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PLI Scheme For Specialty Steel

Why in News Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme (Central Sector Scheme) for manufacturing Speciality...

24 Jul 2021 Infrastructure
Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme

Why in News Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a Reforms-based and Results-linked, Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme...

01 Jul 2021 Infrastructure
BharatNet Project

Why in News Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a Viability Gap Funding support of up to Rs. 19,041 crore (Out of the total expense of Rs. 29,430...

01 Jul 2021 Infrastructure
Drone Survey Mandatory for All National Highways Projects

Why in News The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has made use of drones mandatory for video recording of the national highway projects...

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Integrated Power Development Scheme

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22 Jun 2021 Infrastructure
Inland Vessel Bill 2021

Why in News Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021, which will replace the Inland Vessels Act, 1917 after passing in...

18 Jun 2021 Infrastructure
ADB Loan for Chennai - Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor

Why in News Recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a USD 484 million loan for the Tamil Nadu Industrial...

17 Jun 2021 Infrastructure
Supersonic Commercial Plane

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09 Jun 2021 Infrastructure
Draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation, 2021

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26 May 2021 Infrastructure
Infrastructure Status for Convention Centres

Why in News The Finance Ministry has granted ‘Infrastructure’ status for exhibition and convention centres. In 2020, the government...

20 May 2021 Infrastructure
NITI Aayog's Report for a Digitally Inclusive Bharat

Why in News The NITI Aayog and Mastercard have released a report titled ‘Connected Commerce: Creating a Roadmap for a Digitally Inclusive...

11 May 2021 Infrastructure
Oxygen Crisis: Covid-19

Why in News The Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) crisis during the second wave of Covid surge has been precipitated by a shortage of tankers and the...

28 Apr 2021 Infrastructure
India’s Falling Crude Oil & Natural Gas Production

Why in News According to the latest government data India's crude oil production and natural gas output declined in the Financial Year (FY)...

23 Apr 2021 Infrastructure
EatSmart Cities Challenge and Transport 4 All Challenge

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the EatSmart Cities Challenge and Transport 4 All Challenge. The...

16 Apr 2021 Infrastructure
India Energy Dashboards Version 2.0

Why in News Recently, the government think tank NITI Aayog has launched India Energy Dashboards (IED) Version 2.0. NITI Aayog launched the...

14 Apr 2021 Infrastructure
Chenab Bridge

Why in News Recently, Indian Railways completed the arch closure of the iconic Chenab Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir. Key Points About Chenab...

07 Apr 2021 Infrastructure
National Maritime Day 2021

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways celebrated the 58th National Maritime Day (5th April). Maritime India...

06 Apr 2021 Infrastructure
National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Bill, 2021

Why in News Recently, the Rajya Sabha cleared the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NBFID) Bill, 2021. The Bill seeks...

26 Mar 2021 Infrastructure
Vehicle Scrapping Policy

Why in News Recently, the Union Road and Transport Minister announced the Vehicle Scrapping Policy in the Lok Sabha. It was first announced in...

19 Mar 2021 Infrastructure
UDAN 4.1

Why in News On the commencement of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav ([email protected])’, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has proposed about...

18 Mar 2021 Infrastructure

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		'article_id' => (int) 8959,
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		'title' => 'PLI Scheme For Specialty Steel',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pli-scheme-for-food-processing-industry" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Production-Linked Incentive (PLI)</strong></a> scheme (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-hike-monthly-pensions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Sector Scheme</strong></a>) for manufacturing<strong> Speciality Steel (SS)</strong> with a budgetary outlay of <strong>Rs 6,322 crore</strong> over a period of five years from <strong>2023-24.</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Speciality Steel</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It <strong>is value-added steel,</strong> which is made by processing normal finished steel.</li>
<li>It is done by converting normal finished steel into high value-added steel by way of <strong>coating, plating and heat treatment.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from the automobile sector and specialised capital goods, they can be used in various strategic applications such as <strong>defence, space, power etc.</strong></li>
<li>SS are<strong> categorized in various types</strong> such as, coated/plated steel products, high strength/wear resistant steel, speciality rails, alloy steel products and steel wires, electrical steel etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>PLI Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to<strong> boost domestic manufacturing and cut down on import bills,</strong> the central government<strong> in March 2020 introduced a PLI scheme</strong> that aims to give companies incentives on incremental sales from products manufactured in domestic units.</li>
<li>The scheme<strong> invites foreign companies to set units in India,</strong> however, it also aims to <strong>encourage local companies</strong> to set up or expand existing manufacturing units.</li>
<li>The Scheme <strong>has also been approved for sectors such as</strong> automobiles, <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pli-scheme-for-it-hardware-and-pharmaceuticals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pharmaceuticals, IT hardware including laptops</a></strong>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-for-electronic-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>mobile phones &amp; telecom equipment</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pli-scheme-for-ten-more-sectors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>white goods</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-programme-on-advanced-chemistry-cell-battery-storage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>chemical cells</strong></a>,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pli-scheme-for-food-processing-industry" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> food processing</strong></a> and textiles, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627107293_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627107293_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>PLI for Speciality Steel:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To <strong>help India's SS production reach 42 Million Tonnes (MT) by 2026-27</strong> from 18 MT today.</li>
<li><strong>Categories:</strong> There are five <strong>categories of specialty steel which have been chosen in the PLI Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Coated/plated steel products.</li>
<li>High strength/wear resistant steel.</li>
<li>Speciality rails.</li>
<li>Alloy steel products and steel wires.</li>
<li>Electrical steel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Slabs:</strong> There are<strong> three slabs of PLI incentives,</strong> the lowest being <strong>4%</strong> and highest being <strong>12%.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong> Both<strong> big players</strong> i.e. integrated steel plants and to the <strong>smaller players</strong> (secondary steel players).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Any<strong> company registered in India,</strong> engaged in manufacturing of the identified &lsquo;specialty steel&rsquo; grades will be <strong>eligible to participate in the scheme.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for choosing speciality Steel:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>To Increase Production:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>SS has been chosen as the target segment by the government because <strong>out of a production of 102 million tonnes of steel</strong> in 2020-21, <strong>only 18 million tonnes of value-added steel/speciality steel</strong> were produced in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>To Reduce Imports:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Most of the<strong> imports into India are in the value-added and speciality segment.</strong> The PLI scheme<strong> will boost manufacturing capacities</strong> by Indian mills in this segment and MSMEs will be able to source from them directly.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Out of<strong> 6.7 million tonnes of imports of steel in</strong> 2020-21, approximately <strong>4 million tonnes were of speciality steel,</strong> resulting in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/forex-reserves-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Foreign Exchange (Forex)</strong> </a>outgo of approximately <strong>Rs 30,000 crore.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sector in Uptrend:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The steel sector<strong> is on an uptrend</strong> and major integrated <strong>producers have lined up major expansion plans.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Promote Local Manufacturing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will ensure finished steel be made in India only, thereby ensuring that the scheme <strong>promotes end-to-end manufacturing</strong> within the country.</li>
<li>It will help <strong>create global manufacturing champions</strong> in India and bring the country <strong>on a par with global steel making majors</strong> such as South Korea and Japan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Employment Generation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will generate employment for about <strong>5 lakh people,</strong> including direct employment for <strong>68,000 people.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expected Outcome:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is expected to<strong> bring investments worth about Rs 40,000 crore</strong> and result in a <strong>capacity addition of 25 million tonnes (MT) for speciality steel.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>export of SS would become about 5.5 MT</strong> against the<strong> current 1.7 MT</strong> earning a Forex of Rs 33,000 crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives related to Steel:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-purvodaya-accelerated-development-of-steel-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mission Purvodaya</a>:</strong> It was launched in 2020 for the accelerated development of eastern India through the establishment of an integrated steel hub in Kolkata, West Bengal.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/iron-and-steel-industry-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Steel Policy 2017</a>:</strong> To attain Self-sufficiency in steel production by providing policy support &amp; guidance to private manufacturers, MSME steel producers, it was launched in 2017.</li>
<li><strong>Adoption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0#:~:text=It%20is%20an%20initiative%20of,brought%20about%20by%20smart%20technologies." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Industry 4.0</a>):</strong> It will improve manufacturing processes, material usage, energy efficiency, plant and worker productivity, supply chain and product life-cycle.</li>
<li><strong>Steel Research and Technology Mission of India:</strong> It provides for the grant of financial assistance to various institutions including <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Council of Scientific and Industrial Research</a> (CSIR)</strong> laboratories and academic institutions for carrying out research in the iron and steel sector including environmental issues like utilisation of wastes, improvement in energy efficiency and reduction in <strong><a href="/infographics/info-paper3/greenhouse-gas-emission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">greenhouse gases</a> (GHG)</strong> emission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1737722" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8753,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs</strong> has approved a <strong>Reforms-based and Results-linked, Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme</strong> worth Rs. 3.03 trillion wherein the Centre&rsquo;s share will be Rs. 97,631 crore.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It aims to improve the <strong>operational efficiencies </strong>and<strong> financial sustainability of discoms (excluding Private Sector DISCOMs).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will provide <strong>conditional financial assistance</strong> to strengthen the<strong> supply infrastructure of discoms (power distribution companies).</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>financial assistance</strong> will be based on <strong>meeting pre-qualifying criteria</strong> and upon achievement of<strong> basic minimum benchmarks.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>All the <strong>existing power sector reforms schemes</strong> such as<strong> Integrated Power Development Scheme, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana,</strong> and<strong> Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana</strong> will be merged into this umbrella program.</li>
<li>The scheme will be <strong>available till 2025-26.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It would be based on the <strong>action plan worked out for each state</strong> rather than a <strong>&lsquo;one-size-fits-all&rsquo; approach.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nodal Agencies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Rural Electrification Corporation and Power Finance Corporation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Components:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Consumer Meters and System Meters:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The scheme involves a <strong>compulsory smart metering ecosystem</strong> across the distribution sector&mdash;starting from electricity feeders to the consumer level, including in about 250 million households.</li>
<li>It is proposed to install approximately <strong>10 crore prepaid Smart Meters </strong>by December,<strong> 2023 in the first phase. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Feeder Segregation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Scheme also focuses on funding for <strong>feeder segregation for unsegregated feeders,</strong> which would enable solarization under the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pm-kusum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PM-KUSUM Scheme</a>.</strong></li>
<li>Solarization of feeders will lead to cheap/free day time power for irrigation and additional income for the farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Modernization of Distribution system in Urban Areas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)</strong> in all urban areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rural and Urban area System strengthening.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Special Category States:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>North-Eastern State of Sikkim and States/Union Territories of Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep will be treated as Special Category States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reduction of <strong>AT&amp;C losses (operational losses due to inefficient power system)</strong> to pan-India levels of 12-15% by 2024-25.</li>
<li>Reduction of <strong>cost-revenue gap</strong> to zero by 2024-25.</li>
<li>Developing Institutional Capabilities for Modern DISCOMs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Schemes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/saubhagya-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya)</strong></a>: To ensure electrification of all willing households in the country in rural as well as urban areas.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/integrated-power-development-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS)</strong></a>: The scheme provides for (a) strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks in urban areas; (b) metering of distribution transformers/feeders/consumers in urban areas; and (c) IT enablement of distribution sector and strengthening of distribution network.</li>
<li><strong>Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY)</strong>: The rural electrification scheme provides for (a) separation of agriculture and non-agriculture feeders; (b) strengthening and augmentation of sub-transmission and distribution infrastructure in rural areas including metering at distribution transformers, feeders and consumers end.</li>
<li><strong>GARV (Grameen Vidyutikaran) App:</strong> To monitor transparency in implementation of the electrification schemes, Grameen Vidyut Abhiyanta (GVAs) have been appointed by the government to report progress through the GARV app.</li>
<li><strong>Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY):</strong> For operational and financial turnaround of Discoms.</li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;4 Es&rsquo; in the Revised Tariff Policy:</strong> The 4Es include Electricity for all, Efficiency to ensure affordable tariffs, Environment for a sustainable future, Ease of doing business to attract investments and ensure financial viability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1731473" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8751,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'BharatNet Project',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a <strong>Viability Gap Funding</strong> support of up to Rs. 19,041 crore (Out of the total expense of Rs. 29,430 crore) for the implementation of the <strong>BharatNet project through Public-Private Partnership </strong>model.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ppp-investment-model" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public-Private Partnership (PPP)</strong> </a>involves <strong>collaboration between a government agency and a private-sector company</strong> that can be used to finance, build, and operate projects. The PPP Model in this critical infrastructure of Telecom is a <strong>novel initiative.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/financial-support-to-public-private-partnerships-in-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Viability Gap Funding (VGF)</strong></a> means <strong>a grant one-time or deferred, provided to support infrastructure projects</strong> that are economically justified but fall<strong> short of financial viability.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>world&rsquo;s largest rural broadband connectivity programme</strong> using Optical fibre. And also a <strong>flagship mission</strong> implemented by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bbnl-and-dark-fibre" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Broadband Network Ltd. (BBNL).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>BBNL is a <strong>Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)</strong> set up by the Government of India under the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-the-companies-amendment-bill-2020#:~:text=Producer%20Companies%3A%20Under%20the%202013,meetings%2C%20and%20maintenance%20of%20accounts." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Companies Act, 1956</strong></a> with an authorized capital of Rs 1000 crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is a highly scalable network infrastructure accessible on a non-discriminatory basis, <strong>to provide on demand, affordable broadband connectivity of 2 Mbps to 20 Mbps for all households</strong> and on demand capacity to all institutions, to realise the vision of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital India</strong></a>, in partnership <strong>with States and the private sector.</strong></li>
<li>It is being implemented by the <strong>Department of Telecommunication under the Ministry of Communications.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bharatnet-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN)</strong> </a>which was launched in October 2011 was <strong>renamed as Bharat Net Project in 2015.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>NOFN</strong> was envisaged as an<strong> information superhighway through the creation of a robust middle-mile infrastructure</strong> for reaching broadband connectivity to <strong>Gram Panchayats.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In 2019,</strong> the Ministry of Communications also launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-broadband-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;National Broadband Mission&rsquo;</strong> </a>to facilitate universal and equitable access to broadband services across the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Funding:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The entire project is being funded by <strong>Universal service Obligation Fund (USOF),</strong> which was set up for improving telecom services in rural and remote areas of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The objective is to <strong>facilitate the delivery of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">e-governance</a>, e-health, e-education, e-banking, Internet</strong> and other services to rural India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Phases of the Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>First Phase:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Provide one lakh gram panchayats with broadband connectivity by laying underground <strong>Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) lines by December 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Second Phase:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Provide connectivity to all the gram panchayats in the country using an optimal mix of underground fibre, fibre over power lines, radio and satellite media<strong> by March 2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Third Phase:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>From <strong>2019 to 2023,</strong> a state-of-the-art, future-proof network, including <strong>fibre between districts and blocks, with ring topology</strong> to provide redundancy would be created.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Extension of BharatNet:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project will be <strong>extended to all inhabited villages beyond the gram panchayats in 16 States </strong>which are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The revised strategy will include <strong>creation, upgrading, operation, maintenance and utilisation of BharatNet</strong> by the<strong> private sector partner,</strong> who will be selected by a competitive international bidding process.</li>
<li>The selected <strong>private sector partner</strong> is expected to provide <strong>reliable, high speed broadband services</strong> as per predefined <strong>Services Level Agreement (SLA).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of PPP in BharatNet:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Faster Roll Out:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>PPP</strong> Model will <strong>leverage private sector efficiency for operation, maintenance, utilisation and revenue generation</strong> and is expected to result in the faster roll out of BharatNet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased Investment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The private sector partner is expected to <strong>bring an equity investment and raise resources towards capital expenditure and for operation and maintenance of the network.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Better Access:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Extension of BharatNet to all inhabited villages will<strong> enable better access to e-services offered by various governments, enable online education, telemedicine, skill development, e-commerce and other applications of broadband.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/cabinet-approves-19041-crore-viability-gap-funding-for-bharatnet-in-16-states/article35055840.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8673,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Drone Survey Mandatory for All National Highways Projects',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)</strong> has made use of drones mandatory for<strong> video recording of the national highway projects</strong> during different stages of development, construction, operation and maintenance.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These videos will be saved on N<strong>HAI&rsquo;s portal &ldquo;Data Lake&rdquo;</strong> to assess the progress made on the projects.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will <strong>enhance transparency, uniformity </strong>and<strong> leverage the latest technology.</strong></li>
<li>NHAI officials can use the videos during the physical inspection of the projects to <strong>check the discrepancies and rectifications</strong> made on the earlier observations.</li>
<li>Since these videos will be<strong> permanently stored on the &lsquo;Data Lake&rsquo;</strong>, they can also be used as evidence during the <strong>dispute resolution process before Arbitral Tribunals and Courts.</strong></li>
<li>Also the mandatory deployment of <strong>Network Survey Vehicle (NSV)</strong> to <strong>carry out road condition surveys</strong> on the National Highways will enhance the overall quality of the highways.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NSV uses the latest survey techniques such as high-resolution digital camera for 360 degree imagery, Laser Road Profilometer and other latest technology for measurement of distress in road surface.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NHAI&rsquo;s Portal &ldquo;Data Lake&rdquo;:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NHAI has gone <strong>&lsquo;Fully Digital&rsquo;</strong> with the launch of cloud based and Artificial Intelligence powered <strong>Big Data Analytics platform &ndash; Data Lake and Project Management Software.</strong></li>
<li>All project <strong>documentation, contractual decisions and approvals</strong> are now done through the portal only.</li>
<li>Data Lake software forecasts the delays, likely disputes and gives advance alerts.</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Data Lake will bring revolutionary changes to NHAI with benefits like No delays, Quick decision making, No question of missing records, Work from anywhere/anytime.</li>
<li>It will enhance transparency, as all officers and stakeholders connected with the project can see what is going on a real time basis.</li>
<li>It will also help in carrying out audits by the senior officers and other external agencies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NHAI was set up under <strong>NHAI Act, 1988.</strong></li>
<li>It has been entrusted with the <strong>National Highways Development Project (NHDP)</strong>, along with other minor projects for development, maintenance and management.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>NHDP</strong> is a project to upgrade, rehabilitate and widen major highways in India to a higher standard. The project was started in 1998.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>NHAI <strong>maintains the National Highways network</strong> to global standards and in a cost effective manner, thus promoting economic well being and quality of life of the people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Highways</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>major roads</strong> in India are the national and state highways. National Highways (NH) are <strong>built, financed and maintained by the Central government</strong> whereas State Highways (SH) are developed by the respective States&rsquo; public works department.</li>
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Highways declared by or under law made by Parliament to be national highways - <strong>Union List under Seventh Schedule.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 257 (2):</strong> The executive power of the Union shall also extend to the giving of directions to a State as to the construction and maintenance of means of communication declared in the direction to be of national or military importance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Provided that nothing in this clause shall be taken as restricting the power of Parliament to declare highways or waterways to be national highways or national waterways or the power of the Union with respect to the highways or waterways so declared.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Road Transport and Highways</strong> is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of NHs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministry has taken up detailed review of NHs network with a view to develop the road connectivity to Border areas, development of Coastal roads including road connectivity for Non-Major ports, improvement in the efficiency of National Corridors, development of Economic Corridors, Inter Corridors and Feeder Routes along with integration with Sagarmala, etc., under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/status-of-bharatmala-pariyojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharatmala Pariyojana</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>NHs in the country are notified under the <strong>National Highways Act, 1956.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Land for development of National Highways</strong> and associated purposes is acquired under Section 3 of the NHs Act, 1956 and compensation is determined in accordance with the First Schedule of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement <strong>(RFCTLARR) Act, 2013.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bhoomi-rashi-portal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BhoomiRashi portal</strong></a> was launched in 2018, to fully digitize and automate the entire process of land acquisition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The aim of the <strong>Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification &amp; Maintenance) Policy, 2015</strong> is to promote greening of Highway corridors with participation of the community, farmers, private sector, NGOs, and government institutions.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1727537" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8661,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Integrated Power Development Scheme',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A 50 kWp<strong> Solar rooftop in Solan, Himachal Pradesh</strong> was inaugurated under <strong>Integrated</strong> <strong>Power Development Scheme (IPDS)</strong> of the MInistry of Power.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project <strong>further reinforces the &lsquo;Go Green&rsquo; Initiative</strong> of the government envisaged in the Urban Distribution scheme.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About IPDS:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Launch:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>December 2014.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nodal Agency:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Power Finance Corporation Ltd. (PFC)</strong>, a <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sectors-of-indian-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Navratna</a> Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE)</strong> under the administrative control of the Ministry of Power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Components:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Strengthening of <strong>sub-transmission and distribution networks</strong> in the urban areas.</li>
<li><strong>Metering of distribution transformers / feeders / consumers</strong> in the urban areas.</li>
<li>Schemes for <strong>Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and IT enablement</strong> of the distribution sector.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>ERP helps in integrating the important parts of a business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Underground cabling</strong> to include additional demand of States and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smart-meters" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>smart metering</strong></a> solution for performing <strong>UDAY States and Solar panels on Govt. buildings</strong> with net-metering are also permissible under the scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>24&times;7 Power supplies for consumers.</li>
<li>Reduction of AT&amp;C (aggregate technical and commercial) losses.</li>
<li>Providing access to power to all households.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>All Power Distribution Companies (Discoms) are eligible for financial assistance under the scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Funding Pattern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>GoI (Government of India) Grant:</strong> 60% (85% for special category States).</li>
<li><strong>Additional Grant:</strong> 15% (5% for special category States) - linked to achievement of milestones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Power Sector in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s power sector is <strong>one of the most diversified</strong> in the world. Sources of power generation range from <strong>conventional sources</strong> such as <strong>coal, lignite, natural gas, oil, hydro and nuclear power</strong> to viable <strong>non-conventional</strong> sources such as<strong> wind, solar, and agricultural and domestic waste.</strong></li>
<li>India is the <strong>third-largest producer</strong> and<strong> second-largest consumer</strong> of electricity in the world.</li>
<li><strong>Electricity is a concurrent subject</strong> (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/federalism-and-emerging-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Seventh Schedule</strong></a> of the Constitution).</li>
<li>The <strong>Ministry of Power is primarily responsible</strong> for the <strong>development of electrical energy</strong> in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It administers the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electricity-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electricity Act, 2003</strong></a> and the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-energy-conservation-day-2020#:~:text=The%20Energy%20Conservation%20(EC)%20Act,under%20the%20Ministry%20of%20Power." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Energy Conservation Act, 2001</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Government <strong>has released its roadmap to achieve 175 GW</strong> capacity in renewable energy by 2022, which<strong> includes 100 GW of solar power</strong> and <strong>60 GW of wind power.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Government is preparing a<strong> 'rent a roof'</strong> policy for supporting its target of generating 40 gigawatts (GW) of power through solar rooftop projects by 2022.</li>
<li>The <strong>Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)</strong> is the nodal Ministry for all matters relating to new and renewable energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>100% <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fdi-inflow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FDI (Foreign Direct Investment)</a> is permitted</strong> under <strong>automatic route</strong> in the power sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Government Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/saubhagya-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya)</a>:</strong> To ensure electrification of all willing households in the country in rural as well as urban areas.</li>
<li><strong>Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY):</strong> The rural electrification scheme provides for (a) <strong>separation of agriculture and non-agriculture feeders;</strong> (b) strengthening and augmentation of sub-transmission and distribution<strong> infrastructure in rural areas</strong> including metering at distribution transformers, feeders and consumers end.</li>
<li><strong>GARV (Grameen Vidyutikaran) App:</strong> To monitor transparency in <strong>implementation of the electrification schemes</strong>, Grameen Vidyut Abhiyanta (GVAs) have been appointed by the government to report progress through the GARV app.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ujwal-discom-assurance-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY)</a>:</strong> For operational and financial turnaround of Discoms.</li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;4 Es&rsquo; in the Revised Tariff Policy:</strong> The 4Es include <strong>Electricity</strong> for all, <strong>Efficiency</strong> to ensure affordable tariffs, <strong>Environment</strong> for a sustainable future, <strong>Ease of doing business</strong> to attract investments and ensure financial viability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Achievements:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Solar tariffs in India have reduced</strong> from Rs. 7.36/kWh in FY15 to Rs. 2.63/kWh in FY20.</li>
<li>As of December 2020, over 36.69 crore LED bulbs, 1.14 crore LED tube lights and 23 lakh <strong>energy-efficient fans</strong> have been distributed across the country, saving 47.65 billion kWh per year.</li>
<li>In the first half of November 2020, India's power consumption increased 7.8% to 50.15 billion units (BU), indicating <strong>an improvement in economic activity.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Energy generation from thermal sources</strong> stood at 472.90 billion units (BU) in April-September 2020.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s rank jumped to 22 in 2019</strong> from <strong>137 in 2014 on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank&rsquo;s Ease of doing business</a></strong> - <strong>"Getting Electricity"</strong> ranking.</li>
<li>As of 28<sup>th</sup> April, 2018, <strong>100% village electrification</strong> was achieved under <strong>DDUGJY.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1728560" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 5 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8632,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Inland Vessel Bill 2021',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the <strong>Inland Vessels Bill, 2021</strong>, which will replace the <strong>Inland Vessels Act, 1917</strong> after passing in Parliament.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill will <strong>regulate safety, security and registration of inland vessels.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Features of the Bill:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A key feature of the Bill is a <strong>unified law for the entire country</strong>, instead of separate rules framed by the States. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>certificate of registration</strong> granted under the proposed law will be deemed to be valid in all States and Union Territories, and there will be no need to seek separate permissions from the States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Bill provides for a <strong>central database</strong> for recording the details of vessel, vessel registration, crew on an electronic portal.</li>
<li>All <strong>non-mechanically propelled vessels will also</strong> have to be enrolled at the district, taluk or panchayat or village level.</li>
<li>It enlarges the definition of <strong>&lsquo;inland waters&rsquo;</strong>, by including <strong>tidal water limit</strong> and <strong>national waterways</strong> declared by the Central Government.</li>
<li>It also deals <strong>with pollution control measures</strong> of Inland Vessels. This Bill directs the Central Government <strong>to designate a list of chemicals, substances</strong>, etc. <strong>as pollutants.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inland Waterways:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has <strong>about 14,500 km of navigable waterways</strong> which comprise of rivers, canals, backwaters, creeks, etc.</li>
<li>As per the <strong>National Waterways Act 2016, 111 waterways</strong> have been declared as <strong>National Waterways (NWs).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>NW-1: Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (Prayagraj-Haldia)</strong> with length 1620 km is the <strong>longest National Waterway</strong> in India.</li>
<li>The <strong>Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)</strong> is implementing the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jal-marg-vikas-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jal Marg Vikas Project</a> (JMVP)</strong> for capacity augmentation of navigation on the Haldia-Varanasi stretch of Ganga (part of NW-1) with the technical and financial assistance of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Utilization:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>About <strong>55 million tonnes of cargo</strong> is being moved <strong>annually by IWT (Inland Water Transport)</strong>, a fuel-efficient and environment-friendly mode.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, <strong>freight transportation by waterways is highly underutilized</strong> in the country as compared to developed countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its operations are <strong>currently restricted to a few stretches</strong> in the <strong>Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly rivers, the Brahmaputra, the Barak river</strong> (northeastern India), the <strong>rivers in Goa, the backwaters in Kerala, inland waters in Mumbai</strong> and the<strong> deltaic regions of the Godavari - Krishna rivers.</strong></li>
<li>Besides these<strong> organized operations by mechanized vessels, country boats</strong> of various capacities also operate in various rivers and canals and<strong> substantial quantum of cargo and passengers are transported in this unorganized sector</strong> as well.</li>
<li>In India, IWT has the <strong>potential to supplement the overburdened railways and congested roadways.</strong> In addition to cargo movement, the IWT sector also provides a convenient function in related activities such as <strong>carriage of vehicles {on Roll-on-Roll-off (Ro-Ro) mode of cross ferry} and tourism.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Steps Taken:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The waterways will also<strong> be linked to the</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dedicated-freight-corridor-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>eastern and western Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs)</strong></a>, <strong>as well as the</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sagarmala-seaplane-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sagarmala Project</strong></a>, which aims to promote port-led direct and indirect development.</li>
<li>Further, the provisions of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sonamura-daudkandi-inland-waterway-route" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indo-Bangladesh (Sonamura-Daudkandi)</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/presidents-visit-to-myanmar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indo-Myanmar protocol (Kaladan)</a></strong> permitting transhipment of goods through Bangladesh and Myanmar waters &ndash; which, in many cases, are a continuum of India&rsquo;s inland waterways &ndash; enabling quicker shipments and deeper market penetration in India&rsquo;s North East.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1624014464_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1624014464_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="599" height="563" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Inland Waterways Authority of India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It came into existence <strong>on 27<sup>th</sup> October 1986</strong> for development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.</li>
<li>It primarily undertakes projects for development and maintenance of <strong>IWT</strong> (Inland Water Transport) <strong>infrastructure</strong> on national waterways through grants received from the <strong>Ministry of Shipping.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered at Noida</strong> (Uttar Pradesh).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cabinet-nod-for-inland-vessels-bill/article34832506.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8624,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'ADB Loan for Chennai - Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/adb-loan-to-upgrade-maharashtra-roads" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asian Development Bank (ADB)</strong></a> and the Government of India signed a <strong>USD 484 million loan</strong> for the <strong>Tamil Nadu Industrial Connectivity Project.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The loan is to<strong> improve transport connectivity and facilitate industrial development in the</strong> <strong>Chennai - Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC)</strong> in the state of <strong>Tamil Nadu.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Asian Development Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>regional development bank established on 19<sup>th</sup> December 1966.</strong> It is <strong>headquartered in Manila, Philippines.</strong></li>
<li>It now has <strong>68 members, 49 from within Asia. India i</strong>s a member.</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s <strong>five largest shareholders are Japan</strong> and the <strong>United States</strong> (each with 15.6% of total shares), the People&rsquo;s Republic of <strong>China</strong> (6.4%), <strong>India</strong> (6.3%), and <strong>Australia</strong> (5.8%).</li>
<li>It <strong>aims to promote social and economic development in Asia and the Pacific.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The loan is <strong>in line with Strategy 2030, ADB&rsquo;s long-term corporate strategy</strong>, the project <strong>emphasises sustainability, climate change resilience, and road safety elements.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under <strong>Strategy 2030</strong>, ADB will expand its vision to achieve a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CKIC is part of India&rsquo;s <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/industrial-corridors-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Industrial Corridors Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/industrial-corridors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>industrial corridor</strong></a> is an economic ecosystem built around a transportation corridor connecting two major economic centres, where the transportation corridor serves as the nerve centre of the economic activity across the corridor.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In addition to the transportation corridor, a well-designed industrial corridor <strong>contains</strong> clusters of industrial production serving regional and global demand, and urban centers proliferating equitable development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>2019</strong>, the government approved the<strong> development of the five industrial corridor projects</strong>, being<strong> implemented through National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NICDIT is an apex body under the administrative control of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dipp-renamed-as-dpiit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)</strong></a>, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Five Industrial Corridor Projects:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/delhi-mumbai-industrial-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC).</li>
<li>Chennai Bangalore Industrial Corridor (CBIC).</li>
<li>East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC) with Vizag Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC).</li>
<li>Bangalore Mumbai Industrial Corridor (BMIC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623921612_pasted%20image 0 (5).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623921612_pasted image 0 (5).png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>East Coast Economic Corridor:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It stretches from <strong>West Bengal to Tamil Nadu</strong> and connects India to the production networks of South, Southeast, and East Asia. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>ADB is the lead partner of the Government of India in developing ECEC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It covers West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. <strong>Vizag to Chennai segment of this Corridor has been taken as phase-1.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) is the first coastal economic corridor</strong> in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>It is aligned with the Golden Quadrilateral.</strong> It also plays a critical role in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-act-east-policy-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Act East Policy&rdquo;</strong></a> of India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Golden Quadrilateral is the <strong>longest road project in India</strong> and the fifth-longest highway in the world. It connects Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of Industrial Corridors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Avenues for Exports:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Industrial Corridors are likely to <strong>lower the cost of logistics thereby increasing the efficiency of industrial production structure.</strong></li>
<li>Such an efficiency lowers the cost of production which <strong>makes the Indian made products more competitive in international markets.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Job Opportunities:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will <strong>attract investments for the development of Industries which is likely to create more jobs in the market.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Environmental Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The establishment of Industrial Units in a scattered manner along the industrial corridor across the length of the state will <strong>prevent concentration of industries in one particular location</strong> which exploited the environment beyond its carrying capacity and caused environmental degradation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Socio-Economic Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The cascading effect of industrial corridors in socio-economic terms are many such as the <strong>setting up of industrial townships, educational institutions, hospitals.</strong> These will further raise the standards of human development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1727501" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8559,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Supersonic Commercial Plane',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>US airline United has announced plans to buy 15 new supersonic airliners</strong> and "return supersonic speeds to aviation" in the year 2029.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Airline has agreed to <strong>purchase the Overture aircraft from Boom Supersonic</strong> (a Denver-based start-up), with the <strong>planes able to fly at Mach 1.7 faster than the speed of sound.</strong></li>
<li>The new supersonic &ldquo;Overture&rdquo; aircraft will <strong>become the world&rsquo;s fastest commercial airliner</strong>, reducing travel time by about half of today&rsquo;s planes.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Concorde</strong>, the British-French turbojet-powered commercial airliner, <strong>was the first aircraft to carry passengers at supersonic speed.</strong> Supersonic planes flew passengers <strong>from 1976 until 2003.</strong></li>
<li>But eventually <strong>had to discontinue</strong>, due to cost and other concerns.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supersonic Plane:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Supersonic aircraft are planes that <strong>can fly faster than the speed of sound.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Usually, supersonic planes can travel at the <strong>speed of around 900 kmph, twice the speed of normal aircraft.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>technology for supersonic flights is actually over 70 years old</strong>, but only recently has been used for commercial flying.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Before 1976, when the first commercial supersonic flight took off, the planes were <strong>used entirely for military purposes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Boom&rsquo;s Overture Supersonic Aircraft:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Overture aircraft would <strong>travel at the speed of Mach 1.7 or 1,805 kmph</strong> with <strong>a range of 4,250 nautical miles.</strong></li>
<li>In a single flight, it could <strong>carry 65 to 88 passengers</strong> and reach <strong>an altitude of 60,000 ft.</strong></li>
<li>Trial flights are scheduled to begin in 2026, with commercial use coming three year later.</li>
<li>It will <strong>build upon Concorde&rsquo;s legacy</strong> through faster, more efficient and sustainable technology.</li>
<li>The company has claimed to produce an eco-friendly aircraft with &ldquo;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-transforming-to-a-net-zero-emissions-energy-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>net-zero carbon emissions</strong></a>'', set to fly with 100% <strong>sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Sustainable aviation fuels</strong> include <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indias-first-biofuel-flight" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>biofuels</strong></a> and synthetic kerosine that are manufactured using renewable and sustainable materials.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It aims for <strong>&ldquo;zero overland noise.&rdquo;</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This essentially means that it will cruise at supersonic speeds only over water, ensuring that no <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sonic-boom" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sonic boom</strong></a> or excessive noise reaches the surfaces where people live.</li>
<li>It will be equipped with <strong>advanced aerodynamics</strong> and c<strong>arbon composite materials.</strong></li>
<li>This will be able to <strong>cut significant development and maintenance costs</strong> in ways which the Concorde planes could not.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges with Supersonic Planes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>High Manufacturing Cost:</strong> The costs of making &ldquo;sustainable&rdquo; supersonic planes are extremely high.</li>
<li><strong>Environmental Cost:</strong> The very nature of its flying using excessive amounts of fuel and energy is likely to have high environmental costs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Despite the use of sustainable fuels, the <strong>greenhouse gas emissions</strong> are not nullified.</li>
<li>The plane consumes high amounts of fuel in order to take off, that too in a market where sustainable fuels aren&rsquo;t readily available.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Excessive Noise Pollution:</strong> The speed of the planes result in producing excessive amounts of noise pollution in the environment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The &ldquo;Sonic Boom&rdquo; created by these planes feels like an explosion to the human ear.</li>
<li>This, thus, limits where and when the supersonic planes can fly. They can only reach their actual speed until they are far enough from people and completely over the ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulatory Approvals:</strong> To fly such planes can be unsuccessful, especially for transatlantic flights. Getting clearance from regulators around the world would be a challenging task, since the supersonic planes in the past have already been flagged for these hurdles.</li>
<li><strong>Too Costly:</strong> It would not be economically feasible for everyone. Only the very rich can afford supersonic planes, as a ticket is likely to be way more costlier than a first class ticket of a regular plane.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/amp/s/indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-in-proposed-return-of-supersonic-flying-the-benefits-and-concerns-7348378/lite/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1623229519013000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2U3RX2U6P5KOy7ANV9wzYz" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8450,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation, 2021',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The latest <strong>Draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation, 2021, for the creation of a Lakshadweep Development Authority (LDA)</strong> is widely resented by the people of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lakshadweep-declared-an-organic-union-territory" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lakshadweep</a>.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: left;"><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: left;"><strong>Constitution of Lakshadweep Development Authority:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="text-align: left;">It <strong>empowers the government, identified as the administrator, to constitute Planning and Development Authorities</strong> under it to plan the development of any area identified as having &ldquo;bad layout or obsolete development&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="text-align: left;">The authority would be a <strong>body corporate with a government-appointed chairman</strong>, a town planning officer and three &lsquo;expert&rsquo; government nominees besides two local authority representatives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">These <strong>authorities are to prepare land use maps, carry out zonation for type of land use</strong> and indicate areas for proposed national highways, arterial roads, ring roads, major streets, railways, tramways, airports, theatres, museums etc.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Only <strong>cantonment areas are exempted</strong> from this.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><strong>Defines &lsquo;Development&rsquo;:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="text-align: left;">It defines development <strong>as the carrying out of building, engineering, mining, quarrying or other operations in, on, over or under land</strong>, the cutting of a hill or any portion thereof or the making of any material change in any building or land or in the use of any building or land.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><strong>Fees for Changing Zones:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="text-align: left;">It stipulates that islanders must <strong>pay a processing fee for zone changes.</strong></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">It implies that <strong>localities would be required to pay fees to gain approval to alter zones as per the development plan</strong>, as well as fees for permission to develop their own land.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><strong>Penalties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="text-align: left;">It establishes penalties such as <strong>imprisonment</strong> for obstructing the development plan's work or workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><strong>People&rsquo;s Concern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: left;"><strong>Real Estate Interests:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="text-align: left;">People suspect that this might have been issued <strong>at the behest of &lsquo;real estate interests&rsquo; seeking to usurp the small holdings</strong> of property owned by the islanders, a majority of them <strong>(94.8% as per 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">2011 census</a>)</strong> belonging to the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheduled Tribes (ST)</a>.</strong></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Proposals to bring <strong>real estate development concepts</strong> such as <strong>&lsquo;transferable development rights&rsquo;</strong> to the island have raised people's fear of <strong>forced migration en masse.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><strong>Forcible Relocation &amp; Eviction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="text-align: left;">It vests such powers with the authority that it can prepare comprehensive development plans for any area and <strong>relocate people regardless of their will.</strong></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">It <strong>provides for forcible eviction</strong>, puts the <strong>onus on the owner</strong> to develop his holding as per the plan prepared by the authority as also to heavily penalise them in the event of non-compliance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><strong>Destruction of Culture:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="text-align: left;">The island community is a <strong>close-knit group with families living in close proximity.</strong> The regulation will destroy the way of life practised by them for generations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><strong>Ecological Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="text-align: left;">It <strong>is</strong> <strong>neither ecologically sustainable nor socially viable</strong> and the <strong>people&rsquo;s representatives were not consulted before drafting it.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Lakshadweep</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>smallest Union Territory</strong>, Lakshadweep is an archipelago consisting of 36 islands with an area of 32 sq km.</li>
<li>It is directly under the <strong>control of the Centre through an administrator.</strong></li>
<li>There are <strong>three main group of islands:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Amindivi Islands</li>
<li>Laccadive Islands</li>
<li>Minicoy Island.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Amindivi Islands</strong> are the <strong>northernmost</strong> while <strong>Minicoy island</strong> is the <strong>southernmost.</strong></li>
<li>All are tiny islands of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/translocation-of-corals-in-mumbai" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coral</a> origin (Atoll)</strong> and are <strong>surrounded by fringing reefs.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Capital is Kavaratti</strong> and it is also the principal town of the UT.</li>
<li><strong>Pitti island</strong>, which is uninhabited, has a bird sanctuary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Population:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More than 93% of the population who are indigenous, are Muslims and majority of them <strong>belong to the Shafi School of the Sunni Sect.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Malayalam</strong> is spoken in all the islands <strong>except Minicoy</strong> where people <strong>speak Mahl</strong> which is written in Divehi script and is spoken in Maldives also.</li>
<li>The <strong>entire indigenous population has been classified as Scheduled Tribes</strong> because of their economic and social backwardness. There are <strong>no <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-castes-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheduled Castes</a></strong> in this Union Territory.</li>
<li>The <strong>main occupation</strong> of the people is fishing, coconut cultivation and coir twisting. Tourism is an emerging industry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Organic Agricultural Area:</strong> Recently, the entire Lakshadweep group of islands has been declared as an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lakshadweep-declared-an-organic-union-territory" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>organic agricultural area</strong></a> under the <strong>Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) of India.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1622009269_map.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1622009269_map.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/widespread-resentment-in-lakshadweep-over-a-slew-of-bad-law-proposals/article34634201.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8409,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Infrastructure Status for Convention Centres',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Finance Ministry has granted <strong>&lsquo;Infrastructure&rsquo; status</strong> for <strong>exhibition and convention centres.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2020, the government had added <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/affordable-rental-housing-complexes-for-urban-migrants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>affordable rental housing projects</strong></a> to the list of sectors recognised as infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Infrastructure Status to Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre has been <strong>included in the Harmonised Master List of Infrastructure sub-sectors</strong> by insertion of a new item<strong> in the category of Social and Commercial Infrastructure.</strong></li>
<li>However, the benefits available as &lsquo;infrastructure&rsquo; projects<strong> would only be available</strong> for projects with a minimum built-up floor area of 1,00,000 square metres of exclusive exhibition space or convention space or both combined.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This <strong>includes primary facilities</strong> such as exhibition centres, convention halls, auditoriums, plenary halls, business centres, meeting halls etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This move will <strong>enable more such projects to come up across India&rsquo;s tourist destinations.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for the Infrastructure Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India doesn&rsquo;t have large convention centres</strong> or single halls with capacities to hold 7,000 to 10,000 people,<strong> unlike countries like Thailand</strong> that is <strong>a major global MICE destination.</strong></li>
<li>Becoming a <strong>MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) destination</strong> can<strong> generate significant revenue with several global companies active in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Harmonised Master List of Infrastructure sub-sectors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The list is<strong> notified by the Ministry of Finance</strong> and included following <strong>categories:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Transport and Logistics:</strong> Roads and bridges, Inland waterways, Airport, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Energy:</strong> Electricity Generation, Electricity Transmission, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Water and Sanitation:</strong> Solid Waste Management, Water treatment plants, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Communication:</strong> Telecommunication, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Social and Commercial Infrastructure:</strong> Education Institutions (capital stock), Sports Infrastructure, Hospitals (capital stock), Tourism infrastructure, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inclusion in the list</strong> implies access to <strong>concessional funds, promotion of projects and continuity of construction for the specified sub-sectors.</strong></li>
<li>However, the infrastructure tag<strong> now does not include vital tax breaks.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/finmin-grants-infrastructure-status-for-convention-centres/article34600605.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8350,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'NITI Aayog's Report for a Digitally Inclusive Bharat',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <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> and <strong>Mastercard</strong> have released <strong>a report titled &lsquo;Connected Commerce: Creating a Roadmap for a Digitally Inclusive Bharat&rsquo;. </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report identifies challenges in accelerating <strong>Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI)</strong> in India and provides recommendations for making digital services accessible to its 1.3 billion citizens.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Digital Financial Inclusion</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>&ldquo;Digital financial inclusion (DFI)&rdquo; can be defined broadly as <strong>digital access to and use of formal financial services by excluded and underserved populations.</strong> Such services should be suited to customers&rsquo; needs, and delivered responsibly, <strong>at a cost both affordable to customers and sustainable for providers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Demand Side Gap:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Lot of effort has been put to attain DFI and <strong>much success on the supply side of DFI</strong> has been seen <strong>(e-governance, the JAM trinity, Goods and Services Tax, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes).</strong></li>
<li>However, the break in the digital financial flow comes at the last mile, where <strong>account holders mostly withdraw cash for their end-use.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unsuccessful Agri-Techs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Agriculture, with its allied sectors, provides livelihood to a large section of the Indian population. Over the years, agriculture&rsquo;s contribution to national GDP has declined from 34% in 1983-84 to just 16% in 2018-19.</li>
<li>Most agri-techs <strong>have not succeeded in digitizing financial transactions</strong> for farmers or enabling formal credit at lower rates of interest by leveraging transaction data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inability of MSMEs to Access Formal Finance:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/msme-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)</strong></a> have been a key growth driver for the Indian economy. According to a 2020 Report, the category employed some 110 million people, or over 40% of India&rsquo;s non-farm workforce.</li>
<li>The <strong>lack of proper documentation, bankable collateral, credit history and non-standard financials</strong> force them to access informal credit at interest rates that are double of those from formal lenders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Trust and Security in Digital Commerce:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The surge in digital transactions has increased the <strong>risk for possible security breaches</strong>, both for consumers and businesses.</li>
<li>A Medici report of June 2020 says <strong>40,000 cyber-attacks targeted the IT infrastructure of the banking sector in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digitally Accessible Transit Systems:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>With the onset of the pandemic, there is <strong>an increasing need for transit systems to be further integrated with contactless payments</strong> in India.</li>
<li>Globally, the trend is toward <strong>open-loop transit systems</strong>, with interoperable payment solutions allowing travelers to switch between different modes of transport with a connected payments network.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recommendations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For market players, it is critical to <strong>address the gap on the demand side</strong> by creating user-friendly digital products and services that encourage the behavioral transition from cash to digital.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A significantly successful example is that of <strong>FASTag.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening the payment infrastructure</strong> to promote a level playing field for <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/A%20nuanced%20understanding%20of%20the%20NBFC%20sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Non-Banking Financial Companies</a> (NBFCs)</strong> and banks.</li>
<li><strong>Digitizing registration and compliance processes</strong> and diversifying credit sources to enable growth opportunities for <strong>MSMEs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Building information sharing systems</strong>, including a &lsquo;fraud repository&rsquo;, and ensuring that online digital commerce platforms carry warnings to alert consumers to the risk of frauds.</li>
<li><strong>Enabling agricultural NBFCs to access low-cost capital</strong> and deploy a <strong>&lsquo;phygital&rsquo; (physical + digital) model</strong> for achieving better long-term digital outcomes. <strong>Digitizing land records</strong> will also provide a major boost to the sector.</li>
<li><strong>To make city transit seamlessly accessible</strong> to all with minimal crowding and queues, leveraging existing smartphones and contactless cards, and aim for an inclusive, interoperable, and fully open system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Digital Financial Inclusion Initiatives Taken in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile (JAM) Trinity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The combination of <strong>Aadhaar, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-mission-for-financial-inclusion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)</a></strong>, and a surge in <strong>mobile communication</strong> has reshaped the way citizens access government services.</li>
<li>As per the estimates in March 2020, the total number of beneficiaries under Jan Dhan scheme have been more than 380 million.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expansion of Financial Services in Rural and Semi-Urban Areas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)</strong></a> have taken initiatives to promote financial inclusion in rural areas. These include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Opening of bank branches in remote areas,</li>
<li>Issuing Kisan Credit Cards (KCC),</li>
<li>Linkage of self-help groups (SHGs) with banks,</li>
<li>Increasing the number of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs),</li>
<li>Business correspondents model of Banking</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/payment-infrastructure-development-fund-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Payment Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) scheme</strong></a>, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promotion of Secure Digital Payments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the strengthening of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/upi-transactions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unified Payment Interface (UPI)</strong></a> by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), digital payments have been made secure, compared to the past.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-transactions-in-india#:~:text=parties%20bank%20accounts.-,Aadhaar%20enabled%20Payment%20System%20(AePS),of%20their%20fingerprint%2Firis%20scan." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aadhar-enabled Payment System (AEPS)</strong></a> enables an Aadhar Enabled Bank Account (AEBA) to be used at any place and at any time, using micro ATMs.</li>
<li>The payment system has been made more accessible due to offline transaction-enabling platforms, like Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), which makes it possible to use mobile banking services without internet, even on a basic mobile handset.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enhancing Financial Literacy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Reserve Bank of India has undertaken a project titled <strong>"Project Financial Literacy".</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Objective of the project is to disseminate information regarding the central bank and general banking concepts to various target groups, including, school and college going children, women, rural and urban poor, defence personnel and senior citizens.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pocket Money</strong> is a flagship programme of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)</strong></a> and National Institute of Securities Market (NISM) aimed at increasing financial literacy among school students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1717538" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8253,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Oxygen Crisis: Covid-19',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO)</strong> crisis during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reasons-for-rising-covid-19-infections-second-wave" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>second wave of Covid</strong></a> <strong>surge</strong> has been precipitated by a shortage of tankers and the daunting logistics of transportation from distant locations.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619602464_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619602464_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Liquid Medical Oxygen:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is high purity oxygen suitable for use in the human body. So, it is used for medical treatments.</li>
<li>This oxygen <strong>provides a basis for virtually all modern anaesthetic techniques, restores tissue oxygen tension</strong> by increasing the oxygen availability, <strong>aids cardiovascular stability, etc.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organisation</a></strong> includes this on their <strong>List of Essential Medicines.</strong></li>
<li>According to the <strong>Drug Prices Control Order, 2013</strong>, LMO is placed under the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/essential-medicines#:~:text=Drug%20Prices%20Control%20Order%2C%202013,the%20National%20Pharmaceutical%20Pricing%20Authority." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>LMO Production in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has a <strong>daily production capacity</strong> of at least <strong>7,100 Metric Tonnes (MT)</strong> of oxygen, including for industrial use.</li>
<li>Due to the crisis, the production has been increased to <strong>8,922 MT.</strong> And approximately daily <strong>sale</strong> <strong>is 7,017 MT.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The domestic production is expected to <strong>cross 9,250 MT</strong> per day by the end of April 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Therefore, <strong>India appears to be producing sufficient oxygen</strong> to meet the current need.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for the Crisis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Distance of Production Plants:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Most of the LMO plants are located in the east, leading to long transportation hauls and a turnaround time of at least 6-7 days for each tanker. Add to this the problem of states holding up tankers on the way.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limited Tankers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>At present, India has 1,224 LMO tankers with a cumulative capacity of 16,732 MT of LMO. This is grossly inadequate because at any given point, there are only 200 tankers in transit to meet a demand of 3,500-4,000 MT.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Companies not Buying Cryogenic Tankers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cryogenic tankers cost around Rs. 50 lakh each. Companies are not buying these tankers because once this wave is over, that investment will turn into losses.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Cryogenic Tankers:</strong> These are tankers which store medical oxygen at -180 degrees C, have double-skin vacuum-insulated containers, including an inner vessel made of stainless steel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Leakage and Irrational Use:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the past, the Health Ministry repeatedly demanded hospitals to reduce <strong>wastage and unnecessary oxygen use in Hospitals.</strong> Industrial experts also raised <strong>concerns over possible leakages in hospital pipelines that supply oxygen.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Black marketing of oxygen cylinders</strong> is another issue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Oxygen Express:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Trains to transport LMO and oxygen cylinders across the country have been started to fight the ongoing crisis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disaster Management Act 2005:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Ministry of Home Affairs <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/disaster-management-act-2005-invoked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>invoked Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act)</strong></a> and ordered <strong>free inter-state movement of oxygen carrying vehicles.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Restarting Plants:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government is restarting many closed plants to increase the supply of LMO, <strong>for example</strong>, Sterlite plant in Tamil Nadu will be <strong>reopened for 4 months to provide oxygen supply.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of Air Force:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To speed up the transportation, <strong>Indian Air Force (IAF)</strong> is airlifting empty oxygen tankers and taking them to industrial units that have switched to producing medical grade oxygen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Oxygen Enrichment Unit (OEU):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is developed by scientists of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/council-of-scientific-and-industrial-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Council of Scientific and Industrial Research</strong></a>-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), and will <strong>help reduce the requirement of ventilators and oxygen cylinders</strong> in homecare, villages and remote places.</li>
<li>Oxygen enrichment units have special significance in view of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 pandemic</a>.</strong> Patient <strong>recovery can be faster with supplemental oxygen in early stages.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/coronavirus-second-wave-oxygen-crisis-more-than-supply-lack-of-tankers-and-plant-location-key-challenges-7291716/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1619606458101000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3TCGM_B0uqkSxq17aw_rIh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8215,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India’s Falling Crude Oil & Natural Gas Production',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the latest government data India's <strong>crude oil production and natural gas output declined</strong> in the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-02-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Financial Year (FY)</strong></a> 2020-2021.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s crude oil and natural gas production have been <strong>falling consistently since 2011-12.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Decline in Production:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Crude Oil Production:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Declined by 5.2%</strong> as private and public firms produced <strong>30.5 million tonnes</strong> in 2020-21 compared to <strong>32.17 million tonnes</strong> produced during the same period in 2019-2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Natural Gas Production:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Declined by 8.1%</strong> and in 2020-21 only <strong>28.67 billion cubic meters</strong> was produced compared to<strong> 31.18 billion cubic meters</strong> in 2019-20.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for Decline:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ageing Sources:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Most of India&rsquo;s crude oil and natural gas production comes from <strong>ageing wells that have become less productive over time.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need of Intensive Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is <strong>no more easy oil and gas available</strong> in India and that producers would have to invest in extracting oil and gas using <strong>technologically intensive means</strong> from more <strong>difficult fields such as ultra deepwater fields.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Domination of State Owned Companies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Crude oil production in India is dominated by two major state-owned exploration and production companies, <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-natural-gas-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)</a> and Oil India.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These companies are the key bidders for hydrocarbon blocks in auctions and were the only successful bidders in the fifth and latest round of auctions under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/open-acreage-licensing-policy-1#:~:text=Under%20OALP%2C%20companies%20are%20allowed,are%20then%20put%20on%20auction." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP)</strong></a> regime with ONGC bagging seven of the eleven oil and gas blocks on offer and Oil India acquiring rights for the other four.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Low Interest of Foreign Companies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>efforts to attract foreign energy giants</strong> into hydrocarbon exploration and production <strong>haven&rsquo;t been quite fruitful.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>government has asked ONGC to boost its investments in explorations and increase tie-ups with foreign players</strong> to provide technological support in extracting oil and gas from difficult oil and gas fields.</li>
<li>The government is also<strong> reaching out to major foreign players</strong> to convey that the <strong>current system of auction and regulation is much more &ldquo;open and transparent&rdquo;</strong> than before.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Climate Change:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mounting pressure due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong> </a>is prompting oil and gas players to diversify into clean energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for Less Private Participation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Operationalisation Delays:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>One of the key reasons cited by experts for low private participation in India&rsquo;s upstream oil and gas sector are <strong>delays in the operationalisation of hydrocarbon blocks due to delays in major clearances including environmental clearances</strong> and approval by the regulator of field development plans.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>High Cess:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Industry <strong>players have been calling for a reduction</strong> in the cess on domestically produced crude oil to<strong> 10% from the current 20%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limit on maximum Production:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Internal maximum production levels set by oil and gas majors to address climate change</strong> had also lowered interest by oil majors to expand operations in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reliance on Imports:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Low domestic production of crude oil and natural gas makes India more <strong>reliant on imports.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>share of imports as a proportion of overall crude oil consumption in India has risen</strong> from 81.8% in FY2012 to 87.6% in FY2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Not in Favouring of India&rsquo;s Vision:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Boosting oil and gas production has also been a key part of the government&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative</strong></a> and its <strong>goal to boost the use of natural gas in India&rsquo;s primary energy mix</strong> from the current <strong>6.2% to 15% by 2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Some Government Initiatives to Improve Production:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reforming Exploration &amp; Licensing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In October 2020 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/centre-cuts-non-urea-fertiliser-subsidy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)</strong></a> approved the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reforms-in-exploration-and-licensing-policy-oil-gas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Policy framework on reforms</strong></a> in the exploration and licensing sector <strong>for enhancing domestic exploration and production of oil and gas.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Data Repository (NDR):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-to-open-bid-for-oil-gas-licensing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NDR</strong></a> was established by the Government in 2017 to <strong>assimilate, preserve and upkeep the vast amount of data which could be organized and regulated for use in future exploration and development</strong>, besides use by R&amp;D and other educational institutions</li>
<li>It is an integrated data repository of Exploration and Production (E&amp;P) data of Indian sedimentary basins.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/hydrocarbon-exploration-and-licensing-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP)</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>replaced the erstwhile New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) in 2016</strong> and provides for a <strong>single License for exploration and production of conventional as well as non-conventional Hydrocarbon resources</strong>; Pricing and Marketing Freedom; reduced rate of royalty for offshore blocks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A variety of <strong>new technologies can prolong the life of ageing oil fields</strong> but the acquisition, testing and application of these technologies is capital-intensive. Thereby, the <strong>fiscal framework must ensure adequate returns for producers</strong> to deploy Enhanced Oil Recovery mechanisms.</li>
<li>The current <strong>approval processes must be simplified</strong> with stipulated timelines for each sign-off, thereby avoiding cost escalations due to delays.</li>
<li>Potential of <strong>Unconventional Hydrocarbons (UHC)</strong> such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-approves-policy-framework-for-unconventional-hydrocarbons" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shale Oil and gas</strong></a>, tight oil/gas and gas hydrates <strong>must be opened now for commercial exploitation.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-indias-oil-and-gas-production-is-falling-7282906/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8166,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'EatSmart Cities Challenge and Transport 4 All Challenge',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the <strong>EatSmart Cities Challenge</strong> and <strong>Transport 4 All Challenge.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The challenges aim at creating an <strong>environment of right food practices and habits</strong> and to make <strong>public transport safe, affordable, comfortable, and reliable.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>EatSmart Cities Challenge:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The EatSmart Cities Challenge is envisioned as a competition among cities to recognize their efforts in adopting and scaling up various initiatives under <strong>Eat Right India.</strong></li>
<li>The challenge is open to all <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smart-cities-command-centres#:~:text=Smart%20City%20Mission,create%20smart%20outcomes%20for%20citizens." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Smart Cities</strong></a>, capital cities of States /UTs, and cities with a population of more than 5 lakh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It aims to motivate Smart Cities to develop a plan that supports a healthy, safe and sustainable food environment supported by institutional, physical, social, and economic infrastructure along with the application of &lsquo;smart&rsquo; solutions to combat food related issues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The challenge has a potential to create social and behavioural change towards food safety, hygiene and nutrition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Related initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/trans-fatty-acids-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Limit TFA</strong></a><strong>:</strong>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/food-safety-and-standards-authority-of-india-fssai" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)</strong></a> has capped the amount of trans fatty acids (TFA) in oils and fats to 3% for 2021 and 2% by 2022 from the current permissible limit of 5% through an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations 2011.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-food-safety-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;Raman 1.0&rsquo;</a>:</strong> A new-age, hand-held battery operated device to perform rapid detection (in less than 1 minute) of economically driven adulteration in edible oils, fats and ghee.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-food-safety-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Food Safety Magic Box</a>:</strong> This do-it-yourself food testing kit comprises a manual and equipment to check for food adulterants, which school children can use in their classroom laboratories.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/food-safety-mitra-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Food Safety Mitra scheme</a>:</strong> It aims to support <strong>small and medium-scale food businesses</strong> so as to comply with the <strong>food safety laws</strong> and will facilitate them with the licensing and registration process, hygiene ratings and training programme.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-edition-of-eat-right-mela" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eat Right Mela</a>:</strong> It is an outreach activity for citizens to nudge them towards eating right. It is organised to make citizens aware of the health and nutrition benefits of different types of food.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transport 4 All Challenge:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The initiative has been launched in collaboration with <strong>The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP)</strong> and aims to bring together cities, citizen groups, and start-ups to develop solutions that improve public transport.</li>
<li>ITDP is a non-governmental non-profit organization that focuses on developing bus rapid transit systems, promoting biking, walking, and non-motorized transport, and improving private bus operators margins.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Transport 4 All Digital Innovation Challenge Aims to develop digital solutions that will make public transport safe, affordable, comfortable, and reliable for all.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>COVID-19 has brought the entire world to a halt with transport being one of the worst-hit sectors. Transport 4 All Digital Innovation Challenge has the potential to support cities to recover from this mobility crisis.</li>
<li>It will support the cities and start-ups all over the country to move towards digital transformation in urban mobility.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives to Address Urban Transport Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/electric-vehicles-evs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP):</strong></a> The plan aims to achieve national fuel security by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles in the country</li>
<li><strong>Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &amp;) Electric vehicles in India (FAME India):</strong> This scheme supports hybrid/electric vehicles market development and manufacturing ecosystem.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/metro-neo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mass Rapid Transit/ Transport Systems (MRTS):</strong></a> In 2017, the government introduced the new Metro Policy which aims to improve collaborations, standardising norms, financing and creating a procurement mechanism so that the projects can be implemented effectively.</li>
<li><strong>Personal Rapid Transit System (PRT):</strong> It is a transport mode combining small automated vehicles, known as pods, operating on a network of specially built guideways.</li>
<li><strong>Green Urban Mobility Initiative:</strong> The Indian government launched the Green Urban Mobility Initiative (GUMI) to boost green and sustainable alternatives under the Smart Cities Mission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1711988" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SOURCE: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8140,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India Energy Dashboards Version 2.0',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the government think tank <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> has launched <strong>India Energy Dashboards (IED) Version 2.0.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NITI Aayog <strong>launched the Version 1.0 in May 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India Energy Dashboards (IED) is an endeavour <strong>to provide single-window access to the energy data for the country.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is <strong>an initial step towards building a comprehensive, open, and freely accessible energy data portal for India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Energy data published/provided by<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/prakash-portal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Central Electricity Authority</strong></a>, <strong>Coal Controller&rsquo;s Organisation, </strong>and<strong> Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas</strong> is compiled in the Dashboards.</li>
<li>The IED Provides<strong> time series data from FY 2005-06 until FY 2019-20.</strong></li>
<li>IED<strong> provides data at sub-yearly frequencies</strong> as well. This includes<strong> monthly data and API (Application Programming Interface) linked data</strong> from some portals maintained by the government agencies.</li>
<li>API linked data from<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/saubhagya-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Saubhagya</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/6-yearsof-ujala-and-slnp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UJALA</strong></a>, <strong>PRAAPTI, and Vidyut PRAVAH</strong> has been incorporated in the dashboards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Saubhagya Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana &ndash;</strong> &lsquo;Saubhagya&rsquo; was launched in September, 2017 with a target to electrify all households by December 2018.</li>
<li>All the states had declared on Saubhagya portal that all the willing un-electrified households had been electrified as on 31<sup>st</sup> March 2019, except 18,734 households in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/left-wing-extremism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>LWE (left wing extremist)</strong> </a>affected areas of Chhattisgarh.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>UJALA Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All)</strong> is a <strong>zero-subsidy scheme</strong> launched by the Government in 2015.</li>
<li>It is touted as the <strong>world&rsquo;s largest domestic lighting project.</strong></li>
<li>Every domestic household having a metered connection from their respective Electricity Distribution Company is eligible to get the LED bulbs under the Scheme.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>PRAAPTI</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a web portal<strong> launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Power.</strong></li>
<li>&lsquo;PRAAPTI&rsquo; stands for Payment Ratification and Analysis in Power Procurement <strong>for bringing transparency in invoicing of generators.</strong></li>
<li>The power distribution companies are able to clear the invoices and reply to claims raised by the generators on this portal.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Vidyut PRAVAH</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Mobile/Web App <strong>provides real-time information of current demand met, shortages if any, surplus power available</strong> and the prices in Power Exchange.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1711204" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8095,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Chenab Bridge',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Indian Railways</strong> completed the<strong> arch closure of the iconic Chenab Bridge in Jammu &amp; Kashmir.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Chenab Bridge:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>world's highest railway bridge</strong> and is part of the<strong> Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project (USBRL).</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Project was <strong>declared as a Project of National Importance in March 2002.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This bridge is <strong>1,315-metre long</strong> and is the highest railway bridge in the world being <strong>359 metres above the river bed level.</strong></li>
<li>The completion of the steel arch is a major leap towards the completion of the <strong>111 km long winding stretch from Katra to Banihal.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is arguably the <strong>biggest civil-engineering challenge</strong> faced by any railway project in India in recent history.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1617781847_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1617781847_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="512" height="288" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Unique Features of this Bridge:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bridge designed to <strong>withstand high wind speed up to 266 Km/Hour.</strong></li>
<li>Bridge designed for<strong> blast load in consultation with <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DRDO</a></strong> for the first time in India.</li>
<li>Bridge designed to <strong>bear earthquake forces of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/seismometers-defunct-in-earthquake-prone-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highest intensity zone-V</a></strong> in India.</li>
<li>First time on Indian Railways, <strong>Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing machine</strong> used for testing of welds.</li>
<li>First time on Indian Railways, <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/star-rating-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)</a> accredited lab established at site for weld testing.</strong></li>
<li>Extensive <strong>health monitoring and warning systems planned</strong> through state of art instrumentation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Chenab River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Source:</strong> It rises in the upper Himalayas in the<strong> Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh</strong> state.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The river is <strong>formed by the confluence of two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga,</strong> at Tandi, 8 km southwest of Keylong, in the Lahaul and Spiti district.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Bhaga river originates from Surya taal lake,</strong> which is situated a few kilometers west of the Bara-lacha la pass in Himachal Pradesh.</li>
<li>The <strong>Chandra river originates from glaciers east of the same pass</strong> (near Chandra Taal).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flows Through:</strong> It flows through the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir into the plains of Punjab, Pakistan, before flowing into the Indus River.</li>
<li>Some of the<strong> important projects/dams on Chenab:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ratle-hydro-electric-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ratle Hydro Electric Project</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Salal Dam- hydroelectric power project</strong> near Reasi</li>
<li><strong>Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Plant-</strong> power project in Kishtwar District</li>
<li><strong>Pakal Dul Dam (under construction)</strong>- on a tributary <strong>Marusadar River</strong> in Kishtwar District.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1617782071_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1617782071_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1709652" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8086,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'National Maritime Day 2021',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping &amp; Waterways celebrated the <strong>58<sup>th</sup> National Maritime Day (5<sup>th</sup> April).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/maritime-vision-2030" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Maritime India Vision-2030</strong></a>, was also discussed at the occasion.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>National Maritime Day is celebrated <strong>every year on</strong> <strong>5<sup>th&nbsp;</sup>April</strong> to commemorate the maiden voyage of the<strong> first Indian flag merchant vessel 'S.S LOYALTY'</strong> from Mumbai to London, on <strong>April 5<sup>th</sup>, 1919.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>2021 Theme:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>&lsquo;Sustainable Shipping beyond Covid-19&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is celebrated <strong>to encourage the merchant shipping industry of India.</strong> Shipping contributes a lot to the country&rsquo;s economy.</li>
<li>At present, <strong>90% of India&rsquo;s international trade in terms of volume </strong>and<strong> 77% in terms of value is moved by sea.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sagarmala Initiative:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sagarmala-seaplane-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sagarmala Programme</strong></a> was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2015 which <strong>aims at holistic port infrastructure development along the 7,516-km long coastline </strong>through <strong>modernisation, mechanisation and computerisation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Project Unnati:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The shipping ministry launched Project Unnati in 2014 under which efficiency of equipment was studied and every activity was scrutinised to identify excesses/mistakes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Blue Economy Policy:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The policy document highlights the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/draft-blue-economy-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>blue economy</strong></a> as one of the ten core dimensions for national growth and It <strong>emphasizes policies across several key sectors to achieve holistic growth of India&rsquo;s economy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joined International Maritime Organization:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is also a member of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/international-maritime-organization-and-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Maritime Organization (IMO).</strong></a></li>
<li>IMO is a specialized agency of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations (UN).</strong></a> It is a global standard-setting authority with responsibility to improve the safety and security of international shipping and prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Waterways:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/use-of-waterways-for-reducing-transportation-cost#:~:text=It%20came%20into%20existence%20on,from%20the%20Ministry%20of%20Shipping." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Waterways Act 2016,</strong></a> 111 waterways have been declared as National Waterways (NWs).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Sagar-Manthan:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mercantile Marine Domain Awareness Centre has been launched.</li>
<li>It is an information system <strong>for enhancing maritime safety, search and rescue capabilities, security and marine environment protection.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ship Repair Clusters:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They will be developed along both coasts by <strong>2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ship Recycling:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Domestic ship recycling industry will also be promoted to create <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/waste-to-energy-plants" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'Wealth from Waste'.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has enacted<strong> Recycling of Ships Act, 2019</strong> and agreed to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hong-kong-convention-for-ship-recycling" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hong Kong Convention for Ship Recycling.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Maritime India Vision 2030</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a<strong> ten-year blueprint for the maritime sector</strong> which was released by the Prime Minister of India at the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/maritime-india-summit-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maritime India Summit</a> 2021.</strong></li>
<li>It will supersede the <strong>Sagarmala initiative</strong> and aims to boost <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/use-of-waterways-for-reducing-transportation-cost#:~:text=It%20came%20into%20existence%20on,from%20the%20Ministry%20of%20Shipping." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>waterways</strong></a>, give a fillip to the shipbuilding industry and encourage cruise tourism in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Policy Initiatives and Development Projects:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Maritime Development Fund:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>Rs. 25,000-crore fund,</strong> which will provide low cost, long-tenure financing to the sector with the Centre contributing Rs. 2,500 crore over seven years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Port Regulatory Authority:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A<strong> pan-India port authority</strong> will be set up under the new Indian Ports Act (to replace the old Indian Ports Act 1908) for enabling oversight across major and non-major ports, enhance institutional coverage for ports and provide for structured growth of the ports sector to boost investor confidence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eastern Waterways Connectivity Transport Grid Project:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It aims to <strong>develop regional connectivity</strong> with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Riverine Development Fund:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Calls for extending low cost, long-term financing for inland vessels with the support of a<strong> Riverine Development Fund (RDF)</strong> and for extending the coverage of the <strong>tonnage tax scheme</strong> (applicable to ocean-going ships and dredgers) to inland vessels to enhance the availability of such vessels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rationalisation of Port Charges:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>will make them more competitive,</strong> besides doing away with all hidden charges levied by ship liners to bring in more transparency.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promotion of Water Transport:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For decongestion of urban areas, and <strong>developing waterways as an alternative means of urban transport.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1709706" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8022,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Bill, 2021',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Rajya Sabha cleared the<strong> National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NBFID) Bill, 2021.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bill seeks to establish the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NBFID) as the principal <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/development-finance-institution-to-fund-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Development Financial Institution (DFIs)</strong></a> for infrastructure financing.</li>
<li>NBFID was announced in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/budget-2021-highlights-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Budget 2021.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Development Financial Institution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DFIs are set up for <strong>providing long-term finance for such segments of the economy where the risks involved are beyond the acceptable limits of commercial banks</strong> and other ordinary financial institutions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unlike banks, <strong>DFIs do not accept deposits</strong> from people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They<strong> source funds from the market, government, as well as multilateral institutions,</strong> and are often supported through government guarantees.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NBFID will be set up<strong> as a corporate body</strong> with authorised <strong>share capital of one lakh crore rupees.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Financial Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To directly or indirectly <strong>lend, invest, or attract investments for infrastructure projects</strong> located entirely or partly in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Developmental Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Includes <strong>facilitating the development of the market for bonds, loans, and derivatives</strong> for infrastructure financing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions of NBFID:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Extending <strong>loans and advances for infrastructure projects.</strong></li>
<li>Taking over or <strong>refinancing</strong> such existing loans.</li>
<li><strong>Attracting investment</strong> from private sector investors and institutional investors for infrastructure projects.</li>
<li>Organising and <strong>facilitating foreign participation</strong> in infrastructure projects.</li>
<li>Facilitating <strong>negotiations with various government authorities</strong> for <strong>dispute resolution</strong> in the field of infrastructure financing.</li>
<li>Providing<strong> consultancy services</strong> in infrastructure financing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Source of Funds:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It may raise money in the form of loans or otherwise both in Indian rupees and foreign currencies, or secure money by the issue and<strong> sale of various financial instruments</strong> including <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-zero-coupon-recapitalisation-bonds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>bonds</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/debenture-redemption-reserve" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>debentures.</strong></a></li>
<li>It may borrow money from the central government, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a>, scheduled commercial banks, mutual funds, and multilateral institutions such as the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/4-contraction-in-growth-adb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asian Development Bank.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Initially, the central government will own 100% shares</strong> of the institution which may <strong>subsequently be reduced up to 26%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Management of NBFID:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NBFID will be governed by a <strong>Board of Directors.</strong> The Chairperson will be appointed by the central government in consultation with RBI.</li>
<li>A body constituted by the central government will recommend candidates for the post of the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Directors.</li>
<li>The Board will appoint independent directors based on the recommendation of an internal committee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Support from the Central Government:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The central government will provide grants worth Rs. 5,000 crore to NBFID by the end of the first <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-02-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>financial year.</strong></a></li>
<li>The government will also provide guarantee at a concessional rate of up to 0.1% for borrowing from multilateral institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and other foreign funds.</li>
<li>Costs towards insulation from fluctuations in foreign exchange (in connection with borrowing in foreign currency) may be reimbursed by the government in part or full.</li>
<li>Upon request by NBFID, the government may guarantee the bonds, debentures, and loans issued by NBFID.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prior Sanction For Investigation And Prosecution:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>No investigation can be initiated against employees of NBFID without the prior sanction of the central government in case of the chairperson or other directors, and the managing director in case of other employees.</li>
<li><strong>Courts will also require prior sanction</strong> for taking cognisance of offences in matters involving employees of NBFID.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Development Financial Institutions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill also provides for any person to set up a DFI by applying to RBI.</li>
<li>RBI may grant a licence for DFI in consultation with the central government.</li>
<li>RBI will also prescribe regulations for these DFIs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/parliament-passes-bill-to-set-up-national-bank-for-financing-infrastructure-and-development/article34160785.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7971,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Vehicle Scrapping Policy',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Road and Transport Minister announced the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vehicle-scrapping-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Vehicle Scrapping</a> Policy</strong> in the Lok Sabha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was first announced in the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/budget-2021-highlights-health-and-wellbeing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Union Budget for 2021-22.</strong></a></li>
<li>The policy is <strong>estimated to cover 51 lakh Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs)</strong> that are <strong>above 20 years of age</strong> and another <strong>34 lakh LMVs</strong> above <strong>15 years of age.</strong></li>
<li>India will also implement a <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-visual-positioning-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Positioning System (GPS)</strong></a>-<strong>based toll collection system </strong>and<strong> do away with all toll booths within a year.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1616150327_image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1616150327_image6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reducing the population of old and defective vehicles, bringing down vehicular air pollutants, improving <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/road-safety-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>road and vehicular safety.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Provisions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Fitness Test:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Old vehicles will have to <strong>pass a fitness test before re-registration</strong> and as per the policy <strong>government commercial vehicles more than 15 years old</strong> and <strong>private vehicles which are over 20 years old </strong>will be scrapped.</li>
<li>Old vehicles will be tested at the <strong>Automated Fitness Center</strong> and the fitness test of the vehicles will be conducted according to international standards. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Emission test, braking system, safety components will be tested and the vehicles which fail in the fitness test will be scraped.</li>
<li>The Ministry has also <strong>issued rules for registration procedure for scrapping facilities, </strong>their powers, and scrapping procedure to be followed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Road Tax Rebate:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The state governments may be advised to offer a <strong>road-tax rebate</strong> of up to <strong>25% for personal vehicles</strong> and up to <strong>15% for commercial vehicles</strong> to provide <strong>incentive to owners</strong> of old vehicles to scrap old and unfit vehicles</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vehicle Discount:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Vehicle manufacturers will also give a <strong>discount of 5%</strong> to people who will produce the<strong> 'Scrapping Certificate'</strong> and registration fees will be waived off on the purchase of a new vehicle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disincentive:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As a disincentive, <strong>increased re-registration fees</strong> would be applicable for <strong>vehicles 15 years or older</strong> from the initial date registration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Creation of Scrap yards:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will lead to creation for more scrap yards in the country and effective recovery of waste from old vehicles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Employment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the new fitness centers, <strong>35 thousand people will get employment</strong> and an investment of Rs 10,000 crores will be pumped in.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improved Revenue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will <strong>boost sales of heavy and medium commercial vehicles</strong> that had been in the contraction zone as a result of economic slowdown triggered by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-yes-bank-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> bankruptcy of IL&amp;FS</strong></a> (Infrastructure Leasing &amp; Financial Services) and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19#:~:text=This%20article%20is%20based%20on,on%2022%2F06%2F2020.&amp;text=Covid%2D19%20pandemic%20is%20a,than%20merely%20a%20biomedical%20one." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a></li>
<li>The government treasury is<strong> expected to get around Rs 30,000 to 40,000 crores</strong> of money through <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Tax (GST)</strong> </a>from this policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduction in Prices:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Prices of auto components would fall substantially with the <strong>recycling of metal and plastic parts.</strong></li>
<li>As scrapped materials will get cheaper the <strong>production cost of the vehicle manufacturers will also reduce.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduce Pollution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will help <strong>improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollution.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As older vehicles pollute the environment 10 to 12 times more, and estimated that 17 lakh medium and heavy commercial vehicles are more than 15 years old.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives to Curb Vehicular Pollution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/go-electric-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Go Electric Campaign</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fame-india-scheme-phase-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FAME India Scheme Phase II.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electric-vehicles-policy-2020-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Electric Vehicles (EV) Policy 2020</a> for Delhi.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hydrogen-fuel-cell-based-bus-and-car-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hydrogen Fuel Cell Based Bus and Car Project.</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-electric-mobility-mission-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Electric Mobility Mission 2020.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-vehicle-scrapping-policy-nitin-gadkari-7233975/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 19 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7962,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'UDAN 4.1',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>On the commencement of the &lsquo;Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav ([email protected])&rsquo;, the<strong> Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)</strong> has proposed about <strong>392 routes under UDAN 4.1 bidding process.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About UDAN 4.1:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UDAN 4.1 focuses on connecting smaller airports, along with special helicopter and seaplane routes.</li>
<li>Some new routes have been proposed under the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sagarmala-seaplane-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Sagarmala Seaplane services</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Sagarmala Seaplane Services</strong> is an ambitious project under the <strong>Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways</strong> with potential airline operators.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>One such seaplane service is already in operation between Kevadia and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, which was started in October 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About UDAN Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) was<strong> launched as a regional connectivity scheme</strong> under the Ministry of Civil Aviation<strong> in 2016.</strong></li>
<li>It is an innovative scheme to<strong> develop the regional Aviation market.</strong></li>
<li>The objective of the scheme is to create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns.</li>
<li>The scheme envisages providing connectivity to un-served and underserved airports of the country through the revival of existing air-strips and airports. The scheme is <strong>operational for a period of 10 years.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under-served airports are those which do not have more than one flight a day, while unserved airports are those where there are no operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Financial incentives from the Centre, state governments and airport operators are extended to selected airlines to encourage operations from unserved and under-served airports, and keep airfares affordable.</li>
<li>Till date, 325 routes and 56 airports including 5 heliports and 2 water aerodromes have been operationalised under the scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UDAN 1.0:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under this phase, 5 airlines companies were awarded 128 flight routes to 70 airports (including 36 newly made operational airports).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UDAN 2.0:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2018, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced 73 underserved and unserved airports.</li>
<li>For the first time, helipads were also connected under phase 2 of the UDAN scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UDAN 3.0:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inclusion of Tourism Routes under UDAN 3 in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism.</li>
<li>Inclusion of Seaplanes for connecting Water Aerodromes.</li>
<li>Bringing in a number of routes in the North-East Region under the ambit of UDAN.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UDAN 4.0:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2020, 78 new routes were approved under the 4<sup>th</sup> round of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UdeDeshKaAamNagrik (UDAN) to further enhance the connectivity to remote &amp; regional areas of the country.</li>
<li>Kavaratti, Agatti, and Minicoy islands of Lakshadweep will be connected by the new routes of UDAN 4.0.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID%3D1704655&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1616068136638000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0lxpa3ksbR0mrvspp_rV8H" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 100
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/articlebox.ctp, line 5
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Articles/tags.ctp, line 61
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

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