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PRS Capsule June 2020

Key Highlights of PRS Polity Insolvency and Bankruptcy Ordinance Export Policies Revised For Diagnostic Kits, Ppes, Sanitizers,...

23 Jul 2020 PRS Capsule
Reimagining the National Commission for Scheduled Castes

This article is based on the Towards a more equal future which was published in The Indian Express on 22/07/2020. It discusses how the National...

22 Jul 2020 News Editorials
Investments in India

Why in News According to a recent survey by Projects Today, overall fresh investment announcements in India slumped to the lowest in five years in...

22 Jul 2020 News Analysis
China Proposes Territory Swap with Bhutan

Why in News Recently, China has offered Bhutan a “package solution” to its boundary dispute. Although the package solution is not...

22 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Supply of DDT to South Africa for Malaria Control Program

Why in News Recently, HIL (India) Limited has supplied 20.60 Metric tonne of Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a fertilizer to South Africa for...

22 Jul 2020 News Analysis
ESI Augments Healthcare Services In India

This article is based on the “How ESI can bolster health infrastructure” which was published in Express on 15/07/2020. This article...

21 Jul 2020 News Editorials
Mine Ploughs on T-90 Tanks

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Defence has signed Rs. 557 crore contract with the BEML Limited (formerly known as the Bharat Earth Movers...

21 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Non-personal Data

Why in News Recently, a government committee headed by Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan has suggested that non-personal data generated in...

21 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Ravana’s Aviation Route: Sri Lanka

Why in News Recently, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka has sought relevant documents and literature from the public to study the...

21 Jul 2020 News Analysis
No Postal Ballots for Above 65 in Bihar

Why in News Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided against extending postal ballots to electors above 65 years of age in the...

21 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Why in News The new Consumer Protection Act, 2019 came into force on 20th July 2020 and it will empower consumers and help them in protecting their...

21 Jul 2020 News Analysis
C.S. Seshadri

Why in News Eminent mathematician Professor CS Seshadri, known for his contributions in algebraic geometry and mathematical education passed away...

21 Jul 2020 News Analysis
National Financial Reporting Authority

Why in News Recently, the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) has constituted a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to aid and advise the...

21 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Zoram Mega Food Park: Mizoram

Why in News Recently, the government has operationalized the first Mega Food Park (MFP) of Mizoram i.e. Zoram Mega Food Park. It has been set up...

21 Jul 2020 News Analysis
Significance of 15th India-European Union Summit

This article is based on “India should believe in the EU” which was published in The Hindu on 16/07/2020. This article discusses the...

20 Jul 2020 News Editorials
ICJ on Qatar Blockade

Why in News Recently, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) refused an appeal by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)...

20 Jul 2020 News Analysis
3rd G20 FMCBG Meeting

Why in News Recently India has virtually participated in the 3rd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting under the...

20 Jul 2020 News Analysis
China Crossed its 1960’s LAC Claims

Why in News According to the records of 1960 boundary talks, the Chinese troops have gone beyond China’s own territorial claims at Pangong Tso...

20 Jul 2020 News Analysis
National Award for Excellence in Forestry

Why in News The National Award of Excellence for Outstanding Research in Forestry for the year 2019 has been awarded to Kannan C S Warrier, a...

20 Jul 2020 News Analysis
RADT Vs RT-PCR

Why in News Recently, New Delhi's Covid-19 testing strategy has become controversial due to the low level of RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription...

20 Jul 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'PRS Capsule June 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">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Ordinance</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">Export Policies Revised For Diagnostic Kits, Ppes, Sanitizers, Hydroxychloroquine</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">PM Street Vendor&rsquo;s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme</a></li>
<li><a href="#5">Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan Launched</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">Categories Of Persons Permitted To Vote By Postal Ballot Expanded</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#7">Economy</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#8">The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#9">SEBI&rsquo;s Framework For Regulatory Sandbox</a></li>
<li><a href="#10">Working Group To Review Ownership Of Private Sector Banks</a></li>
<li><a href="#11">Payments Infrastructure Development Fund</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#12">Agriculture</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#13">The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#14">Regulating Farming Agreements</a></li>
<li><a href="#15">The Farmers&rsquo; Produce Trade and Commerce Ordinance, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#16">Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#17">MSMEs</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#18">New Classification of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#19">Science and Technology</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#20">Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)</a></li>
<li><a href="#21">Promotion of Electronics Manufacturing</a></li>
<li><a href="#22">Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016</a></li>
<li><a href="#23">Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#24">Social Justice and Empowerment</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#25">Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21)</a></li>
<li><a href="#26">Private Sector Participation in Space</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1">Polity</h2>
<h3 id="2">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Ordinance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 was promulgated.</li>
<li>The Ordinance amends the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-insolvency-and-bankruptcy-code-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Code provides a time-bound process for resolving insolvency in companies and among individuals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ordinance exempts certain corporate debtors from being subjected to insolvency proceedings during <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features of the Ordinance:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Initiation of insolvency resolution</strong>: When a default occurs, creditors of the company (financial or operational) or the company itself may file an application before the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-company-law-appellate-tribunal-nclat-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)</strong></a> for initiating a <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/16-11-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP)</strong></a>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Once the application is accepted, a Committee of Creditors (CoC) consisting of the financial creditors of the company appoints a resolution professional to present a resolution plan to the CoC.</li>
<li>Once the resolution plan is approved, the resolution process is required to be completed in 180 days (extendable by 90 days).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Ordinance exempts certain companies from the provisions on the initiation of CIRP.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It states that an application for CIRP cannot be filed where a default has arisen during a period of six months (starting from March 2020).</li>
<li>The central government may extend this period to one year through notification.</li>
<li>The Ordinance clarifies that no proceedings can ever be initiated for defaults during this period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fraudulent trading:</strong> During the resolution, if it is found that the business of the company is being carried out with an intent to defraud its creditors, the NCLT can pass orders against persons involved in such business to make contributions to the assets of the company. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the resolution professional can apply to the NCLT for an order to direct the director or partner of the company to make such contributions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ordinance states that for companies exempted from CIRP, the resolution professional cannot file an application to the NCLT for directions against the partners or directors of the company to make contributions to the assets of the company.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="3">Export Policies Revised For Diagnostic Kits, Ppes, Sanitizers, Hydroxychloroquine</h3>
<p>The Ministry of Commerce and Industry revised the export policies for the following items used in the prevention, diagnostics, and treatment of Covid-19:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Alcohol-based sanitizers:</strong> Earlier, the export of all types of sanitizers was prohibited. In May 2020, the prohibition was lifted for all types of sanitizers except for alcohol-based hand sanitizers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Now, Alcohol-based hand sanitizers have now been made freely exportable, except the ones packaged in containers with a dispenser pump, which remain prohibited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Diagnostic kits:</strong> The restrictions on the export of diagnostic kits and laboratory reagents imposed in April 2020 have been relaxed and these items can be freely exported.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the export of certain specified diagnostic kits including RNA extraction kits and reagents, and RT-PCR kits and reagents will remain restricted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hydroxychloroquine:</strong> In March 2020, the export of Hydroxychloroquine and its formulations was prohibited, except in certain cases. These included export to neighbouring countries which depend on India for the drug and to countries which are severely affected by Covid-19. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The prohibition on the export of the drug has been removed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>PPEs:</strong> In January, the export of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including clothing and mask coveralls were prohibited.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in May, prohibition on export of non-surgical and non-medical masks was lifted.</li>
<li>All PPEs can now be freely exported except the following specified items which remain prohibited: all types of medical coveralls, medical goggles, all masks other than non-medical and non-surgical masks, nitrile gloves, and face shield.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="4">PM Street Vendor&rsquo;s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-svanidhi-micro-credit-scheme-for-street-vendors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM Street Vendor&rsquo;s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi</strong></a> (PM SVANidhi) scheme.</li>
<li>The scheme seeks to provide working capital loans to street vendors whose businesses were impacted by Covid-19.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features of the scheme are-</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong> The scheme is available to states which have notified rules and schemes under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act specifies the rights and obligations of street vendors and regulates their business.</li>
<li>Under the Act, states are required to establish Town Vending Committees that are responsible for conducting an identification survey of vendors in their zone/ward.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Loan and interest subvention:</strong> Under the scheme, eligible street vendors may apply for collateral-free working capital loans of up to Rs 10,000 with one-year tenure from scheduled commercial banks, regional rural banks, non-banking financial companies, and microfinance institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Vendors under the scheme will also be eligible to receive an interest subsidy of 7% per annum.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Credit guarantee:</strong> For loans under this scheme, defaults on loans of up to 5% of the total loan portfolio will be fully (100%) guaranteed. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For default between 5% to 15% of the total loan portfolio, 75% of the default amount will be guaranteed.</li>
<li>The credit guarantee is subject to a maximum coverage of 15% of the portfolio for the year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="5">Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan Launched</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/garib-kalyan-rojgar-abhiyaan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan</strong> </a>was launched by the Prime Minister.</li>
<li>The campaign aims to provide livelihood opportunities to migrant workers who have returned to their villages due to the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 pandemic.</a> </strong></li>
<li>It also aims to create public infrastructure and assets in villages related to roads, housing, anganwadis, and community complexes, among others.</li>
<li>The campaign is being undertaken in 116 districts across six states. These states are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Odisha.</li>
<li>It will be implemented by 11 ministries of the central government including Road Transport and Highways, Mines, Environment, Railways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Telecom, and Agriculture.</li>
<li>The campaign will operate for 125 days (from June 20, 2020) and 25 public infrastructure works have been identified which will be taken up for completion.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="6">Categories of Persons Permitted To Vote By Postal Ballot Expanded</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, certain categories of voters are eligible to cast their <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amendments-in-postal-ballot-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>vote through postal voting.</strong></a> Postal voting is where a voter receives ballot paper from the authority and may return his/her vote through the post.</li>
<li><strong>The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961</strong> specifies the categories of persons who can vote through postal ballot. These include service voters such as employees of armed forces, voters with disabilities, and senior citizens above 80 years of age.</li>
<li>The 1961 Rules have been amended to: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reduce the age limit for senior citizens from 80 years to 65 years of age, and</li>
<li>Include Covid-19 suspect or affected persons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="7">Economy</h2>
<h3 id="8">The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/co-operative-banks-under-rbi-supervision" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020</strong> </a>was promulgated.</li>
<li>It amends the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 which regulates the functioning of banks and provides details on various aspects such as licensing, management and operations of banks.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features of the Ordinance include:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reconstruction or amalgamation without imposing moratorium:</strong> Under the Act, 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> may apply to the central government to place a banking company under moratorium. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the moratorium, RBI may prepare a scheme for reconstruction or amalgamation of the bank, if it is satisfied that such an order is needed to secure the proper management of the bank, or in the interest of depositors, the general public, or the banking system.</li>
<li>The Ordinance allows RBI to initiate a scheme for reconstruction or amalgamation without imposing a moratorium.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supersession of Board of Directors:</strong> The Act states that RBI may supersede the Board of Directors of a multi-state cooperative bank for up to five years under certain conditions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These conditions include cases where it is in the public interest for RBI to supersede the Board, and to protect depositors.</li>
<li>The Ordinance adds that <strong>in case of a co-operative bank</strong> registered with the Registrar of Co-operative Societies of a state, the RBI will supersede the Board of Directors <strong>after consultation with the concerned state government,</strong> and within such period as specified by it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exclusions:</strong> The Act does not apply to certain cooperative societies, such as primary agricultural credit societies, and cooperative land mortgage banks. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ordinance amends this to exclude: (i) primary agricultural credit societies, and (ii) cooperative societies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Power to exempt cooperative banks:</strong> The Ordinance states that RBI may exempt a cooperative bank or a class of cooperative banks from certain provisions of the Act through notification. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These provisions relate to restrictions of certain types of employment, qualifications of the Board of Directors and, the appointment of a chairman.</li>
<li>The time period and conditions for the exemption will be specified by RBI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="9">SEBI&rsquo;s Framework For Regulatory Sandbox</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)</strong> </a>introduced a framework for regulatory sandbox.</li>
<li>A regulatory sandbox provides an environment which allows market participants to test new FinTech solutions (products, services or business models) with customers in a controlled environment.</li>
<li>All entities registered with SEBI will be eligible for testing in the sandbox.</li>
<li><strong>Criteria:</strong> SEBI will evaluate the applicants based on criteria such as: (i) use of innovative technology, (ii) benefits to investors or markets, (iii) parameters for measurement and mitigation of risk, (iv) clearly defined grievance redressal mechanism, and (v) feasibility of deployment of the solution post-testing.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="10">Working Group To Review Ownership Of Private Sector Banks</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) constituted an Internal Working Group to review the guidelines on ownership and corporate structure of Indian private sector banks.</li>
<li>The <strong>Working Group will examine regulatory guidelines relating to ownership, governance and corporate structure in private sector banks,</strong> taking into account key developments over the years.</li>
<li>According to RBI, the review will provide an opportunity to harmonise the norms applicable to banks set up at different time periods.</li>
<li>The Committee will comprise five members and will be chaired by the Director, Central Board of RBI.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="11">Payments Infrastructure Development Fund</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The RBI announced the creation of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/payments-infrastructure-development-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Payments Infrastructure Development Fund</strong> </a>to encourage acquirers to deploy point-of-sale (PoS) infrastructure (physical or digital) in tier 3 to 6 centres and north eastern states.</li>
<li>This will be done to incentivise digitisation of payment systems in these places.</li>
<li>According to RBI classification, tier-3 centres are areas of the population below 50,000 (according to Census 2011), and tier-6 centres are areas of population of less than 5,000.</li>
<li>The RBI will make an initial contribution of Rs 250 crores to the Fund. The remaining contribution will be from card-issuing banks and card networks operating in the country.</li>
<li>The Fund will also receive recurring contributions to cover operational expenses from card-issuing banks and card networks.</li>
<li>RBI will contribute to yearly shortfalls, if necessary. The Fund will be governed through an advisory council and managed by the RBI.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="12">Agriculture</h2>
<h3 id="13">The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agricultural-sector-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020</strong> </a>was promulgated.</li>
<li>It amends the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/14-03-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Essential Commodities Act, 1955</strong></a>, which empowers the central government to control the production, supply, distribution, trade, and commerce of certain commodities.</li>
<li>The Ordinance aims to liberalise the regulatory system and increase competition in the agriculture sector.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features include:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Regulation of food items:</strong> The Act empowers the central government to designate certain commodities (such as food items, fertilizers, and petroleum products) as essential commodities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ordinance provides that the central government may <strong>regulate the supply of certain food items,</strong> including cereals, pulses, potato, onions, and edible oilseeds and oils, only under extraordinary circumstances like war, famine, extraordinary price rise, and natural calamity of grave nature.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Imposition of stock limit:</strong> The Act empowers the central government to regulate the stock of an essential commodity that a person can hold. The Ordinance requires that imposition of any stock limit must be based on price rise. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A stock limit may be imposed for agricultural produce only if there is: (i) 100% increase in retail price, in case of horticultural produce; and (ii) 50% increase in the retail price, in case of non-perishable agricultural food items.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ordinance provides that any <strong>stock limit will not apply</strong> to a processor or value chain participant of agricultural produce if the stock held by such person is less than the: the overall ceiling of installed capacity of processing or demand for export in case of an exporter. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A value chain participant means a person engaged in production, or in value added at any stage of processing, packaging, storage, transport, and distribution of agricultural produce</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="14">Regulating Farming Agreements</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agricultural-sector-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020</strong> </a>was promulgated.</li>
<li>It provides for a farming agreement aimed at defining a framework for the protection and empowerment of farmers with reference to the sale and purchase of farm produce.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key provisions of the Ordinance include:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Farming agreement:</strong> The Ordinance provides for a farming agreement aimed at facilitating farmers in selling farm produce to sponsors. A sponsor includes individuals, partnership firms, companies, and limited liability groups and societies<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The agreement may provide for mutually agreed terms and conditions for supply, quality, standards and price of farming products as well as terms related to supply of farm services.</li>
<li>These terms and conditions may be subjected to monitoring and certification during the process of cultivation or rearing, or during delivery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Duration of agreement:</strong> The minimum duration of an agreement will be one crop season or one production cycle of livestock. The maximum period will be five years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For a production cycle of more than five years, the maximum period will be mutually decided by the farmer and the sponsor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exemptions from existing laws:</strong> Farming produce under a farming agreement will be exempted from all state Acts regulating sale and purchase of farming produce.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such produce will also be exempted from the stock limit obligations under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 or any other law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pricing of farming produce:</strong> The Ordinance requires the price of farming produce to be mentioned in the agreement. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It also provides details regarding the payment and delivery of farming products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dispute settlement:</strong> The Ordinance provides for a three-tier system for dispute settlement. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At first, all disputes must be referred to a Board for resolution.</li>
<li>If the dispute remains unresolved after thirty days, parties may approach the <strong>Sub-Divisional Magistrate for resolution.</strong></li>
<li>Parties will have a right to appeal to an <strong>Appellate Authority</strong> against decisions of the Magistrate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="15">The Farmers&rsquo; Produce Trade and Commerce Ordinance, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agricultural-sector-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmers&rsquo; Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020</strong></a> was promulgated.</li>
<li>It seeks to provide for barrier-free trade of farmers&rsquo; produce outside the markets notified under the various state agricultural produce market laws (state APMC Acts).</li>
<li>The Ordinance will prevail over the state APMC Acts.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features include:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Trade of produce:</strong> The Ordinance allows intra-state and inter-state trade of farmers&rsquo; produce outside: (i) the physical premises of market yards run by APMCs and (ii) other markets notified under the state APMC acts such as private market yards and market sub-yards, direct marketing collection centres, and private farmer-consumer market yards.</li>
<li><strong>Electronic trading:</strong> The Ordinance permits the electronic trading of farmers&rsquo; produce in the specified trade area. An electronic trading and transaction platform may be set up to facilitate the direct and online buying and selling of farmers&rsquo; produce.</li>
<li><strong>No fees to be levied by states:</strong> The Ordinance prohibits state governments from levying any market fee, cess or levy on farmers, traders, and electronic trading platforms for any trade under the Ordinance.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="16">Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-iii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund</strong> </a>of Rs 15,000 crore, which was announced under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Economic Package.</li>
<li>The Fund aims to incentivise private investment in infrastructure for dairy and meat processing and value addition. It also covers investment made for the establishment of animal feed plants.</li>
<li>Private companies, MSMEs, Farmer Producer Organizations, and individuals would be eligible beneficiaries, provided they contribute at lea st 10% of the total investment. Banks will extend loans for the balance of 90% of the investment</li>
<li>The central government will provide a 3% interest subsidy to eligible beneficiaries on their loans. Further, beneficiaries can repay the principal loan amount over a period of six years, after the completion of the two-year moratorium period.</li>
<li>The government will also set up a Credit Guarantee Fund of Rs 750 crore, which will be managed by NABARD. The Fund will provide a guarantee for up to 25% of the loan amount for sanctioned projects undertaken by MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="17">MSMEs</h2>
<h3 id="18">New Classification of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government notified a change in the definition of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).</strong></a></li>
<li>Currently, MSMEs are defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.</li>
<li>The Act classifies micro, small and medium enterprises based on: (i) amount of investment in plant and machinery for enterprises engaged in manufacturing or production of goods, and (ii) amount of investment in equipment for enterprises providing services.</li>
<li>As per the revised definition, the investment limits have been revised upwards and the annual turnover of the enterprise has been used as additional criteria for the classification of MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595487624_image.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595487624_image.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h2 id="19">Science and Technology</h2>
<h3 id="20">Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India co-founded the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-partnership-on-artificial-intelligence#:~:text=India%20has%20joined%20the%20'Global,of%20Artificial%20Intelligence%20(AI)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)</strong></a>, an international inter-governmental initiative for responsible development and use of artificial intelligence (AI).</li>
<li>Other founding member countries of GPAI include USA, UK, European Union, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. GPAI seeks to support research, collaboration and applied activities in AI.</li>
<li>It seeks to leverage the experience and diversity of participating countries for the development of AI.</li>
<li>It will also evolve methodologies to showcase how AI can be leveraged to better respond to the present global crisis due to Covid-19. GPAI will have a secretariat in Paris, and centres of expertise in Montreal and Paris.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="21">Promotion of Electronics Manufacturing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In March 2020, the Union Cabinet had approved certain <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-for-electronic-manufacturing#:~:text=in%202018%2D19%20.-,Scheme%20for%20Promotion%20of%20Manufacturing%20of%20Electronic%20Components%20and%20Semiconductors,chain%20of%20an%20electronic%20product." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>schemes for the promotion of electronics manufacturing.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology announced the guidelines for these schemes.</li>
<li><strong>Production Incentive Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing:</strong> The scheme proposes production-linked incentive in mobile phone manufacturing and specified electronics components including assembly, testing, marketing, and packing units.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The objective of the scheme is to promote domestic manufacturing of such electronics items and attract large investments in this area.</li>
<li>The scheme will provide an incentive of 4% to 6% on incremental sales of goods manufactured in India over the base year.</li>
<li>The incentive will be available for five years from the base year as may be defined.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scheme for promotion of manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductors:</strong> The scheme will provide a financial incentive of 25% of capital expenditure for manufacturing of certain specified electronic goods.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The capital expenditure on plant, machinery, equipment and technology including research and development will be covered under the scheme.</li>
<li>The segments to be covered under the scheme include (i) mobile, consumer and medical electronics, and (ii) telecom equipment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC2.0) Scheme:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electronics-manufacturing-clusters-emc2-0-scheme#:~:text=The%20objective%20of%20the%20scheme,Brownfield%20EMCs%20across%20the%20country." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>EMC2.0 scheme</strong></a> will succeed the EMC scheme which was announced in 2012 and was open for application until October 2017.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme will provide financial assistance for setting up of both Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) and Common Facility Centres (CFC) and expansion of existing EMCs and CFCs.</li>
<li>The EMCs and CFCs will provide ready infrastructure along with common facilities and amenities to the electronics systems design and manufacturing sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="22">Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued guidelines on the uniform framework for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/e-retailers-to-collect-plastic-waste" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)</strong></a> for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/plastic-waste-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>plastic waste</strong></a> management.</li>
<li>The Plastic Waste Management Rules define EPR as the responsibility of a producer for environmentally sound management of a product until the end of its life.</li>
<li>This framework is based on the premise that producers are responsible for providing financial incentives to the plastic waste collection systems and the recycling industry to collect and process plastic waste to meet the targets set by the government.</li>
</ul>
<p>A Committee constituted to evaluate the mechanism for the implementation of EPR suggested<strong> various models for EPR compliance.</strong> These include:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fee-based model:</strong> This model could be applicable to producers (including importers and brand owners) who use less quantity of plastic (lower than a cut-off decided by the government) for packaging. They shall contribute to the EPR corpus fund at the central level. The amount to be contributed by each of the producers will be decided based on the generation of plastic waste and the efforts required and money spent by the ULB to handle the plastic waste.</li>
<li><strong>Plastic credit model:</strong> Under this model, a producer will not be required to recycle their own packaging, but to ensure that an equivalent amount of packaging waste has been recovered and recycled to meet their obligation. Producers will be mandated to acquire evidence of recycling (plastic credit) from accredited processors or exporters.</li>
<li><strong>Producer Responsibility Organisations:</strong> Producers can join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), which will carry out the legal requirements on behalf of their member companies. PROs will operate as a contractor service to the producers. However, the final responsibility of providing evidence of reprocessing of plastic packaging will be with the producer only.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="23">Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet has approved the re-establishment of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/re-establishment-of-pcim-h" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIM&amp;H)</a></strong> as a subordinate office under the Ministry of AYUSH.</li>
<li>It will be merged with the Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory, which are two central laboratories established at Ghaziabad since 1975.</li>
<li>Prior to the merger, PCIM&amp;H existed as an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of AYUSH. After reconstitution, the PCIM&amp;H will facilitate the uniform development of standards for AYUSH drugs and formulations, prevent duplication of drug standardization work, and promote optimal utilisation of resources, amongst others.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="24">Social Justice and Empowerment</h2>
<h3 id="25">Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anti-drug-action-plan-for-2020-21" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nasha Mukt Bharat Annual Action Plan for 2020-21.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Plan will focus on the problem of drug abuse in 272 of the most affected districts of the country.</li>
<li>The Plan will include awareness generation programmes, especially in higher educational institutions, universities, and school.</li>
<li>Further, it will include identification of dependent populations and treatment in hospital facilities or de-addiction centres.</li>
<li>The Plan will be implemented by the Ministry and the Narcotics Bureau</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="26">Private Sector Participation in Space</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved certain reforms to boost <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/private-sector-participation-in-space" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>private sector participation</strong></a> in Space.</li>
<li>An autonomous nodal agency called Indian <strong>National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre</strong> will be set up under the Department of Space, as a separate vertical for permitting and regulating the activities of private industry in the space sector.</li>
<li>The Centre will promote and guide private industries in space activities through encouraging policies and a favourable regulatory environment, with technical expertise from ISRO.</li>
<li>It will have its own independent directorates for technical, legal, safety and monitoring for assessing the private industry requirements and coordinating the activities.</li>
<li>The role of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-contract-for-nsil" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Space India Ltd. (NSIL)</strong></a>, a public sector undertaking under the Department of Space, will be re-defined from a supply-driven model to a demand-driven model for space-based services. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NSIL is the commercial arm of ISRO, currently responsible for the transfer of ISRO&rsquo;s small satellite technology to industry, among other things.</li>
<li>Current activities of ISRO in the areas of the launch vehicle, satellite production, launch services and space-based services will be taken up by NSIL.</li>
<li>It will execute these activities through industry consortiums. These reforms are expected to allow ISRO to allocate more time and resources for research and development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-june-2020'
		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Reimagining the National Commission for Scheduled Castes',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on the <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/towards-a-dalit-future-national-commission-for-scheduled-castes6516851/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Towards a more equal future</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 22/07/2020. It discusses how the National Commission for Scheduled Castes can help in socio-economic empowerment of Dalits in contemporary India.</p>
</div>
<p>Though the Indian constitution envisages the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-political-thinker-br-ambedkar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>abolition of &lsquo;untouchability&rsquo;</strong></a> and an end to discrimination, prejudice is rampant in society and entrenched social discrimination and existing socio-economic realities add to the disadvantages faced by Scheduled Castes in India.</p>
<p>For the past many years the two main concerns of the group- <strong>protection from atrocities, and adequate representation,</strong> have not been addressed effectively by most of the stakeholders in Indian society- citizens, civil society, and governments.</p>
<p>One can still find incidents where a Dalit has been murdered for breaking bigoted social barriers or for marrying outside his or her caste or a Dalit who died while being forced to clean sewers.</p>
<p>It is in this backdrop that the role of <a href="/printpdf/constitutional-status-for-national-commission-for-backward-classes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission for Scheduled Castes</strong></a> (NCSC) can be diversified to add to the sensitive and inclusive reforms in the society.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Commission for Scheduled Castes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In order to provide the Scheduled Castes of Indian society safeguards against exploitation and to promote their social, economic, educational and cultural development, the Commission was set up by the Government of India.</li>
<li>The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new <strong>Article 338A</strong> in the Constitution through the Constitution (89<sup>th</sup> Amendment) Act, 2003.</li>
<li>By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely- the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) from February, 2004.</li>
<li>It consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and three other members. They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.</li>
<li>Lack of infrastructure, lack of powers to take affirmative action (Commissions recommendations are not binding) have been some of the issues faced by the NCSC. It has been criticised for inefficient functioning, vague selection and appointment process, exorbitant budget etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Steps That Can Be Taken Up By the NCSC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Strengthening the legal and judicial protection of Dalits under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-clears-bill-to-restore-the-provisions-of-sc-st-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act</a>:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Commission can facilitate <strong>online reporting and tracking</strong> of crime.</li>
<li>It can make people aware of the process of filing the cases by framing and making available simplified Standard Operating Procedures in local languages at all the police stations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capacity building and sensitisation of the institutions:</strong> The Commission can help in capacity building of lawyers, judges and policemen. This can ensure their empathetic engagement with members from Scheduled Castes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Commission can help sensitize at least the government institutions and organisations by regularly monitoring their grievance redressal mechanisms like internal complaints committee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring effective implementation of existing government policies:</strong> The Commission can discuss with legislators and prioritise outcome-oriented fund expenditure across the Ministries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Each ministry is supposed to set aside 15% of its spending in a Scheduled Caste Sub Plan. The Commission can restructure these funds for employment generation and self-employment, capacity building, including soft skills of Dalits.</li>
<li>Effectiveness and impacts of existing schemes can be monitored by the Commission regularly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Scheduled Caste Sub Plan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Every year, the Union Budget makes allocations exclusively for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe.</li>
<li>This fund is spent through the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP).</li>
<li>All Central Ministries and departments are obligated to set aside funds under the SCSP and the TSP.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Incentivise Good Social Work:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Innovation, effectiveness, and positive impact of the work done by a department or a body can be rewarded by the Commission.</li>
<li>The Commission has a constitutional mandate to participate in the social and economic planning for SC welfare &mdash; it should use this mandate to guide the civil services that engage with the ground level realities in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Better engagement with civil society:</strong> The Commission can create a platform for structured engagement with civil society groups working on Dalit issues.</li>
<li><strong>Behavioural nudge:</strong> The Commission can identify social practices that promote discrimination and can help civil society and the government organise debates, deliberations, awareness campaigns around them.</li>
<li><strong>Facilitate economic empowerment and entrepreneurship:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can discuss and encourage Universities to frame short term courses on entrepreneurship. It can also ensure that measures taken by the government in this direction reach their beneficiaries- for example <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f13cO1L2yQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Stand Up India Scheme.</strong></a></li>
<li>It can encourage a participative approach to promote economic empowerment by engaging with the ideas proposed by the members of the community.</li>
<li>It can promote skills and small business development in the service economy.</li>
<li>Members of Scheduled Castes are not usually landowners or agriculturists. So they need help in integrating and competing with local and other markets which can be done through mentoring and other non-financial support.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Preparing for future challenges by facilitating inter-disciplinary research:</strong> The Commision can invite Central universities and civil society to first identify the five biggest challenges that Dalits are likely to face in the next five years and to suggest ways to mitigate them.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Social identities are so entrenched in our society that they often decide the fate of individuals. Jobs, schemes and policing are not the only things that can ensure equality of social representation and access to dignity in India. Restructuring the tasks of NCSC can only be one among the many steps in this direction.</p>
<p>Empowerment in its real sense can only be brought by creating sensitive and empathetic societies that acknowledge their responsibility to work for the removal of suffering and stigma of exploited and deprived sections.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fbffde;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Autonomous bodies like the National Commission for Scheduled Castes are not able to bring justice in true sense and are a drain on the state exchequer. Critically analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/reimagining-the-national-commission-for-scheduled-castes'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Investments in India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to a recent survey by <strong>Projects Today,</strong> overall <strong>fresh investment announcements in India slumped to the lowest in five years</strong> in the first quarter of the financial year 2020-21.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The period saw extended <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>-induced <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lockdowns.</a></strong></li>
<li>During this time, <strong>Tamil Nadu emerged as the country&rsquo;s top investment destination.</strong></li>
<li>Projects Today is an<strong> independent firm that tracks investment projects</strong> in the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Investments <strong>improved every passing month</strong> in the quarter (April to June).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>April,</strong> there was an announcement of 260 new projects worth Rs. 20,181.6 crore.</li>
<li>In <strong>May,</strong> it rose to 436 new projects worth Rs. 37,922 crore.</li>
<li>In <strong>June,</strong> after the announcement of Unlocking 1.0 of the economy, there was a further surge in the number of new projects. In all, the month saw the announcement of 545 new projects with a total investment of Rs. 39,755.43 crore.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Reliance secured investments</strong> from some of the world&rsquo;s largest firms such as <strong>Google, Facebook (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/jio-facebook-deal-and-its-implications" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jio-Facebook Deal</a>) and Intel.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>However, fresh project expenditure from Central government agencies dipped</strong> in June 2020, though it is expected to rise in coming months.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With <strong>falling revenues due to the lockdown and mounting expenses due to the pandemic,</strong> the government has blocked the initiation of approved/appraised new schemes by various ministries and departments for the next 9 months or till 31<sup>st</sup> March 2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong></a> and <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/27-03-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana</strong></a> have been insulated from the expenditure cut measures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The coming quarters will also <strong>demonstrate the efficacy of the Centre&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-v#:~:text=The%20announced%20measures%20also%20form,Economic%20Stimulus%2DIV%20were%20announced." target="_blank" rel="noopener">stimulus packages</a></strong>, that included financial and fiscal reforms along with steps to enhance the agriculture and small scale industries, in attracting foreign and domestic private capital.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Investment projects were largely <strong>dominated by the government sector</strong> and <strong>private promoters also announced new projects.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from investments, <strong>fresh capacity additions are expected in the healthcare and pharma</strong> sectors with immediate effect.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Covid-19 has led companies to do <strong>intensive research for its vaccinations</strong> which need fundings.</li>
<li>The pandemic gave<strong> boost to the production of Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs), masks, sanitisers etc.</strong> because of more <strong>emphasis on personal hygiene and products related</strong> to it.</li>
<li>Development of <strong>various anti-viral and immunity boosting medicines</strong> also went up.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>States like <strong>Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra held investors meet and signed MoUs, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/labour-laws-and-covid-19#:~:text=Some%20Major%20Indian%20Labour%20Legislation&amp;text=There%20are%20four%20major%20central,health%20and%20welfare%20of%20workers." target="_blank" rel="noopener">reworked labour laws</a></strong>, started <strong>building land banks</strong> and <strong>sent proposals to foreign companies.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Major Challenges:</strong> Country&rsquo;s <strong>slow-moving official machinery,</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rebooting-labour-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>archaic land and labour laws</strong> </a>are some of the things<strong> preventing foreign companies</strong> from bringing in their technology and capital to India.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Case of Tamil Nadu</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It accounted for <strong>18.63% of the Rs. 97,859 crore of investments</strong> envisaged to execute 1,241 projects in the country in the first quarter.</li>
<li>The state is also <strong>host to three of the five data centres</strong> envisaged to come up in the country at a total investment of Rs. 7,400 crore.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>other two data centres are proposed in Maharashtra,</strong> which was second to Tamil Nadu with fresh investments worth Rs. 11,228.8 crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has the required labour force in abundance and it is high time that all the concerns are addressed as soon as possible at the central and state governments level.</li>
<li>India has all the potential to be the contract manufacturer of the world in areas such as automobile ancillaries, smartphones, electronic items, capital goods, food processing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-emerges-as-countrys-top-investment-destination-survey/article32115745.ece#:~:text=Tamil%20Nadu%20has%20emerged%20as,the%20extended%20pandemic%2Dinduced%20lockdown." 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/investments-in-india'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'China Proposes Territory Swap with Bhutan',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, China has offered Bhutan a<strong> &ldquo;package solution&rdquo;</strong> to its boundary dispute. Although the package solution is not specified, it may be seen as a <strong>revival of the 1996 proposal by China for a territory swap.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Territory Swap:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595411670_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595411670_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="512" height="399" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1996, China wanted <strong>to exchange the valleys to the north of Bhutan</strong> (an area of 495 square kilometres), <strong>with the pasture land to the west (including Doklam),</strong> totalling 269 square kilometres.</li>
<li>The deal would have benefited Bhutan by giving it the larger chunk of land, and resolving its tensions with China.</li>
<li>However <strong>it was a big worry for India,</strong> as the Doklam swap would have given <strong>China access to the strategically sensitive &ldquo;chicken neck&rdquo; of the Siliguri corridor. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Repeated Claim Over Sakteng:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595411737_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595411737_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China also<strong> repeated</strong> its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-bhutanese-territory-claimed-by-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>claim on Bhutan&rsquo;s eastern boundary at Sakteng.</strong></a></li>
<li>Earlier, China has made the claim over Sakteng at an online meeting of the <strong>58<sup>th</sup> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Environment Facility (GEF)</a></strong> Council, while unsuccessfully objecting to the funding request to develop the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary project in eastern Bhutan.</li>
<li>China claims that the <strong>boundary between China and Bhutan has never been delimited.</strong> It has had disputes over the <strong>eastern, central and western sectors of Bhutan.</strong></li>
<li>However, <strong>Bhutan outrightly rejected the claim</strong> made by China by saying that Sakteng is an integral and sovereign territory of Bhutan.</li>
<li>According to Bhutan, China and Bhutan have a <strong>dispute in only two sectors</strong> of the border, one <strong>in the north (central) &ndash; Pasamlung and Jakarlung,</strong> and<strong> second in the west &ndash; Doklam.</strong></li>
<li>There has been no mention of eastern Bhutan, where Sakteng is based, in 24 previous rounds of boundary negotiations held between the two countries between 1984 and 2016.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason Behind the New Offer:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The aim may be <strong>to pressure Bhutan</strong> into concluding a deal quickly on terms on offer, otherwise the claims may keep increasing.</li>
<li>The similar offer was made to India on Arunachal Pradesh, which subsequently expanded to include a Chinese claim on Tawang in 1985.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2017 China had intruded into <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/india-s-world-pm-modi-s-visit-to-bhutan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Doklam plateau</strong></a>, which is claimed by Bhutan, leading to a standoff between Indian and Chinese Armies.</li>
<li>Even after the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indo-bhutan-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty</strong></a> of 2007, Indian military is virtually responsible for protecting Bhutan from the kind of external threat that the Chinese military poses.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 1949, Bhutan allowed India to "guide" its foreign policy and defence affairs.</li>
<li>However, the 1949 treaty was amended in 2007 to respect the sensitivities of Bhutan regarding its sovereignty.</li>
<li>Under the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 2007, the two sides have agreed to cooperate closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Neither Government shall allow the use of its territory for activities harmful to the national security and interest of the other.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China has said that a third party should not point fingers in the China-Bhutan border issue, which is an apparent reference to India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>Bhutan has protested against Chinese territorial claims in eastern Bhutan and said that it will also contest in future if China refers to the territory as disputed. Safety of Border from China is a concern for both India and Bhutan. Therefore, both sides need to work together on this issue.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-repeats-claim-on-bhutans-east/article32153665.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/china-proposes-territory-swap-with-bhutan'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Supply of DDT to South Africa for Malaria Control Program',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>HIL (India) Limited</strong> has supplied 20.60 Metric tonne of <strong>Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane</strong> (DDT), a fertilizer to South Africa for their <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>malaria</strong></a> control program.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Company is further in the process of supplying DDT to Zimbabwe and Zambia in the current Financial Year 2020-21.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>HIL (India) Limited</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a PSU under the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-chemicals-fertilizers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.</strong></a></li>
<li>It was incorporated in 1954 to manufacture and supply DDT to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for <strong>malaria control programmes.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>sole manufacturer of DDT</strong> globally.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>DDT:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a colorless, tasteless, and almost odorless crystalline chemical compound.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was first synthesized in 1874 by the Austrian chemist Othmar Zeidler.</li>
<li>Its insecticidal action was discovered by the<strong> Swiss chemist Paul Hermann Muller</strong> in 1939.</li>
<li>He was awarded the<strong> Nobel Prize</strong> in Physiology or Medicine in 1948 "for his discovery of the high efficiency of DDT as a<strong> contact poison against several arthropods.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Arthropods</strong> are invertebrate species which include insects (Mosquitos), arachnids (Spiders), and crustaceans (Crabs) etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Originally developed as <strong>an insecticide,</strong> it became infamous for its <strong>environmental impacts.</strong></li>
<li>A worldwide ban on agricultural use was formalized under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brs-conventions-cop-meet-in-geneva" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.</strong></a></li>
<li>However, its limited use in <strong>disease vector control continues,</strong> because of its <strong>effectiveness in reducing malarial infections.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO) recommends DDT as one of the efficient <strong>Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS)</strong> chemicals to <strong>curb mosquito menace</strong> and it is widely used by Southern African countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique and India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IRS is a <strong>core vector control intervention</strong> that involves the application of a residual insecticide to internal walls and ceilings of housing structures where malaria vectors may come into contact with the insecticide.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supply to South Africa: South Africa will be utilising DDT</strong> in three provinces bordering<strong> Mozambique.</strong></li>
<li>The region is <strong>highly affected with Malaria</strong> and it has reported <strong>maximum morbidity and mortality.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supply to Other Countries:</strong> HIL (India) Limited has recently exported <strong>Malathion Technical 95%</strong> to Iran under Government-to-Government initiative for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/locusts-appeared-early-in-rajasthan#:~:text=Locust%20Control%20measures%20include%20destroying,swarms%20and%20breeding%20grounds%20from" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Locust</strong></a> <strong>Control Programme</strong> and also exported <strong>Agrochemical-fungicide</strong> to Latin American region.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Malaria</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-lancet-on-malaria-eradication" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Malaria</strong></a> is caused by<strong> Plasmodium parasites.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected<strong> female Anopheles mosquitoes, called "malaria vectors".</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong> Malaria continues to be one of the <strong>major public health problems</strong> globally. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2018, an estimated <strong>228 million cases</strong> of malaria occurred worldwide.</li>
<li>Most of the<strong> cases and deaths (93%)</strong> were reported from <strong>African Region.</strong></li>
<li>In the South East Asia Region, <strong>India accounts</strong> for the majority of cases and death.</li>
<li>According to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Malaria Report 2019</strong></a>, India reported 2.6 million fewer cases in 2018 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-report-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>compared to 2017</strong></a>. Thus the overall incidence of malaria in the country has reduced.</li>
<li>However, 7 states <strong>(Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh)</strong> account for about 90% of the burden of malaria cases in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1640136#:~:text=HIL%20(India)%20Limited%2C%20a,their%20Malaria%20control%20program%20yesterday.&amp;text=The%20region%20is%20highly%20affected,the%20disease%20in%20recent%20years." 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/supply-of-ddt-to-south-africa-for-malaria-control-program'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'ESI Augments Healthcare Services In India',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on the<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/how-esi-can-bolster-health-infrastructure-6510877/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;How ESI can bolster health infrastructure&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in Express on 15/07/2020. This article talks about how the The Employee State Insurance Corporation can play a significant role in ensuring better healthcare facilities to organized sector employees in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Labour and Employment notified that the wage limit of coverage would be increased from Rs 16,000 to Rs 21,000 per month. Healthcare is one the top priorities of a developing country like India. Successive governments in India have tried to bolster the healthcare infrastructure but much remains to be done.</p>
<p>As an alternative to revamping the entire structure, India can avail itself of better healthcare facilities by focusing on and improving the infrastructure under Employee State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).</p>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Important welfare legislation:</strong> The Employee State Insurance Act 1948, was promulgated to ensure social security and health insurance for workers in India.</li>
<li><strong>Ensures medical security:</strong> The ESI ensures medical benefit, sickness benefit, maternity benefit, disablement benefit, dependents benefit, funeral expenses, and rehabilitation.</li>
<li><strong>Wide Inclusion:</strong> It provides allowance for all employees and contract labours earning Rs 21,000 or less in wages per month. It takes care of not only the employees but also their dependent family members.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recent Reforms</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reduction in the burden:</strong> To increase the take-home salary of the employees, the overall contribution rate was reduced from 6.5 per cent to 4 per cent. This put more money in the hands of the employee and even the employers.</li>
<li><strong>Expansion of coverage:</strong> Another inclusive step was to enhance the income limit of dependent parents of an insured person covered under ESI Scheme from the existing Rs 5,000 per month from all sources to Rs 9,000 per month. This would bring the dependent parents of more subscribers under the ambit of ESI.</li>
<li><strong>Improving state medical service system:</strong> Recently, ESIC decided to bear the full cost of implementing the scheme. Earlier, 1/8<sup>th</sup> of the cost was borne by the states while ESIC bore the rest.</li>
<li><strong>More establishments included:</strong> To increase coverage, ESI facilities would be available even for those firms that employ less than 10 people. While for most firms, it would be voluntary, for firms in the hazardous industries, it would be mandatory. Previously, firms with 10 or more people could only avail themselves of this facility.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Optimum utilisation of funds:</strong> ESIC has massive surplus in its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/esic-funds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>reserve funds</strong></a>. There Is need to invest these funds: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To establish new medical infrastructure</li>
<li>Upgrade the current medical infrastructure</li>
<li>Improve the services provided to the increasing number of beneficiaries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional disparity:</strong> If ESI coverage has to be extended all over India, at least one ESI dispensary per district is required and several model ESIC hospitals in every state.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, in the entire Northeast India, there are only ten ESIC dispensaries and only one ESIC Model Hospital in Guwahati, Assam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strengthen tie-ups:</strong> ESIC also has tie-ups with private hospitals for super-speciality services. The beneficiaries avail themselves of this cashless benefit. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However there is a need for ESIC to strengthen the tie-ups by ensuring that the private hospital bills are settled promptly so that the ESI beneficiaries can continue to get hassle-free service.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Upgradation of Services:</strong> On an immediate basis, to improve the standard of services, ESIC can improve the infrastructure of the current dispensaries and the hospitals on a war footing and ensure the availability of more types of medicines in the dispensaries.</li>
<li><strong>Extension the ESI to Non notified areas:</strong> Coverage should be extended to all areas. Currently, ESI Coverage is restricted only to notified areas.</li>
<li><strong>Simplifying the financing:</strong> It would have a positive impact on the quality of services delivered by reducing red tape and increasing the overall accountability of the ESIC.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>It is now apparent that the ESIC is a purposeful organisation serving millions of people and the government is consciously increasing its ambit of impact. Although many positive changes have been proposed and implemented in recent times, much more can be done and the ESIC can be a model organisation for countries around the world.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595329936_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595329936_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="692" height="435" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f0f8ff;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Improving the facilities under ESIC is a panacea to Healthcare service delivery in India. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/osTw2Kw7_0Y" 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.hindustantimes.com/analysis/disentangling-india-s-trade-surplus/story-giOg4uynVrzwDHi0xlh8kK.html#:~:text=The%20cumulative%20effect%20was%20a,%25%20and%20imports%20by%2051%25.&amp;text=In%20April%202020%2C%20India%20registered,and%20imports%20falling%20by%2058.7%25." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Disentangling India&rsquo;s trade Surplus</strong></a> which was published in Hindustan Times on July 20<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Watch this on our Youtube channel now.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/esi-augments-healthcare-services-in-india'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Mine Ploughs on T-90 Tanks',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Ministry of Defence</strong> has signed <strong>Rs. 557 crore contract</strong> with the <strong>BEML Limited</strong> (formerly known as the <strong>Bharat Earth Movers Limited</strong>) for the procurement of <strong>1,512 mine ploughs for T-90 Tanks.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The induction is <strong>expected to be completed by 2027.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595327601_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595327601_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>T-90 Tanks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These <strong>Russian-origin</strong> tanks are the <strong>Indian Army&rsquo;s main battle tanks.</strong></li>
<li>Indian Army recently deployed them in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Galwan Valley</strong></a> sector of Ladakh amid the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>face-off with Chinese troops.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mine Ploughs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mine ploughs <strong>help tanks to clear minefields and minimize risks to men and machines.</strong></li>
<li>After being fitted on T-90 Tanks, they will<strong> facilitate individual mobility</strong> to the tanks while negotiating a minefield.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>mobility of the tank fleet will enhance manifolds</strong> which in turn would <strong>extend the reach of the armoured formations deep into enemy territory</strong> without becoming a mine casualty.</li>
<li>The decision is expected to boost the government&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india#:~:text=On%20September%2025%2C%202014%2C%20the,surpassing%20the%20U.S.%20and%20China." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;</strong></a> initiative.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As per the procedure, the contract has <strong>Buy and Make (Indian) categorisation</strong> with a minimum of <strong>50% indigenous content</strong> in the Make portion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>BEML Limited</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was <strong>established in 1964</strong> as a <strong>Public Sector Undertaking</strong> (PSU).</li>
<li>It has <strong>partially disinvested</strong> and presently the <strong>Government of India owns 54%</strong> of total equity and the rest 46% is held by public and financial institutions, foreign institutional investors, banks and employees.</li>
<li>The company operates under<strong> three major business verticals</strong> viz. <strong>Mining and Construction, Defence and Rail and Metro.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/defence-ministry-signs-557-cr-deal-for-t-90-tanks-mine-ploughs/article32140818.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/mine-ploughs-on-t-90-tanks'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Non-personal Data',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a government committee headed by Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan has suggested that <strong>non-personal data</strong> generated in India<strong> be allowed to be harnessed by various domestic companies and entities.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The committee has also suggested a <strong>separate national legislation</strong> and a <strong>separate authority</strong> to oversee non-personal data.</li>
<li>It also<strong> recommended mandatory sharing of non-personal data,</strong> as it may be useful for Indian entrepreneurs to develop new and innovative services or products to benefit citizens.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Definition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Non-personal data is any set of data <strong>which does not contain personally identifiable information.</strong> This means that no individual or living person can be identified by looking at such data.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, order details collected by a food delivery service will have the name, age, gender, and other contact information of an individual, it will become non-personal data <strong>if the identifiers such as name and contact information are taken out.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The government committee, which submitted its report has classified non-personal data into<strong> three main categories,</strong> namely <strong>public non-personal data, community non-personal data</strong> and <strong>private non-personal data.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Public, Community, and Private Non-personal Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Public non-personal data:</strong> It involves all the data collected by the government and its agencies during execution of all publicly funded works.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>E.g.</strong> census, data collected by municipal corporations on the total tax receipts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Community non-personal data:</strong> It involves any data identifiers about a set of people who have either the <strong>same geographic location, religion, job, or other common social interests.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>E.g.</strong> The metadata collected by ride-hailing apps, telecom companies, electricity distribution companies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Private non-personal data:</strong> It can be defined as those which are produced by individuals which can be derived from<strong> application of proprietary software or knowledge.</strong> E.g data generated by companies like Google, Amazon etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Non-personal Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These data sets will help to map consumer biases and ensure<strong> targeted delivery of services.</strong> It will unlock the doors of economic value and innovation in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sensitivity of Non-personal Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unlike personal data, non-personal data is more likely to be in an anonymised (without particulars or details) form.</li>
<li>However, in certain categories such as data related to national security or strategic interests such as locations of government laboratories or research facilities, even if the data provided in anonymised form can be dangerous.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Possibilities of such harm are obviously much higher if the original personal data is of a sensitive nature.</li>
<li>Therefore, the <strong>non-personal data arising from sensitive personal data may be considered as sensitive non-personal data.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The data sets will heavily <strong>favour big tech companies.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Only big tech companies possess the capital and infrastructure to create such large volumes of data. Others will find it difficult to match the capabilities of these technology giants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As a signatory to <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/intellectual-property-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)</strong></a>, India extended copyright protection to computer databases in 1999. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In such a scenario, there is a challenge of demarcation between non-personal data that cannot be shared, and non-copyright non-personal data that can be used as a public resource.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There is <strong>no clarity over the grievance redressal mechanism</strong> in the committee&rsquo;s report.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Like many other countries, India too will have to define non-personal data in a manner that protects intellectual property rights, serves genuine public interest and promotes innovation.</li>
<li>India can learn from <strong>France&rsquo;s National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence policy,</strong> which encourages economic players<strong> to share and pool their data</strong> with the state acting as a trusted third party. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>France&rsquo;s policy even empowers public authorities to impose openness on certain data because of its societal benefits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India can also look towards the <strong>European Union&rsquo;s Regulation on the Free Flow of Non-Personal Data,</strong> which recognises the free flow of non-personal data as a prerequisite of a competitive economy.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/non-personal-data-explained-6506613/#:~:text=In%20its%20most%20basic%20form,by%20looking%20at%20such%20data." 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/non-personal-data'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Ravana’s Aviation Route: Sri Lanka',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Civil Aviation Authority of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Sri Lanka</a></strong> has sought relevant documents and literature from the public to study the mythological character <strong>Ravana&rsquo;s &ldquo;aviation routes&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong> The Civil Aviation Authority will lead a<strong> research project</strong> titled &ldquo;King Ravana and the ancient domination of aerial routes now lost&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project aims to bring out an <strong>authoritative narrative about King Ravana</strong> as there are many stories about Ravana <strong>flying aircrafts and covering</strong> these aerial routes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the civil aviation authority, it was Ravana who used a flying machine called &ldquo;Dandu monara&rdquo; to fly not only within the country, but also in the South East Asia region.</li>
<li><strong>Tourism:</strong> Sri Lanka&rsquo;s tourism sector promotes the <strong>&lsquo;Ramayana trail&rsquo;</strong> for visitors from India &mdash; one of Sri Lanka&rsquo;s largest tourism markets.</li>
<li><strong>Sinhala-Buddhists Community:</strong> The majority <strong>Sinhala-Buddhists community</strong> hail the King Ravana.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The group calls itself <strong>Ravana Balaya.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Linkages with India: Dravidian parties</strong> in Tamil Nadu acknowledge Ravana as &ldquo;the brave king&rdquo; similar to the Buddhists community of Sri Lanka.</li>
<li><strong>Satellite:</strong> Sri Lanka named its first satellite <strong>Ravana-1</strong> launched in June 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sinhala-Buddhists Community</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The community focuses upon <strong>Theravada <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/buddhism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buddhism</a></strong>, which is the majority belief system of most of the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka.</li>
<li>Sinhalese are the<strong> largest ethnic group on</strong> the island.</li>
<li>It mostly originated in reaction to the <strong>colonisation of Sri Lanka by the British Empire</strong> and became increasingly assertive in the years following the independence of the country.</li>
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-sri-lanka-security-and-geopolitics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka</strong> </a>is rooted in the discrimination against the Tamil minority by the Sinhalese majority after the end of British colonial domination in 1948.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Theravada Buddhism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the most <strong>ancient branch of extant Buddhism</strong> today.</li>
<li>It remains closest to the original teachings of the Buddha.</li>
<li>Theravada Buddhism <strong>developed in Sri Lanka</strong> and subsequently spread to the rest of Southeast Asia.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>dominant form of religion</strong> in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.</li>
<li>In India, this strain of Buddhism is represented by the followers of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-political-thinker-br-ambedkar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dr B.R. Ambedkar</strong></a>, <strong>known as the Ambedkar Buddhists</strong>, who are exclusive to India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-to-research-ravanas-aviation-routes/article32142518.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/ravana-s-aviation-route-sri-lanka'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'No Postal Ballots for Above 65 in Bihar',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Election Commission of India</strong></a> (ECI) has <strong>decided against extending postal ballots to electors above 65 years of age</strong> in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections due to logistical challenges.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier in June 2020, the Law Ministry, on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amendments-in-postal-ballot-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>recommendation of ECI</strong></a>, had extended the postal ballot facility to electors over 65 years (being most vulnerable to Covid-19), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> patients and those suspected to have it by notifying a change to the <strong>Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.</strong></li>
<li>Earlier, postal ballots were <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/postal-ballot-facilities-for-absentee-voters" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>extended to Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and electors over 80 years</strong></a> in November 2019 ahead of the Jharkhand and Delhi elections.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Working Mechanism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The postal ballot facility for electors above 65 years is different from the conventional postal service.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Usually, <strong>ballot papers are distributed electronically</strong> to electors and are <strong>returned to the election officers via post.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For above 65 and Covid-19 patients, it works as a<strong> polling station on the move,</strong> with the polling staff visiting the homes of such electors, having them fill out their ballots, sealing them in envelopes and taking it back.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was done to <strong>minimize vulnerability and exposure</strong> at the polling stations for above 65 and to<strong> not deprive</strong> the Covid-19 patients and people under quarantine <strong>of their voting rights.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After reviewing the preparations for the Bihar polls, the ECI has made this decision keeping in mind the <strong>logistical, staff and safety protocol</strong> related constraints.</li>
<li>For collecting votes of so many electors, <strong>additional staff and security will be required</strong> and would not be possible to arrange the facility for about 72 lakh electors, about 10% of the total 7.19 crore electors in the state.</li>
<li>State authorities are already preparing 34,000 additional polling stations in order to <strong>limit electors to 1,000 at each location.</strong> It also <strong>requires additional polling personnel</strong> which is an administrative challenge in itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Postal Ballots System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ballot papers are distributed electronically to electors and are returned to the election officers via post.</li>
<li>Currently, <strong>only the following voters</strong> are allowed to cast their votes through postal ballot:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Service voters</strong> (armed forces, the armed police force of a state and government servants posted abroad).</li>
<li><strong>Voters on election duty.</strong></li>
<li>Voters <strong>above 80 years of age or Persons with Disabilities</strong> (PwD).</li>
<li>Voters <strong>under preventive detention.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The exception to the above-mentioned category of voters is provided under Section 60 of the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-representation-of-the-people-act-part-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Representation of the People Act, 1951.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/no-postal-ballot-as-over-70-lakh-electors-in-65-plus-age-group-in-bihar/article32141225.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/no-postal-ballots-for-above-65-in-bihar'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Consumer Protection Act, 2019',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/consumer-protection-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Consumer Protection Act, 2019</a></strong> came into force on <strong>20<sup>th</sup> July 2020</strong> and it will empower consumers and help them in protecting their rights through its various notified rules and provisions.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The new act will be swift and less time consuming compared to the <strong>older <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-consumer-protection-bill-2018-amendment-1986-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Consumer Protection Act, 1986</a></strong> in which single-point access to justice was given making it a time-consuming exercise.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The old act provided for a <strong>three-tier consumer dispute redressal machinery</strong> at the<strong> National (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-consumer-disputes-redressal-commission-ncdrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission</a>), State</strong> and <strong>District</strong> levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 establishes the <strong>Central Consumer Protection Authority</strong> (CCPA) whose primary <strong>objective</strong> will be to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>It is empowered to:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights and institute complaints/prosecution.</li>
<li>Order recall of unsafe goods and services.</li>
<li>Order discontinuance of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements.</li>
<li>Impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rules on E-commerce and Unfair Trade Practices:</strong> The government will notify the <strong>Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020</strong> under the Act whose broad provisions are given below.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/e-commerce-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>E-commerce</strong></a> entities are <strong>required to provide information</strong> to consumers, relating to return, refund, exchange, warranty and guarantee, delivery and shipment, modes of payment, grievance redressal mechanism, payment methods, security of payment methods, charge-back options and country of origin.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These are necessary for <strong>enabling the consumer to make an informed decision</strong> at the pre-purchase stage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These platforms will have to <strong>acknowledge the receipt of any consumer complaint within 48 hours</strong> and <strong>redress the complaint within one month</strong> from the date of receipt. They will also have to appoint a grievance officer for consumer grievance redressal.</li>
<li>The Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020 are <strong>mandatory and are not advisories.</strong></li>
<li>Sellers <strong>cannot refuse to take back goods or withdraw services or refuse refunds,</strong> if such goods or services are defective, deficient, delivered late, or if they do not meet the description on the platform.</li>
<li>The rules also <strong>prohibit the e-commerce companies from manipulating the price</strong> of the goods or services to gain unreasonable profit through unjustified prices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Product Liability:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A manufacturer or product service provider or product seller will be held <strong>responsible to compensate for injury or damage</strong> caused by defective product or deficiency in services</li>
<li><strong>Basis for product liability action:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Manufacturing defect.</li>
<li>Design defect.</li>
<li>Deviation from manufacturing specifications.</li>
<li>Not conforming to express warranty.</li>
<li>Failing to contain adequate instructions for correct use.</li>
<li>Service provided-faulty, imperfect or deficient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Punishment for Manufacture or Sale of Adulterated/Spurious Goods:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In case of the first conviction, a competent court may suspend any licence issued to the person for a<strong> period of up to two years</strong> and in case of second or subsequent conviction, may <strong>cancel the licence permanently.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alternate Dispute Resolution Mechanism of Mediation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A complaint will be referred by a Consumer Commission for mediation, wherever scope for early settlement exists and parties agree for it.</li>
<li>The mediation will be held in the <strong>Mediation Cells</strong> which will be established under the aegis of the<strong> Consumer Commissions.</strong></li>
<li>There will be <strong>no appeal against settlement through mediation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Simplification of the Consumer Dispute Adjudication Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Empowering the State and District Commissions to review</strong> their own orders.</li>
<li>Enabling a consumer to file complaints electronically and in consumer commissions that have jurisdiction over the place of his residence.</li>
<li>Video-conferencing for hearing and deemed admissibility of complaints if the question of admissibility is not decided within the specified period of 21 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Rules and Regulations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the <strong>Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Rules,</strong> there will be <strong>no fee for filing cases up to Rs. 5 lakh.</strong></li>
<li>The credit of the amount due to unidentifiable consumers will go to the <strong>Consumer Welfare Fund</strong> (CWF).</li>
<li>State Commissions will furnish information to the Central Government on a quarterly basis on vacancies, disposal, the pendency of cases and other matters.</li>
<li>Apart from these general rules, there are <strong>Central Consumer Protection Council Rules,</strong> provided for the constitution of the <strong>Central Consumer Protection Council</strong> (CCPC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will be an <strong>advisory body</strong> on consumer issues, headed by the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution with the Minister of State as Vice Chairperson and 34 other members from different fields.</li>
<li>It will have a <strong>three-year tenure</strong> and will have Minister-in-charge of consumer affairs from two States from each region- North, South, East, West, and North-East Region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595322910_CPA%202019.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595322910_CPA 2019.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="540" height="424" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639925#:~:text=The%20Consumer%20Protection%20Act%2C2019,i.e.%2020th%20July%202020.&amp;text=The%20gazette%20notification%20for%20establishment,e%2Dcommerce%20are%20under%20publication." 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/consumer-protection-act-2019'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'C.S. Seshadri',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Eminent mathematician <strong>Professor CS Seshadri,</strong> known for his contributions in <strong>algebraic geometry</strong> and <strong>mathematical education</strong> passed away recently.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595319032_Image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595319032_Image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>He was born in 1932 in Kanchipuram and educated in Chennai, TN and Mumbai (he got his PhD from Bombay University in 1958).</li>
<li>He joined<strong> Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR),</strong> where he helped establish a school of algebraic geometry.</li>
<li>He is known for his work on <strong>algebraic geometry.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Applications of algebraic geometry arise in statistics, control theory, robotics, coding theory, integer programming and theoretical physics.</li>
<li>The<strong> Narasimhan-Seshadri theorem,</strong> developed in 1965 with his friend M S Narasimhan, plays a central role in <strong>conformal field theory and string theory.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He founded the <strong>Chennai Mathematical Institute,</strong> which attracts talent from around the world with its courses on <strong>mathematics, computer science and theoretical physics.</strong></li>
<li>He was elected <strong>Fellow of the Royal Society (UK) in 1988</strong> and a <strong>Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences, USA in 2010.</strong> He was awarded the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/padma-awards-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Padma Bhushan</strong></a> (the third highest civilian award in India) in 2009.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cs-seshadri-a-leader-of-indian-mathematics-passes-away-in-chennai/article32121576.ece#:~:text=of%20graduate%20students.-,C.S.,He%20was%2088." 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/c-s-seshadri'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'National Financial Reporting Authority',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)</strong> has constituted a <strong>Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)</strong> to aid and advise the executive body of the NFRA on <strong>issues relating to drafts of accounting standards and auditing standards.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The TAC comprises<strong> seven members</strong> including the <strong>chairman - R. Narayanaswamy.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitution:</strong> NFRA was constituted in <strong>2018</strong> by the Government of India under <strong>section 132 (1) of the Companies Act, 2013.</strong> It is an <strong>audit regulator.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> The decision to constitute the NFRA was taken after the role of auditors and the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/icai-nfra" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Institute of Chartered Accountants of India</strong></a> came under the scanner for alleged lapses in various corporate scams including that at the Punjab National Bank.</li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong> It consists of a<strong> chairperson,</strong> who shall be a person of eminence and having expertise in accountancy, auditing, finance or law,<strong> appointed by the Central Government</strong> and such<strong> other members not exceeding 15. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Functions and Duties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Recommend accounting and auditing policies</strong> and standards to be adopted by companies for approval by the Central Government.</li>
<li>Monitor and enforce compliance with accounting standards and auditing standards.</li>
<li>Oversee the <strong>quality of service of the professions</strong> associated with ensuring compliance with such standards and suggest measures for improvement in the quality of service.</li>
<li>Protect the <strong>public interest.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Powers:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can undertake investigation related to the following class of companies and bodies corporate, namely:-<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Companies whose <strong>securities are listed on any stock exchange</strong> in India or outside India.</li>
<li><strong>Unlisted public companies</strong> having <strong>paid-up capital</strong> of not less than <strong>Rs. 500 crores</strong> or having<strong> annual turnover</strong> of not less than <strong>Rs. 1,000 crores</strong> or having, in aggregate, <strong>outstanding loans,</strong> debentures and deposits of not less than <strong>Rs. 500 crores</strong> as on the 31<sup>st</sup> March of immediately preceding financial year.</li>
<li>Insurance companies, banking companies, companies engaged in the generation or supply of electricity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Where professional or other misconduct is proved, it has the power to make order for imposing<strong> penalty</strong> of&mdash;<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>not less than one lakh rupees,</strong> but which may extend to five times of the fees received, in case of<strong> individuals;</strong> and</li>
<li>not less than ten lakh rupees, but which may extend to ten times of the fees received, in case of <strong>firms.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its account is monitored by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/comptroller-and-auditor-general-of-india-cag" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.</strong></a></li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered</strong> in <strong>New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-financial-reporting-authority-2'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Zoram Mega Food Park: Mizoram',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the government has operationalized the <strong>first Mega Food Park (MFP) of Mizoram i.e. Zoram Mega Food Park.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has been set up under the &lsquo;Mega Food Park Scheme&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Zoram MFP:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is located in Khamrang village in Kolasib District, Mizoram.</li>
<li>It is spread over 55 acres of land and is set up at a cost of Rs. 75. 20 crores.</li>
<li>It is not only expected to benefit the people of Mizoram but also that of adjoining districts in Assam.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Assam</strong> already has a MFP in its Nalbari district- <strong>North East Mega Food Park.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will <strong>boost the North-East Region&rsquo;s potential to become the organic destination of the world</strong> due to its rich agricultural and horticultural produce.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Sikkim</strong> has already been <strong>declared as an organic state.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mega Food Park Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Launched in: 2008-09</strong> under the purview of the <strong>Ministry of Food Processing Industries.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To provide a mechanism to link agricultural production to the market by bringing together farmers, processors and retailers so as to ensure maximizing value addition, minimizing wastage, increasing farmers income and creating employment opportunities particularly in the rural sector.</li>
<li><strong>Components:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Scheme is based on the <strong>&ldquo;Cluster&rdquo; approach</strong> and envisages creation of state of art support infrastructure in a well-defined agri/horticultural zone for setting up of modern food processing units in the industrial plots provided in the park with a well-established supply chain.</li>
<li>A Mega food Park typically consists of <strong>supply chain infrastructure</strong> including collection centers (cc), primary processing centers (ppc) central processing centers (cpc), cold chain and around 25-30 fully developed plots for entrepreneurs to set up <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>food processing</strong></a> units.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial Assistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The central government provides financial assistance <strong>upto Rs. 50 Crore per Mega Food Park (MFP) project.</strong></li>
<li>The MFP project is<strong> implemented by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)</strong> which is a Body Corporate registered under the Companies Act, 2013.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Presently, 18 MFP Projects are under implementation in various states and 19 Mega Food Parks have already become functional in the States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is in line with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/five-years-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Atmanirbhar&rsquo;</strong></a> vision of the Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595315259_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595315259_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="663" height="472" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639896" 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/zoram-mega-food-park-mizoram'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Significance of 15th India-European Union Summit',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/india-should-believe-in-the-eu/article32094669.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;India should believe in the EU&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 16/07/2020. This article discusses the importance of India's relationship with the EU in the wake of the recently held summit.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-eu-virtual-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-EU Virtual summit</strong> </a>resumed after being halted for a couple of years. The<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> European Union (EU)</strong></a> is a group of countries that operates as a cohesive economic and political block.</p>
<p>Europe&rsquo;s perception of India has been changing in tandem with increasing tensions with China. In 2018, the EU released a new strategy for cooperation with India, calling it a <strong>geopolitical pillar in a multipolar Asia,</strong> crucial for maintaining the balance of power in the region. Paris and Brussels have been actively pushing Europe to see India as a truly strategic partner.</p>
<p>The EU and India can work together to promote peace, create jobs, boost economic growth and enhance sustainable development in the member countries.</p>
<h3>Opportunities</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Potential gain from EU-India trade agreement:</strong> The potential impact of an EU-India trade agreement would significantly increase trade gains likely to flow to India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Additional potential gains from enhanced coordination on the provision of global public goods, such as environmental standards would help India to adopt Bharat VI standards more swiftly and meet its emission cut targets on time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Combating Covid crisis:</strong> Getting access to Covid tools&rsquo; of the EU and its countries, India&rsquo;s pharma companies could collaborate with them in a global attempt in finding the cure of Covid. This partnership could help in:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Enhancing global cooperation and solidarity to protect lives to mitigate the socio-economic consequences.</li>
<li>Strengthening preparedness and response capacities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Security:</strong> The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation or Europol and CBI are negotiating a working arrangement to support law enforcement authorities of EU member states and India to prevent and combat organised crime and terror.</li>
<li><strong>Combating Climate Change:</strong> India can learn from new industrial strategy called the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eu-green-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Green Deal of EU</strong></a> to render its carbon-emission neutral by 2050 <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EU and India could endeavour transforming into carbon-neutral economies by 2050 by investing in clean energies. .</li>
<li>European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and India signed for cooperation between the EU's research programmes on new ways of using nuclear energy to limit India&rsquo;s dependency on fossil fuels.</li>
<li>In India&rsquo;s efforts to increase the use of renewable energy in India, the investment and technology of Europe is of paramount importance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong> The two sides are also set to launch a high-level trade dialogue to address issues such as stalled negotiations on a maritime security dialogue, and develop security and defence consultations and military contacts.</li>
<li><strong>Countering China:</strong> EU can be a reliant partner for India to counter Chinese influence in its neighbourhood. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EU has its own connectivity strategy, providing around &euro;414 billion in aid globally, and is already partnering with Japan and the United States (US)&thinsp;to provide alternatives to BRI. This can check China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) investments and infrastructure connectivity.</li>
<li>This is a crucial opportunity where the EU can deliver what India needs. Entities such as the European Investment Bank are active in India, investing in metro and other infrastructure projects.</li>
<li>India should explore this partnership with the EU to not only fill domestic infrastructure needs but also as part of India&rsquo;s neighbourhood diplomacy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pending Free Trade Deal:</strong> A free trade deal that India and the European Union have been pending since 2007. It was not concluded even in the 15<sup>th</sup> India-EU summit.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At the end of the virtual summit, no official deadline for the free trade agreement was declared.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lopsided Investments:</strong> There is still room for improvement especially when compared to EU investments in China.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enhancing connectivity:</strong> Facilitating people&rsquo;s mobility and connectivity to improve mutual understanding and create opportunities for innovation and growth.</li>
<li><strong>Geopolitical Balancing:</strong> In geopolitical terms partnership with the EU can help India balancing its powerful rivals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For eg: Indo-Pacific region is increasingly the focus of attention, so India should capitalise on its geopolitical leverage there.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maximising Strategic Cooperation:</strong> Even India&rsquo;s strongest bilateral relations with individual EU member states do not come close to the potential of dealing effectively with the EU as a whole.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EU and India can join forces to promote sustainable reform like parity among nations in multilateral institutions including the World Trade Organization (WTO).</li>
<li>India could maximise benefit from this strategic partnership. Stronger cooperation with democratic powers can support this effort, especially towards assertive competitors like China</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Greater Business Cooperation:</strong> The EU is India&rsquo;s largest trading partner and the second-largest destination for Indian exports. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As Europe looks to diversify supply chains and move away from China, India shouldn&rsquo;t miss the opportunity to attract investments. It should deepen its relationship with the world&rsquo;s largest trading bloc, which has already negotiated FTAs with Vietnam, Japan and Singapore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India and the EU are natural partners. This partnership could enhance peace and stability in India and member countries of the EU. This reality has become even clearer in today&rsquo;s global situation. However for this, India and the EU must adopt a long-term strategic perspective and an action-oriented agenda should be implemented within a stipulated time frame.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595244275_image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595244275_image6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="600" height="498" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffad9;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The power of any aspiring global player depends on the number and quality of its bilateral and multilateral relationships. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ciDPqnWqJq0" 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/state-of-deluge-assam-floods-6509523/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;State of deluge&rdquo;</strong></a> that was published in The Indian Express on July 17<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Watch this on our Youtube channel now.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/significance-of-15th-india-european-union-summit'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'ICJ on Qatar Blockade',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-court-of-justice-icj" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Court of Justice</strong></a> (ICJ) refused an appeal by<strong> Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates</strong> (UAE) which challenged the authority of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-civil-aviation-organisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Civil Aviation Organisation</strong></a> (ICAO) to adjudicate on the legality of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/qatar-quits-opec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Qatar blockade.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ICJ is the top<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations</strong></a> (UN) court and ICAO is the international aviation agency of the UN.</li>
<li>UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are located in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persian-gulf-region" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Persian Gulf Region</strong></a> and are the members of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-11th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong> </a>(GCC).</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595240229_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595240229_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Qatar Blockade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>June 2017,</strong> Qatar&rsquo;s neighbouring Arab nations of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt <strong>shut off shipping routes and air space with Qatar</strong> for its <strong>alleged support for<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> terrorism</a></strong> and its<strong> ties with Iran.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It severed their diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, <strong>Qatar denied supporting Islamic extremism</strong> and has openly <strong>condemned its isolation</strong> as a clear attack on its sovereignty.</li>
<li>All four neighbours issued a <strong>13-point list of demands for Doha</strong> (capital of Qatar) to comply with in order to restore erstwhile relations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some of the demands included Qatar closing down news outlets such as <strong>Al-Jazeera,</strong> end ties with radical Islamist groups like the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-attended-oic-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Muslim Brotherhood</strong></a>, scale down ties with Shia-majority Iran and remove Turkish troops stationed in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since 2017, the<strong> blockade of Qatar has included:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Closing of its only land border with Saudi Arabia.</li>
<li>Stopping Qatari ships from entering ports anywhere in the Saudi coalition.</li>
<li>Blocking Qatari planes from flying in their airspace.</li>
<li>Expelling Qatari citizens from these countries as part of the measures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dispute at the ICJ:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Qatar approached the ICAO, alleging that its rights of free passage under the <strong>1944 Convention on Civil Aviation</strong> were violated by the blockade.</li>
<li>Saudi Arabia and its allies argued that the<strong> ICJ should have the authority</strong> to settle the dispute instead of the ICAO because the <strong>dispute goes beyond the aviation matters.</strong></li>
<li>In 2018, the<strong> ICAO ruled against the Saudi coalition,</strong> holding that it did have jurisdiction to hear the case and its ruling was <strong>recently backed by the ICJ</strong> too.</li>
<li>The blockade <strong>still remains in force</strong> and the ICAO is expected to <strong>deliver its verdict in 2021.</strong> The ruling will be in Qatar&rsquo;s favour and will be a major win for the country and its <strong>national carrier, Qatar Airways.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Civil Aviation Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established by the <strong>Convention on International Civil Aviation</strong> which was signed on<strong> 7<sup>th</sup> December 1944 in Chicago.</strong></li>
<li>It laid the foundation for the standards and procedures for peaceful global air navigation and established the core principles permitting international transport by air.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To foster the planning and development of international air transport so as to ensure the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation throughout the world.</li>
<li><strong>India is among its 193 members.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Montreal, Canada.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-the-latest-icj-ruling-means-for-qatar-and-its-airspace-6513580/" 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/icj-on-qatar-blockade'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => '3rd G20 FMCBG Meeting',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently India has virtually participated in the <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG)</strong> meeting under the<strong> Presidency</strong> of <strong>Saudi Arabia.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It discussed the global economic outlook amid evolving <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"><strong>pandemic</strong></a> crisis along with other <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/virtual-g20-leaders-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G20</strong></a> <strong>finance track priorities</strong> for the year 2020.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g20-meeting-in-saudi-arabia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>First meeting was held in February 2020 at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>G20 Action Plan:</strong> The importance and relevance of the G20 action plan was highlighted.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was endorsed in response to Covid-19 in April 2020. </li>
<li>It has a list of collective commitments under the pillars of <strong>Health Response, Economic Response, Strong and Sustainable Recovery and International Financial Coordination,</strong> aimed at coordinating G20 efforts to fight the pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Response:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India emphasised the need to <strong>balance supply side and demand side measures</strong> in response to Covid-19.</li>
<li>It also spoke about the <strong>procyclicality of credit rating downgrades</strong> by the rating agencies and its deterrent impact on policy options, particularly for <strong>Emerging Market Economy</strong> (EMEs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Procyclic ratings</strong> are stricter during an economic downturn than an expansion. As a result, firms receive <strong>overly pessimistic ratings in a recession,</strong> relative to during an expansion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International coordination required</strong> in addressing the <strong>spill-over effects of exit strategies</strong> related to covid-19 lockdowns.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Spillover effect</strong> refers to the impact of unrelated events in one nation on the economies of other nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>G20 Finance Track deliverables</strong>: FMCBG discussed the developments on G20 Finance Track deliverables under the Saudi Arabian Presidency. <strong>India</strong> discussed<strong> two such deliverables:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, <strong>Enhancing access to opportunities for Women, Youth and Small Market Economies (SMEs)</strong> and a <strong>menu of policy options on access to opportunity.</strong></li>
<li>Second,<strong> International Taxation agenda</strong> and the <strong>intended deliverable of formulating a solution</strong> for addressing challenges related to <strong>digital taxation.</strong></li>
<li>India said that the consensus based solution should be simple, inclusive and based on a robust economic impact assessment.</li>
<li>It is in line with the recent decision of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ustr-takes-india-off-developing-country-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United States Trade Representative (USTR)</strong></a> to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ustr-s-probe-into-digital-services-taxes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>initiate an investigation into taxes adopted</strong> </a>or under consideration by 10 nations, including India, on revenues of American digital service companies like Netflix, Airbnb etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Digital taxation or Digital Services Taxes (DSTs)</strong> are the adopted taxes on revenues that certain companies generate from providing certain digital services. E.g. digital multinationals like Google, Amazon and Apple etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In response to it the central government has stated that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/equalisation-levy-for-non-resident-e-commerce-firms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>it will not extend the deadline for payment of equalisation levy</strong> </a><strong>by non-resident e-commerce</strong> players, even though a majority of them are yet to deposit the first installment of the tax.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> equalization levy is aimed at taxing foreign companies</strong> which have a significant local client base in India but are billing them through their offshore units, effectively escaping the country&rsquo;s tax system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>G-20</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G20</strong></a> is an <strong>informal group of 19 countries</strong> and the <strong>European Union,</strong> with <strong>representatives</strong> of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund</strong></a> <strong>and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world&rsquo;s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world&rsquo;s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment and over 75% of global trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarter:</strong> The<strong> G20 operates as a forum</strong> and not as an organisation. Therefore, it <strong>does not have any permanent secretariat.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Origin</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>1997-1999 Asian Financial Crisis:</strong> This was a ministerial-level forum which emerged after G7 invited both developed and developing economies. The finance ministers and central bank governors began meeting in 1999.</li>
<li>Amid the 2008 Financial Crisis the world saw the need for a new consensus-building at the highest political level. It was decided that the G20 leaders would begin meeting once annually.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The members of the G20 are <strong>Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.</strong></li>
<li>One nation holds the chair every year, known as the 'G20 Presidency'. <strong>Saudia Arabia</strong> is holding the 2020 chair.</li>
<li>The 2021 summit will be held in <strong>Italy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639707#:~:text=Nirmala%20Sitharaman%20participated%20in%20the,Track%20priorities%20for%20the%20year" 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/3rd-g20-fmcbg-meeting'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'China Crossed its 1960’s LAC Claims',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the records of 1960 boundary talks, the Chinese troops have gone beyond China&rsquo;s own territorial claims at Pangong Tso Lake and Galwan Valley.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The records also raise questions on recent statements from Indian officials that China is not present anywhere on Indian territory.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Official Records:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 1960&rsquo;s documents show that the Chinese claim over the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pangong Tso Lake</strong></a> was at near <strong>Finger 8,</strong> around 8 km east of where China now says the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Actual Control (LAC)</strong></a> is. Now the Chinese troops are at<strong> Finger 4.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Fingers refer to mountain spurs on the bank of the Lake, and run from 1 to 8, west to east.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595237231_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595237231_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="606" height="300" /></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The documents show that, in the <strong>Galwan Valley,</strong> the LAC ran east of the bend of the Galwan river, called the <strong>Y-nallah,</strong> which is now claimed by China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Y-nallah was the site of the recent clash between Indian and Chinese troops.</li>
<li>The clash took place following a dispute during the de-escalation process, triggered when the Chinese troops put up a tent near the bend.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595237240_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595237240_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="605" height="296" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reason for Increased Claims:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Chinese are now likely interpreting their perception of the LAC in a manner that seeks<strong> to redefine or maximise old claims</strong> along new lines, as cartography and terrain knowledge have improved, which offer them<strong> tactical advantage</strong> and <strong>more &lsquo;domination&rsquo;</strong> in key areas along the LAC.</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening of India&rsquo;s border infrastructure</strong> (e.g. construction of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/darbuk-shyok-daulat-beg-oldie-road" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie road</strong></a>) may also be the reason.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/china-has-crossed-its-1960-claims-along-the-lac/article32133689.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'National Award for Excellence in Forestry',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>National Award of Excellence for Outstanding Research in Forestry for the year 2019</strong> has been awarded to Kannan C S Warrier, a scientist at <strong>Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB).</strong></li>
<li>This award is conferred by the <strong>Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ICFRE is an apex body in the national forestry research system. ICFRE was recently declared as the <strong>Centre for Excellence</strong> in addressing issues related to <strong>land degradation</strong> by the Prime Minister.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The award has been awarded to Kannan C S Warrier for releasing<strong> three salt-tolerant productive clones of <em>Casuarina</em></strong> that are suitable for <strong>salt-affected soils,</strong> for the first time in the country.</li>
<li>India has 6.73 million hectares of salt affected land and is also the largest producer of <em>Casuarina</em> in the world which makes the production of these clones a significant achievement.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Casuarina</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><em>Casuarina,</em> also known as<strong> kattadi and savukku,</strong> is a plant genus with over 17 species with <em>Casuarina equisetifolia</em> being introduced in India in the 19<sup>th</sup> century.</li>
<li>They have a role in <strong>nitrogen fixation</strong> in symbiotic association with bacteria Frankia.</li>
<li>They provide fuel wood, pulp for paper making and of late is a preferred choice for biomass-based power generation.</li>
<li>They are also used at construction sites for scaffolding.</li>
<li>They are used as shelterbelts in coastal areas and windbreaks for protecting agricultural crops and banana plantations.</li>
<li>They also play a key role in reclaiming mined areas and afforesting nutrient-poor sites.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Warrier has also done extensive work on the <strong>conservation of endangered sacred groves</strong> in Alappuzha district of Kerala.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sacred Groves</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sacred groves are<strong> communally protected forests</strong> which usually have a significant <strong>religious connotation</strong> for the protecting community.</li>
<li>In India, there are over a lakh sacred groves across different states called by different names like <em><strong>Kaavu</strong></em> <strong>in Malayalam,</strong><em><strong> Koyil kaadu</strong> </em><strong>in Tamil, Orans in Rajasthan, Devara kaadu in Karnataka,</strong> and <strong><em>Sernas</em> in Madhya Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li>Many <strong>rare and endemic species,</strong> and <strong>species having medicinal and economic value</strong> can be found here, thus making them Biodiversity Hotspots. They house gene pools of some critically endangered plant species.</li>
<li>They are often associated with religious beliefs and felling of trees in sacred groves is considered taboo.</li>
<li>Sacred groves have been legally protected under<strong> &lsquo;community reserves&rsquo;</strong> in the <strong>Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002.</strong></li>
<li>Some<strong> common threats</strong> to Sacred Groves are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Disappearance</strong> of the <strong>traditional belief systems,</strong> which were fundamental to the concept of sacred groves.</li>
<li>The <strong>transformation</strong> of the primitive forms of nature worship into formal temple worship.</li>
<li><strong>Rapid urbanization</strong> and developmental interventions such as roads, railways tracks, dams including commercial forestry.</li>
<li>Invasion by <strong>exotic weeds.</strong></li>
<li>Pressures due to <strong>increasing livestock</strong> and fuelwood collection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/ifgtb-scientist-gets-award-from-indian-council-of-forestry-research-and-education/articleshow/76958346.cms#:~:text=COIMBATORE%3A%20Senior%20principal%20of%20Institute,Forestry%20for%20the%20year%202019." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TOI</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'RADT Vs RT-PCR',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, New Delhi's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> testing strategy has become controversial due to<strong> the low level</strong> of <strong>RT-PCR</strong> (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction)<strong> re-testing in persons</strong> tested negative in <strong>RADT</strong> (Rapid Antigen Detection Tests).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Using RADT <strong>widely without following up</strong> with <strong>adequate retests contradicts <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/elisa-antibody-kits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Council of Medical Research</a> (ICMR) guidelines</strong> on use of the RADT test.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ICMR Guidelines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>RADT ought to be used only in <strong>containment zones, hotspots, hospital settings and laboratories</strong> among those who manifested one or other symptoms of the disease, influenza-like illnesses.</li>
<li>People with <strong>comorbidities who were asymptomatic</strong> and high-risk contacts of those confirmed positive.</li>
<li>Those who tested &lsquo;negative&rsquo; and whom<strong> clinicians suspected</strong> to be harbouring the disease ought to be <strong>definitely tested sequentially by RT-PCR</strong> to rule out infection and <strong>higher chances of false negatives.</strong></li>
<li>Those who test positive don&rsquo;t need a re-test and must be considered positive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Testing in New Delhi:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From 18<sup>th</sup> June - 16<sup>th</sup> July, it has conducted 3,05,820 RADT. Of these, 2,85,225 tests came &lsquo;negative&rsquo; and out of them only, 1,670 were chosen for re-test by RT-PCR and 262 of these were confirmed positive.</li>
<li>Only <strong>1 in 200 of those who tested negative in an antigen</strong> test to detect possible coronavirus cases<strong> were re-tested,</strong> which is against the given guidelines of ICMR.</li>
<li>Of those re-tested with <strong>RT-PCR, around 15% tested positive,</strong> which is higher than the<strong> RADT positive results i.e. 6%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arguments for Low Re-tests:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Re-testing everyone would defeat the purpose of having another (rapid antigen) test.</li>
<li>The RT-PCR test takes a minimum of 2-5 hours including the time taken for sample transportation. This <strong>limits the widespread use of the test</strong> and also impedes quick augmentation of testing capacity in various containment zones and hospital settings.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>RADT, the maximum duration</strong> for interpreting a positive or negative test is <strong>30 minutes,</strong> thus <strong>a quicker complement to the standard RT-PCR</strong> tests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arguments Against:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The consequence of<strong> indiscriminately deploying antigen tests</strong> would mean expanding the number of tests and presenting a lower positivity rate while not necessarily being able to<strong> reliably establish the extent of the spread</strong> of the coronavirus in the population.</li>
<li>A low level of re-testing with RT-PCR in persons who are testing antigen negative will <strong>underestimate the cases</strong> and make the <strong>tracking inaccurate. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>RADT</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a test on swabbed nasal samples that detects antigens (foreign substances that induce an immune response in the body) that are found on or within the SARS-CoV-2 virus.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>point-of-care test,</strong> performed outside the conventional laboratory setting, and is used to quickly obtain a diagnostic result.</li>
<li>Like RT-PCR, the rapid antigen detection test too seeks to detect the virus rather than the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/neutralising-antibodies-against-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>antibodies</strong> </a>produced by the body.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While the mechanism is different, the <strong>most significant difference between the two is time.</strong></li>
<li>As the ICMR has pointed out, the <strong>RT-PCR</strong> test takes a minimum of <strong>2-5 hours</strong> including the time taken for sample transportation..</li>
<li>In a reliable <strong>rapid antigen detection test,</strong> the maximum duration for interpreting a positive or negative test is <strong>30 minutes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>RT-PCR Test</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Kary Mullis,</strong> the American biochemist invented the PCR technique. He was awarded the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prizes-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nobel Prize</strong></a> for Chemistry in 1993.</li>
<li>Under this,<strong> copies of a segment of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)</strong> are created using an enzyme called Polymerase.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The &lsquo;chain reaction&rsquo; signifies how the DNA fragments are copied, exponentially &mdash; one is copied into two, the two are copied into four, and so on.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A fluorescent <strong>DNA binding dye called the &ldquo;probe&rdquo; is added to DNA,</strong> which shows the presence of the virus on a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/portable-device-to-detect-adulteration-in-milk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> fluorometer.</strong></a></li>
<li>However, coronavirus is made of <strong>RNA (ribonucleic acid).</strong></li>
<li>Therefore to detect coronavirus, <strong>RNA is converted into DNA</strong> using a technique called reverse transcription.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A &lsquo;reverse transcriptase&rsquo; enzyme converts the RNA into DNA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Copies of the DNA are then made and amplified.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/fewer-covid-19-re-tests-mar-delhis-testing-strategy/article32115082.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'PRS Capsule June 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">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Ordinance</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">Export Policies Revised For Diagnostic Kits, Ppes, Sanitizers, Hydroxychloroquine</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">PM Street Vendor&rsquo;s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme</a></li>
<li><a href="#5">Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan Launched</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">Categories Of Persons Permitted To Vote By Postal Ballot Expanded</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#7">Economy</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#8">The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#9">SEBI&rsquo;s Framework For Regulatory Sandbox</a></li>
<li><a href="#10">Working Group To Review Ownership Of Private Sector Banks</a></li>
<li><a href="#11">Payments Infrastructure Development Fund</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#12">Agriculture</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#13">The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#14">Regulating Farming Agreements</a></li>
<li><a href="#15">The Farmers&rsquo; Produce Trade and Commerce Ordinance, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#16">Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#17">MSMEs</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#18">New Classification of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#19">Science and Technology</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#20">Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)</a></li>
<li><a href="#21">Promotion of Electronics Manufacturing</a></li>
<li><a href="#22">Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016</a></li>
<li><a href="#23">Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#24">Social Justice and Empowerment</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#25">Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21)</a></li>
<li><a href="#26">Private Sector Participation in Space</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1">Polity</h2>
<h3 id="2">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Ordinance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 was promulgated.</li>
<li>The Ordinance amends the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-insolvency-and-bankruptcy-code-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Code provides a time-bound process for resolving insolvency in companies and among individuals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ordinance exempts certain corporate debtors from being subjected to insolvency proceedings during <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features of the Ordinance:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Initiation of insolvency resolution</strong>: When a default occurs, creditors of the company (financial or operational) or the company itself may file an application before the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-company-law-appellate-tribunal-nclat-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)</strong></a> for initiating a <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/16-11-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP)</strong></a>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Once the application is accepted, a Committee of Creditors (CoC) consisting of the financial creditors of the company appoints a resolution professional to present a resolution plan to the CoC.</li>
<li>Once the resolution plan is approved, the resolution process is required to be completed in 180 days (extendable by 90 days).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Ordinance exempts certain companies from the provisions on the initiation of CIRP.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It states that an application for CIRP cannot be filed where a default has arisen during a period of six months (starting from March 2020).</li>
<li>The central government may extend this period to one year through notification.</li>
<li>The Ordinance clarifies that no proceedings can ever be initiated for defaults during this period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fraudulent trading:</strong> During the resolution, if it is found that the business of the company is being carried out with an intent to defraud its creditors, the NCLT can pass orders against persons involved in such business to make contributions to the assets of the company. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the resolution professional can apply to the NCLT for an order to direct the director or partner of the company to make such contributions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ordinance states that for companies exempted from CIRP, the resolution professional cannot file an application to the NCLT for directions against the partners or directors of the company to make contributions to the assets of the company.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="3">Export Policies Revised For Diagnostic Kits, Ppes, Sanitizers, Hydroxychloroquine</h3>
<p>The Ministry of Commerce and Industry revised the export policies for the following items used in the prevention, diagnostics, and treatment of Covid-19:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Alcohol-based sanitizers:</strong> Earlier, the export of all types of sanitizers was prohibited. In May 2020, the prohibition was lifted for all types of sanitizers except for alcohol-based hand sanitizers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Now, Alcohol-based hand sanitizers have now been made freely exportable, except the ones packaged in containers with a dispenser pump, which remain prohibited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Diagnostic kits:</strong> The restrictions on the export of diagnostic kits and laboratory reagents imposed in April 2020 have been relaxed and these items can be freely exported.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the export of certain specified diagnostic kits including RNA extraction kits and reagents, and RT-PCR kits and reagents will remain restricted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hydroxychloroquine:</strong> In March 2020, the export of Hydroxychloroquine and its formulations was prohibited, except in certain cases. These included export to neighbouring countries which depend on India for the drug and to countries which are severely affected by Covid-19. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The prohibition on the export of the drug has been removed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>PPEs:</strong> In January, the export of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including clothing and mask coveralls were prohibited.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in May, prohibition on export of non-surgical and non-medical masks was lifted.</li>
<li>All PPEs can now be freely exported except the following specified items which remain prohibited: all types of medical coveralls, medical goggles, all masks other than non-medical and non-surgical masks, nitrile gloves, and face shield.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="4">PM Street Vendor&rsquo;s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-svanidhi-micro-credit-scheme-for-street-vendors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM Street Vendor&rsquo;s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi</strong></a> (PM SVANidhi) scheme.</li>
<li>The scheme seeks to provide working capital loans to street vendors whose businesses were impacted by Covid-19.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features of the scheme are-</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong> The scheme is available to states which have notified rules and schemes under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act specifies the rights and obligations of street vendors and regulates their business.</li>
<li>Under the Act, states are required to establish Town Vending Committees that are responsible for conducting an identification survey of vendors in their zone/ward.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Loan and interest subvention:</strong> Under the scheme, eligible street vendors may apply for collateral-free working capital loans of up to Rs 10,000 with one-year tenure from scheduled commercial banks, regional rural banks, non-banking financial companies, and microfinance institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Vendors under the scheme will also be eligible to receive an interest subsidy of 7% per annum.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Credit guarantee:</strong> For loans under this scheme, defaults on loans of up to 5% of the total loan portfolio will be fully (100%) guaranteed. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For default between 5% to 15% of the total loan portfolio, 75% of the default amount will be guaranteed.</li>
<li>The credit guarantee is subject to a maximum coverage of 15% of the portfolio for the year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="5">Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan Launched</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/garib-kalyan-rojgar-abhiyaan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan</strong> </a>was launched by the Prime Minister.</li>
<li>The campaign aims to provide livelihood opportunities to migrant workers who have returned to their villages due to the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 pandemic.</a> </strong></li>
<li>It also aims to create public infrastructure and assets in villages related to roads, housing, anganwadis, and community complexes, among others.</li>
<li>The campaign is being undertaken in 116 districts across six states. These states are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Odisha.</li>
<li>It will be implemented by 11 ministries of the central government including Road Transport and Highways, Mines, Environment, Railways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Telecom, and Agriculture.</li>
<li>The campaign will operate for 125 days (from June 20, 2020) and 25 public infrastructure works have been identified which will be taken up for completion.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="6">Categories of Persons Permitted To Vote By Postal Ballot Expanded</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, certain categories of voters are eligible to cast their <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amendments-in-postal-ballot-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>vote through postal voting.</strong></a> Postal voting is where a voter receives ballot paper from the authority and may return his/her vote through the post.</li>
<li><strong>The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961</strong> specifies the categories of persons who can vote through postal ballot. These include service voters such as employees of armed forces, voters with disabilities, and senior citizens above 80 years of age.</li>
<li>The 1961 Rules have been amended to: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reduce the age limit for senior citizens from 80 years to 65 years of age, and</li>
<li>Include Covid-19 suspect or affected persons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="7">Economy</h2>
<h3 id="8">The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/co-operative-banks-under-rbi-supervision" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020</strong> </a>was promulgated.</li>
<li>It amends the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 which regulates the functioning of banks and provides details on various aspects such as licensing, management and operations of banks.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features of the Ordinance include:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reconstruction or amalgamation without imposing moratorium:</strong> Under the Act, 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> may apply to the central government to place a banking company under moratorium. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the moratorium, RBI may prepare a scheme for reconstruction or amalgamation of the bank, if it is satisfied that such an order is needed to secure the proper management of the bank, or in the interest of depositors, the general public, or the banking system.</li>
<li>The Ordinance allows RBI to initiate a scheme for reconstruction or amalgamation without imposing a moratorium.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supersession of Board of Directors:</strong> The Act states that RBI may supersede the Board of Directors of a multi-state cooperative bank for up to five years under certain conditions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These conditions include cases where it is in the public interest for RBI to supersede the Board, and to protect depositors.</li>
<li>The Ordinance adds that <strong>in case of a co-operative bank</strong> registered with the Registrar of Co-operative Societies of a state, the RBI will supersede the Board of Directors <strong>after consultation with the concerned state government,</strong> and within such period as specified by it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exclusions:</strong> The Act does not apply to certain cooperative societies, such as primary agricultural credit societies, and cooperative land mortgage banks. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ordinance amends this to exclude: (i) primary agricultural credit societies, and (ii) cooperative societies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Power to exempt cooperative banks:</strong> The Ordinance states that RBI may exempt a cooperative bank or a class of cooperative banks from certain provisions of the Act through notification. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These provisions relate to restrictions of certain types of employment, qualifications of the Board of Directors and, the appointment of a chairman.</li>
<li>The time period and conditions for the exemption will be specified by RBI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="9">SEBI&rsquo;s Framework For Regulatory Sandbox</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)</strong> </a>introduced a framework for regulatory sandbox.</li>
<li>A regulatory sandbox provides an environment which allows market participants to test new FinTech solutions (products, services or business models) with customers in a controlled environment.</li>
<li>All entities registered with SEBI will be eligible for testing in the sandbox.</li>
<li><strong>Criteria:</strong> SEBI will evaluate the applicants based on criteria such as: (i) use of innovative technology, (ii) benefits to investors or markets, (iii) parameters for measurement and mitigation of risk, (iv) clearly defined grievance redressal mechanism, and (v) feasibility of deployment of the solution post-testing.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="10">Working Group To Review Ownership Of Private Sector Banks</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) constituted an Internal Working Group to review the guidelines on ownership and corporate structure of Indian private sector banks.</li>
<li>The <strong>Working Group will examine regulatory guidelines relating to ownership, governance and corporate structure in private sector banks,</strong> taking into account key developments over the years.</li>
<li>According to RBI, the review will provide an opportunity to harmonise the norms applicable to banks set up at different time periods.</li>
<li>The Committee will comprise five members and will be chaired by the Director, Central Board of RBI.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="11">Payments Infrastructure Development Fund</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The RBI announced the creation of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/payments-infrastructure-development-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Payments Infrastructure Development Fund</strong> </a>to encourage acquirers to deploy point-of-sale (PoS) infrastructure (physical or digital) in tier 3 to 6 centres and north eastern states.</li>
<li>This will be done to incentivise digitisation of payment systems in these places.</li>
<li>According to RBI classification, tier-3 centres are areas of the population below 50,000 (according to Census 2011), and tier-6 centres are areas of population of less than 5,000.</li>
<li>The RBI will make an initial contribution of Rs 250 crores to the Fund. The remaining contribution will be from card-issuing banks and card networks operating in the country.</li>
<li>The Fund will also receive recurring contributions to cover operational expenses from card-issuing banks and card networks.</li>
<li>RBI will contribute to yearly shortfalls, if necessary. The Fund will be governed through an advisory council and managed by the RBI.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="12">Agriculture</h2>
<h3 id="13">The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agricultural-sector-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020</strong> </a>was promulgated.</li>
<li>It amends the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/14-03-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Essential Commodities Act, 1955</strong></a>, which empowers the central government to control the production, supply, distribution, trade, and commerce of certain commodities.</li>
<li>The Ordinance aims to liberalise the regulatory system and increase competition in the agriculture sector.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features include:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Regulation of food items:</strong> The Act empowers the central government to designate certain commodities (such as food items, fertilizers, and petroleum products) as essential commodities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ordinance provides that the central government may <strong>regulate the supply of certain food items,</strong> including cereals, pulses, potato, onions, and edible oilseeds and oils, only under extraordinary circumstances like war, famine, extraordinary price rise, and natural calamity of grave nature.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Imposition of stock limit:</strong> The Act empowers the central government to regulate the stock of an essential commodity that a person can hold. The Ordinance requires that imposition of any stock limit must be based on price rise. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A stock limit may be imposed for agricultural produce only if there is: (i) 100% increase in retail price, in case of horticultural produce; and (ii) 50% increase in the retail price, in case of non-perishable agricultural food items.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ordinance provides that any <strong>stock limit will not apply</strong> to a processor or value chain participant of agricultural produce if the stock held by such person is less than the: the overall ceiling of installed capacity of processing or demand for export in case of an exporter. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A value chain participant means a person engaged in production, or in value added at any stage of processing, packaging, storage, transport, and distribution of agricultural produce</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="14">Regulating Farming Agreements</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agricultural-sector-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020</strong> </a>was promulgated.</li>
<li>It provides for a farming agreement aimed at defining a framework for the protection and empowerment of farmers with reference to the sale and purchase of farm produce.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key provisions of the Ordinance include:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Farming agreement:</strong> The Ordinance provides for a farming agreement aimed at facilitating farmers in selling farm produce to sponsors. A sponsor includes individuals, partnership firms, companies, and limited liability groups and societies<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The agreement may provide for mutually agreed terms and conditions for supply, quality, standards and price of farming products as well as terms related to supply of farm services.</li>
<li>These terms and conditions may be subjected to monitoring and certification during the process of cultivation or rearing, or during delivery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Duration of agreement:</strong> The minimum duration of an agreement will be one crop season or one production cycle of livestock. The maximum period will be five years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For a production cycle of more than five years, the maximum period will be mutually decided by the farmer and the sponsor.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exemptions from existing laws:</strong> Farming produce under a farming agreement will be exempted from all state Acts regulating sale and purchase of farming produce.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such produce will also be exempted from the stock limit obligations under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 or any other law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pricing of farming produce:</strong> The Ordinance requires the price of farming produce to be mentioned in the agreement. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It also provides details regarding the payment and delivery of farming products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dispute settlement:</strong> The Ordinance provides for a three-tier system for dispute settlement. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At first, all disputes must be referred to a Board for resolution.</li>
<li>If the dispute remains unresolved after thirty days, parties may approach the <strong>Sub-Divisional Magistrate for resolution.</strong></li>
<li>Parties will have a right to appeal to an <strong>Appellate Authority</strong> against decisions of the Magistrate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="15">The Farmers&rsquo; Produce Trade and Commerce Ordinance, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agricultural-sector-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Farmers&rsquo; Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020</strong></a> was promulgated.</li>
<li>It seeks to provide for barrier-free trade of farmers&rsquo; produce outside the markets notified under the various state agricultural produce market laws (state APMC Acts).</li>
<li>The Ordinance will prevail over the state APMC Acts.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key features include:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Trade of produce:</strong> The Ordinance allows intra-state and inter-state trade of farmers&rsquo; produce outside: (i) the physical premises of market yards run by APMCs and (ii) other markets notified under the state APMC acts such as private market yards and market sub-yards, direct marketing collection centres, and private farmer-consumer market yards.</li>
<li><strong>Electronic trading:</strong> The Ordinance permits the electronic trading of farmers&rsquo; produce in the specified trade area. An electronic trading and transaction platform may be set up to facilitate the direct and online buying and selling of farmers&rsquo; produce.</li>
<li><strong>No fees to be levied by states:</strong> The Ordinance prohibits state governments from levying any market fee, cess or levy on farmers, traders, and electronic trading platforms for any trade under the Ordinance.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="16">Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-iii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund</strong> </a>of Rs 15,000 crore, which was announced under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Economic Package.</li>
<li>The Fund aims to incentivise private investment in infrastructure for dairy and meat processing and value addition. It also covers investment made for the establishment of animal feed plants.</li>
<li>Private companies, MSMEs, Farmer Producer Organizations, and individuals would be eligible beneficiaries, provided they contribute at lea st 10% of the total investment. Banks will extend loans for the balance of 90% of the investment</li>
<li>The central government will provide a 3% interest subsidy to eligible beneficiaries on their loans. Further, beneficiaries can repay the principal loan amount over a period of six years, after the completion of the two-year moratorium period.</li>
<li>The government will also set up a Credit Guarantee Fund of Rs 750 crore, which will be managed by NABARD. The Fund will provide a guarantee for up to 25% of the loan amount for sanctioned projects undertaken by MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="17">MSMEs</h2>
<h3 id="18">New Classification of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government notified a change in the definition of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).</strong></a></li>
<li>Currently, MSMEs are defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.</li>
<li>The Act classifies micro, small and medium enterprises based on: (i) amount of investment in plant and machinery for enterprises engaged in manufacturing or production of goods, and (ii) amount of investment in equipment for enterprises providing services.</li>
<li>As per the revised definition, the investment limits have been revised upwards and the annual turnover of the enterprise has been used as additional criteria for the classification of MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595487624_image.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595487624_image.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h2 id="19">Science and Technology</h2>
<h3 id="20">Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India co-founded the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-partnership-on-artificial-intelligence#:~:text=India%20has%20joined%20the%20'Global,of%20Artificial%20Intelligence%20(AI)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)</strong></a>, an international inter-governmental initiative for responsible development and use of artificial intelligence (AI).</li>
<li>Other founding member countries of GPAI include USA, UK, European Union, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. GPAI seeks to support research, collaboration and applied activities in AI.</li>
<li>It seeks to leverage the experience and diversity of participating countries for the development of AI.</li>
<li>It will also evolve methodologies to showcase how AI can be leveraged to better respond to the present global crisis due to Covid-19. GPAI will have a secretariat in Paris, and centres of expertise in Montreal and Paris.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="21">Promotion of Electronics Manufacturing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In March 2020, the Union Cabinet had approved certain <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-for-electronic-manufacturing#:~:text=in%202018%2D19%20.-,Scheme%20for%20Promotion%20of%20Manufacturing%20of%20Electronic%20Components%20and%20Semiconductors,chain%20of%20an%20electronic%20product." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>schemes for the promotion of electronics manufacturing.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology announced the guidelines for these schemes.</li>
<li><strong>Production Incentive Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing:</strong> The scheme proposes production-linked incentive in mobile phone manufacturing and specified electronics components including assembly, testing, marketing, and packing units.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The objective of the scheme is to promote domestic manufacturing of such electronics items and attract large investments in this area.</li>
<li>The scheme will provide an incentive of 4% to 6% on incremental sales of goods manufactured in India over the base year.</li>
<li>The incentive will be available for five years from the base year as may be defined.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scheme for promotion of manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductors:</strong> The scheme will provide a financial incentive of 25% of capital expenditure for manufacturing of certain specified electronic goods.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The capital expenditure on plant, machinery, equipment and technology including research and development will be covered under the scheme.</li>
<li>The segments to be covered under the scheme include (i) mobile, consumer and medical electronics, and (ii) telecom equipment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC2.0) Scheme:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electronics-manufacturing-clusters-emc2-0-scheme#:~:text=The%20objective%20of%20the%20scheme,Brownfield%20EMCs%20across%20the%20country." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>EMC2.0 scheme</strong></a> will succeed the EMC scheme which was announced in 2012 and was open for application until October 2017.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme will provide financial assistance for setting up of both Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) and Common Facility Centres (CFC) and expansion of existing EMCs and CFCs.</li>
<li>The EMCs and CFCs will provide ready infrastructure along with common facilities and amenities to the electronics systems design and manufacturing sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="22">Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued guidelines on the uniform framework for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/e-retailers-to-collect-plastic-waste" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)</strong></a> for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/plastic-waste-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>plastic waste</strong></a> management.</li>
<li>The Plastic Waste Management Rules define EPR as the responsibility of a producer for environmentally sound management of a product until the end of its life.</li>
<li>This framework is based on the premise that producers are responsible for providing financial incentives to the plastic waste collection systems and the recycling industry to collect and process plastic waste to meet the targets set by the government.</li>
</ul>
<p>A Committee constituted to evaluate the mechanism for the implementation of EPR suggested<strong> various models for EPR compliance.</strong> These include:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fee-based model:</strong> This model could be applicable to producers (including importers and brand owners) who use less quantity of plastic (lower than a cut-off decided by the government) for packaging. They shall contribute to the EPR corpus fund at the central level. The amount to be contributed by each of the producers will be decided based on the generation of plastic waste and the efforts required and money spent by the ULB to handle the plastic waste.</li>
<li><strong>Plastic credit model:</strong> Under this model, a producer will not be required to recycle their own packaging, but to ensure that an equivalent amount of packaging waste has been recovered and recycled to meet their obligation. Producers will be mandated to acquire evidence of recycling (plastic credit) from accredited processors or exporters.</li>
<li><strong>Producer Responsibility Organisations:</strong> Producers can join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), which will carry out the legal requirements on behalf of their member companies. PROs will operate as a contractor service to the producers. However, the final responsibility of providing evidence of reprocessing of plastic packaging will be with the producer only.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="23">Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet has approved the re-establishment of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/re-establishment-of-pcim-h" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIM&amp;H)</a></strong> as a subordinate office under the Ministry of AYUSH.</li>
<li>It will be merged with the Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory, which are two central laboratories established at Ghaziabad since 1975.</li>
<li>Prior to the merger, PCIM&amp;H existed as an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of AYUSH. After reconstitution, the PCIM&amp;H will facilitate the uniform development of standards for AYUSH drugs and formulations, prevent duplication of drug standardization work, and promote optimal utilisation of resources, amongst others.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="24">Social Justice and Empowerment</h2>
<h3 id="25">Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anti-drug-action-plan-for-2020-21" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nasha Mukt Bharat Annual Action Plan for 2020-21.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Plan will focus on the problem of drug abuse in 272 of the most affected districts of the country.</li>
<li>The Plan will include awareness generation programmes, especially in higher educational institutions, universities, and school.</li>
<li>Further, it will include identification of dependent populations and treatment in hospital facilities or de-addiction centres.</li>
<li>The Plan will be implemented by the Ministry and the Narcotics Bureau</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="26">Private Sector Participation in Space</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved certain reforms to boost <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/private-sector-participation-in-space" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>private sector participation</strong></a> in Space.</li>
<li>An autonomous nodal agency called Indian <strong>National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre</strong> will be set up under the Department of Space, as a separate vertical for permitting and regulating the activities of private industry in the space sector.</li>
<li>The Centre will promote and guide private industries in space activities through encouraging policies and a favourable regulatory environment, with technical expertise from ISRO.</li>
<li>It will have its own independent directorates for technical, legal, safety and monitoring for assessing the private industry requirements and coordinating the activities.</li>
<li>The role of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-contract-for-nsil" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Space India Ltd. (NSIL)</strong></a>, a public sector undertaking under the Department of Space, will be re-defined from a supply-driven model to a demand-driven model for space-based services. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NSIL is the commercial arm of ISRO, currently responsible for the transfer of ISRO&rsquo;s small satellite technology to industry, among other things.</li>
<li>Current activities of ISRO in the areas of the launch vehicle, satellite production, launch services and space-based services will be taken up by NSIL.</li>
<li>It will execute these activities through industry consortiums. These reforms are expected to allow ISRO to allocate more time and resources for research and development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
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	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Reimagining the National Commission for Scheduled Castes',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on the <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/towards-a-dalit-future-national-commission-for-scheduled-castes6516851/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Towards a more equal future</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 22/07/2020. It discusses how the National Commission for Scheduled Castes can help in socio-economic empowerment of Dalits in contemporary India.</p>
</div>
<p>Though the Indian constitution envisages the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-political-thinker-br-ambedkar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>abolition of &lsquo;untouchability&rsquo;</strong></a> and an end to discrimination, prejudice is rampant in society and entrenched social discrimination and existing socio-economic realities add to the disadvantages faced by Scheduled Castes in India.</p>
<p>For the past many years the two main concerns of the group- <strong>protection from atrocities, and adequate representation,</strong> have not been addressed effectively by most of the stakeholders in Indian society- citizens, civil society, and governments.</p>
<p>One can still find incidents where a Dalit has been murdered for breaking bigoted social barriers or for marrying outside his or her caste or a Dalit who died while being forced to clean sewers.</p>
<p>It is in this backdrop that the role of <a href="/printpdf/constitutional-status-for-national-commission-for-backward-classes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission for Scheduled Castes</strong></a> (NCSC) can be diversified to add to the sensitive and inclusive reforms in the society.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Commission for Scheduled Castes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In order to provide the Scheduled Castes of Indian society safeguards against exploitation and to promote their social, economic, educational and cultural development, the Commission was set up by the Government of India.</li>
<li>The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new <strong>Article 338A</strong> in the Constitution through the Constitution (89<sup>th</sup> Amendment) Act, 2003.</li>
<li>By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely- the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) from February, 2004.</li>
<li>It consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and three other members. They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.</li>
<li>Lack of infrastructure, lack of powers to take affirmative action (Commissions recommendations are not binding) have been some of the issues faced by the NCSC. It has been criticised for inefficient functioning, vague selection and appointment process, exorbitant budget etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Steps That Can Be Taken Up By the NCSC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Strengthening the legal and judicial protection of Dalits under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-clears-bill-to-restore-the-provisions-of-sc-st-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act</a>:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Commission can facilitate <strong>online reporting and tracking</strong> of crime.</li>
<li>It can make people aware of the process of filing the cases by framing and making available simplified Standard Operating Procedures in local languages at all the police stations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capacity building and sensitisation of the institutions:</strong> The Commission can help in capacity building of lawyers, judges and policemen. This can ensure their empathetic engagement with members from Scheduled Castes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Commission can help sensitize at least the government institutions and organisations by regularly monitoring their grievance redressal mechanisms like internal complaints committee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring effective implementation of existing government policies:</strong> The Commission can discuss with legislators and prioritise outcome-oriented fund expenditure across the Ministries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Each ministry is supposed to set aside 15% of its spending in a Scheduled Caste Sub Plan. The Commission can restructure these funds for employment generation and self-employment, capacity building, including soft skills of Dalits.</li>
<li>Effectiveness and impacts of existing schemes can be monitored by the Commission regularly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Scheduled Caste Sub Plan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Every year, the Union Budget makes allocations exclusively for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe.</li>
<li>This fund is spent through the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP).</li>
<li>All Central Ministries and departments are obligated to set aside funds under the SCSP and the TSP.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Incentivise Good Social Work:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Innovation, effectiveness, and positive impact of the work done by a department or a body can be rewarded by the Commission.</li>
<li>The Commission has a constitutional mandate to participate in the social and economic planning for SC welfare &mdash; it should use this mandate to guide the civil services that engage with the ground level realities in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Better engagement with civil society:</strong> The Commission can create a platform for structured engagement with civil society groups working on Dalit issues.</li>
<li><strong>Behavioural nudge:</strong> The Commission can identify social practices that promote discrimination and can help civil society and the government organise debates, deliberations, awareness campaigns around them.</li>
<li><strong>Facilitate economic empowerment and entrepreneurship:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can discuss and encourage Universities to frame short term courses on entrepreneurship. It can also ensure that measures taken by the government in this direction reach their beneficiaries- for example <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f13cO1L2yQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Stand Up India Scheme.</strong></a></li>
<li>It can encourage a participative approach to promote economic empowerment by engaging with the ideas proposed by the members of the community.</li>
<li>It can promote skills and small business development in the service economy.</li>
<li>Members of Scheduled Castes are not usually landowners or agriculturists. So they need help in integrating and competing with local and other markets which can be done through mentoring and other non-financial support.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Preparing for future challenges by facilitating inter-disciplinary research:</strong> The Commision can invite Central universities and civil society to first identify the five biggest challenges that Dalits are likely to face in the next five years and to suggest ways to mitigate them.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Social identities are so entrenched in our society that they often decide the fate of individuals. Jobs, schemes and policing are not the only things that can ensure equality of social representation and access to dignity in India. Restructuring the tasks of NCSC can only be one among the many steps in this direction.</p>
<p>Empowerment in its real sense can only be brought by creating sensitive and empathetic societies that acknowledge their responsibility to work for the removal of suffering and stigma of exploited and deprived sections.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fbffde;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Autonomous bodies like the National Commission for Scheduled Castes are not able to bring justice in true sense and are a drain on the state exchequer. Critically analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/reimagining-the-national-commission-for-scheduled-castes'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Investments in India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to a recent survey by <strong>Projects Today,</strong> overall <strong>fresh investment announcements in India slumped to the lowest in five years</strong> in the first quarter of the financial year 2020-21.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The period saw extended <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>-induced <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/21-days-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lockdowns.</a></strong></li>
<li>During this time, <strong>Tamil Nadu emerged as the country&rsquo;s top investment destination.</strong></li>
<li>Projects Today is an<strong> independent firm that tracks investment projects</strong> in the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Investments <strong>improved every passing month</strong> in the quarter (April to June).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>April,</strong> there was an announcement of 260 new projects worth Rs. 20,181.6 crore.</li>
<li>In <strong>May,</strong> it rose to 436 new projects worth Rs. 37,922 crore.</li>
<li>In <strong>June,</strong> after the announcement of Unlocking 1.0 of the economy, there was a further surge in the number of new projects. In all, the month saw the announcement of 545 new projects with a total investment of Rs. 39,755.43 crore.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Reliance secured investments</strong> from some of the world&rsquo;s largest firms such as <strong>Google, Facebook (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/jio-facebook-deal-and-its-implications" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jio-Facebook Deal</a>) and Intel.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>However, fresh project expenditure from Central government agencies dipped</strong> in June 2020, though it is expected to rise in coming months.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With <strong>falling revenues due to the lockdown and mounting expenses due to the pandemic,</strong> the government has blocked the initiation of approved/appraised new schemes by various ministries and departments for the next 9 months or till 31<sup>st</sup> March 2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong></a> and <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/27-03-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana</strong></a> have been insulated from the expenditure cut measures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The coming quarters will also <strong>demonstrate the efficacy of the Centre&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-v#:~:text=The%20announced%20measures%20also%20form,Economic%20Stimulus%2DIV%20were%20announced." target="_blank" rel="noopener">stimulus packages</a></strong>, that included financial and fiscal reforms along with steps to enhance the agriculture and small scale industries, in attracting foreign and domestic private capital.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Investment projects were largely <strong>dominated by the government sector</strong> and <strong>private promoters also announced new projects.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from investments, <strong>fresh capacity additions are expected in the healthcare and pharma</strong> sectors with immediate effect.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Covid-19 has led companies to do <strong>intensive research for its vaccinations</strong> which need fundings.</li>
<li>The pandemic gave<strong> boost to the production of Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs), masks, sanitisers etc.</strong> because of more <strong>emphasis on personal hygiene and products related</strong> to it.</li>
<li>Development of <strong>various anti-viral and immunity boosting medicines</strong> also went up.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>States like <strong>Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra held investors meet and signed MoUs, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/labour-laws-and-covid-19#:~:text=Some%20Major%20Indian%20Labour%20Legislation&amp;text=There%20are%20four%20major%20central,health%20and%20welfare%20of%20workers." target="_blank" rel="noopener">reworked labour laws</a></strong>, started <strong>building land banks</strong> and <strong>sent proposals to foreign companies.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Major Challenges:</strong> Country&rsquo;s <strong>slow-moving official machinery,</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rebooting-labour-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>archaic land and labour laws</strong> </a>are some of the things<strong> preventing foreign companies</strong> from bringing in their technology and capital to India.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Case of Tamil Nadu</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It accounted for <strong>18.63% of the Rs. 97,859 crore of investments</strong> envisaged to execute 1,241 projects in the country in the first quarter.</li>
<li>The state is also <strong>host to three of the five data centres</strong> envisaged to come up in the country at a total investment of Rs. 7,400 crore.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>other two data centres are proposed in Maharashtra,</strong> which was second to Tamil Nadu with fresh investments worth Rs. 11,228.8 crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has the required labour force in abundance and it is high time that all the concerns are addressed as soon as possible at the central and state governments level.</li>
<li>India has all the potential to be the contract manufacturer of the world in areas such as automobile ancillaries, smartphones, electronic items, capital goods, food processing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-emerges-as-countrys-top-investment-destination-survey/article32115745.ece#:~:text=Tamil%20Nadu%20has%20emerged%20as,the%20extended%20pandemic%2Dinduced%20lockdown." 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/investments-in-india'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'China Proposes Territory Swap with Bhutan',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, China has offered Bhutan a<strong> &ldquo;package solution&rdquo;</strong> to its boundary dispute. Although the package solution is not specified, it may be seen as a <strong>revival of the 1996 proposal by China for a territory swap.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Territory Swap:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595411670_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595411670_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="512" height="399" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1996, China wanted <strong>to exchange the valleys to the north of Bhutan</strong> (an area of 495 square kilometres), <strong>with the pasture land to the west (including Doklam),</strong> totalling 269 square kilometres.</li>
<li>The deal would have benefited Bhutan by giving it the larger chunk of land, and resolving its tensions with China.</li>
<li>However <strong>it was a big worry for India,</strong> as the Doklam swap would have given <strong>China access to the strategically sensitive &ldquo;chicken neck&rdquo; of the Siliguri corridor. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Repeated Claim Over Sakteng:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595411737_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595411737_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China also<strong> repeated</strong> its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-bhutanese-territory-claimed-by-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>claim on Bhutan&rsquo;s eastern boundary at Sakteng.</strong></a></li>
<li>Earlier, China has made the claim over Sakteng at an online meeting of the <strong>58<sup>th</sup> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Environment Facility (GEF)</a></strong> Council, while unsuccessfully objecting to the funding request to develop the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary project in eastern Bhutan.</li>
<li>China claims that the <strong>boundary between China and Bhutan has never been delimited.</strong> It has had disputes over the <strong>eastern, central and western sectors of Bhutan.</strong></li>
<li>However, <strong>Bhutan outrightly rejected the claim</strong> made by China by saying that Sakteng is an integral and sovereign territory of Bhutan.</li>
<li>According to Bhutan, China and Bhutan have a <strong>dispute in only two sectors</strong> of the border, one <strong>in the north (central) &ndash; Pasamlung and Jakarlung,</strong> and<strong> second in the west &ndash; Doklam.</strong></li>
<li>There has been no mention of eastern Bhutan, where Sakteng is based, in 24 previous rounds of boundary negotiations held between the two countries between 1984 and 2016.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason Behind the New Offer:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The aim may be <strong>to pressure Bhutan</strong> into concluding a deal quickly on terms on offer, otherwise the claims may keep increasing.</li>
<li>The similar offer was made to India on Arunachal Pradesh, which subsequently expanded to include a Chinese claim on Tawang in 1985.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2017 China had intruded into <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/india-s-world-pm-modi-s-visit-to-bhutan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Doklam plateau</strong></a>, which is claimed by Bhutan, leading to a standoff between Indian and Chinese Armies.</li>
<li>Even after the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indo-bhutan-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty</strong></a> of 2007, Indian military is virtually responsible for protecting Bhutan from the kind of external threat that the Chinese military poses.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 1949, Bhutan allowed India to "guide" its foreign policy and defence affairs.</li>
<li>However, the 1949 treaty was amended in 2007 to respect the sensitivities of Bhutan regarding its sovereignty.</li>
<li>Under the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 2007, the two sides have agreed to cooperate closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Neither Government shall allow the use of its territory for activities harmful to the national security and interest of the other.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China has said that a third party should not point fingers in the China-Bhutan border issue, which is an apparent reference to India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>Bhutan has protested against Chinese territorial claims in eastern Bhutan and said that it will also contest in future if China refers to the territory as disputed. Safety of Border from China is a concern for both India and Bhutan. Therefore, both sides need to work together on this issue.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-repeats-claim-on-bhutans-east/article32153665.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/china-proposes-territory-swap-with-bhutan'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Supply of DDT to South Africa for Malaria Control Program',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>HIL (India) Limited</strong> has supplied 20.60 Metric tonne of <strong>Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane</strong> (DDT), a fertilizer to South Africa for their <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>malaria</strong></a> control program.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Company is further in the process of supplying DDT to Zimbabwe and Zambia in the current Financial Year 2020-21.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>HIL (India) Limited</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a PSU under the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-chemicals-fertilizers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.</strong></a></li>
<li>It was incorporated in 1954 to manufacture and supply DDT to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for <strong>malaria control programmes.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>sole manufacturer of DDT</strong> globally.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>DDT:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a colorless, tasteless, and almost odorless crystalline chemical compound.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was first synthesized in 1874 by the Austrian chemist Othmar Zeidler.</li>
<li>Its insecticidal action was discovered by the<strong> Swiss chemist Paul Hermann Muller</strong> in 1939.</li>
<li>He was awarded the<strong> Nobel Prize</strong> in Physiology or Medicine in 1948 "for his discovery of the high efficiency of DDT as a<strong> contact poison against several arthropods.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Arthropods</strong> are invertebrate species which include insects (Mosquitos), arachnids (Spiders), and crustaceans (Crabs) etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Originally developed as <strong>an insecticide,</strong> it became infamous for its <strong>environmental impacts.</strong></li>
<li>A worldwide ban on agricultural use was formalized under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brs-conventions-cop-meet-in-geneva" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.</strong></a></li>
<li>However, its limited use in <strong>disease vector control continues,</strong> because of its <strong>effectiveness in reducing malarial infections.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO) recommends DDT as one of the efficient <strong>Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS)</strong> chemicals to <strong>curb mosquito menace</strong> and it is widely used by Southern African countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique and India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IRS is a <strong>core vector control intervention</strong> that involves the application of a residual insecticide to internal walls and ceilings of housing structures where malaria vectors may come into contact with the insecticide.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supply to South Africa: South Africa will be utilising DDT</strong> in three provinces bordering<strong> Mozambique.</strong></li>
<li>The region is <strong>highly affected with Malaria</strong> and it has reported <strong>maximum morbidity and mortality.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supply to Other Countries:</strong> HIL (India) Limited has recently exported <strong>Malathion Technical 95%</strong> to Iran under Government-to-Government initiative for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/locusts-appeared-early-in-rajasthan#:~:text=Locust%20Control%20measures%20include%20destroying,swarms%20and%20breeding%20grounds%20from" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Locust</strong></a> <strong>Control Programme</strong> and also exported <strong>Agrochemical-fungicide</strong> to Latin American region.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Malaria</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-lancet-on-malaria-eradication" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Malaria</strong></a> is caused by<strong> Plasmodium parasites.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected<strong> female Anopheles mosquitoes, called "malaria vectors".</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong> Malaria continues to be one of the <strong>major public health problems</strong> globally. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2018, an estimated <strong>228 million cases</strong> of malaria occurred worldwide.</li>
<li>Most of the<strong> cases and deaths (93%)</strong> were reported from <strong>African Region.</strong></li>
<li>In the South East Asia Region, <strong>India accounts</strong> for the majority of cases and death.</li>
<li>According to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Malaria Report 2019</strong></a>, India reported 2.6 million fewer cases in 2018 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-report-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>compared to 2017</strong></a>. Thus the overall incidence of malaria in the country has reduced.</li>
<li>However, 7 states <strong>(Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh)</strong> account for about 90% of the burden of malaria cases in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1640136#:~:text=HIL%20(India)%20Limited%2C%20a,their%20Malaria%20control%20program%20yesterday.&amp;text=The%20region%20is%20highly%20affected,the%20disease%20in%20recent%20years." 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/supply-of-ddt-to-south-africa-for-malaria-control-program'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'ESI Augments Healthcare Services In India',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on the<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/how-esi-can-bolster-health-infrastructure-6510877/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;How ESI can bolster health infrastructure&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in Express on 15/07/2020. This article talks about how the The Employee State Insurance Corporation can play a significant role in ensuring better healthcare facilities to organized sector employees in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Labour and Employment notified that the wage limit of coverage would be increased from Rs 16,000 to Rs 21,000 per month. Healthcare is one the top priorities of a developing country like India. Successive governments in India have tried to bolster the healthcare infrastructure but much remains to be done.</p>
<p>As an alternative to revamping the entire structure, India can avail itself of better healthcare facilities by focusing on and improving the infrastructure under Employee State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).</p>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Important welfare legislation:</strong> The Employee State Insurance Act 1948, was promulgated to ensure social security and health insurance for workers in India.</li>
<li><strong>Ensures medical security:</strong> The ESI ensures medical benefit, sickness benefit, maternity benefit, disablement benefit, dependents benefit, funeral expenses, and rehabilitation.</li>
<li><strong>Wide Inclusion:</strong> It provides allowance for all employees and contract labours earning Rs 21,000 or less in wages per month. It takes care of not only the employees but also their dependent family members.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recent Reforms</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reduction in the burden:</strong> To increase the take-home salary of the employees, the overall contribution rate was reduced from 6.5 per cent to 4 per cent. This put more money in the hands of the employee and even the employers.</li>
<li><strong>Expansion of coverage:</strong> Another inclusive step was to enhance the income limit of dependent parents of an insured person covered under ESI Scheme from the existing Rs 5,000 per month from all sources to Rs 9,000 per month. This would bring the dependent parents of more subscribers under the ambit of ESI.</li>
<li><strong>Improving state medical service system:</strong> Recently, ESIC decided to bear the full cost of implementing the scheme. Earlier, 1/8<sup>th</sup> of the cost was borne by the states while ESIC bore the rest.</li>
<li><strong>More establishments included:</strong> To increase coverage, ESI facilities would be available even for those firms that employ less than 10 people. While for most firms, it would be voluntary, for firms in the hazardous industries, it would be mandatory. Previously, firms with 10 or more people could only avail themselves of this facility.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Optimum utilisation of funds:</strong> ESIC has massive surplus in its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/esic-funds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>reserve funds</strong></a>. There Is need to invest these funds: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To establish new medical infrastructure</li>
<li>Upgrade the current medical infrastructure</li>
<li>Improve the services provided to the increasing number of beneficiaries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional disparity:</strong> If ESI coverage has to be extended all over India, at least one ESI dispensary per district is required and several model ESIC hospitals in every state.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, in the entire Northeast India, there are only ten ESIC dispensaries and only one ESIC Model Hospital in Guwahati, Assam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strengthen tie-ups:</strong> ESIC also has tie-ups with private hospitals for super-speciality services. The beneficiaries avail themselves of this cashless benefit. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However there is a need for ESIC to strengthen the tie-ups by ensuring that the private hospital bills are settled promptly so that the ESI beneficiaries can continue to get hassle-free service.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Upgradation of Services:</strong> On an immediate basis, to improve the standard of services, ESIC can improve the infrastructure of the current dispensaries and the hospitals on a war footing and ensure the availability of more types of medicines in the dispensaries.</li>
<li><strong>Extension the ESI to Non notified areas:</strong> Coverage should be extended to all areas. Currently, ESI Coverage is restricted only to notified areas.</li>
<li><strong>Simplifying the financing:</strong> It would have a positive impact on the quality of services delivered by reducing red tape and increasing the overall accountability of the ESIC.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>It is now apparent that the ESIC is a purposeful organisation serving millions of people and the government is consciously increasing its ambit of impact. Although many positive changes have been proposed and implemented in recent times, much more can be done and the ESIC can be a model organisation for countries around the world.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595329936_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595329936_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="692" height="435" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f0f8ff;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Improving the facilities under ESIC is a panacea to Healthcare service delivery in India. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/osTw2Kw7_0Y" 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.hindustantimes.com/analysis/disentangling-india-s-trade-surplus/story-giOg4uynVrzwDHi0xlh8kK.html#:~:text=The%20cumulative%20effect%20was%20a,%25%20and%20imports%20by%2051%25.&amp;text=In%20April%202020%2C%20India%20registered,and%20imports%20falling%20by%2058.7%25." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Disentangling India&rsquo;s trade Surplus</strong></a> which was published in Hindustan Times on July 20<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Watch this on our Youtube channel now.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/esi-augments-healthcare-services-in-india'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Mine Ploughs on T-90 Tanks',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Ministry of Defence</strong> has signed <strong>Rs. 557 crore contract</strong> with the <strong>BEML Limited</strong> (formerly known as the <strong>Bharat Earth Movers Limited</strong>) for the procurement of <strong>1,512 mine ploughs for T-90 Tanks.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The induction is <strong>expected to be completed by 2027.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595327601_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595327601_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>T-90 Tanks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These <strong>Russian-origin</strong> tanks are the <strong>Indian Army&rsquo;s main battle tanks.</strong></li>
<li>Indian Army recently deployed them in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Galwan Valley</strong></a> sector of Ladakh amid the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>face-off with Chinese troops.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mine Ploughs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mine ploughs <strong>help tanks to clear minefields and minimize risks to men and machines.</strong></li>
<li>After being fitted on T-90 Tanks, they will<strong> facilitate individual mobility</strong> to the tanks while negotiating a minefield.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>mobility of the tank fleet will enhance manifolds</strong> which in turn would <strong>extend the reach of the armoured formations deep into enemy territory</strong> without becoming a mine casualty.</li>
<li>The decision is expected to boost the government&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india#:~:text=On%20September%2025%2C%202014%2C%20the,surpassing%20the%20U.S.%20and%20China." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;</strong></a> initiative.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As per the procedure, the contract has <strong>Buy and Make (Indian) categorisation</strong> with a minimum of <strong>50% indigenous content</strong> in the Make portion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>BEML Limited</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was <strong>established in 1964</strong> as a <strong>Public Sector Undertaking</strong> (PSU).</li>
<li>It has <strong>partially disinvested</strong> and presently the <strong>Government of India owns 54%</strong> of total equity and the rest 46% is held by public and financial institutions, foreign institutional investors, banks and employees.</li>
<li>The company operates under<strong> three major business verticals</strong> viz. <strong>Mining and Construction, Defence and Rail and Metro.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/defence-ministry-signs-557-cr-deal-for-t-90-tanks-mine-ploughs/article32140818.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/mine-ploughs-on-t-90-tanks'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Non-personal Data',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a government committee headed by Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan has suggested that <strong>non-personal data</strong> generated in India<strong> be allowed to be harnessed by various domestic companies and entities.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The committee has also suggested a <strong>separate national legislation</strong> and a <strong>separate authority</strong> to oversee non-personal data.</li>
<li>It also<strong> recommended mandatory sharing of non-personal data,</strong> as it may be useful for Indian entrepreneurs to develop new and innovative services or products to benefit citizens.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Definition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Non-personal data is any set of data <strong>which does not contain personally identifiable information.</strong> This means that no individual or living person can be identified by looking at such data.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, order details collected by a food delivery service will have the name, age, gender, and other contact information of an individual, it will become non-personal data <strong>if the identifiers such as name and contact information are taken out.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The government committee, which submitted its report has classified non-personal data into<strong> three main categories,</strong> namely <strong>public non-personal data, community non-personal data</strong> and <strong>private non-personal data.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Public, Community, and Private Non-personal Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Public non-personal data:</strong> It involves all the data collected by the government and its agencies during execution of all publicly funded works.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>E.g.</strong> census, data collected by municipal corporations on the total tax receipts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Community non-personal data:</strong> It involves any data identifiers about a set of people who have either the <strong>same geographic location, religion, job, or other common social interests.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>E.g.</strong> The metadata collected by ride-hailing apps, telecom companies, electricity distribution companies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Private non-personal data:</strong> It can be defined as those which are produced by individuals which can be derived from<strong> application of proprietary software or knowledge.</strong> E.g data generated by companies like Google, Amazon etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Non-personal Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These data sets will help to map consumer biases and ensure<strong> targeted delivery of services.</strong> It will unlock the doors of economic value and innovation in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sensitivity of Non-personal Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unlike personal data, non-personal data is more likely to be in an anonymised (without particulars or details) form.</li>
<li>However, in certain categories such as data related to national security or strategic interests such as locations of government laboratories or research facilities, even if the data provided in anonymised form can be dangerous.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Possibilities of such harm are obviously much higher if the original personal data is of a sensitive nature.</li>
<li>Therefore, the <strong>non-personal data arising from sensitive personal data may be considered as sensitive non-personal data.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The data sets will heavily <strong>favour big tech companies.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Only big tech companies possess the capital and infrastructure to create such large volumes of data. Others will find it difficult to match the capabilities of these technology giants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As a signatory to <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/intellectual-property-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)</strong></a>, India extended copyright protection to computer databases in 1999. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In such a scenario, there is a challenge of demarcation between non-personal data that cannot be shared, and non-copyright non-personal data that can be used as a public resource.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There is <strong>no clarity over the grievance redressal mechanism</strong> in the committee&rsquo;s report.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Like many other countries, India too will have to define non-personal data in a manner that protects intellectual property rights, serves genuine public interest and promotes innovation.</li>
<li>India can learn from <strong>France&rsquo;s National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence policy,</strong> which encourages economic players<strong> to share and pool their data</strong> with the state acting as a trusted third party. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>France&rsquo;s policy even empowers public authorities to impose openness on certain data because of its societal benefits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India can also look towards the <strong>European Union&rsquo;s Regulation on the Free Flow of Non-Personal Data,</strong> which recognises the free flow of non-personal data as a prerequisite of a competitive economy.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/non-personal-data-explained-6506613/#:~:text=In%20its%20most%20basic%20form,by%20looking%20at%20such%20data." 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/non-personal-data'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Ravana’s Aviation Route: Sri Lanka',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Civil Aviation Authority of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Sri Lanka</a></strong> has sought relevant documents and literature from the public to study the mythological character <strong>Ravana&rsquo;s &ldquo;aviation routes&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong> The Civil Aviation Authority will lead a<strong> research project</strong> titled &ldquo;King Ravana and the ancient domination of aerial routes now lost&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project aims to bring out an <strong>authoritative narrative about King Ravana</strong> as there are many stories about Ravana <strong>flying aircrafts and covering</strong> these aerial routes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the civil aviation authority, it was Ravana who used a flying machine called &ldquo;Dandu monara&rdquo; to fly not only within the country, but also in the South East Asia region.</li>
<li><strong>Tourism:</strong> Sri Lanka&rsquo;s tourism sector promotes the <strong>&lsquo;Ramayana trail&rsquo;</strong> for visitors from India &mdash; one of Sri Lanka&rsquo;s largest tourism markets.</li>
<li><strong>Sinhala-Buddhists Community:</strong> The majority <strong>Sinhala-Buddhists community</strong> hail the King Ravana.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The group calls itself <strong>Ravana Balaya.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Linkages with India: Dravidian parties</strong> in Tamil Nadu acknowledge Ravana as &ldquo;the brave king&rdquo; similar to the Buddhists community of Sri Lanka.</li>
<li><strong>Satellite:</strong> Sri Lanka named its first satellite <strong>Ravana-1</strong> launched in June 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sinhala-Buddhists Community</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The community focuses upon <strong>Theravada <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/buddhism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buddhism</a></strong>, which is the majority belief system of most of the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka.</li>
<li>Sinhalese are the<strong> largest ethnic group on</strong> the island.</li>
<li>It mostly originated in reaction to the <strong>colonisation of Sri Lanka by the British Empire</strong> and became increasingly assertive in the years following the independence of the country.</li>
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-sri-lanka-security-and-geopolitics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka</strong> </a>is rooted in the discrimination against the Tamil minority by the Sinhalese majority after the end of British colonial domination in 1948.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Theravada Buddhism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the most <strong>ancient branch of extant Buddhism</strong> today.</li>
<li>It remains closest to the original teachings of the Buddha.</li>
<li>Theravada Buddhism <strong>developed in Sri Lanka</strong> and subsequently spread to the rest of Southeast Asia.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>dominant form of religion</strong> in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.</li>
<li>In India, this strain of Buddhism is represented by the followers of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-political-thinker-br-ambedkar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dr B.R. Ambedkar</strong></a>, <strong>known as the Ambedkar Buddhists</strong>, who are exclusive to India.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-to-research-ravanas-aviation-routes/article32142518.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/ravana-s-aviation-route-sri-lanka'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'No Postal Ballots for Above 65 in Bihar',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Election Commission of India</strong></a> (ECI) has <strong>decided against extending postal ballots to electors above 65 years of age</strong> in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections due to logistical challenges.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier in June 2020, the Law Ministry, on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amendments-in-postal-ballot-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>recommendation of ECI</strong></a>, had extended the postal ballot facility to electors over 65 years (being most vulnerable to Covid-19), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> patients and those suspected to have it by notifying a change to the <strong>Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.</strong></li>
<li>Earlier, postal ballots were <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/postal-ballot-facilities-for-absentee-voters" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>extended to Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and electors over 80 years</strong></a> in November 2019 ahead of the Jharkhand and Delhi elections.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Working Mechanism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The postal ballot facility for electors above 65 years is different from the conventional postal service.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Usually, <strong>ballot papers are distributed electronically</strong> to electors and are <strong>returned to the election officers via post.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For above 65 and Covid-19 patients, it works as a<strong> polling station on the move,</strong> with the polling staff visiting the homes of such electors, having them fill out their ballots, sealing them in envelopes and taking it back.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was done to <strong>minimize vulnerability and exposure</strong> at the polling stations for above 65 and to<strong> not deprive</strong> the Covid-19 patients and people under quarantine <strong>of their voting rights.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After reviewing the preparations for the Bihar polls, the ECI has made this decision keeping in mind the <strong>logistical, staff and safety protocol</strong> related constraints.</li>
<li>For collecting votes of so many electors, <strong>additional staff and security will be required</strong> and would not be possible to arrange the facility for about 72 lakh electors, about 10% of the total 7.19 crore electors in the state.</li>
<li>State authorities are already preparing 34,000 additional polling stations in order to <strong>limit electors to 1,000 at each location.</strong> It also <strong>requires additional polling personnel</strong> which is an administrative challenge in itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Postal Ballots System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ballot papers are distributed electronically to electors and are returned to the election officers via post.</li>
<li>Currently, <strong>only the following voters</strong> are allowed to cast their votes through postal ballot:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Service voters</strong> (armed forces, the armed police force of a state and government servants posted abroad).</li>
<li><strong>Voters on election duty.</strong></li>
<li>Voters <strong>above 80 years of age or Persons with Disabilities</strong> (PwD).</li>
<li>Voters <strong>under preventive detention.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The exception to the above-mentioned category of voters is provided under Section 60 of the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-representation-of-the-people-act-part-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Representation of the People Act, 1951.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/no-postal-ballot-as-over-70-lakh-electors-in-65-plus-age-group-in-bihar/article32141225.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/no-postal-ballots-for-above-65-in-bihar'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Consumer Protection Act, 2019',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/consumer-protection-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Consumer Protection Act, 2019</a></strong> came into force on <strong>20<sup>th</sup> July 2020</strong> and it will empower consumers and help them in protecting their rights through its various notified rules and provisions.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The new act will be swift and less time consuming compared to the <strong>older <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-consumer-protection-bill-2018-amendment-1986-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Consumer Protection Act, 1986</a></strong> in which single-point access to justice was given making it a time-consuming exercise.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The old act provided for a <strong>three-tier consumer dispute redressal machinery</strong> at the<strong> National (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-consumer-disputes-redressal-commission-ncdrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission</a>), State</strong> and <strong>District</strong> levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 establishes the <strong>Central Consumer Protection Authority</strong> (CCPA) whose primary <strong>objective</strong> will be to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>It is empowered to:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights and institute complaints/prosecution.</li>
<li>Order recall of unsafe goods and services.</li>
<li>Order discontinuance of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements.</li>
<li>Impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rules on E-commerce and Unfair Trade Practices:</strong> The government will notify the <strong>Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020</strong> under the Act whose broad provisions are given below.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/e-commerce-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>E-commerce</strong></a> entities are <strong>required to provide information</strong> to consumers, relating to return, refund, exchange, warranty and guarantee, delivery and shipment, modes of payment, grievance redressal mechanism, payment methods, security of payment methods, charge-back options and country of origin.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These are necessary for <strong>enabling the consumer to make an informed decision</strong> at the pre-purchase stage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These platforms will have to <strong>acknowledge the receipt of any consumer complaint within 48 hours</strong> and <strong>redress the complaint within one month</strong> from the date of receipt. They will also have to appoint a grievance officer for consumer grievance redressal.</li>
<li>The Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020 are <strong>mandatory and are not advisories.</strong></li>
<li>Sellers <strong>cannot refuse to take back goods or withdraw services or refuse refunds,</strong> if such goods or services are defective, deficient, delivered late, or if they do not meet the description on the platform.</li>
<li>The rules also <strong>prohibit the e-commerce companies from manipulating the price</strong> of the goods or services to gain unreasonable profit through unjustified prices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Product Liability:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A manufacturer or product service provider or product seller will be held <strong>responsible to compensate for injury or damage</strong> caused by defective product or deficiency in services</li>
<li><strong>Basis for product liability action:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Manufacturing defect.</li>
<li>Design defect.</li>
<li>Deviation from manufacturing specifications.</li>
<li>Not conforming to express warranty.</li>
<li>Failing to contain adequate instructions for correct use.</li>
<li>Service provided-faulty, imperfect or deficient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Punishment for Manufacture or Sale of Adulterated/Spurious Goods:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In case of the first conviction, a competent court may suspend any licence issued to the person for a<strong> period of up to two years</strong> and in case of second or subsequent conviction, may <strong>cancel the licence permanently.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alternate Dispute Resolution Mechanism of Mediation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A complaint will be referred by a Consumer Commission for mediation, wherever scope for early settlement exists and parties agree for it.</li>
<li>The mediation will be held in the <strong>Mediation Cells</strong> which will be established under the aegis of the<strong> Consumer Commissions.</strong></li>
<li>There will be <strong>no appeal against settlement through mediation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Simplification of the Consumer Dispute Adjudication Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Empowering the State and District Commissions to review</strong> their own orders.</li>
<li>Enabling a consumer to file complaints electronically and in consumer commissions that have jurisdiction over the place of his residence.</li>
<li>Video-conferencing for hearing and deemed admissibility of complaints if the question of admissibility is not decided within the specified period of 21 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Rules and Regulations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the <strong>Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Rules,</strong> there will be <strong>no fee for filing cases up to Rs. 5 lakh.</strong></li>
<li>The credit of the amount due to unidentifiable consumers will go to the <strong>Consumer Welfare Fund</strong> (CWF).</li>
<li>State Commissions will furnish information to the Central Government on a quarterly basis on vacancies, disposal, the pendency of cases and other matters.</li>
<li>Apart from these general rules, there are <strong>Central Consumer Protection Council Rules,</strong> provided for the constitution of the <strong>Central Consumer Protection Council</strong> (CCPC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will be an <strong>advisory body</strong> on consumer issues, headed by the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution with the Minister of State as Vice Chairperson and 34 other members from different fields.</li>
<li>It will have a <strong>three-year tenure</strong> and will have Minister-in-charge of consumer affairs from two States from each region- North, South, East, West, and North-East Region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595322910_CPA%202019.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595322910_CPA 2019.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="540" height="424" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639925#:~:text=The%20Consumer%20Protection%20Act%2C2019,i.e.%2020th%20July%202020.&amp;text=The%20gazette%20notification%20for%20establishment,e%2Dcommerce%20are%20under%20publication." 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/consumer-protection-act-2019'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'C.S. Seshadri',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Eminent mathematician <strong>Professor CS Seshadri,</strong> known for his contributions in <strong>algebraic geometry</strong> and <strong>mathematical education</strong> passed away recently.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595319032_Image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595319032_Image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>He was born in 1932 in Kanchipuram and educated in Chennai, TN and Mumbai (he got his PhD from Bombay University in 1958).</li>
<li>He joined<strong> Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR),</strong> where he helped establish a school of algebraic geometry.</li>
<li>He is known for his work on <strong>algebraic geometry.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Applications of algebraic geometry arise in statistics, control theory, robotics, coding theory, integer programming and theoretical physics.</li>
<li>The<strong> Narasimhan-Seshadri theorem,</strong> developed in 1965 with his friend M S Narasimhan, plays a central role in <strong>conformal field theory and string theory.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He founded the <strong>Chennai Mathematical Institute,</strong> which attracts talent from around the world with its courses on <strong>mathematics, computer science and theoretical physics.</strong></li>
<li>He was elected <strong>Fellow of the Royal Society (UK) in 1988</strong> and a <strong>Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences, USA in 2010.</strong> He was awarded the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/padma-awards-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Padma Bhushan</strong></a> (the third highest civilian award in India) in 2009.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cs-seshadri-a-leader-of-indian-mathematics-passes-away-in-chennai/article32121576.ece#:~:text=of%20graduate%20students.-,C.S.,He%20was%2088." 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/c-s-seshadri'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'National Financial Reporting Authority',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)</strong> has constituted a <strong>Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)</strong> to aid and advise the executive body of the NFRA on <strong>issues relating to drafts of accounting standards and auditing standards.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The TAC comprises<strong> seven members</strong> including the <strong>chairman - R. Narayanaswamy.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitution:</strong> NFRA was constituted in <strong>2018</strong> by the Government of India under <strong>section 132 (1) of the Companies Act, 2013.</strong> It is an <strong>audit regulator.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> The decision to constitute the NFRA was taken after the role of auditors and the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/icai-nfra" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Institute of Chartered Accountants of India</strong></a> came under the scanner for alleged lapses in various corporate scams including that at the Punjab National Bank.</li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong> It consists of a<strong> chairperson,</strong> who shall be a person of eminence and having expertise in accountancy, auditing, finance or law,<strong> appointed by the Central Government</strong> and such<strong> other members not exceeding 15. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Functions and Duties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Recommend accounting and auditing policies</strong> and standards to be adopted by companies for approval by the Central Government.</li>
<li>Monitor and enforce compliance with accounting standards and auditing standards.</li>
<li>Oversee the <strong>quality of service of the professions</strong> associated with ensuring compliance with such standards and suggest measures for improvement in the quality of service.</li>
<li>Protect the <strong>public interest.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Powers:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can undertake investigation related to the following class of companies and bodies corporate, namely:-<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Companies whose <strong>securities are listed on any stock exchange</strong> in India or outside India.</li>
<li><strong>Unlisted public companies</strong> having <strong>paid-up capital</strong> of not less than <strong>Rs. 500 crores</strong> or having<strong> annual turnover</strong> of not less than <strong>Rs. 1,000 crores</strong> or having, in aggregate, <strong>outstanding loans,</strong> debentures and deposits of not less than <strong>Rs. 500 crores</strong> as on the 31<sup>st</sup> March of immediately preceding financial year.</li>
<li>Insurance companies, banking companies, companies engaged in the generation or supply of electricity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Where professional or other misconduct is proved, it has the power to make order for imposing<strong> penalty</strong> of&mdash;<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>not less than one lakh rupees,</strong> but which may extend to five times of the fees received, in case of<strong> individuals;</strong> and</li>
<li>not less than ten lakh rupees, but which may extend to ten times of the fees received, in case of <strong>firms.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its account is monitored by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/comptroller-and-auditor-general-of-india-cag" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.</strong></a></li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered</strong> in <strong>New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-financial-reporting-authority-2'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Zoram Mega Food Park: Mizoram',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the government has operationalized the <strong>first Mega Food Park (MFP) of Mizoram i.e. Zoram Mega Food Park.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has been set up under the &lsquo;Mega Food Park Scheme&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Zoram MFP:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is located in Khamrang village in Kolasib District, Mizoram.</li>
<li>It is spread over 55 acres of land and is set up at a cost of Rs. 75. 20 crores.</li>
<li>It is not only expected to benefit the people of Mizoram but also that of adjoining districts in Assam.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Assam</strong> already has a MFP in its Nalbari district- <strong>North East Mega Food Park.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will <strong>boost the North-East Region&rsquo;s potential to become the organic destination of the world</strong> due to its rich agricultural and horticultural produce.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Sikkim</strong> has already been <strong>declared as an organic state.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mega Food Park Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Launched in: 2008-09</strong> under the purview of the <strong>Ministry of Food Processing Industries.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To provide a mechanism to link agricultural production to the market by bringing together farmers, processors and retailers so as to ensure maximizing value addition, minimizing wastage, increasing farmers income and creating employment opportunities particularly in the rural sector.</li>
<li><strong>Components:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Scheme is based on the <strong>&ldquo;Cluster&rdquo; approach</strong> and envisages creation of state of art support infrastructure in a well-defined agri/horticultural zone for setting up of modern food processing units in the industrial plots provided in the park with a well-established supply chain.</li>
<li>A Mega food Park typically consists of <strong>supply chain infrastructure</strong> including collection centers (cc), primary processing centers (ppc) central processing centers (cpc), cold chain and around 25-30 fully developed plots for entrepreneurs to set up <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>food processing</strong></a> units.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Financial Assistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The central government provides financial assistance <strong>upto Rs. 50 Crore per Mega Food Park (MFP) project.</strong></li>
<li>The MFP project is<strong> implemented by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)</strong> which is a Body Corporate registered under the Companies Act, 2013.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Presently, 18 MFP Projects are under implementation in various states and 19 Mega Food Parks have already become functional in the States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is in line with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/five-years-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Atmanirbhar&rsquo;</strong></a> vision of the Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595315259_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595315259_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="663" height="472" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639896" 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/zoram-mega-food-park-mizoram'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Significance of 15th India-European Union Summit',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/india-should-believe-in-the-eu/article32094669.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;India should believe in the EU&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 16/07/2020. This article discusses the importance of India's relationship with the EU in the wake of the recently held summit.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-eu-virtual-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-EU Virtual summit</strong> </a>resumed after being halted for a couple of years. The<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> European Union (EU)</strong></a> is a group of countries that operates as a cohesive economic and political block.</p>
<p>Europe&rsquo;s perception of India has been changing in tandem with increasing tensions with China. In 2018, the EU released a new strategy for cooperation with India, calling it a <strong>geopolitical pillar in a multipolar Asia,</strong> crucial for maintaining the balance of power in the region. Paris and Brussels have been actively pushing Europe to see India as a truly strategic partner.</p>
<p>The EU and India can work together to promote peace, create jobs, boost economic growth and enhance sustainable development in the member countries.</p>
<h3>Opportunities</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Potential gain from EU-India trade agreement:</strong> The potential impact of an EU-India trade agreement would significantly increase trade gains likely to flow to India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Additional potential gains from enhanced coordination on the provision of global public goods, such as environmental standards would help India to adopt Bharat VI standards more swiftly and meet its emission cut targets on time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Combating Covid crisis:</strong> Getting access to Covid tools&rsquo; of the EU and its countries, India&rsquo;s pharma companies could collaborate with them in a global attempt in finding the cure of Covid. This partnership could help in:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Enhancing global cooperation and solidarity to protect lives to mitigate the socio-economic consequences.</li>
<li>Strengthening preparedness and response capacities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Security:</strong> The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation or Europol and CBI are negotiating a working arrangement to support law enforcement authorities of EU member states and India to prevent and combat organised crime and terror.</li>
<li><strong>Combating Climate Change:</strong> India can learn from new industrial strategy called the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eu-green-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Green Deal of EU</strong></a> to render its carbon-emission neutral by 2050 <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EU and India could endeavour transforming into carbon-neutral economies by 2050 by investing in clean energies. .</li>
<li>European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and India signed for cooperation between the EU's research programmes on new ways of using nuclear energy to limit India&rsquo;s dependency on fossil fuels.</li>
<li>In India&rsquo;s efforts to increase the use of renewable energy in India, the investment and technology of Europe is of paramount importance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong> The two sides are also set to launch a high-level trade dialogue to address issues such as stalled negotiations on a maritime security dialogue, and develop security and defence consultations and military contacts.</li>
<li><strong>Countering China:</strong> EU can be a reliant partner for India to counter Chinese influence in its neighbourhood. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EU has its own connectivity strategy, providing around &euro;414 billion in aid globally, and is already partnering with Japan and the United States (US)&thinsp;to provide alternatives to BRI. This can check China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) investments and infrastructure connectivity.</li>
<li>This is a crucial opportunity where the EU can deliver what India needs. Entities such as the European Investment Bank are active in India, investing in metro and other infrastructure projects.</li>
<li>India should explore this partnership with the EU to not only fill domestic infrastructure needs but also as part of India&rsquo;s neighbourhood diplomacy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pending Free Trade Deal:</strong> A free trade deal that India and the European Union have been pending since 2007. It was not concluded even in the 15<sup>th</sup> India-EU summit.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At the end of the virtual summit, no official deadline for the free trade agreement was declared.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lopsided Investments:</strong> There is still room for improvement especially when compared to EU investments in China.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enhancing connectivity:</strong> Facilitating people&rsquo;s mobility and connectivity to improve mutual understanding and create opportunities for innovation and growth.</li>
<li><strong>Geopolitical Balancing:</strong> In geopolitical terms partnership with the EU can help India balancing its powerful rivals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For eg: Indo-Pacific region is increasingly the focus of attention, so India should capitalise on its geopolitical leverage there.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maximising Strategic Cooperation:</strong> Even India&rsquo;s strongest bilateral relations with individual EU member states do not come close to the potential of dealing effectively with the EU as a whole.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EU and India can join forces to promote sustainable reform like parity among nations in multilateral institutions including the World Trade Organization (WTO).</li>
<li>India could maximise benefit from this strategic partnership. Stronger cooperation with democratic powers can support this effort, especially towards assertive competitors like China</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Greater Business Cooperation:</strong> The EU is India&rsquo;s largest trading partner and the second-largest destination for Indian exports. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As Europe looks to diversify supply chains and move away from China, India shouldn&rsquo;t miss the opportunity to attract investments. It should deepen its relationship with the world&rsquo;s largest trading bloc, which has already negotiated FTAs with Vietnam, Japan and Singapore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India and the EU are natural partners. This partnership could enhance peace and stability in India and member countries of the EU. This reality has become even clearer in today&rsquo;s global situation. However for this, India and the EU must adopt a long-term strategic perspective and an action-oriented agenda should be implemented within a stipulated time frame.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595244275_image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595244275_image6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="600" height="498" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffad9;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The power of any aspiring global player depends on the number and quality of its bilateral and multilateral relationships. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ciDPqnWqJq0" 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/state-of-deluge-assam-floods-6509523/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;State of deluge&rdquo;</strong></a> that was published in The Indian Express on July 17<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Watch this on our Youtube channel now.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/significance-of-15th-india-european-union-summit'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'ICJ on Qatar Blockade',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-court-of-justice-icj" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Court of Justice</strong></a> (ICJ) refused an appeal by<strong> Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates</strong> (UAE) which challenged the authority of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-civil-aviation-organisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Civil Aviation Organisation</strong></a> (ICAO) to adjudicate on the legality of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/qatar-quits-opec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Qatar blockade.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ICJ is the top<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations</strong></a> (UN) court and ICAO is the international aviation agency of the UN.</li>
<li>UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are located in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persian-gulf-region" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Persian Gulf Region</strong></a> and are the members of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-11th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong> </a>(GCC).</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595240229_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595240229_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Qatar Blockade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>June 2017,</strong> Qatar&rsquo;s neighbouring Arab nations of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt <strong>shut off shipping routes and air space with Qatar</strong> for its <strong>alleged support for<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> terrorism</a></strong> and its<strong> ties with Iran.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It severed their diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, <strong>Qatar denied supporting Islamic extremism</strong> and has openly <strong>condemned its isolation</strong> as a clear attack on its sovereignty.</li>
<li>All four neighbours issued a <strong>13-point list of demands for Doha</strong> (capital of Qatar) to comply with in order to restore erstwhile relations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some of the demands included Qatar closing down news outlets such as <strong>Al-Jazeera,</strong> end ties with radical Islamist groups like the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-attended-oic-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Muslim Brotherhood</strong></a>, scale down ties with Shia-majority Iran and remove Turkish troops stationed in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since 2017, the<strong> blockade of Qatar has included:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Closing of its only land border with Saudi Arabia.</li>
<li>Stopping Qatari ships from entering ports anywhere in the Saudi coalition.</li>
<li>Blocking Qatari planes from flying in their airspace.</li>
<li>Expelling Qatari citizens from these countries as part of the measures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dispute at the ICJ:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Qatar approached the ICAO, alleging that its rights of free passage under the <strong>1944 Convention on Civil Aviation</strong> were violated by the blockade.</li>
<li>Saudi Arabia and its allies argued that the<strong> ICJ should have the authority</strong> to settle the dispute instead of the ICAO because the <strong>dispute goes beyond the aviation matters.</strong></li>
<li>In 2018, the<strong> ICAO ruled against the Saudi coalition,</strong> holding that it did have jurisdiction to hear the case and its ruling was <strong>recently backed by the ICJ</strong> too.</li>
<li>The blockade <strong>still remains in force</strong> and the ICAO is expected to <strong>deliver its verdict in 2021.</strong> The ruling will be in Qatar&rsquo;s favour and will be a major win for the country and its <strong>national carrier, Qatar Airways.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Civil Aviation Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established by the <strong>Convention on International Civil Aviation</strong> which was signed on<strong> 7<sup>th</sup> December 1944 in Chicago.</strong></li>
<li>It laid the foundation for the standards and procedures for peaceful global air navigation and established the core principles permitting international transport by air.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To foster the planning and development of international air transport so as to ensure the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation throughout the world.</li>
<li><strong>India is among its 193 members.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Montreal, Canada.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-the-latest-icj-ruling-means-for-qatar-and-its-airspace-6513580/" 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/icj-on-qatar-blockade'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => '3rd G20 FMCBG Meeting',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently India has virtually participated in the <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG)</strong> meeting under the<strong> Presidency</strong> of <strong>Saudi Arabia.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It discussed the global economic outlook amid evolving <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"><strong>pandemic</strong></a> crisis along with other <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/virtual-g20-leaders-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G20</strong></a> <strong>finance track priorities</strong> for the year 2020.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g20-meeting-in-saudi-arabia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>First meeting was held in February 2020 at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>G20 Action Plan:</strong> The importance and relevance of the G20 action plan was highlighted.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was endorsed in response to Covid-19 in April 2020. </li>
<li>It has a list of collective commitments under the pillars of <strong>Health Response, Economic Response, Strong and Sustainable Recovery and International Financial Coordination,</strong> aimed at coordinating G20 efforts to fight the pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Response:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India emphasised the need to <strong>balance supply side and demand side measures</strong> in response to Covid-19.</li>
<li>It also spoke about the <strong>procyclicality of credit rating downgrades</strong> by the rating agencies and its deterrent impact on policy options, particularly for <strong>Emerging Market Economy</strong> (EMEs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Procyclic ratings</strong> are stricter during an economic downturn than an expansion. As a result, firms receive <strong>overly pessimistic ratings in a recession,</strong> relative to during an expansion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International coordination required</strong> in addressing the <strong>spill-over effects of exit strategies</strong> related to covid-19 lockdowns.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Spillover effect</strong> refers to the impact of unrelated events in one nation on the economies of other nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>G20 Finance Track deliverables</strong>: FMCBG discussed the developments on G20 Finance Track deliverables under the Saudi Arabian Presidency. <strong>India</strong> discussed<strong> two such deliverables:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, <strong>Enhancing access to opportunities for Women, Youth and Small Market Economies (SMEs)</strong> and a <strong>menu of policy options on access to opportunity.</strong></li>
<li>Second,<strong> International Taxation agenda</strong> and the <strong>intended deliverable of formulating a solution</strong> for addressing challenges related to <strong>digital taxation.</strong></li>
<li>India said that the consensus based solution should be simple, inclusive and based on a robust economic impact assessment.</li>
<li>It is in line with the recent decision of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ustr-takes-india-off-developing-country-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United States Trade Representative (USTR)</strong></a> to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ustr-s-probe-into-digital-services-taxes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>initiate an investigation into taxes adopted</strong> </a>or under consideration by 10 nations, including India, on revenues of American digital service companies like Netflix, Airbnb etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Digital taxation or Digital Services Taxes (DSTs)</strong> are the adopted taxes on revenues that certain companies generate from providing certain digital services. E.g. digital multinationals like Google, Amazon and Apple etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In response to it the central government has stated that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/equalisation-levy-for-non-resident-e-commerce-firms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>it will not extend the deadline for payment of equalisation levy</strong> </a><strong>by non-resident e-commerce</strong> players, even though a majority of them are yet to deposit the first installment of the tax.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> equalization levy is aimed at taxing foreign companies</strong> which have a significant local client base in India but are billing them through their offshore units, effectively escaping the country&rsquo;s tax system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>G-20</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G20</strong></a> is an <strong>informal group of 19 countries</strong> and the <strong>European Union,</strong> with <strong>representatives</strong> of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund</strong></a> <strong>and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world&rsquo;s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world&rsquo;s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment and over 75% of global trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarter:</strong> The<strong> G20 operates as a forum</strong> and not as an organisation. Therefore, it <strong>does not have any permanent secretariat.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Origin</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>1997-1999 Asian Financial Crisis:</strong> This was a ministerial-level forum which emerged after G7 invited both developed and developing economies. The finance ministers and central bank governors began meeting in 1999.</li>
<li>Amid the 2008 Financial Crisis the world saw the need for a new consensus-building at the highest political level. It was decided that the G20 leaders would begin meeting once annually.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The members of the G20 are <strong>Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.</strong></li>
<li>One nation holds the chair every year, known as the 'G20 Presidency'. <strong>Saudia Arabia</strong> is holding the 2020 chair.</li>
<li>The 2021 summit will be held in <strong>Italy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639707#:~:text=Nirmala%20Sitharaman%20participated%20in%20the,Track%20priorities%20for%20the%20year" 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/3rd-g20-fmcbg-meeting'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'China Crossed its 1960’s LAC Claims',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the records of 1960 boundary talks, the Chinese troops have gone beyond China&rsquo;s own territorial claims at Pangong Tso Lake and Galwan Valley.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The records also raise questions on recent statements from Indian officials that China is not present anywhere on Indian territory.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Official Records:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 1960&rsquo;s documents show that the Chinese claim over the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pangong Tso Lake</strong></a> was at near <strong>Finger 8,</strong> around 8 km east of where China now says the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Actual Control (LAC)</strong></a> is. Now the Chinese troops are at<strong> Finger 4.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Fingers refer to mountain spurs on the bank of the Lake, and run from 1 to 8, west to east.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595237231_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595237231_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="606" height="300" /></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The documents show that, in the <strong>Galwan Valley,</strong> the LAC ran east of the bend of the Galwan river, called the <strong>Y-nallah,</strong> which is now claimed by China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Y-nallah was the site of the recent clash between Indian and Chinese troops.</li>
<li>The clash took place following a dispute during the de-escalation process, triggered when the Chinese troops put up a tent near the bend.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595237240_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1595237240_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="605" height="296" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reason for Increased Claims:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Chinese are now likely interpreting their perception of the LAC in a manner that seeks<strong> to redefine or maximise old claims</strong> along new lines, as cartography and terrain knowledge have improved, which offer them<strong> tactical advantage</strong> and <strong>more &lsquo;domination&rsquo;</strong> in key areas along the LAC.</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening of India&rsquo;s border infrastructure</strong> (e.g. construction of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/darbuk-shyok-daulat-beg-oldie-road" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie road</strong></a>) may also be the reason.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/china-has-crossed-its-1960-claims-along-the-lac/article32133689.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/china-crossed-its-1960-s-lac-claims'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'National Award for Excellence in Forestry',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>National Award of Excellence for Outstanding Research in Forestry for the year 2019</strong> has been awarded to Kannan C S Warrier, a scientist at <strong>Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB).</strong></li>
<li>This award is conferred by the <strong>Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ICFRE is an apex body in the national forestry research system. ICFRE was recently declared as the <strong>Centre for Excellence</strong> in addressing issues related to <strong>land degradation</strong> by the Prime Minister.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The award has been awarded to Kannan C S Warrier for releasing<strong> three salt-tolerant productive clones of <em>Casuarina</em></strong> that are suitable for <strong>salt-affected soils,</strong> for the first time in the country.</li>
<li>India has 6.73 million hectares of salt affected land and is also the largest producer of <em>Casuarina</em> in the world which makes the production of these clones a significant achievement.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Casuarina</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><em>Casuarina,</em> also known as<strong> kattadi and savukku,</strong> is a plant genus with over 17 species with <em>Casuarina equisetifolia</em> being introduced in India in the 19<sup>th</sup> century.</li>
<li>They have a role in <strong>nitrogen fixation</strong> in symbiotic association with bacteria Frankia.</li>
<li>They provide fuel wood, pulp for paper making and of late is a preferred choice for biomass-based power generation.</li>
<li>They are also used at construction sites for scaffolding.</li>
<li>They are used as shelterbelts in coastal areas and windbreaks for protecting agricultural crops and banana plantations.</li>
<li>They also play a key role in reclaiming mined areas and afforesting nutrient-poor sites.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Warrier has also done extensive work on the <strong>conservation of endangered sacred groves</strong> in Alappuzha district of Kerala.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sacred Groves</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sacred groves are<strong> communally protected forests</strong> which usually have a significant <strong>religious connotation</strong> for the protecting community.</li>
<li>In India, there are over a lakh sacred groves across different states called by different names like <em><strong>Kaavu</strong></em> <strong>in Malayalam,</strong><em><strong> Koyil kaadu</strong> </em><strong>in Tamil, Orans in Rajasthan, Devara kaadu in Karnataka,</strong> and <strong><em>Sernas</em> in Madhya Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li>Many <strong>rare and endemic species,</strong> and <strong>species having medicinal and economic value</strong> can be found here, thus making them Biodiversity Hotspots. They house gene pools of some critically endangered plant species.</li>
<li>They are often associated with religious beliefs and felling of trees in sacred groves is considered taboo.</li>
<li>Sacred groves have been legally protected under<strong> &lsquo;community reserves&rsquo;</strong> in the <strong>Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002.</strong></li>
<li>Some<strong> common threats</strong> to Sacred Groves are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Disappearance</strong> of the <strong>traditional belief systems,</strong> which were fundamental to the concept of sacred groves.</li>
<li>The <strong>transformation</strong> of the primitive forms of nature worship into formal temple worship.</li>
<li><strong>Rapid urbanization</strong> and developmental interventions such as roads, railways tracks, dams including commercial forestry.</li>
<li>Invasion by <strong>exotic weeds.</strong></li>
<li>Pressures due to <strong>increasing livestock</strong> and fuelwood collection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/ifgtb-scientist-gets-award-from-indian-council-of-forestry-research-and-education/articleshow/76958346.cms#:~:text=COIMBATORE%3A%20Senior%20principal%20of%20Institute,Forestry%20for%20the%20year%202019." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TOI</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-award-for-excellence-in-forestry'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'RADT Vs RT-PCR',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, New Delhi's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> testing strategy has become controversial due to<strong> the low level</strong> of <strong>RT-PCR</strong> (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction)<strong> re-testing in persons</strong> tested negative in <strong>RADT</strong> (Rapid Antigen Detection Tests).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Using RADT <strong>widely without following up</strong> with <strong>adequate retests contradicts <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/elisa-antibody-kits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Council of Medical Research</a> (ICMR) guidelines</strong> on use of the RADT test.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ICMR Guidelines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>RADT ought to be used only in <strong>containment zones, hotspots, hospital settings and laboratories</strong> among those who manifested one or other symptoms of the disease, influenza-like illnesses.</li>
<li>People with <strong>comorbidities who were asymptomatic</strong> and high-risk contacts of those confirmed positive.</li>
<li>Those who tested &lsquo;negative&rsquo; and whom<strong> clinicians suspected</strong> to be harbouring the disease ought to be <strong>definitely tested sequentially by RT-PCR</strong> to rule out infection and <strong>higher chances of false negatives.</strong></li>
<li>Those who test positive don&rsquo;t need a re-test and must be considered positive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Testing in New Delhi:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From 18<sup>th</sup> June - 16<sup>th</sup> July, it has conducted 3,05,820 RADT. Of these, 2,85,225 tests came &lsquo;negative&rsquo; and out of them only, 1,670 were chosen for re-test by RT-PCR and 262 of these were confirmed positive.</li>
<li>Only <strong>1 in 200 of those who tested negative in an antigen</strong> test to detect possible coronavirus cases<strong> were re-tested,</strong> which is against the given guidelines of ICMR.</li>
<li>Of those re-tested with <strong>RT-PCR, around 15% tested positive,</strong> which is higher than the<strong> RADT positive results i.e. 6%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arguments for Low Re-tests:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Re-testing everyone would defeat the purpose of having another (rapid antigen) test.</li>
<li>The RT-PCR test takes a minimum of 2-5 hours including the time taken for sample transportation. This <strong>limits the widespread use of the test</strong> and also impedes quick augmentation of testing capacity in various containment zones and hospital settings.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>RADT, the maximum duration</strong> for interpreting a positive or negative test is <strong>30 minutes,</strong> thus <strong>a quicker complement to the standard RT-PCR</strong> tests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arguments Against:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The consequence of<strong> indiscriminately deploying antigen tests</strong> would mean expanding the number of tests and presenting a lower positivity rate while not necessarily being able to<strong> reliably establish the extent of the spread</strong> of the coronavirus in the population.</li>
<li>A low level of re-testing with RT-PCR in persons who are testing antigen negative will <strong>underestimate the cases</strong> and make the <strong>tracking inaccurate. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>RADT</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a test on swabbed nasal samples that detects antigens (foreign substances that induce an immune response in the body) that are found on or within the SARS-CoV-2 virus.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>point-of-care test,</strong> performed outside the conventional laboratory setting, and is used to quickly obtain a diagnostic result.</li>
<li>Like RT-PCR, the rapid antigen detection test too seeks to detect the virus rather than the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/neutralising-antibodies-against-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>antibodies</strong> </a>produced by the body.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While the mechanism is different, the <strong>most significant difference between the two is time.</strong></li>
<li>As the ICMR has pointed out, the <strong>RT-PCR</strong> test takes a minimum of <strong>2-5 hours</strong> including the time taken for sample transportation..</li>
<li>In a reliable <strong>rapid antigen detection test,</strong> the maximum duration for interpreting a positive or negative test is <strong>30 minutes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>RT-PCR Test</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Kary Mullis,</strong> the American biochemist invented the PCR technique. He was awarded the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prizes-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nobel Prize</strong></a> for Chemistry in 1993.</li>
<li>Under this,<strong> copies of a segment of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)</strong> are created using an enzyme called Polymerase.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The &lsquo;chain reaction&rsquo; signifies how the DNA fragments are copied, exponentially &mdash; one is copied into two, the two are copied into four, and so on.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A fluorescent <strong>DNA binding dye called the &ldquo;probe&rdquo; is added to DNA,</strong> which shows the presence of the virus on a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/portable-device-to-detect-adulteration-in-milk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> fluorometer.</strong></a></li>
<li>However, coronavirus is made of <strong>RNA (ribonucleic acid).</strong></li>
<li>Therefore to detect coronavirus, <strong>RNA is converted into DNA</strong> using a technique called reverse transcription.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A &lsquo;reverse transcriptase&rsquo; enzyme converts the RNA into DNA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Copies of the DNA are then made and amplified.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/fewer-covid-19-re-tests-mar-delhis-testing-strategy/article32115082.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'articles__title' => 'string',
		'articles.title' => 'string',
		'title' => 'string',
		'articles__description' => 'text',
		'articles.description' => 'text',
		'description' => 'text',
		'articles__shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles.shortdescription' => 'string',
		'shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles__featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles.featuredimage' => 'string',
		'featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles__tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.tag_id' => 'integer',
		'tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles.secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles__type' => 'integer',
		'articles.type' => 'integer',
		'type' => 'integer',
		'articles__publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles.publishon' => 'datetime',
		'publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles__posturl' => 'string',
		'articles.posturl' => 'string',
		'posturl' => 'string',
		'articles__metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles.metatitle' => 'string',
		'metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles__metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles.metadescription' => 'string',
		'metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles__metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles.metakeyword' => 'text',
		'metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles__status' => 'integer',
		'articles.status' => 'integer',
		'status' => 'integer',
		'articles__sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles.sort_order' => 'integer',
		'sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles__addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.addedby' => 'integer',
		'addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.updatedby' => 'integer',
		'updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.added' => 'timestamp',
		'added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.modified' => 'timestamp',
		'modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles.whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_comments' => 'integer',
		'display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles__pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles.pdf_name' => 'string',
		'pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles__display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_archive' => 'integer',
		'display_archive' => 'integer'
	],
	'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) 83
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 303
$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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