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Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Important Schemes and Policies Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2019 India scored 62.93 and ranked 11th in the Climate Change Performance...

26 Mar 2020 Paper 2
Engaging Rural Youth

This article is based on “Engaging Rural Youth Gainfully” which was published in Economic and Political Weekly on 14/03/2020. It talks...

26 Mar 2020 News Editorials
MACS 4028 Wheat Variety

Recently, scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, have developed a biofortified durum wheat variety MACS 4028. ARI Pune is an...

26 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Kuril Islands

Why in News Recently, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck in the northern Pacific and a tsunami warning was issued for the closest shores on...

26 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Legacy Waste

Why in News Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed a committee to assess the amount of damage caused to the environment due to the...

26 Mar 2020 News Analysis
COVID-19 Loans by Indian Bank

Why in News Recently, Indian Bank which is a public sector lender, has announced special emergency loans for various categories of customers such as...

26 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Recapitalisation of RRBs

Why in News Recently, the Centre has approved a ₹1,340-crore recapitalisation plan for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). The move is crucial to...

26 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Mamallapuram

Location: Mamallapuram, also called Mahabalipuram or Seven Pagodas, is a town that lies along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, south of...

26 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Regulatory Bodies

This article is based on “To mitigate the crisis, rethink role of regulators” which was published in Hindustan Times on 24/03/2020. It...

25 Mar 2020 News Editorials
Traditional New Year Festivals

Why in News The President of India has greeted the people on the eve of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu...

25 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Indigenously Developed Testing Kits for COVID-19

Why in News Recently, the test kits for COVID-19 developed by the Pune-based MyLab Discovery Solutions and Germany’s Altona Diagnostics have...

25 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Invest India Business Immunity Platform

Why in News Recently, Invest India, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched the ‘Invest India Business Immunity...

25 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Burden on Companies Eased

Why in News The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has made a series of announcements to ease the burden of companies during the COVID-19...

25 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Tokyo Olympics 2020 Postponed

Why in News The International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee have decided to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games to the...

25 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Cess Fund for Welfare of Construction Workers

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has Issued an advisory to all States/UTs to use the Cess Fund for Welfare of...

25 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Sovereignty: Unconstrained Right?

This article is based on “Not an unfettered right” which was published in The Hindu on 23/03/2020. It talks about the UN High...

24 Mar 2020 News Editorials
World Tuberculosis Day

Why in News World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed on 24th March every year to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and...

24 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Aircraft Amendment Bill, 2020

Why in News Recently, the Lok Sabha has passed the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 which seeks to amend the Aircraft Act, 1934. The Act regulates...

24 Mar 2020 News Analysis
Digitised Scripts of Yakshagana

Why in News Recently, the voluntary community effort by the trust named Yakshavahini has made more than 900 Yakshagana scripts digitised and...

24 Mar 2020 News Analysis
ICMR Recommends Use of Hydroxy-Chloroquine

Why in News The National Task force for COVID-19, constituted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has suggested the use of...

24 Mar 2020 News Analysis

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			'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><strong>Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2019</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India scored 62.93 and ranked 11<sup>th</sup> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-3rd-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI).</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Published by:</strong> German watch, CAN International and the New Climate Institute.</li>
<li>The index evaluates and compares the climate protection performance of 56 countries and the EU.</li>
<li>In 2019 index, no country performed well enough to reach the ranking very good, meaning that no country has yet made it to one of the top three places in the rankings.</li>
<li>However, Sweden leads the ranking, followed by Morocco and Lithuania.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585225702_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585225702_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/govt-launches-mission-to-fight-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>It was launched in January 2019.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Central government launched a five-year action plan with a tentative target of 20-30% reduction in concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 by 2024, with 2017 as the base year.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unlike earlier initiatives which focussed largely on the national capital region, this is a comprehensive pan-India air pollution abatement scheme for 102 cities which were identified by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the basis of their ambient air quality data between 2011 and 2015.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Fourth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was held in Nairobi, Kenya.</li>
<li><strong>Theme of UNEA-4:</strong> &lsquo;Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Two resolutions adopted related to <strong>Single-use Plastics</strong> and <strong>Sustainable Nitrogen management.</strong></li>
<li>UNEP also released 6<sup>th</sup> edition of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-environment-outlook" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Environment Outlook Report (GEO).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It outlines the current state of the environment illustrates possible future environmental trends and analyses the effectiveness of policies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-cooling-action-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Launched in March 2019.</strong> </a></li>
<li>Reducing cooling demand by 20-25% and refrigeration demand by 25-30% by the year 2037 are the goals of this plan.</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/india-cooling-action-plan-icap" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cooling requirement</strong></a> is cross-sectoral and an essential part for economic growth and is required across different sectors of the economy such as residential and commercial buildings, cold-chain, refrigeration, transport and industries.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bharat Standard IV to Bharat Standard VI</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The country has leapfrogged from Bharat Standard (BS) IV to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bs-vi-emission-normshttps://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bs-vi-emission-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Standard VI</strong></a> for vehicle emission norms and from 1st April 2020, vehicles will be BS-VI compliant.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Conservation Programmes</strong></p>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asiatic-lion-conservation-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asiatic Lion Conservation Project</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Was launched in February 2019. The Asiatic Lion endemic to Gir landscape of Gujarat, is one of the 21 critically endangered species identified by the Ministry for taking up recovery programmes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Protocol on Snow Leopard Population Assessment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With efforts towards protecting and conserving Snow Leopards, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-snow-leopard-survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>First National Protocol on Snow Leopard Population Assessment</strong></a> in India was launched on the occasion of International Snow Leopard Day on 23rd October.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>All India Tiger Estimation - 2018</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Results of the fourth cycle of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tiger-census-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>All India Tiger Estimation</strong></a> - 2018 were released on International Tiger Day (July 29), 2019.</li>
<li>According to this census, the count of tigers in India has risen to 2967 from 2,226 in 2014.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India State of Forest Report (ISFR)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The biennial report <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/india-state-of-forest-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2019 was released.</a></strong></li>
<li>The total forest and tree cover of the country is 80.73 million hectare which is 24.56% of the geographical area of the country. As compared to the assessment of 2017, there is an increase of 5,188 sq. km in the total forest and tree cover.</li>
<li>The top five States (UT) in terms of increase in forest cover: Karnataka&gt;Andhra Pradesh&gt;Kerala&gt;Jammu &amp; Kashmir&gt;Himachal Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>CAMPA Funds</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/compensatory-afforestation-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, (CAMPA Funds) were handed over to various states.</strong> </a></li>
<li>The fund will be utilised for the Compensatory Afforestation, Catchment Area Treatment, Wildlife Management, Assisted Natural Regeneration, Forest Fire Prevention and Control Operations, Soil and Moisture Conservation Works in the forest, Improvement of Wildlife Habitat, Management of Biological Diversity and Biological Resources, Research in Forestry and Monitoring of CAMPA works etc.</li>
<li><strong>Compensatory afforestation</strong> means that every time forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes such as mining or industry, the user agency pays for planting forests over an equal area of non-forest land, or when such land is not available, twice the area of degraded forest land.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-environment-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Environment Day</strong> </a>is observed on the 5th of June every year for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.</li>
<li>Since it began in 1974, the event has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Important Legislations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hazardous-and-other-wastes-management-transboundary-movement-rules-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management &amp; Transboundary Movement)</strong></a> Rules, 2016 were amended.</li>
<li>The amendment has been done keeping into consideration the &ldquo;Ease of Doing Business&rdquo; and boosting &ldquo;Make in India&rdquo; initiative by simplifying the procedures under the Rules, while at the same time upholding the principles of sustainable development and ensuring minimal impact on the environment.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Conventions</h3>
<p><strong>UN Convention to Combat Desertification</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India hosted the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-convention-to-combat-desertification-cop-14" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>14<sup>th</sup> Conference of Parties (COP14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)</strong></a> from 2-13 September 2019 at Greater Noida.</li>
<li>This was the first time that India hosted an edition of the UNCCD COP.</li>
<li>The theme of the Conference was<strong> &lsquo;Restore land, Sustain future&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>India would raise its ambition of the total area that would be restored from its land degradation status, from twenty-one million hectares to twenty-six million hectares between now and 2030.</li>
<li>India has proposed to set up a <strong>global technical support institute</strong> for the member countries of the UNCCD for their capacity building and support regarding the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Program.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/climate-action-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Climate Action Summit</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was held in New York in September 2019.</li>
<li>It was hosted by the UN Secretary.</li>
<li>It had the key focus on raising ambition and accelerate action to implement the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cop24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Agreement.</strong></a></li>
<li>India will increase renewable energy capacity to beyond 175 GW (capacity as committed under the Paris Climate Agreement) by 2022, and will further take it to 450 GW.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure</strong></a>, an international partnership that will support countries- developed and developing- to build climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure was also launched.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Conference of the Parties (COP 25) to the UNFCCC</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop-25-ends-without-concrete-outcome" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>25<sup>th</sup> United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)</strong></a> was held under the Presidency of Chile in Madrid, Spain in December 2019.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The summit passed the declaration calling on countries to improve their current pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</li>
<li>It also endorsed to help poor countries that are suffering the effects of climate change, although any new funds were not allocated for the purpose.</li>
<li>It called on the &ldquo;urgent need&rdquo; to cut planet-heating greenhouse gases in line with the goals of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cop24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2015 Paris climate change accord.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Summit couldn&rsquo;t reach a final agreement on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/carbon-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Carbon markets</strong></a> and on the definition and composition of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/climate-finance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Climate finances.</strong></a></li>
<li>At COP25, India also called upon more countries to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to reduce dependence on fossil fuels to meet the growing energy requirement, even as it acknowledged the phenomenal progress made by the Alliance and the growing solar energy capabilities the world over.</li>
</ul>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Engaging Rural Youth',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p><strong>This article is based on <a href="https://www.epw.in/journal/2020/11/commentary/engaging-rural-youth-gainfully.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Engaging Rural Youth Gainfully&rdquo;</a></strong> which was published in Economic and Political Weekly on 14/03/2020. It talks about the steps to be taken to reap the benefits of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/india-s-demographic-dividend" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>demographic dividend</strong></a> emanating from rural youth In India.</p>
</div>
<p>According to the report "Youth in India 2017" (released by the Central Statistics Office), India is one of the youngest countries in the world. Moreover, the proportion of rural youth population forms the majority share in India's youth population.</p>
<p>Although agriculture and allied activities constitute the bulk of the rural economy, its dominance has been dwindling over the years. Engaging rural youth in productive agricultural activities will help India to reap the benefits of the demographic dividend.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>In the conventional sense, the youth population is understood as those persons belonging to the age group of adolescence to middle age.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations (UN) referred to them as those in the age group of 15 to 24 years.</li>
<li>The National Youth Policy (NYP) 2014 defined youth as those in the age group of 15&ndash;29 years.</li>
<li>However, the report Youth in India 2017, defined the age group of 15&ndash;34 years as the youth.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Developing Opportunities for Rural Youth</h3>
<p>In order to leverage this demographic dividend, there is a need to have a systematic approach to creating a suitable environment to develop opportunities for gainful employment of the rural youth. The approach includes three important steps:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Development of Modern Technologies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although agriculture is not seen as a remunerative occupation, through advances in innovation, capacity-building, partnership and participatory approaches, better market linkages and, most importantly, by developing a synergy with other sectors of the economy, many employment and entrepreneurial opportunities can be created.</li>
<li>Besides, there exists a huge opportunity in rural areas for the growth of off-farm sector activities (For example, the dairy sector).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Skilling of Rural Youth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to NSSO data, the percentage of rural youth, who did not receive vocational training of any sort stood at 93.7% in 2017&ndash;18.</li>
<li>This skill shortage not only reduces the employability of youth but is also detrimental to technology adoption.</li>
<li>Furthermore, a lot of the rural youth lack &ldquo;soft skills,&rdquo; such as the ability to experiment with new ideas, spot business opportunities, sales and marketing skills, and so on, which could make them more productive and employable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Creating an Ecosystem for Entrepreneurship:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The skills acquired by the youth need to be linked to their engagement in some livelihood option. This would require a responsive entrepreneurial ecosystem that identifies their talent and absorbs them in economic activity.</li>
<li>Today, the entrepreneurial ecosystem in rural areas of India is better than before. India is the third country having the largest number of start-ups. There are about 450 agri-start-ups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps to be taken</h3>
<p><strong>Promoting Technologies: That have a huge potential for job creation.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Emerging fields like agri-tech, agri-based e-commerce, information technology (IT)-linked agri-extension, seed technology, biotechnology, farm monitoring, Agri/rural fin-tech.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Horticultural, dairy production and food processing (related to these sectors) offer much more opportunities for employment generation in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The idea of <strong>harvesting solar energy as the third crop</strong> on the farmer&rsquo;s field is also gaining ground. This can help in increasing employability and profits for them.</li>
<li>Efforts are also needed in finding innovation/technology-based solutions to some of the basic problems relating to agriculture, namely:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Development of smart agricultural machinery.</li>
<li>Developing apparatus to encourage precision agriculture.</li>
<li>Finding solutions to the overuse of water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There is a need to facilitate the<strong> integration of agricultural research, industrial research and biotechnological research</strong> so that many new products can be developed from the by-products/agri-wastes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bridging the Skill Deficit:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The quality of training at <strong>industrial training institutes</strong> (ITIs)/polytechnics needs to be strengthened by redesigning the curriculum and upgrading them through appropriate budgetary allocations under the <strong>National Skill Development Fund.</strong></li>
<li>It is equally important to strengthen the institute&ndash;industry interface.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In a way, the <strong>Apprentices Act of 1961</strong> helps to improve the nexus between the institute and industry as it facilitates apprenticeship training to students in different trades.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Additionally, rural youth should be trained to acquire different soft skills.</li>
<li>Skill development initiatives need to be compatible with programmes and policies directed towards making a <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital India.</strong></a></li>
<li>The thrust on the skill development of rural youth should be capability-based, and the focus should go beyond agricultural occupations and traditional courses, such as in the areas like data analysis, paramedical fields, and so on.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Establishing Rural Enterprises:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An important aspect of enterprise creation is funding support, which is critical to ensure the success of any enterprise, especially for a start-up.</li>
<li>While many avenues (MUDRA loans) have been created in the recent past to make credit available to these firms, there is a need to diversify by making seed funding available to angel investors. In this context, provision can be made to encourage deployment of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-corporate-social-responsibility-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>corporate social responsibi&shy;lity</strong> </a>(CSR) funds as seed funds for these ventures.</li>
<li>The possibility to make the <strong>Krishi Vigyan Kendras</strong> (KVKs) or Common Services Centers(CSC) a hub of all the technology solutions developed by different missions, should be explored.</li>
<li><strong>Agriculture graduates</strong> from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) system or state agricultural universities may be engaged in agri-related rural entrepreneurship.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India has a high proportion of youth in its population, especially that of rural youth. Harnessing their potential to contribute to the country&rsquo;s growth would require the convergence of rural-centric policies like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, National Rural Livelihood Mission, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, etc.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #deedfc;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Harnessing demographic dividend contributes to the country&rsquo;s growth would require rural-centric policies. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'MACS 4028 Wheat Variety',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently, scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, have developed a <strong>biofortified durum wheat variety MACS 4028.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ARI Pune is an autonomous institute under the <strong>Department of Science &amp; Technology, Government of India.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Biofortification</strong> is a process to increase the bioavailability and the concentration of nutrients in crops through both conventional plant breeding and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/illegal-cultivation-of-bt-brinjal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>genetic engineering.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Durum</strong> is a kind of hard wheat grown in arid regions that is typically ground into semolina and used to make pasta.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Durum wheat, or Triticum turgidum,</strong> is the <strong>second most cultivated species of wheat after bread wheat,</strong> which is also called common wheat or<strong> Triticum aestivum.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Biofortified durum MACS 4028 wheat variety shows <strong>high protein content of about 14.7%, better nutritional quality having zinc</strong> 40.3 ppm, and <strong>iron</strong> content of 40.3 ppm and 46.1 ppm respectively, <strong>good milling quality</strong> and overall acceptability.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ppm stands for parts per million.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>MACS 4028, is a <strong>semi-dwarf variety,</strong> which matures in 102 days and has shown the superior and <strong>stable yielding ability</strong> of 19.3 quintals per hectare.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>resistant</strong> to<strong> stem rust, leaf rust, foliar aphids, root aphids, and brown wheat mite.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The MACS 4028 variety is also included by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/krishi-vigyan-kendra-kvk-conference-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)</strong></a> programme for United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to alleviate malnutrition in a sustainable way and can boost the Vision 2022 <strong>&ldquo;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuposhan Mukt Bharat</a>&rdquo;,</strong> the National Nutrition Strategy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icar-to-set-up-farmers-innovation-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)</strong></a> has also tagged this variety under the <strong>Biofortified category</strong> during the year 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>MACS 4028 has been notified by the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties for Agricultural Crops (CVRC) for <strong>timely sown, rainfed condition of Peninsular Zone, comprising Maharashtra and Karnataka.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the peninsular zone of India (Maharashtra and Karnataka states), wheat cultivation is majorly done under rainfed and limited irrigation conditions. Under such conditions, the crop experiences moisture stress.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Efforts for the development of high yielding, early maturing varieties with good quality and disease resistance for rainfed conditions are carried out at <strong>Agharkar Research Institute, Pune</strong> under <strong>All India coordinated Wheat and Barley improvement programme,</strong> coordinated through <strong>Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal</strong> governed by the ICAR. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The MACS 4028 is an outcome of such intervention for the farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>All India Coordinated Research Project on Wheat and Barley (AICRP)</strong> mandates <strong>multidisciplinary and multilocational testing of varietal, newly developed improved genotypes, crop management and crop protection technologies</strong> across the diverse ecosystems for increasing and stabilizing the wheat production.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Wheat</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is the second most important cereal crop in India after rice.</li>
<li>It is the main food crop, in northand north-western part of the country.</li>
<li>Wheat is a <strong>rabi crop</strong> that requires a cool growing season and a bright sunshine at the time of ripening.</li>
<li>It requires 50 to 75 cm of annual rainfall evenly-distributed over the growing season.</li>
<li>There are <strong>two important wheat-growing zones</strong> in the country &ndash; <strong>the Ganga-Satluj plains in the north-west and black soil region of the Deccan.</strong></li>
<li>The Major wheat-producing states are <strong>Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh </strong>etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1608064" 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/macs-4028-wheat-variety'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Kuril Islands',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a 7.5 magnitude <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/seismometers-defunct-in-earthquake-prone-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>earthquake</strong></a> struck in the northern Pacific and a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indonesia-tsunami" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tsunami warning</strong></a> was issued for the <strong>closest shores on Russia&rsquo;s far eastern Kuril Islands.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The earthquakes of this strength in the region have caused tsunamis in the past far from the epicenter of the earthquake.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above a hypocenter</strong> or focus.(The hypocenter is where an earthquake or an underground explosion originates.)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Geographic Location of Kuril Islands</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585212354_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585212354_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kuril Islands are stretched from the<strong> Japanese island of Hokkaido to the southern tip of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula</strong> separating Okhotsk Sea from the North Pacific ocean.</li>
<li>It consists of <strong>56 islands and minor rocks.</strong></li>
<li>The chain is part of the belt of geologic instability circling the Pacific and contains at least 100 volcanoes, of which 35 are still active, and many hot springs.</li>
<li>Earthquakes and tidal waves are common phenomena over these islands.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Importance of South Kuril Islands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Natural resources:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The islands are surrounded by<strong> rich fishing grounds</strong> and are thought to have <strong>offshore reserves of oil and gas.</strong></li>
<li>Rare <strong>rhenium deposits</strong> have been found on the Kudriavy volcano on Iturup.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Nickel-based superalloys of rhenium</strong> are used in the combustion chambers, turbine blades, and exhaust nozzles of jet engines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tourism</strong> is also a potential source of income, as the islands have several volcanoes and a variety of birdlife.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Importance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Russia has deployed <strong>missile systems</strong> in the region.</li>
<li>Russia also plans a <strong>submarine project</strong> and intends to prevent any American military use of the islands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Importance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Japanese people, especially conservatives in Hokkaido, are emotionally attached to the islands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Historical Background of Kuril Islands Dispute</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sovereignty Issue of South Kuril Islands:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Kuril Islands dispute between <strong>Japan and Russia</strong> is over the <strong>sovereignty of South Kuril Islands.</strong></li>
<li>The South Kuril Islands comprises <strong>Etorofu island, Kunashiri island, Shikotan island and the Habomai island.</strong> These islands are<strong> claimed by Japan</strong> but <strong>occupied by Russia</strong> as successor state of the Soviet Union.</li>
<li>These islands are known as<strong> Southern Kurils by Russia</strong> whereas <strong>Japan</strong> calls them <strong>Northern Territories.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Original Inhabitants-Ainu People:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Kurils were <strong>originally inhabited by the Ainu people,</strong> and they were later settled by the Russians and Japanese, following several waves of exploration in the <strong>17<sup>th</sup> and 18<sup>th</sup> centuries.</strong></li>
<li>The Ainu or the Aynu, also<strong> known as the Ezo</strong> in the historical Japanese texts, are an indigenous people of Japan and Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treaty of Shimoda (1855):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>1855,</strong> Japan and Russia concluded the <strong>Treaty of Shimoda,</strong> which gave control of the four southernmost islands to Japan and the remainder of the chain to Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treaty of Saint Petersburg (1875):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the<strong> Treaty of Saint Petersburg,</strong> signed between two countries in <strong>1875,</strong> Russia ceded possession of the Kurils to Japan in exchange for uncontested control of Sakhalin Island.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Yalta Agreement (1945):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>1945,</strong> as part of the <strong>Yalta agreements (formalized in the 1951 Treaty of Peace with Japan),</strong> the islands were ceded to the Soviet Union, and the Japanese population was repatriated and replaced by Soviets.</li>
<li>The <strong>San Francisco Peace Treaty</strong> signed between the Allies and Japan in 1951, states that Japan must give up &ldquo;all right, title and claim to the Kuril Islands&rdquo;, <strong>but it also does not recognize the Soviet Union&rsquo;s sovereignty over them.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration (1956):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The dispute over the islands has <strong>prevented the conclusion of a peace treaty to end World War II.</strong></li>
<li>In 1956, diplomatic ties were restored between Japan and Russia by <strong>Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration.</strong></li>
<li>During that time, Russia offered to give away the two islands closest to Japan. But the offer was rejected by Japan as the two islands constituted <strong>only 7% of the land</strong> in question.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Developments After 1991:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite a series of agreements, the dispute continues and <strong>Japan still claims historical rights to the southernmost islands</strong> and has tried repeatedly to persuade the Soviet Union and, from 1991, Russia to return those islands to Japanese sovereignty.</li>
<li>In <strong>2018,</strong> the Russian President and the Japanese Prime Minister (PM) met on the sidelines of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/east-asia-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>East Asia Summit</strong> </a>and decided to end the territorial dispute by Japanese PM agreeing to negotiate based on the 1956 declaration.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This implicitly showed that Japan has given up the two islands to maintain peace with Russia.</li>
<li>However, Russia indicated that the joint declaration signed by Japan and the Soviet Union in 1956 <strong>neither mentions a basis for returning Habomai and Shikotan nor clarifies which country has sovereignty over the islands.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, in <strong>2019,</strong> Japanese PM made it clear that the country is<strong> not in the favour of withdrawing control over the Islands.</strong> Japan also believes that the islands are the inherent part of the nation&rsquo;s territory. Therefore, Japan mentioned that it aims to sign the peace treaty after the territorial issue is resolved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/tsunami-warnings-after-magnitude-78-quake-strikes-near-russias-kuril-islands/article31159658.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/kuril-islands'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Legacy Waste',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal (NGT)</strong></a> has directed a committee to assess the amount of damage caused to the environment due to the dump sites (legacy waste) in Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The committee comprises representatives from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/neeri-indair" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)</strong></a> and IIT Delhi.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Legacy wastes are the wastes that have been collected and kept for years at some barren land or a place dedicated for Landfill (an area to dump solid waste).</li>
<li>This waste can be roughly grouped into <strong>four categories:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Contained and/or stored waste(contained or stored waste are wastes in tanks, canisters, and stainless steel bins).</li>
<li>Buried waste.</li>
<li>Contaminated soil and groundwater</li>
<li>Contaminated building materials and structures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biomining method</strong> has been proposed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the effective disposal of legacy wastes.</li>
<li><strong>Environmental Impact of Legacy Waste</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Legacy wastes not only<strong> occupy large space,</strong> but also become a <strong>breeding ground</strong> for pathogens, flies, malodours and generation of leachate, which may lead to <strong>water contamination.</strong></li>
<li>They also contribute to generation of<strong> greenhouse gases</strong> and <strong>pose risk of uncontrollable fire.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Biomining</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Biomining is the process of <strong>using microorganisms (microbes)</strong> to extract metals of economic interest from rock ores or mine waste.</li>
<li>Biomining techniques may also be used to <strong>clean up sites</strong> that have been polluted with metals.</li>
<li>It is usually used for old dumped waste that remains in a <strong>partly or fully decomposed state with no segregation in existence between wet and dry waste.</strong></li>
<li>In the cost effective method of biomining, treatment is done by dividing the garbage heap at the site into suitable blocks to let the air percolate in the heap.</li>
<li>As a result, the leachate which is the water in the heap with suspended solid particles is drained off and microbes are sprayed in the heap to initiate biological decompositions.</li>
<li>The waste is turned over several times in order to devoid the waste to leachate as much as possible.</li>
<li>This biological decomposition of the waste <strong>decreases the volume of the waste by 40%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/ngt-asks-committee-to-study-damage-done-to-environment-by-dump-sites/article31158892.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/legacy-waste'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'COVID-19 Loans by Indian Bank',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Indian Bank</strong> which is a <strong>public sector lender,</strong> has announced special emergency loans for various categories of customers such as individuals, corporates, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises</strong></a> (MSMEs) and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/self-help-groups-shgs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>self-help groups</strong></a> (SHGs), retail borrowers and pensioners in the wake of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">COVID-19.</a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is expected that these credit lines will meet the immediate liquidity requirements of businesses and other sections of the society.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ind-Covid Emergency Credit Line:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will provide <strong>additional funding of up to 10% of the working capital limits</strong> (fund-based and non fund-based) with a maximum limit of ₹100 crore.</li>
<li><strong>Large corporates and medium enterprises</strong> that are in the standard category would be eligible for this loan.</li>
<li>The <strong>loans</strong> would only carry a fixed interest rate of one-year MCLR <strong>(marginal cost of funds based lending rate).</strong> All other charges are waived.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ind-MSE Covid Emergency Loan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will provide an <strong>additional funding of 10% of fund-based working capital limits</strong> subject to a maximum of ₹50 lakh to all MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SHG-Covid-Sahaya Loan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under this, each member can avail a<strong> soft loan of ₹5,000 and ₹1 lakh per SHG.</strong></li>
<li>The loan is<strong> for 36 months</strong> with a six months moratorium.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ind-Covid Emergency Salary Loan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will be given <strong>to salaried employees</strong> up to an<strong> amount equivalent to 20 times the latest monthly gross salary</strong> subject to a maximum of ₹2 lakh.</li>
<li>This is to meet urgent medical and other expenditure.</li>
<li>The loan will be given at a<strong> concessional rate of interest</strong> and all charges are waived.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ind-Covid Emergency Pension Loan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>provided up to 15 times of monthly pension</strong> subject to a maximum of ₹2 lakh, with a <strong>60 month repayment tenor.</strong></li>
<li>Interest is charged at concessional rates interest and all other charges are waived.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an Indian <strong>state-owned public sector lender.</strong></li>
<li>It was established on <strong>15<sup>th</sup> August 1907</strong> as part of the <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-82" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swadeshi movement.</strong></a></li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered in Chennai.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the minimum interest rate, below which a bank is not permitted to lend, though RBI can give authorization for the same in exceptional cases. It depends on factors such as fixed deposit rates, source of funds and savings rate.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Swadeshi Movement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It started in <strong>1905</strong> was <strong>one of the most successful movements</strong> of the Pre-Gandhian era.</li>
<li><strong>Causes:</strong> Punjab land alienation Act of 1900, Passing of Indian university commission Act 1904, Partition of Bengal in 1905, economic exploitation, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Methods and instruments:</strong> It initially adopted <strong>passive resistance</strong> but the movement gained momentum and a more <strong>active form of resistance.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong> It led to significant decline in the foreign imports during 1905-1908, building of self-reliance and gave the strength to masses to disobey the British. However, it set <strong>undertones for communal disharmony and extreme nationalism.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/indian-bank-to-give-covid-19-loans/article31166931.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/covid-19-loans-by-indian-bank'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Recapitalisation of RRBs',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Centre has approved a ₹1,340-crore recapitalisation plan for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The move is crucial to ensure liquidity in rural areas during the lockdown due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> crisis.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Regional Rural Banks</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RRBs are financial institutions which ensure adequate <strong>credit for agriculture and other rural sectors.</strong></li>
<li>Regional Rural Banks were set up on the basis of the recommendations of the <strong>Narasimham Working Group (1975),</strong> and after the legislation of the <strong>Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976.</strong></li>
<li>The first Regional Rural Bank &ldquo;Prathama Grameen Bank&rdquo; was set up on 2<sup>nd</sup> October, 1975.</li>
<li><strong>Stakeholders:</strong> The <strong>equity</strong> of a regional rural bank is held by the <strong>Central Government,</strong> concerned <strong>State Government</strong> and the <strong>Sponsor Bank</strong> in the proportion of <strong>50:15:35.</strong></li>
<li>The RRBs combine the <strong>characteristics of a cooperative</strong> in terms of the familiarity of the rural problems <strong>and a commercial bank</strong> in terms of its professionalism and ability to mobilise financial resources.</li>
<li>Each RRB operates within the local limits as notified by the Government.</li>
<li>The <strong>main objectives</strong> of RRBs are<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To provide credit and other facilities to<strong> the small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, artisans and small entrepreneurs in rural areas.</strong></li>
<li>To check the outflow of rural deposits to urban areas and <strong>reduce regional imbalances</strong> and <strong>increase rural employment generation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The RRBs are required to provide 75% of their total credit as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-raises-cap-on-home-loan-under-psl" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>priority sector lending.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This recapitalisation (a strategy of enhancing the financial base of an entity to overcome a rough financial situation) would improve their <strong>capital-to-risk weighted assets ratio (CRAR)</strong> and strengthen these institutions for providing credit in rural areas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The step will help those RRBs which are unable to maintain a minimum CRAR of 9%, as per the regulatory norms prescribed by the RBI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The release of the Rs. 670 crore as the central share funds will be contingent upon the release of the proportionate share by the sponsor banks.</li>
<li>The recapitalisation process of RRBs <strong>was approved by the cabinet in 2011 based</strong> on the recommendations of a committee set up under the <strong>Chairmanship of K C Chakrabarty.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-bank-for-agriculture-and-rural-development-nabard" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)</strong></a> identifies those RRBs, which require recapitalisation assistance to maintain the mandatory CRAR of 9% based on the CRAR position of RRBs, as on 31<sup>st</sup> March of every year.</li>
<li>The scheme for recapitalization of RRBs was extended up to 2019-20 in a phased manner post 2011.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Capital-to-risk Weighted Assets Ratio</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CRAR or <strong>Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR)</strong> is the ratio of a bank&rsquo;s capital in relation to its <strong>risk weighted assets and current liabilities.</strong></li>
<li>It is decided by central banks and bank regulators to prevent commercial banks from taking excess leverage and becoming insolvent in the process.</li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basel-iii-requirements" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Basel III norms</a></strong> stipulated a capital to risk weighted assets of 8%.</li>
<li>However, as per <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RBI</strong> </a>norms, Indian scheduled commercial banks are required to maintain a <strong>CRAR of 9%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/union-cabinet-approves-recapitalisation-of-rrbs/article31166838.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/recapitalisation-of-rrbs'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Mamallapuram',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Mamallapuram, also called <strong>Mahabalipuram</strong> or <strong>Seven Pagodas,</strong> is a town that lies along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, <strong>south of Chennai (Tamil Nadu).</strong></li>
<li><strong>History</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an important town of the <strong>erstwhile Pallava dynasty</strong> that <strong>ruled in parts of South India</strong> from 275 CE to 897 CE.</li>
<li>It was <strong>founded by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman</strong> I in the 7<sup>th</sup> century AD.</li>
<li>The name Mamallapuram derives from <strong>Mamallan, or &ldquo;great warrior&rdquo;,</strong> a title by which the Pallava King <strong>Narasimhavarman I</strong> was known.</li>
<li>The <strong>name Mamallapuram got distorted during the British era </strong>to<strong> Mahabalipuram</strong> and thus it is also known as Mahabalipuram.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Architecture</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mamallapuram contains many surviving 7<sup>th</sup>- and 8<sup>th</sup>-century Pallava temples and monuments, chief of which are the<strong> sculptured rock relief</strong> popularly known as <strong>&ldquo;Arjuna&rsquo;s Penance,&rdquo; or &ldquo;Descent of the Ganges,&rdquo;</strong> a series of sculptured <strong>cave temples,</strong> and the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/shore-temple" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Shore Temple.</a></strong></li>
<li>The town&rsquo;s <strong>Five Rathas,</strong> or monolithic temples, are the remnants of seven temples, for which the town was known as Seven Pagodas. The entire assemblage collectively was designated a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kailash-mansarovar-in-tentative-list-of-world-heritage-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site</strong></a><strong> in 1984.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ancient Chinese, Persian, and Roman coins found at Mamallapuram point that it was a <strong>seaport.</strong></li>
<li>Mamallapuram and the Pallava dynasty are also historically relevant, for the earliest recorded security pact between China and India (in the early 8<sup>th</sup> century) that involved a Pallava king (Rajasimhan, or <strong>Narasimha Varma II),</strong> from whom the Chinese sought help to counter Tibet.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-2nd-informal-summit-mamallapuram-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>second informal summit between India and China</strong></a> was held here in October 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585207231_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585207231_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mamallapuram-2'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Regulatory Bodies',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/to-mitigate-the-crisis-rethink-role-of-regulators/story-yJTh3Exh5dn46DkGZH5NiN.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;To mitigate the crisis, rethink role of regulators&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in Hindustan Times on 24/03/2020. It talks about how a crucial role is played by financial and economic regulators during a crisis situation for its mitigation.</p>
</div>
<p>The economic impacts of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic coronavirus disease (Covid-19)</strong> </a>may last longer than its health effects. The global economy was stabilising before the spread of Covid-19, but now it has started showing its impacts on global economies.</p>
<p><strong>The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)</strong> estimates that the pandemic will lead to a <strong>1.5% slowdown in global growth. The World Trade Organization (WTO)</strong> also expects a &ldquo;substantial&rdquo; impact on the global economy. The <strong>economic impact on India</strong> will be more profound because most jobs are informal, State capacity for disaster response is low, and health care is far from universal.</p>
<p>In this context, the significance of regulatory bodies becomes more apparent for early recovery and mitigation of crisis emanating from Covid-19.</p>
<h3>Role of Regulatory Bodies</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India liberalised industries in the 1990s and handed over sectoral governance to regulatory bodies. These bodies played a constructive role in ensuring the free and fair market.</li>
<li>Post 1990, Privatisation saw the advent of the 'Indian Regulator' that became the 'nurturer' and 'parent' of its sector. The regulators <strong>incentivised private investment</strong> by giving them functional autonomy and shielding them from interference.</li>
<li>Also, regulatory bodies have shown that empowered regulator can bring fruitful results:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Steps taken by <strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong> in tackling the liquidity crisis and management of increasing Non- Performing Assets (NPAs).</li>
<li><strong>SEBI</strong> has also been instrumental in taking quick and effective steps in light of the global meltdown and the Satyam fiasco.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, improper regulation or failure of regulatory bodies in smoothening the interaction between markets and the State may lead to a new crisis. For example,<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/crisis-in-the-telecom-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AGR issue:</strong></a> In October 2019, the Supreme Court demanded that telecom companies pay statutory dues worth ₹1.47 lakh crore to the central government.</li>
<li>These dues didn&rsquo;t pile up overnight but stem from a 15-year-old dispute over sharing of revenues between telcos and the government. A well-regulated industry would not be subject to such a large fiscal shock.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Regulatory Bodies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These are independent governmental bodies established by the government in order to set standards in a specific field of activity, or operations and then to enforce those standards. Regulatory agencies may or may not function outside direct executive supervision.</li>
<li>The main functions of the regulatory body are typically identified as follows:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Regulations and guides</li>
<li>Review and assessment</li>
<li>Licensing</li>
<li>Inspection</li>
<li>Corrective actions</li>
<li>Enforcement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Some examples of regulatory bodies in India are: Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDCSO), Competition Commission of India (CCI)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Issues with Regulatory Bodies in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Populist pressure:</strong> In India political populism often overtakes the economic agenda. This casts a shadow on regulation. There are constant interferences in the functioning of regulatory bodies by the ruling political parties.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Eg, Interventions of government in the RBI functioning</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Selection of non- experts:</strong> The selection of non-experts to lead the regulatory bodies may bring lack of efficiency in the functioning of such bodies. Recently, this issue was raised when the former Finance secretary was appointed as RBI chairman.</li>
<li><strong>Inefficient review mechanism:</strong> The review mechanism of the functioning of the regulatory bodies under the aegis of parliamentary committees is not very robust.</li>
<li><strong>Recommendations made by Regulatory Authorities are rarely implemented.</strong></li>
<li>Presence of many regulatory bodies causes overlapping of powers. For example: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Environment- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and National GreenTribunal (NGT).</li>
<li>Controversy between SEBI and IRDAI over Unit Linked Insurance Policy.</li>
<li>Education sector- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and University Grants Commission (UGC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Some Suggestion for Regulatory Bodies</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Regulatory organisations should undertake a <strong>self-evaluation</strong> of themselves once in a few (say three) years, and put out the conclusions in the public domain for informed discussion and debate.</li>
<li>Genuine<strong> functional autonomy</strong> would also have to be reinforced with <strong>financial autonomy</strong> by putting in place a system where regulatory organisations are not dependent on government departments for financial support.</li>
<li>Functional autonomy without corresponding accountability is a sure recipe for chaos. Thus, there is a need to make sure such bodies imbibe the ethos of <strong>transparency and accountability</strong> in the functioning of the bodies.</li>
<li>The<strong> appointment</strong> of persons to head regulatory organisations should be attempted in a far more <strong>transparent manner.</strong></li>
<li>Many countries have adopted techniques like <strong>&ldquo;Regulatory Impact Assessments&rdquo;.</strong> India can also mandate such techniques through legislation and thereby preserve economic value.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA)</strong></p>
<p>Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA) is a systemic approach to critically assessing the positive and negative effects of proposed and existing regulations and non-regulatory alternatives. As employed in OECD countries it encompasses a range of methods. It is an important element of an evidence-based approach to policymaking.</p>
</div>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Many studies suggest that Covid-19 has caused a huge economic loss and will continue to do so in the immediate future. Today, among many experts there is a consensus that we may be headed for not just a slowdown, but perhaps even a recession.</p>
<p>Thus there is a <strong>need for empowered regulatory bodies</strong> which can steer regulations to make sectors of the economy robust and smoothly mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic Covid -19.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f2eedf;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Empowered Regulatory Bodies are significant in the mitigation of an economic crisis. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/regulatory-bodies-1'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Traditional New Year Festivals',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The President of India has greeted the people on the eve of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These festivals of the <strong>spring season</strong> mark the beginning of the <strong>traditional new year</strong> in India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Chaitra Shukla Pratipada</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It marks the beginning of the <strong>new year of the Vikram Samvat</strong> also known as the <strong>Vedic [Hindu] calendar.</strong></li>
<li>Vikram Samvat is based on the day when the emperor Vikramaditya defeated Sakas, invaded Ujjain and called for a new era.</li>
<li>Under his supervision, astronomers formed a new calendar based on the <strong>luni-solar system</strong> that is still followed in the northern regions of India.</li>
<li>It is the first day during the waxing phase (in which the visible side of moon is getting bigger every night) of the moon in the <strong>Chaitra (first month</strong> of Hindu calendar).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Gudi Padwa and Ugadi</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These festivals are celebrated by the people in the <strong>Deccan region</strong> including <strong>Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.</strong></li>
<li>The common practice in the celebrations of both the festivals is the <strong>festive food</strong> that is prepared with a <strong>mix of sweet and bitter.</strong></li>
<li>A famous concoction served is jaggery (sweet) and neem (bitter), called <strong>bevu-bella</strong> in the South, signifying that life brings both happiness and sorrows.</li>
<li><strong>Gudi</strong> is a doll prepared in <strong>Maharashtrian</strong> homes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A bamboo stick is adorned with green or red brocade to make the gudi. This gudi is placed prominently in the house or outside a window/ door for all to see.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For <strong>Ugadi,</strong> doors in homes are adorned with <strong>mango leaf decorations</strong> called <strong>toranalu or Torana in Kannada.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Cheti Chand</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sindhis</strong> celebrate the new year as Cheti Chand. <strong>Chaitra</strong> month is called <strong>'Chet'</strong> in Sindhi.</li>
<li>The day commemorates the birth anniversary of <strong>Uderolal/Jhulelal,</strong> the <strong>patron saint of Sindhis.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Navreh</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>lunar new year</strong> that is celebrated in<strong> Kashmir.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>Sanskrit</strong> word <em>&lsquo;Nav-Varsha&rsquo;</em> from where the word &lsquo;Navreh&rsquo; has been derived.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It falls on the first day of the Chaitra Navratri.</li>
<li>On this day, Kashmiri pandits look at a bowl of rice which is considered as a symbol of riches and fertility.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sajibu Cheiraoba</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>ritual festival of Meiteis</strong> which is observed on the first day of <strong>Manipur lunar month Shajibu,</strong> which falls in March/April every year.</li>
<li>On the day of the festival, people arrange a <strong>joint family feast</strong> in which traditional cuisines are offered to local deities at the entrance gates of the houses.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Meities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Meiteis are <strong>one of the most eminent ethnic groups of Manipur,</strong> hailing from the Manipur Valley.</li>
<li>They speak<strong> Tibeto-Burman language</strong> and most of the people belonging to the group, <strong>follow Hindu customs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607954" 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/traditional-new-year-festivals'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Indigenously Developed Testing Kits for COVID-19',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>test kits for COVID-19</strong> developed by the Pune-based <strong>MyLab Discovery Solutions and Germany&rsquo;s Altona Diagnostics</strong> have been approved by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The two companies have also received <strong>approval to mass manufacture the kits</strong> after they received commercial <strong>approval from the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/18-05-2019/print" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).</a></strong></li>
<li>Currently, the diagnostic kits to test people for COVID-19 are <strong>imported from the USA.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Approval Conditions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, the kits approved by the <strong>United States Food and Drugs Administration</strong> or certified by the <strong>European Union</strong> were allowed to offer commercial tests for detecting SARS CoV-2.</li>
<li>However, ICMR stated that it is no longer a requirement and even those <strong>approved by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) would be eligible for testing.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Feature of the Developed Testing Kit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Quick Detection:</strong> The developed kit <strong>detects the infection within two and half hours</strong> compared to over seven hours taken by current protocol.</li>
<li><strong>Accuracy:</strong> The <strong>ability to detect the early stage of detection and highest accuracy</strong> has been observed with the indigenously developed testing kit for COVID-19.</li>
<li><strong>Affordable:</strong> For the government labs, these testing kits would cost nearly <strong>Rs 1,200 per test kit, which is about one-fourth of the current testing kit</strong> used by India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indigenously Developed:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The indigenously developed testing kits for COVID-19 by MyLabs have been manufactured <strong>as per <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organisation (WHO)</a> /Centre for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.</strong></li>
<li><strong>MyLabs discovery Solutions is the first indigenous manufacturer</strong> to be approved for deploying its <strong>kits for COVID-19 testing.</strong></li>
<li>The approval from National Institute of Virology (NIV) to MyLabs is expected to provide major support to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/five-years-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; programme</strong></a> in the future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</li>
<li>It was founded in <strong>1911</strong> with the name of Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) and <strong>renamed as ICMR in 1949.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>funded</strong> by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, <strong>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Institute of Virology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Institute of Virology is one of the major Institutes of the <strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).</strong></li>
<li>It was established at <strong>Pune, Maharashtra in 1952 as Virus Research Centre (VRC)</strong> under the auspices of the<strong> ICMR </strong>and the <strong>Rockefeller Foundation (RF), USA.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The CDSCO is the Central Drug Authority for discharging functions assigned to the Central Government under the <strong>Drugs and Cosmetics Act,1940.</strong></li>
<li>Major Functions:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Regulatory control</strong> over the import of drugs, approval of new drugs and clinical trials.</li>
<li>Approval of<strong> certain licences</strong> as Central Licence Approving Authority</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/punes-mylab-gets-approval-for-covid-19-diagnostic-kit/article31151858.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/indigenously-developed-testing-kits-for-covid-19'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Invest India Business Immunity Platform',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Invest India,</strong> under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched the <strong>&lsquo;Invest India Business Immunity Platform&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Business Immunity Platform (BIP) is designed as a comprehensive resource <strong>to help businesses and investors</strong> get real-time updates on India&rsquo;s active response to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> (Coronavirus).</li>
<li>BIP is an active platform for business <strong>issue redressal, operating 24/7,</strong> with a team of dedicated sector experts and responding to queries at the earliest.</li>
<li>Important features of BIP are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It keeps a regular track on developments with respect to the coronavirus.</li>
<li>Provides latest information on various central and state government initiatives, and answers and resolves queries through emails and on WhatsApp.</li>
<li>Includes frequently asked questions on important aspects like locations of COVID-19 testing and other location-specific information.</li>
<li>Maps and highlights the response mechanism put in place by leading Indian companies such as sanitation of staff vehicles, disabling biometric attendance systems,usage of video-conferencing and tele-conferencing, developing online solutions and other unique initiatives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This platform also provides the ability to join the dots to find matching suppliers with required supplies and for innovators, startups and MSMEs to showcase their solutions</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Invest India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Invest India is <strong>India's national Investment Promotion &amp; Facilitation Agency.</strong></li>
<li>It was set up in 2009 as a <strong>non-profit venture</strong> under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</strong></li>
<li>It focuses on<strong> sector-specific investor targeting and development</strong> of new partnerships to enable sustainable investments in India.</li>
<li>It partners with substantial investment promotion agencies and multilateral organizations and also actively works with several Indian states to build capacity as well as bring in global best practices in investment targeting, promotion and facilitation areas.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607905" 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/invest-india-business-immunity-platform'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Burden on Companies Eased',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has made a series of announcements to ease the burden of companies during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-s-preparedness" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> outbreak.</p>
<h3>Announcements</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Increase in the threshold for initiation of corporate insolvency from <strong>Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would <strong>prevent small businesses</strong> from being <strong>dragged into insolvency</strong> (inability to pay debts when they are due).</li>
<li>This would also ease the compliance burden on companies during the coronavirus outbreak.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A<strong> suspension on mandatory filings</strong> with the <strong>Corporate Affairs Ministry&rsquo;s MCA-21 portal,</strong> also additional fees for late filing has been removed.</li>
<li>A <strong>60 day relaxation</strong> in the rule requiring that <strong>board meetings</strong> be held once every 120 days for the next two quarters.</li>
<li>The companies would also be exempt from the requirement under the <strong>Companies Act</strong> that <strong>at least one director</strong> be in residency in the country for at least 182 days in the year.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 is a step towards settling the legal position with respect to <strong>financial failures and insolvency.</strong></li>
<li>It provides easy exit with a painless mechanism in cases of insolvency of individuals as well as companies.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Applicability of the Code</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The provisions of the Code shall apply for<strong> insolvency, liquidation, voluntary liquidation or bankruptcy of the following entities :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Any company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 or under any previous law.</li>
<li>Any other company governed by any special act for the time being in force, except in so far as the said provision is inconsistent with the provisions of such Special Act.</li>
<li>Any Limited Liability Partnership under the LLP Act 2008.</li>
<li>Any other body being incorporated under any other law for the time being in force, as specified by the Central Government in this regard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Moreover, this code shall apply only if the <strong>minimum amount of the default is Rs. 1 lakh.</strong></li>
<li>However, by placing the notification in the Official Gazette, the Central Government may specify the minimum amount of default of higher value which <strong>shall not be more than Rs. 1 crore.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Exceptions:</strong> There is an exception to the applicability of the Code that it shall not apply to corporate persons who are regulated financial service providers such as Banks, Financial Institutions and Insurance companies.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>MCA21</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>MCA21 is an e-Governance initiative of the <strong>Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA),</strong> Government of India.</li>
<li>It enables an <strong>easy and secure access of the MCA services</strong> to the corporate entities, professionals and citizens of India.</li>
<li>The application is designed to fully<strong> automate all processes</strong> related to the proactive enforcement and compliance of the legal requirements under <strong>the Companies Act, 1956, New Companies Act, 2013 and Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008.</strong></li>
<li>This will help the business community to <strong>meet their statutory obligations.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/govt-raises-insolvency-threshold-to-rs-1-crore-to-help-small-companies-6330193/" 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/burden-on-companies-eased'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Tokyo Olympics 2020 Postponed',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee have decided to <strong>postpone</strong> the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games <strong>to the summer 2021</strong> due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coronavirus pandemic.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>However, the Olympics Games <strong>will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.</strong></li>
<li>The decision came after some of the major sporting nations like <strong>Australia and Canada</strong> withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics 2020.</li>
<li>The nations withdrew in the backdrop of <strong>limited international travel, difficulty in training and exposed risk of contracting or spreading the disease.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>COVID-19</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Health Organisation (WHO) has named the new coronavirus disease as <strong>&lsquo;COVID-19&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The new name is taken from the words<strong> "corona", "virus" and "disease", with 2019</strong> representing the year when it emerged (the outbreak was reported to the WHO on 31<sup>st</sup> December, 2019).</li>
<li>The word coronavirus refers to the <strong>group of viruses it belongs to,</strong> rather than the latest strain. The latest strain has been designated &lsquo;Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)&rsquo; by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.</li>
<li>The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also declared COVID-19 as a pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the WHO, a pandemic is declared when a new disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world beyond expectations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historic Postponement :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The organisers have postponed the event for the<strong> first time in its 124-year modern history.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 at Athens (Greece).<strong><br /></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is also considered as the <strong>first postponement</strong> of an Olympics in <strong>peacetime.</strong></li>
<li>Earlier, the games were not held during World War II considering the turmoil across the world.</li>
<li>In 1940, Japan was to be the first Asian country to host the Olympics.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>But its military aggression in Asia forced the annulment of the Olympics scheduled in Japan.</li>
<li>The 1940 Olympics is known as the <strong>&ldquo;Missing Olympics&rdquo;</strong> after the Games were switched to Helsinki (Finland) before finally being scrapped because of World War II.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cost:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tokyo was<strong> spending $12.6 billion</strong> to host the Games and a postponement could <strong>cost it $6 billion</strong> as the short-term period loss.</li>
<li>It will also be a<strong> bitter blow to sponsors and major broadcasters</strong> who rely on this four-yearly event for critical advertising revenue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Origin:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Olympic Games <strong>originated </strong>in <strong>ancient Greece</strong> and were an intrinsic part of a <strong>religious festival.</strong> They were held in honour of Zeus (the greek god of the sky) at Olympia in Greece.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Modern Olympics Games:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Olympic Games were <strong>revived</strong> in the late <strong>19<sup>th</sup> century.</strong></li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 at Athens (Greece).</span></p>
</li>
<li>The<strong> architect of the modern Olympics Games </strong>was<strong> Pierre, baron de Coubertin.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Olympic Committee (IOC):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was created on <strong>23 June 1894</strong> and is the<strong> supreme authority</strong> of the Olympic Movement.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>not-for-profit independent</strong> international organisation that is committed to building a better world through sport.</li>
<li>It ensures the regular celebration of the Olympic Games, supports all affiliated member organisations and strongly encourages, by appropriate means, the promotion of the Olympic values.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pattern of Olympics Games:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Olympics have been held <strong>every four years since 1948.</strong></li>
<li>The honour of holding the Olympic Games is <strong>entrusted to a city, not to a country.</strong> The choice of the city lies solely with the IOC. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Thus , the application to hold the Games is made by the chief authority of the city, with the support of the national government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/olympics-postponed-to-be-held-latest-by-2021-summer-says-japanese-pm/article31154196.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/tokyo-olympics-2020-postponed'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Cess Fund for Welfare of Construction Workers',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Labour &amp; Employment has Issued an advisory to all States/UTs to use the Cess Fund for Welfare of Construction Workers.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The advisory comes under Section 60 of the <strong>Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act regulates the employment and conditions of service of building and other construction workers.</li>
<li>It provides for their safety, health and welfare measures and for other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>All State Governments/UTs have been advised to transfer funds from the Cess Fund to the account of construction workers through <strong>Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.</strong></li>
<li>The amount to be granted to construction workers may be decided by the respective state governments and Union territories.</li>
<li>The financial assistance at this point in time would help to mitigate the financial crisis of construction workers to some extent and boost their morale to deal with COVID-19.</li>
<li><strong>About the Cess Fund</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The BOCW Cess Act, 1996, provides for the levy and collection of cess at 1-2 % of the cost of construction, as the Central government may notify.</li>
<li>The cess has been levied at the rate of 1% of the cost of construction, as notified by the Central government in its official gazette.</li>
<li>The cess is <strong>collected by the State governments and UTs.</strong></li>
<li>It is utilised for the welfare of building and other construction workers by the respective State Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cess</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cess is a <strong>form of tax</strong> levied over and above the base tax liability of a taxpayer.</li>
<li>Cess is resorted to only when there is a need to meet the <strong>particular expenditure for public welfare.</strong></li>
<li>Cess is not a permanent source of revenue for the government, and it is <strong>discontinued</strong> when the purpose of levying it is fulfilled.</li>
<li>It can be levied on <strong>both indirect and direct taxes.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Examples :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Swachh Bharat Cess:</strong> Introduced in 2015, a 0.5% Swachh Bharat cess was imposed to fund a national campaign for clearing the roads, streets and the infrastructure of India.</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure Cess:</strong> Announced in Union Budget 2016, this cess was charged on the production of vehicles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607911" 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/cess-fund-for-welfare-of-construction-workers'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Sovereignty: Unconstrained Right?',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/not-an-unfettered-right/article31136495.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Not an unfettered right&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 23/03/2020. It talks about the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights filing an application in Supreme Court of India seeking to intervene as <strong>amicus curiae</strong> in a petition challenging the constitutionality of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR), Michelle Bachelet, filed an application seeking to intervene as <strong>amicus curiae</strong> in a petition <strong>(&lsquo;Deb Mukharji &amp; Ors vs Union of India &amp; Ors&rsquo;)</strong> challenging the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/opposition-to-citizenship-amendment-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>constitutionality of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019</strong></a> (CAA) in the Supreme Court of India.</p>
<p>The government of India in a strong reaction stated that the CAA is an internal matter, concerning the sovereign right of Parliament to make laws, and no foreign body had any locus standi (the right or capacity to bring an action or to appear in a court) on issues pertaining to India&rsquo;s sovereignty.</p>
<p>In this context, this case provides an opportunity for India to have clarity on questions pertaining to sovereignty in relation to international law which may intervene in domestic proceedings.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Amicus Curiae</strong></p>
<p>An amicus curiae <strong>(literally, "friend of the court")</strong> is someone who is not a party to a case and may or may not have been solicited by a party and who assists a court by offering information, expertise, or insight that has a bearing on the issues in the case.</p>
<p><strong>UNCHR</strong></p>
<p>The post of the UNCHR was established in pursuant to the UN General Assembly Resolution 48/141 (1993), with the mandate to:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Promote and protect the effective enjoyment of human rights.</li>
<li>Take an active role in preventing the continuation of human rights violations.</li>
<li>Engage in dialogue with governments in the implementation of human rights obligations.</li>
<li>Support domestic courts, with their constitutional or judicial function, in ensuring the implementation of international legal obligations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>What is the concept of Sovereignty?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sovereignty</strong> is the full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources or bodies.</li>
<li>The <strong>Preamble to the Indian Constitution</strong> lays out the position, wherein the people of India have resolved to constitute the Indian Republic into a sovereign country.</li>
<li>However, in practical terms, no country can exercise sovereignty by being isolated with other countries, it has to engage and collaborate with other nations under a defined set of international law.</li>
<li>According to the<strong> International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty,</strong> &ldquo;national political authorities are responsible to the citizens internally and to the international community through the UN&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, it is appropriate to say that an authority&rsquo;s right to sovereignty is not unfettered.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, <strong>Article 51 (c)</strong> of the Constitution directs the state to &ldquo;foster respect for international law&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Case of Locus Standi of UNCHR</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is a voluntary application rather than at the invitation of the Supreme Court.</li>
<li>India is a state party and signatory to various international conventions including the<strong> International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights</strong> and the <strong>International Covenant on Economic, Social and Culture Rights</strong> which contain important non-discrimination clauses, including on the ground of religion.</li>
<li>Further, as part of its mandate, the UNCHR routinely intervenes before regional and domestic courts across the world.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Accordingly, the UNCHR has previously filed amicus briefs before regional courts such as the European Court of Human Rights and the Inter-American Court on Human Rights as well as domestic courts such as the US Supreme Court and final appellate courts in Asia and Latin America.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Moreover, while interpreting fundamental rights under the Constitution, the Supreme Court (SC) has taken into account and given due weightage to India&rsquo;s international legal obligations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the KS Puttaswamy case, SC&rsquo;s conception of the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privacy-judgement-and-the-aftermath" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &ldquo;right to privacy&rdquo;</a></strong> was informed by India&rsquo;s international law obligations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India should reconsider its stance of not allowing UNCHR as amicus curiae in CAA case. If the intervention is allowed, the Indian government will also have the opportunity to address the implications of the CAA under international law. This will also send a strong signal to the international community that India is a nation that respects the rule of international law.</p>
<p>Moreover, the case provides an opportunity for the Supreme Court to lay down the law on whether such applications interfere with national sovereignty.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #d9faed;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>A sovereign nation can operate independently without interference from foreign powers. Critically analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sovereignty-unconstrained-right'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'World Tuberculosis Day',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>World Tuberculosis (TB) Day</strong> is observed on <strong>24<sup>th</sup> March</strong> every year to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The date 24<sup>th</sup> March is chosen to commemorate the anniversary of <strong>Dr. Robert Koch&rsquo;s discovery of the cause of Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium Tuberculosis) in 1882.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>TB remains the <strong>world&rsquo;s deadliest infectious killer.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Each day, over 4000 people lose their lives to TB and close to 30,000 people fall ill with this <strong>preventable and curable disease.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Theme for 2020: &lsquo;It&rsquo;s time&rsquo;.</strong> It puts the accent on the <strong>urgency to act on the commitments</strong> made by global leaders to:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>scale up access to prevention and treatment.</li>
<li>build accountability.</li>
<li>ensure sufficient and sustainable financing including for research.</li>
<li>promote an end to stigma and discrimination.</li>
<li>promote an equitable, rights-based and people-centered TB response.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Efforts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> World Health Organization</strong> </a>(WHO) has launched a <strong>joint initiative &ldquo;Find. Treat. All. #EndTB&rdquo;</strong> with the <strong>Global Fund and Stop TB Partnership.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It aims to accelerate the TB response and ensure access to care, in line with WHO&rsquo;s overall drive towards <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/universal-health-coverage-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Health Coverage.</strong> </a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>WHO also releases the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-tuberculosis-report-2019-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Tuberculosis Report.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Efforts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Government of India has committed to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lancet-building-a-tuberculosis-free-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>eliminate the prevalence of TB by 2025</strong></a>, with commensurate resources to rapidly reduce TB incidence prevalence and mortality in India.</li>
<li>The<strong> Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</strong> is implementing the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agreement-with-the-world-bank-to-eliminate-tb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Strategic Plan</strong></a> (NSP) for Tuberculosis Elimination <strong>(2017-2025).</strong></li>
<li>The President of India had appealed to all the stakeholders to come together to reinforce the efforts in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tb-harega-desh-jeetega-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> "TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign"</strong></a> to make it a true people&rsquo;s movement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tuberculosis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>TB is caused by <strong>bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)</strong> that most often affect the lungs.</li>
<li><strong>Transmission:</strong> TB is spread from<strong> person to person through the air.</strong> When people with TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.</li>
<li><strong>Symptoms:</strong> Cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.</li>
<li><strong>Treatment:</strong> TB is a treatable and curable disease. It is treated with a <strong>standard 6 month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs</strong> that are provided with information, supervision and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer.</li>
<li>Anti-TB medicines have been used for decades and strains that are resistant to 1 or more of the medicines have been documented in every country surveyed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)</strong> is a form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to isoniazid and rifampicin, the 2 most powerful, first-line anti-TB drugs. MDR-TB is treatable and curable by using second-line drugs.</li>
<li><strong>Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB)</strong> is a more serious form of MDR-TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to the most effective second-line anti-TB drugs, often leaving patients without any further treatment options.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607802" 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/world-tuberculosis-day'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Aircraft Amendment Bill, 2020',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Lok Sabha has passed the<strong> Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020</strong> which seeks to amend the<strong> Aircraft Act, 1934.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Act regulates</strong> the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of civil aircrafts and licensing of aerodromes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Features</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill will provide<strong> statutory status to regulatory institutions</strong> like the <strong>Directorate General of Civil Aviation</strong> (DGCA), the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/counter-drone-strategy-for-countrys-airports-is-ready" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bureau of Civil Aviation Security</strong></a> (BCAS) and the<strong> Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau</strong> (AAIB).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>DGCA</strong> will carry out oversight and regulatory functions with respect to matters under the Bill.</li>
<li><strong>BCAS</strong> carries out regulatory oversight functions related to civil aviation security.</li>
<li><strong>AAIB</strong> carries out investigations related to aircraft accidents and incidents.</li>
<li>The statutory status to these regulatory institutions would <strong>improve India&rsquo;s aviation safety ranking</strong> as suggested by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-25th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Civil Aviation Organization</strong></a> (ICAO).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Bill proposes to<strong> increase the fine amount for violations of rules</strong> from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for aviation industry players.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the Bill, the central government may cancel the licences, certificates or approvals granted to a person under the Act if the person contravenes any provision of the Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Act exempted aircrafts</strong> belonging to the <strong>naval, military, or air forces</strong> of the Union.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill <strong>expands this exemption</strong> to include aircrafts belonging to any <strong>other armed forces other than these three.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The civil aviation sector had been <strong>deregulated</strong> with little role for the government to set air fare.</li>
<li>There has been a<strong> drop in demand</strong> and airline companies are under stress due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> outbreak.</li>
<li>Air India is having huge losses (₹26 crore daily) due to its <strong>disinvestment</strong> and it is likely to get worse in the wake of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic.</strong></a></li>
<li>The aviation sector faces the<strong> shortage of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-tallest-atc-tower" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Air-Traffic Controllers</a></strong> (ATCs).</li>
<li>The cases of <strong>&ldquo;near miss&rdquo;</strong> in the skies have <strong>increased.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A near miss is when two aircraft come so close that their safety is compromised. The safe distance between two planes flying in opposite directions is 40 seconds depending on their speed. Similarly, the vertical distance of 1,000 feet is considered safe.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Airfares need to remain <strong>affordable</strong> and airlines also need to remain <strong>viable.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>strength of ATCs needs to be increased</strong> to avoid any possibility of mid-air collisions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has 3,500 ATCs and 250 more will be hired next year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bill-to-grant-statutory-status-to-dgca-passed-in-lok-sabha/article31096153.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/aircraft-amendment-bill-2020'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Digitised Scripts of Yakshagana',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>voluntary community effort</strong> by the trust named <strong>Yakshavahini</strong> has made more than 900 <strong>Yakshagana scripts digitised and available online for free.</strong></p>
<h3>Yakshagana<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585038191_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585038191_image2.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="252" height="200" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form of <strong>Karnataka.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>temple art form</strong> that depicts <strong>mythological stories and Puranas.</strong></li>
<li>It is performed with massive headgears, elaborate facial make-up and vibrant costumes and ornaments.</li>
<li>Usually recited in <strong>Kannada,</strong> it is also performed in <strong>Malayalam</strong> as well as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tulu-language" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tulu (the dialect of south Karnataka).</strong></a></li>
<li>It is performed with percussion instruments like chenda, maddalam, jagatta or chengila (cymbals) and chakratala or elathalam (small cymbals).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government&rsquo;s Initiative: National Mission for Manuscripts</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) was launched by the <strong>Ministry of Culture</strong> in<strong> 2003.</strong></li>
<li>The Mission has the mandate of identifying, documenting, conserving and making accessible the manuscript heritage of India.</li>
<li>The ultimate objective of the Mission is <strong>to establish a Digital Manuscripts Repository</strong> at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in which researchers and scholars can view and consult the manuscripts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IGNCA is an autonomous institution under the Union Ministry of Culture. It was established in 1987 as a centre for research, academic pursuit and dissemination in the field of the arts.</li>
<li>Its motto is &lsquo;conserving the past for the future&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) is also developing an app to make around 3 lakh manuscripts accessible.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/over-900-yakshagana-scripts-go-digital/article31149254.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'ICMR Recommends Use of Hydroxy-Chloroquine',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The National Task force for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-s-preparedness" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a>, constituted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has suggested the <strong>use of hydroxy-chloroquine</strong> to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) for restricted populations.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Hydroxy-chloroquine :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydroxy-chloroquine is an <strong>oral drug</strong> used in the treatment of <strong>autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Autoimmune diseases are in which the body's immune system attacks healthy cells.</li>
<li>Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hydroxy-chloroquine against COVID-19:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The drug shows antiviral activity <strong>in vitro</strong> against coronaviruses, and specifically, SARS-CoV-2 [the virus that causes COVID-19].</li>
<li>Further, the study suggests that prophylaxis (treatment given to prevent disease) with hydroxy-chloroquine at approved doses could prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and may help to improve viral shedding.</li>
<li>Clinical trials are under way in China to know whether the drug can be used for treatment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ICMR Recommended Use of Hydroxy-chloroquine:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The restricted population for usage of hydroxy-chloroquine include, namely, <strong>&lsquo;Asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) Healthcare Workers&rsquo;</strong> and <strong>&lsquo;Asymptomatic household contacts&rsquo;</strong> of laboratory-confirmed cases.</li>
<li>The above mentioned population have been advised to use the hydroxy-chloroquine to <strong>contain further spread of the pandemic.</strong></li>
<li>However, the drug is <strong>not recommended</strong> as a preventive healthcare in children under <strong>15 years of age.</strong></li>
<li>ICMR also advised that placing healthcare workers under hydroxy-chloroquine treatment<strong> should not instill a sense of false security</strong> and they <strong>need to follow all prescribed public health measures</strong> such as frequent washing of hands, respiratory etiquettes, keeping a distance of minimum one metre and use of personal protective equipment, etc.</li>
<li>It has been also advised that the drug<strong> should only be given on the prescription</strong> of a registered medical practitioner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Combination of Hydroxy-chloroquine with Other Drugs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Hydroxy-chloroquine and Chloroquine:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A study suggests that<strong> both hydroxy-chloroquine and chloroquine</strong> have in vitro activity against SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and other coronaviruses, with hydroxy-chloroquine having higher potency against SARS-CoV-2.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hydroxy-chloroquine with Azithromycin:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The combination is hydroxy-chloroquine with azithromycin, a commonly used antibiotic.</li>
<li>The combination is expected to be efficient for virus elimination.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>In vitro studies</strong> are performed with microorganisms, cells, or biological molecules outside their normal biological context (such as in a test tube).</li>
<li>In contrast to in vitro experiments,<strong> in vivo studies</strong> are those conducted in living organisms, including humans, and whole plants.</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 apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</li>
<li>Its mandate is to conduct, coordinate and implement medical research 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 Department of Health Research, <strong>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/coronavirus-vaccine-hydroxychloroquinine-6328377/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><strong>Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2019</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India scored 62.93 and ranked 11<sup>th</sup> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-3rd-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI).</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Published by:</strong> German watch, CAN International and the New Climate Institute.</li>
<li>The index evaluates and compares the climate protection performance of 56 countries and the EU.</li>
<li>In 2019 index, no country performed well enough to reach the ranking very good, meaning that no country has yet made it to one of the top three places in the rankings.</li>
<li>However, Sweden leads the ranking, followed by Morocco and Lithuania.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585225702_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585225702_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/govt-launches-mission-to-fight-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>It was launched in January 2019.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Central government launched a five-year action plan with a tentative target of 20-30% reduction in concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 by 2024, with 2017 as the base year.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unlike earlier initiatives which focussed largely on the national capital region, this is a comprehensive pan-India air pollution abatement scheme for 102 cities which were identified by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the basis of their ambient air quality data between 2011 and 2015.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Fourth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was held in Nairobi, Kenya.</li>
<li><strong>Theme of UNEA-4:</strong> &lsquo;Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production&rsquo;.</li>
<li>Two resolutions adopted related to <strong>Single-use Plastics</strong> and <strong>Sustainable Nitrogen management.</strong></li>
<li>UNEP also released 6<sup>th</sup> edition of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-environment-outlook" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Environment Outlook Report (GEO).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It outlines the current state of the environment illustrates possible future environmental trends and analyses the effectiveness of policies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-cooling-action-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Launched in March 2019.</strong> </a></li>
<li>Reducing cooling demand by 20-25% and refrigeration demand by 25-30% by the year 2037 are the goals of this plan.</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/india-cooling-action-plan-icap" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cooling requirement</strong></a> is cross-sectoral and an essential part for economic growth and is required across different sectors of the economy such as residential and commercial buildings, cold-chain, refrigeration, transport and industries.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bharat Standard IV to Bharat Standard VI</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The country has leapfrogged from Bharat Standard (BS) IV to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bs-vi-emission-normshttps://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bs-vi-emission-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Standard VI</strong></a> for vehicle emission norms and from 1st April 2020, vehicles will be BS-VI compliant.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Conservation Programmes</strong></p>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asiatic-lion-conservation-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asiatic Lion Conservation Project</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Was launched in February 2019. The Asiatic Lion endemic to Gir landscape of Gujarat, is one of the 21 critically endangered species identified by the Ministry for taking up recovery programmes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Protocol on Snow Leopard Population Assessment</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With efforts towards protecting and conserving Snow Leopards, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-snow-leopard-survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>First National Protocol on Snow Leopard Population Assessment</strong></a> in India was launched on the occasion of International Snow Leopard Day on 23rd October.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>All India Tiger Estimation - 2018</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Results of the fourth cycle of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tiger-census-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>All India Tiger Estimation</strong></a> - 2018 were released on International Tiger Day (July 29), 2019.</li>
<li>According to this census, the count of tigers in India has risen to 2967 from 2,226 in 2014.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India State of Forest Report (ISFR)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The biennial report <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/india-state-of-forest-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2019 was released.</a></strong></li>
<li>The total forest and tree cover of the country is 80.73 million hectare which is 24.56% of the geographical area of the country. As compared to the assessment of 2017, there is an increase of 5,188 sq. km in the total forest and tree cover.</li>
<li>The top five States (UT) in terms of increase in forest cover: Karnataka&gt;Andhra Pradesh&gt;Kerala&gt;Jammu &amp; Kashmir&gt;Himachal Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>CAMPA Funds</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/compensatory-afforestation-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, (CAMPA Funds) were handed over to various states.</strong> </a></li>
<li>The fund will be utilised for the Compensatory Afforestation, Catchment Area Treatment, Wildlife Management, Assisted Natural Regeneration, Forest Fire Prevention and Control Operations, Soil and Moisture Conservation Works in the forest, Improvement of Wildlife Habitat, Management of Biological Diversity and Biological Resources, Research in Forestry and Monitoring of CAMPA works etc.</li>
<li><strong>Compensatory afforestation</strong> means that every time forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes such as mining or industry, the user agency pays for planting forests over an equal area of non-forest land, or when such land is not available, twice the area of degraded forest land.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-environment-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Environment Day</strong> </a>is observed on the 5th of June every year for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.</li>
<li>Since it began in 1974, the event has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Important Legislations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hazardous-and-other-wastes-management-transboundary-movement-rules-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management &amp; Transboundary Movement)</strong></a> Rules, 2016 were amended.</li>
<li>The amendment has been done keeping into consideration the &ldquo;Ease of Doing Business&rdquo; and boosting &ldquo;Make in India&rdquo; initiative by simplifying the procedures under the Rules, while at the same time upholding the principles of sustainable development and ensuring minimal impact on the environment.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Conventions</h3>
<p><strong>UN Convention to Combat Desertification</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India hosted the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-convention-to-combat-desertification-cop-14" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>14<sup>th</sup> Conference of Parties (COP14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)</strong></a> from 2-13 September 2019 at Greater Noida.</li>
<li>This was the first time that India hosted an edition of the UNCCD COP.</li>
<li>The theme of the Conference was<strong> &lsquo;Restore land, Sustain future&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>India would raise its ambition of the total area that would be restored from its land degradation status, from twenty-one million hectares to twenty-six million hectares between now and 2030.</li>
<li>India has proposed to set up a <strong>global technical support institute</strong> for the member countries of the UNCCD for their capacity building and support regarding the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Program.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/climate-action-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Climate Action Summit</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was held in New York in September 2019.</li>
<li>It was hosted by the UN Secretary.</li>
<li>It had the key focus on raising ambition and accelerate action to implement the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cop24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Agreement.</strong></a></li>
<li>India will increase renewable energy capacity to beyond 175 GW (capacity as committed under the Paris Climate Agreement) by 2022, and will further take it to 450 GW.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure</strong></a>, an international partnership that will support countries- developed and developing- to build climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure was also launched.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Conference of the Parties (COP 25) to the UNFCCC</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop-25-ends-without-concrete-outcome" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>25<sup>th</sup> United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)</strong></a> was held under the Presidency of Chile in Madrid, Spain in December 2019.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Key Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The summit passed the declaration calling on countries to improve their current pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</li>
<li>It also endorsed to help poor countries that are suffering the effects of climate change, although any new funds were not allocated for the purpose.</li>
<li>It called on the &ldquo;urgent need&rdquo; to cut planet-heating greenhouse gases in line with the goals of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cop24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2015 Paris climate change accord.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Summit couldn&rsquo;t reach a final agreement on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/carbon-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Carbon markets</strong></a> and on the definition and composition of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/climate-finance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Climate finances.</strong></a></li>
<li>At COP25, India also called upon more countries to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to reduce dependence on fossil fuels to meet the growing energy requirement, even as it acknowledged the phenomenal progress made by the Alliance and the growing solar energy capabilities the world over.</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Engaging Rural Youth',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p><strong>This article is based on <a href="https://www.epw.in/journal/2020/11/commentary/engaging-rural-youth-gainfully.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Engaging Rural Youth Gainfully&rdquo;</a></strong> which was published in Economic and Political Weekly on 14/03/2020. It talks about the steps to be taken to reap the benefits of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/india-s-demographic-dividend" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>demographic dividend</strong></a> emanating from rural youth In India.</p>
</div>
<p>According to the report "Youth in India 2017" (released by the Central Statistics Office), India is one of the youngest countries in the world. Moreover, the proportion of rural youth population forms the majority share in India's youth population.</p>
<p>Although agriculture and allied activities constitute the bulk of the rural economy, its dominance has been dwindling over the years. Engaging rural youth in productive agricultural activities will help India to reap the benefits of the demographic dividend.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<p>In the conventional sense, the youth population is understood as those persons belonging to the age group of adolescence to middle age.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations (UN) referred to them as those in the age group of 15 to 24 years.</li>
<li>The National Youth Policy (NYP) 2014 defined youth as those in the age group of 15&ndash;29 years.</li>
<li>However, the report Youth in India 2017, defined the age group of 15&ndash;34 years as the youth.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Developing Opportunities for Rural Youth</h3>
<p>In order to leverage this demographic dividend, there is a need to have a systematic approach to creating a suitable environment to develop opportunities for gainful employment of the rural youth. The approach includes three important steps:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Development of Modern Technologies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although agriculture is not seen as a remunerative occupation, through advances in innovation, capacity-building, partnership and participatory approaches, better market linkages and, most importantly, by developing a synergy with other sectors of the economy, many employment and entrepreneurial opportunities can be created.</li>
<li>Besides, there exists a huge opportunity in rural areas for the growth of off-farm sector activities (For example, the dairy sector).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Skilling of Rural Youth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to NSSO data, the percentage of rural youth, who did not receive vocational training of any sort stood at 93.7% in 2017&ndash;18.</li>
<li>This skill shortage not only reduces the employability of youth but is also detrimental to technology adoption.</li>
<li>Furthermore, a lot of the rural youth lack &ldquo;soft skills,&rdquo; such as the ability to experiment with new ideas, spot business opportunities, sales and marketing skills, and so on, which could make them more productive and employable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Creating an Ecosystem for Entrepreneurship:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The skills acquired by the youth need to be linked to their engagement in some livelihood option. This would require a responsive entrepreneurial ecosystem that identifies their talent and absorbs them in economic activity.</li>
<li>Today, the entrepreneurial ecosystem in rural areas of India is better than before. India is the third country having the largest number of start-ups. There are about 450 agri-start-ups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps to be taken</h3>
<p><strong>Promoting Technologies: That have a huge potential for job creation.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Emerging fields like agri-tech, agri-based e-commerce, information technology (IT)-linked agri-extension, seed technology, biotechnology, farm monitoring, Agri/rural fin-tech.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Horticultural, dairy production and food processing (related to these sectors) offer much more opportunities for employment generation in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The idea of <strong>harvesting solar energy as the third crop</strong> on the farmer&rsquo;s field is also gaining ground. This can help in increasing employability and profits for them.</li>
<li>Efforts are also needed in finding innovation/technology-based solutions to some of the basic problems relating to agriculture, namely:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Development of smart agricultural machinery.</li>
<li>Developing apparatus to encourage precision agriculture.</li>
<li>Finding solutions to the overuse of water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There is a need to facilitate the<strong> integration of agricultural research, industrial research and biotechnological research</strong> so that many new products can be developed from the by-products/agri-wastes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bridging the Skill Deficit:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The quality of training at <strong>industrial training institutes</strong> (ITIs)/polytechnics needs to be strengthened by redesigning the curriculum and upgrading them through appropriate budgetary allocations under the <strong>National Skill Development Fund.</strong></li>
<li>It is equally important to strengthen the institute&ndash;industry interface.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In a way, the <strong>Apprentices Act of 1961</strong> helps to improve the nexus between the institute and industry as it facilitates apprenticeship training to students in different trades.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Additionally, rural youth should be trained to acquire different soft skills.</li>
<li>Skill development initiatives need to be compatible with programmes and policies directed towards making a <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital India.</strong></a></li>
<li>The thrust on the skill development of rural youth should be capability-based, and the focus should go beyond agricultural occupations and traditional courses, such as in the areas like data analysis, paramedical fields, and so on.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Establishing Rural Enterprises:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An important aspect of enterprise creation is funding support, which is critical to ensure the success of any enterprise, especially for a start-up.</li>
<li>While many avenues (MUDRA loans) have been created in the recent past to make credit available to these firms, there is a need to diversify by making seed funding available to angel investors. In this context, provision can be made to encourage deployment of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-corporate-social-responsibility-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>corporate social responsibi&shy;lity</strong> </a>(CSR) funds as seed funds for these ventures.</li>
<li>The possibility to make the <strong>Krishi Vigyan Kendras</strong> (KVKs) or Common Services Centers(CSC) a hub of all the technology solutions developed by different missions, should be explored.</li>
<li><strong>Agriculture graduates</strong> from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) system or state agricultural universities may be engaged in agri-related rural entrepreneurship.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India has a high proportion of youth in its population, especially that of rural youth. Harnessing their potential to contribute to the country&rsquo;s growth would require the convergence of rural-centric policies like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, National Rural Livelihood Mission, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, etc.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #deedfc;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Harnessing demographic dividend contributes to the country&rsquo;s growth would require rural-centric policies. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/engaging-rural-youth'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'MACS 4028 Wheat Variety',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently, scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, have developed a <strong>biofortified durum wheat variety MACS 4028.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ARI Pune is an autonomous institute under the <strong>Department of Science &amp; Technology, Government of India.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Biofortification</strong> is a process to increase the bioavailability and the concentration of nutrients in crops through both conventional plant breeding and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/illegal-cultivation-of-bt-brinjal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>genetic engineering.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Durum</strong> is a kind of hard wheat grown in arid regions that is typically ground into semolina and used to make pasta.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Durum wheat, or Triticum turgidum,</strong> is the <strong>second most cultivated species of wheat after bread wheat,</strong> which is also called common wheat or<strong> Triticum aestivum.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Biofortified durum MACS 4028 wheat variety shows <strong>high protein content of about 14.7%, better nutritional quality having zinc</strong> 40.3 ppm, and <strong>iron</strong> content of 40.3 ppm and 46.1 ppm respectively, <strong>good milling quality</strong> and overall acceptability.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ppm stands for parts per million.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>MACS 4028, is a <strong>semi-dwarf variety,</strong> which matures in 102 days and has shown the superior and <strong>stable yielding ability</strong> of 19.3 quintals per hectare.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>resistant</strong> to<strong> stem rust, leaf rust, foliar aphids, root aphids, and brown wheat mite.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The MACS 4028 variety is also included by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/krishi-vigyan-kendra-kvk-conference-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)</strong></a> programme for United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to alleviate malnutrition in a sustainable way and can boost the Vision 2022 <strong>&ldquo;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuposhan Mukt Bharat</a>&rdquo;,</strong> the National Nutrition Strategy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icar-to-set-up-farmers-innovation-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)</strong></a> has also tagged this variety under the <strong>Biofortified category</strong> during the year 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>MACS 4028 has been notified by the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties for Agricultural Crops (CVRC) for <strong>timely sown, rainfed condition of Peninsular Zone, comprising Maharashtra and Karnataka.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the peninsular zone of India (Maharashtra and Karnataka states), wheat cultivation is majorly done under rainfed and limited irrigation conditions. Under such conditions, the crop experiences moisture stress.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Efforts for the development of high yielding, early maturing varieties with good quality and disease resistance for rainfed conditions are carried out at <strong>Agharkar Research Institute, Pune</strong> under <strong>All India coordinated Wheat and Barley improvement programme,</strong> coordinated through <strong>Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal</strong> governed by the ICAR. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The MACS 4028 is an outcome of such intervention for the farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>All India Coordinated Research Project on Wheat and Barley (AICRP)</strong> mandates <strong>multidisciplinary and multilocational testing of varietal, newly developed improved genotypes, crop management and crop protection technologies</strong> across the diverse ecosystems for increasing and stabilizing the wheat production.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Wheat</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is the second most important cereal crop in India after rice.</li>
<li>It is the main food crop, in northand north-western part of the country.</li>
<li>Wheat is a <strong>rabi crop</strong> that requires a cool growing season and a bright sunshine at the time of ripening.</li>
<li>It requires 50 to 75 cm of annual rainfall evenly-distributed over the growing season.</li>
<li>There are <strong>two important wheat-growing zones</strong> in the country &ndash; <strong>the Ganga-Satluj plains in the north-west and black soil region of the Deccan.</strong></li>
<li>The Major wheat-producing states are <strong>Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh </strong>etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1608064" 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/macs-4028-wheat-variety'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Kuril Islands',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a 7.5 magnitude <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/seismometers-defunct-in-earthquake-prone-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>earthquake</strong></a> struck in the northern Pacific and a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indonesia-tsunami" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tsunami warning</strong></a> was issued for the <strong>closest shores on Russia&rsquo;s far eastern Kuril Islands.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The earthquakes of this strength in the region have caused tsunamis in the past far from the epicenter of the earthquake.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above a hypocenter</strong> or focus.(The hypocenter is where an earthquake or an underground explosion originates.)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Geographic Location of Kuril Islands</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585212354_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585212354_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Kuril Islands are stretched from the<strong> Japanese island of Hokkaido to the southern tip of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula</strong> separating Okhotsk Sea from the North Pacific ocean.</li>
<li>It consists of <strong>56 islands and minor rocks.</strong></li>
<li>The chain is part of the belt of geologic instability circling the Pacific and contains at least 100 volcanoes, of which 35 are still active, and many hot springs.</li>
<li>Earthquakes and tidal waves are common phenomena over these islands.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Importance of South Kuril Islands</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Natural resources:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The islands are surrounded by<strong> rich fishing grounds</strong> and are thought to have <strong>offshore reserves of oil and gas.</strong></li>
<li>Rare <strong>rhenium deposits</strong> have been found on the Kudriavy volcano on Iturup.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Nickel-based superalloys of rhenium</strong> are used in the combustion chambers, turbine blades, and exhaust nozzles of jet engines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tourism</strong> is also a potential source of income, as the islands have several volcanoes and a variety of birdlife.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Importance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Russia has deployed <strong>missile systems</strong> in the region.</li>
<li>Russia also plans a <strong>submarine project</strong> and intends to prevent any American military use of the islands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Importance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Japanese people, especially conservatives in Hokkaido, are emotionally attached to the islands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Historical Background of Kuril Islands Dispute</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sovereignty Issue of South Kuril Islands:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Kuril Islands dispute between <strong>Japan and Russia</strong> is over the <strong>sovereignty of South Kuril Islands.</strong></li>
<li>The South Kuril Islands comprises <strong>Etorofu island, Kunashiri island, Shikotan island and the Habomai island.</strong> These islands are<strong> claimed by Japan</strong> but <strong>occupied by Russia</strong> as successor state of the Soviet Union.</li>
<li>These islands are known as<strong> Southern Kurils by Russia</strong> whereas <strong>Japan</strong> calls them <strong>Northern Territories.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Original Inhabitants-Ainu People:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Kurils were <strong>originally inhabited by the Ainu people,</strong> and they were later settled by the Russians and Japanese, following several waves of exploration in the <strong>17<sup>th</sup> and 18<sup>th</sup> centuries.</strong></li>
<li>The Ainu or the Aynu, also<strong> known as the Ezo</strong> in the historical Japanese texts, are an indigenous people of Japan and Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treaty of Shimoda (1855):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>1855,</strong> Japan and Russia concluded the <strong>Treaty of Shimoda,</strong> which gave control of the four southernmost islands to Japan and the remainder of the chain to Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treaty of Saint Petersburg (1875):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the<strong> Treaty of Saint Petersburg,</strong> signed between two countries in <strong>1875,</strong> Russia ceded possession of the Kurils to Japan in exchange for uncontested control of Sakhalin Island.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Yalta Agreement (1945):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>1945,</strong> as part of the <strong>Yalta agreements (formalized in the 1951 Treaty of Peace with Japan),</strong> the islands were ceded to the Soviet Union, and the Japanese population was repatriated and replaced by Soviets.</li>
<li>The <strong>San Francisco Peace Treaty</strong> signed between the Allies and Japan in 1951, states that Japan must give up &ldquo;all right, title and claim to the Kuril Islands&rdquo;, <strong>but it also does not recognize the Soviet Union&rsquo;s sovereignty over them.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration (1956):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The dispute over the islands has <strong>prevented the conclusion of a peace treaty to end World War II.</strong></li>
<li>In 1956, diplomatic ties were restored between Japan and Russia by <strong>Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration.</strong></li>
<li>During that time, Russia offered to give away the two islands closest to Japan. But the offer was rejected by Japan as the two islands constituted <strong>only 7% of the land</strong> in question.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Developments After 1991:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite a series of agreements, the dispute continues and <strong>Japan still claims historical rights to the southernmost islands</strong> and has tried repeatedly to persuade the Soviet Union and, from 1991, Russia to return those islands to Japanese sovereignty.</li>
<li>In <strong>2018,</strong> the Russian President and the Japanese Prime Minister (PM) met on the sidelines of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/east-asia-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>East Asia Summit</strong> </a>and decided to end the territorial dispute by Japanese PM agreeing to negotiate based on the 1956 declaration.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This implicitly showed that Japan has given up the two islands to maintain peace with Russia.</li>
<li>However, Russia indicated that the joint declaration signed by Japan and the Soviet Union in 1956 <strong>neither mentions a basis for returning Habomai and Shikotan nor clarifies which country has sovereignty over the islands.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, in <strong>2019,</strong> Japanese PM made it clear that the country is<strong> not in the favour of withdrawing control over the Islands.</strong> Japan also believes that the islands are the inherent part of the nation&rsquo;s territory. Therefore, Japan mentioned that it aims to sign the peace treaty after the territorial issue is resolved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/tsunami-warnings-after-magnitude-78-quake-strikes-near-russias-kuril-islands/article31159658.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/kuril-islands'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Legacy Waste',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal (NGT)</strong></a> has directed a committee to assess the amount of damage caused to the environment due to the dump sites (legacy waste) in Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The committee comprises representatives from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/neeri-indair" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)</strong></a> and IIT Delhi.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Legacy wastes are the wastes that have been collected and kept for years at some barren land or a place dedicated for Landfill (an area to dump solid waste).</li>
<li>This waste can be roughly grouped into <strong>four categories:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Contained and/or stored waste(contained or stored waste are wastes in tanks, canisters, and stainless steel bins).</li>
<li>Buried waste.</li>
<li>Contaminated soil and groundwater</li>
<li>Contaminated building materials and structures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biomining method</strong> has been proposed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the effective disposal of legacy wastes.</li>
<li><strong>Environmental Impact of Legacy Waste</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Legacy wastes not only<strong> occupy large space,</strong> but also become a <strong>breeding ground</strong> for pathogens, flies, malodours and generation of leachate, which may lead to <strong>water contamination.</strong></li>
<li>They also contribute to generation of<strong> greenhouse gases</strong> and <strong>pose risk of uncontrollable fire.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Biomining</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Biomining is the process of <strong>using microorganisms (microbes)</strong> to extract metals of economic interest from rock ores or mine waste.</li>
<li>Biomining techniques may also be used to <strong>clean up sites</strong> that have been polluted with metals.</li>
<li>It is usually used for old dumped waste that remains in a <strong>partly or fully decomposed state with no segregation in existence between wet and dry waste.</strong></li>
<li>In the cost effective method of biomining, treatment is done by dividing the garbage heap at the site into suitable blocks to let the air percolate in the heap.</li>
<li>As a result, the leachate which is the water in the heap with suspended solid particles is drained off and microbes are sprayed in the heap to initiate biological decompositions.</li>
<li>The waste is turned over several times in order to devoid the waste to leachate as much as possible.</li>
<li>This biological decomposition of the waste <strong>decreases the volume of the waste by 40%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/ngt-asks-committee-to-study-damage-done-to-environment-by-dump-sites/article31158892.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/legacy-waste'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'COVID-19 Loans by Indian Bank',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Indian Bank</strong> which is a <strong>public sector lender,</strong> has announced special emergency loans for various categories of customers such as individuals, corporates, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises</strong></a> (MSMEs) and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/self-help-groups-shgs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>self-help groups</strong></a> (SHGs), retail borrowers and pensioners in the wake of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">COVID-19.</a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is expected that these credit lines will meet the immediate liquidity requirements of businesses and other sections of the society.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ind-Covid Emergency Credit Line:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will provide <strong>additional funding of up to 10% of the working capital limits</strong> (fund-based and non fund-based) with a maximum limit of ₹100 crore.</li>
<li><strong>Large corporates and medium enterprises</strong> that are in the standard category would be eligible for this loan.</li>
<li>The <strong>loans</strong> would only carry a fixed interest rate of one-year MCLR <strong>(marginal cost of funds based lending rate).</strong> All other charges are waived.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ind-MSE Covid Emergency Loan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will provide an <strong>additional funding of 10% of fund-based working capital limits</strong> subject to a maximum of ₹50 lakh to all MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SHG-Covid-Sahaya Loan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under this, each member can avail a<strong> soft loan of ₹5,000 and ₹1 lakh per SHG.</strong></li>
<li>The loan is<strong> for 36 months</strong> with a six months moratorium.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ind-Covid Emergency Salary Loan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will be given <strong>to salaried employees</strong> up to an<strong> amount equivalent to 20 times the latest monthly gross salary</strong> subject to a maximum of ₹2 lakh.</li>
<li>This is to meet urgent medical and other expenditure.</li>
<li>The loan will be given at a<strong> concessional rate of interest</strong> and all charges are waived.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ind-Covid Emergency Pension Loan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>provided up to 15 times of monthly pension</strong> subject to a maximum of ₹2 lakh, with a <strong>60 month repayment tenor.</strong></li>
<li>Interest is charged at concessional rates interest and all other charges are waived.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an Indian <strong>state-owned public sector lender.</strong></li>
<li>It was established on <strong>15<sup>th</sup> August 1907</strong> as part of the <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-82" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swadeshi movement.</strong></a></li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered in Chennai.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the minimum interest rate, below which a bank is not permitted to lend, though RBI can give authorization for the same in exceptional cases. It depends on factors such as fixed deposit rates, source of funds and savings rate.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Swadeshi Movement</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It started in <strong>1905</strong> was <strong>one of the most successful movements</strong> of the Pre-Gandhian era.</li>
<li><strong>Causes:</strong> Punjab land alienation Act of 1900, Passing of Indian university commission Act 1904, Partition of Bengal in 1905, economic exploitation, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Methods and instruments:</strong> It initially adopted <strong>passive resistance</strong> but the movement gained momentum and a more <strong>active form of resistance.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong> It led to significant decline in the foreign imports during 1905-1908, building of self-reliance and gave the strength to masses to disobey the British. However, it set <strong>undertones for communal disharmony and extreme nationalism.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/indian-bank-to-give-covid-19-loans/article31166931.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/covid-19-loans-by-indian-bank'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Recapitalisation of RRBs',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Centre has approved a ₹1,340-crore recapitalisation plan for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The move is crucial to ensure liquidity in rural areas during the lockdown due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> crisis.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Regional Rural Banks</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RRBs are financial institutions which ensure adequate <strong>credit for agriculture and other rural sectors.</strong></li>
<li>Regional Rural Banks were set up on the basis of the recommendations of the <strong>Narasimham Working Group (1975),</strong> and after the legislation of the <strong>Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976.</strong></li>
<li>The first Regional Rural Bank &ldquo;Prathama Grameen Bank&rdquo; was set up on 2<sup>nd</sup> October, 1975.</li>
<li><strong>Stakeholders:</strong> The <strong>equity</strong> of a regional rural bank is held by the <strong>Central Government,</strong> concerned <strong>State Government</strong> and the <strong>Sponsor Bank</strong> in the proportion of <strong>50:15:35.</strong></li>
<li>The RRBs combine the <strong>characteristics of a cooperative</strong> in terms of the familiarity of the rural problems <strong>and a commercial bank</strong> in terms of its professionalism and ability to mobilise financial resources.</li>
<li>Each RRB operates within the local limits as notified by the Government.</li>
<li>The <strong>main objectives</strong> of RRBs are<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To provide credit and other facilities to<strong> the small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, artisans and small entrepreneurs in rural areas.</strong></li>
<li>To check the outflow of rural deposits to urban areas and <strong>reduce regional imbalances</strong> and <strong>increase rural employment generation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The RRBs are required to provide 75% of their total credit as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-raises-cap-on-home-loan-under-psl" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>priority sector lending.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This recapitalisation (a strategy of enhancing the financial base of an entity to overcome a rough financial situation) would improve their <strong>capital-to-risk weighted assets ratio (CRAR)</strong> and strengthen these institutions for providing credit in rural areas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The step will help those RRBs which are unable to maintain a minimum CRAR of 9%, as per the regulatory norms prescribed by the RBI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The release of the Rs. 670 crore as the central share funds will be contingent upon the release of the proportionate share by the sponsor banks.</li>
<li>The recapitalisation process of RRBs <strong>was approved by the cabinet in 2011 based</strong> on the recommendations of a committee set up under the <strong>Chairmanship of K C Chakrabarty.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-bank-for-agriculture-and-rural-development-nabard" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)</strong></a> identifies those RRBs, which require recapitalisation assistance to maintain the mandatory CRAR of 9% based on the CRAR position of RRBs, as on 31<sup>st</sup> March of every year.</li>
<li>The scheme for recapitalization of RRBs was extended up to 2019-20 in a phased manner post 2011.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Capital-to-risk Weighted Assets Ratio</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CRAR or <strong>Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR)</strong> is the ratio of a bank&rsquo;s capital in relation to its <strong>risk weighted assets and current liabilities.</strong></li>
<li>It is decided by central banks and bank regulators to prevent commercial banks from taking excess leverage and becoming insolvent in the process.</li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basel-iii-requirements" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Basel III norms</a></strong> stipulated a capital to risk weighted assets of 8%.</li>
<li>However, as per <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RBI</strong> </a>norms, Indian scheduled commercial banks are required to maintain a <strong>CRAR of 9%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/union-cabinet-approves-recapitalisation-of-rrbs/article31166838.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/recapitalisation-of-rrbs'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Mamallapuram',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Mamallapuram, also called <strong>Mahabalipuram</strong> or <strong>Seven Pagodas,</strong> is a town that lies along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, <strong>south of Chennai (Tamil Nadu).</strong></li>
<li><strong>History</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an important town of the <strong>erstwhile Pallava dynasty</strong> that <strong>ruled in parts of South India</strong> from 275 CE to 897 CE.</li>
<li>It was <strong>founded by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman</strong> I in the 7<sup>th</sup> century AD.</li>
<li>The name Mamallapuram derives from <strong>Mamallan, or &ldquo;great warrior&rdquo;,</strong> a title by which the Pallava King <strong>Narasimhavarman I</strong> was known.</li>
<li>The <strong>name Mamallapuram got distorted during the British era </strong>to<strong> Mahabalipuram</strong> and thus it is also known as Mahabalipuram.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Architecture</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mamallapuram contains many surviving 7<sup>th</sup>- and 8<sup>th</sup>-century Pallava temples and monuments, chief of which are the<strong> sculptured rock relief</strong> popularly known as <strong>&ldquo;Arjuna&rsquo;s Penance,&rdquo; or &ldquo;Descent of the Ganges,&rdquo;</strong> a series of sculptured <strong>cave temples,</strong> and the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/shore-temple" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Shore Temple.</a></strong></li>
<li>The town&rsquo;s <strong>Five Rathas,</strong> or monolithic temples, are the remnants of seven temples, for which the town was known as Seven Pagodas. The entire assemblage collectively was designated a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kailash-mansarovar-in-tentative-list-of-world-heritage-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site</strong></a><strong> in 1984.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ancient Chinese, Persian, and Roman coins found at Mamallapuram point that it was a <strong>seaport.</strong></li>
<li>Mamallapuram and the Pallava dynasty are also historically relevant, for the earliest recorded security pact between China and India (in the early 8<sup>th</sup> century) that involved a Pallava king (Rajasimhan, or <strong>Narasimha Varma II),</strong> from whom the Chinese sought help to counter Tibet.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-2nd-informal-summit-mamallapuram-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>second informal summit between India and China</strong></a> was held here in October 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585207231_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585207231_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mamallapuram-2'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Regulatory Bodies',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/to-mitigate-the-crisis-rethink-role-of-regulators/story-yJTh3Exh5dn46DkGZH5NiN.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;To mitigate the crisis, rethink role of regulators&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in Hindustan Times on 24/03/2020. It talks about how a crucial role is played by financial and economic regulators during a crisis situation for its mitigation.</p>
</div>
<p>The economic impacts of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic coronavirus disease (Covid-19)</strong> </a>may last longer than its health effects. The global economy was stabilising before the spread of Covid-19, but now it has started showing its impacts on global economies.</p>
<p><strong>The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)</strong> estimates that the pandemic will lead to a <strong>1.5% slowdown in global growth. The World Trade Organization (WTO)</strong> also expects a &ldquo;substantial&rdquo; impact on the global economy. The <strong>economic impact on India</strong> will be more profound because most jobs are informal, State capacity for disaster response is low, and health care is far from universal.</p>
<p>In this context, the significance of regulatory bodies becomes more apparent for early recovery and mitigation of crisis emanating from Covid-19.</p>
<h3>Role of Regulatory Bodies</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India liberalised industries in the 1990s and handed over sectoral governance to regulatory bodies. These bodies played a constructive role in ensuring the free and fair market.</li>
<li>Post 1990, Privatisation saw the advent of the 'Indian Regulator' that became the 'nurturer' and 'parent' of its sector. The regulators <strong>incentivised private investment</strong> by giving them functional autonomy and shielding them from interference.</li>
<li>Also, regulatory bodies have shown that empowered regulator can bring fruitful results:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Steps taken by <strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong> in tackling the liquidity crisis and management of increasing Non- Performing Assets (NPAs).</li>
<li><strong>SEBI</strong> has also been instrumental in taking quick and effective steps in light of the global meltdown and the Satyam fiasco.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, improper regulation or failure of regulatory bodies in smoothening the interaction between markets and the State may lead to a new crisis. For example,<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/crisis-in-the-telecom-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AGR issue:</strong></a> In October 2019, the Supreme Court demanded that telecom companies pay statutory dues worth ₹1.47 lakh crore to the central government.</li>
<li>These dues didn&rsquo;t pile up overnight but stem from a 15-year-old dispute over sharing of revenues between telcos and the government. A well-regulated industry would not be subject to such a large fiscal shock.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Regulatory Bodies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These are independent governmental bodies established by the government in order to set standards in a specific field of activity, or operations and then to enforce those standards. Regulatory agencies may or may not function outside direct executive supervision.</li>
<li>The main functions of the regulatory body are typically identified as follows:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Regulations and guides</li>
<li>Review and assessment</li>
<li>Licensing</li>
<li>Inspection</li>
<li>Corrective actions</li>
<li>Enforcement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Some examples of regulatory bodies in India are: Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDCSO), Competition Commission of India (CCI)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Issues with Regulatory Bodies in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Populist pressure:</strong> In India political populism often overtakes the economic agenda. This casts a shadow on regulation. There are constant interferences in the functioning of regulatory bodies by the ruling political parties.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Eg, Interventions of government in the RBI functioning</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Selection of non- experts:</strong> The selection of non-experts to lead the regulatory bodies may bring lack of efficiency in the functioning of such bodies. Recently, this issue was raised when the former Finance secretary was appointed as RBI chairman.</li>
<li><strong>Inefficient review mechanism:</strong> The review mechanism of the functioning of the regulatory bodies under the aegis of parliamentary committees is not very robust.</li>
<li><strong>Recommendations made by Regulatory Authorities are rarely implemented.</strong></li>
<li>Presence of many regulatory bodies causes overlapping of powers. For example: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Environment- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and National GreenTribunal (NGT).</li>
<li>Controversy between SEBI and IRDAI over Unit Linked Insurance Policy.</li>
<li>Education sector- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and University Grants Commission (UGC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Some Suggestion for Regulatory Bodies</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Regulatory organisations should undertake a <strong>self-evaluation</strong> of themselves once in a few (say three) years, and put out the conclusions in the public domain for informed discussion and debate.</li>
<li>Genuine<strong> functional autonomy</strong> would also have to be reinforced with <strong>financial autonomy</strong> by putting in place a system where regulatory organisations are not dependent on government departments for financial support.</li>
<li>Functional autonomy without corresponding accountability is a sure recipe for chaos. Thus, there is a need to make sure such bodies imbibe the ethos of <strong>transparency and accountability</strong> in the functioning of the bodies.</li>
<li>The<strong> appointment</strong> of persons to head regulatory organisations should be attempted in a far more <strong>transparent manner.</strong></li>
<li>Many countries have adopted techniques like <strong>&ldquo;Regulatory Impact Assessments&rdquo;.</strong> India can also mandate such techniques through legislation and thereby preserve economic value.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA)</strong></p>
<p>Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA) is a systemic approach to critically assessing the positive and negative effects of proposed and existing regulations and non-regulatory alternatives. As employed in OECD countries it encompasses a range of methods. It is an important element of an evidence-based approach to policymaking.</p>
</div>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Many studies suggest that Covid-19 has caused a huge economic loss and will continue to do so in the immediate future. Today, among many experts there is a consensus that we may be headed for not just a slowdown, but perhaps even a recession.</p>
<p>Thus there is a <strong>need for empowered regulatory bodies</strong> which can steer regulations to make sectors of the economy robust and smoothly mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic Covid -19.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f2eedf;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Empowered Regulatory Bodies are significant in the mitigation of an economic crisis. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/regulatory-bodies-1'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Traditional New Year Festivals',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The President of India has greeted the people on the eve of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These festivals of the <strong>spring season</strong> mark the beginning of the <strong>traditional new year</strong> in India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Chaitra Shukla Pratipada</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It marks the beginning of the <strong>new year of the Vikram Samvat</strong> also known as the <strong>Vedic [Hindu] calendar.</strong></li>
<li>Vikram Samvat is based on the day when the emperor Vikramaditya defeated Sakas, invaded Ujjain and called for a new era.</li>
<li>Under his supervision, astronomers formed a new calendar based on the <strong>luni-solar system</strong> that is still followed in the northern regions of India.</li>
<li>It is the first day during the waxing phase (in which the visible side of moon is getting bigger every night) of the moon in the <strong>Chaitra (first month</strong> of Hindu calendar).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Gudi Padwa and Ugadi</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These festivals are celebrated by the people in the <strong>Deccan region</strong> including <strong>Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.</strong></li>
<li>The common practice in the celebrations of both the festivals is the <strong>festive food</strong> that is prepared with a <strong>mix of sweet and bitter.</strong></li>
<li>A famous concoction served is jaggery (sweet) and neem (bitter), called <strong>bevu-bella</strong> in the South, signifying that life brings both happiness and sorrows.</li>
<li><strong>Gudi</strong> is a doll prepared in <strong>Maharashtrian</strong> homes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A bamboo stick is adorned with green or red brocade to make the gudi. This gudi is placed prominently in the house or outside a window/ door for all to see.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For <strong>Ugadi,</strong> doors in homes are adorned with <strong>mango leaf decorations</strong> called <strong>toranalu or Torana in Kannada.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Cheti Chand</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sindhis</strong> celebrate the new year as Cheti Chand. <strong>Chaitra</strong> month is called <strong>'Chet'</strong> in Sindhi.</li>
<li>The day commemorates the birth anniversary of <strong>Uderolal/Jhulelal,</strong> the <strong>patron saint of Sindhis.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Navreh</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>lunar new year</strong> that is celebrated in<strong> Kashmir.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>Sanskrit</strong> word <em>&lsquo;Nav-Varsha&rsquo;</em> from where the word &lsquo;Navreh&rsquo; has been derived.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It falls on the first day of the Chaitra Navratri.</li>
<li>On this day, Kashmiri pandits look at a bowl of rice which is considered as a symbol of riches and fertility.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sajibu Cheiraoba</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>ritual festival of Meiteis</strong> which is observed on the first day of <strong>Manipur lunar month Shajibu,</strong> which falls in March/April every year.</li>
<li>On the day of the festival, people arrange a <strong>joint family feast</strong> in which traditional cuisines are offered to local deities at the entrance gates of the houses.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Meities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Meiteis are <strong>one of the most eminent ethnic groups of Manipur,</strong> hailing from the Manipur Valley.</li>
<li>They speak<strong> Tibeto-Burman language</strong> and most of the people belonging to the group, <strong>follow Hindu customs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607954" 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/traditional-new-year-festivals'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Indigenously Developed Testing Kits for COVID-19',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>test kits for COVID-19</strong> developed by the Pune-based <strong>MyLab Discovery Solutions and Germany&rsquo;s Altona Diagnostics</strong> have been approved by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The two companies have also received <strong>approval to mass manufacture the kits</strong> after they received commercial <strong>approval from the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/18-05-2019/print" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).</a></strong></li>
<li>Currently, the diagnostic kits to test people for COVID-19 are <strong>imported from the USA.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Approval Conditions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, the kits approved by the <strong>United States Food and Drugs Administration</strong> or certified by the <strong>European Union</strong> were allowed to offer commercial tests for detecting SARS CoV-2.</li>
<li>However, ICMR stated that it is no longer a requirement and even those <strong>approved by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) would be eligible for testing.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Feature of the Developed Testing Kit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Quick Detection:</strong> The developed kit <strong>detects the infection within two and half hours</strong> compared to over seven hours taken by current protocol.</li>
<li><strong>Accuracy:</strong> The <strong>ability to detect the early stage of detection and highest accuracy</strong> has been observed with the indigenously developed testing kit for COVID-19.</li>
<li><strong>Affordable:</strong> For the government labs, these testing kits would cost nearly <strong>Rs 1,200 per test kit, which is about one-fourth of the current testing kit</strong> used by India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indigenously Developed:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The indigenously developed testing kits for COVID-19 by MyLabs have been manufactured <strong>as per <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organisation (WHO)</a> /Centre for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.</strong></li>
<li><strong>MyLabs discovery Solutions is the first indigenous manufacturer</strong> to be approved for deploying its <strong>kits for COVID-19 testing.</strong></li>
<li>The approval from National Institute of Virology (NIV) to MyLabs is expected to provide major support to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/five-years-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; programme</strong></a> in the future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</li>
<li>It was founded in <strong>1911</strong> with the name of Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) and <strong>renamed as ICMR in 1949.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>funded</strong> by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, <strong>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Institute of Virology</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Institute of Virology is one of the major Institutes of the <strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).</strong></li>
<li>It was established at <strong>Pune, Maharashtra in 1952 as Virus Research Centre (VRC)</strong> under the auspices of the<strong> ICMR </strong>and the <strong>Rockefeller Foundation (RF), USA.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The CDSCO is the Central Drug Authority for discharging functions assigned to the Central Government under the <strong>Drugs and Cosmetics Act,1940.</strong></li>
<li>Major Functions:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Regulatory control</strong> over the import of drugs, approval of new drugs and clinical trials.</li>
<li>Approval of<strong> certain licences</strong> as Central Licence Approving Authority</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/punes-mylab-gets-approval-for-covid-19-diagnostic-kit/article31151858.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/indigenously-developed-testing-kits-for-covid-19'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Invest India Business Immunity Platform',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Invest India,</strong> under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched the <strong>&lsquo;Invest India Business Immunity Platform&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Business Immunity Platform (BIP) is designed as a comprehensive resource <strong>to help businesses and investors</strong> get real-time updates on India&rsquo;s active response to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> (Coronavirus).</li>
<li>BIP is an active platform for business <strong>issue redressal, operating 24/7,</strong> with a team of dedicated sector experts and responding to queries at the earliest.</li>
<li>Important features of BIP are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It keeps a regular track on developments with respect to the coronavirus.</li>
<li>Provides latest information on various central and state government initiatives, and answers and resolves queries through emails and on WhatsApp.</li>
<li>Includes frequently asked questions on important aspects like locations of COVID-19 testing and other location-specific information.</li>
<li>Maps and highlights the response mechanism put in place by leading Indian companies such as sanitation of staff vehicles, disabling biometric attendance systems,usage of video-conferencing and tele-conferencing, developing online solutions and other unique initiatives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This platform also provides the ability to join the dots to find matching suppliers with required supplies and for innovators, startups and MSMEs to showcase their solutions</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Invest India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Invest India is <strong>India's national Investment Promotion &amp; Facilitation Agency.</strong></li>
<li>It was set up in 2009 as a <strong>non-profit venture</strong> under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</strong></li>
<li>It focuses on<strong> sector-specific investor targeting and development</strong> of new partnerships to enable sustainable investments in India.</li>
<li>It partners with substantial investment promotion agencies and multilateral organizations and also actively works with several Indian states to build capacity as well as bring in global best practices in investment targeting, promotion and facilitation areas.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607905" 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/invest-india-business-immunity-platform'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Burden on Companies Eased',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has made a series of announcements to ease the burden of companies during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-s-preparedness" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> outbreak.</p>
<h3>Announcements</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Increase in the threshold for initiation of corporate insolvency from <strong>Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would <strong>prevent small businesses</strong> from being <strong>dragged into insolvency</strong> (inability to pay debts when they are due).</li>
<li>This would also ease the compliance burden on companies during the coronavirus outbreak.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A<strong> suspension on mandatory filings</strong> with the <strong>Corporate Affairs Ministry&rsquo;s MCA-21 portal,</strong> also additional fees for late filing has been removed.</li>
<li>A <strong>60 day relaxation</strong> in the rule requiring that <strong>board meetings</strong> be held once every 120 days for the next two quarters.</li>
<li>The companies would also be exempt from the requirement under the <strong>Companies Act</strong> that <strong>at least one director</strong> be in residency in the country for at least 182 days in the year.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In India, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 is a step towards settling the legal position with respect to <strong>financial failures and insolvency.</strong></li>
<li>It provides easy exit with a painless mechanism in cases of insolvency of individuals as well as companies.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Applicability of the Code</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The provisions of the Code shall apply for<strong> insolvency, liquidation, voluntary liquidation or bankruptcy of the following entities :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Any company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 or under any previous law.</li>
<li>Any other company governed by any special act for the time being in force, except in so far as the said provision is inconsistent with the provisions of such Special Act.</li>
<li>Any Limited Liability Partnership under the LLP Act 2008.</li>
<li>Any other body being incorporated under any other law for the time being in force, as specified by the Central Government in this regard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Moreover, this code shall apply only if the <strong>minimum amount of the default is Rs. 1 lakh.</strong></li>
<li>However, by placing the notification in the Official Gazette, the Central Government may specify the minimum amount of default of higher value which <strong>shall not be more than Rs. 1 crore.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Exceptions:</strong> There is an exception to the applicability of the Code that it shall not apply to corporate persons who are regulated financial service providers such as Banks, Financial Institutions and Insurance companies.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>MCA21</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>MCA21 is an e-Governance initiative of the <strong>Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA),</strong> Government of India.</li>
<li>It enables an <strong>easy and secure access of the MCA services</strong> to the corporate entities, professionals and citizens of India.</li>
<li>The application is designed to fully<strong> automate all processes</strong> related to the proactive enforcement and compliance of the legal requirements under <strong>the Companies Act, 1956, New Companies Act, 2013 and Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008.</strong></li>
<li>This will help the business community to <strong>meet their statutory obligations.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/govt-raises-insolvency-threshold-to-rs-1-crore-to-help-small-companies-6330193/" 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/burden-on-companies-eased'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Tokyo Olympics 2020 Postponed',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee have decided to <strong>postpone</strong> the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games <strong>to the summer 2021</strong> due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coronavirus pandemic.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>However, the Olympics Games <strong>will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.</strong></li>
<li>The decision came after some of the major sporting nations like <strong>Australia and Canada</strong> withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics 2020.</li>
<li>The nations withdrew in the backdrop of <strong>limited international travel, difficulty in training and exposed risk of contracting or spreading the disease.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>COVID-19</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Health Organisation (WHO) has named the new coronavirus disease as <strong>&lsquo;COVID-19&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The new name is taken from the words<strong> "corona", "virus" and "disease", with 2019</strong> representing the year when it emerged (the outbreak was reported to the WHO on 31<sup>st</sup> December, 2019).</li>
<li>The word coronavirus refers to the <strong>group of viruses it belongs to,</strong> rather than the latest strain. The latest strain has been designated &lsquo;Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)&rsquo; by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.</li>
<li>The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also declared COVID-19 as a pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the WHO, a pandemic is declared when a new disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world beyond expectations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historic Postponement :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The organisers have postponed the event for the<strong> first time in its 124-year modern history.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 at Athens (Greece).<strong><br /></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is also considered as the <strong>first postponement</strong> of an Olympics in <strong>peacetime.</strong></li>
<li>Earlier, the games were not held during World War II considering the turmoil across the world.</li>
<li>In 1940, Japan was to be the first Asian country to host the Olympics.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>But its military aggression in Asia forced the annulment of the Olympics scheduled in Japan.</li>
<li>The 1940 Olympics is known as the <strong>&ldquo;Missing Olympics&rdquo;</strong> after the Games were switched to Helsinki (Finland) before finally being scrapped because of World War II.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cost:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tokyo was<strong> spending $12.6 billion</strong> to host the Games and a postponement could <strong>cost it $6 billion</strong> as the short-term period loss.</li>
<li>It will also be a<strong> bitter blow to sponsors and major broadcasters</strong> who rely on this four-yearly event for critical advertising revenue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Origin:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Olympic Games <strong>originated </strong>in <strong>ancient Greece</strong> and were an intrinsic part of a <strong>religious festival.</strong> They were held in honour of Zeus (the greek god of the sky) at Olympia in Greece.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Modern Olympics Games:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Olympic Games were <strong>revived</strong> in the late <strong>19<sup>th</sup> century.</strong></li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 at Athens (Greece).</span></p>
</li>
<li>The<strong> architect of the modern Olympics Games </strong>was<strong> Pierre, baron de Coubertin.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Olympic Committee (IOC):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was created on <strong>23 June 1894</strong> and is the<strong> supreme authority</strong> of the Olympic Movement.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>not-for-profit independent</strong> international organisation that is committed to building a better world through sport.</li>
<li>It ensures the regular celebration of the Olympic Games, supports all affiliated member organisations and strongly encourages, by appropriate means, the promotion of the Olympic values.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pattern of Olympics Games:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Olympics have been held <strong>every four years since 1948.</strong></li>
<li>The honour of holding the Olympic Games is <strong>entrusted to a city, not to a country.</strong> The choice of the city lies solely with the IOC. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Thus , the application to hold the Games is made by the chief authority of the city, with the support of the national government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/olympics-postponed-to-be-held-latest-by-2021-summer-says-japanese-pm/article31154196.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/tokyo-olympics-2020-postponed'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Cess Fund for Welfare of Construction Workers',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Labour &amp; Employment has Issued an advisory to all States/UTs to use the Cess Fund for Welfare of Construction Workers.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The advisory comes under Section 60 of the <strong>Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Act regulates the employment and conditions of service of building and other construction workers.</li>
<li>It provides for their safety, health and welfare measures and for other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>All State Governments/UTs have been advised to transfer funds from the Cess Fund to the account of construction workers through <strong>Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.</strong></li>
<li>The amount to be granted to construction workers may be decided by the respective state governments and Union territories.</li>
<li>The financial assistance at this point in time would help to mitigate the financial crisis of construction workers to some extent and boost their morale to deal with COVID-19.</li>
<li><strong>About the Cess Fund</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The BOCW Cess Act, 1996, provides for the levy and collection of cess at 1-2 % of the cost of construction, as the Central government may notify.</li>
<li>The cess has been levied at the rate of 1% of the cost of construction, as notified by the Central government in its official gazette.</li>
<li>The cess is <strong>collected by the State governments and UTs.</strong></li>
<li>It is utilised for the welfare of building and other construction workers by the respective State Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Cess</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cess is a <strong>form of tax</strong> levied over and above the base tax liability of a taxpayer.</li>
<li>Cess is resorted to only when there is a need to meet the <strong>particular expenditure for public welfare.</strong></li>
<li>Cess is not a permanent source of revenue for the government, and it is <strong>discontinued</strong> when the purpose of levying it is fulfilled.</li>
<li>It can be levied on <strong>both indirect and direct taxes.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Examples :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Swachh Bharat Cess:</strong> Introduced in 2015, a 0.5% Swachh Bharat cess was imposed to fund a national campaign for clearing the roads, streets and the infrastructure of India.</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure Cess:</strong> Announced in Union Budget 2016, this cess was charged on the production of vehicles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607911" 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/cess-fund-for-welfare-of-construction-workers'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Sovereignty: Unconstrained Right?',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/not-an-unfettered-right/article31136495.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Not an unfettered right&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 23/03/2020. It talks about the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights filing an application in Supreme Court of India seeking to intervene as <strong>amicus curiae</strong> in a petition challenging the constitutionality of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR), Michelle Bachelet, filed an application seeking to intervene as <strong>amicus curiae</strong> in a petition <strong>(&lsquo;Deb Mukharji &amp; Ors vs Union of India &amp; Ors&rsquo;)</strong> challenging the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/opposition-to-citizenship-amendment-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>constitutionality of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019</strong></a> (CAA) in the Supreme Court of India.</p>
<p>The government of India in a strong reaction stated that the CAA is an internal matter, concerning the sovereign right of Parliament to make laws, and no foreign body had any locus standi (the right or capacity to bring an action or to appear in a court) on issues pertaining to India&rsquo;s sovereignty.</p>
<p>In this context, this case provides an opportunity for India to have clarity on questions pertaining to sovereignty in relation to international law which may intervene in domestic proceedings.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Amicus Curiae</strong></p>
<p>An amicus curiae <strong>(literally, "friend of the court")</strong> is someone who is not a party to a case and may or may not have been solicited by a party and who assists a court by offering information, expertise, or insight that has a bearing on the issues in the case.</p>
<p><strong>UNCHR</strong></p>
<p>The post of the UNCHR was established in pursuant to the UN General Assembly Resolution 48/141 (1993), with the mandate to:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Promote and protect the effective enjoyment of human rights.</li>
<li>Take an active role in preventing the continuation of human rights violations.</li>
<li>Engage in dialogue with governments in the implementation of human rights obligations.</li>
<li>Support domestic courts, with their constitutional or judicial function, in ensuring the implementation of international legal obligations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>What is the concept of Sovereignty?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sovereignty</strong> is the full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources or bodies.</li>
<li>The <strong>Preamble to the Indian Constitution</strong> lays out the position, wherein the people of India have resolved to constitute the Indian Republic into a sovereign country.</li>
<li>However, in practical terms, no country can exercise sovereignty by being isolated with other countries, it has to engage and collaborate with other nations under a defined set of international law.</li>
<li>According to the<strong> International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty,</strong> &ldquo;national political authorities are responsible to the citizens internally and to the international community through the UN&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, it is appropriate to say that an authority&rsquo;s right to sovereignty is not unfettered.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, <strong>Article 51 (c)</strong> of the Constitution directs the state to &ldquo;foster respect for international law&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Case of Locus Standi of UNCHR</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is a voluntary application rather than at the invitation of the Supreme Court.</li>
<li>India is a state party and signatory to various international conventions including the<strong> International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights</strong> and the <strong>International Covenant on Economic, Social and Culture Rights</strong> which contain important non-discrimination clauses, including on the ground of religion.</li>
<li>Further, as part of its mandate, the UNCHR routinely intervenes before regional and domestic courts across the world.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Accordingly, the UNCHR has previously filed amicus briefs before regional courts such as the European Court of Human Rights and the Inter-American Court on Human Rights as well as domestic courts such as the US Supreme Court and final appellate courts in Asia and Latin America.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Moreover, while interpreting fundamental rights under the Constitution, the Supreme Court (SC) has taken into account and given due weightage to India&rsquo;s international legal obligations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the KS Puttaswamy case, SC&rsquo;s conception of the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/privacy-judgement-and-the-aftermath" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &ldquo;right to privacy&rdquo;</a></strong> was informed by India&rsquo;s international law obligations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India should reconsider its stance of not allowing UNCHR as amicus curiae in CAA case. If the intervention is allowed, the Indian government will also have the opportunity to address the implications of the CAA under international law. This will also send a strong signal to the international community that India is a nation that respects the rule of international law.</p>
<p>Moreover, the case provides an opportunity for the Supreme Court to lay down the law on whether such applications interfere with national sovereignty.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #d9faed;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>A sovereign nation can operate independently without interference from foreign powers. Critically analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sovereignty-unconstrained-right'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'World Tuberculosis Day',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>World Tuberculosis (TB) Day</strong> is observed on <strong>24<sup>th</sup> March</strong> every year to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The date 24<sup>th</sup> March is chosen to commemorate the anniversary of <strong>Dr. Robert Koch&rsquo;s discovery of the cause of Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium Tuberculosis) in 1882.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>TB remains the <strong>world&rsquo;s deadliest infectious killer.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Each day, over 4000 people lose their lives to TB and close to 30,000 people fall ill with this <strong>preventable and curable disease.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Theme for 2020: &lsquo;It&rsquo;s time&rsquo;.</strong> It puts the accent on the <strong>urgency to act on the commitments</strong> made by global leaders to:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>scale up access to prevention and treatment.</li>
<li>build accountability.</li>
<li>ensure sufficient and sustainable financing including for research.</li>
<li>promote an end to stigma and discrimination.</li>
<li>promote an equitable, rights-based and people-centered TB response.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Efforts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> World Health Organization</strong> </a>(WHO) has launched a <strong>joint initiative &ldquo;Find. Treat. All. #EndTB&rdquo;</strong> with the <strong>Global Fund and Stop TB Partnership.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It aims to accelerate the TB response and ensure access to care, in line with WHO&rsquo;s overall drive towards <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/universal-health-coverage-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Health Coverage.</strong> </a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>WHO also releases the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-tuberculosis-report-2019-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Tuberculosis Report.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Efforts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Government of India has committed to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lancet-building-a-tuberculosis-free-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>eliminate the prevalence of TB by 2025</strong></a>, with commensurate resources to rapidly reduce TB incidence prevalence and mortality in India.</li>
<li>The<strong> Ministry of Health and Family Welfare</strong> is implementing the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agreement-with-the-world-bank-to-eliminate-tb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Strategic Plan</strong></a> (NSP) for Tuberculosis Elimination <strong>(2017-2025).</strong></li>
<li>The President of India had appealed to all the stakeholders to come together to reinforce the efforts in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tb-harega-desh-jeetega-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> "TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign"</strong></a> to make it a true people&rsquo;s movement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tuberculosis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>TB is caused by <strong>bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)</strong> that most often affect the lungs.</li>
<li><strong>Transmission:</strong> TB is spread from<strong> person to person through the air.</strong> When people with TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.</li>
<li><strong>Symptoms:</strong> Cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.</li>
<li><strong>Treatment:</strong> TB is a treatable and curable disease. It is treated with a <strong>standard 6 month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs</strong> that are provided with information, supervision and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer.</li>
<li>Anti-TB medicines have been used for decades and strains that are resistant to 1 or more of the medicines have been documented in every country surveyed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)</strong> is a form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to isoniazid and rifampicin, the 2 most powerful, first-line anti-TB drugs. MDR-TB is treatable and curable by using second-line drugs.</li>
<li><strong>Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB)</strong> is a more serious form of MDR-TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to the most effective second-line anti-TB drugs, often leaving patients without any further treatment options.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1607802" 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/world-tuberculosis-day'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Aircraft Amendment Bill, 2020',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Lok Sabha has passed the<strong> Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020</strong> which seeks to amend the<strong> Aircraft Act, 1934.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Act regulates</strong> the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of civil aircrafts and licensing of aerodromes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Features</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill will provide<strong> statutory status to regulatory institutions</strong> like the <strong>Directorate General of Civil Aviation</strong> (DGCA), the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/counter-drone-strategy-for-countrys-airports-is-ready" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bureau of Civil Aviation Security</strong></a> (BCAS) and the<strong> Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau</strong> (AAIB).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>DGCA</strong> will carry out oversight and regulatory functions with respect to matters under the Bill.</li>
<li><strong>BCAS</strong> carries out regulatory oversight functions related to civil aviation security.</li>
<li><strong>AAIB</strong> carries out investigations related to aircraft accidents and incidents.</li>
<li>The statutory status to these regulatory institutions would <strong>improve India&rsquo;s aviation safety ranking</strong> as suggested by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-25th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Civil Aviation Organization</strong></a> (ICAO).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Bill proposes to<strong> increase the fine amount for violations of rules</strong> from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for aviation industry players.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the Bill, the central government may cancel the licences, certificates or approvals granted to a person under the Act if the person contravenes any provision of the Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Act exempted aircrafts</strong> belonging to the <strong>naval, military, or air forces</strong> of the Union.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill <strong>expands this exemption</strong> to include aircrafts belonging to any <strong>other armed forces other than these three.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The civil aviation sector had been <strong>deregulated</strong> with little role for the government to set air fare.</li>
<li>There has been a<strong> drop in demand</strong> and airline companies are under stress due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a> outbreak.</li>
<li>Air India is having huge losses (₹26 crore daily) due to its <strong>disinvestment</strong> and it is likely to get worse in the wake of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic.</strong></a></li>
<li>The aviation sector faces the<strong> shortage of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-tallest-atc-tower" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Air-Traffic Controllers</a></strong> (ATCs).</li>
<li>The cases of <strong>&ldquo;near miss&rdquo;</strong> in the skies have <strong>increased.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A near miss is when two aircraft come so close that their safety is compromised. The safe distance between two planes flying in opposite directions is 40 seconds depending on their speed. Similarly, the vertical distance of 1,000 feet is considered safe.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Airfares need to remain <strong>affordable</strong> and airlines also need to remain <strong>viable.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>strength of ATCs needs to be increased</strong> to avoid any possibility of mid-air collisions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has 3,500 ATCs and 250 more will be hired next year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bill-to-grant-statutory-status-to-dgca-passed-in-lok-sabha/article31096153.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aircraft-amendment-bill-2020'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Digitised Scripts of Yakshagana',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>voluntary community effort</strong> by the trust named <strong>Yakshavahini</strong> has made more than 900 <strong>Yakshagana scripts digitised and available online for free.</strong></p>
<h3>Yakshagana<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585038191_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1585038191_image2.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="252" height="200" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form of <strong>Karnataka.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>temple art form</strong> that depicts <strong>mythological stories and Puranas.</strong></li>
<li>It is performed with massive headgears, elaborate facial make-up and vibrant costumes and ornaments.</li>
<li>Usually recited in <strong>Kannada,</strong> it is also performed in <strong>Malayalam</strong> as well as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tulu-language" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tulu (the dialect of south Karnataka).</strong></a></li>
<li>It is performed with percussion instruments like chenda, maddalam, jagatta or chengila (cymbals) and chakratala or elathalam (small cymbals).</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government&rsquo;s Initiative: National Mission for Manuscripts</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) was launched by the <strong>Ministry of Culture</strong> in<strong> 2003.</strong></li>
<li>The Mission has the mandate of identifying, documenting, conserving and making accessible the manuscript heritage of India.</li>
<li>The ultimate objective of the Mission is <strong>to establish a Digital Manuscripts Repository</strong> at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in which researchers and scholars can view and consult the manuscripts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IGNCA is an autonomous institution under the Union Ministry of Culture. It was established in 1987 as a centre for research, academic pursuit and dissemination in the field of the arts.</li>
<li>Its motto is &lsquo;conserving the past for the future&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) is also developing an app to make around 3 lakh manuscripts accessible.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/over-900-yakshagana-scripts-go-digital/article31149254.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/digitised-scripts-of-yakshagana'
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	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'ICMR Recommends Use of Hydroxy-Chloroquine',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The National Task force for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-s-preparedness" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVID-19</strong></a>, constituted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has suggested the <strong>use of hydroxy-chloroquine</strong> to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) for restricted populations.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Hydroxy-chloroquine :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydroxy-chloroquine is an <strong>oral drug</strong> used in the treatment of <strong>autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Autoimmune diseases are in which the body's immune system attacks healthy cells.</li>
<li>Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hydroxy-chloroquine against COVID-19:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The drug shows antiviral activity <strong>in vitro</strong> against coronaviruses, and specifically, SARS-CoV-2 [the virus that causes COVID-19].</li>
<li>Further, the study suggests that prophylaxis (treatment given to prevent disease) with hydroxy-chloroquine at approved doses could prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and may help to improve viral shedding.</li>
<li>Clinical trials are under way in China to know whether the drug can be used for treatment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ICMR Recommended Use of Hydroxy-chloroquine:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The restricted population for usage of hydroxy-chloroquine include, namely, <strong>&lsquo;Asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) Healthcare Workers&rsquo;</strong> and <strong>&lsquo;Asymptomatic household contacts&rsquo;</strong> of laboratory-confirmed cases.</li>
<li>The above mentioned population have been advised to use the hydroxy-chloroquine to <strong>contain further spread of the pandemic.</strong></li>
<li>However, the drug is <strong>not recommended</strong> as a preventive healthcare in children under <strong>15 years of age.</strong></li>
<li>ICMR also advised that placing healthcare workers under hydroxy-chloroquine treatment<strong> should not instill a sense of false security</strong> and they <strong>need to follow all prescribed public health measures</strong> such as frequent washing of hands, respiratory etiquettes, keeping a distance of minimum one metre and use of personal protective equipment, etc.</li>
<li>It has been also advised that the drug<strong> should only be given on the prescription</strong> of a registered medical practitioner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Combination of Hydroxy-chloroquine with Other Drugs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Hydroxy-chloroquine and Chloroquine:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A study suggests that<strong> both hydroxy-chloroquine and chloroquine</strong> have in vitro activity against SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and other coronaviruses, with hydroxy-chloroquine having higher potency against SARS-CoV-2.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hydroxy-chloroquine with Azithromycin:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The combination is hydroxy-chloroquine with azithromycin, a commonly used antibiotic.</li>
<li>The combination is expected to be efficient for virus elimination.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>In vitro studies</strong> are performed with microorganisms, cells, or biological molecules outside their normal biological context (such as in a test tube).</li>
<li>In contrast to in vitro experiments,<strong> in vivo studies</strong> are those conducted in living organisms, including humans, and whole plants.</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 apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</li>
<li>Its mandate is to conduct, coordinate and implement medical research 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 Department of Health Research, <strong>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/coronavirus-vaccine-hydroxychloroquinine-6328377/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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