affected areas or of contact with an infected person.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stage 4- Epidemic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Stage 4 is when the disease actually becomes an epidemic in a country, such as it (Covid-19) was in China, with large numbers of infections and a growing number of deaths with no end in sight. It is then considered to be endemic or now prevalent in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India's Current Classification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India <strong>opts for the lower, less serious classification called &lsquo;cluster of cases&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>It says <strong>'Cases detected in the past 14 days are predominantly limited to well-defined clusters</strong> that are not directly linked to imported cases'.</li>
<li>It is assumed that there are a number of unidentified cases in the area. This <strong>implies a low risk of infection</strong> to others in the wider community if exposure to these clusters is avoided.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications for India for not classifying itself as being in CT:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s refusal to describe itself as being in community transmission shows an <strong>&ldquo;ostrich in the sand&rdquo; approach</strong> since being in CT &mdash; far from being stigmatic or an indicator of failure <strong>shows how authorities addressed a pandemic.</strong></li>
<li>If <strong>cases were still a cluster</strong>, it would mean that the government ought to be <strong>prioritising testing, contact tracing and isolating</strong> to prevent further infection spread. While on the other hand <strong>being in CT, it meant prioritising treatment and observing advisories</strong> to stay protected.</li>
<li><strong>Community transmission means that the health system has now lost track of the trajectory of the virus</strong> and infections are happening without the source of the infection being known. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Once the government accepts community transmission, <strong>pandemic control strategy will move on to the next phase</strong>, which is the mitigation phase, when the focus will be to ensure that only those people get to the hospital who really need medical care. This would ensure lives are saved. <strong>Keeping track of infections or containing them would then no longer be the primary strategy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-india-resists-community-transmission-tag-despite-soaring-cases/article34551103.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-resists-community-transmission-tag'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'The Office of Speaker of Lok Sabha',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Office of the Speaker in India is a living and dynamic institution which deals with the actual needs and problems of Parliament in the performance of its functions.</li>
<li><strong>Article 93 of the Constitution</strong> provides for the election of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.</li>
<li>The Speaker is the <strong>constitutional and ceremonial head of the House.</strong></li>
<li>Each House of Parliament has its own presiding officer. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is a <strong>Speaker and a Deputy Speaker for the Lok Sabha</strong> and a <strong>Chairman and a Deputy Chairman for the Rajya Sabha.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The institutions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker <strong>originated in India in 1921</strong> under the provisions of the <strong>Government of India Act of 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms).</strong></li>
<li>At that time, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were called the President and Deputy President respectively and the same nomenclature continued till 1947.</li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/printpdf/important-sources-of-the-indian-constitution#:~:text=Government%20of%20India%20Act%201935&amp;text=This%20act%20abolished%20the%20system,most%20of%20the%20princely%20states." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Government of India Act of 1935</a> changed the nomenclatures</strong> of President and Deputy President to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Office of the Speaker: Lok Sabha</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Lok Sabha, which is the highest legislative body in the country, chooses its Speaker who presides over the day to day functioning of the House.</li>
<li>Electing the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is one of the first acts of every newly constituted House.</li>
<li><strong>Election of Office of the Speaker:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Criteria:</strong> The Constitution of India requires the <strong>Speaker should be a member of the House.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Although there are <strong>no specific qualifications prescribed</strong> for being elected the Speaker, an <strong>understanding of the Constitution and the laws of the country is considered a major asset</strong> for the holder of the Office of the Speaker.</li>
<li>Usually, a member belonging to the ruling party is elected Speaker. The process has evolved over the years where the ruling party nominates its candidate after informal consultations with leaders of other parties and groups in the House.</li>
<li>This convention ensures that once elected, the<strong> Speaker enjoys the respect of all sections of the House.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Voting:</strong> The Speaker (along with the Deputy Speaker) is elected from among the Lok Sabha members <strong>by a simple majority of members present and voting</strong> in the House.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Once a decision on the candidate is taken, his/her name is normally proposed by the Prime Minister or the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Term of Office of the Speaker:</strong> The Speaker holds Office from the date of his/her election till immediately before the first meeting of the next Lok Sabha (for <strong>5 years</strong>). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>speaker once elected is eligible for re-election.</strong></li>
<li>Whenever the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the <strong>Speaker does not vacate his office and continues till the newly-elected Lok Sabha meets.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role and Powers of Speaker:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Interpretation:</strong> He/She is the <strong>final interpreter</strong> of the provisions of the <strong>Constitution of India</strong>, the <strong>Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha</strong> and the <strong>parliamentary precedents</strong>, within the House. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In matters regarding interpretation of these provisions, he/she often gives <strong>rulings which are respected by members and are binding in nature.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Sitting of Both Houses:</strong> He/She presides over a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/president-addresses-joint-sitting-of-parliament" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>joint sitting</strong></a> of the two Houses of Parliament. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Such a sitting is summoned by the President to settle a deadlock between the two Houses on a bill.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Adjournment of Sitting:</strong> He/She <strong>can adjourn the House or suspend the meeting</strong> in absence one-tenth of the total strength of the House (called the <strong>quorum</strong>).</li>
<li><strong>Casting Vote:</strong> The speaker <strong>does not vote in the first instance but in the case of a tie;</strong> when the House is divided equally on any question, the Speaker is entitled to vote. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Such a vote is called a <strong>Casting Vote</strong>, and its purpose is to resolve a deadlock.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Money Bill:</strong> He/She <strong>decides whether a bill is a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/misuse-of-money-bills-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">money bill</a> or not</strong> and his/her decision on this question is final.</li>
<li><strong>Disqualifying Members:</strong> It is the speaker who <strong>decides the questions of disqualification of a member</strong> of the Lok Sabha, arising on the ground of defection under the provisions of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/time-to-review-tenth-schedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tenth Schedule</a>.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/challenge-to-anti-defection-law#:~:text=The%20Anti%2DDefection%20Law%20was,the%20evil%20of%20political%20defections%E2%80%9D.&amp;text=He%20voluntarily%20gives%20up%20his%20membership%20of%20such%20political%20party%3B%20or" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>52<sup>nd</sup> amendment</strong></a> to the Indian Constitution vests this power in the Speaker.</li>
<li>In 1992, the Supreme Court ruled that the decision of the Speaker in this regard is subject to <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/judicial-review-1#:~:text=Article%20372%20(1)%20establishes%20the,Fundamental%20Rights%20shall%20be%20void." target="_blank" rel="noopener">judicial review</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chairing the IPG:</strong> He/She acts as the <strong>ex-officio chairman of the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG)</strong> which is a link between the Parliament of India and the various parliaments of the world. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He also acts as the ex-officio chairman of the conference of presiding officers of legislative bodies in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constitution of Committees:</strong> The <strong>Committees of the House are constituted by the speaker</strong> and function under the speaker&rsquo;s overall direction. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Chairmen of all Parliamentary Committees are nominated by him/her.</li>
<li>Committees like the <strong>Business Advisory Committee, the General Purposes Committee and the Rules Committee work directly under his Chairmanship.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Privileges of the House:</strong> The Speaker is the <strong>guardian of the rights and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/privilege-motion-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">privileges of the House</a></strong>, its Committees and members.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It depends solely on the Speaker to refer any question of privilege to the Committee of Privileges for examination, investigation and report.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Removal of Speaker:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exceptions:</strong> Usually, the <strong>Speaker remains in office during the life of the Lok Sabha.</strong> However, under following conditions, the speaker, may have to vacate the office earlier: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha.</li>
<li>If he resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker</li>
<li>If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the members of the Lok Sabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Notification:</strong> Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days&rsquo; advance notice. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When a resolution for the removal of the Speaker is under consideration of the House, <strong>he/she may be present at the sitting but not preside.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Election:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Deputy Speaker is also <strong>elected by the Lok Sabha</strong> from amongst its members <strong>right after the election of the Speaker has taken place.</strong></li>
<li>The date of election of the Deputy Speaker is fixed by the Speaker (date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President).</li>
<li>Upto the 10<sup>th</sup> Lok Sabha, both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were usually elected from the ruling party. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since the 11<sup>th</sup> Lok Sabha, there has been a consensus that the <strong>Speaker comes from the ruling party/alliance and the post of Deputy Speaker goes to the main</strong> <strong>opposition party.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Term of Office and Removal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker remains in office usually during the life of the Lok Sabha (<strong>5 years</strong>).</li>
<li>The Deputy Speaker may vacate his/her office earlier in any of the following three cases:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha</li>
<li>If he resigns by writing to the Speaker</li>
<li>If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days&rsquo; advance notice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Responsibilities and Powers:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Deputy Speaker <strong>performs the duties of the Speaker&rsquo;s office when it is vacant.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He/She also <strong>acts as the Speaker when the latter is absent</strong> from the sitting of the House.</li>
<li>In both the cases, he/she assumes all the powers of the Speaker.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He/She also <strong>presides over the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament</strong>, in case the Speaker is absent from such a sitting.</li>
<li>The Deputy Speaker, like the Speaker, has the <strong>privilege of the Casting Vote</strong> in case of tie.</li>
<li>The Deputy Speaker has one special privilege, that is, <strong>whenever he/she is appointed as a member of a parliamentary committee, he/she automatically becomes its chairman.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><em><strong>Note:</strong></em> The Deputy Speaker is not subordinate to the Speaker. He is directly responsible to the House.</p>
<p><strong>Speaker <em>Pro Tem</em>:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When the Speaker of the last Lok Sabha vacates his office immediately before the first meeting of the newly-elected Lok Sabha, the <strong>President appoints a member of the Lok Sabha as the</strong> <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pro-tem-speaker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaker <em>Pro Tem</em></a>.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Usually, the senior most member is selected for this.</li>
<li>The President himself administers oath to the Speaker Pro Tem.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He/She <strong>presides over the first sitting of the newly-elected Lok Sabha</strong> and has all the powers of the Speaker.</li>
<li>The <strong>main responsibility is to administer oaths to the new members</strong> and to enable the House to elect the new Speaker.</li>
<li>When the new Speaker is elected by the House, the office of the Speaker <em>Pro Tem</em> ceases to exist.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'SWAMIH Fund',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Government of India&rsquo;s <strong>Special Window for Affordable &amp; Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH)</strong> completed its <strong>first residential project.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The residential project - Rivali Park</strong>, located in <strong>suburban Mumbai</strong>, was the <strong>first housing project in India</strong> to have received funding under the <strong>SWAMIH Fund.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the SWAMIH Fund:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is a government backed fund that was set up as a <strong>Category-II AIF (Alternate Investment Fund)</strong> debt fund <strong>registered with <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SEBI</a></strong>, launched in 2019.</li>
<li><strong>SWAMIH Investment Fund</strong> was formed to complete construction of stalled, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/rera-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RERA</strong></a>-registered affordable and mid-income category housing projects which are stuck due to paucity of funds.</li>
<li>The <strong>Investment Manager</strong> of the Fund is <strong>SBICAP Ventures</strong>, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBI Capital Markets, which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the <strong>State Bank of India.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Sponsor of the Fund</strong> is the <strong>Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance</strong>, on behalf of the Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>RERA</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inception:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/rera-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA)</strong></a> is an act passed by the Parliament in 2016 that came into effect fully <strong>from 1<sup>st</sup> May, 2017.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Act establishes Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in each state for regulation of the real estate sector and also acts as an adjudicating body for speedy dispute resolution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>It seeks</strong> to protect <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/a-special-fund-for-housing-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>home-buyers</strong></a> as well as help <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-reviving-real-estate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>boost investments in the real estate sector</strong></a> by bringing efficiency and transparency in the sale/purchase of real estate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Alternative Investment Fund (AIF):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>AIF <strong>means any fund established or incorporated in India which is a privately pooled investment vehicle which collects funds from sophisticated investors</strong>, whether Indian or foreign, for investing it in accordance with a defined investment policy for the benefit of its investors.</li>
<li><strong>Regulation 2(1)(b)</strong> of <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)</a> Regulations (AIFs), 2012</strong> lays down the definition of AIFs. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through a company, or a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), an Alternative Investment Fund can be established.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>AIF <strong>does not include</strong> funds covered under the SEBI <strong>(<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mutual-funds-and-emerging-indian-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mutual Funds</a>)</strong> Regulations, 1996, SEBI (Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations, 1999 or any other regulations of the Board to regulate fund management activities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Other <strong>exemptions</strong> include family trusts, employee welfare trusts or gratuity trusts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Categories of AIFs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Category-I AIFs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These funds are <strong>invested in</strong> businesses that have the potential to grow financially such as <strong>StartUps, Small and Medium Enterprises.</strong></li>
<li>The government encourages investments in these ventures as they have a positive impact on the economy with regards to high output and job creation.</li>
<li><strong>Examples</strong> include Infrastructure Funds, Angel Funds, Venture Capital Funds and Social Venture Funds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Category-II AIFs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under this category, funds that are <strong>invested in equity securities and debt securities</strong> are included. Those funds not already under Category I and III respectively are also included. No concession is given by the government for any investment made for Category II AIFS.</li>
<li><strong>Examples</strong> include Real Estate Funds, Debt Fund, Private Equity Funds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Category-III AIFs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Category-III AIFs are those funds which <strong>give returns under a short period of time.</strong> These funds use complex and diverse trading strategies to achieve their goals. There is no known concession or incentive given towards these funds specifically by the government.</li>
<li><strong>Examples</strong> include Hedge Funds, Private Investment in Public Equity Funds, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1718336" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Rethinking PSE Policy',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/columns/is-it-time-to-rethink-pse-policy/article34559988.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Is it time to rethink PSE policy?&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu Business Line on 14/05/2021. It talks about the relevance of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) in the present scenario.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the government has announced that it will be using three public sector enterprises (PSEs) for manufacturing Covaxin to augment the manufacturing capacity under Mission COVID Suraksha.</p>
<p>Apart from it, several PSEs in the steel, petroleum and natural gas sectors have supplemented the efforts of the government in making available liquid medical oxygen as well as transportation of it.</p>
<p>PSEs in India, since their inception, have played a pivotal role in realising the objective of achieving higher growth and equitable socio-economic development of the country. Their sustained contribution to the economic and social fabric of the country has become even more relevant in the present scenario.</p>
<p>Therefore, the recent decision has also revived the debate on the government's policy of minimising presence of PSEs&rsquo; and creating new investment space for the private sector.</p>
<h3>Relevance of PSEs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India, Not Yet A Developed Economy:</strong> Historically, PSEs have provided a very strong infrastructure base for the economy as well as for the industry. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, PSEs were set up with socio-economic objectivity and not only profit have created a right kind of infrastructure for the economy.</li>
<li>So to say the government has no business to be in doing business perhaps, to my mind, needs to be revisited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Employment Creation:</strong> PSEs were regarded as one of the key generators of remunerative employment in the formal sector, providing safe and secure jobs.</li>
<li><strong>Creation of Assets:</strong> The contribution of PSEs towards creation of national assets in the initial decades following Independence is particularly noteworthy, especially in sectors that are regarded as high risk and low return on investments by the private sector</li>
<li><strong>Expanding Global Footprint:</strong> Indian PSEs are already present across the globe in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America and there is tremendous potential for Indian CPSEs and PSEs to expand their global footprint further by enhancing their competitiveness.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Adopting PPP Model:</strong> There is a need to revisit the PSE policy, but more in terms of their functioning.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These companies should be run by a professional board without government interference. These PSEs could be run under the PPP model or as JVs too</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Systemic Reforms:</strong> For the industry&rsquo;s future growth and development, the government also needs to urgently focus on providing support in some key areas in the following domains: revival of PSUs, land, finance/banking/working capital, utilities and services, environmental issues and R&amp;D.</li>
<li><strong>Adopting a Competitiveness Model:</strong> CII Research report- The Rise of the Elephant&rsquo; recommends adopting a Competitiveness Model for transforming CPSEs into efficient and globally competitive entities. The key elements of the model are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Clarity in Roadmap and Objective</li>
<li>Role Demarcation</li>
<li>Operational Independence</li>
<li>Independent and Empowered Board</li>
<li>Level Playing Field</li>
<li>Future Ready</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Yes, the private sector has a role to play in the growth of the economy, but what PSEs have contributed cannot be ignored, particularly in testing times like today. PSEs have time and again risen to the occasion and this time too it is no different.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffee6; border-style: dotted;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The Covid-19 pandemic has revived the debate on the government's policy of minimising presence of PSEs&rsquo; and creating new investment space for the private sector. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Setting up of<strong> 22 new regional AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences)</strong> has been approved under the <strong>Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)</strong> so far.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Launch:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>PMSSY</strong> was announced <strong>in 2003</strong> with objectives of correcting regional imbalances in the availability of affordable/reliable tertiary healthcare services and also to augment facilities for quality medical education in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nodal Ministry:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ministry of <strong>Health and Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Two Components:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Setting up of <strong>AIIMS like institutions.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Upgradation of government medical colleges</strong> in various states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>project cost</strong> for upgradation of each medical college institution is <strong>shared by the Centre and the state.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives Related to Healthcare Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-swasthya-suraksha-nidhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi (PMSSN)</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A<strong> single non-lapsable reserve fund for Health</strong> from the proceeds of Health and Education Cess.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-atmanirbhar-swasth-bharat-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Scheme:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Announced in the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-02-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Union Budget 2021-22.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Aims</strong> to develop capacities of primary, secondary, and tertiary care health systems even in the last miles of the nation, and developing a modern ecosystem for research, testing and treatment in the country itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-digital-health-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Digital Health Mission (NDHM):</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The NDHM is a complete digital health ecosystem with four key features &mdash; <strong>health ID, personal health records, Digi Doctor </strong>and<strong> health facility registry.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ayushman Bharat</strong></a> (a two-pronged approach):<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Creation of <strong>health and wellness centres</strong> to bring health care closer to homes.</li>
<li>The formulation of a <strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)</strong> to protect poor and vulnerable families against financial risk arising out of catastrophic health episodes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-digital-health-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Health Policy (NHP) 2017</strong></a>:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Aims<strong> to provide healthcare in an &ldquo;assured manner&rdquo; to all,</strong> the NHP 2017 strives to address current and emerging challenges arising from the ever-changing socio-economic, technological and epidemiological scenarios.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/janaushadhi-week" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>PMBJP stores have been set up<strong> to provide generic drugs,</strong> which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Health Mission</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NHM was launched by the government of India<strong> in 2013</strong> subsuming the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission.</li>
<li>The main programmatic components include Health System Strengthening in rural and urban areas for - <strong>Reproductive-Maternal- Neonatal-Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A),</strong> and <strong>Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719809#:~:text=So%20far%20setting%20up%20of,only%20MBBS%20classes%20has%20started." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Single-Use Plastic',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a report was published which gave details of who makes <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-eliminating-single-use-plastic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>single-use plastic</strong></a>, <strong>130 million tons a year</strong> at last count, and <strong>who makes money from it.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report was published by <strong>Minderoo, a nonprofit organization</strong> based in Australia along with <strong>academics at the University of Oxford and the Stockholm Environment Institute.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Major Producers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Half of the world&rsquo;s single-use plastic is made by <strong>20 big companies.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Two US companies</strong> followed by a <strong>Chinese-owned petrochemicals</strong> giant, and another one based in Bangkok.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Investors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Production is financed by <strong>financial services companies including banks.</strong></li>
<li>Governments are also big stakeholders in this industry. About <strong>40% of the</strong> <strong>largest single-use plastic makers are partly owned by governments</strong>, including <strong>China and Saudi Arabia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Growth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Single-use plastic has been a very good business, and that&rsquo;s projected to continue. In the <strong>next five years alone, production capacity is forecast to grow by 30%</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Usage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There&rsquo;s a huge disparity between richer and poorer nations:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An average <strong>American uses and throws away 50 kilograms</strong> of single-use plastic every year whereas an average <strong>Indian uses less than one-twelfth of an American.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Less Recycling:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Only about <strong>8% of plastic gets recycled in the US.</strong> It is far <strong>cheaper to make things out of newly produced plastic than from recycled plastic.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limited Efforts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>State and municipal governments have had success in banning certain items like plastic grocery bags, foam cups and drinking straws. But the <strong>efforts focused on curtailing the production of single-use plastic have been limited so far.</strong></li>
<li>Advocacy efforts to persuade consumers to use less plastic <strong>have failed to gain traction.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> issued a directive calling for consumer brands to use at least 30% recycled content in plastic bottles by 2025.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019, the Union government in a bid to <strong>free India of single-use plastics by 2022</strong>, had <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ban-on-single-use-plastics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>laid out a multi-ministerial plan</strong></a> to discourage the use of single-use plastics across the country.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/e-retailers-to-collect-plastic-waste" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016</strong></a> which <strong>extended the responsibility to collect waste generated from the products</strong> to their producers and brand owners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Single-Use Plastics</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are <strong>used only once before they are thrown away or recycled.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These items are things like <strong>plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Plastic is so <strong>cheap and convenient</strong> that it has replaced all other materials from the packaging industry but it <strong>takes hundreds of years to disintegrate.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a huge problem. If we look at the data, out of <strong>9.46 million tonnes of plastic waste generated every year</strong> in our country, <strong>43% is single use plastic.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The single-use plastic products also <strong>prevent the spread of infection.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Instruments such as <strong>syringes, applicators, drug tests, bandages and wraps are often made to be disposable.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, single-use plastic products have been <strong>enlisted in the fight against food waste</strong>, keeping food and water fresher for longer and <strong>reducing the potential for contamination.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problems:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Petroleum-based plastic is not biodegradable</strong> and usually goes into a landfill where it is buried or it gets into the water and finds its way into the ocean.</li>
<li>In the process of breaking down, <strong>it releases toxic chemicals</strong> (additives that were used to shape and harden the plastic) which <strong>make their way into our food and water supply.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621501697_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621501697_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Economically <strong>affordable and ecologically viable alternatives</strong> which will not burden the resources are needed and their prices will also come down with time and increase in demand.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Need to <strong>promote alternatives</strong> like cotton, khadi bags and biodegradable plastics.</li>
<li>More R&amp;D (Research &amp; Development) and finances for it, are needed to <strong>look for sustainably viable options.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Citizens have to bring <strong>behavioural change</strong> and contribute by not littering and helping in waste segregation and waste management.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/who-behind-global-surge-single-use-plastic-7321181/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/single-use-plastic-4'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Tianwen-1: China's Mars Mission',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, China&rsquo;s spacecraft <strong>Tianwen-1</strong> landed on Mars carrying its <strong>first Mars rover</strong> named <strong>Zhurong.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It became the <strong>third country</strong> to land on Mars <strong>after the US and Soviet Union.</strong></li>
<li><strong>China's previous</strong> <strong>&lsquo;Yinghuo-1&rsquo; Mars mission</strong>, which was supported by a Russian spacecraft, <strong>had failed</strong> after it did not leave the earth's orbit and disintegrated over the Pacific Ocean <strong>in 2012.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Tianwen-1 Mission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Launch:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Tianwen-1 Spacecraft</strong> was <strong>lifted off on a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/long-march-5b-rocket-by-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Long March 5 rocket</a></strong>, from the Wenchang launch center in <strong>July 2020.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Three Parts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Spacecraft consists of three parts - the <strong>orbiter, the lander and the rover</strong> - which separated in Mars orbit.</li>
<li>The <strong>orbiter will remain in the orbit for scientific operations</strong> and to relay signals while the <strong>lander-rover combination has made an autonomous descent and landing.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>lander from Tianwen-1 has touched down on Utopia Planitia</strong>, a large plain in the northern hemisphere of Mars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To conduct scientific investigations into the planet&rsquo;s soil, geological structure, environment, atmosphere and water.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The mission <strong>will be the first to place a ground-penetrating radar</strong> on the Martian surface, which will be able to study local geology, as well as rock, ice, and dirt distribution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Other Space Programmes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chang-e-5-mission-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chang&rsquo;e-5</strong></a> (Moon)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-permanent-space-station" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tianhe</strong></a> (Permanent Space Station)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Mars Missions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nasa-s-ingenuity-mars-helicopter" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NASA&rsquo;s Perseverance Rover</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uae-s-hope-mars-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UAE&rsquo;s Hope Mars Mission</strong></a> (UAE&rsquo;s first-ever interplanetary mission)</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)</a>&nbsp;</strong>or<strong> Mangalyaan:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation</strong></a> in November 2013.</li>
<li>It was launched on board a PSLV C25 rocket with the aim of studying Martian surface and mineral composition as well as scan its atmosphere for methane (an indicator of life on Mars).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<h3>Mars</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Size and Distance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>fourth planet from the Sun</strong> and the <strong>second-smallest</strong> planet in the Solar System.</li>
<li>Mars is about<strong> half the size of Earth.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Similarity to the Earth (Orbit and Rotation):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As Mars orbits the Sun, it completes <strong>one rotation every</strong> <strong>24.6 hours</strong>, which is very similar to one day on <strong>Earth (23.9 hours).</strong></li>
<li>Mars' axis of rotation is <strong>tilted 25 degrees</strong> with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. This is similar to <strong>Earth</strong>, which has <strong>an axial tilt of 23.4 degrees.</strong></li>
<li>Mars has distinct seasons like Earth, but <strong>they last longer than seasons on Earth.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Martian days</strong> are <strong>called sols</strong>&mdash;short for <strong>&lsquo;solar day&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Features:</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> reason</strong> Mars <strong>looks reddish</strong> is due to oxidation or rusting of iron in the rocks, and dust of Mars. Hence it is also called the<strong> Red Planet.</strong></li>
<li>It has the <strong>largest volcano</strong> in the solar system i.e. <strong>Olympus Mons.</strong></li>
<li>It has <strong>two small moons, Phobos and Deimos.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/chinese-spacecraft-successfully-lands-on-surface-of-mars/article34562542.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tianwen-1-china-s-mars-mission-1'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Malerkotla: The 23rd District of Punjab',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Punjab government has announced the formation of <strong>Malerkotla</strong> as the <strong>23<sup>rd</sup> district of the state.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Section 5 of the <strong>Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887</strong> says the &ldquo;State government may, by notification, vary the limits and alter the numbers of tehsils, districts and divisions into which the State is divided.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>History of Malerkotla:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Malerkoltla is former princley state and only <strong>Muslim-dominated town of Punjab.</strong></li>
<li>Historically, Malerkotla <strong>owes its foundations in the 15<sup>th</sup> century to Sufi saint Sheikh Sadrauddin Sadar-i-Jahan</strong>, also known as Haider Sheikh.</li>
<li><strong>After the decline of the Mughal empire</strong>, Malerkotla&rsquo;s rulers exercised greater independence and at the time of the invasion of India by <strong>Ahmad Shah Abdali</strong> from Afghanistan, they <strong>aligned with</strong> him.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ahmed Shah Abdali <strong>invaded India eight times from 1748 to 1767.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 19<sup>th</sup> century, Malerkotla became one among the <strong>cis-Sutlej states.</strong></li>
<li>Malerkotla <strong>continued under the British protection</strong> and the alliance with the neighbouring Sikh states <strong>till 1947</strong> when it <strong>became the only Muslim majority Sikh state</strong> in East Punjab.</li>
<li>After the dissolution of the princely states in 1948, <strong>Malerkotla joined the new state of PEPSU</strong> or Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU). <strong>PEPSU itself was dissolved in 1954</strong> and Malerkotla became a part of Punjab.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cis- Sutlej Sates</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Cis-Sutlej states <strong>were a group of small states in Punjab region in the 19<sup>th</sup> century</strong>, lying between the Sutlej River on the north, the Himalayas on the east, the Yamuna River and Delhi District on the south, and Sirsa District on the west.</li>
<li>The states were c<strong>alled Cis- Sutlej by the British</strong> because they were on the British, or southern, side of the Sutlej River.</li>
<li>The Cis-Sutlej states <strong>included Kaithal, Patiala, Jind, Thanesar, Malerkotla and Faridkot.</strong></li>
<li>Under the threat of absorption into Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh&rsquo;s kingdom, they appealed to the British, who established dominance over them by the <strong>Treaty of Amritsar with Ranjit Singh (1809).</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>states survived until the independence of India (1947)</strong>, at which time they were organized into the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU).</li>
<li>They subsequently were <strong>absorbed into the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Malerkotla and the Sikh Community:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>&lsquo;Haa Da Naara&rsquo; Episode (1705):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Malerkotla Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan had raised his voice (&lsquo;Haa Da Naara&rsquo;) against brutal execution of Chote Sahibzade (youngest sons of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/guru-gobind-singh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Guru Gobind Singh</strong></a> &mdash; Zorawar Singh (9) and Fateh Singh (6) &ndash; by Nawab of Sirhind, Wazir Khan in 1705.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Gurdwara Haa da Naara Sahib was built in Malerkotla</strong> to commemorate the voice raised by Sher Mohammad Khan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wadda Ghallugara (1762):</strong> The Nawab Bhikam Shah <strong>fought on the side of Abdali&rsquo;s forces in a battle against the Sikhs</strong> in 1762. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The battle is known as &lsquo;Wadda Ghallugara&rsquo; or the Great Holocaust where tens and thousands of Sikhs were killed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treaty of Friendship (1769):</strong> In 1769, a treaty of friendship was signed with Raja Amar Singh of Patiala by the then Nawab of Malerkotla.</li>
<li><strong>Namdhari Massacre (1872):</strong> The <strong>British administration of Malerkotla (Punjab)</strong> was <strong>attacked by the contingents of Namdharis</strong> (a sect of Sikhs) under the leadership of <strong>Hira Singh</strong> and <strong>lehna Singh</strong>, on 15<sup>th</sup> January, 1872.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The British Administration ordered that the Namdhari revolutionaries should be brought to the Parade Ground and blown up with cannons.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>That ground as a symbol of martyrdom has been named now as<strong> &lsquo;Kukian Da Shaheedi Park&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Creation of New District</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Role of State:</strong> The <strong>power to create new districts or alter or abolish existing districts</strong> rests with the <strong>State governments.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can <strong>either be done through an executive order or by passing a law</strong> in the State Assembly.</li>
<li>Many States prefer the executive route by simply issuing a notification in the official gazette.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Purpose of Creation:</strong> States argue that smaller districts <strong>lead to better administration and governance.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, in 2016, the <strong>Assam government</strong> issued a notification to upgrade the Majuli sub-division to <a href="/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-11th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Majuli district</strong></a> for &ldquo;administrative expediency&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of Centre:</strong> The Centre has <strong>no role to play in the alteration of districts or creation of new ones.</strong> States are free to decide. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Role of Home Ministry:</strong> The Home Ministry comes into the picture <strong>when a State wants to change the name of a district or a railway station.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The State government&rsquo;s request is sent to other departments and agencies such as the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, Geographical Survey of India Sciences and the Railway Ministry seeking clearance.</li>
<li>A <strong>no-objection certificate</strong> may be issued after examining their replies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Number of Districts in India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <strong>2011 Census</strong>, there were <strong>593 districts</strong> in the country. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Between 2001-2011, as many as 46 districts were created by States.</li>
<li>Though the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/census-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2021 Census</strong></a> is yet to happen, <strong>currently there are 718 districts in the country.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The surge in number is also due to <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/statehood-demand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh</strong></a> into A.P and Telangana in 2014.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/malerkotla-punjab-sikhs-amarinder-singh-7318919/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/malerkotla-the-23rd-district-of-punjab'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'India’s Western Pivot',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/Globespotting/act-west-think-east-india-is-sealing-relationships-with-us-uk-europe-after-the-double-reality-check-from-china/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Act west, think east: India is sealing relationships with US, UK, Europe after the double reality check from China&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Times of India on 16/05/2021. It talks about the growing relationship between India and western countries.</p>
</div>
<p>In the recent months, India took two big steps in the domain of foregin policy viz. crafting a post-Brexit relationship with the UK and reinvigorating the India-Europe relationship.</p>
<p>Improved trade is the bedrock of both the deals. This is significant after India decided to exit the RCEP in 2019 and calls for Atmanirbhar Bharat and resilient supply chains became the dominant narrative. Moreover, India and the US are also negotiating a mini trade deal.</p>
<p>Apart from trade engagement, India&rsquo;s strategic convergence with the EU, UK and US signals the formation of India&rsquo;s western pivot. This growing relationship between India and the West is also a result of rising China.</p>
<p>In this scenario where the global economy has been hit by the pandemic, India must seriously consider reforms that make the relationship with the western countries permanent in nature.</p>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Western Pivot</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Acting Swiftly After Brexit:</strong> Taking advantage of Brexit, the enhanced trade partnership between India and the UK will start with market access to confidence-building measures (CBMs) before graduating to an Free-Trade Agreement (FTA).</li>
<li><strong>Reinvigorating India-EU Relationship:</strong> In a recently held virtual summit, India and the EU have decided to resume negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the summit witnessed the launching of an ambitious &ldquo;connectivity partnership&rdquo; in digital, energy, transport, and people-to-people sectors, enabling the two to pursue sustainable joint projects in regions spanning from Africa, Central Asia to the wider Indo-Pacific.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Engaging With Independent European Countries:</strong> For years, India has treated the EU as an anomaly, preferring to build independent ties with France, Germany, the UK etc.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, France has become India&rsquo;s go-to partner in Europe, cutting across sectors such as defence, strategic, nuclear and multilateral spheres, to the extent that it can almost replace Russia.</li>
<li>The Nordics countries are India favourites in areas like smart cities, 5G, AI and semiconductors.</li>
<li>Further, India&rsquo;s interest in things like clean water, sanitation, and smart cities naturally gravitated towards European countries that had solutions on tap.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Quad:</strong> As a member of the Quad and at the geopolitical heart of the Indo-Pacific, India is a strategic opportunity for the West.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Involved</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>A Rigid EU:</strong> The UK deal is likely to be much faster because of vested interests on both sides. However, the EU is much more rigid and more demanding of reciprocity.</li>
<li><strong>Chinese Lesson:</strong> The US and Europe were collectively instrumental in the growth of China. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Their idea was a prosperous China would become a more democratic China, not a threatening China.</li>
<li>However, today China's actions are a prime strategic challenge for these countries.</li>
<li>So, India should not expect that its transformation as a result of its engagement with the EU, US and UK will be anything but hard won.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Resistance From China:</strong> China sees Quad as a small geopolitical grouping that wants to divide Asia and contain China. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this narrative, preventing the emergence of any countervailing Asian coalition is very much the top strategic priority for China now.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Building Domestic Consensus:</strong> For closer convergence between India and the western countries, India should bridge the supply-chain gaps and build domestic consensus on the big issues: Goods, services, agriculture, government procurement, international arbitration.</li>
<li><strong>Alignment With Middle Powers:</strong> India should supplement its partnership with the US with a network of multilateral groups with other middle powers, such as the India-Australia-Japan forum and the trilateral dialogue with France and Australia.</li>
<li><strong>Natural Relationship:</strong> India is already a robust democracy and a market economy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, India can leverage a lot of its strengths: Technology advances; a western-oriented pool of 21<sup>st</sup> century talent; a climate change believer to strengthen its relationship with wetern countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>From Indian perspective, collaboration with the western countries can provide regional stability, promote peace, bring economic growth and enhance sustainable development.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdf5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>India&rsquo;s recent foregin policy developments reflects the formation of western pivot. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-western-pivot'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Medicine from the Sky Project: Telangana',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Telangana government has selected 16 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) for pilot testing the ambitious <strong>&lsquo;Medicine from the sky&rsquo;,</strong> the <strong>first-of- its-kind project.</strong></p>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621422909_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621422909_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project <strong>involves delivery of medicines through multiple drones.</strong></li>
<li>The project is being launched following the<strong> approval granted by the Civil Aviation Ministry.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Ministry has granted <strong>conditional exemption</strong> to the Telangana Government from the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-unmanned-aircraft-system-uas-rules-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Unmanned Aircraft System Rules</a> 2021</strong> for conducting experimental<strong> Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)</strong> drone flights for delivery of vaccines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The project <strong>would be launched in three waves</strong> starting with a pilot followed by mapping the route network for operation of drones for delivering vaccine/medicine in the desired community health centres and PHCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Collaborators:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Telangana government, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Forum</strong> </a>and HealthNet Global.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>HealthNet Global</strong> is a<strong> private limited company</strong> which provides quality affordable health plans for individuals, families, Medicare and businesses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To assess <strong>alternative logistics routes</strong> in providing<strong> safe, accurate and reliable pick up and delivery of health care items</strong> like medicines, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-vaccination" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 vaccines</strong></a>, units of blood and other lifesaving equipment <strong>from the distribution centre to specific locations and back.</strong></li>
<li>To ensure <strong>healthcare equity for rural areas.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The model, once successful, would <strong>enable deliveries from district medical stores and blood banks to PHCs, Community Healthcare Centres (CHCs)</strong> and further <strong>from PHCs/CHCs to central diagnostic laboratories.</strong></li>
<li>It has the<strong> potential to disrupt the healthcare industry and save many lives</strong> during emergencies and in less accessible geographies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Projects involving Use of Drones:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Similar permission was granted to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-to-test-for-community-transmission-of-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong></a> for <strong>conducting feasibility study of Covid-19 vaccine delivery using drones,</strong> in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/climate-resistant-chickpea-varieties" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Crops Research Institute (ICRISAT)</strong></a> was <strong>permitted to deploy drones for agricultural research activities,</strong> apart from some agriculture universities and educational institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Drones</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Drone is a layman terminology for <strong>Unmanned Aircraft (UA).</strong> There are <strong>three subsets of Unmanned Aircraft-</strong> Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Autonomous Aircraft and Model Aircraft.</li>
<li>Remotely piloted aircraft have been divided into <strong>five categories based on their weight-</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nano :</strong> Less than or equal to 250 grams.</li>
<li><strong>Micro :</strong> From 250 grams to 2kg.</li>
<li><strong>Small :</strong> From 2 kg to 25kg.</li>
<li><strong>Medium :</strong> From 25kg to 150kg.</li>
<li><strong>Large :</strong> Greater than 150kg.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-sky-platform-drone-regulation-1-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Drone Regulation in 2018</strong></a>, the Ministry of Civil Aviation partitioned the Air space into <strong>Red Zone</strong> (flying not permitted), <strong>Yellow Zone</strong> (controlled airspace), and <strong>Green Zone</strong> (automatic permission).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Beyond Visual Line of Sight </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a term relating to the operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and drones at <strong>distances outside the normal visible range of the pilot.</strong></li>
<li>BVLOS flights typically<strong> require additional equipment and extra training and certification,</strong> and are subject to permission from aviation authorities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Unmanned Aircraft System Rules 2021 states that <strong>drones will not be allowed to operate BVLOS,</strong> which would<strong> limit the use of these gadgets to surveys, photography, security</strong> and various information gathering purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They are more <strong>cost-effective and efficient,</strong> as there are fewer takeoff and landing phases, so the UAV will cover more ground in a single mission.</li>
<li>BVLOS flights <strong>require less human intervention</strong> as some or all of the missions may be automated. They may also allow <strong>easier access to remote or hazardous areas.</strong></li>
<li>BVLOS capabilities <strong>enable a drone to cover far greater distances.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Risk:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These operations<strong> carry more safety concerns due to the fact that the pilot may only be observing potential obstacles</strong> via a remote camera feed, or, in the case of automated flights, there may be no human observation at all.</li>
<li>There is a risk of<strong> collisions with other aircraft, or damage to property and people,</strong> especially when flights take place in non-segregated airspace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/medicine-from-the-sky-pilot-at-vikarabad-area-hospital/article34590408.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/medicine-from-the-sky-project-telangana'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Initiative for Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MTA)</strong> inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with <strong>Microsoft</strong> to support the digital transformation of schools such as <strong>Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)</strong> and<strong> Ashram Schools,</strong> among others under the Ministry.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is aimed at building an inclusive, skills-based economy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the MoU:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></a> curriculum will be made available to tribal students in both English and Hindi at all EMRS schools to skill educators and students in next-generation technologies.</li>
<li>In the<strong> first phase, 250 EMRS schools have been adopted by Microsoft,</strong> out of which 50 EMRS schools will be given intensive training and 500 master trainers would be trained in the first phase.</li>
<li><strong>Teachers across states in India will be trained in a phased manner</strong> for using productivity technologies like Office 365 and AI applications in teaching.</li>
<li>The program will also offer opportunities for<strong> teachers to earn professional e-badges and e-certificates</strong> from the Microsoft Education Centre.</li>
<li>Students from schools under the Ministry will be mentored on projects that involve AI applications for <strong>societal good</strong> and the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=To%20bring%20sustainable%20development%20in,over%20the%20next%2015%20years.&amp;text=SDGs%20are%20not%20legally%20binding." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN&rsquo;s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expected Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This program will ensure that tribal students get a chance to <strong>change their future, their environment, their village, and overall community.</strong></li>
<li>The initiative will also enable the <strong>professional development of educators, enabling them to use technology in classrooms.</strong></li>
<li>It will help in the success of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>digital India Mission.</strong></a></li>
<li>It will be able to<strong> bridge the gap between the tribal students and others.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Educational Schemes for Tribals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme (RGNF):</strong> RGNF was introduced in the year 2005-2006 with the objective to encourage the students belonging to the ST community to pursue higher education.</li>
<li><strong>Vocational Training Center in Tribal Areas:</strong> The aim of this scheme is to develop the skill of ST students depending on their qualification and present market trends.</li>
<li><strong>National Overseas Scholarship Scheme:</strong> It provides financial assistance to 20 students selected for pursuing higher studies abroad for PhD and postdoctoral studies.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pre-matric-scholarship-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pre and Post Matric Scholarship Schemes.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Eklavya Model Residential Schools</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eklavya-model-residential-and-day-boarding-schools" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>EMRS</strong> </a>started in the<strong> year 1997-98</strong> to impart quality education to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Schedule Tribes</strong></a> children in remote areas.</li>
<li>The schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of the students.</li>
<li>The <strong>objective</strong> of EMRS is to provide quality middle and high level education to ST students in remote areas, not only to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and as jobs in government and public and private sectors but also to have access to the best opportunities in education at par with the non ST population.</li>
<li>Each school has a capacity of <strong>480 students, catering to students from Class VI to XII.</strong></li>
<li>These are being set up by grants provided <strong>under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/post-devolution-revenue-deficit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Article 275(1) of the Constitution</a>.</strong></li>
<li>These are <strong>funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>In order to give further impetus to EMRS, it has been decided that by <strong>the year 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons,</strong> will have an EMRS.</li>
<li>Eklavya schools are on <strong>par with Navodaya Vidyalaya</strong> and have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) scheme</strong> envisages setting up of one Navodaya Vidyalaya in each district of the country. It is under the <strong>Ministry of Education.</strong></li>
<li>These residential schools impart<strong> good quality modern education to rural talented children</strong> irrespective of their socio-economic background including ST children.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Ashram Schools</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ashram schools are residential schools, in which <strong>free boarding and lodging along with other facilities and incentives are provided to the students.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from formal education, there is emphasis put upon <strong>physical activities, meditation, sight-seeing, play, sports, games, and other.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The Ministry of Tribal Affairs</strong> provides construction costs and the<strong> State Government</strong> is responsible for running and overall maintenance of these Ashram schools including selection of medium of instruction.</li>
<li>So far, the Ministry has funded<strong> 1,205 Ashram Schools</strong> across the country for quality education of ST children.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719441" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiative-for-digital-transformation-of-tribal-schools'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'International Museums Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>International Museum Day is observed on <strong>18<sup>th</sup> May</strong> every year to raise awareness among people about the museums.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>2021 Theme:</strong> The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>History:</strong> The Day was <strong>instituted in 1977</strong> by the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-museum-day#:~:text=The%20International%20Museum%20Day%20is,cooperation%20and%20peace%20among%20peoples.%E2%80%9D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Council of Museums (ICOM)</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong>International Council of Museum (ICOM):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ICOM is <strong>a</strong> <strong>membership association and a non-governmental organisation</strong> which establishes professional and ethical standards for museum activities. It is the <strong>only global organisation in the museum field.</strong></li>
<li>It was <strong>created in 1946</strong> and is <strong>headquartered in Paris, France.</strong></li>
<li>It serves as <strong>a network of museum professionals</strong> (more than 40,000 members in over 138 countries).</li>
<li>The <strong>ICOM Red Lists of Cultural Objects at Risk</strong> are practical tools to curb the illegal traffic of cultural objects.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Red Lists</strong> present the categories of cultural objects that can be subjected to theft and traffic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Administration of Museums in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Multiple ministries hold charges of various Museums.</li>
<li>Not all Museums are administered by the Ministry of Culture.</li>
<li>Some are run without government support by a handful of people under a Board of Trustees.</li>
<li><strong>Related Constitutional Provision:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Article 49:</strong> Protect monuments, places and objects of artistic or historic interest which are declared to be of national importance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives Related to Museums:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Museum Grant Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Culture</strong> provides financial assistance under the Scheme to the State Governments and Societies, Autonomous bodies, Local Bodies and Trusts registered under the Societies Act, for setting up new Museums.</li>
<li>It also aims to strengthen and modernize the existing museums at the Regional, State and District level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>National Portal and Digital Repository for Indian Museums</strong> (under the Ministry of Culture) have been launched for <strong>digitisation of the collections</strong> of the Museums.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Notable Museums in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Museum, New Delhi (Subordinate Office under the Ministry of Culture).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naimisha-2020#:~:text=to%20the%20universe.-,National%20Gallery%20of%20Modern%20Art,and%20the%20other%20at%20Bengaluru." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Gallery of Modern Art</strong></a>, New Delhi</li>
<li>Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad</li>
<li>Indian Museum, Kolkata</li>
<li>Archaeological Survey of India site Museum, Goa</li>
<li>National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), New Delhi</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1719673" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source : PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-museums-day'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'TRIPS Waiver or Compulsory License',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/walk-the-talk-on-trips-waiver/article34581499.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &ldquo;Walk the talk on TRIPS waiver&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Hindu on 18/05/2021. It talks about the need for invoking compulsory licensing under WTO norms to bridge the vaccine shortage for Covid-19.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, India and South Africa have piloted the proposal to waive key provisions of the TRIPS agreement on Covid-19 vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, and related technologies. This proposal has been now backed by the U.S also.</p>
<p>The TRIPS waiver proposal would give immunity to member countries from a legal challenge at the WTO if their domestic Intellectual Property Regulation (IPR) laws suspend or do not enforce IP protection.</p>
<p>The core idea behind this TRIPS proposal is that the IPR should not become barriers in scaling up production of medical products essential to combat Covid-19. However, the TRIPS waiver is unlikely to solve India&rsquo;s Covid-19 vaccine shortage.</p>
<p>Instead of trying to obtain an IP waiver, the Indian government must enable vaccine manufacturers to expand production (through compulsory licensing) &amp; reduce inefficiencies in procurement &amp; distribution.</p>
<h3>TRIPS Agreement &amp; Indian Law</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The TRIPS agreement was negotiated in 1995 at the WTO, it requires all its signatory countries to enact domestic law.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It guarantees minimum standards of IP protection.</li>
<li>Such legal consistency enables innovators to monetise their intellectual property in multiple countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2001, the WTO signed the Doha Declaration, which clarified that in a public health emergency, governments could compel companies to license their patents to manufacturers, even if they did not think the offered price was acceptable.</li>
<li>This provision, commonly referred to as &ldquo;compulsory licensing&rdquo;, was already built into the TRIPS Agreement and the Doha declaration only clarified its usage.</li>
<li>Under Section 92 of the 1970 Indian Patents Act, the central government has the power to allow compulsory licenses to be issued at any time in case of a national emergency or circumstances of extreme urgency.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why is the TRIPS waiver unlikely to solve India&rsquo;s Covid-19 vaccine shortage?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Complex Intellectual Property Mechanism:</strong> The process of vaccine development and manufacturing has several steps, and involves a complex intellectual property mechanism. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Different types of IP rights apply to different steps and there is no one kind of IP that could unlock the secret to manufacturing a vaccine.</li>
<li>The expertise to manufacture it may be protected as a trade secret, and the data from clinical trials to test vaccine safety and efficacy may be protected by copyright.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Complex Manufacturing Mechanism:</strong> Manufacturing vaccines will need to design the process for manufacturing the vaccines, source necessary raw materials, build production facilities, and conduct clinical trials to get regulatory approvals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The manufacturing process itself has different steps, some of which may be subcontracted to other parties.</li>
<li>Thus, a patent waiver alone does not empower manufacturers to start vaccine production immediately.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward: Need for Invoking Compulsory Licensing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Plugging Shortage of Vaccine:</strong> The richest countries have cornered about 80 percent of vaccine supplies so far. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While India needs to supplement its output to ensure that a population of over 900 million which is above 18 years of age gets about 1.8 billion doses at the earliest.</li>
<li>Thus, compulsory licensing can be used to augment the supply of drugs and other therapeutics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nudging Voluntary Licensing:</strong> An assertive posture on compulsory licences would also have the advantage of forcing several pharmaceutical companies to offer licences voluntarily.</li>
<li><strong>Leading By Example:</strong> Licensing Covaxin widely would enable India to live up to its reputation of being the &lsquo;pharmacy of the world&rsquo; and also put pressure on developed countries to transfer their vaccine technology to developing countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, the government should not only transfer Covaxin&rsquo;s technology to domestic pharmaceutical companies, to boost national supplies, but also offer it to foreign corporations.</li>
<li>By unlocking its vaccine technical know-how to the world, India would demonstrate its resolve to walk the talk on the TRIPS waiver.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Favourable Regulatory Environment:</strong> A commitment to supply vaccines to India requires trust in the country&rsquo;s regulatory and institutional environment, which the government must strive to instil through dependable commitments. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such confidence, combined with the expedited process for vaccine approval, can help India quickly overcome its supply shortage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India has historically played a leading role in mainstreaming TRIPS flexibilities like the compulsory licence at the WTO. In this global and national health emergency, the government should inexplicably make use of compulsory licences.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #ebfffe;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The world&rsquo;s population should be vaccinated against Covid-19 as quickly as possible, which cannot happen without lower prices and technology transfer. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/trips-waiver-or-compulsory-license'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Independent Collegium for Election Commission',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a petition was filed in the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court (SC)</strong></a> seeking the <strong>constitution of an independent collegium to appoint members of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Election Commission</a>.</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Election Commission of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an<strong> autonomous constitutional authority</strong> responsible for administering <strong>Union and State election</strong> processes in India.</li>
<li>The body administers elections to the<strong> Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 324 of the Constitution:</strong> It provides for appointment of a Election commission to superintend, direct and control the elections.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Structure :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Originally the commission had only one election commissioner but after the<strong> Election Commissioner Amendment Act 1989,</strong> it has been made a multi-member body.</li>
<li>The commission <strong>presently consists of one <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chief-election-commissioner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)</a> and two <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/election-commissioner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Election Commissioners (ECs).</a></strong></li>
<li>The secretariat of the <strong>commission is located in New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Present System of Appointment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is <strong>no prescribed procedure for appointment</strong> of the<strong> CEC </strong>and<strong> EC as per the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li>Under the Transaction of Business rules 1961, <strong>the President shall appoint the CEC and EC</strong> based on the <strong>recommendations made by the Prime Minister.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Therefore, it is the<strong> executive power of the President</strong> to appoint CEC and ECs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, according to <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/is-the-election-commission-of-india-free" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Article 324</a>(5), the Parliament has the power to regulate the terms of conditions of service and tenure of ECs. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991</strong> was passed to determine the conditions of service of the CEC and other ECs and to provide for the procedure for transaction of business by the ECI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is under <strong>Article 324(5)</strong> that the Parliament has made laws till date, and not under <strong>Article 324(2)</strong> in which the Parliament can establish a selection committee for regulating the appointments made by the President.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Article 324(2)</strong> states that the President shall, with aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, appoint CEC and ECs, till Parliament enacts a law fixing the criteria for selection, conditions of service and tenure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for an Independent Collegium:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Recommendation of Committees:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The recommendation to have a neutral collegium to fill up vacancies in the Election Commission have been given by<strong> several expert committees, commissions from 1975.</strong></li>
<li>The recommendation was also part of the <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-election-commission-collegium-system-appointments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Law Commission&rsquo;s 255<sup>th</sup> report</a> in March 2015.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2009,</strong> the<a href="/summary-of-important-reports/right-to-information-master-key-to-good-governance-2nd-arc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Second Administrative Reforms Commission</strong></a> in its fourth report suggested a collegium system for CEC and ECs.</li>
<li>In <strong>1990,</strong> the<strong> Dinesh Goswami Committee</strong> recommended effective consultation with neutral authorities like the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of the Opposition for the appointment in the Election Commission.</li>
<li>In <strong>1975, the Justice Tarkunde Committee</strong> recommended that the members of the Election Commission should be appointed by the President on the advice of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Insulation from Political and Executive Interference:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The appointment of members of the Election Commission on the whims and fancies of the Executive <strong>violates the very foundation on which it was created,</strong> thus, making the Commission a branch of the Executive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unfair Election Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Election Commission is <strong>not only responsible for conducting free and fair elections, but it also renders a quasi judicial function</strong> between the various political parties including the ruling government and other parties.</li>
<li>In such circumstances, the Executive cannot be the sole participant in the appointment of members of the Election Commission as it gives <strong>unfettered discretion to the ruling party</strong> to choose someone whose loyalty to it is ensured and thereby renders the selection process vulnerable to manipulation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Similar Demand for Others:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For other constitutional positions, similar demands can be raised where it is the imperative of the executive to make such appointments like for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/attorney-general-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Attorney General</strong></a> or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/comptroller-and-auditor-general-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comptroller &amp; Auditor-General.</strong></a></li>
<li>For the appointment of<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/central-bureau-of-investigation-cbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)</strong> </a><strong>director</strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-vigilance-commission-2#:~:text=Background%3A,statutory%20status%20on%20the%20CVC." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Vigilance Commissioner</strong></a>, committees are constituted. But these are statutory positions. As of now, there is no committee for constitutional appointments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Distinction between CEC &amp; EC:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is a difference between the position of a CEC &amp; EC. The <strong>appointments to both the positions may differ</strong> according to the task they perform.</li>
<li>Therefore, <strong>to differentiate the process of appointment which is still done on an ad-hoc basis</strong> (because of absence of any constitutional law) <strong>becomes a challenging task</strong> that needs to be addressed properly to ensure the independent working of the commission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Judicial Overreach:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The SC interprets any law on the basis of provisions of the constitution, and constitutionally the <strong>decision for appointment procedure of EC comes under executive domain.</strong></li>
<li>Thereby, <strong>decisions by the SC</strong> in this regard <strong>can possibly shake the harmonious balance of power.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Deficiencies in the present system of appointment process needs to be removed. And <strong>adequate safeguards must be put into place to ensure that ethical and capable people head the concerned positions.</strong></li>
<li>There is a <strong>need for debate and discussions in the Parliament on the issue of independence of ECI</strong> and consequently passing of required legislation.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/plea-for-independent-panel-to-appoint-ec-members/article34581010.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/independent-collegium-for-election-commission'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Israel-Palestine Conflict',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uyFPmpf-N2A" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India, the United States and several other countries have called for calm and restraint amid escalating tensions and violence between<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Israel and Palestinian</strong> </a>militants.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dozens of people have been killed in clashes and airstrikes since the violence broke out, including a 30-year-old Indian woman in Israel who was killed in a rocket attack by Palestinian militants from Gaza.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> At the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Security Council</strong></a> meeting, India expressed deep concern at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ai-aqsa-mosque-sheikh-jarrah-israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>clashes and violence in Jerusalem</strong></a> and called on both sides to avoid changing the status-quo on the ground.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the UN, stressed the need to<strong> immediately resume direct peace talks</strong> and commitment to a two-state solution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>US Stand:</strong> The US President has also called for de-escalation of the deadly violence that has claimed dozens of lives.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the US added that Israel has a right to defend itself if it is attacked by thousands of rockets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Response by the Arab World:</strong> Iran, Qatar and Turkey completely support the Palestinian cause and are backing Hamas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UAE and Saudi Arabia are almost <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/israel-uae-peace-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>de facto allies of Israel.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Israel - Palestine</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Conflict:</strong> It is linked to the age-old <strong>tussle over identity and land</strong> starting with Jerusalem.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <strong>first Arab Israel war of 1948,</strong> the Israelis captured the western half of the city, and Jordan took the eastern part which Israel later captured and annexed.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since then, Israel has expanded settlements in East Jerusalem.</li>
<li>The Palestinians want to make East Jerusalem the capital of their yet to be formed state.</li>
<li>Israel sees the whole city as its &ldquo;unified, eternal capital&rdquo;, whereas the Palestinian leadership denies for any compromise unless East Jerusalem is recognised as the capital of future Palestinian state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Palestinians</strong> are facing the<strong> threat of eviction from Sheikh Jarrah,</strong> a neighbourhood in east Jerusalem. Their land is to be given to the Jewish settlers.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Moreover, the Israeli armed forces have recently attacked the Al-Aqsa Mosque ahead of a march by Zionist nationalists.</li>
<li>The Al Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest shrine for Islam after Mecca and Medina.</li>
<li>It created a fear for the followers, all over the region and the radicals began to call for defending the Al Aqsa Mosque.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, earlier this year (2021), the Central Court in East Jerusalem upheld a decision to <strong>evict four Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah</strong> in favor of Jewish settlers.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The issue remains unresolved and potentially inflammable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>current outbreak of violence is the most severe one since 2014</strong> involving the rocket-firing by the Palestinians and the air-strikes conducted by Israelis in retaliation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621339894_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621339894_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Factors Triggering the Conflict</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Hamas in Rule in Palestine:</strong> Hamas, found in 1987, is a violent offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood seeking "to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine" through violent jihad.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Palestinian President is quite old age and hence, senile and unable to fight for the cause.</li>
<li>So, <strong>Hamas is the more radical faction of the Palestinians which has now started retaliating.</strong></li>
<li>The so-called president authority of Palestine is neither conducting elections, nor functioning properly, the dictatorship of the Hamas and Israeli seizure of territories and limitations is aggravating the Palestinians.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Instability in Both the States:</strong> There is <strong>incapability and stagnation in the leadership structures</strong> on the both sides thus leading to too many groups getting out of control, who are resorting to maximum violence.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, <strong>Israel has had 4 elections in the last two years</strong> and all of them were inconclusive. The Prime Minister of Israel has retained his post but only in a caretaker form.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Divided Israel:</strong> The Israelis are all highly divided.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Arabian Israelis</strong> who are just 20% of the population,<strong> identify with the Palestinians</strong> due to the same ethnicity.</li>
<li>The Arabian Israelis and the far-right community of Israel are engaging in civil war like activities inside the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues with the Palestinian People:</strong> The ground sentiments of the Palestinians are also changing, the <strong>majority of them saying they do not want a two state solution.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is also not decided if Hamas will rule over the Palestinian state or the Fatah or neither of these.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Palestinians have been a divide lot between between the Hamas and the Fatah</strong> and the two are moving on the different tracks which is the main reason for the defeat of the ultimate Palestinian cause.</li>
<li>United Palestine with the help from the Arab world and the other countries could have achieved much more than it is achieving now.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are <strong>geographically separated by Israeli territory</strong> so it is not a viable state anymore, plus, the<strong> land going into the Jewish hands is further aggravating the Palestinians.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The US Losing its Significance in the Region:</strong> The US is preventing the meeting from taking place at the UNSC for Palestinian cause and <strong>completely recognises the rights of Israelis</strong> to defend themselves.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The US President recognising Jerusalem as Israel&rsquo;s de facto capital also became a major problem.</li>
<li>The US, under President Joe Biden, <strong>does not have much leverage on Israel,</strong> unlike the US under Donald Trump who clearly supported Israel. <strong>They are trying to be more even handed.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Although the current administration in the US has talked about being neutral, it <strong>hasn&rsquo;t invested much diplomatic energy in this conflict.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Change in Leadership:</strong> The leadership and generational change in politics of the two States is really very crucial.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both the Isreali and Palestinian Prime Ministers have been in power for quite long. Ideally, they shall step aside, the domestic survival politics for power and the desire of holding on to their chairs is overriding the broader interest of the region and its people.</li>
<li>There is hope for the newer generation to come and rethink for a two state solution.</li>
<li>Also, bringing Hamas into moderation is much required.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Preventing Disproportionate Retaliation:</strong> There has to be a certain extent for both the states upto which they can retaliate, disproportionate use of force is not a solution, it will only create more terrorism and extremism.</li>
<li><strong>Role of the Regional Players:</strong> The regional players like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE possibly have a better pathway for peace talk than the US. The US does not have as much hold over the region as it used to have.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Qatar and Egypt are already working closely to bring peace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s role:</strong> India believes that peace talks are the only way ahead for stability to come in the region and ending this decades old conflict.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has close relationships with both the states and it supports Palestine but choosing one over the other is not wise.</li>
<li>However, Palestine wants, to some extent, India to act as interlocutor as their faith does not lie much within the US, China or Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The situation on the ground is really bad, the tensions are escalating and looking at the complex issues involved, the issue does not seem to be getting solved in the near future.</li>
<li>Peace talks have been taking place for at least 2 decades but in vain. However, India&rsquo;s stand still remains for peace talks.</li>
<li>Both sides have to come for a possible solution which is in mutual interest but that can happen only through talks and not bloodshed.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-israel-palestine-conflict'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Proposal for Gold Exchange',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)</strong></a> has <strong>proposed a framework</strong> for setting up a <strong>spot gold exchange.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>spot exchange</strong> is where financial instruments, such as commodities, currencies, and securities, are traded for immediate delivery.</li>
<li><strong>SEBI</strong> is a <strong>statutory body</strong> established in April, 1992 in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621336832_image%202.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621336832_image 2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Framework of Gold Exchange:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <strong>first tranche, an entity desirous of delivering gold</strong>, locally manufactured or imported, <strong>on the exchange platform would have to approach a SEBI regulated vault manager</strong> and deposit physical gold meeting quality and quantity parameters with it.</li>
<li>Against this, the <strong>vault manager will issue an EGR (Electronic Gold Receipt)</strong>, which will be tradeable on the exchanges, in the <strong>second tranche.</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>beneficial owner will surrender the EGR to a vault manager</strong> and <strong>take delivery of the gold</strong> in <strong>the third tranche.</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>common interface</strong> will be developed between <strong>vault managers, depositories, clearing corporations</strong> and <strong>stock exchanges</strong> to enable seamless execution of the three tranches.</li>
<li>The <strong>proposed denominations</strong> - reflecting underlying physical gold - of <strong>EGRs</strong> are <strong>1 kilogram, 100 gram, 50 gram</strong> and subject to conditions, those can also be even for <strong>5 and 10 gram.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/taxes-and-india-s-equity-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener">STT (Security Transaction Tax)</a> will be levied</strong> on trading of the EGR and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax)</strong></a> at the time of delivery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Issues Raised by SEBI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes <strong>fungibility and interoperability</strong> between vault managers.</li>
<li><strong>Fungibility</strong> means gold deposited under, say, EGR 1 can be delivered against surrender of EGR 2 meeting the same contract specifications.</li>
<li><strong>Interoperability</strong> means gold deposited at one location and with one vault manager can be withdrawn from a different location of the same or different vault manager, subject to availability of the physical gold. This will <strong>reduce the cost for buyers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for Creating Separate Exchange for Gold:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>create a vibrant gold ecosystem in India</strong> which is commensurate with its large share of global gold consumption.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> (after China) <strong>is the second largest consumer of gold globally</strong>, with annual gold demand of approximately 800-900 tonnes, and holds an important position in the global markets.</li>
<li>The objective behind setting up gold exchanges is for India to <strong>become a price setter</strong> rather than <strong>a price taker</strong> and to establish an <strong>India good delivery standard</strong>, akin to <strong>London Bullion Market Association (LBMA)</strong> accredited gold bars.</li>
<li>Setting up a new stock spot gold exchange <strong>has advantages</strong> such as single good delivery standard, reduced market fragmentation, improved liquidity, and single reference price.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/sebi-invites-comments-on-gold-exchange/article34582364.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-for-gold-exchange'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Farzad-B Gas Field: Iran',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Iran gave the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farzad-B Gas Field</strong> </a>to Petropars, a domestic gas producer.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is <strong>a setback for India&rsquo;s energy ties with Iran as ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL)</strong> had discovered the gas field in 2008 and <strong>has been part of the ongoing cooperation on that front.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Farzad-B Gas Field:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is located in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persian-gulf-region" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Persian Gulf</strong></a> (Iran).<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621330999_Image%201.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621330999_Image 1.png" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>The <strong>contract for exploration</strong> of the field was <strong>signed in 2002 by Indian consortium</strong> comprising ONGC Videsh, Indian Oil Corporation and Oil India.</li>
<li>The <strong>contract expired in 2009</strong> after declaration of commerciality of the field, based on the gas discovery.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has gas reserves of more than <strong>19 trillion cubic feet.</strong></li>
<li>ONGC has <strong>invested approximately USD 100 million.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since then, the consortium has been trying to secure the contract for development of the field.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>major dispute between India and Iran was over setting up of two pipelines</strong>, and also over money to be quoted on the development plan.</li>
<li>Around<strong> 75% of the deal was finalised by May 2018</strong>, when the <strong>US</strong> unilaterally <strong>withdrew from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/restoration-of-jcpoa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nuclear deal</a></strong> and announced <strong>sanctions on Iran.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>January 2020, India was informed that in the immediate future, Iran would develop the field on its own</strong> and would like to involve India appropriately at a later stage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Recent Developments:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian merchants have almost entirely stopped signing new export contracts with Iranian buyers due to caution about <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/falling-rupee-reserves-of-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iran&rsquo;s falling rupee reserves with Indian banks</a>.</strong></li>
<li>Iran in 2020 dropped India&rsquo;s USD 2-billion offer and decided to build the Chabahar railway link (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-dropped-from-chabahar-rail-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chabahar-Zahedan Railway Line</strong></a>) on its own.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Growing Influence of China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In April 2021, China and Iran signed a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-iran-strategic-cooperation-pact#:~:text=China%20and%20Iran%20have%20signed,from%20the%20Iranian%20nuclear%20deal." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>25-year "strategic cooperation pact&rdquo;</strong></a> which includes political, economic and strategic components.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China is also concluding a <strong>security and military partnership with Iran.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>China Iran strategic partnership</strong> may be an impediment for Indian entry routes into Afghanistan through Chabahar and further connectivity to <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-central-asia-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC)</strong></a>, although Iran has not given any signals of disruption of these projects.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, <strong>Iran seems to be sceptical of India&rsquo;s diplomatic ties with the US.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Energy Security:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has <strong>stopped purchasing Iranian oil</strong>, which accounts for around <strong>90% of its imports from the Islamic nation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India was Iran's leading oil client after China until mid-2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India needs gas and Iran remains one of the best options as geographically, <strong>Iran is closest to India of all the countries in the Persian gulf region.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Further, the <strong>Farzad-B Gas Field could have improved India-Iran ties</strong> as the crude oil import from Iran remains impacted due to the US sanctions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Role in the Region:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Maintaining ties with Iran even as it forges a new relationship with Saudi Arabia and Israel is <strong>critical for India&rsquo;s balancing policy in West Asia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity to Central Asia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chabahar is not only a key to maritime relations between both the countries, but also <strong>provides an opportunity to India to reach Russia and Central Asia.</strong></li>
<li>Further, it <strong>allows India to bypass Pakistan</strong> which had blocked Indian aid to Afghanistan and all trade over land.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Peaceful Afghanistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India, having made <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-in-afghan-peace-process#:~:text=Major%20projects%20include%20the%20Afghan,cemented%20its%20position%20in%20Afghanistan." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>significant investments in Afghanistan</strong></a>, will always hope for an Afghan elected, Afghan led, Afghan owned peace and reconciliation process and a popular democratic government in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>However, India has to be watchful of <strong>Iran - Pakistan- China axis developing in the neighbourhood of Afghanistan</strong>, with tentacles in the form of terror groups inside it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is very <strong>reliant upon Middle East oil and gas</strong> and <strong>must maintain cordial relations with most of the major suppliers, including Iran</strong>, UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, as well as Iraq.</li>
<li>India needs to play a <strong>balancing act between the US and Iran.</strong></li>
<li>In a world where connectivity is seen as the new currency, <strong>India&rsquo;s loss on account of these projects can become gain for some other country</strong>, especially China.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/iran-to-develop-farzad-b-gas-field-domestically-dumps-india/article34581669.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/farzad-b-gas-field-iran'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Cyclone Tauktae',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Cyclone Tauktae</strong> made landfall in <strong>Gujarat.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cyclone has left a trail of destruction as it swept through the coastal states of <strong>Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Named by:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is<strong> a tropical cyclone, named by Myanmar.</strong> It means 'gecko', a highly vocal lizard, in the Burmese language.</li>
<li>Typically, <strong>tropical cyclones</strong> in the North Indian Ocean region<strong> (Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea)</strong> develop during the <strong>pre-monsoon</strong> (April to June) and <strong>post-monsoon</strong> (October to December) periods. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>May-June and October-November</strong> are known to produce cyclones of severe intensity that affect the Indian coasts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Classification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has <strong>weakened into a "very severe cyclonic storm"</strong> from the "extremely severe cyclonic storm".</li>
<li>The <strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies cyclones on the basis of the maximum sustained surface wind speed (MSW)</strong> they generate.</li>
<li>The cyclones are classified as <strong>severe (MSW of 48-63 knots), very severe (MSW of 64-89 knots),</strong> <strong>extremely severe (MSW of 90-119 knots)</strong> and<strong> super cyclonic storm (MSW of 120 knots or more).</strong> <strong>One knot</strong> is equal to<strong> 1.8 kmph (kilometers per hour).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Developed in Arabian Sea:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Tauktae is the <strong>fourth cyclone in consecutive years</strong> to have developed<strong> in the Arabian Sea,</strong> that too <strong>in the pre-monsoon period (April to June).</strong></li>
<li>After <strong>Cyclone Mekanu</strong> in 2018, which struck Oman, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-vayu" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cyclone Vayu</strong></a> in 2019 struck Gujarat, followed by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-nisarga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cyclone Nisarga</strong></a> in 2020 that struck Maharashtra.</li>
<li>All these cyclones<strong> since 2018</strong> have been categorised either<strong> &lsquo;Severe Cyclone&rsquo; or above.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arabian Sea becoming Hotbed of Cyclones:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Annually, five cyclones on average</strong> form in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea combined. Of these, <strong>four develop in the Bay of Bengal, which is warmer than the Arabian Sea.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2018,</strong> while the Bay of Bengal maintained its average of four cyclones a year, the <strong>Arabian Sea produced three cyclonic storms.</strong> In <strong>2019,</strong> the <strong>Arabian Sea overtook</strong> the <strong>Bay of Bengal</strong> with<strong> five cyclones to three.</strong></li>
<li>In<strong> 2020,</strong> the <strong>Bay of Bengal</strong> produced <strong>three cyclonic storms</strong> while the <strong>Arabian Sea</strong> generated <strong>two.</strong></li>
<li>In recent years, meteorologists have observed that the <strong>Arabian Sea, too, has been warming.</strong> This is a phenomenon<strong> associated with global warming.</strong></li>
<li>It has been observed that the<strong> sea surface temperature in the Arabian Sea has been rising</strong> for about 40 years. The <strong>increase</strong> in temperature is in the zone<strong> of 1.2-1.4 degree Celsius.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tropical Cyclone:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A tropical cyclone is <strong>an intense circular storm that originates over warm tropical oceans</strong> and is characterized by low atmospheric pressure, high winds, and heavy rain.</li>
<li>A<strong> characteristic feature</strong> of tropical cyclones is the<strong> eye,</strong> a central region of clear skies, warm temperatures, and low atmospheric pressure.</li>
<li>Storms of this type<strong> are called hurricanes</strong> in the <strong>North Atlantic and eastern Pacific </strong>and<strong> typhoons in SouthEast Asia and China.</strong> They are called <strong>tropical cyclones in the southwest Pacific and Indian Ocean</strong> region and <strong>Willy-willies</strong> in north-western <strong>Australia.</strong></li>
<li>Storms<strong> rotate counterclockwise</strong> in the <strong>northern hemisphere</strong> and<strong> clockwise in the southern</strong> hemisphere.</li>
<li>The<strong> conditions favourable</strong> for the<strong> formation and intensification</strong> of tropical storms are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Large sea surface</strong> with <strong>temperature higher than 27&deg; C.</strong></li>
<li>Presence of the<strong> Coriolis force.</strong></li>
<li>Small variations in the<strong> vertical wind speed.</strong></li>
<li>A pre-existing weak low-<strong> pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Upper divergence</strong> above the sea level system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Naming of Tropical Cyclones:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to <strong>WMO (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-the-global-climate-wmo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Meteorological Organization</a>) guidelines,</strong> countries in every region are supposed to give names for cyclones.</li>
<li>The <strong>North Indian Ocean Region</strong> covers tropical cyclones formed over Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.</li>
<li>The<strong> 13 members,</strong> which come under the region, are <strong>Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE </strong>and <strong>Yemen.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-the-climate-report-2020-imd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong></a>, one of the six <strong>Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMC)</strong> in the world, is mandated to issue advisories and name tropical cyclones in the <strong>north Indian Ocean Region.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is an agency of the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-in-cyclone-tauktae-a-continuing-new-trend-from-the-arabian-sea-7317913/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-tauktae'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'National Tribunals Commission',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/restructuring-the-tribunals-system/article34574959.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Restructuring the tribunals system&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 17/05/2021. It talks about the benefits associated with the establishment of the National Tribunals Commission.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-tribunals-reforms-rationalisation-and-conditions-of-service-ordinance-2021#:~:text=the%20Act%20itself.-,The%20Finance%20Act%202017,and%20Service%20Tax%20Appellate%20Tribunal)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance 2021</strong></a> has been promulgated by the central government. Through this ordinance the centre has abolished several appellate tribunals and transferred their jurisdiction to other existing judicial bodies.</p>
<p>The Ordinance has met with sharp criticism for not only bypassing the usual legislative process, but also for abolishing several tribunals such as the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal without consultations with stakeholders.</p>
<p>Further,<a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/25-07-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> this is not the time</strong> </a>that the central government has tried to interfere with the functioning of the tribunal. This interference of the executive in the domain of the tribunals can be dubbed as violation of separation of powers.</p>
<p>One way to regulate the matters of tribunals without compromising their independence is the establishment of the National Tribunals Commission (NTC).</p>
<h3>Current State of Tribunals in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of Independence:</strong> According to the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy report (Reforming The Tribunals Framework in India) the lack of independence is one of the key issues plaguing tribunals in India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At the outset, the system of appointment through selection committees severely affects the independence of tribunals.</li>
<li>Additionally, the issues of reappointment and the proclivity to appoint retired judges have the potential to affect the independence of tribunals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Problem of Non-Uniformity:</strong> Added to this is the problem of non-uniformity across tribunals with respect to service conditions, tenure of members, varying nodal ministries in charge of different tribunals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These factors contribute significantly to malfunctioning in the managing and administration of tribunals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Institutional Issues:</strong> Executive interference in the functioning of tribunals is often seen in provision of finances, infrastructure, personnel and other resources required for day-to-day functioning of the tribunals.</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Tribunals Commission &amp; Its Impact</h3>
<p>The idea of an NTC was first mooted by the Supreme Court in L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India (1997).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> NTC is envisaged to be an independent umbrella body to supervise the functioning of tribunals, appointment of and disciplinary proceedings against members, and to take care of administrative and infrastructural needs of the tribunals.</li>
<li><strong>Uniformity:</strong> NTC will support uniform administration across all tribunals. It could set performance standards for the efficiency of tribunals and their own administrative processes.</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring Separation of Powers:</strong> Giving the NTC the authority to set members&rsquo; salaries, allowances, and other service conditions, subject to regulations, would help maintain tribunals&rsquo; independence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The NTC could pave the way for the separation of the administrative and judicial functions carried out by various tribunals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expansion of Services:</strong> A &lsquo;corporatised&rsquo; structure of NTC with a Board, a CEO and a Secretariat will allow it to scale up its services and provide requisite administrative support to all tribunals across the country.</li>
<li><strong>Autonomous Oversight:</strong> NTC could function as an independent recruitment body to develop and operationalise the procedure for disciplinary proceedings and appointment of tribunal members. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An NTC will effectively be able to bring in uniformity in the appointment system meanwhile ensuring that it is independent and transparent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Legal Backing:</strong> Developing an independent oversight body for accountable governance requires a legal framework that protects its independence and impartiality.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, the NTC should be established via a constitutional amendment or be backed by a statute that guarantees it functional, operational and financial independence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Learning From NJAC Issue:</strong> NTC will need to adhere to the standards set by the judiciary in maintaining its independence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to an overwhelming executive role, the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was seen to be severely compromising the independence of the judiciary.</li>
<li>Thus, the executive as well as the bar, being relevant stakeholders, should form a part of any NTC, but it needs to give primacy to judicial members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Doing Away With Re-Appointments:</strong> The NTC must also do away with the system of re-appointment of tribunal members due to its impact on the independence of the tribunal.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>It is important to understand that the tribunals were set up to reduce the burden of cases from regular courts. A reform to the tribunals system in India may as well be one of the keys to remedy the age old problem that still cripples the Indian judicial system &ndash; the problem of judicial delay and backlog.</p>
<p>In this context, establishing the NTC will definitely entail a radical restructuring of the present tribunals system.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f1fceb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Establishing the National Tribunal Commission will definitely entail a radical restructuring of the present tribunals system. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/national-tribunals-commission'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Mongolia',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Minister of State for Culture discussed various issues under the <strong>Cultural Exchange Programme</strong> with his Mongolian counterpart.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621251270_pasted%20image 0 (2).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621251270_pasted image 0 (2).png" width="350" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Highlights of the Meet:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthening the <strong>strategic partnership</strong>- established in 2015.</li>
<li>The <strong>Cultural Exchange Program</strong> between India and Mongolia stands renewed until 2023.</li>
<li><strong>10 dedicated <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/70-years-of-indian-council-for-cultural-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICCR scholarships</a></strong> for studying<strong> &lsquo;Tibetan Buddhism&rsquo;</strong> have been allocated for Mongolians to study in specialized institutes of CIBS, Leh and CUTS, Varanasi, starting from 2020-2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)</strong> is an <strong>autonomous organisation of the Government of India</strong>, involved in <strong>India's external cultural relations (cultural diplomacy)</strong>, through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples.</li>
<li>Tibetan Buddhism c<strong>ombines the essential teachings of Mahayana Buddhism with Tantric and Shamanic</strong>, and material from an ancient Tibetan religion called Bon.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India reiterated its commitment for <strong>digitization of Buddhist manuscripts in Gandan monastery and would consider Mongolia&rsquo;s request for assistance in setting up a museum-cum-library</strong> there.</li>
<li>The Ministry of Culture is likely to complete reprinting of about <strong>100 sets of sacred <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mongolian-kanjur-being-reprinted" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mongolian Kanjur</a></strong> by 2022 for distribution in the main centers of Buddhism in Mongolia. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mongolian Kanjur</strong> is a <strong>Buddhist canonical text in 108 volumes</strong> and is considered to be the most important religious text in Mongolia. It has been translated from Tibetan and is <strong>written in classical mongolian.</strong></li>
<li>In the Mongolian language &lsquo;Kanjur&rsquo; means &lsquo;Concise Orders&rsquo;- the words of Lord Buddha in particular.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Highlighted steps taken to <strong>facilitate the visa and travel of Buddhist monks from Mongolia</strong> within India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-Mongolia Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Historical Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India and Mongolia have interacted through <a href="/printpdf/buddhism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Buddhism</strong></a> throughout history.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Diplomatic Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India was the first country outside the former Soviet bloc of nations to open diplomatic relations with Mongolia in 1955.</li>
<li>In 2015, Mongolia witnessed the first ever visit by the Prime Minister of India (a part of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s Act East policy</strong></a>).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mongolia has publicly reiterated its <strong>support for India&rsquo;s membership to the permanent</strong> <strong>seat of the expanded <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Security Council (UNSC)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>India has played an important role in <strong>getting Mongolia membership to key international forums</strong>, including the <strong>United Nations (UN)</strong>, despite strong opposition from China and Taiwan. India also championed the <strong>inclusion of Mongolia in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Non-Aligned Movement</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In a reciprocal gesture, <strong>Mongolia co-sponsored a 1972 UN resolution</strong> with India and Bhutan <strong>for the recognition of the newly liberated Bangladesh.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Other Forums of which both the countries are members: <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/12th-asia-europe-meeting-asem-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asia-Europe Meeting</a> (ASEM), <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Trade Organisation</a> (WTO).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is a member whereas Mongolia is an observer state at the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</a> (SCO).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India - Mongolia bilateral trade was USD 35.3 million in 2020, down from USD 38.3 million in 2019.</li>
<li>India has undertaken the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-mongolia-relations-1#:~:text=India%2C%20the%20first%20country%20outside,of%20India%27s%20Act%20East%20policy)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Mongol refinery project&rsquo;</strong></a> under its Lines of Credit (LoC) programme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>India-Mongolian Agreement on Cultural Cooperation</strong>, signed in 1961, has governed the <strong>Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP)</strong> between the two countries.</li>
<li>The Agreement envisages co-operation in the fields of education by way of scholarships, exchange of experts, participation in conferences, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Joint defence exercises code-named <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nomadic-elephant-14#:~:text=The%2014th%20edition%20of,October%20at%20Bakloh%2C%20Himachal%20Pradesh.&amp;text=The%20joint%20exercise%20will%20enhance,relations%20between%20the%20two%20nations." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nomadic Elephant</a>.</strong></li>
<li>India is also an active participant in an annual week-long joint training exercise called the <strong>Khaan Quest</strong>, hosted by Mongolia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation over Environmental Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Part of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-snow-leopard-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bishkek Declaration (snow leopard)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mongolia&rsquo;s strategic position at the cross junction of Central Asia, Northeast Asia, far East, China and Russia attracts major powers towards it. India should consider Mongolia as a green zone of economic development that absorbs hi-tech features and production skills in a modernization process.</li>
<li>To preserve and promote the common heritage of Indo-Mongolian culture is important. This should serve as the basis for nurturing and pursuing future common interests.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1718343" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cultural-exchange-programme-between-india-and-mongolia'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'India Resists Community Transmission Tag',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>As per a latest report by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a>, <strong>India</strong> continues to <strong>label itself as a country with no Community Transmission (CT)</strong> since the beginning of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reasons-for-rising-covid-19-infections-second-wave" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 pandemic</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Countries such as the <strong>United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, France</strong> have all labelled themselves as being in the<strong> &lsquo;community transmission&rsquo;</strong> stage whereas <strong>Italy and Russia do not label</strong> themselves as being in &lsquo;community transmission&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Community Transmission (CT):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>one of the stages of the Pandemic.</strong></li>
<li>Broadly, CT is <strong>when new cases in the last 14 days can&rsquo;t be traced to those who have an international travel history</strong>, when cases can&rsquo;t be linked to specific clusters.</li>
<li>CT classification is now <strong>divided into four levels</strong>, from low incidence (CT1) to very high incidence (CT4).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Four Stages of a Pandemic</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Stage 1-Imported Transmission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is reported among the travellers entering the country via the borders and airports. This can be controlled through thermal screening and quarantine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stage 2-Local Transmission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is defined as the transmission through direct contact with an infected person within the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stage 3-Community Transmission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It signifies that a virus is circulating in the community and can affect people with no history of travel to affected areas or of contact with an infected person.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stage 4- Epidemic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Stage 4 is when the disease actually becomes an epidemic in a country, such as it (Covid-19) was in China, with large numbers of infections and a growing number of deaths with no end in sight. It is then considered to be endemic or now prevalent in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India's Current Classification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India <strong>opts for the lower, less serious classification called &lsquo;cluster of cases&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>It says <strong>'Cases detected in the past 14 days are predominantly limited to well-defined clusters</strong> that are not directly linked to imported cases'.</li>
<li>It is assumed that there are a number of unidentified cases in the area. This <strong>implies a low risk of infection</strong> to others in the wider community if exposure to these clusters is avoided.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications for India for not classifying itself as being in CT:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s refusal to describe itself as being in community transmission shows an <strong>&ldquo;ostrich in the sand&rdquo; approach</strong> since being in CT &mdash; far from being stigmatic or an indicator of failure <strong>shows how authorities addressed a pandemic.</strong></li>
<li>If <strong>cases were still a cluster</strong>, it would mean that the government ought to be <strong>prioritising testing, contact tracing and isolating</strong> to prevent further infection spread. While on the other hand <strong>being in CT, it meant prioritising treatment and observing advisories</strong> to stay protected.</li>
<li><strong>Community transmission means that the health system has now lost track of the trajectory of the virus</strong> and infections are happening without the source of the infection being known. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Once the government accepts community transmission, <strong>pandemic control strategy will move on to the next phase</strong>, which is the mitigation phase, when the focus will be to ensure that only those people get to the hospital who really need medical care. This would ensure lives are saved. <strong>Keeping track of infections or containing them would then no longer be the primary strategy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-india-resists-community-transmission-tag-despite-soaring-cases/article34551103.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-resists-community-transmission-tag'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'The Office of Speaker of Lok Sabha',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Office of the Speaker in India is a living and dynamic institution which deals with the actual needs and problems of Parliament in the performance of its functions.</li>
<li><strong>Article 93 of the Constitution</strong> provides for the election of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.</li>
<li>The Speaker is the <strong>constitutional and ceremonial head of the House.</strong></li>
<li>Each House of Parliament has its own presiding officer. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is a <strong>Speaker and a Deputy Speaker for the Lok Sabha</strong> and a <strong>Chairman and a Deputy Chairman for the Rajya Sabha.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The institutions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker <strong>originated in India in 1921</strong> under the provisions of the <strong>Government of India Act of 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms).</strong></li>
<li>At that time, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were called the President and Deputy President respectively and the same nomenclature continued till 1947.</li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/printpdf/important-sources-of-the-indian-constitution#:~:text=Government%20of%20India%20Act%201935&amp;text=This%20act%20abolished%20the%20system,most%20of%20the%20princely%20states." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Government of India Act of 1935</a> changed the nomenclatures</strong> of President and Deputy President to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Office of the Speaker: Lok Sabha</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Lok Sabha, which is the highest legislative body in the country, chooses its Speaker who presides over the day to day functioning of the House.</li>
<li>Electing the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is one of the first acts of every newly constituted House.</li>
<li><strong>Election of Office of the Speaker:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Criteria:</strong> The Constitution of India requires the <strong>Speaker should be a member of the House.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Although there are <strong>no specific qualifications prescribed</strong> for being elected the Speaker, an <strong>understanding of the Constitution and the laws of the country is considered a major asset</strong> for the holder of the Office of the Speaker.</li>
<li>Usually, a member belonging to the ruling party is elected Speaker. The process has evolved over the years where the ruling party nominates its candidate after informal consultations with leaders of other parties and groups in the House.</li>
<li>This convention ensures that once elected, the<strong> Speaker enjoys the respect of all sections of the House.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Voting:</strong> The Speaker (along with the Deputy Speaker) is elected from among the Lok Sabha members <strong>by a simple majority of members present and voting</strong> in the House.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Once a decision on the candidate is taken, his/her name is normally proposed by the Prime Minister or the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Term of Office of the Speaker:</strong> The Speaker holds Office from the date of his/her election till immediately before the first meeting of the next Lok Sabha (for <strong>5 years</strong>). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>speaker once elected is eligible for re-election.</strong></li>
<li>Whenever the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the <strong>Speaker does not vacate his office and continues till the newly-elected Lok Sabha meets.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role and Powers of Speaker:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Interpretation:</strong> He/She is the <strong>final interpreter</strong> of the provisions of the <strong>Constitution of India</strong>, the <strong>Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha</strong> and the <strong>parliamentary precedents</strong>, within the House. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In matters regarding interpretation of these provisions, he/she often gives <strong>rulings which are respected by members and are binding in nature.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Sitting of Both Houses:</strong> He/She presides over a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/president-addresses-joint-sitting-of-parliament" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>joint sitting</strong></a> of the two Houses of Parliament. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Such a sitting is summoned by the President to settle a deadlock between the two Houses on a bill.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Adjournment of Sitting:</strong> He/She <strong>can adjourn the House or suspend the meeting</strong> in absence one-tenth of the total strength of the House (called the <strong>quorum</strong>).</li>
<li><strong>Casting Vote:</strong> The speaker <strong>does not vote in the first instance but in the case of a tie;</strong> when the House is divided equally on any question, the Speaker is entitled to vote. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Such a vote is called a <strong>Casting Vote</strong>, and its purpose is to resolve a deadlock.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Money Bill:</strong> He/She <strong>decides whether a bill is a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/misuse-of-money-bills-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">money bill</a> or not</strong> and his/her decision on this question is final.</li>
<li><strong>Disqualifying Members:</strong> It is the speaker who <strong>decides the questions of disqualification of a member</strong> of the Lok Sabha, arising on the ground of defection under the provisions of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/time-to-review-tenth-schedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tenth Schedule</a>.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/challenge-to-anti-defection-law#:~:text=The%20Anti%2DDefection%20Law%20was,the%20evil%20of%20political%20defections%E2%80%9D.&amp;text=He%20voluntarily%20gives%20up%20his%20membership%20of%20such%20political%20party%3B%20or" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>52<sup>nd</sup> amendment</strong></a> to the Indian Constitution vests this power in the Speaker.</li>
<li>In 1992, the Supreme Court ruled that the decision of the Speaker in this regard is subject to <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/judicial-review-1#:~:text=Article%20372%20(1)%20establishes%20the,Fundamental%20Rights%20shall%20be%20void." target="_blank" rel="noopener">judicial review</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chairing the IPG:</strong> He/She acts as the <strong>ex-officio chairman of the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG)</strong> which is a link between the Parliament of India and the various parliaments of the world. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He also acts as the ex-officio chairman of the conference of presiding officers of legislative bodies in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constitution of Committees:</strong> The <strong>Committees of the House are constituted by the speaker</strong> and function under the speaker&rsquo;s overall direction. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Chairmen of all Parliamentary Committees are nominated by him/her.</li>
<li>Committees like the <strong>Business Advisory Committee, the General Purposes Committee and the Rules Committee work directly under his Chairmanship.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Privileges of the House:</strong> The Speaker is the <strong>guardian of the rights and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/privilege-motion-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">privileges of the House</a></strong>, its Committees and members.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It depends solely on the Speaker to refer any question of privilege to the Committee of Privileges for examination, investigation and report.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Removal of Speaker:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exceptions:</strong> Usually, the <strong>Speaker remains in office during the life of the Lok Sabha.</strong> However, under following conditions, the speaker, may have to vacate the office earlier: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha.</li>
<li>If he resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker</li>
<li>If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the members of the Lok Sabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Notification:</strong> Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days&rsquo; advance notice. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When a resolution for the removal of the Speaker is under consideration of the House, <strong>he/she may be present at the sitting but not preside.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Election:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Deputy Speaker is also <strong>elected by the Lok Sabha</strong> from amongst its members <strong>right after the election of the Speaker has taken place.</strong></li>
<li>The date of election of the Deputy Speaker is fixed by the Speaker (date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President).</li>
<li>Upto the 10<sup>th</sup> Lok Sabha, both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were usually elected from the ruling party. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since the 11<sup>th</sup> Lok Sabha, there has been a consensus that the <strong>Speaker comes from the ruling party/alliance and the post of Deputy Speaker goes to the main</strong> <strong>opposition party.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Term of Office and Removal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker remains in office usually during the life of the Lok Sabha (<strong>5 years</strong>).</li>
<li>The Deputy Speaker may vacate his/her office earlier in any of the following three cases:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha</li>
<li>If he resigns by writing to the Speaker</li>
<li>If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days&rsquo; advance notice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Responsibilities and Powers:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Deputy Speaker <strong>performs the duties of the Speaker&rsquo;s office when it is vacant.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He/She also <strong>acts as the Speaker when the latter is absent</strong> from the sitting of the House.</li>
<li>In both the cases, he/she assumes all the powers of the Speaker.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He/She also <strong>presides over the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament</strong>, in case the Speaker is absent from such a sitting.</li>
<li>The Deputy Speaker, like the Speaker, has the <strong>privilege of the Casting Vote</strong> in case of tie.</li>
<li>The Deputy Speaker has one special privilege, that is, <strong>whenever he/she is appointed as a member of a parliamentary committee, he/she automatically becomes its chairman.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><em><strong>Note:</strong></em> The Deputy Speaker is not subordinate to the Speaker. He is directly responsible to the House.</p>
<p><strong>Speaker <em>Pro Tem</em>:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When the Speaker of the last Lok Sabha vacates his office immediately before the first meeting of the newly-elected Lok Sabha, the <strong>President appoints a member of the Lok Sabha as the</strong> <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pro-tem-speaker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaker <em>Pro Tem</em></a>.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Usually, the senior most member is selected for this.</li>
<li>The President himself administers oath to the Speaker Pro Tem.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He/She <strong>presides over the first sitting of the newly-elected Lok Sabha</strong> and has all the powers of the Speaker.</li>
<li>The <strong>main responsibility is to administer oaths to the new members</strong> and to enable the House to elect the new Speaker.</li>
<li>When the new Speaker is elected by the House, the office of the Speaker <em>Pro Tem</em> ceases to exist.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/the-office-of-speaker-of-lok-sabha'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'SWAMIH Fund',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Government of India&rsquo;s <strong>Special Window for Affordable &amp; Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH)</strong> completed its <strong>first residential project.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The residential project - Rivali Park</strong>, located in <strong>suburban Mumbai</strong>, was the <strong>first housing project in India</strong> to have received funding under the <strong>SWAMIH Fund.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the SWAMIH Fund:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is a government backed fund that was set up as a <strong>Category-II AIF (Alternate Investment Fund)</strong> debt fund <strong>registered with <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SEBI</a></strong>, launched in 2019.</li>
<li><strong>SWAMIH Investment Fund</strong> was formed to complete construction of stalled, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/rera-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RERA</strong></a>-registered affordable and mid-income category housing projects which are stuck due to paucity of funds.</li>
<li>The <strong>Investment Manager</strong> of the Fund is <strong>SBICAP Ventures</strong>, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBI Capital Markets, which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the <strong>State Bank of India.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Sponsor of the Fund</strong> is the <strong>Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance</strong>, on behalf of the Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>RERA</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inception:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/rera-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA)</strong></a> is an act passed by the Parliament in 2016 that came into effect fully <strong>from 1<sup>st</sup> May, 2017.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Act establishes Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in each state for regulation of the real estate sector and also acts as an adjudicating body for speedy dispute resolution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>It seeks</strong> to protect <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/a-special-fund-for-housing-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>home-buyers</strong></a> as well as help <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-reviving-real-estate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>boost investments in the real estate sector</strong></a> by bringing efficiency and transparency in the sale/purchase of real estate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Alternative Investment Fund (AIF):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>AIF <strong>means any fund established or incorporated in India which is a privately pooled investment vehicle which collects funds from sophisticated investors</strong>, whether Indian or foreign, for investing it in accordance with a defined investment policy for the benefit of its investors.</li>
<li><strong>Regulation 2(1)(b)</strong> of <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)</a> Regulations (AIFs), 2012</strong> lays down the definition of AIFs. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through a company, or a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), an Alternative Investment Fund can be established.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>AIF <strong>does not include</strong> funds covered under the SEBI <strong>(<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mutual-funds-and-emerging-indian-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mutual Funds</a>)</strong> Regulations, 1996, SEBI (Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations, 1999 or any other regulations of the Board to regulate fund management activities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Other <strong>exemptions</strong> include family trusts, employee welfare trusts or gratuity trusts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Categories of AIFs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Category-I AIFs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These funds are <strong>invested in</strong> businesses that have the potential to grow financially such as <strong>StartUps, Small and Medium Enterprises.</strong></li>
<li>The government encourages investments in these ventures as they have a positive impact on the economy with regards to high output and job creation.</li>
<li><strong>Examples</strong> include Infrastructure Funds, Angel Funds, Venture Capital Funds and Social Venture Funds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Category-II AIFs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under this category, funds that are <strong>invested in equity securities and debt securities</strong> are included. Those funds not already under Category I and III respectively are also included. No concession is given by the government for any investment made for Category II AIFS.</li>
<li><strong>Examples</strong> include Real Estate Funds, Debt Fund, Private Equity Funds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Category-III AIFs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Category-III AIFs are those funds which <strong>give returns under a short period of time.</strong> These funds use complex and diverse trading strategies to achieve their goals. There is no known concession or incentive given towards these funds specifically by the government.</li>
<li><strong>Examples</strong> include Hedge Funds, Private Investment in Public Equity Funds, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1718336" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/swamih-fund'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Rethinking PSE Policy',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/columns/is-it-time-to-rethink-pse-policy/article34559988.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Is it time to rethink PSE policy?&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu Business Line on 14/05/2021. It talks about the relevance of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) in the present scenario.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the government has announced that it will be using three public sector enterprises (PSEs) for manufacturing Covaxin to augment the manufacturing capacity under Mission COVID Suraksha.</p>
<p>Apart from it, several PSEs in the steel, petroleum and natural gas sectors have supplemented the efforts of the government in making available liquid medical oxygen as well as transportation of it.</p>
<p>PSEs in India, since their inception, have played a pivotal role in realising the objective of achieving higher growth and equitable socio-economic development of the country. Their sustained contribution to the economic and social fabric of the country has become even more relevant in the present scenario.</p>
<p>Therefore, the recent decision has also revived the debate on the government's policy of minimising presence of PSEs&rsquo; and creating new investment space for the private sector.</p>
<h3>Relevance of PSEs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India, Not Yet A Developed Economy:</strong> Historically, PSEs have provided a very strong infrastructure base for the economy as well as for the industry. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, PSEs were set up with socio-economic objectivity and not only profit have created a right kind of infrastructure for the economy.</li>
<li>So to say the government has no business to be in doing business perhaps, to my mind, needs to be revisited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Employment Creation:</strong> PSEs were regarded as one of the key generators of remunerative employment in the formal sector, providing safe and secure jobs.</li>
<li><strong>Creation of Assets:</strong> The contribution of PSEs towards creation of national assets in the initial decades following Independence is particularly noteworthy, especially in sectors that are regarded as high risk and low return on investments by the private sector</li>
<li><strong>Expanding Global Footprint:</strong> Indian PSEs are already present across the globe in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America and there is tremendous potential for Indian CPSEs and PSEs to expand their global footprint further by enhancing their competitiveness.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Adopting PPP Model:</strong> There is a need to revisit the PSE policy, but more in terms of their functioning.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These companies should be run by a professional board without government interference. These PSEs could be run under the PPP model or as JVs too</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Systemic Reforms:</strong> For the industry&rsquo;s future growth and development, the government also needs to urgently focus on providing support in some key areas in the following domains: revival of PSUs, land, finance/banking/working capital, utilities and services, environmental issues and R&amp;D.</li>
<li><strong>Adopting a Competitiveness Model:</strong> CII Research report- The Rise of the Elephant&rsquo; recommends adopting a Competitiveness Model for transforming CPSEs into efficient and globally competitive entities. The key elements of the model are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Clarity in Roadmap and Objective</li>
<li>Role Demarcation</li>
<li>Operational Independence</li>
<li>Independent and Empowered Board</li>
<li>Level Playing Field</li>
<li>Future Ready</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Yes, the private sector has a role to play in the growth of the economy, but what PSEs have contributed cannot be ignored, particularly in testing times like today. PSEs have time and again risen to the occasion and this time too it is no different.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffee6; border-style: dotted;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The Covid-19 pandemic has revived the debate on the government's policy of minimising presence of PSEs&rsquo; and creating new investment space for the private sector. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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		'shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles__featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles.featuredimage' => 'string',
		'featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles__tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.tag_id' => 'integer',
		'tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles.secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles__type' => 'integer',
		'articles.type' => 'integer',
		'type' => 'integer',
		'articles__publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles.publishon' => 'datetime',
		'publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles__posturl' => 'string',
		'articles.posturl' => 'string',
		'posturl' => 'string',
		'articles__metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles.metatitle' => 'string',
		'metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles__metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles.metadescription' => 'string',
		'metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles__metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles.metakeyword' => 'text',
		'metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles__status' => 'integer',
		'articles.status' => 'integer',
		'status' => 'integer',
		'articles__sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles.sort_order' => 'integer',
		'sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles__addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.addedby' => 'integer',
		'addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.updatedby' => 'integer',
		'updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.added' => 'timestamp',
		'added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.modified' => 'timestamp',
		'modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles.whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_comments' => 'integer',
		'display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles__pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles.pdf_name' => 'string',
		'pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles__display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_archive' => 'integer',
		'display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles__star_rating' => 'integer',
		'articles.star_rating' => 'integer',
		'star_rating' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_in_states' => 'string',
		'articles.display_in_states' => 'string',
		'display_in_states' => 'string'
	],
	'decorators' => (int) 0,
	'executed' => false,
	'hydrate' => true,
	'buffered' => true,
	'formatters' => (int) 0,
	'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
	'contain' => [],
	'matching' => [],
	'extraOptions' => [],
	'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}

}
$page = (int) 26
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 336
$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

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

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