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Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs/HFCs

Why in News Recently, the Central government has approved the proposal to launch a Special Liquidity Scheme for Non-Banking Financial Companies...

02 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Introduction of Locally Produced Millets in ICDS, PDS

Why in News Recently, Odisha has decided to introduce locally produced millets for the first time into Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)...

02 Jul 2020 News Analysis
PRS Capsule May 2020

Key Highlights of PRS Polity Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana PM CARES Fund included in the list of CSR eligible activities Economy Partial...

02 Jul 2020 PRS Capsule
Model Bilateral Investment Treaty

This article is based on “What ails India’s Model BIT?” which was published on The Hindu business line on 28/6/2020. It talks...

01 Jul 2020 News Editorials
State of the World Population 2020: UNFPA

Why in News Recently, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has released the State of the World Population 2020 report, titled ‘Against...

01 Jul 2020 News Analysis
National Mission for Clean Ganga

Why in News Recently, the World Bank has approved a five year loan (for the second phase) to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) or Namami...

01 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Committee on Criminal Law Reform

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted a national level committee for reform in criminal law. Key...

01 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Online Education

Why in News Recently, the Central government has proposed long-term measures to address social inequities in online education, as highlighted by the...

01 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Core Sector Shrinks by 23.4%

Why in News According to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the eight core sector industries contracted by 23.4% in May,...

01 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Education In Post-Covid Era

This editorial is based on “Education in the post-pandemic world cannot be the same again” which was published in The LiveMint on...

30 Jun 2020 News Editorials
Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap: PMJVK

Why in News Recently, the Minister of Minority Affairs has laid the foundation stone for ‘Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap’ (multi-purpose...

30 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Uganda Submitted REDD+ Results

Why in News Recently, Uganda has become the first African country to submit results for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation...

30 Jun 2020 News Analysis
STARS Programme: World Bank

Why in News Recently, the World Bank has approved the Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) Programme. It will improve...

30 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Kholongchhu Hydropower Project

Why in News Recently, India and Bhutan have signed concession agreement on the 600 MW Kholongchhu Hydropower Project. It will be the first-ever...

30 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Covaxin Approved for Human Clinical Trials

Why in News The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted approval to Bharat Biotech to conduct human clinical trials for...

30 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Uttrakhand Approves Land Transfer

Why in News Recently, the Uttarakhand State Wildlife Advisory Board has permitted proposals on the transfer of forest land in Gangotri National Park...

30 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Galwan Valley Clash

This article is based on “Galwan: Postscript to a tragedy” published in The Hindu on 19/06/2020. It talks about recent confrontation...

29 Jun 2020 News Editorials
National Statistics Day

Why in News This year, the Statistics Day (29th June) will be celebrated virtually, in view of the travel and safety advisories on account of the...

29 Jun 2020 News Analysis
BharatNet Project

Why in News Recently, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) ordered the scrapping of a Rs 1,950 crore tender for the...

29 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Gynandromorphism

Why in News Recently, a rare biological phenomenon i.e. Gynandromorphism has been spotted in a dragonfly, the Scarlet Skimmer (Crocothemis...

29 Jun 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs/HFCs',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Central government has approved the proposal to launch a<strong> Special Liquidity Scheme</strong> for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/A%20nuanced%20understanding%20of%20the%20NBFC%20sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)</strong></a> and <strong>Housing Finance Companies</strong> (HFCs) to improve their liquidity position.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the Budget Speech of 2020-21, it was announced that a mechanism would be devised to <strong>provide additional liquidity facility to NBFCs/HFCs</strong> over that provided through the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme (PCGS)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>HFCs are <strong>specialized NBFCs.</strong> Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> came up with the <strong>new definition of HFCs.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To qualify as HFCs, a <strong>NBFC must have 50% assets as housing loans and 75% of which should be for individual homebuyers.</strong></li>
<li>HFCs are regulated by RBI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Details of the Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the scheme a <strong>Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)</strong> would be set up to manage a Stressed Asset Fund (SAF) of the NBFCs/ HFCs.</li>
<li>The SPV will issue securities, which would be<strong> guaranteed by the Government of India</strong> and <strong>purchased by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) only.</strong></li>
<li>The proceeds of sale of such securities would be used by the SPV to acquire short-term debt of NBFCs/HFCs.</li>
<li>The Scheme will be <strong>administered by the Department of Financial Services</strong> (Ministry of Finance).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility for NBFCs/ HFCs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They should not have net <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/lessons-from-npa-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non Performing Assets (NPAs)</strong></a> of more than 6% as on 31<sup>st</sup> March 2019.</li>
<li>They should have made net profit in at least one of the last two preceding financial years of 2017-18 and 2018-19.</li>
<li>They should not have been reported under SMA-1 or SMA-2 category by any bank for their borrowings during the last one year prior to 1st August 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Banks classify borrowers into <strong>Special Mention Accounts (SMA)</strong> based on their delay in repayment. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>SMA-0 loans are overdue between 1 and 30 days.</li>
<li>SMA-1 loans are overdue between 31 and 60 days.</li>
<li>SMA-2 loans are overdue between 61 to 90 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The asset turns NPA after 90 days of being overdue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unlike the<strong> Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme,</strong> NBFCs/ HFCs <strong>do not have to liquidate their current asset portfolio</strong> under this scheme. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Current assets are all the assets of a company that are expected to be used as a result of standard business operations over the next year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The scheme would also <strong>act as an enabler for the NBFC to get investment grade for bonds issued.</strong></li>
<li>The Scheme would benefit the real economy by <strong>augmenting the lending resources</strong> of NBFCs/HFCs/MFls.</li>
<li>This facility would <strong>supplement the liquidity measures</strong> taken so far by the Government and RBI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial implication:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The direct financial implication for the Central government is Rs. 5 crore, which may be the equity contribution to the SPV.</li>
<li>Beyond that, there is no financial implication for the government until the guarantee involved is invoked.</li>
<li>However, on invocation, the extent of government liability would be equal to the amount of default subject to the guarantee ceiling, which has been set at Rs. 30,000 crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Non-Banking Financial Company</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NBFC is a company registered under the <strong>Companies Act, 1956.</strong></li>
<li>It is engaged in the <strong>business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities</strong> issued by Government or local authority or<strong> other marketable securities</strong> of a like nature, leasing, hire-purchase, insurance business, chit business.</li>
<li>But, it <strong>does not include</strong> any institution whose principal business is that of <strong>agriculture activity, industrial activity, purchase or sale of any goods (other than securities) or providing any services and sale/purchase/construction of immovable property.</strong></li>
<li>A non-banking institution which is a company and has principal business of receiving deposits under any scheme or arrangement in<strong> one lump sum or in installments by way of contributions or in any other manner,</strong> is also a non-banking financial company (Residuary non-banking company).</li>
<li><strong>Features of NBFCs</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NBFC cannot accept demand deposits.</li>
<li>NBFCs do not form part of the payment and settlement system and cannot issue cheques drawn on itself.</li>
<li>Deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation is not available to depositors of NBFCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1625310" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Introduction of Locally Produced Millets in ICDS, PDS',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Odisha</strong> has decided to introduce <strong>locally produced millets</strong> for the <strong>first time</strong> into <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)</strong> </a>Scheme and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/public-distribution-system-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Distribution System (PDS).</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The initiatives will be carried out as a <strong>part of the Odisha&rsquo;s Millet Mission (2017).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The State&rsquo;s millet mission aims to<strong> popularise local production of millets</strong> among farmers and <strong>increase local household consumption</strong> for better dietary diversity and nutritional gains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is an attempt to develop decentralised infrastructure for processing and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/2023-is-the-international-year-of-millets-fao" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>re-popularising millets</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Millets</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Millet is a collective term referring to a number of small-seeded annual grasses that are cultivated as grain crops, primarily on marginal lands in <strong>dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.</strong></li>
<li>Some of the common millets available in India are Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative intends to <strong>integrate locally grown millets</strong> as part of public food systems such as<strong> ICDS and PDS, mid-day meals.</strong></li>
<li>It also aims to build <strong>climate resilience among farmers</strong> and <strong>promote agroecological farming methods for cultivation</strong> that draw on chemical-free agriculture practices and locally sustained food systems.</li>
<li>Ideally, the aim is to make the districts<strong> self-sufficient</strong> with produce, procurement and distribution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Odisha has an immense<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> malnutrition burden</strong></a> to address, with about<strong> 45% children</strong> who are <strong>stunted.</strong></li>
<li>The State also has almost<strong> 41% women</strong> who have a<strong> below-normal body mass index,</strong> according to the National Family Health Survey, 2015-16.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The districts will be using their <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/creches-opened-using-dmf-funds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>District Mineral Foundation (DMF)</strong></a> <strong>funds</strong> to implement the initiative. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<p>District Mineral Foundation (DMF) is a&nbsp;<strong>non-profit body</strong>, in those districts affected by the mining works, to work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining related operations.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Its manner of operation comes <strong>under the jurisdiction of the respective State Government</strong>.</p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The money will be credited in the <strong>farmers&rsquo; account at the end of the sowing and harvest season</strong> based on the report submitted by local implementation agencies and vetted by the district administration.</li>
<li>Additionally, all the districts will provide <strong>1.5 kilogrammes ragi per person</strong> (out of the five kg per person entitlement)<strong> through PDS.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Complementary to Agricultural Practices:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The millet drive is largely focused on<strong> local food diversity</strong> and ensuring <strong>availability of food to farmers</strong> unlike the consumer and urban market-driven approach.</li>
<li>Farmers who have adopted bio-inputs and follow the system of millets intensification will be given<strong> incentives for three years.</strong></li>
<li>The state government will also be <strong>incentivising agronomic practices</strong> including pest and weed management through organic methods. However, it<strong> does not exclude farmers</strong> who will be <strong>using chemical-based fertilisers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The focus on non-chemical approaches coupled with a focus on nutrition and food security so far distinguishes the Odisha approach from that of the Union government.</li>
<li>Often, such interventions are driven towards creating attractive markets and ignore household nutrition and food security. The fact that this endeavour approaches millets from the point of nutrition and safe food is important.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/odisha-set-to-introduce-locally-produced-millets-into-icds-pds-72039#:~:text=Locally%20cultivated%20ragi%20will%20be,meal%20from%20July%202020%20onwards." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'PRS Capsule May 2020',
			'catname' => 'PRS Capsule',
			'desc' => '<p><em><strong>Key Highlights of PRS</strong></em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="#1">Polity</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#2">Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">PM CARES Fund included in the list of CSR eligible activities</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#4">Economy</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#5">Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan Package</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#7">Science and Technology</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#8">Aarogya Setu App Made Open Source</a></li>
<li><a href="#9">Coal on Revenue Sharing Basis</a></li>
<li><a href="#10">The Coal Blocks Allocation (Amendment) Rules, 2020 notified</a></li>
<li><a href="#11">National Coal Index</a></li>
<li><a href="#12">Removed Mandatory Washing of Coal in Thermal Power Plants</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#13">Environment</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#14">BS VI emission norms for quadricycles notified</a></li>
<li><a href="#15">Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011 Amended</a></li>
<li><a href="#16">Guidelines for Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#17">Security</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#18">Shekatkar Committee Recommendations</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1">Polity</h2>
<h3 id="2">Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-vaya-vandana-yojana-extended" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>extension of the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana</strong></a> for a period of three years up to 31<sup>st</sup> March, 2023.</li>
<li>The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana aims to <strong>provide social security</strong> for persons above 60 years of age to protect them against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions.</li>
<li>Under the scheme, an assured interest return is guaranteed by the insurer. The difference between return generated by the insurer and the assured return is borne by the government of India as subsidy on an annual basis.</li>
<li>For 2020-21, the assured rate of return will be 7.4%. This will be revised every year.</li>
<li>The scheme can be purchased at a minimum purchase price of Rs 1,56,658 for a yearly pension of Rs 12,000. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For monthly pension pay-out option, the minimum purchase price will be Rs 1,62,162 for a monthly pension of Rs 1,000.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="3">PM CARES Fund included in the list of CSR eligible activities</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Corporate Affairs notified the inclusion of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s Citizen Assistance and Relief in emergency Situations (PMCARES)</strong></a> Fund in the list of activities eligible for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/injeti-srinivas-committee-report-on-csr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)</strong></a> under the Companies Act, 2013.</li>
<li>Under the Act, companies with net worth, turnover or profits above a specified amount are required to spend 2% of their average net profits in the last three financial years towards CSR activities.</li>
<li>This measure has come into effect retrospectively from March 28, 2020, when the fund was set up.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>About the Fund</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Fund is a<strong> public charitable trust</strong> with the<strong> Prime Minister</strong> as its <strong>Chairman.</strong> Other Members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.</li>
<li>The Fund <strong>enables micro-donations</strong> as a result of which a large number of people will be able to contribute with the smallest of denominations.</li>
<li>The Fund will strengthen disaster management capacities and encourage research on protecting citizens.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 id="4">Economy</h2>
<h3 id="5">Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the Union Cabinet approved modifications to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/partial-guarantee-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme</strong></a> to expand the coverage of the scheme.</li>
<li>The Partial Credit Guarantee scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2019-20.</li>
<li>Under the scheme, a government guarantee (covering initial losses of 10% of the value of the assets or Rs 10,000 crore, whichever is lower) is given to public sector banks (PSBs) for buying high-rated pooled assets from financially sound <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/liquidity-boost-to-nbfcs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)</strong></a> or housing finance companies (HFCs).</li>
<li>New changes in the Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the expanded scheme, the government will also provide PSBs with a guarantee for covering upto 20% of first loss for the purchase of Bonds or Commercial Papers issued by NBFCs and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs).</li>
<li>The minimum rating for such bonds or commercial papers should be AA or below (including unrated paper with initial maturity of up to one year).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Benefits:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government expects that the guarantee will help NBFCs, MFIs and HFCs continue with capital formation in small and medium enterprises, and help mitigate adverse effects of COVID-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The scheme was originally valid till June, 2020. It will now be valid till March 31, 2021, or till such date by which Rs 10,000 crore worth of guarantees are provided by the government, whichever is earlier</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="6">Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan Package</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In light of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/possibility-of-covid-19-being-syndemic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> COVID-19 pandemic</strong></a>, a special economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore (equivalent to 10% of India&rsquo;s GDP) was announced by the government.</li>
<li>The aim of the package is to prepare the country for the tough competition in the global supply chain and to empower the poor, labourers, and migrants who have been adversely affected by the pandemic and the lockdown.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593667012_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593667012_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Some key initiatives under various sectors announced under the package are as follows:</p>
<p><strong>Government Reforms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increase in borrowing limits:</strong> The borrowing limits of state governments will be increased from 3% to 5% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for the year 2020-21. The increase beyond 3.5% of the GSDP will be conditionally linked to reforms on - universalisation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-nation-one-ration-card-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;One Nation One Ration card&rsquo;</strong></a>, ease of doing business, power distribution, and urban local body revenues.</li>
<li><strong>Privatisation of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs):</strong> A new PSE policy has been announced. The policy is aimed at privatisation of PSEs, except the ones functioning in certain strategic sectors. A list of strategic sector PSEs will be notified by the government at a later stage. In strategic sectors, at least one PSE will remain, but private sector enterprises will also be allowed.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Business (including MSMEs)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Collateral free loans:</strong> Collateral free loans up to three lakh crore rupees will be provided to all businesses. These loans will be provided through banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).</li>
<li><strong>Change in MSME definition:</strong> The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 will be amended to change the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MSME</strong> </a>definition. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the proposed definition, the investment limit will be increased for MSMEs. A new criteria of annual turnover will be introduced.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduction in tax rates:</strong> The rates of Tax Deduction at Source for the non-salaried specified payments made to residents and Tax Collected at Source will be reduced by 25% from the existing rates. This will apply from May 14, 2020 to March 31, 2021.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Agriculture and allied sectors</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Support to farmers and infrastructure:</strong> Key initiatives in the sector to support farmers and infrastructural developments include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>concessional credit worth two lakh crore rupees for 2.5 crore farmers,</li>
<li>fund of one lakh crore rupees for development of agriculture infrastructure projects, and</li>
<li>additional fund of Rs 30,000 crore to meet the crop loan demand through NABARD and Rural Banks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Amendment to the Essential Commodities Act, 1955:</strong> The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 will be amended to deregulate food items including cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, and onions for attracting investments and enabling competition in the sector.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Migrant Workers</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>One nation one card:</strong> Under the scheme of One Nation One Card, the migrant workers will be allowed to access the<strong> Public Distribution System (Ration)</strong> from any Fair Price Shop in India by March 2021.</li>
<li><strong>Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) for Migrant Workers/Urban Poor:</strong> The migrant labour/urban poor will be provided living facilities at affordable rent under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-awas-yojana-grameen-behind-target" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Civil Aviation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Efficient airspace management:</strong> Restrictions on utilisation of the Indian Air Space will be eased allowing optimal utilisation of airspace, reduction in fuel use, and time to save about Rs 1,000 crore per year for the aviation sector.</li>
<li><strong>Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for airports:</strong> World-class airports will be built through the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ppp-investment-model" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PPP model</strong></a> to enable private sector investment of around Rs 13,000 crore in 12 airports.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Defence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increase in FDI limit:</strong> FDI limit in defence manufacturing under automatic route will be increased from 49% to 74%.</li>
<li><strong>Make in India:</strong> A list of weapons/platforms will be released which will be banned for import based on a year wise timeline. Further, the government has planned to improve the autonomy, accountability and efficiency in Ordnance Supplies by corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Energy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Liquidity support for distribution companies (discoms):</strong> A liquidity support of Rs 90,000 crore will be provided to power discoms in the form of funds from Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Discoms will also be provided with state government guaranteed loans exclusively for discharging their liabilities to power generation companies. Rs 50,000 crore will be spent on infrastructure development for evacuation of coal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Housing and Social Sector</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for Middle Income Group (MIG):</strong> The Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for Middle Income Group (annual income between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 18 lakh) will be extended by one year up to March 2021.</li>
<li><strong>Support to the real estate sector:</strong> COVID 19 will be treated as an event of &ldquo;Force Majeure&rdquo; under Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) by states/union territories and their Regulatory Authorities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An extension of six months will be given on registration and completion dates of all registered projects. This is for projects expiring on or after March 25, 2020 without individual applications.</li>
<li><strong>Force majeure</strong> is a common clause in contracts that essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Allocation for MGNREGS:</strong> Additional Rs 40,000 crore will be allocated under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mgnrega-and-migrant-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MGNREGS</strong></a>. This increases the Union Budget allocation for MGNREGS from Rs 61,500 crore to Rs 1,01,500 crore (65% increase) for 2020-21.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="7">Science and Technology</h2>
<h3 id="8">Aarogya Setu App Made Open Source</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released the <strong>Aarogya Setu Data Access and Knowledge Sharing Protocol, 2020</strong> in reference to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/aarogya-setu-app-a-technological-solutionism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aarogya Setu mobile application (app)</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The app was launched by the central government in April 2020 to enable contact tracing (identification and monitoring of persons who are at a higher risk of being infected by COVID-19) and for users to assess their own risk of getting infected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The protocol aims to ensure secure and efficient collection and sharing of data by the application to protect the personal data of individuals.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features of the protocol include:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data collection:</strong> Data collected by the app and the purpose for which it will be used should be clearly specified in the privacy policy of the app. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Data collection should be minimised to the extent that it is required for formulating or implementing health responses.</li>
<li>The collected data should be processed in a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Data storage:</strong> The app collects data regarding: (i) demographic details of the user, (ii) location of user from time to time, (iii) data of other individuals who have come in proximity with the user, and (iv) self-assessment data. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Demographic details will be stored with the government for as long as necessary, unless the user requests for deletion of their data.</li>
<li>Location data and data of other users who have come in proximity will remain on the user's device, but it may be uploaded to the government server (shared with the government) to formulate or implement health responses.</li>
<li>These data, along with any self-assessment data will not be stored for more than 180 days from the date of collection</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sharing of personal data:</strong> Any data collected by the app can be shared with the health ministry or health department of any state or the national (or state) disaster management authorities for formulating or implementing appropriate health responses. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Data may be shared with other departments of the central or state government in a de-identified (where personal identifiers are removed or masked from the dataset) format, if required.</li>
<li>The National Informatics Centre (developer of the app) will maintain a list of agencies with whom such data has been shared. Data may be shared for the purpose of research in an anonymised manner (where it is not possible to identify the user to whom the data pertains to).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Violation of the protocol</strong> may lead to penalties as prescribed under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/invocation-of-disaster-management-act-2005-to-deal-with-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Disaster Management Act</strong></a>. The protocol is applicable for 6 months and maybe revised, subsequently. Further, the source code of the application has been made open source for review and collaboration for the android version of the application</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="9">Coal on Revenue Sharing Basis</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved a new methodology based on revenue sharing for auction of coal and lignite blocks for commercial sale.</li>
<li>Prior to this, coal and lignite based blocks were awarded on a fixed rupees per tonne basis methodology.</li>
<li>Under the new methodology, successful bidders will be required to share a percentage of revenue with the government instead of paying a fixed price per tonne of production.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features of the methodology are as follows:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bid parameter:</strong> The bidders will be required to bid for a percentage share of revenue payable to the government. The floor price will be 4% of the revenue share.</li>
<li><strong>Payment of upfront amount:</strong> The successful bidder will be required to pay an upfront amount which will be 0.25% of the value of estimated geological reserves of the mine. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The upfront amount will not be more than: (i) Rs 100 crore for geological reserves up to 200 million tonnes, and (ii) Rs 500 crore for geological reserves up to 500 million tonnes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Monthly payment:</strong> The successful bidder will be required to make a monthly payment to the government which will be a product of: (i) percentage of revenue share, (ii) quantity of coal on which statutory royalty is payable during the month, and (iii) notional or actual price, whichever is higher.</li>
<li><strong>Incentives for early production and clean usage:</strong> The successful bidder will be given a rebate in revenue share in events of: (i) early production and (ii) coal consumed or sold for gasification and liquefaction.</li>
<li><strong>Coal bed methane:</strong> The methodology also permits commercial exploitation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-approves-policy-framework-for-unconventional-hydrocarbons" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coal bed methane</strong> </a>present in the lease area. Coal bed methane is a form of natural gas found near coal deposits.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="10">The Coal Blocks Allocation (Amendment) Rules, 2020 notified</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Coal notified the Coal Blocks Allocation (Amendment) Rules, 2020 to amend the Coal Blocks Allocation Rules, 2017.</li>
<li>The 2017 Rules issued under the<strong> Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957</strong> provide for terms and conditions for the auction and allotment of coal blocks.</li>
<li>The amendments in the 2017 Rules have been notified to give effect to: (i) the provisions of the Mineral Laws (Amendment) Act, 2020 and (ii) auction of coal and lignite blocks for commercial sale on revenue sharing basis. Among other changes, the Act removed the restriction on end-use for certain coal blocks specified under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015</li>
<li><strong>Key amendments to the Coal Blocks Allocation Rules, 2017 include:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Prices for auction or allotment:</strong> The 2017 Rules provide for a ceiling price, floor price, and reserve price that the central government could fix for certain types of auctions or allotments. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This has been amended to provide that these prices could either be specified as a price or a percentage. This seeks to enable the allocation of coal blocks on the revenue sharing model.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance bank guarantee:</strong> The 2017 Rules provide that a successful allottee will provide a performance bank guarantee to the central government. It also enables the state government to require a performance bank guarantee from the allottee upon the grant of mining lease. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This has been amended to provide that the successful allottee will be required to provide an unconditional and irrevocable performance bank guarantee upon the grant of mine opening permission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Specified end-use clause:</strong> The 2017 Rules provided for allocation of certain coal mines with specified end-use such as power generation and steel production. These provisions have been removed.</li>
<li><strong>Prospecting license-cum-mining lease:</strong> Various provisions regarding allocation order under the 2017 Rules (such as issuance and cancellation) will now also cover the prospecting license-cum-mining lease for a coal block.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="11">National Coal Index</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Ministry of Coal</strong> released the <strong>standard operating procedure (SOP)</strong> for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/index-to-determine-the-value-of-coal-blocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Coal Index</strong></a>. The Index will reflect the market price of coal. Other uses of the Index include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>use as a base indicator for taxation purpose and</li>
<li>for future calculation of upfront amount and intrinsic value of mines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The SOP provides that the Index will be published once in two months. The Coal Controller&rsquo;s Organisation will be responsible for: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>collecting data pertaining to coal prices,</li>
<li>statistical validation of price data, and</li>
<li>preparation of detailed technical notes on the price movements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ministry of Coal will be responsible for scrutiny of data and publication of the results.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="12">Removed Mandatory Washing of Coal in Thermal Power Plants</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In January 2014, the Ministry of Environment amended the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 to mandate certain coal-based thermal power plants to only use coal with ash content up to 34% (on a quarterly basis).</li>
<li>These plants included captive plants with capacity of 100 megawatts or above, and all stand-alone plants. This requirement was also based on the distance of the thermal power plant from the coal mine.</li>
<li>The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has amended the 1986 rules to remove this requirement.</li>
<li>This was done in the light of representations by the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal, and Niti Aayog and to stimulate the domestic coal sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.</li>
<li>The representations included: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>requirement of maintaining average ash content to 34% prompts industries to import coal, leading to outflow of foreign exchange.</li>
<li>use of washery rejects generates more pollution</li>
<li>coal washing process involves increased water use and effluent generation, and</li>
<li>coal washing adversely impacts water drainage patterns, water bodies, and surrounding air quality at a large scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The Ministry provided that the use of coal by power plants, shall be permitted without conditions with regards to ash content or distance. However, the following conditions will have to be complied with:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Setting up technology solutions for emission norms:</strong> This includes: (i) complying with specified emission norms for particulate matter, as per instructions of the Central Pollution Control Board, and (ii) installing appropriate technology in washeries to utilise rejects.</li>
<li><strong>Management of Ash Ponds:</strong> This includes: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>complying with fly ash conditions notified by the Ministry, and</li>
<li>installing appropriate technology solutions to optimise water consumption for ash management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transportation:</strong> It should be ensured that a rail siding or conveyor facility is set up at or near the power plant for transportation of coal by rail or conveyor. If transportation by rail or conveyor facility is not available, coal should be transported in covered trucks by road.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="13">Environment</h2>
<h3 id="14">BS VI emission norms for quadricycles notified</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified the Central Motor Vehicles (Fourth) Amendment, 2020.</li>
<li>The amendment provides for Bharat Stage -VI (BS-VI) emission standards and testing procedure for quadricycles manufactured on or after April 1, 2020.</li>
<li>A quadricycle is a four-wheeler, which is smaller and lighter than a passenger car.</li>
<li>The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bs-vi-emission-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Stage Emission Standards</strong> </a>are instituted by the central government to regulate air pollutants released from motor vehicles. This notification completes the process of BS-VI for all two and three wheelers, quadricycles, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles in India.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bharat Stage (BS)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bharat Stage (BS) are emission standards instituted by the Government of India to regulate the output of air pollutants from motor vehicles.</li>
<li>The Environment Ministry is responsible for deciding the fuel standard in the country. The Central Pollution Control Board implements these standards.</li>
<li>The BS regulations are based on the European emission standards.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3 id="15">Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011 Amended</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> amended the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coastal-regulation-zone-crz-notification-2018#:~:text=CRZ%2DIII%20A%20%2D%20These%20are,in%20the%20CRZ%20Notification%2C%202011." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification declares certain coastal stretches as Coastal Regulation Zone and imposes restrictions on the setting up and expansion of industries, operations and processes in this zone.</li>
<li>The amendment to the notification provides that certain areas of mangroves will be protected under the notification. These include mangrove areas arising due to saline water access beyond a sluice gate (constructed before February 19 1991). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, these mangroves shall not be diverted for any developmental activities</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Coastal Regulation Zones</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Coastal stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers, and backwaters were declared as CRZs under coastal zone regulation notification in 1991.</li>
<li>CRZs have been classified into 4 zones for the purpose of regulation:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>CRZ-I:</strong> includes ecologically sensitive areas, where no construction is allowed except activities for atomic power plants, defense.</li>
<li><strong>CRZ-II:</strong> includes designated urban areas that are substantially built up. Construction activities are allowed on the landward side only.</li>
<li><strong>CRZ-III:</strong> includes relatively undisturbed areas, mainly rural areas. No new construction of buildings allowed in this zone except repairing of the existing ones. However, constructions of dwelling units in the plot area lying between 200-500m of the high tide line is allowed.</li>
<li><strong>CRZ-IV:</strong> includes the water area covered between Low Tide Line and 12 nautical miles seaward. Except for fishing and related activities, all actions impugning on the sea and tidal water will be regulated in this zone.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3 id="16">Guidelines for Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Jal Shakti</strong> notified the Operational Guidelines for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/swachh-bharat-mission-grameen-phase-ii-approved#:~:text=Swachh%20Bharat%20Mission%20(Grameen)%20Phase%2DII%20Approved,-20%20Feb%202020&amp;text=The%20Union%20Cabinet%20has%20approved,Liquid%20Waste%20Management%20(SLWM)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) (SBM-G) Phase II.</strong></a></li>
<li>The aim of the second phase of the scheme is to sustain the open defecation free status of villages and to improve the levels of cleanliness in rural areas through solid and liquid waste management activities.</li>
<li>Key features of the guidelines include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Components of SBM-G Phase II:</strong> All states must develop a detailed implementation strategy based on the following components:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>construction of individual household latrines and community sanitary complexes,</li>
<li>works for solid waste management (biodegradable and plastic),</li>
<li>works for liquid waste management and grey water management, and</li>
<li>faecal sludge management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Institutional Mechanism:</strong> Committees will be set up at centre, state and village level to help in planning and facilitating the implementation of the mission. An eight-member National Scheme Sanctioning Committee will be constituted to approve state project implementation plans and the annual implementation plan for the scheme.</li>
<li><strong>Capacity building:</strong> Training will be provided for all stakeholders at state, district and village levels. Stakeholders will include functionaries of ASHA, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lack-of-anganwadis-in-urban-areas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>anganwadi</strong></a> workers, self-help group members, masons, and NGOs.</li>
<li>The training may be on various aspects of the phase, including promoting behavioural change through interpersonal communication, door to door visits, masonry work, plumbing, skills for maintenance of toilets, and other <strong>Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM)</strong> activities.</li>
<li><strong>Market linked SLWM activities:</strong> The SBM-G Phase II will focus on commercially viable solutions to make the sanitation economy attractive to private businesses. Possible avenues of engagement for engaging private sector in rural sanitation could be: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>providing technical assistance in developing innovative and low-cost models of latrine and SLWM infrastructure,</li>
<li>developing sustainable business models for operation and maintenance of community and household level sanitation infrastructure,</li>
<li>raising demand for sanitation value chain products by providing market linkages and financing options to local businesses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="17">Security</h2>
<h3 id="18">Shekatkar Committee Recommendations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>government accepted and implemented certain recommendations of the Shekatkar Committee</strong> relating to border infrastructure.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/abolition-of-posts-in-mes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shekatkar Committee</strong> </a>was set up to enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Shekatkar Committee</strong> was a 11-member committee, appointed by the erstwhile Defence Minister in mid-2016. It was headed by Lt. Gen. D.B. Shekatkar (Retd).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Committee had submitted its report in December 2016. However, the report of the Committee has not been released in public domain in the interest of national security.</li>
<li>The recommendations of the Committee accepted by the government aim to speed up border road construction. These are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Road construction work beyond the optimal capacity of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bro-opens-rohtang-pass" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Border Roads Organisation (BRO)</strong> </a>will be outsourced. Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC) mode has been made mandatory for execution of all works costing more than Rs 100 crore.</li>
<li>The Committee recommended that modern construction plants, equipment, and machinery should be introduced for road construction. The government has increased delegation of powers to the BRO for projects upto Rs 100 crore, for speedier procurement of new technologies.</li>
<li>The Committee recommended that clearances should be obtained before the commencement of the project. Adoption of the EPC mode mandates award of work only after 90% of the statutory clearances, such as forest and environmental clearances, have been obtained.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
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		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Model Bilateral Investment Treaty',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/what-ails-indias-model-bit/article31939413.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;What ails India&rsquo;s Model BIT?&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published on The Hindu business line on 28/6/2020. It talks about the issues related to the Model Bilateral Investment Treaty, 2016.</p>
</div>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-indian-federalism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, which led to a protracted lockdown policy, has raised the fear of an impending economic recession in India. In pursuit of economic recovery, the Government has launched <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a> with an objective of making domestic firms competitive and more integrated supply value chains.</p>
<p>However, in order to make Indian manufacturing truly self-reliant, domestic manufacturing needs to be complemented by a more welcoming stance on foreign investments such as FDIs, FIIs.</p>
<p>Though India ranked among the top 10 global destinations for FDI in 2019, the inflows have remained at less than 2% of GDP. This is despite India leapfrogging 79 places from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2020 in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-makes-doing-business-easier#:~:text=In%20the%20latest%20ranking%20for,for%20the%20third%20consecutive%20year." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank&rsquo;s &lsquo;Ease of Doing Business&rsquo; rankings</strong></a>.</p>
<p>One way to understand such sub-optimal flows is to look at the lacunae emanating from the Model Bilateral Investment Treaty, 2016.</p>
<h3>Bilateral Investment Treaties</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bilateral Investment Treaties:</strong> BITs are treaties between two countries aimed at protecting investments made by investors of both countries.</li>
<li><strong>Objective of BITs:</strong> BITs protect investments by imposing conditions on the regulatory behaviour of the host state and thus, prevent undue interference with the rights of the foreign investor. These conditions may include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Imposing obligations on host states to accord fair and equitable treatment (FET) to foreign investment and not to discriminate against foreign investment.</li>
<li>Allowing for repatriation of profits subject to conditions agreed to between the two countries.</li>
<li>Most importantly, allowing individual investors to bring cases against host states if the latter&rsquo;s sovereign regulatory measures are not consistent with the BIT, for monetary compensation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and BITs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Since signing the first BIT in 1994 with the UK, India has inked 86 such bilateral treaties, the latest being with Brazil in 2020.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BITs have been one the major drivers of FDI inflows into India.</li>
<li>A 2016 study suggests that by providing substantive protection and commitment to foreign investors, BITs indeed contributed to rising FDIs in the 2001-2012 period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, there have been many cases of the penalty awarded by an International Dispute Settlement (ISDS) tribunal served against India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example in cases involving regulatory measures such as the imposition of retrospective taxes, cancellation and revocation of spectrum and telecom licences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This led to a review of the BITs. and in 2016 India launched the Model BIT. It aims to act as a base for negotiating new BITs with other States, as well as for re-negotiation of the existing ones.</li>
<li>As per Model BIT in 2016, India moved away from an overly investor-friendly approach to a somewhat protectionist approach concerning foreign investments.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since its adoption, India has unilaterally terminated 66-odd BITs between 2016 to 2019, sending negative signals to the global investor community.</li>
<li>This is evident as no country has shown any inclination to re-negotiate based on the Model BIT.</li>
<li>Since 2016, India has signed just three treaties, none of which is in force yet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to Model BIT</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Narrowing Definition of Investment:</strong> Model BIT narrowed the definition of investment that needed to qualify for BIT protection.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Shift From Asset-based to Enterprise-based:</strong> Model BIT indicates that India proposes a<strong> narrow &lsquo;enterprise-based&rsquo; definition</strong> for investment, whereby only direct investments are protected under the treaty.</li>
<li><strong>Negative List:</strong> Besides this, the definition of investment in the Model BIT also contains a <strong>negative list,</strong> which precludes portfolio investments, interest in debt- securities, intangible rights, etc. from the definition of investment.</li>
<li>Thus, the new definition does not take into account the increased scope of foreign investments in the modern era of globalization and liberalization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exhaustion of Domestic Remedy Clause:</strong> Model BIT contains a clause mandating exhaustion of domestic remedy prior to initiating international arbitration proceedings.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <strong>&lsquo;Ease of Doing Business 2020&rsquo;</strong> report, India currently ranks 163 out of 190 countries in ease of enforcing contracts, and it takes 1,445 days and 31% of the claim value for dispute resolution.</li>
<li>This surely does little to increase confidence in foreign investors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wide Discretionary Powers to Host State:</strong> Also, it included a &lsquo;Treatment of Investments&rsquo; clause with a broadly-worded undertaking that neither party shall subject investments to measures that are manifestly abusive and in violation of due process.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, what is the yardstick for assessment of violation of &ldquo;due process&rdquo; is not defined.</li>
<li>Further, Model BIT states that if the Host State decides that the alleged breach under the BIT is a subject matter of taxation at any point in time, the decision of the Host State therein shall be non-justiciable and exempt from review by an arbitral tribunal.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Model BIT simplistically assumes that a foreign investor shall have complete confidence in domestic judicial interpretations and mechanisms.</li>
<li>This could potentially give wide discretion to the Host State to unilaterally exclude any dispute from the jurisdiction of a tribunal, merely by asserting that the conduct in question relates to taxation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Adopting a Hybrid Definition:</strong> Given averseness of Foreign investors, there is a need to revise the definition of investment in the form of a hybrid between an asset-based and enterprise-based definition.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While keeping intact a negative list (to exclude those specific categories or sectors that the Parties deem necessary), such a definition would ensure that direct and indirect investments are protected under the BIT, while still leaving scope for exclusions for regulatory reasons by the State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Following International Norms:</strong> India may explore the option to revise the standard of treatment clause to align it with international practices and include the traditional standard of protection of fair and equitable treatment.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, must give clarification regarding the open-ended terms in the Model BIT. This could result in India facing fewer disputes and BIT claims.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The initiatives such as Make in India 2.0 and liberalisation of FDI caps across sectors are steps in the right direction. Unless the Government adopts a more balanced approach in the Model BIT 2016, foreign investors would be reluctant to make investments into India.</p>
<p>As global companies contemplate moving their investments away from China, it is an opportune time to review and revise the Model BIT from the present inward-looking protectionist approach to a more pragmatic one.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593603137_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593603137_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="630" height="372" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; background-color: #fff9f2; border-color: #ff0303;">
<p><span style="color: #003366;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;In order to address the shortfall in foreign inflows in India, there is a need for adoption of a more balanced approach in the Model Bilateral Investment Treaty 2016&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N9yixKapUGE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/tamil-nadu-police-thoothukudi-death-in-custody-6482198/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Death in custody&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published on The Indian Express on June 30<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/model-bilateral-investment-treaty'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'State of the World Population 2020: UNFPA',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-world-population-2019-unfpa#:~:text=According%20to%20State%20of%20World,annual%20growth%20rate%20of%20China." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Population Fund</strong></a> (UNFPA) has released the <strong>State of the World Population 2020 report</strong>, titled <strong>&lsquo;Against my will: defying the practices that harm women and girls and undermine equality&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It highlights<strong> at least 19 human rights <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-girl-child-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">violations against women</a></strong> and focuses on the<strong> three most prevalent ones, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-questions-female-genital-mutilation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Female Genital Mutilation</a> (FGM), extreme bias against daughters, in favour of sons </strong>and <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-say-no-to-child-marriage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">child marriage</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The number of<strong> missing women</strong> has more than doubled over the past 50 years, who were at 61 million in 1970.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Missing females/women:</strong> These are women missing from the population at given dates due to the cumulative effect of postnatal and prenatal sex selection in the past. The phrase was coined by <strong>Amartya Sen.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan <strong>excess female mortality</strong> of girls below 5 years of age was under 3%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Excess female mortality:</strong> It is the difference between observed and expected mortality of the girl child or avoidable death of girls during childhood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to estimates averaged over a five year period (2013-17), annually, there were 1.2 million missing female births, at a global level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India Specific Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One in three girls missing globally due to sex selection, both pre- and post-natal, is from India, i.e. 46 million out of the total 142 million.</li>
<li>India has the <strong>highest rate of excess female deaths</strong> at 13.5 per 1,000 female births or one in nine deaths of females below the age of 5 due to postnatal sex selection.</li>
<li>In India, around 460,000 girls went missing at birth, which means they were not born due to sex-selection biases, each year between 2013 and 2017.</li>
<li>India (40%) along with China (50%) account for around 90% of the estimated 1.2 million girls lost annually to female foeticide.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Female Genital Mutilation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It involves the <strong>partial or total removal of external female genitalia</strong> or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.</li>
<li>The practise has<strong> no health benefits</strong> for girls and women and can cause severe bleeding, problems in urinating, cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.</li>
<li>An estimated 4.1 million girls will be subjected to female genital mutilation in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extreme Bias against Daughters, in favour of sons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An extreme and continuing preference for sons over daughters in some countries has fuelled <strong>gender-biased sex selection or extreme neglect</strong> which leads to girls&rsquo; death as children, resulting in missing females.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The report <strong>examines the issue of missing women</strong> by studying sex ratio imbalances at birth as a result of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pre-conception-and-pre-natal-diagnostic-techniques-pcpndt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gender-biased sex selection</strong></a> as well as excess female mortality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>advent of technology and increased access to ultrasound imaging</strong> allow parents to terminate a foetus after knowing its gender.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Due to this, the number of girls missing due to female foeticide exceed those that are missing because of postnatal sex selection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These <strong>skewed numbers change the population proportions</strong> and result in <strong>&lsquo;marriage squeeze&rsquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Marriage squeeze:</strong> It happens when prospective grooms far outnumber prospective brides, which further results in <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-war-against-human-trafficking" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>human trafficking</strong></a> for marriage as well as child marriages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These violations result in <strong>fewer choices</strong> for females and putting them <strong>under the sexual, economic and legal control of men,</strong> curbing their human rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Child Marriage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every day, around 33,000 girls under age 18 are forced into marriage, usually to much older men.</li>
<li>In India, child marriage is directly linked to poverty, poor education and geographic location and the rural and urban divide.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-19 Induced Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>economic disruptions and income-loss</strong> because of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a> are likely to increase <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/violence-against-women-on-rise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>violence against girls and women</strong></a> due to intensified unwantedness of daughters and gender discrimination.</li>
<li>The Covid-19 pandemic<strong> threatens to reverse the progress</strong> made in ending some harmful practices worldwide.</li>
<li>In India, Covid-19 has <strong>reduced access to contraception and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/abortions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abortion</a> services,</strong> which is likely to lead to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives Appreciated:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The report pointed out that successful education-related interventions include the provision of cash transfers conditional on school attendance or support to cover the costs of school fees, books, uniforms and supplies.</li>
<li>The report took note of the successful cash-transfer initiative such as <strong>&lsquo;Apni Beti Apna Dhan&rsquo; in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Population Fund</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>subsidiary organ of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN General Assembly</a></strong> and works as a <strong>sexual and reproductive health agency.</strong></li>
<li>It was <strong>established as a trust fund in 1967</strong> and began operations in <strong>1969.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>1987,</strong> it was <strong>officially renamed</strong> the United Nations Population Fund but the original abbreviation,<strong> &lsquo;UNFPA&rsquo;</strong> for the <strong>United Nations Fund for Population Activities</strong> was <strong>retained.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>UN Economic and Social Council</strong> (ECOSOC) establishes its mandate.</li>
<li>UNFPA is <strong>not supported by the UN budget,</strong> instead, it is entirely<strong> supported by</strong> voluntary contributions of donor governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, foundations and individuals.</li>
<li>UNFPA works directly to tackle<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Sustainable Development Goals</strong></a> on<strong> health</strong> (SDG3), <strong>education</strong> (SDG4) and<strong> gender equality</strong> (SDG5).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The problem should be tackled by eliminating the root causes, especially gender-biased norms.</li>
<li>People must foster <strong>respect</strong> for women and girls, by changing attitudes and practices that commoditize them.</li>
<li>People must<strong> protect</strong> women and girls by enforcing laws against practices like child marriage and female mutilation and also by changing attitudes and norms.</li>
<li>Governments must<strong> fulfil</strong> their obligations under human rights treaties that require the elimination of these practices and rituals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Countries that have ratified international treaties such as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-children-s-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on the Rights of the Child</strong></a>, have a duty to end the harm, whether it&rsquo;s inflicted on girls by family members, religious communities, health-care providers, commercial enterprises or State institutions themselves.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/46-million-girls-went-missing-in-india/article31957348.ece#:~:text=One%20in%20three%20girls%20missing,2020%20report%20released%20on%20Tuesday.&amp;text=India%20had%20about%204%2C60%2C000,missing'%20at%20birth%20each%20year." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-the-world-population-2020-unfpa'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'National Mission for Clean Ganga',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> has approved a five year loan (for the second phase) to the <a href="/daily-news-analysis/ganga-vriksharopan-abhiyan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)</strong></a> or <strong>Namami Gange Project</strong> worth Rs.3,000 crore to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/15-point-directive-to-clean-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>help stem pollution in the Ganga river basin.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>So far, 313 projects worth Rs. 25,000 crore have been sanctioned under the mission.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The First Phase:</strong> The Namami Gange has already received <strong>Rs. 4,535 crore</strong> from the World Bank as part of the first phase (valid until December 2021) of the National Ganga River Basin.</li>
<li><strong>The Second Phase: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Hybrid Annuity Projects:</strong> The loan would fund three new &lsquo;Hybrid Annuity Projects&rsquo; in Agra, Meerut and Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh for the tributaries of the Ganga.</li>
<li><strong>Cleaning Projects:</strong> Some of the projects include spillover projects from the first phase of the mission as well cleaning projects in tributaries such as the Yamuna and Kali rivers.</li>
<li><strong>DBOT Projects</strong>: Rs.1,209 crore is provided for the ongoing DBOT <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/build-operate-transfer-model#:~:text=BOT%3A%20It%20is%20conventional%20PPP,to%20construct%20and%20maintain%20it." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Design, Build, Operate and Transfer)</strong></a> projects in Buxar, Munger, Begusarai in Bihar.</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives:</strong> It would include institutional development, improving investment resilience to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> like emergency situations, performance based incentive for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/25-years-of-local-democracy-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Urban Local Bodies</strong></a> and communication and management programmes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Associated Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Pollution:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Most of the Ganga is polluted and it is due to presence of five states on the river&rsquo;s main stem i.e. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal.</li>
<li>Industrial <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/03-12-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pollution</strong></a> from tanneries in Kanpur, distilleries, paper and sugar mills in the Kosi, Ramganga and Kali river catchments are major contributors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Violation of e-Flow Norms:</strong> According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/e-flows-in-river-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Water Commission (CWC)</strong></a>, 4 of the 11 hydro power projects on the upper reaches of the river Ganga&rsquo;s tributaries are violating Ganga <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-notifies-e-flow-for-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ecological flow (e-flow) norms</strong></a> which is further interrupting the natural flow of the river.</li>
<li><strong>Illegal Construction:</strong> The problem of illegal and rampant construction near river beds has become a major hurdle in cleaning the river.</li>
<li><strong>Poor Governance:</strong> There is less utilisation of funds allotted under the programmes due to lack of monitoring and superviison.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Namami Gange Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Namami Gange Programme</strong> is an<strong> Integrated Conservation Mission,</strong> approved as a &lsquo;Flagship Programme&rsquo; by the Union Government in<strong> June 2014</strong> to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.</li>
<li>It is being operated under the Department of Water Resources,River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, <strong>Ministry of Jal Shakti.</strong></li>
<li>The program is being implemented by the <strong>National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG),</strong> and its state counterpart organizations i.e., State Program ManagementGroups (SPMGs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NMCG is the implementation wing of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-meeting-of-national-ganga-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Ganga Council</strong> </a>(set in 2016; which replaced the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NRGBA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has a <strong>Rs. 20,000-crore, centrally-funded,</strong> non-lapsable corpus and consists of nearly 288 projects.</li>
<li><strong>The main pillars of the programme are:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure &amp; Industrial Effluent Monitoring,</li>
<li>River-Front Development &amp; River-Surface Cleaning,</li>
<li>Bio-Diversity &amp; Afforestation,</li>
<li>Public Awareness</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Other Initiatives Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ganga Action Plan:</strong> It was the first River Action Plan that was taken up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 1985, to improve the water quality by the interception, diversion, and treatment of domestic sewage.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The National River Conservation Plan</strong> is an extension to the Ganga Action Plan. It aims at cleaning the Ganga river under Ganga Action Plan phase-2.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA):</strong> It was formed by the Government of India in the year 2009 under Section-3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It declared the Ganga as the &lsquo;National River&rsquo; of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Clean Ganga Fund:</strong> In 2014, it was formed for cleaning up of the Ganga, setting up of waste treatment plants, and conservation of biotic diversity of the river.</li>
<li><strong>Bhuvan-Ganga Web App:</strong> It ensures involvement of the public in monitoring of pollution entering into the river Ganga.</li>
<li><strong>Ban on Waste Disposal:</strong> In 2017, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal</strong></a> banned the disposal of any waste in the Ganga.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government&rsquo;s <strong>Namami Gange Programme</strong> has <strong>revitalised India&rsquo;s efforts</strong> in rejuvenating the Ganga.</li>
<li>In this line, the first World Bank loan has helped build critical sewage infrastructure in 20 pollution hotspots along the river and the current funding would help in cleaning of the <strong>tributaries of Ganga.</strong></li>
<li>It will further aid the government to <strong>strengthen the institutions</strong> needed to manage a river basin as large as the Ganga Basin.</li>
<li>In order to successfully implement the plan there is a<strong> need for a strategic blueprint</strong> that includes the<strong> strict monitoring, mass awareness campaigns, use of digital media and conservation of biodiversity in Ganga.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/world-bank-approves-fresh-funds-for-ganga-cleaning-mission/article31957115.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-mission-for-clean-ganga'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Committee on Criminal Law Reform',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted a <strong>national level committee for reform in criminal law.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Committee For Reform In Criminal Law:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The committee has been constituted under <strong>Ranbir Singh</strong> and several other members.</li>
<li>The committee would be gathering opinions online by consulting with experts and collating material for their report to the government.</li>
<li>The consultation exercise would start on 4<sup>th</sup> July 2020 and go on for the next three months.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background of Criminal Justice System:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The codification of criminal laws in India was done during the British rule, which more or less remains the same even in the 21<sup>st</sup> century.</li>
<li><strong>Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay</strong> is said to be the chief architect of codifications of criminal laws in India.</li>
<li>Criminal law in India is governed by <strong>Indian Penal Code, 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, </strong>and<strong> Indian Evidence Act, 1872,</strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Reforms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Colonial Era Laws:</strong> The criminal justice system is a replica of the British colonial jurisprudence, which was designed with the purpose of ruling the nation and not serving the citizens.</li>
<li><strong>Ineffectiveness:</strong> The purpose of the criminal justice system was to protect the rights of the innocents and punish the guilty, but nowadays the system has become a tool of harassment of common people.</li>
<li><strong>Pendency of Cases:</strong> According to <a href="/gist-of-economic-survey/gist-of-economic-survey-2018-19/gist-of-economic-survey2018-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Survey 2018-19</strong></a>, there are about 3.5 crore cases pending in the judicial system, especially in district and subordinate courts, which leads to actualisation of the maxim <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/judicial-pendency-justice-delayed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Justice delayed is justice denied.&rdquo;</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Huge Undertrials:</strong> India has one of the world&rsquo;s largest number of undertrial prisoners.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to <strong>NCRB -Prison Statistics India</strong> (2015), 67.2% of our total prison population comprises <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/prison-reforms-and-way-forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>undertrial prisoners</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Investigation:</strong> Corruption, huge workload and accountability of police is a major hurdle in speedy and transparent delivery of justice.</li>
<li><strong>Madhav Menon Committee:</strong> It submitted its report in 2007, suggesting various recommendations on reforms in the CJSI.</li>
<li><strong>Malimath Committee Report:</strong> It submitted its report in 2003 on the <strong>Criminal Justice System of India (CJSI).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Committee had opined that the <strong>existing system &ldquo;weighed in favour of the accused and did not adequately focus on justice to the victims of crime.&rdquo;</strong></li>
<li>It has provided various <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-road-map-for-criminal-justice-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>recommendations</strong> </a>to be made in the CJSI, which were not implemented.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions for Reforms</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Criminal law is considered to be the most apparent expression of the <strong>relationship between a state and its citizens.</strong> Therefore, any revision to the CJSI needs to be done while keeping several principles in mind, which are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>reason for victimization</strong> ought to be given a major thrust in reforming laws to identify the <strong>rights of crime victims.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>For Example:</strong> Launch of victim and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/witness-protection-scheme-2018-to-the-point" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>witness protection schemes</strong></a>, use of victim impact statements, increased victim participation in criminal trials, enhanced access of victims to compensation and restitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>construction of new offences</strong> and reworking of the existing classification of offences must be guided by the principles of criminal jurisprudence which have substantially altered in the past four decades.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>For Example:</strong> Criminal liability could be graded better to assign the degree of punishments. New types of punishments like <strong>community service orders, restitution orders, and other aspects of restorative and reformative justice</strong> could also be brought in its fold.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>classification of offences</strong> must be done in a manner conducive to management of crimes in the future.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Many chapters of the IPC are overloaded at several places. The chapters on offences against public servants, contempt of authority, public tranquility, and trespass can be redefined and narrowed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Guiding principles</strong> need to be developed after sufficient debate before criminalising an act as a crime.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Unprincipled criminalisation not only leads to the creation of new offences on unscientific grounds, but also arbitrariness in the criminal justice system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>discretion of judges</strong> in deciding the quantum and nature of sentence differently for crimes of the same nature should be based on principles of judicial precedent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India needs to draft a clear policy that should inform the changes to be envisaged in the existing criminal laws.</li>
<li>It also needs to make simultaneous improvements in the police, prosecution, judiciary and in prisons.</li>
<li>The focus of reform should be on reformative justice in order to bring all around peace in the society.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/committee-for-reform-in-criminal-law-to-start-online-consultation-soon/article31958256.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/committee-on-criminal-law-reform'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Online Education',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Central government has proposed long-term measures to address social inequities in <strong>online education,</strong> as highlighted by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The measures include plans to <strong>distribute laptops or tablets</strong> to 40% of all college and university students over the next five years and to <strong>equip all government schools with Information and Communication Technology</strong> (ICT).</li>
<li>Earlier in April 2020, the Centre had announced to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/classes-in-distance-mode" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>start the 2020-21 academic year virtually</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Facilitation of Online Education:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Providing Laptops and Tablets:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Providing these <strong>devices to 4.06 crore students</strong> (40% of the projected student population) <strong>by 2026,</strong> at a total cost of Rs. 60,900 crore.</li>
<li>The <strong>Centre and States</strong> will share the cost in a <strong>60:40 ratio.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Installing ICT Facilities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Human Resource Development</strong> proposes to spend Rs. 2,306 crore on <strong>developing and translating digital course content and resources</strong> over the next five years.</li>
<li>Different<strong> e-learning</strong> techniques will be used like YouTube, Google Classroom, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/online-classes-due-to-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SWAYAM Prabha portal</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-dth-v-s-ott" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>direct-to-home</strong> </a>(DTH), etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sanitisation and Quarantine Measures before School Reopenings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The measures would include ensuring basic <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/who-wash-strategy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities</strong></a>, safe drinking water, availability of sanitiser, disinfectant, cleaning material and equipment for temperature checking.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial Support:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the <strong>composite grant for schools,</strong> ranging between <strong>Rs. 25,000 for small schools with less than 100 students</strong> and<strong> Rs. 1 lakh for schools with over a thousand students</strong> for awareness and community mobilisation to sensitise parents, students and local leaders about pandemics, social distancing and other preventive measures.</li>
<li><strong>Rs. 1,000 per teacher to encourage</strong> them to function as first-level counsellors, disseminate basic information about Covid-19 and provide digital/online/mobile education.</li>
<li><strong>Rs. 1 lakh per school for sanitisation and quarantine measures</strong> in preparation for the safe reopening of schools.</li>
<li>A proposed <strong>budget of Rs. 55,840 crore to equip government schools</strong> above the upper primary level, with ICT facilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593592868_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593592868_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Social Inequity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>e-Learning is a privilege for the students from middle and upper class but it has proved to be a nuisance for students from the lower middle class and people living <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/poverty-estimation-in-india#:~:text=Out%20of%20the%20total%20population,living%20below%20the%20poverty%20line." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>below the poverty line</strong></a> (BPL).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Marketing of Education:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Corporate houses, technology firms and educational institutions will be working closely to achieve the goals of e-learning which may aggravate the commercialisation of education and exclude the self-dependent tutors and students from economically weak backgrounds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technological Constraints:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Poor students, who do not have access to e-resources (computers, laptops, internet connectivity), will not be able to attend classes from home.</li>
<li>Teachers too might have technical constraints and if teachers are equipped but the same might not be the case for the institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Practical Learning:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most of the subjects like beauty culture, fashion design and tailoring, office management, travel and tourism, web design etc need practical learning so it is difficult to teach them from a distance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Traditional classroom organisations</strong> like schools and colleges, as social space (whereby a student not just learns the academic knowledge but many social skills also), <strong>are indispensable.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government should start making<strong> access to technology universal</strong> in the public education system. Private players can make e-resources accessible and available to students under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility</strong> </a>(CSR).</li>
<li>The <strong>definition of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/right-to-education#:~:text=Feature%20of%20Right%20to%20Education,SCs%20and%20STs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">right to education</a> needs to expand and promote online education</strong> so that it addresses the importance of connectivity and access to knowledge and information.</li>
<li><strong>Traditional classroom organisations should give way to online education.</strong></li>
<li>Further, there is a need for <strong>deep reflection on curriculum and to ensure scientific literacy</strong> within it as the society still struggles against superstitions and hardly fights misinformation actively.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/laptops-tablets-to-be-provided-to-40-of-university-students-govt-schools-to-get-ict-facilities/article31956786.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/online-education'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Core Sector Shrinks by 23.4%',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry,<strong> the eight core sector industries</strong> contracted by 23.4% in May, 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In April 2020 the eight core sectors had contracted by 37%.</li>
<li>In May 2019 the eight core sectors had grown by 3.8%.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Core Sector Data: Except fertiliser,</strong> all seven sectors &mdash; coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, steel, cement, and electricity &mdash; had recorded negative growth in May.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>fertiliser production</strong> showed growth at 7.5% after two consecutive months of contraction.</li>
<li>The <strong>steel and cement</strong> showed a shrinkage of 48.4% and 22.2% respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason:</strong> The main reason for contraction was <strong>factories remained affected</strong> by a <strong>lack of labour and cash shortages</strong> owing to the nationwide lockdown.</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong> Experts are of the opinion that aftershocks of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong> </a>will continue to affect domestic industry in coming months. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They will see a lower but certain contraction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593585621_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593585621_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="416" height="401" /></a></p>
<h3>Core Sector Industries</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>eight core sector industries</strong> include coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity</li>
<li>These <strong>comprise 40.27% of the weight of items</strong> included in the <strong>Index of Industrial Production (IIP).</strong></li>
<li>The eight Core Industries in <strong>decreasing order</strong> of their weightage:<strong> Refinery Products&gt; Electricity&gt; Steel&gt; Coal&gt; Crude Oil&gt; Natural Gas&gt; Cement&gt; Fertilizers.</strong></li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #7dffaa; text-align: center;"><strong>Industry</strong></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #7dffaa; text-align: center;"><strong>Weight (In percentage)</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Petroleum &amp; Refinery production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">28.04</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Electricity generation</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">19.85</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Steel production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">17.92</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Coal production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">10.33</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Crude Oil production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">8.98</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Natural Gas production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">6.88</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Cement production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">5.37</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Fertilizers production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">2.63</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Index of Industrial Production</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an indicator that <strong>measures the changes in the volume of production of industrial products</strong> during a given period.</li>
<li>It is compiled and published monthly by the <strong>National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</strong></li>
<li>IIP is a <strong>composite indicator</strong> that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Broad sectors,</strong> namely, Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.</li>
<li><strong>Use-based sectors,</strong> namely Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Base Year</strong> for IIP is <strong>2011-2012.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Significance of IIP:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>used by government agencies</strong> including the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of India, etc, for policy-making purposes.</li>
<li>IIP remains extremely relevant for the calculation of the quarterly and<strong> advance GDP estimates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/eight-core-industries-output-contracts-234-in-may/article31954528.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/core-sector-shrinks-by-23-4'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Education In Post-Covid Era',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.livemint.com/opinion/columns/education-in-the-post-pandemic-world-cannot-be-the-same-again-11593098987345.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Education in the post-pandemic world cannot be the same again&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The LiveMint on 25/06/2020. It talks about the status of education in the post-pandemic era.</p>
</div>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-globalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> has resulted in unprecedented upheaval across all industries, with the education sector being no exception. In such a difficult time society and industries have sought to counter the disruptions caused by the pandemic, through &lsquo;great decentralization&rsquo; i.e. work-from-home or actually work-from-anywhere.</p>
<p>Similarly, online education by most of the colleges and universities has been becoming a norm. However, online education possesses some limitations pertaining to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/right-to-internet-access-and-digital-literacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the digital divide</strong></a> in India.</p>
<p>In this context, the government and other stakeholders should see this disruption caused by pandemic as a good opportunity to improve the public education system and aim to make it more egalitarian.</p>
<h3>Associated Challenges with Online Education</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Digital Divide:</strong> While e-education is a privilege for the students from an upper and middle class, it has proved to be a nuisance for students from the lower middle class and people living below the poverty line.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many poor students who don&rsquo;t have access to e-resources (computers, laptops, internet connectivity) shall not be able to attend classes from home.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commercialisation of Education:</strong> With online education becoming a norm in the post-pandemic era, there is a significant possibility of corporate houses, technology firms and educational institutions working much more closely together. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though this may have a big positive effect on the education sector, it may further aggravate the ongoing commercialisation of the education sector and exclude the self-dependent tutors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Online Education as a common good:</strong> The Centre and the state governments should start making access to technology universal and more feasible in the public education system. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, as part of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Corporate Social Responsibility</a>,</strong> private players can involve tech-based organisations to make e-resources accessible and available to students, especially in government and low-income private schools.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expansion in the scope of Right to Education:</strong> The definition of the right to education needs to expand and promote online education so that it addresses the importance of connectivity and access to knowledge and information.</li>
<li><strong>Valuing teaching profession:</strong> Digital innovation provides a remarkable opportunity for the democratisation of education.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, there is a need to encourage conditions that give frontline educators autonomy and flexibility to act collaboratively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection of the social spaces provided by education institutions:</strong> Traditional classroom organization must give way to online education. However, school or education as a social space (whereby a student not just learns the academic knowledge but many social skills also) is indispensable.</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring scientific literacy within the curriculum:</strong> This is the right time for deep reflection on curriculum, particularly as a society still struggles against superstitions and actively fights misinformation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Covid-19 has shown the extent to which the Indian system of education exploits inequalities. Thus, there is a need for renewed commitments to the synergy between the private and public education sector. In this context, there is a need to make education as a common good and digital innovation can help in achieving the feat.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593516361_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593516361_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #fa0000; background-color: #eeffeb;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;Education is a bulwark against inequalities and digital innovation can lead to its democratisation&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uIYrQX490E8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/brief-reprieve-the-hindu-editorial-on-terror-financing-watchdog-fatf-and-pakistan/article31940511.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Brief Reprieve&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on June 28<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/education-in-post-covid-era'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap: PMJVK',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Minister of Minority Affairs</strong> has laid the foundation stone for <strong>&lsquo;Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap&rsquo;</strong> (multi-purpose community centre) at Rampur in Uttar Pradesh.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This <strong>community centre</strong> will be utilized for various socio-economic-cultural activities, skill development training, coaching, different sports activities and relief activities during disasters such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</li>
<li>It is being constructed under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-july-17th-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Restructured: Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)</strong> is a <strong>restructured and renamed</strong> form of the erstwhile <strong>Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme was restructured on the recommendation of the<strong> Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment headed by Ramesh Bais,</strong> which submitted its report on <strong>&lsquo;Implementation of Scheme of Multi-Sectoral Development Programme/Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram&rsquo;</strong> on 9<sup>th</sup> August 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation Period:</strong> The restructured scheme is to be implemented during the remaining period of the 14<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-funding-for-panchayats" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Finance Commission</strong></a> i.e. 31st March 2020.</li>
<li><strong>Funding: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-hike-monthly-pensions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Centrally Sponsored Scheme</a>. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the year 2008-09, Government conceived the <strong>Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP)</strong> as a centrally sponsored scheme.</li>
<li>Initially, the MsDP scheme was launched in the <strong>90 Minority Concentration Districts</strong> of the country.</li>
<li>To sharpen the focus on the targeted communities, the scheme was restructured during 2013-14 and the unit of planning for implementation was changed to <strong>Minority Concentration Blocks (MCB), Minority Concentration Towns (MCT)</strong> and <strong>Clusters of Minority Concentration Villages (COV).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation Region:</strong> The PMJVK will continue to be implemented in MCBs, MCTs and COVs. A new area for implementation of PMJVK has been included namely <strong>Minority Concentration District Headquarters (MCD Hq).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The identified areas namely MCBs, MCTs, MCD Hqs and COVs for implementation of PMJVK are <strong>collectively known as Minority Concentration Areas (MCA).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Basis of Selection:</strong> On the basis of a substantial population of minority communities i.e. <strong>25% of the minority population</strong> in the area and <strong>backwardness parameters (literacy rate, female literacy rate, work participation rate and female work participation rate)</strong> along with <strong>basic amenities indicators</strong> in the area concerned which are <strong>below the national average</strong> based on population data of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/census-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Census</a> 2011.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the<strong> Census 2011,</strong> the percentage of minorities in the country is about <strong>19.3% of the total population of the country.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The population of Muslims are 14.2%, Christians 2.3%, Sikhs 1.7%, Buddhists 0.7%, Jain 0.4% and Parsis 0.006%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Minority Community:</strong> As far as PMJVK is concerned, the communities notified as minority communities under <strong>Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992</strong> would be taken as Minority Communities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At present <strong>six communities</strong> namely <strong>Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains</strong> have been notified as Minority Communities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Other schemes which aim at the<strong> inclusive growth of the minority communities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seekho Aur Kamao.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hunar-haat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Usttad.</strong></a></li>
<li>Garib Nawaz Kaushal Vikas Yojana.</li>
<li>Nai Manzil.</li>
<li>Nai Roshni.</li>
<li>Begum Hazrat Mahal Girls scholarships.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Minorities in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong> The term "Minority" is <strong>not defined in the Indian Constitution.</strong> However, the Constitution recognises <strong>only religious and linguistic minorities.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 29:</strong> It provides that any section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a distinct language, script or culture of its own, shall have the right to conserve the same. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It grants protection to both<strong> religious minorities</strong> as well as <strong>linguistic minorities.</strong></li>
<li>However, the Supreme Court held that the scope of this article is<strong> not necessarily restricted to minorities only,</strong> as use of the word &lsquo;section of citizens&rsquo; in the Article that include minorities as well as the majority.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 30:</strong> Under the article, all minorities shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The protection under Article 30 is confined only to minorities (religious or linguistic) and does<strong> not extend to any section of citizens</strong> (as under Article 29).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 350-B:</strong> Originally, the Constitution of India did not make any provision with respect to the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities. However, the <strong>7<sup>th</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956</strong> inserted Article <strong>350-B in the Constitution.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It provides for a <strong>Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities</strong> appointed by the <strong>President of India.</strong></li>
<li>It would be the duty of the Special Officer to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for linguistic minorities under the constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Parliamentary Provisions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992:</strong> The act defines a minority as &ldquo;a community notified as such by the Central government&rdquo;.</li>
<li>Under this act, the government formed the National Commission for Minorities which consists of <strong>a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and five members.</strong> The five members including the Chairperson shall be from amongst the minority communities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Minorities Rights Day in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Commission for Minorities observes the <strong>18<sup>th</sup> December</strong> as <strong>Minorities Rights Day every year.</strong></li>
<li>The day marks the adoption of the <strong>&ldquo;Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities&rdquo; by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a> in 1992.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The declaration states that States shall protect the existence of the National or Ethnic, Cultural, Religious and Linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1635101" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sanskritik-sadbhav-mandap-pmjvk'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Uganda Submitted REDD+ Results',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Uganda</strong> has become the<strong> first African country</strong> to submit results for <strong>Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+)</strong> to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)</strong></a>.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>REDD+</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+)</strong> is a mechanism developed by <strong>Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)</strong> in 2005.</li>
<li>Most of the key REDD+ decisions were completed by 2013, with the final pieces of the rulebook finished in 2015.</li>
<li>The<strong> &ldquo;Plus&rdquo;</strong> in REDD+, lays out the various ways in which countries have defined the three activities: <strong>conservation, the sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stock.</strong></li>
<li>It aims to achieve <strong>climate change mitigation by incentivizing forest conservation.</strong></li>
<li>It has three phases &mdash; <strong>Readiness, Implementation and Result-based actions.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Readiness phase</strong> involves the development of national strategies or action plans, REDD+ mitigation actions, and capacity building.</li>
<li><strong>Implementation</strong> is about enacting REDD+ actions and national strategies that could involve further capacity building, technology development and transfer.</li>
<li><strong>Results-based payments</strong> comprise the final REDD+ phase. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It provides <strong>financial incentives to developing countries</strong> that prove they stopped deforestation during a certain period of time. This is done through rigorous UN-backed technical evaluations</li>
<li>The<strong> Green Climate Fund (GCF)</strong> established at <strong>Conference Of Parties (COP)-17</strong> to function as the financial mechanism for the UNFCCC, is currently financing REDD+ programs.</li>
<li><strong>Brazil</strong> was the first country to receive $96.5 million under the results-based payments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Uganda's REDD+ Results:</strong> There is a 44% reduction in the country&rsquo;s rate of deforestation annually between 2015 and 2017.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The results submission by Uganda to the UNFCCC has paved the way for<strong> potential results-based payments to the country.</strong></li>
<li>It will help Uganda to receive funds through the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/climate-finance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Green Climate Fund&rsquo;s</strong> </a>forest conservation scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance for Africa:</strong> The submission of the results are a significant development on REDD+ for Africa. This will encourage other African countries to reduce carbon emissions by decreasing deforestation and forest degradation.</li>
<li><strong>India and REDD+:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-climate-change-act-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Paris agreement on climate change</strong></a> called upon <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/conference-of-the-parties-cop-24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>country Parties</strong></a> to take action to implement and support REDD+.</li>
<li>India has communicated in its <strong>Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)</strong> under Paris Agreement, that it will capture 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of Carbon dioxide through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.</li>
<li>In this regard, India has prepared its<strong> &ldquo;National REDD+ Strategy&rdquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Introduced in 2018 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the strategy seeks to <strong>address drivers of deforestation and forest degradation</strong> and also develop a roadmap for <strong>enhancement of forest carbon stocks</strong> and achieving sustainable management of forests through REDD+ actions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Achieving REDD+ results are challenging, as there are other development priorities &mdash; with <strong>agriculture, mining, energy and forestry</strong> &mdash; driving deforestation.</li>
<li>There is a need to support developing countries through all three REDD+ phases &mdash; <strong>readiness, implementation and result-based actions</strong> &mdash; by providing tools and analysis of how to design, implement and measure the results of REDD+ action.</li>
<li>This will in turn position countries like India and Africa as the forest champion of the next decade.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/uganda-becomes-first-african-country-to-submit-redd-results-paves-way-for-payments-72015#:~:text=Last%20Updated%3A%20Monday%2029%20June,on%20Climate%20Change%20(UNFCCC)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uganda-submitted-redd-results'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'STARS Programme: World Bank',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> has approved the <strong>Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) Programme.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will improve the quality and governance of school education in six Indian states of <strong>Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan</strong> through the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samagra-shiksha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Samagra Shiksha</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expected Beneficiaries:</strong> Around 250 million students (between the<strong> age of 6 and 17</strong>) in 1.5 million schools and over 10 million teachers will benefit from this <strong>USD 500 million</strong> programme.</li>
<li><strong>In Line with Previous Assistance:</strong> It will strengthen public school education and support the <strong>country&rsquo;s goal of providing &lsquo;Education for All&rsquo;,</strong> for which the Bank had provided total assistance of more than USD 3 billion prior to this plan as well.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> STARS will <strong>help improve</strong> learning assessment systems, strengthen classroom instruction and remediation, facilitate school-to-work transition and strengthen governance and decentralized management.</li>
<li>STARS will <strong>support India&rsquo;s renewed focus on addressing the learning outcome challenge</strong> and help students better prepare for the jobs of the future, through a <strong>series of reform initiatives,</strong> which include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Providing Customised Solutions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Focusing more directly on the delivery of education services at the state, district and sub-district levels by providing customized local-level solutions towards school improvement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Addressing Specific Demands:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Addressing demands from stakeholders, especially parents, for greater accountability and inclusion by producing better data to assess the quality of learning.</li>
<li>Giving special attention to students from vulnerable sections, with over 52% (as a weighted average) of children in the government-run schools in the six project states belonging to vulnerable sections, such as Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and minority communities.</li>
<li>Delivering a curriculum that keeps pace with the rapidly evolving needs of the job market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Equipping Teachers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Equipping teachers to manage this transformation by recognizing that teachers are central to achieving better learning outcomes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>More Investments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Investing more in developing India&rsquo;s human capital needs by strengthening foundational learning for children in classes 1 to 3 and preparing them with the cognitive, socio-behavioural and language skills to meet future labour market needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SDGs:</strong> It is in line with the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=Three%20core%20elements%20of%20sustainable,are%20important%20for%20sustainable%20development." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Sustainable Development Goal</strong> </a><strong>for education (SDG 4)</strong> and will help produce better data on learning levels by improving the <strong>National Achievement Survey</strong> (NAS).</li>
<li><strong>PISA:</strong> STARS will assist India in participation in the <strong>Programme for International Student Assessment</strong> (PISA).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>PISA is a<strong> worldwide study</strong> by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oecds-forecast-for-global-economy-in-2060" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development</strong></a> (OECD) in member and non-member nations.</li>
<li>It measures <strong>15-year-olds' ability</strong> to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Success Stories</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has <strong>successfully achieved gender parity in enrolment in primary education</strong> but that is <strong>not the case in secondary education.</strong> Under STARS, each state is expected to not only stabilize this downward trend but also improve the completion rate for secondary education.</li>
<li>India has <strong>significantly improved access to education</strong> across the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Between 2004-05 and 2018-19,</strong> the number of children going to school increased<strong> from 219 million to 248 million.</strong></li>
<li>However, the <strong>learning outcomes</strong> of students across all age groups continue to <strong>remain below par.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fails to Address Capacity Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Major <strong>vacancies</strong> across the education system <strong>remain unaddressed.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Without capable and motivated faculty,</strong> teacher education and training cannot be expected to improve.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ignoring Decentralisation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The World Bank ignores that <strong>decentralising</strong> decision-making <strong>requires the devolution of funds and real decision-making power.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>requires</strong> not just<strong> investment</strong> in the capacity of the front-line bureaucracy but also in <strong>increasing their discretionary powers</strong> while fostering social accountability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Excessive use of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/role-of-technology-in-governance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Information and Communications Technology</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Technology does not address</strong> most of the <strong>systemic or governance challenges</strong> but it simply by-passes them.</li>
<li>Its usefulness depends on whether preconditions for effective use of ICT-systems have been put in place otherwise it only worsens the problems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Over-reliance on measurement by standardised assessments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The programme<strong> spends money on testing infrastructure for standardised assessments</strong> which is a waste of time and resources.</li>
<li>Schools in India need improvement so the money<strong> should be invested in improving the capability</strong> of the system to improve learning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Outsourcing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Outsourcing to non-state partners not just <strong>takes away discretion</strong> from state actors but also takes away the<strong> sense of accountability and ownership</strong> towards their job.</li>
<li><strong>New private initiatives do not have institutional memories,</strong> nor do they have a <strong>grasp of socio-cultural realities</strong> that play an important part in the delivery process.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>State structures rely on past experience (institutional memory) to meet new challenges and build additional memories with every new reform they undertake.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The administration must be<strong> equipped with adequate physical, financial and human resources</strong> because an overburdened bureaucracy with vacancies and without basic equipment cannot be expected to be effective.</li>
<li>Administrative or governance reforms <strong>must give greater discretion to the front-line bureaucracy</strong> to address local issues and innovate if required.</li>
<li>Outsourcing, an over-reliance on measurement by standardised assessments and excessive use of ICT will not get people closer to an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong></a>. For that, the education system needs to <strong>enable itself to develop capability to reform itself.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/the-stars-project-needs-an-overhaul/article31947675.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/stars-programme-world-bank'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Kholongchhu Hydropower Project',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indo-bhutan-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Bhutan</strong></a> have signed concession agreement on the 600 MW <strong>Kholongchhu Hydropower Project.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will be the <strong>first-ever Joint Venture (JV)</strong> project between India and Bhutan.</li>
<li>The JV partners are <strong>Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN),</strong> and the<strong> Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC)</strong> from India and Bhutan respectively.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593506326_Image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593506326_Image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Kholongchhu project</strong> is one of four additional projects agreed in 2008, as a part of India&rsquo;s commitment to help Bhutan to create a<strong> total 10,000 MW</strong> of installed capacity by 2020.</li>
<li>The <strong>600 MW run-of-the-river project</strong> is located on the lower course of the <strong>Kholongchhu river in</strong> eastern Bhutan&rsquo;s <strong>Trashiyangtse district.</strong></li>
<li>The project is expected to be completed in the <strong>second half of 2025.</strong></li>
<li>The project will be constructed as a <strong>50:50 joint venture.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Concession Period:</strong> The Government of India will provide, as a grant, the equity share of the Bhutanese DGPC in the JV Company. Once the project is commissioned, the JV partners will run it for 30 years, called the<strong> concession period,</strong> after which the full ownership will transfer to the Bhutan government, which will receive power from the project as a royalty.</li>
<li><strong>Bilateral Cooperation:</strong> The tapping of hydropower in Bhutan would pave a way for successful <strong>bilateral cooperation and mutual engagement</strong> between India and Bhutan.</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Interest:</strong> Being a member of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/drishti-specials-important-international-bimstec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BIMSTEC</strong></a>, Bhutan holds geostrategic importance for India. The shared sense of support and help in terms of such development projects between the two countries<strong> can help India</strong> in executing its <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy#:~:text=Act%20East%20Policy%20seeks%20economic,witnessed%20major%20reforms%20since%201991)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Act East-Look East Policy</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Energy Trade:</strong> The project would act as a milestone in generation of energy and related trade.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The project would aid in a clean and stabilising power source for India and also contribute to its renewable energy targets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Employment Opportunities:</strong> Commencement of construction activities of the project will create economic and employment opportunities in<strong> Bhutan.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India needs to focus on the youth of Bhutan, as it is the youth only, which would take the people-to-people contact forward in the future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Growth:</strong> The plant would drive economic growth and hence <strong>socio-economic development</strong> would be facilitated in Bhutan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Power Tariffs:</strong> The project which started in 2014 was on halt since December 2016 over India&rsquo;s new power tariff guidelines on <strong>Cross Border Trade of Electricity - CBTE,</strong> until the government amended its guidelines after negotiations with the Bhutan government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Power tariff revision</strong> which includes<strong> the increase in the operations and maintenance charges</strong> may become a bone of contention.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Risk of the JV-model:</strong> Another issue is regarding the risk of the JV-model for the project as Bhutan had expressed concern over a greater financial risk due to project delays.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The delays had an impact on Bhutan&rsquo;s growth, as well as its exports and revenues. For example, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> has attributed the decline in the <strong>country&rsquo;s growth rate directly to delays in hydropower construction</strong> and the dip in electricity generation.</li>
<li>However, India has maintained that it prefers the more commercial model as it not only shares the risk, but also makes Indian PSUs show greater accountability on time and cost, as they become investors rather than contractors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India Bhutan Hydropower Projects</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>So far, Government of India has constructed three Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs) in Bhutan totaling 1416 MW <strong>(336 MW Chukha</strong> HEP, <strong>60 MW Kurichhu</strong> HEP and 1020 MW <strong>Tala</strong> HEP), which are operational and exporting surplus power to India.</li>
<li>India has recently completed <strong>720 MW <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-5th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mangdechhu HydroElectric Power Project</a></strong> and both sides are in process of expediting the completion of other ongoing projects including the <strong>1200MW Punatsangchhu-1 &amp; 1020MW Punatsangchhu-2.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/india-s-world-pm-modi-s-visit-to-bhutan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Bhutan</strong></a> have emphasised the importance of &ldquo;hydro-power development&rdquo; as one of the most important areas of <strong>mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.</strong></li>
<li>Kholongchhu is a continuation of bilateral cooperation which epitomises the core of the friendship for a greater good.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>delay in the implementation of the project</strong> has led to cost escalation and missed opportunities in terms of immediate benefits to the community. Therefore, all the <strong>details of a project should be thoroughly worked</strong> out before the construction commences.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/deal-inked-for-first-india-bhutan-joint-venture-hydroelectric-project/#:~:text=A%20concession%20agreement%20for%20the,construction%20and%20other%20related%20works.&amp;text=The%20600%20MW%20run%2Dof,in%20eastern%20Bhutan's%20Trashiyangtse%20district." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kholongchhu-hydropower-project'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Covaxin Approved for Human Clinical Trials',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/18-05-2019/print" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)</strong></a> has granted <strong>approval to Bharat Biotech</strong> to conduct<strong> human clinical trials for &lsquo;Covaxin&rsquo;,</strong> making it the<strong> first indigenous <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> vaccine candidate</strong> to receive this approval.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Covaxin has been developed by the company Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-to-test-for-community-transmission-of-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong></a>. It is an <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inactivated-virus-vaccine-in-focus-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inactivated vaccine</a> </strong>manufactured in the company&rsquo;s <strong>Bio-Safety Level 3 (BSL-3)</strong> High Containment facility located in Hyderabad (Telangana).</li>
<li>The permission was granted after the company submitted results from pre-clinical studies of the vaccine that demonstrated its safety and immune response. <strong>Phase I and II clinical trials</strong> will start across India in July 2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Clinical trials in humans are classified into<strong> three phases: phase I, phase II and phase III</strong> and in certain countries formal regulatory approval is required to undertake any of these studies.</li>
<li>The <strong>phase I</strong> clinical studies carry out initial testing of a vaccine in small numbers (e.g. 20) of healthy adults, to test the properties of a vaccine, its tolerability, and, if appropriate, clinical laboratory and pharmacological parameters. Phase I studies are primarily <strong>concerned with safety. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Phase II</strong> studies involve larger numbers of subjects and are intended to provide preliminary information about a vaccine&rsquo;s ability to produce its desired effect (usually immunogenicity) in the target population and its general safety.</li>
<li>Extensive<strong> phase III</strong> trials are required to fully assess the protective efficacy and safety of a vaccine. The phase III clinical trial is the pivotal study on which the <strong>decision on whether to grant the licence is based</strong> and sufficient data have to be obtained to demonstrate that a new product is safe and effective for the purpose intended.</li>
<li>An application for market authorization may be submitted to the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) on the basis of the data from phase III testing and if approved, the vaccine then becomes commercially available in that particular country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)</strong> under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare is the <strong>National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a>, out of 200 Covid-19 vaccine candidates, <strong>15 have entered clinical trials.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>AstraZeneca</strong> is the world&rsquo;s leading Covid-19 vaccine candidate and has reached the final stage in terms of development. It is being developed by researchers at the <strong>University of Oxford (UK).</strong></li>
<li><strong>US Firm Moderna&rsquo;s vaccine (MRNA-1273)</strong> will go into phase III clinical trials in July.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/bharat-biotech-vaccine-gains-edge-on-dcgi-nod/article31948151.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covaxin-approved-for-human-clinical-trials'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Uttrakhand Approves Land Transfer',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Uttarakhand State Wildlife Advisory Board</strong> has permitted proposals on the transfer of forest land in <strong>Gangotri National Park</strong> for development of roads.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The decision comes amid the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/transgressions-around-lac" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> row between India and China</strong></a> along the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Line of Actual Control</a> (LAC) in Ladakh.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under these proposals, a total of 73.36 hectares of forest land at three different sites of Gangotri National Park will be required to be transferred for construction of separate roads, totalling 35.66 km in length.</li>
<li><strong>Gangotri National Park is a protected area</strong> and forest land chosen is near the international border with China.</li>
<li>These routes are very important for national security because they will make the movement of <strong>Indo-Tibetan Border Police</strong> (ITBP) personnel near the China border far easier.</li>
<li>Now, the proposals regarding the land transfer for these roads will be sent to the National Wildlife Board.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gangotri National Park</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established in <strong>1989</strong> and is situated in <strong>Uttarkashi, Uttrakhand</strong> in the <strong>upper catchment of Bhagirathi River.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Gaumukh</strong> at Gangotri glacier, the <strong>origin of river Ganga,</strong> is located inside the park.</li>
<li>The park area forms a<strong> viable continuity between Govind National Park and Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Flora:</strong> The park is enveloped by dense coniferous forests that are mostly temperate. Chirpine, deodar, fir, spruce, oak and rhododendron are the common vegetation.</li>
<li><strong>Fauna:</strong> Various rare and endangered species like bharal or blue sheep, black bear, brown bear, himalayan monal, himalayan snowcock, himalayan tahr, musk deer and snow leopard are found in the park.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indo-Tibetan Border Police</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-reserve-police-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Reserve Police Forces</strong> </a>(CRPF), it was raised on 24<sup>th</sup> October 1962.</li>
<li>ITBP is deployed on border guarding duties from <strong>Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh </strong>covering<strong> 3488 km of Sino-India Border.</strong></li>
<li>ITBP is a <strong>specialized mountain force</strong> and most of the officers and men are <strong>professionally trained mountaineers and skiers.</strong></li>
<li>Being the first responder for natural disasters, ITBP has been carrying out <strong>numerous rescue and relief operations</strong> across the country.</li>
<li>Headquarters:<strong> New Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>November 2019,</strong> the Ministry of Home Affairs<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-for-merging-assam-rifles-and-indo-tibetan-border-police" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> proposed to merge</strong></a> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-armed-police-force-capf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Assam Rifles</strong></a> with the ITBP.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-okays-forest-land-transfer-for-roads-to-china-border-6482430/#:~:text=Amid%20the%20row%20between%20India,Border%20Police%20(ITBP)%20personnel%20near" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uttrakhand-approves-land-transfer'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Galwan Valley Clash',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/galwan-postscript-to-a-tragedy/article31863515.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Galwan: Postscript to a tragedy&rdquo;</strong> </a>published in The Hindu on 19/06/2020. It talks about recent confrontation between India and China troops on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, twenty Indian Army personnel, including the Commanding Officer of 16<sup>th</sup> Bihar Regiment, lost their lives at the hands of Chinese troops in the <strong>Galwan Valley of Ladakh.</strong></p>
<p>This was an unprovoked attack by the Chinese border troops on Indian soldiers, after confirming the implementation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/transgressions-around-lac" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>de-escalation plan</strong></a> by the Chinese in Galwan valley. The plan of de-escalation is based on a phased withdrawal of troops to their respective predetermined ground positions, were decided on June 6 during the corps commanders-level talks.</p>
<p>The incident represents a watershed in India&rsquo;s relations with China and marks the end of a 45-year chapter which saw no armed confrontation involving loss of lives on the<strong> Line of Actual Control (LAC).</strong></p>
<h3>What is the issue?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Indian and Chinese armies are engaged in the standoff in <strong>Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie</strong> in eastern Ladakh. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A sizable number of Chinese Army personnel even transgressed into the Indian side of the de-facto border in several areas including Pangong Tso.</li>
<li>The actions on the northern bank of Pangong Tso are not just for territorial gains on land, but enhanced domination of the <strong>resource-rich lake.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The stand-off at Ladakh&rsquo;s <strong>Galwan Valley</strong> has escalated in recent weeks due to the infrastructure projects that India has undertaken in the recent years. India is building a strategic road through the Galwan Valley - close to China - connecting the region to an airstrip.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China is opposed to any Indian construction in the area. In 1962, a stand-off in the Galwan area was one of the biggest flashpoints of the 1962 war.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The border, or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-china-relations-an-analysis%C2%A0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Actual Control</strong></a>, is not demarcated, and China and India have differing ideas of where it should be located, leading to regular border &ldquo;transgressions.&rdquo; Often these don&rsquo;t escalate tensions; a serious border standoff like the current one is less frequent, though this is the fourth since 2013.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both countries&rsquo; troops have patrolled this region for decades, as the contested 2,200-mile border is a long-standing subject of competing claims and tensions, including a brief war in 1962.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong> The violent clash happened when the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the LAC and attempted to unilaterally change the status quo.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is part of China&rsquo;s<strong> &lsquo;nibble and negotiate policy&rsquo;.</strong> Their aim is to ensure that India does not build infrastructure along the LAC. It is their way of attaining a political goal with military might, while gaining more territory in the process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593430750_995India-China%20Border (Final).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593430750_995India-China Border (Final).png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>What is the Line of Actual Control (LAC)?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The LAC is the demarcation that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long, while the Chinese consider it to be only around 2,000 km.</li>
<li>The India-China LAC in Ladakh is an outcome of the territory illegally retained by China after the 1962 conflict. The Chinese occupation of parts of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aksai-chin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aksai Chin</strong></a> is not supported by historical or legal documents.</li>
<li>It is divided into three sectors: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>the eastern sector which spans Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim</li>
<li>the middle sector in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh</li>
<li>the western sector in Ladakh</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Galwan Valley area</strong> comes under Sub Sector North (SSN), which lies just to the east of the Siachen glacier and is the only point that provides direct access to Aksai Chin from India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How to Deal with a Problem?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Devolution of comprehensive China strategy:</strong> Strong political direction, mature deliberation and coherence are keys to handling the situation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Army can make tactical adjustments and manoeuvres to deter the Chinese, but a comprehensive China strategy and its determination should devolve on those tasked with national security policy in the highest echelons of the Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic communication:</strong> The responsibility of effective strategic communication too rests with political leadership. It is important to perceive the signals of transgressions on a serious note and adopt adequate strategy with clear instructions for forces.</li>
<li><strong>Clarification on LAC:</strong> India should take the initiative to insist on a timely and early clarification of the LAC. Pockets of difference of alignment as perceived by each side have to be clearly identified and these areas demilitarised by both sides through joint agreement pending a settlement of the boundary. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Diplomatic channels must continue to be open and should not be fettered in any way because their smooth operability is vital in the current situation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scaling down of military contact:</strong> India must stand resolute and firm in the defence of territory in all four sectors of the border. Contacts between the two militaries through joint exercises and exchanges of visits of senior Commanders should be scaled down for the foreseeable future.</li>
<li><strong>Counterbalance for the outside world:</strong> India&rsquo;s leverage and balancing power within the Indo-Pacific and the world beyond stems from its strong democratic credentials, the dynamism of its economy, its leading role in multilateral institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>strategic advantage</strong> of its <strong>maritime geography</strong> is an asset possessed by few nations, and which must be deployed much more effectively to counterbalance the Chinese ingress into this oceanic space that surrounds us.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reconsider RCEP engagement:</strong> The time has also come for India to reconsider its stand on joining the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If India is to disengage from economic involvement with China, and build the capacities and capabilities it needs in manufacturing, and in supply chains networks closer home, it cannot be a prisoner of the short term.</li>
<li>It is time to boldly take the long view in this area as also on its South Asia policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The events in Galwan Valley should be a wake-up call to many of India&rsquo;s Asian friends and partners enabling a high-resolution envisioning of Chinese aggressiveness. This is also an opportunity for India to align its interests much more strongly and unequivocally with the U.S. as a principal strategic partner and infuse more energy into its relations with Japan, Australia, and the ASEAN.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #ffffe3;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;In the wake of Galwan Valley incidents, apart from insisting on a timely and early clarification of the LAC, India should take a long view of its South Asia policy&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2gFuzm1Hs6E" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/h1-b-work-visa-us-immigration-donald-trump-6473022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;H-1B Visa Ban by US&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on June 24<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'National Statistics Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>This year, the <strong>Statistics Day (29<sup>th</sup> June)</strong> will be celebrated virtually, in view of the travel and safety advisories on account of the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Every year, the Statistics Day is celebrated on 29<sup>th</sup> June, the <strong>birth anniversary of Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis,</strong> to <strong>recognise his invaluable contribution</strong> in establishing the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/restructuring-of-indian-statistical-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Statistical System</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To popularise the use of statistics in everyday life and sensitise the public as to how statistics help in shaping and framing policies.</li>
<li>To raise public awareness, especially among the younger generation, about the role of statistics in socio-economic planning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Theme for 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SDG-3</strong> (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages) and <strong>SDG-5</strong> (Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>carries forward the theme for 2019</strong> which was <strong>&lsquo;<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Development Goals</a> (SDGs)&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Releases and Launch:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The updated version of the <strong>Report on Sustainable Development Goals-<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-monitoring-framework-on-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Indicator Framework</a> (NIF) Progress Report 2020</strong> will be released during the event.</li>
<li>The<strong> Indian Statistical Services Cadre Management Portal</strong> will also be launched.</li>
<li>The winners of <strong>Prof. P C Mahalanobis National Award</strong> and <strong>Prof. P. V. Sukhatme Award 2020</strong> will be declared during the event.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>2019,</strong> the<strong> Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation</strong> instituted Prof. P C Mahalanobis National Award in official statistics for recognizing outstanding achievement of official statisticians in central government, state governments and institutions.</li>
<li>The Ministry also recognises the outstanding contribution for high-quality research work in the field of <strong>applied and theoretical statistics benefitting the official statistical system</strong> through the Prof. C R Rao and Prof. P V Sukhatme awards, awarded in alternate years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (1893-1972)<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593424889_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593424889_image4.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="220" height="331" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>He is considered the <strong>father of modern statistics in India,</strong> founded the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/statistical-institutions-india-upsc-gktoday-data-national-statistical-commission-mahalanobis-indian-statistical-institute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Statistical Institute</strong> </a>(ISI), shaped the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/planning-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Planning Commission</strong></a> (which was<strong> replaced by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NITI Aayog</a></strong> on <strong>1<sup>st</sup> January 2015</strong>) and pioneered methodologies for large-scale surveys.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He introduced innovative techniques for conducting large-scale sample surveys, calculated acreages and crop yields, using the method of random sampling.</li>
<li>He also devised a<strong> statistical method called &lsquo;Fractile Graphical Analysis&rsquo;, </strong>used to<strong> compare socio-economic conditions of varied groups.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Timeline:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>1930:</strong> Proposed the <strong>Mahalanobis Distance</strong> for the first time, which is a measure of comparison between two data sets.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The formula is used to find the distance between a point and a distribution, based on measurements in multiple dimensions. It is widely used in the field of cluster analysis and classification.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>1932:</strong> Founded the ISI in<strong> Kolkata (formerly Calcutta)</strong> which was declared as an <strong>institute of national importance in 1959.</strong></li>
<li><strong>1933:</strong> Launched<strong> &lsquo;Sankhya: The Indian Journal of Statistics&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>1950:</strong> Established the <strong>National Sample Survey</strong> and set up the <strong>Central Statistical Organisation</strong> to coordinate statistical activities.</li>
<li><strong>1955:</strong> Became a member of the Planning Commission and continued in that capacity till 1967.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He was instrumental in formulating <strong>India&rsquo;s second five-year-plan (1956-1961),</strong> which laid the blueprint for<strong> industrialisation and development in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>1968:</strong> Honoured with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/padma-awards-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Padma Vibhushan.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He was also conferred a large number of awards by international organisations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1634923#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20designated%20as,establishing%20the%20National%20Statistical%20System." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-statistics-day'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'BharatNet Project',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade</strong> (DPIIT) ordered the scrapping of a Rs 1,950 crore tender for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-22nd-february-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BharatNet project</strong></a> in Tamil Nadu.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It comes under the aegis of the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</strong></li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1995</strong> and has been <strong>reconstituted in the year 2000</strong> with the merger of the Department of Industrial Development.</li>
<li>In<strong> February 2019,</strong> it was <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dipp-renamed-as-dpiit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>renamed</strong></a> to the existing one from the previous name, Department of Industrial Policy &amp; Promotion (DIPP).</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With progressive liberalisation of the Indian economy, initiated in July 1991, there has been a consistent shift in the role and functions of this Department.</li>
<li>From regulation and administration of the industrial sector, the role of the Department has been transformed into facilitating investment and technology flows and monitoring industrial development in the liberalised environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BharatNet is a <strong>flagship mission</strong> implemented by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bbnl-and-dark-fibre" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Broadband Network Ltd.</strong></a> (BBNL).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>Special Purpose Vehicle</strong> (SPV) set up by the Government of India under the <strong>Companies Act, 1956</strong> with an authorized capital of Rs 1000 crore.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Initially, it was under the <strong>Ministry of Communications and Information Technology,</strong> which was bifurcated into the <strong>Ministry of Communications</strong> and the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology</strong> in <strong>July 2016.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Currently, it is being <strong>implemented by the Department of Telecommunication</strong> under the Ministry of Communications.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Optical Fibre Network</strong> (NOFN) was launched in <strong>October 2011</strong> and was <strong>renamed as Bharat Net Project in 2015.</strong></li>
<li><strong>National Optical Fibre Network:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was envisaged as an information superhighway through the creation of a robust middle-mile infrastructure for reaching <strong>broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Ministry of Communications has launched the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-broadband-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Broadband Mission</strong> </a>that will facilitate universal and equitable access to broadband services across the country, especially in rural and remote areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To facilitate the delivery of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-governance</strong></a>, e-health, e-education, e-banking, Internet and other services to rural India.</li>
<li>To<strong> connect all the 2,50,000 Gram panchayats in the country</strong> and<strong> provide 100 Mbps connectivity</strong> to all gram panchayats.</li>
<li>To achieve this, the existing unused fibres<strong> (dark fibre)</strong> of public sector undertakings (PSUs) (BSNL, Railtel and Power Grid) were utilised and incremental fibre was laid to connect to Gram Panchayats wherever necessary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non-discriminatory access</strong> to the NOFN was provided to all the service providers like Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), Cable TV operators and content providers to launch various services in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The entire project is being<strong> funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund</strong> (USOF), which was set up for improving telecom services in rural and remote areas of the country.</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project is a <strong>Centre-State collaborative project,</strong> with the states contributing <strong>free Rights of Way for establishing the Optical Fibre Network.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>three-phase implementation</strong> of the BharatNet project is as follows:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>First Phase:</strong> Provide one lakh gram panchayats with broadband connectivity by laying underground<strong> optic fibre cable</strong> (OFC) lines by December 2017.</li>
<li><strong>Second Phase:</strong> Provide connectivity to all the gram panchayats in the country using an optimal mix of underground fibre, fibre over power lines, radio and satellite media. It is to be completed by March 2019.</li>
<li><strong>Third Phase:</strong> From 2019 to 2023, a state-of-the-art, future-proof network, including fibre between districts and blocks, with ring topology to provide redundancy would be created.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>participation of states became important in the second phase</strong> which involved laying of OFC over electricity poles. This was a new element of the BharatNet strategy as the mode of <strong>connectivity by aerial OFC has several advantages,</strong> including lower cost, speedier implementation, easy maintenance and utilization of existing power line infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Dark fibre</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>unused optical fibre</strong> that has been laid but is not currently being used in fibre-optic communications. Since fibre-optic cable transmits information in the form of light pulses, a &lsquo;dark&rsquo; cable refers to one through which light pulses are not being transmitted.</li>
<li>Companies lay<strong> extra optical fibres in order to avoid cost repetition</strong> when more bandwidth is needed.</li>
<li>It is also known as <strong>unlit fibre.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/centre-cancels-rs-1950-cr-bharatnet-project-in-tamil-nadu-6479555/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Gynandromorphism',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Recently,</strong> a rare <strong>biological phenomenon i.e. Gynandromorphism</strong> has been spotted in a<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dragonfly-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> dragonfly</a>, the Scarlet Skimmer <em>(Crocothemis servilia)</em>,</strong> which is found in the Kole wetlands, Kerala.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The dragonfly had both male and female characteristics.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Gynandromorphism is a characteristic of an organism that <strong>contains both male and female tissues and characteristics.</strong> Such organisms are also called <strong>gynandromorphs.</strong></li>
<li>The term is derived from the Greek words (gyne = woman; aner = man and morphe = form).</li>
<li>The phenomenon has been documented in birds, crustaceans and butterflies.</li>
<li><strong>Reason:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gynandromorphs are usually born due <strong>genetic aberration.</strong></li>
<li>Genetic aberrations are <strong>chromosomal disorder or mutation</strong> which is due to a missing, extra, or irregular portion of chromosomal DNA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of the Study of gynandromorphism:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It helps in finding the genetic diversity in related species which further contributes to the conservation and preservation.</li>
<li>It also aids in discovery of disease and other changes in the specific species due to factors like climate change and ecological evolutions.</li>
<li>Further, the study of gynandromorphs could offer clues as to why some human diseases strike one gender more than the other.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593423200_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593423200_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kole Wetlands</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kole Wetlands is a wetland lying in Thrissur District in Kerala.</li>
<li>It gives 40% of Kerala's rice requirement and acts as a natural drainage system.</li>
<li>It is a part of Vembanad-Kole <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-wetlands-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>wetlands</strong></a>, a Ramsar site and has been colonised by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/invasive-plant-species-introduced-by-kerala-floods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>invasive species</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The <strong>Society for Odonate Studies</strong> (Kerala) has been conducting Odonate surveys at the Kole wetlands since 2018, and 37 species of dragonflies and damselflies have been reported from the wetlands so far.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dragonfly</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A dragonfly is an insect belonging to the order Odonata, class Insecta.</li>
<li>Adult dragonflies are characterized by large, multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body.</li>
<li>They are ecologically significant as they act as bioindicators.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bioindicators</strong> are living organisms such as plants, plankton, animals, and microbes, which are used to <strong>assess the health of the natural ecosystem</strong> in the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/rare-biological-phenomenon-in-dragonflies-sighted-at-kole-wetlands/article31939658.ece#:~:text=When%20Renjith%20R.V%20and%20Vivek,a%20very%20rare%20biological%20phenomenon." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs/HFCs',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Central government has approved the proposal to launch a<strong> Special Liquidity Scheme</strong> for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/A%20nuanced%20understanding%20of%20the%20NBFC%20sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)</strong></a> and <strong>Housing Finance Companies</strong> (HFCs) to improve their liquidity position.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the Budget Speech of 2020-21, it was announced that a mechanism would be devised to <strong>provide additional liquidity facility to NBFCs/HFCs</strong> over that provided through the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme (PCGS)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>HFCs are <strong>specialized NBFCs.</strong> Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> came up with the <strong>new definition of HFCs.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To qualify as HFCs, a <strong>NBFC must have 50% assets as housing loans and 75% of which should be for individual homebuyers.</strong></li>
<li>HFCs are regulated by RBI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Details of the Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the scheme a <strong>Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)</strong> would be set up to manage a Stressed Asset Fund (SAF) of the NBFCs/ HFCs.</li>
<li>The SPV will issue securities, which would be<strong> guaranteed by the Government of India</strong> and <strong>purchased by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) only.</strong></li>
<li>The proceeds of sale of such securities would be used by the SPV to acquire short-term debt of NBFCs/HFCs.</li>
<li>The Scheme will be <strong>administered by the Department of Financial Services</strong> (Ministry of Finance).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility for NBFCs/ HFCs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They should not have net <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/lessons-from-npa-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non Performing Assets (NPAs)</strong></a> of more than 6% as on 31<sup>st</sup> March 2019.</li>
<li>They should have made net profit in at least one of the last two preceding financial years of 2017-18 and 2018-19.</li>
<li>They should not have been reported under SMA-1 or SMA-2 category by any bank for their borrowings during the last one year prior to 1st August 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Banks classify borrowers into <strong>Special Mention Accounts (SMA)</strong> based on their delay in repayment. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>SMA-0 loans are overdue between 1 and 30 days.</li>
<li>SMA-1 loans are overdue between 31 and 60 days.</li>
<li>SMA-2 loans are overdue between 61 to 90 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The asset turns NPA after 90 days of being overdue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unlike the<strong> Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme,</strong> NBFCs/ HFCs <strong>do not have to liquidate their current asset portfolio</strong> under this scheme. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Current assets are all the assets of a company that are expected to be used as a result of standard business operations over the next year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The scheme would also <strong>act as an enabler for the NBFC to get investment grade for bonds issued.</strong></li>
<li>The Scheme would benefit the real economy by <strong>augmenting the lending resources</strong> of NBFCs/HFCs/MFls.</li>
<li>This facility would <strong>supplement the liquidity measures</strong> taken so far by the Government and RBI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial implication:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The direct financial implication for the Central government is Rs. 5 crore, which may be the equity contribution to the SPV.</li>
<li>Beyond that, there is no financial implication for the government until the guarantee involved is invoked.</li>
<li>However, on invocation, the extent of government liability would be equal to the amount of default subject to the guarantee ceiling, which has been set at Rs. 30,000 crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Non-Banking Financial Company</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NBFC is a company registered under the <strong>Companies Act, 1956.</strong></li>
<li>It is engaged in the <strong>business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities</strong> issued by Government or local authority or<strong> other marketable securities</strong> of a like nature, leasing, hire-purchase, insurance business, chit business.</li>
<li>But, it <strong>does not include</strong> any institution whose principal business is that of <strong>agriculture activity, industrial activity, purchase or sale of any goods (other than securities) or providing any services and sale/purchase/construction of immovable property.</strong></li>
<li>A non-banking institution which is a company and has principal business of receiving deposits under any scheme or arrangement in<strong> one lump sum or in installments by way of contributions or in any other manner,</strong> is also a non-banking financial company (Residuary non-banking company).</li>
<li><strong>Features of NBFCs</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NBFC cannot accept demand deposits.</li>
<li>NBFCs do not form part of the payment and settlement system and cannot issue cheques drawn on itself.</li>
<li>Deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation is not available to depositors of NBFCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1625310" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Introduction of Locally Produced Millets in ICDS, PDS',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Odisha</strong> has decided to introduce <strong>locally produced millets</strong> for the <strong>first time</strong> into <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)</strong> </a>Scheme and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/public-distribution-system-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Distribution System (PDS).</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The initiatives will be carried out as a <strong>part of the Odisha&rsquo;s Millet Mission (2017).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The State&rsquo;s millet mission aims to<strong> popularise local production of millets</strong> among farmers and <strong>increase local household consumption</strong> for better dietary diversity and nutritional gains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is an attempt to develop decentralised infrastructure for processing and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/2023-is-the-international-year-of-millets-fao" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>re-popularising millets</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Millets</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Millet is a collective term referring to a number of small-seeded annual grasses that are cultivated as grain crops, primarily on marginal lands in <strong>dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.</strong></li>
<li>Some of the common millets available in India are Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative intends to <strong>integrate locally grown millets</strong> as part of public food systems such as<strong> ICDS and PDS, mid-day meals.</strong></li>
<li>It also aims to build <strong>climate resilience among farmers</strong> and <strong>promote agroecological farming methods for cultivation</strong> that draw on chemical-free agriculture practices and locally sustained food systems.</li>
<li>Ideally, the aim is to make the districts<strong> self-sufficient</strong> with produce, procurement and distribution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Odisha has an immense<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> malnutrition burden</strong></a> to address, with about<strong> 45% children</strong> who are <strong>stunted.</strong></li>
<li>The State also has almost<strong> 41% women</strong> who have a<strong> below-normal body mass index,</strong> according to the National Family Health Survey, 2015-16.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The districts will be using their <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/creches-opened-using-dmf-funds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>District Mineral Foundation (DMF)</strong></a> <strong>funds</strong> to implement the initiative. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<p>District Mineral Foundation (DMF) is a&nbsp;<strong>non-profit body</strong>, in those districts affected by the mining works, to work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining related operations.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Its manner of operation comes <strong>under the jurisdiction of the respective State Government</strong>.</p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The money will be credited in the <strong>farmers&rsquo; account at the end of the sowing and harvest season</strong> based on the report submitted by local implementation agencies and vetted by the district administration.</li>
<li>Additionally, all the districts will provide <strong>1.5 kilogrammes ragi per person</strong> (out of the five kg per person entitlement)<strong> through PDS.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Complementary to Agricultural Practices:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The millet drive is largely focused on<strong> local food diversity</strong> and ensuring <strong>availability of food to farmers</strong> unlike the consumer and urban market-driven approach.</li>
<li>Farmers who have adopted bio-inputs and follow the system of millets intensification will be given<strong> incentives for three years.</strong></li>
<li>The state government will also be <strong>incentivising agronomic practices</strong> including pest and weed management through organic methods. However, it<strong> does not exclude farmers</strong> who will be <strong>using chemical-based fertilisers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The focus on non-chemical approaches coupled with a focus on nutrition and food security so far distinguishes the Odisha approach from that of the Union government.</li>
<li>Often, such interventions are driven towards creating attractive markets and ignore household nutrition and food security. The fact that this endeavour approaches millets from the point of nutrition and safe food is important.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/odisha-set-to-introduce-locally-produced-millets-into-icds-pds-72039#:~:text=Locally%20cultivated%20ragi%20will%20be,meal%20from%20July%202020%20onwards." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:DTE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/introduction-of-locally-produced-millets-in-icds-pds'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'PRS Capsule May 2020',
		'catname' => 'PRS Capsule',
		'desc' => '<p><em><strong>Key Highlights of PRS</strong></em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="#1">Polity</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#2">Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">PM CARES Fund included in the list of CSR eligible activities</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#4">Economy</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#5">Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan Package</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#7">Science and Technology</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#8">Aarogya Setu App Made Open Source</a></li>
<li><a href="#9">Coal on Revenue Sharing Basis</a></li>
<li><a href="#10">The Coal Blocks Allocation (Amendment) Rules, 2020 notified</a></li>
<li><a href="#11">National Coal Index</a></li>
<li><a href="#12">Removed Mandatory Washing of Coal in Thermal Power Plants</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#13">Environment</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#14">BS VI emission norms for quadricycles notified</a></li>
<li><a href="#15">Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011 Amended</a></li>
<li><a href="#16">Guidelines for Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#17">Security</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#18">Shekatkar Committee Recommendations</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1">Polity</h2>
<h3 id="2">Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-vaya-vandana-yojana-extended" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>extension of the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana</strong></a> for a period of three years up to 31<sup>st</sup> March, 2023.</li>
<li>The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana aims to <strong>provide social security</strong> for persons above 60 years of age to protect them against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions.</li>
<li>Under the scheme, an assured interest return is guaranteed by the insurer. The difference between return generated by the insurer and the assured return is borne by the government of India as subsidy on an annual basis.</li>
<li>For 2020-21, the assured rate of return will be 7.4%. This will be revised every year.</li>
<li>The scheme can be purchased at a minimum purchase price of Rs 1,56,658 for a yearly pension of Rs 12,000. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For monthly pension pay-out option, the minimum purchase price will be Rs 1,62,162 for a monthly pension of Rs 1,000.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="3">PM CARES Fund included in the list of CSR eligible activities</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Corporate Affairs notified the inclusion of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s Citizen Assistance and Relief in emergency Situations (PMCARES)</strong></a> Fund in the list of activities eligible for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/injeti-srinivas-committee-report-on-csr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)</strong></a> under the Companies Act, 2013.</li>
<li>Under the Act, companies with net worth, turnover or profits above a specified amount are required to spend 2% of their average net profits in the last three financial years towards CSR activities.</li>
<li>This measure has come into effect retrospectively from March 28, 2020, when the fund was set up.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>About the Fund</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Fund is a<strong> public charitable trust</strong> with the<strong> Prime Minister</strong> as its <strong>Chairman.</strong> Other Members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.</li>
<li>The Fund <strong>enables micro-donations</strong> as a result of which a large number of people will be able to contribute with the smallest of denominations.</li>
<li>The Fund will strengthen disaster management capacities and encourage research on protecting citizens.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 id="4">Economy</h2>
<h3 id="5">Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the Union Cabinet approved modifications to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/partial-guarantee-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme</strong></a> to expand the coverage of the scheme.</li>
<li>The Partial Credit Guarantee scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2019-20.</li>
<li>Under the scheme, a government guarantee (covering initial losses of 10% of the value of the assets or Rs 10,000 crore, whichever is lower) is given to public sector banks (PSBs) for buying high-rated pooled assets from financially sound <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/liquidity-boost-to-nbfcs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)</strong></a> or housing finance companies (HFCs).</li>
<li>New changes in the Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the expanded scheme, the government will also provide PSBs with a guarantee for covering upto 20% of first loss for the purchase of Bonds or Commercial Papers issued by NBFCs and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs).</li>
<li>The minimum rating for such bonds or commercial papers should be AA or below (including unrated paper with initial maturity of up to one year).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Benefits:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government expects that the guarantee will help NBFCs, MFIs and HFCs continue with capital formation in small and medium enterprises, and help mitigate adverse effects of COVID-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The scheme was originally valid till June, 2020. It will now be valid till March 31, 2021, or till such date by which Rs 10,000 crore worth of guarantees are provided by the government, whichever is earlier</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="6">Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan Package</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In light of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/possibility-of-covid-19-being-syndemic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> COVID-19 pandemic</strong></a>, a special economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore (equivalent to 10% of India&rsquo;s GDP) was announced by the government.</li>
<li>The aim of the package is to prepare the country for the tough competition in the global supply chain and to empower the poor, labourers, and migrants who have been adversely affected by the pandemic and the lockdown.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593667012_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593667012_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Some key initiatives under various sectors announced under the package are as follows:</p>
<p><strong>Government Reforms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increase in borrowing limits:</strong> The borrowing limits of state governments will be increased from 3% to 5% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for the year 2020-21. The increase beyond 3.5% of the GSDP will be conditionally linked to reforms on - universalisation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-nation-one-ration-card-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;One Nation One Ration card&rsquo;</strong></a>, ease of doing business, power distribution, and urban local body revenues.</li>
<li><strong>Privatisation of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs):</strong> A new PSE policy has been announced. The policy is aimed at privatisation of PSEs, except the ones functioning in certain strategic sectors. A list of strategic sector PSEs will be notified by the government at a later stage. In strategic sectors, at least one PSE will remain, but private sector enterprises will also be allowed.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Business (including MSMEs)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Collateral free loans:</strong> Collateral free loans up to three lakh crore rupees will be provided to all businesses. These loans will be provided through banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).</li>
<li><strong>Change in MSME definition:</strong> The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 will be amended to change the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MSME</strong> </a>definition. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the proposed definition, the investment limit will be increased for MSMEs. A new criteria of annual turnover will be introduced.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduction in tax rates:</strong> The rates of Tax Deduction at Source for the non-salaried specified payments made to residents and Tax Collected at Source will be reduced by 25% from the existing rates. This will apply from May 14, 2020 to March 31, 2021.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Agriculture and allied sectors</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Support to farmers and infrastructure:</strong> Key initiatives in the sector to support farmers and infrastructural developments include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>concessional credit worth two lakh crore rupees for 2.5 crore farmers,</li>
<li>fund of one lakh crore rupees for development of agriculture infrastructure projects, and</li>
<li>additional fund of Rs 30,000 crore to meet the crop loan demand through NABARD and Rural Banks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Amendment to the Essential Commodities Act, 1955:</strong> The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 will be amended to deregulate food items including cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, and onions for attracting investments and enabling competition in the sector.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Migrant Workers</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>One nation one card:</strong> Under the scheme of One Nation One Card, the migrant workers will be allowed to access the<strong> Public Distribution System (Ration)</strong> from any Fair Price Shop in India by March 2021.</li>
<li><strong>Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) for Migrant Workers/Urban Poor:</strong> The migrant labour/urban poor will be provided living facilities at affordable rent under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-awas-yojana-grameen-behind-target" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Civil Aviation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Efficient airspace management:</strong> Restrictions on utilisation of the Indian Air Space will be eased allowing optimal utilisation of airspace, reduction in fuel use, and time to save about Rs 1,000 crore per year for the aviation sector.</li>
<li><strong>Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for airports:</strong> World-class airports will be built through the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ppp-investment-model" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PPP model</strong></a> to enable private sector investment of around Rs 13,000 crore in 12 airports.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Defence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increase in FDI limit:</strong> FDI limit in defence manufacturing under automatic route will be increased from 49% to 74%.</li>
<li><strong>Make in India:</strong> A list of weapons/platforms will be released which will be banned for import based on a year wise timeline. Further, the government has planned to improve the autonomy, accountability and efficiency in Ordnance Supplies by corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Energy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Liquidity support for distribution companies (discoms):</strong> A liquidity support of Rs 90,000 crore will be provided to power discoms in the form of funds from Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Discoms will also be provided with state government guaranteed loans exclusively for discharging their liabilities to power generation companies. Rs 50,000 crore will be spent on infrastructure development for evacuation of coal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Housing and Social Sector</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for Middle Income Group (MIG):</strong> The Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for Middle Income Group (annual income between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 18 lakh) will be extended by one year up to March 2021.</li>
<li><strong>Support to the real estate sector:</strong> COVID 19 will be treated as an event of &ldquo;Force Majeure&rdquo; under Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) by states/union territories and their Regulatory Authorities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An extension of six months will be given on registration and completion dates of all registered projects. This is for projects expiring on or after March 25, 2020 without individual applications.</li>
<li><strong>Force majeure</strong> is a common clause in contracts that essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Allocation for MGNREGS:</strong> Additional Rs 40,000 crore will be allocated under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mgnrega-and-migrant-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MGNREGS</strong></a>. This increases the Union Budget allocation for MGNREGS from Rs 61,500 crore to Rs 1,01,500 crore (65% increase) for 2020-21.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="7">Science and Technology</h2>
<h3 id="8">Aarogya Setu App Made Open Source</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released the <strong>Aarogya Setu Data Access and Knowledge Sharing Protocol, 2020</strong> in reference to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/aarogya-setu-app-a-technological-solutionism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aarogya Setu mobile application (app)</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The app was launched by the central government in April 2020 to enable contact tracing (identification and monitoring of persons who are at a higher risk of being infected by COVID-19) and for users to assess their own risk of getting infected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The protocol aims to ensure secure and efficient collection and sharing of data by the application to protect the personal data of individuals.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features of the protocol include:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data collection:</strong> Data collected by the app and the purpose for which it will be used should be clearly specified in the privacy policy of the app. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Data collection should be minimised to the extent that it is required for formulating or implementing health responses.</li>
<li>The collected data should be processed in a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Data storage:</strong> The app collects data regarding: (i) demographic details of the user, (ii) location of user from time to time, (iii) data of other individuals who have come in proximity with the user, and (iv) self-assessment data. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Demographic details will be stored with the government for as long as necessary, unless the user requests for deletion of their data.</li>
<li>Location data and data of other users who have come in proximity will remain on the user's device, but it may be uploaded to the government server (shared with the government) to formulate or implement health responses.</li>
<li>These data, along with any self-assessment data will not be stored for more than 180 days from the date of collection</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sharing of personal data:</strong> Any data collected by the app can be shared with the health ministry or health department of any state or the national (or state) disaster management authorities for formulating or implementing appropriate health responses. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Data may be shared with other departments of the central or state government in a de-identified (where personal identifiers are removed or masked from the dataset) format, if required.</li>
<li>The National Informatics Centre (developer of the app) will maintain a list of agencies with whom such data has been shared. Data may be shared for the purpose of research in an anonymised manner (where it is not possible to identify the user to whom the data pertains to).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Violation of the protocol</strong> may lead to penalties as prescribed under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/invocation-of-disaster-management-act-2005-to-deal-with-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Disaster Management Act</strong></a>. The protocol is applicable for 6 months and maybe revised, subsequently. Further, the source code of the application has been made open source for review and collaboration for the android version of the application</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="9">Coal on Revenue Sharing Basis</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved a new methodology based on revenue sharing for auction of coal and lignite blocks for commercial sale.</li>
<li>Prior to this, coal and lignite based blocks were awarded on a fixed rupees per tonne basis methodology.</li>
<li>Under the new methodology, successful bidders will be required to share a percentage of revenue with the government instead of paying a fixed price per tonne of production.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features of the methodology are as follows:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bid parameter:</strong> The bidders will be required to bid for a percentage share of revenue payable to the government. The floor price will be 4% of the revenue share.</li>
<li><strong>Payment of upfront amount:</strong> The successful bidder will be required to pay an upfront amount which will be 0.25% of the value of estimated geological reserves of the mine. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The upfront amount will not be more than: (i) Rs 100 crore for geological reserves up to 200 million tonnes, and (ii) Rs 500 crore for geological reserves up to 500 million tonnes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Monthly payment:</strong> The successful bidder will be required to make a monthly payment to the government which will be a product of: (i) percentage of revenue share, (ii) quantity of coal on which statutory royalty is payable during the month, and (iii) notional or actual price, whichever is higher.</li>
<li><strong>Incentives for early production and clean usage:</strong> The successful bidder will be given a rebate in revenue share in events of: (i) early production and (ii) coal consumed or sold for gasification and liquefaction.</li>
<li><strong>Coal bed methane:</strong> The methodology also permits commercial exploitation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-approves-policy-framework-for-unconventional-hydrocarbons" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coal bed methane</strong> </a>present in the lease area. Coal bed methane is a form of natural gas found near coal deposits.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="10">The Coal Blocks Allocation (Amendment) Rules, 2020 notified</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Coal notified the Coal Blocks Allocation (Amendment) Rules, 2020 to amend the Coal Blocks Allocation Rules, 2017.</li>
<li>The 2017 Rules issued under the<strong> Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957</strong> provide for terms and conditions for the auction and allotment of coal blocks.</li>
<li>The amendments in the 2017 Rules have been notified to give effect to: (i) the provisions of the Mineral Laws (Amendment) Act, 2020 and (ii) auction of coal and lignite blocks for commercial sale on revenue sharing basis. Among other changes, the Act removed the restriction on end-use for certain coal blocks specified under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015</li>
<li><strong>Key amendments to the Coal Blocks Allocation Rules, 2017 include:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Prices for auction or allotment:</strong> The 2017 Rules provide for a ceiling price, floor price, and reserve price that the central government could fix for certain types of auctions or allotments. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This has been amended to provide that these prices could either be specified as a price or a percentage. This seeks to enable the allocation of coal blocks on the revenue sharing model.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance bank guarantee:</strong> The 2017 Rules provide that a successful allottee will provide a performance bank guarantee to the central government. It also enables the state government to require a performance bank guarantee from the allottee upon the grant of mining lease. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This has been amended to provide that the successful allottee will be required to provide an unconditional and irrevocable performance bank guarantee upon the grant of mine opening permission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Specified end-use clause:</strong> The 2017 Rules provided for allocation of certain coal mines with specified end-use such as power generation and steel production. These provisions have been removed.</li>
<li><strong>Prospecting license-cum-mining lease:</strong> Various provisions regarding allocation order under the 2017 Rules (such as issuance and cancellation) will now also cover the prospecting license-cum-mining lease for a coal block.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="11">National Coal Index</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Ministry of Coal</strong> released the <strong>standard operating procedure (SOP)</strong> for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/index-to-determine-the-value-of-coal-blocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Coal Index</strong></a>. The Index will reflect the market price of coal. Other uses of the Index include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>use as a base indicator for taxation purpose and</li>
<li>for future calculation of upfront amount and intrinsic value of mines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The SOP provides that the Index will be published once in two months. The Coal Controller&rsquo;s Organisation will be responsible for: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>collecting data pertaining to coal prices,</li>
<li>statistical validation of price data, and</li>
<li>preparation of detailed technical notes on the price movements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ministry of Coal will be responsible for scrutiny of data and publication of the results.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="12">Removed Mandatory Washing of Coal in Thermal Power Plants</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In January 2014, the Ministry of Environment amended the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 to mandate certain coal-based thermal power plants to only use coal with ash content up to 34% (on a quarterly basis).</li>
<li>These plants included captive plants with capacity of 100 megawatts or above, and all stand-alone plants. This requirement was also based on the distance of the thermal power plant from the coal mine.</li>
<li>The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has amended the 1986 rules to remove this requirement.</li>
<li>This was done in the light of representations by the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal, and Niti Aayog and to stimulate the domestic coal sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.</li>
<li>The representations included: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>requirement of maintaining average ash content to 34% prompts industries to import coal, leading to outflow of foreign exchange.</li>
<li>use of washery rejects generates more pollution</li>
<li>coal washing process involves increased water use and effluent generation, and</li>
<li>coal washing adversely impacts water drainage patterns, water bodies, and surrounding air quality at a large scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The Ministry provided that the use of coal by power plants, shall be permitted without conditions with regards to ash content or distance. However, the following conditions will have to be complied with:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Setting up technology solutions for emission norms:</strong> This includes: (i) complying with specified emission norms for particulate matter, as per instructions of the Central Pollution Control Board, and (ii) installing appropriate technology in washeries to utilise rejects.</li>
<li><strong>Management of Ash Ponds:</strong> This includes: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>complying with fly ash conditions notified by the Ministry, and</li>
<li>installing appropriate technology solutions to optimise water consumption for ash management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transportation:</strong> It should be ensured that a rail siding or conveyor facility is set up at or near the power plant for transportation of coal by rail or conveyor. If transportation by rail or conveyor facility is not available, coal should be transported in covered trucks by road.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="13">Environment</h2>
<h3 id="14">BS VI emission norms for quadricycles notified</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified the Central Motor Vehicles (Fourth) Amendment, 2020.</li>
<li>The amendment provides for Bharat Stage -VI (BS-VI) emission standards and testing procedure for quadricycles manufactured on or after April 1, 2020.</li>
<li>A quadricycle is a four-wheeler, which is smaller and lighter than a passenger car.</li>
<li>The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bs-vi-emission-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Stage Emission Standards</strong> </a>are instituted by the central government to regulate air pollutants released from motor vehicles. This notification completes the process of BS-VI for all two and three wheelers, quadricycles, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles in India.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bharat Stage (BS)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bharat Stage (BS) are emission standards instituted by the Government of India to regulate the output of air pollutants from motor vehicles.</li>
<li>The Environment Ministry is responsible for deciding the fuel standard in the country. The Central Pollution Control Board implements these standards.</li>
<li>The BS regulations are based on the European emission standards.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3 id="15">Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011 Amended</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> amended the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coastal-regulation-zone-crz-notification-2018#:~:text=CRZ%2DIII%20A%20%2D%20These%20are,in%20the%20CRZ%20Notification%2C%202011." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification declares certain coastal stretches as Coastal Regulation Zone and imposes restrictions on the setting up and expansion of industries, operations and processes in this zone.</li>
<li>The amendment to the notification provides that certain areas of mangroves will be protected under the notification. These include mangrove areas arising due to saline water access beyond a sluice gate (constructed before February 19 1991). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, these mangroves shall not be diverted for any developmental activities</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Coastal Regulation Zones</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Coastal stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers, and backwaters were declared as CRZs under coastal zone regulation notification in 1991.</li>
<li>CRZs have been classified into 4 zones for the purpose of regulation:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>CRZ-I:</strong> includes ecologically sensitive areas, where no construction is allowed except activities for atomic power plants, defense.</li>
<li><strong>CRZ-II:</strong> includes designated urban areas that are substantially built up. Construction activities are allowed on the landward side only.</li>
<li><strong>CRZ-III:</strong> includes relatively undisturbed areas, mainly rural areas. No new construction of buildings allowed in this zone except repairing of the existing ones. However, constructions of dwelling units in the plot area lying between 200-500m of the high tide line is allowed.</li>
<li><strong>CRZ-IV:</strong> includes the water area covered between Low Tide Line and 12 nautical miles seaward. Except for fishing and related activities, all actions impugning on the sea and tidal water will be regulated in this zone.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3 id="16">Guidelines for Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Jal Shakti</strong> notified the Operational Guidelines for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/swachh-bharat-mission-grameen-phase-ii-approved#:~:text=Swachh%20Bharat%20Mission%20(Grameen)%20Phase%2DII%20Approved,-20%20Feb%202020&amp;text=The%20Union%20Cabinet%20has%20approved,Liquid%20Waste%20Management%20(SLWM)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) (SBM-G) Phase II.</strong></a></li>
<li>The aim of the second phase of the scheme is to sustain the open defecation free status of villages and to improve the levels of cleanliness in rural areas through solid and liquid waste management activities.</li>
<li>Key features of the guidelines include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Components of SBM-G Phase II:</strong> All states must develop a detailed implementation strategy based on the following components:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>construction of individual household latrines and community sanitary complexes,</li>
<li>works for solid waste management (biodegradable and plastic),</li>
<li>works for liquid waste management and grey water management, and</li>
<li>faecal sludge management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Institutional Mechanism:</strong> Committees will be set up at centre, state and village level to help in planning and facilitating the implementation of the mission. An eight-member National Scheme Sanctioning Committee will be constituted to approve state project implementation plans and the annual implementation plan for the scheme.</li>
<li><strong>Capacity building:</strong> Training will be provided for all stakeholders at state, district and village levels. Stakeholders will include functionaries of ASHA, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lack-of-anganwadis-in-urban-areas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>anganwadi</strong></a> workers, self-help group members, masons, and NGOs.</li>
<li>The training may be on various aspects of the phase, including promoting behavioural change through interpersonal communication, door to door visits, masonry work, plumbing, skills for maintenance of toilets, and other <strong>Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM)</strong> activities.</li>
<li><strong>Market linked SLWM activities:</strong> The SBM-G Phase II will focus on commercially viable solutions to make the sanitation economy attractive to private businesses. Possible avenues of engagement for engaging private sector in rural sanitation could be: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>providing technical assistance in developing innovative and low-cost models of latrine and SLWM infrastructure,</li>
<li>developing sustainable business models for operation and maintenance of community and household level sanitation infrastructure,</li>
<li>raising demand for sanitation value chain products by providing market linkages and financing options to local businesses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="17">Security</h2>
<h3 id="18">Shekatkar Committee Recommendations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>government accepted and implemented certain recommendations of the Shekatkar Committee</strong> relating to border infrastructure.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/abolition-of-posts-in-mes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shekatkar Committee</strong> </a>was set up to enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Shekatkar Committee</strong> was a 11-member committee, appointed by the erstwhile Defence Minister in mid-2016. It was headed by Lt. Gen. D.B. Shekatkar (Retd).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Committee had submitted its report in December 2016. However, the report of the Committee has not been released in public domain in the interest of national security.</li>
<li>The recommendations of the Committee accepted by the government aim to speed up border road construction. These are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Road construction work beyond the optimal capacity of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bro-opens-rohtang-pass" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Border Roads Organisation (BRO)</strong> </a>will be outsourced. Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC) mode has been made mandatory for execution of all works costing more than Rs 100 crore.</li>
<li>The Committee recommended that modern construction plants, equipment, and machinery should be introduced for road construction. The government has increased delegation of powers to the BRO for projects upto Rs 100 crore, for speedier procurement of new technologies.</li>
<li>The Committee recommended that clearances should be obtained before the commencement of the project. Adoption of the EPC mode mandates award of work only after 90% of the statutory clearances, such as forest and environmental clearances, have been obtained.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-may-2020'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Model Bilateral Investment Treaty',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/what-ails-indias-model-bit/article31939413.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;What ails India&rsquo;s Model BIT?&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published on The Hindu business line on 28/6/2020. It talks about the issues related to the Model Bilateral Investment Treaty, 2016.</p>
</div>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-indian-federalism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, which led to a protracted lockdown policy, has raised the fear of an impending economic recession in India. In pursuit of economic recovery, the Government has launched <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a> with an objective of making domestic firms competitive and more integrated supply value chains.</p>
<p>However, in order to make Indian manufacturing truly self-reliant, domestic manufacturing needs to be complemented by a more welcoming stance on foreign investments such as FDIs, FIIs.</p>
<p>Though India ranked among the top 10 global destinations for FDI in 2019, the inflows have remained at less than 2% of GDP. This is despite India leapfrogging 79 places from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2020 in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-makes-doing-business-easier#:~:text=In%20the%20latest%20ranking%20for,for%20the%20third%20consecutive%20year." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank&rsquo;s &lsquo;Ease of Doing Business&rsquo; rankings</strong></a>.</p>
<p>One way to understand such sub-optimal flows is to look at the lacunae emanating from the Model Bilateral Investment Treaty, 2016.</p>
<h3>Bilateral Investment Treaties</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bilateral Investment Treaties:</strong> BITs are treaties between two countries aimed at protecting investments made by investors of both countries.</li>
<li><strong>Objective of BITs:</strong> BITs protect investments by imposing conditions on the regulatory behaviour of the host state and thus, prevent undue interference with the rights of the foreign investor. These conditions may include:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Imposing obligations on host states to accord fair and equitable treatment (FET) to foreign investment and not to discriminate against foreign investment.</li>
<li>Allowing for repatriation of profits subject to conditions agreed to between the two countries.</li>
<li>Most importantly, allowing individual investors to bring cases against host states if the latter&rsquo;s sovereign regulatory measures are not consistent with the BIT, for monetary compensation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and BITs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Since signing the first BIT in 1994 with the UK, India has inked 86 such bilateral treaties, the latest being with Brazil in 2020.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BITs have been one the major drivers of FDI inflows into India.</li>
<li>A 2016 study suggests that by providing substantive protection and commitment to foreign investors, BITs indeed contributed to rising FDIs in the 2001-2012 period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, there have been many cases of the penalty awarded by an International Dispute Settlement (ISDS) tribunal served against India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example in cases involving regulatory measures such as the imposition of retrospective taxes, cancellation and revocation of spectrum and telecom licences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This led to a review of the BITs. and in 2016 India launched the Model BIT. It aims to act as a base for negotiating new BITs with other States, as well as for re-negotiation of the existing ones.</li>
<li>As per Model BIT in 2016, India moved away from an overly investor-friendly approach to a somewhat protectionist approach concerning foreign investments.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since its adoption, India has unilaterally terminated 66-odd BITs between 2016 to 2019, sending negative signals to the global investor community.</li>
<li>This is evident as no country has shown any inclination to re-negotiate based on the Model BIT.</li>
<li>Since 2016, India has signed just three treaties, none of which is in force yet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to Model BIT</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Narrowing Definition of Investment:</strong> Model BIT narrowed the definition of investment that needed to qualify for BIT protection.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Shift From Asset-based to Enterprise-based:</strong> Model BIT indicates that India proposes a<strong> narrow &lsquo;enterprise-based&rsquo; definition</strong> for investment, whereby only direct investments are protected under the treaty.</li>
<li><strong>Negative List:</strong> Besides this, the definition of investment in the Model BIT also contains a <strong>negative list,</strong> which precludes portfolio investments, interest in debt- securities, intangible rights, etc. from the definition of investment.</li>
<li>Thus, the new definition does not take into account the increased scope of foreign investments in the modern era of globalization and liberalization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exhaustion of Domestic Remedy Clause:</strong> Model BIT contains a clause mandating exhaustion of domestic remedy prior to initiating international arbitration proceedings.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <strong>&lsquo;Ease of Doing Business 2020&rsquo;</strong> report, India currently ranks 163 out of 190 countries in ease of enforcing contracts, and it takes 1,445 days and 31% of the claim value for dispute resolution.</li>
<li>This surely does little to increase confidence in foreign investors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wide Discretionary Powers to Host State:</strong> Also, it included a &lsquo;Treatment of Investments&rsquo; clause with a broadly-worded undertaking that neither party shall subject investments to measures that are manifestly abusive and in violation of due process.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, what is the yardstick for assessment of violation of &ldquo;due process&rdquo; is not defined.</li>
<li>Further, Model BIT states that if the Host State decides that the alleged breach under the BIT is a subject matter of taxation at any point in time, the decision of the Host State therein shall be non-justiciable and exempt from review by an arbitral tribunal.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Model BIT simplistically assumes that a foreign investor shall have complete confidence in domestic judicial interpretations and mechanisms.</li>
<li>This could potentially give wide discretion to the Host State to unilaterally exclude any dispute from the jurisdiction of a tribunal, merely by asserting that the conduct in question relates to taxation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Adopting a Hybrid Definition:</strong> Given averseness of Foreign investors, there is a need to revise the definition of investment in the form of a hybrid between an asset-based and enterprise-based definition.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While keeping intact a negative list (to exclude those specific categories or sectors that the Parties deem necessary), such a definition would ensure that direct and indirect investments are protected under the BIT, while still leaving scope for exclusions for regulatory reasons by the State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Following International Norms:</strong> India may explore the option to revise the standard of treatment clause to align it with international practices and include the traditional standard of protection of fair and equitable treatment.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, must give clarification regarding the open-ended terms in the Model BIT. This could result in India facing fewer disputes and BIT claims.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The initiatives such as Make in India 2.0 and liberalisation of FDI caps across sectors are steps in the right direction. Unless the Government adopts a more balanced approach in the Model BIT 2016, foreign investors would be reluctant to make investments into India.</p>
<p>As global companies contemplate moving their investments away from China, it is an opportune time to review and revise the Model BIT from the present inward-looking protectionist approach to a more pragmatic one.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593603137_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593603137_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="630" height="372" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; background-color: #fff9f2; border-color: #ff0303;">
<p><span style="color: #003366;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;In order to address the shortfall in foreign inflows in India, there is a need for adoption of a more balanced approach in the Model Bilateral Investment Treaty 2016&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N9yixKapUGE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/tamil-nadu-police-thoothukudi-death-in-custody-6482198/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Death in custody&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published on The Indian Express on June 30<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/model-bilateral-investment-treaty'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'State of the World Population 2020: UNFPA',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-world-population-2019-unfpa#:~:text=According%20to%20State%20of%20World,annual%20growth%20rate%20of%20China." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Population Fund</strong></a> (UNFPA) has released the <strong>State of the World Population 2020 report</strong>, titled <strong>&lsquo;Against my will: defying the practices that harm women and girls and undermine equality&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It highlights<strong> at least 19 human rights <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-girl-child-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">violations against women</a></strong> and focuses on the<strong> three most prevalent ones, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-questions-female-genital-mutilation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Female Genital Mutilation</a> (FGM), extreme bias against daughters, in favour of sons </strong>and <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-say-no-to-child-marriage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">child marriage</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The number of<strong> missing women</strong> has more than doubled over the past 50 years, who were at 61 million in 1970.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Missing females/women:</strong> These are women missing from the population at given dates due to the cumulative effect of postnatal and prenatal sex selection in the past. The phrase was coined by <strong>Amartya Sen.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan <strong>excess female mortality</strong> of girls below 5 years of age was under 3%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Excess female mortality:</strong> It is the difference between observed and expected mortality of the girl child or avoidable death of girls during childhood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to estimates averaged over a five year period (2013-17), annually, there were 1.2 million missing female births, at a global level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India Specific Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One in three girls missing globally due to sex selection, both pre- and post-natal, is from India, i.e. 46 million out of the total 142 million.</li>
<li>India has the <strong>highest rate of excess female deaths</strong> at 13.5 per 1,000 female births or one in nine deaths of females below the age of 5 due to postnatal sex selection.</li>
<li>In India, around 460,000 girls went missing at birth, which means they were not born due to sex-selection biases, each year between 2013 and 2017.</li>
<li>India (40%) along with China (50%) account for around 90% of the estimated 1.2 million girls lost annually to female foeticide.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Female Genital Mutilation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It involves the <strong>partial or total removal of external female genitalia</strong> or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.</li>
<li>The practise has<strong> no health benefits</strong> for girls and women and can cause severe bleeding, problems in urinating, cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.</li>
<li>An estimated 4.1 million girls will be subjected to female genital mutilation in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extreme Bias against Daughters, in favour of sons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An extreme and continuing preference for sons over daughters in some countries has fuelled <strong>gender-biased sex selection or extreme neglect</strong> which leads to girls&rsquo; death as children, resulting in missing females.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The report <strong>examines the issue of missing women</strong> by studying sex ratio imbalances at birth as a result of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pre-conception-and-pre-natal-diagnostic-techniques-pcpndt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gender-biased sex selection</strong></a> as well as excess female mortality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>advent of technology and increased access to ultrasound imaging</strong> allow parents to terminate a foetus after knowing its gender.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Due to this, the number of girls missing due to female foeticide exceed those that are missing because of postnatal sex selection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These <strong>skewed numbers change the population proportions</strong> and result in <strong>&lsquo;marriage squeeze&rsquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Marriage squeeze:</strong> It happens when prospective grooms far outnumber prospective brides, which further results in <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-war-against-human-trafficking" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>human trafficking</strong></a> for marriage as well as child marriages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These violations result in <strong>fewer choices</strong> for females and putting them <strong>under the sexual, economic and legal control of men,</strong> curbing their human rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Child Marriage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every day, around 33,000 girls under age 18 are forced into marriage, usually to much older men.</li>
<li>In India, child marriage is directly linked to poverty, poor education and geographic location and the rural and urban divide.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-19 Induced Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>economic disruptions and income-loss</strong> because of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a> are likely to increase <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/violence-against-women-on-rise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>violence against girls and women</strong></a> due to intensified unwantedness of daughters and gender discrimination.</li>
<li>The Covid-19 pandemic<strong> threatens to reverse the progress</strong> made in ending some harmful practices worldwide.</li>
<li>In India, Covid-19 has <strong>reduced access to contraception and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/abortions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abortion</a> services,</strong> which is likely to lead to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives Appreciated:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The report pointed out that successful education-related interventions include the provision of cash transfers conditional on school attendance or support to cover the costs of school fees, books, uniforms and supplies.</li>
<li>The report took note of the successful cash-transfer initiative such as <strong>&lsquo;Apni Beti Apna Dhan&rsquo; in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Population Fund</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>subsidiary organ of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN General Assembly</a></strong> and works as a <strong>sexual and reproductive health agency.</strong></li>
<li>It was <strong>established as a trust fund in 1967</strong> and began operations in <strong>1969.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>1987,</strong> it was <strong>officially renamed</strong> the United Nations Population Fund but the original abbreviation,<strong> &lsquo;UNFPA&rsquo;</strong> for the <strong>United Nations Fund for Population Activities</strong> was <strong>retained.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>UN Economic and Social Council</strong> (ECOSOC) establishes its mandate.</li>
<li>UNFPA is <strong>not supported by the UN budget,</strong> instead, it is entirely<strong> supported by</strong> voluntary contributions of donor governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, foundations and individuals.</li>
<li>UNFPA works directly to tackle<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Sustainable Development Goals</strong></a> on<strong> health</strong> (SDG3), <strong>education</strong> (SDG4) and<strong> gender equality</strong> (SDG5).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The problem should be tackled by eliminating the root causes, especially gender-biased norms.</li>
<li>People must foster <strong>respect</strong> for women and girls, by changing attitudes and practices that commoditize them.</li>
<li>People must<strong> protect</strong> women and girls by enforcing laws against practices like child marriage and female mutilation and also by changing attitudes and norms.</li>
<li>Governments must<strong> fulfil</strong> their obligations under human rights treaties that require the elimination of these practices and rituals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Countries that have ratified international treaties such as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-children-s-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on the Rights of the Child</strong></a>, have a duty to end the harm, whether it&rsquo;s inflicted on girls by family members, religious communities, health-care providers, commercial enterprises or State institutions themselves.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/46-million-girls-went-missing-in-india/article31957348.ece#:~:text=One%20in%20three%20girls%20missing,2020%20report%20released%20on%20Tuesday.&amp;text=India%20had%20about%204%2C60%2C000,missing'%20at%20birth%20each%20year." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-the-world-population-2020-unfpa'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'National Mission for Clean Ganga',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> has approved a five year loan (for the second phase) to the <a href="/daily-news-analysis/ganga-vriksharopan-abhiyan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)</strong></a> or <strong>Namami Gange Project</strong> worth Rs.3,000 crore to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/15-point-directive-to-clean-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>help stem pollution in the Ganga river basin.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>So far, 313 projects worth Rs. 25,000 crore have been sanctioned under the mission.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The First Phase:</strong> The Namami Gange has already received <strong>Rs. 4,535 crore</strong> from the World Bank as part of the first phase (valid until December 2021) of the National Ganga River Basin.</li>
<li><strong>The Second Phase: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Hybrid Annuity Projects:</strong> The loan would fund three new &lsquo;Hybrid Annuity Projects&rsquo; in Agra, Meerut and Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh for the tributaries of the Ganga.</li>
<li><strong>Cleaning Projects:</strong> Some of the projects include spillover projects from the first phase of the mission as well cleaning projects in tributaries such as the Yamuna and Kali rivers.</li>
<li><strong>DBOT Projects</strong>: Rs.1,209 crore is provided for the ongoing DBOT <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/build-operate-transfer-model#:~:text=BOT%3A%20It%20is%20conventional%20PPP,to%20construct%20and%20maintain%20it." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Design, Build, Operate and Transfer)</strong></a> projects in Buxar, Munger, Begusarai in Bihar.</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives:</strong> It would include institutional development, improving investment resilience to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> like emergency situations, performance based incentive for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/25-years-of-local-democracy-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Urban Local Bodies</strong></a> and communication and management programmes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Associated Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Pollution:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Most of the Ganga is polluted and it is due to presence of five states on the river&rsquo;s main stem i.e. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal.</li>
<li>Industrial <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/03-12-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pollution</strong></a> from tanneries in Kanpur, distilleries, paper and sugar mills in the Kosi, Ramganga and Kali river catchments are major contributors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Violation of e-Flow Norms:</strong> According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/e-flows-in-river-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Water Commission (CWC)</strong></a>, 4 of the 11 hydro power projects on the upper reaches of the river Ganga&rsquo;s tributaries are violating Ganga <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-notifies-e-flow-for-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ecological flow (e-flow) norms</strong></a> which is further interrupting the natural flow of the river.</li>
<li><strong>Illegal Construction:</strong> The problem of illegal and rampant construction near river beds has become a major hurdle in cleaning the river.</li>
<li><strong>Poor Governance:</strong> There is less utilisation of funds allotted under the programmes due to lack of monitoring and superviison.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Namami Gange Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Namami Gange Programme</strong> is an<strong> Integrated Conservation Mission,</strong> approved as a &lsquo;Flagship Programme&rsquo; by the Union Government in<strong> June 2014</strong> to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.</li>
<li>It is being operated under the Department of Water Resources,River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, <strong>Ministry of Jal Shakti.</strong></li>
<li>The program is being implemented by the <strong>National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG),</strong> and its state counterpart organizations i.e., State Program ManagementGroups (SPMGs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NMCG is the implementation wing of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-meeting-of-national-ganga-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Ganga Council</strong> </a>(set in 2016; which replaced the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NRGBA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has a <strong>Rs. 20,000-crore, centrally-funded,</strong> non-lapsable corpus and consists of nearly 288 projects.</li>
<li><strong>The main pillars of the programme are:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure &amp; Industrial Effluent Monitoring,</li>
<li>River-Front Development &amp; River-Surface Cleaning,</li>
<li>Bio-Diversity &amp; Afforestation,</li>
<li>Public Awareness</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Other Initiatives Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ganga Action Plan:</strong> It was the first River Action Plan that was taken up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 1985, to improve the water quality by the interception, diversion, and treatment of domestic sewage.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The National River Conservation Plan</strong> is an extension to the Ganga Action Plan. It aims at cleaning the Ganga river under Ganga Action Plan phase-2.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA):</strong> It was formed by the Government of India in the year 2009 under Section-3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It declared the Ganga as the &lsquo;National River&rsquo; of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Clean Ganga Fund:</strong> In 2014, it was formed for cleaning up of the Ganga, setting up of waste treatment plants, and conservation of biotic diversity of the river.</li>
<li><strong>Bhuvan-Ganga Web App:</strong> It ensures involvement of the public in monitoring of pollution entering into the river Ganga.</li>
<li><strong>Ban on Waste Disposal:</strong> In 2017, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal</strong></a> banned the disposal of any waste in the Ganga.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government&rsquo;s <strong>Namami Gange Programme</strong> has <strong>revitalised India&rsquo;s efforts</strong> in rejuvenating the Ganga.</li>
<li>In this line, the first World Bank loan has helped build critical sewage infrastructure in 20 pollution hotspots along the river and the current funding would help in cleaning of the <strong>tributaries of Ganga.</strong></li>
<li>It will further aid the government to <strong>strengthen the institutions</strong> needed to manage a river basin as large as the Ganga Basin.</li>
<li>In order to successfully implement the plan there is a<strong> need for a strategic blueprint</strong> that includes the<strong> strict monitoring, mass awareness campaigns, use of digital media and conservation of biodiversity in Ganga.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/world-bank-approves-fresh-funds-for-ganga-cleaning-mission/article31957115.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-mission-for-clean-ganga'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Committee on Criminal Law Reform',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted a <strong>national level committee for reform in criminal law.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Committee For Reform In Criminal Law:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The committee has been constituted under <strong>Ranbir Singh</strong> and several other members.</li>
<li>The committee would be gathering opinions online by consulting with experts and collating material for their report to the government.</li>
<li>The consultation exercise would start on 4<sup>th</sup> July 2020 and go on for the next three months.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background of Criminal Justice System:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The codification of criminal laws in India was done during the British rule, which more or less remains the same even in the 21<sup>st</sup> century.</li>
<li><strong>Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay</strong> is said to be the chief architect of codifications of criminal laws in India.</li>
<li>Criminal law in India is governed by <strong>Indian Penal Code, 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, </strong>and<strong> Indian Evidence Act, 1872,</strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Reforms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Colonial Era Laws:</strong> The criminal justice system is a replica of the British colonial jurisprudence, which was designed with the purpose of ruling the nation and not serving the citizens.</li>
<li><strong>Ineffectiveness:</strong> The purpose of the criminal justice system was to protect the rights of the innocents and punish the guilty, but nowadays the system has become a tool of harassment of common people.</li>
<li><strong>Pendency of Cases:</strong> According to <a href="/gist-of-economic-survey/gist-of-economic-survey-2018-19/gist-of-economic-survey2018-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Economic Survey 2018-19</strong></a>, there are about 3.5 crore cases pending in the judicial system, especially in district and subordinate courts, which leads to actualisation of the maxim <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/judicial-pendency-justice-delayed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Justice delayed is justice denied.&rdquo;</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Huge Undertrials:</strong> India has one of the world&rsquo;s largest number of undertrial prisoners.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to <strong>NCRB -Prison Statistics India</strong> (2015), 67.2% of our total prison population comprises <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/prison-reforms-and-way-forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>undertrial prisoners</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Investigation:</strong> Corruption, huge workload and accountability of police is a major hurdle in speedy and transparent delivery of justice.</li>
<li><strong>Madhav Menon Committee:</strong> It submitted its report in 2007, suggesting various recommendations on reforms in the CJSI.</li>
<li><strong>Malimath Committee Report:</strong> It submitted its report in 2003 on the <strong>Criminal Justice System of India (CJSI).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Committee had opined that the <strong>existing system &ldquo;weighed in favour of the accused and did not adequately focus on justice to the victims of crime.&rdquo;</strong></li>
<li>It has provided various <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-road-map-for-criminal-justice-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>recommendations</strong> </a>to be made in the CJSI, which were not implemented.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Suggestions for Reforms</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Criminal law is considered to be the most apparent expression of the <strong>relationship between a state and its citizens.</strong> Therefore, any revision to the CJSI needs to be done while keeping several principles in mind, which are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>reason for victimization</strong> ought to be given a major thrust in reforming laws to identify the <strong>rights of crime victims.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>For Example:</strong> Launch of victim and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/witness-protection-scheme-2018-to-the-point" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>witness protection schemes</strong></a>, use of victim impact statements, increased victim participation in criminal trials, enhanced access of victims to compensation and restitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>construction of new offences</strong> and reworking of the existing classification of offences must be guided by the principles of criminal jurisprudence which have substantially altered in the past four decades.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>For Example:</strong> Criminal liability could be graded better to assign the degree of punishments. New types of punishments like <strong>community service orders, restitution orders, and other aspects of restorative and reformative justice</strong> could also be brought in its fold.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>classification of offences</strong> must be done in a manner conducive to management of crimes in the future.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Many chapters of the IPC are overloaded at several places. The chapters on offences against public servants, contempt of authority, public tranquility, and trespass can be redefined and narrowed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Guiding principles</strong> need to be developed after sufficient debate before criminalising an act as a crime.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Unprincipled criminalisation not only leads to the creation of new offences on unscientific grounds, but also arbitrariness in the criminal justice system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>discretion of judges</strong> in deciding the quantum and nature of sentence differently for crimes of the same nature should be based on principles of judicial precedent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India needs to draft a clear policy that should inform the changes to be envisaged in the existing criminal laws.</li>
<li>It also needs to make simultaneous improvements in the police, prosecution, judiciary and in prisons.</li>
<li>The focus of reform should be on reformative justice in order to bring all around peace in the society.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/committee-for-reform-in-criminal-law-to-start-online-consultation-soon/article31958256.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/committee-on-criminal-law-reform'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Online Education',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Central government has proposed long-term measures to address social inequities in <strong>online education,</strong> as highlighted by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The measures include plans to <strong>distribute laptops or tablets</strong> to 40% of all college and university students over the next five years and to <strong>equip all government schools with Information and Communication Technology</strong> (ICT).</li>
<li>Earlier in April 2020, the Centre had announced to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/classes-in-distance-mode" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>start the 2020-21 academic year virtually</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Facilitation of Online Education:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Providing Laptops and Tablets:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Providing these <strong>devices to 4.06 crore students</strong> (40% of the projected student population) <strong>by 2026,</strong> at a total cost of Rs. 60,900 crore.</li>
<li>The <strong>Centre and States</strong> will share the cost in a <strong>60:40 ratio.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Installing ICT Facilities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Human Resource Development</strong> proposes to spend Rs. 2,306 crore on <strong>developing and translating digital course content and resources</strong> over the next five years.</li>
<li>Different<strong> e-learning</strong> techniques will be used like YouTube, Google Classroom, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/online-classes-due-to-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SWAYAM Prabha portal</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-dth-v-s-ott" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>direct-to-home</strong> </a>(DTH), etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sanitisation and Quarantine Measures before School Reopenings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The measures would include ensuring basic <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/who-wash-strategy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities</strong></a>, safe drinking water, availability of sanitiser, disinfectant, cleaning material and equipment for temperature checking.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial Support:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the <strong>composite grant for schools,</strong> ranging between <strong>Rs. 25,000 for small schools with less than 100 students</strong> and<strong> Rs. 1 lakh for schools with over a thousand students</strong> for awareness and community mobilisation to sensitise parents, students and local leaders about pandemics, social distancing and other preventive measures.</li>
<li><strong>Rs. 1,000 per teacher to encourage</strong> them to function as first-level counsellors, disseminate basic information about Covid-19 and provide digital/online/mobile education.</li>
<li><strong>Rs. 1 lakh per school for sanitisation and quarantine measures</strong> in preparation for the safe reopening of schools.</li>
<li>A proposed <strong>budget of Rs. 55,840 crore to equip government schools</strong> above the upper primary level, with ICT facilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593592868_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593592868_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Social Inequity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>e-Learning is a privilege for the students from middle and upper class but it has proved to be a nuisance for students from the lower middle class and people living <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/poverty-estimation-in-india#:~:text=Out%20of%20the%20total%20population,living%20below%20the%20poverty%20line." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>below the poverty line</strong></a> (BPL).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Marketing of Education:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Corporate houses, technology firms and educational institutions will be working closely to achieve the goals of e-learning which may aggravate the commercialisation of education and exclude the self-dependent tutors and students from economically weak backgrounds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technological Constraints:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Poor students, who do not have access to e-resources (computers, laptops, internet connectivity), will not be able to attend classes from home.</li>
<li>Teachers too might have technical constraints and if teachers are equipped but the same might not be the case for the institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Practical Learning:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most of the subjects like beauty culture, fashion design and tailoring, office management, travel and tourism, web design etc need practical learning so it is difficult to teach them from a distance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Traditional classroom organisations</strong> like schools and colleges, as social space (whereby a student not just learns the academic knowledge but many social skills also), <strong>are indispensable.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government should start making<strong> access to technology universal</strong> in the public education system. Private players can make e-resources accessible and available to students under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility</strong> </a>(CSR).</li>
<li>The <strong>definition of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/right-to-education#:~:text=Feature%20of%20Right%20to%20Education,SCs%20and%20STs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">right to education</a> needs to expand and promote online education</strong> so that it addresses the importance of connectivity and access to knowledge and information.</li>
<li><strong>Traditional classroom organisations should give way to online education.</strong></li>
<li>Further, there is a need for <strong>deep reflection on curriculum and to ensure scientific literacy</strong> within it as the society still struggles against superstitions and hardly fights misinformation actively.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/laptops-tablets-to-be-provided-to-40-of-university-students-govt-schools-to-get-ict-facilities/article31956786.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/online-education'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Core Sector Shrinks by 23.4%',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry,<strong> the eight core sector industries</strong> contracted by 23.4% in May, 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In April 2020 the eight core sectors had contracted by 37%.</li>
<li>In May 2019 the eight core sectors had grown by 3.8%.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Core Sector Data: Except fertiliser,</strong> all seven sectors &mdash; coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, steel, cement, and electricity &mdash; had recorded negative growth in May.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>fertiliser production</strong> showed growth at 7.5% after two consecutive months of contraction.</li>
<li>The <strong>steel and cement</strong> showed a shrinkage of 48.4% and 22.2% respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason:</strong> The main reason for contraction was <strong>factories remained affected</strong> by a <strong>lack of labour and cash shortages</strong> owing to the nationwide lockdown.</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong> Experts are of the opinion that aftershocks of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>lockdown</strong> </a>will continue to affect domestic industry in coming months. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They will see a lower but certain contraction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593585621_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593585621_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="416" height="401" /></a></p>
<h3>Core Sector Industries</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>eight core sector industries</strong> include coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity</li>
<li>These <strong>comprise 40.27% of the weight of items</strong> included in the <strong>Index of Industrial Production (IIP).</strong></li>
<li>The eight Core Industries in <strong>decreasing order</strong> of their weightage:<strong> Refinery Products&gt; Electricity&gt; Steel&gt; Coal&gt; Crude Oil&gt; Natural Gas&gt; Cement&gt; Fertilizers.</strong></li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #7dffaa; text-align: center;"><strong>Industry</strong></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #7dffaa; text-align: center;"><strong>Weight (In percentage)</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Petroleum &amp; Refinery production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">28.04</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Electricity generation</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">19.85</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Steel production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">17.92</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Coal production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">10.33</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Crude Oil production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">8.98</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Natural Gas production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">6.88</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Cement production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">5.37</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">Fertilizers production</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #e8fcd2;">2.63</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Index of Industrial Production</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an indicator that <strong>measures the changes in the volume of production of industrial products</strong> during a given period.</li>
<li>It is compiled and published monthly by the <strong>National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.</strong></li>
<li>IIP is a <strong>composite indicator</strong> that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Broad sectors,</strong> namely, Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.</li>
<li><strong>Use-based sectors,</strong> namely Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Base Year</strong> for IIP is <strong>2011-2012.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Significance of IIP:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>used by government agencies</strong> including the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of India, etc, for policy-making purposes.</li>
<li>IIP remains extremely relevant for the calculation of the quarterly and<strong> advance GDP estimates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/eight-core-industries-output-contracts-234-in-may/article31954528.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/core-sector-shrinks-by-23-4'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Education In Post-Covid Era',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.livemint.com/opinion/columns/education-in-the-post-pandemic-world-cannot-be-the-same-again-11593098987345.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Education in the post-pandemic world cannot be the same again&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The LiveMint on 25/06/2020. It talks about the status of education in the post-pandemic era.</p>
</div>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-globalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> has resulted in unprecedented upheaval across all industries, with the education sector being no exception. In such a difficult time society and industries have sought to counter the disruptions caused by the pandemic, through &lsquo;great decentralization&rsquo; i.e. work-from-home or actually work-from-anywhere.</p>
<p>Similarly, online education by most of the colleges and universities has been becoming a norm. However, online education possesses some limitations pertaining to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/right-to-internet-access-and-digital-literacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the digital divide</strong></a> in India.</p>
<p>In this context, the government and other stakeholders should see this disruption caused by pandemic as a good opportunity to improve the public education system and aim to make it more egalitarian.</p>
<h3>Associated Challenges with Online Education</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Digital Divide:</strong> While e-education is a privilege for the students from an upper and middle class, it has proved to be a nuisance for students from the lower middle class and people living below the poverty line.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many poor students who don&rsquo;t have access to e-resources (computers, laptops, internet connectivity) shall not be able to attend classes from home.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commercialisation of Education:</strong> With online education becoming a norm in the post-pandemic era, there is a significant possibility of corporate houses, technology firms and educational institutions working much more closely together. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though this may have a big positive effect on the education sector, it may further aggravate the ongoing commercialisation of the education sector and exclude the self-dependent tutors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Online Education as a common good:</strong> The Centre and the state governments should start making access to technology universal and more feasible in the public education system. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, as part of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Corporate Social Responsibility</a>,</strong> private players can involve tech-based organisations to make e-resources accessible and available to students, especially in government and low-income private schools.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expansion in the scope of Right to Education:</strong> The definition of the right to education needs to expand and promote online education so that it addresses the importance of connectivity and access to knowledge and information.</li>
<li><strong>Valuing teaching profession:</strong> Digital innovation provides a remarkable opportunity for the democratisation of education.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, there is a need to encourage conditions that give frontline educators autonomy and flexibility to act collaboratively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection of the social spaces provided by education institutions:</strong> Traditional classroom organization must give way to online education. However, school or education as a social space (whereby a student not just learns the academic knowledge but many social skills also) is indispensable.</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring scientific literacy within the curriculum:</strong> This is the right time for deep reflection on curriculum, particularly as a society still struggles against superstitions and actively fights misinformation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Covid-19 has shown the extent to which the Indian system of education exploits inequalities. Thus, there is a need for renewed commitments to the synergy between the private and public education sector. In this context, there is a need to make education as a common good and digital innovation can help in achieving the feat.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593516361_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593516361_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #fa0000; background-color: #eeffeb;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;Education is a bulwark against inequalities and digital innovation can lead to its democratisation&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uIYrQX490E8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/brief-reprieve-the-hindu-editorial-on-terror-financing-watchdog-fatf-and-pakistan/article31940511.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Brief Reprieve&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on June 28<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/education-in-post-covid-era'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap: PMJVK',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Minister of Minority Affairs</strong> has laid the foundation stone for <strong>&lsquo;Sanskritik Sadbhav Mandap&rsquo;</strong> (multi-purpose community centre) at Rampur in Uttar Pradesh.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This <strong>community centre</strong> will be utilized for various socio-economic-cultural activities, skill development training, coaching, different sports activities and relief activities during disasters such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</li>
<li>It is being constructed under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-july-17th-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Restructured: Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)</strong> is a <strong>restructured and renamed</strong> form of the erstwhile <strong>Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme was restructured on the recommendation of the<strong> Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment headed by Ramesh Bais,</strong> which submitted its report on <strong>&lsquo;Implementation of Scheme of Multi-Sectoral Development Programme/Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram&rsquo;</strong> on 9<sup>th</sup> August 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation Period:</strong> The restructured scheme is to be implemented during the remaining period of the 14<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-funding-for-panchayats" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Finance Commission</strong></a> i.e. 31st March 2020.</li>
<li><strong>Funding: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-hike-monthly-pensions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Centrally Sponsored Scheme</a>. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the year 2008-09, Government conceived the <strong>Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP)</strong> as a centrally sponsored scheme.</li>
<li>Initially, the MsDP scheme was launched in the <strong>90 Minority Concentration Districts</strong> of the country.</li>
<li>To sharpen the focus on the targeted communities, the scheme was restructured during 2013-14 and the unit of planning for implementation was changed to <strong>Minority Concentration Blocks (MCB), Minority Concentration Towns (MCT)</strong> and <strong>Clusters of Minority Concentration Villages (COV).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation Region:</strong> The PMJVK will continue to be implemented in MCBs, MCTs and COVs. A new area for implementation of PMJVK has been included namely <strong>Minority Concentration District Headquarters (MCD Hq).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The identified areas namely MCBs, MCTs, MCD Hqs and COVs for implementation of PMJVK are <strong>collectively known as Minority Concentration Areas (MCA).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Basis of Selection:</strong> On the basis of a substantial population of minority communities i.e. <strong>25% of the minority population</strong> in the area and <strong>backwardness parameters (literacy rate, female literacy rate, work participation rate and female work participation rate)</strong> along with <strong>basic amenities indicators</strong> in the area concerned which are <strong>below the national average</strong> based on population data of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/census-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Census</a> 2011.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the<strong> Census 2011,</strong> the percentage of minorities in the country is about <strong>19.3% of the total population of the country.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The population of Muslims are 14.2%, Christians 2.3%, Sikhs 1.7%, Buddhists 0.7%, Jain 0.4% and Parsis 0.006%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Minority Community:</strong> As far as PMJVK is concerned, the communities notified as minority communities under <strong>Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992</strong> would be taken as Minority Communities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At present <strong>six communities</strong> namely <strong>Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains</strong> have been notified as Minority Communities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Other schemes which aim at the<strong> inclusive growth of the minority communities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seekho Aur Kamao.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hunar-haat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Usttad.</strong></a></li>
<li>Garib Nawaz Kaushal Vikas Yojana.</li>
<li>Nai Manzil.</li>
<li>Nai Roshni.</li>
<li>Begum Hazrat Mahal Girls scholarships.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Minorities in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong> The term "Minority" is <strong>not defined in the Indian Constitution.</strong> However, the Constitution recognises <strong>only religious and linguistic minorities.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 29:</strong> It provides that any section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a distinct language, script or culture of its own, shall have the right to conserve the same. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It grants protection to both<strong> religious minorities</strong> as well as <strong>linguistic minorities.</strong></li>
<li>However, the Supreme Court held that the scope of this article is<strong> not necessarily restricted to minorities only,</strong> as use of the word &lsquo;section of citizens&rsquo; in the Article that include minorities as well as the majority.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 30:</strong> Under the article, all minorities shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The protection under Article 30 is confined only to minorities (religious or linguistic) and does<strong> not extend to any section of citizens</strong> (as under Article 29).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 350-B:</strong> Originally, the Constitution of India did not make any provision with respect to the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities. However, the <strong>7<sup>th</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956</strong> inserted Article <strong>350-B in the Constitution.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It provides for a <strong>Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities</strong> appointed by the <strong>President of India.</strong></li>
<li>It would be the duty of the Special Officer to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for linguistic minorities under the constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Parliamentary Provisions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992:</strong> The act defines a minority as &ldquo;a community notified as such by the Central government&rdquo;.</li>
<li>Under this act, the government formed the National Commission for Minorities which consists of <strong>a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and five members.</strong> The five members including the Chairperson shall be from amongst the minority communities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Minorities Rights Day in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Commission for Minorities observes the <strong>18<sup>th</sup> December</strong> as <strong>Minorities Rights Day every year.</strong></li>
<li>The day marks the adoption of the <strong>&ldquo;Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities&rdquo; by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a> in 1992.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The declaration states that States shall protect the existence of the National or Ethnic, Cultural, Religious and Linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1635101" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sanskritik-sadbhav-mandap-pmjvk'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Uganda Submitted REDD+ Results',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Uganda</strong> has become the<strong> first African country</strong> to submit results for <strong>Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+)</strong> to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)</strong></a>.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>REDD+</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+)</strong> is a mechanism developed by <strong>Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)</strong> in 2005.</li>
<li>Most of the key REDD+ decisions were completed by 2013, with the final pieces of the rulebook finished in 2015.</li>
<li>The<strong> &ldquo;Plus&rdquo;</strong> in REDD+, lays out the various ways in which countries have defined the three activities: <strong>conservation, the sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stock.</strong></li>
<li>It aims to achieve <strong>climate change mitigation by incentivizing forest conservation.</strong></li>
<li>It has three phases &mdash; <strong>Readiness, Implementation and Result-based actions.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Readiness phase</strong> involves the development of national strategies or action plans, REDD+ mitigation actions, and capacity building.</li>
<li><strong>Implementation</strong> is about enacting REDD+ actions and national strategies that could involve further capacity building, technology development and transfer.</li>
<li><strong>Results-based payments</strong> comprise the final REDD+ phase. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It provides <strong>financial incentives to developing countries</strong> that prove they stopped deforestation during a certain period of time. This is done through rigorous UN-backed technical evaluations</li>
<li>The<strong> Green Climate Fund (GCF)</strong> established at <strong>Conference Of Parties (COP)-17</strong> to function as the financial mechanism for the UNFCCC, is currently financing REDD+ programs.</li>
<li><strong>Brazil</strong> was the first country to receive $96.5 million under the results-based payments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Uganda's REDD+ Results:</strong> There is a 44% reduction in the country&rsquo;s rate of deforestation annually between 2015 and 2017.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The results submission by Uganda to the UNFCCC has paved the way for<strong> potential results-based payments to the country.</strong></li>
<li>It will help Uganda to receive funds through the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/climate-finance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Green Climate Fund&rsquo;s</strong> </a>forest conservation scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance for Africa:</strong> The submission of the results are a significant development on REDD+ for Africa. This will encourage other African countries to reduce carbon emissions by decreasing deforestation and forest degradation.</li>
<li><strong>India and REDD+:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-climate-change-act-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Paris agreement on climate change</strong></a> called upon <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/conference-of-the-parties-cop-24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>country Parties</strong></a> to take action to implement and support REDD+.</li>
<li>India has communicated in its <strong>Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)</strong> under Paris Agreement, that it will capture 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of Carbon dioxide through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.</li>
<li>In this regard, India has prepared its<strong> &ldquo;National REDD+ Strategy&rdquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Introduced in 2018 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the strategy seeks to <strong>address drivers of deforestation and forest degradation</strong> and also develop a roadmap for <strong>enhancement of forest carbon stocks</strong> and achieving sustainable management of forests through REDD+ actions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Achieving REDD+ results are challenging, as there are other development priorities &mdash; with <strong>agriculture, mining, energy and forestry</strong> &mdash; driving deforestation.</li>
<li>There is a need to support developing countries through all three REDD+ phases &mdash; <strong>readiness, implementation and result-based actions</strong> &mdash; by providing tools and analysis of how to design, implement and measure the results of REDD+ action.</li>
<li>This will in turn position countries like India and Africa as the forest champion of the next decade.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/uganda-becomes-first-african-country-to-submit-redd-results-paves-way-for-payments-72015#:~:text=Last%20Updated%3A%20Monday%2029%20June,on%20Climate%20Change%20(UNFCCC)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uganda-submitted-redd-results'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'STARS Programme: World Bank',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> has approved the <strong>Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) Programme.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will improve the quality and governance of school education in six Indian states of <strong>Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan</strong> through the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samagra-shiksha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Samagra Shiksha</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Expected Beneficiaries:</strong> Around 250 million students (between the<strong> age of 6 and 17</strong>) in 1.5 million schools and over 10 million teachers will benefit from this <strong>USD 500 million</strong> programme.</li>
<li><strong>In Line with Previous Assistance:</strong> It will strengthen public school education and support the <strong>country&rsquo;s goal of providing &lsquo;Education for All&rsquo;,</strong> for which the Bank had provided total assistance of more than USD 3 billion prior to this plan as well.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> STARS will <strong>help improve</strong> learning assessment systems, strengthen classroom instruction and remediation, facilitate school-to-work transition and strengthen governance and decentralized management.</li>
<li>STARS will <strong>support India&rsquo;s renewed focus on addressing the learning outcome challenge</strong> and help students better prepare for the jobs of the future, through a <strong>series of reform initiatives,</strong> which include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Providing Customised Solutions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Focusing more directly on the delivery of education services at the state, district and sub-district levels by providing customized local-level solutions towards school improvement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Addressing Specific Demands:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Addressing demands from stakeholders, especially parents, for greater accountability and inclusion by producing better data to assess the quality of learning.</li>
<li>Giving special attention to students from vulnerable sections, with over 52% (as a weighted average) of children in the government-run schools in the six project states belonging to vulnerable sections, such as Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and minority communities.</li>
<li>Delivering a curriculum that keeps pace with the rapidly evolving needs of the job market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Equipping Teachers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Equipping teachers to manage this transformation by recognizing that teachers are central to achieving better learning outcomes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>More Investments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Investing more in developing India&rsquo;s human capital needs by strengthening foundational learning for children in classes 1 to 3 and preparing them with the cognitive, socio-behavioural and language skills to meet future labour market needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SDGs:</strong> It is in line with the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=Three%20core%20elements%20of%20sustainable,are%20important%20for%20sustainable%20development." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Sustainable Development Goal</strong> </a><strong>for education (SDG 4)</strong> and will help produce better data on learning levels by improving the <strong>National Achievement Survey</strong> (NAS).</li>
<li><strong>PISA:</strong> STARS will assist India in participation in the <strong>Programme for International Student Assessment</strong> (PISA).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>PISA is a<strong> worldwide study</strong> by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oecds-forecast-for-global-economy-in-2060" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development</strong></a> (OECD) in member and non-member nations.</li>
<li>It measures <strong>15-year-olds' ability</strong> to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Success Stories</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has <strong>successfully achieved gender parity in enrolment in primary education</strong> but that is <strong>not the case in secondary education.</strong> Under STARS, each state is expected to not only stabilize this downward trend but also improve the completion rate for secondary education.</li>
<li>India has <strong>significantly improved access to education</strong> across the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Between 2004-05 and 2018-19,</strong> the number of children going to school increased<strong> from 219 million to 248 million.</strong></li>
<li>However, the <strong>learning outcomes</strong> of students across all age groups continue to <strong>remain below par.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fails to Address Capacity Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Major <strong>vacancies</strong> across the education system <strong>remain unaddressed.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Without capable and motivated faculty,</strong> teacher education and training cannot be expected to improve.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ignoring Decentralisation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The World Bank ignores that <strong>decentralising</strong> decision-making <strong>requires the devolution of funds and real decision-making power.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>requires</strong> not just<strong> investment</strong> in the capacity of the front-line bureaucracy but also in <strong>increasing their discretionary powers</strong> while fostering social accountability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Excessive use of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/role-of-technology-in-governance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Information and Communications Technology</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Technology does not address</strong> most of the <strong>systemic or governance challenges</strong> but it simply by-passes them.</li>
<li>Its usefulness depends on whether preconditions for effective use of ICT-systems have been put in place otherwise it only worsens the problems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Over-reliance on measurement by standardised assessments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The programme<strong> spends money on testing infrastructure for standardised assessments</strong> which is a waste of time and resources.</li>
<li>Schools in India need improvement so the money<strong> should be invested in improving the capability</strong> of the system to improve learning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Outsourcing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Outsourcing to non-state partners not just <strong>takes away discretion</strong> from state actors but also takes away the<strong> sense of accountability and ownership</strong> towards their job.</li>
<li><strong>New private initiatives do not have institutional memories,</strong> nor do they have a <strong>grasp of socio-cultural realities</strong> that play an important part in the delivery process.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>State structures rely on past experience (institutional memory) to meet new challenges and build additional memories with every new reform they undertake.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The administration must be<strong> equipped with adequate physical, financial and human resources</strong> because an overburdened bureaucracy with vacancies and without basic equipment cannot be expected to be effective.</li>
<li>Administrative or governance reforms <strong>must give greater discretion to the front-line bureaucracy</strong> to address local issues and innovate if required.</li>
<li>Outsourcing, an over-reliance on measurement by standardised assessments and excessive use of ICT will not get people closer to an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong></a>. For that, the education system needs to <strong>enable itself to develop capability to reform itself.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/the-stars-project-needs-an-overhaul/article31947675.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/stars-programme-world-bank'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Kholongchhu Hydropower Project',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indo-bhutan-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Bhutan</strong></a> have signed concession agreement on the 600 MW <strong>Kholongchhu Hydropower Project.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will be the <strong>first-ever Joint Venture (JV)</strong> project between India and Bhutan.</li>
<li>The JV partners are <strong>Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN),</strong> and the<strong> Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC)</strong> from India and Bhutan respectively.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593506326_Image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593506326_Image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Kholongchhu project</strong> is one of four additional projects agreed in 2008, as a part of India&rsquo;s commitment to help Bhutan to create a<strong> total 10,000 MW</strong> of installed capacity by 2020.</li>
<li>The <strong>600 MW run-of-the-river project</strong> is located on the lower course of the <strong>Kholongchhu river in</strong> eastern Bhutan&rsquo;s <strong>Trashiyangtse district.</strong></li>
<li>The project is expected to be completed in the <strong>second half of 2025.</strong></li>
<li>The project will be constructed as a <strong>50:50 joint venture.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Concession Period:</strong> The Government of India will provide, as a grant, the equity share of the Bhutanese DGPC in the JV Company. Once the project is commissioned, the JV partners will run it for 30 years, called the<strong> concession period,</strong> after which the full ownership will transfer to the Bhutan government, which will receive power from the project as a royalty.</li>
<li><strong>Bilateral Cooperation:</strong> The tapping of hydropower in Bhutan would pave a way for successful <strong>bilateral cooperation and mutual engagement</strong> between India and Bhutan.</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Interest:</strong> Being a member of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/drishti-specials-important-international-bimstec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BIMSTEC</strong></a>, Bhutan holds geostrategic importance for India. The shared sense of support and help in terms of such development projects between the two countries<strong> can help India</strong> in executing its <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy#:~:text=Act%20East%20Policy%20seeks%20economic,witnessed%20major%20reforms%20since%201991)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Act East-Look East Policy</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Energy Trade:</strong> The project would act as a milestone in generation of energy and related trade.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The project would aid in a clean and stabilising power source for India and also contribute to its renewable energy targets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Employment Opportunities:</strong> Commencement of construction activities of the project will create economic and employment opportunities in<strong> Bhutan.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India needs to focus on the youth of Bhutan, as it is the youth only, which would take the people-to-people contact forward in the future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Growth:</strong> The plant would drive economic growth and hence <strong>socio-economic development</strong> would be facilitated in Bhutan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Power Tariffs:</strong> The project which started in 2014 was on halt since December 2016 over India&rsquo;s new power tariff guidelines on <strong>Cross Border Trade of Electricity - CBTE,</strong> until the government amended its guidelines after negotiations with the Bhutan government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Power tariff revision</strong> which includes<strong> the increase in the operations and maintenance charges</strong> may become a bone of contention.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Risk of the JV-model:</strong> Another issue is regarding the risk of the JV-model for the project as Bhutan had expressed concern over a greater financial risk due to project delays.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The delays had an impact on Bhutan&rsquo;s growth, as well as its exports and revenues. For example, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> has attributed the decline in the <strong>country&rsquo;s growth rate directly to delays in hydropower construction</strong> and the dip in electricity generation.</li>
<li>However, India has maintained that it prefers the more commercial model as it not only shares the risk, but also makes Indian PSUs show greater accountability on time and cost, as they become investors rather than contractors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India Bhutan Hydropower Projects</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>So far, Government of India has constructed three Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs) in Bhutan totaling 1416 MW <strong>(336 MW Chukha</strong> HEP, <strong>60 MW Kurichhu</strong> HEP and 1020 MW <strong>Tala</strong> HEP), which are operational and exporting surplus power to India.</li>
<li>India has recently completed <strong>720 MW <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-5th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mangdechhu HydroElectric Power Project</a></strong> and both sides are in process of expediting the completion of other ongoing projects including the <strong>1200MW Punatsangchhu-1 &amp; 1020MW Punatsangchhu-2.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/india-s-world-pm-modi-s-visit-to-bhutan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Bhutan</strong></a> have emphasised the importance of &ldquo;hydro-power development&rdquo; as one of the most important areas of <strong>mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.</strong></li>
<li>Kholongchhu is a continuation of bilateral cooperation which epitomises the core of the friendship for a greater good.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>delay in the implementation of the project</strong> has led to cost escalation and missed opportunities in terms of immediate benefits to the community. Therefore, all the <strong>details of a project should be thoroughly worked</strong> out before the construction commences.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/deal-inked-for-first-india-bhutan-joint-venture-hydroelectric-project/#:~:text=A%20concession%20agreement%20for%20the,construction%20and%20other%20related%20works.&amp;text=The%20600%20MW%20run%2Dof,in%20eastern%20Bhutan's%20Trashiyangtse%20district." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kholongchhu-hydropower-project'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Covaxin Approved for Human Clinical Trials',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/18-05-2019/print" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)</strong></a> has granted <strong>approval to Bharat Biotech</strong> to conduct<strong> human clinical trials for &lsquo;Covaxin&rsquo;,</strong> making it the<strong> first indigenous <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> vaccine candidate</strong> to receive this approval.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Covaxin has been developed by the company Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-to-test-for-community-transmission-of-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong></a>. It is an <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inactivated-virus-vaccine-in-focus-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inactivated vaccine</a> </strong>manufactured in the company&rsquo;s <strong>Bio-Safety Level 3 (BSL-3)</strong> High Containment facility located in Hyderabad (Telangana).</li>
<li>The permission was granted after the company submitted results from pre-clinical studies of the vaccine that demonstrated its safety and immune response. <strong>Phase I and II clinical trials</strong> will start across India in July 2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Clinical trials in humans are classified into<strong> three phases: phase I, phase II and phase III</strong> and in certain countries formal regulatory approval is required to undertake any of these studies.</li>
<li>The <strong>phase I</strong> clinical studies carry out initial testing of a vaccine in small numbers (e.g. 20) of healthy adults, to test the properties of a vaccine, its tolerability, and, if appropriate, clinical laboratory and pharmacological parameters. Phase I studies are primarily <strong>concerned with safety. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Phase II</strong> studies involve larger numbers of subjects and are intended to provide preliminary information about a vaccine&rsquo;s ability to produce its desired effect (usually immunogenicity) in the target population and its general safety.</li>
<li>Extensive<strong> phase III</strong> trials are required to fully assess the protective efficacy and safety of a vaccine. The phase III clinical trial is the pivotal study on which the <strong>decision on whether to grant the licence is based</strong> and sufficient data have to be obtained to demonstrate that a new product is safe and effective for the purpose intended.</li>
<li>An application for market authorization may be submitted to the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) on the basis of the data from phase III testing and if approved, the vaccine then becomes commercially available in that particular country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)</strong> under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare is the <strong>National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a>, out of 200 Covid-19 vaccine candidates, <strong>15 have entered clinical trials.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>AstraZeneca</strong> is the world&rsquo;s leading Covid-19 vaccine candidate and has reached the final stage in terms of development. It is being developed by researchers at the <strong>University of Oxford (UK).</strong></li>
<li><strong>US Firm Moderna&rsquo;s vaccine (MRNA-1273)</strong> will go into phase III clinical trials in July.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/bharat-biotech-vaccine-gains-edge-on-dcgi-nod/article31948151.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covaxin-approved-for-human-clinical-trials'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Uttrakhand Approves Land Transfer',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Uttarakhand State Wildlife Advisory Board</strong> has permitted proposals on the transfer of forest land in <strong>Gangotri National Park</strong> for development of roads.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The decision comes amid the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/transgressions-around-lac" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> row between India and China</strong></a> along the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Line of Actual Control</a> (LAC) in Ladakh.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under these proposals, a total of 73.36 hectares of forest land at three different sites of Gangotri National Park will be required to be transferred for construction of separate roads, totalling 35.66 km in length.</li>
<li><strong>Gangotri National Park is a protected area</strong> and forest land chosen is near the international border with China.</li>
<li>These routes are very important for national security because they will make the movement of <strong>Indo-Tibetan Border Police</strong> (ITBP) personnel near the China border far easier.</li>
<li>Now, the proposals regarding the land transfer for these roads will be sent to the National Wildlife Board.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gangotri National Park</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established in <strong>1989</strong> and is situated in <strong>Uttarkashi, Uttrakhand</strong> in the <strong>upper catchment of Bhagirathi River.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Gaumukh</strong> at Gangotri glacier, the <strong>origin of river Ganga,</strong> is located inside the park.</li>
<li>The park area forms a<strong> viable continuity between Govind National Park and Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Flora:</strong> The park is enveloped by dense coniferous forests that are mostly temperate. Chirpine, deodar, fir, spruce, oak and rhododendron are the common vegetation.</li>
<li><strong>Fauna:</strong> Various rare and endangered species like bharal or blue sheep, black bear, brown bear, himalayan monal, himalayan snowcock, himalayan tahr, musk deer and snow leopard are found in the park.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indo-Tibetan Border Police</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-reserve-police-force" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Reserve Police Forces</strong> </a>(CRPF), it was raised on 24<sup>th</sup> October 1962.</li>
<li>ITBP is deployed on border guarding duties from <strong>Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh </strong>covering<strong> 3488 km of Sino-India Border.</strong></li>
<li>ITBP is a <strong>specialized mountain force</strong> and most of the officers and men are <strong>professionally trained mountaineers and skiers.</strong></li>
<li>Being the first responder for natural disasters, ITBP has been carrying out <strong>numerous rescue and relief operations</strong> across the country.</li>
<li>Headquarters:<strong> New Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>November 2019,</strong> the Ministry of Home Affairs<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-for-merging-assam-rifles-and-indo-tibetan-border-police" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> proposed to merge</strong></a> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-armed-police-force-capf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Assam Rifles</strong></a> with the ITBP.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-okays-forest-land-transfer-for-roads-to-china-border-6482430/#:~:text=Amid%20the%20row%20between%20India,Border%20Police%20(ITBP)%20personnel%20near" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uttrakhand-approves-land-transfer'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Galwan Valley Clash',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/galwan-postscript-to-a-tragedy/article31863515.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Galwan: Postscript to a tragedy&rdquo;</strong> </a>published in The Hindu on 19/06/2020. It talks about recent confrontation between India and China troops on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, twenty Indian Army personnel, including the Commanding Officer of 16<sup>th</sup> Bihar Regiment, lost their lives at the hands of Chinese troops in the <strong>Galwan Valley of Ladakh.</strong></p>
<p>This was an unprovoked attack by the Chinese border troops on Indian soldiers, after confirming the implementation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/transgressions-around-lac" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>de-escalation plan</strong></a> by the Chinese in Galwan valley. The plan of de-escalation is based on a phased withdrawal of troops to their respective predetermined ground positions, were decided on June 6 during the corps commanders-level talks.</p>
<p>The incident represents a watershed in India&rsquo;s relations with China and marks the end of a 45-year chapter which saw no armed confrontation involving loss of lives on the<strong> Line of Actual Control (LAC).</strong></p>
<h3>What is the issue?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Indian and Chinese armies are engaged in the standoff in <strong>Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie</strong> in eastern Ladakh. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A sizable number of Chinese Army personnel even transgressed into the Indian side of the de-facto border in several areas including Pangong Tso.</li>
<li>The actions on the northern bank of Pangong Tso are not just for territorial gains on land, but enhanced domination of the <strong>resource-rich lake.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The stand-off at Ladakh&rsquo;s <strong>Galwan Valley</strong> has escalated in recent weeks due to the infrastructure projects that India has undertaken in the recent years. India is building a strategic road through the Galwan Valley - close to China - connecting the region to an airstrip.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China is opposed to any Indian construction in the area. In 1962, a stand-off in the Galwan area was one of the biggest flashpoints of the 1962 war.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The border, or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-china-relations-an-analysis%C2%A0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Actual Control</strong></a>, is not demarcated, and China and India have differing ideas of where it should be located, leading to regular border &ldquo;transgressions.&rdquo; Often these don&rsquo;t escalate tensions; a serious border standoff like the current one is less frequent, though this is the fourth since 2013.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both countries&rsquo; troops have patrolled this region for decades, as the contested 2,200-mile border is a long-standing subject of competing claims and tensions, including a brief war in 1962.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong> The violent clash happened when the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the LAC and attempted to unilaterally change the status quo.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is part of China&rsquo;s<strong> &lsquo;nibble and negotiate policy&rsquo;.</strong> Their aim is to ensure that India does not build infrastructure along the LAC. It is their way of attaining a political goal with military might, while gaining more territory in the process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593430750_995India-China%20Border (Final).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593430750_995India-China Border (Final).png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>What is the Line of Actual Control (LAC)?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The LAC is the demarcation that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long, while the Chinese consider it to be only around 2,000 km.</li>
<li>The India-China LAC in Ladakh is an outcome of the territory illegally retained by China after the 1962 conflict. The Chinese occupation of parts of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aksai-chin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aksai Chin</strong></a> is not supported by historical or legal documents.</li>
<li>It is divided into three sectors: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>the eastern sector which spans Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim</li>
<li>the middle sector in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh</li>
<li>the western sector in Ladakh</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Galwan Valley area</strong> comes under Sub Sector North (SSN), which lies just to the east of the Siachen glacier and is the only point that provides direct access to Aksai Chin from India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How to Deal with a Problem?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Devolution of comprehensive China strategy:</strong> Strong political direction, mature deliberation and coherence are keys to handling the situation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Army can make tactical adjustments and manoeuvres to deter the Chinese, but a comprehensive China strategy and its determination should devolve on those tasked with national security policy in the highest echelons of the Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic communication:</strong> The responsibility of effective strategic communication too rests with political leadership. It is important to perceive the signals of transgressions on a serious note and adopt adequate strategy with clear instructions for forces.</li>
<li><strong>Clarification on LAC:</strong> India should take the initiative to insist on a timely and early clarification of the LAC. Pockets of difference of alignment as perceived by each side have to be clearly identified and these areas demilitarised by both sides through joint agreement pending a settlement of the boundary. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Diplomatic channels must continue to be open and should not be fettered in any way because their smooth operability is vital in the current situation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scaling down of military contact:</strong> India must stand resolute and firm in the defence of territory in all four sectors of the border. Contacts between the two militaries through joint exercises and exchanges of visits of senior Commanders should be scaled down for the foreseeable future.</li>
<li><strong>Counterbalance for the outside world:</strong> India&rsquo;s leverage and balancing power within the Indo-Pacific and the world beyond stems from its strong democratic credentials, the dynamism of its economy, its leading role in multilateral institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>strategic advantage</strong> of its <strong>maritime geography</strong> is an asset possessed by few nations, and which must be deployed much more effectively to counterbalance the Chinese ingress into this oceanic space that surrounds us.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reconsider RCEP engagement:</strong> The time has also come for India to reconsider its stand on joining the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If India is to disengage from economic involvement with China, and build the capacities and capabilities it needs in manufacturing, and in supply chains networks closer home, it cannot be a prisoner of the short term.</li>
<li>It is time to boldly take the long view in this area as also on its South Asia policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The events in Galwan Valley should be a wake-up call to many of India&rsquo;s Asian friends and partners enabling a high-resolution envisioning of Chinese aggressiveness. This is also an opportunity for India to align its interests much more strongly and unequivocally with the U.S. as a principal strategic partner and infuse more energy into its relations with Japan, Australia, and the ASEAN.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #ffffe3;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;In the wake of Galwan Valley incidents, apart from insisting on a timely and early clarification of the LAC, India should take a long view of its South Asia policy&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2gFuzm1Hs6E" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/h1-b-work-visa-us-immigration-donald-trump-6473022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;H-1B Visa Ban by US&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on June 24<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'National Statistics Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>This year, the <strong>Statistics Day (29<sup>th</sup> June)</strong> will be celebrated virtually, in view of the travel and safety advisories on account of the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Every year, the Statistics Day is celebrated on 29<sup>th</sup> June, the <strong>birth anniversary of Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis,</strong> to <strong>recognise his invaluable contribution</strong> in establishing the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/restructuring-of-indian-statistical-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Statistical System</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To popularise the use of statistics in everyday life and sensitise the public as to how statistics help in shaping and framing policies.</li>
<li>To raise public awareness, especially among the younger generation, about the role of statistics in socio-economic planning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Theme for 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SDG-3</strong> (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages) and <strong>SDG-5</strong> (Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>carries forward the theme for 2019</strong> which was <strong>&lsquo;<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Development Goals</a> (SDGs)&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Releases and Launch:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The updated version of the <strong>Report on Sustainable Development Goals-<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-monitoring-framework-on-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Indicator Framework</a> (NIF) Progress Report 2020</strong> will be released during the event.</li>
<li>The<strong> Indian Statistical Services Cadre Management Portal</strong> will also be launched.</li>
<li>The winners of <strong>Prof. P C Mahalanobis National Award</strong> and <strong>Prof. P. V. Sukhatme Award 2020</strong> will be declared during the event.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>2019,</strong> the<strong> Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation</strong> instituted Prof. P C Mahalanobis National Award in official statistics for recognizing outstanding achievement of official statisticians in central government, state governments and institutions.</li>
<li>The Ministry also recognises the outstanding contribution for high-quality research work in the field of <strong>applied and theoretical statistics benefitting the official statistical system</strong> through the Prof. C R Rao and Prof. P V Sukhatme awards, awarded in alternate years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (1893-1972)<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593424889_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593424889_image4.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="220" height="331" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>He is considered the <strong>father of modern statistics in India,</strong> founded the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/statistical-institutions-india-upsc-gktoday-data-national-statistical-commission-mahalanobis-indian-statistical-institute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Statistical Institute</strong> </a>(ISI), shaped the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/planning-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Planning Commission</strong></a> (which was<strong> replaced by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NITI Aayog</a></strong> on <strong>1<sup>st</sup> January 2015</strong>) and pioneered methodologies for large-scale surveys.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He introduced innovative techniques for conducting large-scale sample surveys, calculated acreages and crop yields, using the method of random sampling.</li>
<li>He also devised a<strong> statistical method called &lsquo;Fractile Graphical Analysis&rsquo;, </strong>used to<strong> compare socio-economic conditions of varied groups.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Timeline:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>1930:</strong> Proposed the <strong>Mahalanobis Distance</strong> for the first time, which is a measure of comparison between two data sets.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The formula is used to find the distance between a point and a distribution, based on measurements in multiple dimensions. It is widely used in the field of cluster analysis and classification.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>1932:</strong> Founded the ISI in<strong> Kolkata (formerly Calcutta)</strong> which was declared as an <strong>institute of national importance in 1959.</strong></li>
<li><strong>1933:</strong> Launched<strong> &lsquo;Sankhya: The Indian Journal of Statistics&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>1950:</strong> Established the <strong>National Sample Survey</strong> and set up the <strong>Central Statistical Organisation</strong> to coordinate statistical activities.</li>
<li><strong>1955:</strong> Became a member of the Planning Commission and continued in that capacity till 1967.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He was instrumental in formulating <strong>India&rsquo;s second five-year-plan (1956-1961),</strong> which laid the blueprint for<strong> industrialisation and development in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>1968:</strong> Honoured with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/padma-awards-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Padma Vibhushan.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He was also conferred a large number of awards by international organisations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1634923#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20designated%20as,establishing%20the%20National%20Statistical%20System." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'BharatNet Project',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade</strong> (DPIIT) ordered the scrapping of a Rs 1,950 crore tender for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-22nd-february-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BharatNet project</strong></a> in Tamil Nadu.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It comes under the aegis of the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</strong></li>
<li>It was <strong>established in 1995</strong> and has been <strong>reconstituted in the year 2000</strong> with the merger of the Department of Industrial Development.</li>
<li>In<strong> February 2019,</strong> it was <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dipp-renamed-as-dpiit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>renamed</strong></a> to the existing one from the previous name, Department of Industrial Policy &amp; Promotion (DIPP).</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With progressive liberalisation of the Indian economy, initiated in July 1991, there has been a consistent shift in the role and functions of this Department.</li>
<li>From regulation and administration of the industrial sector, the role of the Department has been transformed into facilitating investment and technology flows and monitoring industrial development in the liberalised environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BharatNet is a <strong>flagship mission</strong> implemented by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bbnl-and-dark-fibre" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Broadband Network Ltd.</strong></a> (BBNL).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>Special Purpose Vehicle</strong> (SPV) set up by the Government of India under the <strong>Companies Act, 1956</strong> with an authorized capital of Rs 1000 crore.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Initially, it was under the <strong>Ministry of Communications and Information Technology,</strong> which was bifurcated into the <strong>Ministry of Communications</strong> and the <strong>Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology</strong> in <strong>July 2016.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Currently, it is being <strong>implemented by the Department of Telecommunication</strong> under the Ministry of Communications.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Optical Fibre Network</strong> (NOFN) was launched in <strong>October 2011</strong> and was <strong>renamed as Bharat Net Project in 2015.</strong></li>
<li><strong>National Optical Fibre Network:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was envisaged as an information superhighway through the creation of a robust middle-mile infrastructure for reaching <strong>broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Ministry of Communications has launched the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-broadband-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Broadband Mission</strong> </a>that will facilitate universal and equitable access to broadband services across the country, especially in rural and remote areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To facilitate the delivery of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-governance</strong></a>, e-health, e-education, e-banking, Internet and other services to rural India.</li>
<li>To<strong> connect all the 2,50,000 Gram panchayats in the country</strong> and<strong> provide 100 Mbps connectivity</strong> to all gram panchayats.</li>
<li>To achieve this, the existing unused fibres<strong> (dark fibre)</strong> of public sector undertakings (PSUs) (BSNL, Railtel and Power Grid) were utilised and incremental fibre was laid to connect to Gram Panchayats wherever necessary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non-discriminatory access</strong> to the NOFN was provided to all the service providers like Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), Cable TV operators and content providers to launch various services in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The entire project is being<strong> funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund</strong> (USOF), which was set up for improving telecom services in rural and remote areas of the country.</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project is a <strong>Centre-State collaborative project,</strong> with the states contributing <strong>free Rights of Way for establishing the Optical Fibre Network.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>three-phase implementation</strong> of the BharatNet project is as follows:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>First Phase:</strong> Provide one lakh gram panchayats with broadband connectivity by laying underground<strong> optic fibre cable</strong> (OFC) lines by December 2017.</li>
<li><strong>Second Phase:</strong> Provide connectivity to all the gram panchayats in the country using an optimal mix of underground fibre, fibre over power lines, radio and satellite media. It is to be completed by March 2019.</li>
<li><strong>Third Phase:</strong> From 2019 to 2023, a state-of-the-art, future-proof network, including fibre between districts and blocks, with ring topology to provide redundancy would be created.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>participation of states became important in the second phase</strong> which involved laying of OFC over electricity poles. This was a new element of the BharatNet strategy as the mode of <strong>connectivity by aerial OFC has several advantages,</strong> including lower cost, speedier implementation, easy maintenance and utilization of existing power line infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Dark fibre</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>unused optical fibre</strong> that has been laid but is not currently being used in fibre-optic communications. Since fibre-optic cable transmits information in the form of light pulses, a &lsquo;dark&rsquo; cable refers to one through which light pulses are not being transmitted.</li>
<li>Companies lay<strong> extra optical fibres in order to avoid cost repetition</strong> when more bandwidth is needed.</li>
<li>It is also known as <strong>unlit fibre.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/centre-cancels-rs-1950-cr-bharatnet-project-in-tamil-nadu-6479555/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Gynandromorphism',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Recently,</strong> a rare <strong>biological phenomenon i.e. Gynandromorphism</strong> has been spotted in a<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dragonfly-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> dragonfly</a>, the Scarlet Skimmer <em>(Crocothemis servilia)</em>,</strong> which is found in the Kole wetlands, Kerala.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The dragonfly had both male and female characteristics.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Gynandromorphism is a characteristic of an organism that <strong>contains both male and female tissues and characteristics.</strong> Such organisms are also called <strong>gynandromorphs.</strong></li>
<li>The term is derived from the Greek words (gyne = woman; aner = man and morphe = form).</li>
<li>The phenomenon has been documented in birds, crustaceans and butterflies.</li>
<li><strong>Reason:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gynandromorphs are usually born due <strong>genetic aberration.</strong></li>
<li>Genetic aberrations are <strong>chromosomal disorder or mutation</strong> which is due to a missing, extra, or irregular portion of chromosomal DNA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of the Study of gynandromorphism:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It helps in finding the genetic diversity in related species which further contributes to the conservation and preservation.</li>
<li>It also aids in discovery of disease and other changes in the specific species due to factors like climate change and ecological evolutions.</li>
<li>Further, the study of gynandromorphs could offer clues as to why some human diseases strike one gender more than the other.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593423200_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593423200_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kole Wetlands</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kole Wetlands is a wetland lying in Thrissur District in Kerala.</li>
<li>It gives 40% of Kerala's rice requirement and acts as a natural drainage system.</li>
<li>It is a part of Vembanad-Kole <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-wetlands-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>wetlands</strong></a>, a Ramsar site and has been colonised by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/invasive-plant-species-introduced-by-kerala-floods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>invasive species</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The <strong>Society for Odonate Studies</strong> (Kerala) has been conducting Odonate surveys at the Kole wetlands since 2018, and 37 species of dragonflies and damselflies have been reported from the wetlands so far.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dragonfly</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A dragonfly is an insect belonging to the order Odonata, class Insecta.</li>
<li>Adult dragonflies are characterized by large, multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body.</li>
<li>They are ecologically significant as they act as bioindicators.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bioindicators</strong> are living organisms such as plants, plankton, animals, and microbes, which are used to <strong>assess the health of the natural ecosystem</strong> in the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/rare-biological-phenomenon-in-dragonflies-sighted-at-kole-wetlands/article31939658.ece#:~:text=When%20Renjith%20R.V%20and%20Vivek,a%20very%20rare%20biological%20phenomenon." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	'decorators' => (int) 0,
	'executed' => false,
	'hydrate' => true,
	'buffered' => true,
	'formatters' => (int) 0,
	'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
	'contain' => [],
	'matching' => [],
	'extraOptions' => [],
	'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}

}
$page = (int) 62
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 274
$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

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

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