9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – December 27th, 2021

Dear Friends We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs. What we sought to do:
  1. Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you.
  2. We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and adds value not just for GS but also for essay writing. Hence, the 9 PM brief now covers the following newspapers:
    1. The Hindu  
    2. Indian Express  
    3. Livemint  
    4. Business Standard  
    5. Times of India 
    6. Down To Earth
    7. PIB
  3. We have also introduced the relevance part to every article. This ensures that you know why a particular article is important.
  4. Since these changes are new, so initially the number of articles might increase, but they’ll go down over time.
  5. It is our endeavor to provide you with the best content and your feedback is essential for the same. We will be anticipating your feedback and ensure the blog serves as an optimal medium of learning for all the aspirants.
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Mains Oriented Articles

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Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

A chance to tap India’s high equity in Myanmar

Source: This post is based on the article “A chance to tap India’s high equity in Myanmar” published in The Hindu on 27th Dec 2021.

Syllabus: GS2 – India and its neighbourhood.

Relevance: India’s post-coup bilateral relations with Myanmar

News: Indian Foreign Secretary’s recent visit to Myanmar was intended to deepen cooperation between the two countries. His mission succeeded to a large extent, as substantive discussions were held with the top State Administrative Council (SAC) leadership and political parties. But, despite this success, challenges still remain.

Must Read: Ways to restore democracy in Myanmar
What was the approach taken by the Indian delegation during this visit?

India took on a calibrated middle-path position, unlike the West’s policy of condemnation, threats and sanctions against the military regime. India’s approach is similar to ASEAN’s and based on following points: Release of political prisoners Resolution of issues through dialogue Cessation of all violence; and full cooperation with ASEAN It has to be remembered that India has no intention to act as a mediator in the military-NLD (National League for Democracy) conflict. That role is to played by ASEAN.

Must Read: Coup in Myanmar and India-Myanmar relations – Explained
How has the world handled relations with Myanmar post-coup?

– Russia has looked to strengthen ties with the new rulers.

China regretted the loss of Daw Suu Kyi as a valuable ally but took urgent steps to stabilise and expand cooperation with the military regime.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) first gave its ‘Five-Point Consensus formula, but Myanmar’s top leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing refused to cooperate in the formula’s implementation.

What is the Myanmar military regime’s view regarding India?

Military leadership’s following actions show that it’s desirous of cooperation with India:

Handing over five cadres of the Manipur People’s Liberation Army to Indian authorities before the foreign secretary’s visit It also renewed the previous pledge that its nation’s territory would not be allowed to be used for any activities detrimental to India’s interests.

Special gesture made by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (who is Chairman of the SAC and Prime Minister) to receive India’s foreign secretary and hold detailed discussions in Yangon. This protocol departure of a highly protocol-conscious Myanmar leadership reflects the weight that India commands in Myanmar.

Must Read: India’s strategy for Myanmar

What are some bilateral concerns b/w India and Myanmar?

– Border security and stability in its neighbourhood: There has been a noticeable escalation of activities of anti-India insurgent groups.

– Refugee issue: Several thousands of Myanmar people have sought shelter in Mizoram. This will only be reversed by a political settlement in Myanmar, through dialogue.

– Economic cooperation: The usual emphasis wrt economic sphere is on people-centric socio-economic developmental projects. Central to this is India’s long-delayed commitment to “expeditious implementation” of mega initiatives such as the Trilateral Highway and Kaladan projects. Unfortunately, no revised deadlines were announced. These projects continue to be the Achilles heel of the relationship.

Must Read: India cannot take a black and white approach to Myanmar
What is the way forward?

India should keep up the momentum by inviting Myanmar’s Foreign Minister & other important stakeholders such as leaders of political parties, civil society and think tanks to India for deliberations with their counterparts here. The single goal should be to put Myanmar back on the path of becoming “a stable, democratic and federal union”.


Explained | Right to be forgotten: govt position, court rulings, and laws elsewhere

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained | Right to be forgotten: govt position, court rulings, and laws elsewhere” published in The Indian Express on 27th Dec 2021.

Syllabus: GS2 – Fundamental Rights

Relevance: Understanding the debate around the Right to be Forgotten (RTBF)

News: Recently, the Centre told the Delhi High Court that the “right to be forgotten” is part of the fundamental right to privacy, but added it has no significant role to play in the matter. While the right is not recognised by law in India, courts in recent months have held it to be an intrinsic part of the right to privacy. Petitions across courts have been seeking enforcement of this right, but it is not yet backed by statute in India.

Must Read: Right to be Forgotten – Explained, pointwise

Do other countries have such laws?

The European Union in 2018 adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Article 17 of which provides for the right to erasure of certain categories of personal data.

Russia in 2015 enacted a law that allows users to force a search engine to remove links to personal information on grounds of irrelevancy, inaccuracy and violation of law. The right to be forgotten is also recognised to some extent in Turkey and Siberia, while courts in Spain and England have ruled on the subject.

What is the position in India?

In a brief reply to one of the petitions recently, the Centre told the Delhi High Court that the right to privacy has been recognised as a fundamental right in the K S Puttaswamy judgment (2017) and that the ‘right to be forgotten’ is evolving in India. The government said the Personal Data Protection Bill (a Joint Parliamentary Committee’s report on which was tabled on December 16), contains provisions to the doctrine of the ‘right to be forgotten’.

What is the opinion of the courts on this issue?

In May 2019, Justice Pratibha M Singh of the Delhi High Court, dealing with a case said that: The right to be forgotten and right to be left alone are inherent aspects of the right to privacy, and restrained republication of these news reports. In April 2021, the Delhi High Court directed removal of a judgment from search results; the order is now being opposed by Google. In January 2017, the Karnataka High Court ordered its registry to ensure that any Internet search engine does not reflect a woman’s name in an order passed in 2015. In November 2020, the Orissa High Court, ruling in a case relating to videos uploaded on Facebook by a rape accused, stated that: Allowing such objectionable photos and videos to remain on a social media platform, without the consent of a woman, is a direct affront (offence) on a woman’s modesty and, more importantly, her right to privacy. It did not, however, pass an order on removal of the videos.


How a universal constitution can save democracy across the world

Source: This post is based on the article “How a universal constitution can save democracy across the world” published in Livemint on 26th Dec 2021 

Syllabus: GS2- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora. 
Relevance: Democracy and its sustenance 

News: US President Biden recently conducted a Summit for democracy which focused on the question that how any threat to democracy can pose an existential crisis for the human civilization. 

Why it is important to protect democratic norms and institutions? 

Civilizations depend on twin pillars of norms and conventions. If one of the pillars becomes weak, a civilization will collapse.   As has been seen across history, Culture and institutions have a huge influence on economy. Humans mostly learn though social learning which in turn shape norms (socially acceptable rules) which then sustain society.  Since the pandemic, several such factors have emerged which have amplified the threat to democratic institutions.  

For example: Strain due to rapid advance of digital technology, increased outsourcing leading to hyper-nationalism which is in turn is fuelling the rise of anti-democratic leaders. 

What can be done to sustain and protect democracy? 

Pro social preferences can be instilled through education. We can do this through education, and by deliberating and deciding as citizens to promote certain kinds of collective behaviour.  Strategy drawn from game theory involving a global guarantee of human rights can also work against authoritarian regimes. 

Game theory is the science of strategy. It attempts to determine mathematically and logically the actions that “players” should take to secure the best outcomes for themselves in a wide array of “games.”  The outcome for each participant depends on the choices (strategies) of all. It works on zero-sum games and the interests of the players conflict totally, so that one person’s gain always is another’s loss. 

There is need for a minimal global constitution that provides a set of guarantees, like basic human rights and press freedom, and authorizes countries to intervene when a government violates them.   Drafting such a universal constitution cannot be left to any particular country, because it will invariably focus on self-interest first.  Hence, an autonomous group to draft a strategy and then an autonomous multilateral authority needs to be created to help achieve it.


Iran nuclear talks reverberate in the Gulf

Source: This post is based on the article “Iran nuclear talks reverberate in the Gulf” published in The Hindu on 27th December 2021.

Subject: GS2 – International relations

Relevance: Understanding Iran in nuclear deal and peace in West Asia.

News: Ongoing Vienna summit is exploring the possibility of the USA’s re-entry into a Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA). Two parties that are not present, but will be most impacted, are Israel and the six states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Read more: Talks on Iran Nuclear Deal Resumes
What is the stand of various countries and groupings?

Israel: It is focused on Iran‘s progress towards nuclear enrichment and nuclear weapons programmes of Iran. It has mobilized many serving and retired security officials for pressing harsh military actions on Iran.

GCC: It is pursuing a low-key but constructive approach to regional challenges – that of diplomatic engagement with Iran.

What factors are driving GCC’s diplomatic engagement with Iran?

USA’s credibility as GCC’s security partner was dented when the US failed to protect their interest in wake of Iranians attacks on their assets in 2019. American credibility further degraded with its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. This is further aided by Joe Biden’s disengagement from the region in favor of containing China in Indo-Pacific. The maximum pressure approach or use of sanctions on Iran has failed to bring Iran to the negotiating table. USA and Israel have also highlighted difficulties in attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities.

What steps have been taken by Gulf countries?

UAE: It reached out to Iran in July 2019 for discussing maritime security. Following the assassination of Irani General Qassem Soleimani, UAE and Saudi Arabia called on the USA to reduce regional tensions. They seek to focus on crisis management and contract resolution. Trade ties between the UAE and Iran’s imports from the UAE are expected to reach $12 billion. UAE is also mending ties with Israel. UAE-Israel trade reaching $875 mn clearly demonstrates this. Saudi Arabia and Iran have had five meetings in Baghdad – to rebuild confidence and re-establish diplomatic ties and address areas of conflict like Yemen and Syria.

Iran: It is seeking to revive JCPOA and seeking guarantees that the USA will not withdraw from the agreement in the future. Iran’s chief negotiator has visited Abu Dhabi to facilitate an agreement with the USA. To keep escalation levels lower, Iran said that it will not enrich uranium beyond 60% even if talks fail.

Also Read: Testing the red lines in the Iran nuclear talks
What are the models of regional security in West Asia?

There are two possible scenarios for regional security.

First, In the absence of a nuclear deal, Israel will push for the normalization of ties with Arab states to build a coalition of regional states against Iran. However, Gulf states will worry about regional instability due to this move.

Second, creating an inclusive security arrangement that will include Iran as a stakeholder. Steps for this have been taken through Saudi-Iran dialogue, UAE – Iran engagements, Baghdad conference and Riyadh summit of GCC states.

What will be the way forward?

The GCC states have taken matters into their own hands and are pursuing an inclusive regional security agenda aimed at normalizing ties and reducing conflict in the region. So, USA’s return to JCPOA has the potential of bringing peace to the region.


Outpatient care: Prevention is better than cure

Source: This post is based on the article Prevention is better than cure” published in The Hindu on 27th December 2021.
Syllabus: GS2 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.
Relevance: Understanding the need to extend coverage to outpatient care.

News: Outpatient healthcare is not getting the required attention.

What is outpatient (OP) healthcare and how do OP expenses affect people?

It comprises doctor consultations, drugs, and tests. OP expenses have the majority share in total out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure on health. As per the government and various representative surveys, OP expenses have a major impact on Indian households compared to IP expenditure.

Why OP care insurance has not been in India yet?

1) Lack of standards 2) Under-regulated OP practices 3) Difficulty to monitor OP clinical and prescribing behaviours 4) Higher chances of malpractices 5) Low public awareness of insurance products 6) Low ability to recognize entitlements and exclusions.

Read more: Inside the unfolding healthtech revolution
Why there is a need for extending OP care coverage?

First, Inpatient care (IP) consists of high impact and unavoidable episodes, which are costly and urgent. Thus, the majority of insurance coverage is for IP care. Whenever there is a health emergency, OP care suffers the first blow. Thus, the mantra of prevention is better than cure is lost.

Second, it goes against economic sense to prioritize IP care over OP care for public funds. Preventive and primary care services experience low demand and must therefore be incentivized.

Third, positive feedback would mean that greater investment in OP today would translate to even greater investment in IP care in the future. This would further lead to less money investment in OP care.

Why it is important to make note of a few challenges?

First, significant improvements in healthcare are not possible without sufficient finances and time.

Second, there is no perfect model for expanding healthcare. So, emphasis must be on innovation to find the best fit.

Third, implementing even the best fit could involve some drawbacks.

What lessons could India learn from the world?

India could learn lessons from countries like Thailand, which are closer to its socioeconomic fabric than from the USA. The decline in Out Of Pocket expenditure in Thailand was achieved through a Universal, tax-financed, public sector-dominated model of OP care. This calls for systematic, judicious and tiered payment models for OP services. Private players can be contracted with centralized supervision to deter any corruption.

Read more: Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission – Explained, pointwise

Vaccination: Central control of health care

Source: This post is based on the article Central control of health care” published in Business Standard on 27th December 2021.

Syllabus: GS2 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Relevance: Understanding vaccination and market response.

News: India, in its vaccination process, obtained complete control and power over the doctor-patient relationships. This impacted the vaccination process and also the response of the market. The state should have allowed greater decentralization as the vaccination needs of people are different.

What are the different vaccination needs?

Some people have higher public exposure, have a higher need for vaccination. Choice of the vaccine varies with the person. The precise history of vaccination of each person shapes the optimal choices on boosters.

What were the challenges posed by the centralization of the vaccination process?

Union government obtained complete control of every action. So, other organizations could not make strategies, import vaccines, or determine prices. Therefore, prior to the second wave, a large number of people could not be vaccinated.

Read more: Vaccine policy: Need and Concerns – Explained, Pointwise
What are the benefits of private vaccination?

There is the presence of positive externality, in terms of benefit to society.

First, there is no harm to anyone when a person goes to a private provider and gets the vaccine. This imposes a benefit upon society, by reducing the impact of the virus.

Second, the difficulties are about the people who choose not to buy the vaccine. Here, the state can nudge by providing Vaccine vouchers.

Third, It can result in an undistorted market.

Must read: One billion Covid Vaccines and beyond – Explained, pointwise
What is the way forward?

Wisdom in public policy lay in respecting the market process as the best part to organize the production side of the economy. The price system would have automatically resulted in better wholesale vaccine availability in India.


Collaborative approach: Tackling a public health challenge is a team effort

Source: This post is based on the article “Tackling a public health challenge is a team effortpublished in Indian Express on 27th December 2021.

Syllabus: GS2 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Relevance: understanding collaborative policy-making and implementation

News: All major public health problems need combined technical, bureaucratic and political efforts. As the friction between the different wings affects the health policies in India.

What different wings involves in health profiling?

The three important branches, technical, politicians and administration need to work together for achieving better policy formulation and implementation.

Technical people have the benefit of training and expertise in specific areas. They regularly update and provide advice based on evidence.

Policymakers or elected representatives choose the final set of points for making policy.

Bureaucrats or the administration work through a hierarchical system to implement these interventions. All are expected to work to maximize the public good without any personal agenda.

What are the contributions of various agents?

Technical groups like the National Technical Advisory Group on immunization provided acceptance and recommendations by policymakers for the allocation of sufficient resources. Bureaucracy worked by arranging logistics and ensuring supply through administration.

What are the challenges in this collaborative approach?

There are challenges of overstepping the boundaries. During the current pandemic, many scientists took positions on different pandemic responses, including lockdowns and school closures, which are beyond science.

What are the challenges posed by bureaucratization?

Here the process becomes more important than the end. The best example is when targets are fixed for everything, and they become the end in itself. Often such targets are politically driven. For example, data from sterilisation drives shows that fixing targets creates problems such as fake entries or non-entries.

How can the problem be resolved?

In general, the thinking is that science is right or has the right answers. Politicians and bureaucrats are often in the lower pecking order. But this thinking is not valid as Knowledge is useless if it is not applied for public benefit, and it is the politicians and administrators who enable this to happen. According to German physician Rudolf Virchow, medicine is a social science and politics is nothing else but medicine on a large scale. Thus, there is a need to clear the boundaries between these three wings so that they don’t overstep each other. The problem of overstepping boundaries can further be minimised by aligning public health, administrative and political goals by mutual dialogue.


The elderly are assets, not dependents

Source: This post is based on the article “The elderly are assets, not dependents” published in The Hindu on 27th December 2021.

Syllabus: GS 2 Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these scheme.

Relevance: Understanding issues of elderly healthcare.

News: India’s demographic dividend implies that there is a larger pool of young population. This implies lower dependency and can boost the economy of a country, like was experienced by East Asian tigers and even in China. But in the future, India is likely to experience an increasingly elderly population.

Must Read: Elderly population in India

Instead of looking at them as a drag on the economy, they should be seen as a potential asset – a massive resource of experienced, knowledgeable people. This can be realized by focusing on their health and their capabilities.

What are the healthcare needs of the elderly?

The elder population suffers from familial neglect, low education levels, socio-cultural beliefs and stigma and low trust in institutionalized healthcare services. As per the first-ever Longitudinal Ageing Survey in India (LASI), 11% of the elderly suffer from at least one form of impairment (locomotor, mental, visual and hearing). Non-communicable diseases claim the lives of 58 lakh Indians. Cardiovascular diseases are estimated to be 34% amongst 60-74 years old. They require an array of specialized medical services at home, including tele or home consultations, physiotherapy and rehabilitation services including mental health counselling and treatment.

Read more:” Quality of Life for Elderly Index assesses well-being of India’s ageing population
Why existing schemes are inadequate?

As per the Healthcare Access Quality Index (HAQ), India improved its score from 24.7 in 1990 to 41.2 in 2016. But India is still below the global average of 54 points. The government provides insurance, but as per the Niti Aayog report, 400 million Indians do not have financial cover for health expenses. The pension schemes for the elderly provide very low-income Support. A 2007 law(Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act)required the state to provide geriatric care services in every district hospital. But as per a report filed in Supreme Court in 2019, 16 states and union territories did not have a single bed dedicated to elders. A large proportion of elders are from lower socio-economic strata. They are unable to afford the cost of healthcare and slip into poverty. Poor health implies poor earning capacity. So they are economically unproductive and also dependent on support from family. This adds to their mental stress. So, the net result is poor physical and mental health.

What steps should be taken by India?

Infrastructure: Presently, India has a major deficit in infrastructure and skilled medical care resources, with 1.3 hospital beds, 0.65 physicians, and 1.3 nurses for every 1,000 people. India should prioritize elderly health care over the next few years and decades.

Increase public healthcare spending: Apart from legislating pro-elderly healthcare and insurance policies, India needs to increase its public healthcare spending and invest heavily in the creation of well-equipped medical healthcare, home healthcare facilities and rehabilitation services.

Programmes: India should accelerate the implementation of programmes such as the National program for health care of the elderly. The Ayushmann Bharat and PM-JAY ecosystems should be further expanded to cover senior citizens from lower economic strata. National Digital Health Mission has the potential to expand medical consultations into the interiors of the country. These steps will help convert the elderly into a massive resource for social-cultural and economic development, giving a totally new perspective to the demographic dividend.


How PMO letter to EC challenged institutional balance

Source– This post is based on the article “How PMO letter to EC challenged institutional balance” published in Indian Express on 17th Dec 2021. 

Syllabus: GS2 – Separation of powers between various organs
Relevance– Separation of power, Independence of Election commission  

News: Earlier, a letter written by the Law Ministry to the Election Commission (EC) on November 15, has come under criticism. This letter created debates regarding India’s institutional structure and its traditions and conventions. The recent press communiqué of the Law Ministry offer certain logical conclusions and clarifications.

Must read: Functioning of the Election Commission – Explained, pointwise
What are the clarifications given by the communiqué of the Law Ministry?

The PMO had only addressed its communication to convening the meeting to the cabinet secretary, law secretary and secretary, legislative department. It was the secretary, legislative department (SLD) who “thought it appropriate” to “invite officials of the Election Commission to this meeting”. The text of the legislative department’s letter has not been released. However, It is inconceivable for even a nodal department to take such an initiative on its own.

Read more: Summoning CEC, EC to PMO is outrageous
What needs to be done?

Follow constitutional and legal mandates: The national good requires that the three organs of the state and independent constitutional bodies function harmoniously in accordance with their constitutional and legal mandates. It also needs that their inter-relations should maintain each other’s dignity.

Follow the conventions and traditions: Like Kanhaiya Lal Misra said that the muscles, connective tissue and the coursing blood have given the institution like the High Court its strength, its resilience and even its glory. What Misra said about high courts applies generally to the polity as a whole. Conventions and traditions strengthened the foundations of Indian democracy in all its manifestations.

The political class should show respect for independent institutions: The historical experience of the ages shows that all political power is inherently expansive. They use notions such as “committed bureaucracy and judiciary” and stick and carrot approach So, the consultations between independent institutions and the executive should occur, but the political class should show respect. In conclusion, It is time for the head of the organs of state and the institutions and the public to scrutinise the entire corpus of the Indian state’s conventions to strengthen India’s democratic polity.

Read more: CEC’s, EC’s interaction with the PMO-Why this raises questions and breaches a red line

Has India turned into a barricade nation

Source: This post is based on the article “Has India turned into a barricade nation” published in Times of India on 27th Dec 2021. 
Syllabus: GS2- Important aspects of governance. 

Relevance: Barricading and impact on civil rights.

News: A division bench of the Delhi high court has sought an explanation from the police regarding the deployment of barricades.  Petition also seeks the removal of “unnecessary and hazardous” mobile barricades. 

How barricading affects the civil liberties? 

Round the year a lot of commuters lose their lives by crashing into barricades placed on the common public route  Sometimes, it is also used by the state to prevent citizens from exercising their right to peaceful protest.  

What is the way forward? 

It is important that the states don’t resort to Orwellian methods and help their masses to enjoy their civil rights to the fullest.  

Note “Orwellian” is an adjective describing a situation, idea, or societal condition that George Orwell identified as being destructive to the welfare of a free and open society. 

 

GS Paper 3


What to look at before investing in ESG funds

Source: This post is based on the article “What to look at before investing in ESG funds” published in Indian Express on 27th Dec 2021.

Syllabus: GS3 – Investment Models.

Relevance: ESG funds, NSE prime.

News: Earlier this week, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) launched NSE Prime. Environment, social responsibility, and corporate governance have of late emerged as key themes for investors in India. The asset size of ESG funds has increased nearly five times to Rs 12,300 crore over the last couple of years. In this context, recently NSE has launched NSE Prime, to strengthen corporate governance in India. Experts say that companies that are part of the ESG or NSE Prime will not only benefit in the long term but will also have a better reputation and potentially command a premium on valuation in the long run. However, despite their potential benefits, there are some concerns associated with ESG investments.

What is ESG investing?

It is synonymous with sustainable and socially responsible investing. While selecting a stock for investment, an ESG fund shortlists companies that score high on environment, social responsibility, and corporate governance, and then looks at financial factors.

What are the criteria’s used for ESG investment?

ESG funds use parameters such as greenhouse gas and carbon emissions, and employment generated to assess the ESG impact of the companies. Thus, companies with higher carbon outputs such as tobacco manufacturers, coal miners, oil and gas companies, and fossil fuel-based power generators typically do not feature in ESG fund portfolios. On the other hand, companies in the technology, renewable energy, healthcare, and FMCG space feature heavily in these portfolios.

What is NSE prime?

NSE Prime allows companies to submit to higher standards of corporate governance compared to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations. Some key requirements for companies to qualify for NSE Prime are, A minimum 40% public shareholding Mandatory segregation of the posts of chairman and ceo Independent directors as chairpersons of the risk management Stakeholder relationship Nomination remuneration, and audit committees.

Why it is needed?

The idea is to nudge companies to raise levels of corporate governance practice on their own. The creation of such a group of companies will result in better decision-making and protection of shareholder interest.

What are the implications?

Firstly, companies will be forced to improve governance and ethical practices, and act with greater social and environmental responsibility.

Secondly, it will lead to loss of revenue and profits in the long term for the companies that do not alter business models or become more environmentally sustainable. For instance, Globally, many pension funds and sovereign wealth funds do not invest in companies that are seen as polluting or socially not responsible.

Thirdly, encourages public investment in social development and environmentally sensitive sectors of the economy. For instance, cleanliness, skill development, expanded healthcare coverage, and education.

Fourthly, it will facilitate greater attention on issues such as climate risk, emissions, supply chains, labour rights, anti-corruption, etc.

What are the concerns?

First, the issue of “greenwashing” – It is an act of providing misleading information about how a company’s products are more environmentally sound.

For instance, the World Economic Forum noted that greenwashing is a top concern among global institutional investors while selecting sustainable investments.

Second, Investment experts have also pointed to the tendency of fund managers to over-weigh certain stocks and companies. Notably, when most large investment-friendly companies have fallen short of the qualitative and quantitative parameters used for ESG investing.


Let’s re-emphasize the ‘social’ aspect of our ESG investments

Source: This post is based on the article “Let’s re-emphasize the ‘social’ aspect of our ESG investments” published in Livemint on 27th Dec 2021.

Syllabus: GS3 – issues related to resource mobilisation

Relevance: Biomedical research.

News: Need to start a new ‘bio bond’ asset class to support Biomedical research. In Environment, social and governance investing, while many of the investments goes to environment and governance aspect, Social-welfare investments are often neglected. But there is an urgent need to change this, especially in biomedical research, to make it more sustainable, and affordable.

What are the issues/concerns associated with the funding of Bio medical research in the US?

When a treatment or cure shows promise, it then needs to be tested in clinical trials of increasing size, complexity and cost. At the start of these trials, they get funding mostly from university tech-transfer operations, philanthropy and outside investors. When a trial shows promise, the next step is another clinical trial and the expense for advancing the proposed cure goes up. Likewise, it takes a lot of expensive trials before finding third-party investors willing to carry promising research for the end-stage trials essential for drug or medical-device approval. However, there is a concern, the equity investors on which biomedical research now depends demand major stakes in high-profile projects with high drug prices to meet their own market imperatives. Many nations bypass this equity-based, high-cost, high-risk business model with public investment. But the US has never done it, due to its historic aversion to direct federal investment in for-profit firms. Translational valley of death – The gap between promising early-stage clinical research and the end stage at which big money is needed.

What can be done?

The best way to bridge the translational valley of death is to change the biomedical-funding model that is currently dependent on equity investments. The proven way to create safe, sound, sustainable, and affordable financing is via a limited federal guarantee. This can be done by creating a new ‘bio bond’ asset class. This will reduce risks dramatically via the government guarantee and eligibility and diversification requirements. These requirements also ensure that guaranteed debt funding isn’t misused by big biopharma in the form of a new subsidy or as a back-door backstop for venture capital.


Avoid policy adventurism

Source: This post is based on the article published in Business Standard 27th Dec 2021.

Syllabus: GS3 – issues related to fiscal policy of government

Relevance: Goods and services tax

News: Goods and services tax (GST), one of the biggest reforms in recent decades, will complete five years in July next year. It was expected that after some initial implementation difficulties, the system would stabilise and boost revenue collection along with output. But that doesn’t seem to be happening. While revenue collection has improved, partly because of better compliance, it is still considerably below potential. In this regard, government has taken some measures to boost GST revenue. However, there are some concerns associated with this. So, Experts warns that government should avoid not policy adventurism

Why there is a need to enhance GST revenue collection?

First, from next year, states will not receive their guaranteed compensation for the shortfall in revenue collection.

Second, Enhancing GST revenue would also be critical in addressing the overall fiscal stress in the country, which has significantly been exacerbated because of the pandemic.

What are the concerns associated with the recent changes in GST policy?

Some new provisions that will come into force on January 1 could further affect the GST system.

Issue of retrospective enforcement: According to one provision, the members of clubs, associations, and societies would be liable to pay GST on fees from July 1, 2017. Experts believe this will lead to litigation, particularly because of its retrospective enforcement. There are court orders from the pre-GST period that exempted such associations from service tax on the principle of mutuality.

Issues that may arise due to discontinuation of issuing notices: Another provision that will come into force on January 1, empowers tax officials to visit the premises of businesses to collect tax in the case of a discrepancy in filings. The provision has been introduced to curb fake billing. Earlier, notices were issued to firms that had not cleared their dues. If a company was unable to explain the discrepancy in filings even after giving a specific time period, then the tax authority proceeds with penal action. However, now, in the case of a discrepancy, the government will now make the recovery directly without issuing any notice. Giving tax officials the powers to make direct recovery will inevitably result in harassment. This will also go against the stated objective of the government to increase the ease of doing business in the country and will bring back the fears of inspector raj. This is also inconsistent with the direction in which the government is moving in the case of direct tax.

What is the way forward?

The GST Council should expedite addressing the issue of revenue-neutral rates and the inverted duty structure. GST rates were reduced prematurely and need to be corrected to make government finances more stable in the medium to long run. The Council’s recent move on correcting the inverted duty structure for man-made fibres is welcome.


Goodbye shadow banking

Source: This post is based on the article Goodbye shadow banking”published in Business Standard27 Dec

Syllabus: GS3 – issues related to banking sector

Relevance: PCA framework for NBFCs

News: Recently RBI passed a string of new norms to strengthen the regulations for NBFC sector

What is a shadow bank?

A shadow bank is into the business of lending but is not subject to any regulatory oversight. The shadow banking system also refers to unregulated activities by regulated institutions.

What is the significance of NBFCs?

As of January 2021, there were 9,507 NBFCs registered with the RBI. Of these, just 64 were deposit-taking NBFCs, six of them have been barred from taking fresh deposits. Collectively, deposit-taking NBFCs and non-deposit-taking NBFCs have lent around Rs 29.04 trillion till March 2021.

Why there is a need to strengthen the regulations for NBFC sector?

Infrastructure Finance and Leasing Services Ltd and Dewan Housing Finance Corp Ltd had collapsed in 2018. Bankruptcy proceedings have recently started against Srei Infrastructure Finance Ltd, Srei Equipment Finance Ltd and Reliance Capital Ltd. All these firms collected money from the public. Such NBFCs need to be tightly regulated as they pose systemic risk. Particularly those that are interconnected, with exposure to mutual fund and insurance businesses, should not be left unregulated.

What are the new rules for NBFCs?

Read here

What is scale-based regulation?

The scale-based regulation divides the NBFCs into four layers in accordance with their size, activity and perceived risks.

The base layer consists of a) NBFCs with an asset size of under Rs 1,000 crore, b)  Peer-to-peer lending platforms, c) Account aggregators, d) Non-operative financial holding companies, e) NBFCs not accessing public funds belong to this category.

The middle layer consists of a) All deposit-taking and non-deposit-taking NBFC’s with an asset size of Rs 1,000 crore and above,, b) The primary dealers who buy and sell government securities, c) Core investment companies, d) Housing finance companies and Infrastructure finance companies.

The upper layer: it consists of ten largest NBFCs by asset. According to RBI, they warrant close scrutiny based on a set of parameters and scoring methodology.

The top layer: it remains empty for now, but any NBFC in the upper layer may migrate to the top layer if t

he RBI senses it can become a risk for the system.

How the PCA framework impacts the NBFCs now?

First, according to rating agencies, Rater Crisil Ltd, most of the medium and large NBFCs rated by it should not face any challenge, either on capital adequacy or asset quality.

Second, according to Icra Ltd, some NBFCs could breach the net bad loan criterion (more than 6 per cent) if the asset quality does not improve. At least three large NBFCs with assets of Rs 25,000 crore or more have already breached the non-performing asset (NPA) criterion.

Third, the uniform income recognition, asset classification and provisioning norms for lenders across segments that are already in place could impact the balance sheets of many NBFCs.

Fourth, Bad loans in certain segments will definitely rise following the new norms. Because, now the RBI wants NDFC’s to treat loan as a standard asset only when the entire arrears of interest and principal are cleared by the borrower.


Agriculture needs a booster dose

Source: This post is based on the article “Agriculture needs a booster dose” published in Business Standard on 27th Dec 2021.

Syllabus: GS3 – issues related to Agriculture sector

Relevance: Erosion of profitability in agriculture

News: The cure for the farm sector’s ills lies primarily in making agriculture remunerative.

Why are farmers discontented and uneasy?

Income from crop farming has become insufficient for the livelihood of an average farm family: The “Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households” survey, carried out by the National Sample Survey Organisation in 2018-19, clearly indicates that an average farm family now earns more from wages than from farming.

Must Read: The state of agriculture in India is only going from bad to worse

If farmers rely solely on growing crops, they would earn less than what an unskilled labourer does. This is the reason why numerous farmers are giving up this occupation. The count of non-cultivator rural households has increased from around 66 million in 2013 to nearly 80 million in 2019 It needs to be supplemented with earnings from other sources, notably wage employment and agriculture’s allied activities.

Increase in the indebtedness of farm families: Most farmers need to borrow even to meet their household expenses. The average outstanding loan per household has risen from around Rs 47,000 in 2012-13 to as much as Rs 74,121 in 2018-19. Thus, while the farmers’ income (nominal) has increased by around 60% during this period, their average debt has also simultaneously shot up nearly by the same proportion. Since a sizable part of these loans is generally taken from informal sources, notably moneylenders, the debt-servicing cost is usually far higher than normally presumed.

The terms of trade for agriculture (the ratio of agricultural versus non-agricultural prices) are also turning unfavourable to farming: The data compiled by the agriculture ministry, shows a decline from 99.07 in 2016-17 to 96.43 in 2018-19.

Productive assets of farmers, such as land and water, are decreasing in terms of both magnitude and quality: The size of an average landholding has shrunk from 0.8 hectare at the beginning of 2000s to 0.5 hectare in 2019.

Increasing landlessness in rural areas: Some of the lands have become too tiny to cultivate. As a consequence, many farmers opt not to till these uneconomic holdings and, instead, let them out, or sell them resulting in landlessness.

What needs to be done to make the farming sector remunerative?

Firstly, there is a need is to facilitate increase in the size of farm holdings to make them economically viable: Consolidation of holdings, as was done during the post-Independence land reforms, can be one way of doing so. The success of that exercise in some states had created the base for the green revolution. But its replication does not seem feasible today. The practical option now is to legalise land leasing. This would let farmers lease in or lease out land without fear of losing its ownership, resulting in an expansion of operational holdings.

Secondly, there is a need to shift focus from maximising output to optimising profits: Solo crop farming should give way to integrated farming systems. It should use judicious blending of crop cultivation with agriculture’s allied activities like animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries, beekeeping, horticulture, agro-forestry, and similar others. The by-products and wastes of some of these activities can serve as inputs for the others, thereby reducing production costs and elevating productivity.

Thirdly, In the case of agricultural marketing, the growers can be compensated for lower returns through mechanisms like the Madhya Pradesh’s price deficiency payment system. Farmers can also be assisted in deferring the disposal of their produce until the off-season, when the prices are usually high.

Fourthly, processing farm produce into value-added and shelf life-enhanced products, needs to be encouraged to ensure higher returns.

Finally, the direct income support, now fixed at Rs 6,000 a year, can be increased appropriately.


Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Sunderbans plantation: Shield against cyclones but obstruction for animals?

Source: This post is based on the article “Sunderbans plantation: Shield against cyclones but obstruction for animals?” published in TOI on 25th Dec 2021.

What is the news?

West Bengal’s move to develop mangroves in the Sunderbans is obstructing animal movement in the forest. Background: South 24 Parganas district administration had earlier this year finalized plans to plant over 5 crore mangrove saplings and earmarked over 2,000 hectares of land in the Sunderbans for the plantation.

Why an emphasis on development of Mangroves?

Firstly, mangroves act as a natural barrier and minimize the impact of cyclones

Secondly, to protect embankments from waves during cyclones

What are the challenges?

Obstruction in free movement of animals: To protect mangrove plantations, nets have been put up inside the Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary area, but these are now blocking paths of wild animals.

Disturbance to mudflats: Mudflats, where the saplings have been planted, work as ecotones in Sunderbans, like what grasslands do in a dense, wooded forest. Hence, they should never be disturbed. Apart from wild animals, these mudflats are also used by waders like whimbrel, Eurasian curlew and common sandpiper, among others, and even storks that frequent the water in search of food.

What is the way forward?

As per experts, a proper dialogue is needed to find an alternative so that forest land is kept outside the purview of such drives.

About Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary

Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the confluence of Matla and Gumdi rivers, in West Bengal. It is considered a part of the Sunderbans ecosystem.


All you need to know about the new  labour codes

Source: This post is based on the article “All you need to know about the new labour codes” published in Livemint on 27th Dec 2021 

What is the news? 

Ministry of Labour and Employment introduced four Bills on labour codes to consolidate 29 central laws in 2019 which were then replaced with  new ones in 2020.  These new labour codes are likely to be implemented in 2022-23.  

What is the need for these codes? 

Simplification: India currently has a web of multiple labour legislations, over 40 central laws and 100 state laws involving labour.  The Second National Commission on Labour (2002) recommended simplification to bring about transparency and uniformity. 

Improvement in Ease of Doing Business by:

– Formalising workforce: These codes aim to provide social security benefits like health security, a minimum floor wage, etc to informal workforce also. They form approximately 90% of the workforce and have been till now majorly out of the labour reform.   Provisions for ease of interstate migrants  Increasing

Labour productivity Attracting investments: A transparent environment in terms of workers’ compensation, clear definition of employee rights and employer duties, and simplified labour codes making compliance easier are likely to attract investments. 

Lowering revenue loss: With more workers in the organized sector, leakage in terms of direct as well as indirect taxes may be plugged. 

What are the various provisions of the codes? 

Read about the codes here, 

– Code on Industrial relation

Code on social security

– Code on occupational safety

– Code on wages bill

What is causing delay in the implementation? 

As labour is concurrent subject, State governments also need to publish draft rules apart from central government.  Various states are in the process of doing the same. 


India gives food aid, defence equipments to Mozambique

Source: This post is based on the article India gives food aid, defence equipments to Mozambique” published in The Hindu on 27th Dec 2021.

What is the news? 

India has sent food and defence equipment to Mozambique (central African nation).

Mozambique Maps & Facts | Mozambique, Map, Africa map
Source: World Atlas

India sent food aid through INS Kesari (landing ship tank) to Mozambique under the eight edition of Mission Sagar. It was delivered at Port Maputo of Mozambique.  Why aid is being sent?  Mozambique is facing a lot of challenges like terrorism in its northern part. A recent United nation report has warned about Islamic state’s (also known as Da’esh) growing influence in Central African region.  Da’esh had briefly captured the strategic port of Mocimboa da Praia in Mozambique.  It is also facing the twin challenge like drought and pandemic. 

What recent activities has India carried out under Mission Sagar regarding capacity building in IOR? 

Since the pandemic ships have been deployed to 15 friendly countries under Mission Sagar.  Similarly, INS Sudarshini has been deployed to gulf region and recently visited Bandar Abbas in Iran.  INS Kesari, had undertaken humanitarian and medical assistance missions in May-June 2020 to the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros. India has been lately focusing on supporting Indian Ocean littoral states in capacity building by supplying hardware and equipment. This will help in tackling common maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean region.  Recently, a declaration of ‘Common Maritime Priorities’ was adopted, at Goa Conclave, to prioritise key maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with an emphasis on capacity building against emerging common maritime threats.


Year end Review: Ministry of Ayush

Source: This post is based on the article Year end Review: Ministry of Ayush published in PIB on 25th Dec 2021.

What is the news?

The Ministry of Ayush has launched several initiatives to revive and promote the traditional Indian medicine system.

What are the initiatives launched by the Ministry of Ayush?

AYUSH-64   mYoga fitness app: It was developed jointly by the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organisation with the aim to bring assisted yoga training to everyone with a smartphone for free without needing any signing in.

Toll Free Number: A dedicated community support helpline was operationalised by the Ministry of Ayush to provide AYUSH-based approaches and solutions for the challenges raised by Covid-19.The toll-free number is 14443.The helpline is operational pan-India from 6 am to 12 midnight-all seven days a week.

Clinical Trials of Ashwagandha Y-Break App: It has been developed by MDNIY (Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga). The app aims to allow working professionals to Refresh, Re-focus and De-stress by doing yoga and meditation in just 5 minutes  at their workplace to increase their productivity.

E-AUSHADHI Platform Collaborative Campaign on Nutrition: It was launched by the Ministry of Ayush and Ministry of Women and Child Development.Under this campaign,  herbal plants are being planted in Anganwadis, schools and kitchen gardens to ensure the easy availability of nutritious food and medicinal plants for pregnant and lactating women and children. 

AYUSH Sector in India: Prospects and Challenges: According to this report, market size of AYUSH has grown by 17% in 2014-20 to reach US dollars 18.1 billion.In terms of the global share, India accounts for about 2.8% of the AYUSH market share.

Five Portals on Ayush Sector AYUSH UDYAMAH: It is a National Seminar organized to work towards promoting India’s Start-ups and the Start-up Ecosystem in Ayush Sector.

Inter-disciplinary AYUSH R&D Task Force: It was formed to formulate and design clinical research protocols for prophylactic studies and add-on interventions in COVID-19 positive cases. AYUSH GRID and NAMASTE Portal


INS KHUKRI decommisoned after 32 years of glorious service to the nation

Source: This post is based on the articleINS KHUKRI DECOMMISSIONED AFTER 32 YEARS OF GLORIOUS SERVICE TO THE NATION published in PIB on 25th Dec 2021.

What is the news?

INS Khukri has been decommissioned after 32 years of glorious service.

What is INS Khukri?

INS Khukri is India’s first indigenously built Missile Corvettes(high-speed ships that have considerable firepower). It was built by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and commissioned in 1989. It had the distinction of being part of both the Western and Eastern Fleets. The ship was affiliated with the Gorkha Brigade of the Indian Army. During the service, the ship travelled a distance which is equivalent to navigating around the world 30 times, or 3 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.


Japanese professor creates ‘tele-taste’ TV screen

Source: This post is based on the articleJapanese professor creates ‘tele-taste’ TV screenpublished in The Hindu on 27th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

A Japanese Professor has developed a prototype lickable TV screen named Taste the TV (TTTV).

What is Taste the TV (TTTV)?

Taste the TV(TTTV) is a prototype lickable TV screen that can imitate food flavours.

How does it work?

The TV uses a carousel(device that rotates) of 10 flavour canisters(metal container) that spray in combination to create the taste of a particular food. The flavour sample is then rolled on hygienic film over a flat TV screen for the viewer to try.

What are the applications of this discovery? The device could potentially be used to impart distance learning to chefs and as well as interactive quizzes and games involving food.  It would also be useful in the post-COVID era, as people could taste restaurant food from the comfort of their own homes and television screens.

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme

News: Prime Minister has chaired a meeting on ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ programme.

Facts:

About Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat:

  • Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat was announced by the Prime Minister on 31st October,2015 on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • The scheme aims to promote engagement amongst the people of different states/UTs so as to enhance mutual understanding and bonding between people of diverse cultures,thereby securing stronger unity and integrity of India.
  • The Ministry of Human Resource Development has been designated Nodal Ministry for coordination of the programme.

Objectives:

  • To CELEBRATE the Unity in Diversity of our Nation and to maintain and strengthen the fabric of traditionally existing emotional bonds between the people of our Country;
  • To PROMOTE the spirit of national integration through a deep and structured engagement between all Indian States and Union Territories through a year-long planned engagement between States;
  • To SHOWCASE the rich heritage and culture, customs and traditions of either State for enabling people to understand and appreciate the diversity that is India, thus fostering a sense of common identity
  • To ESTABLISH long-term engagements and
  • TO CREATE an environment which promotes learning between States by sharing best practices and experiences.

1839 struggle by Tai Khamti is India’s first war of independence: Arunachal Deputy CM

Source: This post is based on the article1839 struggle by Tai Khamti is India’s first war of independence: Arunachal Deputy CMpublished in The Hindu on 25th Dec 2021.

What is the news?

Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh has urged the Union Government to declare the Tai Khamti-British war of 1839 as the nation’s first war of independence.

What is the Tai Khamti war?

The Tai Khamti war took place in 1839 between the Tai Khamti people and the British. The theatre of this war was some 2,400 km east of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh where the mutiny began. During the war, Tai Khamtis resisted colonization by the British. Some 80 British soldiers, including Col. Adam White, were killed in the resultant conflict.

Note: Tai Khamti people follow Theravada Buddhism. Their population is a little more than 1,00,000, and they live in areas straddling Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
What are the other revolts of Arunachal Pradesh which need recognition?

Arunachal Deputy CM also asked for recognition of battles between other communities of Arunachal Pradesh and the British. The battles include a series of Anglo-Abor wars from 1858 to 1911 and the Wancho-British war in Tirap district’s Ninu in 1875.

Note: The Abors, now called Adis, inhabit central Arunachal Pradesh while the Wanchos live in the southern part of Arunachal Pradesh.

Poverty key factor in determining institutional delivery: study

Source: This post is based on the articlePoverty key factor in determining institutional delivery: studypublished in The Hindu on 26th Dec 2021.

What is the news?

According to a study, poverty, education, and exposure to a community health worker are more important than age at marriage in determining whether a mother will be able to have a safe birth in a medical facility.

About the Study

The study was conducted to understand the socio-demographic factors as well as barriers in low coverage of institutional deliveries.

It focussed on nine low-performing States (LPS) with high burden of maternal mortality — Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

These States constitute about half of the country’s population and contribute 62% of maternal deaths, 71% of infant deaths, 72% of under-five (years) deaths and 61% of births in the country. They also account for 12% of global maternal deaths.

Note: India has a Maternal Mortality Rate(MMR) of 113 per 100,000. But the MMR rate in these nine states stands at 161 deaths per 100,000.
What are the key findings of the study?

Factors Responsible in Determining whether a women will seek Institutional Delivery

–  Poverty (1.4 to 3.5) is twice more important than age at marriage.

–  Education (1.2 to 3.8) is 1.5 times more important than age at marriage. 

–  Interaction with a community health worker (1.63) and awareness campaigns (1.1 to 1.3) had a greater impact than age at marriage. 

–  However, distance to the health facility (.79) and age at marriage had almost similar influences on institutional deliveries.

What are the barriers in assessing Institutional Deliveries? 

Distance or lack of transportation, Higher costs, facility closures and poor service or trust issues.

What are the recommendations given by the study? 

Increase the number of public health facilities, improve associated quality of care as inadequate clinical training and insufficient skilled human resources affects the quality of available maternity services resulting in low coverage of institutional deliveries.

What is the significance of this study?

This study comes at a time when the government has proposed to raise the age of marriage for women to 21 in order to reduce maternal deaths.

This decision has come under heavy criticism for ignoring social realities such as poverty, education and access to health services that are said to play a bigger role in preventing child marriages.


Good Governance Index 2021 launched on Good Governance Day by Union Minister of Home Affairs

Source: This post is based on the articleGood Governance Index 2021 launched on Good Governance Day by Union Minister of Home Affairs published in PIB on 25th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Home Affairs has released the Good Governance Index 2021 on Good Governance Day.

What is the Good Governance Index 2021?

Good Governance Index 2021 has been prepared by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).

Aim: To create a tool that can be used uniformly across the States to assess the impact of various interventions taken up by the Central and State Governments, including UTs.

Sectors: The index covers ten sectors and 58 indicators. The sectors are 1) Agriculture and Allied Sectors, 2) Commerce & Industries, 3) Human Resource Development, 4) Public Health, 5.) Public Infrastructure & Utilities, 6) Economic Governance, 7) Social Welfare & Development, 8) Judicial & Public Security, 9) Environment, and 10) Citizen-Centric Governance. 

Categories: The index categorises States and UTs into four categories, i.e., (i) Other States – Group A; (ii) Other States – Group B; (iii) North-East and Hill States; and (iv) Union Territories.

What are the key findings of the index?
Source: PIB

Gujarat has topped the composite ranking in the Index followed by Maharashtra and Goa. 

Delhi has topped the Union territories composite ranking category.

Around 20 states have improved their composite GGI scores over the GGI 2019 index scores. 

States and UTs such as UP, Jharkhand, Mizoram and J&K have shown incremental growth.

Analysis of scoring also suggests that there is a very marginal difference among the states in their composite governance scores. This indicates that overall governance in the states of India is moving in a positive direction.


Aurobindo Ghosh: Prime Minister chairs the first meeting of High Level Committee to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo

Source: This post is based on the articlePrime Minister chairs the first meeting of the High Level Committee to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo’ published in PIB on 25th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has chaired the first meeting of the High-Level Committee (HLC) which has been constituted to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo.

About Aurobindo Ghosh

Aurobindo Ghosh was an Indian philosopher, yoga guru, poet and Indian nationalist. He was born on 15th August 1872 at Calcutta. At the age of seven, Aurobindo was sent to England by his father to insulate him against any Indian influence. 

In England, he organized a secret society called ‘Lotus and Dagger‘ for the uplift of his motherland. 

In 1890, Aurobindo competed for Indian Civil Service(I.C.S) and won the position but was later disqualified as he came purposefully late to the horse-riding practical exam as he had no interest in the ICS.

In 1893, he came back to India and joined Baroda state service as a professor of English at Baroda College.

In 1906, he joined as principal of National College, Calcutta but resigned from the post in 1907 to join the National Freedom Movement. 

He associated himself with Journals and periodicals like the ‘Jugantar‘ and Bande Mataram through which he made stern criticism of British imperialism.

Aurobindo attended the 1906 Congress meeting headed by Dadabhai Naoroji and participated as a councilor in forming the fourfold objectives of “Swaraj, Swadesh, Boycott, and national education”

In 1908, he was arrested on the charge of the Alipore bomb conspiracy case but was acquitted in 1909 after a long trial.

Once out of the prison, he started two new publications, Karmayogin in English and Dharma in Bengali. He also delivered the Uttarpara Speech hinting at the transformation of his focus to spiritual matters.

In 1910, he left active politics and stayed in Pondicherry as a Yogi till his death on 5th December 1950. At Pondicherry, Sri Aurobindo developed a spiritual practice called Integral Yoga. The central theme of his vision was the evolution of human life into a divine life in the divine body

Some of his important writings are – The Life Divine, Savitri, Essay on the Gita, The Ideal of Human Unity, Defence of Indian Culture etc.


Azadi@75 Star Rating Protocol of Garbage Free Cities- Toolkit 2022: MoHUA launches roadmap to make Urban India ‘Garbage Free’

Source: This post is based on the article MoHUA launches roadmap to make Urban India ‘Garbage Freepublished in PIB on 25th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has released the revised protocol of rating garbage-free cities titled ‘Azadi@75 Star Rating Protocol of Garbage Free Cities- Toolkit 2022′

What is the Star Rating Protocol of Garbage Free Cities?

The Star Rating Protocol was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2018.

Aim: To institutionalize a mechanism for cities to achieve Garbage Free status, and to motivate cities to achieve higher degrees of cleanliness. 

Under this protocol, Cities are required to carry out self-assessment and self-verification for achieving 1-star, 3-star, 5-star and 7-star garbage-free ratings. It also ensures the involvement of citizen groups for a transparent system of self-declaration.

Further, the self-declaration is further verified through an independent third party agency appointed by MoHUA.

What are the changes made in the Revised Star Rating Protocol of Garbage Free Cities-Toolkit 2022?

Firstly, the Star Rating Protocol of Garbage Free Cities has been aligned with the priorities of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban(SBM) 2.0.

Note: ​​Under SBM-U 2.0, a key objective is to make every urban local body at least 3-star Garbage Free, as per the Star Rating protocol.

Secondly, the earlier 25 components/indicators for star rating have now been reduced to 24, of which only 16 indicators are mandatory for 1-star and 3-star levels. The remaining eight indicators are aspirational in nature and will be relevant for 5-star and 7-star aspirants.

Thirdly, higher weightage has been allotted to the door-to-door collection of garbage, source segregation, waste processing and dumpsite remediation.

Fourthly, new components pertaining to IEC, capacity building, revenue from the sale of waste by-products have been added to encourage cities to build an ecosystem to strengthen the waste management system

Fifthly, after seeing the impact star rating certification has made to improve on-ground waste management scenarios of the cities, the release of funds has been made conditional, subject to an urban local body (ULB) achieving at least 1-star certification.

Lastly, the entire process of applying for certification and subsequent assessment has been simplified and made completely digital, paperless. 


COVID-19 vaccines for 15-18 year olds; boosters for healthcare, frontline workers, senior citizens with comorbidities

Source:  This post is based on the articleCOVID-19 vaccines for 15-18 year olds; boosters for healthcare, frontline workers, senior citizens with comorbidities published in Down To Earth on 25th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has announced new vaccination plans for Covid-19.

What are the new announcements made by the Prime Minister related to the Covid-19 Vaccine?

Firstly, Covid-19 Vaccine will be made available for children above 15 years from January 3, 2022. 

Secondly, the “precautionary” doses will be administered to healthcare and frontline workers (HFW) of India from January 10, 2022.

Thirdly, precautionary doses will also be available for senior citizens — those above 60 — with co-morbidities if recommended by their doctors.

Note: In India, a booster dose is called a precautionary dose. The aim of this dose is to boost immunity which is likely to wane 7-8 months after vaccination or previous infection.

Must read: The importance of booster dose to plan ahead

Fourthly, a nasal vaccine and the world’s first DNA vaccine against Covid will soon start in India.

Read more: One billion Covid Vaccines and beyond – Explained, pointwise

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission Overdraft facility for women SHG members launched

Source: This post is based on the article Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission Overdraft facility for women SHG members launchedpublished in PIB on 25th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Rural Development has launched an overdraft facility to women Self Help Groups (SHGs) under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

Under this, an overdraft facility of Rs 5,000 will be available to verified SHG members under DAY – NRLM having accounts under the Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana with Banks. 

It is estimated that about 5 crore women SHG members under DAY-NRLM would be benefitted from this facility eventually. 

What is an Overdraft Facility?

Overdraft facility allows account holders to make withdrawals from an existing savings bank account even after the balance reaches zero. 

In other words, if you have an approved overdraft limit of ₹ 50,000 and have ₹ 1 lakh in your account at present, you can withdraw up to ₹ 1.5 lakh.

How is Overdraft Facility different from a Personal Loan?

When one apply for a personal loan, and it is approved and disbursed by the bank, the amount is credited to the account. Once the amount is disbursed, the levy of interest starts immediately on the entire amount. For instance, if one take a ₹ 50,000 personal loan, irrespective of whether the person used the amount or not, s/he will have to pay interest on the entire sum, until s/he repay the loan. 

In case of an overdraft, the person doesn’t have to pay interest until s/he actually withdraw the amount. Moreover, interest is charged only on the amount being used and not on the entire limit. For instance, if one has an overdraft limit of ₹ 50,000, but he withdraws only ₹25,000 using the overdraft facility, the interest will be applicable only on ₹ 25,000 and not on the entire sum of ₹50,000. 


Govt likely to dilute draft e-commerce norms as consultation ends

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Govt likely to dilute draft e-commerce norms as consultation endspublished in Business Standard on 27th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

The Government of India may soon dilute some of the clauses of the Draft E-Commerce Rules as the Ministry has completed consultation with e-commerce companies, industry associations and other relevant stakeholders.

What are the contentious Draft E-Commerce Rules that have been objected by the industry?
 Contentious E-Commerce RulesObjections to these Rules
Limiting Flash SalesSpecific flash sales or back-to-back sales which limit customer choice, increase prices and prevent a level playing field are not allowed. Regulating “flash sales” doesn’t promote consumer welfare. Instead, the reduced prices promote consumer interest.
Fall back liabilityE-commerce platforms will be liable when the delivery of goods or services fails, causing loss to the consumer. Earlier, in case of such failures, the ecom platforms used to direct the buyer to the vendor who had originally put the product on the e-com site.FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) policy prohibits foreign-funded players to sell their own inventory or influencing prices of goods sold by domestic platforms that can sell their own inventory. On the other hand, the rules introduce the concept of fallback liability, which holds them liable for any discrepancies on account of the seller.
Related parties and associated enterprisesThe rules state that parties and associated enterprises related to a particular e-commerce company will not be allowed to be enlisted as sellers on that platform.The “broad definition” of ‘related party’ can potentially include all entities such as those involved in logistics, any joint ventures, etc. Due to this, it will be difficult not only for foreign players like Amazon and Flipkart but even home-grown companies to have their various brands.

 

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