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Registration of Migrant Workers

This article is based on Why the Supreme Court order on registration of migrant workers is welcome which was published in The Indian Express on...

22 Jul 2021 Industrial Growth
Emerging Market for Renewables

Why in News According to a recent report, fossil fuel electricity generation has peaked worldwide as emerging markets seize the opportunities of...

16 Jul 2021 Industrial Growth
The Big Picture: Cooperative Based Economic Development

Why in News A new Ministry of Cooperation has been created to strengthen the Cooperative Movement. The new ministry is expected to streamline...

14 Jul 2021 Industrial Growth
International MSMEs Day

Why in News Every year, Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day is celebrated on 27th June to recognise the contribution of these...

28 Jun 2021 Industrial Growth
Gujarat International Maritime Arbitration Centre (GIMAC)

Why in News Recently, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Gujarat Maritime University and International Financial Services...

25 Jun 2021 Industrial Growth
Power Sector Reforms

This article is based on “Band-aid for power” which was published in The Indian express on 19/06/2021. It talks about the associated...

19 Jun 2021 Industrial Growth
Social Security Code 2020

Why in News The effectiveness of the Social Security Code (SS Code) 2020 in helping the informal workforce is questioned by many. With SS Code...

20 May 2021 Industrial Growth
Export of Organic Millets

Why in News In a major boost to exports of organic products from the country, the first consignment of millets grown in the Himalayas would be...

06 May 2021 Industrial Growth
Micro in MSME

This article is based on “Micro enterprises need exclusive treatment” which was published in The Hindu business line on 23/04/2021. It...

24 Apr 2021 Industrial Growth
Helium Crisis for India

Why in News India imports helium for its needs, and with the USA appearing set to cut off exports of helium since 2021, Indian industry stands to...

26 Mar 2021 Industrial Growth
Recommendations to Amend the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020

Why in News Recently, a parliamentary panel on the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 has recommended that the government should amend the...

26 Mar 2021 Industrial Growth
Empowering the MSMEs Digitally

This article is based on “How e-commerce marketplaces can drive MSME makeover” which was published in The Indian Express on 18/03/2021....

19 Mar 2021 Industrial Growth
PLI Scheme for Telecom Sector

Why in News The Union Cabinet has approved the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the telecom sector with an outlay of Rs. 12,195 crores...

09 Mar 2021 Industrial Growth
Merchant Digitization Summit 2021

Why In News Recently, the Government of India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and UN-based Better Than Cash...

03 Mar 2021 Industrial Growth
The Big Picture: Budget 2021 for Green Energy

Why in News? The Union Budget for FY 2021-22 presented by the Union Minister of India, has exclusively focussed on Green Energy...

09 Feb 2021 Industrial Growth
The Big Picture : One Nation, One Gas Grid

Why in News? The Prime Minister of India has recently inaugurated the 450-km natural gas pipeline between Kochi in Kerala to Mangalore in...

12 Jan 2021 Industrial Growth
The Big Picture: India’s Renewable Energy Plan

Why in News? Recently, the Prime Minister of India has announced about having huge renewable energy deployment plans for India for the next decade...

08 Dec 2020 Industrial Growth
The Big Picture : Draft Spacecom Policy and India's Space Sector

Why in News? The Union government has permitted for the reforms in the space sector by allowing private players' participation, the Indian Space...

25 Nov 2020 Industrial Growth
Gujarat Maritime Cluster

Why in News The Gujarat Maritime Cluster is coming up in the GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) City at Gandhinagar to address logistics...

13 Nov 2020 Industrial Growth
India in BRICS Ministers’ Meeting

Why in News Recently, the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Virtual Meeting was held under the Russian Presidency. It aimed to discuss...

13 Oct 2020 Industrial Growth

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		'article_id' => (int) 8946,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Registration of Migrant Workers',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/why-the-supreme-court-order-on-registration-of-migrant-workers-is-welcome-7415997/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Why the Supreme Court order on registration of migrant workers is welcome</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 22/07/2021. It talks about the supreme court order on registration of migrant workers.</p>
</div>
<p>According to the latest government data on migration from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/2011-census-data-on-migration#:~:text=According%20to%20the%202011%20Census,state%20from%20the%20two%20states.&amp;text=According%20to%20it%20migrants%20from,combined%20population%20of%2029.2%20million." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2011 Census</strong></a>, India had 45.6 crore migrants in 2011 (38% of the population) compared to 31.5 crore migrants in 2001 (31% of the population).</p>
<p>The migrant workers are the worst sufferers due to the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-covid-pandemic-management" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> as they could not access the government schemes benefits due to the status of statelessness. Thus, the workers in the<strong> unorganised sector (around 93%,</strong> including most migrants in lower-end jobs) need to be able to access numerous welfare schemes in existence.</p>
<p>However, the recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/registration-of-unorganised-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court (SC) judgment</strong> </a>on the problems and miseries of migrant workers will go down in history as a radical judgment to reduce human suffering in the wake of the<strong> Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></p>
<p>The order explicitly recognises the critical contribution of migrant workers to the economy, even though they are often employed in precarious jobs. However, the judgement has its own challenges in the smooth implementation.</p>
<h3>Significance of SC Order</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Accept Self-declaration:</strong> In a significant break with convention, the order declared that <strong>authorities shall not insist on an ID card and accept &ldquo;self-declaration&rdquo;</strong> from workers to access welfare programmes (a similar provision was made in the 2008 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/idea-of-social-security-number-for-migrants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Social Security Act</strong></a>). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In a country where documents determine access to state resources and who is or is not granted citizenship, it is nothing short of revolutionary to issue orders to do away with paperwork.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Universalise the Access to Welfare Scheme:</strong> The order also says that the lack of documentation cannot be used as an excuse by the state to abdicate its responsibility, especially during the pandemic. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the long-term goal is to get all migrant workers registered so that access to welfare schemes reaches to all.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inspires Confidence in Socialist agenda:</strong> The SC orders inspires confidence in India&rsquo;s original socialist agenda at a time when neoliberal policies have challenged measures to protect the dignity and rights of the weakest in society and when industries are engaged in a nasty &ldquo;race to the bottom&rdquo; on labour standards to cut costs and stay competitive.</li>
<li>The order is a welcome indicator that the highest court is still looking out for the<strong> most vulnerable sections</strong> of society.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues of Migrants</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Delay in Registering Workers:</strong> The main barrier preventing access is the delay in registering workers on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/database-of-migrants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>national database</strong></a> of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.</li>
<li><strong>Issues in the Labour Department:</strong> There are numerous barriers within the labour department, including a lack of guidelines on procedures related to registration, and delays in uploading data submitted in hard copy on the portal as it cannot be directly updated by others.</li>
<li><strong>Administrative Issues:</strong> Migrants experienced a variety of problems with registration ranging from digital illiteracy, corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency and the requirement of multiple documents (even where only Aadhaar would suffice).</li>
<li><strong>Exclusion of Vulnerables:</strong> Exclusion was markedly worse among the vulaneables such as Muslims, lower castes owing to discrimination in the society. The tasks set out in the SC order challenge entrenched patterns of labour recruitment and employment that have taken root in the current neoliberal context.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fast Forward Registration Process:</strong> Without registration, none of the welfare schemes in existence can be accessed. Thus, the process should be fast-forwarded to register all the migrant workers.</li>
<li><strong>Implementation of Existing Laws:</strong> Workers must be registered under the three laws that are in place to protect labour and migrant workers, namely, the <strong>1979 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/woes-of-migrants-amid-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Interstate Migrant Workmen Act</a></strong>, the <strong>1996 <a href="/daily-news-analysis/social-audit-to-track-construction-workers-benefits#:~:text=Building%20and%20Other%20Construction%20Worker%20Act%2C%201996&amp;text=The%20Act%20provides%20for%20the,be%20used%20for%20availing%20benefits." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Building and Other Construction Workers Act</a></strong> and the <strong>2008 Unorganised Sector Social Security Act.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Earliest Rollout of ONORC Scheme:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution should allocate additional food grains to the states for disbursement to migrant workers under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-nation-one-ration-card-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme</strong></a> under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revising-national-food-security-act-2013-niti-aayog" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Food Security Act.</strong></a></li>
<li>The rollout of this system requires beneficiaries to possess a ration card, an Aadhaar number, and electronic points of sale (ePoS) in ration shops.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reform Labour Departments:</strong> The labour departments are seriously short of staff and capacity to carry out the Supreme Court order. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Steps must be taken to bring organisational transformation in the departments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Social security measures should cover all the unorganized workers to bring overall development in our country.</p>
<p>Thus, the supreme court&rsquo;s recent order regarding registration of migrant workers stands up for the rights of the weakest and recognises their critical contribution to the economy.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f0fff4;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&lsquo;The contribution of migrant workers to the economy is inumerable, even though they are often employed in precarious jobs.&rsquo; In the light of the statement, discuss the supreme court&rsquo;s recent order on registration of migrant workers on national databases.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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		'article_id' => (int) 8887,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Emerging Market for Renewables',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to a recent report,<strong> fossil fuel electricity generation has peaked worldwide as emerging markets seize the opportunities of low-cost renewables.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Report was <strong>published by</strong> India&rsquo;s Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and the financial think tank Carbon Tracker (both are not-for-profit organisations).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Emerging Market are Key to Global energy Transition:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Emerging markets</strong> are key to the global energy transition, <strong>accounting for 88% of all expected growth in electricity</strong> demand from 2019-2040.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Overall,<strong> 82% of current emerging market electricity demand</strong> and <strong>86% of expected demand growth</strong> comes from countries that <strong>import coal and gas,</strong> and they have powerful incentives to<strong> switch to solar and wind.</strong></li>
<li>With the right policies in place,<strong> technology and cost barriers to change can be crossed.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>transition is different in emerging markets</strong> because they<strong> have electricity demand growth from a lower base</strong> as well as the <strong>need to provide access to hundreds of millions of people.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In developed markets, <strong>demand for fossil fuels for electricity generation has fallen by 20%</strong> since it peaked in 2007.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Four Key Groups of Emerging Markets:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>China, which is nearly half the electricity demand,</strong> and 39% of the expected growth.</li>
<li>Other <strong>importers of coal and gas</strong> such as <strong>India or Vietnam,</strong> which are a third of the demand and nearly half the growth.</li>
<li>Coal and gas exporters such as <strong>Russia or Indonesia,</strong> which are 16% of demand but only around 10% of the growth.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Resistance to the energy transition</strong> is likely to be more entrenched in coal and gas exporting countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;Fragile&rsquo; states</strong> such as <strong>Nigeria or Iraq</strong> which are <strong>3% of demand and around the same share of growth.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India has set an Example:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India, which <strong>accounts for 9% of emerging market electricity demand and 20% of expected demand growth,</strong> illustrates the speed and scale of change.</li>
<li>From <strong>less than 20GW of solar in 2010, it has grown to 96GW of solar, wind biomass and small hydro in May 2021.</strong></li>
<li>Including large hydropower,<strong> renewables now provide 142GW or 37% of the country&rsquo;s power capacity,</strong> and it has a target of 450GW by 2030.</li>
<li><strong>Demand for fossil fuel generation reached a plateau in 2018,</strong> and fell in 2019 and 2020.</li>
<li>While <strong>fossil fuel demand might again increase</strong> in the near-term to meet latent electricity demand, India has demonstrated how a double leapfrog - connecting nearly all households to electricity and its renewable energy rollout - can be driven with policy priorities and market design.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A supportive policy environment</strong> is the key to driving growth in renewables.</li>
<li>If countries <strong>liberalise markets and introduce competitive auctions,</strong> they can <strong>cut costs and attract international finance</strong> as capital markets turn their backs on fossil fuels. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Auctions have helped India</strong> drive the cost of solar down to one of the world&rsquo;s lowest levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Developed countries can speed up the transition to renewables in emerging markets</strong> by providing policy support, technology expertise and by using development finance to reduce the cost of capital.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian Initiatives for Renewable Energy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-hydrogen-energy-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hydrogen Energy Mission</a>:</strong> The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-budget-2021-for-green-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Union Budget for 2021-22</strong></a> has announced a <strong>National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHM)</strong> that will draw up a <strong>road map for using hydrogen as an energy source.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative has the potential of <strong>transforming transportation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-may-miss-100-gw-solar-power-target-by-2022-crisil-report#:~:text=Jawaharlal%20Nehru%20National%20Solar%20Mission,of%2020%2C000%20MW%20by%202022.&amp;text=The%20target%20will%20principally%20comprise,Grid%20Connected%20Solar%20Power%20Projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM)</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was launched in <strong>2009</strong> with a target for<strong> Grid Connected Solar Projects of 20,000 MW by 2022.</strong></li>
<li>The sector has <strong>witnessed rapid development</strong> with installed solar capacity increasing rapidly from 18 MW to about 3800 MW during 2010-15.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-new-and-renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Solar Alliance</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was launched by the <strong>Prime Minister of India and the President of France</strong> on <strong>30<sup>th</sup> November 2015 in Paris, France</strong> on the side-lines of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-climate-change-act-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Conference of the Parties (COP-21)</strong></a>, with 121 solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between the tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn as prospective members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-website-of-ministry-of-new-and-renewable-energy#:~:text=KUSUM%20Scheme,-KUSUM%20stands%20for&amp;text=It's%20objective%20is%20to%20provide,plants%20in%20the%20rural%20areas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PM- KUSUM</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>KUSUM stands for <strong>Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan.</strong></li>
<li>It&rsquo;s objective is to<strong> provide financial and water security</strong> to farmers through harnessing solar energy capacities of 25,750 MW by 2022.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-indias-wind-energy-potential#:~:text=A%20Solar-Wind%20Hybrid%20policy,resources%2C%20transmission%20infrastructure%20and%20land." target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> main objective of the policy</strong> is to provide a framework for promotion of <strong>large grid connected wind-solar photovoltaic (PV) hybrid systems</strong> for optimal and efficient utilization of wind and solar resources, transmission infrastructure and land.</li>
<li>The wind-solar PV hybrid systems will help in reducing the variability in renewable power generation and achieving better grid stability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rooftop-solar-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rooftop Solar Scheme</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Its objective is to <strong>generate solar power</strong> by installing <strong>solar panels on the roof of the houses.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> Ministry of New and Renewable Energy</strong> is the<strong> implementing agency</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-of-grid-connected-rooftop-solar-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Scheme (Phase II)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/renewables-provide-37-of-indias-power-capacity-7405194/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8861,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Cooperative Based Economic Development',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_X8zz_xMCic" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ministry-of-co-operation-a-new-push-to-co-operatives" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Cooperation</strong></a> has been created to strengthen the Cooperative Movement.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The new ministry is expected to streamline processes for cooperatives and realise the vision of <strong>'Sahkar se Samriddhi'.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Cooperatives at Global Level:</strong> According to the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-labour-organization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Labour Organization (ILO)</strong></a>, a cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their <strong>common socio-economic and cultural needs</strong> through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNGA</strong></a> had declared the year 2012 as the <strong>International Year of Cooperatives.</strong></li>
<li>India is an agricultural country and laid the foundation of <strong>World&rsquo;s biggest cooperative movement in the world.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Origin and Nature of Cooperatives in India:</strong> The origin of the cooperative movement in India can be traced back to 1904 but it became effective around 1950.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The cooperatives in India range from financial to non-financial institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The New Ministry of Cooperation:</strong> This separate administrative structure was proposed in the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-02-2021#:~:text=Recently%2C%20the%20Minister%20of%20Finance,the%20Union%20Budget%202021%2D22.&amp;text=It%20is%20based%20on%20six,Minimum%20Government%2C%20Maximum%20Governance'." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Union Budget 2021-22.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministry will help deepen co-operatives as a true people based movement reaching upto the grassroots.</li>
<li>It will work to streamline processes for &lsquo;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/steps-to-boost-ease-of-doing-business" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ease of doing business</strong></a>&rsquo; for co-operatives and enable development of <strong>Multi-State Co-operatives (MSCS).</strong></li>
<li>It will help in identifying other sectors where the cooperatives can come up which will be beneficial for the ones down the value chain.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cooperatives and India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Legal Backing:</strong> The enactment of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/reforms-and-administration-under-lord-curzon" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904</strong></a> gave cooperatives in India a definite structure and shape.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>97<sup>th</sup> Constitution Amendment Act, 2011</strong> provided for amendment of following things:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It amended <strong>Article 19(I) C</strong> by inserting, after the words &lsquo;or unions&rsquo; the words &lsquo;or Co-operative Societies&rsquo;.</li>
<li>It also inserted <strong>Article 43B in Part IV of the Constitution (<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/directive-principles-of-state-policy-dpsp#:~:text=Directive%20Principles%20are%20affirmative%20directions,is%20not%20subordinate%20to%20FRs." target="_blank" rel="noopener">DPSP</a>)</strong> as &ldquo;The State Shall endeavor to promote Voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic Control and professional management of the <strong>Co-operative societies&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>It added a new Part IX-B in the Constitution which is entitled as &ldquo;The Cooperative Societies&rdquo; (Articles 243-ZH to 243-ZT).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types of Cooperative Societies:</strong> In India there are 8.5 lakh cooperative credit societies with a total membership exceeding 28 crores. There are 55 types of cooperative societies that function in our country. The major number is from 7-8 categories.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Primarily Milk Cooperative Societies</strong> which are about 1,50,000 in number.</li>
<li><strong>Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)</strong> which are 95,000 in number.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The first two categories almost account to 2.5 lacs cooperative societies covering 100% of villages and almost 75% of rural population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>About 1,00,000 <strong>Credit Cooperative Societies</strong> which are of 4 types:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Functioning in urban areas.</li>
<li>Functioning in rural areas but not extending agricultural credit.</li>
<li>Cooperative societies with workers and employees in various factories and commercial establishments.</li>
<li>Mahila Jeevan Cooperative Credit Societies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-fisheries-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fisheries</a> Cooperative Societies</strong> which are small compared to large coastline standing at 15000 in number.</li>
<li>About 30,000-35,000 <strong>Weavers Cooperative Credit Societies</strong> functioning in the states of UP, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa.</li>
<li><strong>Housing Cooperative Societies</strong> found all over the country.</li>
<li><strong>Freelancing societies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperatives in Financial Sector:</strong> In the financial sector, there are three types of cooperative banks;
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Primary Urban <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/co-operative-banking-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cooperative Banks</a></strong> which are fully regulated by <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> They are about 1550 in number.</li>
<li>There are about 700 districts across the country and about 300<strong> District Central Cooperative Banks.</strong></li>
<li>Each state has an <strong>Apex Cooperative Bank.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Associated</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Board structure:</strong> The board structure of the cooperative banks is not very representative or responsible. The people on the board are not held accountable for many incoveniences.</li>
<li><strong>Cooperative Banks in Rural sector:</strong> As per the data published by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI Aayog</strong></a>, the income pattern has completely changed in the rural sector; income coming from the farming sector is 35% and the rest by non-farming sector.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The current model for the cooperative banks was created about 50 years ago, a few relaxations have come over time but they are neither adequate nor uniform and do not give enough freedom to the financial institutions to support activities in rural areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Milk Producing:</strong> India is the largest <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-milk-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milk</a></strong> producer with 22% of the global milk production, but the growth of the dairy sector is very heterogeneous. The sector is dominated by western India only.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Central, North and North-east India do not contribute substantially to the dairy sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Laws:</strong> State cooperative laws are not in tune with the current socioeconomic situation. They need to be upgraded/rewritten in certain parts.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Access to Capital:</strong> In India, the capital is scarce. The cooperatives have no access to capital and depend only on the shareholders.</li>
<li><strong>Issues with the Cooperative Movement:</strong> People are not well informed about the objectives of the Cooperative Movement, rules and regulations of co-operative institutions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Co-operative Movement has also suffered from inadequacy of trained personnel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Increasing Agro-Processing:</strong> The processing of agricultural produce in India is restricted to a few items only.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Starting the food processing activity will increase the shelf life of the agricultural produce and will eventually benefit the farmers.</li>
<li>Farmers&rsquo; income can be doubled by the growth of the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> food processing</strong></a> industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Business Model for Cooperative Banks:</strong> Due to the decline of income from agriculture in the rural sector the cooperative banks need a new business model to function.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Business models that provide more freedom and uniformity to these banks are required.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Overall Participation in the Dairy Sector:</strong> The dairy sector can provide maximum income to the rural population if properly systemised.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a need for policies for supporting ancillary services for the dairy sector such as accessible veterinary services and manufacturing of animal feed at a large scale and providing them at an affordable rate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capital Access:</strong> Providing the cooperative banks with the access to capital for the developmental needs of the cooperatives.</li>
<li><strong>Encouraging the Cooperatives:</strong> Cooperatives play a very dominant role in the rural areas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Besides milk cooperatives, other cooperatives like weavers&rsquo; cooperatives and handicrafts&rsquo; cooperatives can be operated. Through this the farmers&rsquo; income and the rural sector economy can be increased tremendously.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Urban Areas:</strong> In this sector, there are two key areas of focus: Mass housing through cooperative societies in urban areas as the majority urban poor live in slums.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The second is consumer cooperatives in urban areas. There are none in the country with credible work.</li>
<li>There is a need to strengthen the consumer cooperatives, not only to ensure proper supply of essential items but it can also act as a balancing sector when <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inflation-data-february-2021#:~:text=Wholesale%20Price%2DInflation%3A,and%202.26%25%20in%20February%202020." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>inflation</strong></a> is high.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>EoDB Norms to Cooperatives:</strong> Ease of Doing Business norms are being applied to all sorts of commercial, manufacturing and services activities. The same support should be extended to all cooperatives so that they are able to function without obstructions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new models are required to be created for revamping the cooperative loss.</li>
<li>The companies which are fully owned by cooperatives shall be promoted so that they can deploy the funds in the cooperative sector so that and eventually the sector does not depend only on the government assistance or borrowings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The economy of India cannot be solely dependent upon the urban areas and industrialisation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The rural sector will continue to play a prominent role and to facilitate it, the cooperative societies have an important role to play. Therefore, it is important to recognise this sector and encourage it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There are irregularities in cooperatives and to check them there have to be rules and stricter implementation.</li>
</ul>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8717,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'International MSMEs Day',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Every year, <strong>Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day</strong> is celebrated on&nbsp;<strong>27<sup>th</sup> June</strong> to recognise the<strong> contribution of these industries</strong> in the implementation of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>History:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations (UN)</strong></a> designated<strong> 27<sup>th</sup> June </strong>as<strong> Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day</strong> through a <strong>resolution</strong> passed in the<strong> UN General Assembly</strong> in April 2017.</li>
<li>In May 2017, a program titled <strong>'Enhancing National Capacities for Unleashing Full Potentials of MSMEs in Achieving the SDGs in Developing Countries'</strong> was launched.</li>
<li>It has been funded by the 2030 Agenda for <strong>Sustainable Development Sub-Fund of the United Nations Peace and Development Fund.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>UN</strong> wants <strong>countries to recognise sustainable development goals</strong> and <strong>create awareness</strong> about them.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An<strong> International Trade Centre survey</strong> on <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> impact</strong> among businesses in 136 countries has shown that <strong>nearly 62% of women-led small businesses</strong> have been strongly affected by the crisis, compared to just over half of firms led by men, and <strong>women-owned are 27%</strong> more likely<strong> not to survive</strong> the pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Formal and informal MSMEs</strong> make up over <strong>90% of all firms and account,</strong> on average, for<strong> 70% of total employment</strong> and <strong>50% of GDP.</strong> As such, they are key actors in achieving a green recovery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>2021 Theme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>MSME 2021: Key to an inclusive and sustainable recovery.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of MSMEs in Indian Economy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They are the growth accelerators of the Indian economy, contributing about <strong>30% of the country&rsquo;s gross domestic product (GDP).</strong></li>
<li>In terms of <strong>exports,</strong> they are an integral part of the<strong> supply chain and contribute about&nbsp;</strong><strong>48% of the overall exports.</strong></li>
<li>MSMEs also play an<strong> important role in employment generation,</strong> as they employ about <strong>110 million people across the country.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Interestingly, MSMEs are intertwined with the rural economy as well, as more than half of the MSMEs operate in rural India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1624871116_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1624871116_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" caption="false" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Initiatives to Promote MSME Sector</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Micro, Small &amp; Medium Enterprises (M/o MSME) envisions a vibrant MSME sector by promoting growth and development of the MSME Sector, including Khadi, Village and Coir Industries.</li>
<li>The <strong>Micro; Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act was notified in&nbsp;</strong><strong>2006</strong> to address policy issues affecting MSMEs as well as the coverage and investment ceiling of the sector.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/prime-minister-s-employment-generation-program#:~:text=Launch%3A%20The%20Government%20of%20India,as%20well%20as%20urban%20areas." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prime Minister&rsquo;s Employment Generation programme (PMEGP)</a>:</strong> It is a <strong>credit linked subsidy scheme,</strong> for setting up of <strong>new micro-enterprises</strong> and to<strong> generate employment</strong> opportunities in <strong>rural as well as urban areas of the country.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/scheme-of-fund-for-regeneration-of-traditional-industries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)</a>:</strong> It aims to properly organize the <strong>artisans and the traditional industries</strong> into clusters and thus provide<strong> financial assistance</strong> to make them competitive in today's market scenario.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-elixir-for-msmes-access-to-credit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>A Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Rural Industry &amp; Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE)</strong></a>: The scheme promotes innovation &amp; rural entrepreneurship through rural Livelihood Business Incubator (LBI), Technology Business Incubator (TBI) and Fund of Funds for start-up creation in the agro-based industry.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/pdf/support-and-outreach-initiative-for-msme-sector.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Interest Subvention Scheme for Incremental Credit to MSMEs</a>:</strong> It was introduced by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India</strong></a> wherein <strong>relief is provided</strong> upto<strong> 2% of interest</strong> to all the<strong> legal MSMEs on their outstanding fresh/incremental term loan/working capital</strong> during the period of its validity.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pmegp-and-cgtmse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises</a>:</strong> Launched to facilitate easy flow of credit, guarantee cover is provided for collateral free credit extended to MSMEs.</li>
<li><strong>Micro and Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP):</strong> It aims to enhance the productivity and competitiveness as well as capacity building of MSEs.</li>
<li><strong>Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Upgradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS):</strong> CLCSS aims at <strong>facilitating technology upgradation of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs)</strong> by providing<strong> 15% capital subsidy for purchase of plant &amp; machinery.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/champions-portal-for-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CHAMPIONS portal</a>:</strong> It aims to assist <strong>Indian MSMEs</strong> march into the big league as <strong>National and Global CHAMPIONS</strong> by solving their grievances and encouraging, supporting, helping and hand holding them.</li>
<li><strong>MSME Samadhan:</strong> It enables them to directly register their cases about delayed payments by Central Ministries/Departments/CPSEs/State Governments.</li>
<li><strong>Udyam Registrations Portal:</strong> This new portal assists the government in<strong> aggregating the data on the number of MSMEs in the country. </strong></li>
<li><strong>MSME SAMBANDH:</strong> It is a<strong> Public Procurement Portal.</strong> It was launched to monitor the implementation of the Public Procurement from MSEs by Central Public Sector Enterprises.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/micro-small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-day-know-history-significance-101624753163330.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HT</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8697,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Gujarat International Maritime Arbitration Centre (GIMAC)',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a<strong> Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)</strong> was signed between the <strong>Gujarat Maritime University</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-financial-services-centres-authority-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Financial Services Centres Authority</strong></a> in<strong> GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) City.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> objective</strong> of the<strong> MoU</strong> is to jointly support the <strong>establishment</strong> of the <strong>Gujarat International Maritime Arbitration Centre (GIMAC).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About GIMAC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will be the<strong> first centre of its kind</strong> in the <strong>country</strong> that will <strong>manage arbitration and mediation proceedings</strong> with <strong>disputes</strong> related to the <strong>maritime and shipping sector.</strong></li>
<li>The GIMAC will be part of a <strong>maritime cluster</strong> that the <strong>Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB)</strong> is setting up in GIFT City at Gandhinagar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Focus on Arbitration:</strong> Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/arbitration-and-conciliation-amendment-bill-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2021</strong></a> was notified, considered as the landmark step towards making India as the hub of International Commercial Arbitration.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Arbitration</strong> is a kind of dispute resolution method where the disputes arising between the parties are resolved by the arbitrators appointed by them instead of state's legal bodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There are over<strong> 35 arbitral institutions in India,</strong> however, none focus exclusively on the<strong> disputes related to the maritime sector.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>With the state continuing to witness a <strong>rapid extension in maritime activities</strong> and inching closer to becoming a <strong>global maritime</strong> <strong>hub</strong> with the implementation of <strong>Gujarat Maritime Cluster project,</strong> a strong growing and recurring demand is being generated for a specialized facility for maritime arbitration services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The idea is to create a <strong>world-class arbitration centre</strong> focused on maritime and shipping disputes that can help <strong>resolve commercial and financial conflicts</strong> between entities having <strong>operations in India.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The arbitration<strong> involving Indian players</strong> is now heard at the <strong>Singapore Arbitration Centre.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Globally, London</strong> is the preferred centre for arbitration for the maritime and shipping sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Facilitate<strong> faster dispute resolution.</strong></li>
<li>Enhance the attractiveness of <strong>GIFT <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/07-02-2019#:~:text=The%20Special%20Economic%20Zones%20Act,came%20into%20effect%20in%202006.&amp;text=SEZs%20focus%20on%20economic%20growth,with%20the%20minimum%20possible%20regulations." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Special Economic Zone</a> (SEZ)</strong> among the International Maritime Community.</li>
<li>Increase the<strong> ease of doing business. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Reduce burden on courts.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gujarat Maritime Cluster:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is conceived as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gujarat-maritime-cluster" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>dedicated ecosystem</strong></a> of Ports, Maritime Shipping and Logistics services providers.</li>
<li>It will host an array of maritime, shipping industry players and service providers, along with relevant Government regulatory agencies, in GIFT City, Gandhinagar <strong>&ndash; India&rsquo;s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)</strong> is a <strong>unified authority</strong> for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions in the IFSC in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will be a <strong>one stop solution</strong> for all<strong> maritime services</strong> while attaining economic growth, employment generation and industry &ndash; academia confluence in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/indias-maritime-arbitration-centre-gujarat-gandhinagar-7373894/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8649,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Power Sector Reforms',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/cash-strapped-power-distribution-companies-need-radical-intervention-not-another-financial-aid-package-7365477/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Band-aid for power&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian express on 19/06/2021. It talks about the associated challenges with the power sector in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Amid the Covid-19 pandemic last year, the government of India announced a rescue package for the power sector under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat plan.</strong></a> This rescue package was arranged to prevent the entire power sector chain from suffering because of the discoms&rsquo; inability to meet their obligations.</p>
<p>This is not the first time (earlier intervention: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ujwal-discom-assurance-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UDAY scheme</strong></a>) that the Centre government has stepped in to aid discoms and tackle the problems plaguing the distribution segment. However, even after the repeated interventions, the end result has been the cash-strapped discoms looking for another rescue package.</p>
<p>This highlights the major structural problems ailing the power sector, which must be rectified for a sustainable power sector in India.</p>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>AT&amp;C Losses:</strong> Aggregate technical and commercial (AT&amp;C) losses stem from poor or inadequate infrastructure or on account of theft or bills not being generated or honoured. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UDAY scheme had envisaged bringing down these losses to 15 per cent by 2019.</li>
<li>However, as per data on the UDAY dashboard, the AT&amp;C losses currently stand at 21.7 per cent at the all-India level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cost-Revenue Gap:</strong> The difference between discoms&rsquo; costs (average cost of supply) and revenues (average revenue realised) is still high.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is due to the absence of regular and revision in electricity tariffs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Magnifying Effect:</strong> Paradoxically, the government's push for ensuring electrification of all has contributed to greater inefficiency.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As household connections are ramped up, to support higher levels of electrification, cost structures need to be reworked, and the distribution network (transformers, wires, etc) would need to be augmented.</li>
<li>In the absence of all this, losses are bound to rise.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Fallout of the Pandemic:</strong> Amid pandemic, with demand from industrial and commercial users falling, revenue from this stream, which is used to cross-subsidise other consumers, has declined, exacerbating the stress on discom finances.</li>
<li><strong>Low Investment:</strong> Owing to the poor financial health of the dicoms, there are less new investments in the electricity sector (particularly by the private sector).</li>
<li><strong>Fossil Fuel Dominated Energy Generation:</strong> Thermal power based on fossil fuel such as coal, natural gas and diesel accounts for 80% of the country's generation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the majority of plants in India are old and inefficient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Eliminate Cross Subsidization:</strong> High industrial/commercial tariff and the cross-subsidy regime have affected the competitiveness of the industrial and commercial sectors.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, there is a need to ensure effective enforcement of rationalization of cross-subsidy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covering up AT&amp;C Losses:</strong> To manage the demand for power, it is necessary to introduce 100% metering-net metering, smart meters, and metering of electricity supplied to agriculture.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is also a need to introduce performance-based incentives in the tariff structure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Greening The Grid:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/annadata-to-urjadata" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>KUSUM scheme</strong> </a>provides a suitable alternative to the power subsidy model in agriculture.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme intends to promote the use of solar pumps for agriculture and make provisions that local discoms should buy surplus power from the farmer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cross-Border Trade:</strong> The government needs to actively promote cross-border electricity trade to utilize existing/upcoming generation assets. The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-sun-one-world-one-grid" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAARC electricity grid</strong></a> is a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>A solution that has now been pitched forward to deal with the ailing discoms, is the creation of a national power distribution company. However, without addressing the systemic challenges, it is difficult to see how a sustainable turnaround in the financial and operational position of discoms can be engineered.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fdfff5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the major challenges that are ailing the power sector in India.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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		'article_id' => (int) 8411,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Social Security Code 2020 ',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The effectiveness of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-the-labour-code-bills" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Social Security Code (SS Code) 2020</strong> </a>in helping the informal workforce is questioned by many.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With SS Code 2020, two other codes were passed which are <strong>Code on Occupational Safety, Health &amp; Working Conditions Code,</strong> 2020 and <strong>Industrial Relations Code,</strong> 2020.</li>
<li>The <strong>SS Code 2020 subsumes nine regulations</strong> relating to social security, retirement and employee benefits.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Major Provisions of SS Code 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Enhanced Coverage:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Code has <strong>widened coverage by including the unorganised sector,</strong> fixed term employees and gig workers, platform workers, inter-state migrant workers etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Database and Registration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>With the aim of making a national database for unorganised sector workers,<strong> registration of all these workers would be done on an online portal</strong> and this registration would be done <strong>on the basis of Self certification</strong> through a simple procedure.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>All<strong> records and returns</strong> have to be <strong>maintained electronically. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Security Fund:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will be created on the financial side in order to implement social security schemes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uniform Definitions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is <strong>uniformity in determining wages</strong> for the purpose of social security benefits.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has provided a<strong> wide definition for wage.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Specific exclusions with ceilings have been provided for<strong> discouraging inappropriate structuring of salaries</strong> to minimise social security benefits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Consultative Approach:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has brought in a facilitating approach by the authorities. Unlike the existing role of inspectors, the <strong>Code provides for an enhanced role of inspector-cum-facilitator</strong> whereby <strong>employers can look for support and advice to enhance compliances.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Career Centre:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To enable that demand for human resources is met and to monitor employment information,<strong> career centres will be established. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stringent Penalties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Any failure to deposit employees&rsquo; contributions not only attracts a <strong>penalty of Rs. 1,00,000, but also imprisonment of one to three years.</strong> In case of <strong>repeat offence, the penalties and prosecution is severe,</strong> and no compounding is permitted for repeated offences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Online Registration Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>onus lies on informal workers registering as beneficiaries,</strong> further they <strong>do not have digital literacy and connectivity.</strong></li>
<li>Also, there is a <strong>lack of awareness</strong> among informal workers <strong>regarding social security schemes. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Inter-State Arrangement and Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Unorganised workers are spread across the length and breadth of India. <strong>Implications</strong> of this code <strong>would be too varied across States</strong> to be administered.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Complicated Processes &amp; Overlapping Jurisdiction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Providing holistic social security cover for the unorganised workforce in a simple and effective manner is lost in the <strong>Centre-State procedural complications and jurisdictional or institutional overlap. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maternity Benefit:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Women engaged in the <strong>unorganised sector remain outside the purview of maternity benefit.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Employees Provident Fund:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For informal sector workers, <strong>access to employees&rsquo; <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/epfo-disbursed-claims" target="_blank" rel="noopener">provident fund</a> remains unfulfilled too in the new code.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Payment of Gratuity:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Although payment of gratuity was expanded in the new Code, it <strong>still remains inaccessible for a vast majority of informal workers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SS Code 2020 <strong>merges existing social security laws</strong> and attempts to include informal workers within the ambit of social security administration. However, an examination of the code reveals that <strong>universalisation of social security remains an unfulfilled aspiration.</strong></li>
<li>At a time when India chairs a <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/brics-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BRICS</strong></a> meeting that is<strong> focused on issues of labour, especially informality, it fails to even recognise that India is ageing without social security,</strong> and the demographic dividend of the young workforce that could support the ageing ends in 15 years.</li>
<li>The<strong> provision of social security could be used to formalise the workforce</strong> to a certain extent.</li>
<li><strong>Employers should be made to own up to the responsibility of providing social security</strong> to their workers. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As the state has a responsibility but the<strong> primary responsibility still lies with employers</strong> since they are taking advantage of workers&rsquo; productivity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-collage-of-laws-that-leaves-the-worker-out-in-the-cold/article34600276.ece"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8316,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Export of Organic Millets',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In a major boost to exports of organic products from the country, the first consignment of millets grown in the Himalayas would be exported to Denmark.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) has sourced ragi (finger millet), and jhingora (barnyard millet) from farmers in Uttarakhand</strong> for exports.</li>
<li>At present, organic products are exported provided they are produced, processed, packed and labelled as per the requirements of the <strong>National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>NPOP</strong> has been implemented by <strong>APEDA</strong> since its <strong>inception in 2001</strong> as notified under the <strong>Foreign Trade (Development and Regulations) Act, 1992.</strong></li>
<li>NPOP <strong>covers</strong> standards for crops and their products, live stocks and poultry products, aquaculture, apiculture etc. The exports from the country are as per the provisions in NPOP.</li>
<li>The NPOP certification <strong>has been recognized by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a> and Switzerland</strong> which enables India to export unprocessed plant products to these countries without the requirement of additional certification.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It also facilitates export of Indian organic products to the <strong>United Kingdom</strong> even in the <strong>post <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brexit-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brexit</a> phase.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>NPOP has also been <strong>recognized by the Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI)</strong> for trade of organic products in the domestic market.</li>
<li>Organic products covered under the bilateral agreement with NPOP need not to be recertified for import in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Organic Farming:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to FSSAI, &rsquo;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/organic-farming-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>organic farming</strong></a>&rsquo; is <strong>a system of farm design and management to create an ecosystem of agriculture production without the use of synthetic external inputs</strong> such as chemical fertilisers, pesticides and synthetic hormones or genetically modified organisms.</li>
<li><strong>Related Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCDNER).</li>
<li>Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Indian state of <strong>Sikkim</strong> achieved the feat of being the<strong> world's first organic state</strong> and was awarded the UN Future Policy Gold Award 2018, also known as the Oscar for best policies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Status of India&rsquo;s Export of Organic Food:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s export of organic food products rose by <strong>more than 51% to Rs. 7078 crore</strong> during April-February (2020-21) compared to the same period in the previous fiscal (2019-20). In terms of <strong>quantity</strong>, the exports of organic food products <strong>grew by 39%</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Oil cake meal is a major commodity</strong> of the organic product exports from the country followed by oil seeds, fruit pulps and purees, cereals &amp; millets, spices, tea, medicinal plant products, dry fruits, sugar, pulses, coffee, essential oil etc.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s organic products have been <strong>exported to 58 countries</strong> including USA, European Union, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Switzerland, Israel and South Korea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>APEDA was established by the Government of India under the<strong> Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985.</strong></li>
<li>It functions under the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Authority has its headquarters in New Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>It has been <strong>mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of the scheduled products</strong> viz. fruits, vegetables, meat products, dairy products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages etc.</li>
<li>It has also been entrusted with the <strong>responsibility to monitor import of sugar.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1716297" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8231,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Micro in MSME',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/micro-enterprises-need-exclusive-treatment/article34387375.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Micro enterprises need exclusive treatment&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu business line on 23/04/2021. It talks about the significance and associated issues with the micro-industries in the MSME sector.</p>
</div>
<p>The micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been accepted as the engine of economic growth and for promoting equitable development.</p>
<p>The MSMEs constitute over 90% of total enterprises in most of the economies and are credited with generating the highest rates of employment growth and account for a major share of industrial production and exports.</p>
<p>However, micro enterprises represent the most vulnerable segment in the whole MSME sector. These were the major victims of both demonetisation and the sudden lockdown to contain Covid-19.</p>
<p>Further, there exist the huge heterogeneity, characteristics, constraints and other attributes, which are critically important for policy design associated with the micro industries. Thus, the umbrella policy for the MSMEs has little relevance for micro enterprises.</p>
<h3>Significance of Micro Industries in MSME</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Latest available NSSO data show that manufacturing-based micro enterprises constitute 99.7 per cent of the MSMEs while supporting 97.5 percent of employees. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the micro units account for 90.1 percent of the MSME output and 91.9 percent of income.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A craftsman, weaver, food processor, fisherman, carpenter, shoe-maker/cobbler, tutor, tailor, plumber, electrician, street side food shop, ice-cream parlour, beauty salon, motor (repair) garage, transport agency, advertising entity are just a few examples.</li>
<li>Their presence in high numbers makes them the most diffused segment in our socio-economic system.</li>
<li>Micro-enterprises are distinct in the variety of activities and characteristics, but low in economic contribution. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nevertheless, these enterprises are hugely consequential for the marginalised sections bypassed by the development process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Issues With Micro Industries</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Heterogeneity:</strong> Heterogeneity in the form of greater use of hired assets under the micro segment. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ability to own capital is low in micro industries. This implies that rental expenses constitute a higher share in total costs.</li>
<li>Since, the asset ownership pattern has implications for technology upgradation.The capital loans have little relevance for the micro-enterprises to stimulate growth of the micro industries.</li>
<li>It could be the case that a micro-enterprise is unwilling to invest in view of the risks associated with market uncertainties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fragmented Structure:</strong> Despite supporting a large proportion of the workforce, they lack a lobby to voice their concerns simply because of a fragmented structure.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to a limited understanding of the procedures and low volumes, these units are disproportionately disadvantaged when it comes to participating in public procurements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>One-Size-Fits-All Approach:</strong> For most part of the policy and stimulus package, the incentives and relief are designed as common across MSMEs bringing them under one umbrella. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This tends to bypass micro enterprises even if they are overwhelmingly predominant in the collective group of MSMEs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dedicated Policy:</strong> There is a need to acknowledge that serving micro-enterprises and SMEs through a common policy does not meet the needs of micro units.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In fact, the RBI expert committee report on MSMEs documents that micro (and small) enterprises have limited bargaining capacity.</li>
<li>Thus, there is a need for a focussed approach towards micro-enterprises for gathering and capturing specific information is an inevitable consideration for the New Industrial Policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Co-operative Model:</strong> More efforts in the form of higher investment in advanced technology, usage of digital and technology enabled platforms, transfer of technology, more investment in human resources, improved access to finance, etc. are required.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Promotion of co-operative models (on the lines of farmer producer organisations) can help micro-industries in this regard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>With a greater role envisioned for MSMEs in the $5 trillion economy by 2024-25, it is important that the micro segment is not left behind. Their inclusion is contingent upon recognition of the uniqueness for policy design.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fefffa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>A thoughtfully crafted and focussed approach towards micro-enterprises for gathering and capturing specific information is an inevitable consideration for the New Industrial Policy. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8019,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Helium Crisis for India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India imports helium for its needs, and with the USA appearing set to cut off exports of helium since 2021, Indian industry stands to lose out heavily.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Federal Helium Reserve</strong> which is the major helium reserve of the USA is set to <strong>close down production in 2021</strong>, and scientists are looking for new reserves to replace it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Helium:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Helium is a <strong>chemical element</strong> with the symbol <strong>He</strong> and atomic number <strong>2</strong>.</li>
<li>It is a <strong>colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas</strong>, the first in the noble gas group in the periodic table.</li>
<li>Its <strong>boiling point is the lowest</strong> among all the elements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1616754903_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1616754903_image5.png" width="500" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Discovery of Helium:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Atmosphere Surrounding the Sun:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Helium was discovered <strong>in the gaseous atmosphere surrounding the Sun</strong> by the <strong>French astronomer Pierre Janssen</strong>, who detected a bright yellow line in the spectrum of the solar chromosphere during an eclipse in <strong>India</strong> in the year <strong>1868.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Joseph Norman Lockyer</strong> recorded the same line by observing the sun through London smog and, assuming the new element to be a metal, he <strong>named it helium.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On Earth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The British chemist <strong>Sir William Ramsay discovered</strong> the existence of <strong>helium on Earth in 1895.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>In 1906</strong> a young Englishman by the name of Morris Travers <strong>extracted helium in small quantities by heating up monazite sand</strong> abundantly available in Kerala beach, in a pioneering effort.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Monazite</strong> is a primarily reddish-brown phosphate mineral that contains rare-earth elements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Reserves:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>Rajmahal volcanic basin in Jharkhand</strong> is the storehouse of helium trapped for billions of years, since the very birth of Earth from the Sun.</li>
<li>At present, researchers are mapping the Rajmahal basin extensively for future exploration and harnessing of helium.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>To Reduce Import Burden:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Every year, India imports helium worth Rs. 55,000 crores from the USA to meet its needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vast Use:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Helium is used in medicine, scientific research, for blimp inflation, party balloons as well as for welding applications.</li>
<li>It finds many applications, mainly in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, in rockets and in nuclear reactors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>USA&rsquo;s Monopoly:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After discovering that helium was concentrated in large quantities under the <strong>American Great Plains.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>USA became the most important exporter of helium</strong> across the world.</li>
<li>It was soon realized that the <strong>USA was also the biggest storehouse of helium.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Option:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Qatar</strong> is a possible exporter but acute political and diplomatic wrangles have made Qatar <strong>unreliable</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/the-emerging-crisis-of-obtaining-helium-in-india/article34118742.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8018,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Recommendations to Amend the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a parliamentary panel on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/consumer-protection-act-2019#:~:text=The%20Consumer%20Protection%20(E%2Dcommerce)%20Rules%2C%202020%20are,the%20description%20on%20the%20platform." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020</strong></a> has recommended that the government should amend the rules to provide better protection to consumers rights and stop unfair practices.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Electronic commerce or e-commerce</strong> is a business model that lets firms and individuals buy and sell things over the Internet.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Predatory Pricing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Predatory pricing as a<strong> short-term strategy,</strong> adopted by some of the market giants, may lead to wiping out competition from the market and could be <strong>detrimental to the consumers in the long run.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Predatory Pricing:</strong> It is the pricing of goods or services at such a low level that other firms cannot compete and are forced to leave the market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unfair Practices:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While e-commerce enterprises offer many benefits, the development of the segmentation has rendered consumers vulnerable to new forms of <strong>unfair trade practices, violation of privacy </strong>and<strong> issues of unattended grievances.</strong></li>
<li>There are increasing cases of <strong>fake reviews</strong> and <strong>unfair favouritism</strong> in the display of goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Recommendations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Clear Definition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There should be a more clear-cut definition of what constitutes <strong>Unfair Trade Practice </strong>and <strong>practical legal remedy</strong> to tackle such circumventing practices by e-commerce entities specifically Multinational Companies (MNCs) and Kirana Small Vendors.</li>
<li>Clearly define<strong> &lsquo;drip pricing&rsquo;</strong> wherein the final cost of the product goes up due to additional charges, and provide for protecting consumers against this by including penal provisions for violation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fixing Delivery Charges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution should <strong>issue broad guidelines for the fixation of delivery charges charged</strong> by the e-commerce entities along with a cap on the highest limits of the delivery charges in peak hours of service.</li>
<li>It should clearly <strong>distinguish in the Rules itself the cases of misinformation, no information and the information</strong> which is otherwise correct but creates a false impression and provides for penal provision for each case in the Rules itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Categorization of Personal Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For protection of privacy of users and security of their data, the panel has recommended that <strong>users&rsquo; personal data may be categorised as per the level of sensitivity</strong> and appropriate protection may be assigned for each level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Payment Security:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>secured and robust system of payment gateway should be made available</strong> to the consumers so that the transaction-related data of the users is not compromised in any way.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Local Data Centres:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>All major e-marketplace entities <strong>should establish their data centre in India,</strong> so that consumer data are not hosted on a server outside the borders of the country, which may be misused by an enemy country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Customer Care:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>E-commerce entities should provide a dedicated customer care number</strong> as well as a mechanism to monitor the time taken by customer care executives to resolve an issue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection to Small/Local Vendors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is a need to devise some regulatory mechanism to protect the local vendors/kirana, therefore,<strong> sufficient protection to such small/local vendors </strong>and<strong> ways in which such small retailers may also become part of e-commerce</strong> should be given by the Ministry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Discourage Deceptive Techniques:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some corrective mechanisms to discourage deceptive tactics including manipulation of algorithms, fake product reviews &amp; ratings must be created so that the consumer interest is not harmed in any way.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020 <strong>are mandatory</strong> and are not advisories.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Applicability:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Apply to all e-commerce retailers,</strong> whether registered in India or abroad, offering goods and services to Indian consumers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nodal officer:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>E-commerce entities need to appoint a nodal person, resident in India <strong>to ensure compliance with the provisions of the act or rules.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prices and Expiry Dates:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sellers through the e-commerce entities will have to<strong> display the total price of goods and services offered for sale along with the break-up of other charges. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Expiry date</strong> of the good needs to be separately displayed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importer and Relevant Details:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All relevant details about the goods and services offered for sale by the Seller including<strong> country of origin</strong> and in case of imported goods the <strong>name and details of the importer, and guarantees related to the authenticity or genuineness of the imported products</strong> need to be provided to enable the consumer to make an informed decision at the pre-purchase stage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Grievance Redressal Mechanism: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Marketplaces,</strong> as well as <strong>sellers,</strong> need to appoint a <strong>grievance officer.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Marketplace Model of E-commerce:</strong> It means providing an<strong> information technology platform</strong> by an e-commerce entity on a digital and electronic network<strong> to act as a facilitator between buyer and seller.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Restriction on Unfair Trade Practice, Manipulation and Discrimination: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>No e-commerce entity shall manipulate the price of goods or services to gain unreasonable profit</strong> or<strong> discriminate between consumers</strong> of the same class or make any arbitrary classification of consumers affecting their rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Should not Post Fake Reviews or Mislead:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>No seller or inventory e-commerce entity shall falsely represent itself as a consumer and post reviews about goods or services or misrepresent the quality or the features of any goods or services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>No Cancellation Charges:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>No e-commerce entity shall impose cancellation charges on consumers.</li>
<li><strong>Sellers should not refuse to take back goods,</strong> or withdraw or discontinue services if such goods and services are defective, deficient or spurious.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Record Information of Sellers Selling Counterfeit Products:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>E-commerce entities need to maintain a record of information for the identification of all sellers who have repeatedly offered goods or services that have previously been removed or restricted under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-copyright-amendment-rules-2019#:~:text=The%20amendments%20are%20being%20brought,and%20the%20Copyright%20Rules%2C2013." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Copyright Act, 1957,</strong></a> the <strong>Trade Marks Act, 1999</strong> or the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-laws-and-blocking-of-internet-content-centre-vs-twitter#:~:text=Information%20Technology%20Act%2C%202000%3A,computer%20resources%20and%20electronic%20records." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Information Technology Act, 2000.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Penalty:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The violation of the rules will attract penal action under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/consumer-protection-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consumer Protection Act, 2019.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/define-unfair-trade-practice-for-e-com/article34154056.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7973,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Empowering the MSMEs Digitally',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/msme-sector-manufacturing-e-commerce-digital-empowerment-7233355/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;How e-commerce marketplaces can drive MSME makeover&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 18/03/2021. It talks about how the MSME sector of India is the backbone of its economy and how the involvement of e-commerce in the sector can help it thrive.</p>
</div>
<p>India&rsquo;s economic landscape is defined by its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/msme-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).</strong></a> However, the sector is based on obsolete technology, which hampers its production efficiency.</p>
<p>With India&rsquo;s goal of inclusive development, enhanced livelihoods and the notion of &ldquo;vocal for local&rdquo;, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/e-commerce-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-commerce</strong></a> marketplaces for the MSMEs become more significant.</p>
<p>With its ability to accelerate businesses, e-commerce could be a means for Indian MSMEs to unlock global value chains.</p>
<p>Moreover, automation in the production process for greater efficiency and availability of more channels to MSMEs to provide access to greater markets is the need of the hour.</p>
<h3>MSMEs and e-Commerce</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>MSME:</strong> As per data from the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-micro-small-and-medium-enterprises" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises</strong></a>, almost 51% of Indian MSMEs are based in rural areas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They often need exposure to large markets and expertise to be able to scale up and enhance capabilities.</li>
<li>Some of the challenges that MSMEs are faced with today are working capital crunch, supply chain bottlenecks, technological glitches, elaborate GST compliance framework, limited customer appetite for spending and many more.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The answer to some of these challenges lies in MSMEs embracing digital solutions for managing various aspects of their business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>e-Commerce:</strong> The share of e-commerce in total retail has been growing consistently across the world, particularly in China, the US, and in countries in the Asia Pacific region. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Studies suggest that the India&rsquo;s e-commerce market is expected to expand to USD 84 billion by 2021 from USD 24 billion in 2017.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>E-commerce could provide Indian MSMEs an opportunity to attract consumers and organizations from India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Digitization in MSMEs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Connects MSMEs Globally:</strong> It allows for small companies and startups located even in hinterlands to get their products to the national as well as global market. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It provides opportunities to artisans and small sellers from Tier-2/3 towns to sell online to customers beyond their local catchment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Investment and Income:</strong> E-commerce marketplaces are today the best possible enablers for this transformation at minimal cost, innovation and investment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By investing in supply chains, the e-commerce sector provides opportunities for MSMEs to partner them in supply and delivery networks. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This leads to additional income generation through multiple livelihood opportunities and thus contributes to economic prosperity and inclusive growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cost Effective:</strong> E-commerce could also become a tool for Indian MSMEs to lower operational costs, increase revenue, acquire more customers and benefit from customer advocacy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The online medium could help them access a seamless global supply chain at a fraction of the proportional cost of market access and delivery, freeing up cash for growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Associated</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>No Threshold Exemption from GST:</strong> The businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs 40 lakh are exempted from <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GST</strong></a>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sellers on e-commerce marketplaces do not get advantage of <strong>GST threshold exemption</strong> for intra&ndash;state supplies that offline sellers enjoy.</li>
<li>They have to &ldquo;compulsorily register&rdquo; even though their turnover is low.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Physical Principal Place of Business (PPoB):</strong> In e-commerce, it is not quite practical for online sellers to have a physical PPoB. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It leads to increased complexities for MSMEs in registering in e-commerce marketplaces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Access to Appropriate Infrastructure and Technology:</strong> Buying the latest smart devices, best internet services, retaining skilled employees to manage digital systems and maintaining physical and digital infrastructure is also an expensive affair for small, nascent companies.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Awareness:</strong> There are still many small and medium scale enterprises who are unaware of the impact of digital transformation and fail to build customer loyalty and retention as other e-businesses.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, MSMEs are resistant to augment digital technologies because cutting-edge technologies evolve faster, and they sometimes may not be able to match up with that advancement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maintaining a Database:</strong> Storing, analyzing, and managing crucial structured and unstructured data to make business decisions is challenging for MSMEs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Data, cloud, and system management along with the training required to handle them, leave MSMEs uncertain.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dovetailing Existing Schemes with Technology:</strong> Examine the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/micro-small-and-medium-enterprises-msme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> existing schemes and benefits for MSMEs</strong></a>, which were formulated with an offline, physical market in mind, and tweak them to include the special needs to leverage online sales channels. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, MSMEs could be given fiscal incentives to access markets and invest in digital marketing. The objective is to incentivise those who shift to the digital mode.</li>
<li>Connecting the skilling policy and programmes with the requirements of the e-commerce sector to meet future demand of the sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Exports via e-Commerce:</strong> Taking specific steps to increase exports via e-commerce. The steps may include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Identifying products that have potential for the export market.</li>
<li>Connecting e-commerce with export-oriented manufacturing clusters.</li>
<li>Encouraging tie-ups with sector-specific export promotion councils.</li>
<li>Leveraging existing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tripura-gets-its-first-sez" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Special Economic Zones</strong></a> to create e-commerce export zones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>E-Commerce and Foreign Trade Policy (FTP):</strong> The Foreign Trade Policy should identify the areas required by online sellers to succeed in global markets and include e-commerce export specific provisions in the upcoming revised policy. It may include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Specific policy provisions providing incentives for e-commerce exports.</li>
<li>Enabling end to end digitization for e-commerce exports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of Bigger Tech-Based Companies:</strong> Many technology based companies are building exclusive tools to support small and medium scale enterprises by enhancing their business proficiency and profitability. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Google Advantage</strong> is one such initiative by Google India that facilitates MSMEs to use the growing online clientele base.</li>
<li><strong>Google My Business i</strong>s specifically developed to support startups, and MSMEs in India to succeed virtually.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Simplifying the PPoB Requirement:</strong> The government shall simplify the PPoB requirement especially for online sellers by making it digital and not requiring physical presence to expand their reach outside their home state. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Replacing physical PPoB with Place of Communication.</li>
<li>Eliminating the need for state specific physical PPoB requirement will facilitate sellers to get state-level GST with a single national place of business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Manufacturing by small units, cottage units and MSMEs has been a major contributor to India&rsquo;s growth story. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These small sectors, if effectively facilitated by digitisation, will be the game changer to accelerate economic growth, employment, income levels and enhance supply chain efficiencies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Digital proficiency for MSMEs is vital to set foot in the online market successfully. Without that, the sector can not be future ready.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffff7;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Digital empowerment is the key differentiator for the MSMEs Sector. Discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the digitisation of MSME sector in India. (250 Words)</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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		'article_id' => (int) 7879,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'PLI Scheme for Telecom Sector',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet has approved the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-for-electronic-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Production-Linked Incentive (PLI)</strong></a><strong> scheme for the telecom sector</strong> with an outlay of <strong>Rs. 12,195 crores over five years.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1615274773_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1615274773_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="425" height="433" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the PLI Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to<strong> boost domestic manufacturing</strong> and<strong> cut down on import bills,</strong> the central government in <strong>March 2020</strong> introduced a scheme that aims to give companies incentives on incremental sales from <strong>products manufactured in domestic units.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from <strong>inviting foreign companies to set shop in India,</strong> the scheme also aims to encourage local companies to set up or expand existing manufacturing units.</li>
<li>The Scheme has been approved for many sectors including <strong>electronic products, IT hardware, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and components, etc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>PLI Scheme for Telecom Sector :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This Scheme is <strong>for domestic manufacturing of telecom and networking products</strong> such as switches, routers, 4G/5G radio access network, wireless equipment and other internet of things (IoT) access devices.</li>
<li>It will be <strong>operational from 1<sup>st</sup> April, 2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility for the Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is subject to <strong>achieving a minimum threshold of cumulative incremental investment and incremental sales</strong> of manufactured goods.</li>
<li>The<strong> cumulative investment can be made at one go,</strong> subject to annual cumulative threshold as prescribed for four years being met.</li>
<li><strong>2019-20 will be treated as the base year</strong> for computation of cumulative incremental sales of manufactured goods net of taxes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Incentives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An investor who qualifies for the scheme <strong>will be incentivised up to 20 times the minimum investment threshold,</strong> enabling them to utilise their unused capacity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Higher Incentives for MSMEs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the <strong>minimum investment threshold has been kept at Rs. 10</strong> crore, while<strong> for others</strong> it is <strong>Rs. 100 crore.</strong></li>
<li>For MSMEs, a <strong>1% higher incentive</strong> is also proposed in the <strong>first three years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme is expected to lead to<strong> an incremental production of about Rs. 2.4 lakh crore,</strong> with <strong>exports of about Rs. 2 lakh crore</strong> over five years and bring in <strong>investments of more than Rs. 3,000 crore.</strong></li>
<li>Scheme is also likely to<strong> generate 40,000 direct</strong> and <strong>indirect employment</strong> opportunities and <strong>generate tax revenue of Rs. 17,000 crore</strong> from telecom equipment manufacturing.</li>
<li>Through this scheme, India will move towards self-reliance. Currently, <strong>India imports over 80%</strong> of its telecom and wireless networking equipment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/cabinet-approves-pli-scheme-for-telecom-sector-worth-rs-12195-crore-7192546/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7834,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Merchant Digitization Summit 2021',
		'description' => '<h3>Why In News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Government of India, <a href="/printpdf/india-asean-expo-and-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)</a></strong>, and UN-based<strong> Better Than Cash Alliance</strong> hosted <strong>Merchant Digitization Summit 2021: Towards Atma Nirbhar (Self Reliance) Bharat.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Summit brought together leaders from the public and private sectors<strong> to accelerate responsible digitization of merchants in India's North-Eastern and Himalayan regions, and Aspirational districts.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Highlights of the Summit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Empowering women merchants</strong> who play critical roles in their communities is one of the priorities to help achieve the mission of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital India</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/07-03-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Language Translation Mission</strong></a> can be used to disseminate digital payments information, privacy clauses and consent in local languages for trust and empowerment.</li>
<li>Identified opportunities to<strong> address the challenges of connectivity, access to smartphones, and digital literacy</strong> for merchants at the last mile.</li>
<li>Along with the increased focus on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/five-years-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;</strong></a> through Atmanirbhar Bharat Scheme, responsible digitization must more strongly include rural networks such as <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/self-help-groups-shgs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Self Help Groups</strong></a> and community enablers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will lead to creation of the local digital ecosystems <strong>to help millions of merchants join the formal economy,</strong> access credit, and grow their business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>From an average of 2-3 billion digital transactions monthly, <strong>India has set an ambitious target for 1 billion digital transactions per day.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Person to Merchant (P2M) digital payment transactions will scale to 10-12 billion transactions every month</strong> to contribute to India&rsquo;s digital economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Recent initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-payments-index-rbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital Payments Index.</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/payments-infrastructure-development-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) scheme.</strong></a></li>
<li>Relaxations in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/merchant-discount-rate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Merchant Discount Rate.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> BTCA is a partnership of governments, companies, and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to responsible digital payments to help achieve the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Foundation:</strong> It was launched by the United Nations Capital Development Fund, the United States Agency for International Development, the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, Citigroup, the Ford Foundation, the Omidyar Network, and Visa Inc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is based at the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations.</strong></a></li>
<li>It was <strong>created in 2012.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong> The Alliance has <strong>75 members</strong> which are committed to digitizing payments in order to boost efficiency, transparency, women&rsquo;s economic participation and financial inclusion, helping build economies that are digital and inclusive.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Members do not want to abolish physical cash but rather want to provide responsible digital payment options that are &ldquo;better than cash&rdquo;.</li>
<li><strong>India became a member of the Better Than Cash Alliance in 2015</strong> to digitize payments to achieve financial inclusion and to share success stories from<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-mission-for-financial-inclusion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana</strong></a>, the world's largest financial inclusion program.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce &amp; Industry (FICCI):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>FICCI is a<strong> non-government, not-for-profit organisation established in 1927.</strong></li>
<li>It is the largest and oldest apex business organisation in India whose history is closely interwoven with India's struggle for independence, its industrialization, and its emergence as one of the most rapidly growing global economies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1701968" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7650,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Budget 2021 for Green Energy',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n739bdyShz0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/union-budget-2020-21-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Union Budget for FY 2021-22</strong> </a>presented by the Union Minister of India, has exclusively focussed on <strong>Green Energy initiatives.</strong></li>
<li>Budget 2021 has proposed the launch of the <strong>Hydrogen Energy Mission</strong> in this fiscal year. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Additional capital infusion for solar energy and renewable energy aspects has also been proposed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The reforms in the budget have particularly focussed on <strong>green-growth.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative is expected to enhance the uptake of cleaner fuels in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Budget 2021-22 talks about <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/expansion-of-production-linked-incentive-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PLI scheme</strong></a> in Solar Manufacturing, <strong>Vehicle Scrappage Policy</strong> and the <strong>Hydrogen Energy Mission.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The PLI scheme has also been extended to the <strong>ACCs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The emphasis on <strong>green <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-hydrogen-fuel-cell-for-vehicles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hydrogen</a></strong> in the budget was in line with technological development and with a long-term vision towards <strong>reduced dependency on minerals and rare-earth element</strong>-based batteries as energy storage.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydrogen is the key clean fuel for the future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For the first time there is<strong> private financing of ₹18,000 crore for 20,000 buses</strong> and innovative financing with <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ppp-investment-model#:~:text=Public%2DPrivate%20Partnership%20Model%3A%20PPP,be%20completed%20with%20private%20funding" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Private Partnerships</strong> </a>which would revolutionise the way public transport systems and buses function in India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative is to promote<strong> less dependency on personal vehicles</strong> and eventually <strong>bring down the carbon footprints.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Hydrogen Energy Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Hydrogen Energy Mission <strong>aims to reduce petroleum use, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution,</strong> and contribute to more diverse and <strong>efficient energy infrastructure.</strong></li>
<li>It is now proposed to launch a Hydrogen Energy Mission in 2021-22 for generating <strong>hydrogen from green power sources.</strong></li>
<li>Green Hydrogen Mission is not only<strong> essential to decarbonise heavy industries</strong> like steel and cement, it also <strong>holds the key to clean electric mobility</strong> that doesn&rsquo;t depend on rare minerals.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Vehicle Scrappage Policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The policy will be launched to <strong>phase out old and unfit vehicles.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the scheme <strong>private vehicles older than 20 years and commercial vehicles older than 15 years</strong> will be eligible to be scrapped.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This will help in<strong> encouraging fuel efficient, environment friendly vehicles</strong> thereby reducing vehicular pollution and oil import bill.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Vehicles would undergo<strong> fitness tests in automated fitness centres</strong> after their defined period is over.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Green Energy and Government</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India in leading countries:</strong> India comes in the list of the leading countries in terms of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/power-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Power Sector</strong> </a>or the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-renewable-energy-plan#:~:text=The%20renewable%20energy%20capacity%20in,year%20as%20we%20move%20forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Renewable Energy</strong></a> sector.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India ranks at the<strong> fifth position among the countries of the world</strong> when it comes to the size of its <strong>energy economy.</strong></li>
<li>India is the <strong>fourth largest solar installed capacity country</strong> in the world and<strong> third largest renewable energy installed capacity</strong> country in the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Solar energy:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-may-miss-100-gw-solar-power-target-by-2022-crisil-report#:~:text=Jawaharlal%20Nehru%20National%20Solar%20Mission,of%2020%2C000%20MW%20by%202022.&amp;text=The%20target%20will%20principally%20comprise,Grid%20Connected%20Solar%20Power%20Projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM)</strong> </a>aimed to achieve<strong> 20 GW</strong> solar capacity by the year <strong>2022.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the target was increased from <strong>20 GW to 100 GW by 2022</strong> in the 2015 Union Budget of India.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s total solar power capacity alone has increased by more than 11 times since 2014 to June 2020, from <strong>2.6 GigaWatts (GW) to 38 GW.</strong></li>
<li>To encourage domestic production, the duties on <strong>solar inverters</strong> have been increased from <strong>5% to 20%,</strong> and on<strong> solar lanterns</strong> from<strong> 5% to 15%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Renewable energy:</strong> The Government of India had set a target of <strong>175 GW</strong> renewable power installed capacity by the end of 2022.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes <strong>60 GW from wind power, 100 GW from solar power, 10 GW from biomass power</strong> and<strong> 5 GW from small hydro power.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The renewable energy capacity in India is <strong>currently 136 Giga Watts,</strong> which is about <strong>36%</strong> of its total energy capacity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>2030 renewable targets</strong> were announced to be<strong> 450 gigawatt.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Green energy and infrastructure development:</strong> The budget primarily focuses on spending on infrastructure development and no infrastructure project can be completed without energy involved in it
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in the present context, the energy involved has to be<strong> clean energy.</strong></li>
<li>The solar energy at present is<strong> available at 2 rs/unit</strong> which is even cheaper than the energy generated from a new coal power plant.</li>
<li>The domestic manufacturing capacity has been enhanced by the PLI schemes for manufacturing solar panels.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through the 2021-22 budget, the PLI scheme has been extended to the 10 sectors including <strong>automobile, pharma,</strong> electronic/<strong>technology</strong> products and manufacturing of <strong>advanced chemical cells battery</strong> (for electric vehicles).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACCs)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ACCs are the new generation advanced storage technologies that can store electric energy either as electrochemical or as chemical energy and convert it back to electric energy as and when required.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Green Hydrogen</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Hydrogen Energy Mission is one of the biggest announcements in the union budget 2021-22, specifying the<strong> hydrogen as green hydrogen.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When hydrogen is extracted from water using electrolysis powered by renewable energy, it is called green hydrogen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Green hydrogen energy is vital for India to meet its <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/11-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) Targets</strong> </a>and ensure regional and national energy security, access and availability.</li>
<li>Currently, about<strong> 6 tonnes of hydrogen is produced</strong> in the country which will go up by <strong>5 times in 2050.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Why Green Hydrogen?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hydrogen can act as an<strong> energy storage option,</strong> which would be essential to meet intermittencies (of renewable energy) in the future.</li>
<li>In terms of mobility, for long distance mobilisations for either urban freight movement within cities and states or for passengers, it is a very promising initiative.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydrogen can be used in railways, large ships, buses or trucks where electric-vehicles have a limitation for not having enough capacity for long distance travels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Hydrogen has the potential to be the key renewable target in supporting infrastructure as well.</li>
<li>Hydrogen can be used:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As a carrier</li>
<li>As a fuel cum energy storage alternative for petrol and diesel</li>
<li>Directly as a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/clean-fuel-hydrogen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fuel</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Countries across the world such as <strong>Japan</strong> are banging on hydrogen as a future energy media.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Germany</strong> and many other <strong>EU countries</strong> have already set an<strong> ambitious green hydrogen policy.</strong></li>
<li>Even countries like<strong> UAE</strong> and <strong>Australia</strong> that are traditionally considered as the laggards of climate action have moved towards green hydrogen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Associated</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In terms of challenges the <strong>cost of renewable electricity from</strong> hydrogen specifically, is the major problem. Public investments need to strategize and channel well.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, currently hydrogen is around <strong>$6- $8/kg</strong> which is a price too high to bring it into conventional use.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The other main hurdle is <strong>transporting hydrogen</strong> to long distances.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydrogen in gaseous form is highly inflammable.</li>
<li>To ship liquid hydrogen, it needs to be chilled to -253&deg;C.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Compared to other gases (or fuels),<strong> hydrogen lacks smell,</strong> which makes any<strong> leak detection almost impossible</strong> thus increasing the potential dangers.</li>
<li>To succeed as a renewable energy based economy, it is <strong>not just the manufacturing sector</strong> where India would want to excel but the<strong> entire supply chain.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, India is at about <strong>2-3 gw of solar photovoltaic</strong> module manufacturing capacity.</li>
<li>For the given 450 gw renewable targets for 2030, India needs <strong>30-40 gw of capacity addition</strong> of renewables per year which requires having:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Maximum domestic manufacturing capability</li>
<li>Increasing the custom duty on solar panels as it will incentivise domestic players in india to set up manufacturing of solar panels and making the entire supply chain robust.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pilot initiatives:</strong> India needs a strategy in place to launch such a big mission, such as a <strong>few pilot initiatives.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydrogen is one of the alternative sources of energy that India really needs to consider from its energy security perspective and transportation or mobilisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Efforts at all levels:</strong> The budget perspective presses that a lot more needs to be done <strong>not only at center but at state level too.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More than 11 states in India now have rolled out their own electric mobility plans and are focussing not only at manufacturing or job but also in <strong>demand creation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exploring &ldquo;All&rdquo;ternatives:</strong> Not sticking to just one alternate resource but exploring other sources too.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For either intra or inter-city movements, different technologies can co-exist and can give different contributions.</li>
<li>1 kg of hydrogen can work about 100 km but roughly it would take 7-8 litres of petrol for the same distance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Incentivising the concept of green and clean energy: Green labelling of products</strong> needs to be in place so that consumers are aware that what they are consuming is environment friendly.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to push them into using green energy, they must be<strong> made aware of the benefits</strong> of the energy they are consuming. Also, there can be<strong> extensive marketing and awareness campaigns.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capacity building:</strong> It should not only be about awareness but also about building the capacity of the industries so that we have manufacturing in place and eventually more job opportunities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Planning a road map where we generate employment while setting up green energy infrastructure and reducing carbon emission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exclusive expenditure on R&amp;D:</strong> There should be a good spending on R&amp;D and technology adoption in hydrogen energy and e-Vehicles because that is one area where India had a setback in Solar Photovoltaics.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More capital infusion in R&amp;D and infrastructure is needed to reap the benefits of various geographical locations in terms of solar energy and an emerging untapped option of hydrogen energy to replace conventional energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Moving towards Green Energy is indeed a win-win situation; it will lead to not only the usage of cleaner energy for a cleaner environment but also it will boost various sectors of manufacturing and employment.</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7434,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture : One Nation, One Gas Grid',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wvy_6E2YisY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Prime Minister of India has recently inaugurated the 450-km natural gas pipeline between Kochi in Kerala to Mangalore in Karnataka.</li>
<li>The government has set the energy roadmap, envisaging more than double the share of cleaner natural gas in the consumption basket, diversifying sources of energy, connecting the nation with one gas pipeline grid and bringing affordable fuel to people and industry.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A gas-based economy is crucial for an Atmanirbhar Bharat and work is being done in the direction of <strong>'One Nation, One Gas Grid'.</strong></li>
<li>The pipeline grid is expected to not only help improve clean energy access, but also aid in the development of city gas projects.</li>
<li>The government is also considering the proposal of bringing natural gas under the ambit of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Good and Services Tax.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>One Nation, One Gas Grid</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Indian Power system for planning and operational purposes is divided into five regional grids.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One Nation, One Gas Grid refers to the integration of these regional grids thus establishing a National Grid for providing energy produced by natural gas to various stakeholders like the central government, the state governments, the public and the private sectors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610439260_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610439260_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Objective and Need of One Nation &amp; One Gas Grid</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Meeting the targets:</strong> The initiative of the Indian government will help meet its target of reaching 15% natural gas in its energy basket mix by 2030 which is currently at 6.2-6.5% whereas the global average is 23-24%.</li>
<li><strong>Connecting the nation:</strong> With one nation and one gas grid, the energy produced from natural gas will be supplied to the whole country via a single source.</li>
<li><strong>Improving regional imbalance:</strong> It will help in improving the regional imbalance of gas availability as currently the natural gas is only in limited pockets of the country.</li>
<li><strong>India as a gas based economy:</strong> One nation, one gas grid which will help emerge India as a gas based economy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will not only lead to robust development in the economy but also encourage a clean environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cleaner environment:</strong> In times when conventionalsSources are depleting and mining is being extended to a greater depth and area, natural gas can prove to be a boon by preventing deforestation and desertification.</li>
<li><strong>Reduce import dependency:</strong> The import dependency of natural gas in India has reached to 53%. In order to reduce this high percentage, the government is taking measures to diversify the energy mix of India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Targets</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To increase the share of natural gas, the government has announced the expansion of the natural gas grid from the previous 17,500 kilometers to 34,500 kilometers. To which, 450 kms have already been added making it approx 18000.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The next 16000 kms is expected to be achieved in the next 4-6 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Primarily, as a grid, the north and west part of India were already connected via LNG terminal.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the last 4 years, efforts have also been made to connect eastern India with North via the Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline which is a <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-gas-grid-fuel-for-all" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM Urja Ganga Project</strong></a> which is in its final stages and will also add around 3000 kms to the grid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The southern part of India is also being looked upon and is expected to add about 1500 kms to the grid.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Encouraging investments:</strong> Investing in natural gas should be more encouraged. The share can be divided as : 20% for smaller manufacturing brands whereas for the government and bigger companies it should be 80%.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is important because investing in natural gas means investing in:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cleaner environment</li>
<li>Better health for our people</li>
<li>Creating more jobs and a better economy for our people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Educating about natural gas:</strong> One area where we all should work is in educating people about the natural gas economy because at present the lack of knowledge about natural gas based economy is widely persistent.</li>
<li><strong>Empowering the vehicles:</strong> Empowered vehicles are needed to reach the destination of One Nation, One Gas Grid. Vehicles such as GAIL, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-natural-gas-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ONGC</strong></a> etc need to be strengthened and empowered to eradicate natural gas energy poverty.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is important to give more importance to companies like ONGC when it comes to upstream for gas and GAIL India when it comes to midstream production and gas distribution, and to companies like Oil India when it comes to oil distribution.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>We need more LNG terminals for more upstream production of gas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Marketing and pricing reforms:</strong> To increase domestic exploration, investment and production of natural gas, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/natural-gas-marketing-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Marketing and Pricing Reforms</strong></a> are the one step that the Government of India has taken in a couple of months.</li>
<li><strong>Natural gas democracy:</strong> Like no citizen of a country should be kept out of democracy, similarly no one should be left out of the benefits of natural gas, it should reach each and every household.</li>
<li><strong>Collaborative effort:</strong> It is not enough that only the central government takes initiatives in the direction, various state govts should also come on board or even a public sector is also as important when it comes to contributing their share in the notion of One Nation, One Gas Grid.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Tremendous efforts are on the way to achieve clean affordable and sustainable energy but going forward there will be infrastructure related and many other possible challenges that must be tackled in order to end energy poverty in the times to come, ensuring energy security for the citizens as well.</p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7158,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: India’s Renewable Energy Plan',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JDZBY4K2kKY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister of India has announced about having huge renewable energy deployment plans for India for the next decade which are likely to generate business prospects of around $20 billion per year.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Post the inauguration of the <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> Global Renewable Energy Investment Meeting and Expo (RE-Invest 2020),</strong> the PM addressed and invited the investors, developers and businesses to join India's renewable energy journey.</li>
<li>After the success of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-for-electronic-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Performance Linked Incentives (PLI)</strong></a> in electronics manufacturing, the government has decided to give similar incentives to high efficiency solar modules.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dedicated <strong>Project Development Cells</strong> have been established to facilitate investors ensuring<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 'Ease of Doing Business'.</strong> </a></li>
<li>India's renewable power capacity is the<strong> fourth largest in the world</strong> and is growing at the fastest speed among all major countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is a big market and a lot of countries are attracted towards it in terms of One Sun, One World, One Grid and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-new-and-renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The renewable energy capacity in India is currently <strong>136 Giga Watts,</strong> which is about <strong>36% of its total capacity.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Target for capacity increase is 450GW by 2030, increasing 25GW every year as we move forward.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Per capita consumption of energy in India is quite low as compared globally.</li>
<li>Power sector, being primarily dependent on fossil fuels, is one of prime sources of air pollution.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Why Renewable Energy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sustainable:</strong> Energy generated from renewable sources will be cleaner and greener and more sustainable.</li>
<li><strong>Employment opportunities:</strong> Inclusion of a newer technology simply means more employment opportunities for the working population of the country.</li>
<li><strong>Market assurance:</strong> From the economy point of view, renewable sources provide the market and revenue assurance which no other resources can provide.</li>
<li><strong>Power supply:</strong> Providing 24*7 power supply to 100% of the households, sustainable form of transports are some of the goals that can only be achieved through sustainable power that comes from renewables.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Initiatives Taken</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>PLI Scheme:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-for-electronic-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI)</strong></a> scheme is an excellent initiative of the Government of India with respect to enhancing the manufacturing sector. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme proposes a financial incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the electronics value chain including electronic components and semiconductor packaging.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pradhan Mantri- Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-website-of-ministry-of-new-and-renewable-energy#:~:text=KUSUM%20Scheme,-KUSUM%20stands%20for&amp;text=It's%20objective%20is%20to%20provide,plants%20in%20the%20rural%20areas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PM- KUSUM</a></strong> aims to provide financial and water security to farmers through harnessing solar energy capacities of 25,750 MW by 2022.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Solarisation of water pumps is a step in distributed power providing at the doorstep of the consumer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy on its website also hosts <strong>Akshay Urja Portal </strong>and<strong> India Renewable Idea Exchange (IRIX) Portal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IRIX is a platform that promotes the exchange of ideas among energy conscious Indians and the Global community.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Key Focus for Next Five Years</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Twin Challenge:</strong> India has a twin challenge of providing more energy as well as cleaner energy to the masses in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It should focus on getting into the manufacturing of the solar panels under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atma Nirbhar Bharat</strong></a> initiative as the demand is to create jobs as well as supply decentralised energy to all the households in India.</li>
<li>Look and develop the entire supply chain of all the components beside the manufacturing sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Methanol and Biomass:</strong> Looking for other alternatives such as methanol based economy and biomass.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bio-CNG vehicles with 20% blending in petrol is also a target the government has been chasing.</li>
<li>Conversion of energy from <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/action-plan-for-biomass-management" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biomass</strong></a> is a considerable option as it will clean the cities as well as reduce our energy dependence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Fuels produced from biomass have a high calorific value and are cleaner than traditional biomass.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hydrogen based FCV:</strong> Hydrogen in technology is likely to change the landscape of renewables, shifting towards <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-hydrogen-fuel-cell-for-vehicles#:~:text=Hydrogen%20in%20Fuel%20Cell%20Electric,electricity%20from%20only%20a%20battery.&amp;text=The%20amount%20of%20energy%20stored,of%20the%20hydrogen%20fuel%20tank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hydrogen Based Fuel Cells Vehicles</strong> </a>(FCV) is another area of focus.</li>
<li><strong>Grid Integration:</strong> It is the practice of developing efficient ways to deliver variable renewable energy (RE) to the grid.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Identifying the demands which are in tune with the characteristics of the renewables, focussing on characteristics of renewables mainly solar and wind and considering their variability as strength rather than weakness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges with Renewable Energy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Integration with the Main Grid:</strong> Integrating the renewables with the main grid is the area India needs to work upon.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To accelerate the uptake of renewables, storage and battery solutions is needed in large quantities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cost factor:</strong> Renewable resources are slightly more expensive than conventional sources.</li>
<li><strong>24*7 Power Supply:</strong> Sustainable, round-the-clock power supply along with the storage system is a big challenge ahead.</li>
<li><strong>Agricultural Sector:</strong> Much power is consumed in the agricultural sector. The challenge is to provide sufficient power and energy to every household and to the agricultural sector as well.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Identification of areas:</strong> Renewable resources specially wind cannot be set up everywhere, they require specific location. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Identification of these specific locations, integrating them with the main grid and distribution of powers; A combination of these three is what will take India forward.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exploration:</strong> More storage solutions need to be explored.</li>
<li><strong>Agriculture subsidy:</strong> Agricultural subsidy should be rectified in order to ensure that only the required amount of energy is consumed.</li>
<li><strong>Hydrogen fuel cell based vehicles and Electric vehicles:</strong> These are the most suitable options when it comes to shifting towards renewable sources of energy, that&rsquo;s where we need to work upon.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A well planned road map is needed, for which <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI Aayog</strong></a> is coming up with Energy Vision 2035 to achieve India's clean energy goals.</li>
<li>Diversified energy mix is what India needs to focus on, no doubt solar and wind have a lot of potential, Hydrogen would be a game changer in Indian energy transition space.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Renewable sources of energy are expected to replace fossil fuels by 2050.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India should be working on areas like investment in infrastructure, capacity building and better integration in the near and immediate future.</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7066,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture : Draft Spacecom Policy and India's Space Sector',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kNVkFhrs_yY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<p>The Union government has permitted for the reforms in the space sector by allowing private players' participation, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)</strong></a> has released the draft of a new <strong>Spacecom Policy 2020.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The policy will regulate the commercial use of satellites, orbital slots, and ground stations for communication needs. The policy also details how private players can get authorization for setting up new communication satellites and ground stations.</li>
<li>The private players in the space communication sector will also enable India to keep pace with the growing demand for satellite-based broadcasting, network connectivity, and global mobile personal communication.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The space policy has been drafted in the form of spacecom for reforming the Indian space sector.</li>
<li>The policy will regulate the commercial use of satellites, orbital slots, and ground stations for communication needs.</li>
<li>The private players in the space communication sector will enable India to keep pace with the growing demand for satellite-based broadcasting, network connectivity, and global mobile personal communication.</li>
<li>The government wants private players to participate in the space sector not as a vendor but as a partner.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Spacecom Policy - 2020</strong> enables the activities of space based communications under five major statements.</li>
<li>Spacecom Policy-2020 states that the Government of India shall:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Adopt measures to <strong>monitor and authorize use of space assets</strong> for communication to or from Indian territory.</li>
<li><strong>Ensure protection of space assets</strong> already put in place and adopt measures to bring in more space assets under the administrative control for enhancing ability to utilize space based communication for national needs.</li>
<li>Promote increased <strong>participation of commercial Indian industry</strong> to provide space based communications both within the country and outside.</li>
<li>Concentrate on <strong>realization of space based communication systems</strong> for addressing the requirements that <strong>cannot be effectively, affordably and reliably satisfied by the commercial Indian industry</strong> either because of national security concerns or economic factors.</li>
<li><strong>Provide a timely and responsive regulatory environment</strong> for the commercial Indian industry to establish and operate space based communication systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The Salient Features</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Governs industries:</strong> The policy will govern the commercial use of orbital slots, satellites, and ground stations used for communication.</li>
<li><strong>Facilitating the private companies:</strong> The policy has been framed to help the private players do the job in the most efficient manner with ease.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will also boost the actions of private players in doing business in the space communication sector, in India as well as doing business outside India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Allowance to only Indian entities:</strong> Only Indian entities will be allowed to seek authorization for orbital slots for new satellites, services based on existing satellites and setting up new ground stations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are no restrictions in terms of satellite owning, ground session setup and providing services to the common people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Owning satellites and responsibilities:</strong> Private industries are allowed to use the ISRO satellites and they can also have their own satellites as well.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The policy also says that any company sending a communication satellite in space will also be responsible for any damages to other objects in space and the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India and the global spacecom sector:</strong> The new policy will enable India to meet the growing demand for satellite-based broadcasting, network connectivity, and global mobile personal communication, and will help India attain a significant position in the global space communication sector.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Why Private Companies in the Space Sector?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ISRO is over burdened by its regular operations such as launch of satellites, construction of launching vehicles etc which are becoming hurdles in ISRO's way for working in new projects. Hence, ISRO wants these regular operations to be conducted by private players.</li>
<li><strong>Role of Private Players:</strong> The Private players can participate in setting up of ground stations for space crafts which constitute 48% of the space sector budget and also in application of space technology which result in 45% of space economy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>ISRO and its Projects</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gaganyaan-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gaganyaan</strong></a>: Sending humans in space and bringing them safely back to earth.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chandrayaan-3-and-gaganyaan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chandrayaan 3</strong></a>: To land safely on the moon, Chandrayaan-3 is likely to be launched in early 2021.</li>
<li><strong>Propulsion system in the satellite</strong>: ISRO is working on launching vehicles with "Electric Propulsion System" so that large satellites can be sent into space by the agency.</li>
<li><strong>Heavy lift launcher</strong>: ISRO is conducting preliminary research for the development of a super heavy- lift launch vehicle which is planned to have a lifting capacity of over 50-60 tonnes Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Coordination with Other Space Agencies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/national-aeronautics-and-space-administration-nasa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NASA</a>-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission (NISAR)</strong>: NASA's first global Search And Rescue (SAR) mission, in partnership with ISRO, providing data for studying hazards, changes in glaciers and ice sheets, and global environmental.</li>
<li><strong>TRISHNA</strong>: ISRO, and the French space agency <strong>CNES</strong> have partnered in developing advanced upgradation satellites like TRISHNA to monitor the water cycle to help in finding out proper ways to utilize it.</li>
<li><strong>Gaganyaan project</strong>: The four Indian astronauts training in Russia for the Gaganyaan project &ndash; India&rsquo;s first manned space mission.</li>
<li><strong>Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX)</strong>: Collaboration between ISRO and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to have a combined mission, to send a lunar rover and lander to explore the south pole region of the Moon in 2024.</li>
<li><strong>Duchifat 3</strong>: Last year, a small remote sensing satellite weighing 2.3 kilogram, built by students in Israel, was part of the nine commercial satellites launched by ISRO along with its own earth observation satellite.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The major concern is to make sure that this high precedent technology should not go in the wrong hand.</li>
<li>The rules regarding use of images taken by a spacecraft for domestic purposes and for other purposes are very stringent and there is need to have very flexible rules for the private people to do the job, at the same time making sure that it is not used in a wrong way.</li>
<li>ISRO is not fully self-sufficient in its launch vehicle. For bigger satellite launches, ISRO is still dependent on foreign countries.</li>
<li>The novel coronavirus pandemic has affected ISRO programs, due to which many programs of ISRO have been delayed including the launch of Chandrayaan-3.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Preventing the misuse of technologies:</strong> The government should make laws regarding the operation of private players in both the commercial as well as the strategic part of the space sector, so that technology can't be misused.</li>
<li><strong>Encouraging the young talent:</strong> Ensuring more opportunities for the youngsters to study science and take part in the space sector. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Their enthusiasm and talent should be used in an effective and holistic manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With the new Spacecom Policy 2020, Private players are not only going to serve the country but they are also going to have a big share from the International market.</li>
<li>It is important for all the stakeholders to take India as a technical powerhouse at the global level so that very soon India can lead the global community in the technological area.</li>
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		'article_id' => (int) 6987,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Gujarat Maritime Cluster',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Gujarat Maritime Cluster</strong> is coming up in the <strong>GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City)</strong> City at Gandhinagar to address logistics of ports and seaways.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Maritime Cluster:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605254136_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605254136_image3.jpg" style="float: right;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is conceived as a <strong>dedicated ecosystem</strong> of Ports, Maritime Shipping and Logistics services providers.</li>
<li>It will host an array of maritime, shipping industry players and service providers, along with relevant Government regulatory agencies, in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-financial-services-centres-authority-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gujarat International Finance Tec-City</strong></a> (GIFT City), <strong>Gandhinagar &ndash;</strong> India&rsquo;s first International Financial Services Centre.</li>
<li>The <strong>Gujarat Maritime Board</strong> (GMB), has been trying to develop such a cluster through its subsidiary <strong>Gujarat Ports Infrastructure and Development Company Ltd (GPIDCL).</strong></li>
<li>While the project was conceptualised back in 2007, it received in-principle approval from the state government in 2015.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits of the project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Attract Maritime Investments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The project will try to <strong>bring back businesses</strong> that have <strong>migrated over the years</strong> to foreign locations due to the absence of the right ecosystem in the country.</li>
<li>Large corporates like the <strong>Aditya Birla Group</strong> and <strong>Tata Group</strong> tap clusters in Dubai and Singapore for their maritime needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economies of Scale:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Gujarat has a lot of ports and handles 40% of the country&rsquo;s cargo, but it has not targeted the<strong> entire value-chain</strong> as a result investors look abroad for the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dispute Resolution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An <strong>Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)</strong> Centre will be set up under the aegis of the <strong>Gujarat Maritime University,</strong> which will come up at the maritime cluster. A centre such as this does not currently exist in India.</li>
<li>Will help resolve cases revolving around bunker disputes, ship sales, shipbuilding and repairs, commodities.</li>
<li>It will provide an option to Indian players seeking to avoid availing the services of <strong>international alternate dispute resolution hubs which entail huge costs, time, and travel.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The cluster is also expected to house the<strong> office of the Director General of Shipping.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The concept of maritime clusters is new to India, but these clusters have been driving some of the most competitive ports of the world like Rotterdam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Oslo, Shanghai, and London.</li>
<li>Thus India must ensure a significant<strong> footprint in global supply chains</strong> of the world with the help of such innovative Ideas.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-the-unique-maritime-cluster-coming-up-at-gift-city-in-gujarat-7048302/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6715,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India in BRICS Ministers’ Meeting',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5th-brics-culture-ministers-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BRICS</strong></a> <strong>Labour and Employment Ministers&rsquo; Virtual Meeting</strong> was held under the <strong>Russian Presidency.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It aimed to discuss various <strong>issues including approaches to creating a safe work culture in BRICS countries.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Emphasis on Health of Workers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was highlighted that<strong> health, welfare and improved working conditions</strong> are essential for the well-being of the workers. A healthy workforce in the country would be more productive and contribute to economic growth.</li>
<li>The <strong>aspects of occupational safety and health measures</strong> to mitigate the impact of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> have also acquired significance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India <strong>called for suitable global action</strong> especially by BRICS towards effecting a <strong>balance between labour and employer</strong> which will generate growth and create more jobs and greater labour welfare.</li>
<li>India also<strong> highlighted the importance of digitisation and technological advancements</strong> like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>artificial intelligence</strong> </a>(AI) and <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-robotics-and-automation-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>robotics</strong></a> in reshaping lives and work, with a direct or indirect effect on the labour market.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Digitisation also <strong>offers the opportunity</strong> for governments, individuals and businesses<strong> to cope with the changing scenarios after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-whohttps://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India underscored that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/how-to-regulate-the-digital-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>digital economy</strong></a> is changing the world of work, hence <strong>regular studies by the BRICS Network Research Institutes</strong> will facilitate a <strong>better understanding</strong> of the aspects of future of work and supplement policymaking.</li>
<li>India is committed to <strong>eradicate <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/poverty-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poverty</a></strong> and <strong>promote prosperity</strong> in a changing world and hence adopted a multi-dimensional strategy to eliminate poverty by covering most of the basic services and fulfil the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals</strong></a> of <strong>No Poverty</strong> (SDG-1).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Initiatives Highlighted by India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/right-code-for-labour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code Bill, 2020:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Provides a dynamic and effective framework of occupational safety and health at the workplace and covers legal provisions of all sectors.</li>
<li>Envisages safety standards for different sectors, focusing on the health and working condition of workers, hours of work, leaves, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-the-labour-code-bills" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Social Security Code Bill, 2020:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Universalises social security coverage</strong> to those working in the unorganised sector, such as migrant workers, gig workers and platform workers.</li>
<li><strong>Recognises emerging forms of work</strong> by defining terms like an aggregator, gig worker and platform worker, and extends social protection to such workers through a <strong>separate Social Security Fund</strong> wherein the contribution from aggregators would be deposited.</li>
<li>Provisions of social security will also be<strong> extended to agricultural workers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/labour-reforms-1#:~:text=Social%20Security%20Code%20Bill%2C%202020,gig%20workers%20and%20platform%20workers." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Relations Code Bill, 2020:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sets up <strong>Grievance Redressal Committees</strong> for resolution of disputes arising out of employees&rsquo; grievances.</li>
<li>Also sets up a reskilling fund to help skill retrenched workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pm-kisan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Provides direct income support to farmers for easing their liquidity needs to facilitate timely access to inputs.</li>
<li>Aiding modernisation and makes farmers competitive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Protects the economy from the<strong> adverse impact of the Covid-19 crisis.</strong></li>
<li>Measures include opening a credit line for micro, small and medium enterprises to meet their operational expenses, subsidising the social security contributions of workers, extending unemployment benefit to workers, financial assistance to construction workers, collateral-free working capital loan to approximately 5 million street vendors, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Related Schemes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mgnrega-and-migrant-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-rural-economic-transformation-project-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Livelihood Mission.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>All countries need to work together in finding feasible and sustainable solutions to the issues and challenges faced by the future of the labour force in the digital economy so that everyone can get the flexible employment opportunities without compromising the fundamental rights.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1663547" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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