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Government Gives Nod to Iran bank

The Government of India has approved a proposal from Iranian private lender Bank Pasargad to open a branch in India. Key Highlights The clearance...

14 Jul 2018 News Analysis
India Going Ahead With Purchase of S-400 Air Defense Systems

India has now reached the ‘conclusive stage’ in the procurement of the S-400 Air Defence Missile Systems. Key Highlights India will...

14 Jul 2018 News Analysis
India Is Not A Surveillance State: SC

The Supreme Court has stated that government monitoring of every social media message can make the country a surveillance state. The statement was...

14 Jul 2018 News Analysis
High-Energy Neutrinos Detected

Recently, researchers have located a deep-space source for omnipresent subatomic particles called high-energy neutrinos. These observations have made...

14 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Ministry of Mines Organizes 4th National Conclave on Mines & Minerals

The Ministry of Mines organized the 4th National Conclave on Mines & Minerals –attended by state Mining ministers, officials of central...

14 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Scientists Perform First Color X-ray on a Human

Scientists from New Zealand performed the first ever 3D color X-Ray on a human being using a technique that could improve the field...

14 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Industrial Growth Dips & Retail Inflation Rises

India’s industrial growth slowed to a seven-month low in May while consumer inflation breached the central bank’s forecast for the first...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
RBI Flags States’ Fiscal Stress

RBI, in its annual report titled “State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2017-18 and 2018-19”, warned that many States may face fiscal...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
MoEF to Launch Dust Mitigation Measures

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has lined up a slew of measures to tackle dust pollution in the capital. It will include the launch of...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill

The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill, 2017 proposes a comprehensive resolution framework for specified financial sector entities and...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Coordination Between MGNREGA and Agriculture

The First Meeting of Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on coordination between MGNREGA and Agriculture was recently held at NITI Aayog. The regional...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Trade Policy Review at WTO

At the recent trade policy review at the WTO, India has cautioned China that its $63 billion trade deficit with the country was unsustainable and...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Model Villages under Border Area Development Programme

Issues related to the implementation of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) were discussed by the Union Home Minister in his interaction...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Important Facts for Prelims (July 13, 2018)

Bengei Nacha In the State of Odisha, ‘Bengei Nacha’ or ‘frog dance’ is a traditionally performed ritual to appease the rain...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
India to Sign MoU on Easing Visa Curbs

India will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on “revised travel arrangements” with Bangladesh to ease visa restrictions for...

13 Jul 2018 News Analysis
NITI Aayog Annual Report 2017-18

This ‘Think-Tank’ of government of India was founded on 1st january 2015. This institution designs strategic and long term policy and...

12 Jul 2018 Summary of Important Reports
Important Facts for Prelims (July 12, 2018)

India Emerges as World's 6th Largest Economy According to an analysis done by the World Bank, India surpassed France to become 6th largest economy of...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis
Government Approves Net Neutrality in India

The Government of India has approved the principles of net neutrality in India. The decision will ensure that netizens continue to have free and fair...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis
India’s Genetically Modified Crop Area Fifth largest in the World

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications’(ISAAA) latest ‘Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis
US to hold Talks with India, Others at WTO over Tariffs

On July 20, 2018, the US will engage in consultations with India and other countries at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over its unilateral...

12 Jul 2018 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Government Gives Nod to Iran bank',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Government of India has approved a proposal from Iranian private lender Bank Pasargad to open a branch in India.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The clearance to the Iranian bank comes amidst the US announcing sanctions and asking other countries to minimize oil purchases from Iran.</li>
<li>Apart from the Iranian Bank, branch license proposals of two South Korean banks, KEB Hana Bank and Kookmin Bank, have also been approved by the Indian government.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why the Need for an Iranian Bank?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India imports a large quantity of oil from Iran and has committed an investment of $500 million for the development of the crucial Chabahar port.</li>
<li>The rupee-rial arrangement was used to buy oil from Iran before US sanctions were lifted against it three years ago.</li>
<li>In the wake of US sanctions, India is exploring the possibility of reviving the rupee-rial arrangement to import oil from Iran that it has used in the past.</li>
<li>The presence of an Iranian bank in India will open up a significant financial channel that will ensure the smooth flow of funds between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE</strong>: After the RBI gives its first internal clearance to a foreign bank branch proposal, it is vetted by a committee comprising senior officials of the ministries of Finance, Commerce, External Affairs and Home Affairs. Clearance from each ministry is required before the RBI issues a license to a foreign bank.</p>
</div>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-gives-nod-to-iran-bank'
		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'India Going Ahead With Purchase of S-400 Air Defense Systems ',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>India has now reached the &lsquo;conclusive stage&rsquo; in the procurement of the S-400 Air Defence Missile Systems.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India will go ahead with the Rs 39,000 crore acquisitions of five advanced S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems from Russia.</li>
<li>Recent US law called CAATSA deters countries from buying Russian weapon systems.</li>
<li>CAATSA will also be discussed in the inaugural &lsquo;two-plus-two&rsquo; dialogue mechanism between India and US. The dialogue will be held between the external and defense ministers and their American counterparts.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="content-img" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/748Master (New).jpg" width="576" height="512" data-pagespeed-url-hash="2062531868" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" /></p>
<p></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Countering America&rsquo;s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Countering America&rsquo;s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is a United States federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia.</li>
<li>It includes sanctions against countries that engage in significant transactions with Russia's defense and intelligence sectors.</li>
<li>India could face US sanctions for purchasing high-value military defense items, in particular, state-of-the-art S-400 Triumf missile defense system, from Russia under the act.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-going-ahead-with-purchase-of-S-400-air-defence-systems'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'India Is Not A Surveillance State: SC',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Supreme Court has stated that government monitoring of every social media message can make the country a surveillance state. The statement was made with reference to the Central government&rsquo;s proposal to create a hub- <strong>Social Media Communication Hub</strong> (SMCH), under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to track social media trends.</span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The government had claimed that the hub was to track views on various programmes and understand popular perception on schemes.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Concerns were raised that the proposed SMCH would become a tool in the hands of a private agency to help the government launch surveillance on citizens&rsquo; activities on social media platforms in violation of the right to privacy which is part of <g class="gr_ gr_11 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="11" data-gr-id="11">right</g> to life, guaranteed under <strong>Article 21 of the constitution</strong>. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The project envisages employment of media persons on contractual basis in each district to be the &ldquo;eyes and ears&rdquo; of the government and provide real-time updates from the ground which in turn can be misused by the government. This will be in contravention of <strong>Article 19 (1)(a)</strong> which guarantees freedom of speech and expression.</span></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-is-not-a-surveillance-state-sc'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'High-Energy Neutrinos Detected',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, researchers have located a deep-space source for omnipresent subatomic particles called high-energy neutrinos. These observations have made at the <strong>Ice Cube Neutrino Observatory</strong> at a U.S. scientific research station at the <strong>South Pole in Antarctica.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Detection of neutrinos will provide the scientists a new way to expand the understanding of the Universe.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>High-energy neutrinos are produced by the same sources as cosmic rays, the highest-energy particles.</li>
<li>Cosmic rays cannot be traced straight back to their source because strong magnetic fields in space alter their trajectory.</li>
<li>Neutrinos are electrically neutral, undisturbed by even the strongest magnetic field, and rarely interact with matter. The direction from which they arrive points directly back to their original source.</li>
<li>Neutrinos are produced during natural radioactive decays and all sorts of nuclear reactions in nuclear power reactors, particle accelerators or nuclear bombs.</li>
<li>However, the most common sources of neutrinos are celestial phenomena i.e. the birth and death of stars, collisions, and explosions happening in space.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Application of High Energy Neutrinos</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The high-energy neutrinos in astronomy enable a more robust examination because astronomers have relied upon electromagnetic observations (studying light) but this approach has limitations because too many aspects of the universe are indecipherable using light alone.</li>
<li>Neutrinos are nature&rsquo;s ideal astronomical messenger because it can essentially escape their site of production and bring that information directly across the cosmos to their point of detection.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note: </strong>The India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is located at the Bodi West Hills region in Theni District of Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;</p>
</div>',
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		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Ministry of Mines Organizes 4th National Conclave on Mines & Minerals',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Ministry of Mines organized the 4th National Conclave on Mines &amp; Minerals &ndash;attended by state Mining ministers, officials of central ministries as well as industry and academic experts. &nbsp;</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The conclave, first of its kind, will go a long way in strengthening the efforts of the Ministry in enabling the mining sector to contribute its fullest to foster the rapid growth of national economy and employment generation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Mining Sector in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="78" data-gr-id="78">Mining</g> sector is one of the core sectors of <g class="gr_ gr_79 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="79" data-gr-id="79">economy</g> - providing basic raw materials to many important industries.</li>
<li>Mining sector (including fuel, atomic, major and minor minerals) contributed about 2.4% of GDP in 2014-15 as per the data released by Central Statistical Organization.</li>
<li>Exploration activities in India are mostly carried out by Geological Survey of India (GSI), Mining Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL), various State Directorates of Geological Mining (DGMs), public sector undertakings (PSU) and private sector entities both domestic and subsidiaries of many global companies.</li>
<li>The Mines &amp; Minerals (Development &amp; Regulation) Act, which governs the mineral sector, has been amended recently for bringing in greater transparency.</li>
<li>Further, India has a liberalized FDI up to 100% in mining under <g class="gr_ gr_61 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="61" data-gr-id="61">automatic</g> route.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Recent Amendments to Mines &amp; Minerals (Development &amp; Regulation) Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mineral Concessions Grant Through Auctions to bring transparency and remove discretion.</li>
<li>DMF: District Mineral Foundation (DMF) to address the <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="57" data-gr-id="57">long time</g> grievance of the people affected by mining and in turn improve the image of the mining sector.</li>
<li>NMET: National Mineral Exploration Trust (<g class="gr_ gr_58 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="58" data-gr-id="58">NMET</g>) for incentivizing regional and detailed exploration to fill the gaps in exploration in the country.</li>
<li>Mining Leases for 50 years and even the existing leases deemed extended eliminating any renewals for <g class="gr_ gr_62 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="62" data-gr-id="62">security</g> of tenure.</li>
<li>To promote <g class="gr_ gr_65 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="65" data-gr-id="65">conducive</g> environment for trade, stronger penal provisions for checking illegal mining with higher penalties up to USD 7692.30 per hectare of the area and jail term up to 5 years.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Mineral Exploration Policy, 2016</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>About 100 blocks have been identified by GSI for auctioning on revenue sharing mechanism for regional exploration to encourage private participation in exploration.</li>
<li>If the explorer agencies do not discover any auctionable resources, their exploration expenditure will be reimbursed on <g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="63" data-gr-id="63">normative</g> cost basis.</li>
<li>The mechanism is being formulated in consultation with the stakeholders.</li>
<li>Creation of baseline geoscientific data as a public good for open dissemination free of charge.</li>
<li>A National Geoscientific Data Repository is proposed to be set up to collate all baseline and mineral exploration information generated by various central &amp; state government agencies and also mineral concession holders and to maintain these on <g class="gr_ gr_60 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="60" data-gr-id="60">geospatial</g> database.</li>
<li>Provisions for inviting private investment in exploration through attractive revenue sharing models.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Challenges Affecting Growth of Indian Mining Sector &nbsp;</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s mining sector contribution to GDP is low compared to major mining countries such as China, the United States, Australia, Brazil <g class="gr_ gr_73 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="73" data-gr-id="73">and</g> Chile.</li>
<li>Further, in recent years India&rsquo;s mining sector has grown at a much slower rate as compared to other mining economies.</li>
<li>Some of the Reasons for this are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">India lags in baseline geophysical and geochemical data generation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Public and private mining companies face delays to the tune of several years to start mining on the identified land due to challenges in land acquisition and executing resettlement and rehabilitation. &nbsp;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Long clearance time for different licenses and limitations like captive use also hamper mining output.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><g class="gr_ gr_56 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="56" data-gr-id="56">Deep seated</g> resources (e.g., coal) or minerals located in eco-sensitive areas have not been considered for mining due to <g class="gr_ gr_67 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="67" data-gr-id="67">lack</g> advanced and eco-sensitive technology. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Often different interpretation of laws by states and central government, and inadequate communication results in confusion.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ministry-of-mines-organizes-4th-national-conclave-on-mines-&-minerals'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Scientists Perform First Color X-ray on a Human',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scientists from New Zealand performed the first ever 3D color&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">X-Ray on a human being using a technique that could improve the field of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">medical diagnostics.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span>The new device, named Medipix, is based on the traditional black-and-white&nbsp;</span><span>X-Ray but has incorporated a particle-tracking technology developed by </span><span>the European Organization for Nuclear Research (</span><span>CERN) for&nbsp;</span><span>its Large Hadron Collider.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Comparison with Other Techniques</span></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">X-rays suffer from the deficit that they can sharply <g class="gr_ gr_39 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="39" data-gr-id="39">visualise</g>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">only hard tissues. The shadows of soft tissues are less precise. Blood vessels&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and other conduits are imaged with invasive dyes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a slightly different&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">picture, based on the difference in water and fat content in tissues.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">All but MRIs use radiation and dyes and chemical markers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Medipix is superior to its predecessors - it uses algorithms&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">to model very accurate spectroscopic data in three dimensions and shows all&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">tissues with equal clarity, in color.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Significance</span></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The color X-ray imaging technique could by providing clearer and more accurate pictures <g class="gr_ gr_37 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar replaceWithoutSep" id="37" data-gr-id="37">can</g> help doctors give their patients more accurate diagnoses.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the case of a fracture, for instance, not only would it show physical damage to a bone &mdash; which is what an X-ray depicts &mdash; but it would also reveal trauma to surrounding tissue and reveal if blood and nerve supply is compromised.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to the CERN, it will not only clearly show the difference between bone, muscle <g class="gr_ gr_31 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="31" data-gr-id="31">and</g> cartilage, but also the position and size of cancerous <g class="gr_ gr_32 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="32" data-gr-id="32">tumours</g>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also, it would depict structures exactly as they are since not all humans are built exactly the same.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the near future, when medical care will be <g class="gr_ gr_33 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="33" data-gr-id="33">customised</g> to the individual, this would make a difference to the efficacy of care.</span></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/scientists-perform-first-color-x-ray-on-a-human'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Industrial Growth Dips & Retail Inflation Rises',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">India&rsquo;s industrial growth slowed to a seven-month low in May while consumer inflation breached the central bank&rsquo;s forecast for the first half of the fiscal year, marking twin setbacks for an economy.</span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both the slowdown in industrial output growth and jump in price pressure add to the worries of policymakers who are already concerned about sticky global oil prices.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Retail inflation, based on Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose to 5 percent in June, a five-month high, despite easing food prices. </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Consumer Price Index (CPI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">CPI (Rural/Urban/Combined) is compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">CPI for Industrial Workers (IW) and CPI for Agricultural Labourers (AL) / Rural Labourers (RL) are compiled and released by the Labour Bureau in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is based on the retail prices of products and measures inflation from the consumer side. RBI uses CPI (combined) to monitor inflation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It covers only the consumer goods and consumer services.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Base Year: 2012</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) slipped to 3.2% in May 2018 mainly due to sluggish performance of manufacturing and power sectors coupled with poor off-take of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG).</span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Index of Industrial Production (IIP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">IIP is an index which details out the growth of various sectors.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">All India IIP is a composite indicator that measures the short-term changes in the volume of production of a basket of industrial products during a given period with respect to that in a chosen base period.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is compiled and published monthly by the Central Statistical Organization (CSO) six weeks after the reference month ends.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Base Year: 2011-12</span></li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/industrial-growth-dips-&-retail-inflation-rises'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'RBI Flags States’ Fiscal Stress',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>RBI, in its annual report titled &ldquo;State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2017-18 and 2018-19&rdquo;, warned that many States may face <g class="gr_ gr_59 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="59" data-gr-id="59">fiscal</g> risks due to farm-loan waivers, Pay Commission awards and elections.</p>
<h3>Highlights of the Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>States&rsquo; consolidated gross fiscal deficit (GFD) overshot the budget estimates in 2017-18 due to shortfalls in own tax revenues and higher revenue expenditure and therefore states revised their gross fiscal deficit (GFD) to <g class="gr_ gr_87 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="87" data-gr-id="87">gross</g> domestic product (GDP).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The GFD-GDP ratio crossed the revised Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) target for the state-level debt to GDP threshold for <g class="gr_ gr_94 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="94" data-gr-id="94">third</g> consecutive year. There is a risk that private investment gets crowded out of the finite pool of financial resources.</li>
<li>Capital expenditure may have to bear the brunt of the fiscal correction <g class="gr_ gr_81 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="81" data-gr-id="81">like</g> the past two years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The FRBM Act was enacted by the Parliament in 2003 to institutionalize fiscal discipline, reduce fiscal deficit, and improve macroeconomic management.</li>
<li>The government was supposed to wipe out revenue deficit and cut fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP by 2008-09, thus bringing much needed fiscal discipline.</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_88 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="88" data-gr-id="88">Fiscal</g> deficit is the total expenditure excluding revenue receipts, loan recoveries <g class="gr_ gr_90 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="90" data-gr-id="90">and</g> receipts from disinvestment etc. It is a measure of the government borrowing in a year.</li>
<li>The Act applies only to the central government and the States have to enact suitable <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="57" data-gr-id="57">legislations</g> to adopt the rules under the FRBM Act.</li>
<li>The implementation of the Act was put on hold in 2007-08 due to <g class="gr_ gr_68 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="68" data-gr-id="68">global</g> financial crisis and the need for fiscal stimulus.</li>
<li>In 2012, the FRBM Act was amended and it was decided that the FRBM Act would target effective revenue deficit in place of revenue deficit.</li>
<li>Effective revenue deficit excludes capital expenditure from revenue deficit and thus provides space to the government to spend on <g class="gr_ gr_72 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="72" data-gr-id="72">formation</g> of capital assets.</li>
<li>In 2017, The FRBM Review Committee headed by former Revenue Secretary, NK Singh submitted its report to the Central Government. Few important recommendations being- A debt to GDP ratio of 60% should be targeted with a 40% limit for the centre and 20% limit for the states; creation of an autonomous Fiscal Council; an &ldquo;escape clause&rdquo;, i.e. the government can deviate from the targets in case of a national calamity, national security.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Referring to the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, when States borrowed big from markets, mainly due to the additional fiscal space <g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="63" data-gr-id="63">given</g> to them as part of stimulus measures, the RBI said several 10-year vanilla bonds had reached maturity from 2017-18, increasing redemption pressures on the States that issued them.</li>
<li>This would imply that the borrowings of States are expected to soar.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Vanilla Bonds</strong>: They are the most basic or standard version of bonds. It is the opposite of an exotic instrument, which alters the components of a traditional financial instrument, and is more complex.</p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The issuance of UDAY (Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana) bonds in 2015-16 and 2016-17, farm-loan waivers and the implementation of Pay Commission awards which were not fully provisioned for in their respective budgets led to a higher debt-GDP ratio at 24 <g class="gr_ gr_60 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="60" data-gr-id="60">per cent</g> in 2017-18, which is expected to rise to 24.3 <g class="gr_ gr_61 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="61" data-gr-id="61">per cent</g> in 2018-19.</li>
<li>Farm loan waivers create a more <g class="gr_ gr_56 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="56" data-gr-id="56">long term</g> issue i.e. of impacting credit discipline by disincentivizing borrowers from repaying and giving rise to a problem of moral hazard. The bigger issue is that such a step actually incentives debtors, capable of repaying loans, to also default.</li>
<li>Debt relief helps in reducing household debt but there are no <g class="gr_ gr_75 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="75" data-gr-id="75">evidences</g> of <g class="gr_ gr_76 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="76" data-gr-id="76">increase</g> in investment and productivity of beneficiary households.</li>
<li>However, RBI has highlighted few positives as well as <g class="gr_ gr_91 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="91" data-gr-id="91">suggestion</g> for the future:</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2018-19, states&rsquo; revenue capacity is likely to be augmented with the stabilization of GST and the consequent expansion of tax base and efficacy.</li>
<li>With the implementation of the E-way bill for inter-state movement of goods from April 2018, states could also strive for generating more revenues by locking inefficiency in tax administration.</li>
<li>According to the RBI study, there are visible signs of fiscal pressures emerging in several states, particularly due to certain expenditure schemes.</li>
<li>These schemes could be made more productive by closing &lsquo;efficiency gaps&rsquo;, better targeting/ reducing leakages and careful planning as well as better forecasting.</li>
<li>Enhanced efficiency must be coupled with improved public financial management practices may be necessary to rebuild fiscal space.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-flags-states- fiscal-stress'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'MoEF to Launch Dust Mitigation Measures',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has lined up a slew of measures to tackle dust pollution in the capital. It will include the launch of <strong>three pilot projects</strong>:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Installation of filters on top of buses,</li>
<li>Use of dust separation chemical sprays and</li>
<li>Installing equipment that will suck in particulate matter. The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) will install these <g class="gr_ gr_48 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="48" data-gr-id="48">equipments</g>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Other measures</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Use of more mechanical sweepers.</li>
<li>The pillars of the Delhi Metro network to have the hanging garden.</li>
<li>Use of water sprinklers to settle the dust.</li>
<li>Finalizing the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), so that it can be adopted by other states as well.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a medium-term national-level strategy to tackle the increasing air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner.</li>
<li>The overall objective is to augment and evolve effective ambient air quality monitoring network across the country besides ensuring a comprehensive management plan for prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution.</li>
<li>A separate component on &lsquo;Technology Assessment Cell&rsquo; has been envisaged under NCAP to evaluate the technologies for prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution.</li>
<li>However, it does not mention any specific target and time frame.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/moef-to-launch-dust-mitigation-measures'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill, 2017 proposes a comprehensive resolution framework for specified financial sector entities and service providers to deal with bankruptcy in banks, insurance companies <g class="gr_ gr_21 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="21" data-gr-id="21">and</g> financial sector entities</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<p></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill proposes the setting up of a Resolution Corporation (RC) by the Central government.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The functions of the Resolution Corporation will be protecting the stability and resilience of the financial system, public funds, and consumers of covered obligations up to a &ldquo;reasonable limit&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The Corporation will be empowered to bail-in the company. While a bail-out is the use of public funds to inject capital into an ailing company, a bail-in involves the use of depositors&rsquo; funds to achieve those ends.</li>
<li>This has caused a lot of concern among depositors who are worried they may lose their hard-earned money deposited with banks.</li>
<li>Even the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation provide deposit insurance of up to Rs. 1 lakh. The rest is forfeited in the event of a bank failure.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recently enacted Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 to deal with the insolvency resolution issues of non-financial entities will be complemented by the FRDI.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/financial-resolution'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Coordination Between MGNREGA and Agriculture ',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The First Meeting of Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on coordination between MGNREGA and Agriculture was recently held at NITI Aayog.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The regional meetings will be finalized by NITI Aayog, in consultation with <g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep gr-progress" id="63" data-gr-id="63">Ministry</g> of Rural Development and Ministry of Agriculture and State Governments.<br />Ensuring the rights of the <g class="gr_ gr_64 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace gr-progress" id="64" data-gr-id="64">labourers</g> and maintaining the &ldquo;asset creation&rsquo;&rsquo; spirit of MGNREGA was also stressed upon at in the meeting. &nbsp;</li>
<li>Use of MGNREGA funds in supplementing <g class="gr_ gr_65 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="65" data-gr-id="65">labour</g> costs in agriculture and fencing of <g class="gr_ gr_55 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="55" data-gr-id="55">farm land</g> to protect it from wild animals was suggested at the meeting.</li>
<li>5 regional meetings/workshops would be organized one each at Patna, Bhopal, Hyderabad, Guwahati and New Delhi to discuss these issues with experts, farmers and farmer&rsquo;s representatives and other stakeholders along with State Governments.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Five Critical Areas</h3>
<h3></h3>
<p>Five critical areas in which MGNREGA could positively help include those related to-</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>reducing the cost of cultivation</li>
<li>enhancing the production through <g class="gr_ gr_79 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="79" data-gr-id="79">efficient</g> use of water or other inputs</li>
<li>providing remunerative price to farmers by <g class="gr_ gr_80 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="80" data-gr-id="80">incentivising</g> aggregation and market infrastructure</li>
<li>rehabilitation of agricultural land and assets after natural hazards or re-plantation using MGNREGA fund</li>
<li>bringing diversification in agriculture to help occupational diversification and maximizing profit.</li>
</ul>
<h3>MGNREGA and the Low Wage Issue</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Finance has refused to bring the central MGNREGA wages on par with the minimum agricultural wages paid by states. As a result, the MGNREGA wages of as many as 28 of the 36 states and Union Territories fell below minimum wages.</li>
<li>Moreover, the annual wage increase in 2018 was a low 2.9% owing to the Ministry of Finance&rsquo;s rejection of the Ministry of Rural Development (<g class="gr_ gr_56 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="56" data-gr-id="56">MoRD</g>) recommendation to index the annual MGNREGA wage revision to Consumer Price Index (Rural) instead of CPI (Agricultural Labourers).</li>
<li>The CPI (Rural) reflects the current consumption pattern of rural households, whereas the CPI for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL), is based on a 35-year-old consumption basket.</li>
<li>The MoRD raised the issue of wage indexation in the recent meeting.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The possibility of using MGNREGA to employ agricultural <g class="gr_ gr_74 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="74" data-gr-id="74">labour</g> on private farms has been another area of concern. It has the possibility to benefit employers more than workers.</li>
<li>The proposal of using MGNREGA fund to solve the agrarian crisis might amount to a cash transfer to farmers, which can distort the purpose of the <g class="gr_ gr_60 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="60" data-gr-id="60">labour-oriented</g> scheme.</li>
<li>Several farmers&rsquo; groups have expressed that the proposal may be difficult to implement. It would be difficult to measure or monitor the work done and could also reintroduce feudalism in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sub-Group has been constituted by the PM for suggesting ways and means about <g class="gr_ gr_70 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="70" data-gr-id="70">use</g> of employment under MGNREGS for improving agriculture and reducing cost.</li>
<li>The Sub Group consists of Chief Ministers of 7 States viz. &nbsp;Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Sikkim and Member, NITI Aayog with the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh as the convener of the Sub-Group.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members (at least 18 years of age) volunteer to do unskilled work.</li>
<li>The central government bears the full cost of unskilled <g class="gr_ gr_59 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="59" data-gr-id="59">labour</g>, and 75% of the cost of material (the rest is borne by the states).</li>
<li>It is a demand-driven, social security and <g class="gr_ gr_69 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="69" data-gr-id="69">labour</g> law that aims to enforce the &lsquo;right to work&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Government of India in association with state governments, monitors the implementation of the scheme.</li>
<li>Agriculture and allied activities constitute more than 65% of the works taken up under the programme.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sub-group-of-chief-ministers-on-coordination-between-mgnrega-and-agriculture '
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Trade Policy Review at WTO',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>At the recent trade policy review at the WTO, India has cautioned China that its $63 billion trade deficit with the country was unsustainable and promises had to be converted into actions.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China needed to make serious efforts to lower trade barriers for rice, meat, pharmaceuticals and IT products from India to make a difference to the trade imbalance.</li>
<li>Farm exports, including bovine meat, continued to face hindrances in the form of stringent and opaque Chinese regulatory requirements.</li>
<li>Despite <g class="gr_ gr_52 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar replaceWithoutSep" id="52" data-gr-id="52">of</g> several protocols being signed between India and China, the hindrances remain on <g class="gr_ gr_51 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="51" data-gr-id="51">import</g> of farm products, especially bovine meat.</li>
<li>Due to complex and onerous regulatory requirements, Indian generic medicine producers were unable to access the Chinese market.</li>
<li>In the service sector, the challenges for Indian companies include complex requirements for participating in contracts of State Owned Enterprise (SOEs) and also include issues related to qualification requirements, licensing and taxation etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>US-China Trade War: A Silver lining for India?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Given its trade tensions between the US, China plans to import more from India, along with other countries, to counterbalance the imports of high tariff products from <g class="gr_ gr_60 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="60" data-gr-id="60">USA</g>.</li>
<li>This is evident from the fact that China has imposed a 25% duty on US soybean. However, China has removed all tariffs on soybean imported from five APTA (Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement) countries: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea and Laos. All of them, barring India, are insignificant suppliers.</li>
<li>In addition, India dominates the world&rsquo;s generic drugs market, exporting $17.3 billion of drugs in, including to the U.S. and the EU. But only 1% of that went to China. With the protracted <g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="63" data-gr-id="63">trade-war</g> China is preparing to give swift regulatory approvals to India-manufactured drugs.</li>
<li>This would allow Indian companies to boost revenue at a time when pricing scrutiny and regulatory troubles have hurt U.S. sales.</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_50 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="50" data-gr-id="50">Also</g> Indian firms are looking to fill gaps in Chinese demand for software, sugar and some varieties of rice.</li>
<li>US exports to China currently under threat <g class="gr_ gr_49 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="49" data-gr-id="49">makeup</g> for nearly a fifth of total US exports. With that huge a market at risk, US sellers will now offer attractive selling prices to Indian businesses.</li>
<li>However, the lack of manufacturing capability in technology items could deprive India <g class="gr_ gr_58 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="58" data-gr-id="58">from</g> taking advantage of the trade war. &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Trade Policy Review Mechanism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was an early result of the Uruguay Round.</li>
<li>The reviews take place in the Trade Policy Review Body which is actually the WTO General Council &mdash; comprising the WTO&rsquo;s full membership &mdash; operating under special rules and procedures.</li>
<li>The trade policy review allows members to put the overall trade and economic policies of a country under the scanner. The trade policies of developing countries are taken up for review every four years while developed ones face similar scrutiny every two years.</li>
<li>The mandate of the TPRM was broadened to cover services trade and intellectual property.</li>
<li>The objectives of the TPRM include facilitating the smooth functioning of the multilateral trading system by enhancing the transparency of Members&rsquo; trade policies.</li>
<li>All WTO Members are subject to review under the TPRM.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/trade-policy-review-at-wto'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Model Villages under Border Area Development Programme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Issues related to the implementation of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) were discussed by the Union Home Minister in his interaction with Field and State Level Officers.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The border population is the strategic asset to the country and important element to maintain border security.</li>
<li>Social and economic infrastructure like connectivity, safe drinking water, schools, hospitals and other facilities to ensure sustainable living in these areas must be improved.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Model Villages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For the comprehensive and all-round development of border villages, the government has decided to develop 61 model villages under the Border Area Development Programme.</li>
<li>Each model village will provide all basic facilities like primary health center, primary education, community center, connectivity, drainage, drinking water, etc. to enable sustainable living in border areas.</li>
<li>BADP Online Management System for better planning, monitoring, and implementation of various projects under BADP was launched on the occasion.</li>
<li>Border States can submit their respective Annual Action Plans online and receive approvals from Ministry of Home Affairs in the electronic mode which will bring in transparency in the sanction process and improve quality of planning and implementation.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg"><strong>Border Area Development Programme</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The BADP was <strong>launched in the year 1986-87</strong> for balanced development of border areas of States bordering Pakistan, namely, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan and subsequently it was extended to all the land borders.</li>
<li>It is <strong>a centrally sponsored scheme.</strong> Funds are provided to the states <strong>as a non-lapsable special central assistance</strong> for the execution of projects relating to infrastructure, livelihood, education, health, agriculture and allied sector.</li>
<li>BADP now <strong>covers 111 border districts in 17 States</strong> (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat) to meet special development needs of border population with focus on <strong>people living within 50 kilometers of the International Border.</strong></li>
<li>The main objective of the BADP is to meet the special developmental needs and well being of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border and to saturate the border areas with the entire essential infrastructure through the convergence of Central, State, BADP and local schemes by following a participatory approach.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/model-villages-under-border-area-development-programme'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (July 13, 2018)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3><g class="gr_ gr_33 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="33" data-gr-id="33">Bengei</g> Nacha</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">In the State of Odisha, &lsquo;Bengei Nacha&rsquo; or &lsquo;frog dance&rsquo; is a traditionally performed ritual to appease the rain gods.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">As per belief, the croaking sounds made by frogs during the ritual would alert rain god &lsquo;Indra Devata&rsquo; to the lack of precipitation in a village.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Amid much fanfare, villagers catch a frog and put it inside a pitcher partly filled with water which is carried by two people at the head of a procession.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Monsoon rains are vital for Indian agriculture, which is a major source of employment in the country.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Rituals devoted to rain gods vary from State to State depending upon local customs and traditions.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Scientists Perform First Color X-ray on a Human</h3>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Scientists from New Zealand performed the first ever 3D color X-Ray on a human being using a technique that could improve the field of medical diagnostics.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The new device, named Medipix, is based on the traditional black-and-white X-Ray but has incorporated a particle-tracking technology developed by CERN for its Large Hadron Collider.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The color X-ray imaging technique could produce clearer and more accurate pictures and help doctors give their patients more accurate diagnoses.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Buddha of Swat</h3>
<p><img class="content-img" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/162Buddha of Swat 1.jpg" width="454" height="256" caption="false" style="float: right;" data-pagespeed-url-hash="1227474212" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" /></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Buddha seated in a meditative posture is an iconic 7th-century sculpture and is considered one of the largest rock sculptures in South Asia.</li>
<li>The Buddha sits in Jehanabad, the epicenter of Swat's Buddhist heritage, a beautiful valley in the foothills of the Himalayas.</li>
<li>The holy figure, depicted in a lotus position at the base of a granite cliff in northern Pakistan, was severely damaged by Islamists insurgents.</li>
<li>Swat was for centuries a pilgrimage site for the Buddhist faithful, especially from the Himalayas.</li>
<li>The Vajrayana school even consider it a "holy land", from where their faith originated.</li>
<li>They continued to visit right up until the 20th century when borders hardened with the independence of British India and creation of Pakistan in 1947.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-july-13-2018'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'India to Sign MoU on Easing Visa Curbs',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">India will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on &ldquo;revised travel arrangements&rdquo; with Bangladesh to ease visa restrictions for citizens from the neighboring country.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Background</h3>
<ul style="text-align: justify; list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2014, India had decided to relax visa restrictions for Bangladeshis above the age of 65 and below the age of 13. They were allowed five-year multiple entry visas.</li>
<li>Last year India announced a five-year multiple entry visa to the 1971 war veterans from Bangladesh.</li>
<li>However, Bangladesh has demanded that travel restrictions for senior citizens be eased and further concessions are given to <strong>Muktijoddhas</strong> &mdash; those who participated in the 1971 Liberation War.</li>
<li>Citizens from 161 countries can travel to India on e-tourist visas procured online. However, this facility is not extended to Bangladesh.</li>
<li>India has on several occasions raised the issue of the influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg" style="text-align: justify;">
<p><strong>E-Tourist Visa</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The E-Tourist Visa enables the prospective visitor to apply for an Indian Visa from his/her home country online without visiting the Indian Mission and also pay the visa fee online. The categories include E-Tourist, &nbsp;E-Business, and E-Medical.</li>
<li>The E-visa facility is now available for nationals of 161 countries for entry through 24 airports as well as 3 seaports (Cochin, Goa <g class="gr_ gr_28 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="28" data-gr-id="28">and</g> Mangalore).</li>
<li>The new visa regime is meant to make India a more favorable tourism destination.</li>
<li>It will facilitate the Make in India programme that requires multiple business visits by foreign investors.</li>
<li>The scheme is also in sync with the vision of Digital India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"></p>',
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		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'NITI Aayog Annual Report 2017-18',
			'catname' => 'Summary of Important Reports',
			'desc' => '<p>This <strong>&lsquo;Think-Tank&rsquo;</strong> of <g class="gr_ gr_515 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="515" data-gr-id="515">government</g> of India was founded on<strong> 1<sup>st</sup> <g class="gr_ gr_514 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="514" data-gr-id="514">january</g> 2015</strong>. This institution designs strategic and <g class="gr_ gr_516 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="516" data-gr-id="516">long term</g> policy and programme frameworks and initiatives and monitors their progress and efficacy regularly.</p>
<p><strong><g class="gr_ gr_520 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="520" data-gr-id="520">It&rsquo;s</g> activities are divided into&ndash;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Team India hub:</strong> Carries out <g class="gr_ gr_519 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="519" data-gr-id="519">mandate</g> of fostering Cooperative federalism and Designing policy and frameworks.</li>
<li><strong>Knowledge and innovation hub:</strong> Ensures fulfilling the mandate of maintaining a state of art resource <g class="gr_ gr_518 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="518" data-gr-id="518">centre</g>.</li>
</ul>
<p>Team India Hub consists of <strong>6 Verticals</strong> and Knowledge and Innovation Hub consists of <strong>10 Verticals</strong>. Some of these verticals are Administration, HRD, Industry, Rural Development, Science and Technology, <g class="gr_ gr_509 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="509" data-gr-id="509">Governnance</g> and Research etc.</p>
<p><strong>Offices attached to the NITI Aayog:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office.</li>
<li>National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Policy Making and Programme</h3>
<p><strong>1. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)</strong></p>
<p>It is an umbrella innovation organization set up by the NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Atal tinkering labs:</strong> To promote creative and innovative mindset in school children.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Implemented in schools across all 700 plus districts across the country.</li>
<li>Miniature electronics do it yourself kits are installed so that students from grade 6 to grade 12 can tinker with technology.</li>
<li>Vision: Every school <g class="gr_ gr_501 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="501" data-gr-id="501">have</g> access to at least one or more <g class="gr_ gr_500 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="500" data-gr-id="500">atal</g> tinkering labs in each district of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atal incubators:</strong> To promote entrepreneurship in Universities and industries, NGOs, corporate industry level.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>AIM is providing a grant of <g class="gr_ gr_499 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="499" data-gr-id="499">upto</g> 10 crores to successful applicants for setting up <g class="gr_ gr_497 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="497" data-gr-id="497">Green field</g> incubators or scaling up existing ones.</li>
<li>To <g class="gr_ gr_494 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="494" data-gr-id="494">date</g> 19 Atal incubators have been selected.</li>
<li>Women led incubators and entrepreneurial startups are strongly encouraged.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atal Vikas Challenges and Atal Grand Challenges:</strong> To promote point tech innovations and product creations for social and commercial impact.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To promote specific product innovation with social, economic impact.</li>
<li>AIM is also partnering with corporate and other institutions to launch challenges such as AIM-YES Bank Transformation Series 2017 Smart Agri Nation Challenge had 27000 students from B-schools of India participating in it with <g class="gr_ gr_506 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="506" data-gr-id="506">high quality</g> presentations on the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Reform in Homeopathy and Medicine law</strong></p>
<p>Draft National Commission for Homeopathy (NCH) Bill, 2017 and National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2017 have been tabled in the parliament.</p>
<p><strong>3. Joint Committee meeting on Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (<g class="gr_ gr_505 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="505" data-gr-id="505">MAHSR</g>) Corridor Project</strong></p>
<p><strong>4. Holistic development of islands </strong></p>
<p>NITI Aayog has shortlisted 10 islands for holistic development.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Package 1:</strong> Smith, Ross, Long <g class="gr_ gr_493 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="493" data-gr-id="493">and</g> Aves of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</li>
<li><strong>Package 2:</strong> Little Andaman of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</li>
<li><strong>Package 3:</strong> Minicoy, Bangaram, Tinnakara, Cheriyam and Suheli islands of Lakshadweep.</li>
<li><strong>Island development agency:</strong> Under the chairmanship of the Home Minister. NITI Aayog is in process of the identification of 15 more islands in Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep for development.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Competitive Cooperative Federalism</h3>
<p>This involves&ndash;</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Joint development of National Development Agenda by the Centre and States.</li>
<li>Advocacy of State perspectives with Central Ministries.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>1. Development Support Service for states/UTs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has implemented a structured initiative for <strong>&ldquo;Development Support ServiceS for States&rdquo;</strong> (D3S).</li>
<li><strong>Vision:</strong> To achieve transformational, sustained delivery of infrastructure projects with state of art capacity disseminated at all levels of the governance.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Establish <g class="gr_ gr_490 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="490" data-gr-id="490">Centre-State</g> partnership model for cooperation</li>
<li>Demonstrates successful implementation of high impact projects</li>
<li>Establish PPPs as governance tools supporting larger development agenda</li>
<li>Address key structural issues related to infrastructure projects</li>
<li>Build institutional and organizational capacities of states and state level institutions for infrastructure projects</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Reforms in agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Model Act on agricultural land </strong>leasing: A national workshop on Agricultural land leasing reforms was held.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><g class="gr_ gr_483 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="483" data-gr-id="483">Government</g> of Uttar <g class="gr_ gr_478 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="478" data-gr-id="478">pradesh</g> and Uttarakhand have modified their tenancy laws to promote land leasing.</li>
<li><strong>Madhya Pradesh</strong> assembly has passed a bill <strong>Bhumiswami</strong> <strong>Evam Bataidar <g class="gr_ gr_479 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="479" data-gr-id="479">ke</g> Hito <g class="gr_ gr_480 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling" id="480" data-gr-id="480">mein</g> Sanrakshan Vidheyak</strong>.</li>
<li>Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have also initiated <g class="gr_ gr_484 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="484" data-gr-id="484">process</g> to modify or enact their own land leasing Acts based on NITI Aayog&rsquo;s model.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reforms of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Three critical areas were discussed for reforms:
<ol>
<li>Agricultural market reforms.</li>
<li>Felling and transit laws for tree produce grown <g class="gr_ gr_476 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="476" data-gr-id="476">at</g> private land.</li>
<li>Agricultural land leasing.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has developed first ever <strong>"Agricultural marketing and <g class="gr_ gr_466 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="466" data-gr-id="466">farmer friendly</g> reforms index"</strong> to sensitize states about the need to undertake reforms in agriculture market reforms, land lease reforms and forestry on private land.</li>
<li><strong>Maharashtra</strong> ranks highest in <g class="gr_ gr_471 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="471" data-gr-id="471">implementation</g> of various agricultural reforms, followed by <strong>Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>"Doubling Farmers&rsquo; Income &ndash;&nbsp;</strong>Rationale, Strategy, Prospects and Action Plan" has <g class="gr_ gr_495 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="495" data-gr-id="495">three pronged</g> <g class="gr_ gr_503 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="503" data-gr-id="503">strategy</g> focusing on (i) development initiatives, (ii) technology and (iii) policy reforms in agriculture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Reforms in healthcare, education and water sector</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has initiated <g class="gr_ gr_507 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="507" data-gr-id="507">web</g> portal for social indicators by establishing an outcome monitoring framework.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Champions of change</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With Young CEOs &amp; Entrepreneurs on 2017 titled Champions of Change &ndash; Transforming India through G2B partnership was organized.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5. Dashboard</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has developed the Dashboard, a Progress Tracker for Union Territories of India (<g class="gr_ gr_498 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="498" data-gr-id="498">UTs</g>) to monitor and track the monthly progress of various developmental schemes/ projects/ initiatives of the government.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. Capacity building of urban local bodies </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Three frameworks developed by <g class="gr_ gr_502 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="502" data-gr-id="502">participantss</g> of the first phase of capacity building programme:
<ol>
<li>Integrated Data Management Framework</li>
<li>Strategic Framework for Water Recycling</li>
<li>Strategic Framework for Solid Waste Management and PPP</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Think Tank Functions</h3>
<p><strong>1. Vision Document for India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a fifteen-year plan for India. A three-year action Agenda for the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20 has been prepared as its first part.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Appraisal Document</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Appraisal Document of the 12th Five Year Plan has been <g class="gr_ gr_513 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="513" data-gr-id="513">finalised</g> and circulated in the meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog held under the Chairmanship of Hon&rsquo;ble Prime Minister.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Doubling of Farmers&rsquo; Income</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first ever policy document on &ldquo;Doubling Farmers&rsquo; Income &ndash;Rationale, Strategy, Prospects and Action Plan&rdquo; was prepared.</li>
<li>It has <g class="gr_ gr_465 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="465" data-gr-id="465">three pronged</g> <g class="gr_ gr_473 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="473" data-gr-id="473">strategy</g> focusing on (i) development initiatives, (ii) technology and (iii) policy reforms in agriculture.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Monitoring of Outcome Budget 2017-18</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DMEO has developed a web-based interactive dashboard for Monitoring of Outcome Budget.</li>
<li>Qualitative improvement in the Output-Outcome Framework by reviewing and identifying relevant outputs and outcomes, and quantifiable and measurable indicators to monitor them.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5. Global entrepreneurship summit -2017</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India and US</strong> co-hosted this summit in <strong>Hyderabad</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Theme:</strong> Women first, prosperity for all.</li>
<li>The summit focused on four key industry sectors: Energy and Infrastructure, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Financial Technology and Digital Economy, and Media and Entertainment.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. <g class="gr_ gr_457 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="457" data-gr-id="457">Launch</g> of <g class="gr_ gr_459 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="459" data-gr-id="459">programme</g> to transform identified aspirational districts</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>115 districts in 28 States</strong> have been identified on the basis of a transparent process by using a composite index.</li>
<li>States are the main drivers of this programme with the help of Prabhari Officers.</li>
<li>Aims to make development a mass movement in these districts.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>7. Interaction with economists and experts</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Interactive session with over 40 renowned economists on the theme <strong>"Economic Policy and the Road Ahead" was held</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sectoral Objective and Achievements</h3>
<p><strong>1. Agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Demand and supply projects on crop, horticulture <g class="gr_ gr_449 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="449" data-gr-id="449">and</g> livestock:</strong> This report provides information regarding <g class="gr_ gr_446 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="446" data-gr-id="446">performance</g> of Indian agriculture and growth trends.</li>
<li><strong>Price support to <g class="gr_ gr_467 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="467" data-gr-id="467">farmer</g>:</strong> Model Agricultural Land Leasing act, 2016; Agricultural Marketing Reforms Index and <strong>Policy Paper on doubling farmers income-</strong> Rationale, Strategy, Prospects And Action Plan.</li>
<li><strong>Development agenda for India @ 75:</strong> Development agenda for agriculture in new India focuses on seven goals in agriculture namely growth; stability; efficiency; food and nutrition security; food safety; sustainability; and farmers income.</li>
<li><strong>Roadmap for Bamboo development:</strong> Action plan being prepared in consultation with <g class="gr_ gr_444 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="444" data-gr-id="444">Department</g> of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Environment Forest, Department of Land Resources, Science and Technology and Ministry of Social Welfare.</li>
<li><strong>Price deficiency payments:</strong> Government of Madhya Pradesh is implementing a pilot project on deficiency price payments <strong>(Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana)</strong> in 8 crops viz soybean, groundnut, sesame, niger, maize, urad, moong <g class="gr_ gr_438 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="438" data-gr-id="438">and</g> <g class="gr_ gr_440 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="440" data-gr-id="440">tur .</g></li>
<li><strong>Production of timber sources</strong> from non-forest lands would meet <g class="gr_ gr_453 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="453" data-gr-id="453">vision</g> for doubling farmers&rsquo; income, job creation, reducing heavy dependence on imports and contributing to carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide through additional tree cover for meeting India&rsquo;s international climate change commitments.</li>
<li><strong>Drought assessment and relief:</strong> Agriculture Vertical has been actively engaged in Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) constituted by Ministry of to assess the damage caused due to drought, hailstorms, cold waves, etc to crops and livestock.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Health</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As a nation, we have shown significant declines in infant mortality, maternal mortality and total fertility rates, however, the inter-state variation in achievements remain a matter of concern.</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_468 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="468" data-gr-id="468">3 year</g> action agenda:</strong> It was developed as the<strong> first part of the larger 15 year Vision</strong> of India. Priority Actions outlined <g class="gr_ gr_463 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="463" data-gr-id="463">are:</g> Public and preventive health, Assurance of health care, Fiscal transfers for better health outcomes, <g class="gr_ gr_456 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="456" data-gr-id="456">Human</g> resource for health, Access to medicines, Health research.</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_441 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="441" data-gr-id="441">Committee</g> finalized the draft <strong>National Medical Commission Bill</strong> for replacing the Medical Council of India with the proposed National Medical Commission. The bill has been approved by the Union Cabinet.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has spearheaded the <strong>Health index initiative,</strong> to measure the annual performance of States and UTs, and rank States on the basis of change, while also providing an overall status of States&rsquo; performance. Indicators: outcomes, governance &amp; information and key inputs/processes.</li>
<li><strong>Sustainable action for transforming human capital (SATH):</strong> NITI Aayog has launched the Development of Support Services for States (DSSS) rechristened as SATH Programme for transforming the health sector, to foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives with States. The <strong>three states</strong> which have been selected under the programme are <strong>Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka <g class="gr_ gr_426 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="426" data-gr-id="426">and</g> Assam</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog was mandated to create the framework for tracking the performance of district hospitals and <strong>Indian Statistical Institute</strong> has been selected to develop portal.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog is carrying out <strong><g class="gr_ gr_420 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="420" data-gr-id="420">evaluation</g></strong> of existing <strong>NIPERs</strong>. (NIPERs are institutes set up under the aegis of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.)</li>
<li>It is also working on implementing <strong>Electronic health record</strong> across India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Women and child development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has been assigned for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Maternity Benefit Programme. Accordingly, first<strong> Quarterly Report</strong> and <strong>Dashboard</strong> have been prepared with inputs received from MWCD and State and shared with PMO.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog undertook <strong>field visits</strong> to four States &ndash; <strong>Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat</strong> to document the State&rsquo;s initiatives on <g class="gr_ gr_425 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="425" data-gr-id="425">Take</g> Home Ration (THR) and managing Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) children.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Governance and research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Networking with other think tanks:</strong> NITI has launched a major initiative viz. <strong><g class="gr_ gr_423 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="423" data-gr-id="423">SAMAVESH</g></strong> aimed at networking and partnership with knowledge and research institutions using a hub and spoke model, which was followed by a focused meeting on <strong>IMPRINT (Impacting Research, Innovation <g class="gr_ gr_431 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="431" data-gr-id="431">and</g> Technology)</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog conducted an evaluation study of DBT in Fertilizers through M/s <g class="gr_ gr_419 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="419" data-gr-id="419">Microsave</g>, which has shown encouraging results and remarkable success in implementation.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog undertook <g class="gr_ gr_418 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="418" data-gr-id="418">in-depth</g> review of autonomous bodies of Union Government.</li>
<li>It also set up <strong>Ratan Watal committee</strong> to find the ways and means to<strong> transform India&rsquo;s gold market</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5. Human resource development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Human Resources Development (HRD) Division, restructured as HRD Vertical in the Team India Hub of NITI Aayog, is dealing with issues related to School Education &amp; Higher Education.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 40.5405%;">
<p><strong>School Education and Literacy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sarva <g class="gr_ gr_427 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="427" data-gr-id="427">shiksha</g> Abhiyan (SSA)</li>
<li>Mid-Day Meal in Schools (MDMS)</li>
<li>Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)</li>
<li>Vocationalisation of <g class="gr_ gr_429 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="429" data-gr-id="429">secondary</g> Education</li>
<li>Teacher Education</li>
<li>[email protected]</li>
<li>Saakshar Bharat Programme</li>
<li>National Bal Bhavan, KVs, NVs, NIOS, NCERT etc.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 57.5883%;">
<p><strong>Higher and Technical Education</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)</li>
<li>Technical Education Quality Improvement <g class="gr_ gr_432 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="432" data-gr-id="432">ProgramMe</g> (TEQIP)</li>
<li>Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT)</li>
<li>Scholarships</li>
<li>National Mission on Education through ICT (NMEICT)</li>
<li>Book promotion</li>
<li>Language Development</li>
<li>Technical Education&nbsp; Including IITs, NITs<g class="gr_ gr_439 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="439" data-gr-id="439">,<g class="gr_ gr_428 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="428" data-gr-id="428">IIMs</g></g>, IISERs, NTTRs, IIs etc.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under <g class="gr_ gr_412 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="412" data-gr-id="412">NITI</g> Internship Programme, interns from various leading institutions from across the country have been provided internship training.</li>
<li><strong>Other achievements:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>School Education Quality Index (SEQI):</strong> It is in the final stages of development by the NITI Aayog in consultation with the Department of School Education &amp; Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), State Education Departments of all States &amp; UTs and various stakeholders, including educationists.</li>
<li><strong>Development Support Services for States/UTs (D3S) for Education Projects:</strong> The key objective of this policy is to identify and build three future &lsquo;Role Model&rsquo; States for education systems. <g class="gr_ gr_415 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="415" data-gr-id="415">First</g> workshop was held in <g class="gr_ gr_416 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="416" data-gr-id="416">Orissa .</g></li>
<li><strong>Reforms in Higher Education:</strong> A Committee for Reforms in Higher Education was constituted based on NITI&rsquo;s presentation on <strong>&lsquo;Proposed Reforms in Regulatory Frameworks of the UGC and AICTE&rsquo;</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. Culture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This Vertical examined the EFC/SFC proposals on
<ol>
<li>Museum Grant Scheme</li>
<li>Scheme for setting up of Science Cities/Science Centres/Innovation Hubs</li>
<li>Continuation of the National Mission on Libraries-<g class="gr_ gr_443 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="443" data-gr-id="443">upgradation</g> of Libraries providing services to the Public</li>
<li>Appraisal of ongoing five Schemes after merging them in a single Scheme namely &ldquo;Scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art &amp; Culture&rdquo;</li>
<li>Dandi related Projects and Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission</li>
<li>Scheme for Promotion of International Cultural Relations</li>
<li>Appraisal of ongoing two Schemes after merging them in a single Scheme namely &ldquo;Scheme of Financial Assistance for <g class="gr_ gr_448 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="448" data-gr-id="448">creation</g> of Cultural Infrastructure&rdquo;.</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>7. Skill development and employment unit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Skill Development &amp; Employment Division published a Compendium<strong> &lsquo;Skilling for Employability: Best Practices&rsquo;</strong> highlighting best practices in overcoming challenges such as equity, access, quality and relevance in the government, civil society and private sectors.</li>
<li>Schemes/Programmes
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthening the Apprenticeship Ecosystem in India</li>
<li>North East Rural Livelihood Project</li>
<li>Upgradation of Existing Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Model Industrial Training Institutes</li>
<li>Re-structuring of National Skill Development Fund (NSDF) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to strengthen governance, implementation and monitoring framework</li>
<li>Memorandum on National Career Service Centre for Differently Abled</li>
<li>National Career Service Project/Employment Exchanges Mission Mode Project (<g class="gr_ gr_435 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="435" data-gr-id="435">EEMMP</g>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>8. Managing urbanization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Managing Urbanization (MU) Vertical in NITI Aayog deals with urban sector/issues and works in close association with <g class="gr_ gr_436 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="436" data-gr-id="436">Ministry</g> of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).</li>
<li>The Vertical collaborates with various departments of Centre and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Knowledge Bodies/Institutions, Think Tanks, Experts, Policy Makers in planning, coordinating, formulating, processing, appraisal, analysis and monitoring of various urban sector schemes, programmes and projects.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>9. Rural development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rural Development Vertical of the NITI Aayog provides overall policy guidance to the D/o Rural Development, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in programmes and schemes implemented by them.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has developed Monthly &amp; Quarterly Dashboard on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and Quarterly Dashboard on Deendayal Antyodya Yojana &ndash; National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>10. Energy and international cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Joint Research Projects between NITI Aayog and Institute of Energy Economics Japan (IEEJ) - A statement of intent (SOI) was signed between NITI Aayog and IEEJ, working on project namely <strong>&ldquo;High Penetration of Renewable Power: Comparative Study of Japan and India by <g class="gr_ gr_410 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="410" data-gr-id="410">year</g> 2032"</strong>.</li>
<li>International Energy Agency (IEA) and NITI Aayog <g class="gr_ gr_411 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="411" data-gr-id="411">has</g> signed Statement of Intent (SoI) for collaboration on energy sector related joint study projects.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog and Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) India has signed Statement of Intent (SoI) for collaboration on energy sector related joint study projects.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has entrusted the responsibility of <strong>formulation of GIS Energy Map of India to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)</strong> for providing <g class="gr_ gr_397 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="397" data-gr-id="397">energy related</g> information to stakeholders.</li>
<li>The unit coordinate with Ministry of Power for up-dating of NITI Aayog Dashboard for <strong>&ldquo;Power for All&rdquo;</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has launched the <strong>India Energy Portal (IEP)</strong> (www.indiaenergy.gov.in) which presently houses its flagship initiative India Energy Security Scenarios (IESS) 2047.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has constituted a Technical Committee to recommend suitable technology on surface coal gasification which is being served by coal unit.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has been entrusted with <g class="gr_ gr_394 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="394" data-gr-id="394">task</g> of framing <strong>National Energy Policy</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has set up Energy Dashboard- an <g class="gr_ gr_409 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="409" data-gr-id="409">endeavour</g> towards assimilating all <g class="gr_ gr_406 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="406" data-gr-id="406">energy related</g> data at one place in <g class="gr_ gr_408 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="408" data-gr-id="408">first</g> phase.2nd phase to create <g class="gr_ gr_407 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="407" data-gr-id="407">online</g> system of data.</li>
<li>Bilateral cooperation between NITI Aayog and Government of UK, the imitative to develop state energy calculator have been taken up, <strong>first phase</strong> three states &ndash; <strong>Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Assam</strong> <g class="gr_ gr_398 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="398" data-gr-id="398">was</g> taken up.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>11. Industry</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC)</strong> was constituted by Ministry of Shipping under the chairmanship of CEO NITI Aayog for preparing a road-map for the Coastal Economic Zone (CEZ) development and for steering the development of the related CEZ. <strong>NITI Aayog was <g class="gr_ gr_396 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="396" data-gr-id="396">nodal</g> agency for the committee</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog released the <strong>report on Ease of Doing Business</strong> based on an Enterprise Survey, conducted jointly with the IDFC Institute.</li>
<li>A <strong>new Cell</strong> under the Industry Vertical, NITI Aayog to <strong>promote Women Entrepreneurship</strong> in the Country has been set up under Adviser (Industry &amp; DM&amp;A).</li>
<li>A Statement of Intent on <g class="gr_ gr_392 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="392" data-gr-id="392">bilateral</g> economic partnership for mutual understanding and cooperation between NITI Aayog, and the Australian Treasury, Australian Government was signed.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>12. Infrastructure</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog&rsquo;s Infrastructure-Connectivity vertical is mandated to provide an integrated approach to transport sector by promoting efficient, sustainable, <g class="gr_ gr_393 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="393" data-gr-id="393">environment friendly</g> and regionally balanced transportation system.</li>
<li>A report titled <strong>&ldquo;India Leaps Ahead: Transformative Mobility Solutions for All&rdquo;</strong> was unveiled by NITI Aayog. It was prepared in collaboration with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI).</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_384 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="384" data-gr-id="384">Signing</g> of Statement of Intent (SoI) with International Road Federation (IRF) on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).</li>
<li>An independent <strong>&lsquo;Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) Monitoring Committee&rsquo;</strong> is created for monitoring railway safety fund.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>13. Financial resources</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To foster co-operative and competitive federalism among States, the Financial Resources Division of NITI Aayog has assumed the role of assessing financial health of the States, including assessment of transfers to the States from Centre, social sector expenditure by States, analyzing closely the financially unhealthy States, critical review of the fund transfer mechanism for appropriate policy interventions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>14. Natural resources and environment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Environment and Forest division of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Vertical is involved in <g class="gr_ gr_390 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="390" data-gr-id="390">formulation</g> of policies and development of strategies for sustainable management of forests; protection of wildlife and their habitats; and maintenance of a clean, green and healthy environment.</li>
<li>Formulation of appropriate strategies for maintaining a clean, green and healthy environment was a priority for NITI Aayog.</li>
<li>It has been working closely with <strong><g class="gr_ gr_382 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="382" data-gr-id="382">Confederation</g> of Indian Industry (CII)</strong> and other stakeholders for controlling air pollution <g class="gr_ gr_383 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="383" data-gr-id="383">especially</g> in Delhi NCR.</li>
<li>Four Task Forces were constituted in NITI Aayog with experts as members to recommend suitable interventions for <strong>Clean Fuel, Clean Transport, Clean Industries and Biomass Management</strong>.</li>
<li>Research studies in the E&amp;F sector were completed under the NITI Aayog's Research study grant scheme, Ex-Coal Mining, Displacement and <strong>Rural Livelihoods: A Study in Mahanadi Coal Field, Odisha</strong> conducted by the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>15. Science and technology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Based on the recommendations of NITI Aayog, Department and Science &amp; Technology <g class="gr_ gr_402 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="402" data-gr-id="402">has</g> formulated a Cabinet Note for financial and administrative reforms for effective functioning and delivery of Science and Technology in India, which is under Inter-Ministerial consultation.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>16. Social justice and empowerment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&amp;E) Division in NITI Aayog is actively functioning to provide inputs in <g class="gr_ gr_401 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="401" data-gr-id="401">formulation</g> and strengthening of policies and programmes to promote and safeguard the interest of the socially, educationally and economically weaker sections of the society.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>17. Voluntary action cell</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An important initiative of the VAC is maintaining an electronic database of VOs/NGOs which is done through the NGO Darpan Portal. The <strong>NGO-DARPAN</strong> (NGO-PS) Portal is an e-governance application to electronically maintain data regarding Non-Government organizations (NGOs)/ Voluntary Organizations (VOs) in the country.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>18. Development Monitoring And Evaluation Office</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO)</strong> was established by the Government on 2015 as an attached office of the NITI Aayog by merging the erstwhile Programme Evaluation Organization and the Independent Evaluation Office.</li>
<li>DMEO has developed a web-based interactive dashboard which is accessed by the concerned Ministries to upload data on the progress made by them in the implementation of <g class="gr_ gr_376 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="376" data-gr-id="376">PMAY</g>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>19. Appraisal of programmes/schemes/project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One of the important functions undertaken in NITI Aayog <g class="gr_ gr_388 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="388" data-gr-id="388">relate</g> to <g class="gr_ gr_386 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="386" data-gr-id="386">appraisal</g> of programmes/ schemes/projects. The appraisal work is undertaken through two divisions namely:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Project Appraisal Management Division (PAMD)</strong> undertakes <g class="gr_ gr_387 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="387" data-gr-id="387">appraisal</g> of public-funded programmes/schemes/projects.</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_369 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="369" data-gr-id="369">Public Private</g> Partnership Appraisal Unit (PPPAU)</strong> appraises Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects received from Central and State/UT Governments for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) under the Scheme for Financial Support to PPP in Infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>20. Water resources</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Inter-Ministerial Team constituted by the NITI Aayog</strong> has conducted the evaluation of the projects and the reports have been shared with the PMO, MoWR, RD &amp; GR, State Governments &amp; Rainfed Area Authority.</li>
<li><strong>Composite Water Management Index</strong> has been developed in NITI Aayog with 28 Key Performance Indicators covering source management, supply and demand side management - inter-alia covering irrigation, drinking water (rural and urban), watershed development, and policy and governance. The index will rank the States on the basis of verifiable data provided by them.</li>
<li>The document <strong>&ldquo;Best Practices in Water Sector&rdquo;</strong> has been prepared in consultation with TERI University, New Delhi. The <strong>&ldquo;Best Practices in Water Sector&rdquo;</strong> are to be uploaded on <g class="gr_ gr_372 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="372" data-gr-id="372">web</g> portal.</li>
<li>The Water Resources Vertical has assisted DMEO, NITI Aayog in the preparation of Water Resource part of Output-Outcome Budget (2018-19). The same is communicated to the Ministry of Water Resources, RD &amp; GR.</li>
<li>The Vertical has assisted DMEO, NITI Aayog in the preparation of Land Resource part of<strong> Output-Outcome Budget</strong> (2018-19).</li>
<li>A Draft report of the Committee on <strong>&ldquo;Land Titling &ndash; A Way forward&rdquo;</strong> has been prepared in consultation with the concerned ministries and departments, and states. The final draft has been sent to PMO for further consideration.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>21. Data management and analysis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog proposes to institute a <strong>Digital Transformation index</strong> for states. The index includes parameters which can allow states to examine their progress towards digital transformation and compare it to that of others, thus acting as a catalyst to reform.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/summary-of-important-reports/niti-aayog-annual-report-2017-18'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (July 12, 2018)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>India Emerges as World's 6<sup>th</sup> Largest Economy</h3>
<p>According to an analysis done by the World Bank, India surpassed France to become <g class="gr_ gr_48 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="48" data-gr-id="48">6</g><sup><g class="gr_ gr_48 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="48" data-gr-id="48">th</g></sup> largest economy of the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="content-img" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/205image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="619" height="467" data-pagespeed-url-hash="239393262" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" /></span></p>
<p>Earlier in 2014, India displaced Japan to become the world&rsquo;s <g class="gr_ gr_41 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="41" data-gr-id="41">third biggest</g> economy in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP).</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Purchasing Power Parity<strong></strong></strong></p>
<p>The rate at which the currency of one country would have to be converted into that of another country to buy the same amount of goods and services in each country.</p>
</div>
<h3>Nilgiri Tahr Threatened Due to Climate Change</h3>
<p>A new study has predicted that most of the existing habitats of the Nilgiri Tahr in the Western Ghats will become unsuitable because of global warming.</p>
<div class="border-bg"><strong>Nilgiri Tahr</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nilgiri tahrs are stocky goats with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. Males are larger than the <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="57" data-gr-id="57">females,</g> and have a darker <g class="gr_ gr_58 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="58" data-gr-id="58">colour</g> when mature.</li>
<li>Adult males develop a light grey area or &ldquo;saddle&rdquo; on their backs and are hence called &ldquo;saddlebacks&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The distribution of Nilgiri tahr is limited to the Western Ghats and that too in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu only. They are more or less confined to altitudes of 1,200 to 2,600 meters.</li>
<li><strong>IUCN Status: Endangered</strong></li>
<li>Wildlife (Protection) Act, <g class="gr_ gr_54 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="54" data-gr-id="54">1972 :</g> Schedule 1 (absolute protection and <g class="gr_ gr_51 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="51" data-gr-id="51">offences</g> under these are prescribed the highest penalties)</li>
<li>The study predicted a maximum habitat loss of 61.2 percent, 61.4 <g class="gr_ gr_52 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="52" data-gr-id="52">per cent</g> and 63 <g class="gr_ gr_53 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="53" data-gr-id="53">per cent</g> for 2030, 2050 and 2080 respectively if there is no fall in <g class="gr_ gr_50 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="50" data-gr-id="50">level</g> of emissions.</li>
<li>The reasons for <g class="gr_ gr_46 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="46" data-gr-id="46">decline</g> in Tahr populations are hunting, conflict with livestock grazing and habitat loss over the years.</li>
<li>This is the first time that a study has looked into the likely effect of climate change on the Nilgiri Tahr.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Anayootu</h3>
<p>The &lsquo;Anayootu&rsquo; (feeding of elephants) ritual is held annually at the Sree Vadakkunnatha temple, Thrissur, Kerala. The rituals are meant for propitiating Lord <g class="gr_ gr_61 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="61" data-gr-id="61">Ganesha,</g> and will start with Ashta Dravya Mahaganapathy <g class="gr_ gr_43 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="43" data-gr-id="43">homam</g>.</p>
<p><strong>Sree Vadakkunnatha Temple</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.</li>
<li>It has monumental towers on all four sides and also has a Kuttambalam (theatre hall).</li>
<li>It has mural paintings depicting various episodes from Mahabharata</li>
<li>It has been declared as a National Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-july-12-2018'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Government Approves Net Neutrality in India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Government of India has approved the principles of net neutrality in India. The decision will ensure that netizens continue to have free and fair access to the internet. The Telecom Commission had approved the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recommendations (net neutrality rules) bars service providers from discriminating against Internet content and services by blocking, throttling or granting them higher speed access.</li>
<li>Telecom and Internet service providers must treat all data on the Internet equally, and not discriminate or charge differently by user, content, site, platform, or application.</li>
<li>They cannot engage in practices such as blocking, slowing down or granting preferential speeds to any content.</li>
<li>However, some mission-critical applications or services like remote surgery and autonomous cars will, however, be kept out of the purview of net neutrality framework.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Telecom Commission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Telecom Commission was set up with administrative and financial powers of the Government of India to deal with various aspects of Telecommunications.</li>
<li>It consists of a Chairman, four full-time members, and four part-time members.</li>
<li>The Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications is the ex-officio Chairman of the Telecom Commission.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The Telecom Commission is responsible for:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Formulating the policy of the Department of Telecommunications for approval of the Government</li>
<li>Preparing the budget for the Department of Telecommunications for each financial year and getting it approved by the Government</li>
<li>Implementation of Government's policy in all matters concerning telecommunication.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In December 2015, social media giant, Facebook launched &lsquo;Free Basics&rsquo; (earlier known as internet.org) while Indian telecom giant Airtel launched &lsquo;Airtel Zero&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Both &lsquo;Free Basics&rsquo; and &lsquo;Airtel Zero&rsquo; let users access certain apps and websites for free (they were just charged for the data used). However, both the companies decided to charge or subsidize other companies that wanted to be a part of the &lsquo;Free Basics&rsquo; or &lsquo;Airtel Zero&rsquo; program.</li>
<li>Facebook and Airtel&rsquo;s arguments were that they were trying to make the internet more accessible to people, especially the ones that could not afford high data charges.</li>
<li>In 2016, TRAI banned both the projects as it went against the very principles of net neutrality since the companies could inevitably favor some content over the others.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>What is Net Neutrality?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Oxford dictionary defines net neutrality as &lsquo;the principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.</li>
<li>This means when a customer pays an internet service provider or ISP for a data plan, he/she should be able to access all content online &ndash; news, social media, videos, games etc &ndash; at the same broadband speed which he had opted for.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'India’s Genetically Modified Crop Area Fifth largest in the World',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications&rsquo;(ISAAA) latest &lsquo;Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops in 2017&rsquo; report shows farmers across the world to have planted 189.8 million hectares (<g class="gr_ gr_28 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="28" data-gr-id="28">mh</g>) under transgenic crops.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report has estimated the highest share in the world&rsquo;s total crop area for 2017 to be of <g class="gr_ gr_27 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="27" data-gr-id="27">soyabean</g>, followed by maize, cotton, canola, alfalfa <g class="gr_ gr_35 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="35" data-gr-id="35">and</g> sugar-beet.</li>
<li>The GM traits in these crops included both insect-resistance and tolerance for application of herbicide.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has the world&rsquo;s fifth largest cultivated area under genetically modified crops, at 11.4 <g class="gr_ gr_25 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="25" data-gr-id="25">mh</g> in 2017.</li>
<li>Unlike other big growers, its entire GM crop area is under a single crop &ndash; cotton &ndash; incorporating genes from the Bacillus <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="57" data-gr-id="57">thuringiensis</g> or BT soil bacterium to resist Heliothis bollworm insect pests.</li>
<li>In India, the GM crops under regulatory consideration &ndash; apart from the already commercialized BT Cotton &ndash; include glyphosate tolerant cotton and hybrid mustard.</li>
<li>Though both have undergone all the mandated bio-safety research and open field trials, their commercial release has been delayed due to opposition from environmental activists.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&amp;CC).</li>
<li>It is responsible for the appraisal of activities involving <g class="gr_ gr_42 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="42" data-gr-id="42">large-scale</g> use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.</li>
<li>The committee is also responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.</li>
<li>GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&amp;CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'US to hold Talks with India, Others at WTO over Tariffs',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>On July 20, 2018, the US will engage in consultations with India and other countries at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over its unilateral increase in steel and aluminum tariffs that has set off a global trade war.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India had dragged the US to the WTO over the 25% steel tariff and 10% aluminum tariff imposed by it on grounds of national security.</li>
<li>India in retaliation targeted 29 US products worth $10.6 billion, including almonds, apples and phosphoric acid.</li>
<li>The US has argued that the tariffs are issues of national security that are not susceptible to review or capable of resolution by WTO dispute <g class="gr_ gr_33 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="33" data-gr-id="33">settlement,</g> and that the consultations provision in the agreement on safeguards is not applicable.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE</strong>: Every member of the WTO retains the authority to determine for itself those matters that it considers necessary for the protection of its essential security interests.</p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>However, India and other countries and the EU have argued that the tariff hikes by the US need to be treated as safeguard duties that give them the right to retaliate.</li>
<li>The other countries that have raised the issue at the WTO include China, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Russia, Norway <g class="gr_ gr_39 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="39" data-gr-id="39">and</g> Mexico.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-US Trade Dispute</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United States has regularly accused India of enjoying a trade surplus by prohibiting US exports through higher tariffs -the latest salvo <g class="gr_ gr_40 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="40" data-gr-id="40">being</g> the tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.</li>
<li>The US has challenged almost all of India&rsquo;s export subsidies at WTO. It is also reviewing the generalized system of preferences programme, under which India exports goods worth $5.6 billion to the US at preferential rates.</li>
<li>Earlier, US had dragged India to the WTO over its ban on US poultry imports and its subsidy programme for domestic solar panel manufacturers while India has taken the US to the WTO over allegations of trade-restrictive measures.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>WTO Dispute Settlement Body</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Resolving trade disputes is one of the core activities of the WTO.</li>
<li>A dispute arises when a member government believes another member government is violating an agreement or a commitment that it has made in the WTO.</li>
<li>The General Council convenes as the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to deal with disputes between WTO members.</li>
<li>The DSB has authority to establish dispute settlement panels, refer matters to arbitration, adopt panel, Appellate Body <g class="gr_ gr_37 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="37" data-gr-id="37">and</g> arbitration reports, maintain surveillance over the implementation of recommendations and rulings contained in such reports, and authorize suspension of concessions in the event of non-compliance with those recommendations and rulings.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Government Gives Nod to Iran bank',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Government of India has approved a proposal from Iranian private lender Bank Pasargad to open a branch in India.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The clearance to the Iranian bank comes amidst the US announcing sanctions and asking other countries to minimize oil purchases from Iran.</li>
<li>Apart from the Iranian Bank, branch license proposals of two South Korean banks, KEB Hana Bank and Kookmin Bank, have also been approved by the Indian government.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why the Need for an Iranian Bank?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India imports a large quantity of oil from Iran and has committed an investment of $500 million for the development of the crucial Chabahar port.</li>
<li>The rupee-rial arrangement was used to buy oil from Iran before US sanctions were lifted against it three years ago.</li>
<li>In the wake of US sanctions, India is exploring the possibility of reviving the rupee-rial arrangement to import oil from Iran that it has used in the past.</li>
<li>The presence of an Iranian bank in India will open up a significant financial channel that will ensure the smooth flow of funds between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE</strong>: After the RBI gives its first internal clearance to a foreign bank branch proposal, it is vetted by a committee comprising senior officials of the ministries of Finance, Commerce, External Affairs and Home Affairs. Clearance from each ministry is required before the RBI issues a license to a foreign bank.</p>
</div>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'India Going Ahead With Purchase of S-400 Air Defense Systems ',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>India has now reached the &lsquo;conclusive stage&rsquo; in the procurement of the S-400 Air Defence Missile Systems.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India will go ahead with the Rs 39,000 crore acquisitions of five advanced S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems from Russia.</li>
<li>Recent US law called CAATSA deters countries from buying Russian weapon systems.</li>
<li>CAATSA will also be discussed in the inaugural &lsquo;two-plus-two&rsquo; dialogue mechanism between India and US. The dialogue will be held between the external and defense ministers and their American counterparts.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="content-img" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/748Master (New).jpg" width="576" height="512" data-pagespeed-url-hash="2062531868" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" /></p>
<p></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Countering America&rsquo;s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Countering America&rsquo;s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is a United States federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia.</li>
<li>It includes sanctions against countries that engage in significant transactions with Russia's defense and intelligence sectors.</li>
<li>India could face US sanctions for purchasing high-value military defense items, in particular, state-of-the-art S-400 Triumf missile defense system, from Russia under the act.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-going-ahead-with-purchase-of-S-400-air-defence-systems'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'India Is Not A Surveillance State: SC',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Supreme Court has stated that government monitoring of every social media message can make the country a surveillance state. The statement was made with reference to the Central government&rsquo;s proposal to create a hub- <strong>Social Media Communication Hub</strong> (SMCH), under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to track social media trends.</span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The government had claimed that the hub was to track views on various programmes and understand popular perception on schemes.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Concerns were raised that the proposed SMCH would become a tool in the hands of a private agency to help the government launch surveillance on citizens&rsquo; activities on social media platforms in violation of the right to privacy which is part of <g class="gr_ gr_11 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="11" data-gr-id="11">right</g> to life, guaranteed under <strong>Article 21 of the constitution</strong>. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The project envisages employment of media persons on contractual basis in each district to be the &ldquo;eyes and ears&rdquo; of the government and provide real-time updates from the ground which in turn can be misused by the government. This will be in contravention of <strong>Article 19 (1)(a)</strong> which guarantees freedom of speech and expression.</span></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-is-not-a-surveillance-state-sc'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'High-Energy Neutrinos Detected',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, researchers have located a deep-space source for omnipresent subatomic particles called high-energy neutrinos. These observations have made at the <strong>Ice Cube Neutrino Observatory</strong> at a U.S. scientific research station at the <strong>South Pole in Antarctica.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Detection of neutrinos will provide the scientists a new way to expand the understanding of the Universe.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>High-energy neutrinos are produced by the same sources as cosmic rays, the highest-energy particles.</li>
<li>Cosmic rays cannot be traced straight back to their source because strong magnetic fields in space alter their trajectory.</li>
<li>Neutrinos are electrically neutral, undisturbed by even the strongest magnetic field, and rarely interact with matter. The direction from which they arrive points directly back to their original source.</li>
<li>Neutrinos are produced during natural radioactive decays and all sorts of nuclear reactions in nuclear power reactors, particle accelerators or nuclear bombs.</li>
<li>However, the most common sources of neutrinos are celestial phenomena i.e. the birth and death of stars, collisions, and explosions happening in space.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Application of High Energy Neutrinos</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The high-energy neutrinos in astronomy enable a more robust examination because astronomers have relied upon electromagnetic observations (studying light) but this approach has limitations because too many aspects of the universe are indecipherable using light alone.</li>
<li>Neutrinos are nature&rsquo;s ideal astronomical messenger because it can essentially escape their site of production and bring that information directly across the cosmos to their point of detection.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note: </strong>The India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is located at the Bodi West Hills region in Theni District of Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;</p>
</div>',
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	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Ministry of Mines Organizes 4th National Conclave on Mines & Minerals',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Ministry of Mines organized the 4th National Conclave on Mines &amp; Minerals &ndash;attended by state Mining ministers, officials of central ministries as well as industry and academic experts. &nbsp;</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The conclave, first of its kind, will go a long way in strengthening the efforts of the Ministry in enabling the mining sector to contribute its fullest to foster the rapid growth of national economy and employment generation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Mining Sector in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="78" data-gr-id="78">Mining</g> sector is one of the core sectors of <g class="gr_ gr_79 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="79" data-gr-id="79">economy</g> - providing basic raw materials to many important industries.</li>
<li>Mining sector (including fuel, atomic, major and minor minerals) contributed about 2.4% of GDP in 2014-15 as per the data released by Central Statistical Organization.</li>
<li>Exploration activities in India are mostly carried out by Geological Survey of India (GSI), Mining Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL), various State Directorates of Geological Mining (DGMs), public sector undertakings (PSU) and private sector entities both domestic and subsidiaries of many global companies.</li>
<li>The Mines &amp; Minerals (Development &amp; Regulation) Act, which governs the mineral sector, has been amended recently for bringing in greater transparency.</li>
<li>Further, India has a liberalized FDI up to 100% in mining under <g class="gr_ gr_61 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="61" data-gr-id="61">automatic</g> route.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Recent Amendments to Mines &amp; Minerals (Development &amp; Regulation) Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mineral Concessions Grant Through Auctions to bring transparency and remove discretion.</li>
<li>DMF: District Mineral Foundation (DMF) to address the <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="57" data-gr-id="57">long time</g> grievance of the people affected by mining and in turn improve the image of the mining sector.</li>
<li>NMET: National Mineral Exploration Trust (<g class="gr_ gr_58 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="58" data-gr-id="58">NMET</g>) for incentivizing regional and detailed exploration to fill the gaps in exploration in the country.</li>
<li>Mining Leases for 50 years and even the existing leases deemed extended eliminating any renewals for <g class="gr_ gr_62 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="62" data-gr-id="62">security</g> of tenure.</li>
<li>To promote <g class="gr_ gr_65 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="65" data-gr-id="65">conducive</g> environment for trade, stronger penal provisions for checking illegal mining with higher penalties up to USD 7692.30 per hectare of the area and jail term up to 5 years.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Mineral Exploration Policy, 2016</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>About 100 blocks have been identified by GSI for auctioning on revenue sharing mechanism for regional exploration to encourage private participation in exploration.</li>
<li>If the explorer agencies do not discover any auctionable resources, their exploration expenditure will be reimbursed on <g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="63" data-gr-id="63">normative</g> cost basis.</li>
<li>The mechanism is being formulated in consultation with the stakeholders.</li>
<li>Creation of baseline geoscientific data as a public good for open dissemination free of charge.</li>
<li>A National Geoscientific Data Repository is proposed to be set up to collate all baseline and mineral exploration information generated by various central &amp; state government agencies and also mineral concession holders and to maintain these on <g class="gr_ gr_60 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="60" data-gr-id="60">geospatial</g> database.</li>
<li>Provisions for inviting private investment in exploration through attractive revenue sharing models.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Challenges Affecting Growth of Indian Mining Sector &nbsp;</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s mining sector contribution to GDP is low compared to major mining countries such as China, the United States, Australia, Brazil <g class="gr_ gr_73 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="73" data-gr-id="73">and</g> Chile.</li>
<li>Further, in recent years India&rsquo;s mining sector has grown at a much slower rate as compared to other mining economies.</li>
<li>Some of the Reasons for this are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">India lags in baseline geophysical and geochemical data generation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Public and private mining companies face delays to the tune of several years to start mining on the identified land due to challenges in land acquisition and executing resettlement and rehabilitation. &nbsp;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Long clearance time for different licenses and limitations like captive use also hamper mining output.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><g class="gr_ gr_56 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="56" data-gr-id="56">Deep seated</g> resources (e.g., coal) or minerals located in eco-sensitive areas have not been considered for mining due to <g class="gr_ gr_67 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="67" data-gr-id="67">lack</g> advanced and eco-sensitive technology. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Often different interpretation of laws by states and central government, and inadequate communication results in confusion.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ministry-of-mines-organizes-4th-national-conclave-on-mines-&-minerals'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Scientists Perform First Color X-ray on a Human',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scientists from New Zealand performed the first ever 3D color&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">X-Ray on a human being using a technique that could improve the field of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">medical diagnostics.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span>The new device, named Medipix, is based on the traditional black-and-white&nbsp;</span><span>X-Ray but has incorporated a particle-tracking technology developed by </span><span>the European Organization for Nuclear Research (</span><span>CERN) for&nbsp;</span><span>its Large Hadron Collider.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Comparison with Other Techniques</span></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">X-rays suffer from the deficit that they can sharply <g class="gr_ gr_39 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="39" data-gr-id="39">visualise</g>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">only hard tissues. The shadows of soft tissues are less precise. Blood vessels&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and other conduits are imaged with invasive dyes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a slightly different&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">picture, based on the difference in water and fat content in tissues.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">All but MRIs use radiation and dyes and chemical markers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Medipix is superior to its predecessors - it uses algorithms&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">to model very accurate spectroscopic data in three dimensions and shows all&nbsp;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">tissues with equal clarity, in color.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Significance</span></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The color X-ray imaging technique could by providing clearer and more accurate pictures <g class="gr_ gr_37 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar replaceWithoutSep" id="37" data-gr-id="37">can</g> help doctors give their patients more accurate diagnoses.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the case of a fracture, for instance, not only would it show physical damage to a bone &mdash; which is what an X-ray depicts &mdash; but it would also reveal trauma to surrounding tissue and reveal if blood and nerve supply is compromised.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to the CERN, it will not only clearly show the difference between bone, muscle <g class="gr_ gr_31 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="31" data-gr-id="31">and</g> cartilage, but also the position and size of cancerous <g class="gr_ gr_32 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="32" data-gr-id="32">tumours</g>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also, it would depict structures exactly as they are since not all humans are built exactly the same.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the near future, when medical care will be <g class="gr_ gr_33 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="33" data-gr-id="33">customised</g> to the individual, this would make a difference to the efficacy of care.</span></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/scientists-perform-first-color-x-ray-on-a-human'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Industrial Growth Dips & Retail Inflation Rises',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">India&rsquo;s industrial growth slowed to a seven-month low in May while consumer inflation breached the central bank&rsquo;s forecast for the first half of the fiscal year, marking twin setbacks for an economy.</span></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both the slowdown in industrial output growth and jump in price pressure add to the worries of policymakers who are already concerned about sticky global oil prices.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Retail inflation, based on Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose to 5 percent in June, a five-month high, despite easing food prices. </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Consumer Price Index (CPI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">CPI (Rural/Urban/Combined) is compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">CPI for Industrial Workers (IW) and CPI for Agricultural Labourers (AL) / Rural Labourers (RL) are compiled and released by the Labour Bureau in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is based on the retail prices of products and measures inflation from the consumer side. RBI uses CPI (combined) to monitor inflation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It covers only the consumer goods and consumer services.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Base Year: 2012</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) slipped to 3.2% in May 2018 mainly due to sluggish performance of manufacturing and power sectors coupled with poor off-take of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG).</span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Index of Industrial Production (IIP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">IIP is an index which details out the growth of various sectors.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">All India IIP is a composite indicator that measures the short-term changes in the volume of production of a basket of industrial products during a given period with respect to that in a chosen base period.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is compiled and published monthly by the Central Statistical Organization (CSO) six weeks after the reference month ends.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Base Year: 2011-12</span></li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/industrial-growth-dips-&-retail-inflation-rises'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'RBI Flags States’ Fiscal Stress',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>RBI, in its annual report titled &ldquo;State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2017-18 and 2018-19&rdquo;, warned that many States may face <g class="gr_ gr_59 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="59" data-gr-id="59">fiscal</g> risks due to farm-loan waivers, Pay Commission awards and elections.</p>
<h3>Highlights of the Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>States&rsquo; consolidated gross fiscal deficit (GFD) overshot the budget estimates in 2017-18 due to shortfalls in own tax revenues and higher revenue expenditure and therefore states revised their gross fiscal deficit (GFD) to <g class="gr_ gr_87 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="87" data-gr-id="87">gross</g> domestic product (GDP).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The GFD-GDP ratio crossed the revised Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) target for the state-level debt to GDP threshold for <g class="gr_ gr_94 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="94" data-gr-id="94">third</g> consecutive year. There is a risk that private investment gets crowded out of the finite pool of financial resources.</li>
<li>Capital expenditure may have to bear the brunt of the fiscal correction <g class="gr_ gr_81 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="81" data-gr-id="81">like</g> the past two years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The FRBM Act was enacted by the Parliament in 2003 to institutionalize fiscal discipline, reduce fiscal deficit, and improve macroeconomic management.</li>
<li>The government was supposed to wipe out revenue deficit and cut fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP by 2008-09, thus bringing much needed fiscal discipline.</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_88 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="88" data-gr-id="88">Fiscal</g> deficit is the total expenditure excluding revenue receipts, loan recoveries <g class="gr_ gr_90 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="90" data-gr-id="90">and</g> receipts from disinvestment etc. It is a measure of the government borrowing in a year.</li>
<li>The Act applies only to the central government and the States have to enact suitable <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="57" data-gr-id="57">legislations</g> to adopt the rules under the FRBM Act.</li>
<li>The implementation of the Act was put on hold in 2007-08 due to <g class="gr_ gr_68 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="68" data-gr-id="68">global</g> financial crisis and the need for fiscal stimulus.</li>
<li>In 2012, the FRBM Act was amended and it was decided that the FRBM Act would target effective revenue deficit in place of revenue deficit.</li>
<li>Effective revenue deficit excludes capital expenditure from revenue deficit and thus provides space to the government to spend on <g class="gr_ gr_72 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="72" data-gr-id="72">formation</g> of capital assets.</li>
<li>In 2017, The FRBM Review Committee headed by former Revenue Secretary, NK Singh submitted its report to the Central Government. Few important recommendations being- A debt to GDP ratio of 60% should be targeted with a 40% limit for the centre and 20% limit for the states; creation of an autonomous Fiscal Council; an &ldquo;escape clause&rdquo;, i.e. the government can deviate from the targets in case of a national calamity, national security.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Referring to the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, when States borrowed big from markets, mainly due to the additional fiscal space <g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="63" data-gr-id="63">given</g> to them as part of stimulus measures, the RBI said several 10-year vanilla bonds had reached maturity from 2017-18, increasing redemption pressures on the States that issued them.</li>
<li>This would imply that the borrowings of States are expected to soar.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Vanilla Bonds</strong>: They are the most basic or standard version of bonds. It is the opposite of an exotic instrument, which alters the components of a traditional financial instrument, and is more complex.</p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The issuance of UDAY (Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana) bonds in 2015-16 and 2016-17, farm-loan waivers and the implementation of Pay Commission awards which were not fully provisioned for in their respective budgets led to a higher debt-GDP ratio at 24 <g class="gr_ gr_60 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="60" data-gr-id="60">per cent</g> in 2017-18, which is expected to rise to 24.3 <g class="gr_ gr_61 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="61" data-gr-id="61">per cent</g> in 2018-19.</li>
<li>Farm loan waivers create a more <g class="gr_ gr_56 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="56" data-gr-id="56">long term</g> issue i.e. of impacting credit discipline by disincentivizing borrowers from repaying and giving rise to a problem of moral hazard. The bigger issue is that such a step actually incentives debtors, capable of repaying loans, to also default.</li>
<li>Debt relief helps in reducing household debt but there are no <g class="gr_ gr_75 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="75" data-gr-id="75">evidences</g> of <g class="gr_ gr_76 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="76" data-gr-id="76">increase</g> in investment and productivity of beneficiary households.</li>
<li>However, RBI has highlighted few positives as well as <g class="gr_ gr_91 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="91" data-gr-id="91">suggestion</g> for the future:</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2018-19, states&rsquo; revenue capacity is likely to be augmented with the stabilization of GST and the consequent expansion of tax base and efficacy.</li>
<li>With the implementation of the E-way bill for inter-state movement of goods from April 2018, states could also strive for generating more revenues by locking inefficiency in tax administration.</li>
<li>According to the RBI study, there are visible signs of fiscal pressures emerging in several states, particularly due to certain expenditure schemes.</li>
<li>These schemes could be made more productive by closing &lsquo;efficiency gaps&rsquo;, better targeting/ reducing leakages and careful planning as well as better forecasting.</li>
<li>Enhanced efficiency must be coupled with improved public financial management practices may be necessary to rebuild fiscal space.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-flags-states- fiscal-stress'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'MoEF to Launch Dust Mitigation Measures',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has lined up a slew of measures to tackle dust pollution in the capital. It will include the launch of <strong>three pilot projects</strong>:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Installation of filters on top of buses,</li>
<li>Use of dust separation chemical sprays and</li>
<li>Installing equipment that will suck in particulate matter. The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) will install these <g class="gr_ gr_48 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="48" data-gr-id="48">equipments</g>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Other measures</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Use of more mechanical sweepers.</li>
<li>The pillars of the Delhi Metro network to have the hanging garden.</li>
<li>Use of water sprinklers to settle the dust.</li>
<li>Finalizing the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), so that it can be adopted by other states as well.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a medium-term national-level strategy to tackle the increasing air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner.</li>
<li>The overall objective is to augment and evolve effective ambient air quality monitoring network across the country besides ensuring a comprehensive management plan for prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution.</li>
<li>A separate component on &lsquo;Technology Assessment Cell&rsquo; has been envisaged under NCAP to evaluate the technologies for prevention, control, and abatement of air pollution.</li>
<li>However, it does not mention any specific target and time frame.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/moef-to-launch-dust-mitigation-measures'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill, 2017 proposes a comprehensive resolution framework for specified financial sector entities and service providers to deal with bankruptcy in banks, insurance companies <g class="gr_ gr_21 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="21" data-gr-id="21">and</g> financial sector entities</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<p></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill proposes the setting up of a Resolution Corporation (RC) by the Central government.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The functions of the Resolution Corporation will be protecting the stability and resilience of the financial system, public funds, and consumers of covered obligations up to a &ldquo;reasonable limit&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The Corporation will be empowered to bail-in the company. While a bail-out is the use of public funds to inject capital into an ailing company, a bail-in involves the use of depositors&rsquo; funds to achieve those ends.</li>
<li>This has caused a lot of concern among depositors who are worried they may lose their hard-earned money deposited with banks.</li>
<li>Even the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation provide deposit insurance of up to Rs. 1 lakh. The rest is forfeited in the event of a bank failure.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recently enacted Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 to deal with the insolvency resolution issues of non-financial entities will be complemented by the FRDI.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/financial-resolution'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Coordination Between MGNREGA and Agriculture ',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The First Meeting of Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on coordination between MGNREGA and Agriculture was recently held at NITI Aayog.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The regional meetings will be finalized by NITI Aayog, in consultation with <g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep gr-progress" id="63" data-gr-id="63">Ministry</g> of Rural Development and Ministry of Agriculture and State Governments.<br />Ensuring the rights of the <g class="gr_ gr_64 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace gr-progress" id="64" data-gr-id="64">labourers</g> and maintaining the &ldquo;asset creation&rsquo;&rsquo; spirit of MGNREGA was also stressed upon at in the meeting. &nbsp;</li>
<li>Use of MGNREGA funds in supplementing <g class="gr_ gr_65 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="65" data-gr-id="65">labour</g> costs in agriculture and fencing of <g class="gr_ gr_55 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="55" data-gr-id="55">farm land</g> to protect it from wild animals was suggested at the meeting.</li>
<li>5 regional meetings/workshops would be organized one each at Patna, Bhopal, Hyderabad, Guwahati and New Delhi to discuss these issues with experts, farmers and farmer&rsquo;s representatives and other stakeholders along with State Governments.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Five Critical Areas</h3>
<h3></h3>
<p>Five critical areas in which MGNREGA could positively help include those related to-</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>reducing the cost of cultivation</li>
<li>enhancing the production through <g class="gr_ gr_79 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="79" data-gr-id="79">efficient</g> use of water or other inputs</li>
<li>providing remunerative price to farmers by <g class="gr_ gr_80 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="80" data-gr-id="80">incentivising</g> aggregation and market infrastructure</li>
<li>rehabilitation of agricultural land and assets after natural hazards or re-plantation using MGNREGA fund</li>
<li>bringing diversification in agriculture to help occupational diversification and maximizing profit.</li>
</ul>
<h3>MGNREGA and the Low Wage Issue</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Finance has refused to bring the central MGNREGA wages on par with the minimum agricultural wages paid by states. As a result, the MGNREGA wages of as many as 28 of the 36 states and Union Territories fell below minimum wages.</li>
<li>Moreover, the annual wage increase in 2018 was a low 2.9% owing to the Ministry of Finance&rsquo;s rejection of the Ministry of Rural Development (<g class="gr_ gr_56 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="56" data-gr-id="56">MoRD</g>) recommendation to index the annual MGNREGA wage revision to Consumer Price Index (Rural) instead of CPI (Agricultural Labourers).</li>
<li>The CPI (Rural) reflects the current consumption pattern of rural households, whereas the CPI for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL), is based on a 35-year-old consumption basket.</li>
<li>The MoRD raised the issue of wage indexation in the recent meeting.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The possibility of using MGNREGA to employ agricultural <g class="gr_ gr_74 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="74" data-gr-id="74">labour</g> on private farms has been another area of concern. It has the possibility to benefit employers more than workers.</li>
<li>The proposal of using MGNREGA fund to solve the agrarian crisis might amount to a cash transfer to farmers, which can distort the purpose of the <g class="gr_ gr_60 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="60" data-gr-id="60">labour-oriented</g> scheme.</li>
<li>Several farmers&rsquo; groups have expressed that the proposal may be difficult to implement. It would be difficult to measure or monitor the work done and could also reintroduce feudalism in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sub-Group has been constituted by the PM for suggesting ways and means about <g class="gr_ gr_70 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="70" data-gr-id="70">use</g> of employment under MGNREGS for improving agriculture and reducing cost.</li>
<li>The Sub Group consists of Chief Ministers of 7 States viz. &nbsp;Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Sikkim and Member, NITI Aayog with the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh as the convener of the Sub-Group.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members (at least 18 years of age) volunteer to do unskilled work.</li>
<li>The central government bears the full cost of unskilled <g class="gr_ gr_59 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="59" data-gr-id="59">labour</g>, and 75% of the cost of material (the rest is borne by the states).</li>
<li>It is a demand-driven, social security and <g class="gr_ gr_69 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="69" data-gr-id="69">labour</g> law that aims to enforce the &lsquo;right to work&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Government of India in association with state governments, monitors the implementation of the scheme.</li>
<li>Agriculture and allied activities constitute more than 65% of the works taken up under the programme.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sub-group-of-chief-ministers-on-coordination-between-mgnrega-and-agriculture '
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Trade Policy Review at WTO',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>At the recent trade policy review at the WTO, India has cautioned China that its $63 billion trade deficit with the country was unsustainable and promises had to be converted into actions.</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China needed to make serious efforts to lower trade barriers for rice, meat, pharmaceuticals and IT products from India to make a difference to the trade imbalance.</li>
<li>Farm exports, including bovine meat, continued to face hindrances in the form of stringent and opaque Chinese regulatory requirements.</li>
<li>Despite <g class="gr_ gr_52 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar replaceWithoutSep" id="52" data-gr-id="52">of</g> several protocols being signed between India and China, the hindrances remain on <g class="gr_ gr_51 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="51" data-gr-id="51">import</g> of farm products, especially bovine meat.</li>
<li>Due to complex and onerous regulatory requirements, Indian generic medicine producers were unable to access the Chinese market.</li>
<li>In the service sector, the challenges for Indian companies include complex requirements for participating in contracts of State Owned Enterprise (SOEs) and also include issues related to qualification requirements, licensing and taxation etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>US-China Trade War: A Silver lining for India?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Given its trade tensions between the US, China plans to import more from India, along with other countries, to counterbalance the imports of high tariff products from <g class="gr_ gr_60 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="60" data-gr-id="60">USA</g>.</li>
<li>This is evident from the fact that China has imposed a 25% duty on US soybean. However, China has removed all tariffs on soybean imported from five APTA (Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement) countries: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea and Laos. All of them, barring India, are insignificant suppliers.</li>
<li>In addition, India dominates the world&rsquo;s generic drugs market, exporting $17.3 billion of drugs in, including to the U.S. and the EU. But only 1% of that went to China. With the protracted <g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="63" data-gr-id="63">trade-war</g> China is preparing to give swift regulatory approvals to India-manufactured drugs.</li>
<li>This would allow Indian companies to boost revenue at a time when pricing scrutiny and regulatory troubles have hurt U.S. sales.</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_50 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="50" data-gr-id="50">Also</g> Indian firms are looking to fill gaps in Chinese demand for software, sugar and some varieties of rice.</li>
<li>US exports to China currently under threat <g class="gr_ gr_49 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="49" data-gr-id="49">makeup</g> for nearly a fifth of total US exports. With that huge a market at risk, US sellers will now offer attractive selling prices to Indian businesses.</li>
<li>However, the lack of manufacturing capability in technology items could deprive India <g class="gr_ gr_58 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="58" data-gr-id="58">from</g> taking advantage of the trade war. &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Trade Policy Review Mechanism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was an early result of the Uruguay Round.</li>
<li>The reviews take place in the Trade Policy Review Body which is actually the WTO General Council &mdash; comprising the WTO&rsquo;s full membership &mdash; operating under special rules and procedures.</li>
<li>The trade policy review allows members to put the overall trade and economic policies of a country under the scanner. The trade policies of developing countries are taken up for review every four years while developed ones face similar scrutiny every two years.</li>
<li>The mandate of the TPRM was broadened to cover services trade and intellectual property.</li>
<li>The objectives of the TPRM include facilitating the smooth functioning of the multilateral trading system by enhancing the transparency of Members&rsquo; trade policies.</li>
<li>All WTO Members are subject to review under the TPRM.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/trade-policy-review-at-wto'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Model Villages under Border Area Development Programme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Issues related to the implementation of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) were discussed by the Union Home Minister in his interaction with Field and State Level Officers.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The border population is the strategic asset to the country and important element to maintain border security.</li>
<li>Social and economic infrastructure like connectivity, safe drinking water, schools, hospitals and other facilities to ensure sustainable living in these areas must be improved.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Model Villages</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For the comprehensive and all-round development of border villages, the government has decided to develop 61 model villages under the Border Area Development Programme.</li>
<li>Each model village will provide all basic facilities like primary health center, primary education, community center, connectivity, drainage, drinking water, etc. to enable sustainable living in border areas.</li>
<li>BADP Online Management System for better planning, monitoring, and implementation of various projects under BADP was launched on the occasion.</li>
<li>Border States can submit their respective Annual Action Plans online and receive approvals from Ministry of Home Affairs in the electronic mode which will bring in transparency in the sanction process and improve quality of planning and implementation.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg"><strong>Border Area Development Programme</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The BADP was <strong>launched in the year 1986-87</strong> for balanced development of border areas of States bordering Pakistan, namely, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan and subsequently it was extended to all the land borders.</li>
<li>It is <strong>a centrally sponsored scheme.</strong> Funds are provided to the states <strong>as a non-lapsable special central assistance</strong> for the execution of projects relating to infrastructure, livelihood, education, health, agriculture and allied sector.</li>
<li>BADP now <strong>covers 111 border districts in 17 States</strong> (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat) to meet special development needs of border population with focus on <strong>people living within 50 kilometers of the International Border.</strong></li>
<li>The main objective of the BADP is to meet the special developmental needs and well being of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border and to saturate the border areas with the entire essential infrastructure through the convergence of Central, State, BADP and local schemes by following a participatory approach.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/model-villages-under-border-area-development-programme'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (July 13, 2018)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3><g class="gr_ gr_33 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="33" data-gr-id="33">Bengei</g> Nacha</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">In the State of Odisha, &lsquo;Bengei Nacha&rsquo; or &lsquo;frog dance&rsquo; is a traditionally performed ritual to appease the rain gods.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">As per belief, the croaking sounds made by frogs during the ritual would alert rain god &lsquo;Indra Devata&rsquo; to the lack of precipitation in a village.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Amid much fanfare, villagers catch a frog and put it inside a pitcher partly filled with water which is carried by two people at the head of a procession.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Monsoon rains are vital for Indian agriculture, which is a major source of employment in the country.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Rituals devoted to rain gods vary from State to State depending upon local customs and traditions.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Scientists Perform First Color X-ray on a Human</h3>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Scientists from New Zealand performed the first ever 3D color X-Ray on a human being using a technique that could improve the field of medical diagnostics.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The new device, named Medipix, is based on the traditional black-and-white X-Ray but has incorporated a particle-tracking technology developed by CERN for its Large Hadron Collider.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The color X-ray imaging technique could produce clearer and more accurate pictures and help doctors give their patients more accurate diagnoses.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Buddha of Swat</h3>
<p><img class="content-img" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/162Buddha of Swat 1.jpg" width="454" height="256" caption="false" style="float: right;" data-pagespeed-url-hash="1227474212" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" /></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Buddha seated in a meditative posture is an iconic 7th-century sculpture and is considered one of the largest rock sculptures in South Asia.</li>
<li>The Buddha sits in Jehanabad, the epicenter of Swat's Buddhist heritage, a beautiful valley in the foothills of the Himalayas.</li>
<li>The holy figure, depicted in a lotus position at the base of a granite cliff in northern Pakistan, was severely damaged by Islamists insurgents.</li>
<li>Swat was for centuries a pilgrimage site for the Buddhist faithful, especially from the Himalayas.</li>
<li>The Vajrayana school even consider it a "holy land", from where their faith originated.</li>
<li>They continued to visit right up until the 20th century when borders hardened with the independence of British India and creation of Pakistan in 1947.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-july-13-2018'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'India to Sign MoU on Easing Visa Curbs',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">India will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on &ldquo;revised travel arrangements&rdquo; with Bangladesh to ease visa restrictions for citizens from the neighboring country.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Background</h3>
<ul style="text-align: justify; list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2014, India had decided to relax visa restrictions for Bangladeshis above the age of 65 and below the age of 13. They were allowed five-year multiple entry visas.</li>
<li>Last year India announced a five-year multiple entry visa to the 1971 war veterans from Bangladesh.</li>
<li>However, Bangladesh has demanded that travel restrictions for senior citizens be eased and further concessions are given to <strong>Muktijoddhas</strong> &mdash; those who participated in the 1971 Liberation War.</li>
<li>Citizens from 161 countries can travel to India on e-tourist visas procured online. However, this facility is not extended to Bangladesh.</li>
<li>India has on several occasions raised the issue of the influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg" style="text-align: justify;">
<p><strong>E-Tourist Visa</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The E-Tourist Visa enables the prospective visitor to apply for an Indian Visa from his/her home country online without visiting the Indian Mission and also pay the visa fee online. The categories include E-Tourist, &nbsp;E-Business, and E-Medical.</li>
<li>The E-visa facility is now available for nationals of 161 countries for entry through 24 airports as well as 3 seaports (Cochin, Goa <g class="gr_ gr_28 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="28" data-gr-id="28">and</g> Mangalore).</li>
<li>The new visa regime is meant to make India a more favorable tourism destination.</li>
<li>It will facilitate the Make in India programme that requires multiple business visits by foreign investors.</li>
<li>The scheme is also in sync with the vision of Digital India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-to-sign-mou-on-easing-visa-curbs'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'NITI Aayog Annual Report 2017-18',
		'catname' => 'Summary of Important Reports',
		'desc' => '<p>This <strong>&lsquo;Think-Tank&rsquo;</strong> of <g class="gr_ gr_515 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="515" data-gr-id="515">government</g> of India was founded on<strong> 1<sup>st</sup> <g class="gr_ gr_514 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="514" data-gr-id="514">january</g> 2015</strong>. This institution designs strategic and <g class="gr_ gr_516 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="516" data-gr-id="516">long term</g> policy and programme frameworks and initiatives and monitors their progress and efficacy regularly.</p>
<p><strong><g class="gr_ gr_520 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="520" data-gr-id="520">It&rsquo;s</g> activities are divided into&ndash;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Team India hub:</strong> Carries out <g class="gr_ gr_519 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="519" data-gr-id="519">mandate</g> of fostering Cooperative federalism and Designing policy and frameworks.</li>
<li><strong>Knowledge and innovation hub:</strong> Ensures fulfilling the mandate of maintaining a state of art resource <g class="gr_ gr_518 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="518" data-gr-id="518">centre</g>.</li>
</ul>
<p>Team India Hub consists of <strong>6 Verticals</strong> and Knowledge and Innovation Hub consists of <strong>10 Verticals</strong>. Some of these verticals are Administration, HRD, Industry, Rural Development, Science and Technology, <g class="gr_ gr_509 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="509" data-gr-id="509">Governnance</g> and Research etc.</p>
<p><strong>Offices attached to the NITI Aayog:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office.</li>
<li>National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Policy Making and Programme</h3>
<p><strong>1. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)</strong></p>
<p>It is an umbrella innovation organization set up by the NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Atal tinkering labs:</strong> To promote creative and innovative mindset in school children.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Implemented in schools across all 700 plus districts across the country.</li>
<li>Miniature electronics do it yourself kits are installed so that students from grade 6 to grade 12 can tinker with technology.</li>
<li>Vision: Every school <g class="gr_ gr_501 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="501" data-gr-id="501">have</g> access to at least one or more <g class="gr_ gr_500 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="500" data-gr-id="500">atal</g> tinkering labs in each district of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atal incubators:</strong> To promote entrepreneurship in Universities and industries, NGOs, corporate industry level.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>AIM is providing a grant of <g class="gr_ gr_499 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="499" data-gr-id="499">upto</g> 10 crores to successful applicants for setting up <g class="gr_ gr_497 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="497" data-gr-id="497">Green field</g> incubators or scaling up existing ones.</li>
<li>To <g class="gr_ gr_494 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="494" data-gr-id="494">date</g> 19 Atal incubators have been selected.</li>
<li>Women led incubators and entrepreneurial startups are strongly encouraged.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Atal Vikas Challenges and Atal Grand Challenges:</strong> To promote point tech innovations and product creations for social and commercial impact.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To promote specific product innovation with social, economic impact.</li>
<li>AIM is also partnering with corporate and other institutions to launch challenges such as AIM-YES Bank Transformation Series 2017 Smart Agri Nation Challenge had 27000 students from B-schools of India participating in it with <g class="gr_ gr_506 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="506" data-gr-id="506">high quality</g> presentations on the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Reform in Homeopathy and Medicine law</strong></p>
<p>Draft National Commission for Homeopathy (NCH) Bill, 2017 and National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2017 have been tabled in the parliament.</p>
<p><strong>3. Joint Committee meeting on Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (<g class="gr_ gr_505 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="505" data-gr-id="505">MAHSR</g>) Corridor Project</strong></p>
<p><strong>4. Holistic development of islands </strong></p>
<p>NITI Aayog has shortlisted 10 islands for holistic development.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Package 1:</strong> Smith, Ross, Long <g class="gr_ gr_493 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="493" data-gr-id="493">and</g> Aves of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</li>
<li><strong>Package 2:</strong> Little Andaman of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</li>
<li><strong>Package 3:</strong> Minicoy, Bangaram, Tinnakara, Cheriyam and Suheli islands of Lakshadweep.</li>
<li><strong>Island development agency:</strong> Under the chairmanship of the Home Minister. NITI Aayog is in process of the identification of 15 more islands in Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep for development.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Competitive Cooperative Federalism</h3>
<p>This involves&ndash;</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Joint development of National Development Agenda by the Centre and States.</li>
<li>Advocacy of State perspectives with Central Ministries.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>1. Development Support Service for states/UTs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has implemented a structured initiative for <strong>&ldquo;Development Support ServiceS for States&rdquo;</strong> (D3S).</li>
<li><strong>Vision:</strong> To achieve transformational, sustained delivery of infrastructure projects with state of art capacity disseminated at all levels of the governance.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Establish <g class="gr_ gr_490 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="490" data-gr-id="490">Centre-State</g> partnership model for cooperation</li>
<li>Demonstrates successful implementation of high impact projects</li>
<li>Establish PPPs as governance tools supporting larger development agenda</li>
<li>Address key structural issues related to infrastructure projects</li>
<li>Build institutional and organizational capacities of states and state level institutions for infrastructure projects</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Reforms in agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Model Act on agricultural land </strong>leasing: A national workshop on Agricultural land leasing reforms was held.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><g class="gr_ gr_483 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="483" data-gr-id="483">Government</g> of Uttar <g class="gr_ gr_478 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="478" data-gr-id="478">pradesh</g> and Uttarakhand have modified their tenancy laws to promote land leasing.</li>
<li><strong>Madhya Pradesh</strong> assembly has passed a bill <strong>Bhumiswami</strong> <strong>Evam Bataidar <g class="gr_ gr_479 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="479" data-gr-id="479">ke</g> Hito <g class="gr_ gr_480 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling" id="480" data-gr-id="480">mein</g> Sanrakshan Vidheyak</strong>.</li>
<li>Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have also initiated <g class="gr_ gr_484 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="484" data-gr-id="484">process</g> to modify or enact their own land leasing Acts based on NITI Aayog&rsquo;s model.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reforms of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Three critical areas were discussed for reforms:
<ol>
<li>Agricultural market reforms.</li>
<li>Felling and transit laws for tree produce grown <g class="gr_ gr_476 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="476" data-gr-id="476">at</g> private land.</li>
<li>Agricultural land leasing.</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has developed first ever <strong>"Agricultural marketing and <g class="gr_ gr_466 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="466" data-gr-id="466">farmer friendly</g> reforms index"</strong> to sensitize states about the need to undertake reforms in agriculture market reforms, land lease reforms and forestry on private land.</li>
<li><strong>Maharashtra</strong> ranks highest in <g class="gr_ gr_471 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="471" data-gr-id="471">implementation</g> of various agricultural reforms, followed by <strong>Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>"Doubling Farmers&rsquo; Income &ndash;&nbsp;</strong>Rationale, Strategy, Prospects and Action Plan" has <g class="gr_ gr_495 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="495" data-gr-id="495">three pronged</g> <g class="gr_ gr_503 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="503" data-gr-id="503">strategy</g> focusing on (i) development initiatives, (ii) technology and (iii) policy reforms in agriculture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Reforms in healthcare, education and water sector</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has initiated <g class="gr_ gr_507 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="507" data-gr-id="507">web</g> portal for social indicators by establishing an outcome monitoring framework.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Champions of change</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With Young CEOs &amp; Entrepreneurs on 2017 titled Champions of Change &ndash; Transforming India through G2B partnership was organized.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5. Dashboard</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has developed the Dashboard, a Progress Tracker for Union Territories of India (<g class="gr_ gr_498 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="498" data-gr-id="498">UTs</g>) to monitor and track the monthly progress of various developmental schemes/ projects/ initiatives of the government.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. Capacity building of urban local bodies </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Three frameworks developed by <g class="gr_ gr_502 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="502" data-gr-id="502">participantss</g> of the first phase of capacity building programme:
<ol>
<li>Integrated Data Management Framework</li>
<li>Strategic Framework for Water Recycling</li>
<li>Strategic Framework for Solid Waste Management and PPP</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Think Tank Functions</h3>
<p><strong>1. Vision Document for India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a fifteen-year plan for India. A three-year action Agenda for the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20 has been prepared as its first part.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Appraisal Document</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Appraisal Document of the 12th Five Year Plan has been <g class="gr_ gr_513 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="513" data-gr-id="513">finalised</g> and circulated in the meeting of Governing Council of NITI Aayog held under the Chairmanship of Hon&rsquo;ble Prime Minister.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Doubling of Farmers&rsquo; Income</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first ever policy document on &ldquo;Doubling Farmers&rsquo; Income &ndash;Rationale, Strategy, Prospects and Action Plan&rdquo; was prepared.</li>
<li>It has <g class="gr_ gr_465 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="465" data-gr-id="465">three pronged</g> <g class="gr_ gr_473 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" id="473" data-gr-id="473">strategy</g> focusing on (i) development initiatives, (ii) technology and (iii) policy reforms in agriculture.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Monitoring of Outcome Budget 2017-18</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DMEO has developed a web-based interactive dashboard for Monitoring of Outcome Budget.</li>
<li>Qualitative improvement in the Output-Outcome Framework by reviewing and identifying relevant outputs and outcomes, and quantifiable and measurable indicators to monitor them.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5. Global entrepreneurship summit -2017</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India and US</strong> co-hosted this summit in <strong>Hyderabad</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Theme:</strong> Women first, prosperity for all.</li>
<li>The summit focused on four key industry sectors: Energy and Infrastructure, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Financial Technology and Digital Economy, and Media and Entertainment.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. <g class="gr_ gr_457 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="457" data-gr-id="457">Launch</g> of <g class="gr_ gr_459 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="459" data-gr-id="459">programme</g> to transform identified aspirational districts</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>115 districts in 28 States</strong> have been identified on the basis of a transparent process by using a composite index.</li>
<li>States are the main drivers of this programme with the help of Prabhari Officers.</li>
<li>Aims to make development a mass movement in these districts.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>7. Interaction with economists and experts</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Interactive session with over 40 renowned economists on the theme <strong>"Economic Policy and the Road Ahead" was held</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sectoral Objective and Achievements</h3>
<p><strong>1. Agriculture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Demand and supply projects on crop, horticulture <g class="gr_ gr_449 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="449" data-gr-id="449">and</g> livestock:</strong> This report provides information regarding <g class="gr_ gr_446 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="446" data-gr-id="446">performance</g> of Indian agriculture and growth trends.</li>
<li><strong>Price support to <g class="gr_ gr_467 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="467" data-gr-id="467">farmer</g>:</strong> Model Agricultural Land Leasing act, 2016; Agricultural Marketing Reforms Index and <strong>Policy Paper on doubling farmers income-</strong> Rationale, Strategy, Prospects And Action Plan.</li>
<li><strong>Development agenda for India @ 75:</strong> Development agenda for agriculture in new India focuses on seven goals in agriculture namely growth; stability; efficiency; food and nutrition security; food safety; sustainability; and farmers income.</li>
<li><strong>Roadmap for Bamboo development:</strong> Action plan being prepared in consultation with <g class="gr_ gr_444 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="444" data-gr-id="444">Department</g> of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Environment Forest, Department of Land Resources, Science and Technology and Ministry of Social Welfare.</li>
<li><strong>Price deficiency payments:</strong> Government of Madhya Pradesh is implementing a pilot project on deficiency price payments <strong>(Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana)</strong> in 8 crops viz soybean, groundnut, sesame, niger, maize, urad, moong <g class="gr_ gr_438 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="438" data-gr-id="438">and</g> <g class="gr_ gr_440 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="440" data-gr-id="440">tur .</g></li>
<li><strong>Production of timber sources</strong> from non-forest lands would meet <g class="gr_ gr_453 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="453" data-gr-id="453">vision</g> for doubling farmers&rsquo; income, job creation, reducing heavy dependence on imports and contributing to carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide through additional tree cover for meeting India&rsquo;s international climate change commitments.</li>
<li><strong>Drought assessment and relief:</strong> Agriculture Vertical has been actively engaged in Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) constituted by Ministry of to assess the damage caused due to drought, hailstorms, cold waves, etc to crops and livestock.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2. Health</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As a nation, we have shown significant declines in infant mortality, maternal mortality and total fertility rates, however, the inter-state variation in achievements remain a matter of concern.</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_468 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="468" data-gr-id="468">3 year</g> action agenda:</strong> It was developed as the<strong> first part of the larger 15 year Vision</strong> of India. Priority Actions outlined <g class="gr_ gr_463 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="463" data-gr-id="463">are:</g> Public and preventive health, Assurance of health care, Fiscal transfers for better health outcomes, <g class="gr_ gr_456 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="456" data-gr-id="456">Human</g> resource for health, Access to medicines, Health research.</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_441 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="441" data-gr-id="441">Committee</g> finalized the draft <strong>National Medical Commission Bill</strong> for replacing the Medical Council of India with the proposed National Medical Commission. The bill has been approved by the Union Cabinet.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has spearheaded the <strong>Health index initiative,</strong> to measure the annual performance of States and UTs, and rank States on the basis of change, while also providing an overall status of States&rsquo; performance. Indicators: outcomes, governance &amp; information and key inputs/processes.</li>
<li><strong>Sustainable action for transforming human capital (SATH):</strong> NITI Aayog has launched the Development of Support Services for States (DSSS) rechristened as SATH Programme for transforming the health sector, to foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives with States. The <strong>three states</strong> which have been selected under the programme are <strong>Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka <g class="gr_ gr_426 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="426" data-gr-id="426">and</g> Assam</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog was mandated to create the framework for tracking the performance of district hospitals and <strong>Indian Statistical Institute</strong> has been selected to develop portal.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog is carrying out <strong><g class="gr_ gr_420 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="420" data-gr-id="420">evaluation</g></strong> of existing <strong>NIPERs</strong>. (NIPERs are institutes set up under the aegis of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.)</li>
<li>It is also working on implementing <strong>Electronic health record</strong> across India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Women and child development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog has been assigned for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Maternity Benefit Programme. Accordingly, first<strong> Quarterly Report</strong> and <strong>Dashboard</strong> have been prepared with inputs received from MWCD and State and shared with PMO.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog undertook <strong>field visits</strong> to four States &ndash; <strong>Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat</strong> to document the State&rsquo;s initiatives on <g class="gr_ gr_425 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="425" data-gr-id="425">Take</g> Home Ration (THR) and managing Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) children.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>4. Governance and research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Networking with other think tanks:</strong> NITI has launched a major initiative viz. <strong><g class="gr_ gr_423 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="423" data-gr-id="423">SAMAVESH</g></strong> aimed at networking and partnership with knowledge and research institutions using a hub and spoke model, which was followed by a focused meeting on <strong>IMPRINT (Impacting Research, Innovation <g class="gr_ gr_431 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="431" data-gr-id="431">and</g> Technology)</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog conducted an evaluation study of DBT in Fertilizers through M/s <g class="gr_ gr_419 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="419" data-gr-id="419">Microsave</g>, which has shown encouraging results and remarkable success in implementation.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog undertook <g class="gr_ gr_418 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="418" data-gr-id="418">in-depth</g> review of autonomous bodies of Union Government.</li>
<li>It also set up <strong>Ratan Watal committee</strong> to find the ways and means to<strong> transform India&rsquo;s gold market</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5. Human resource development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Human Resources Development (HRD) Division, restructured as HRD Vertical in the Team India Hub of NITI Aayog, is dealing with issues related to School Education &amp; Higher Education.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 40.5405%;">
<p><strong>School Education and Literacy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sarva <g class="gr_ gr_427 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="427" data-gr-id="427">shiksha</g> Abhiyan (SSA)</li>
<li>Mid-Day Meal in Schools (MDMS)</li>
<li>Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)</li>
<li>Vocationalisation of <g class="gr_ gr_429 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="429" data-gr-id="429">secondary</g> Education</li>
<li>Teacher Education</li>
<li>[email protected]</li>
<li>Saakshar Bharat Programme</li>
<li>National Bal Bhavan, KVs, NVs, NIOS, NCERT etc.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 57.5883%;">
<p><strong>Higher and Technical Education</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)</li>
<li>Technical Education Quality Improvement <g class="gr_ gr_432 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="432" data-gr-id="432">ProgramMe</g> (TEQIP)</li>
<li>Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT)</li>
<li>Scholarships</li>
<li>National Mission on Education through ICT (NMEICT)</li>
<li>Book promotion</li>
<li>Language Development</li>
<li>Technical Education&nbsp; Including IITs, NITs<g class="gr_ gr_439 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="439" data-gr-id="439">,<g class="gr_ gr_428 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="428" data-gr-id="428">IIMs</g></g>, IISERs, NTTRs, IIs etc.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under <g class="gr_ gr_412 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="412" data-gr-id="412">NITI</g> Internship Programme, interns from various leading institutions from across the country have been provided internship training.</li>
<li><strong>Other achievements:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>School Education Quality Index (SEQI):</strong> It is in the final stages of development by the NITI Aayog in consultation with the Department of School Education &amp; Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), State Education Departments of all States &amp; UTs and various stakeholders, including educationists.</li>
<li><strong>Development Support Services for States/UTs (D3S) for Education Projects:</strong> The key objective of this policy is to identify and build three future &lsquo;Role Model&rsquo; States for education systems. <g class="gr_ gr_415 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="415" data-gr-id="415">First</g> workshop was held in <g class="gr_ gr_416 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="416" data-gr-id="416">Orissa .</g></li>
<li><strong>Reforms in Higher Education:</strong> A Committee for Reforms in Higher Education was constituted based on NITI&rsquo;s presentation on <strong>&lsquo;Proposed Reforms in Regulatory Frameworks of the UGC and AICTE&rsquo;</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>6. Culture</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This Vertical examined the EFC/SFC proposals on
<ol>
<li>Museum Grant Scheme</li>
<li>Scheme for setting up of Science Cities/Science Centres/Innovation Hubs</li>
<li>Continuation of the National Mission on Libraries-<g class="gr_ gr_443 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="443" data-gr-id="443">upgradation</g> of Libraries providing services to the Public</li>
<li>Appraisal of ongoing five Schemes after merging them in a single Scheme namely &ldquo;Scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art &amp; Culture&rdquo;</li>
<li>Dandi related Projects and Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission</li>
<li>Scheme for Promotion of International Cultural Relations</li>
<li>Appraisal of ongoing two Schemes after merging them in a single Scheme namely &ldquo;Scheme of Financial Assistance for <g class="gr_ gr_448 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="448" data-gr-id="448">creation</g> of Cultural Infrastructure&rdquo;.</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>7. Skill development and employment unit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Skill Development &amp; Employment Division published a Compendium<strong> &lsquo;Skilling for Employability: Best Practices&rsquo;</strong> highlighting best practices in overcoming challenges such as equity, access, quality and relevance in the government, civil society and private sectors.</li>
<li>Schemes/Programmes
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthening the Apprenticeship Ecosystem in India</li>
<li>North East Rural Livelihood Project</li>
<li>Upgradation of Existing Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Model Industrial Training Institutes</li>
<li>Re-structuring of National Skill Development Fund (NSDF) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to strengthen governance, implementation and monitoring framework</li>
<li>Memorandum on National Career Service Centre for Differently Abled</li>
<li>National Career Service Project/Employment Exchanges Mission Mode Project (<g class="gr_ gr_435 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="435" data-gr-id="435">EEMMP</g>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>8. Managing urbanization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Managing Urbanization (MU) Vertical in NITI Aayog deals with urban sector/issues and works in close association with <g class="gr_ gr_436 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="436" data-gr-id="436">Ministry</g> of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).</li>
<li>The Vertical collaborates with various departments of Centre and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Knowledge Bodies/Institutions, Think Tanks, Experts, Policy Makers in planning, coordinating, formulating, processing, appraisal, analysis and monitoring of various urban sector schemes, programmes and projects.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>9. Rural development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rural Development Vertical of the NITI Aayog provides overall policy guidance to the D/o Rural Development, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in programmes and schemes implemented by them.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has developed Monthly &amp; Quarterly Dashboard on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and Quarterly Dashboard on Deendayal Antyodya Yojana &ndash; National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>10. Energy and international cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Joint Research Projects between NITI Aayog and Institute of Energy Economics Japan (IEEJ) - A statement of intent (SOI) was signed between NITI Aayog and IEEJ, working on project namely <strong>&ldquo;High Penetration of Renewable Power: Comparative Study of Japan and India by <g class="gr_ gr_410 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="410" data-gr-id="410">year</g> 2032"</strong>.</li>
<li>International Energy Agency (IEA) and NITI Aayog <g class="gr_ gr_411 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="411" data-gr-id="411">has</g> signed Statement of Intent (SoI) for collaboration on energy sector related joint study projects.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog and Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) India has signed Statement of Intent (SoI) for collaboration on energy sector related joint study projects.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has entrusted the responsibility of <strong>formulation of GIS Energy Map of India to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)</strong> for providing <g class="gr_ gr_397 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="397" data-gr-id="397">energy related</g> information to stakeholders.</li>
<li>The unit coordinate with Ministry of Power for up-dating of NITI Aayog Dashboard for <strong>&ldquo;Power for All&rdquo;</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has launched the <strong>India Energy Portal (IEP)</strong> (www.indiaenergy.gov.in) which presently houses its flagship initiative India Energy Security Scenarios (IESS) 2047.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has constituted a Technical Committee to recommend suitable technology on surface coal gasification which is being served by coal unit.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has been entrusted with <g class="gr_ gr_394 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="394" data-gr-id="394">task</g> of framing <strong>National Energy Policy</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog has set up Energy Dashboard- an <g class="gr_ gr_409 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="409" data-gr-id="409">endeavour</g> towards assimilating all <g class="gr_ gr_406 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="406" data-gr-id="406">energy related</g> data at one place in <g class="gr_ gr_408 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="408" data-gr-id="408">first</g> phase.2nd phase to create <g class="gr_ gr_407 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="407" data-gr-id="407">online</g> system of data.</li>
<li>Bilateral cooperation between NITI Aayog and Government of UK, the imitative to develop state energy calculator have been taken up, <strong>first phase</strong> three states &ndash; <strong>Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Assam</strong> <g class="gr_ gr_398 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="398" data-gr-id="398">was</g> taken up.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>11. Industry</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC)</strong> was constituted by Ministry of Shipping under the chairmanship of CEO NITI Aayog for preparing a road-map for the Coastal Economic Zone (CEZ) development and for steering the development of the related CEZ. <strong>NITI Aayog was <g class="gr_ gr_396 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="396" data-gr-id="396">nodal</g> agency for the committee</strong>.</li>
<li>NITI Aayog released the <strong>report on Ease of Doing Business</strong> based on an Enterprise Survey, conducted jointly with the IDFC Institute.</li>
<li>A <strong>new Cell</strong> under the Industry Vertical, NITI Aayog to <strong>promote Women Entrepreneurship</strong> in the Country has been set up under Adviser (Industry &amp; DM&amp;A).</li>
<li>A Statement of Intent on <g class="gr_ gr_392 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="392" data-gr-id="392">bilateral</g> economic partnership for mutual understanding and cooperation between NITI Aayog, and the Australian Treasury, Australian Government was signed.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>12. Infrastructure</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog&rsquo;s Infrastructure-Connectivity vertical is mandated to provide an integrated approach to transport sector by promoting efficient, sustainable, <g class="gr_ gr_393 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="393" data-gr-id="393">environment friendly</g> and regionally balanced transportation system.</li>
<li>A report titled <strong>&ldquo;India Leaps Ahead: Transformative Mobility Solutions for All&rdquo;</strong> was unveiled by NITI Aayog. It was prepared in collaboration with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI).</li>
<li><g class="gr_ gr_384 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="384" data-gr-id="384">Signing</g> of Statement of Intent (SoI) with International Road Federation (IRF) on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).</li>
<li>An independent <strong>&lsquo;Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) Monitoring Committee&rsquo;</strong> is created for monitoring railway safety fund.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>13. Financial resources</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To foster co-operative and competitive federalism among States, the Financial Resources Division of NITI Aayog has assumed the role of assessing financial health of the States, including assessment of transfers to the States from Centre, social sector expenditure by States, analyzing closely the financially unhealthy States, critical review of the fund transfer mechanism for appropriate policy interventions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>14. Natural resources and environment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Environment and Forest division of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Vertical is involved in <g class="gr_ gr_390 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="390" data-gr-id="390">formulation</g> of policies and development of strategies for sustainable management of forests; protection of wildlife and their habitats; and maintenance of a clean, green and healthy environment.</li>
<li>Formulation of appropriate strategies for maintaining a clean, green and healthy environment was a priority for NITI Aayog.</li>
<li>It has been working closely with <strong><g class="gr_ gr_382 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="382" data-gr-id="382">Confederation</g> of Indian Industry (CII)</strong> and other stakeholders for controlling air pollution <g class="gr_ gr_383 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="383" data-gr-id="383">especially</g> in Delhi NCR.</li>
<li>Four Task Forces were constituted in NITI Aayog with experts as members to recommend suitable interventions for <strong>Clean Fuel, Clean Transport, Clean Industries and Biomass Management</strong>.</li>
<li>Research studies in the E&amp;F sector were completed under the NITI Aayog's Research study grant scheme, Ex-Coal Mining, Displacement and <strong>Rural Livelihoods: A Study in Mahanadi Coal Field, Odisha</strong> conducted by the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>15. Science and technology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Based on the recommendations of NITI Aayog, Department and Science &amp; Technology <g class="gr_ gr_402 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="402" data-gr-id="402">has</g> formulated a Cabinet Note for financial and administrative reforms for effective functioning and delivery of Science and Technology in India, which is under Inter-Ministerial consultation.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>16. Social justice and empowerment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&amp;E) Division in NITI Aayog is actively functioning to provide inputs in <g class="gr_ gr_401 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="401" data-gr-id="401">formulation</g> and strengthening of policies and programmes to promote and safeguard the interest of the socially, educationally and economically weaker sections of the society.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>17. Voluntary action cell</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An important initiative of the VAC is maintaining an electronic database of VOs/NGOs which is done through the NGO Darpan Portal. The <strong>NGO-DARPAN</strong> (NGO-PS) Portal is an e-governance application to electronically maintain data regarding Non-Government organizations (NGOs)/ Voluntary Organizations (VOs) in the country.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>18. Development Monitoring And Evaluation Office</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO)</strong> was established by the Government on 2015 as an attached office of the NITI Aayog by merging the erstwhile Programme Evaluation Organization and the Independent Evaluation Office.</li>
<li>DMEO has developed a web-based interactive dashboard which is accessed by the concerned Ministries to upload data on the progress made by them in the implementation of <g class="gr_ gr_376 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="376" data-gr-id="376">PMAY</g>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>19. Appraisal of programmes/schemes/project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One of the important functions undertaken in NITI Aayog <g class="gr_ gr_388 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="388" data-gr-id="388">relate</g> to <g class="gr_ gr_386 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="386" data-gr-id="386">appraisal</g> of programmes/ schemes/projects. The appraisal work is undertaken through two divisions namely:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Project Appraisal Management Division (PAMD)</strong> undertakes <g class="gr_ gr_387 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="387" data-gr-id="387">appraisal</g> of public-funded programmes/schemes/projects.</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_369 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="369" data-gr-id="369">Public Private</g> Partnership Appraisal Unit (PPPAU)</strong> appraises Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects received from Central and State/UT Governments for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) under the Scheme for Financial Support to PPP in Infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>20. Water resources</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Inter-Ministerial Team constituted by the NITI Aayog</strong> has conducted the evaluation of the projects and the reports have been shared with the PMO, MoWR, RD &amp; GR, State Governments &amp; Rainfed Area Authority.</li>
<li><strong>Composite Water Management Index</strong> has been developed in NITI Aayog with 28 Key Performance Indicators covering source management, supply and demand side management - inter-alia covering irrigation, drinking water (rural and urban), watershed development, and policy and governance. The index will rank the States on the basis of verifiable data provided by them.</li>
<li>The document <strong>&ldquo;Best Practices in Water Sector&rdquo;</strong> has been prepared in consultation with TERI University, New Delhi. The <strong>&ldquo;Best Practices in Water Sector&rdquo;</strong> are to be uploaded on <g class="gr_ gr_372 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="372" data-gr-id="372">web</g> portal.</li>
<li>The Water Resources Vertical has assisted DMEO, NITI Aayog in the preparation of Water Resource part of Output-Outcome Budget (2018-19). The same is communicated to the Ministry of Water Resources, RD &amp; GR.</li>
<li>The Vertical has assisted DMEO, NITI Aayog in the preparation of Land Resource part of<strong> Output-Outcome Budget</strong> (2018-19).</li>
<li>A Draft report of the Committee on <strong>&ldquo;Land Titling &ndash; A Way forward&rdquo;</strong> has been prepared in consultation with the concerned ministries and departments, and states. The final draft has been sent to PMO for further consideration.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>21. Data management and analysis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog proposes to institute a <strong>Digital Transformation index</strong> for states. The index includes parameters which can allow states to examine their progress towards digital transformation and compare it to that of others, thus acting as a catalyst to reform.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/summary-of-important-reports/niti-aayog-annual-report-2017-18'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (July 12, 2018)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>India Emerges as World's 6<sup>th</sup> Largest Economy</h3>
<p>According to an analysis done by the World Bank, India surpassed France to become <g class="gr_ gr_48 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="48" data-gr-id="48">6</g><sup><g class="gr_ gr_48 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="48" data-gr-id="48">th</g></sup> largest economy of the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="content-img" src="http://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/205image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="619" height="467" data-pagespeed-url-hash="239393262" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" /></span></p>
<p>Earlier in 2014, India displaced Japan to become the world&rsquo;s <g class="gr_ gr_41 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="41" data-gr-id="41">third biggest</g> economy in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP).</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Purchasing Power Parity<strong></strong></strong></p>
<p>The rate at which the currency of one country would have to be converted into that of another country to buy the same amount of goods and services in each country.</p>
</div>
<h3>Nilgiri Tahr Threatened Due to Climate Change</h3>
<p>A new study has predicted that most of the existing habitats of the Nilgiri Tahr in the Western Ghats will become unsuitable because of global warming.</p>
<div class="border-bg"><strong>Nilgiri Tahr</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nilgiri tahrs are stocky goats with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. Males are larger than the <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="57" data-gr-id="57">females,</g> and have a darker <g class="gr_ gr_58 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="58" data-gr-id="58">colour</g> when mature.</li>
<li>Adult males develop a light grey area or &ldquo;saddle&rdquo; on their backs and are hence called &ldquo;saddlebacks&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The distribution of Nilgiri tahr is limited to the Western Ghats and that too in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu only. They are more or less confined to altitudes of 1,200 to 2,600 meters.</li>
<li><strong>IUCN Status: Endangered</strong></li>
<li>Wildlife (Protection) Act, <g class="gr_ gr_54 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style multiReplace" id="54" data-gr-id="54">1972 :</g> Schedule 1 (absolute protection and <g class="gr_ gr_51 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="51" data-gr-id="51">offences</g> under these are prescribed the highest penalties)</li>
<li>The study predicted a maximum habitat loss of 61.2 percent, 61.4 <g class="gr_ gr_52 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="52" data-gr-id="52">per cent</g> and 63 <g class="gr_ gr_53 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="53" data-gr-id="53">per cent</g> for 2030, 2050 and 2080 respectively if there is no fall in <g class="gr_ gr_50 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="50" data-gr-id="50">level</g> of emissions.</li>
<li>The reasons for <g class="gr_ gr_46 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="46" data-gr-id="46">decline</g> in Tahr populations are hunting, conflict with livestock grazing and habitat loss over the years.</li>
<li>This is the first time that a study has looked into the likely effect of climate change on the Nilgiri Tahr.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Anayootu</h3>
<p>The &lsquo;Anayootu&rsquo; (feeding of elephants) ritual is held annually at the Sree Vadakkunnatha temple, Thrissur, Kerala. The rituals are meant for propitiating Lord <g class="gr_ gr_61 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="61" data-gr-id="61">Ganesha,</g> and will start with Ashta Dravya Mahaganapathy <g class="gr_ gr_43 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="43" data-gr-id="43">homam</g>.</p>
<p><strong>Sree Vadakkunnatha Temple</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.</li>
<li>It has monumental towers on all four sides and also has a Kuttambalam (theatre hall).</li>
<li>It has mural paintings depicting various episodes from Mahabharata</li>
<li>It has been declared as a National Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-july-12-2018'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Government Approves Net Neutrality in India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Government of India has approved the principles of net neutrality in India. The decision will ensure that netizens continue to have free and fair access to the internet. The Telecom Commission had approved the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).</p>
<h3>Key Highlights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recommendations (net neutrality rules) bars service providers from discriminating against Internet content and services by blocking, throttling or granting them higher speed access.</li>
<li>Telecom and Internet service providers must treat all data on the Internet equally, and not discriminate or charge differently by user, content, site, platform, or application.</li>
<li>They cannot engage in practices such as blocking, slowing down or granting preferential speeds to any content.</li>
<li>However, some mission-critical applications or services like remote surgery and autonomous cars will, however, be kept out of the purview of net neutrality framework.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Telecom Commission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Telecom Commission was set up with administrative and financial powers of the Government of India to deal with various aspects of Telecommunications.</li>
<li>It consists of a Chairman, four full-time members, and four part-time members.</li>
<li>The Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications is the ex-officio Chairman of the Telecom Commission.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The Telecom Commission is responsible for:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Formulating the policy of the Department of Telecommunications for approval of the Government</li>
<li>Preparing the budget for the Department of Telecommunications for each financial year and getting it approved by the Government</li>
<li>Implementation of Government's policy in all matters concerning telecommunication.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In December 2015, social media giant, Facebook launched &lsquo;Free Basics&rsquo; (earlier known as internet.org) while Indian telecom giant Airtel launched &lsquo;Airtel Zero&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Both &lsquo;Free Basics&rsquo; and &lsquo;Airtel Zero&rsquo; let users access certain apps and websites for free (they were just charged for the data used). However, both the companies decided to charge or subsidize other companies that wanted to be a part of the &lsquo;Free Basics&rsquo; or &lsquo;Airtel Zero&rsquo; program.</li>
<li>Facebook and Airtel&rsquo;s arguments were that they were trying to make the internet more accessible to people, especially the ones that could not afford high data charges.</li>
<li>In 2016, TRAI banned both the projects as it went against the very principles of net neutrality since the companies could inevitably favor some content over the others.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>What is Net Neutrality?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Oxford dictionary defines net neutrality as &lsquo;the principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.</li>
<li>This means when a customer pays an internet service provider or ISP for a data plan, he/she should be able to access all content online &ndash; news, social media, videos, games etc &ndash; at the same broadband speed which he had opted for.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'India’s Genetically Modified Crop Area Fifth largest in the World',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications&rsquo;(ISAAA) latest &lsquo;Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops in 2017&rsquo; report shows farmers across the world to have planted 189.8 million hectares (<g class="gr_ gr_28 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="28" data-gr-id="28">mh</g>) under transgenic crops.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report has estimated the highest share in the world&rsquo;s total crop area for 2017 to be of <g class="gr_ gr_27 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="27" data-gr-id="27">soyabean</g>, followed by maize, cotton, canola, alfalfa <g class="gr_ gr_35 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="35" data-gr-id="35">and</g> sugar-beet.</li>
<li>The GM traits in these crops included both insect-resistance and tolerance for application of herbicide.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has the world&rsquo;s fifth largest cultivated area under genetically modified crops, at 11.4 <g class="gr_ gr_25 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="25" data-gr-id="25">mh</g> in 2017.</li>
<li>Unlike other big growers, its entire GM crop area is under a single crop &ndash; cotton &ndash; incorporating genes from the Bacillus <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="57" data-gr-id="57">thuringiensis</g> or BT soil bacterium to resist Heliothis bollworm insect pests.</li>
<li>In India, the GM crops under regulatory consideration &ndash; apart from the already commercialized BT Cotton &ndash; include glyphosate tolerant cotton and hybrid mustard.</li>
<li>Though both have undergone all the mandated bio-safety research and open field trials, their commercial release has been delayed due to opposition from environmental activists.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&amp;CC).</li>
<li>It is responsible for the appraisal of activities involving <g class="gr_ gr_42 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="42" data-gr-id="42">large-scale</g> use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.</li>
<li>The committee is also responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.</li>
<li>GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&amp;CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indias-genetically-modified-crop-area-fifth-largest-in-the-world'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'US to hold Talks with India, Others at WTO over Tariffs',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>On July 20, 2018, the US will engage in consultations with India and other countries at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over its unilateral increase in steel and aluminum tariffs that has set off a global trade war.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India had dragged the US to the WTO over the 25% steel tariff and 10% aluminum tariff imposed by it on grounds of national security.</li>
<li>India in retaliation targeted 29 US products worth $10.6 billion, including almonds, apples and phosphoric acid.</li>
<li>The US has argued that the tariffs are issues of national security that are not susceptible to review or capable of resolution by WTO dispute <g class="gr_ gr_33 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="33" data-gr-id="33">settlement,</g> and that the consultations provision in the agreement on safeguards is not applicable.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE</strong>: Every member of the WTO retains the authority to determine for itself those matters that it considers necessary for the protection of its essential security interests.</p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>However, India and other countries and the EU have argued that the tariff hikes by the US need to be treated as safeguard duties that give them the right to retaliate.</li>
<li>The other countries that have raised the issue at the WTO include China, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Russia, Norway <g class="gr_ gr_39 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="39" data-gr-id="39">and</g> Mexico.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-US Trade Dispute</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United States has regularly accused India of enjoying a trade surplus by prohibiting US exports through higher tariffs -the latest salvo <g class="gr_ gr_40 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="40" data-gr-id="40">being</g> the tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.</li>
<li>The US has challenged almost all of India&rsquo;s export subsidies at WTO. It is also reviewing the generalized system of preferences programme, under which India exports goods worth $5.6 billion to the US at preferential rates.</li>
<li>Earlier, US had dragged India to the WTO over its ban on US poultry imports and its subsidy programme for domestic solar panel manufacturers while India has taken the US to the WTO over allegations of trade-restrictive measures.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>WTO Dispute Settlement Body</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Resolving trade disputes is one of the core activities of the WTO.</li>
<li>A dispute arises when a member government believes another member government is violating an agreement or a commitment that it has made in the WTO.</li>
<li>The General Council convenes as the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to deal with disputes between WTO members.</li>
<li>The DSB has authority to establish dispute settlement panels, refer matters to arbitration, adopt panel, Appellate Body <g class="gr_ gr_37 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="37" data-gr-id="37">and</g> arbitration reports, maintain surveillance over the implementation of recommendations and rulings contained in such reports, and authorize suspension of concessions in the event of non-compliance with those recommendations and rulings.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-to-hold-talks-with-india-others-at-wto-over-tariffs'
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