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Role of MSMEs in Indian Economy

This article is based on “Liquidity lifeline: On Nirmala’s MSME package” which was published in The Hindu on 14/05/2020. It talks...

15 May 2020 News Editorials
SAMARTH ERP

Why in News The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has developed an e-governance platform ‘SAMARTH Enterprise Resource Planning...

15 May 2020 News Analysis
The Big Picture- Primary Education: Challenges and Opportunities

In the second week of March, state governments across the country began shutting down schools and colleges temporarily as a measure to contain the...

15 May 2020 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
ELISA Antibody Kits

Why in News Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved the first batch of antibody testing kits called “Covid KAVACH...

15 May 2020 News Analysis
Diamer-Bhasha Dam

Why in News Recently, Pakistan signed a contract with a joint venture of a China Power (Chinese state-run firm) and the Frontier Works Organisation...

15 May 2020 News Analysis
Release of Gharials

Why in News Recently Government of Uttar Pradesh has released Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) in the Ghaghara river for the conservation and...

15 May 2020 News Analysis
Z-scan Method for Parkinson’s Disease

Why in News Recently, scientists from IIT (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad and CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (Kolkata) have developed...

15 May 2020 News Analysis
Deforestation Rate Declined

Why in News According to the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 (FRA 2020) report, the rate of forest loss has declined in the period of...

15 May 2020 News Analysis
COBAS 6800 Testing Machine

Why in News The Union Health Minister inaugurated the first automated coronavirus testing device named ‘COBAS 6800’. This is the...

15 May 2020 News Analysis
Constitutional Morality

Introduction According to Dr. Ambedkar, Constitutional morality would mean effective coordination between conflicting interests of different...

14 May 2020 Paper 2
Covid-19 and Indian Federalism

This article is based on “Reaffirm cooperative federalism” which was published in The Hindu on 13/05/2020. It talks about the nature of...

14 May 2020 News Editorials
Energy Transition Index: WEF

Why in News Recently, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has released the annual rankings of the global Energy Transition Index. The index benchmarks...

14 May 2020 News Analysis
Integrated Battle Groups

Why in News Recently, the Army chief said that a comprehensive testing of the Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) has concluded but its roll out has...

14 May 2020 News Analysis
Economic Stimulus-I

Why in News Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced liquidity measures for businesses, especially Micro, Small and Medium enterprises...

14 May 2020 News Analysis
Revenue Loss to States

Why in News According to estimates from the India Ratings and Research (a credit rating agency), the Covid-19 lockdown has caused 21 major States to...

14 May 2020 News Analysis
National Biomedical Resource Indigenization Consortium

Why in News Recently, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has launched a National Biomedical Resource Indigenization Consortium (NBRIC) to drive...

14 May 2020 News Analysis
US-Israel Talks on West Bank Annexation

Why in News Recently, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Israel's plans to annex parts of...

14 May 2020 News Analysis
Direct Seeding of Rice

Why in News Due to labour shortage in two granary states of Punjab and Haryana, farmers are now being encouraged to adopt ‘Direct Seeding of...

14 May 2020 News Analysis
Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Panchayati Raj

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is responsible for the work of advocacy, monitoring and implementation of 73rd Constitutional Amendment. The...

13 May 2020 Paper 2
Revival of Non-Alignment Movement

This article is based on “What’s in a NAM?” which was published in The Indian Express on 11/05/2020. It talks about the relevance...

13 May 2020 News Editorials

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			'title' => 'Role of MSMEs in Indian Economy',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on &ldquo;<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/liquidity-lifeline-the-hindu-editorial-on-nirmala-sitharamans-msme-package/article31577242.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Liquidity lifeline: On Nirmala&rsquo;s MSME package</strong></a>&rdquo; which was published in The Hindu on 14/05/2020. It talks about the challenges of and steps to be taken to revive the MSMEs sector.</p>
</div>
<p>In order to revive the Indian economy amid <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, the government has announced an economic package under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a>. The main thrust of the announcements has been the massive ₹3-lakh crore collateral-free assistance or sovereign credit guarantee to the <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).</a></strong></p>
<p>Like other sectors of the Indian economy, MSMEs have been hit badly due to lockdown imposed by the government to tackle Covid-19 pandemic. However, even before the current crisis, MSMEs growth has been marred by several challenges.</p>
<p>In such a situation, providing merely a stimulus package may not be effective, until adequate reforms are carried out to solve its pressing problems and to utilize its potential.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Reason for Giving Credit Guarantees</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A credit guarantee by the government helps as it assures the bank that its loan will be repaid by the government in case the MSME falters.</li>
<li>Efforts to pump liquidity via the bank have not been successful in the past, because banks simply do not want to lend any new money.</li>
<li>Banks, quite justifiably, suspect that any new loans will only add to their growing mountain of non-performing assets.</li>
<li>So the issue was banks had the money but were not willing to lend to the credit-starved sections of the economy.</li>
<li>Thus, as part of the solution, credit guarantees are chosen by the government.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Significance of MSMEs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The significance of the MSMEs sector can be noted from the fact that it is the second-largest employment provider, after agriculture in India.</li>
<li>In India, at present, there are nearly 56 million such enterprises in various industries, employing close to 124 million people. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Of these, nearly 14% are women-led enterprises, and close to 60% are based in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In all, the MSME sector accounts for 8% of India&rsquo;s GDP and 45% of merchandise exports.</li>
<li>Due to this, the MSME sector is called the growth engine of the nation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Pertaining to MSMEs</h3>
<p><strong>Lack of Adequate and Timely Access to Finance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Access to finance continues to remain the biggest challenge for MSMEs and has constrained their growth.</li>
<li>MSME funding from banks has been stalled, as decision-making managers are reluctant of loans going bad.</li>
<li>After the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/shadow-banking-and-the-crisis-in-the-indian-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> IL&amp;FS crisis</strong></a> and its effect on the other NBFCs (Non-Banking Finance Companies), MSMEs ran into deep trouble because of the liquidity crunch that followed.</li>
<li>Due to this, MSMEs are not able to invest in manufacturing, purchase raw materials on time, access new technologies or acquire new skills due to lack of funds which is a big handicap especially in its fight with global competitors.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Technological Disruption</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&lsquo;s MSME sector is based on obsolete technology, which hampers its production efficiency</li>
<li>With the emergence of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Robotics and related technologies (collectively called as <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industry Revolution 4.0</strong></a>) is a bigger challenge for MSMEs than for organized large-scale manufacturing.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Regulatory Cholesterol</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>MSMEs require a lot of government services and approvals, for which the entrepreneur has to run around various government departments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Getting construction permits, enforcing contracts, paying taxes, starting a business and trading across borders continue to constrain doing business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Regulatory risks and policy uncertainty in the past have dented investor confidence.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Problem of Scale</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Majority of the firms in MSMEs are micro-enterprises.</li>
<li>The MSME space is virtually a micro space formed by a plethora of small and local shops and hence, scaling them up is a problem, especially when fund access is challenging.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increasing Domestic Manufacturing Capabilities:</strong> The government can play a crucial role in creating domestic manufacturing capabilities by leveraging proposed public procurement and projects. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, Mega public projects such as Sagarmala, Bharatmala, industrial corridors, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) can stimulate domestic manufacturing activities.</li>
<li>This should be accompanied by a simplification of the regulatory process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cluster Manufacturing:</strong> Efforts should be made to develop self-sufficient clusters of manufacturing competence, with Cluster Administrative Authorities, empowered to provide single window clearances to entrepreneurs and investors.</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging Industrial Revolution 4.0:</strong> Disruptive technology, while leading to job losses in traditional areas, also presents new job opportunities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A greater connect between government-industry-academia is required to identify the changing requirements in manufacturing and prepare an employable workforce.</li>
<li>Also, the Industrial Revolution 4.0 will boost the Industrial supply chains in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need to improve Ease of Doing business:</strong> Reforms: India has already taken several steps, due to which ease of doing business in India has improved significantly (India&rsquo;s ranking in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ease of doing business report</strong> </a>has improved from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2020).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, still some reforms are needed in regard, especially in the field of land, labour reforms and in enforcing contracts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Making Indian Products to Match Global Standards:</strong> There is a need for harmonizing Indian quality standards with global standards in many sectors. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lack of harmonization has affected Indian exports and prevented the leveraging of trade agreements adequately.</li>
<li>There is a need to promote <strong>ZED manufacturing (Zero effect- Zero Defect)</strong> as envisaged by<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/five-years-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Make in India</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Collateral-free assistance or sovereign credit guarantees to the Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will ease the financial crunch. However, the government should devise this scheme in such a way that the issue of <strong>moral hazard can be averted.</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Issue of Moral Hazard</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Collateral-free assistance and credit guarantees leave no incentive for the borrower to pay back, as he has nothing to lose.</li>
<li>Also, as the banker is assured of payback from the government so why should he bother to check if the borrower is deserving or not.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589544310_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589544310_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
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<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #e6fae9;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the role of MSMEs sector in India&rsquo;s growth and how far sovereign credit guarantee will help in reviving it.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v_-kravtGAs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/liquidity-lifeline-the-hindu-editorial-on-nirmala-sitharamans-msme-package/article31577242.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Liquidity lifeline: On Nirmala&rsquo;s MSME package&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published The Hindu on May 14<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'SAMARTH ERP',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD)</strong> has developed an<strong> e-governance platform &lsquo;SAMARTH Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)&rsquo;</strong> under the <strong>National Mission of Education in Information and Communication Technology Scheme (NMEICT)</strong>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAMARTH ERP is an<strong> open source, open standard enabled robust, secure, scalable, and evolutionary process automation engine</strong> for Universities and Higher Educational Institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)</strong> refers to a type of software used to manage day-to-day business <strong>activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, and supply chain operations.</strong></li>
<li>ERP in a University can improve management and administration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The platform has been implemented at the<strong> National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra,</strong> a participating unit under the World Bank-supported <strong>Technical Education Quality Improvement Program (TEQIP).</strong></li>
<li>It would <strong>automate the processes of the enhancement of productivity through better information management</strong> in the institute by seamless access to information and proper utilization of information.</li>
<li>It caters to faculty, students and staff at a University/Higher Educational Institutions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Mission, <strong>launched in 2009,</strong> is a landmark initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), with the objective of seamlessly providing quality educational content to all the eligible and willing learners in India.</li>
<li>It has been envisaged to leverage the potential of ICT, in the teaching and learning process for the benefit of all the learners in Higher Education Institutions.</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives under the Program</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SWAYAM:</strong> The Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds' (SWAYAM) is an integrated platform for offering online courses, covering school (9<sup>th</sup> to 12<sup>th</sup>) to Postgraduate Level. The online courses are being used not only by the students but also by the teachers and non-student learners, in the form of lifelong learning.</li>
<li><strong>SWAYAM Prabha:</strong> It is an initiative to provide 32 High Quality Educational Channels through DTH (Direct to Home) across the length and breadth of the country on a 24X7 basis.</li>
<li><strong>National Digital Library of India (NDL):</strong> It is a project to develop a framework of virtual repository of learning resources with a single-window search facility. Presently, there are more than 3 crore digital resources available through the NDL.</li>
<li><strong>Spoken Tutorial:</strong> They are 10-minute long, audio-video tutorials, on open source software, to improve employment potential of students. It is created for self learning, audio dubbed into 22 languages and with the availability of an online version.</li>
<li><strong>Free and Open Source Software for Education (FOSSEE):</strong> It is a project promoting the use of open source software in educational institutions. It does that through instructional material, such as spoken tutorials, documentation, such as textbook companions, awareness programmes, such as conferences, training workshops, and internships.</li>
<li><strong>Virtual Lab:</strong> This is a project to develop a fully interactive simulation environment to perform experiments, collect data, and answer questions to assess the understanding of the knowledge acquired.</li>
<li><strong>E-Yantra:</strong> It is a project for enabling effective education across engineering colleges in India on embedded systems and robotics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was started in 2002 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development with the assistance of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and is being implemented in a phased manner .</li>
<li>It aims to upscale the quality of technical education and enhance capacities of institutions.</li>
<li><strong>The Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme III (TEQIP-III)</strong> was started in 2017 and will be completed by 2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to develop technical education as a key component for improving the quality of Engineering Education.</li>
<li>The Objective is to improve quality and equity in engineering institutions in focus states such as in low income states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1623839" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samarth-erp'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture- Primary Education: Challenges and Opportunities',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qMbfJYMRJLA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>In the second week of March, state governments across the country began shutting down schools and colleges temporarily as a measure to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. It&rsquo;s close to two months and there is no certainty when they will reopen. This is a crucial time for the education sector.</p>
<p>As the days pass by with no immediate solution to stop the outbreak of Covid-19, school closures are facing both short-term as well as far-reaching consequences. The structure of schooling and learning, including teaching and assessment methodologies, has been affected by these closures.</p>
<h3>Impact of the Pandemic on Primary Education</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Connectivity and Resources issues:</strong> Many students from villages and from economically backward backgrounds are facing a serious issue in keeping up with online education. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Only a handful of private schools could adopt online teaching methods. Their low-income private and government school counterparts, on the other hand, have completely shut down for not having access to e-learning solutions.</li>
<li>The students, in addition to the missed opportunities for learning, no longer have access to healthy meals during this time and are subject to economic and social stress.</li>
<li>The pandemic has significantly disrupted the higher education sector as well, which is a critical determinant of a country&rsquo;s economic future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unpreparedness towards digitized environment:</strong> Many teachers and parents are facing challenges in coping with the new mode of teaching and learning.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite so much push for a digital India, sustained push for digitisation of education and training of teachers to deal with it has been lacking.</li>
<li>Technological investment in the education sector has been abysmally low.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Parental support issues:</strong> Many kids face a hostile environment at home where the family members are engaged in quarreling and altercations with each other.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This kind of surroundings adversely affects the mental health of children and also brings down their learning outcomes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Opportunities and Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Guided learning through technology:</strong> This lockdown and a shift towards tech platforms can ensure a shift towards guided, cooperative learning as opposed to the rote learning of classrooms.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Game-based or puzzle-based learning would help in stimulating interest.</li>
<li>It needs to be supplemented by integral familial involvement at home with board games or an informal discussion.</li>
<li>Teachers can guide the parents about various creative assignments through smartphones or even simple mobile phones.</li>
<li>Increased communication between the teachers and parents is much needed in this hour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Interactive learning through tech-based platforms:</strong> Many tech-based platforms like go prep etc are working towards making education interactive and engaging.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These platforms through animated videos and tech-based AI programs enhance the core value of learning and critical thinking.</li>
<li>The objective is to make learning enjoyable and develop in them the desire to continue learning:</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives by NCERT:</strong> The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has developed an alternative academic calendar for school students to engage them meaningfully as they stay at home during the lockdown.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The calendar provides guidelines to teachers on the use of various technological tools and social media tools available for imparting education in fun-filled, interesting ways, which can be used by the learner to learn even while at home.</li>
<li>It also takes into account the lack of internet connectivity and thus the calendar advises teachers to further guide parents and students through SMS on mobile phones or mobile calls.</li>
<li>Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in collaboration with the NCERT has launched<strong> e-Pathshala online portal</strong> and mobile app through which students can decode NCERT chapters.</li>
<li>The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan has deployed its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/online-classes-due-to-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SWAYAM Prabha portal</strong></a> which has lectures on DTH (direct-to-home) and online, to help students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>e-Pathshala</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>e-Pathshala was launched in 2015 with an aim to promote self-learning among the school students.</li>
<li>The portal hosts various school teachers, researchers, experts, parents, and most importantly students who can access the facility of resolving their queries.</li>
<li>Students who have registered to the e-Pathshala online portal or mobile app can access educational material, including textbooks, audio, video, periodicals, and a variety of other print and non-print materials.</li>
<li>There are no charges to access the e-learning source.</li>
<li>It can be accessed through the desktop, laptop, or mobile.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SWAYAM Prabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an initiative of the Ministry of Human Resources Development to provide 32 High-Quality Educational Channels through DTH across the length and breadth of the country on a 24X7 basis.</li>
<li>It has curriculum-based course content covering diverse disciplines.</li>
<li>This is primarily aimed at making quality learning resources accessible to remote areas where internet availability is still a challenge.</li>
<li>The DTH channels are using the GSAT-15 satellite for programme telecasts.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Adapt technology-based learning:</strong> Even after the lockdown is over, there&rsquo;s a need to continue the spirit of interactive online learning with individualized tests and activities as it would improve the learning outcome and will help India truly realise its dream of Digital India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this does not mean that there should be a complete replacement of teacher based pedagogy. In fact, teachers are essential to develop clarity of concepts.</li>
<li>Therefore there&rsquo;s a need to train teachers in such a holistic environment that they can assist the students in their problems beyond the traditional limits of a classroom</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Odd-Even formula for schools:</strong> In the face of the pandemic that is showing no signs of receding the schools can adopt an odd-Even formula for students to attend school on alternative days.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such a condition would lead to both synchronous and asynchronous learning time for children.</li>
<li>In the synchronous time, that is on the school days, children will learn concepts and skills with the teachers.</li>
<li>While in the asynchronous time the children will revise their learning from the previous day and perform an activity or assignment based on that topic in collaboration with parents.</li>
<li>Teachers can further assist the parents in this by contacting them through phones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase accessibility:</strong> The pandemic has taught us a lot about adjusting to changes in new and creative ways. But taking the weaker sections along is equally necessary.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There&rsquo;s a need to explore the possibility of high and low technology solutions to digital learning, on the basis of power supply, digital skills of teachers and students, and internet connectivity.</li>
<li>Inclusion in distance learning programs, especially for students coming from low-income groups or the presence of disability, etc.</li>
<li>Provide support for digitalization to teachers as well as students by making such platforms and content available for free, and by</li>
<li>Assure the required infrastructure for online learning such as smartphones, and laptops.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Post COVID-19 there will be a greater responsibility for teachers, parents and administrators to join hands in order to help children out of the mental impact the disease and the present environment has had upon them, and also to ensure that the social distancing and hand washing and other hygiene activities continue to be practiced for much longer times.</p>',
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		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'ELISA Antibody Kits',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has <strong>approved the first batch of antibody testing</strong> kits called <strong>&ldquo;Covid KAVACH ELISA&rdquo;</strong> manufactured by Zydus-Cadila to be used in <strong>sero-survey.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Covid KAVACH ELISA has been developed at the <strong>National Institute of Virology, Pune,</strong> by <strong>isolating the virus from patients in India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)</strong> is a test that detects and measures antibodies in blood.</li>
<li>The test can be used to determine<strong> antibodies related to certain infectious conditions.</strong></li>
<li>It can be used to diagnose <strong>HIV, which causes AIDS, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-aedes-aegypti" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zika virus</a></strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ELISA kits will be used in the <strong>new nationwide &ldquo;sero-survey&rdquo; of the Ministry of Health.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sero-survey is <strong>meant to detect the prevalence of antibodies</strong> that appear after a patient has recovered.</li>
<li>The ICMR will lead the testing of 24,000 individuals in 69 districts at household level as part of this sero-survey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the ICMR,<strong> real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is still the frontline test for clinical diagnosis of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong>, but the <strong>antibody tests are critical for surveillance</strong> to understand the proportion of population exposed to infection.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The antibody test for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong> </a>acts as a <strong>screening process</strong> that gives quick results in a few hours.</li>
<li>The antibody test detects the body&rsquo;s response to the virus. It gives an indication that a person has been exposed to the virus.</li>
<li>If the test is positive, the swab is collected and an Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) test is done using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) kit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>ELISA antibody tests are <strong>different from the rapid antibody tests</strong> previously used by Indian authorities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ELISA kits are <strong>more reliable and cheaper</strong> than rapid antibody testing kits.</li>
<li>The ELISA kit has a <strong>sensitivity</strong> of 98.7% and a <strong>specificity</strong> of 100%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sensitivity signifies accurate positive test results, whereas specificity signifies accurate negative test results.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a> the kits are suitable for<strong> &ldquo;for testing large numbers of samples per day, as well as in blood banks or for surveillance studies&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>ELISA has <strong>minimal biosafety and biosecurity requirements</strong> as compared to the real-time<strong> RT-PCR</strong> test.</li>
<li>Moreover, <strong>ELISA-based testing is easily possible even at the district level</strong> as the test kit has <strong>inactivated virus.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Antibody</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Antibody, also called immunoglobulin</strong> is a <strong>protective protein</strong> produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a foreign substance, called an <strong>antigen.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A wide range of substances are regarded by the body as antigens, including disease-causing organisms and toxic materials.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Antibodies <strong>recognize and attack onto antigens</strong> in order to remove them from the body.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>PCR Test</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kary Mullis, the American biochemist invented the <strong>PCR technique.</strong> He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1993.</li>
<li>Under this, <strong>copies of a segment of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) are created</strong> using an <strong>enzyme called Polymerase.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> &lsquo;chain reaction&rsquo;</strong> signifies how the DNA fragments are copied, exponentially &mdash; one is copied into two, the two are copied into four, and so on.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>fluorescent DNA</strong> binding dye called the <strong>&ldquo;probe&rdquo; is</strong> added to DNA, which shows the presence of the virus on a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/portable-device-to-detect-adulteration-in-milk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fluorometer</strong></a>.</li>
<li>However, coronavirus is made of RNA (ribonucleic acid).</li>
<li>Therefore to detect coronavirus, RNA is converted into DNA using a technique called <strong>reverse transcription.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A<strong> &lsquo;reverse transcriptase&rsquo; enzyme</strong> converts the RNA into DNA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Copies of the DNA are then made and amplified.</li>
<li>Generally, the entire process of PCR test takes 24 hours to deliver the result.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the <strong>apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</strong></li>
<li>Its mandate is to <strong>conduct, coordinate and implement medical research</strong> for the benefit of the Society; translating medical innovations into products/processes and introducing them into the public health system.</li>
<li>It is funded by the Government of India through the <strong>Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/icmr-clears-1st-batch-of-key-elisa-antibody-testing-kits-made-in-india-6410431/" 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/elisa-antibody-kits'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Diamer-Bhasha Dam',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Pakistan</strong> signed a contract with a joint venture of a <strong>China Power</strong> (Chinese state-run firm) and the <strong>Frontier Works Organisation</strong> (FWO-a commercial arm of Pakistan&rsquo;s military) for the construction of the <strong>Diamer-Bhasha dam.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The contract covers construction of a diversion system, main dam, access bridge and the 21MW Tangir hydropower project.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589539217_Diamer-Bhasha%20Dam.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589539217_Diamer-Bhasha Dam.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is located on the<strong> Indus River</strong> in <strong>northern Pakistan</strong> between <strong>Kohistan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa</strong> and <strong>Diamer district in Gilgit Baltistan.</strong></li>
<li>The dam will have a<strong> gross storage capacity of 8.1 Million Acre Feet</strong> (MAF) and <strong>power generation capacity of 4500 MW.</strong></li>
<li>With the <strong>height of 272 meters,</strong> it will be the<strong> tallest Roller Compact Concrete</strong> (RCC) dam in the world.</li>
<li>The dam project with a total financial outlay of about 1,406.5 billion Pakistani rupees would be <strong>completed in 2028.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Purpose:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Fulfil the increasing water and electricity requirements of the country.</li>
<li>Serve as the main storage dam of the country, besides Mangla and Tarbela dams.</li>
<li>Help alleviate acute irrigation shortage in the Indus basin irrigation system.</li>
<li>Reduce intensity, quantum and duration of floods and reduce magnitude and frequency of floods in the River Indus downstream.</li>
<li>Accelerate development and create job opportunities, besides improving availability of water and clean energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The project was approved in 2010, but it suffered delays because international lending agencies backtracked due to the<strong> opposition from India</strong> as a major part of the dam is located in Gilgit-Baltistan (one of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/disputed-territories-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>disputed territories</strong> </a>of India) and it will cause unrest in the region.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>opposed the move</strong> on the grounds that <strong>Gilgit-Baltistan region is part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir</strong> that was<strong> illegally occupied by Pakistan.</strong></li>
<li>India has <strong>consistently conveyed her protest and shared concerns with both China and Pakistan</strong> on all such projects in the Indian territories under Pakistan&rsquo;s illegal occupation.</li>
<li>In the past too, India has opposed projects jointly taken up by Pakistan and China in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) as part of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-belt-one-road-and-china-pakistan-economic-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-awards-442bn-diamer-bhasha-dam-contract-to-joint-venture-between-power-china-and-fwo/article31583253.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/diamer-bhasha-dam'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Release of Gharials',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently Government of Uttar Pradesh has released <strong>Gharials</strong> (<strong><em>Gavialis gangeticus</em></strong>) in the <strong>Ghaghara river for</strong> the conservation and protection in natural habitat.</p>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589534449_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589534449_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Natural Habitat: Fresh waters</strong> of the northern part of India.</li>
<li>Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts which <strong>resembles a pot (<em>ghara</em> in Hindi).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> Population of Gharials are a<strong> good indicator of clean river water.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Gharials</strong> are a type of Crocodilians that also includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, etc. India has<strong> three species of Crocodilians namely:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gharial</strong> (Gavialis gangeticus): <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)</a>- Critically Endangered.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ghodahada-reservoir" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mugger crocodile</a></strong> (Crocodylus palustris): IUCN- Vulnerable</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-26th-november-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Saltwater crocodile</strong></a> (Crocodylus porosus): IUCN- Least Concern</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In comparison to Crocodiles, Gharials are very shy and unharmful species.</li>
<li><strong>Primary Habitat: Chambal river</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The chambal originates at the <strong>Singar Chouri peak</strong> in the northern slopes of the Vindhya mountains (Indore, Madhya Pradesh).</li>
<li>It joins the Yamuna River in <strong>Etawah District of UP.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Tributaries:</strong> Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati.</li>
<li>The <strong>National Chambal Sanctuary</strong> is located along river Chambal on the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is known for critically endangered gharials, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/red-crowned-roofed-turtle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>red-crowned roof turtle</strong></a>, and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gangetic-dolphins-found-in-mahananda-river" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>endangered Ganges river dolphin</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Secondary Habitat:</strong> Ghaghra and Gandak river, Girwa river (Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh), the Ramganga river in Jim Corbett National Park and the Sone river.</li>
<li><strong>Status:&nbsp;</strong>Gharials are <strong>critically endangered</strong> in the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Species.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Listed under <strong>Schedule I</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Listed on <strong>Appendix I</strong> of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Efforts:</strong> Breeding Centres of <strong>Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre</strong> in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh,<strong> National Chambal Sanctuary</strong> (Gharial Eco Park, Madhya Pradesh).</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gharials <strong>prefer sandbanks</strong> as suitable habitats. Wild animals as well as humans often destroy their eggs.</li>
<li>Increased <strong>river pollution, dam construction, massive-scale fishing operations and floods.</strong></li>
<li>Illegal sand mining and poaching.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ghaghara River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It acts as an important aquatic corridor for gharials in Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>Its source is near <strong>Gurla Mandhata peak, south of Mansarovar</strong> in Tibet.</li>
<li>It is known as the<strong> Karnaili</strong> in Western Nepal.</li>
<li>It's important tributaries are the<strong> Sarda, the Sarju (Ayodhya is located on its bank) and the Rapti.</strong></li>
<li>The Ghaghara joins the Ganga a few kilometres downstream of<strong> Chhapra in Bihar.</strong></li>
<li>After reaching the plain area, its stream gets divided into many branches of which, Koriyab and Garwa are important.</li>
<li>The river bed is sandy and sudden bends start occurring in the stream.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/40-gharials-released-in-ghaghara-river-amid-lockdown-71119" 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/release-of-gharials'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Z-scan Method for Parkinson’s Disease',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists from IIT (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad and<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> CSIR</strong></a>-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (Kolkata) have developed the <strong>Z-scan method</strong> to monitor the <strong>origin as well as the progression of Parkinson's disease</strong> in human beings.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Parkinson&rsquo;s Disease</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parkinson&rsquo;s disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that<strong> affects the central nervous system.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>damages nerve cells</strong> in the brain <strong>dropping</strong> the levels of <strong>dopamine.</strong> Dopamine is a chemical that sends behavioural signals from the brain to the body.</li>
<li>The disease causes a variety of "motor" symptoms (symptoms related to movement of the muscles), including rigidity, delayed movement, poor balance, and tremors.</li>
<li>Medication can help control the symptoms of the disease but<strong> it can't be cured.</strong></li>
<li>It affects the age group from <strong>6 to 60 years. Worldwide,</strong> about <strong>10 million people</strong> have been affected by this disease.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aggregation of ASyn:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An aggregation of a protein called<strong> Alpha-synuclein (ASyn)</strong> plays a crucial role in the development of Parkinson&rsquo;s disease.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Protein aggregation is a biological phenomenon in which destabilized proteins aggregate (i.e., accumulate and clump together) leading to many diseases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Alpha-synuclein is a protein found in the human brain, while smaller amounts are found in the heart, muscle and other tissues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the brain, alpha-synuclein is found mainly at the tips of neurons in specialized structures called presynaptic terminals.</li>
<li>Presynaptic terminals release chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters.</li>
<li>The release of neurotransmitters relays signals between neurons and is critical for normal brain function.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of Z-scan Method:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The discovered Z-scan method is expected to help in <strong>monitoring both the early as well as late stages of the aggregation of ASyn and death of neuronal cells.</strong></li>
<li>Until now, worldwide studies could not establish any strong relation between ASyn aggregations and subsequent death of neuronal cells observed in Parkinson&rsquo;s disease.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) was established in <strong>1935 as the first non official centre in India</strong> for <strong>biomedical research</strong> and was included within the aegis of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 1956.</li>
<li>It is located in <strong>Kolkata (West Bengal).</strong></li>
<li>CSIR-IICB is engaged in research on diseases of national importance and biological problems of global interest and also helps to maintain momentum in life science research.</li>
<li>It conducts research in a variety of areas including chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, neurobiology and immunology which promotes productive interdisciplinary interaction.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1623817" 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/z-scan-method-for-parkinson-s-disease'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Deforestation Rate Declined',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <strong>Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 (FRA 2020) report,</strong> the rate of forest loss has declined in the period of 1990-2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The FRA is released by the <strong>United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).</strong></li>
<li>The FRA 2020 is <strong>based on the assessment</strong> of more than<strong> 60 forest-related variables in 236 countries</strong> and territories in the period of 1990&ndash;2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Total forest area:</strong> The world&rsquo;s total forest area is 4.06 billion hectares (bha), which is 31% of the total land area. This area is equivalent to 0.52 hectares per person.</li>
<li><strong>Top countries in forest cover &mdash;</strong> the <strong>Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America and China</strong> constituted more than 54% of the world&rsquo;s forests.</li>
<li><strong>Forest loss:</strong> According to the report, the <strong>world has lost 178 million hectares (mha) of forest since 1990,</strong> an area the size of Libya.</li>
<li><strong>Decline in rate of forest loss:</strong> The rate of net forest loss decreased substantially during the period of 1990&ndash;2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was 7.8 mha per year in the decade 1990&ndash;2000, 5.2 mha per year in 2000&ndash;2010 and 4.7 mha per year in 2010&ndash;2020.</li>
<li>This is due to a <strong>reduction in deforestation in some countries,</strong> plus <strong>increases in forest area in others</strong> through afforestation and the <strong>natural expansion of forests.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Areas that witnessed forest loss: Africa</strong> had the <strong>largest annual rate of net forest loss</strong> in 2010&ndash;2020, at 3.9 mha, <strong>followed by South America,</strong> at 2.6 mha.</li>
<li><strong>Areas that witnessed forest gain: Asia</strong> had the <strong>highest net gain of forest area</strong> in 2010&ndash;2020, <strong>followed by Oceania and Europe.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, Oceania experienced net losses of forest area in the decades 1990&ndash;2000 and 2000&ndash;2010.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types of forest loss:</strong> The largest proportion of the world&rsquo;s forests are tropical (45%), followed by <strong>boreal, temperate and subtropical.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Naturally regenerating forest areas</strong> worldwide <strong>decreased</strong> since 1990, but the area of <strong>planted forests has</strong> increased.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Plantation forest</strong> cover is 131 mha, about 3% of the global forest area.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>highest percent</strong> of plantation forests are in <strong>South America</strong> while the <strong>lowest are in Europe.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protected forest areas</strong> worldwide estimate around 726 mha. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>South America</strong> has the highest share of forests in protected areas, at 31%.</li>
<li>The protected forest areas increased by 191 mha since 1990.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Global Forest Resources Assessment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The FRA presents a comprehensive view of the world&rsquo;s forests and the ways in which the resource is changing.</li>
<li>It supports the development of sound policies, practices and investments affecting forests and forestry.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Food and Agriculture Organization is an <strong>agency of the</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.</li>
<li>FAO is also a source of knowledge and information and helps developing countries and countries in transition to modernize and<strong> improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition and food security</strong> for all.</li>
<li><strong>Formation:</strong> 16<sup>th</sup> October 1945</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Rome, Italy</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/deforestation-rate-globally-declined-between-2015-and-2020-fao-report-71107" 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/deforestation-rate-declined'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'COBAS 6800 Testing Machine',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Health Minister inaugurated the first automated<strong> coronavirus testing device named &lsquo;COBAS 6800&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is the first such testing machine that has been procured by the Government for testing of Covid-19 cases and is installed at the<strong> National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>COBAS 6800 is a <strong>fully automated,</strong> high end machine for performing <strong>Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing for Covid-19.</strong></li>
<li>It will provide <strong>quality, high-volume testing</strong> as it can test around 1200 samples in 24 hours. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will largely increase the testing capacity in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is a sophisticated machine <strong>enabled with robotics that minimizes the chance of contamination</strong> as well as the risk of infection to the health care workers.</li>
<li>The machine requires a minimum <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sequencing-novel-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biosafety Level 2</strong></a> (BSL2+) containment level for testing, thus it was placed at the NCDC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BSL2+ covers laboratories that work with agents associated with human diseases (i.e. pathogenic or infectious organisms) that pose a moderate health hazard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The device<strong> can also detect other pathogens</strong> like Viral Hepatitis B &amp; C, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hiv-aids-outreach" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-tuberculosis-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mycobacterium Tuberculosis</strong></a>, Papilloma, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, Chlamydia (a bacterial infection), Neisseria (bacteria) etc.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Centre for Disease Control</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), formerly the <strong>National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD),</strong> had its origin as the Central Malaria Bureau, established at Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh) in 1909.</li>
<li>NICD was transformed into the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with a larger mandate of controlling emerging and re-emerging diseases in <strong>2009.</strong></li>
<li>It functions as the <strong>nodal agency</strong> in the country for <strong>disease surveillance, facilitating prevention and control of communicable diseases.</strong></li>
<li>It is also a national level institute for <strong>training specialized manpower</strong> for public health, laboratory sciences and entomological services and is involved in various applied research activities.</li>
<li>The Institute is under <strong>administrative control of the Director General of Health Services,</strong> Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</li>
<li>The Institute has its headquarters in <strong>Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1623782" 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/cobas-6800-testing-machine'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Constitutional Morality',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to Dr. Ambedkar, Constitutional morality would mean effective coordination between conflicting interests of different people and the administrative cooperation to resolve them amicably without any confrontation amongst the various groups working for the realization of their ends at any cost.</li>
<li>Constitutional morality has been regarded as a paramount reverence for the constitution.</li>
<li>Constitutional morality provides a principled understanding for unfolding the work of governance. It specifies norms for institutions to survive and an expectation of behaviour that will meet not just the text but the soul of the Constitution. It also makes the governing institutions and representatives accountable.</li>
<li>Constitutional Morality is scarcely a new concept. It is written largely in the Constitution itself like in the section of <strong>Fundamental Rights</strong> (Article 12 to 35), <strong>Directive Principle of State Policy</strong> (Article 36 to 51), <strong>Preamble </strong>and<strong> Fundamental duties.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Elements of constitutional morality</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589460545_Constitutional%20morality (Infograph 14-5-2020) With logo-02-01.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589460545_Constitutional morality (Infograph 14-5-2020) With logo-02-01.png" width="700" height="438" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Supreme Court's Judgements and Constitutional Morality</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Constitutional morality is not limited only to following the constitutional provisions literally but is based on values like individual autonomy and liberty; equality without discrimination; recognition of identity with dignity; the right to privacy.</li>
<li>Constitutional morality means adherence to the core principles of constitutional democracy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For Example: In <strong>Supreme Court&rsquo;s Sabarimala verdict</strong> religious freedom, gender equality and the right of women to worship guaranteed<strong> under Article 14, 21 and 25</strong> of the Constitution was reinstated which struck down the practice of banning entry of women of a certain age to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala as unconstitutional.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Constitutional morality here went against social morality that discriminates against women based on biological reasons like menstruation.</li>
<li>Other Judgments by the Supreme Court defining Constitutional Morality:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-structure-of-constitution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kesavananda Bharati Case</strong></a>, the Supreme Court restricted the power of the Parliament to violate the Basic Structure of the Constitution.</li>
<li>In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-decriminalizes-homosexuality" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Naz Foundation case</strong></a>, the Supreme Court opined that only Constitutional Morality and not Public Morality should prevail.</li>
<li>In <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-judgement-on-delhi-centre-tussle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lt Governor of Delhi case</strong></a>, SC proclaimed constitutional morality as a governing ideas that "highlight the need to preserve the trust of people in the institution of democracy.</li>
<li>In Sabarimala case, the Supreme Court bypassed the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/supreme-court-on-religious-practices" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;doctrine of essentiality&rdquo;</a></strong> to uphold the Constitutional morality</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Constitutional morality <strong>ensures the establishment of rule of law in the land</strong> while integrating the changing aspirations and ideals of the society.</li>
<li>Constitutional morality as a governing ideal that <strong>highlights the need to preserve the trust of the people in institutions of democracy.</strong> As such an ideal, it allows people to cooperate and coordinate to pursue constitutional aspirations that cannot be achieved single-handedly.</li>
<li>Constitutional morality<strong> can use laws and forms to impact and change the persisting social morality.</strong> For example, by abolishing the practice of Sati by legislation, the right to dignity and life was passed on to the widows which later on affected the perception of the practice in the society.</li>
<li>Constitutional morality <strong>recognises plurality and diversity in society and tries to make individuals and communities in the society more inclusive</strong> in their functioning by constantly providing the scope for improvement and reforms. For example in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India, the SC provided a framework to reaffirm the rights of LGBTQ and all gender non-conforming people to their dignity, life, liberty, and identity.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The term has not been clearly defined by the SC, which leaves the scope of its subjective interpretation by the individual judges.</li>
<li>This top-down approach to morality can affect the possibility of organic emergence of the solutions to the persisting ethical problems in society.</li>
<li>Violates the principle of separation of powers: It establishes judicial supremacy over parliamentary supremacy. Against the very principle of democratic government.</li>
<li>It is claimed that the application of this doctrine amounts to judicial overreach and are thereby pitting <strong>&ldquo;constitutional morality&rdquo;</strong> against <strong>&ldquo;societal/popular morality&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Need to Uphold Constitutional Morality</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The central elements of constitutional morality are <strong>freedom and self-restraint.</strong> Self-restraint was a precondition for maintaining freedom under a proper constitutional government. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To uphold constitutional morality, the constitutional methods must be used for achieving social and economic objectives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Commitment to the <strong>ideals and aspirations of the Constitution.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Awareness creation</strong> among the common public regarding their rights which are protected by the Constitution.</li>
<li>Following the Fundamental Duties while exercising Fundamental Rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Constitutional Morality is a sentiment to be cultivated in the minds of a responsible citizen. Upholding constitutional morality is not just the duty of Judiciary or state but also of individuals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The preamble of the constitution explicitly mentions the type of society we wish to establish; it is only through constitutional morality it can become reality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The progressive and monumental precedents have been set-up by the judiciary in the past few years, where this doctrine has been applied especially in relation to the cases of gender-justice, institutional propriety, social uplift, checking majoritarianism and other such evils.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/constitutional-morality'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Covid-19 and Indian Federalism',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/reaffirm-cooperative-federalism/article31567966.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Reaffirm cooperative federalism&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 13/05/2020. It talks about the nature of Indian federalism and federal issues accentuated during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
</div>
<p>India&rsquo;s success in defeating <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> actively rests upon Centre-State collaboration. However, some recent developments have revealed fissures in Centre-State cooperation.</p>
<p>As it is the States which act as first responders to the pandemic, supplying them with adequate funds and autonomy becomes a prerequisite in effectively tackling the crisis.</p>
<p>This requires the Centre to view the States as equals, and strengthen their capabilities, instead of increasing their dependence upon itself.</p>
<p>In this context, Covid-19 poses a litmus test for the federal structure of India, whose nature is already a matter of debate amongst constitutional experts.</p>
<h3>Nature of Indian federal structure</h3>
<p>Federalism traditionally signifies the independence of the Union and State governments of a country, in their respective spheres. However, due to the centralising tendency of Indian federalism, K C Wheare referred to it as <strong>&ldquo;Quasi federal&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<p>Similarly other constitutional experts describe it as,<strong> &ldquo;federation without federalism&rdquo;</strong> and &ldquo;a<strong> Union of Unequal States&rdquo;,</strong> particularly the way it has evolved over the years.</p>
<p><strong>Features of Indian Federation that reflects a Centralising Tendency</strong></p>
<p><strong>Inequitable Division of Power</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The division of powers is in favour of the Centre and highly inequitable from that of a true federation.</li>
<li>The Union List contains more numbers and important subjects (like defence, currency, external affairs, citizenship, railways) than the State List.</li>
<li>Also, the Centre has overriding authority over the Concurrent List and the residuary powers have also been left with the Centre.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>No Territorial Integrity with States</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Parliament can by unilateral action change the area, boundaries or name of any state (Article 3 of Indian constitution).</li>
<li>Indian federalism is described as an <strong>indestructible union of destructive states.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Flexibility of the Constitution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Constitution of India embodies not only the powers of the Centre but also those of the states.</li>
<li>Further, the bulk of the Constitution can be amended by the unilateral action of the Parliament and the power to initiate an amendment to the Constitution lies only with the Centre.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Emergency Provisions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>During an emergency, the Central government becomes all-powerful and the states go into the total control of the Centre.</li>
<li>It converts the federal structure into a unitary one without a formal amendment of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Appointment of Governor</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The governor is the head of the state but is appointed by the President. He holds office during the pleasure of the President.</li>
<li>In this capacity, he/she acts as an agent of the Centre.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Integrated Constitutional Offices</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian constitution provides for an integrated audit machinery (such as CAG), election commission (such as ECI) and states have no control over these offices.</li>
<li>Also, features like Single Citizenship, Integrated Judiciary and All India Services also signifies centralising tilt.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Federal Issues Accentuated During the Pandemic</h3>
<p><strong>Lack of Finances with the States</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown, the sources of states&rsquo; revenue have collapsed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Majority of states&rsquo; revenue comes from liquor sales, stamp duty from property transactions and the sales tax on petroleum products.</li>
<li>However, their expenditure such as on interest payments, social sector schemes and staff salaries remain unchanged.</li>
<li>Moreover, states are now called upon to spend more on beefing up their health infrastructure and on Covid-19 measures, including testing, treatment and quarantining.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>States&rsquo; GST collections have also been severely affected with their dues still not disbursed by the Centre.</li>
<li>According to the FRBM Act, states cannot borrow from the market over a certain limit.</li>
<li>Further, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-CARES relief fund</strong></a> has been put under the ambit of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)</strong></a> contributions. However, contributions to the &lsquo;Chief Minister&rsquo;s Relief Fund&rsquo; or &lsquo;State Relief Fund for Covid-19&rsquo; do not qualify as admissible CSR expenditure.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This directly disincentives donations to any Chief Minister&rsquo;s Relief Fund; diverts crores in potential State revenues to PM-CARES; and makes the States largely dependent upon the Centre.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Furthermore, the suspension of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mplad-scheme-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MPLADS</strong></a> and diversion of the funds to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mp-s-salaries-cut-and-mplads-suspended" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consolidated Fund of India</strong></a> may not be in concurrence of cooperative federalism, as it discourages locally tailored solutions by the MPs.</li>
<li>In this scenario, states in India have fully become dependent on the Union government for finances.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Managing Covid-19 Disaster</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For instance, the zone classifications into &lsquo;red&rsquo; ,orange&rsquo; and &lsquo;green&rsquo; have evoked sharp criticisms from several States.</li>
<li>The States have demanded more autonomy in making such classifications.</li>
<li>This is despite the fact that state consultation is a legislative mandate cast upon the centre under the Disaster Management Act of 2005 (under which binding COVID-19 guidelines are being issued by the Centre to the States).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Disaster Management Act, 2005 envisages the creation of a &lsquo;National Plan&rsquo; under Section 11, as well as the issuance of binding guidelines by the Centre to States under Section 6(2), in furtherance of the &lsquo;National Plan&rsquo;.</li>
<li>However, section 11(2) of the Act mandates State consultations before formulating a &lsquo;National Plan&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Migrant Crisis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The influx of migrant workers into their home states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, which already face severe financial and medical deficits, would worsen matters for the states.</li>
<li>The sustenance of agricultural, industrial and construction activities would be difficult in the absence of a majority of the workforce in the backdrop of the lifting of restrictions, given these workers are going back to their hometowns.</li>
<li>In this case, both Centre and states failed to devise a coherent and holistic plan of action to avert the migrant crisis.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To be Taken</h3>
<p><strong>Short-Terms Measures</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The limit imposed by the FRBM Act must be relaxed so that states who are falling short of funds can borrow money to combat the pandemic and revive the economy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These borrowing can be backed by sovereign guarantee by the Union Government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Union government can provide money to states so that they can take necessary action to deal with the crisis at state level.</li>
<li>The Union government should direct FCI to move the grains from the godowns to states.</li>
<li>A successful approach to tackle the crisis would still need Centre&rsquo;s intervention and guidance in a facilitative manner, where the Centre would communicate extensively the best practices across states, address the financial needs effectively, and leverage national expertise for scalable solutions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Long-Term Measures</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recent meeting by Indian Prime Minister with the chief ministers of states is a testimony of cooperative federalism. In this context, the government should consider making the Inter-State Council a permanent body.</li>
<li>Management of disasters and emergencies (both natural and manmade) should be included in the List III (Concurrent List) of the Seventh Schedule.</li>
<li>An Inter-State Trade and Commerce Commission should be established, which will help realise the idea of <strong>&lsquo;One India One Market&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Arbitrary control of union over states through the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/governor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> institution of the governor and Article 356</strong></a>, must be checked.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The constituent assembly in India studied various democratic federal models in the world and formulated a system suited uniquely to India&rsquo;s needs. Further, it is argued that a &ldquo;strong centre&rdquo; does not necessarily presuppose weak states.</p>
<p>As a result, India adopted &lsquo;cooperative federalism&rsquo; &mdash; essentially defined by administrative cooperation between the centre &amp; states and among states. Therefore, both union and states should work together to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic and strengthen the spirit of cooperative federalism.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589456863_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589456863_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" 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: #e3fbff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Covid-19 pandemic is a litmus test of the federal structure of India. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8EeQ8VpGzRU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based from &ldquo;Perilous State&rdquo; which was published in The Hindu on May 13<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/covid-19-and-indian-federalism'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Energy Transition Index: WEF',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Forum</strong></a> (WEF) has released the<strong> annual rankings</strong> of the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/energy-transition-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Energy Transition Index</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The index<strong> benchmarks 115 economies</strong> on the current performance of their energy systems across economic development and growth, environmental sustainability and energy security and access indicators and their readiness for transition to secure, sustainable, affordable and inclusive energy systems.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data Analysis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sweden</strong> has <strong>topped</strong> the Index for the third consecutive year and is <strong>followed by Switzerland and Finland</strong> in the top three.</li>
<li><strong>France</strong> (8<sup>th</sup>) and the <strong>UK</strong> (7<sup>th</sup>) are the only <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G20</strong></a> countries in the top ten.</li>
<li>Only <strong>11 out of 115 countries have made steady improvements</strong> in ETI scores since 2015. <strong>Argentina, China, India and Italy are among the major countries</strong> with consistent annual improvements.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In<strong> China</strong> (78<sup>th</sup>), problems of air pollution have resulted in policies to control emissions, electrify vehicles and develop the world&rsquo;s largest capacity for<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> solar photovoltaic</strong> </a>(SPV) and onshore <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-indias-wind-energy-potential" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>wind power</strong></a> plants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Scores for the<strong> US, Canada, Brazil and Australia</strong> were <strong>either stagnant or declining.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The US ranks outside the top 25% for the first time, primarily due to the uncertain regulatory outlook for energy transition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance Analysis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>results for 2020</strong> show that <strong>75% of countries have improved</strong> their <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>environmental sustainability</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a result of multifaceted, incremental approaches, including pricing carbon, retiring coal plants ahead of schedule and redesigning electricity markets to integrate renewable energy sources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its study measuring <strong>readiness for clean energy transition</strong> in 115 economies showed that <strong>94 have made progress</strong> since 2015.</li>
<li>The <strong>greatest overall progress</strong> is observed among <strong>emerging economies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Ranking and Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>moved up two positions to rank 74<sup>th</sup></strong> with<strong> improvements</strong> in all <strong>three dimensions of the energy triangle</strong> namely:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Economic development and growth.</li>
<li>Energy access and security.</li>
<li>Environmental sustainability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For India, gains have come from a <strong>government-mandated renewable energy expansion programme</strong> i.e. to add 275 GW by 2027.</li>
<li>India has also <strong>made significant strides in energy efficiency</strong> through bulk <strong>procurement of LED bulbs,</strong> smart meters and programs for labelling of appliances. Similar measures are being experimented to drive down the costs of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/electric-vehicles-evs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>electric vehicles</strong></a> (EVs).</li>
<li>It indicates a <strong>strong positive trajectory,</strong> driven by<strong> strong political commitment</strong> and an<strong> enabling policy environment.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> risks cancelling out recent progress in transitioning to clean energy,</strong> with unprecedented falls in demand, price volatility and pressure to quickly mitigate socioeconomic costs placing the near-term trajectory of the transition in doubt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Policies, roadmaps and governance frameworks for energy transition at national, regional and global levels need to be more robust and resilient against external shocks.</li>
<li>The pandemic offers an <strong>opportunity to consider unorthodox intervention in the energy markets</strong> and global collaboration to support a recovery that accelerates the energy transition once the crisis subsides.</li>
<li>The <strong>economic recovery packages</strong> (like the announcement of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana</strong></a> <strong>by India</strong>), introduced by the governments can <strong>accelerate the transition to clean energy,</strong> by helping countries scale their efforts towards sustainable and inclusive energy systems, if implemented with long-term strategies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>World Economic Forum</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>Swiss nonprofit foundation</strong> established in<strong> 1971,</strong> based in <strong>Geneva, Switzerland.</strong></li>
<li>Recognized by the Swiss authorities as the international institution for <strong>public-private cooperation,</strong> its <strong>mission</strong> is cited as, "committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas".</li>
<li><strong>Major reports published by WEF:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-competitiveness-index-4-0-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Competitiveness Report</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Global IT Report</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-gender-gap-report-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Gender Gap Report</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Global Risk Report</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-and-tourism-competitiveness-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Travel and Tourism Report</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/india-up-at-74th-place-on-wef-s-global-energy-transition-index/story-QIoQqmRmjqqNeQc2XxyQBK.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HT</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/energy-transition-index-wef'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Integrated Battle Groups',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Army chief said that a comprehensive testing of the Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) has concluded but its roll out has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IBGs are brigade sized agile self-sufficient combat formations which can swiftly launch strikes against adversaries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IBGs can be <strong>mobilised within 12-48 hours</strong> based on the location.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Each IBG would be organised on the basis of <strong>Threat, Terrain and Task</strong> and resources to each battle group will be allocated on the basis of <strong>3Ts.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, the composition of every IBG would differ on the basis of the terrain where it is located i.e. an IBG operating in a desert needs to be constituted differently from one operating in the mountains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Each IBG</strong> will be <strong>headed</strong> by a <strong>Major General.</strong></li>
<li>The integrated units for the border will be all-encompassing, with artillery, armoured, combat engineers and signal units.</li>
<li><strong>IBGs</strong> have been <strong>classified into- Defensive and Offensive.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Defensive IBGs</strong> would hold ground at vulnerable points or where enemy action is expected.</li>
<li><strong>Offensive IBGs</strong> have the ability to quickly mobilise and make thrust into enemy territory for strikes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>After years of deliberations, the Army decided to raise the IBGs along the borders with China and Pakistan that will help it carry out swift strikes in case of a war.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/integrated-battle-groups-will-soon-be-operational/article31576965.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/integrated-battle-groups-1'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Economic Stimulus-I',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced<strong> liquidity measures for businesses, especially Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs),</strong> as part of the <strong>first tranche</strong> of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The announced measures also form a <strong>part of the Rs. 20-lakh-crore economic stimulus package</strong> to deal with the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</li>
<li>This economic stimulus includes both <strong>liquidity financing measures and credit guarantees.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589449679_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589449679_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="615" height="462" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Salaried Workers and Taxpayers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The deadline for income tax returns for the financial year 2019-20 has been extended, with the due date now pushed to November 30, 2020.</li>
<li>The rates of Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) and Tax Collection at Source (TCS) have been <strong>cut by 25%</strong> for the FY 2020-21.</li>
<li>The statutory <strong>Provident Fund (PF) payments have been reduced from 12% to 10% for both employers and employees</strong> for the next three months.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NBFCs, Housing Finance Companies and Microfinance Institutions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many of these institutions serve the MSME sector financially and will be supported through a Rs.30,000 crore investment scheme <strong>fully guaranteed by the Centre.</strong></li>
<li>Further, an expanded <strong>partial credit guarantee scheme worth Rs.45,000 crores</strong> also has been offered, of which the <strong>first 20% of losses will be borne by the Centre.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For instance, if the government provides a 100% credit guarantee up to an amount of Rs 1 crore to a firm, it means that a bank can lend Rs 1 crore to that firm; in case the firm fails to pay back, the government will repay all of Rs 1 crore. If this guarantee was for the first 20% of the loan, then the government would guarantee to pay back only Rs 20 lakh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Power Distribution Companies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As these companies are facing an unprecedented cash flow crisis and thus will receive Rs. 90,000 crore liquidity injection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Real Estate and Contractors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Contractors (those dealing with the construction/ works and goods and services contracts) will get a six month extension for completion of work from all Central agencies, and also get partial bank guarantees to ease their cash flows.</li>
<li>Registered real estate projects will get a six-month extension for registration and completion of Real Estate Projects under <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/rera-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA)</strong></a> with Covid-19 to be treated as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-and-force-majeure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;force majeure&rdquo; event.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A Force Majeure (FM) means extraordinary events or circumstances beyond human control such as an event described as an Act of God (like a natural calamity).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Tenders to be Disallowed:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian MSMEs and other companies have often faced unfair competition from foreign companies and would be difficult to compete in the future due to Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li>Therefore, <strong>global tenders will be disallowed </strong>in <strong>government procurement tenders upto Rs 200 crores.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Liquidity Measures for Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>New Definition of MSMEs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The definition of an <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MSMEs</strong></a> has been expanded<strong> to allow for higher investment limits</strong> and the <strong>introduction of turnover-based criteria.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier MSMEs were defined on the basis of the limit of investment in machinery or equipment.</li>
<li>The &lsquo;turnover&rsquo; is the more efficient way to identify an MSME as it allows a lot of firms, especially in the services sector like mid-sized hospitals, hotels and diagnostic centres to be eligible for benefits as an MSME.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There will be<strong> no difference between a manufacturing MSME and a services MSMEs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589449757_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589449757_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="615" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Infusion of Liquidity:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Instead of directly infusing money into the economy or giving it directly to MSMEs,the government will offer <strong>credit guarantees for MSMEs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Emergency Credit Line:</strong> The <strong>collateral free loans</strong> of worth <strong>Rs. 3 lakh crores</strong> will be available for MSMEs. It will ensure access to working capital to resume business activity and safeguard jobs for 45 lakh MSMEs. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The above measure is available for MSMEs that have <strong>an already outstanding loan of Rs. 25 crore or those with a turnover less than Rs 100 crore.</strong></li>
<li>The loans will have a tenure of 4 years and they will have a <strong>moratorium of 12 months</strong> (that is, the payback starts only after 12 months).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Subordinate Debt Scheme :</strong> The loans of amount Rs 20,000 crore will be provided to MSMEs that were<strong> already categorised as &ldquo;stressed&rdquo;, or struggling to pay back. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In this case, the<strong> government provides partial guarantee.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Equity Infusion:</strong> Fund of Funds with corpus of <strong>Rs 10,000 crores</strong> will be set up which will provide <strong>equity funding for MSMEs</strong> with growth potential and viability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Credit Guarantees to MSMEs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A Credit Guarantee Schemes (CGS) by the government assures the bank that its loan will be <strong>repaid by the government in case the MSME falters.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Introduction of CGS:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though, there was an option to pump liquidity via the banks but banks suspect any new loans due to rising Non-Performing Assets (NPAs).</li>
<li>Thus, the government faced a dual problem where banks had the money but were not willing to lend to the credit-starved sections of the economy, while the government itself did not have enough money to directly help the economy.</li>
<li>The credit guarantees solve dual issues faced by the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such CGS creates moral hazards as borrowers remain assured of paying back and the lender remains assured of receiving credit amounts. Subsequently, the government is forced to pay the amount.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Overall Implications of Economic Stimulus</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The measures announced during the first tranche of the economic stimulus focuses <strong>majorly on supply side measures,</strong> aimed at activating businesses in the MSME, real estate, NBFC sectors.</li>
<li>In general, <strong>stimulus measures are aimed at boosting demand</strong> either by government spending on its own account or increasing disposable incomes of households through cash transfers or tax concessions.</li>
<li>Indian economy needs <strong>both supply and demand side measures</strong> for the <strong>revival.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/economic-package-to-spur-growth-build-a-self-reliant-india-fm/article31573533.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/economic-stimulus-i'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Revenue Loss to States',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to estimates from the India Ratings and Research (a credit rating agency), the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> lockdown has caused 21 major States to suffer a collective revenue loss of about Rs. 97,100 crore for the month of April.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The lockdown caused disruptions</strong> to production, supply-chains, trade and the total washout of activities in aviation, tourism, hotels and hospitality.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The disruption caused has taken place with such a speed and scale that even if the lockdown is lifted, economic activity is unlikely to normalise in near future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Although, during the lockdown,<strong> nearly 40% of the economy was functional</strong> as economic activities defined as <strong>essentials</strong> were allowed to operate. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This means that despite the lockdown <strong>some amount of revenue did accrue to the states.</strong> But despite this, the states faced significant revenue loss in April.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The lockdown has a more <strong>paralyzing impact on the states,</strong> which have a <strong>high share of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/liquor-revenue-for-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener">own revenue</a></strong> in the total revenue mix.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, for <strong>Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana</strong> 65%-76% of their revenue comes from their <strong>own sources.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both Union government and State governments are struggling due to the dried-up cash inflow.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But the problems of the <strong>States are more precarious</strong> because of the actual <strong>battle against the Covid-19 and the associated expenditure</strong> being incurred by them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under the current circumstance, there is a fair <strong>amount of uncertainty</strong> regarding the quantum and timings of the states' receivables from the Centre. Their own sources of revenue have also fallen to abysmally low levels.</li>
<li>This is pushing states to adopt <strong>austerity measures</strong> and combine it with exploring new/more ways of generating revenues.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Austerity measures include action by a government to reduce the amount of money it spends.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The situation may improve somewhat in May 2020 due to the easing of some restrictions&ndash; <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Allowing the liquor sale.</li>
<li>Raising the excise duty on liquor.</li>
<li>Some states have raised VAT on petrol and diesel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sources of State government revenue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>States&rsquo; Own Tax Revenue (SOTR),</li>
<li>Share in central taxes,</li>
<li>States&rsquo; Own Non-Tax Revenue (SONTR)</li>
<li>Grants from the Centre.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>States&rsquo; own revenue</strong> mainly comes from seven heads&ndash;<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fall-in-goods-and-services-tax-gst-collections" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>State Goods and Services Tax (SGST)</strong></a>,<strong> State Value Added Tax (VAT)-</strong> mostly on petroleum products, <strong>State excise-</strong>mostly on liquor, <strong>stamps and registration fees, vehicle tax, tax and duty on electricity,</strong> and <strong>own non-tax revenue.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/major-states-lost-97100-crore-in-own-revenue-in-april-india-ratings/article31577161.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/revenue-loss-to-states'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'National Biomedical Resource Indigenization Consortium',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has launched a <strong>National Biomedical Resource Indigenization Consortium (NBRIC)</strong> to drive <strong>indigenous innovation&nbsp;</strong>focused on developing reagents (used in chemical reactions), diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics <strong>for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ppp-investment-model" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Private Partnership (PPP)</strong> </a>hosted and led by the <strong>Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms</strong> (C-CAMP).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; initiative</strong></a> for biomedical research and innovative products, towards promoting import substitution and exports.</li>
<li>It aims to establish a <strong>nation-wide collaborative platform</strong> for convergence of research, product resources and services towards developing reagents, diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics across India.</li>
<li>It <strong>identifies providers/manufacturing enterprises</strong> of crucial bio-medical resources and <strong>connects</strong> them with policy makers as well as with other stakeholders from public and private sectors.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) is one of the centers for technology-based <strong>innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of life sciences </strong>under the <strong>Department of Biotechnology (DBT).</strong></li>
<li>It intends to develop state-of-the-art technologies and to provide training on these technologies to academia and industry.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.nic.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1622757" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-biomedical-resource-indigenization-consortium'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'US-Israel Talks on West Bank Annexation',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss<strong> Israel's plans to annex parts of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/west-bank-settlements" target="_blank" rel="noopener">West Bank</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Pompeo&rsquo;s visit was exempted from <strong>Israel&rsquo;s mandatory two-week quarantine</strong> for arrivals and shut borders due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>.</li>
<li>For Israel, this visit was an <strong>indication of the strength of its alliance with the USA</strong> and the talks focused on discussions on <strong>annexation, shared <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-to-pull-out-of-npt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">concerns about Iran</a></strong>, the<strong> battle against the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/novel-strain-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coronavirus</a>, Israel&rsquo;s incoming government</strong> and <strong>threats from Israel&rsquo;s ties with China.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Israel-China Ties:</strong> The<strong> US</strong> has reportedly been <strong>pressuring Israel to rethink</strong> a bid by a <strong>Hong Kong company to build a massive desalination facility.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Plans for Annexation of West Bank</strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589448153_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589448153_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="715" height="900" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Israeli hard-liners</strong> are eager to unilaterally redraw the <strong>Mideast map</strong> before November&rsquo;s US Presidential Election.</li>
<li>The<strong> presumptive Democratic nominee,</strong> Joe Biden, is in the<strong> opposition of unilateral annexation plans</strong> by Israel.</li>
<li>Annexation would <strong>give Donald Trump an accomplishment</strong> to shore up his <strong>pro-Israel base,</strong> particularly politically influential <strong>pro-Israel evangelical</strong> (of or according to the teaching of the gospel or the Christianity) <strong>Christian voters</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These voters <strong>believe in the notion that God promised the land to Jews</strong> and it <strong>should be returned</strong> to them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Israel-Palestine Conflict</strong></a> can be traced back to <strong>1917.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mideast War, 1967:</strong> It is also known as the <strong>six-day war</strong> or <strong>Third Arab-Israeli war. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip</strong> in the war. The Palestinians seek these territories for a future independent state. In the decades since, Israel has built settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem that now house nearly 700,000 Israelis. Most of the <strong>international communities</strong> consider these settlements a <strong>violation of international law and obstacles to peace.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mideast Plan or Middle East Peace Plan:</strong> It was <strong>unveiled by Trump</strong> in January, 2020. Under it, the <strong>Palestinians</strong> would have a <strong>limited statehood contingent on a list of stringent requirements</strong> while <strong>Israel would annex some 30% of the West Bank.</strong></li>
<li>The Palestinians rejected the plan and <strong>threatened to withdraw</strong> <strong>from</strong> key provisions of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oslo-peace-accords" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Oslo Peace Accords</strong></a>, which are a <strong>series of agreements between Israel and the Palestinians </strong>signed in the<strong> 1990s.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> Trump administration believes</strong> that Israel&rsquo;s West Bank settlements are <strong>consistent with international law</strong> and <strong>supports the annexation</strong> of West Bank territory, as long as Israel agrees to enter peace talks with the Palestinians.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Criticism</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The annexation will trigger widespread <strong>international condemnation</strong> because it will <strong>crush already faint Palestinian hopes of establishing a viable state</strong> on the lands captured by Israel in the Mideast war.</li>
<li>The <strong>Arab League</strong> has mentioned the annexation as a <strong>war crime.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> (EU) and other individual member states, have warned of tough consequences if Israel moves forward in the annexation process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India was one of the few countries to<strong> oppose the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a>&rsquo; partition plan in November 1947,</strong> echoing its own experience during independence a few months earlier.</li>
<li>India <strong>recognised Israel in 1950</strong> but it is also the <strong>first non-Arab country to recognise Palestine Liberation Organisation</strong> (PLO) as the sole representative of the Palestinians. India is also one of the first countries to <strong>recognise</strong> the <strong>statehood of Palestine in 1988.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2014,</strong> India favored the <a href="/daily-news-editorials/the-relevance-of-unhrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Human Rights Council&rsquo;s</strong></a> (UNHRC) resolution to probe Israel&rsquo;s human rights violations in Gaza. Despite supporting the probe, <strong>India abstained from voting against Israel</strong> in UNHRC in <strong>2015.</strong></li>
<li>As a part of <strong>Link West Policy,</strong> India has <strong>de-hyphenated its relationship with Israel and Palestine in 2018</strong> to treat both the countries mutually independent and exclusive.</li>
<li>In <strong>June 2019,</strong> India <strong>voted in favor of a decision introduced by Israel</strong> in the <strong>UN Economic and Social Council</strong> (ECOSOC) that objected to granting consultative status to a Palestinian non-governmental organization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/despite-virus-pompeo-talks-west-bank-annexation-in-israel-6408956/" 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/us-israel-talks-on-west-bank-annexation'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Direct Seeding of Rice',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Due to labour shortage in two granary states of Punjab and Haryana, farmers are now being encouraged to adopt<strong> &lsquo;Direct Seeding of Rice&rsquo; (DSR)</strong> in place of <strong>conventional transplanting.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic has led the labourers to reverse migrate to their villages, which has created a shortage of labourers.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Normal Transplanting of Paddy vs Direct Seeding of Rice</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Transplanting Paddy:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In transplanting paddy, <strong>farmers prepare nurseries</strong> where the paddy seeds are first sown and raised into young plants.</li>
<li>The nursery seed bed is 5-10% of the area to be transplanted.</li>
<li>These <strong>seedlings are then uprooted and replanted</strong> 25-35 days later in the puddled field.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In DSR, the pre-germinated seeds are directly drilled into the field by a tractor-powered machine.</li>
<li>There is no nursery preparation or transplantation involved in this method.</li>
<li>Farmers have to only level their land and give one pre-sowing irrigation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection against the weeds</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Transplanting Method:</strong> In transplanting for the first three weeks or so, the plants have to be irrigated almost daily to maintain a water depth of 4-5 cm. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Water prevents growth of weeds by denying them oxygen in the submerged stage, whereas the soft <strong>&lsquo;aerenchyma tissues&rsquo;</strong> in paddy plants allow air to penetrate through their roots. Water, thus, acts as a herbicide for paddy.</li>
<li><strong>DSR Method:</strong> In DSR as flooding of fields is not done during sowing, chemical herbicides are used to kill weeds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantage with Direct Seeding of Rice</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Water savings. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Less numbers of labourers</strong> required.</li>
<li><strong>Saves labour cost.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Reduce methane emissions</strong> due to a shorter flooding period and decreased soil disturbance compared to transplanting rice seedlings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Drawbacks of Direct Seeding of Rice</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Non-availability of herbicides.</li>
<li>The <strong>seed requirement for DSR is also high,</strong> 8-10 kg/acre, compared to 4-5 kg/acre in transplanting.</li>
<li>Further, <strong>laser land levelling is</strong> compulsory in DSR. This is not so in transplanting.</li>
<li>The <strong>sowing needs to be done timely</strong> so that the plants have come out properly before the monsoon rains arrive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Rice</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rice is a staple food for the overwhelming majority of the population in India.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>kharif crop</strong> which requires<strong> high temperature, (above 25&deg;C)</strong> and<strong> high humidity</strong> with annual <strong>rainfall above 100 cm.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <strong>areas of less rainfall, it is grown with the help of irrigation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>southern states and West Bengal the climatic conditions allow the cultivation of two or three crops</strong> of rice in an agricultural year. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In West Bengal farmers grow three crops of rice called<strong> &lsquo;aus&rsquo;, &lsquo;aman&rsquo; and &lsquo;boro&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>About <strong>one-fourth of the total cropped area in India is under rice cultivation. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Leading producer states:</strong> West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab.</li>
<li><strong>High Yielding States:</strong> Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal and Kerala.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Punjab and Haryana are <strong>not traditional rice growing areas.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Rice Cultivation in the irrigated areas of Punjab and Haryana was introduced in the 1970s following the <strong>Green Revolution.</strong></li>
<li>Almost the entire land under rice cultivation in Punjab and Haryana is irrigated.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India contributes 21.6% of rice production in the world and <strong>ranked second after China</strong> in 2016.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/labour-short-can-direct-seeding-be-alternative-to-paddy-transplanting-6408653/" 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/direct-seeding-of-rice'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Panchayati Raj',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is responsible for the work of advocacy, monitoring and implementation of 73<sup>rd</sup> Constitutional Amendment.</li>
<li>The role of the MoPR involves strengthening the administrative infrastructure, basic services etc. by leveraging technology and capacity building of the functionaries of Rural Local Body (RLB).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><strong>Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) Grants</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ministry monitors the effective utilization of FFC Grants by the Gram Panchayats (GPs) through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/public-financial-management-system-pfms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Financial Management System</strong></a> (PFMS).</li>
<li>Around 5.5 Lakhs assets created by using FFC grants in GPs have been geo-tagged to give thrust to the digital monitoring system.</li>
<li>A majority of Gram Panchayats are on-board in PRIASoft-PFMS and a lot of them are already doing digital payments through PRIASoft -PFMS.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Panchayat Enterprise Suite Application</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has conceived a software viz, <strong>PlanPlus,</strong> the software application facilitates the consolidation and integration of all plans of all planning units.</li>
<li>The Gram Panchayat development plans (GPDPs) prepared by the panchayats are uploaded on the software and the citizens can also view the activities being planned in their respective areas.</li>
<li>Currently, generation of plans through PlanPlus has been prescribed as one of the necessary conditions for release of performance grants.</li>
<li>Action Soft is another Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES) Application which works in collaboration with Plan-Plus and captures the work execution flow, converges and keeps track of flow of funds from different source s during implementation and brings about total transparency in the reporting of physical and financial progress of works.</li>
<li>PRIA Soft is another PES application developed for managing receipts and expenditure of approved list of works through voucher entries.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Fourteenth Finance Commission Recommendations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Fourteenth Finance Commission recommendations are path breaking to strengthen local governments.</li>
<li><strong>Fiscal decentralization</strong> and the <strong>trust-based approach</strong> have empowered our Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats to address the local needs.</li>
<li>The <strong>devolution of funds</strong> has also had an impact on the effectiveness, responsiveness and quality of the public services delivered in rural areas.</li>
<li>The <strong>formulation of GPDPs and digitization of Panchayat records</strong> through PES applications has made the system more transparent, accountable and effective.</li>
<li>Through proper planning at the local level, the funds devolved can be effectively utilized for more inclusive development.</li>
<li>The State Governments should trust the village Panchayats and provide them flexibility to utilize the untied funds to meet the local needs.</li>
<li><strong>Decentralized planning</strong> will be a motivating exercise for the citizens if their demands are heard, accepted and fulfilled.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Panchayati Raj: Background</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Panchayati Raj, the institutional manifestation of democratic decentralization in India, became an integral part of the Indian Constitution only after five decades of independence in the year 1993 after the enactment of 73<sup>rd</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act.</li>
<li>Post Independence, the <strong>first major Community Development Programme was launched in 1952</strong> with the aim of bringing about overall development of rural areas through people&rsquo;s participation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This programme was formulated to provide an administrative framework through which the government could reach to the district, tehsil/taluka and village level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Later in 1957, the Planning Commission appointed a <strong>committee headed by Balwantrai Mehta in 1957 to study the Community Development Programmes and National Extension Services Programme</strong> especially to assess the extent of people&rsquo;s participation and to recommend ways to ensure this.</li>
<li>The committee recommended three-tier panchayati raj system in the country viz Zila Parishad at the District Level, Panchayat Samiti at the Block/ Tehsil/ Taluka Level and Gram Panchayat at the Village Level.</li>
<li>Though the committee did not recommend a rigid frame work for the same, the seeds were sown for the birth of contemporary Panchayati Raj.</li>
<li>Subsequently<strong> the Ashok Mehta Committee&rsquo;s recommendations</strong> in 1978 for a two-tier system with Zilla Parishad at the district level and Mandal Panchayat as the base and <strong>L. M. Singhvi Committee&rsquo;s recommendations</strong> that the PRIs should be enshrined in the Constitution and &lsquo;Gram Sabha&rsquo; should be the base for decentralised democracy, bore fruits in the form of the 73<sup>rd</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 1993.</li>
<li>This became landmark development in the history of local self-government. It uniformly introduced a three-tier Panchayati Raj system throughout the country and provided them with necessary powers and authority to help them to function as units of self-government. Panchayati Raj was started in India on the premise that at the local level there should be some kind of democracy which would involve people in the process of governance. If the people are to be involved they have to be given responsibilities in the functioning of the institutions and development programmes of the government. This is the only way democracy reaches the masses.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Mission Mode Project (MMP) on e-Panchayat</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under the e-Panchayat MMP, a suite of Core Common Applications has been developed collectively called Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES) Applications. Following are some of the key activities undertaken under the e-Panchayat MMP during the year:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Unified portal focusing on Work Based Accounting:</strong> It will bring in a more user-friendly interface with ease of navigation that would make it hassle-free for the GPs to track, monitor and modify their Action Plan.</li>
<li><strong>On-boarding of schemes on PRIASoft-PFMS integration for real time payments by GPs:</strong> The Ministry, in the current year, has put in place a robust mechanism capturing the entire gamut of activity right from the stage of planning to monitor the various stages of work, recording the expenditure incurred for the works to providing complete detail of the asset created.</li>
<li><strong>Gram Manchitra:</strong> It is a Spatial Planning Application provides a single/ unified Geo Spatial platform to better visualize the various developmental works to be taken up across the 29 sectors and provide a decision support system for GPDP.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched in 2018, this centrally sponsored scheme is an effort in the direction of achieving &ldquo;Sabka Sath, Sabka Gaon, Sabka Vikas&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The RGSA helps more than 2.55 lakh <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/panchayati-raj-institution-pri" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Panchayati Raj Institutions</strong></a> (PRIs) to develop governance capabilities to deliver on SDGs through inclusive local governance with focus on optimum utilisation of available resources.</li>
<li>The key principles of SDGs, i.e. leaving no one behind, reaching the farthest first and universal coverage, along with gender equality will be embedded in the design of all capacity building interventions including trainings, training modules and materials.</li>
<li>Priority will be given to subjects of national importance that affects the excluded groups the most, e.g. poverty, primary health services, nutrition, immunization, sanitation, education, water conservation, digital transactions etc.</li>
<li>The implementation and monitoring of the activities of the scheme are broadly aligned for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with main thrust on Panchayats identified under Mission Antyodaya and Aspirational districts as identified by NITI Aayog.</li>
<li>This scheme extends to all States and UTs of the country and will also include institutions of rural local government in non-Part IX areas, where Panchayats do not exist.</li>
<li>The scheme will strengthen Gram Sabhas to function as effective institutions with social inclusion of citizens particularly the vulnerable groups.</li>
<li>It will establish the institutional structure for capacity building of PRIs at the national, state and district level with adequate human resources and infrastructure.</li>
<li>Panchayats will progressively be strengthened through incentivisation on the basis of nationally important criteria which will encourage competitive spirit among them.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sabki-yojana-sabka-vikas-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>People&rsquo;s Plan Campaign (PPC)- Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It aims to draw up Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) in the country and place them on a website where anyone can see the status of the various government&rsquo;s flagship schemes.</li>
<li>To provide sustainability to the GPDP formulation process into a participative and transparent exercise,<strong> the process of GPDP preparation for the financial year 2020-21 again started in a Campaign mode from 2nd October, 2019 as PPC-2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Panchayat Day:</strong> It is celebrated on 24 April every year. It was on this day in 1993, that the 73<sup>rd</sup> amendment act had come into force.</li>
<li><strong>Panchayati Raj:</strong> The term was coined by PM Nehru who inaugurated the 3-tier Panchayati Raj in Nagaur (Rajasthan, 2 October 1959).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Incentivization of Panchayats</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry has been incentivizing the Panchayats/ States/ Union Territories (UTs) under the scheme of Incentivization of Panchayats, one of the central components of the restructured scheme of RGSA, in recognition of their good work for improving delivery of services &amp; public goods and to encourage a spirit of competition.</li>
<li>Awards, including financial incentives are given annually to best performing Panchayats/States/UTs under various categories namely, <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar (DDUPSP) for Gram/ Block/ District Panchayats;</li>
<li>Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP) for Gram Panchayats;</li>
<li>Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) Award for Gram Panchayats;</li>
<li>Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award (CFGPA) for Gram Panchayats and e-Panchayat Puraskar for States/UTs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-panchayati-raj'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Revival of Non-Alignment Movement',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/narendra-modi-video-address-nam-summit-6403546/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;What&rsquo;s in a NAM?&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on 11/05/2020. It talks about the relevance of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) in present times.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister of India hosted a video conference that addresses a summit of the Non-aligned nations. This is in concurrence of India&rsquo;s efforts of promoting global cooperation in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
<p>In the domain of foreign policy, this meeting assumes great significance, given the fact that Indian Prime Minister has skipped the last two NAM summits, at Venezuela in 2016 and Azerbaijan in 2019.</p>
<p>It is argued that the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Alignment Movement (NAM)</strong> </a>was the product of certain circumstances which have undergone a sea change and thus, have become irrelevant.</p>
<p>However, the Covid-19 pandemic and India renewed interest in NAM, have earmarked the relevance of Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) to pursue effective work programmes at the international level.</p>
<h3>Why is NAM criticised?</h3>
<p>The Non-Aligned Movement was formed during the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a> as an organization of States that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the superpowers: the United States or the Soviet Union but sought to remain independent or neutral. It also stands united for the decolonization of European colonies in Asia and Africa.</p>
<p>However, the world order has changed significantly in 21<sup>st</sup>-century, which has rendered the utility of the NAM doubtful:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cold war has ended with the disintegration of USSR in 1991 and subsequently:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The bi-polar world is non-existent.</li>
<li>The collapse of communism and the communist bloc and thereby ending the ideological rivalry between capitalism vs communism.</li>
<li>Since the US emerged as the sole world power following the collapse of the Soviet Union, many non-aligned countries left the NAM.</li>
<li>Shifting of global politics narrative from the balance of power to economic interdependence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Decolonisation project has become redundant, as almost all major colonies have been decolonised.</li>
<li>It is argued that NAM today competes with groups like the Commonwealth. The other groups are more effective, as they deal with economic and trade issues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NAM does not do that, nor does it take up any diplomatic initiative.</li>
<li>It has no position even on issues like human rights, child exploitation and gender issues. Also, most of the members of NAM are developing.</li>
<li>As a result, its members have to follow the Western dictates in this regard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Relevance of NAM</h3>
<p>The 21<sup>st</sup>-century world order is significantly different from that of the 20<sup>th</sup>-century. Though the world has changed, the problems have remained almost the same. In this context, NAM can prove its worth by striving to work for the following contemporary issues:</p>
<p><strong>New Cold War</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Those who say the NAM is a relic of the Cold War must also acknowledge that a new Cold War is beginning to unfold, this time between the US and China.</li>
<li>This can be reflected in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/trade-war-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trade War</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad initiative</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-pacific narrative</strong></a>, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>emergence of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</strong></a>, naval presence in the Indian ocean, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The resurgence of colonialism: Neo-colonialism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Neocolonialism is the practice of using capitalism, globalisation, cultural imperialism, and conditional aid to influence a developing country instead of the previous colonial methods of direct military control (imperialism) or indirect political control (hegemony).</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s investment in Africa and Asia through its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/italy-joins-belt-road-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road initiative</strong></a> is criticized for being neo-colonialism in nature whereas NAM can help in establishing the ethos of collective action.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Restructuring and democratization of the UN</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to undemocratic representation and veto power of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>permanent members in UNSC</strong></a>, the UNSC has been criticised as undemocratic. Thus, there has been a demand for reforms in the UN system for long.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Combating Global Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NAM becomes relevant to mobilize international public opinion against terrorism, weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), nuclear proliferation, ecological imbalance, safeguarding interests of developing countries in <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>WTO (World Trade Organization)</strong></a> etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Importance of NAM for India</h3>
<p><strong>Support for India&rsquo;s Candidature in UNSC</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NAM&rsquo;s total strength comprises 120 developing countries and most of them are members of the UN General Assembly.</li>
<li>Thus, NAM members act as an important group in support of India&rsquo;s candidature as a permanent member in UNSC.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global South Cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is widely perceived as a leader of the developing world. Thus, India&rsquo;s engagement with NAM will further help in the rise of India&rsquo;s stature as the voice of the developing world or global south.</li>
<li>In times of increasing protectionism, NAM can provide a platform for South-South cooperation.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Strengthening of Multipolar World Order</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A multipolar world order is in concurrence with Indian forigen policy.</li>
<li>Thus, NAM can help in formation of a multipolar world with India becoming a major pole.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Given the relevance of NAM in present times, it remains a critical diplomatic forum for the pursuit of India&rsquo;s forign policy interests. Therefore India must refrain from treating NAM as a ritual to be performed every three years and start engaging with NAM constructively.</p>
<p>Thus, just like the start of cold war provided the ground for NAM in the 20<sup>th</sup> century, the Covid-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity for India to lay the foundation of NAM 2.0. In this context, the virtual NAM summit hosted by India is a step in the right direction.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589374531_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589374531_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" 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: #fffeeb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the relevance of Non-alignment movement in present times.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/97hx_xhb7eI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on &ldquo;Ease Land Markets&rdquo; which was published in The Times of India on May 12<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube Channel.</p>',
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		'title' => 'Role of MSMEs in Indian Economy',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on &ldquo;<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/liquidity-lifeline-the-hindu-editorial-on-nirmala-sitharamans-msme-package/article31577242.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Liquidity lifeline: On Nirmala&rsquo;s MSME package</strong></a>&rdquo; which was published in The Hindu on 14/05/2020. It talks about the challenges of and steps to be taken to revive the MSMEs sector.</p>
</div>
<p>In order to revive the Indian economy amid <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, the government has announced an economic package under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a>. The main thrust of the announcements has been the massive ₹3-lakh crore collateral-free assistance or sovereign credit guarantee to the <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).</a></strong></p>
<p>Like other sectors of the Indian economy, MSMEs have been hit badly due to lockdown imposed by the government to tackle Covid-19 pandemic. However, even before the current crisis, MSMEs growth has been marred by several challenges.</p>
<p>In such a situation, providing merely a stimulus package may not be effective, until adequate reforms are carried out to solve its pressing problems and to utilize its potential.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Reason for Giving Credit Guarantees</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A credit guarantee by the government helps as it assures the bank that its loan will be repaid by the government in case the MSME falters.</li>
<li>Efforts to pump liquidity via the bank have not been successful in the past, because banks simply do not want to lend any new money.</li>
<li>Banks, quite justifiably, suspect that any new loans will only add to their growing mountain of non-performing assets.</li>
<li>So the issue was banks had the money but were not willing to lend to the credit-starved sections of the economy.</li>
<li>Thus, as part of the solution, credit guarantees are chosen by the government.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Significance of MSMEs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The significance of the MSMEs sector can be noted from the fact that it is the second-largest employment provider, after agriculture in India.</li>
<li>In India, at present, there are nearly 56 million such enterprises in various industries, employing close to 124 million people. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Of these, nearly 14% are women-led enterprises, and close to 60% are based in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In all, the MSME sector accounts for 8% of India&rsquo;s GDP and 45% of merchandise exports.</li>
<li>Due to this, the MSME sector is called the growth engine of the nation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Pertaining to MSMEs</h3>
<p><strong>Lack of Adequate and Timely Access to Finance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Access to finance continues to remain the biggest challenge for MSMEs and has constrained their growth.</li>
<li>MSME funding from banks has been stalled, as decision-making managers are reluctant of loans going bad.</li>
<li>After the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/shadow-banking-and-the-crisis-in-the-indian-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> IL&amp;FS crisis</strong></a> and its effect on the other NBFCs (Non-Banking Finance Companies), MSMEs ran into deep trouble because of the liquidity crunch that followed.</li>
<li>Due to this, MSMEs are not able to invest in manufacturing, purchase raw materials on time, access new technologies or acquire new skills due to lack of funds which is a big handicap especially in its fight with global competitors.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Technological Disruption</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&lsquo;s MSME sector is based on obsolete technology, which hampers its production efficiency</li>
<li>With the emergence of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Robotics and related technologies (collectively called as <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industry Revolution 4.0</strong></a>) is a bigger challenge for MSMEs than for organized large-scale manufacturing.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Regulatory Cholesterol</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>MSMEs require a lot of government services and approvals, for which the entrepreneur has to run around various government departments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Getting construction permits, enforcing contracts, paying taxes, starting a business and trading across borders continue to constrain doing business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Regulatory risks and policy uncertainty in the past have dented investor confidence.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Problem of Scale</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Majority of the firms in MSMEs are micro-enterprises.</li>
<li>The MSME space is virtually a micro space formed by a plethora of small and local shops and hence, scaling them up is a problem, especially when fund access is challenging.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increasing Domestic Manufacturing Capabilities:</strong> The government can play a crucial role in creating domestic manufacturing capabilities by leveraging proposed public procurement and projects. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, Mega public projects such as Sagarmala, Bharatmala, industrial corridors, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) can stimulate domestic manufacturing activities.</li>
<li>This should be accompanied by a simplification of the regulatory process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cluster Manufacturing:</strong> Efforts should be made to develop self-sufficient clusters of manufacturing competence, with Cluster Administrative Authorities, empowered to provide single window clearances to entrepreneurs and investors.</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging Industrial Revolution 4.0:</strong> Disruptive technology, while leading to job losses in traditional areas, also presents new job opportunities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A greater connect between government-industry-academia is required to identify the changing requirements in manufacturing and prepare an employable workforce.</li>
<li>Also, the Industrial Revolution 4.0 will boost the Industrial supply chains in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need to improve Ease of Doing business:</strong> Reforms: India has already taken several steps, due to which ease of doing business in India has improved significantly (India&rsquo;s ranking in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ease of doing business report</strong> </a>has improved from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2020).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, still some reforms are needed in regard, especially in the field of land, labour reforms and in enforcing contracts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Making Indian Products to Match Global Standards:</strong> There is a need for harmonizing Indian quality standards with global standards in many sectors. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lack of harmonization has affected Indian exports and prevented the leveraging of trade agreements adequately.</li>
<li>There is a need to promote <strong>ZED manufacturing (Zero effect- Zero Defect)</strong> as envisaged by<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/five-years-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Make in India</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Collateral-free assistance or sovereign credit guarantees to the Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will ease the financial crunch. However, the government should devise this scheme in such a way that the issue of <strong>moral hazard can be averted.</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Issue of Moral Hazard</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Collateral-free assistance and credit guarantees leave no incentive for the borrower to pay back, as he has nothing to lose.</li>
<li>Also, as the banker is assured of payback from the government so why should he bother to check if the borrower is deserving or not.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589544310_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589544310_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" 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: #e6fae9;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the role of MSMEs sector in India&rsquo;s growth and how far sovereign credit guarantee will help in reviving it.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v_-kravtGAs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/liquidity-lifeline-the-hindu-editorial-on-nirmala-sitharamans-msme-package/article31577242.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Liquidity lifeline: On Nirmala&rsquo;s MSME package&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published The Hindu on May 14<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'SAMARTH ERP',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD)</strong> has developed an<strong> e-governance platform &lsquo;SAMARTH Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)&rsquo;</strong> under the <strong>National Mission of Education in Information and Communication Technology Scheme (NMEICT)</strong>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAMARTH ERP is an<strong> open source, open standard enabled robust, secure, scalable, and evolutionary process automation engine</strong> for Universities and Higher Educational Institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)</strong> refers to a type of software used to manage day-to-day business <strong>activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, and supply chain operations.</strong></li>
<li>ERP in a University can improve management and administration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The platform has been implemented at the<strong> National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra,</strong> a participating unit under the World Bank-supported <strong>Technical Education Quality Improvement Program (TEQIP).</strong></li>
<li>It would <strong>automate the processes of the enhancement of productivity through better information management</strong> in the institute by seamless access to information and proper utilization of information.</li>
<li>It caters to faculty, students and staff at a University/Higher Educational Institutions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Mission, <strong>launched in 2009,</strong> is a landmark initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), with the objective of seamlessly providing quality educational content to all the eligible and willing learners in India.</li>
<li>It has been envisaged to leverage the potential of ICT, in the teaching and learning process for the benefit of all the learners in Higher Education Institutions.</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives under the Program</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SWAYAM:</strong> The Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds' (SWAYAM) is an integrated platform for offering online courses, covering school (9<sup>th</sup> to 12<sup>th</sup>) to Postgraduate Level. The online courses are being used not only by the students but also by the teachers and non-student learners, in the form of lifelong learning.</li>
<li><strong>SWAYAM Prabha:</strong> It is an initiative to provide 32 High Quality Educational Channels through DTH (Direct to Home) across the length and breadth of the country on a 24X7 basis.</li>
<li><strong>National Digital Library of India (NDL):</strong> It is a project to develop a framework of virtual repository of learning resources with a single-window search facility. Presently, there are more than 3 crore digital resources available through the NDL.</li>
<li><strong>Spoken Tutorial:</strong> They are 10-minute long, audio-video tutorials, on open source software, to improve employment potential of students. It is created for self learning, audio dubbed into 22 languages and with the availability of an online version.</li>
<li><strong>Free and Open Source Software for Education (FOSSEE):</strong> It is a project promoting the use of open source software in educational institutions. It does that through instructional material, such as spoken tutorials, documentation, such as textbook companions, awareness programmes, such as conferences, training workshops, and internships.</li>
<li><strong>Virtual Lab:</strong> This is a project to develop a fully interactive simulation environment to perform experiments, collect data, and answer questions to assess the understanding of the knowledge acquired.</li>
<li><strong>E-Yantra:</strong> It is a project for enabling effective education across engineering colleges in India on embedded systems and robotics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was started in 2002 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development with the assistance of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and is being implemented in a phased manner .</li>
<li>It aims to upscale the quality of technical education and enhance capacities of institutions.</li>
<li><strong>The Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme III (TEQIP-III)</strong> was started in 2017 and will be completed by 2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to develop technical education as a key component for improving the quality of Engineering Education.</li>
<li>The Objective is to improve quality and equity in engineering institutions in focus states such as in low income states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1623839" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture- Primary Education: Challenges and Opportunities',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qMbfJYMRJLA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>In the second week of March, state governments across the country began shutting down schools and colleges temporarily as a measure to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. It&rsquo;s close to two months and there is no certainty when they will reopen. This is a crucial time for the education sector.</p>
<p>As the days pass by with no immediate solution to stop the outbreak of Covid-19, school closures are facing both short-term as well as far-reaching consequences. The structure of schooling and learning, including teaching and assessment methodologies, has been affected by these closures.</p>
<h3>Impact of the Pandemic on Primary Education</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Connectivity and Resources issues:</strong> Many students from villages and from economically backward backgrounds are facing a serious issue in keeping up with online education. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Only a handful of private schools could adopt online teaching methods. Their low-income private and government school counterparts, on the other hand, have completely shut down for not having access to e-learning solutions.</li>
<li>The students, in addition to the missed opportunities for learning, no longer have access to healthy meals during this time and are subject to economic and social stress.</li>
<li>The pandemic has significantly disrupted the higher education sector as well, which is a critical determinant of a country&rsquo;s economic future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unpreparedness towards digitized environment:</strong> Many teachers and parents are facing challenges in coping with the new mode of teaching and learning.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite so much push for a digital India, sustained push for digitisation of education and training of teachers to deal with it has been lacking.</li>
<li>Technological investment in the education sector has been abysmally low.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Parental support issues:</strong> Many kids face a hostile environment at home where the family members are engaged in quarreling and altercations with each other.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This kind of surroundings adversely affects the mental health of children and also brings down their learning outcomes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Opportunities and Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Guided learning through technology:</strong> This lockdown and a shift towards tech platforms can ensure a shift towards guided, cooperative learning as opposed to the rote learning of classrooms.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Game-based or puzzle-based learning would help in stimulating interest.</li>
<li>It needs to be supplemented by integral familial involvement at home with board games or an informal discussion.</li>
<li>Teachers can guide the parents about various creative assignments through smartphones or even simple mobile phones.</li>
<li>Increased communication between the teachers and parents is much needed in this hour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Interactive learning through tech-based platforms:</strong> Many tech-based platforms like go prep etc are working towards making education interactive and engaging.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These platforms through animated videos and tech-based AI programs enhance the core value of learning and critical thinking.</li>
<li>The objective is to make learning enjoyable and develop in them the desire to continue learning:</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives by NCERT:</strong> The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has developed an alternative academic calendar for school students to engage them meaningfully as they stay at home during the lockdown.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The calendar provides guidelines to teachers on the use of various technological tools and social media tools available for imparting education in fun-filled, interesting ways, which can be used by the learner to learn even while at home.</li>
<li>It also takes into account the lack of internet connectivity and thus the calendar advises teachers to further guide parents and students through SMS on mobile phones or mobile calls.</li>
<li>Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in collaboration with the NCERT has launched<strong> e-Pathshala online portal</strong> and mobile app through which students can decode NCERT chapters.</li>
<li>The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan has deployed its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/online-classes-due-to-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SWAYAM Prabha portal</strong></a> which has lectures on DTH (direct-to-home) and online, to help students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>e-Pathshala</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>e-Pathshala was launched in 2015 with an aim to promote self-learning among the school students.</li>
<li>The portal hosts various school teachers, researchers, experts, parents, and most importantly students who can access the facility of resolving their queries.</li>
<li>Students who have registered to the e-Pathshala online portal or mobile app can access educational material, including textbooks, audio, video, periodicals, and a variety of other print and non-print materials.</li>
<li>There are no charges to access the e-learning source.</li>
<li>It can be accessed through the desktop, laptop, or mobile.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SWAYAM Prabha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an initiative of the Ministry of Human Resources Development to provide 32 High-Quality Educational Channels through DTH across the length and breadth of the country on a 24X7 basis.</li>
<li>It has curriculum-based course content covering diverse disciplines.</li>
<li>This is primarily aimed at making quality learning resources accessible to remote areas where internet availability is still a challenge.</li>
<li>The DTH channels are using the GSAT-15 satellite for programme telecasts.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Adapt technology-based learning:</strong> Even after the lockdown is over, there&rsquo;s a need to continue the spirit of interactive online learning with individualized tests and activities as it would improve the learning outcome and will help India truly realise its dream of Digital India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this does not mean that there should be a complete replacement of teacher based pedagogy. In fact, teachers are essential to develop clarity of concepts.</li>
<li>Therefore there&rsquo;s a need to train teachers in such a holistic environment that they can assist the students in their problems beyond the traditional limits of a classroom</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Odd-Even formula for schools:</strong> In the face of the pandemic that is showing no signs of receding the schools can adopt an odd-Even formula for students to attend school on alternative days.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such a condition would lead to both synchronous and asynchronous learning time for children.</li>
<li>In the synchronous time, that is on the school days, children will learn concepts and skills with the teachers.</li>
<li>While in the asynchronous time the children will revise their learning from the previous day and perform an activity or assignment based on that topic in collaboration with parents.</li>
<li>Teachers can further assist the parents in this by contacting them through phones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase accessibility:</strong> The pandemic has taught us a lot about adjusting to changes in new and creative ways. But taking the weaker sections along is equally necessary.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There&rsquo;s a need to explore the possibility of high and low technology solutions to digital learning, on the basis of power supply, digital skills of teachers and students, and internet connectivity.</li>
<li>Inclusion in distance learning programs, especially for students coming from low-income groups or the presence of disability, etc.</li>
<li>Provide support for digitalization to teachers as well as students by making such platforms and content available for free, and by</li>
<li>Assure the required infrastructure for online learning such as smartphones, and laptops.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Post COVID-19 there will be a greater responsibility for teachers, parents and administrators to join hands in order to help children out of the mental impact the disease and the present environment has had upon them, and also to ensure that the social distancing and hand washing and other hygiene activities continue to be practiced for much longer times.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-primary-education-challenges-and-opportunities'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'ELISA Antibody Kits',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has <strong>approved the first batch of antibody testing</strong> kits called <strong>&ldquo;Covid KAVACH ELISA&rdquo;</strong> manufactured by Zydus-Cadila to be used in <strong>sero-survey.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Covid KAVACH ELISA has been developed at the <strong>National Institute of Virology, Pune,</strong> by <strong>isolating the virus from patients in India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)</strong> is a test that detects and measures antibodies in blood.</li>
<li>The test can be used to determine<strong> antibodies related to certain infectious conditions.</strong></li>
<li>It can be used to diagnose <strong>HIV, which causes AIDS, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-aedes-aegypti" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zika virus</a></strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ELISA kits will be used in the <strong>new nationwide &ldquo;sero-survey&rdquo; of the Ministry of Health.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sero-survey is <strong>meant to detect the prevalence of antibodies</strong> that appear after a patient has recovered.</li>
<li>The ICMR will lead the testing of 24,000 individuals in 69 districts at household level as part of this sero-survey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the ICMR,<strong> real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is still the frontline test for clinical diagnosis of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong>, but the <strong>antibody tests are critical for surveillance</strong> to understand the proportion of population exposed to infection.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The antibody test for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong> </a>acts as a <strong>screening process</strong> that gives quick results in a few hours.</li>
<li>The antibody test detects the body&rsquo;s response to the virus. It gives an indication that a person has been exposed to the virus.</li>
<li>If the test is positive, the swab is collected and an Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) test is done using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) kit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>ELISA antibody tests are <strong>different from the rapid antibody tests</strong> previously used by Indian authorities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ELISA kits are <strong>more reliable and cheaper</strong> than rapid antibody testing kits.</li>
<li>The ELISA kit has a <strong>sensitivity</strong> of 98.7% and a <strong>specificity</strong> of 100%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sensitivity signifies accurate positive test results, whereas specificity signifies accurate negative test results.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation (WHO)</strong></a> the kits are suitable for<strong> &ldquo;for testing large numbers of samples per day, as well as in blood banks or for surveillance studies&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>ELISA has <strong>minimal biosafety and biosecurity requirements</strong> as compared to the real-time<strong> RT-PCR</strong> test.</li>
<li>Moreover, <strong>ELISA-based testing is easily possible even at the district level</strong> as the test kit has <strong>inactivated virus.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Antibody</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Antibody, also called immunoglobulin</strong> is a <strong>protective protein</strong> produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a foreign substance, called an <strong>antigen.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A wide range of substances are regarded by the body as antigens, including disease-causing organisms and toxic materials.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Antibodies <strong>recognize and attack onto antigens</strong> in order to remove them from the body.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>PCR Test</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kary Mullis, the American biochemist invented the <strong>PCR technique.</strong> He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1993.</li>
<li>Under this, <strong>copies of a segment of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) are created</strong> using an <strong>enzyme called Polymerase.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> &lsquo;chain reaction&rsquo;</strong> signifies how the DNA fragments are copied, exponentially &mdash; one is copied into two, the two are copied into four, and so on.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>fluorescent DNA</strong> binding dye called the <strong>&ldquo;probe&rdquo; is</strong> added to DNA, which shows the presence of the virus on a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/portable-device-to-detect-adulteration-in-milk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fluorometer</strong></a>.</li>
<li>However, coronavirus is made of RNA (ribonucleic acid).</li>
<li>Therefore to detect coronavirus, RNA is converted into DNA using a technique called <strong>reverse transcription.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A<strong> &lsquo;reverse transcriptase&rsquo; enzyme</strong> converts the RNA into DNA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Copies of the DNA are then made and amplified.</li>
<li>Generally, the entire process of PCR test takes 24 hours to deliver the result.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the <strong>apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</strong></li>
<li>Its mandate is to <strong>conduct, coordinate and implement medical research</strong> for the benefit of the Society; translating medical innovations into products/processes and introducing them into the public health system.</li>
<li>It is funded by the Government of India through the <strong>Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/icmr-clears-1st-batch-of-key-elisa-antibody-testing-kits-made-in-india-6410431/" 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/elisa-antibody-kits'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Diamer-Bhasha Dam',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Pakistan</strong> signed a contract with a joint venture of a <strong>China Power</strong> (Chinese state-run firm) and the <strong>Frontier Works Organisation</strong> (FWO-a commercial arm of Pakistan&rsquo;s military) for the construction of the <strong>Diamer-Bhasha dam.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The contract covers construction of a diversion system, main dam, access bridge and the 21MW Tangir hydropower project.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589539217_Diamer-Bhasha%20Dam.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589539217_Diamer-Bhasha Dam.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is located on the<strong> Indus River</strong> in <strong>northern Pakistan</strong> between <strong>Kohistan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa</strong> and <strong>Diamer district in Gilgit Baltistan.</strong></li>
<li>The dam will have a<strong> gross storage capacity of 8.1 Million Acre Feet</strong> (MAF) and <strong>power generation capacity of 4500 MW.</strong></li>
<li>With the <strong>height of 272 meters,</strong> it will be the<strong> tallest Roller Compact Concrete</strong> (RCC) dam in the world.</li>
<li>The dam project with a total financial outlay of about 1,406.5 billion Pakistani rupees would be <strong>completed in 2028.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Purpose:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Fulfil the increasing water and electricity requirements of the country.</li>
<li>Serve as the main storage dam of the country, besides Mangla and Tarbela dams.</li>
<li>Help alleviate acute irrigation shortage in the Indus basin irrigation system.</li>
<li>Reduce intensity, quantum and duration of floods and reduce magnitude and frequency of floods in the River Indus downstream.</li>
<li>Accelerate development and create job opportunities, besides improving availability of water and clean energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The project was approved in 2010, but it suffered delays because international lending agencies backtracked due to the<strong> opposition from India</strong> as a major part of the dam is located in Gilgit-Baltistan (one of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/disputed-territories-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>disputed territories</strong> </a>of India) and it will cause unrest in the region.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>opposed the move</strong> on the grounds that <strong>Gilgit-Baltistan region is part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir</strong> that was<strong> illegally occupied by Pakistan.</strong></li>
<li>India has <strong>consistently conveyed her protest and shared concerns with both China and Pakistan</strong> on all such projects in the Indian territories under Pakistan&rsquo;s illegal occupation.</li>
<li>In the past too, India has opposed projects jointly taken up by Pakistan and China in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) as part of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-belt-one-road-and-china-pakistan-economic-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-awards-442bn-diamer-bhasha-dam-contract-to-joint-venture-between-power-china-and-fwo/article31583253.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/diamer-bhasha-dam'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Release of Gharials',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently Government of Uttar Pradesh has released <strong>Gharials</strong> (<strong><em>Gavialis gangeticus</em></strong>) in the <strong>Ghaghara river for</strong> the conservation and protection in natural habitat.</p>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589534449_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589534449_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Natural Habitat: Fresh waters</strong> of the northern part of India.</li>
<li>Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts which <strong>resembles a pot (<em>ghara</em> in Hindi).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> Population of Gharials are a<strong> good indicator of clean river water.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Gharials</strong> are a type of Crocodilians that also includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, etc. India has<strong> three species of Crocodilians namely:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gharial</strong> (Gavialis gangeticus): <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)</a>- Critically Endangered.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ghodahada-reservoir" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mugger crocodile</a></strong> (Crocodylus palustris): IUCN- Vulnerable</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-26th-november-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Saltwater crocodile</strong></a> (Crocodylus porosus): IUCN- Least Concern</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In comparison to Crocodiles, Gharials are very shy and unharmful species.</li>
<li><strong>Primary Habitat: Chambal river</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The chambal originates at the <strong>Singar Chouri peak</strong> in the northern slopes of the Vindhya mountains (Indore, Madhya Pradesh).</li>
<li>It joins the Yamuna River in <strong>Etawah District of UP.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Tributaries:</strong> Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati.</li>
<li>The <strong>National Chambal Sanctuary</strong> is located along river Chambal on the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is known for critically endangered gharials, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/red-crowned-roofed-turtle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>red-crowned roof turtle</strong></a>, and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gangetic-dolphins-found-in-mahananda-river" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>endangered Ganges river dolphin</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Secondary Habitat:</strong> Ghaghra and Gandak river, Girwa river (Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh), the Ramganga river in Jim Corbett National Park and the Sone river.</li>
<li><strong>Status:&nbsp;</strong>Gharials are <strong>critically endangered</strong> in the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Species.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Listed under <strong>Schedule I</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Listed on <strong>Appendix I</strong> of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Efforts:</strong> Breeding Centres of <strong>Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre</strong> in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh,<strong> National Chambal Sanctuary</strong> (Gharial Eco Park, Madhya Pradesh).</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gharials <strong>prefer sandbanks</strong> as suitable habitats. Wild animals as well as humans often destroy their eggs.</li>
<li>Increased <strong>river pollution, dam construction, massive-scale fishing operations and floods.</strong></li>
<li>Illegal sand mining and poaching.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ghaghara River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It acts as an important aquatic corridor for gharials in Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>Its source is near <strong>Gurla Mandhata peak, south of Mansarovar</strong> in Tibet.</li>
<li>It is known as the<strong> Karnaili</strong> in Western Nepal.</li>
<li>It's important tributaries are the<strong> Sarda, the Sarju (Ayodhya is located on its bank) and the Rapti.</strong></li>
<li>The Ghaghara joins the Ganga a few kilometres downstream of<strong> Chhapra in Bihar.</strong></li>
<li>After reaching the plain area, its stream gets divided into many branches of which, Koriyab and Garwa are important.</li>
<li>The river bed is sandy and sudden bends start occurring in the stream.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/40-gharials-released-in-ghaghara-river-amid-lockdown-71119" 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/release-of-gharials'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Z-scan Method for Parkinson’s Disease',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists from IIT (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad and<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> CSIR</strong></a>-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (Kolkata) have developed the <strong>Z-scan method</strong> to monitor the <strong>origin as well as the progression of Parkinson's disease</strong> in human beings.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Parkinson&rsquo;s Disease</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parkinson&rsquo;s disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that<strong> affects the central nervous system.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>damages nerve cells</strong> in the brain <strong>dropping</strong> the levels of <strong>dopamine.</strong> Dopamine is a chemical that sends behavioural signals from the brain to the body.</li>
<li>The disease causes a variety of "motor" symptoms (symptoms related to movement of the muscles), including rigidity, delayed movement, poor balance, and tremors.</li>
<li>Medication can help control the symptoms of the disease but<strong> it can't be cured.</strong></li>
<li>It affects the age group from <strong>6 to 60 years. Worldwide,</strong> about <strong>10 million people</strong> have been affected by this disease.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aggregation of ASyn:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An aggregation of a protein called<strong> Alpha-synuclein (ASyn)</strong> plays a crucial role in the development of Parkinson&rsquo;s disease.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Protein aggregation is a biological phenomenon in which destabilized proteins aggregate (i.e., accumulate and clump together) leading to many diseases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Alpha-synuclein is a protein found in the human brain, while smaller amounts are found in the heart, muscle and other tissues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the brain, alpha-synuclein is found mainly at the tips of neurons in specialized structures called presynaptic terminals.</li>
<li>Presynaptic terminals release chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters.</li>
<li>The release of neurotransmitters relays signals between neurons and is critical for normal brain function.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of Z-scan Method:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The discovered Z-scan method is expected to help in <strong>monitoring both the early as well as late stages of the aggregation of ASyn and death of neuronal cells.</strong></li>
<li>Until now, worldwide studies could not establish any strong relation between ASyn aggregations and subsequent death of neuronal cells observed in Parkinson&rsquo;s disease.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) was established in <strong>1935 as the first non official centre in India</strong> for <strong>biomedical research</strong> and was included within the aegis of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 1956.</li>
<li>It is located in <strong>Kolkata (West Bengal).</strong></li>
<li>CSIR-IICB is engaged in research on diseases of national importance and biological problems of global interest and also helps to maintain momentum in life science research.</li>
<li>It conducts research in a variety of areas including chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, neurobiology and immunology which promotes productive interdisciplinary interaction.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1623817" 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/z-scan-method-for-parkinson-s-disease'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Deforestation Rate Declined',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the <strong>Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 (FRA 2020) report,</strong> the rate of forest loss has declined in the period of 1990-2020.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The FRA is released by the <strong>United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).</strong></li>
<li>The FRA 2020 is <strong>based on the assessment</strong> of more than<strong> 60 forest-related variables in 236 countries</strong> and territories in the period of 1990&ndash;2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Total forest area:</strong> The world&rsquo;s total forest area is 4.06 billion hectares (bha), which is 31% of the total land area. This area is equivalent to 0.52 hectares per person.</li>
<li><strong>Top countries in forest cover &mdash;</strong> the <strong>Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America and China</strong> constituted more than 54% of the world&rsquo;s forests.</li>
<li><strong>Forest loss:</strong> According to the report, the <strong>world has lost 178 million hectares (mha) of forest since 1990,</strong> an area the size of Libya.</li>
<li><strong>Decline in rate of forest loss:</strong> The rate of net forest loss decreased substantially during the period of 1990&ndash;2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was 7.8 mha per year in the decade 1990&ndash;2000, 5.2 mha per year in 2000&ndash;2010 and 4.7 mha per year in 2010&ndash;2020.</li>
<li>This is due to a <strong>reduction in deforestation in some countries,</strong> plus <strong>increases in forest area in others</strong> through afforestation and the <strong>natural expansion of forests.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Areas that witnessed forest loss: Africa</strong> had the <strong>largest annual rate of net forest loss</strong> in 2010&ndash;2020, at 3.9 mha, <strong>followed by South America,</strong> at 2.6 mha.</li>
<li><strong>Areas that witnessed forest gain: Asia</strong> had the <strong>highest net gain of forest area</strong> in 2010&ndash;2020, <strong>followed by Oceania and Europe.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, Oceania experienced net losses of forest area in the decades 1990&ndash;2000 and 2000&ndash;2010.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types of forest loss:</strong> The largest proportion of the world&rsquo;s forests are tropical (45%), followed by <strong>boreal, temperate and subtropical.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Naturally regenerating forest areas</strong> worldwide <strong>decreased</strong> since 1990, but the area of <strong>planted forests has</strong> increased.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Plantation forest</strong> cover is 131 mha, about 3% of the global forest area.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>highest percent</strong> of plantation forests are in <strong>South America</strong> while the <strong>lowest are in Europe.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protected forest areas</strong> worldwide estimate around 726 mha. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>South America</strong> has the highest share of forests in protected areas, at 31%.</li>
<li>The protected forest areas increased by 191 mha since 1990.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Global Forest Resources Assessment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The FRA presents a comprehensive view of the world&rsquo;s forests and the ways in which the resource is changing.</li>
<li>It supports the development of sound policies, practices and investments affecting forests and forestry.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Food and Agriculture Organization is an <strong>agency of the</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.</li>
<li>FAO is also a source of knowledge and information and helps developing countries and countries in transition to modernize and<strong> improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition and food security</strong> for all.</li>
<li><strong>Formation:</strong> 16<sup>th</sup> October 1945</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Rome, Italy</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/deforestation-rate-globally-declined-between-2015-and-2020-fao-report-71107" 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/deforestation-rate-declined'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'COBAS 6800 Testing Machine',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Health Minister inaugurated the first automated<strong> coronavirus testing device named &lsquo;COBAS 6800&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is the first such testing machine that has been procured by the Government for testing of Covid-19 cases and is installed at the<strong> National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>COBAS 6800 is a <strong>fully automated,</strong> high end machine for performing <strong>Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing for Covid-19.</strong></li>
<li>It will provide <strong>quality, high-volume testing</strong> as it can test around 1200 samples in 24 hours. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will largely increase the testing capacity in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is a sophisticated machine <strong>enabled with robotics that minimizes the chance of contamination</strong> as well as the risk of infection to the health care workers.</li>
<li>The machine requires a minimum <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sequencing-novel-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biosafety Level 2</strong></a> (BSL2+) containment level for testing, thus it was placed at the NCDC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BSL2+ covers laboratories that work with agents associated with human diseases (i.e. pathogenic or infectious organisms) that pose a moderate health hazard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The device<strong> can also detect other pathogens</strong> like Viral Hepatitis B &amp; C, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hiv-aids-outreach" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-tuberculosis-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mycobacterium Tuberculosis</strong></a>, Papilloma, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, Chlamydia (a bacterial infection), Neisseria (bacteria) etc.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Centre for Disease Control</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), formerly the <strong>National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD),</strong> had its origin as the Central Malaria Bureau, established at Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh) in 1909.</li>
<li>NICD was transformed into the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with a larger mandate of controlling emerging and re-emerging diseases in <strong>2009.</strong></li>
<li>It functions as the <strong>nodal agency</strong> in the country for <strong>disease surveillance, facilitating prevention and control of communicable diseases.</strong></li>
<li>It is also a national level institute for <strong>training specialized manpower</strong> for public health, laboratory sciences and entomological services and is involved in various applied research activities.</li>
<li>The Institute is under <strong>administrative control of the Director General of Health Services,</strong> Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</li>
<li>The Institute has its headquarters in <strong>Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1623782" 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/cobas-6800-testing-machine'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Constitutional Morality',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to Dr. Ambedkar, Constitutional morality would mean effective coordination between conflicting interests of different people and the administrative cooperation to resolve them amicably without any confrontation amongst the various groups working for the realization of their ends at any cost.</li>
<li>Constitutional morality has been regarded as a paramount reverence for the constitution.</li>
<li>Constitutional morality provides a principled understanding for unfolding the work of governance. It specifies norms for institutions to survive and an expectation of behaviour that will meet not just the text but the soul of the Constitution. It also makes the governing institutions and representatives accountable.</li>
<li>Constitutional Morality is scarcely a new concept. It is written largely in the Constitution itself like in the section of <strong>Fundamental Rights</strong> (Article 12 to 35), <strong>Directive Principle of State Policy</strong> (Article 36 to 51), <strong>Preamble </strong>and<strong> Fundamental duties.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Elements of constitutional morality</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589460545_Constitutional%20morality (Infograph 14-5-2020) With logo-02-01.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589460545_Constitutional morality (Infograph 14-5-2020) With logo-02-01.png" width="700" height="438" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Supreme Court's Judgements and Constitutional Morality</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Constitutional morality is not limited only to following the constitutional provisions literally but is based on values like individual autonomy and liberty; equality without discrimination; recognition of identity with dignity; the right to privacy.</li>
<li>Constitutional morality means adherence to the core principles of constitutional democracy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For Example: In <strong>Supreme Court&rsquo;s Sabarimala verdict</strong> religious freedom, gender equality and the right of women to worship guaranteed<strong> under Article 14, 21 and 25</strong> of the Constitution was reinstated which struck down the practice of banning entry of women of a certain age to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala as unconstitutional.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Constitutional morality here went against social morality that discriminates against women based on biological reasons like menstruation.</li>
<li>Other Judgments by the Supreme Court defining Constitutional Morality:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-structure-of-constitution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kesavananda Bharati Case</strong></a>, the Supreme Court restricted the power of the Parliament to violate the Basic Structure of the Constitution.</li>
<li>In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-decriminalizes-homosexuality" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Naz Foundation case</strong></a>, the Supreme Court opined that only Constitutional Morality and not Public Morality should prevail.</li>
<li>In <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-judgement-on-delhi-centre-tussle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lt Governor of Delhi case</strong></a>, SC proclaimed constitutional morality as a governing ideas that "highlight the need to preserve the trust of people in the institution of democracy.</li>
<li>In Sabarimala case, the Supreme Court bypassed the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/supreme-court-on-religious-practices" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;doctrine of essentiality&rdquo;</a></strong> to uphold the Constitutional morality</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Constitutional morality <strong>ensures the establishment of rule of law in the land</strong> while integrating the changing aspirations and ideals of the society.</li>
<li>Constitutional morality as a governing ideal that <strong>highlights the need to preserve the trust of the people in institutions of democracy.</strong> As such an ideal, it allows people to cooperate and coordinate to pursue constitutional aspirations that cannot be achieved single-handedly.</li>
<li>Constitutional morality<strong> can use laws and forms to impact and change the persisting social morality.</strong> For example, by abolishing the practice of Sati by legislation, the right to dignity and life was passed on to the widows which later on affected the perception of the practice in the society.</li>
<li>Constitutional morality <strong>recognises plurality and diversity in society and tries to make individuals and communities in the society more inclusive</strong> in their functioning by constantly providing the scope for improvement and reforms. For example in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India, the SC provided a framework to reaffirm the rights of LGBTQ and all gender non-conforming people to their dignity, life, liberty, and identity.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The term has not been clearly defined by the SC, which leaves the scope of its subjective interpretation by the individual judges.</li>
<li>This top-down approach to morality can affect the possibility of organic emergence of the solutions to the persisting ethical problems in society.</li>
<li>Violates the principle of separation of powers: It establishes judicial supremacy over parliamentary supremacy. Against the very principle of democratic government.</li>
<li>It is claimed that the application of this doctrine amounts to judicial overreach and are thereby pitting <strong>&ldquo;constitutional morality&rdquo;</strong> against <strong>&ldquo;societal/popular morality&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Need to Uphold Constitutional Morality</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The central elements of constitutional morality are <strong>freedom and self-restraint.</strong> Self-restraint was a precondition for maintaining freedom under a proper constitutional government. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To uphold constitutional morality, the constitutional methods must be used for achieving social and economic objectives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Commitment to the <strong>ideals and aspirations of the Constitution.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Awareness creation</strong> among the common public regarding their rights which are protected by the Constitution.</li>
<li>Following the Fundamental Duties while exercising Fundamental Rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Constitutional Morality is a sentiment to be cultivated in the minds of a responsible citizen. Upholding constitutional morality is not just the duty of Judiciary or state but also of individuals. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The preamble of the constitution explicitly mentions the type of society we wish to establish; it is only through constitutional morality it can become reality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The progressive and monumental precedents have been set-up by the judiciary in the past few years, where this doctrine has been applied especially in relation to the cases of gender-justice, institutional propriety, social uplift, checking majoritarianism and other such evils.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/constitutional-morality'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Covid-19 and Indian Federalism',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/reaffirm-cooperative-federalism/article31567966.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Reaffirm cooperative federalism&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 13/05/2020. It talks about the nature of Indian federalism and federal issues accentuated during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
</div>
<p>India&rsquo;s success in defeating <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> actively rests upon Centre-State collaboration. However, some recent developments have revealed fissures in Centre-State cooperation.</p>
<p>As it is the States which act as first responders to the pandemic, supplying them with adequate funds and autonomy becomes a prerequisite in effectively tackling the crisis.</p>
<p>This requires the Centre to view the States as equals, and strengthen their capabilities, instead of increasing their dependence upon itself.</p>
<p>In this context, Covid-19 poses a litmus test for the federal structure of India, whose nature is already a matter of debate amongst constitutional experts.</p>
<h3>Nature of Indian federal structure</h3>
<p>Federalism traditionally signifies the independence of the Union and State governments of a country, in their respective spheres. However, due to the centralising tendency of Indian federalism, K C Wheare referred to it as <strong>&ldquo;Quasi federal&rdquo;.</strong></p>
<p>Similarly other constitutional experts describe it as,<strong> &ldquo;federation without federalism&rdquo;</strong> and &ldquo;a<strong> Union of Unequal States&rdquo;,</strong> particularly the way it has evolved over the years.</p>
<p><strong>Features of Indian Federation that reflects a Centralising Tendency</strong></p>
<p><strong>Inequitable Division of Power</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The division of powers is in favour of the Centre and highly inequitable from that of a true federation.</li>
<li>The Union List contains more numbers and important subjects (like defence, currency, external affairs, citizenship, railways) than the State List.</li>
<li>Also, the Centre has overriding authority over the Concurrent List and the residuary powers have also been left with the Centre.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>No Territorial Integrity with States</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Parliament can by unilateral action change the area, boundaries or name of any state (Article 3 of Indian constitution).</li>
<li>Indian federalism is described as an <strong>indestructible union of destructive states.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Flexibility of the Constitution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Constitution of India embodies not only the powers of the Centre but also those of the states.</li>
<li>Further, the bulk of the Constitution can be amended by the unilateral action of the Parliament and the power to initiate an amendment to the Constitution lies only with the Centre.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Emergency Provisions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>During an emergency, the Central government becomes all-powerful and the states go into the total control of the Centre.</li>
<li>It converts the federal structure into a unitary one without a formal amendment of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Appointment of Governor</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The governor is the head of the state but is appointed by the President. He holds office during the pleasure of the President.</li>
<li>In this capacity, he/she acts as an agent of the Centre.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Integrated Constitutional Offices</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian constitution provides for an integrated audit machinery (such as CAG), election commission (such as ECI) and states have no control over these offices.</li>
<li>Also, features like Single Citizenship, Integrated Judiciary and All India Services also signifies centralising tilt.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Federal Issues Accentuated During the Pandemic</h3>
<p><strong>Lack of Finances with the States</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown, the sources of states&rsquo; revenue have collapsed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Majority of states&rsquo; revenue comes from liquor sales, stamp duty from property transactions and the sales tax on petroleum products.</li>
<li>However, their expenditure such as on interest payments, social sector schemes and staff salaries remain unchanged.</li>
<li>Moreover, states are now called upon to spend more on beefing up their health infrastructure and on Covid-19 measures, including testing, treatment and quarantining.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>States&rsquo; GST collections have also been severely affected with their dues still not disbursed by the Centre.</li>
<li>According to the FRBM Act, states cannot borrow from the market over a certain limit.</li>
<li>Further, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-CARES relief fund</strong></a> has been put under the ambit of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)</strong></a> contributions. However, contributions to the &lsquo;Chief Minister&rsquo;s Relief Fund&rsquo; or &lsquo;State Relief Fund for Covid-19&rsquo; do not qualify as admissible CSR expenditure.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This directly disincentives donations to any Chief Minister&rsquo;s Relief Fund; diverts crores in potential State revenues to PM-CARES; and makes the States largely dependent upon the Centre.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Furthermore, the suspension of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mplad-scheme-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MPLADS</strong></a> and diversion of the funds to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mp-s-salaries-cut-and-mplads-suspended" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consolidated Fund of India</strong></a> may not be in concurrence of cooperative federalism, as it discourages locally tailored solutions by the MPs.</li>
<li>In this scenario, states in India have fully become dependent on the Union government for finances.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Managing Covid-19 Disaster</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For instance, the zone classifications into &lsquo;red&rsquo; ,orange&rsquo; and &lsquo;green&rsquo; have evoked sharp criticisms from several States.</li>
<li>The States have demanded more autonomy in making such classifications.</li>
<li>This is despite the fact that state consultation is a legislative mandate cast upon the centre under the Disaster Management Act of 2005 (under which binding COVID-19 guidelines are being issued by the Centre to the States).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Disaster Management Act, 2005 envisages the creation of a &lsquo;National Plan&rsquo; under Section 11, as well as the issuance of binding guidelines by the Centre to States under Section 6(2), in furtherance of the &lsquo;National Plan&rsquo;.</li>
<li>However, section 11(2) of the Act mandates State consultations before formulating a &lsquo;National Plan&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Migrant Crisis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The influx of migrant workers into their home states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, which already face severe financial and medical deficits, would worsen matters for the states.</li>
<li>The sustenance of agricultural, industrial and construction activities would be difficult in the absence of a majority of the workforce in the backdrop of the lifting of restrictions, given these workers are going back to their hometowns.</li>
<li>In this case, both Centre and states failed to devise a coherent and holistic plan of action to avert the migrant crisis.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To be Taken</h3>
<p><strong>Short-Terms Measures</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The limit imposed by the FRBM Act must be relaxed so that states who are falling short of funds can borrow money to combat the pandemic and revive the economy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These borrowing can be backed by sovereign guarantee by the Union Government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Union government can provide money to states so that they can take necessary action to deal with the crisis at state level.</li>
<li>The Union government should direct FCI to move the grains from the godowns to states.</li>
<li>A successful approach to tackle the crisis would still need Centre&rsquo;s intervention and guidance in a facilitative manner, where the Centre would communicate extensively the best practices across states, address the financial needs effectively, and leverage national expertise for scalable solutions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Long-Term Measures</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recent meeting by Indian Prime Minister with the chief ministers of states is a testimony of cooperative federalism. In this context, the government should consider making the Inter-State Council a permanent body.</li>
<li>Management of disasters and emergencies (both natural and manmade) should be included in the List III (Concurrent List) of the Seventh Schedule.</li>
<li>An Inter-State Trade and Commerce Commission should be established, which will help realise the idea of <strong>&lsquo;One India One Market&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Arbitrary control of union over states through the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/governor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> institution of the governor and Article 356</strong></a>, must be checked.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The constituent assembly in India studied various democratic federal models in the world and formulated a system suited uniquely to India&rsquo;s needs. Further, it is argued that a &ldquo;strong centre&rdquo; does not necessarily presuppose weak states.</p>
<p>As a result, India adopted &lsquo;cooperative federalism&rsquo; &mdash; essentially defined by administrative cooperation between the centre &amp; states and among states. Therefore, both union and states should work together to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic and strengthen the spirit of cooperative federalism.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589456863_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589456863_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" 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: #e3fbff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Covid-19 pandemic is a litmus test of the federal structure of India. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8EeQ8VpGzRU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based from &ldquo;Perilous State&rdquo; which was published in The Hindu on May 13<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/covid-19-and-indian-federalism'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Energy Transition Index: WEF',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Forum</strong></a> (WEF) has released the<strong> annual rankings</strong> of the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/energy-transition-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Energy Transition Index</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The index<strong> benchmarks 115 economies</strong> on the current performance of their energy systems across economic development and growth, environmental sustainability and energy security and access indicators and their readiness for transition to secure, sustainable, affordable and inclusive energy systems.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data Analysis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sweden</strong> has <strong>topped</strong> the Index for the third consecutive year and is <strong>followed by Switzerland and Finland</strong> in the top three.</li>
<li><strong>France</strong> (8<sup>th</sup>) and the <strong>UK</strong> (7<sup>th</sup>) are the only <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G20</strong></a> countries in the top ten.</li>
<li>Only <strong>11 out of 115 countries have made steady improvements</strong> in ETI scores since 2015. <strong>Argentina, China, India and Italy are among the major countries</strong> with consistent annual improvements.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In<strong> China</strong> (78<sup>th</sup>), problems of air pollution have resulted in policies to control emissions, electrify vehicles and develop the world&rsquo;s largest capacity for<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> solar photovoltaic</strong> </a>(SPV) and onshore <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-indias-wind-energy-potential" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>wind power</strong></a> plants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Scores for the<strong> US, Canada, Brazil and Australia</strong> were <strong>either stagnant or declining.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The US ranks outside the top 25% for the first time, primarily due to the uncertain regulatory outlook for energy transition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance Analysis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>results for 2020</strong> show that <strong>75% of countries have improved</strong> their <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>environmental sustainability</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a result of multifaceted, incremental approaches, including pricing carbon, retiring coal plants ahead of schedule and redesigning electricity markets to integrate renewable energy sources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its study measuring <strong>readiness for clean energy transition</strong> in 115 economies showed that <strong>94 have made progress</strong> since 2015.</li>
<li>The <strong>greatest overall progress</strong> is observed among <strong>emerging economies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Ranking and Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>moved up two positions to rank 74<sup>th</sup></strong> with<strong> improvements</strong> in all <strong>three dimensions of the energy triangle</strong> namely:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Economic development and growth.</li>
<li>Energy access and security.</li>
<li>Environmental sustainability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For India, gains have come from a <strong>government-mandated renewable energy expansion programme</strong> i.e. to add 275 GW by 2027.</li>
<li>India has also <strong>made significant strides in energy efficiency</strong> through bulk <strong>procurement of LED bulbs,</strong> smart meters and programs for labelling of appliances. Similar measures are being experimented to drive down the costs of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/electric-vehicles-evs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>electric vehicles</strong></a> (EVs).</li>
<li>It indicates a <strong>strong positive trajectory,</strong> driven by<strong> strong political commitment</strong> and an<strong> enabling policy environment.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> risks cancelling out recent progress in transitioning to clean energy,</strong> with unprecedented falls in demand, price volatility and pressure to quickly mitigate socioeconomic costs placing the near-term trajectory of the transition in doubt.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Policies, roadmaps and governance frameworks for energy transition at national, regional and global levels need to be more robust and resilient against external shocks.</li>
<li>The pandemic offers an <strong>opportunity to consider unorthodox intervention in the energy markets</strong> and global collaboration to support a recovery that accelerates the energy transition once the crisis subsides.</li>
<li>The <strong>economic recovery packages</strong> (like the announcement of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-economic-relief-package" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana</strong></a> <strong>by India</strong>), introduced by the governments can <strong>accelerate the transition to clean energy,</strong> by helping countries scale their efforts towards sustainable and inclusive energy systems, if implemented with long-term strategies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>World Economic Forum</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>Swiss nonprofit foundation</strong> established in<strong> 1971,</strong> based in <strong>Geneva, Switzerland.</strong></li>
<li>Recognized by the Swiss authorities as the international institution for <strong>public-private cooperation,</strong> its <strong>mission</strong> is cited as, "committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas".</li>
<li><strong>Major reports published by WEF:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-competitiveness-index-4-0-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Competitiveness Report</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Global IT Report</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-gender-gap-report-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Gender Gap Report</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Global Risk Report</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-and-tourism-competitiveness-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Travel and Tourism Report</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/india-up-at-74th-place-on-wef-s-global-energy-transition-index/story-QIoQqmRmjqqNeQc2XxyQBK.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HT</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/energy-transition-index-wef'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Integrated Battle Groups',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Army chief said that a comprehensive testing of the Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) has concluded but its roll out has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IBGs are brigade sized agile self-sufficient combat formations which can swiftly launch strikes against adversaries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IBGs can be <strong>mobilised within 12-48 hours</strong> based on the location.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Each IBG would be organised on the basis of <strong>Threat, Terrain and Task</strong> and resources to each battle group will be allocated on the basis of <strong>3Ts.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, the composition of every IBG would differ on the basis of the terrain where it is located i.e. an IBG operating in a desert needs to be constituted differently from one operating in the mountains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Each IBG</strong> will be <strong>headed</strong> by a <strong>Major General.</strong></li>
<li>The integrated units for the border will be all-encompassing, with artillery, armoured, combat engineers and signal units.</li>
<li><strong>IBGs</strong> have been <strong>classified into- Defensive and Offensive.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Defensive IBGs</strong> would hold ground at vulnerable points or where enemy action is expected.</li>
<li><strong>Offensive IBGs</strong> have the ability to quickly mobilise and make thrust into enemy territory for strikes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>After years of deliberations, the Army decided to raise the IBGs along the borders with China and Pakistan that will help it carry out swift strikes in case of a war.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/integrated-battle-groups-will-soon-be-operational/article31576965.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/integrated-battle-groups-1'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Economic Stimulus-I',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced<strong> liquidity measures for businesses, especially Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs),</strong> as part of the <strong>first tranche</strong> of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The announced measures also form a <strong>part of the Rs. 20-lakh-crore economic stimulus package</strong> to deal with the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</li>
<li>This economic stimulus includes both <strong>liquidity financing measures and credit guarantees.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589449679_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589449679_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="615" height="462" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Salaried Workers and Taxpayers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The deadline for income tax returns for the financial year 2019-20 has been extended, with the due date now pushed to November 30, 2020.</li>
<li>The rates of Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) and Tax Collection at Source (TCS) have been <strong>cut by 25%</strong> for the FY 2020-21.</li>
<li>The statutory <strong>Provident Fund (PF) payments have been reduced from 12% to 10% for both employers and employees</strong> for the next three months.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NBFCs, Housing Finance Companies and Microfinance Institutions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many of these institutions serve the MSME sector financially and will be supported through a Rs.30,000 crore investment scheme <strong>fully guaranteed by the Centre.</strong></li>
<li>Further, an expanded <strong>partial credit guarantee scheme worth Rs.45,000 crores</strong> also has been offered, of which the <strong>first 20% of losses will be borne by the Centre.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For instance, if the government provides a 100% credit guarantee up to an amount of Rs 1 crore to a firm, it means that a bank can lend Rs 1 crore to that firm; in case the firm fails to pay back, the government will repay all of Rs 1 crore. If this guarantee was for the first 20% of the loan, then the government would guarantee to pay back only Rs 20 lakh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Power Distribution Companies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As these companies are facing an unprecedented cash flow crisis and thus will receive Rs. 90,000 crore liquidity injection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Real Estate and Contractors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Contractors (those dealing with the construction/ works and goods and services contracts) will get a six month extension for completion of work from all Central agencies, and also get partial bank guarantees to ease their cash flows.</li>
<li>Registered real estate projects will get a six-month extension for registration and completion of Real Estate Projects under <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/rera-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA)</strong></a> with Covid-19 to be treated as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-and-force-majeure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;force majeure&rdquo; event.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A Force Majeure (FM) means extraordinary events or circumstances beyond human control such as an event described as an Act of God (like a natural calamity).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Tenders to be Disallowed:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian MSMEs and other companies have often faced unfair competition from foreign companies and would be difficult to compete in the future due to Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li>Therefore, <strong>global tenders will be disallowed </strong>in <strong>government procurement tenders upto Rs 200 crores.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Liquidity Measures for Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>New Definition of MSMEs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The definition of an <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MSMEs</strong></a> has been expanded<strong> to allow for higher investment limits</strong> and the <strong>introduction of turnover-based criteria.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier MSMEs were defined on the basis of the limit of investment in machinery or equipment.</li>
<li>The &lsquo;turnover&rsquo; is the more efficient way to identify an MSME as it allows a lot of firms, especially in the services sector like mid-sized hospitals, hotels and diagnostic centres to be eligible for benefits as an MSME.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There will be<strong> no difference between a manufacturing MSME and a services MSMEs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589449757_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589449757_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="615" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Infusion of Liquidity:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Instead of directly infusing money into the economy or giving it directly to MSMEs,the government will offer <strong>credit guarantees for MSMEs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Emergency Credit Line:</strong> The <strong>collateral free loans</strong> of worth <strong>Rs. 3 lakh crores</strong> will be available for MSMEs. It will ensure access to working capital to resume business activity and safeguard jobs for 45 lakh MSMEs. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The above measure is available for MSMEs that have <strong>an already outstanding loan of Rs. 25 crore or those with a turnover less than Rs 100 crore.</strong></li>
<li>The loans will have a tenure of 4 years and they will have a <strong>moratorium of 12 months</strong> (that is, the payback starts only after 12 months).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Subordinate Debt Scheme :</strong> The loans of amount Rs 20,000 crore will be provided to MSMEs that were<strong> already categorised as &ldquo;stressed&rdquo;, or struggling to pay back. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In this case, the<strong> government provides partial guarantee.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Equity Infusion:</strong> Fund of Funds with corpus of <strong>Rs 10,000 crores</strong> will be set up which will provide <strong>equity funding for MSMEs</strong> with growth potential and viability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Credit Guarantees to MSMEs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A Credit Guarantee Schemes (CGS) by the government assures the bank that its loan will be <strong>repaid by the government in case the MSME falters.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Introduction of CGS:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though, there was an option to pump liquidity via the banks but banks suspect any new loans due to rising Non-Performing Assets (NPAs).</li>
<li>Thus, the government faced a dual problem where banks had the money but were not willing to lend to the credit-starved sections of the economy, while the government itself did not have enough money to directly help the economy.</li>
<li>The credit guarantees solve dual issues faced by the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such CGS creates moral hazards as borrowers remain assured of paying back and the lender remains assured of receiving credit amounts. Subsequently, the government is forced to pay the amount.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Overall Implications of Economic Stimulus</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The measures announced during the first tranche of the economic stimulus focuses <strong>majorly on supply side measures,</strong> aimed at activating businesses in the MSME, real estate, NBFC sectors.</li>
<li>In general, <strong>stimulus measures are aimed at boosting demand</strong> either by government spending on its own account or increasing disposable incomes of households through cash transfers or tax concessions.</li>
<li>Indian economy needs <strong>both supply and demand side measures</strong> for the <strong>revival.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/economic-package-to-spur-growth-build-a-self-reliant-india-fm/article31573533.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/economic-stimulus-i'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Revenue Loss to States',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to estimates from the India Ratings and Research (a credit rating agency), the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> lockdown has caused 21 major States to suffer a collective revenue loss of about Rs. 97,100 crore for the month of April.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The lockdown caused disruptions</strong> to production, supply-chains, trade and the total washout of activities in aviation, tourism, hotels and hospitality.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The disruption caused has taken place with such a speed and scale that even if the lockdown is lifted, economic activity is unlikely to normalise in near future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Although, during the lockdown,<strong> nearly 40% of the economy was functional</strong> as economic activities defined as <strong>essentials</strong> were allowed to operate. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This means that despite the lockdown <strong>some amount of revenue did accrue to the states.</strong> But despite this, the states faced significant revenue loss in April.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The lockdown has a more <strong>paralyzing impact on the states,</strong> which have a <strong>high share of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/liquor-revenue-for-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener">own revenue</a></strong> in the total revenue mix.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, for <strong>Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana</strong> 65%-76% of their revenue comes from their <strong>own sources.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both Union government and State governments are struggling due to the dried-up cash inflow.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But the problems of the <strong>States are more precarious</strong> because of the actual <strong>battle against the Covid-19 and the associated expenditure</strong> being incurred by them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under the current circumstance, there is a fair <strong>amount of uncertainty</strong> regarding the quantum and timings of the states' receivables from the Centre. Their own sources of revenue have also fallen to abysmally low levels.</li>
<li>This is pushing states to adopt <strong>austerity measures</strong> and combine it with exploring new/more ways of generating revenues.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Austerity measures include action by a government to reduce the amount of money it spends.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The situation may improve somewhat in May 2020 due to the easing of some restrictions&ndash; <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Allowing the liquor sale.</li>
<li>Raising the excise duty on liquor.</li>
<li>Some states have raised VAT on petrol and diesel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sources of State government revenue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>States&rsquo; Own Tax Revenue (SOTR),</li>
<li>Share in central taxes,</li>
<li>States&rsquo; Own Non-Tax Revenue (SONTR)</li>
<li>Grants from the Centre.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>States&rsquo; own revenue</strong> mainly comes from seven heads&ndash;<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fall-in-goods-and-services-tax-gst-collections" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>State Goods and Services Tax (SGST)</strong></a>,<strong> State Value Added Tax (VAT)-</strong> mostly on petroleum products, <strong>State excise-</strong>mostly on liquor, <strong>stamps and registration fees, vehicle tax, tax and duty on electricity,</strong> and <strong>own non-tax revenue.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/major-states-lost-97100-crore-in-own-revenue-in-april-india-ratings/article31577161.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/revenue-loss-to-states'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'National Biomedical Resource Indigenization Consortium',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has launched a <strong>National Biomedical Resource Indigenization Consortium (NBRIC)</strong> to drive <strong>indigenous innovation&nbsp;</strong>focused on developing reagents (used in chemical reactions), diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics <strong>for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ppp-investment-model" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Private Partnership (PPP)</strong> </a>hosted and led by the <strong>Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms</strong> (C-CAMP).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; initiative</strong></a> for biomedical research and innovative products, towards promoting import substitution and exports.</li>
<li>It aims to establish a <strong>nation-wide collaborative platform</strong> for convergence of research, product resources and services towards developing reagents, diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics across India.</li>
<li>It <strong>identifies providers/manufacturing enterprises</strong> of crucial bio-medical resources and <strong>connects</strong> them with policy makers as well as with other stakeholders from public and private sectors.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) is one of the centers for technology-based <strong>innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of life sciences </strong>under the <strong>Department of Biotechnology (DBT).</strong></li>
<li>It intends to develop state-of-the-art technologies and to provide training on these technologies to academia and industry.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.nic.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1622757" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-biomedical-resource-indigenization-consortium'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'US-Israel Talks on West Bank Annexation',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss<strong> Israel's plans to annex parts of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/west-bank-settlements" target="_blank" rel="noopener">West Bank</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Pompeo&rsquo;s visit was exempted from <strong>Israel&rsquo;s mandatory two-week quarantine</strong> for arrivals and shut borders due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>.</li>
<li>For Israel, this visit was an <strong>indication of the strength of its alliance with the USA</strong> and the talks focused on discussions on <strong>annexation, shared <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-to-pull-out-of-npt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">concerns about Iran</a></strong>, the<strong> battle against the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/novel-strain-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coronavirus</a>, Israel&rsquo;s incoming government</strong> and <strong>threats from Israel&rsquo;s ties with China.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Israel-China Ties:</strong> The<strong> US</strong> has reportedly been <strong>pressuring Israel to rethink</strong> a bid by a <strong>Hong Kong company to build a massive desalination facility.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Plans for Annexation of West Bank</strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589448153_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589448153_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="715" height="900" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Israeli hard-liners</strong> are eager to unilaterally redraw the <strong>Mideast map</strong> before November&rsquo;s US Presidential Election.</li>
<li>The<strong> presumptive Democratic nominee,</strong> Joe Biden, is in the<strong> opposition of unilateral annexation plans</strong> by Israel.</li>
<li>Annexation would <strong>give Donald Trump an accomplishment</strong> to shore up his <strong>pro-Israel base,</strong> particularly politically influential <strong>pro-Israel evangelical</strong> (of or according to the teaching of the gospel or the Christianity) <strong>Christian voters</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These voters <strong>believe in the notion that God promised the land to Jews</strong> and it <strong>should be returned</strong> to them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Israel-Palestine Conflict</strong></a> can be traced back to <strong>1917.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mideast War, 1967:</strong> It is also known as the <strong>six-day war</strong> or <strong>Third Arab-Israeli war. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip</strong> in the war. The Palestinians seek these territories for a future independent state. In the decades since, Israel has built settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem that now house nearly 700,000 Israelis. Most of the <strong>international communities</strong> consider these settlements a <strong>violation of international law and obstacles to peace.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mideast Plan or Middle East Peace Plan:</strong> It was <strong>unveiled by Trump</strong> in January, 2020. Under it, the <strong>Palestinians</strong> would have a <strong>limited statehood contingent on a list of stringent requirements</strong> while <strong>Israel would annex some 30% of the West Bank.</strong></li>
<li>The Palestinians rejected the plan and <strong>threatened to withdraw</strong> <strong>from</strong> key provisions of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oslo-peace-accords" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Oslo Peace Accords</strong></a>, which are a <strong>series of agreements between Israel and the Palestinians </strong>signed in the<strong> 1990s.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> Trump administration believes</strong> that Israel&rsquo;s West Bank settlements are <strong>consistent with international law</strong> and <strong>supports the annexation</strong> of West Bank territory, as long as Israel agrees to enter peace talks with the Palestinians.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Criticism</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The annexation will trigger widespread <strong>international condemnation</strong> because it will <strong>crush already faint Palestinian hopes of establishing a viable state</strong> on the lands captured by Israel in the Mideast war.</li>
<li>The <strong>Arab League</strong> has mentioned the annexation as a <strong>war crime.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> (EU) and other individual member states, have warned of tough consequences if Israel moves forward in the annexation process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India was one of the few countries to<strong> oppose the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a>&rsquo; partition plan in November 1947,</strong> echoing its own experience during independence a few months earlier.</li>
<li>India <strong>recognised Israel in 1950</strong> but it is also the <strong>first non-Arab country to recognise Palestine Liberation Organisation</strong> (PLO) as the sole representative of the Palestinians. India is also one of the first countries to <strong>recognise</strong> the <strong>statehood of Palestine in 1988.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2014,</strong> India favored the <a href="/daily-news-editorials/the-relevance-of-unhrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Human Rights Council&rsquo;s</strong></a> (UNHRC) resolution to probe Israel&rsquo;s human rights violations in Gaza. Despite supporting the probe, <strong>India abstained from voting against Israel</strong> in UNHRC in <strong>2015.</strong></li>
<li>As a part of <strong>Link West Policy,</strong> India has <strong>de-hyphenated its relationship with Israel and Palestine in 2018</strong> to treat both the countries mutually independent and exclusive.</li>
<li>In <strong>June 2019,</strong> India <strong>voted in favor of a decision introduced by Israel</strong> in the <strong>UN Economic and Social Council</strong> (ECOSOC) that objected to granting consultative status to a Palestinian non-governmental organization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/despite-virus-pompeo-talks-west-bank-annexation-in-israel-6408956/" 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/us-israel-talks-on-west-bank-annexation'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Direct Seeding of Rice',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Due to labour shortage in two granary states of Punjab and Haryana, farmers are now being encouraged to adopt<strong> &lsquo;Direct Seeding of Rice&rsquo; (DSR)</strong> in place of <strong>conventional transplanting.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic has led the labourers to reverse migrate to their villages, which has created a shortage of labourers.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Normal Transplanting of Paddy vs Direct Seeding of Rice</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Transplanting Paddy:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In transplanting paddy, <strong>farmers prepare nurseries</strong> where the paddy seeds are first sown and raised into young plants.</li>
<li>The nursery seed bed is 5-10% of the area to be transplanted.</li>
<li>These <strong>seedlings are then uprooted and replanted</strong> 25-35 days later in the puddled field.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In DSR, the pre-germinated seeds are directly drilled into the field by a tractor-powered machine.</li>
<li>There is no nursery preparation or transplantation involved in this method.</li>
<li>Farmers have to only level their land and give one pre-sowing irrigation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection against the weeds</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Transplanting Method:</strong> In transplanting for the first three weeks or so, the plants have to be irrigated almost daily to maintain a water depth of 4-5 cm. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Water prevents growth of weeds by denying them oxygen in the submerged stage, whereas the soft <strong>&lsquo;aerenchyma tissues&rsquo;</strong> in paddy plants allow air to penetrate through their roots. Water, thus, acts as a herbicide for paddy.</li>
<li><strong>DSR Method:</strong> In DSR as flooding of fields is not done during sowing, chemical herbicides are used to kill weeds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantage with Direct Seeding of Rice</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Water savings. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Less numbers of labourers</strong> required.</li>
<li><strong>Saves labour cost.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Reduce methane emissions</strong> due to a shorter flooding period and decreased soil disturbance compared to transplanting rice seedlings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Drawbacks of Direct Seeding of Rice</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Non-availability of herbicides.</li>
<li>The <strong>seed requirement for DSR is also high,</strong> 8-10 kg/acre, compared to 4-5 kg/acre in transplanting.</li>
<li>Further, <strong>laser land levelling is</strong> compulsory in DSR. This is not so in transplanting.</li>
<li>The <strong>sowing needs to be done timely</strong> so that the plants have come out properly before the monsoon rains arrive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Rice</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Rice is a staple food for the overwhelming majority of the population in India.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>kharif crop</strong> which requires<strong> high temperature, (above 25&deg;C)</strong> and<strong> high humidity</strong> with annual <strong>rainfall above 100 cm.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <strong>areas of less rainfall, it is grown with the help of irrigation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>southern states and West Bengal the climatic conditions allow the cultivation of two or three crops</strong> of rice in an agricultural year. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In West Bengal farmers grow three crops of rice called<strong> &lsquo;aus&rsquo;, &lsquo;aman&rsquo; and &lsquo;boro&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>About <strong>one-fourth of the total cropped area in India is under rice cultivation. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Leading producer states:</strong> West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab.</li>
<li><strong>High Yielding States:</strong> Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal and Kerala.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Punjab and Haryana are <strong>not traditional rice growing areas.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Rice Cultivation in the irrigated areas of Punjab and Haryana was introduced in the 1970s following the <strong>Green Revolution.</strong></li>
<li>Almost the entire land under rice cultivation in Punjab and Haryana is irrigated.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India contributes 21.6% of rice production in the world and <strong>ranked second after China</strong> in 2016.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/labour-short-can-direct-seeding-be-alternative-to-paddy-transplanting-6408653/" 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/direct-seeding-of-rice'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Panchayati Raj',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is responsible for the work of advocacy, monitoring and implementation of 73<sup>rd</sup> Constitutional Amendment.</li>
<li>The role of the MoPR involves strengthening the administrative infrastructure, basic services etc. by leveraging technology and capacity building of the functionaries of Rural Local Body (RLB).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><strong>Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) Grants</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ministry monitors the effective utilization of FFC Grants by the Gram Panchayats (GPs) through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/public-financial-management-system-pfms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Financial Management System</strong></a> (PFMS).</li>
<li>Around 5.5 Lakhs assets created by using FFC grants in GPs have been geo-tagged to give thrust to the digital monitoring system.</li>
<li>A majority of Gram Panchayats are on-board in PRIASoft-PFMS and a lot of them are already doing digital payments through PRIASoft -PFMS.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Panchayat Enterprise Suite Application</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has conceived a software viz, <strong>PlanPlus,</strong> the software application facilitates the consolidation and integration of all plans of all planning units.</li>
<li>The Gram Panchayat development plans (GPDPs) prepared by the panchayats are uploaded on the software and the citizens can also view the activities being planned in their respective areas.</li>
<li>Currently, generation of plans through PlanPlus has been prescribed as one of the necessary conditions for release of performance grants.</li>
<li>Action Soft is another Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES) Application which works in collaboration with Plan-Plus and captures the work execution flow, converges and keeps track of flow of funds from different source s during implementation and brings about total transparency in the reporting of physical and financial progress of works.</li>
<li>PRIA Soft is another PES application developed for managing receipts and expenditure of approved list of works through voucher entries.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Fourteenth Finance Commission Recommendations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Fourteenth Finance Commission recommendations are path breaking to strengthen local governments.</li>
<li><strong>Fiscal decentralization</strong> and the <strong>trust-based approach</strong> have empowered our Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats to address the local needs.</li>
<li>The <strong>devolution of funds</strong> has also had an impact on the effectiveness, responsiveness and quality of the public services delivered in rural areas.</li>
<li>The <strong>formulation of GPDPs and digitization of Panchayat records</strong> through PES applications has made the system more transparent, accountable and effective.</li>
<li>Through proper planning at the local level, the funds devolved can be effectively utilized for more inclusive development.</li>
<li>The State Governments should trust the village Panchayats and provide them flexibility to utilize the untied funds to meet the local needs.</li>
<li><strong>Decentralized planning</strong> will be a motivating exercise for the citizens if their demands are heard, accepted and fulfilled.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Panchayati Raj: Background</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Panchayati Raj, the institutional manifestation of democratic decentralization in India, became an integral part of the Indian Constitution only after five decades of independence in the year 1993 after the enactment of 73<sup>rd</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act.</li>
<li>Post Independence, the <strong>first major Community Development Programme was launched in 1952</strong> with the aim of bringing about overall development of rural areas through people&rsquo;s participation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This programme was formulated to provide an administrative framework through which the government could reach to the district, tehsil/taluka and village level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Later in 1957, the Planning Commission appointed a <strong>committee headed by Balwantrai Mehta in 1957 to study the Community Development Programmes and National Extension Services Programme</strong> especially to assess the extent of people&rsquo;s participation and to recommend ways to ensure this.</li>
<li>The committee recommended three-tier panchayati raj system in the country viz Zila Parishad at the District Level, Panchayat Samiti at the Block/ Tehsil/ Taluka Level and Gram Panchayat at the Village Level.</li>
<li>Though the committee did not recommend a rigid frame work for the same, the seeds were sown for the birth of contemporary Panchayati Raj.</li>
<li>Subsequently<strong> the Ashok Mehta Committee&rsquo;s recommendations</strong> in 1978 for a two-tier system with Zilla Parishad at the district level and Mandal Panchayat as the base and <strong>L. M. Singhvi Committee&rsquo;s recommendations</strong> that the PRIs should be enshrined in the Constitution and &lsquo;Gram Sabha&rsquo; should be the base for decentralised democracy, bore fruits in the form of the 73<sup>rd</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 1993.</li>
<li>This became landmark development in the history of local self-government. It uniformly introduced a three-tier Panchayati Raj system throughout the country and provided them with necessary powers and authority to help them to function as units of self-government. Panchayati Raj was started in India on the premise that at the local level there should be some kind of democracy which would involve people in the process of governance. If the people are to be involved they have to be given responsibilities in the functioning of the institutions and development programmes of the government. This is the only way democracy reaches the masses.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Mission Mode Project (MMP) on e-Panchayat</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under the e-Panchayat MMP, a suite of Core Common Applications has been developed collectively called Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES) Applications. Following are some of the key activities undertaken under the e-Panchayat MMP during the year:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Unified portal focusing on Work Based Accounting:</strong> It will bring in a more user-friendly interface with ease of navigation that would make it hassle-free for the GPs to track, monitor and modify their Action Plan.</li>
<li><strong>On-boarding of schemes on PRIASoft-PFMS integration for real time payments by GPs:</strong> The Ministry, in the current year, has put in place a robust mechanism capturing the entire gamut of activity right from the stage of planning to monitor the various stages of work, recording the expenditure incurred for the works to providing complete detail of the asset created.</li>
<li><strong>Gram Manchitra:</strong> It is a Spatial Planning Application provides a single/ unified Geo Spatial platform to better visualize the various developmental works to be taken up across the 29 sectors and provide a decision support system for GPDP.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched in 2018, this centrally sponsored scheme is an effort in the direction of achieving &ldquo;Sabka Sath, Sabka Gaon, Sabka Vikas&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The RGSA helps more than 2.55 lakh <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/panchayati-raj-institution-pri" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Panchayati Raj Institutions</strong></a> (PRIs) to develop governance capabilities to deliver on SDGs through inclusive local governance with focus on optimum utilisation of available resources.</li>
<li>The key principles of SDGs, i.e. leaving no one behind, reaching the farthest first and universal coverage, along with gender equality will be embedded in the design of all capacity building interventions including trainings, training modules and materials.</li>
<li>Priority will be given to subjects of national importance that affects the excluded groups the most, e.g. poverty, primary health services, nutrition, immunization, sanitation, education, water conservation, digital transactions etc.</li>
<li>The implementation and monitoring of the activities of the scheme are broadly aligned for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with main thrust on Panchayats identified under Mission Antyodaya and Aspirational districts as identified by NITI Aayog.</li>
<li>This scheme extends to all States and UTs of the country and will also include institutions of rural local government in non-Part IX areas, where Panchayats do not exist.</li>
<li>The scheme will strengthen Gram Sabhas to function as effective institutions with social inclusion of citizens particularly the vulnerable groups.</li>
<li>It will establish the institutional structure for capacity building of PRIs at the national, state and district level with adequate human resources and infrastructure.</li>
<li>Panchayats will progressively be strengthened through incentivisation on the basis of nationally important criteria which will encourage competitive spirit among them.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sabki-yojana-sabka-vikas-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>People&rsquo;s Plan Campaign (PPC)- Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It aims to draw up Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) in the country and place them on a website where anyone can see the status of the various government&rsquo;s flagship schemes.</li>
<li>To provide sustainability to the GPDP formulation process into a participative and transparent exercise,<strong> the process of GPDP preparation for the financial year 2020-21 again started in a Campaign mode from 2nd October, 2019 as PPC-2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Panchayat Day:</strong> It is celebrated on 24 April every year. It was on this day in 1993, that the 73<sup>rd</sup> amendment act had come into force.</li>
<li><strong>Panchayati Raj:</strong> The term was coined by PM Nehru who inaugurated the 3-tier Panchayati Raj in Nagaur (Rajasthan, 2 October 1959).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Incentivization of Panchayats</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry has been incentivizing the Panchayats/ States/ Union Territories (UTs) under the scheme of Incentivization of Panchayats, one of the central components of the restructured scheme of RGSA, in recognition of their good work for improving delivery of services &amp; public goods and to encourage a spirit of competition.</li>
<li>Awards, including financial incentives are given annually to best performing Panchayats/States/UTs under various categories namely, <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar (DDUPSP) for Gram/ Block/ District Panchayats;</li>
<li>Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP) for Gram Panchayats;</li>
<li>Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) Award for Gram Panchayats;</li>
<li>Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award (CFGPA) for Gram Panchayats and e-Panchayat Puraskar for States/UTs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-panchayati-raj'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Revival of Non-Alignment Movement',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/narendra-modi-video-address-nam-summit-6403546/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;What&rsquo;s in a NAM?&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on 11/05/2020. It talks about the relevance of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) in present times.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister of India hosted a video conference that addresses a summit of the Non-aligned nations. This is in concurrence of India&rsquo;s efforts of promoting global cooperation in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
<p>In the domain of foreign policy, this meeting assumes great significance, given the fact that Indian Prime Minister has skipped the last two NAM summits, at Venezuela in 2016 and Azerbaijan in 2019.</p>
<p>It is argued that the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Alignment Movement (NAM)</strong> </a>was the product of certain circumstances which have undergone a sea change and thus, have become irrelevant.</p>
<p>However, the Covid-19 pandemic and India renewed interest in NAM, have earmarked the relevance of Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) to pursue effective work programmes at the international level.</p>
<h3>Why is NAM criticised?</h3>
<p>The Non-Aligned Movement was formed during the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a> as an organization of States that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the superpowers: the United States or the Soviet Union but sought to remain independent or neutral. It also stands united for the decolonization of European colonies in Asia and Africa.</p>
<p>However, the world order has changed significantly in 21<sup>st</sup>-century, which has rendered the utility of the NAM doubtful:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cold war has ended with the disintegration of USSR in 1991 and subsequently:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The bi-polar world is non-existent.</li>
<li>The collapse of communism and the communist bloc and thereby ending the ideological rivalry between capitalism vs communism.</li>
<li>Since the US emerged as the sole world power following the collapse of the Soviet Union, many non-aligned countries left the NAM.</li>
<li>Shifting of global politics narrative from the balance of power to economic interdependence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Decolonisation project has become redundant, as almost all major colonies have been decolonised.</li>
<li>It is argued that NAM today competes with groups like the Commonwealth. The other groups are more effective, as they deal with economic and trade issues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NAM does not do that, nor does it take up any diplomatic initiative.</li>
<li>It has no position even on issues like human rights, child exploitation and gender issues. Also, most of the members of NAM are developing.</li>
<li>As a result, its members have to follow the Western dictates in this regard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Relevance of NAM</h3>
<p>The 21<sup>st</sup>-century world order is significantly different from that of the 20<sup>th</sup>-century. Though the world has changed, the problems have remained almost the same. In this context, NAM can prove its worth by striving to work for the following contemporary issues:</p>
<p><strong>New Cold War</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Those who say the NAM is a relic of the Cold War must also acknowledge that a new Cold War is beginning to unfold, this time between the US and China.</li>
<li>This can be reflected in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/trade-war-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trade War</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad initiative</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-pacific narrative</strong></a>, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>emergence of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</strong></a>, naval presence in the Indian ocean, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The resurgence of colonialism: Neo-colonialism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Neocolonialism is the practice of using capitalism, globalisation, cultural imperialism, and conditional aid to influence a developing country instead of the previous colonial methods of direct military control (imperialism) or indirect political control (hegemony).</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s investment in Africa and Asia through its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/italy-joins-belt-road-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road initiative</strong></a> is criticized for being neo-colonialism in nature whereas NAM can help in establishing the ethos of collective action.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Restructuring and democratization of the UN</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to undemocratic representation and veto power of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>permanent members in UNSC</strong></a>, the UNSC has been criticised as undemocratic. Thus, there has been a demand for reforms in the UN system for long.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Combating Global Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NAM becomes relevant to mobilize international public opinion against terrorism, weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), nuclear proliferation, ecological imbalance, safeguarding interests of developing countries in <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>WTO (World Trade Organization)</strong></a> etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Importance of NAM for India</h3>
<p><strong>Support for India&rsquo;s Candidature in UNSC</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NAM&rsquo;s total strength comprises 120 developing countries and most of them are members of the UN General Assembly.</li>
<li>Thus, NAM members act as an important group in support of India&rsquo;s candidature as a permanent member in UNSC.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global South Cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is widely perceived as a leader of the developing world. Thus, India&rsquo;s engagement with NAM will further help in the rise of India&rsquo;s stature as the voice of the developing world or global south.</li>
<li>In times of increasing protectionism, NAM can provide a platform for South-South cooperation.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Strengthening of Multipolar World Order</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A multipolar world order is in concurrence with Indian forigen policy.</li>
<li>Thus, NAM can help in formation of a multipolar world with India becoming a major pole.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Given the relevance of NAM in present times, it remains a critical diplomatic forum for the pursuit of India&rsquo;s forign policy interests. Therefore India must refrain from treating NAM as a ritual to be performed every three years and start engaging with NAM constructively.</p>
<p>Thus, just like the start of cold war provided the ground for NAM in the 20<sup>th</sup> century, the Covid-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity for India to lay the foundation of NAM 2.0. In this context, the virtual NAM summit hosted by India is a step in the right direction.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589374531_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589374531_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
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<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the relevance of Non-alignment movement in present times.</p>
</td>
</tr>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/97hx_xhb7eI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on &ldquo;Ease Land Markets&rdquo; which was published in The Times of India on May 12<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube Channel.</p>',
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