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T+1 Settlement System for Shares: SEBI

Why in News Recently, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed stock exchanges to start the T+1 system as an option in place of T+2 for...

14 Sep 2021 Statutory Bodies
Sweat Equity Rules: SEBI

Why in News Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has brought into effect the SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat...

28 Aug 2021 Statutory Bodies
Non-Transparent Pollution Control Boards

Why in News Recently, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed that most of the State Pollution Control Boards...

19 Aug 2021 Statutory Bodies
National Commission for Minorities

Why in News Recently, the Delhi High Court directed the Centre to nominate persons to all the vacant positions in the National Commission for...

17 Aug 2021 Statutory Bodies
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

Introduction Legal Backing: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was established on 20th February, 1997 by the Telecom Regulatory...

12 Aug 2021 Statutory Bodies
PSUs Exempted from Minimum Public Shareholding

Why in News The Ministry of Finance has amended the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957 to exempt listed public sector companies from the...

05 Aug 2021 Statutory Bodies
Director of Inquiry for Lokpal

Why in News Recently, in a RTI Reply, it has been revealed that the Centre is yet to appoint a director of inquiry, more than two years after the...

21 Jul 2021 Statutory Bodies
New Commission for Air Quality Management

Why in News The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is set to table the Commission for Air Quality Management in the...

19 Jul 2021 Statutory Bodies
New Norms for Independent Directors

Why in News The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has approved stricter norms related to appointment of independent directors and...

05 Jul 2021 Statutory Bodies
Delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir

Why in News Recently, the delimitation exercise has started in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The completion of the delimitation exercise will mark...

22 Jun 2021 Statutory Bodies
Competition Commission Of India

Why in News Recently the 12th Annual Day of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) was observed on 20th May. Key Points About: Statutory...

24 May 2021 Statutory Bodies
Regulations Review Authority 2.0

Why in News Recently, the Reserve Bank Of India (RBI) has constituted an Advisory Group to assist the second Regulations Review Authority (RRA...

08 May 2021 Statutory Bodies
Report on Social Stock Exchanges

Why in News A technical group on Social Stock Exchanges (SSEs), constituted by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has submitted its...

07 May 2021 Statutory Bodies
Model Insurance Villages

Why in News The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has mooted the concept of ‘Model Insurance Village...

06 May 2021 Statutory Bodies
Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972

Introduction Constitutional Provisions for Wildlife: The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, Forests and Protection of Wild Animals and Birds was...

03 May 2021 Statutory Bodies
National Commission for Minorities

Why in News Recently, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to fill up the vacant posts of chairperson and five other members of the National...

26 Apr 2021 Statutory Bodies
Central Vigilance Commission

Why in News Recently, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has modified the guidelines pertaining to the transfer and posting of officials in the...

07 Apr 2021 Statutory Bodies
NGT Orders Pollution Control Boards to Increase Capacity

Why in News Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to strengthen its capacity and...

02 Apr 2021 Statutory Bodies
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report

Why in News The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has decided to introduce new requirements for business sustainability reporting by...

26 Mar 2021 Statutory Bodies
Anti-Corruption Strategies

Why in News Recently, the Lokpal of India organized a Webinar on 'Bringing Synergies in Anti-Corruption Strategies’. Key Points Corruption...

25 Mar 2021 Statutory Bodies

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		'article_id' => (int) 9758,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'T+1 Settlement System for Shares: SEBI',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <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> allowed <strong>stock exchanges to start the T+1 system</strong> as an option in place of T+2 for completion of share transactions.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has been introduced<strong> on an optional basis in a move to enhance liquidity.</strong></li>
<li><strong>SEBI</strong> is a statutory body established in 1992 in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Settlement System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the securities industry, the<strong> trade settlement period refers to the time between the trade date</strong> that an order is executed in the market<strong> and the settlement date</strong> when a trade is considered final. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On the<strong> last day of the settlement period,</strong> the <strong>buyer becomes the holder</strong> of record of the security.</li>
</ul>
</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>If the stock exchange opts for the T+1 settlement cycle for a scrip, it will have to <strong>mandatorily continue with it for a minimum 6 months.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A scrip is a substitute or alternative to legal tender that entitles the bearer to receive something in return.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Thereafter, <strong>if it intends to switch back to T+2, it will do so by giving one month&rsquo;s advance notice</strong> to the market. Any subsequent switch (from T+1 to T+2 or vice versa) will be subject to a minimum period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>T+1 vs T+2 Settlement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In T+2, if an investor sells shares, the settlement of the trade takes place in two working days (T+2) and the broker who handles the trade will get the money on the third day, but will credit the amount in the <strong>investor&rsquo;s account only by the fourth day.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In effect, the investor will get the money only after three days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In T+1, settlement of the trade takes place in one working day and the<strong> investor will get the money on the following day.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The move to T+1 will not require large operational or technical changes by market participants, nor will it cause fragmentation and risk to the core clearance and settlement ecosystem.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits of T+1 Settlement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reduced Settlement Time:</strong> A shortened cycle not only reduces settlement time but <strong>also reduces and frees up the capital</strong> required to collateralise that risk.</li>
<li><strong>Reduction in Unsettled Trade:</strong> It also <strong>reduces the number of outstanding unsettled trades</strong> at any instant, and thus decreases the unsettled exposure to Clearing Corporation by 50%. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The narrower the settlement cycle, the <strong>narrower the time window for a counterparty <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/insolvency-and-bankruptcy-code-amendment-bill-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">insolvency/bankruptcy</a></strong> to impact the settlement of a trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduction in Blocked Capital:</strong> Further, the <strong>capital blocked in the system to cover the risk of trades will get proportionately reduced</strong> with the number of outstanding unsettled trades at any point of time.</li>
<li><strong>Reduction in Systemic Risks:</strong> A shortened settlement cycle will help in reducing systemic risk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns of Foriegn Investors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foreign investors have concerns <strong>about operational issues</strong> they would face while operating from <strong>different geographies - time zones,</strong> information flow process, and foreign exchange problems.</li>
<li>They will also find it <strong>difficult to hedge their net India exposure in dollar terms</strong> at the end of the day under the T+1 system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/t1-settlement-system-how-it-works-and-how-it-will-help-investors-7506987/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 9502,
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		'title' => 'Sweat Equity Rules: SEBI',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <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>has brought into effect the <strong>SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021.</strong> The regulations have <strong>widened the scope of employees who can be offered stock (equity) options.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SEBI has <strong>merged</strong> the SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits) Regulations, 2014 (SBEB Regulations) and the SEBI (Issue of Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2002 (Sweat Equity Regulations).</li>
<li><strong>SEBI</strong> is a <strong>statutory body</strong> established in accordance with the provisions of the SEBI Act, 1992. Its basic <strong>function</strong> is to protect the interests of investors in securities and to regulate the securities market.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sweat Equity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sweat equity is a non-monetary contribution that the individuals or founders of a company make towards the company. <strong>Cash-strapped startups and business owners typically use sweat equity</strong> to fund their companies.</li>
<li>As per <strong>Section 2(88) of the Companies Act, 2013</strong> sweat equity shares means such <strong>equity shares as are issued by a company to its directors or employees at a discount</strong> or for consideration, other than cash.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issued for:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will be issued for providing the<strong> know-how or making available rights in the nature of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/intellectual-property-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener">intellectual property rights</a></strong> or value additions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maximum Limit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>maximum yearly limit of sweat equity</strong> shares that can be issued by a listed company has been <strong>prescribed at 15% of the existing paid-up equity share capital</strong> within the overall limit, <strong>not exceeding 25% of the paid-up capital at any time.</strong></li>
<li>Further, in case of companies listed on the<strong> Innovators Growth Platform (IGP),</strong> the<strong> yearly limit will be 15% and overall limit will be 50%</strong> of the paid-up capital at any time. It will be<strong> applicable for 10 years</strong> from the date of the company&rsquo;s incorporation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>SEBI in 2019</strong> launched <strong>IGP</strong> erstwhile known as<strong> &lsquo;Institutional Trading Platform&rsquo;</strong> for listing of issuers which are in intensive use of technology, information technology, intellectual property, data analytics, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biotechnology-and-its-applications" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>biotechnology</strong></a> or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nanotechnology-and-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nano-technology</strong></a> to provide products, services or business platforms with substantial value addition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This proposal will <strong>benefit all new start-up companies seeking listing on the IGP platform.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Share-based Employee Benefits: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Companies will <strong>now be allowed to provide share-based employee benefits to employees,</strong> who are exclusively working for such a<strong> company or any of its group companies including a subsidiary or an associate.</strong></li>
<li>It is expected to <strong>not only help companies</strong> to better use <strong>share-based employee benefits</strong> for retaining employees for a longer period, but also <strong>imbibe a sense of responsibility and ownership in the employee</strong> that will push him/her to work for the growth of the company.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Locking Period:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To provide<strong> immediate relief to an employee or his/her family in instances of permanent incapacity or death,</strong> the regulations have <strong>dispensed with the requirement of a minimum vesting period and lock-in period</strong> (minimum 1 year) for all share benefit schemes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Applicability:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new rules will be applicable <strong>only to listed companies as these have been framed by SEBI, which only regulates listed companies.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A listed company is a<strong> stock exchange-listed company</strong> wherein the <strong>shares are openly tradable whereas</strong> an unlisted company is a <strong>company that is not listed on the stock market.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>For unlisted companies,</strong> any change needed will have to be brought into the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-the-companies-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Companies Act 2013.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/how-new-sebi-regulations-benefit-listed-company-employees-7472747/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 9361,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Non-Transparent Pollution Control Boards',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a new report by the <strong>Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)</strong> has revealed that most of the <strong>State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs)</strong> in India remain <strong>non-transparent entities</strong> when it comes to sharing information with the public.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CSE is a public interest research and advocacy NGO based in New Delhi.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The report is titled, Transparency Index: Rating of pollution control boards on public disclosure.</li>
<li>It has assessed the <strong>data disclosure performance of 29 State Pollution Control Boards And Six Pollution Control Committees</strong> from across the country. Of these, only <strong>17 boards and committees scored 50% or above.</strong></li>
<li>Pollution control agencies under<strong> Air Act 1981</strong> and <strong>Water Act 1974</strong> is to<strong> collect and disseminate information related to air and water pollution</strong> and also about its prevention, control or abatement. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The law also asks the<strong> boards to share the data in the public domain.</strong></li>
<li>However, this is rarely done in practice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The pollution control boards of<strong> Odisha and Telangana were the top performers</strong> and had scored 67% in transparency.</li>
<li>Putting in the public domain crucial pollution-related information, data and details of actions taken is critical. It <strong>can help policy-makers</strong> take the discussions to the next level of pollution management.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It can also <strong>reassure the people</strong> about the efficiency of these boards and committees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Issues Pertaining to SPCBs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>More Responsibilities, Limited Institutional Capacity:</strong> Over the last two decades, SPCBs have seen an expansion in the scope and scale of their work but not in their budgets and workforce. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Remuneration is meagre, making it hard for the board to retain talent.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Shortage of Technical Experts:</strong> Further, an acute shortage of technical experts and other staff has reduced central and state pollution regulators to mere advisory bodies, leaving them unable to enforce air quality standards.</li>
<li><strong>Top Administrators Have No Domain Expertise:</strong> Leadership positions in SPCBs are usually held by civil servants with no expertise in science or environmental studies--necessary for comprehending issues relating to pollution and climate change. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, the CPCB is dominated by government representatives and is constituted by the central government &ldquo;which conflicts with the expectation of it acting as a watchdog&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Low Motivation and Accountability:</strong> State board oﬃcials often have a diminished view of their own role and responsibility.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Also, the process of framing standards was not inclusionary and state officials were simply asked to implement these.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Poor Multi-Sectoral Coordination:</strong> The lack of convergence and coordination between various state and central departments often means that other departments do not implement SPCB directives.</li>
<li><strong>Little Expertise in Monitoring:</strong> While the capacity for real-time monitoring increases every year, gaps in data collection and erroneous readings due to poor calibration remain.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pollution Control Boards in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>CPCB is a statutory organisation which was constituted in September, 1974 under the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/22-05-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.</strong></a></li>
<li>It was also entrusted with the powers and functions under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/tackling-the-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.</strong></a></li>
<li>It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the<strong> Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> of the provisions of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1#:~:text=On%2027%20January%201994%2C%20the,Schedule%201%20of%20the%20notification." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Principal Functions</strong> of the CPCB:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution.</li>
<li>To improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>State Pollution Control Board (SPCB):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They <strong>supplement the CPCB</strong> as they are a statutory organization entrusted to implement Environmental Laws and rules within the jurisdiction of a state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pollution control committees (PCC):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They perform similar functions to SPCB. The difference between the two is that<strong> PCC belongs to Union territories.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Uniform Standards:</strong> There should be a uniform format for presenting annual reports and sharing information on websites. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) should come up with a website format for the SPCBs/PCCs and guidelines for framing annual reports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Specialised Recruitment:</strong> There is a need for clear qualifications to be laid down for the recruitment of various members to the pollution control boards.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of matters relating to environmental protection can be one of the criteria.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening Institutional capacity:</strong> Regulatory bodies that enable their implementation are strengthened with the technical and financial resources needed.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/pollution/how-transparent-are-india-s-pollution-control-boards-here-is-cse-s-ranking-78402" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 9325,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'National Commission for Minorities ',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Delhi High Court directed the Centre to nominate persons to all the vacant positions in the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) by 30<sup>th</sup> September, 2021.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is to ensure that the commission functions efficiently and the purpose of the commission as envisaged under the National Commission for Minorities Act (NCM), 1992 is also fully given effect to.</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>In 1978</strong>, setting up of the Minorities Commission (MC) was envisaged in the Ministry of Home Affairs Resolution.</li>
<li><strong>In 1984</strong>, the MC was detached from the Ministry of Home Affairs and placed under the newly created Ministry of Welfare, which excluded linguistic minorities from the Commission&rsquo;s jurisdiction in 1988.</li>
<li><strong>In 1992</strong>, with the enactment of the <strong>NCM Act, 1992</strong>, the MC became a <strong>statutory body</strong> and was renamed as the NCM.</li>
<li><strong>In 1993,</strong> the first Statutory National Commission was set up and five religious communities viz. The Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis) were notified as minority communities.</li>
<li><strong>In 2014</strong>, Jains were also notified as a minority community.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NCM consists of a <strong>Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and five members</strong> and all of them shall be from amongst the minority communities.</li>
<li>Total of <strong>7 persons to be nominated by the Central Government</strong> should be from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity.</li>
<li><strong>Tenure:</strong> Each Member holds office for<strong> a period of three years</strong> from the date of assumption of office.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Monitoring of the working of the safeguards for minorities</strong> provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and the state legislatures.</li>
<li>Ensures that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/prime-minister-s-15-point-programme#:~:text=PM's%20New%2015%20PP%20is,sections%20of%20the%20minority%20communities." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities</strong></a> <strong>is implemented</strong> and the programmes for minority communities are actually functioning.</li>
<li><strong>Making recommendations</strong> for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interests of minorities by the central or state governments.</li>
<li><strong>Looking into specific complaints</strong> regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of minorities and taking up such matters with the appropriate authorities.</li>
<li><strong>Investigates matters of communal conflict</strong> and riots.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, the 2011 Bharatpur communal riots, as well as the 2012 Bodo-Muslim clashes in Assam, were investigated by the commission and their findings were submitted to the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Observes the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-state-wise-minority-classification-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Minorities Rights Day</strong></a> every year on <strong>18<sup>th</sup> December</strong> which marks the adoption of the <strong>&ldquo;Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities&rdquo;</strong> by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> in 1992.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Constitutional and Legal Provisions Related to Minorities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NCM Act defines a minority as<strong> &ldquo;a community notified as such by the Central government.''</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Government of India has declared six religions namely, <strong>Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis (Zoroastrian) and Jain as religious minorities</strong> in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/identification-of-minorities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Commission for Minority Education Institution (NCMEI) Act, 2004</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It gives minority status to the educational institutions on the basis of six religious communities notified by the government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minority-institutions-and-rte-ncpcr-survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>recent Report by NCPR</strong></a> has highlighted the disproportionate number of minority institutions or <strong>dominance of non-minority category in Minority institutions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The term <strong>"minority" is not defined in the Indian Constitution.</strong> However, the Constitution recognises religious and linguistic minorities.</li>
<li><strong>Article 15 and 16:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Prohibition of discrimination</strong> against citizens on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.</li>
<li>Citizens&rsquo; <strong>right to &lsquo;equality of opportunity&rsquo;</strong> in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State, and prohibition in this regard of any discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 25 (1), 26 and 28:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>People&rsquo;s freedom of conscience and right to <strong>freely profess, practise and propagate religion.</strong></li>
<li>Right of every religious denomination or any section to establish and maintain <strong>institutions for religious and charitable purposes, manage its own religious affairs</strong>, and own and acquire property and administer it.</li>
<li>People&rsquo;s freedom as to attendance <strong>at religious instruction or religious worship in educational institutions</strong> wholly maintained, recognized, or aided by the State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 29:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It provides that any <strong>section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a distinct language, script or culture of its own</strong>, shall have the right to conserve the same.</li>
<li>It grants <strong>protection to both religious minorities as well as linguistic minorities.</strong></li>
<li>However, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> held that the scope of this article is not necessarily restricted to minorities only, as use of the word <strong>&lsquo;section of citizens&rsquo;</strong> in the Article includes minorities as well as the majority.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 30:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All minorities shall <strong>have the right to establish and administer educational institutions</strong> of their choice.</li>
<li>The protection under <strong>Article 30 is confined only to minorities</strong> (religious or linguistic) and does not extend to any section of citizens (as under Article 29).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 350-B:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/major-constitutional-amendment-part-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>7<sup>th</sup> Constitutional (Amendment) Act 1956</strong></a> inserted this article which provides for a <strong>Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities appointed by the President of India.</strong></li>
<li>It would be the duty of the<strong> Special Officer to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards</strong> provided for linguistic minorities under the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/fill-up-vacant-posts-in-minority-commission-by-sept-30/article35887870.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 9238,
		'category_id' => (int) 63,
		'title' => 'Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)',
		'description' => '<h3>Introduction</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Legal Backing:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/trai-suspends-new-sms-scrubbing-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)</strong></a> was established on 20<sup>th</sup> February, 1997 by the <strong>Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Objectives of TRAI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>TRAI's mission is to <strong>create and nurture conditions for growth of telecommunications</strong> in the country.</li>
<li>TRAI <strong>regulates telecom services</strong> including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services which were earlier vested in the Central Government.</li>
<li>It also aims to <strong>provide a fair and transparent policy environment</strong> which promotes a level playing field and facilitates fair competition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> The head office of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is located at <strong>New Delhi.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Composition of TRAI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Members:</strong> The TRAI consists of a <strong>Chairperson, two whole-time members</strong> and <strong>two part-time members,</strong> all of which are <strong>appointed by the Government of India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Tenure of Members:</strong> The Chairperson and other members shall hold their office for a <strong>term of three years</strong> or till the age of<strong> 65 years,</strong> whichever is earlier.</li>
<li><strong>Chairperson:</strong> The Chairperson has the powers of general superintendence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He/She presides over the meetings of the TRAI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vice-Chairperson:</strong> The Central Government may appoint one of the members of the Authority as the Vice-Chairperson of TRAI.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The vice-chairperson exercises and discharges the powers and functions of the Chairperson in his/her absence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Removal of Members:</strong> The Central Government is empowered to remove any member of the TRAI, if he/she:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>has been adjudged an insolvent</li>
<li>has been convicted of an offence which involves moral turpitude</li>
<li>has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a member</li>
<li>has abused his/her position; rendering his/her continuance in office prejudicial to the public interest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>TRAI Meetings:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Chairperson has the power of organising the meetings</strong> at times. He/She presides over the meetings.</li>
<li>In the absence of the chairperson, the vice-chairperson presides over the meetings.</li>
<li>In the absence of a vice-chairperson, any member can be chosen from the authority to preside over the meeting.</li>
<li>The <strong>decisions in the meetings are taken by the majority vote</strong> of the members present. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the event of an equality of votes, the Chairperson (or the member presiding the meeting) gives a <strong>second or casting vote.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Functions of TRAI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Makes Recommendations:</strong> The function of the TRAI is to make recommendations on the following matters:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Need for introduction of new service provider.</li>
<li>Revocation of license for non-compliance of terms and conditions of licence.</li>
<li>Measures to facilitate competition and promote efficiency in the operation of telecommunication services to facilitate their growth.</li>
<li>Technological improvements in the services provided by the service providers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Discharge of Responsibilities:</strong> The TRAI is responsible for discharging the following functions: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensuring the<strong> compliance of terms and conditions</strong> of licence.</li>
<li>Ensuring the <strong>technical compatibility</strong> and effective interconnection between different service providers.</li>
<li>Laying down the <strong>standards of quality of service</strong> to be provided by the service providers.</li>
<li>Ensuring the quality of service and <strong>conducting the periodical surveys</strong> of such services.</li>
<li><strong>Timely and officially notifying the rates</strong> at which the telecommunication services within India and outside India shall be provided under the TRAI Act, 1997.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non-Binding Recommendations:</strong> The recommendations of the TRAI are <strong>not binding</strong> upon the Central Government. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the Central Government does not accept any recommendation of the TRAI or needs modifications, it refers the recommendation back to the Authority for its reconsideration.</li>
<li>The TRAI forwards to the Central Government its recommendation after considering the reference made by that Government within 15 days.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Powers of TRAI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Order for Furnishing Information:</strong> It can call upon any service provider to furnish in writing the information or explanation relating to its affairs as the Authority may require.</li>
<li><strong>Appointments for Inquiry:</strong> The Authority may appoint one or more persons to make an inquiry in relation to the affairs of any service provider.</li>
<li><strong>Order for Inspection:</strong> It is empowered to direct any of its officers or employees to inspect the books of accounts or other documents of any service provider.</li>
<li><strong>Issue Directions to Service Providers:</strong> The Authority shall have the power to issue such directions to service providers as it may consider necessary for proper functioning by service providers.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Amendment in the TRAI Act, 1997:</strong> The TRAI Act was <strong>amended in 2000</strong> which established a <strong>Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)</strong> to take over the <strong>adjudicatory and disputes functions</strong> from TRAI.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> TDSAT was set up to adjudicate any dispute between: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A licensor and a licensee</li>
<li>Two or more service providers</li>
<li>A service provider and a group of consumers</li>
<li>It was also established to hear and dispose of appeals against any direction, decision or order of TRAI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong> The TDSAT consists of a <strong>Chairperson and two other members,</strong> all to be <strong>appointed by the Central Government.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The selection of members is done by the <strong>Central Government in consultation with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/n-v-ramana-48th-chief-justice-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chief Justice of India</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligibility: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Chairperson:</strong> A person shall not be qualified for appointment as the Chairperson unless he/she is or has been, a <strong>Judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Other Members:</strong> He/She must have held the post of <strong>Secretary to the Government of India</strong> or any equivalent post in the Central/State Government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Term of office:</strong> The Chairperson and the other members of TDSAT shall hold office for a term of <strong>maximum three years or seventy years</strong> (for Chairperson), whichever is earlier.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the case of members other than the Chairperson, the maximum age is <strong>sixty-five years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Removal of Members:</strong> The conditions for removal of any member of the Tribunal are the<strong> same as those of the TRAI.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Jurisdiction of TDSAT:</strong> The civil courts do not have jurisdiction to entertain any matter which the TDSAT is empowered to determine. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An <strong>order passed by TDSAT is executable as a decree of civil court;</strong> the Tribunal has all the powers of a civil court.</li>
<li>It is <strong>not bound by the procedure laid down by the Code of Civil Procedure</strong> but guided by the principles of natural justice. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Tribunal has the <strong>powers to regulate its own procedure. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Penalties:</strong> The penalties for the offences that come under the jurisdiction of TDSAT, are the <strong>same as those of TRAI.</strong></li>
</ul>
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		'article_id' => (int) 9124,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'PSUs Exempted from Minimum Public Shareholding ',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Ministry of Finance <strong>has amended the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957</strong> to exempt listed public sector companies from the minimum public shareholding norm.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Amendment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>government can now exempt any listed public sector enterprise from the Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) norm</strong>, which mandates at least 25% public float for all listed entities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rationale to the New Amendment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The framework for the MPS has been revised to <strong>make it easier for large companies to launch IPOs</strong> (Initial Public Offers).</li>
<li>The move comes as the <strong>government prepares for the IPO of Life Insurance Corp (LIC) of India</strong>, likely to be the biggest listing ever.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Can Affect Liquidity in PSU Stocks:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Investors, especially foreign ones, are wary of investing in such stocks due to absence of liquidity &ndash; because of high promoter holding.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Can Impact Foreign Investment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Maintenance of minimum public float by listed companies helps attract higher foreign capital and increases India&rsquo;s weight in international indices like MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International) and FTSE (Financial Times Stock Exchange).</li>
<li>Government firms not adhering to these norms could be a drag on inflow of foreign capital.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Can Impact Strategic Disinvestment Program:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This can be detrimental at a time the government is planning <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/strategic-disinvestment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Strategic Sales</strong></a> in various PSUs including BPCL, Shipping Corporation, and Air India.</li>
<li>Low free float is one of the reasons why PSU stocks command low valuation in the market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non-Uniform Governance Standards:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Various government expert committees have in their reports argued all listed entities, government or private, should be treated at par on governance standards.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The MPS (also called free float) rule <strong>requires all listed companies in India to ensure that at least 25% of their equity shares are held by non-promoters, i.e. public.</strong></li>
<li>Public shareholders <strong>could be individual or financial institutions</strong> and they normally <strong>buy shares through public offer or secondary markets.</strong></li>
<li>In order <strong>to bring more transparency</strong> in the working of listed companies, the concept of minimum public shareholding was introduced.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>2010, SEBI amended the Securities Contracts Regulation Rules</strong> to insist on this 25% public float for private sector companies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>average promoter holding in India is among the highest globally.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the 2019-20 Budget, the government had proposed to increase the minimum public float from 25% to 35%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Compliance Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While the timeline for achieving 25% MPS for listed companies was 2013, the timeline for public sector companies i.e. PSUs and public sector banks (PSBs), were extended multiple times closer to the deadline due to lack of efforts from such companies towards compliance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The previous such extension granted them time till 2nd August, 2021 for compliance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>With the latest amendment, the Central government has empowered itself to exempt selected public sector companies from the 25% MPS norm.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Adequate free float in a listed company is <strong>essential for providing sufficient liquidity in trading stocks</strong> thereby facilitating efficient price discovery and maintaining market integrity.</li>
<li>Public float ensures that there is <strong>lesser price manipulation in the stock.</strong></li>
<li>Forcing promoters to relax their grip on listed companies <strong>can improve corporate governance</strong> by giving public shareholders and institutions greater say in corporate actions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There are very few investment opportunities in the stock market and so forcing promoters to sell shares would <strong>improve the supply of shares.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>SEBI</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SEBI is <strong>a statutory body</strong> established in April, 1992 in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.</li>
<li>The basic functions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India is to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote and regulate the securities market.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Listed Companies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>&ldquo;Listed" is a term that describes a company that is included and on a given stock exchange (such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/market-infrastructure-institutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NSE</strong></a>, BSE) so that its stock can be traded.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Central Public Sector Enterprises</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) are those companies in which the <strong>direct holding of the Central Government or other CPSEs is 51% or more</strong></li>
<li>As on 31<sup>st</sup> March 2019, there were 348 CPSEs (excluding insurance companies). Of these, 86 enterprises were yet to commence commercial operations and 13 CPSEs are under closure/liquidation. Remaining 249 were operating enterprises (including 180 scheduled CPSEs.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Promoter</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The meaning of &lsquo;promoter&rsquo; and &lsquo;promoter group&rsquo; is <strong>defined in Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018.</strong></li>
<li>Generally, a promoter conceives an idea for setting-up a particular business at a given place and performs various formalities required for starting a company.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Primary Market and Secondary Market</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The primary market is where securities are created, while the secondary market is where those securities are traded by investors.</li>
<li>In the primary market, companies sell new stocks and bonds to the public for the first time, such as with an initial public offering (IPO).</li>
<li>The secondary market is basically the stock market and refers to the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq, and other exchanges worldwide.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Stock Liquidity</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Liquidity generally refers to <strong>how easily or quickly a security can be bought or sold in a secondary market.</strong> Liquid investments can be sold readily and without paying a hefty fee to get money when it is needed.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/exempting-select-psus-from-minimum-free-float-norm-reverses-govt-stance-7437013/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8926,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Director of Inquiry for Lokpal',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, in a<a href="/to-the-points/paper4/right-to-information-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> RTI</strong> </a>Reply, it has been revealed that the <strong>Centre is yet to appoint a director of inquiry, more than two years after the Lokpal came into being.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Director of Inquiry:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, there shall be a Director of Inquiry, <strong>not below the rank of Joint Secretary</strong> to the Central Government.</li>
<li>As per the provisions contained under <strong>Section 20 (1) (b)</strong> of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, <strong>complaints in respect of public servants are referred by the Lokpal to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/central-vigilance-commission-cvc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)</a></strong> for a preliminary inquiry.</li>
<li>The non-appointment of director of inquiry again reflects the <strong>lack of political will</strong> for strengthened Lokpal in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Lokpal:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A Lokpal is an <strong>anti-corruption authority or ombudsman who represents the public interest.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is a <strong>signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The concept of an ombudsman <strong>was borrowed from Sweden.</strong></li>
<li>The Lokpal, the <strong>apex body to inquire and investigate graft complaints against public functionaries</strong>, came into being with the appointment of its chairperson and members in <strong>March 2019.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) of India (1966&ndash; 1970)</strong> recommended the setting up of two special authorities designated as <strong>&lsquo;Lokpal&rsquo; and &lsquo;Lokayukta&rsquo; for the redressal of citizens&rsquo; grievances.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Lokpal</strong> is responsible for enquiring into corruption charges at the <strong>national level</strong> while the <strong>Lokayukta</strong> performs the same function at the <strong>state level.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Lokpal has <strong>jurisdiction over all Members of Parliament and central government employees</strong> in cases of corruption.</li>
<li>Apart from this, Lokpal <strong>can also inquire into anti-graft complaints regarding any member of an institution</strong> which is wholly or partially financed by the central government or controlled by it.</li>
<li>Presently, <strong>Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose</strong> is the chairperson of the Lokpal.</li>
<li>Lokpal is <strong>a multi-member body</strong> that consists of <strong>one chairperson and a maximum of 8 members.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Regarding Lokpal:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lokpal is<strong> not free from political influence</strong> as the appointing committee itself consists of members from political parties.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>selection committee for Lokpal</strong> is composed of the Prime Minister who is the Chairperson; Speaker of Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India or a Judge nominated by him/her and One eminent jurist.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The appointment of Lokpal can be manipulated in a way as there is <strong>no criterion to decide who is an &lsquo;eminent jurist&rsquo;</strong> or &lsquo;a person of integrity&rsquo;.</li>
<li>The biggest lacunae is the <strong>exclusion of the judiciary from the ambit of the Lokpal.</strong></li>
<li>The Lokpal is <strong>not given any constitutional backing</strong> and there is <strong>no adequate provision for appeal against the Lokpal.</strong></li>
<li>The complaint against corruption <strong>cannot be registered after a period of seven years</strong> from the date on which the offence mentioned in such a complaint is alleged to have been committed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In order to tackle the problem of corruption, the institution of the ombudsman should be strengthened both in terms of <strong>functional autonomy and availability of manpower.</strong></li>
<li>Moreover, Lokpal and Lokayukta must be <strong>financially, administratively and legally independent</strong> of those whom they are called upon to investigate and prosecute.</li>
<li>There is a <strong>need for a multiplicity of decentralized institutions</strong> with appropriate accountability mechanisms, to avoid the concentration of too much power, in any one institution or authority.</li>
<li><strong>Greater transparency, empowering Right to Information Act, strong <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/whistleblowers-protection-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Whistleblower</a> protection regime</strong> are required along with a <strong>morally resound leadership</strong> that is willing to subject itself to public scrutiny.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lokpal-yet-to-get-director-of-inquiry/article35398195.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8907,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'New Commission for Air Quality Management',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC)</strong> is set to table the <strong>Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021</strong> in Parliament during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/monsoon-session-of-parliament-begins" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Monsoon Session</strong></a>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background and New Changes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Initially, the <strong>Commission for Air Quality Management <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/repromulgation-of-ordinances" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ordinance</a></strong> was promulgated by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/president-s-rule-in-puducherry" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> President</strong></a> in October, 2020 but the bill to replace the ordinance was not passed in the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/question-hour-to-resume-during-budget-session#:~:text=Budget%20session%3A%20The%20longest%2C%20Budget,can%20discuss%20the%20budgetary%20proposals." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> budget session of Parliament</strong></a>, as a result of which the commission ceased to operate in March, 2021.</li>
<li>Subsequently, the <strong>MoEFCC brought a second ordinance in April 2021,</strong> with modifications due to the <strong>farmers&rsquo; protest.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Farmers had raised concerns of <strong>stiff penalties and possible jail terms for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/stubble-burning-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stubble burning</a></strong> (as stated in the first ordinance).</li>
<li>The <strong>government has decriminalised the act of stubble burning</strong> and withdrawn the clause for possible jail time.</li>
<li>However,<strong> environmental compensation fees</strong> are levied on those who are found to be engaged in stubble burning, including farmers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Bill:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It provides for the constitution of a Commission for better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems related to air quality in the<strong> National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Adjoining areas have been defined as areas in the<strong> states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh adjoining the NCR</strong> where any source of pollution may cause <strong>adverse impact on air quality in the NCR.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It also dissolves the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/epca-on-early-burning-of-crop-residue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority</strong></a> established in the<strong> NCR in 1998.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Commission will be headed by a<strong> full-time chairperson</strong> who has been a <strong>Secretary to the Government of India, or a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chief-secretary-transfer-issue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chief Secretary to a State government</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The chairperson will hold the <strong>post for three years or until s/he attains the age of 70 years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will have members from several Ministries as well as representatives from the stakeholder States.</li>
<li>It will have experts from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)</strong></a>, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/role-of-ngos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Civil Society.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Coordinating actions</strong> taken by concerned state governments (Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh).</li>
<li><strong>Planning and executing plans</strong> to prevent and control air pollution in the NCR.</li>
<li><strong>Providing a framework</strong> for identification of air pollutants.</li>
<li><strong>Conducting research and development</strong> through networking with technical institutions.</li>
<li><strong>Training and creating a special workforce</strong> to deal with issues related to air pollution.</li>
<li><strong>Preparing various action plans</strong> such as increasing plantation and addressing stubble burning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Powers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new body will have the <strong>power to issue directions and entertain complaints</strong> as it deems necessary for the<strong> purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the air</strong> in the NCR and adjoining areas.</li>
<li>It will also <strong>lay down parameters for control of air pollution (such as permissible levels of emissions and discharge of pollutants).</strong></li>
<li>It will also be in <strong>charge of identifying violators, monitoring factories and industries</strong> and any other polluting unit in the region, and will have the<strong> powers to shut down such units.</strong></li>
<li>It will also have the <strong>powers to overrule directives issued by the state governments in the region,</strong> that may be in violation of pollution norms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Legal and regulatory changes</strong> to tackle public issues like air pollution, need a <strong>democratic conceptualisation.</strong></li>
<li>There is a need for the<strong> massive augmentation of intra-city public transport,</strong> and to move industries, power plants and other users away from polluting fuels like coal to natural gas, electricity and renewable energy to ensure clean combustion.</li>
<li>The government should undertake a <strong>thorough review of the various laws and institutions</strong> in order to look at their<strong> efficacy and utility;</strong> it must have detailed consultation with all relevant stakeholders, especially those outside Delhi, which includes farmers&rsquo; groups and small scale industries and the public at large.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/moef-to-table-bill-for-panel-on-ncr-air-pollution-bill-on-air-quality-commission-drops-clause-on-jail-term-7411144/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8775,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'New Norms for Independent Directors',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <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> has approved stricter norms related to appointment of<strong> independent directors</strong> and decided to introduce <strong>a framework for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/accredited-investors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accredited investors</a></strong> along with other measures.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sebi is a statutory body established in accordance with the provisions of the<strong> Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.</strong> The basic functions of the Sebi is to protect the interests of investors in securities and to<strong> promote and regulate the securities market.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Independent Directors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Independent directors <strong>can be appointed only through a special resolution</strong> passed by shareholders. A special resolution<strong> requires 75% of votes in favour</strong> to be passed.</li>
<li>The regulator has also elaborated and strengthened the <strong>disclosure requirements</strong> for <strong>the skills required</strong> to be an independent director.</li>
<li>The <strong>nomination and remuneration committee</strong> of the board of directors, which decides on appointments and compensation, and the <strong>audit committee</strong> should have <strong>two-thirds independent directors compared to a simple majority now.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>All<strong> related party transactions</strong> (between a company and its related entities)<strong> shall be approved by only independent directors</strong> on the audit committee.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, a listed company will be required to <strong>disclose the resignation letter of an independent director.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Also, there will be<strong> a one-year cooling period for an independent director transitioning to a whole-time director</strong> in the same company/holding/subsidiary/associate company or any company belonging to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-for-changing-promoters-to-person-in-control-sebi#:~:text=Promoter%3A,required%20for%20starting%20a%20company." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>promoter group</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Independent Director</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>An Independent Director (also sometimes known as an outside director) is a director on a board of directors <strong>representing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tata-mistry-judgement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minority shareholders</a></strong> and who does not have a pecuniary relationship with the company or related persons, except for sitting fees.</li>
<li>Their role is to take a stand unambiguously and independently to have a check and balance on the whims of majority shareholders that may expose the company to unwarranted risks.</li>
<li>The <strong>Companies Act, 2013</strong> has mandated all <strong>listed public companies to have at least one-third</strong> of the total Directors to be independent.</li>
<li>Their role requires them to be clinical while businesses expect them to be practical, that&rsquo;s the tight rope they walk on.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Accredited Investors:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sebi has approved this <strong>new category of wealthy, well-informed investors</strong> who will be allowed to<strong> invest in riskier products,</strong> not usually allowed to individuals.</li>
<li>These entities (accredited investors) could be individuals, family trusts, proprietorships, etc.</li>
<li>They will be given the<strong> flexibility to invest</strong> the less than minimum amount mandated in Sebi rules and also to some extent get relaxation from regulatory requirements.</li>
<li>They will enhance the attractiveness of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/a-special-fund-for-housing-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alternative investment funds (AIFs)</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>AIF means any fund established in India which is a<strong> privately pooled investment vehicle</strong> which collects funds from sophisticated investors, whether<strong> Indian or foreign, for investing</strong> it in accordance with a defined investment policy for the benefit of its investors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Important Changes Undertaken:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To provide easy access to investors to participate in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rights-issue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>public and rights issues</strong> </a>by using various payment avenues, Sebi has also decided to permit banks, other than scheduled banks, to act as a banker to such issues.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Unlike initial and follow-up public offering, the rights issue is not open for the general public but only to existing shareholders of the company.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Sebi also <strong>increased the maximum reward amount for an informant</strong> who <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/whistleblowers-protection-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blows the whistle</a> on insider trading</strong> to Rs 10 crore from Rs 1 crore now.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mechanism-to-prevent-insider-trading-t-k-viswanathan-committee-kotak-panel-recommendations-sebi-gs-ias-upsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Insider trading</strong></a> involves trading in a public company's stock by someone who has non-public, material information about that stock for any reason.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The regulator has also approved amendments to its <strong>mutual fund regulations</strong> which requires<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amfi-guidelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> asset management companies (AMCs)</strong></a> to use more funds in riskier schemes (New funds). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Currently, AMCs have to invest only 1% of the amount raised in a new fund offer, or Rs 50 lakh, whichever is lower.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The new norms will be effective<strong> from 1<sup>st</sup> January, 2022.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The changes seek to strengthen the <a href="/be-mains-ready-daily-answer-writing-practice-question/papers/2019/corporate-governance-ethical-issues-improve-be-mains-ready" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>corporate governance</strong></a> practices as well as<strong> attract more investors.</strong></li>
<li>It will help <strong>maintain the interest of minority shareholders</strong> in the corporate boardroom where their representation is minimal.</li>
<li>This should hopefully result in<strong> truly &lsquo;independent&rsquo; independent directors</strong> and not those with merely a semblance of independence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/sebi-brings-in-new-investors-stricter-independent-dir-norms-7381932/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8665,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the delimitation exercise has started in Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The completion of the delimitation exercise will<strong> mark the political process in the Union Territory (UT)</strong> that has been<strong> under Centre&rsquo;s rule since June 2018.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1624356589_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1624356589_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="634" height="476" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Delimitation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delimitation is the<strong> act of fixing or redrawing the limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies</strong> (Assembly or Lok Sabha seat) in a country or a province having a legislative body, as per the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Election Commission.</strong></a></li>
<li>The delimitation exercise is <strong>carried out by an independent high-powered panel known as&nbsp;</strong><strong>the Delimitation Commission</strong> whose orders have the force of law and cannot be questioned by any court.</li>
<li>The exercise has been carried out over the years<strong> to redefine the area of a constituency-based on its population size (based on the last <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/census-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Census</a>).</strong></li>
<li>Aside from changing the limits of a constituency, the process <strong>may result in change in the number of seats in a state.</strong></li>
<li>This exercise also<strong> involves reservation of Assembly seats for Scheduled Castes</strong> (SCs) and <strong>Scheduled Tribes</strong> (STs) in accordance with the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The key aim is<strong> to have equal representation to equal segments of the population</strong> in order to ensure a fair division of geographical areas so that all political parties or candidates contesting elections have a level playing field in terms of a number of voters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constitutional Basis for Delimitation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under <strong>Article 82,</strong> the Parliament enacts a <strong>Delimitation Act</strong> after every Census.</li>
<li>Under<strong> Article 170,</strong> States also get divided <strong>into territorial constituencies</strong> as per Delimitation Act after every Census.</li>
<li>Once the<strong> Act is in force,</strong> the Union government sets up a <strong>Delimitation Commission.</strong></li>
<li>However, the<strong> first delimitation exercise </strong>was <strong>carried out by the President (with the help of the Election Commission) in 1950-51.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Delimitation Commission Act</strong> was enacted in 1952.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Delimitation Commissions <strong>have been set up four times</strong> &mdash; 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 under the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There was <strong>no delimitation after the 1981 and 1991 Censuses.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delimitation Commission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Delimitation Commission is <strong>appointed by the President of India </strong>and<strong> works in collaboration with the Election Commission of India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Retired Supreme Court judge</li>
<li>Chief Election Commissioner</li>
<li>Respective State Election Commissioners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The delimitation exercise in J&amp;K in the past<strong> has been slightly different</strong> from those in the rest of the country because of the <strong>region's special status.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>delimitation of Lok Sabha seats</strong> was then governed by the <strong>Indian Constitution</strong> in J&amp;K, but the <strong>delimitation of Assembly seats</strong> was governed separately by the <strong>Jammu and Kashmir Constitution and Jammu and Kashmir Representation of the People Act, 1957.</strong></li>
<li>However, Jammu and Kashmir lost its special status and was <strong>divided into two Union Territories (J&amp;K and Ladakh) </strong>after the<strong> abrogation of its special status under <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-article-370" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Article 370</a>, on 5<sup>th</sup> August, 2019.</strong></li>
<li>Following this, <strong>a special delimitation commission</strong> was constituted on<strong> 6<sup>th</sup> March, 2020</strong> to carve out Assembly and Parliament seats in the UT.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues with Delimitation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>States that take little interest in population control could end up with a greater number of seats</strong> in Parliament. The southern states that promoted family planning faced the possibility of having their seats reduced.</li>
<li>In 2002-08, Delimitation was done based on the 2001 census, but the total number of seats in the Assemblies and Parliament decided as per the 1971 Census was not changed.</li>
<li>The Constitution has also <strong>capped the number of Lok Shaba &amp; Rajya Sabha seats to a maximum of 550 &amp; 250 respectively</strong> and increasing populations are being represented by a single representative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/delimitation-in-jk-how-why-pm-modi-jammu-kashmir-leaders-meeting-special-status-7369580/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8433,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Competition Commission Of India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently the <strong>12<sup>th</sup> Annual Day</strong> of the <strong>Competition Commission of India (CCI)</strong> was observed on <strong>20<sup>th</sup> May.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Statutory Body:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Competition Commission of India is <strong>a statutory body</strong> responsible for enforcing the objectives of the <strong>Competition Act, 2002.</strong></li>
<li><strong>CCI</strong> was established by the <strong>Central Government</strong> with effect from <strong>14<sup>th</sup> October 2003</strong>, but it became fully functional on <strong>20<sup>th</sup> May, 2009.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>A Chairperson</strong> and <strong>6 Members</strong> appointed by the <strong>Central Government.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Formation of CCI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The CCI</strong> was established under the provisions of the <strong>Competition act 2002:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>The Competition Act, 2007</strong>, was enacted after amending <strong>Competition Act, 2002</strong>, that led to the establishment of the <strong>CCI and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/tribunals-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Competition Appellate Tribunal</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government replaced the <strong>Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT)</strong> with the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-company-law-appellate-tribunal-nclat-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)</strong></a> <strong>in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions and Role of CCI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>To eliminate practices</strong> having adverse effects on competition, promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India.</li>
<li>The Competition Commission of India takes the <strong>following measures</strong> to achieve its objectives:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Consumer welfare</strong> to make the markets work for the benefit and welfare of consumers.</li>
<li><strong>Ensure fair and healthy competition</strong> in economic activities in the country for faster and inclusive growth and development of the economy.</li>
<li><strong>Implement competition policies</strong> with an aim to effectuate the most efficient utilization of economic resources.</li>
<li><strong>Develop and nurture effective relations</strong> and interactions with sectoral regulators to ensure smooth alignment of sectoral regulatory laws in tandem with the competition law.</li>
<li><strong>Effectively carry out competition advocacy</strong> and spread the information on benefits of competition among all stakeholders to establish and nurture competition culture in Indian economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need of CCI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Promote free enterprise:</strong> Competition is important for the preservation of economic freedom and our free enterprise system.</li>
<li><strong>Protect against market distortions:</strong> The need for competition law arises because markets can suffer from failures and distortions, and various players can resort to anti- competitive activities such as cartels, abuse of dominance etc. which adversely impact economic efficiency and consumer welfare.</li>
<li><strong>Promotes domestic industries:</strong> During the era in which the economies are moving from closed economies to open economies, an effective competition commission is essential to ensure the continued viability of domestic industries, carefully balanced with attaining the benefits of foreign investment increased competition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1720343#:~:text=The%20CCI%20was%20established%20under,competitive%20conduct%20came%20into%20force." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8330,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Regulations Review Authority 2.0',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank Of India (RBI)</strong> </a>has <strong>constituted an Advisory Group to assist the second Regulations Review Authority (RRA 2.0).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The RBI has set up the <strong>RRA 2.0, initially for a period of one year from 1<sup>st</sup> May, 2021</strong>, with a view <strong>to streamline regulations and reduce the compliance burden of regulated entities.</strong></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>In 1999</strong>, the RBI had set up a <strong>Regulations Review Authority (RRA)</strong> for reviewing the regulations, circulars, reporting systems, based on the feedback from the public, banks, and financial institutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>RRA 2.0:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will focus on <strong>streamlining regulatory instructions, reducing compliance burden</strong> of the <strong>regulated entities</strong> by <strong>simplifying procedures</strong> and <strong>reducing reporting requirements</strong>, wherever possible. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will also obtain feedback from regulated entities.</li>
<li><strong>Regulated entities</strong> include <strong>commercial banks, urban co-operative banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reserve Bank of India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>RBI was established on <strong>1<sup>st</sup> April, 1935</strong> in accordance with the provisions of the <strong>Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.</strong></li>
<li>Though originally privately owned, since nationalization in 1949, the Reserve Bank is <strong>fully owned by the Government of India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Functions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Monetary Authority:</strong> Formulates, implements and monitors the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-monetary-policy-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>monetary policy.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Recent Initiative:</strong> <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/monetary-policy-report-rbi-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Government Securities Acquisition Programme (G-SAP)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulator and supervisor of the financial system:</strong> Prescribes broad parameters of banking operations within which the country's banking and financial system functions.</li>
<li><strong>Manager of Foreign Exchange:</strong> Manages the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.</li>
<li><strong>Issuer of currency:</strong> Issues and exchanges or destroys currency and coins not fit for circulation.</li>
<li><strong>Developmental role:</strong> Performs a wide range of promotional functions to support national objectives.</li>
<li><strong>Regulator and Supervisor of Payment and Settlement Systems:</strong> Introduces and upgrades safe and efficient modes of payment systems in the country to meet the requirements of the public at large.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Recent Initiatives:</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-payments-index-rbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital Payments Index</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/payments-infrastructure-development-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Payments Infrastructure Development Fund</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/whatsapp-upi-and-npci-regulations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong></a>, an umbrella organisation for all retail payments systems in India, was set up with the guidance and support of the RBI and Indian Banks&rsquo; Association (IBA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Functions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Banker to the Government:</strong> performs merchant banking function for the central and the state governments; also acts as their banker.</li>
<li><strong>Banker to banks:</strong> maintains banking accounts of all scheduled banks.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wma-borrowings-of-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ways and Means Advances</strong></a> (WMA) are short-term loan facilities which allow the Centre and states to borrow funds from the RBI to bridge their temporary mismatch between expenditure and receipts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>RBI&rsquo;s Publications:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/consumer-confidence-survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Consumer Confidence Survey</strong></a> <strong>(CCS - Quarterly)</strong></li>
<li><strong>Inflation Expectations Survey of Households (IESH - Quarterly)</strong></li>
<li><strong>Financial Stability Report (Half-Yearly)</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-revival-forecast-rbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monetary Policy Report</a> (Half-Yearly)</strong></li>
<li><strong>Report on Foreign Exchange Reserves (Half-Yearly)</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/rbi-sets-up-advisory-group-to-assist-regulatory-review-authority-7305976/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8323,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Report on Social Stock Exchanges',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A <strong>technical group on Social Stock Exchanges (SSEs)</strong>, constituted by the<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>, has submitted its report.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SEBI set up the technical group in September, 2020 under the <strong>chairmanship of Harsh Bhanwala</strong>, former chairman of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-bank-for-agriculture-and-rural-development-nabard" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NABARD</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Earlier, a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/social-stock-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Working Group (WG)</strong></a> on the SSE, <strong>chaired by Ishaat Hussain</strong>, submitted its report in June 2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Social Stock Exchanges (SSEs):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>idea of the Social Stock Exchange (SSE)</strong> as a platform for <strong>listing social enterprise, voluntary and welfare organisations</strong> so that they <strong>can raise capital was mooted in the Union Budget 2019-20.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Social enterprise</strong> can be defined as a <strong>non-loss; non-dividend paying company</strong> created and designed to<strong> address a social problem.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was <strong>proposed to be set up under the market regulator SEBI.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>aim</strong> of the initiative is <strong>to help social and voluntary organisations which work for social causes to raise capital</strong> as equity or debt or a unit of mutual fund.</li>
<li>SSE <strong>already exists in countries</strong> such as Singapore, UK, Canada among others. These countries allow firms operating in sectors such as health, environment and transportation to raise capital.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recommendations of the Group:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Type of the Organisation:</strong> Political and religious organisations, trade organisations as well as corporate foundations should <strong>not be allowed to raise funds through SSEs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Eligibility:</strong> <strong>For Profit Enterprise (FPE) and Not for Profit Organisation (NPO)</strong> will be eligible to tap the SSE if <strong>they are able to show their primary goals are social intent and impact.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Entities listed on SSE will have to disclose their social impact report on an annual basis covering aspects such as <strong>&ldquo;strategic intent and planning, approach, impact score card&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>NPOs</strong> are usually structured as non-governmental organisations, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/personal-protective-equipment-for-sanitation-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Section 8 companies</strong></a>, trusts or societies.<strong> FPEs</strong> can be private limited companies, partnerships or sole proprietorships.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Different Modes of Fund Raising:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>For NPOs</strong>, fundraising through equity, zero coupon zero principal bond, development impact bonds, social impact fund with 100% grants-in grants out provision, and donations by investors through mutual funds.</li>
<li><strong>For FPEs</strong>, fundraising through equity, debt, development impact bonds, and social venture funds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Eligible Activities:</strong> Social enterprises can engage in activities in such as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Eradicating hunger, poverty, malnutrition and inequality;</strong> promoting health care (including mental health) and sanitation; and making available safe drinking water.</li>
<li><strong>Promoting education, employability</strong> and livelihoods.</li>
<li><strong>Promoting gender equality</strong>, empowerment of women and LGBTQIA+ communities.</li>
<li><strong>Ensuring environmental sustainability</strong>, addressing climate change (mitigation and adaptation), forest and wildlife conservation.</li>
<li><strong>Promoting livelihoods for rural and urban poor</strong>, including enhancing income of small and marginal farmers and workers in the non-farm sector.</li>
<li><strong>Slum area development</strong>, affordable housing and other interventions to build sustainable and resilient cities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As the Covid-19 effects on the world economy show, it is critical for public and private sources of capital to come together and develop ingenious methods to ensure that capital flow to the social sector is unhindered and capital is utilised effectively to generate a lasting impact for the community.</li>
<li>Institutional support through SSEs ensures that more investors are encouraged to integrate <strong>environmental aspects</strong> (such as resource conservation, environmentally sustainable working practices), <strong>social aspects</strong> (including privacy, data protection, employee welfare) and <strong>governance aspects</strong> (like board diversity, conflicts of interest resolution mechanism, independent oversight of management) into the evaluation of enterprises, moving beyond financial statements.</li>
<li>To this end, all efforts need to be directed to make sure that an <strong>enabling regulatory environment</strong> is created for the planned SSE with a minimal compliance burden imposed on the enterprises, social entrepreneurs and investors.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/sebi-technical-group-report-political-religious-trade-bodies-not-allowed-on-social-bourses-7305130/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8311,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Model Insurance Villages',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)</strong> has mooted the concept of <strong>&lsquo;Model Insurance Village (MIV)&rsquo;</strong> to boost insurance penetration in rural areas.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the<strong> Economic Survey for 2020-21, India&rsquo;s insurance penetration,</strong> which was at <strong>2.71% in 2001,</strong> has steadily<strong> increased to 3.76% in 2019,</strong> but stayed much below the global average of 7.23%.</li>
<li>Recently, the Parliament has passed the <strong>Insurance Amendment Bill 2021</strong> to increase the<strong> foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the insurance sector to 74% from 49%.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Concept of Model Insurance Village (MIV):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The idea is to <strong>offer comprehensive insurance protection to all the major insurable risks that villagers are exposed to</strong> and make available covers <strong>at affordable or subsidised cost.</strong></li>
<li>In order to make the premium affordable,<strong> financial support</strong> needs to be explored through <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-bank-for-agriculture-and-rural-development-nabard" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NABARD</strong></a>, <strong>other institutions, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds</a>, government support and support from reinsurance companies.</strong></li>
<li>It may be implemented in <strong>a minimum of 500 villages</strong> in different districts of the country in the first year and <strong>increased to 1,000 villages</strong> in the subsequent two years.</li>
<li><strong>Every general insurance company and reinsurance company</strong> accepting general insurance business and having offices in India <strong>needs to be involved</strong> for piloting the concept.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Possible Offerings under MIV:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Weather Index product or hybrid product combining weather index and indemnity-based insurance protection for various <strong>crops that remains uncovered under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/five-years-of-pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>Flexible Farm Insurance Package Policies<strong> targeting comprehensive needs of crops, livestock, farmer, farm implements.</strong></li>
<li>Separate products for<strong> high value agriculture, contract farming and corporate farming community</strong> as their needs are different.</li>
<li><strong>States can be offered macro insurance covers</strong> based on predefined parametric weather indexes covering large complex risks arising out of natural catastrophes affecting the agriculture ecosystem and rural economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges in Spreading Insurance to Rural Areas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Lack of awareness, limited choice of insurance products, absence of people-friendly and transparent claim settlement mechanisms, and weak network of insurance firms,</strong> are some of the issues and challenges in advancing growth of rural insurance business.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Following the recommendations of the <strong>Malhotra Committee report, in 1999,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sandbox-for-fintech" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA)</strong> </a>was constituted as an <strong>autonomous body</strong> to regulate and develop the insurance industry.</li>
<li>The<strong> IRDA</strong> was incorporated as a <strong>statutory body in April 2000.</strong></li>
<li>The key <strong>objectives</strong> of the IRDA include the promotion of competition so as to enhance customer satisfaction through increased consumer choice and lower premiums while ensuring the financial security of the insurance market.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered in Hyderabad.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Reinsurance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a process whereby one entity (the <strong>reinsurer</strong>) takes on all or part of the risk covered under a policy issued by an insurance company in consideration of a premium payment. In other words, it is a form of an insurance cover for insurance companies.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/eying-rural-coverage-irdai-pitches-for-model-insurance-villages/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1620290749139000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3h3ZF4W4lSCHt_Z3jzY1hy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8290,
		'category_id' => (int) 28,
		'title' => 'Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972',
		'description' => '<h3>Introduction </h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions for Wildlife:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/major-constitutional-amendments-part-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>42<sup>nd</sup> Amendment Act</strong></a>, 1976, Forests and Protection of Wild Animals and Birds was transferred from State to Concurrent List.</li>
<li><strong>Article 51 A (g)</strong> of the Constitution states that it shall be the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fundamental-duties" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fundamental duty</strong> </a>of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests and Wildlife.</li>
<li><strong>Article 48 A</strong> in the <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-180" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Directive Principles of State policy</strong></a>, mandates that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:</strong> The Act was enacted for the protection of plants and animal species. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.</li>
<li>Prior to this legislation, India had only five designated national parks. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>At present, there are 101 National Parks in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Authorities Appointed under the Act:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Central Government appoints the Director of Wildlife Preservation</strong> and assistant directors and other officers subordinate to the Director.</li>
<li>The <strong>State Governments appoint a Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW)</strong> who heads the Wildlife Wing of the department and exercises complete administrative control over Protected Areas (PAs) within a state. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The state governments are also entitled to appoint<strong> Wildlife Wardens in each district.</strong> </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Salient Features of the Act</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Prohibition of hunting:</strong> It prohibits the hunting of any wild animal specified in Schedules I, II, III and IV of the act. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exception:</strong> A wild animal listed under these schedules can be hunted/ killed only after getting permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) of the state if: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It becomes dangerous to human life or to property (including standing crops on any land). </li>
<li>It is disabled or suffering from a disease that is beyond recovery. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prohibition of Cutting/Uprooting Specified Plants:</strong> It prohibits the uprooting, damage, collection, possession or selling of any specified plant from any forest land or any protected area.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exception:</strong> The CWLW, however, may grant permission for uprooting or collecting a specific plant for the purpose of education, scientific research, preservation in a herbarium or if a person/institution is approved to do so by the central government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Declaration and Protection of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks:</strong> The Central Government can constitute any area as a Sanctuary, provided the area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government can also declare an area (including an area within a sanctuary) as a National Park. </li>
<li>A Collector is appointed by the central government to administer the area declared as a Sanctuary. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constitution of Various Bodies:</strong> The WPA act provides for the constitution of bodies to be established under this act such as the <strong>National and State Board for Wildlife, Central Zoo Authority </strong>and<strong> National Tiger Conservation Authority.</strong> </li>
<li><strong>Government Property:</strong> Hunted wild animals (other than vermin), animal articles or meat of a wild animal and ivory imported into India and an article made from such ivory shall be considered as the property of the Government. </li>
</ul>
<h3>Bodies Constituted under the Act</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):</strong> As per the act, the central government of India shall constitute the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wildlife-panel-holds-virtual-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It serves as an<strong> apex body for the review of all wildlife-related matters</strong> and for the approval of projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.</li>
<li>The NBWL is <strong>chaired by the Prime Minister</strong> and is responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> is the <strong>Vice-Chairperson</strong> of the board. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The board is &lsquo;advisory&rsquo; in nature and can only advise the Government on policy making for conservation of wildlife.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Standing Committee of NBWL:</strong> The NBWL constitutes a Standing Committee for the purpose of approving all the projects falling within protected wildlife areas or within 10 km of them.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The committee is chaired by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>State Board for Wildlife (SBWL):</strong> The state governments are responsible for the constitution of the state board of wildlife. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Chief Minister of the state/UT is the chairperson of the board. </li>
<li>The board advises the state government in: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The selection and management of areas to be declared as protected areas. </li>
<li>The formulation of the policy for protection and conservation of the wild life</li>
<li>Any matter relating to the amendment of any Schedule. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Central Zoo Authority:</strong> The act provides for the constitution of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reconstitution-of-central-zoo-authority" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Zoo Authority</strong></a> consisting of a total 10 members including the Chairperson and a Member-Secretary. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Environment Minister is the chairperson.</li>
<li>The authority provides recognition to zoos and is also tasked with regulating the zoos across the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It lays down guidelines and prescribes rules under which animals may be transferred among zoos nationally and internationally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):</strong> Following the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-tiger-conservation-authority" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)</strong></a> was constituted in 2005 for strengthening tiger conservation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Union Environment Minister is the Chairperson of NTCA and the State Environment Minister is the Vice-Chairperson. </li>
<li>The Central Government on the recommendations of NTCA declares an area as a Tiger Reserve. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>More than 50 wildlife sanctuaries in India have been designated as Tiger Reserves and are protected areas under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB):</strong> The act provided for the constitution of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/not-all-animals-migrate-by-choice-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)</strong></a> to combat organized wildlife crime in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bureau has its headquarters in New Delhi.</li>
<li>It is mandated to: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate the same to the State to apprehend the criminals.</li>
<li>Establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank.</li>
<li>Assist State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes.</li>
<li>Advise the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications, relevant policy and laws.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Schedules under the Act</h3>
<p>The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has divided the protection status of various plants and animals under the following six schedules: </p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Schedule I:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It covers endangered species that need rigorous protection. The species are granted protection from poaching, killing, trading etc. </li>
<li>A person is liable to the harshest penalties for violation of the law under this Schedule.</li>
<li>Species under this Schedule are prohibited to be hunted throughout India, except under threat to human life or in case of a disease that is beyond recovery. </li>
<li>Some of the animals granted protection under the Schedule I include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Black Buck</li>
<li>Bengal Tiger</li>
<li>Clouded Leopard</li>
<li>Snow Leopard</li>
<li>Swamp Deer</li>
<li>Himalayan Bear</li>
<li>Asiatic Cheetah </li>
<li>Kashmiri Stag</li>
<li>Fishing Cat</li>
<li>Lion-tailed Macaque</li>
<li>Musk Deer</li>
<li>Rhinoceros </li>
<li>Brow Antlered Deer</li>
<li>Chinkara (Indian Gazelle)</li>
<li>Capped Langur</li>
<li>Golden Langur</li>
<li>Hoolock Gibbon </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schedule II:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Animals under this list are also accorded high protection with the prohibition on their trade.</li>
<li>They cannot be hunted except under threat to human life or if they are suffering from a disease/ disorder that goes beyond recovery. </li>
<li>Some of the animals listed under Schedule II include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Assamese Macaque, Pig Tailed Macaque, Stump Tailed Macaque</li>
<li>Bengal Hanuman langur</li>
<li>Himalayan Black Bear</li>
<li>Himalayan Newt/ Salamander </li>
<li>Jackal </li>
<li>Flying Squirrel, Giant Squirrel</li>
<li>Sperm Whale</li>
<li>Indian Cobra, King Cobra </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schedule III &amp; IV:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Species that are not endangered are included under Schedule III and IV. </li>
<li>This includes protected species with hunting prohibited but the penalty for any violation is less compared to the first two schedules.</li>
<li>Animals protected under Schedule III include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chital (spotted deer)</li>
<li>Bharal (blue sheep)</li>
<li>Hyena </li>
<li>Nilgai </li>
<li>Sambhar (deer)</li>
<li>Sponges </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Animals protected under Schedule IV include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Flamingo </li>
<li>Hares </li>
<li>Falcons </li>
<li>Kingfishers</li>
<li>Magpie</li>
<li>Horseshoes Crabs</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schedule V:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This schedule contains animals that are considered as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rhesus-macaque-declared-vermin#:~:text=The%20Union%20Environment%20Ministry%20has,in%20Shimla%20for%20one%20year." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>vermin</strong></a> (small wild animals that carry disease and destroy plants and food). These animals can be hunted. </li>
<li>It includes only four species of wild animals: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Common Crows</li>
<li>Fruit Bats</li>
<li>Rats </li>
<li>Mice</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schedule VI:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It provides for <strong>regulation in cultivation of a specified plant</strong> and restricts its possession, sale and transportation. </li>
<li>Both cultivation and trade of specified plants can only be carried out with prior permission of competent authority.</li>
<li>Plants protected under Schedule VI include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Beddomes&rsquo; cycad (Native to India) </li>
<li>Blue Vanda (Blue Orchid) </li>
<li>Red Vanda (Red Orchid) </li>
<li>Kuth (Saussurea lappa) </li>
<li>Slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum spp.) </li>
<li>Pitcher plant (Nepenthes khasiana)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8238,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'National Commission for Minorities',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre<strong> to fill up the vacant posts of chairperson and five other members of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM)</strong> by 31<sup>st</sup> July 2021.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Genesis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>In 1978,</strong> setting up of the <strong>Minorities Commission (MC)</strong> was envisaged in the <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs Resolution.</strong></li>
<li><strong>In 1984,</strong> the<strong> MC</strong> was detached from the Ministry of Home Affairs and placed under the newly created <strong>Ministry of Welfare,</strong> which excluded linguistic minorities from the Commission&rsquo;s jurisdiction <strong>in 1988.</strong></li>
<li><strong>In 1992,</strong> with the enactment of the<strong> NCM Act, 1992,</strong> the <strong>MC</strong> became a statutory body and was <strong>renamed as the NCM.</strong></li>
<li><strong>In 1993,</strong> the first Statutory National Commission was set up and five religious communities viz <strong>the Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists </strong>and<strong> Zoroastrians (Parsis)</strong> were notified as <strong>minority communities.</strong></li>
<li><strong>In 2014, Jains</strong> were also notified as a<strong> minority community.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NCM consists of <strong>a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and five members</strong> and all of them shall be from <strong>amongst the minority communities.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Total of 7 persons</strong> to be nominated by the <strong>Central Government</strong> should be from amongst persons <strong>of eminence, ability and integrity.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Tenure:</strong> Each Member holds office for a period of three years from the date of assumption of office.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Evaluation of the <strong>progress of the development of minorities</strong> under the Union and States.</li>
<li><strong>Monitoring of the working of the safeguards for minorities</strong> provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and the state legislatures.</li>
<li>Ensures that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/prime-minister-s-15-point-programme#:~:text=PM's%20New%2015%20PP%20is,sections%20of%20the%20minority%20communities." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities</strong></a> is implemented and the programmes for minority communities are actually functioning.</li>
<li><strong>Making recommendations</strong> for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interests of minorities by the central or state governments.</li>
<li><strong>Looking into specific complaints</strong> regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of minorities and taking up such matters with the appropriate authorities.</li>
<li>Investigates <strong>matters of communal conflict and riots.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, the 2011 Bharatpur communal riots, as well as the 2012 Bodo-Muslim clashes in Assam, were investigated by the commission and their findings were submitted to the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Observes the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-state-wise-minority-classification-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minorities Rights Day</strong></a> every year on <strong>18<sup>th</sup> December</strong> which marks the adoption of the &ldquo;Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities&rdquo; by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> in <strong>1992.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Constitutional and Legal Provisions Related to Minorities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>NCM Act</strong> defines a minority as <strong>&ldquo;a community notified as such by the Central government.''</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Government of India has declared <strong>six religions</strong> namely, <strong>Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists</strong> and <strong>Parsis</strong> (Zoroastrian) and <strong>Jain</strong> as religious minorities in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/identification-of-minorities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Commission for Minority Education Institution (NCMEI) Act, 2004</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It gives the minority status to the educational institutions on the basis of six religious communities notified by the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The term <strong>"minority"</strong> is not defined in the Indian Constitution. However, the Constitution <strong>recognises religious and linguistic minorities.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 15 and 16:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Prohibition of discrimination against citizens on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.</li>
<li>Citizens&rsquo; right to &lsquo;equality of opportunity&rsquo; in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State, and prohibition in this regard of any discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 25 (1), 26 and 28:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>People&rsquo;s freedom of conscience and right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion.</li>
<li>Right of every religious denomination or any section to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes, manage its own religious affairs, and own and acquire property and administer it.</li>
<li>People&rsquo;s freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in educational institutions wholly maintained, recognized, or aided by the State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 29:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It provides that any section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a distinct language, script or culture of its own, shall have the right to conserve the same.</li>
<li>It <strong>grants protection to both religious minorities as well as linguistic minorities.</strong></li>
<li>However, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> held that the scope of this article is not necessarily restricted to minorities only, as use of the word &lsquo;section of citizens&rsquo; in the Article includes minorities as well as the majority.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 30:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All minorities shall have the<strong> right to establish and administer educational institutions</strong> of their choice.</li>
<li>The protection under Article 30 is<strong> confined only to minorities</strong> (religious or linguistic) and does not extend to any section of citizens (as under Article 29).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 350-B:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/major-constitutional-amendment-part-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>7<sup>th</sup> Constitutional (Amendment) Act 1956</strong></a> inserted this article which provides for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities appointed by the President of India.</li>
<li>It would be the duty of the Special Officer to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for linguistic minorities under the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/fill-up-vacant-post-of-ncm-chairperson-hc-tells-centre/article34409636.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8100,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Central Vigilance Commission',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/central-vigilance-commission-cvc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)</strong></a> has modified the guidelines pertaining to the transfer and posting of officials in the vigilance units of government organisations, restricting their tenure to three years at one place.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There are 3 principal actors at the national level in the fight against corruption: the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lokpal-and-lokayukta" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lokpal</strong></a>, the CVC and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-conference-on-cybercrime-investigation-and-forensics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Guidelines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>tenure of personnel in a vigilance unit at one place</strong> including lower level functionaries, should be<strong> limited to three years only.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>tenure may be extended to three more years,</strong> although at a different place of posting.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The personnel, who have<strong> completed more than five years</strong> in vigilance units at the same place, should be <strong>shifted on top priority basis.</strong></li>
<li>After transfer from the vigilance unit, <strong>a compulsory cooling off period of three years should be observed</strong> before a person can be considered again for posting in the vigilance unit of the organisation concerned.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been observed that undue long stay of an official in such a sensitive post at one place, has the <strong>potential of developing vested interests, apart from giving rise to unnecessary complaints/allegations etc.</strong></li>
<li>To<strong> ensure transparency, objectivity, and uniformity in approach.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Central Vigilance Commission</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Central Vigilance Commission is conceived to be the <strong>apex vigilance institution, free of control from any executive authority,</strong> monitoring all vigilance activity under the Central Government.</li>
<li>It <strong>advises various authorities</strong> in Central Government organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance work.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The CVC was set up by the Government in February, 1964 on the recommendations of the <strong>Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by K. Santhanam.</strong></li>
<li>The Parliament enacted<strong> Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 (CVC Act)</strong> conferring statutory status on the CVC.</li>
<li>It is an<strong> independent body</strong> which is<strong> only responsible to the Parliament.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It submits its report to the<strong> President of India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Exercise superintendence over the functioning of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/c-b-i-and-consent-of-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI)</strong></a> insofar as it relates to the investigation of offences under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anti-corruption-law-covers-deemed-universities#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20has%20held,under%20the%20anti%2Dcorruption%20law." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The CVC receives complaints on corruption or misuse of office and recommends appropriate action.</li>
<li>Following institutions, bodies, or a person can approach CVC: <strong>Central government, Lokpal and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/whistleblowers-protection-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Whistle blowers</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CVC has<strong> no investigation wing of its own as it depends on the CBI and the Chief Vigilance Officers (CVO)</strong> of central organizations, while CBI has its own investigation wing drawing its powers from <strong>Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a<strong> multi-member Commission</strong> consisting of a <strong>Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson)</strong> and not more than<strong> 2 Vigilance Commissioners (Member).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Appointment of Commissioners:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They are <strong>appointed by the President of India</strong> on the recommendations of a committee consisting of Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (if there is no Leader of Opposition then the leader of the single largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Term:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Their term is <strong>4 years or 65 years,</strong> whichever is earlier.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Removal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Removal is <strong>done by the President</strong> on grounds of bankruptcy, unsound mind, infirmity of body or mind, sentenced to imprisonment for a crime, or engages in paid employment or has acquired financial or other interest that might affect his judgment.</li>
<li>He can also be removed for <strong>proved misbehaviour</strong> or incapacity if the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Supreme Court</strong> </a>inquiry finds him guilty.</li>
<li>They can also resign by writing to the President.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/central-vigilance-commission-officers-to-be-transferred-every-3-years/article34256889.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8058,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'NGT Orders Pollution Control Boards to Increase Capacity',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/10-years-of-national-green-tribunal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal (NGT)</strong></a> directed the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to strengthen its capacity and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)</strong></a> to form a uniform recruitment criteria.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The order was to <strong>ensure better monitoring for improved compliance of environmental norms.</strong></li>
<li>Earlier in January 2021, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Supreme Court (SC)</strong> </a>had taken suo motu cognizance of pollution of water bodies by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/supreme-court-s-view-on-pollution-in-yamuna" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>untreated sewage in Haryana.</strong></a></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>The Plea:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2018, a case was filed with NGT&rsquo;s principal bench for revising existing monitoring mechanism by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This included an interval of mandatory inspections of <strong>highly polluting</strong> industries and policy for auto renewal of <strong>Consent to Operate (CTO) c</strong>ertificate under <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/22-05-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974</strong></a> as well as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/tackling-the-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The plea pointed out that an earlier report of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-aquifer-mapping-and-management-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)</strong> </a>had established <strong>deterioration of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/depleting-groundwater" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ground water quality in Haryana.</a></strong></li>
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/comptroller-and-auditor-general-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)</strong></a> of India&rsquo;s 2016 report also recorded operation of several projects without valid consent to establish or CTO certificates, showing ineffectiveness of monitoring mechanism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NGTs Action:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The NGT passed an order for the Haryana government to revisit its inspection policy and make it adequate to ensure effective enforcement of law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Haryana's Proposal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Haryana government, in compliance to the NGT order, proposed a revised policy with increased frequency of inspection, installation of online monitoring devices to capture real-time data and pre-verification of documents before issuing renewal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Order:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inspection at <strong>higher frequencies.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Capacity enhancement</strong> of SPCBs/<strong>Pollution Control Committees (PCCs)</strong> with <strong>consent funds.</strong></li>
<li>Capacity enhancement of CPCB utilising <strong>environment compensation funds.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Annual performance audit</strong> of state PCBs/PCCs.</li>
<li><strong>CPCB to prepare a format</strong> containing qualifications, minimum eligibility criteria and required experience for key positions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the name of &lsquo;ease of doing business&rsquo;, powers and authorities of SPCB have been compromised. The latest judgement of NGT is a<strong> fresh start to the long-delayed initiative of strengthening CPCB/SPCBs/PCCs.</strong></li>
<li>The judgment of NGT could be termed as landmark. The <strong>NGT has tried to erase the bottlenecks, which were being used to halt the strengthening of environmental regulation.</strong></li>
<li>The important part of the judgement is asking <strong>CPCB to come out with standard recruitment rules</strong> which can be followed by all states. The existing SPCBs recruitment rules have not been updated for decades.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>CPCB:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>CPCB is a <strong>statutory organisation</strong> which was constituted in September, 1974 under the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/22-05-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.</strong></a></li>
<li>It was entrusted with the powers and functions under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/tackling-the-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.</strong></a></li>
<li>It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change of the provisions of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1#:~:text=On%2027%20January%201994%2C%20the,Schedule%201%20of%20the%20notification." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SPCB:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They supplement the CPCB as they are a statutory organization entrusted to implement Environmental Laws and rules within the jurisdiction of a state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Environment Compensation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Environmental compensation is a policy instrument for the protection of the environment which works on the<strong> &lsquo;Polluter Pays Principle&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Environment Compensation Fund:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a<strong> specialised type of fund</strong> collected by<strong> charging the environmental violations.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Example:</strong> Illegal discharge in water bodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/pollution/how-this-landmark-ngt-order-will-shape-the-future-of-india-s-pollution-control-bodies-76187" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8021,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <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>has decided to introduce new requirements for business sustainability reporting by listed entities.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This new report will be called the <strong>Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report</strong> (BRSR) and <strong>will replace</strong> the existing Business Responsibility Report (BRR).</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>SEBI, in 2012, mandated the top 100 listed entities</strong> by market capitalisation <strong>to</strong> <strong>file Business Responsibility Reports (BRR)</strong> as per the disclosure requirement emanating from the <strong>'National Voluntary Guidelines on Social, Environmental and Economic Responsibilities of Business' (NVGs).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2019, the <strong>Ministry of Corporate Affairs revised NVGs</strong> and formulated the <strong>National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In December 2019, SEBI<strong> extended the BRR requirement to the top 1000 listed entities</strong> by market capitalisation, from the financial year 2019-20.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Listed Entity:</strong> A company whose shares are traded on an official stock exchange.</li>
<li><strong>Market Capitalization:</strong> It refers to how much a company is worth as determined by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/social-stock-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> stock</strong> </a>market. It is defined as the total market value of all outstanding shares.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To calculate a company's market cap, multiply the number of outstanding shares by the current market value of one share.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BRSR, which is from an<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/esg-funds-becoming-popular-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Environmental, Social and Governance (&ldquo;ESG&rdquo;)</strong></a> <strong>perspective,</strong> is intended to enable businesses to engage more meaningfully with their stakeholders.</li>
<li>It will<strong> encourage businesses to go beyond regulatory financial compliance and report on their social and environmental impacts.</strong></li>
<li>The BRSR will be <strong>applicable to the top 1000 listed entities</strong> (by market capitalization), for reporting on a<strong> voluntary basis for FY 2021 &ndash; 22</strong> and on a <strong>mandatory basis from FY 2022 &ndash; 23.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustainability Reporting:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the<strong> disclosure and communication of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals&mdash;</strong>as well as a company&rsquo;s progress towards them.</li>
<li>The benefits of sustainability reporting include<strong> improved corporate reputation, building consumer confidence, increased innovation, and even improvement of risk management.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Environmental, Social, and Governance Goals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals are a set of standards for a company&rsquo;s operations that force companies to follow better governance, ethical practices, environment-friendly measures and social responsibility.</li>
<li><strong>Environmental criteria</strong> consider how a company performs as a steward of nature.</li>
<li><strong>Social criteria</strong> examine how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates.</li>
<li><strong>Governance</strong> deals with a company&rsquo;s leadership, executive pay, audits, internal controls, and shareholder rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Responsible Business</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The philosophy of responsible business is based on the principle of business being accountable to all its stakeholders towards global developments which are increasingly seeking businesses to be responsible and sustainable towards their environment and society.</li>
<li>In light of ever-increasing global challenges relating to <strong>climate change, environmental risks, growing inequality,</strong> etc., business leaders have been compelled, and have also found it to be in their interest, to reimagine the role of businesses in the society and not view them merely as economic units for generating wealth.</li>
<li>The performance of a company must be measured not only on the return to shareholders, but also on how it achieves its <strong>environmental, social, and good governance objectives.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/compliance-burden-reduced-for-listed-cos-but-disclosures-go-up-7245387/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 19 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8009,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Anti-Corruption Strategies',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Lokpal of India</strong> organized a Webinar on <strong>'Bringing Synergies in Anti-Corruption Strategies&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Corruption</strong> can be defined as the <strong>abuse of entrusted power for private gain.</strong> It can impact a nation&rsquo;s development in various ways.</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Corruption:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Political Costs:</strong> The political costs of corruption are manifested in weakened public trust in political institutions, reduced political participation, perversion of the electoral process, restricted political choices available to citizens and loss of legitimacy of the democratic system.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Costs:</strong> Corruption reduces economic efficiency by misallocation of resources in favour of <strong>rent seeking</strong> activities, increasing the cost of public transactions, acting as an additional tax on business thereby reducing investment, reducing genuine business competition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Rent Seeking</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a concept in public choice theory as well as in economics, that involves seeking to increase one's share of existing wealth without creating new wealth.</li>
<li>It results in reduced economic efficiency through misallocation of resources, reduced wealth-creation, lost government revenue, heightened income inequality, and potential national decline.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;"></ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Social Costs:</strong> Corruption distorts the value systems and wrongly attaches elevated status to occupations that have rent seeking opportunities. This results in a disillusioned public, a weak civil society, which attracts unscrupulous leaders to political life.</li>
<li><strong>Environmental Costs:</strong> Environmentally devastating projects are given preference in funding, because they are easy targets for siphoning off public money into private pockets.</li>
<li><strong>Issues of national security:</strong> Corruption within security agencies can lead to a threat to national security, including through distortion of procurement, recruitment of ineligible persons, providing an easy route for smuggling of weapons and terrorist elements into the country and money laundering.</li>
<li><strong>Legal Framework for Fighting Corruption:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rajya-sabha-passes-amendments-to-anti-corruption-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988</strong></a> provides for penalties in relation to corruption by public servants and also for those who are involved in the abetment of an act of corruption. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Amendment of 2018 criminalised both bribe-taking by public servants as well as bribe giving by any person.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/changes-in-the-prevention-of-money-laundering-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002</strong></a> aims to prevent instances of money laundering and prohibits use of the 'proceeds of crime' in India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The offence of money laundering prescribes strict punishment, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and the attachment of property of accused persons (even at a preliminary stage of investigation and not necessarily after conviction).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-the-companies-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Companies Act, 2013</strong></a> provides for corporate governance and prevention of corruption and fraud in the corporate sector. The term 'fraud' has been given a broad definition and is a criminal offence under the Companies Act.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In cases involving fraud specifically, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/serious-fraud-investigation-office-sfio" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Serious Frauds Investigation Office (SFIO)</strong></a> has been set up under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, which is responsible for dealing with white collar crimes and offences in companies.</li>
<li>The SFIO conducts investigation under the provisions of the Companies Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Indian Penal Code, 1860</strong> sets out provisions which can be interpreted to cover bribery and fraud matters, including offences relating to criminal breach of trust and cheating.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/foreign-contribution-regulation-amendment-bill-2020#:~:text=Transfer%20of%20foreign%20contribution%3A%20The,registered%20to%20accept%20foreign%20contributions." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010</strong></a> regulates the acceptance and use of foreign contributions and hospitality by individuals and corporations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Prior registration or prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs is required for receipt of foreign contributions and in the absence of such registration or approval, receipt of foreign contributions may be considered illegal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulatory Framework:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lokpal-and-lokayukta" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013</strong></a> provides for an establishment of an ombudsman for the central and state governments (Lokpal and Lokayuktas, respectively). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These bodies are required to act independently from the government and have been empowered to investigate allegations of corruption against public servants, which include the prime minister and other ministers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/central-vigilance-commission-cvc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Vigilance Commission</strong></a> though created in 1964, became an independent statutory body only in 2003 by an Act of Parliament. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Its mandate is to oversee the vigilance administration and to advise and assist the executive in matters relating to corruption.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Lokpal and Lokayukta</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013</strong> provided for the establishment of Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for States.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill was passed in 2013 in both the Houses of Parliament and came into force on 16th January 2014.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These institutions are <strong>statutory bodies</strong> without any constitutional status.</li>
<li>They perform the function of an <strong>"ombudsman&rdquo;</strong> and inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for related matters.</li>
<li>The term Lokpal and Lokayukta were coined by Dr L. M. Singhvi.</li>
<li><strong>Composition:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lokpal is a <strong>multi-member body</strong>, that consists of one chairperson and a maximum of 8 members.</li>
<li>Out of the maximum eight members, half to be judicial members and minimum 50% of the Members will be from SC/ ST/ OBC/ Minorities and women.</li>
<li>The Chairperson of the Lokpal should be either the former Chief Justice of India or the former Judge of Supreme Court or an eminent person with impeccable integrity and outstanding ability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>term of office</strong> for Lokpal Chairman and Members is 5 years or till the age of 70 years.</li>
<li><strong>Jurisdiction of Lokpal</strong> includes Prime Minister, Ministers, members of Parliament, Groups A, B, C and D officers and officials of Central Government.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the jurisdiction of the Lokpal included the Prime Minister except on allegations of corruption relating to international relations, security, the public order, atomic energy and space.</li>
<li>The Lokpal does not have jurisdiction over Ministers and MPs in the matter of anything said in Parliament or a vote given there.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Strengthen oversight institutions </strong> to ensure resources reach those most in need. Anti-corruption authorities and oversight institutions must  have sufficient funds, resources  and  independence  to perform their duties.</li>
<li><strong>Publish relevant data and guarantee access  to information</strong> to ensure the public receives easy, accessible, timely and meaningful information.</li>
<li>All agencies should cooperate to eradicate corruption. <strong>Preventive corruption measures</strong> must be appreciated and adopted as <strong>&ldquo;Prevention is better than cure&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID%3D1707009&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1616661736994000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2rsfLRmIkYa9w9TilW5jQP" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'metatitle' => 'Statutory Bodies',
		'metakeyword' => 'Statutory Bodies',
		'metadescription' => 'Statutory Bodies',
		'addedby' => (int) 9,
		'updatedby' => (int) 9,
		'added' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'modified' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'tags'
	
	}
]
$title = 'Article Tags'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 115
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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