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Sudan and Israel to Normalise Relations

Why in News Recently, in a deal brokered by the USA, Sudan and Israel have agreed to normalise relations to end decades of hostility. Key...

27 Oct 2020 News Analysis
India - Australia Circular Economy Hackathon

Why in News Atal Innovation Mission (AIM- an initiative set up by NITI Aayog), in association with Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and...

27 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Extension of ESI Scheme: Arunachal Pradesh

Why in News Recently, the central government has extended the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme to Arunachal Pradesh, with effect from 1st...

27 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Insurance Sector in India

This article is based on “Keeping it Saral” which was published in The Hindu Businessline on 22/10/2020. It talks about the journey of...

26 Oct 2020 News Editorials
Compound Interest Waiver on Moratorium Loans

Why in News Recently, the Government of India has announced the scheme for the waiver of compound interest that was payable by the borrower who had...

26 Oct 2020 News Analysis
New Abortion Laws in Poland

Why in News Recently, women in Poland have been protesting a court ruling that drastically restricts their right to access safe and legal...

26 Oct 2020 News Analysis
India’s First Seaplane Project

Why in News India's first seaplane service in Gujarat, is set to start from 31st October 2020, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel,...

26 Oct 2020 News Analysis
World Economic Outlook: IMF

Why in News According to the October update of the World Economic Outlook 2020, India's gross domestic product (GDP) will witness a contraction of...

26 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Kisan Suryodaya Yojana: Gujarat

Why in News Recently, the Prime Minister has launched the ‘Kisan Suryodaya Yojana’ aimed at providing day-time electricity to farmers in...

26 Oct 2020 News Analysis
SOP for Adoption of Integrity Pact Amended: CVC

Why in News Recently, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has amended the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on adoption of “Integrity...

26 Oct 2020 News Analysis
PRS Capsule September 2020

Key Highlights of PRS Polity and Governance The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020 Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill,...

26 Oct 2020 PRS Capsule
Air Pollution & Concerted Efforts

This article is based on “Poor air quality is a danger to public health” which was published in The Hindustan Times on 23/10/2020. It...

24 Oct 2020 News Editorials
Maharashtra Denies Consent to CBI

Why in News Recently, the Maharashtra government withdrew its general consent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe cases in the...

24 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Forex Reserves

Why in News According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, the country’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves touched a lifetime high of USD...

24 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Seagrass

Why in News Recently, the restoration process of seagrasses has been taken up by Tamil Nadu in the Gulf of Mannar. Key...

24 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Deworming in India

Why in News As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, states in India have witnessed reduction in worm prevalence. Regular deworming as...

24 Oct 2020 News Analysis
International Snow Leopard Day

Why in News International Snow Leopard Day is observed on 23rd October. Key Points Aim: To raise awareness on conservation and protection of...

24 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Sir Syed’s Day

Why in News Sir Syed’s Day is observed on 17th October to mark the birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Key Points Early Life: Sir...

24 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Birth Anniversary of APJ Abdul Kalam

Why in News Recently, the Union Education Minister has launched the Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness Campaign (KAPILA)...

24 Oct 2020 News Analysis
Pakistan on FATF Grey List

Why in News The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has decided to keep Pakistan on the “greylist” till the next review of its compliance...

24 Oct 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Sudan and Israel to Normalise Relations',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, in a <strong>deal brokered by the USA, Sudan and Israel</strong> have agreed to <strong>normalise relations</strong> to end decades of hostility.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603787483_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603787483_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sudan, which was<strong> technically at war with Israel since its foundation</strong> in <strong>1948,</strong> has now become the <strong>third country to forge diplomatic relations</strong> with it, in recent times.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, the USA brokered diplomatic pacts between<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/israel-uae-and-bahrain-abraham-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Israel and the UAE and Bahrain</a> as well,</strong> to normalise their relations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The deal would <strong>deepen Sudan&rsquo;s engagement with the West.</strong></li>
<li>The deal follows USA&rsquo;s conditional agreement to <strong>remove Sudan from its blacklist of countries accused of sponsoring terrorism.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sudan was <strong>added to the list in 1993</strong> after it was accused of harbouring groups such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/beirut-explosion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hezbollah</strong></a> and <strong>Palestinian militant outfits</strong> which the USA deems as terrorists.</li>
<li>As a result, Sudan was <strong>cut off from the global economy</strong> and was <strong>starved of foreign investment</strong> which faced another blow in <strong>2011</strong> when <strong>South Sudan was formed</strong> taking away its major oil resources.</li>
<li>With its name removed from the list, Sudan will no longer stay deprived of foreign investments.</li>
<li>Under the deal, <strong>Sudan has agreed to pay USD 335 million in compensation</strong> to victims of the<strong> Al-Qaeda bombings</strong> of USA embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It delivers a<strong> foreign policy achievement for Trump</strong> just days before the USA election.</li>
<li>It<strong> boosts Israel&rsquo;s motive</strong> which has made it a priority to <strong>forge ties with formerly hostile countries in Africa and the Arab</strong> world in the absence of any progress with the Palestinians.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the initial phase, there will be<strong> no exchange of ambassadors or a mutual establishment of embassies.</strong></li>
<li>After the<a href="/be-mains-ready-daily-answer-writing-practice-question/papers/six-day-war-reasons-war-shaped-history-of-the-modern-world#:~:text=The%20Six%2DDay%20War%20was,the%20severity%20of%20their%20defeat." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> six-day war of 1967 war</strong></a>, Arab powers met in <strong>Khartoum</strong> (Sudan&rsquo;s capital) to <strong>pledge three &ldquo;noes&rdquo;</strong> viz.<strong> no peace</strong> with Israel,<strong> no recognition</strong> of Israel, and<strong> no negotiations</strong> with Israel.&nbsp;Therefore, the deal holds a symbolic significance for Israel.</li>
<li>Unlike the UAE and Bahrain, which have never fought with Israel, <strong>Sudan sent forces to fight in the war around Israel&rsquo;s creation in 1948</strong> and during the<strong> war of 1967.</strong> In the <strong>1970s, Israel backed Sudanese insurgents</strong> fighting the Khartoum government.</li>
<li>With this agreement, <strong>Israel will complete the creation of a safety cordon in the Red Sea,</strong> which currently includes Egypt, Jordan, South Sudan and Saudi Arabia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The deal is also<strong> aimed at unifying Arab countries against their common adversary, Iran.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Though Sudan has been largely marginal to Middle Eastern politics in recent decades, the normalisation has significant symbolic value.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Reaction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Allies of the USA,</strong> including Germany, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, have<strong> welcomed the deal</strong> as a boost to stability in West Asia.</li>
<li>Meanwhile, <strong>Palestinian leaders have strongly condemned</strong> the deal, echoing their rejection of all of the Israel&rsquo;s normalisation accords.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-allies-welcome-israel-sudan-deal-iran-palestine-cry-foul/article32937621.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'India - Australia Circular Economy Hackathon',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aatmanirbhar-bharat-arise-atal-new-india-challenge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Innovation Mission</strong> </a>(AIM- an initiative set up by NITI Aayog), in association with <strong>Australia&rsquo;s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation</strong> (CSIRO), will organise a two-day hackathon on circular economy, <strong>&lsquo;India-Australia Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE)&rsquo;,</strong> in December 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>idea of I-ACE was conceived during a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-australia-virtual-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">virtual summit</a> on 4th June, 2020,</strong> between the Indian and Australian prime ministers, exploring innovative ways to boost the circular economy in India and Australia.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Focus:</strong> I-ACE will focus on <strong>identification and development of innovative technology solutions</strong> by students, startups and MSMEs of both nations.</li>
<li><strong>Key Themes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Innovation in packaging, reducing packaging waste.</li>
<li>Innovation in food supply chains, avoiding waste.</li>
<li>Creating opportunities for plastic waste reduction.</li>
<li>Recycling critical energy metals and e-waste.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Selection of Winners:</strong> Shortlisted students and startups/MSMEs will be called for the hackathon, where two winners (one student and one startup/MSME) per theme from each country will be announced at an award ceremony.</li>
<li><strong>Cash Prize:</strong> Winning teams from both the countries will get cash prizes. The winning Indian student and startup/MSME will be awarded a prize of Rs. 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively, coupled with post-hackathon product development opportunities.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Circular Economy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Meaning:</strong> It is an economy where products are designed for durability, reuse and recyclability and thus almost everything gets reused, remanufactured, and recycled into a raw material or used as a source of energy.</li>
<li><strong>Efficient Use of Resources:</strong> It includes <strong>3 R&rsquo;s (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle),</strong> Refurbishment, Recover, and Repairing of materials.</li>
<li><strong>Example:</strong> If a person is planning to discard his/her mobile, it can be given to someone else (i.e. giving the mobile second life-Reuse), rather than throwing it just like that.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Once the mobile reaches its end of life, it can be ensured that everything embedded in it, aluminum, copper, plastic etc. should be brought back to production cycle so that the circle of the economy gets completed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Response to the Linear Process:</strong> Many countries follow a linear process in which raw materials are taken from the environment, turned into new products which are then disposed of after use.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603786065_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603786065_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For Industry:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Fulfills the need for raw materials:</strong> The output produced by industries in a circular economy comes back to the industries in the form of input, for example, when parts of a mobile will be segregated, copper and aluminum will become raw materials for some industries.</li>
<li><strong>Efficient utilization of resources:</strong> This helps industries in earning cash profits equivalent to 3-5% of their turnover. Ultimately, QCDF (Quality, Cost, Delivery, and Flexibility) and sustainability level of industries get improved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>For Environment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-better-way-of-waste-management" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Problem of disposal of waste</strong></a> <strong>gets solved</strong> as in a circular economy, waste is converted into raw materials.</li>
<li>Also <strong>solves the problem of air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>For Consumers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Cost-Effective:</strong> The products in the circular economy are more cost effective for consumers as they tend to be more efficient, besides having a longer shelf life.</li>
<li><strong>Efficient Products:</strong> Increased Efficiency leads to a reduction in the cost of maintenance as well as that of disposal, which otherwise a consumer has to incur in a huge amount.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Response:</strong> Germany and Japan have used it as a binding principle for reorganizing its economy, whereas China even has a law on it (Circular Economy Promotion Law).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals</strong></a>, adopted by the United Nations Member States in 2015, include many related ambitions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Circular Economy and India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is already on its path to the circular economy. Initiatives of the National Productivity Council (NPC) and government show that. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>NPC</strong> is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-productivity-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Productivity Week 2019 Theme</strong></a> was &lsquo;Circular Economy for Productivity and Sustainability&rsquo;.</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Digital India&rsquo;</strong></a> Program contains a significant component of the recycling of electronic wastes. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/swachh-bharat-mission-urban#:~:text=Swachh%20Bharat%20Mission%2DUrban%20(SBM,certified%20through%20third%2Dparty%20verification." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swachh Bharat Mission</strong></a> is also about making wealth out of wastes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has a <strong>huge potential for reuse and recycling</strong> as only around 20% of the total waste generated goes into the recycling process.</li>
<li>Manufacturing Sector, especially MSMEs can help a lot in transformation towards a circular economy. The sector should &lsquo;DECIDE&rsquo; i.e.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Designing processes for refurbishment and easy cycling.</li>
<li>Educating masses on Circular Economy and its benefits.</li>
<li>Collaborative Models for smooth implementation of Circular Economy.</li>
<li>Innovating Products for circularity.</li>
<li>Digitization for transparency, virtualization, dematerialization, and feedback driven intelligence for saving resources.</li>
<li>Energy-Efficient for environmental sustainability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India and Australia have had a strong and productive bilateral partnership since a decade and their collaborations across a broad range of areas have yielded significant results.</li>
<li>Circular Economy can lead to the emergence of<strong> more sustainable production and consumption patterns,</strong> thus providing opportunities for developed and developing countries to achieve economic growth and inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.</li>
<li>The transition towards a circular economy requires systematic innovations including new innovative financing models, partnerships, business models and close integration of <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">industry 4.0</a> principles.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667604" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-australia-circular-economy-hackathon'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Extension of ESI Scheme: Arunachal Pradesh',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the central government has<strong> extended the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme to Arunachal Pradesh,</strong> with effect from 1<sup>st</sup> November, 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ESI Scheme <strong>stands implemented in 568 districts</strong> in all the States and Union Territories, except Lakshadweep.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Integrated Social Security Scheme:</strong> Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme provides social protection to workers and their dependants, in the organised sector, in contingencies, such as, sickness, maternity and death or disablement due to an employment injury or occupational hazard.</li>
<li><strong>Statutory Provisions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> ESI Act, 1948</strong> is applicable to factories and notified establishments in an implemented area employing 10 or more employees for wages.</li>
<li>The <strong>"appropriate Government"</strong> State or Central is empowered to extend the provisions of the ESI Act to various classes of establishments, industrial, commercial or agricultural or otherwise. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Most of the State Governments have extended the ESI Act to certain specific class of establishments, such as, shops, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, preview theatres, motors transport undertakings and newspaper establishments etc., employing 10 or more persons.</li>
<li>However, the threshold for Coverage of establishments is still<strong> 20 Employees in Maharashtra.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility for Employees:</strong> The existing wage limit for coverage under the Act is <strong>Rs. 21,000 per month</strong> (Rs. 25,000 per month in the case of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/issues-related-to-persons-with-disability" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>persons with disability</strong></a>).</li>
<li><strong>Self-Financing Scheme:</strong> The ESI Scheme is <strong>financed by contributions from employers and employees.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>June 2020,</strong> the government had <strong>reduced the rate of contribution</strong> under the ESI Act <strong>from 6.5% to 4%</strong> (employers&rsquo; contribution reduced from 4.75% to 3.25% and employees&rsquo; contribution reduced from 1.75% to 0.75%).</li>
<li><strong>Employees, earning less than Rs. 137 a day</strong> as daily wages, are<strong> exempted</strong> from payment of their share of contribution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> The <strong>covered employees and their dependants</strong> are eligible for a host of benefits including Cashless Medical Care Services, Sickness Benefit, Maternity Benefit, Employment Injury Benefit and Dependant Benefit in case of death due to employment injury, Unemployment Benefit etc. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The employees covered under ESI Scheme are also entitled to <strong>unemployment allowance.</strong> There are two unemployment allowance schemes namely <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atal-bimit-vyakti-kalyan-yojana-esic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna (ABVKY)</strong></a> and <strong>Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojna (RGSKY).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Administration:</strong> It is administered by<strong> an apex corporate body called the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).</strong> The Corporation is <strong>headed by the Union Minister of Labour,</strong> as its Chairman.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1667020#:~:text=of%20India%20has%20now%20extended,from%201st%20November%2C%202020.&amp;text=All%20factories%20located%20in%20the,coverage%20under%20ESI%20Act%201948." 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/extension-of-esi-scheme-arunachal-pradesh'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Insurance Sector in India',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/editorial/keeping-it-saral/article32920441.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Keeping it Saral&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu Businessline on 22/10/2020. It talks about the journey of the insurance sector in India and its associated issues.</p>
</div>
<p>Insurance is the main element in the operation of national economies throughout the world today. It protects health and assets of the people and stimulates business activities to operate in a cost-effective manner.</p>
<p>Citing this, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sandbox-for-fintech" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority</strong> </a>(IRDA) has released guidelines for the insurance sector i.e. <strong>Saral Jeevan Bima (SJB).</strong> Saral Jeewan Bima provides for broad contours of a standard individual term life insurance product which must be adhered by insurance companies.</p>
<p>While India&rsquo;s insurance sector has been growing dynamically in recent years, its share in the global insurance market remains abysmally low.</p>
<p>There are many underlying issues which affect the insurance sector in India such as low penetration and density rates, inadequate investment in insurance products, and the dominant position and deteriorating financial health of public-sector players.</p>
<p>Therefore, the goal of making insurance accessible to all will remain difficult to achieve, until the above mentioned issues are addressed.</p>
<h3>Background of Insurance Sector</h3>
<p>The insurance sector has witnessed many changes over the years including:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nationalisation of life (LIC Act 1956) and non-life sectors (GIC Act 1972).</li>
<li>Constitution of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in 1999.</li>
<li>Opening up of the sector to both private and foreign players in 2000.</li>
<li>Increase in the foreign investment cap to 26% from 49% in 2015.</li>
<li>The recent notification of 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) for insurance intermediaries (announced in the Union Budget of 2019-20) has further liberalised the sector.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Saral Jeevan Bima</h3>
<p>With SJB, IRDA envisages to increase penetration of insurance in India. Under this scheme:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Standardisation:</strong> IRDA has come up with guidelines for a &ldquo;standard" product&mdash;Saral Jeevan Bima&mdash;specifying the terms and conditions, benefits, and features that life insurance companies must include. Thereby, making it simpler for individuals to buy a term insurance policy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SJB will make it easier for the customers to make an informed choice, enhance the trust between the insurers and the insured, and reduce mis-selling as well as potential disputes at the time of claiming settlement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inclusive:</strong> The product guidelines mention that insurers should offer the product without restrictions on gender, place of residence, travel, occupation, or educational qualifications.</li>
<li><strong>Securing Interests of Insurers:</strong> Insurers will not be liable for a payout if the policyholder dies within 45 days of taking the policy except in case of accident.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges in India&rsquo;s Insurance sector</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Prevalence of Insurance Gap:</strong> The insurance penetration (ratio of total premium to GDP (gross domestic product)) and density (ratio of total premium to population) stood at 3.69% and US$ 73, respectively for FY18 (fiscal year 2017-18), which is low in comparison with global levels. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These low penetration and density rates reveal the uninsured nature of large sections of population in India, and the presence of an insurance gap.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Public Sector Dominated:</strong> The insurance sector has transitioned from being an exclusive State monopoly to a competitive market, but public-sector insurers hold a greater share of the insurance market even though they are fewer in number.</li>
<li><strong>Nascent Non-life Insurance:</strong> Life insurance dominates the sector with a huge share of 74.7%, with non-life insurance accounting for the remaining 25.3%. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the non-life insurance sector, motor, health, and crop insurance segments are driving growth. India&rsquo;s non-life insurance penetration is below 1%.</li>
<li>In addition, insurance products catering to speciality risks such as catastrophes and cyber security are at a nascent stage of development in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rural-Urban Divide:</strong> Low insurance penetration and density rates prevail in India. However, Rural participation of insurers remains deficient, and life insurers, especially private ones, gravitate towards the urban population.</li>
<li><strong>Capital Starved Insurers:</strong> Insurers in India lack sufficient capital, and their financial health, particularly that of the public-sector insurers, is in a precarious state.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, investment in the insurance sector got dwindled due to the crisis in banks and NBFCs (non-banking financial companies) sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Rural Centric Approach:</strong> Insurance companies in India will have to show long-term commitment to the rural sector as well, and will have to design products which are suitable for rural people.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, government insurance schemes such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana-pmfby" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/financial-inclusion-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana</strong></a>, and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/financial-inclusion-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana</strong></a> are notable steps in right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need For Awareness Program:</strong> There is a need for complementary thrust to spread awareness and improve financial literacy, particularly the concept of insurance, and its importance.</li>
<li><strong>Technological Intervention:</strong> Another area that necessitates regulatory scrutiny is that of application of technology in insurance. An example is the emergence of &lsquo;InsurTech&rsquo;, designed to make the claim process simpler and more comprehensible.</li>
<li><strong>Enhanced Role of Regulator:</strong> The regulator needs to exercise vigilance on three other aspects. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It must ensure that insurance is not denied to lower-income people who make up the bulk of the population and have the most need for protection.</li>
<li>It should insist that insurers facilitate a simple online process for direct buying of insurance products, bypassing intermediaries.</li>
<li>It should ensure that players do not overcharge or add hidden costs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Demographic factors, coupled with increasing awareness and financial literacy, are likely to catalyse the growth of the sector. An enhanced regulatory regime that focuses on increasing insurance coverage is the need of the hour.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603712025_image0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603712025_image0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></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: #fafbff;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the significance of the insurance sector in Indian economy and its underlying issues.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/insurance-sector-in-india'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Compound Interest Waiver on Moratorium Loans',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Government of India has announced the scheme for the<strong> waiver of compound interest</strong> that was payable by the borrower who had opted for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-s-covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>loan moratorium</strong></a> between 1<sup>st</sup> March 2020, and 31<sup>st</sup> August 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reserve Bank of India</a> (RBI)</strong> had in March 2020 offered a <strong>three-month moratorium on loans,</strong> enabling borrowers to defer repayments on EMIs and other loans. This was later <strong>extended by another three months,</strong> till 31<sup>st</sup> August 2020.</li>
<li>The loan moratorium, and waiver of compound interest, was aimed at providing borrowers relief amid the economic impact of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-and-medical-solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603707042_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603707042_image5.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Compound Interest Waiver Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under this, the government will grant <strong>eligible borrowers ex-gratia payment</strong> of the difference between the compound interest and simple interest for the six-month moratorium period.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Ex-gratia payment</strong> is the money which is paid due to moral obligation and not due to legal obligation.</li>
<li><strong>Simple interest</strong> is levied <strong>only on the principal amount</strong> of a loan or deposit. In contrast, <strong>compound interest is levied on the principal amount and the interest</strong> that accumulates on it in every period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme shall be applicable for <strong>loans availed by <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises</a> (MSMEs)</strong> as well as <strong>loans to retail customers</strong> for education, housing, consumer durables, automobiles, <strong>provided a borrower has an aggregate outstanding loan of Rs. 2 crore or less,</strong> from all such loans. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Credit card dues</strong> have also been included in the scheme&rsquo;s ambit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> loan interest waiver payment</strong> shall be admissible, <strong>irrespective of whether the borrower had availed the moratorium partly, fully, or not at all.</strong></li>
<li>However, this would only be permitted for<strong> loan accounts that had not been reported</strong> as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/lessons-from-npa-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)</strong></a> as on 29<sup>th</sup> February 2020. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A loan is recorded as a non-performing asset or NPA, 90 days after repayments become overdue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effect:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>amount saved</strong> through loan interest waiver <strong>will be very small.</strong> This is because only the<strong> interest that would have been charged on the interest of the original loan</strong> during the six months moratorium period is waived off.</li>
<li>In other words, the<strong> loan repayment will continue</strong> and one will still need to pay the <strong>simple interest</strong> that would have paid if not opted for the loan moratorium. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is only the compounding interest that goes off.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lenders have been asked to set up a grievance redressal mechanism for eligible borrowers under the scheme by 30<sup>th</sup> October 2020.</li>
<li>A mechanism has also been put in place for lenders to claim the amount back from the government. Lenders have to submit claims for reimbursement by 15<sup>th</sup> December 2020 through a special cell set up in the State Bank of India (SBI).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/centre-lays-out-modalities-of-compound-interest-scheme-on-loans-up-to-2-crore/article32936609.ece?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=13650c84d0076c2e6d74730151c83ed7f698c58a-1603707270-0-AYYbU7AByQh6Sja8_6Nhyon2Vfo5irIk9yUc49zGFp5nV2aWkQ3xIqOztnFy0TIyBOYMgBwMQB0GD3QdtQCWpYF3zSYTtIarKolHnvi0cnbYzE_9Ide8P4lQ402OR2X_ZMwZDgsnOegC8Ene6PrLmCLvMBMSFsxYFcari5c1ZMG_gCGs4FO0EFDfyx-ynynphWuKqIaqj0eXbhNzvaXmo2d2MJtTdq3-B5Y936AyGolHwl7FbigmLeBoav1pXYa4s-1oP3w7J6LLCVh5OnEA526q0wWqtkSji0DEDUS0a_IjOeVG2EAmjBrEco-PEPSidLVhwdhMSLGl4ckIJwJahiphN6oxcF4BMU8dQiww7hpO0N7ZN2ujUXiPqufGlW1wyt9WoKRAp-BE3BE6zP1rPzSIETZMCg5HeMh9T77wN_vhF5_UD7-BbwJco_tAt7vHysBca0vFa49uatXLPqnEEy7zkjKfsN-cKP61WD6hDHuV-4EU14oAyoVHVaj-UdQsF-umOYxib8KGV6hTABQ6osY6zqy1c_R8h9Ih7X4hKFScqeC4_M0oa_-zTop9_pM9wCxovkcUm6vHQdzaQYrgfrBKPNRmxBDPNmAhjgu19kcUn9_JGlpkMgI8y2I3SJEWY1qKGgrKc6WCG65IciTxhtY" 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/compound-interest-waiver-on-moratorium-loans'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'New Abortion Laws in Poland',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> women in Poland</strong> have been protesting a court ruling that drastically restricts their <strong>right to access safe and legal <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/abortions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abortions</a>.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Poland&rsquo;s Abortion Laws:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The existing <strong>1993 abortion law permits the termination of pregnancy on the grounds of foetal defects.</strong></li>
<li>These are <strong>already considered some of the strictest laws in Europe</strong> and after the enactment of the court&rsquo;s decision, <strong>abortions will only be permitted in cases of rape, incest, or if there is a threat to the mother&rsquo;s life.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Poland&rsquo;s Constitutional Tribunal</strong> ruled that an <strong>existing law</strong> was <strong>unconstitutional</strong> because the<strong> Polish constitution assures a right to life</strong> and the abortion based on a foetal malfunction was a directly forbidden form of discrimination.</li>
<li>Tribunal held that <strong>permitting abortions</strong> in the case of foetal deformities <strong>legalised &ldquo;eugenic practices</strong> with regard to an unborn child, thus denying it the respect and protection of human dignity.&rdquo;<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Eugenics</strong> is the<strong> practice or advocacy of improving the human species</strong> by selectively mating people with specific desirable hereditary traits.</li>
<li>It <strong>aims to reduce human suffering</strong> by &ldquo;breeding out&rdquo; disease, disabilities and so-called undesirable characteristics from the human population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Similar Instances:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Earlier in 2016</strong> too, thousands of women went on strike in <strong>protest against a draft law for a complete ban on abortions.</strong></li>
<li>The draft law was<strong> proposed by an anti-abortion citizens&rsquo; group</strong> and was initially <strong>supported by the Catholic Church.</strong> It <strong>suggested stringent punishments</strong> like jail upto 5 years for the women and also the doctors performing the abortion.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>Church later backed out</strong> when bishops said they<strong> could not support the proposal to jail women who underwent an abortion.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications of the Latest Ruling:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Fewer than 2,000 legal abortions are carried out in Poland each year, a <strong>majority of which are due to foetal defects.</strong> So the ruling <strong>essentially translates to a near complete ban</strong> on abortions in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Abortions in cases of rape, incest or where there is a threat to the mother&rsquo;s life account for <strong>merely 2% of all legal terminations.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An estimated <strong>80,000 to 1,20,000 Polish women either go abroad or seek illegal abortions every year</strong> due to the country&rsquo;s<strong> strict laws</strong> or the<strong> stigma</strong> assocoated with it.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is feared that the<strong> number could surge even further</strong> if terminations due to malformed foetuses are outlawed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Reactions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Regional and global organisations like the <strong>Council of Europe, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/suspension-of-amnesty-international-operations-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amnesty International</a>,</strong> the <strong>Center for Reproductive Rights and Human Rights Watch</strong> criticised the ruling.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Abortion</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is defined as the <strong>termination of pregnancy by various methods,</strong> including<strong> medical surgery</strong> before the fetus is able to sustain independent life.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Abortion Laws in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Abortions in India are regulated by the <strong>Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971.</strong></li>
<li>Under the law (<strong>section 3</strong> of the MTP Act 1971), the<strong> doctor can perform an abortion in the following conditions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the pregnancy would be <strong>harmful to the life of the patient </strong>or <strong>affects her physical or mental health.</strong> The doctor will need to consider the circumstances of the patient to figure out if the pregnancy will harm her mental health, on a case to case basis.</li>
<li>If there is a good chance that the<strong> child would suffer from physical or mental abnormalities</strong> which would leave him or her seriously handicapped.</li>
<li>If pregnancy occurred as a <strong>result of a failure of contraception</strong> (only applicable to married women).</li>
<li>If pregnancy is a <strong>result of sexual assault or rape.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Termination of Pregnancy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the pregnancy has <strong>not exceeded 12 weeks, only one doctor</strong> is needed to sign-off.</li>
<li>If the pregnancy <strong>has exceeded 12 weeks and is below 24 weeks, two doctors</strong> are needed.</li>
<li>The <strong>gestation period does not matter</strong> if a doctor feels that an immediate abortion must be conducted<strong> to save the life of the patient.</strong></li>
<li>The doctor who determines if it is necessary to perform an abortion and performs it <strong>needs to be a &lsquo;registered medical practitioner&rsquo; under the law.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>January 2020,</strong> the Union Cabinet approved <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-bill-to-raise-upper-limit-for-abortion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">amendments to the MTP Act</a></strong>, allowing women to seek abortions as part of the reproductive right and gender justice.</li>
<li>The amendment <strong>raised the upper limit of MTP from 20 weeks to 24 weeks</strong> for women including rape survivors, victims of incest, differently-abled women and minors.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-polish-women-are-protesting-a-recent-court-ruling-on-abortions-6883121/" 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/new-abortion-laws-in-poland'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'India’s First Seaplane Project',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>India's first seaplane service in Gujarat,</strong> is set to start from <strong>31<sup>st</sup> October 2020, the birth anniversary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-unity-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel</a>,</strong> with the aim of providing <strong>air connectivity</strong> between the <strong>Sabarmati Riverfront</strong> in Ahmedabad and the <strong>Statue of Unity</strong> in Kevadia.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The seaplane will be <strong>operated by SpiceJet.</strong> It is a <strong>19-seater seaplane,</strong> which will be able to accommodate 14 passengers.</li>
<li>In the next phase, <strong>Dharoi dam</strong> (Mehsana district) <strong>will connect Ambaji and Shatrunjay dam</strong> (Bhavnagar district) and <strong>Tapi</strong> district.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603705199_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603705199_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="300" height="200" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Seaplane:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A seaplane is a<strong> fixed-wing aeroplane</strong> designed for <strong>taking off and landing on water.</strong></li>
<li>There are <strong>two main types of seaplanes: flying boats</strong> (often called hull seaplanes) and <strong>floatplanes.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A<strong> flying boat</strong> is a fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water, that usually has no type of landing gear to allow operation on land. It <strong>differs from a floatplane</strong> as it uses a purpose-designed fuselage which can float, granting the aircraft buoyancy<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The bottom of a<strong> flying boat&rsquo;s fuselage is its main landing gear.</strong> This is usually supplemented with smaller floats near the wingtips, called wing or tip floats.</li>
<li>The <strong>hull of a flying boat holds the crew, passengers, and cargo;</strong> it has many features in common with the hull of a ship or a boat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A<strong> floatplane</strong> is supported on the water by <strong>pontoons,</strong> called<strong> floats.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Countries that Operate Seaplanes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seaplanes are operational in countries like the Philippines, Canada, Australia, the United States, Finland, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Maldives and Hongkong.</li>
<li>In India,<strong> Jal Hans,</strong> a commercial seaplane service based in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was launched as a <strong>pilot project</strong> in December 2010 with a capacity of 10 passengers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Seaplane Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the <strong>direction of the Centre,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wings-india-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Airports Authority of India (AAI)</strong></a> requested state governments of Gujarat, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and the administration of Andaman &amp; Nicobar<strong> to propose potential locations for setting up water airports</strong> to boost the tourism sector.</li>
<li>In 2019, the <strong>Centre approved flights from six water airports</strong> that include Shatrunjay Dam (Gujarat), Guwahati riverfront and Umrangso reservoir (Assam) and Nagarjuna Sagar (Andhra Pradesh), under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/udan-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>third round of Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik</strong></a> (UDAN) scheme.</li>
<li>The routes awarded for seaplane operations include<strong> Sabarmati riverfront to Statue of Unity and Shatrunjay Dam; Guwahati riverfront to Umrango reservoir, Jorhat and Shillong</strong> (Meghalaya) and <strong>Nagarjuna Sagar to Vijayawada and Hyderabad</strong> (Telangana).</li>
<li><strong>Agatti, Kavaratti and Minicoy islands of Lakshadweep</strong> have also been proposed to be connected through the seaplane project under the<strong> fourth round of UDAN scheme.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project will lead to an<strong> increase in tourism and hotel business</strong> at local level. It will also serve <strong>employment to local people.</strong></li>
<li>Establishment of water airports will contribute to an increase in the level of current <strong>social infrastructural facilities</strong> at the proposed sites.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact on Environment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Negative:</strong> Experts are of the opinion that the activities proposed under the water airport project may have a similar type of impact as that of an airport.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the water airport is not a listed project/activity in the Schedule to the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006</strong></a> nor in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/draft-eia-notification-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>EIA draft 2020.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Positive:</strong> During seaplane operations, there will be <strong>turbulence</strong> created in the water while takeoff and landing of seaplanes. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will<strong> lead to mixing of oxygen in the water,</strong> which will have a positive impact on the aquatic ecosystem near seaplane operations increasing oxygen content and decreasing carbon content in this system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>UDAN Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN)</strong> was launched as <strong>a regional connectivity scheme</strong> under the <strong>Ministry of Civil Aviation</strong> in 2016.</li>
<li>The objective of the scheme is<strong> to create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes</strong> so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns.</li>
<li>The scheme<strong> envisages providing connectivity to un-served and underserved airports of the country</strong> through the revival of existing air-strips and airports. The scheme is <strong>operational for a period of 10 years.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under-served airports are those which do not have more than one flight a day, while un-served airports are those where there are no operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>UDAN 3.0 and UDAN 4.0 aim to include Seaplanes for connecting water airports.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/seaplane-from-maldives-to-arrive-in-gujarat-today-6883234/" 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/india-s-first-seaplane-project'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'World Economic Outlook: IMF',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <strong>October update</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-growth-forecast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Outlook 2020</strong></a>, India's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gross domestic product</strong> </a>(GDP) will witness a <strong>contraction of over 10%.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is more than the double of 4.5% contraction projected in the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-economic-outlook-report-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> April edition</a></strong>.</li>
<li>World Economic Outlook is a survey by 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>(IMF) which is usually <strong>published twice a year</strong> in the months of <strong>April and October.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global growth</strong> would <strong>contract by 4.4% in 2020</strong> and <strong>bounce</strong> back to <strong>5.2% in 2021.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Indian economy,</strong> severely hit by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>, is projected to <strong>contract by 10.3% in 2020.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The spread of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>and containment measures have severely<strong> disrupted supply and demand</strong> conditions in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However,<strong> India is likely to bounce back with an 8.8%</strong> growth rate in<strong> 2021,</strong> thus regaining the position of the fastest-growing emerging economy, <strong>surpassing China&rsquo;s projected growth rate of 8.2%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Among the major economies,<strong> China is the only country</strong> to show a<strong> positive growth rate</strong> of 1.9% in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-Bangladesh Difference</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>GDP Comparison:</strong> According to the IMF&rsquo;s forecasts, Bangladesh&rsquo;s per capita GDP is expected to overtake India in 2020. <strong>India is likely to grow faster in 2021</strong> and in all likelihood again surge ahead.</li>
<li><strong>Per Capita Income Comparison:</strong> However, over the <strong>five-year period ending in 2025,</strong> Bangladesh&rsquo;s per capita GDP is expected to grow at a slightly higher pace, implying that <strong>in 2025, its per capita income would be USD 2,756, marginally higher than that of India&rsquo;s at USD 2,729.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given <strong>Bangladesh&rsquo;s lower population growth and faster economic growth,</strong> India and Bangladesh are <strong>likely to be neck and neck</strong> for the foreseeable future in terms of per capita income.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Comparison Method:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Typically, countries are compared on the basis of <strong>GDP growth rate,</strong> or on <strong>absolute GDP.</strong></li>
<li>However, <strong>per capita income</strong> also involves another variable like the <strong>overall population</strong> and is arrived at <strong>by dividing the total GDP by the total population.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Trends:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603704321_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603704321_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For the most part <strong>since Bangladesh&rsquo;s independence,</strong> on both these counts, <strong>India&rsquo;s economy has been better</strong> than Bangladesh&rsquo;s.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s economy has <strong>mostly been over 10 times the size of Bangladesh</strong> and grown faster every year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>1991,</strong> when India was undergoing a severe<strong> financial crisis</strong> and grew by just above 1%, <strong>Bangladesh&rsquo;s per capita GDP surged ahead</strong> of India&rsquo;s. Since then, India again took the lead.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There are<strong> three reasons</strong> why <strong>India&rsquo;s per capita income has fallen below Bangladesh in 2020.</strong> These are as below:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Growth Rates: Since 2017 onwards, India&rsquo;s growth rate has decelerated sharply while Bangladesh&rsquo;s has become even faster.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bangladesh&rsquo;s economy has been clocking rapid GDP growth rates since 2004. However, this pace did not alter the relative positions of the two economies between 2004 and 2016 because India grew even faster than Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Populations:</strong> Over the same period, <strong>India&rsquo;s population grew faster</strong> (around 21%) than Bangladesh&rsquo;s population (just under 18%).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>combined effect</strong> of these two factors can be seen in how the<strong> per capita GDP gap had closed considerably even before Covid-19.</strong></li>
<li>Bangladesh&rsquo;s per capita GDP was <strong>merely half of India&rsquo;s in 2007</strong> but this was just before the global financial crisis. It was <strong>roughly 70% of India&rsquo;s in 2014</strong> and this<strong> gap closed rapidly</strong> in the last few years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19:</strong> The <strong>most immediate factor</strong> was the <strong>relative impact of Covid-19</strong> on the two economies in 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While India&rsquo;s GDP is set to reduce by 10%, Bangladesh&rsquo;s is expected to grow by almost 4%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons Behind Bangladesh&rsquo;s Fast Growth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Independence from Pakistan:</strong> It gave Bangladesh a chance to start afresh on its economic and political identity.</li>
<li><strong>Less Stringent Labour Laws:</strong> Labour laws were not as stringent and its economy increasingly involved women in its labour force, seen by the <strong>higher female participation.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Role of Garment Industry in Exports:</strong> A key driver of growth was the garment industry where women workers gave Bangladesh the edge to corner the global export markets from which China retreated.</li>
<li><strong>Industry and Services Led GDP:</strong> Structure of Bangladesh&rsquo;s economy is such that its GDP is led by the industrial sector, followed by the services sector and both these sectors create a lot of jobs and are<strong> more remunerative than agriculture.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India,</strong> on the other hand, has <strong>struggled to boost its industrial sector</strong> and has far too many <strong>people still dependent on agriculture.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improved Social and Political Metrics:</strong> Over the past two decades, Bangladesh has improved on several social and political metrics such as health, sanitation, financial inclusion, and women&rsquo;s political representation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, despite a lower proportion of the population having access to basic sanitation, the<strong> mortality rate attributed to unsafe water and sanitation in Bangladesh is much lower than in India.</strong></li>
<li>On financial inclusion, according to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/09-05-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Findex database</a>, the <strong>proportion of dormant bank accounts is quite small</strong> when compared to India.</li>
<li>Bangladesh is also far ahead of India in the latest <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-gender-gap-index-2020-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gender parity rankings</strong></a>. Out of 154 countries mapped, Bangladesh is in the top 50 while India is at 112.</li>
<li>Bangladesh with the 75<sup>th</sup> rank, is ahead of India, with 94<sup>th</sup> rank, in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-hunger-index-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Hunger Index 2020.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Better Performance:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603704444_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603704444_image4.png" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>level of poverty is much lower than that of Bangladesh&rsquo;s.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the World Bank, poverty in Bangladesh is <strong>expected to increase substantially</strong> in the short term, with the<strong> highest impact on daily and self-employed workers</strong> in the non-agricultural sector and salaried workers in the manufacturing sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is far ahead of Bangladesh<strong> in basic education parameters</strong> and that is what explains its higher rank in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/human-development-index-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Human Development Index.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>India</strong> stands at the <strong>63<sup>rd</sup> rank</strong> while <strong>Bangladesh is at the 168<sup>th</sup> rank</strong>, out of total <strong>190 countries</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ease of Doing Business 2020.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>India</strong> is at the <strong>48<sup>th</sup> position</strong> while <strong>Bangladesh</strong> ranked <strong>116<sup>th</sup> among 131 economies</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-innovation-index-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Innovation Index 2020.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bangladesh&rsquo;s recent economic performance and its differences from India can be traced to the former&rsquo;s better export performance, especially in garments and apparel.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s exports have remained sluggish, which could provide the much-needed fillip to India&rsquo;s economy. However, this would require India to reverse its recent stance on trade, lower rather than raise tariffs, embrace free trade agreements, and seek greater integration with global supply chains.</li>
<li>Wages in China are rising and countries like Bangladesh are all set to take advantage of this opportunity post-Covid-19. As companies try to hedge their supply chain risks, and shifts away from China intensify, this provides India yet another opportunity but it will require the government to pivot away from protectionism.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-gdp-bangladesh-gdp-indian-economy-6748867/" 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/world-economic-outlook-imf'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Kisan Suryodaya Yojana: Gujarat',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister has launched the <strong>&lsquo;Kisan Suryodaya Yojana&rsquo;</strong> aimed at providing <strong>day-time electricity to farmers in Gujarat</strong> for irrigation and farming purposes.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Prime Minister also launched a<strong> 2.3 km-long ropeway project on Mount Girnar</strong> in Junagadh city, a major pilgrimage site.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Kisan Suryodaya Yojana:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rs. 3,500 crore</strong> will be spent over the <strong>next three years</strong> for providing solar power to farmers for irrigation during daytime (5 AM to 9 PM).</li>
<li>About<strong> 3,500 circuit kilometers (CKM) of new transmission lines</strong> will be laid.</li>
<li><strong>10 districts</strong> including Dahod, Gir-Somnath and Tapi have been selected under the Scheme for 2020-21. The remaining districts will be covered in a phase-wise manner by 2022-23.</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It would help in the <strong>expansion of micro irrigation</strong> in the state. Micro irrigation is defined as the frequent application of small quantities of water directly above and below the soil surface; usually as discrete drops, continuous drops or tiny streams through emitters placed along a water delivery line.</li>
<li>It would complement irrigation projects of the State- <strong>Sujalam Sufalam</strong> and<strong> SAUNI (Saurashtra-Narmada Avtaran Irrigation) yojana.</strong></li>
<li>It would <strong>complement central government initiatives</strong> like <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-chemicals-fertilizers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>neem coating urea</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/soil-health-card-scheme-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Soil Health Cards</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-website-of-ministry-of-new-and-renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>KUSUM Yojana</strong></a>, etc.</li>
<li>India has now reached<strong> 5<sup>th</sup> position in the world</strong> in the last few years in<strong> solar power</strong> and is advancing fast. Further, it has given the world the plan of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-sun-one-world-one-grid-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;One Sun, One World, One Grid&rsquo;.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On the <strong>Kisan Suryodaya scheme,</strong> the PM emphasised that farmers should save water and adopt the mantra <strong>&lsquo;per drop, more crop&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>With the objective of "per drop, more crop", <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mobile-application-for-geo-tagging-pmksy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)</strong> </a>was also <strong>launched in 2015.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>centrally sponsored scheme</strong> being implemented to expand cultivated areas with assured irrigation, reduce wastage of water and improve water use efficiency and ensure<strong> "Har Khet Ko Paani".</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was conceived by amalgamating ongoing schemes viz.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)</strong> of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development &amp; Ganga Rejuvenation (now Ministry of Jal Shakti),</li>
<li><strong>Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)</strong> of Ministry of Rural Development and</li>
<li><strong>On Farm Water Management (OFWM)</strong> of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The scheme is implemented by the <strong>Ministries of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Jal Shakti and Rural Development.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ropeway Project on Mount Girnar:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 2.3 km- long ropeway project is being touted as the l<strong>ongest temple ropeway in Asia.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mount Girnar has <strong>Gorakhnath peak, Guru Dattatreya peak </strong>and<strong> a Jain temple.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is the <strong>fourth ropeway in Gujarat</strong> along with Banaskantha, Pavagadh and Satpura.</li>
<li>It will give a <strong>boost to adventure activities as well as tourism</strong> in the state.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sites like <strong>Shivarajpur beach</strong> which has got <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eight-indian-beaches-recommended-for-blue-flag" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>blue flag certification</strong> </a>and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/statue-of-unity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Statue of Unity</strong></a>, provides a lot of employment opportunities to the locals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-inaugurates-three-projects-in-gujarat/article32935777.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/kisan-suryodaya-yojana-gujarat'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'SOP for Adoption of Integrity Pact Amended: CVC',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-vigilance-commission-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Vigilance Commission</a> (CVC)</strong> has amended the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on adoption of <strong>&ldquo;Integrity Pact&rdquo;</strong> in government organisations for procurement activities.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The latest order revises the SOP issued in January 2017.</li>
<li>The CVC also restricted the maximum tenure of <strong>Integrity External Monitors (IEMs)</strong> to three years in an organisation.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Integrity Pact</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Integrity Pact is a <strong>vigilance tool</strong> that envisages an <strong>agreement between the prospective vendors/bidders and the buyer,</strong> committing both the parties <strong>not to exercise any corrupt influence</strong> on any aspect of the contract. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The pact also<strong> ensures transparency, equity and competitiveness</strong> in public procurement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Integrity External Monitors</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The IEMs independently and objectively <strong>review the documents to determine if the parties have complied with their obligations</strong> under the pact.</li>
<li>They may submit a report to the chief executive of the organisation concerned or directly to the <strong>Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO)</strong> and the<strong> CVC,</strong> if they find serious irregularities attracting the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 provisions.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Choice of IEM:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Amended Provision:</strong> It states that the<strong> choice of IEM</strong> should be restricted to officials from the government and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) who have retired from positions of the<strong> level of Secretary</strong> to the Central government or of equivalent pay scale.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The officials who retired as Chairman and Managing Directors (CMDs) of PSUs &mdash; Schedule 'A' companies and CMD/Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer levels in the Public Sector Banks (PSBs), insurance companies and financial institutions &mdash; should be at least of the level of<strong> Additional Secretary</strong> or its equivalent.</li>
<li>Officers of the Armed Forces who have retired from the <strong>rank equivalent of General</strong> may also be considered for appointment.</li>
<li>Preference would be given to persons who have worked in any other sector, other than their own, or have worked as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) in any organisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Earlier Provision:</strong> Under the 2017 order, the officials who had retired from positions of the<strong> level of Additional Secretary</strong> to the Central government and above, or equivalent pay scale, were eligible for the PSUs, board level officers in Schedule 'A' companies, PSBs, insurance companies and financial institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Officers of the Armed Forces who had retired from the<strong> rank equivalent to Lieutenant-General</strong> and above were considered for appointment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Appointment as IEM:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Amended Provision:</strong> It states that for appointment as IEM, the Ministry, department or organisation concerned has to forward a panel of suitable persons to the CVC, of those persons who are in the panel maintained by the CVC.</li>
<li><strong>Earlier Provision:</strong> Under the 2017 order, the panel could include those already in the panel maintained by the CVC, or they could propose names of other suitable persons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tenure:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Amended Provision:</strong> It states that the IEM will be appointed for a <strong>period of three years</strong> in an organisation.</li>
<li><strong>Earlier Provision:</strong> The 2017 order stated that the<strong> initial tenure of IEM would be three years</strong> which could be <strong>extended for another term of two years</strong> on a request received by the CVC from the organisation concerned.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Vigilance Commission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CVC is the apex vigilance institution, <strong>free of control from any executive authority, monitoring all vigilance activity under the Central Government</strong> and advising various authorities in Central Government organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance work.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an<strong> independent</strong> body and is <strong>only responsible to the Parliament.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was set up by the Government in February, 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by <strong>K. Santhanam.</strong></li>
<li>The Parliament enacted <strong>Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 (CVC Act)</strong> conferring <strong>statutory status</strong> on the CVC.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cvc-amends-sop-for-adoption-of-integrity-pact-in-govt-organisations/article32932525.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/sop-for-adoption-of-integrity-pact-amended-cvc'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'PRS Capsule September 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 and Governance</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#2">The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#5">Report on Virtual Courts</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill</a></li>
<li><a href="#7">Mission Karamyogi</a></li>
<li><a href="#8">The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#9">Economy</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#10">Farmers&rsquo; Produce Trade and Commerce Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#11">Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#12">The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#13">Green Term Ahead Market</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#14">Social Justice</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#15">Code on Social Security, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#16">The Industrial Relations Code, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#17">The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#18">Security</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#19">FDI policy in Defence</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#20">Science and Technology</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#21">Mandatory Use of FASTag</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1">Polity and Governance</h2>
<h3 id="2">The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on September 14, 2020. It amends the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/epidemic-diseases-act-1897?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=c3e2d39cc051c27cf78c480428662607bb51b4b6-1603689326-0-AZ2R1CEYSZxhplL6-_THp55AdVNv-QXdBm4FG2rBXuL8XYfX0BmmnROXU78rtqkuJdt7V7aiusaruSlQF0YPFezMvSGaO1eqdPudG7mqreIZLQXNg8K_BycsMN8xXKCUy1r3uI6PT6YJPwme2wplaVFQK_ekWBEOfJheX9-ryIm2FRrOaRaUGIShAAvAGVhu5CkmrRcFs1nUuB-owecFRAHUZAqELfRHKKNv-aRIrD-O0D7itB4ragUhPgrsu426Y2RzosZt8B5E1mfcAx-sQi33iituJNZUmJ_8Mw-gL-tK9_bRrMUCtB913Y0rnm6cSw6ram1LhT2uKDBd34bwr15-K6apCshfauZ1jftvBhbszEKPpDm7js2hHSZMOp00cK_LegKnx54V-by7kN8C_Ksri44OvgcPSnOK4EaCK1tnro61vXMzjGmsHSF9kLMcga6xs2sIE00p1zABlSeUbd47rlX3crpoWX9ljvg6ePBiaSkxy-3u2GOZRNxTlsPfSaJnmmJD1fqUYBmh_jNqvv_JpIL_qwY91FcrhBQgdBZxpeaPCMo3CrPuTAOv4a9mVyXZzuKgLZlmC9vOhT4Tm40" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act provides for the prevention of the spread of dangerous epidemic diseases.</li>
<li>The Bill amends the Act to include protections for healthcare personnel combatting epidemic diseases and expands the powers of the central government to prevent the spread of such diseases.</li>
<li>The Bill repeals the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance that was promulgated on April 22, 2020</li>
<li>They include: (i) public and clinical healthcare providers such as doctors and nurses, (ii) any person empowered under the Act to take measures to prevent the outbreak of the disease, and (iii) other persons designated as such by the state government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under the Bill, an<strong> &lsquo;act of violence&rsquo;</strong> includes any of the following acts committed against a healthcare service personnel: (i) harassment impacting living or working conditions, (ii) harm, injury, hurt, or danger to life, (iii) obstruction in discharge of duties, and (iv) loss or damage to the property or documents of the healthcare service personnel. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Property includes:</strong> (i) clinical establishment, (ii) quarantine facility, (iii) mobile medical unit, and (iv) any other property in which a healthcare service personnel has direct interest, in relation to the epidemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection for healthcare personnel and damage to property:</strong> The Bill specifies that no person can: (i) commit or abet the commission of an act of violence against a healthcare service personnel, or (ii) abet or cause damage or loss to any property during an epidemic. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Contravention of this provision is punishable with imprisonment between three months and five years, and a fine between Rs 50,000 and two lakh rupees. This offence may be compounded by the victim with the permission of the Court.</li>
<li>Further, if an act of violence against a healthcare service personnel causes grievous harm, the person committing the offence will be punishable with imprisonment between six months and seven years, and a fine between one lakh rupees and five lakh rupees. These offences will be cognizable and non-bailable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Compensation:</strong> Persons convicted of offences under the Bill will also be liable to pay compensation to the healthcare service personnel whom they have hurt. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the case of damage or loss of property, the compensation payable to the victim will be twice the amount of the fair market value of the damaged or lost property, as determined by the Court.</li>
<li>If the convicted person fails to pay the compensation, the amount will be recovered as an arrear of land revenue under the Revenue Recovery Act, 1890.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Investigation:</strong> Cases registered under the Bill will be investigated by a police officer, not below the rank of Inspector. The investigation must be completed within 30 days from the date of registration of the First Information Report.</li>
<li><strong>Trial:</strong> The inquiry or trial should be concluded within one year. If it is not concluded within this time period, the Judge must record the reasons for the delay and extend the time period. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the time period may not be extended for more than six months at a time. When prosecuting a person for causing grievous harm to a healthcare service personnel, the Court will presume that person is guilty of the offence, unless the contrary is proved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Powers of the central government:</strong> The Act specifies that the central government may regulate: (i) the inspection of any ship or vessel leaving or arriving at any port, and (ii) the detention of any person intending to travel from the port, during an outbreak. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill expands the powers of the central government to regulate the inspection of any bus, train, goods vehicle, ship, vessel, or aircraft leaving or arriving at any land port, port, or aerodrome. Further, the government may regulate the detention of any person intending to travel by these means.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="3">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020</strong> replaces the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020.</li>
<li>It amends the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/insolvency-and-bankruptcy-code-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016</strong></a>. The Code provides a time-bound process for resolving insolvency in companies and among individuals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Insolvency</strong> is a situation where individuals or companies are unable to repay their outstanding debt.</li>
<li>The Bill seeks to temporarily suspend initiation of the <strong>corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP)</strong> under the Code.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prohibition on the initiation of CIRP for certain defaults:</strong> When a default occurs, the Code allows the creditors of the company or the company itself to initiate CIRP by filing an application before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill provides that for defaults arising during the six months from March 25, 2020, CIRP can never be initiated by either the company or its creditors.</li>
<li>The central government may extend this period to one year through notification. The Bill clarifies that during this period, CIRP can still be initiated for any defaults arising before March 25, 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Liabilities for wrongful trading:</strong> Under the Code, a director or a partner of the corporate debtor may be held liable to make personal contributions to the assets of the company in certain situations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This liability can occur if despite knowing that the insolvency proceedings cannot be avoided, the person did not exercise due diligence in minimising the potential loss to the creditors.</li>
<li>The Resolution Professional may apply to the NCLT to hold such persons liable. The Resolution Professional is appointed to manage the resolution process upon the acceptance of an application for initiation of CIRP.</li>
<li>The Bill prohibits the Resolution Professional from filing such an application in relation to the defaults for which initiation of CIRP has been prohibited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="4">Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assisted-reproductive-technology-regulation-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020</strong></a> was introduced in Lok Sabha on September 14, 2020. The Bill seeks to provide for the regulation of Assisted Reproductive Technology services in the country.</li>
<li><strong>Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART):</strong> The Bill defines ART to include all techniques that seek to obtain a pregnancy by handling the sperm or the oocyte (immature egg cell) outside the human body and transferring the gamete or the embryo into the reproductive system of a woman. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Examples of ART services include gamete (sperm or oocyte) donation, in-vitro-fertilisation (fertilising an egg in the lab), and gestational surrogacy (the child is not biologically related to surrogate mother).</li>
<li>ART services will be provided through: (i) ART clinics, which offer ART related treatments and procedures, and (ii) ART banks, which store and supply gametes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulation of ART clinics and banks:</strong> The Bill provides that every ART clinic and bank must be registered under the National Registry of Banks and Clinics of India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The National Registry will be established under the Bill and will act as a central database with details of all ART clinics and banks in the country. State governments will appoint registration authorities for facilitating the registration process.</li>
<li>Clinics and banks will be registered only if they adhere to certain standards (specialised manpower, physical infrastructure, and diagnostic facilities).</li>
<li>The registration will be valid for five years and can be renewed for a further five years. Registration may be cancelled or suspended if the entity contravenes the provisions of the Bill.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conditions for gamete donation and supply:</strong> Screening of gamete donors, collection and storage of semen, and provision of oocyte donor can only be done by a registered ART bank. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A bank can obtain semen from males between 21 and 55 years of age, and oocytes from females between 23 and 35 years of age.</li>
<li>An oocyte donor should be an ever-married woman having at least one alive child of her own (minimum three years of age). The woman can donate oocytes only once in her life and not more than seven oocytes can be retrieved from her.</li>
<li>A bank cannot supply gamete of a single donor to more than one commissioning couple (couple seeking services).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conditions for offering ART services:</strong> ART procedures can only be carried out with the written informed consent of both the party seeking ART services as well as the donor. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The party seeking ART services will be required to provide insurance coverage in the favour of the oocyte donor (for any loss, damage, or death of the donor).</li>
<li>A clinic is prohibited from offering to provide a child of pre-determined sex. The Bill also requires checking for genetic diseases before the embryo implantation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rights of a child born through ART:</strong> A child born through ART will be deemed to be a biological child of the commissioning couple and will be entitled to the rights and privileges available to a natural child of the commissioning couple. A donor will not have any parental rights over the child.</li>
<li><strong>National and State Boards:</strong> The Bill provides that the National and State Boards for Surrogacy constituted under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019 will act as the National and State Board respectively for the regulation of ART services. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Key powers and functions of the National Board include: (i) advising the central government on ART related policy matters, (ii) reviewing and monitoring the implementation of the Bill, (iii) formulating code of conduct and standards for ART clinics and banks, and (iv) overseeing various bodies to be constituted under the Bill.</li>
<li>The State Boards will coordinate enforcement of the policies and guidelines for ART as per the recommendations, policies, and regulations of the National Board.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Offences and penalties:</strong> Offences under the Bill include: (i) abandoning, or exploiting children born through ART, (ii) selling, purchasing, trading, or importing human embryos or gametes, (iii) using intermediates to obtain donors, (iv) exploiting commissioning couple, woman, or the gamete donor in any form, and (v) transferring the human embryo into a male or an animal. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These offences will be punishable with a fine between five and ten lakh rupees for the first contravention. For subsequent contraventions, these offences will be punishable with imprisonment for a term between eight and 12 years, and a fine between 10 and 20 lakh rupees.</li>
<li>Any clinic or bank advertising or offering sex-selective ART will be punishable with imprisonment between five and ten years, or fine between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 25 lakh, or both.</li>
<li>No court will take cognisance of offences under the Bill, except on a complaint made by the National or State Board or any officer authorised by the Boards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="5">Report on Virtual Courts</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Standing Committee on <strong>Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice</strong> submitted its report on the functioning of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/virtual-courts-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>virtual courts</strong></a>. The Committee emphasised that there is a need to integrate virtual courts into the country's legal ecosystem.</li>
<li>Key recommendations include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Digital divide:</strong> The Committee noted that a large number of advocates and litigants lack access to basic infrastructure and high-speed internet needed for virtual hearings. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To address this, it recommended exploring the feasibility of involving private agencies to take videoconferencing equipment to the doorsteps of people who are not tech-savvy, to help them connect with virtual courts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity divide:</strong> To address the connectivity divide, the Committee recommended that the government ramp up efforts to ensure timely implementation of the National Broadband Mission.</li>
<li><strong>Skill divide:</strong> To address the skill divide, the Committee recommended that training and awareness programs be conducted on all court complexes across the country to help advocates acquire skills required for handling digital platforms. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It also recommended that the Bar Council of India introduce computer courses as one of the subjects in law courses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Subordinate courts:</strong> The Committee noted that lower courts lack basic infrastructure and have experienced difficulties in adapting to virtual courts. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since transition to virtual Courts requires high initial investment, the Committee recommended exploring the feasibility of new financing approaches such as a public private participation model.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Continuation of virtual courts:</strong> The Committee recommended continuing the current system of virtual hearings on an experimental basis with the consent of all parties for certain categories of cases of appeals and final hearings (where physical presence is not required).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Way forward:</strong> The Committee recommended implementing a full-fledged virtual Court system on a pilot basis, in consultation with members of bar associations and bar councils. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Committee recommended transferring to virtual courts all matters in which personal presence may be dispensed with. In cases involving interpretation of law, facts, and examination of a large number of witnesses, a hybrid model can be adopted to digitise manual processes (such as filing of plaint and issuance of summons) and the hearings can be held in physical courtrooms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="6">The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020</strong> was passed by Parliament. The Bill amends the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/foreign-contribution-regulation-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act regulates the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution by individuals, associations, and companies.</li>
<li>Foreign contribution is the donation or transfer of any currency, security or article (of beyond a specified value) by a foreign source.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Key provisions of the bill include:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Transfer of foreign contribution:</strong> Under the Act, foreign contribution cannot be transferred to any other person unless such person is also registered to accept foreign contribution (or has obtained prior permission under the Act to obtain foreign contribution). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill amends this to prohibit the transfer of foreign contribution to any other person.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aadhaar for registration:</strong> The Act states that a person may accept foreign contribution if they have obtained a certificate of registration or prior permission from the government. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill requires that the application for registration or permission must contain the Aadhaar number of all directors or key functionaries.</li>
<li>A foreigner must provide a copy of the passport or the Overseas Citizen of India card.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>FCRA account:</strong> Under the Act, a registered person must accept foreign contributions only in a single branch of a scheduled bank specified by them. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill amends this to state that foreign contribution must be received only in a specified branch of the State Bank of India in New Delhi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduction in use of foreign contribution for administrative purposes:</strong> Under the Act, not more than 50% of the foreign contribution may be used for meeting administrative expenses. The Bill reduces this to 20%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="7">Mission Karamyogi</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved the launch of a capacity-building scheme for members of the civil services called the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mission-karmayogi-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Programme will be delivered through a digital platform called <strong>iGOTKarmayogiPlatform.</strong></li>
<li>The core guiding principles of the Programme include: (i) aligning work allocation of civil servants by matching their competencies to the requirements of the post, (ii) emphasising on 'on-site learning' to complement &lsquo;off-site&rsquo; learning, and (iii) calibrating all Civil Service positions to a <strong>Framework of Roles, Activities and Competencies (FRACs)</strong> approach and to create and deliver learning content relevant to the identified FRACs in every government entity.</li>
<li><strong>The Programme will be governed by:</strong> (i) the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Human Resource (HR) Council, (ii) a Capacity Building Commission, (iii) a special purpose vehicle for owning and operating the digital assets and platform for online training, and (iv) a coordination unit headed by the Cabinet Secretary.</li>
<li><strong>The functions of the Capacity Building Commission include:</strong> (i) assisting the PM HR Council in approving annual capacity building plans, (ii) supervising central training institutions dealing with civil services capacity building, and (iii) setting norms for common mid-career training programmes across all civil services.</li>
<li>Besides capacity building, service matters like confirmation after probation period, deployment, work assignment and notification of vacancies are also proposed to be integrated with the competency framework.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="8">The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jammu-and-kashmir-official-languages-bill-2020#:~:text=Key%20Points,becoming%20a%20separate%20Union%20Territory." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020</strong></a> was introduced in Lok Sabha on September 22, 2020. It seeks to declare certain languages as official languages of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.</li>
<li><strong>Official languages:</strong> The Bill declares <strong>Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi</strong> and <strong>English</strong> as the official languages to be used for the official purposes of the union territory, from such date as the Administrator of the union territory may notify. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill adds that the business in the Legislative Assembly of the union territory will be transacted in these official languages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of English:</strong> The Bill clarifies that English may continue to be used in the union territory for those administrative and legislative purposes for which it was being used before the commencement of the Act.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="9">Economy</h2>
<h3 id="10">Farmers&rsquo; Produce Trade and Commerce Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Trade of farmers&rsquo; produce:</strong> The<strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-agriculture-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> bill</a></strong> allows intra-state and inter-state trade of farmers&rsquo; produce outside: (i) the physical premises of market yards run by market committees formed under the state <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-produce-to-agriculture-marketinghttps://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-produce-to-agriculture-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>APMC</strong></a> Acts and (ii) other markets notified under the state APMC Acts. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such trade can be conducted in an <strong>&lsquo;outside trade area&rsquo;,</strong> i.e., any place of production, collection, and aggregation of farmers&rsquo; produce including: (i) farm gates, (ii) factory premises, (iii) warehouses, (iv) silos, and (v) cold storages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Electronic trading:</strong> It permits the electronic trading of scheduled farmers&rsquo; produce (agricultural produce regulated under any state APMC Act) in the specified trade area. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An electronic trading and transaction platform may be set up to facilitate the direct and online buying and selling of such produce through electronic devices and the internet.</li>
<li>The following entities may establish and operate such platforms: (i) companies, partnership firms, or registered societies, having permanent account number under the Income Tax Act, 1961 or any other document notified by the central government, and (ii) a farmer producer organisation or agricultural cooperative society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Market fee abolished:</strong> It prohibits state governments from levying any market fee, cess or levy on farmers, traders, and electronic trading platforms for trade of farmers&rsquo; produce conducted in an &lsquo;outside trade area&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="11">Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Farming agreement:</strong> The bill provides for a farming agreement between a farmer and a buyer prior to the production or rearing of any farm produce. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The minimum period of an agreement will be one crop season, or one production cycle of livestock. The maximum period is five years, unless the production cycle is more than five years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pricing of farming produce:</strong> The price of farming produce should be mentioned in the agreement. For prices subject to variation, a guaranteed price for the product and a clear reference for any additional amount above the guaranteed price must be specified in the agreement. Further, the process of price determination must be mentioned in the agreement.</li>
<li><strong>Dispute Settlement:</strong> A farming agreement must provide for a conciliation board as well as a conciliation process for settlement of disputes. The Board should have a fair and balanced representation of parties to the agreement. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At first, all disputes must be referred to the board for resolution. If the dispute remains unresolved by the Board after thirty days, parties may approach the Sub-divisional Magistrate for resolution. Parties will have a right to appeal to an Appellate Authority (presided by collector or additional collector) against decisions of the Magistrate.</li>
<li>Both the Magistrate and Appellate Authority will be required to dispose of a dispute within thirty days from the receipt of application.</li>
<li>The Magistrate or the Appellate Authority may impose certain penalties on the party contravening the agreement. However, no action can be taken against the agricultural land of farmers for recovery of any dues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="12">The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020</strong> was passed by Parliament. The Bill replaces the Ordinance promulgated on June 5, 2020 to amend the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/04-06-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Essential Commodities Act, 1955.</strong> </a></li>
<li><strong>Regulation of food items:</strong> The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 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 central government may regulate or prohibit the production, supply, distribution, trade, and commerce of such essential commodities.</li>
<li>It provides that the central government may regulate the supply of certain food items including cereals, pulses, potatoes, onions, edible oilseeds, and oils, only under extraordinary circumstances.</li>
<li>These include: (i) war, (ii) famine, (iii) extraordinary price rise and (iv) natural calamity of grave nature.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stock limit:</strong> It requires that imposition of any stock limit on agricultural produce must be based on price rise. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A stock limit may be imposed only if there is: (i) a 100% increase in retail price of horticultural produce; and (ii) a 50% increase in the retail price of non-perishable agricultural food items.</li>
<li>The increase will be calculated over the price prevailing immediately preceding twelve months, or the average retail price of the last five years, whichever is lower.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="13">Green Term Ahead Market</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Minister for New and Renewable Energy launched the <strong>Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM)</strong> on September 1, 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Term ahead market refers to the market platform where electricity can be traded on a term basis for a duration of up to 11 days in advance.</li>
<li>GTAM will facilitate competitive prices and ensure transparency in the short-term procurement of renewable energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Some of the features of the Market are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>GTAM contracts will be classified into solar renewable power obligations (RPO) and non-solar RPO. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>RPO is the mandatory requirement to generate or purchase a minimum specified quantity of energy requirements from renewable sources.</li>
<li>The definition of contracts will include green intra-day, day ahead contingency, daily, and weekly contracts.</li>
<li>Energy procured through GTAM contracts will be considered under the RPO target applicable to the buyer.</li>
<li>Price discovery will be facilitated on price time priority basis. In price time priority basis, bids and offers are ranked based on their price for execution.</li>
<li>In case of two bids or offers with the same price, the bid or offer entered first into the trading platform will be ranked first.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="14">Social Justice</h2>
<h3 id="15">Code on Social Security, 2020</h3>
<p>The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-the-labour-code-bills" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Code on Social Security, 2020</strong></a> was passed by Parliament. It replaces nine laws related to social security, including the <strong>Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund Act, 1952</strong> and the <strong>Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.</strong> Key features include:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Social security schemes:</strong> Under the Code, the central government may notify various social security schemes for the benefit of workers. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include: (i) an Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, an Employees&rsquo; Pension Scheme (EPS), and an Employees&rsquo; Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme, and (ii) maternity benefit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In addition, the central or state government may notify specific schemes for gig workers, platform workers, and unorganised workers to provide various benefits, such as life and disability cover. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gig workers refer to workers outside of the traditional employer-employee relationship (e.g., freelancers).</li>
<li>Platform workers are workers who access other organisations or individuals using online platforms and earn money by providing them with specific services.</li>
<li>Unorganised workers include home-based and self-employed workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coverage and registration:</strong> The Code specifies different applicability thresholds for the schemes, which may be amended by the government. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, the EPF Scheme will apply to establishments with 20 or more employees.</li>
<li>All eligible establishments are required to register under the Code, unless they are already registered under any other labour law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Contributions:</strong> The EPF, EPS, EDLI, and ESI Schemes will be financed through a combination of contributions from the employer and employee. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, in the case of the EPF Scheme, the employer and employee will each make matching contributions of 10% of wages, or such other rate as notified by the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social security organisations:</strong> The Code provides for the establishment of several bodies to administer the social security schemes. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include: (i) a Central Board of Trustees to administer the EPF, EPS and EDLI Schemes, (ii) an Employees State Insurance Corporation to administer the ESI Scheme, and (iii) National and State Social Security Boards, headed by the central and state Ministers for Labour and Employment, respectively, to administer schemes for unorganised workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="16">The Industrial Relations Code, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/right-code-for-labour#:~:text=Industrial%20Relations%20Code%20Bill%202020,workmen%20employed%20in%20industrial%20establishments." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Relations Code, 2020</strong></a> was passed by Parliament. It replaces three labour laws: (i) the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, (ii) the Trade Unions Act, 1926, and (iii) the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.</li>
<li>Key features of the Code include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Trade unions:</strong> Trade unions with membership of at least 10% of the workers or 100 workers, whichever is less, will be registered.</li>
<li><strong>Negotiating unions:</strong> If there is only one trade union in an establishment, the employer is required to recognise such trade union as the sole negotiating union of the workers. In case of multiple trade unions, the trade union with support of at least 51% of workers will be recognised as the sole negotiating union. If no union has the support of 51%, then a negotiating council will be formed consisting of representatives of unions that have at least 20% of the workers as members.</li>
<li><strong>Standing orders:</strong> All industrial establishments with at least 300 workers must prepare standing orders on certain matters. These include: (i) classification of workers, (ii) manner of informing workers about hours of work, holidays, paydays, and wage rates, (iii) termination of employment, and (iv) grievance redressal mechanisms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lay-off and retrenchment:</strong> Mines, factories, and plantations with 50 to 300 workers must (i) pay 50% of basic wages and dearness allowance to a worker who has been laid off, and (ii) give one month&rsquo;s notice or equivalent pay to a retrenched worker with 15 days&rsquo; compensation for every year of service. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Non-seasonal industrial establishments with at least 300 workers must take prior permission of the central or state government before lay-off or retrenchment and: (i) pay 50% of basic wages and dearness allowance to a worker who has been laid off, and (ii) either give three months&rsquo; notice or equivalent pay, along with 15 days&rsquo; compensation for every year of service.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exemptions from the Code:</strong> The 2020 Bill provides that the central or state government may exempt any new establishment or a class of new establishment from all or any provisions of the Code in public interest.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="17">The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-occupational-safety-health-and-working-conditions-code-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020</strong></a> was passed by Parliament. The Code consolidates 13 existing Acts regulating health, safety, and working conditions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include the Factories Act, 1948, the Mines Act, 1952, and the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Key features of the Code include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Coverage:</strong> The Code will apply to establishments employing at least 10 workers. It will apply to all mines, docks, and establishments carrying out any hazardous or life-threatening activity (may be notified by the central government).</li>
<li><strong>Exemptions:</strong> The appropriate government can exempt any workplace or activity from the Code in case of a public emergency, disaster, or pandemic for up to a year. Further, the state government can exempt new factories from the Code for the specified period for creating more economic activity and employment.</li>
<li><strong>Registration and license:</strong> Establishments covered by the Code are required to register within 60 days (of commencement of the Code) with registering officers, appointed by the central or state government. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Factories may be required to obtain a license to operate. The Code requires those hiring workers such as contract labourers or beedi and cigar workers to obtain licenses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Duties of employers:</strong> Duties of employers include: (i) providing a workplace that is free from hazards, and (ii) informing relevant authorities in case any accident at the workplace leads to death or serious bodily injury to any employee.</li>
<li><strong>Work hours:</strong> No worker will be required or allowed to work in any establishment for more than eight hours in a day. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For overtime work, workers must be paid at twice the rate of daily wages. Prior consent of workers is required for overtime work.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Leave:</strong> Workers cannot be required to work for more than six days a week. Further, they must receive one day of leave for every 20 days of work per year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="18">Security</h2>
<h3 id="19">FDI policy in Defence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Commerce and Industry notified changes to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-fdi-policy-in-defence-sector?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=d5503758351d295be5336511bdd0c98e5fcce433-1603691309-0-AajCCuhymhAjjgdmKGXKtOmUYHQ66HhwT-VIGSR_Wp2CsU7Vz4YobuQ2PlwGZJmPPQymd-ZTkogtjavYauEFWLMIsxy91PVwWnnRPAbzC3ZhWJwfetB5EySlwUxty7RtJ4dn6FVv_7EWL2bk34BnxmJyr-ptZ-kYuC4PCl5ecTSZ-zsfGG9Sk85j2wXVXEdvbgD18DHSQ5vLFSDZTw_Sd1fcqn-v7-rKVTfe3gGm8b-HeTSMV0tJXKcA-UYD_RhUCSMQyQZseNP0-zaIDz4yww1yA5PUP7SjbGrtz8y93xG3mVRPoDj1-As6uQoFejsfTmG5rijmG4Cbr_EesgjYy7_D3dlbsOm1gZ_RH1zewk0w9JHaNYs0Piq6JmeDGI5It5fCEQ2YiZbsxUi1lRzsmxJIl6loJeDvXIX0Pu5fcciA5fJeaCA0GPSzis5zNsG5sL3ZjKoS-wX3ZE8-pti3hTE516w8cXzGXdmAIdUT1zv0SvUQnvz7aI7aGc35qgomIV3lfmhD8qzvpsjRSp-GB3ZkngpijoFgW0uMK5PuV2QDYoCzdo4nXCzUCK56KYM1qMCjczSRJh5PpLlfTKVyzQU" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy</strong></a> for the defence sector.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy is applicable to companies in the sector that are subject to licensing under the Industries (Development &amp; Regulation) Act, 1951 and the Arms Act, 1959.</li>
<li>The policy permits 100% FDI in defence, with limits beyond which government approval is required.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Key changes in the policy are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>FDI in companies seeking new licenses:</strong> The amendment increases the limit from 49% to 74% for FDI under the automatic route in companies seeking new industrial licenses. FDI beyond 74% is permitted with government approval.</li>
<li><strong>FDI in companies with existing licenses:</strong> Under the revised policy, a company with an existing license, receiving fresh FDI (within the 49% limit) will have to inform the Ministry of Defence if such investment results in a change in ownership pattern or transfer of stake. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Proposals for FDI beyond 49% in companies with existing licenses will require government approval. Earlier, all FDI in companies with existing licenses resulting in a change in ownership or transfer of stake required government approval.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="20">Science and Technology</h2>
<h3 id="21">Mandatory Use of FASTag</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has provided a draft notification which proposes that <strong>FASTag</strong> be made mandatory for vehicles sold before 2017.</li>
<li>It also proposes that having a valid <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fastag-details-for-new-vehicle-registration" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FASTag</strong> </a>be made mandatory to get third-party insurance through amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The draft notification will come to force on October 1, 2020, i.e. 30 days after its publication. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FASTag is an electronic toll collection system operated by the National Highway Authority of India. It was made mandatory for registration of new four-wheeler vehicles in 2017.</li>
<li>It is an<strong> electronic toll collection system</strong> with reloadable tag feature which allows automatic deduction of toll without having to stop for carrying out the cash transaction.</li>
<li>The reloadable tag allows addition of monetary values multiple times.</li>
<li>It is <strong>operated by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)</strong> under the supervision of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The tag uses <strong>Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology</strong> and is fixed on the windscreen of the vehicle once active. RFID is the use of <strong>radio waves</strong> to read and capture information stored on a tag attached to an object.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A tag can be read from up to several feet away and does not need to be within the direct line-of-sight of the reader to be tracked.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-september-2020'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Air Pollution & Concerted Efforts',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/poor-air-quality-is-a-danger-to-public-health-adopt-a-holistic-approach/story-LnoWBmoUCtba08pdRxYcGP.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Poor air quality is a danger to public health&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 23/10/2020. It talks about the issue of Air pollution and the need for concerted efforts to deal with it.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-global-air-2020-hei#:~:text=Recently%2C%20a%20global%20study%2C%20State,pollution's%20global%20impact%20on%20newborns." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> State of Global Air 2020 report</strong> </a>was released. The report has highlighted two warnings for India. Firstly, India recorded the highest annual average PM 2.5 concentration exposure in the world in 2019. Secondly, the country has had the worst levels of PM 2.5 levels in the world for the last decade.</p>
<p>Despite many efforts taken by the government to tackle air pollution, the Indo-Gangetic plains pollution load has remained high. Moreover, air pollution has now become the largest risk factor for death among all health risks.</p>
<p>Hence, in order to mitigate the deleterious impact of air pollution on the health of the people, there is a need for urgent concerted effort to tackle this public issue.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pollutants Causing Effect on Health</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Pollutants with the strongest evidence for public health concern include particulate matter (PM), Ozone (O3), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Sulphur dioxide (SO2).</li>
<li>These pollutants are capable of penetrating deep into lung passageways and entering the bloodstream causing cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory impacts.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Various Reports on Effect of Air Pollution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>State of Global Air 2020 Report:</strong> According to it, India faced the highest per capita pollution exposure (83.2 &mu;g/cubic metre) in the world.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019, over 116,000 infants in India died within a month after birth due to exposure to severe air pollution.</li>
<li>The report also suggests exposure to polluted air during pregnancy is linked to low weight and premature birth.</li>
<li>Further, it noted that long-term exposure to outdoor and household air pollution contributed to over 1.67 million annual deaths from stroke, heart attack, diabetes, lung cancer, chronic lung diseases, and neonatal diseases in India in 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WHO:</strong> According to WHO, toxic air is now the biggest environmental risk of early death, responsible for one in nine of all fatalities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It kills 7 million people a year, far more than HIV, tuberculosis and malaria combined,</li>
<li>An estimated 4.2 million premature deaths globally are linked to ambient air pollution, mainly from heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections in children.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>World Bank:</strong> According to a 2016 World Bank report, the lost lives and ill health caused are also a colossal economic burden:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>$225bn is lost labour income in 2013, or $5.11tn per year (about $1m a minute), if welfare losses are also added.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Source of Air Pollution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Burning of Fossil Fuels:</strong> Most of the pollutants are produced by burning fossil fuels or wood, for driving, heating, power plants and industry.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Several man-made factors, vehicular emissions, construction dust, garbage burning causes severe pollution.</li>
<li>The particles can be made of black carbon, nitrates, sulphates, ammonia or mineral dust.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agriculture &amp; Allied Sources:</strong> Farming is one such source of pollution, with ammonia from livestock manure and fertilisers blowing into cities and forming particles, particularly in spring time when crops are sown and muck is spread.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, stubble burning is also one of the major sources of air pollution in northern India, especially in winters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Natural Sources:</strong> Apart from it, there are some natural sources of outdoor air pollution such as dust storms.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>WHO&rsquo;s 4 Pillar Strategy:</strong> WHO adopted a resolution (2015) to address the adverse health effects of air pollution. There is a need to adhere to a roadmap highlighted under this.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This 4-pillar strategy calls for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution. Those four pillars are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Expanding the knowledge base</li>
<li>Monitoring and reporting</li>
<li>Global leadership and coordination</li>
<li>Institutional capacity strengthening</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Proactive Measure:</strong> Interventions like pollution-monitoring apps should be promoted, so that people can choose to avoid the travelling worst times, and take alternative city walking routes that keep people away from the most polluted areas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The application of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/grap-to-be-enforced-in-delhi-ncr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Graded Response Action Plan</strong> </a>in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) is a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Innovative Measure:</strong> There is a need to adopt innovative solutions for in-situ treatment of pollution. For example, the Delhi government is also experimenting with a new organic way of decomposing stubble with Indian Agriculture Research Institute&rsquo;s &ldquo;Pusa decomposer&rdquo;.</li>
<li><strong>Responsibility of Citizens:</strong> Despite plenty of ideas and solutions to tackle air pollution, still conditions remain the same. This is due to the lack of serious political will and people&rsquo;s participation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, citizens should continue to stand up for their right to healthy and sustainable environments and hold governments accountable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Addressing Injustice:</strong> There are huge injustices at the heart of the air pollution problem as the Poorer people are also most exposed to air pollution. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thereby, the need to enforce <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tort-law-and-polluter-pays-principle#:~:text=It%20is%20the%20commonly%20accepted,human%20health%20or%20the%20environment." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Polluter Pay principle</strong> </a>and an environment tax must be levied from industries of polluting in nature.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Fighting air pollution is a public issue and subsequently an everybody&rsquo;s responsibility. Therefore, the need is for concerted and coordinated efforts with active involvement of all the stakeholders. This should include the Government (national, state and local governments), cities, community at large and individuals.</p>
<p>Further, there is a need for policy which envisages a healthy energy transition and healthy urban planning transition.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603540483_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603540483_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="550" height="366" /></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: #fffef7;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;India recorded the highest annual average PM 2.5 concentration exposure in the world in 2019.&rdquo; In the light of the statement discuss the need for urgent concerted effort to tackle this public issue.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RRYxAP4UJWQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/poor-air-quality-is-a-danger-to-public-health-adopt-a-holistic-approach/story-LnoWBmoUCtba08pdRxYcGP.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Poor air quality is a danger to public health&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on October 23<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/air-pollution-concerted-efforts'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Maharashtra Denies Consent to CBI',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Maharashtra government <strong>withdrew its general consent</strong> to the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/central-bureau-of-investigation-cbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)</strong></a> to probe cases in the State.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The move comes a day after the CBI registered an FIR in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/television-rating-points" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>TRP</strong></a> scam after taking over the probe based on an FIR filed in Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>The Maharashtra government had an <strong>apprehension</strong> that the CBI would take over the TRP scam case that the Mumbai Police is already investigating.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier this year (2020), the CBI had also taken over the investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput&rsquo;s death, which was being probed by the Mumbai Police.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Maharashtra government <strong>suspects the CBI of acting at the behest of the Centre.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Supreme Court in the past has called the CBI a <strong>&ldquo;caged parrot&rdquo;</strong> that sings the Centre&rsquo;s tune.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Maharashtra is the <strong>third State after West Bengal and Rajasthan to take such an action.</strong> The current confrontation also strengthens the perception that states in opposition see the Centre as weaponizing the CBI to control on Opposition-led governments in states.</li>
</ul>
<h3>General Consent</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Unlike the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-investigation-agency-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Investigation Agency</a> (NIA)</strong>, which is governed by its own NIA Act, 2008 and has <strong>jurisdiction across the country,</strong> the <strong>CBI is governed by the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (DSPE Act, 1946)</strong> that <strong>makes consent of a state government mandatory</strong> for conducting investigation in that state.</li>
<li>There are <strong>two kinds of consent- case-specific and general.</strong> Given that the CBI has jurisdiction only over central government departments and employees, it can investigate a case involving state government employees or a violent crime in a given state only after that state government gives its consent. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Section 6 of the DSPE Act, 1946</strong> empowers the state government to give or deny consent to CBI officers to investigate the matter within the state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>&ldquo;General consent&rdquo;</strong> is normally given to help the CBI seamlessly conduct its investigation into cases of corruption against central government employees in the concerned state. Almost all states have given such consent.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact of Withdrawal of General Consent</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It means the CBI will not be able to register any fresh case involving a central government official or a private person stationed in Maharashtra <strong>without getting case-specific consent.</strong></li>
<li>Withdrawal of consent<strong> will only bar the CBI from registering a case</strong> within the jurisdiction of concerned states. The CBI could still file cases in Delhi and continue to probe people inside Maharashtra.</li>
<li>In simple terms withdrawal of consent means that<strong> CBI officers will lose all powers of a police officer</strong> as soon as they enter the state unless the state government has allowed them.</li>
<li>It will have <strong>no impact on investigation of cases already registered</strong> with CBI as old cases were registered when general consent existed.</li>
<li>However, the CBI has recently started taking recourse in a Calcutta High Court judgment. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The HC, in its order in the <strong><em>Ramesh Chandra Singh and another vs CBI, 2020</em> </strong>observed that CBI&rsquo;s power to investigate and prosecute its own officials cannot be in any way impeded or interfered by the state even if the offenses were committed within the territory of the state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Bureau of Investigation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The CBI is the premier <strong>investigating police agency in India. It functions under Deptt. of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension &amp; Public Grievances,</strong> Government of India.</li>
<li>The origins of CBI can be traced back to the <strong>Special Police Establishment (SPE) set up in 1941</strong> in order to investigate cases of bribery and corruption in the War &amp; Supply Department of India during <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-war-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World War II</strong></a> (1939-45).</li>
<li>The need for a Central Government agency to investigate cases of bribery and corruption was felt after the end of World War II. So, <strong>DSPE (Delhi Special Police Establishment) Act, 1946</strong> was brought that gave the legal power of investigating cases to CBI.</li>
<li>It is also the <strong>nodal police agency in India</strong> which coordinates investigation on behalf of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/interpol-notices" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Interpol</strong> </a>Member countries.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cases Handled by the CBI</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Anti-Corruption Crimes -</strong> for investigation of cases under the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anti-corruption-law-covers-deemed-universities#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20has%20held,under%20the%20anti%2Dcorruption%20law." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Prevention of Corruption Act</a>,</strong> 1988 against Public officials and the employees of Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings, Corporations or Bodies owned or controlled by the Government of India.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Crimes</strong> - for investigation of financial crimes, bank frauds, money laundering, illegal money market operations, graft in PSUs and banks.</li>
<li><strong>Special Crimes -</strong> for investigation of serious cases of conventional nature such as offences relating to internal security, espionage, sabotage, narcotics and psychotropic substances, antiquities, murders, dacoities/robberies, and cheating among others.</li>
<li><strong>Suo Moto Cases -</strong> CBI can suo-moto take up investigation of offences <strong>only in the Union Territories.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Central Government can authorize CBI to investigate a crime in a State but only with the consent of the concerned State Government.</li>
<li>The Supreme Court and High Courts, however, can order CBI to investigate a crime anywhere in the country without the consent of the State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To ensure due process, the courts, of course, can and should ignore the state government&rsquo;s reservation and order the agency to investigate a case. However, when the Centre and the state play tug-of-war with the investigation, it diminishes the credibility and authority of the CBI.</li>
<li>The onus of ensuring the CBI&rsquo;s reputation is primarily on the CBI &mdash; helped by an independent judiciary &mdash; since there will be no incentive for the political executive to ensure that.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/maharashtra-central-bureau-of-investigation-trp-scam-sushant-singh-rajput-case-6835351/" 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/maharashtra-denies-consent-to-cbi'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Forex Reserves',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to 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> data, the country&rsquo;s <strong>foreign exchange (forex) reserves touched a lifetime high of USD 555.12 billion</strong> after it surged by USD 3.615 billion in the week ended 16<sup>th</sup> October 2020.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reason Behind the Increase:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The rise in total reserves was <strong>due to a sharp rise in Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs),</strong> a major component of the overall reserves.</li>
<li>FCA <strong>jumped by USD 3.539 billion</strong> to USD 512.322 billion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Exchange Reserves:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foreign exchange reserves are <strong>assets held on reserve by a central bank</strong> in foreign currencies, which can include bonds, treasury bills and other government securities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It needs to be noted that <strong>most foreign exchange reserves are held in U.S. dollars.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These assets <strong>serve many purposes</strong> but are most significantly held to ensure that the central bank <strong>has backup funds</strong> if the national currency rapidly devalues or becomes altogether insolvent.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Forex Reserves include:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Foreign Currency Assets</li>
<li>Gold</li>
<li>Special Drawing Rights</li>
<li>Reserve position with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Foreign Currency Assets</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FCA are assets that are <strong>valued based on a currency other than the country's own currency.</strong></li>
<li>FCA is the <strong>largest component of the forex reserve. </strong>It is<strong> expressed in dollar terms.</strong></li>
<li>FCA includes <strong>the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units</strong> like the euro, pound and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Currency appreciation</strong> refers to the increase in value of one currency relative to another in the forex markets.</li>
<li><strong>Currency depreciation</strong> is a fall in the value of a currency in a floating exchange rate system.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In a <strong>floating exchange rate system,</strong> market forces (based on demand and supply of a currency) determine the value of a currency.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Special Drawing Rights</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SDR is an <strong>international reserve asset,</strong> created by the <strong>International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong> in 1969 to supplement its member countries&rsquo; official reserves.</li>
<li>The SDR is <strong>neither a currency nor a claim on the IMF.</strong> Rather, it is a potential claim on the freely usable currencies of IMF members. SDRs can be exchanged for these currencies.</li>
<li>The value of the SDR is calculated from a weighted basket of<strong> major currencies,</strong> including the U.S. dollar, the euro, Japanese yen, Chinese yuan, and British pound.</li>
<li>The <strong>interest rate on SDRs or SDRi</strong> is the interest paid to members on their SDR holdings.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Reserve Position in the International Monetary Fund</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>reserve tranche</strong> position implies a<strong> portion of the required quota of currency each member country must provide to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong> that can be utilized for its own purposes.</li>
<li>The reserve tranche is basically <strong>an emergency account</strong> that IMF members can access at any time without agreeing to conditions or paying a service fee.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/forex-reserves-hit-record-high-of-55512-bn/article32933210.ece#:~:text=The%20country%27s%20foreign%20exchange%20reserves,16%2C%20according%20to%20RBI%20data." 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/forex-reserves-5'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Seagrass',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>restoration process of seagrasses</strong> has been taken up by Tamil Nadu in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-1st-june-2019#:~:text=in%20Mandapam%20cluster.-,Gulf%20of%20Mannar,miles%20(160%20km)%20long." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf of Mannar.</strong></a></p>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603533009_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603533009_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></strong></a>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603532962_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603532962_image2.jpg" caption="false" width="250" style="float: right;" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Seagrasses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These are <strong>flowering plants</strong> that<strong> grow submerged in shallow marine waters</strong> like bays and lagoons.</li>
<li>These have<strong> tiny flowers</strong> and <strong>strap-like or oval leaves.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Evolution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Terrestrial plants</strong> evolved about <strong>850 million years</strong> ago from a group of green <strong>algae</strong> and seagrasses evolved from terrestrial plants that recolonised the ocean <strong>70-100 million years ago.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Food Production:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Like terrestrial plants, seagrasses also <strong>require sunlight for photosynthesis</strong> from which these<strong> manufacture their own food </strong>and<strong> release oxygen.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reproduction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sexual Reproduction Method:</strong> The <strong>pollen from the flower of the male plant is transferred to the ovary of the female</strong> flower through this method.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is known as <strong>submarine pollination.</strong> Most species undergo this process and complete their life cycle underwater.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Asexual Reproduction Method:</strong> Seagrasses can also reproduce asexually by <strong>branching off at their rhizomes</strong> (modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Because of this character, they <strong>can recover after being cut by grazers or disturbed by storms.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Order and Species:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are <strong>60 species</strong> belonging to four families in the <strong>order <em>Alismatales.</em></strong></li>
<li>Some of the important seagrasses are <strong>Sea Cow Grass</strong> <em>(Cymodocea serrulata),</em> <strong>Thready Seagrass</strong> <em>(Cymodocea rotundata),</em><strong> Needle Seagrass </strong><em>(Syringodium isoetifolium), </em><strong>Flat-tipped Seagrass</strong><em> (Halodule uninervis)</em>, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though seagrasses <strong>inhabit all types of substratas</strong> (layers) from mud to rock, the lush green seagrass beds are <strong>found extensively in muddy and sandy substratas.</strong></li>
<li>These occur all <strong>along the coastal areas of India</strong> and are abundant in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Palk Strait</strong></a> and Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seagrasses are considered<strong> &lsquo;Ecosystem Engineers&rsquo;</strong> as they are known for providing many ecosystem services and are also called<strong> &lsquo;the lungs of the sea&rsquo;</strong> as they release oxygen into the water through photosynthesis.</li>
<li><strong>Sequesters up to 11% of the organic carbon</strong> buried in the ocean even though they occupy only 0.1% of the ocean floor and <strong>absorb 83 million tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere annually.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Seagrasses can capture carbon from the atmosphere <strong>up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Help maintain water quality</strong> by trapping fine sediments and suspended particles in the water column and increase water clarity.</li>
<li><strong>Filter nutrients released from land-based industries</strong> before they reach sensitive habitats like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/significance-of-dead-coral-reef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coral reefs.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Prevent soil erosion</strong> as the extensive vertical and horizontal root systems of seagrasses stabilise the sea bottom.</li>
<li><strong>Provide food as well as habitat</strong> for fishes, octopuses, shrimp, blue crabs, oysters, etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Endangered marine organisms like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-dugong-day-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>dugong</strong> </a>(Sea Cow), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/two-headed-green-turtle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>green turtle</strong></a>, etc,<strong> graze directly</strong> on seagrass leaves.</li>
<li><strong>Bottle-nosed dolphins feed on the organisms</strong> that live in seagrass areas.</li>
<li><strong>Detritus</strong> (natural waste) of decomposed dead seagrass <strong>supplies food for worms, sea cucumbers, crabs,</strong> etc.</li>
<li><strong>After decomposition,</strong> it releases <strong>nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus</strong> which are absorbed by seagrasses and phytoplankton.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protect</strong> juvenile and small adult fish<strong> from large predators</strong> and also protect worms, crabs, starfishes, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, etc,<strong> from strong currents.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Provide ideal nursery sites</strong> for important commercial marine life like squids and cuttlefish.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seagrass beds are facing <strong>decline all over the world at the rate of 2-5% annually.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Around 30,000 square kilometres of seagrass has been lost during recent decades at a global level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These face <strong>natural disturbances</strong> like grazing, storms, <strong>ice-scouring</strong> (abrasion and erosion of seabeds by glaciers.) and <strong>desiccation</strong> (extreme dryness).</li>
<li><strong>Human disturbances</strong> like <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/marine-pollution#:~:text=Eutrophication%3A%20When%20a%20water%20body,depletion%20of%20the%20water%20body." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>eutrophication</strong></a>, mechanical destruction of habitat, overfishing, release of nutrients, coastal engineering construction, pollution, etc are destructive for them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If seagrass habitats are lost, the marine organisms that depend on them for their survival may also face extinction, resulting in the loss of marine ecosystem productivity.</li>
<li>Protection and restoration should be attempted at a global level as it can play a significant role in mitigating climate change.</li>
<li>There is an urgent need to take earnest measures to conserve seagrasses and their habitats. For that, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Union for the Conservation of Nature</strong> </a>(IUCN) should intervene immediately and study the status of the different seagrass species before they become extinct.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/wildlife-biodiversity/why-we-must-conserve-the-world-s-seagrasses-73852#:~:text=Seagrass%20habitats%20protect%20juvenile%20and,%2C%20etc%2C%20from%20strong%20currents." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/seagrass'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Deworming in India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>As per the <strong>Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, states</strong> in India have <strong>witnessed reduction in worm prevalence.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Regular deworming</strong> as advised by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong> </a>eliminates worm infestation among children and adolescents living in areas with high <strong>Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases (STH) burden,</strong> thereby contributing to achieve better nutrition and health.</li>
<li><strong>Helminthiases</strong> is infestation with or disease caused by parasitic worms.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per <strong>WHO Report on STH</strong> published in<strong> 2012,</strong> in India there were an estimated<strong> 64% children</strong> in the age group (1-14 years) at risk of STH. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The risk was estimated based on the hygiene and sanitation practices and limited STH prevalence data at that point of time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To <strong>assess the exact burden of STH</strong> in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare appointed the <strong>National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as the nodal agency</strong> to coordinate and conduct <strong>nationwide baseline STH mapping.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The baseline STH mapping across the country was<strong> completed by the end of 2016.</strong> The data showed <strong>varied prevalence ranging from 12.5% in Madhya Pradesh to 85% in Tamil Nadu.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To <strong>evaluate the impact of</strong> the consistently implemented high coverage<strong> National Deworming Day (NDD) programme,</strong> the Ministry <strong>recently initiated follow-up prevalence surveys led by NCDC and partners.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Result of the Follow-up Surveys:</strong> The follow-up surveys are <strong>completed in 14 States.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All 14 States have <strong>shown reduction</strong> in the follow up survey compared to the baseline prevalence survey.</li>
<li>The States of <strong>Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar</strong> have <strong>shown substantial reduction</strong> in worm prevalence in the STH follow up prevalence survey.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chhattisgarh has successfully conducted 10 rounds of NDD as on date, and the <strong>drop</strong> in prevalence has been significant <strong>from 74.6% in 2016 to 13.9% in 2018. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Sikkim,</strong> with 9 rounds, has seen <strong>reduction from 80.4% in 2015 to 50.9% in 2019.</strong></li>
<li>Rajasthan, the State that implemented an annual round only due to low baseline of 21.1 in 2013 has seen significant reduction to the level of<strong> less than 1% in 2019</strong> as per the survey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Deworming Day Programme</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Implementation</strong> of NDD is <strong>led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,</strong> in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Education and technical assistance from WHO and the technical partners. It was <strong>launched in 2015.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>implemented as a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-deworming-day#:~:text=Every%20year%20February%2010%20and,group%20of%201%2D19%20years." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> biannual single day programme</a> (10<sup>th</sup> February and 10<sup>th</sup> August)</strong> through the platforms of schools and anganwadis.</li>
<li>In the<strong> last round of deworming</strong> earlier this year in the country (which was halted due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid pandemic</strong></a>), <strong>11 crore children and adolescents were administered Albendazole tablets</strong> across 25 States/UTs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Albendazole tablet, approved by the WHO, is used for treatment of intestinal worms in children and adolescents as part of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programmes globally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Soil-Transmitted Helminths</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Soil-Transmitted Helminths</strong> refer to the intestinal worms infecting humans that are transmitted through contaminated soil.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Intestinal worms are<strong> parasites</strong> that live in the human intestines and consume nutrients and vitamins needed for a child.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There are <strong>three main types of helminths</strong> that infect people,<strong> roundworm</strong> <em>(Ascaris lumbricoides)</em>, <strong>whipworm</strong> <em>(Trichuris trichiura)</em> and hookworms <em>(Necator americanus </em>and<em> Ancylostoma duodenale).</em>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These <strong>worms depend on the human body</strong> for their food and survival and while being there, they lay thousands of eggs each day.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transmission:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Soil-transmitted helminths are<strong> transmitted by eggs</strong> that are passed in the faeces of infected people. In areas that<strong> lack adequate sanitation,</strong> these eggs <strong>contaminate the soil.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since worms feed on host (human body) tissues, including blood, it leads to loss of iron, and protein, resulting in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anaemia-among-men#:~:text=Iron%20deficiency%20is%20the%20most,%2C%20weakness%2C%20dizziness%20and%20drowsiness." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>anaemia</strong></a> &ndash; reduced oxygen carrying capacity due to less Haemoglobin (Hb) available in the body.</li>
<li>Worm infection can also lead to <strong>diarrhoea; dysentery; loss of appetite; reduced nutritional intake and physical fitness;</strong> increased <strong>malabsorption</strong> &ndash; a condition that prevents absorption of nutrients through the small intestine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treatment:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The WHO recommended medicines &ndash; <strong>albendazole (400 mg)</strong> and <strong>mebendazole (500 mg) &ndash;</strong> are effective, inexpensive and easy to administer by non-medical personnel (e.g. teachers).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603531499_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603531499_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="491" height="450" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1666053#:~:text=The%20data%20showed%20varied%20prevalence,to%2085%25%20in%20Tamil%20Nadu.&amp;text=For%20example%2C%20the%20State%20of,2016%20to%2013.9%20in%202018." 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/deworming-in-india'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'International Snow Leopard Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>International Snow Leopard Day</strong> is observed on<strong> 23<sup>rd</sup> October.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603527761_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603527761_image5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To <strong>raise awareness on conservation and protection of snow leopards.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Background: International Snow Leopard Day</strong> came into being on <strong>23<sup>rd</sup> October, 2013,</strong> with the adoption of the <strong>Bishkek Declaration</strong> by 12 countries on the conservation of snow leopards. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>12 countries</strong> included, India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.</li>
<li>The <strong>Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP)</strong> was also launched on the same day <strong>to address high-mountain development issues using conservation of the snow leopard as a flagship.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Snow Leopard</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Top Predator:</strong> The Snow Leopard (also known as <strong>Ghost of the mountains) acts as an indicator of the health of the mountain ecosystem</strong> in which they live, due to their position as the <strong>top predator</strong> in the food web.</li>
<li><strong>Habitation:</strong> The Snow Leopard lives at high altitudes in the steep mountains of<strong> Central and Southern Asia,</strong> and in an extremely cold climate.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They inhabit the <strong>higher Himalayan and trans-Himalayan landscape</strong> in the states/union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.</li>
<li><strong>India is a unique country to have a good presence of 5 big cats,</strong> including <strong>Snow Leopard.</strong> The other 4 are, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-the-population-of-asiatic-lions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lion</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tiger-attacks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tiger</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increase-in-human-leopard-conflict-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Common Leopard</strong></a>, <strong>and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/clouded-leopards-and-their-habitats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clouded Leopard</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Snow Leopard capital of the world:</strong> Hemis, <strong>Ladakh.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Hemis National Park</strong> is the biggest national park of India and also has a good presence of Snow Leopard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threat:</strong> Factors that have contributed to the decline in the snow leopard populations include,<strong> reduction in prey populations, illegal poaching</strong> and<strong> increased human population infiltration into the species habitat </strong>and<strong> illegal trade of wildlife parts and products</strong> among others.</li>
<li><strong>Protection:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IUCN</a> Red List- Vulnerable</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)</a>- Appendix I </strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/09-02-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)</a>- Appendix I </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Appendix I</strong> includes species <strong>threatened with extinction.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972- Schedule I</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Schedule I</strong> provides absolute protection and offences under this have the highest penalties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Efforts Launched by India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>HimalSanrakshak:</strong> It is a<strong> community volunteer programme,</strong> to protect snow leopards, launched on 23<sup>rd</sup> October 2020.</li>
<li>In 2019, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-snow-leopard-survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>First National Protocol</strong> </a>was also launched on <strong>Snow Leopard Population Assessment</strong> which has been very useful for monitoring populations.</li>
<li><strong>SECURE Himalaya: <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)</a></strong> funded the project on conservation of high altitude biodiversity and reducing the dependency of local communities on the natural ecosystem. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This project is now operational in four snow leopard range states, namely, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Project Snow Leopard (PSL) :</strong> It was <strong>launched in 2009</strong> to promote an inclusive and participatory approach to conserve snow leopards and their habitat.</li>
<li>Snow Leopard is in the list of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-21st-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>21 critically endangered species for the recovery programme</strong></a> of the Ministry of Environment Forest &amp; Climate Change.</li>
<li><strong>Snow Leopard conservation breeding programme</strong> is undertaken at <strong>Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park,</strong> Darjeeling, West Bengal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667118#:~:text=Government%20committed%20to%20landscape%20restoration%20for%20snow%20leopard%20habitat%20conservation.,-States%20together%20with&amp;text=by%20PIB%20Delhi-,Minister%20of%20State%20for%20EnvironmentForest%20and%20Climate%20Change%20Shri%20Babul,PSL%20was%20launched%20in%202009." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-snow-leopard-day'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Sir Syed’s Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Sir Syed&rsquo;s Day is observed on 17<sup>th</sup> October to mark the <strong>birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603528224_image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603528224_image6.jpg" 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>Early Life:</strong> Sir Syed Ahmad Khan <strong>was born in 1817</strong> in a family that was close to the Mughal court, he was a <strong>man of many distinctions,</strong> a civil servant, journalist, educationist, social reformer and historian among others. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He served <strong>the British administration</strong> before the revolt of 1857.</li>
<li>He has also written a pamphlet titled<strong> &ldquo;The Causes of the Indian Revolt'' to</strong> explain the reasons for the revolt from<strong> a Indian perspective. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Educationist:</strong> Sir Syed is, first and foremost, known for his <strong>pioneering role in transforming the educational opportunities for Muslims.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sir Syed realised that Muslims could only make progress if they took to modern education. For this he started<strong> the Aligarh movement.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Reformer:</strong> He also pushed for social reforms and was a champion of democratic ideals and freedom of speech.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He was <strong>against religious intolerance, ignorance and irrationalism.</strong> He <strong>denounced purdah, polygamy and easy divorce.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Tahzebul Akhlaq</strong> (Social Reformer in English),<strong> a magazine founded by him,</strong> tried to awaken <strong>people&rsquo;s consciousness on social and religious issues</strong> in a very expressive prose.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Critical of National Movement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In his later years Sir Syed encouraged the Indian Muslims <strong>not to join the National Movement.</strong> He felt that education and not politics was needed by them.</li>
<li>In a way he encouraged the forces of communalism and separatism at this stage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Aligarh Movement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was a<strong> systemic movement aimed at reforming the social, political and educational aspects</strong> of the Muslim community.</li>
<li>The movement undertook to modernise Muslim&rsquo;s education<strong> by adapting English as a medium of learning and western education</strong> rather than just focusing on traditional teachings.</li>
<li>Sir Syed <strong>established the Scientific Society in 1864,</strong> in Aligarh to translate Western works into Indian languages to prepare the Muslims to accept Western education and to inculcate scientific temperament among the Muslims.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The Aligarh Institute Gazette,</strong> a magazine published by Sir Syed was an organ of the Scientific Society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 1877, he founded the <strong>Muhammadan Anglo Oriental College</strong> on the pattern of Oxford and Cambridge universities. The college later grew into <strong>Aligarh Muslim University.</strong></li>
<li>The Aligarh Movement helped in the Muslim revival. It <strong>gave them a common language&mdash; Urdu.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/malik-praises-sir-syeds-vision-of-a-nation/article32884036.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sir-syed-s-day'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Birth Anniversary of APJ Abdul Kalam',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Education Minister has launched the <strong>Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness Campaign</strong> (KAPILA) on the occasion of the 89<sup>th</sup> birth anniversary of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>He was <strong>born on 15<sup>th</sup> October 1931.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>KAPILA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under this campaign, students pursuing education in higher educational institutions will get <strong>information about the correct system of application process for patenting their invention.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Students in higher education institutions of the country are innovating constantly under the guidance of their teachers but they are not aware of the system of filing its patent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Through this campaign,<strong> students will be able to get benefits from their inventions</strong> by patenting them.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For India to become a <strong>USD 5 trillion economy by 2024-25,</strong> students and scientists have to be <strong>more aware of protecting<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/intellectual-property-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> intellectual property</a></strong> (IP).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The program will <strong>facilitate the colleges and institutions to encourage more and more students</strong> to file patents and everyone engaged in research and development <strong>must apply to preserve and safeguard their inventions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Patents in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Patent:</strong> It is the <strong>granting of a property right by a sovereign authority to an inventor.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This grant provides the inventor exclusive rights to the patented process, design, or invention for a designated period in exchange for a comprehensive disclosure of the invention.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legislation:</strong> Patent filing in India is governed by <strong>Patents Act, 1970.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Latest Updates:</strong> In June 2020, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-4th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser</strong></a> to the Government of India and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department of Science and Technology</strong></a> (DST) jointly initiated the formulation of a new national <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/science-technology-and-innovation-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Science Technology and Innovation Policy</strong></a> (STIP 2020).</li>
<li><strong>Patent Data:</strong> Between 2005-06 and 2017-18, a total of<strong> 5,10,000 patent applications</strong> were filed in India out of which <strong>nearly three-quarters</strong> were filed <strong>by foreign entities or individuals.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In other words, in these 13 years, just <strong>24% of patent claims came from Indians.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Ranking:</strong> According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institutions-international-world-intellectual-property-organisation-wipo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Intellectual Property Organisation</strong></a> (WIPO),<strong> India stands at the 7<sup>th</sup> position</strong> on number of patents filed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China tops the list, followed by the USA and Japan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Announcements:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Institution Innovation Council annual report</strong> (IIC 2.0) was also <strong>presented</strong> and the launch of IIC 3.0 was announced.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IIC was established by the <strong>Ministry of Education</strong> in <strong>2018.</strong></li>
<li>IIC envisions to <strong>promote innovation in young students by encouraging, inspiring and nurturing</strong> them to work with new innovative ideas through periodic activities related to innovation and entrepreneurship.</li>
<li>So far, IICs have been <strong>established in about 1700 higher educational institutions</strong> and will be established in 5000 higher educational institutions under IIC 3.0.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was decided to celebrate the week of 15<sup>th</sup>-23<sup>rd</sup> October as <strong>'Intellectual Property Literacy Week'.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>During the week, a number of activities were organised to create online awareness about the system and the importance of the process of applying for a patent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603526924_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603526924_image3.png" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Born:</strong> 15<sup>th</sup> October 1931 at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>His birth anniversary is celebrated as the <strong>National Innovation Day.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He was an <strong>Indian scientist and politician</strong> who played a leading role in the development of <strong>India&rsquo;s missile and nuclear weapons programmes</strong> like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/successful-test-firing-of-agni-v" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme</strong> </a>(IGMDP).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He planned programmes to produce a number of successful missiles, which helped earned him the nickname<strong> &ldquo;Missile Man&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>In <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation</strong> </a>(ISRO), he was the project director of the <strong>SLV-III, India&rsquo;s first indigenously designed and produced satellite launch vehicle.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 1998, he put forward a countrywide plan called <a href="/blog/dr-apj-abdul-kalam-part-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Technology Vision 2020</strong></a>, which he described as a<strong> road map for transforming India</strong> from a less-developed to a developed society in 20 years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The plan called for, among other measures, <strong>increasing agricultural productivity, emphasising technology as a vehicle for economic growth, </strong>and <strong>widening access to health care and education.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He was sworn in as <strong>India&rsquo;s 11<sup>th</sup> President in 2002</strong> and completed the <strong>full term in 2007.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Literary Works:</strong> Wings of Fire (autobiography), India 2020 - A Vision for the New Millennium, Ignited Minds - Unleashing the power within India, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Awards:</strong> Among his numerous awards were two of the country&rsquo;s highest honours, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/padma-awards-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Padma Vibhushan</strong></a> (1990) and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-28th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Ratna</strong> </a>(1997).</li>
<li><strong>Death:</strong> 27<sup>th</sup> July 2015 at Shillong, Meghalaya.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1664883" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Pakistan on FATF Grey List',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> Financial Action Task Force (FATF)</strong> has <strong>decided to keep Pakistan on the &ldquo;greylist&rdquo;</strong> till the next review of its compliance to the recommendations in February 2021.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The decision was taken after a<strong> three-day virtual plenary session.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pakistan Remains on Grey List:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FATF had issued the<strong> 27-point action plan</strong> after placing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fatf-s-grey-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakistan on the &lsquo;Grey List&rsquo; in June 2018.</strong></a> The action plan <strong>pertains to curbing <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/money-laundering-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">money laundering</a> and terror financing.</strong></li>
<li>Recently, the task force&rsquo;s <strong>International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG)</strong> noted that Pakistan had complied with 21 points.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Since 2007,</strong> the ICRG has analysed high-risk jurisdictions and recommended specific action to address the money laundering/terror financing risks emanating from them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At the <strong>recent plenary session,</strong> the FATF observed that Pakistan has made progress across all action plan items and has <strong>largely addressed 21 of 27 action items.</strong></li>
<li>Keeping Pakistan on the &lsquo;Grey List&rsquo;, the<strong> FATF strongly urged Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan by February 2021.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>points on which Pakistan failed to deliver</strong> included its lack of action against the non-profit organisations linked to the terror groups banned by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> UN Security Council (UNSC)</strong></a>; and<strong> delays in the prosecution of banned individuals and entities</strong> like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed and LeT operations chief, Zaki Ur Rahman Lakhvi, as well as Jaish-e- Mohammad chief <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/masood-azhar-listed-as-a-global-terrorist" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Masood Azhar.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While Saeed was sentenced in February 2020 to 11 years in prison for terror financing, the <strong>Pakistan government claims that others are &ldquo;untraceable&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, Pakistan was found <strong>non-compliant in cracking down on terror financing</strong> through narcotics and smuggling of mining products including precious stones.</li>
<li>The FATF process also <strong>showed concern about the 4,000 names</strong> that were on Pakistan&rsquo;s Schedule-IV list under the Anti-Terrorism Act up to January, but went missing in September 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Consequences for Pakistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FATF listing<strong> makes it extremely difficult for Pakistan to get financial aid</strong> from the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong></a>, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> European Union.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Response of Different Countries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Turkey</strong> proposed that the<strong> members should consider Pakistan&rsquo;s good work</strong> and instead of waiting for completion of the remaining six of the 27 parameters, <strong>an FATF on-site team should visit Pakistan</strong> to finalise its assessment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>On-site teams are<strong> permitted only after jurisdictions complete their action plans.</strong> Normally such a visit is a<strong> signal for exit from the grey or black list.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>When the proposal was placed before the Plenary,<strong> no other member seconded the move.</strong> It was <strong>not supported by even China, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pakistan continues to provide <strong>safe havens</strong> to terrorist entities and individuals and has also <strong>not yet taken any action against several terrorist entities and individuals</strong> including those <strong>proscribed by the UNSC,</strong> such as Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim, Zakir-ur-Rahman Lakhvi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Financial Action Task Force</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Formation:</strong> The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an <strong>inter-governmental body</strong> established in<strong> 1989</strong> during the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/g-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G7</strong></a> <strong>Summit</strong> in Paris.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> To set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.</li>
<li><strong>Secretariat:</strong> Its Secretariat is located at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oecds-forecast-for-global-economy-in-2060" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)</strong></a> <strong>headquarters</strong> in<strong> Paris.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Member Countries:</strong> The FATF currently has <strong>39 members</strong> including two regional organisations &mdash; the<strong> European Commission</strong> and <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gcc-backs-un-arms-embargo-on-iran#:~:text=set%20to%20expire.-,Gulf%20Cooperation%20Council,United%20Arab%20Emirates%20(UAE)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gulf Cooperation Council.</a> India</strong> is a member of the FATF.</li>
<li><strong>Decision Making Body:</strong> The<strong> FATF Plenary</strong> is the decision making body of the FATF. It <strong>meets three times per year. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Lists under FATF:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Grey List:</strong> Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list (or &lsquo;Jurisdictions under increased monitoring&rsquo;). This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.</li>
<li><strong>Black List:</strong> Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put in the blacklist. These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities. The FATF revises the blacklist regularly, adding or deleting entries. As of this year, there are only two countries on the FATF's black list - <strong>North Korea</strong> and <strong>Iran.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/terror-financing-watchdog-fatf-keeps-pakistan-on-greylist-till-next-review-in-february-2021/article32931451.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Sudan and Israel to Normalise Relations',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, in a <strong>deal brokered by the USA, Sudan and Israel</strong> have agreed to <strong>normalise relations</strong> to end decades of hostility.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603787483_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603787483_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sudan, which was<strong> technically at war with Israel since its foundation</strong> in <strong>1948,</strong> has now become the <strong>third country to forge diplomatic relations</strong> with it, in recent times.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, the USA brokered diplomatic pacts between<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/israel-uae-and-bahrain-abraham-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Israel and the UAE and Bahrain</a> as well,</strong> to normalise their relations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The deal would <strong>deepen Sudan&rsquo;s engagement with the West.</strong></li>
<li>The deal follows USA&rsquo;s conditional agreement to <strong>remove Sudan from its blacklist of countries accused of sponsoring terrorism.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sudan was <strong>added to the list in 1993</strong> after it was accused of harbouring groups such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/beirut-explosion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hezbollah</strong></a> and <strong>Palestinian militant outfits</strong> which the USA deems as terrorists.</li>
<li>As a result, Sudan was <strong>cut off from the global economy</strong> and was <strong>starved of foreign investment</strong> which faced another blow in <strong>2011</strong> when <strong>South Sudan was formed</strong> taking away its major oil resources.</li>
<li>With its name removed from the list, Sudan will no longer stay deprived of foreign investments.</li>
<li>Under the deal, <strong>Sudan has agreed to pay USD 335 million in compensation</strong> to victims of the<strong> Al-Qaeda bombings</strong> of USA embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It delivers a<strong> foreign policy achievement for Trump</strong> just days before the USA election.</li>
<li>It<strong> boosts Israel&rsquo;s motive</strong> which has made it a priority to <strong>forge ties with formerly hostile countries in Africa and the Arab</strong> world in the absence of any progress with the Palestinians.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the initial phase, there will be<strong> no exchange of ambassadors or a mutual establishment of embassies.</strong></li>
<li>After the<a href="/be-mains-ready-daily-answer-writing-practice-question/papers/six-day-war-reasons-war-shaped-history-of-the-modern-world#:~:text=The%20Six%2DDay%20War%20was,the%20severity%20of%20their%20defeat." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> six-day war of 1967 war</strong></a>, Arab powers met in <strong>Khartoum</strong> (Sudan&rsquo;s capital) to <strong>pledge three &ldquo;noes&rdquo;</strong> viz.<strong> no peace</strong> with Israel,<strong> no recognition</strong> of Israel, and<strong> no negotiations</strong> with Israel.&nbsp;Therefore, the deal holds a symbolic significance for Israel.</li>
<li>Unlike the UAE and Bahrain, which have never fought with Israel, <strong>Sudan sent forces to fight in the war around Israel&rsquo;s creation in 1948</strong> and during the<strong> war of 1967.</strong> In the <strong>1970s, Israel backed Sudanese insurgents</strong> fighting the Khartoum government.</li>
<li>With this agreement, <strong>Israel will complete the creation of a safety cordon in the Red Sea,</strong> which currently includes Egypt, Jordan, South Sudan and Saudi Arabia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The deal is also<strong> aimed at unifying Arab countries against their common adversary, Iran.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Though Sudan has been largely marginal to Middle Eastern politics in recent decades, the normalisation has significant symbolic value.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Reaction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Allies of the USA,</strong> including Germany, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, have<strong> welcomed the deal</strong> as a boost to stability in West Asia.</li>
<li>Meanwhile, <strong>Palestinian leaders have strongly condemned</strong> the deal, echoing their rejection of all of the Israel&rsquo;s normalisation accords.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-allies-welcome-israel-sudan-deal-iran-palestine-cry-foul/article32937621.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sudan-and-israel-to-normalise-relations'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'India - Australia Circular Economy Hackathon',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aatmanirbhar-bharat-arise-atal-new-india-challenge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Innovation Mission</strong> </a>(AIM- an initiative set up by NITI Aayog), in association with <strong>Australia&rsquo;s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation</strong> (CSIRO), will organise a two-day hackathon on circular economy, <strong>&lsquo;India-Australia Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE)&rsquo;,</strong> in December 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>idea of I-ACE was conceived during a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-australia-virtual-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">virtual summit</a> on 4th June, 2020,</strong> between the Indian and Australian prime ministers, exploring innovative ways to boost the circular economy in India and Australia.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Focus:</strong> I-ACE will focus on <strong>identification and development of innovative technology solutions</strong> by students, startups and MSMEs of both nations.</li>
<li><strong>Key Themes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Innovation in packaging, reducing packaging waste.</li>
<li>Innovation in food supply chains, avoiding waste.</li>
<li>Creating opportunities for plastic waste reduction.</li>
<li>Recycling critical energy metals and e-waste.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Selection of Winners:</strong> Shortlisted students and startups/MSMEs will be called for the hackathon, where two winners (one student and one startup/MSME) per theme from each country will be announced at an award ceremony.</li>
<li><strong>Cash Prize:</strong> Winning teams from both the countries will get cash prizes. The winning Indian student and startup/MSME will be awarded a prize of Rs. 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively, coupled with post-hackathon product development opportunities.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Circular Economy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Meaning:</strong> It is an economy where products are designed for durability, reuse and recyclability and thus almost everything gets reused, remanufactured, and recycled into a raw material or used as a source of energy.</li>
<li><strong>Efficient Use of Resources:</strong> It includes <strong>3 R&rsquo;s (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle),</strong> Refurbishment, Recover, and Repairing of materials.</li>
<li><strong>Example:</strong> If a person is planning to discard his/her mobile, it can be given to someone else (i.e. giving the mobile second life-Reuse), rather than throwing it just like that.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Once the mobile reaches its end of life, it can be ensured that everything embedded in it, aluminum, copper, plastic etc. should be brought back to production cycle so that the circle of the economy gets completed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Response to the Linear Process:</strong> Many countries follow a linear process in which raw materials are taken from the environment, turned into new products which are then disposed of after use.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603786065_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603786065_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For Industry:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Fulfills the need for raw materials:</strong> The output produced by industries in a circular economy comes back to the industries in the form of input, for example, when parts of a mobile will be segregated, copper and aluminum will become raw materials for some industries.</li>
<li><strong>Efficient utilization of resources:</strong> This helps industries in earning cash profits equivalent to 3-5% of their turnover. Ultimately, QCDF (Quality, Cost, Delivery, and Flexibility) and sustainability level of industries get improved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>For Environment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-better-way-of-waste-management" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Problem of disposal of waste</strong></a> <strong>gets solved</strong> as in a circular economy, waste is converted into raw materials.</li>
<li>Also <strong>solves the problem of air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>For Consumers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Cost-Effective:</strong> The products in the circular economy are more cost effective for consumers as they tend to be more efficient, besides having a longer shelf life.</li>
<li><strong>Efficient Products:</strong> Increased Efficiency leads to a reduction in the cost of maintenance as well as that of disposal, which otherwise a consumer has to incur in a huge amount.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Response:</strong> Germany and Japan have used it as a binding principle for reorganizing its economy, whereas China even has a law on it (Circular Economy Promotion Law).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals</strong></a>, adopted by the United Nations Member States in 2015, include many related ambitions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Circular Economy and India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is already on its path to the circular economy. Initiatives of the National Productivity Council (NPC) and government show that. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>NPC</strong> is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-productivity-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Productivity Week 2019 Theme</strong></a> was &lsquo;Circular Economy for Productivity and Sustainability&rsquo;.</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Digital India&rsquo;</strong></a> Program contains a significant component of the recycling of electronic wastes. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/swachh-bharat-mission-urban#:~:text=Swachh%20Bharat%20Mission%2DUrban%20(SBM,certified%20through%20third%2Dparty%20verification." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swachh Bharat Mission</strong></a> is also about making wealth out of wastes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has a <strong>huge potential for reuse and recycling</strong> as only around 20% of the total waste generated goes into the recycling process.</li>
<li>Manufacturing Sector, especially MSMEs can help a lot in transformation towards a circular economy. The sector should &lsquo;DECIDE&rsquo; i.e.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Designing processes for refurbishment and easy cycling.</li>
<li>Educating masses on Circular Economy and its benefits.</li>
<li>Collaborative Models for smooth implementation of Circular Economy.</li>
<li>Innovating Products for circularity.</li>
<li>Digitization for transparency, virtualization, dematerialization, and feedback driven intelligence for saving resources.</li>
<li>Energy-Efficient for environmental sustainability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India and Australia have had a strong and productive bilateral partnership since a decade and their collaborations across a broad range of areas have yielded significant results.</li>
<li>Circular Economy can lead to the emergence of<strong> more sustainable production and consumption patterns,</strong> thus providing opportunities for developed and developing countries to achieve economic growth and inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.</li>
<li>The transition towards a circular economy requires systematic innovations including new innovative financing models, partnerships, business models and close integration of <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">industry 4.0</a> principles.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667604" 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/india-australia-circular-economy-hackathon'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Extension of ESI Scheme: Arunachal Pradesh',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the central government has<strong> extended the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme to Arunachal Pradesh,</strong> with effect from 1<sup>st</sup> November, 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ESI Scheme <strong>stands implemented in 568 districts</strong> in all the States and Union Territories, except Lakshadweep.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Integrated Social Security Scheme:</strong> Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme provides social protection to workers and their dependants, in the organised sector, in contingencies, such as, sickness, maternity and death or disablement due to an employment injury or occupational hazard.</li>
<li><strong>Statutory Provisions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> ESI Act, 1948</strong> is applicable to factories and notified establishments in an implemented area employing 10 or more employees for wages.</li>
<li>The <strong>"appropriate Government"</strong> State or Central is empowered to extend the provisions of the ESI Act to various classes of establishments, industrial, commercial or agricultural or otherwise. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Most of the State Governments have extended the ESI Act to certain specific class of establishments, such as, shops, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, preview theatres, motors transport undertakings and newspaper establishments etc., employing 10 or more persons.</li>
<li>However, the threshold for Coverage of establishments is still<strong> 20 Employees in Maharashtra.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility for Employees:</strong> The existing wage limit for coverage under the Act is <strong>Rs. 21,000 per month</strong> (Rs. 25,000 per month in the case of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/issues-related-to-persons-with-disability" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>persons with disability</strong></a>).</li>
<li><strong>Self-Financing Scheme:</strong> The ESI Scheme is <strong>financed by contributions from employers and employees.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>June 2020,</strong> the government had <strong>reduced the rate of contribution</strong> under the ESI Act <strong>from 6.5% to 4%</strong> (employers&rsquo; contribution reduced from 4.75% to 3.25% and employees&rsquo; contribution reduced from 1.75% to 0.75%).</li>
<li><strong>Employees, earning less than Rs. 137 a day</strong> as daily wages, are<strong> exempted</strong> from payment of their share of contribution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> The <strong>covered employees and their dependants</strong> are eligible for a host of benefits including Cashless Medical Care Services, Sickness Benefit, Maternity Benefit, Employment Injury Benefit and Dependant Benefit in case of death due to employment injury, Unemployment Benefit etc. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The employees covered under ESI Scheme are also entitled to <strong>unemployment allowance.</strong> There are two unemployment allowance schemes namely <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atal-bimit-vyakti-kalyan-yojana-esic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna (ABVKY)</strong></a> and <strong>Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojna (RGSKY).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Administration:</strong> It is administered by<strong> an apex corporate body called the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).</strong> The Corporation is <strong>headed by the Union Minister of Labour,</strong> as its Chairman.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1667020#:~:text=of%20India%20has%20now%20extended,from%201st%20November%2C%202020.&amp;text=All%20factories%20located%20in%20the,coverage%20under%20ESI%20Act%201948." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Insurance Sector in India',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/editorial/keeping-it-saral/article32920441.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Keeping it Saral&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu Businessline on 22/10/2020. It talks about the journey of the insurance sector in India and its associated issues.</p>
</div>
<p>Insurance is the main element in the operation of national economies throughout the world today. It protects health and assets of the people and stimulates business activities to operate in a cost-effective manner.</p>
<p>Citing this, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sandbox-for-fintech" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority</strong> </a>(IRDA) has released guidelines for the insurance sector i.e. <strong>Saral Jeevan Bima (SJB).</strong> Saral Jeewan Bima provides for broad contours of a standard individual term life insurance product which must be adhered by insurance companies.</p>
<p>While India&rsquo;s insurance sector has been growing dynamically in recent years, its share in the global insurance market remains abysmally low.</p>
<p>There are many underlying issues which affect the insurance sector in India such as low penetration and density rates, inadequate investment in insurance products, and the dominant position and deteriorating financial health of public-sector players.</p>
<p>Therefore, the goal of making insurance accessible to all will remain difficult to achieve, until the above mentioned issues are addressed.</p>
<h3>Background of Insurance Sector</h3>
<p>The insurance sector has witnessed many changes over the years including:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nationalisation of life (LIC Act 1956) and non-life sectors (GIC Act 1972).</li>
<li>Constitution of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in 1999.</li>
<li>Opening up of the sector to both private and foreign players in 2000.</li>
<li>Increase in the foreign investment cap to 26% from 49% in 2015.</li>
<li>The recent notification of 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) for insurance intermediaries (announced in the Union Budget of 2019-20) has further liberalised the sector.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Saral Jeevan Bima</h3>
<p>With SJB, IRDA envisages to increase penetration of insurance in India. Under this scheme:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Standardisation:</strong> IRDA has come up with guidelines for a &ldquo;standard" product&mdash;Saral Jeevan Bima&mdash;specifying the terms and conditions, benefits, and features that life insurance companies must include. Thereby, making it simpler for individuals to buy a term insurance policy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SJB will make it easier for the customers to make an informed choice, enhance the trust between the insurers and the insured, and reduce mis-selling as well as potential disputes at the time of claiming settlement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inclusive:</strong> The product guidelines mention that insurers should offer the product without restrictions on gender, place of residence, travel, occupation, or educational qualifications.</li>
<li><strong>Securing Interests of Insurers:</strong> Insurers will not be liable for a payout if the policyholder dies within 45 days of taking the policy except in case of accident.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges in India&rsquo;s Insurance sector</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Prevalence of Insurance Gap:</strong> The insurance penetration (ratio of total premium to GDP (gross domestic product)) and density (ratio of total premium to population) stood at 3.69% and US$ 73, respectively for FY18 (fiscal year 2017-18), which is low in comparison with global levels. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These low penetration and density rates reveal the uninsured nature of large sections of population in India, and the presence of an insurance gap.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Public Sector Dominated:</strong> The insurance sector has transitioned from being an exclusive State monopoly to a competitive market, but public-sector insurers hold a greater share of the insurance market even though they are fewer in number.</li>
<li><strong>Nascent Non-life Insurance:</strong> Life insurance dominates the sector with a huge share of 74.7%, with non-life insurance accounting for the remaining 25.3%. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the non-life insurance sector, motor, health, and crop insurance segments are driving growth. India&rsquo;s non-life insurance penetration is below 1%.</li>
<li>In addition, insurance products catering to speciality risks such as catastrophes and cyber security are at a nascent stage of development in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rural-Urban Divide:</strong> Low insurance penetration and density rates prevail in India. However, Rural participation of insurers remains deficient, and life insurers, especially private ones, gravitate towards the urban population.</li>
<li><strong>Capital Starved Insurers:</strong> Insurers in India lack sufficient capital, and their financial health, particularly that of the public-sector insurers, is in a precarious state.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, investment in the insurance sector got dwindled due to the crisis in banks and NBFCs (non-banking financial companies) sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Rural Centric Approach:</strong> Insurance companies in India will have to show long-term commitment to the rural sector as well, and will have to design products which are suitable for rural people.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, government insurance schemes such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana-pmfby" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/financial-inclusion-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana</strong></a>, and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/financial-inclusion-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana</strong></a> are notable steps in right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need For Awareness Program:</strong> There is a need for complementary thrust to spread awareness and improve financial literacy, particularly the concept of insurance, and its importance.</li>
<li><strong>Technological Intervention:</strong> Another area that necessitates regulatory scrutiny is that of application of technology in insurance. An example is the emergence of &lsquo;InsurTech&rsquo;, designed to make the claim process simpler and more comprehensible.</li>
<li><strong>Enhanced Role of Regulator:</strong> The regulator needs to exercise vigilance on three other aspects. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It must ensure that insurance is not denied to lower-income people who make up the bulk of the population and have the most need for protection.</li>
<li>It should insist that insurers facilitate a simple online process for direct buying of insurance products, bypassing intermediaries.</li>
<li>It should ensure that players do not overcharge or add hidden costs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Demographic factors, coupled with increasing awareness and financial literacy, are likely to catalyse the growth of the sector. An enhanced regulatory regime that focuses on increasing insurance coverage is the need of the hour.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603712025_image0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603712025_image0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></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: #fafbff;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the significance of the insurance sector in Indian economy and its underlying issues.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/insurance-sector-in-india'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Compound Interest Waiver on Moratorium Loans',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Government of India has announced the scheme for the<strong> waiver of compound interest</strong> that was payable by the borrower who had opted for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-s-covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>loan moratorium</strong></a> between 1<sup>st</sup> March 2020, and 31<sup>st</sup> August 2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reserve Bank of India</a> (RBI)</strong> had in March 2020 offered a <strong>three-month moratorium on loans,</strong> enabling borrowers to defer repayments on EMIs and other loans. This was later <strong>extended by another three months,</strong> till 31<sup>st</sup> August 2020.</li>
<li>The loan moratorium, and waiver of compound interest, was aimed at providing borrowers relief amid the economic impact of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-and-medical-solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603707042_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603707042_image5.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Compound Interest Waiver Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under this, the government will grant <strong>eligible borrowers ex-gratia payment</strong> of the difference between the compound interest and simple interest for the six-month moratorium period.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Ex-gratia payment</strong> is the money which is paid due to moral obligation and not due to legal obligation.</li>
<li><strong>Simple interest</strong> is levied <strong>only on the principal amount</strong> of a loan or deposit. In contrast, <strong>compound interest is levied on the principal amount and the interest</strong> that accumulates on it in every period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme shall be applicable for <strong>loans availed by <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises</a> (MSMEs)</strong> as well as <strong>loans to retail customers</strong> for education, housing, consumer durables, automobiles, <strong>provided a borrower has an aggregate outstanding loan of Rs. 2 crore or less,</strong> from all such loans. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Credit card dues</strong> have also been included in the scheme&rsquo;s ambit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> loan interest waiver payment</strong> shall be admissible, <strong>irrespective of whether the borrower had availed the moratorium partly, fully, or not at all.</strong></li>
<li>However, this would only be permitted for<strong> loan accounts that had not been reported</strong> as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/lessons-from-npa-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)</strong></a> as on 29<sup>th</sup> February 2020. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A loan is recorded as a non-performing asset or NPA, 90 days after repayments become overdue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effect:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>amount saved</strong> through loan interest waiver <strong>will be very small.</strong> This is because only the<strong> interest that would have been charged on the interest of the original loan</strong> during the six months moratorium period is waived off.</li>
<li>In other words, the<strong> loan repayment will continue</strong> and one will still need to pay the <strong>simple interest</strong> that would have paid if not opted for the loan moratorium. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is only the compounding interest that goes off.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lenders have been asked to set up a grievance redressal mechanism for eligible borrowers under the scheme by 30<sup>th</sup> October 2020.</li>
<li>A mechanism has also been put in place for lenders to claim the amount back from the government. Lenders have to submit claims for reimbursement by 15<sup>th</sup> December 2020 through a special cell set up in the State Bank of India (SBI).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/centre-lays-out-modalities-of-compound-interest-scheme-on-loans-up-to-2-crore/article32936609.ece?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=13650c84d0076c2e6d74730151c83ed7f698c58a-1603707270-0-AYYbU7AByQh6Sja8_6Nhyon2Vfo5irIk9yUc49zGFp5nV2aWkQ3xIqOztnFy0TIyBOYMgBwMQB0GD3QdtQCWpYF3zSYTtIarKolHnvi0cnbYzE_9Ide8P4lQ402OR2X_ZMwZDgsnOegC8Ene6PrLmCLvMBMSFsxYFcari5c1ZMG_gCGs4FO0EFDfyx-ynynphWuKqIaqj0eXbhNzvaXmo2d2MJtTdq3-B5Y936AyGolHwl7FbigmLeBoav1pXYa4s-1oP3w7J6LLCVh5OnEA526q0wWqtkSji0DEDUS0a_IjOeVG2EAmjBrEco-PEPSidLVhwdhMSLGl4ckIJwJahiphN6oxcF4BMU8dQiww7hpO0N7ZN2ujUXiPqufGlW1wyt9WoKRAp-BE3BE6zP1rPzSIETZMCg5HeMh9T77wN_vhF5_UD7-BbwJco_tAt7vHysBca0vFa49uatXLPqnEEy7zkjKfsN-cKP61WD6hDHuV-4EU14oAyoVHVaj-UdQsF-umOYxib8KGV6hTABQ6osY6zqy1c_R8h9Ih7X4hKFScqeC4_M0oa_-zTop9_pM9wCxovkcUm6vHQdzaQYrgfrBKPNRmxBDPNmAhjgu19kcUn9_JGlpkMgI8y2I3SJEWY1qKGgrKc6WCG65IciTxhtY" 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/compound-interest-waiver-on-moratorium-loans'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'New Abortion Laws in Poland',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> women in Poland</strong> have been protesting a court ruling that drastically restricts their <strong>right to access safe and legal <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/abortions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abortions</a>.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Poland&rsquo;s Abortion Laws:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The existing <strong>1993 abortion law permits the termination of pregnancy on the grounds of foetal defects.</strong></li>
<li>These are <strong>already considered some of the strictest laws in Europe</strong> and after the enactment of the court&rsquo;s decision, <strong>abortions will only be permitted in cases of rape, incest, or if there is a threat to the mother&rsquo;s life.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Poland&rsquo;s Constitutional Tribunal</strong> ruled that an <strong>existing law</strong> was <strong>unconstitutional</strong> because the<strong> Polish constitution assures a right to life</strong> and the abortion based on a foetal malfunction was a directly forbidden form of discrimination.</li>
<li>Tribunal held that <strong>permitting abortions</strong> in the case of foetal deformities <strong>legalised &ldquo;eugenic practices</strong> with regard to an unborn child, thus denying it the respect and protection of human dignity.&rdquo;<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Eugenics</strong> is the<strong> practice or advocacy of improving the human species</strong> by selectively mating people with specific desirable hereditary traits.</li>
<li>It <strong>aims to reduce human suffering</strong> by &ldquo;breeding out&rdquo; disease, disabilities and so-called undesirable characteristics from the human population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Similar Instances:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Earlier in 2016</strong> too, thousands of women went on strike in <strong>protest against a draft law for a complete ban on abortions.</strong></li>
<li>The draft law was<strong> proposed by an anti-abortion citizens&rsquo; group</strong> and was initially <strong>supported by the Catholic Church.</strong> It <strong>suggested stringent punishments</strong> like jail upto 5 years for the women and also the doctors performing the abortion.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>Church later backed out</strong> when bishops said they<strong> could not support the proposal to jail women who underwent an abortion.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications of the Latest Ruling:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Fewer than 2,000 legal abortions are carried out in Poland each year, a <strong>majority of which are due to foetal defects.</strong> So the ruling <strong>essentially translates to a near complete ban</strong> on abortions in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Abortions in cases of rape, incest or where there is a threat to the mother&rsquo;s life account for <strong>merely 2% of all legal terminations.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An estimated <strong>80,000 to 1,20,000 Polish women either go abroad or seek illegal abortions every year</strong> due to the country&rsquo;s<strong> strict laws</strong> or the<strong> stigma</strong> assocoated with it.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is feared that the<strong> number could surge even further</strong> if terminations due to malformed foetuses are outlawed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Reactions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Regional and global organisations like the <strong>Council of Europe, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/suspension-of-amnesty-international-operations-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amnesty International</a>,</strong> the <strong>Center for Reproductive Rights and Human Rights Watch</strong> criticised the ruling.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Abortion</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is defined as the <strong>termination of pregnancy by various methods,</strong> including<strong> medical surgery</strong> before the fetus is able to sustain independent life.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Abortion Laws in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Abortions in India are regulated by the <strong>Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971.</strong></li>
<li>Under the law (<strong>section 3</strong> of the MTP Act 1971), the<strong> doctor can perform an abortion in the following conditions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the pregnancy would be <strong>harmful to the life of the patient </strong>or <strong>affects her physical or mental health.</strong> The doctor will need to consider the circumstances of the patient to figure out if the pregnancy will harm her mental health, on a case to case basis.</li>
<li>If there is a good chance that the<strong> child would suffer from physical or mental abnormalities</strong> which would leave him or her seriously handicapped.</li>
<li>If pregnancy occurred as a <strong>result of a failure of contraception</strong> (only applicable to married women).</li>
<li>If pregnancy is a <strong>result of sexual assault or rape.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Termination of Pregnancy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the pregnancy has <strong>not exceeded 12 weeks, only one doctor</strong> is needed to sign-off.</li>
<li>If the pregnancy <strong>has exceeded 12 weeks and is below 24 weeks, two doctors</strong> are needed.</li>
<li>The <strong>gestation period does not matter</strong> if a doctor feels that an immediate abortion must be conducted<strong> to save the life of the patient.</strong></li>
<li>The doctor who determines if it is necessary to perform an abortion and performs it <strong>needs to be a &lsquo;registered medical practitioner&rsquo; under the law.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>January 2020,</strong> the Union Cabinet approved <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-bill-to-raise-upper-limit-for-abortion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">amendments to the MTP Act</a></strong>, allowing women to seek abortions as part of the reproductive right and gender justice.</li>
<li>The amendment <strong>raised the upper limit of MTP from 20 weeks to 24 weeks</strong> for women including rape survivors, victims of incest, differently-abled women and minors.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-polish-women-are-protesting-a-recent-court-ruling-on-abortions-6883121/" 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/new-abortion-laws-in-poland'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'India’s First Seaplane Project',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>India's first seaplane service in Gujarat,</strong> is set to start from <strong>31<sup>st</sup> October 2020, the birth anniversary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-unity-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel</a>,</strong> with the aim of providing <strong>air connectivity</strong> between the <strong>Sabarmati Riverfront</strong> in Ahmedabad and the <strong>Statue of Unity</strong> in Kevadia.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The seaplane will be <strong>operated by SpiceJet.</strong> It is a <strong>19-seater seaplane,</strong> which will be able to accommodate 14 passengers.</li>
<li>In the next phase, <strong>Dharoi dam</strong> (Mehsana district) <strong>will connect Ambaji and Shatrunjay dam</strong> (Bhavnagar district) and <strong>Tapi</strong> district.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603705199_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603705199_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="300" height="200" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Seaplane:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A seaplane is a<strong> fixed-wing aeroplane</strong> designed for <strong>taking off and landing on water.</strong></li>
<li>There are <strong>two main types of seaplanes: flying boats</strong> (often called hull seaplanes) and <strong>floatplanes.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A<strong> flying boat</strong> is a fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water, that usually has no type of landing gear to allow operation on land. It <strong>differs from a floatplane</strong> as it uses a purpose-designed fuselage which can float, granting the aircraft buoyancy<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The bottom of a<strong> flying boat&rsquo;s fuselage is its main landing gear.</strong> This is usually supplemented with smaller floats near the wingtips, called wing or tip floats.</li>
<li>The <strong>hull of a flying boat holds the crew, passengers, and cargo;</strong> it has many features in common with the hull of a ship or a boat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A<strong> floatplane</strong> is supported on the water by <strong>pontoons,</strong> called<strong> floats.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Countries that Operate Seaplanes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seaplanes are operational in countries like the Philippines, Canada, Australia, the United States, Finland, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Maldives and Hongkong.</li>
<li>In India,<strong> Jal Hans,</strong> a commercial seaplane service based in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was launched as a <strong>pilot project</strong> in December 2010 with a capacity of 10 passengers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Seaplane Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the <strong>direction of the Centre,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wings-india-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Airports Authority of India (AAI)</strong></a> requested state governments of Gujarat, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and the administration of Andaman &amp; Nicobar<strong> to propose potential locations for setting up water airports</strong> to boost the tourism sector.</li>
<li>In 2019, the <strong>Centre approved flights from six water airports</strong> that include Shatrunjay Dam (Gujarat), Guwahati riverfront and Umrangso reservoir (Assam) and Nagarjuna Sagar (Andhra Pradesh), under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/udan-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>third round of Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik</strong></a> (UDAN) scheme.</li>
<li>The routes awarded for seaplane operations include<strong> Sabarmati riverfront to Statue of Unity and Shatrunjay Dam; Guwahati riverfront to Umrango reservoir, Jorhat and Shillong</strong> (Meghalaya) and <strong>Nagarjuna Sagar to Vijayawada and Hyderabad</strong> (Telangana).</li>
<li><strong>Agatti, Kavaratti and Minicoy islands of Lakshadweep</strong> have also been proposed to be connected through the seaplane project under the<strong> fourth round of UDAN scheme.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project will lead to an<strong> increase in tourism and hotel business</strong> at local level. It will also serve <strong>employment to local people.</strong></li>
<li>Establishment of water airports will contribute to an increase in the level of current <strong>social infrastructural facilities</strong> at the proposed sites.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact on Environment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Negative:</strong> Experts are of the opinion that the activities proposed under the water airport project may have a similar type of impact as that of an airport.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the water airport is not a listed project/activity in the Schedule to the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006</strong></a> nor in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/draft-eia-notification-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>EIA draft 2020.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Positive:</strong> During seaplane operations, there will be <strong>turbulence</strong> created in the water while takeoff and landing of seaplanes. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will<strong> lead to mixing of oxygen in the water,</strong> which will have a positive impact on the aquatic ecosystem near seaplane operations increasing oxygen content and decreasing carbon content in this system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>UDAN Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN)</strong> was launched as <strong>a regional connectivity scheme</strong> under the <strong>Ministry of Civil Aviation</strong> in 2016.</li>
<li>The objective of the scheme is<strong> to create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes</strong> so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns.</li>
<li>The scheme<strong> envisages providing connectivity to un-served and underserved airports of the country</strong> through the revival of existing air-strips and airports. The scheme is <strong>operational for a period of 10 years.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under-served airports are those which do not have more than one flight a day, while un-served airports are those where there are no operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>UDAN 3.0 and UDAN 4.0 aim to include Seaplanes for connecting water airports.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/seaplane-from-maldives-to-arrive-in-gujarat-today-6883234/" 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/india-s-first-seaplane-project'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'World Economic Outlook: IMF',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <strong>October update</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-growth-forecast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Outlook 2020</strong></a>, India's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gross domestic product</strong> </a>(GDP) will witness a <strong>contraction of over 10%.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is more than the double of 4.5% contraction projected in the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-economic-outlook-report-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> April edition</a></strong>.</li>
<li>World Economic Outlook is a survey by 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>(IMF) which is usually <strong>published twice a year</strong> in the months of <strong>April and October.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global growth</strong> would <strong>contract by 4.4% in 2020</strong> and <strong>bounce</strong> back to <strong>5.2% in 2021.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Indian economy,</strong> severely hit by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>, is projected to <strong>contract by 10.3% in 2020.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The spread of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>and containment measures have severely<strong> disrupted supply and demand</strong> conditions in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However,<strong> India is likely to bounce back with an 8.8%</strong> growth rate in<strong> 2021,</strong> thus regaining the position of the fastest-growing emerging economy, <strong>surpassing China&rsquo;s projected growth rate of 8.2%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Among the major economies,<strong> China is the only country</strong> to show a<strong> positive growth rate</strong> of 1.9% in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-Bangladesh Difference</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>GDP Comparison:</strong> According to the IMF&rsquo;s forecasts, Bangladesh&rsquo;s per capita GDP is expected to overtake India in 2020. <strong>India is likely to grow faster in 2021</strong> and in all likelihood again surge ahead.</li>
<li><strong>Per Capita Income Comparison:</strong> However, over the <strong>five-year period ending in 2025,</strong> Bangladesh&rsquo;s per capita GDP is expected to grow at a slightly higher pace, implying that <strong>in 2025, its per capita income would be USD 2,756, marginally higher than that of India&rsquo;s at USD 2,729.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given <strong>Bangladesh&rsquo;s lower population growth and faster economic growth,</strong> India and Bangladesh are <strong>likely to be neck and neck</strong> for the foreseeable future in terms of per capita income.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Comparison Method:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Typically, countries are compared on the basis of <strong>GDP growth rate,</strong> or on <strong>absolute GDP.</strong></li>
<li>However, <strong>per capita income</strong> also involves another variable like the <strong>overall population</strong> and is arrived at <strong>by dividing the total GDP by the total population.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Trends:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603704321_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603704321_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For the most part <strong>since Bangladesh&rsquo;s independence,</strong> on both these counts, <strong>India&rsquo;s economy has been better</strong> than Bangladesh&rsquo;s.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s economy has <strong>mostly been over 10 times the size of Bangladesh</strong> and grown faster every year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>1991,</strong> when India was undergoing a severe<strong> financial crisis</strong> and grew by just above 1%, <strong>Bangladesh&rsquo;s per capita GDP surged ahead</strong> of India&rsquo;s. Since then, India again took the lead.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There are<strong> three reasons</strong> why <strong>India&rsquo;s per capita income has fallen below Bangladesh in 2020.</strong> These are as below:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Growth Rates: Since 2017 onwards, India&rsquo;s growth rate has decelerated sharply while Bangladesh&rsquo;s has become even faster.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bangladesh&rsquo;s economy has been clocking rapid GDP growth rates since 2004. However, this pace did not alter the relative positions of the two economies between 2004 and 2016 because India grew even faster than Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Populations:</strong> Over the same period, <strong>India&rsquo;s population grew faster</strong> (around 21%) than Bangladesh&rsquo;s population (just under 18%).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>combined effect</strong> of these two factors can be seen in how the<strong> per capita GDP gap had closed considerably even before Covid-19.</strong></li>
<li>Bangladesh&rsquo;s per capita GDP was <strong>merely half of India&rsquo;s in 2007</strong> but this was just before the global financial crisis. It was <strong>roughly 70% of India&rsquo;s in 2014</strong> and this<strong> gap closed rapidly</strong> in the last few years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19:</strong> The <strong>most immediate factor</strong> was the <strong>relative impact of Covid-19</strong> on the two economies in 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While India&rsquo;s GDP is set to reduce by 10%, Bangladesh&rsquo;s is expected to grow by almost 4%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons Behind Bangladesh&rsquo;s Fast Growth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Independence from Pakistan:</strong> It gave Bangladesh a chance to start afresh on its economic and political identity.</li>
<li><strong>Less Stringent Labour Laws:</strong> Labour laws were not as stringent and its economy increasingly involved women in its labour force, seen by the <strong>higher female participation.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Role of Garment Industry in Exports:</strong> A key driver of growth was the garment industry where women workers gave Bangladesh the edge to corner the global export markets from which China retreated.</li>
<li><strong>Industry and Services Led GDP:</strong> Structure of Bangladesh&rsquo;s economy is such that its GDP is led by the industrial sector, followed by the services sector and both these sectors create a lot of jobs and are<strong> more remunerative than agriculture.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India,</strong> on the other hand, has <strong>struggled to boost its industrial sector</strong> and has far too many <strong>people still dependent on agriculture.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improved Social and Political Metrics:</strong> Over the past two decades, Bangladesh has improved on several social and political metrics such as health, sanitation, financial inclusion, and women&rsquo;s political representation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, despite a lower proportion of the population having access to basic sanitation, the<strong> mortality rate attributed to unsafe water and sanitation in Bangladesh is much lower than in India.</strong></li>
<li>On financial inclusion, according to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/09-05-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Findex database</a>, the <strong>proportion of dormant bank accounts is quite small</strong> when compared to India.</li>
<li>Bangladesh is also far ahead of India in the latest <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-gender-gap-index-2020-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>gender parity rankings</strong></a>. Out of 154 countries mapped, Bangladesh is in the top 50 while India is at 112.</li>
<li>Bangladesh with the 75<sup>th</sup> rank, is ahead of India, with 94<sup>th</sup> rank, in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-hunger-index-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Hunger Index 2020.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Better Performance:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603704444_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603704444_image4.png" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>level of poverty is much lower than that of Bangladesh&rsquo;s.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the World Bank, poverty in Bangladesh is <strong>expected to increase substantially</strong> in the short term, with the<strong> highest impact on daily and self-employed workers</strong> in the non-agricultural sector and salaried workers in the manufacturing sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is far ahead of Bangladesh<strong> in basic education parameters</strong> and that is what explains its higher rank in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/human-development-index-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Human Development Index.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>India</strong> stands at the <strong>63<sup>rd</sup> rank</strong> while <strong>Bangladesh is at the 168<sup>th</sup> rank</strong>, out of total <strong>190 countries</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ease of Doing Business 2020.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>India</strong> is at the <strong>48<sup>th</sup> position</strong> while <strong>Bangladesh</strong> ranked <strong>116<sup>th</sup> among 131 economies</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-innovation-index-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Innovation Index 2020.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bangladesh&rsquo;s recent economic performance and its differences from India can be traced to the former&rsquo;s better export performance, especially in garments and apparel.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s exports have remained sluggish, which could provide the much-needed fillip to India&rsquo;s economy. However, this would require India to reverse its recent stance on trade, lower rather than raise tariffs, embrace free trade agreements, and seek greater integration with global supply chains.</li>
<li>Wages in China are rising and countries like Bangladesh are all set to take advantage of this opportunity post-Covid-19. As companies try to hedge their supply chain risks, and shifts away from China intensify, this provides India yet another opportunity but it will require the government to pivot away from protectionism.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-gdp-bangladesh-gdp-indian-economy-6748867/" 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/world-economic-outlook-imf'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Kisan Suryodaya Yojana: Gujarat',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister has launched the <strong>&lsquo;Kisan Suryodaya Yojana&rsquo;</strong> aimed at providing <strong>day-time electricity to farmers in Gujarat</strong> for irrigation and farming purposes.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Prime Minister also launched a<strong> 2.3 km-long ropeway project on Mount Girnar</strong> in Junagadh city, a major pilgrimage site.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Kisan Suryodaya Yojana:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rs. 3,500 crore</strong> will be spent over the <strong>next three years</strong> for providing solar power to farmers for irrigation during daytime (5 AM to 9 PM).</li>
<li>About<strong> 3,500 circuit kilometers (CKM) of new transmission lines</strong> will be laid.</li>
<li><strong>10 districts</strong> including Dahod, Gir-Somnath and Tapi have been selected under the Scheme for 2020-21. The remaining districts will be covered in a phase-wise manner by 2022-23.</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It would help in the <strong>expansion of micro irrigation</strong> in the state. Micro irrigation is defined as the frequent application of small quantities of water directly above and below the soil surface; usually as discrete drops, continuous drops or tiny streams through emitters placed along a water delivery line.</li>
<li>It would complement irrigation projects of the State- <strong>Sujalam Sufalam</strong> and<strong> SAUNI (Saurashtra-Narmada Avtaran Irrigation) yojana.</strong></li>
<li>It would <strong>complement central government initiatives</strong> like <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-chemicals-fertilizers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>neem coating urea</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/soil-health-card-scheme-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Soil Health Cards</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-website-of-ministry-of-new-and-renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>KUSUM Yojana</strong></a>, etc.</li>
<li>India has now reached<strong> 5<sup>th</sup> position in the world</strong> in the last few years in<strong> solar power</strong> and is advancing fast. Further, it has given the world the plan of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-sun-one-world-one-grid-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;One Sun, One World, One Grid&rsquo;.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>On the <strong>Kisan Suryodaya scheme,</strong> the PM emphasised that farmers should save water and adopt the mantra <strong>&lsquo;per drop, more crop&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>With the objective of "per drop, more crop", <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mobile-application-for-geo-tagging-pmksy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)</strong> </a>was also <strong>launched in 2015.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>centrally sponsored scheme</strong> being implemented to expand cultivated areas with assured irrigation, reduce wastage of water and improve water use efficiency and ensure<strong> "Har Khet Ko Paani".</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was conceived by amalgamating ongoing schemes viz.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)</strong> of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development &amp; Ganga Rejuvenation (now Ministry of Jal Shakti),</li>
<li><strong>Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)</strong> of Ministry of Rural Development and</li>
<li><strong>On Farm Water Management (OFWM)</strong> of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The scheme is implemented by the <strong>Ministries of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Jal Shakti and Rural Development.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ropeway Project on Mount Girnar:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 2.3 km- long ropeway project is being touted as the l<strong>ongest temple ropeway in Asia.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mount Girnar has <strong>Gorakhnath peak, Guru Dattatreya peak </strong>and<strong> a Jain temple.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is the <strong>fourth ropeway in Gujarat</strong> along with Banaskantha, Pavagadh and Satpura.</li>
<li>It will give a <strong>boost to adventure activities as well as tourism</strong> in the state.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sites like <strong>Shivarajpur beach</strong> which has got <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eight-indian-beaches-recommended-for-blue-flag" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>blue flag certification</strong> </a>and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/statue-of-unity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Statue of Unity</strong></a>, provides a lot of employment opportunities to the locals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-inaugurates-three-projects-in-gujarat/article32935777.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/kisan-suryodaya-yojana-gujarat'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'SOP for Adoption of Integrity Pact Amended: CVC',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-vigilance-commission-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Vigilance Commission</a> (CVC)</strong> has amended the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on adoption of <strong>&ldquo;Integrity Pact&rdquo;</strong> in government organisations for procurement activities.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The latest order revises the SOP issued in January 2017.</li>
<li>The CVC also restricted the maximum tenure of <strong>Integrity External Monitors (IEMs)</strong> to three years in an organisation.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Integrity Pact</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Integrity Pact is a <strong>vigilance tool</strong> that envisages an <strong>agreement between the prospective vendors/bidders and the buyer,</strong> committing both the parties <strong>not to exercise any corrupt influence</strong> on any aspect of the contract. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The pact also<strong> ensures transparency, equity and competitiveness</strong> in public procurement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Integrity External Monitors</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The IEMs independently and objectively <strong>review the documents to determine if the parties have complied with their obligations</strong> under the pact.</li>
<li>They may submit a report to the chief executive of the organisation concerned or directly to the <strong>Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO)</strong> and the<strong> CVC,</strong> if they find serious irregularities attracting the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 provisions.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Choice of IEM:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Amended Provision:</strong> It states that the<strong> choice of IEM</strong> should be restricted to officials from the government and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) who have retired from positions of the<strong> level of Secretary</strong> to the Central government or of equivalent pay scale.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The officials who retired as Chairman and Managing Directors (CMDs) of PSUs &mdash; Schedule 'A' companies and CMD/Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer levels in the Public Sector Banks (PSBs), insurance companies and financial institutions &mdash; should be at least of the level of<strong> Additional Secretary</strong> or its equivalent.</li>
<li>Officers of the Armed Forces who have retired from the <strong>rank equivalent of General</strong> may also be considered for appointment.</li>
<li>Preference would be given to persons who have worked in any other sector, other than their own, or have worked as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) in any organisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Earlier Provision:</strong> Under the 2017 order, the officials who had retired from positions of the<strong> level of Additional Secretary</strong> to the Central government and above, or equivalent pay scale, were eligible for the PSUs, board level officers in Schedule 'A' companies, PSBs, insurance companies and financial institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Officers of the Armed Forces who had retired from the<strong> rank equivalent to Lieutenant-General</strong> and above were considered for appointment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Appointment as IEM:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Amended Provision:</strong> It states that for appointment as IEM, the Ministry, department or organisation concerned has to forward a panel of suitable persons to the CVC, of those persons who are in the panel maintained by the CVC.</li>
<li><strong>Earlier Provision:</strong> Under the 2017 order, the panel could include those already in the panel maintained by the CVC, or they could propose names of other suitable persons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tenure:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Amended Provision:</strong> It states that the IEM will be appointed for a <strong>period of three years</strong> in an organisation.</li>
<li><strong>Earlier Provision:</strong> The 2017 order stated that the<strong> initial tenure of IEM would be three years</strong> which could be <strong>extended for another term of two years</strong> on a request received by the CVC from the organisation concerned.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Vigilance Commission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CVC is the apex vigilance institution, <strong>free of control from any executive authority, monitoring all vigilance activity under the Central Government</strong> and advising various authorities in Central Government organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance work.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an<strong> independent</strong> body and is <strong>only responsible to the Parliament.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was set up by the Government in February, 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by <strong>K. Santhanam.</strong></li>
<li>The Parliament enacted <strong>Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 (CVC Act)</strong> conferring <strong>statutory status</strong> on the CVC.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cvc-amends-sop-for-adoption-of-integrity-pact-in-govt-organisations/article32932525.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/sop-for-adoption-of-integrity-pact-amended-cvc'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'PRS Capsule September 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 and Governance</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#2">The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#5">Report on Virtual Courts</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill</a></li>
<li><a href="#7">Mission Karamyogi</a></li>
<li><a href="#8">The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#9">Economy</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#10">Farmers&rsquo; Produce Trade and Commerce Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#11">Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#12">The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#13">Green Term Ahead Market</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#14">Social Justice</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#15">Code on Social Security, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#16">The Industrial Relations Code, 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="#17">The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#18">Security</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#19">FDI policy in Defence</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#20">Science and Technology</a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="#21">Mandatory Use of FASTag</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1">Polity and Governance</h2>
<h3 id="2">The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on September 14, 2020. It amends the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/epidemic-diseases-act-1897?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=c3e2d39cc051c27cf78c480428662607bb51b4b6-1603689326-0-AZ2R1CEYSZxhplL6-_THp55AdVNv-QXdBm4FG2rBXuL8XYfX0BmmnROXU78rtqkuJdt7V7aiusaruSlQF0YPFezMvSGaO1eqdPudG7mqreIZLQXNg8K_BycsMN8xXKCUy1r3uI6PT6YJPwme2wplaVFQK_ekWBEOfJheX9-ryIm2FRrOaRaUGIShAAvAGVhu5CkmrRcFs1nUuB-owecFRAHUZAqELfRHKKNv-aRIrD-O0D7itB4ragUhPgrsu426Y2RzosZt8B5E1mfcAx-sQi33iituJNZUmJ_8Mw-gL-tK9_bRrMUCtB913Y0rnm6cSw6ram1LhT2uKDBd34bwr15-K6apCshfauZ1jftvBhbszEKPpDm7js2hHSZMOp00cK_LegKnx54V-by7kN8C_Ksri44OvgcPSnOK4EaCK1tnro61vXMzjGmsHSF9kLMcga6xs2sIE00p1zABlSeUbd47rlX3crpoWX9ljvg6ePBiaSkxy-3u2GOZRNxTlsPfSaJnmmJD1fqUYBmh_jNqvv_JpIL_qwY91FcrhBQgdBZxpeaPCMo3CrPuTAOv4a9mVyXZzuKgLZlmC9vOhT4Tm40" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act provides for the prevention of the spread of dangerous epidemic diseases.</li>
<li>The Bill amends the Act to include protections for healthcare personnel combatting epidemic diseases and expands the powers of the central government to prevent the spread of such diseases.</li>
<li>The Bill repeals the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance that was promulgated on April 22, 2020</li>
<li>They include: (i) public and clinical healthcare providers such as doctors and nurses, (ii) any person empowered under the Act to take measures to prevent the outbreak of the disease, and (iii) other persons designated as such by the state government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under the Bill, an<strong> &lsquo;act of violence&rsquo;</strong> includes any of the following acts committed against a healthcare service personnel: (i) harassment impacting living or working conditions, (ii) harm, injury, hurt, or danger to life, (iii) obstruction in discharge of duties, and (iv) loss or damage to the property or documents of the healthcare service personnel. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Property includes:</strong> (i) clinical establishment, (ii) quarantine facility, (iii) mobile medical unit, and (iv) any other property in which a healthcare service personnel has direct interest, in relation to the epidemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection for healthcare personnel and damage to property:</strong> The Bill specifies that no person can: (i) commit or abet the commission of an act of violence against a healthcare service personnel, or (ii) abet or cause damage or loss to any property during an epidemic. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Contravention of this provision is punishable with imprisonment between three months and five years, and a fine between Rs 50,000 and two lakh rupees. This offence may be compounded by the victim with the permission of the Court.</li>
<li>Further, if an act of violence against a healthcare service personnel causes grievous harm, the person committing the offence will be punishable with imprisonment between six months and seven years, and a fine between one lakh rupees and five lakh rupees. These offences will be cognizable and non-bailable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Compensation:</strong> Persons convicted of offences under the Bill will also be liable to pay compensation to the healthcare service personnel whom they have hurt. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the case of damage or loss of property, the compensation payable to the victim will be twice the amount of the fair market value of the damaged or lost property, as determined by the Court.</li>
<li>If the convicted person fails to pay the compensation, the amount will be recovered as an arrear of land revenue under the Revenue Recovery Act, 1890.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Investigation:</strong> Cases registered under the Bill will be investigated by a police officer, not below the rank of Inspector. The investigation must be completed within 30 days from the date of registration of the First Information Report.</li>
<li><strong>Trial:</strong> The inquiry or trial should be concluded within one year. If it is not concluded within this time period, the Judge must record the reasons for the delay and extend the time period. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the time period may not be extended for more than six months at a time. When prosecuting a person for causing grievous harm to a healthcare service personnel, the Court will presume that person is guilty of the offence, unless the contrary is proved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Powers of the central government:</strong> The Act specifies that the central government may regulate: (i) the inspection of any ship or vessel leaving or arriving at any port, and (ii) the detention of any person intending to travel from the port, during an outbreak. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill expands the powers of the central government to regulate the inspection of any bus, train, goods vehicle, ship, vessel, or aircraft leaving or arriving at any land port, port, or aerodrome. Further, the government may regulate the detention of any person intending to travel by these means.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="3">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020</strong> replaces the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020.</li>
<li>It amends the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/insolvency-and-bankruptcy-code-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016</strong></a>. The Code provides a time-bound process for resolving insolvency in companies and among individuals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Insolvency</strong> is a situation where individuals or companies are unable to repay their outstanding debt.</li>
<li>The Bill seeks to temporarily suspend initiation of the <strong>corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP)</strong> under the Code.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prohibition on the initiation of CIRP for certain defaults:</strong> When a default occurs, the Code allows the creditors of the company or the company itself to initiate CIRP by filing an application before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill provides that for defaults arising during the six months from March 25, 2020, CIRP can never be initiated by either the company or its creditors.</li>
<li>The central government may extend this period to one year through notification. The Bill clarifies that during this period, CIRP can still be initiated for any defaults arising before March 25, 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Liabilities for wrongful trading:</strong> Under the Code, a director or a partner of the corporate debtor may be held liable to make personal contributions to the assets of the company in certain situations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This liability can occur if despite knowing that the insolvency proceedings cannot be avoided, the person did not exercise due diligence in minimising the potential loss to the creditors.</li>
<li>The Resolution Professional may apply to the NCLT to hold such persons liable. The Resolution Professional is appointed to manage the resolution process upon the acceptance of an application for initiation of CIRP.</li>
<li>The Bill prohibits the Resolution Professional from filing such an application in relation to the defaults for which initiation of CIRP has been prohibited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="4">Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assisted-reproductive-technology-regulation-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020</strong></a> was introduced in Lok Sabha on September 14, 2020. The Bill seeks to provide for the regulation of Assisted Reproductive Technology services in the country.</li>
<li><strong>Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART):</strong> The Bill defines ART to include all techniques that seek to obtain a pregnancy by handling the sperm or the oocyte (immature egg cell) outside the human body and transferring the gamete or the embryo into the reproductive system of a woman. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Examples of ART services include gamete (sperm or oocyte) donation, in-vitro-fertilisation (fertilising an egg in the lab), and gestational surrogacy (the child is not biologically related to surrogate mother).</li>
<li>ART services will be provided through: (i) ART clinics, which offer ART related treatments and procedures, and (ii) ART banks, which store and supply gametes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulation of ART clinics and banks:</strong> The Bill provides that every ART clinic and bank must be registered under the National Registry of Banks and Clinics of India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The National Registry will be established under the Bill and will act as a central database with details of all ART clinics and banks in the country. State governments will appoint registration authorities for facilitating the registration process.</li>
<li>Clinics and banks will be registered only if they adhere to certain standards (specialised manpower, physical infrastructure, and diagnostic facilities).</li>
<li>The registration will be valid for five years and can be renewed for a further five years. Registration may be cancelled or suspended if the entity contravenes the provisions of the Bill.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conditions for gamete donation and supply:</strong> Screening of gamete donors, collection and storage of semen, and provision of oocyte donor can only be done by a registered ART bank. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A bank can obtain semen from males between 21 and 55 years of age, and oocytes from females between 23 and 35 years of age.</li>
<li>An oocyte donor should be an ever-married woman having at least one alive child of her own (minimum three years of age). The woman can donate oocytes only once in her life and not more than seven oocytes can be retrieved from her.</li>
<li>A bank cannot supply gamete of a single donor to more than one commissioning couple (couple seeking services).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conditions for offering ART services:</strong> ART procedures can only be carried out with the written informed consent of both the party seeking ART services as well as the donor. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The party seeking ART services will be required to provide insurance coverage in the favour of the oocyte donor (for any loss, damage, or death of the donor).</li>
<li>A clinic is prohibited from offering to provide a child of pre-determined sex. The Bill also requires checking for genetic diseases before the embryo implantation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rights of a child born through ART:</strong> A child born through ART will be deemed to be a biological child of the commissioning couple and will be entitled to the rights and privileges available to a natural child of the commissioning couple. A donor will not have any parental rights over the child.</li>
<li><strong>National and State Boards:</strong> The Bill provides that the National and State Boards for Surrogacy constituted under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019 will act as the National and State Board respectively for the regulation of ART services. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Key powers and functions of the National Board include: (i) advising the central government on ART related policy matters, (ii) reviewing and monitoring the implementation of the Bill, (iii) formulating code of conduct and standards for ART clinics and banks, and (iv) overseeing various bodies to be constituted under the Bill.</li>
<li>The State Boards will coordinate enforcement of the policies and guidelines for ART as per the recommendations, policies, and regulations of the National Board.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Offences and penalties:</strong> Offences under the Bill include: (i) abandoning, or exploiting children born through ART, (ii) selling, purchasing, trading, or importing human embryos or gametes, (iii) using intermediates to obtain donors, (iv) exploiting commissioning couple, woman, or the gamete donor in any form, and (v) transferring the human embryo into a male or an animal. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These offences will be punishable with a fine between five and ten lakh rupees for the first contravention. For subsequent contraventions, these offences will be punishable with imprisonment for a term between eight and 12 years, and a fine between 10 and 20 lakh rupees.</li>
<li>Any clinic or bank advertising or offering sex-selective ART will be punishable with imprisonment between five and ten years, or fine between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 25 lakh, or both.</li>
<li>No court will take cognisance of offences under the Bill, except on a complaint made by the National or State Board or any officer authorised by the Boards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="5">Report on Virtual Courts</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Standing Committee on <strong>Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice</strong> submitted its report on the functioning of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/virtual-courts-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>virtual courts</strong></a>. The Committee emphasised that there is a need to integrate virtual courts into the country's legal ecosystem.</li>
<li>Key recommendations include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Digital divide:</strong> The Committee noted that a large number of advocates and litigants lack access to basic infrastructure and high-speed internet needed for virtual hearings. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To address this, it recommended exploring the feasibility of involving private agencies to take videoconferencing equipment to the doorsteps of people who are not tech-savvy, to help them connect with virtual courts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity divide:</strong> To address the connectivity divide, the Committee recommended that the government ramp up efforts to ensure timely implementation of the National Broadband Mission.</li>
<li><strong>Skill divide:</strong> To address the skill divide, the Committee recommended that training and awareness programs be conducted on all court complexes across the country to help advocates acquire skills required for handling digital platforms. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It also recommended that the Bar Council of India introduce computer courses as one of the subjects in law courses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Subordinate courts:</strong> The Committee noted that lower courts lack basic infrastructure and have experienced difficulties in adapting to virtual courts. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since transition to virtual Courts requires high initial investment, the Committee recommended exploring the feasibility of new financing approaches such as a public private participation model.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Continuation of virtual courts:</strong> The Committee recommended continuing the current system of virtual hearings on an experimental basis with the consent of all parties for certain categories of cases of appeals and final hearings (where physical presence is not required).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Way forward:</strong> The Committee recommended implementing a full-fledged virtual Court system on a pilot basis, in consultation with members of bar associations and bar councils. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Committee recommended transferring to virtual courts all matters in which personal presence may be dispensed with. In cases involving interpretation of law, facts, and examination of a large number of witnesses, a hybrid model can be adopted to digitise manual processes (such as filing of plaint and issuance of summons) and the hearings can be held in physical courtrooms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="6">The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020</strong> was passed by Parliament. The Bill amends the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/foreign-contribution-regulation-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act regulates the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution by individuals, associations, and companies.</li>
<li>Foreign contribution is the donation or transfer of any currency, security or article (of beyond a specified value) by a foreign source.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Key provisions of the bill include:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Transfer of foreign contribution:</strong> Under the Act, foreign contribution cannot be transferred to any other person unless such person is also registered to accept foreign contribution (or has obtained prior permission under the Act to obtain foreign contribution). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill amends this to prohibit the transfer of foreign contribution to any other person.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aadhaar for registration:</strong> The Act states that a person may accept foreign contribution if they have obtained a certificate of registration or prior permission from the government. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill requires that the application for registration or permission must contain the Aadhaar number of all directors or key functionaries.</li>
<li>A foreigner must provide a copy of the passport or the Overseas Citizen of India card.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>FCRA account:</strong> Under the Act, a registered person must accept foreign contributions only in a single branch of a scheduled bank specified by them. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Bill amends this to state that foreign contribution must be received only in a specified branch of the State Bank of India in New Delhi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduction in use of foreign contribution for administrative purposes:</strong> Under the Act, not more than 50% of the foreign contribution may be used for meeting administrative expenses. The Bill reduces this to 20%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="7">Mission Karamyogi</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Union Cabinet approved the launch of a capacity-building scheme for members of the civil services called the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mission-karmayogi-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Programme will be delivered through a digital platform called <strong>iGOTKarmayogiPlatform.</strong></li>
<li>The core guiding principles of the Programme include: (i) aligning work allocation of civil servants by matching their competencies to the requirements of the post, (ii) emphasising on 'on-site learning' to complement &lsquo;off-site&rsquo; learning, and (iii) calibrating all Civil Service positions to a <strong>Framework of Roles, Activities and Competencies (FRACs)</strong> approach and to create and deliver learning content relevant to the identified FRACs in every government entity.</li>
<li><strong>The Programme will be governed by:</strong> (i) the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Human Resource (HR) Council, (ii) a Capacity Building Commission, (iii) a special purpose vehicle for owning and operating the digital assets and platform for online training, and (iv) a coordination unit headed by the Cabinet Secretary.</li>
<li><strong>The functions of the Capacity Building Commission include:</strong> (i) assisting the PM HR Council in approving annual capacity building plans, (ii) supervising central training institutions dealing with civil services capacity building, and (iii) setting norms for common mid-career training programmes across all civil services.</li>
<li>Besides capacity building, service matters like confirmation after probation period, deployment, work assignment and notification of vacancies are also proposed to be integrated with the competency framework.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="8">The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jammu-and-kashmir-official-languages-bill-2020#:~:text=Key%20Points,becoming%20a%20separate%20Union%20Territory." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020</strong></a> was introduced in Lok Sabha on September 22, 2020. It seeks to declare certain languages as official languages of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.</li>
<li><strong>Official languages:</strong> The Bill declares <strong>Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi</strong> and <strong>English</strong> as the official languages to be used for the official purposes of the union territory, from such date as the Administrator of the union territory may notify. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill adds that the business in the Legislative Assembly of the union territory will be transacted in these official languages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of English:</strong> The Bill clarifies that English may continue to be used in the union territory for those administrative and legislative purposes for which it was being used before the commencement of the Act.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="9">Economy</h2>
<h3 id="10">Farmers&rsquo; Produce Trade and Commerce Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Trade of farmers&rsquo; produce:</strong> The<strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-agriculture-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> bill</a></strong> allows intra-state and inter-state trade of farmers&rsquo; produce outside: (i) the physical premises of market yards run by market committees formed under the state <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-produce-to-agriculture-marketinghttps://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/agriculture-produce-to-agriculture-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>APMC</strong></a> Acts and (ii) other markets notified under the state APMC Acts. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such trade can be conducted in an <strong>&lsquo;outside trade area&rsquo;,</strong> i.e., any place of production, collection, and aggregation of farmers&rsquo; produce including: (i) farm gates, (ii) factory premises, (iii) warehouses, (iv) silos, and (v) cold storages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Electronic trading:</strong> It permits the electronic trading of scheduled farmers&rsquo; produce (agricultural produce regulated under any state APMC Act) in the specified trade area. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An electronic trading and transaction platform may be set up to facilitate the direct and online buying and selling of such produce through electronic devices and the internet.</li>
<li>The following entities may establish and operate such platforms: (i) companies, partnership firms, or registered societies, having permanent account number under the Income Tax Act, 1961 or any other document notified by the central government, and (ii) a farmer producer organisation or agricultural cooperative society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Market fee abolished:</strong> It prohibits state governments from levying any market fee, cess or levy on farmers, traders, and electronic trading platforms for trade of farmers&rsquo; produce conducted in an &lsquo;outside trade area&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="11">Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Farming agreement:</strong> The bill provides for a farming agreement between a farmer and a buyer prior to the production or rearing of any farm produce. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The minimum period of an agreement will be one crop season, or one production cycle of livestock. The maximum period is five years, unless the production cycle is more than five years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pricing of farming produce:</strong> The price of farming produce should be mentioned in the agreement. For prices subject to variation, a guaranteed price for the product and a clear reference for any additional amount above the guaranteed price must be specified in the agreement. Further, the process of price determination must be mentioned in the agreement.</li>
<li><strong>Dispute Settlement:</strong> A farming agreement must provide for a conciliation board as well as a conciliation process for settlement of disputes. The Board should have a fair and balanced representation of parties to the agreement. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At first, all disputes must be referred to the board for resolution. If the dispute remains unresolved by the Board after thirty days, parties may approach the Sub-divisional Magistrate for resolution. Parties will have a right to appeal to an Appellate Authority (presided by collector or additional collector) against decisions of the Magistrate.</li>
<li>Both the Magistrate and Appellate Authority will be required to dispose of a dispute within thirty days from the receipt of application.</li>
<li>The Magistrate or the Appellate Authority may impose certain penalties on the party contravening the agreement. However, no action can be taken against the agricultural land of farmers for recovery of any dues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="12">The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020</strong> was passed by Parliament. The Bill replaces the Ordinance promulgated on June 5, 2020 to amend the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/04-06-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Essential Commodities Act, 1955.</strong> </a></li>
<li><strong>Regulation of food items:</strong> The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 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 central government may regulate or prohibit the production, supply, distribution, trade, and commerce of such essential commodities.</li>
<li>It provides that the central government may regulate the supply of certain food items including cereals, pulses, potatoes, onions, edible oilseeds, and oils, only under extraordinary circumstances.</li>
<li>These include: (i) war, (ii) famine, (iii) extraordinary price rise and (iv) natural calamity of grave nature.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stock limit:</strong> It requires that imposition of any stock limit on agricultural produce must be based on price rise. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A stock limit may be imposed only if there is: (i) a 100% increase in retail price of horticultural produce; and (ii) a 50% increase in the retail price of non-perishable agricultural food items.</li>
<li>The increase will be calculated over the price prevailing immediately preceding twelve months, or the average retail price of the last five years, whichever is lower.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="13">Green Term Ahead Market</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Minister for New and Renewable Energy launched the <strong>Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM)</strong> on September 1, 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Term ahead market refers to the market platform where electricity can be traded on a term basis for a duration of up to 11 days in advance.</li>
<li>GTAM will facilitate competitive prices and ensure transparency in the short-term procurement of renewable energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Some of the features of the Market are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>GTAM contracts will be classified into solar renewable power obligations (RPO) and non-solar RPO. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>RPO is the mandatory requirement to generate or purchase a minimum specified quantity of energy requirements from renewable sources.</li>
<li>The definition of contracts will include green intra-day, day ahead contingency, daily, and weekly contracts.</li>
<li>Energy procured through GTAM contracts will be considered under the RPO target applicable to the buyer.</li>
<li>Price discovery will be facilitated on price time priority basis. In price time priority basis, bids and offers are ranked based on their price for execution.</li>
<li>In case of two bids or offers with the same price, the bid or offer entered first into the trading platform will be ranked first.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="14">Social Justice</h2>
<h3 id="15">Code on Social Security, 2020</h3>
<p>The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-the-labour-code-bills" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Code on Social Security, 2020</strong></a> was passed by Parliament. It replaces nine laws related to social security, including the <strong>Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund Act, 1952</strong> and the <strong>Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.</strong> Key features include:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Social security schemes:</strong> Under the Code, the central government may notify various social security schemes for the benefit of workers. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include: (i) an Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, an Employees&rsquo; Pension Scheme (EPS), and an Employees&rsquo; Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme, and (ii) maternity benefit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In addition, the central or state government may notify specific schemes for gig workers, platform workers, and unorganised workers to provide various benefits, such as life and disability cover. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gig workers refer to workers outside of the traditional employer-employee relationship (e.g., freelancers).</li>
<li>Platform workers are workers who access other organisations or individuals using online platforms and earn money by providing them with specific services.</li>
<li>Unorganised workers include home-based and self-employed workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coverage and registration:</strong> The Code specifies different applicability thresholds for the schemes, which may be amended by the government. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, the EPF Scheme will apply to establishments with 20 or more employees.</li>
<li>All eligible establishments are required to register under the Code, unless they are already registered under any other labour law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Contributions:</strong> The EPF, EPS, EDLI, and ESI Schemes will be financed through a combination of contributions from the employer and employee. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, in the case of the EPF Scheme, the employer and employee will each make matching contributions of 10% of wages, or such other rate as notified by the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social security organisations:</strong> The Code provides for the establishment of several bodies to administer the social security schemes. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include: (i) a Central Board of Trustees to administer the EPF, EPS and EDLI Schemes, (ii) an Employees State Insurance Corporation to administer the ESI Scheme, and (iii) National and State Social Security Boards, headed by the central and state Ministers for Labour and Employment, respectively, to administer schemes for unorganised workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="16">The Industrial Relations Code, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/right-code-for-labour#:~:text=Industrial%20Relations%20Code%20Bill%202020,workmen%20employed%20in%20industrial%20establishments." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Relations Code, 2020</strong></a> was passed by Parliament. It replaces three labour laws: (i) the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, (ii) the Trade Unions Act, 1926, and (iii) the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.</li>
<li>Key features of the Code include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Trade unions:</strong> Trade unions with membership of at least 10% of the workers or 100 workers, whichever is less, will be registered.</li>
<li><strong>Negotiating unions:</strong> If there is only one trade union in an establishment, the employer is required to recognise such trade union as the sole negotiating union of the workers. In case of multiple trade unions, the trade union with support of at least 51% of workers will be recognised as the sole negotiating union. If no union has the support of 51%, then a negotiating council will be formed consisting of representatives of unions that have at least 20% of the workers as members.</li>
<li><strong>Standing orders:</strong> All industrial establishments with at least 300 workers must prepare standing orders on certain matters. These include: (i) classification of workers, (ii) manner of informing workers about hours of work, holidays, paydays, and wage rates, (iii) termination of employment, and (iv) grievance redressal mechanisms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lay-off and retrenchment:</strong> Mines, factories, and plantations with 50 to 300 workers must (i) pay 50% of basic wages and dearness allowance to a worker who has been laid off, and (ii) give one month&rsquo;s notice or equivalent pay to a retrenched worker with 15 days&rsquo; compensation for every year of service. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Non-seasonal industrial establishments with at least 300 workers must take prior permission of the central or state government before lay-off or retrenchment and: (i) pay 50% of basic wages and dearness allowance to a worker who has been laid off, and (ii) either give three months&rsquo; notice or equivalent pay, along with 15 days&rsquo; compensation for every year of service.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exemptions from the Code:</strong> The 2020 Bill provides that the central or state government may exempt any new establishment or a class of new establishment from all or any provisions of the Code in public interest.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="17">The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-occupational-safety-health-and-working-conditions-code-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020</strong></a> was passed by Parliament. The Code consolidates 13 existing Acts regulating health, safety, and working conditions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include the Factories Act, 1948, the Mines Act, 1952, and the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Key features of the Code include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Coverage:</strong> The Code will apply to establishments employing at least 10 workers. It will apply to all mines, docks, and establishments carrying out any hazardous or life-threatening activity (may be notified by the central government).</li>
<li><strong>Exemptions:</strong> The appropriate government can exempt any workplace or activity from the Code in case of a public emergency, disaster, or pandemic for up to a year. Further, the state government can exempt new factories from the Code for the specified period for creating more economic activity and employment.</li>
<li><strong>Registration and license:</strong> Establishments covered by the Code are required to register within 60 days (of commencement of the Code) with registering officers, appointed by the central or state government. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Factories may be required to obtain a license to operate. The Code requires those hiring workers such as contract labourers or beedi and cigar workers to obtain licenses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Duties of employers:</strong> Duties of employers include: (i) providing a workplace that is free from hazards, and (ii) informing relevant authorities in case any accident at the workplace leads to death or serious bodily injury to any employee.</li>
<li><strong>Work hours:</strong> No worker will be required or allowed to work in any establishment for more than eight hours in a day. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For overtime work, workers must be paid at twice the rate of daily wages. Prior consent of workers is required for overtime work.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Leave:</strong> Workers cannot be required to work for more than six days a week. Further, they must receive one day of leave for every 20 days of work per year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="18">Security</h2>
<h3 id="19">FDI policy in Defence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Commerce and Industry notified changes to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-fdi-policy-in-defence-sector?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=d5503758351d295be5336511bdd0c98e5fcce433-1603691309-0-AajCCuhymhAjjgdmKGXKtOmUYHQ66HhwT-VIGSR_Wp2CsU7Vz4YobuQ2PlwGZJmPPQymd-ZTkogtjavYauEFWLMIsxy91PVwWnnRPAbzC3ZhWJwfetB5EySlwUxty7RtJ4dn6FVv_7EWL2bk34BnxmJyr-ptZ-kYuC4PCl5ecTSZ-zsfGG9Sk85j2wXVXEdvbgD18DHSQ5vLFSDZTw_Sd1fcqn-v7-rKVTfe3gGm8b-HeTSMV0tJXKcA-UYD_RhUCSMQyQZseNP0-zaIDz4yww1yA5PUP7SjbGrtz8y93xG3mVRPoDj1-As6uQoFejsfTmG5rijmG4Cbr_EesgjYy7_D3dlbsOm1gZ_RH1zewk0w9JHaNYs0Piq6JmeDGI5It5fCEQ2YiZbsxUi1lRzsmxJIl6loJeDvXIX0Pu5fcciA5fJeaCA0GPSzis5zNsG5sL3ZjKoS-wX3ZE8-pti3hTE516w8cXzGXdmAIdUT1zv0SvUQnvz7aI7aGc35qgomIV3lfmhD8qzvpsjRSp-GB3ZkngpijoFgW0uMK5PuV2QDYoCzdo4nXCzUCK56KYM1qMCjczSRJh5PpLlfTKVyzQU" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy</strong></a> for the defence sector.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy is applicable to companies in the sector that are subject to licensing under the Industries (Development &amp; Regulation) Act, 1951 and the Arms Act, 1959.</li>
<li>The policy permits 100% FDI in defence, with limits beyond which government approval is required.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Key changes in the policy are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>FDI in companies seeking new licenses:</strong> The amendment increases the limit from 49% to 74% for FDI under the automatic route in companies seeking new industrial licenses. FDI beyond 74% is permitted with government approval.</li>
<li><strong>FDI in companies with existing licenses:</strong> Under the revised policy, a company with an existing license, receiving fresh FDI (within the 49% limit) will have to inform the Ministry of Defence if such investment results in a change in ownership pattern or transfer of stake. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Proposals for FDI beyond 49% in companies with existing licenses will require government approval. Earlier, all FDI in companies with existing licenses resulting in a change in ownership or transfer of stake required government approval.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="20">Science and Technology</h2>
<h3 id="21">Mandatory Use of FASTag</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has provided a draft notification which proposes that <strong>FASTag</strong> be made mandatory for vehicles sold before 2017.</li>
<li>It also proposes that having a valid <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fastag-details-for-new-vehicle-registration" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FASTag</strong> </a>be made mandatory to get third-party insurance through amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The draft notification will come to force on October 1, 2020, i.e. 30 days after its publication. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FASTag is an electronic toll collection system operated by the National Highway Authority of India. It was made mandatory for registration of new four-wheeler vehicles in 2017.</li>
<li>It is an<strong> electronic toll collection system</strong> with reloadable tag feature which allows automatic deduction of toll without having to stop for carrying out the cash transaction.</li>
<li>The reloadable tag allows addition of monetary values multiple times.</li>
<li>It is <strong>operated by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)</strong> under the supervision of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The tag uses <strong>Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology</strong> and is fixed on the windscreen of the vehicle once active. RFID is the use of <strong>radio waves</strong> to read and capture information stored on a tag attached to an object.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A tag can be read from up to several feet away and does not need to be within the direct line-of-sight of the reader to be tracked.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/prs-capsule/prs-capsule-september-2020'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Air Pollution & Concerted Efforts',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/poor-air-quality-is-a-danger-to-public-health-adopt-a-holistic-approach/story-LnoWBmoUCtba08pdRxYcGP.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Poor air quality is a danger to public health&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 23/10/2020. It talks about the issue of Air pollution and the need for concerted efforts to deal with it.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-global-air-2020-hei#:~:text=Recently%2C%20a%20global%20study%2C%20State,pollution's%20global%20impact%20on%20newborns." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> State of Global Air 2020 report</strong> </a>was released. The report has highlighted two warnings for India. Firstly, India recorded the highest annual average PM 2.5 concentration exposure in the world in 2019. Secondly, the country has had the worst levels of PM 2.5 levels in the world for the last decade.</p>
<p>Despite many efforts taken by the government to tackle air pollution, the Indo-Gangetic plains pollution load has remained high. Moreover, air pollution has now become the largest risk factor for death among all health risks.</p>
<p>Hence, in order to mitigate the deleterious impact of air pollution on the health of the people, there is a need for urgent concerted effort to tackle this public issue.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pollutants Causing Effect on Health</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Pollutants with the strongest evidence for public health concern include particulate matter (PM), Ozone (O3), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Sulphur dioxide (SO2).</li>
<li>These pollutants are capable of penetrating deep into lung passageways and entering the bloodstream causing cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory impacts.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Various Reports on Effect of Air Pollution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>State of Global Air 2020 Report:</strong> According to it, India faced the highest per capita pollution exposure (83.2 &mu;g/cubic metre) in the world.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019, over 116,000 infants in India died within a month after birth due to exposure to severe air pollution.</li>
<li>The report also suggests exposure to polluted air during pregnancy is linked to low weight and premature birth.</li>
<li>Further, it noted that long-term exposure to outdoor and household air pollution contributed to over 1.67 million annual deaths from stroke, heart attack, diabetes, lung cancer, chronic lung diseases, and neonatal diseases in India in 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WHO:</strong> According to WHO, toxic air is now the biggest environmental risk of early death, responsible for one in nine of all fatalities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It kills 7 million people a year, far more than HIV, tuberculosis and malaria combined,</li>
<li>An estimated 4.2 million premature deaths globally are linked to ambient air pollution, mainly from heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections in children.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>World Bank:</strong> According to a 2016 World Bank report, the lost lives and ill health caused are also a colossal economic burden:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>$225bn is lost labour income in 2013, or $5.11tn per year (about $1m a minute), if welfare losses are also added.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Source of Air Pollution</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Burning of Fossil Fuels:</strong> Most of the pollutants are produced by burning fossil fuels or wood, for driving, heating, power plants and industry.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Several man-made factors, vehicular emissions, construction dust, garbage burning causes severe pollution.</li>
<li>The particles can be made of black carbon, nitrates, sulphates, ammonia or mineral dust.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agriculture &amp; Allied Sources:</strong> Farming is one such source of pollution, with ammonia from livestock manure and fertilisers blowing into cities and forming particles, particularly in spring time when crops are sown and muck is spread.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, stubble burning is also one of the major sources of air pollution in northern India, especially in winters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Natural Sources:</strong> Apart from it, there are some natural sources of outdoor air pollution such as dust storms.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>WHO&rsquo;s 4 Pillar Strategy:</strong> WHO adopted a resolution (2015) to address the adverse health effects of air pollution. There is a need to adhere to a roadmap highlighted under this.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This 4-pillar strategy calls for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution. Those four pillars are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Expanding the knowledge base</li>
<li>Monitoring and reporting</li>
<li>Global leadership and coordination</li>
<li>Institutional capacity strengthening</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Proactive Measure:</strong> Interventions like pollution-monitoring apps should be promoted, so that people can choose to avoid the travelling worst times, and take alternative city walking routes that keep people away from the most polluted areas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The application of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/grap-to-be-enforced-in-delhi-ncr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Graded Response Action Plan</strong> </a>in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) is a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Innovative Measure:</strong> There is a need to adopt innovative solutions for in-situ treatment of pollution. For example, the Delhi government is also experimenting with a new organic way of decomposing stubble with Indian Agriculture Research Institute&rsquo;s &ldquo;Pusa decomposer&rdquo;.</li>
<li><strong>Responsibility of Citizens:</strong> Despite plenty of ideas and solutions to tackle air pollution, still conditions remain the same. This is due to the lack of serious political will and people&rsquo;s participation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, citizens should continue to stand up for their right to healthy and sustainable environments and hold governments accountable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Addressing Injustice:</strong> There are huge injustices at the heart of the air pollution problem as the Poorer people are also most exposed to air pollution. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thereby, the need to enforce <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tort-law-and-polluter-pays-principle#:~:text=It%20is%20the%20commonly%20accepted,human%20health%20or%20the%20environment." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Polluter Pay principle</strong> </a>and an environment tax must be levied from industries of polluting in nature.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Fighting air pollution is a public issue and subsequently an everybody&rsquo;s responsibility. Therefore, the need is for concerted and coordinated efforts with active involvement of all the stakeholders. This should include the Government (national, state and local governments), cities, community at large and individuals.</p>
<p>Further, there is a need for policy which envisages a healthy energy transition and healthy urban planning transition.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603540483_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603540483_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="550" height="366" /></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: #fffef7;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;India recorded the highest annual average PM 2.5 concentration exposure in the world in 2019.&rdquo; In the light of the statement discuss the need for urgent concerted effort to tackle this public issue.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RRYxAP4UJWQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/poor-air-quality-is-a-danger-to-public-health-adopt-a-holistic-approach/story-LnoWBmoUCtba08pdRxYcGP.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Poor air quality is a danger to public health&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on October 23<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/air-pollution-concerted-efforts'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Maharashtra Denies Consent to CBI',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Maharashtra government <strong>withdrew its general consent</strong> to the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/central-bureau-of-investigation-cbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)</strong></a> to probe cases in the State.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The move comes a day after the CBI registered an FIR in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/television-rating-points" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>TRP</strong></a> scam after taking over the probe based on an FIR filed in Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>The Maharashtra government had an <strong>apprehension</strong> that the CBI would take over the TRP scam case that the Mumbai Police is already investigating.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier this year (2020), the CBI had also taken over the investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput&rsquo;s death, which was being probed by the Mumbai Police.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Maharashtra government <strong>suspects the CBI of acting at the behest of the Centre.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Supreme Court in the past has called the CBI a <strong>&ldquo;caged parrot&rdquo;</strong> that sings the Centre&rsquo;s tune.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Maharashtra is the <strong>third State after West Bengal and Rajasthan to take such an action.</strong> The current confrontation also strengthens the perception that states in opposition see the Centre as weaponizing the CBI to control on Opposition-led governments in states.</li>
</ul>
<h3>General Consent</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Unlike the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-investigation-agency-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Investigation Agency</a> (NIA)</strong>, which is governed by its own NIA Act, 2008 and has <strong>jurisdiction across the country,</strong> the <strong>CBI is governed by the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (DSPE Act, 1946)</strong> that <strong>makes consent of a state government mandatory</strong> for conducting investigation in that state.</li>
<li>There are <strong>two kinds of consent- case-specific and general.</strong> Given that the CBI has jurisdiction only over central government departments and employees, it can investigate a case involving state government employees or a violent crime in a given state only after that state government gives its consent. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Section 6 of the DSPE Act, 1946</strong> empowers the state government to give or deny consent to CBI officers to investigate the matter within the state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>&ldquo;General consent&rdquo;</strong> is normally given to help the CBI seamlessly conduct its investigation into cases of corruption against central government employees in the concerned state. Almost all states have given such consent.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impact of Withdrawal of General Consent</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It means the CBI will not be able to register any fresh case involving a central government official or a private person stationed in Maharashtra <strong>without getting case-specific consent.</strong></li>
<li>Withdrawal of consent<strong> will only bar the CBI from registering a case</strong> within the jurisdiction of concerned states. The CBI could still file cases in Delhi and continue to probe people inside Maharashtra.</li>
<li>In simple terms withdrawal of consent means that<strong> CBI officers will lose all powers of a police officer</strong> as soon as they enter the state unless the state government has allowed them.</li>
<li>It will have <strong>no impact on investigation of cases already registered</strong> with CBI as old cases were registered when general consent existed.</li>
<li>However, the CBI has recently started taking recourse in a Calcutta High Court judgment. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The HC, in its order in the <strong><em>Ramesh Chandra Singh and another vs CBI, 2020</em> </strong>observed that CBI&rsquo;s power to investigate and prosecute its own officials cannot be in any way impeded or interfered by the state even if the offenses were committed within the territory of the state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Bureau of Investigation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The CBI is the premier <strong>investigating police agency in India. It functions under Deptt. of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension &amp; Public Grievances,</strong> Government of India.</li>
<li>The origins of CBI can be traced back to the <strong>Special Police Establishment (SPE) set up in 1941</strong> in order to investigate cases of bribery and corruption in the War &amp; Supply Department of India during <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-war-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World War II</strong></a> (1939-45).</li>
<li>The need for a Central Government agency to investigate cases of bribery and corruption was felt after the end of World War II. So, <strong>DSPE (Delhi Special Police Establishment) Act, 1946</strong> was brought that gave the legal power of investigating cases to CBI.</li>
<li>It is also the <strong>nodal police agency in India</strong> which coordinates investigation on behalf of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/interpol-notices" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Interpol</strong> </a>Member countries.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cases Handled by the CBI</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Anti-Corruption Crimes -</strong> for investigation of cases under the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anti-corruption-law-covers-deemed-universities#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20has%20held,under%20the%20anti%2Dcorruption%20law." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Prevention of Corruption Act</a>,</strong> 1988 against Public officials and the employees of Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings, Corporations or Bodies owned or controlled by the Government of India.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Crimes</strong> - for investigation of financial crimes, bank frauds, money laundering, illegal money market operations, graft in PSUs and banks.</li>
<li><strong>Special Crimes -</strong> for investigation of serious cases of conventional nature such as offences relating to internal security, espionage, sabotage, narcotics and psychotropic substances, antiquities, murders, dacoities/robberies, and cheating among others.</li>
<li><strong>Suo Moto Cases -</strong> CBI can suo-moto take up investigation of offences <strong>only in the Union Territories.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Central Government can authorize CBI to investigate a crime in a State but only with the consent of the concerned State Government.</li>
<li>The Supreme Court and High Courts, however, can order CBI to investigate a crime anywhere in the country without the consent of the State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To ensure due process, the courts, of course, can and should ignore the state government&rsquo;s reservation and order the agency to investigate a case. However, when the Centre and the state play tug-of-war with the investigation, it diminishes the credibility and authority of the CBI.</li>
<li>The onus of ensuring the CBI&rsquo;s reputation is primarily on the CBI &mdash; helped by an independent judiciary &mdash; since there will be no incentive for the political executive to ensure that.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/maharashtra-central-bureau-of-investigation-trp-scam-sushant-singh-rajput-case-6835351/" 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/maharashtra-denies-consent-to-cbi'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Forex Reserves',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to 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> data, the country&rsquo;s <strong>foreign exchange (forex) reserves touched a lifetime high of USD 555.12 billion</strong> after it surged by USD 3.615 billion in the week ended 16<sup>th</sup> October 2020.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reason Behind the Increase:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The rise in total reserves was <strong>due to a sharp rise in Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs),</strong> a major component of the overall reserves.</li>
<li>FCA <strong>jumped by USD 3.539 billion</strong> to USD 512.322 billion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Exchange Reserves:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foreign exchange reserves are <strong>assets held on reserve by a central bank</strong> in foreign currencies, which can include bonds, treasury bills and other government securities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It needs to be noted that <strong>most foreign exchange reserves are held in U.S. dollars.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These assets <strong>serve many purposes</strong> but are most significantly held to ensure that the central bank <strong>has backup funds</strong> if the national currency rapidly devalues or becomes altogether insolvent.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Forex Reserves include:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Foreign Currency Assets</li>
<li>Gold</li>
<li>Special Drawing Rights</li>
<li>Reserve position with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Foreign Currency Assets</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>FCA are assets that are <strong>valued based on a currency other than the country's own currency.</strong></li>
<li>FCA is the <strong>largest component of the forex reserve. </strong>It is<strong> expressed in dollar terms.</strong></li>
<li>FCA includes <strong>the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units</strong> like the euro, pound and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Currency appreciation</strong> refers to the increase in value of one currency relative to another in the forex markets.</li>
<li><strong>Currency depreciation</strong> is a fall in the value of a currency in a floating exchange rate system.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In a <strong>floating exchange rate system,</strong> market forces (based on demand and supply of a currency) determine the value of a currency.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Special Drawing Rights</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SDR is an <strong>international reserve asset,</strong> created by the <strong>International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong> in 1969 to supplement its member countries&rsquo; official reserves.</li>
<li>The SDR is <strong>neither a currency nor a claim on the IMF.</strong> Rather, it is a potential claim on the freely usable currencies of IMF members. SDRs can be exchanged for these currencies.</li>
<li>The value of the SDR is calculated from a weighted basket of<strong> major currencies,</strong> including the U.S. dollar, the euro, Japanese yen, Chinese yuan, and British pound.</li>
<li>The <strong>interest rate on SDRs or SDRi</strong> is the interest paid to members on their SDR holdings.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Reserve Position in the International Monetary Fund</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>reserve tranche</strong> position implies a<strong> portion of the required quota of currency each member country must provide to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong> that can be utilized for its own purposes.</li>
<li>The reserve tranche is basically <strong>an emergency account</strong> that IMF members can access at any time without agreeing to conditions or paying a service fee.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/forex-reserves-hit-record-high-of-55512-bn/article32933210.ece#:~:text=The%20country%27s%20foreign%20exchange%20reserves,16%2C%20according%20to%20RBI%20data." 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/forex-reserves-5'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Seagrass',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>restoration process of seagrasses</strong> has been taken up by Tamil Nadu in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-1st-june-2019#:~:text=in%20Mandapam%20cluster.-,Gulf%20of%20Mannar,miles%20(160%20km)%20long." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf of Mannar.</strong></a></p>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603533009_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603533009_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></strong></a>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603532962_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603532962_image2.jpg" caption="false" width="250" style="float: right;" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Seagrasses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These are <strong>flowering plants</strong> that<strong> grow submerged in shallow marine waters</strong> like bays and lagoons.</li>
<li>These have<strong> tiny flowers</strong> and <strong>strap-like or oval leaves.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Evolution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Terrestrial plants</strong> evolved about <strong>850 million years</strong> ago from a group of green <strong>algae</strong> and seagrasses evolved from terrestrial plants that recolonised the ocean <strong>70-100 million years ago.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Food Production:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Like terrestrial plants, seagrasses also <strong>require sunlight for photosynthesis</strong> from which these<strong> manufacture their own food </strong>and<strong> release oxygen.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reproduction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sexual Reproduction Method:</strong> The <strong>pollen from the flower of the male plant is transferred to the ovary of the female</strong> flower through this method.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is known as <strong>submarine pollination.</strong> Most species undergo this process and complete their life cycle underwater.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Asexual Reproduction Method:</strong> Seagrasses can also reproduce asexually by <strong>branching off at their rhizomes</strong> (modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Because of this character, they <strong>can recover after being cut by grazers or disturbed by storms.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Order and Species:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are <strong>60 species</strong> belonging to four families in the <strong>order <em>Alismatales.</em></strong></li>
<li>Some of the important seagrasses are <strong>Sea Cow Grass</strong> <em>(Cymodocea serrulata),</em> <strong>Thready Seagrass</strong> <em>(Cymodocea rotundata),</em><strong> Needle Seagrass </strong><em>(Syringodium isoetifolium), </em><strong>Flat-tipped Seagrass</strong><em> (Halodule uninervis)</em>, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though seagrasses <strong>inhabit all types of substratas</strong> (layers) from mud to rock, the lush green seagrass beds are <strong>found extensively in muddy and sandy substratas.</strong></li>
<li>These occur all <strong>along the coastal areas of India</strong> and are abundant in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Palk Strait</strong></a> and Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seagrasses are considered<strong> &lsquo;Ecosystem Engineers&rsquo;</strong> as they are known for providing many ecosystem services and are also called<strong> &lsquo;the lungs of the sea&rsquo;</strong> as they release oxygen into the water through photosynthesis.</li>
<li><strong>Sequesters up to 11% of the organic carbon</strong> buried in the ocean even though they occupy only 0.1% of the ocean floor and <strong>absorb 83 million tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere annually.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Seagrasses can capture carbon from the atmosphere <strong>up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Help maintain water quality</strong> by trapping fine sediments and suspended particles in the water column and increase water clarity.</li>
<li><strong>Filter nutrients released from land-based industries</strong> before they reach sensitive habitats like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/significance-of-dead-coral-reef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coral reefs.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Prevent soil erosion</strong> as the extensive vertical and horizontal root systems of seagrasses stabilise the sea bottom.</li>
<li><strong>Provide food as well as habitat</strong> for fishes, octopuses, shrimp, blue crabs, oysters, etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Endangered marine organisms like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-dugong-day-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>dugong</strong> </a>(Sea Cow), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/two-headed-green-turtle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>green turtle</strong></a>, etc,<strong> graze directly</strong> on seagrass leaves.</li>
<li><strong>Bottle-nosed dolphins feed on the organisms</strong> that live in seagrass areas.</li>
<li><strong>Detritus</strong> (natural waste) of decomposed dead seagrass <strong>supplies food for worms, sea cucumbers, crabs,</strong> etc.</li>
<li><strong>After decomposition,</strong> it releases <strong>nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus</strong> which are absorbed by seagrasses and phytoplankton.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protect</strong> juvenile and small adult fish<strong> from large predators</strong> and also protect worms, crabs, starfishes, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, etc,<strong> from strong currents.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Provide ideal nursery sites</strong> for important commercial marine life like squids and cuttlefish.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seagrass beds are facing <strong>decline all over the world at the rate of 2-5% annually.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Around 30,000 square kilometres of seagrass has been lost during recent decades at a global level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These face <strong>natural disturbances</strong> like grazing, storms, <strong>ice-scouring</strong> (abrasion and erosion of seabeds by glaciers.) and <strong>desiccation</strong> (extreme dryness).</li>
<li><strong>Human disturbances</strong> like <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/marine-pollution#:~:text=Eutrophication%3A%20When%20a%20water%20body,depletion%20of%20the%20water%20body." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>eutrophication</strong></a>, mechanical destruction of habitat, overfishing, release of nutrients, coastal engineering construction, pollution, etc are destructive for them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If seagrass habitats are lost, the marine organisms that depend on them for their survival may also face extinction, resulting in the loss of marine ecosystem productivity.</li>
<li>Protection and restoration should be attempted at a global level as it can play a significant role in mitigating climate change.</li>
<li>There is an urgent need to take earnest measures to conserve seagrasses and their habitats. For that, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Union for the Conservation of Nature</strong> </a>(IUCN) should intervene immediately and study the status of the different seagrass species before they become extinct.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/wildlife-biodiversity/why-we-must-conserve-the-world-s-seagrasses-73852#:~:text=Seagrass%20habitats%20protect%20juvenile%20and,%2C%20etc%2C%20from%20strong%20currents." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/seagrass'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Deworming in India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>As per the <strong>Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, states</strong> in India have <strong>witnessed reduction in worm prevalence.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Regular deworming</strong> as advised by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong> </a>eliminates worm infestation among children and adolescents living in areas with high <strong>Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases (STH) burden,</strong> thereby contributing to achieve better nutrition and health.</li>
<li><strong>Helminthiases</strong> is infestation with or disease caused by parasitic worms.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per <strong>WHO Report on STH</strong> published in<strong> 2012,</strong> in India there were an estimated<strong> 64% children</strong> in the age group (1-14 years) at risk of STH. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The risk was estimated based on the hygiene and sanitation practices and limited STH prevalence data at that point of time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To <strong>assess the exact burden of STH</strong> in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare appointed the <strong>National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as the nodal agency</strong> to coordinate and conduct <strong>nationwide baseline STH mapping.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The baseline STH mapping across the country was<strong> completed by the end of 2016.</strong> The data showed <strong>varied prevalence ranging from 12.5% in Madhya Pradesh to 85% in Tamil Nadu.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>To <strong>evaluate the impact of</strong> the consistently implemented high coverage<strong> National Deworming Day (NDD) programme,</strong> the Ministry <strong>recently initiated follow-up prevalence surveys led by NCDC and partners.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Result of the Follow-up Surveys:</strong> The follow-up surveys are <strong>completed in 14 States.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All 14 States have <strong>shown reduction</strong> in the follow up survey compared to the baseline prevalence survey.</li>
<li>The States of <strong>Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar</strong> have <strong>shown substantial reduction</strong> in worm prevalence in the STH follow up prevalence survey.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chhattisgarh has successfully conducted 10 rounds of NDD as on date, and the <strong>drop</strong> in prevalence has been significant <strong>from 74.6% in 2016 to 13.9% in 2018. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Sikkim,</strong> with 9 rounds, has seen <strong>reduction from 80.4% in 2015 to 50.9% in 2019.</strong></li>
<li>Rajasthan, the State that implemented an annual round only due to low baseline of 21.1 in 2013 has seen significant reduction to the level of<strong> less than 1% in 2019</strong> as per the survey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Deworming Day Programme</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Implementation</strong> of NDD is <strong>led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,</strong> in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Education and technical assistance from WHO and the technical partners. It was <strong>launched in 2015.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>implemented as a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-deworming-day#:~:text=Every%20year%20February%2010%20and,group%20of%201%2D19%20years." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> biannual single day programme</a> (10<sup>th</sup> February and 10<sup>th</sup> August)</strong> through the platforms of schools and anganwadis.</li>
<li>In the<strong> last round of deworming</strong> earlier this year in the country (which was halted due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid pandemic</strong></a>), <strong>11 crore children and adolescents were administered Albendazole tablets</strong> across 25 States/UTs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Albendazole tablet, approved by the WHO, is used for treatment of intestinal worms in children and adolescents as part of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programmes globally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Soil-Transmitted Helminths</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Soil-Transmitted Helminths</strong> refer to the intestinal worms infecting humans that are transmitted through contaminated soil.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Intestinal worms are<strong> parasites</strong> that live in the human intestines and consume nutrients and vitamins needed for a child.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There are <strong>three main types of helminths</strong> that infect people,<strong> roundworm</strong> <em>(Ascaris lumbricoides)</em>, <strong>whipworm</strong> <em>(Trichuris trichiura)</em> and hookworms <em>(Necator americanus </em>and<em> Ancylostoma duodenale).</em>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These <strong>worms depend on the human body</strong> for their food and survival and while being there, they lay thousands of eggs each day.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transmission:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Soil-transmitted helminths are<strong> transmitted by eggs</strong> that are passed in the faeces of infected people. In areas that<strong> lack adequate sanitation,</strong> these eggs <strong>contaminate the soil.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since worms feed on host (human body) tissues, including blood, it leads to loss of iron, and protein, resulting in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anaemia-among-men#:~:text=Iron%20deficiency%20is%20the%20most,%2C%20weakness%2C%20dizziness%20and%20drowsiness." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>anaemia</strong></a> &ndash; reduced oxygen carrying capacity due to less Haemoglobin (Hb) available in the body.</li>
<li>Worm infection can also lead to <strong>diarrhoea; dysentery; loss of appetite; reduced nutritional intake and physical fitness;</strong> increased <strong>malabsorption</strong> &ndash; a condition that prevents absorption of nutrients through the small intestine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treatment:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The WHO recommended medicines &ndash; <strong>albendazole (400 mg)</strong> and <strong>mebendazole (500 mg) &ndash;</strong> are effective, inexpensive and easy to administer by non-medical personnel (e.g. teachers).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603531499_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603531499_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="491" height="450" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1666053#:~:text=The%20data%20showed%20varied%20prevalence,to%2085%25%20in%20Tamil%20Nadu.&amp;text=For%20example%2C%20the%20State%20of,2016%20to%2013.9%20in%202018." 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/deworming-in-india'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'International Snow Leopard Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>International Snow Leopard Day</strong> is observed on<strong> 23<sup>rd</sup> October.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603527761_image5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603527761_image5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To <strong>raise awareness on conservation and protection of snow leopards.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Background: International Snow Leopard Day</strong> came into being on <strong>23<sup>rd</sup> October, 2013,</strong> with the adoption of the <strong>Bishkek Declaration</strong> by 12 countries on the conservation of snow leopards. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>12 countries</strong> included, India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.</li>
<li>The <strong>Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP)</strong> was also launched on the same day <strong>to address high-mountain development issues using conservation of the snow leopard as a flagship.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Snow Leopard</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Top Predator:</strong> The Snow Leopard (also known as <strong>Ghost of the mountains) acts as an indicator of the health of the mountain ecosystem</strong> in which they live, due to their position as the <strong>top predator</strong> in the food web.</li>
<li><strong>Habitation:</strong> The Snow Leopard lives at high altitudes in the steep mountains of<strong> Central and Southern Asia,</strong> and in an extremely cold climate.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They inhabit the <strong>higher Himalayan and trans-Himalayan landscape</strong> in the states/union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.</li>
<li><strong>India is a unique country to have a good presence of 5 big cats,</strong> including <strong>Snow Leopard.</strong> The other 4 are, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-the-population-of-asiatic-lions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lion</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tiger-attacks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tiger</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increase-in-human-leopard-conflict-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Common Leopard</strong></a>, <strong>and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/clouded-leopards-and-their-habitats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clouded Leopard</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Snow Leopard capital of the world:</strong> Hemis, <strong>Ladakh.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Hemis National Park</strong> is the biggest national park of India and also has a good presence of Snow Leopard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threat:</strong> Factors that have contributed to the decline in the snow leopard populations include,<strong> reduction in prey populations, illegal poaching</strong> and<strong> increased human population infiltration into the species habitat </strong>and<strong> illegal trade of wildlife parts and products</strong> among others.</li>
<li><strong>Protection:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IUCN</a> Red List- Vulnerable</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)</a>- Appendix I </strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/09-02-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)</a>- Appendix I </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Appendix I</strong> includes species <strong>threatened with extinction.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972- Schedule I</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Schedule I</strong> provides absolute protection and offences under this have the highest penalties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Efforts Launched by India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>HimalSanrakshak:</strong> It is a<strong> community volunteer programme,</strong> to protect snow leopards, launched on 23<sup>rd</sup> October 2020.</li>
<li>In 2019, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-snow-leopard-survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>First National Protocol</strong> </a>was also launched on <strong>Snow Leopard Population Assessment</strong> which has been very useful for monitoring populations.</li>
<li><strong>SECURE Himalaya: <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)</a></strong> funded the project on conservation of high altitude biodiversity and reducing the dependency of local communities on the natural ecosystem. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This project is now operational in four snow leopard range states, namely, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Project Snow Leopard (PSL) :</strong> It was <strong>launched in 2009</strong> to promote an inclusive and participatory approach to conserve snow leopards and their habitat.</li>
<li>Snow Leopard is in the list of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-21st-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>21 critically endangered species for the recovery programme</strong></a> of the Ministry of Environment Forest &amp; Climate Change.</li>
<li><strong>Snow Leopard conservation breeding programme</strong> is undertaken at <strong>Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park,</strong> Darjeeling, West Bengal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667118#:~:text=Government%20committed%20to%20landscape%20restoration%20for%20snow%20leopard%20habitat%20conservation.,-States%20together%20with&amp;text=by%20PIB%20Delhi-,Minister%20of%20State%20for%20EnvironmentForest%20and%20Climate%20Change%20Shri%20Babul,PSL%20was%20launched%20in%202009." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-snow-leopard-day'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Sir Syed’s Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Sir Syed&rsquo;s Day is observed on 17<sup>th</sup> October to mark the <strong>birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603528224_image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603528224_image6.jpg" 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>Early Life:</strong> Sir Syed Ahmad Khan <strong>was born in 1817</strong> in a family that was close to the Mughal court, he was a <strong>man of many distinctions,</strong> a civil servant, journalist, educationist, social reformer and historian among others. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He served <strong>the British administration</strong> before the revolt of 1857.</li>
<li>He has also written a pamphlet titled<strong> &ldquo;The Causes of the Indian Revolt'' to</strong> explain the reasons for the revolt from<strong> a Indian perspective. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Educationist:</strong> Sir Syed is, first and foremost, known for his <strong>pioneering role in transforming the educational opportunities for Muslims.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sir Syed realised that Muslims could only make progress if they took to modern education. For this he started<strong> the Aligarh movement.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Reformer:</strong> He also pushed for social reforms and was a champion of democratic ideals and freedom of speech.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He was <strong>against religious intolerance, ignorance and irrationalism.</strong> He <strong>denounced purdah, polygamy and easy divorce.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Tahzebul Akhlaq</strong> (Social Reformer in English),<strong> a magazine founded by him,</strong> tried to awaken <strong>people&rsquo;s consciousness on social and religious issues</strong> in a very expressive prose.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Critical of National Movement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In his later years Sir Syed encouraged the Indian Muslims <strong>not to join the National Movement.</strong> He felt that education and not politics was needed by them.</li>
<li>In a way he encouraged the forces of communalism and separatism at this stage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Aligarh Movement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was a<strong> systemic movement aimed at reforming the social, political and educational aspects</strong> of the Muslim community.</li>
<li>The movement undertook to modernise Muslim&rsquo;s education<strong> by adapting English as a medium of learning and western education</strong> rather than just focusing on traditional teachings.</li>
<li>Sir Syed <strong>established the Scientific Society in 1864,</strong> in Aligarh to translate Western works into Indian languages to prepare the Muslims to accept Western education and to inculcate scientific temperament among the Muslims.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The Aligarh Institute Gazette,</strong> a magazine published by Sir Syed was an organ of the Scientific Society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 1877, he founded the <strong>Muhammadan Anglo Oriental College</strong> on the pattern of Oxford and Cambridge universities. The college later grew into <strong>Aligarh Muslim University.</strong></li>
<li>The Aligarh Movement helped in the Muslim revival. It <strong>gave them a common language&mdash; Urdu.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/malik-praises-sir-syeds-vision-of-a-nation/article32884036.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Birth Anniversary of APJ Abdul Kalam',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Education Minister has launched the <strong>Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness Campaign</strong> (KAPILA) on the occasion of the 89<sup>th</sup> birth anniversary of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>He was <strong>born on 15<sup>th</sup> October 1931.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>KAPILA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under this campaign, students pursuing education in higher educational institutions will get <strong>information about the correct system of application process for patenting their invention.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Students in higher education institutions of the country are innovating constantly under the guidance of their teachers but they are not aware of the system of filing its patent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Through this campaign,<strong> students will be able to get benefits from their inventions</strong> by patenting them.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For India to become a <strong>USD 5 trillion economy by 2024-25,</strong> students and scientists have to be <strong>more aware of protecting<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/intellectual-property-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> intellectual property</a></strong> (IP).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The program will <strong>facilitate the colleges and institutions to encourage more and more students</strong> to file patents and everyone engaged in research and development <strong>must apply to preserve and safeguard their inventions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Patents in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Patent:</strong> It is the <strong>granting of a property right by a sovereign authority to an inventor.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This grant provides the inventor exclusive rights to the patented process, design, or invention for a designated period in exchange for a comprehensive disclosure of the invention.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legislation:</strong> Patent filing in India is governed by <strong>Patents Act, 1970.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Latest Updates:</strong> In June 2020, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-4th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser</strong></a> to the Government of India and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department of Science and Technology</strong></a> (DST) jointly initiated the formulation of a new national <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/science-technology-and-innovation-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Science Technology and Innovation Policy</strong></a> (STIP 2020).</li>
<li><strong>Patent Data:</strong> Between 2005-06 and 2017-18, a total of<strong> 5,10,000 patent applications</strong> were filed in India out of which <strong>nearly three-quarters</strong> were filed <strong>by foreign entities or individuals.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In other words, in these 13 years, just <strong>24% of patent claims came from Indians.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Ranking:</strong> According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institutions-international-world-intellectual-property-organisation-wipo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Intellectual Property Organisation</strong></a> (WIPO),<strong> India stands at the 7<sup>th</sup> position</strong> on number of patents filed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China tops the list, followed by the USA and Japan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Announcements:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Institution Innovation Council annual report</strong> (IIC 2.0) was also <strong>presented</strong> and the launch of IIC 3.0 was announced.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IIC was established by the <strong>Ministry of Education</strong> in <strong>2018.</strong></li>
<li>IIC envisions to <strong>promote innovation in young students by encouraging, inspiring and nurturing</strong> them to work with new innovative ideas through periodic activities related to innovation and entrepreneurship.</li>
<li>So far, IICs have been <strong>established in about 1700 higher educational institutions</strong> and will be established in 5000 higher educational institutions under IIC 3.0.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was decided to celebrate the week of 15<sup>th</sup>-23<sup>rd</sup> October as <strong>'Intellectual Property Literacy Week'.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>During the week, a number of activities were organised to create online awareness about the system and the importance of the process of applying for a patent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603526924_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603526924_image3.png" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Born:</strong> 15<sup>th</sup> October 1931 at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>His birth anniversary is celebrated as the <strong>National Innovation Day.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He was an <strong>Indian scientist and politician</strong> who played a leading role in the development of <strong>India&rsquo;s missile and nuclear weapons programmes</strong> like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/successful-test-firing-of-agni-v" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme</strong> </a>(IGMDP).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He planned programmes to produce a number of successful missiles, which helped earned him the nickname<strong> &ldquo;Missile Man&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>In <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation</strong> </a>(ISRO), he was the project director of the <strong>SLV-III, India&rsquo;s first indigenously designed and produced satellite launch vehicle.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 1998, he put forward a countrywide plan called <a href="/blog/dr-apj-abdul-kalam-part-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Technology Vision 2020</strong></a>, which he described as a<strong> road map for transforming India</strong> from a less-developed to a developed society in 20 years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The plan called for, among other measures, <strong>increasing agricultural productivity, emphasising technology as a vehicle for economic growth, </strong>and <strong>widening access to health care and education.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>He was sworn in as <strong>India&rsquo;s 11<sup>th</sup> President in 2002</strong> and completed the <strong>full term in 2007.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Literary Works:</strong> Wings of Fire (autobiography), India 2020 - A Vision for the New Millennium, Ignited Minds - Unleashing the power within India, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Awards:</strong> Among his numerous awards were two of the country&rsquo;s highest honours, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/padma-awards-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Padma Vibhushan</strong></a> (1990) and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-28th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Ratna</strong> </a>(1997).</li>
<li><strong>Death:</strong> 27<sup>th</sup> July 2015 at Shillong, Meghalaya.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1664883" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Pakistan on FATF Grey List',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> Financial Action Task Force (FATF)</strong> has <strong>decided to keep Pakistan on the &ldquo;greylist&rdquo;</strong> till the next review of its compliance to the recommendations in February 2021.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The decision was taken after a<strong> three-day virtual plenary session.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pakistan Remains on Grey List:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FATF had issued the<strong> 27-point action plan</strong> after placing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fatf-s-grey-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakistan on the &lsquo;Grey List&rsquo; in June 2018.</strong></a> The action plan <strong>pertains to curbing <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/money-laundering-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">money laundering</a> and terror financing.</strong></li>
<li>Recently, the task force&rsquo;s <strong>International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG)</strong> noted that Pakistan had complied with 21 points.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Since 2007,</strong> the ICRG has analysed high-risk jurisdictions and recommended specific action to address the money laundering/terror financing risks emanating from them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>At the <strong>recent plenary session,</strong> the FATF observed that Pakistan has made progress across all action plan items and has <strong>largely addressed 21 of 27 action items.</strong></li>
<li>Keeping Pakistan on the &lsquo;Grey List&rsquo;, the<strong> FATF strongly urged Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan by February 2021.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>points on which Pakistan failed to deliver</strong> included its lack of action against the non-profit organisations linked to the terror groups banned by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> UN Security Council (UNSC)</strong></a>; and<strong> delays in the prosecution of banned individuals and entities</strong> like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed and LeT operations chief, Zaki Ur Rahman Lakhvi, as well as Jaish-e- Mohammad chief <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/masood-azhar-listed-as-a-global-terrorist" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Masood Azhar.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While Saeed was sentenced in February 2020 to 11 years in prison for terror financing, the <strong>Pakistan government claims that others are &ldquo;untraceable&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, Pakistan was found <strong>non-compliant in cracking down on terror financing</strong> through narcotics and smuggling of mining products including precious stones.</li>
<li>The FATF process also <strong>showed concern about the 4,000 names</strong> that were on Pakistan&rsquo;s Schedule-IV list under the Anti-Terrorism Act up to January, but went missing in September 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Consequences for Pakistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FATF listing<strong> makes it extremely difficult for Pakistan to get financial aid</strong> from the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong></a>, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> European Union.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Response of Different Countries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Turkey</strong> proposed that the<strong> members should consider Pakistan&rsquo;s good work</strong> and instead of waiting for completion of the remaining six of the 27 parameters, <strong>an FATF on-site team should visit Pakistan</strong> to finalise its assessment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>On-site teams are<strong> permitted only after jurisdictions complete their action plans.</strong> Normally such a visit is a<strong> signal for exit from the grey or black list.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>When the proposal was placed before the Plenary,<strong> no other member seconded the move.</strong> It was <strong>not supported by even China, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pakistan continues to provide <strong>safe havens</strong> to terrorist entities and individuals and has also <strong>not yet taken any action against several terrorist entities and individuals</strong> including those <strong>proscribed by the UNSC,</strong> such as Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim, Zakir-ur-Rahman Lakhvi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Financial Action Task Force</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Formation:</strong> The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an <strong>inter-governmental body</strong> established in<strong> 1989</strong> during the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/g-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G7</strong></a> <strong>Summit</strong> in Paris.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> To set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.</li>
<li><strong>Secretariat:</strong> Its Secretariat is located at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oecds-forecast-for-global-economy-in-2060" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)</strong></a> <strong>headquarters</strong> in<strong> Paris.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Member Countries:</strong> The FATF currently has <strong>39 members</strong> including two regional organisations &mdash; the<strong> European Commission</strong> and <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gcc-backs-un-arms-embargo-on-iran#:~:text=set%20to%20expire.-,Gulf%20Cooperation%20Council,United%20Arab%20Emirates%20(UAE)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gulf Cooperation Council.</a> India</strong> is a member of the FATF.</li>
<li><strong>Decision Making Body:</strong> The<strong> FATF Plenary</strong> is the decision making body of the FATF. It <strong>meets three times per year. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Lists under FATF:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Grey List:</strong> Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list (or &lsquo;Jurisdictions under increased monitoring&rsquo;). This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.</li>
<li><strong>Black List:</strong> Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put in the blacklist. These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities. The FATF revises the blacklist regularly, adding or deleting entries. As of this year, there are only two countries on the FATF's black list - <strong>North Korea</strong> and <strong>Iran.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/terror-financing-watchdog-fatf-keeps-pakistan-on-greylist-till-next-review-in-february-2021/article32931451.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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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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