Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• Is judicial majoritarianism justified?
• India-US: The high tech boost

GS Paper 3

• Budget 2023 pulls off an artful balance
• Tiresome rules out, trust-based model in
• The social sector has been short-changed once again

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• New tax regime gives spending flexibility
• Net winnings from online games to attract 30% TDS
• Locally made green trains to be rolled out
• Tourism to go into mission mode
• FM Sitharaman announces PM PRANAM scheme to push states to promote alternative fertilisers
• A raft of concessions amid consolidation
• Budget 2023: PM Awas Yojana share rises by 66%, with more focus on Tier 2 and 3 cities
• What is the government’s new policy of UPI for NRIs?
• Women get a one-time small savings scheme
• Government to set up 100 5G labs to develop new apps
• Major thrust planned for green energy
• PAN to be used as common identifier for digital systems
• Budget 2023: What are lab-grown diamonds, mentioned by FM
• Allocation of ₹7,000 cr. for Phase 3 of eCourt will improve justice delivery system: Law Minister
• What Finance Minister’s push to end manual scavenging means
• MISHTI, Amrit Dharohar, PM PRANAM: Conservation initiatives in the Budget
• Union Budget 2023-24 Highlights

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Is judicial majoritarianism justified?

News: The article discusses judicial majoritarianism and issues surrounding it.

What is judicial majoritarianism?

Judicial majoritarianism refers to numerical majorities, i.e., number of judges supporting a judgment.

Cases in SC are usually heard either by Division Benches which consist of two judges or by Constitutional Benches which consist of five, seven, nine, 11 or even 13 judges.

Judicial majoritarianism deals with the Constitution divisions which involve a substantial interpretation of constitutional provisions. Judicial majoritarianism helps in the decision-making process easier.

The concept of majoritarianism comes from Article 145(5) of the Constitution which states that no judgment in such cases can be delivered except with the concurrence of a majority of the judges.

However, it also says that judges are free to deliver dissenting judgments or opinions.

What is the issue with Judicial majoritarianism?

Now the question comes that when all judicial decisions are based on the set rules and laws, then why is there is difference in opinion among judges.

Differences in judicial decisions can be because of differences in either the methodology adopted and the logic applied by the judges.

Since judgements are made on different methodology and logic, there are chances that those judges giving the majority may have fallen into error of methodologies or logics.

In such a scenario, judges who are dissenting may form a minority but their methodology applied may be correct and without errors compared to those who formed the majority.

However, those forming the minority get very little attention.

A great example is of the dissenting opinion of Justice H.R. Khanna in A.D.M. Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla (1976) upholding the right to life and personal liberty even during situations of constitutional exceptionalism.

Moreover, the rate of dissent itself is subjected to influences.

For example, the study found that the rate of dissent where the Chief Justice was a part of the Bench was lower than in those cases where the Chief Justice was not on the Bench.

Such instances highlight the concerns of the efficiency of the judgments and of the majoritarianism procedures adopted by the judiciary in deciding the case of national and constitutional importance.

What can be the way ahead?

The system proposed by Ronald Dworkin can be adopted as an alternative to judicial majoritarianism.

He proposed for a system which may either give more weightage to the vote of senior judges given that they have more experience or to the junior judges as they may represent popular opinion better.

However, such alternatives can only be explored when the rationale behind judicial majoritarianism is questioned.

India-US: The high tech boost

News– The article explains the outcome of the recent inaugural dialogue of iCET between the NSAs of US and India. It also explains iCET and the history of technological cooperation between India and the US.

What were the outcomes of the meeting between India’s National Security Advisor and his American counterpart at the inaugural dialogue of iCET in Washington this week?

There was an announcement of a new road map for deeper military and techno-economic cooperation between the two countries.

Both announced the making of a fighter jet engine in India. GE Aerospace has applied for an export licence for jet engine production and phased transfer of technology to Indian entities.

What are some facts about the bilateral Initiative on Critical and Emerging TechnologiesTechnologies (iCET) ?

It could lend a new strategic depth and breadth to the expanding engagement between India and the United States.

The idea was first mooted in the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden on the margins of the Tokyo summit of the Quad last year.

The iCET involves collaboration in a range of areas including quantum computing, semiconductors, 5G and 6G wireless infrastructure, and civilian space projects such as lunar exploration.

The iCET process will be monitored and driven from the PMO in Delhi and the White House in Washington. It will hopefully bring greater coherence to this round of India-US technological engagement.

What is the history of technological cooperation between India and the US?

High technology cooperation has long been a major focus of US-India relations.

Early advances in India’s nuclear and space programmes in the 1950s and 1960s involved significant inputs from the US.

But the US nuclear sanctions from the 1970s led to decline in bilateral high-tech cooperation. The historic civil nuclear initiative of 2005 opened the door for renewed technological cooperation.

GS Paper 3

Budget 2023 pulls off an artful balance

News: The article discusses the concerns that the domestic economy was facing and the way this year’s budget addresses those.

What are the domestic economic concerns and how does the budget address those?

Capital expenditure and infrastructure creation: There were global uncertainties, lower consumption rates, slow exports, and tight monetary conditions.

Total public sector borrowing in 2022-23 was upwards to 9 percent of GDP and the current account deficit was widening. So, a budget was needed to push on public investment and reduce the deficit.

Therefore, this year’s budget has taken steps towards ensuring capital expenditure and infrastructure creation. A big public investment push was the need of the hour to increase growth and job creation.

Moreover, the central capex has jumped from 1.7 percent of GDP to 2.7 per cent due to the previous budgets. However, this year’s budget is more ambitious and has targeted central capex at 3.3 percent of GDP next year.

If achieved, this would constitute a doubling of capex in just four years and would help in job creation, crowding-in private investment, improving economic competitiveness and boosting growth.

Subsidies: Subsidies were higher due to the pandemic and the Ukraine war. Revenue expenditure used to be 4.5 times the capex allocation in 2019-20.

However, this year, the ratio is expected to fall to about 2.5, if the budgeted projections become productive and will fall further to two in the next year.

Fiscal consolidation: The budget has focused on consolidating 0.5 percent of GDP next year. The budget speech has re-affirmed the central fiscal deficit will be brought below 4.5 per cent of GDP by FY26. This means at least 1.5 percent of GDP consolidation will be brought over the next two years. This was needed due to the higher fiscal deficit faced by the centre.

Hence, the budget has focused on all the right aspects such as improving the quality of spending, staying on a consolidation path, re-affirming medium-term fiscal targets.

However, there are still challenges present.

What are the challenges and what can be the course of action?

Tax Buoyancy: Tax buoyancy is strong this year because of increasing growth and higher inflation. However, growth and inflation are expected to slow which could lower the tax buoyancy in the next year.

Furthermore, to achieve this year’s target, gross taxes would need to grow upwards from 9 percent in the last quarter to 16 percent in the January-March quarter.

If this year’s targets are not achieved, it would further increase the target of tax buoyancy required for the next year.

Therefore, policymakers will need to closely monitor, so that contingency revenue plans are made in case nominal GDP or tax buoyancy don’t fructify, so the capex is protected.

Absorptive capacity of states and PSU’s: There is a need to focus to improve the absorptive capacity of states and PSU’s because they have been lagging on capex in recent years.

Mobilising revenues: It is necessary to double down on revenue mobilisation in the coming years. Lower food and fertiliser subsidies in FY24 created 0.8 percent of GDP in fiscal space that was used to reduce the deficit and boost capex.

Therefore, the focus must be on mobilising revenues (both direct and indirect taxes) and increasing asset sales, if the deficit is to be brought down by 1.5 percent of GDP in the next two years without compromising capex.

Tiresome rules out, trust-based model in

News: In her budget speech, Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized on trust-based governance.

To enhance ease of doing business for companies, FM proposed to reduce 39,000 compliances and decriminalize 3,400 legal provisions.

For achieving the above goals, government introduced Jan Vishwas Bill to amend 42 Central Acts.

Other measures for ease of doing business in India

Extension of the scope of Digi Locker to include business entities.

Permanent Account Number (PAN) will be made a common identifier for all digital systems of specified government agencies.

A unified filing process will be implemented to eliminate the requirement of separate submission of same information to different government agencies.

For MSMEs, the government introduced relief measures under Vivad Se Vishwas.

A voluntary settlement scheme will be introduced to settle the contractual disputes of the government and government undertakings, under court’s proceedings.

The government has proposed to delegate powers under the SEZ Act to International Financial Services Centres Authority. It will avoid dual regulation and set up a single window IT system for registration and approval from IFSCA, SEZ authorities, GSTN, RBI, SEBI and IRDAI.

Some concerns raised by industrialists

Budget had widened the tax authorities’ power to withhold any refunds to a taxpayer. It could result in increasing load of over-burdened constitutional courts.

The social sector has been short-changed once again

News– The article explains the focus of the budget. It talks about the allocation for welfare programmes of the government. It also explains the importance of welfarism.

What are the focus areas of the budget ?

It reiterates the strategic vision of this government in which economic recovery and job creation rest on increased capital expenditure by the government. Welfare spending is not the priority.

The Budget announced a capex of ₹10 lakh crore, a 33% increase over last year. Along with grant-in-aid for capital assets, the budget estimate for effective capex is now ₹13.7 lakh crore. It is 4.5% of the GDP, up from 3.9% last year.

The government remains on its path of fiscal consolidation. The fiscal deficit for FY24 is projected to be 5.9% of the GDP. It is a reduction from 6.4% for the current year.

The Finance Minister reiterated her commitment to reaching a fiscal deficit below 4.5% by 2025-26.

What is the allocation in the budget for schemes providing safety nets and better human development outcomes?

The Budgetary estimate for food subsidy is ₹1.97 lakh crore compared to the revised estimate of ₹2.8 lakh crore for 2022-23.

The government had already announced the withdrawal of additional provision of 5 kg of cereals per person per month through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

The existing benefits under the National Food Security Act continue and will now be given for free. But, this does not compensate for the reduced quantity of grains.

The MGNREGA has also seen a massive budget cut. The BE for 2023-24 is ₹60,000 crore compared to the RE of ₹89,400 crore for 2022-23.

MGNREGA wages for a few years have been not only lower than the minimum wages, but also the prevailing market wages for unskilled workers in rural areas. Further, there are issues of delayed payments.

Programmes that provide nutritional support for women and children have also seen inadequate and lower allocations. The allocation for Saksham Anganwadi, Poshan Abhiyan remains almost the same at ₹20,554 crore compared to the ₹20,263 crore last year.

PM-POSHAN has been allocated ₹11,600 crore compared to the RE of ₹12,800 crore for 2022-23.

Samarthya scheme, which focuses on women empowerment has been allocated ₹2,582 crore compared to the previous year’s allocation of ₹2,622 crore.

Each of these schemes pertains to some of the most vulnerable communities and provides services that are critical to improving nutrition status.

A recent report of the Accountability Initiative showed that the budgets for anganwadi services and mid-day meals are over 30% less than in 2011 in real terms.

The allocations for the National Social Assistance Programme have also remained stagnant.

Education and health have also not seen any substantial increase. In nominal terms, the Budget of the Department of School Education has increased by 8.4% and that of the Department of Health and Family Welfare by 3.8%.

What is the importance of social sector initiatives for welfare?

The expenditure on these different social sector initiatives contributes in a large way to improving the lives of people in the long term as well as to economic revival.

Spending on MGNREGA or the food subsidy or pensions can revive demand. Providing public services in health and education improves human development outcomes, increases productivity, and creates employment opportunities.

The extent of job creation by capex, especially for wage workers, needs to be assessed. The increases in capex are to a large extent in highways and railways. These areas use capital-intensive technologies with small wage components.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

New tax regime gives spending flexibility

Source: The post is based on the following articles

“Zero tax for annual income up to ₹7 lakh under new scheme” published in The Hindu on 2nd February 2023.

“‘New tax regime gives spending flexibility’” and “New tax regime is very attractive now” published in the Livemint on 2nd February 2023.

“Tax rebate under the new regime, explained with two examples” published in the Indian Express on 2nd February 2023.

What is the News?

In the Budget 2023-24, the government exempted those earning up to ₹7 lahks a year from paying any income tax under the new tax regime.

About the new tax regime on Personal Income Tax

There are a few major announcements relating to the personal income tax. Such as a) The new regime for individuals and Hindu undivided families, or HUFs, brought via Section 115BAC of the Income Tax Act was aimed at bringing in a lower rate and a simpler tax system from 1 April 2020, b) The rebate limit in the new regime has been increased to ₹ 7 lakh, meaning that persons in the new regime with income upto ₹ 7 lakh will not have to pay any tax.

c) The tax structure in the new personal tax regime has been changed by reducing the number of slabs to five and increasing the tax exemption limit to ₹ 3 lakh, d) The government introduced a standard deduction of ₹50,000. Currently, salaried individuals get standard deductions under the old tax regime but not the new regime.

e) The highest surcharge rate in personal income tax has been reduced from 37% to 25% in the new tax regime for income above ₹2 crores. This would result in the maximum tax rate of personal income tax coming down to 39% which was earlier 42.74%.

Applicability: The benefit of standard deduction has been extended to the salaried class and the pensioners including family pensioners under the new tax regime.

The new income tax regime has been made the default tax regime. However, the citizens will continue to have the option to avail the benefit of the old tax regime.

For example, If a person is earning 7.5 lahks annual salary then, s/he will have to pay nil tax on Rs 0-3 lakh, 5% on Rs 3-6 lakh, and 10% on Rs 6-9 lakh.

What is the rationale behind the introduction of the new tax regime?

Complications with the old regime: The old regime complicates taxes. For instance, the Old regime allows for tax exemptions and deductions on investments, insurance and expenses such as HRA (house rent allowance). Hence, many committees reported that it needs to be simplified.

Tax evasion and avoidance: In the old regime the taxes are higher, hence people find other ways to avoid taxation.

Highest Surcharge: The highest tax rate in India is 42.74%, it is among the highest in the world. Hence, the government aims to reduce this rate.

What are the advantages of the new tax regime?

-Increase tax compliance: In the new regime, the rate of taxes is simple and low. The simplification of taxes will increase the compliance and help in formalizing the economy.

-The benefit (in the form of lower tax outgo) of moving to the new tax regime gets better for those with very high income levels (over ₹5 crore).

What are the concerns associated with the new tax regime?

The old income tax system had so many exemptions to incentivise savings of different kinds such as exemptions for long-term savings for retirement, investment in PPF, NPS or other 80C exemptions.

But the new tax regime pushes towards consumption. This might hurt India’s savings rate in future. However, the government is of the opinion that the new tax regime will provide spending flexibility in the hands of the public as taxpayer knows how to spend their money.

Net winnings from online games to attract 30% TDS

Why in the News?

The government has proposed a 30 per cent tax on “net winnings” from online games.

What is the proposal?

It also removed the existing minimum threshold limit of Rs 10,000 i.e. the TDS was only applicable if the winning from each game exceeds Rs 10,000.

It will ensure that the game host deducts tax on the entire winnings even if it offers the sum in the form of coupons, tokens, or any other non-cash payments.

However, for lottery and crossword puzzle games, the threshold limit of Rs 10,000 for TDS will continue.

Rationale: some companies were keeping the winnings lower at Rs 10,000, to avoid the TDS provisions.

Locally made green trains to be rolled out

Source: This post is created based on the article “Locally made green trains to be rolled out”, published in Live Mint on 2^nd Feb 2023.

Why in the News?

Under the ‘Amrit Bharat Station’ scheme, the central government plans to redevelop about 1,275 stations across the country.

About ‘Amrit Bharat Station’ scheme

Under the scheme, central government plans to redevelop about 1,275 stations across the country.

Other plans for Railway infrastructure

1. At present, the production of Vande Bharat Express trains takes place at Chennai’s Integral Coach factory (ICF). Production facility will be expanded to new locations.
2. A corridor-based approach would be taken up across the country to develop railway infrastructure.
3. A ‘Sagarmala’ corridor will be set up to connect the ports in the country.
4. More circuits will be added to the series of trains like ‘Bharat Gaurav’.
5. The government would also set up a ‘Janjati Gaurav Corridor’ connecting tribal areas of the country by rail.
6. In line with Centre’s energy transition and net zero goals, Indian Railways plans to design and manufacture India’s first hydrogen-fueled train by the end of this year.

Tourism to go into mission mode

Source– The post is based on the article “Tourism to go into mission mode” published in The Hindu on 2nd February 2023.

What is the news?

The Union Budget announced a slew of measures for promotion of tourism that will go into Mission Mode.There was no increase in Budget allocation. It remained at ₹2,400 crore.

What are the new initiatives declared in the budget for the tourism sector?

50 new destinations– These would be selected through a challenge, and developed as a complete package.

New mobile app– It will provide tourist-friendly information like physical and virtual connectivity, and details on tourist guides.

Vibrant Villages Programme– Tourism infrastructure and amenities will be facilitated in border villages.

Unity Malls– States will be encouraged to set up a Unity Mall in their capitals, or the most prominent tourism centre, or the financial capital.

These malls would work towards the promotion and sale of each State’s own ODOP (one district, one product) and other handicrafts. They would also provide space for such products of other States.

What are the main demands of the tourism industry that have not been fulfilled by the budget?

The Tourism sector has not been provided with infrastructure status.

None of our demands of the tourism industry like rationalisation of GST on tourism, exemption of GST on foreign exchange earnings and refund of tax on shopping under the Tax Refund to Tourist Scheme have been considered.

FM Sitharaman announces PM PRANAM scheme to push states to promote alternative fertilisers

Source– The post is based on the article “FM Sitharaman announces PM PRANAM scheme to push states to promote alternative fertilisers” published in The Indian Express on 2nd February 2023.

What is the news?

The Finance Minister announced in the budget that the government will launch a new scheme called PM PRANAM.

What are some facts about the scheme?

It will incentivise states and union territories to promote alternative fertilisers and balanced use of chemical fertilisers. This will bring down the subsidy burden.

The subsidy is estimated to reach Rs 2.25 lakh crore in 2022-23. It is 39% higher than last year’s figure of Rs 1.62 lakh crore.

A raft of concessions amid consolidation

Source– The post is based on the article “A raft of concessions amid consolidation” published in The Hindu on 2nd February 2023.

What is the news?

The Finance Minister has presented the budget for FY2024. She termed it as the “first Budget in Amrit Kaal”.

What are the key focus areas of the budget?

Inclusive development that ensures prosperity for all, especially the youth, women, farmers, Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

A focus on infrastructure and investment.

Policies to enable green or environmentally sustainable growth.

Rationalisation of direct taxes, including concessions to the middle and salaried classes, and pensioners,

Staying the course on fiscal consolidation.

What is the main agenda of the budget?

It is aimed at actualising a “technology-driven and knowledge-based economy with strong public finances, and a robust financial sector”.

The economic agenda for achieving this vision would require a focus on giving a strong impetus to growth and job creation.

Which schemes were announced in the budget?

PM VIKAS or Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman– It would offer traditional artisans and craftspeople, or Vishwakarmas, a package of assistance. It will help them improve the quality, scale and reach of their products.

‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes’ or ‘MISHTI’– It aims at undertaking mangrove plantation along the coastline and on salt pan lands.

The funding will be obtained through “convergence between MGNREGS and a compensatory afforestation fund”.

What are some statistics about allocation of funds to various sectors?

Budget estimate for expenditure on rural development in 2023-24 is pegged at ₹2.38 lakh crore. It 5.3% of overall expenditure at 5.3%, There is a marginal increase of 0.1% as compared to previous Budget Estimate. When viewed against the revised estimate, it is 0.6% lower.

Food subsidy bill is ₹1.97 lakh crore. It is almost 5% lower than the 2022-23 Budget estimate and 31% down from the revised estimate.

Capital expenditure allocated is 10 lakh crore rupees. It is a 33% jump from this fiscal’s Budget estimate.

Budget 2023: PM Awas Yojana share rises by 66%, with more focus on Tier 2 and 3 cities

Source: The post is based on the article “Budget 2023: PM Awas Yojana share rises by 66%, with more focus on Tier 2 and 3 cities” published in The Hindu on 2nd February 2023.

What is the News?

The Union Budget presented by the Finance Minister has increased the allocation for the PM Awas Yojana (PMAY) by 66% and also announced an Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF).

What is PM Awas Yojana(PMAY)?

PMAY was launched in 2015 with the objective of providing affordable housing to all citizens. The scheme was created to assist the middle-income community, economically disadvantaged groups (EWS) and low-income groups(LIG).

Under PMAY, Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme(CLSS) is aimed to provide its beneficiaries with an interest subsidy to avail loans to purchase or build a house.

The scheme is divided into two sections based on the areas it serves: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G).

How much has been allocated to PMAY?

The Finance Minister has increased the allocation made towards the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana(PMAY) by 66% to Rs 79,000 in the Union Budget 2023-24. The previous budget allocation stood at Rs 48,000 crore.

What is Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF)?

Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) has been set up with the aim to create infrastructure in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

The fund would be established through the use of priority sector lending shortfall. The government will spend ₹Rs 10,000 crore per year for the fund. The fund will be managed by the National Housing Bank.

What is the government’s new policy of UPI for NRIs?

Source: The post is based on the article “What is the government’s new policy of UPI for NRIs?” published in The Hindu on 2nd February 2023.

What is the News?

National Payments Corporation of India(NPCI) has paved the way for international (phone) numbers to be able to transact using UPI. 

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved an incentive scheme for the promotion of RuPay debit Cards and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions (person-to-merchant) in FY 2022-23. 

How can NRI’s access UPI?

Non-resident accounts such as non-resident external accounts (NRE) and non-resident ordinary accounts(NRO) having international numbers will now be allowed into the UPI payment system. 

NRE accounts are those used by non-residents to transfer earnings from foreign soil to India while NRO accounts are used to manage income earned in India by non-residents. These incomes could be rent, interest, pension, among other things. 

At present, users from ten countries will be able to avail the facility— Singapore, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the U.K.

Significance of this initiative: This development would allow NRIs to use the payment method for making utility bill payments for their families (or themselves) in India, make purchases from e-commerce or online platforms and make payments to physical merchants who accept UPI QR-based payments when they travel to India.

What is the discussion on MDR?

The Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is the charge recovered by the acquirer from the final recipient of the payment, that is, the merchant. It is collected by the acquirer to compensate the varied service providers and intermediaries in the payment system.

Presently, there is no MDR charge levied for RuPay-based debit card and UPI transactions. Stakeholders are hence concerned over cost recovery for the services they provide.

The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) and various stakeholders expressed concerns about the potential adverse impact of the zero MDR regime on the growth of the digital payments’ ecosystem. 

To address these concerns, the Government of India launched the “Incentive scheme to promote payments using RuPay cards and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)”.

Women get a one-time small savings scheme

Source: The post is based on the article “Women get a one-time small savings scheme” published in The Hindu on 2nd February 2023.

What is the News?

In the Union Budget 2023-24, the Finance Minister has announced a new small savings scheme for women called Mahila Samman Saving Certificate(MSSC).

What is a Mahila Samman Saving Certificate(MSSC)?

It is a one time small saving scheme for women.

Key Features of the scheme: 

The scheme will be made available for a two-year period up to March 2025.

It will have a fixed interest rate of 7.5% for two years. 

The deposit can be made in the name of a woman or a girl child. 

The maximum deposit amount has been kept at ₹2 lahks and the scheme will have a partial withdrawal facility as well.

Significance of the scheme: Mahila Samman Savings Certificate with a higher rate of interest will encourage more women to adopt formal financial saving instruments

Government to set up 100 5G labs to develop new apps

Source: The post is based on the article “Government to set up 100 5G labs to develop new apps” published in The Hindu on 2nd February 2023.

What is the News?

The Finance Minister in Budget 2023-24 has announced several initiatives in the technology sector.

What are the initiatives announced in the Budget in the technology sector?

Labs for Developing 5G Services

The Government of India has proposed to set up 100 labs for developing applications using 5G services in engineering institutions across the country.

These labs would develop applications in the fields such as smart classrooms, precision farming, intelligent transport systems and healthcare.

Artificial Intelligence

Three Centres of Excellence for artificial intelligence will be established in top educational institutions across the country.

National Data Governance policy

The government will bring a National Data Governance policy which will enable access to anonymised data. This will unleash innovation and research by start-ups and academia.

Note: Anonymisation is a data processing technique that removes or modifies personally identifiable information. This results in anonymised data that cannot be associated with any one individual.

Major thrust planned for green energy

Source: The post is based on the article “Major thrust planned for green energy” published in The Hindu on 2nd February 2023.

What is the News?

The Finance Minister has announced a slew of measures for “Green Growth” while presenting the Union Budget.

What are the initiatives announced to promote Green Energy?

“Green Growth” has been listed as one of the seven priorities of this year’s Budget.

Green Hydrogen: The Minister announced an outlay of ₹19,700 crore for the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Target– Annual production of 500 MMT (million metric tonnes) of green hydrogen by 2030.

Energy transition: The Budget provided ₹35,000 crores for priority capital investment toward energy transition, net-zero objectives, and energy security by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Battery Storage: To spur sustainable development, the Finance Minister announced viability gap funding for battery energy storage systems with a capacity of 4,000 MWh(megawatt hour).

Green Credit Programme: In order to encourage behavioral change, the Minister announced that a Green Credit Programme will be notified under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. This programme will incentivise environmentally sustainable and responsive actions by companies, individuals, and local bodies and help mobilize additional resources for such activities.

Vehicle replacement: The Finance Minister has allocated funds for the Vehicle Scrapping Policy mentioned in Budget 2021-22. States will also be supported in replacing old vehicles and old State ambulances. 

PAN to be used as common identifier for digital systems

Source: The post is based on the article “PAN to be used as common identifier for digital systems” published in The Hindu on 2nd February 2023.

What is the News?

The Finance Minister has said that the Permanent Account Number(PAN) would be used as a common identifier for all digital systems of specified government agencies.

What is PAN?

PAN is a 10-digit alphanumeric number allotted by the Income Tax department to a person, firm or entity.

PAN will be made as a single business identifier for all digital systems of all specified departments of the government. This is expected to ease the compliance burden of businesses.

Significance: An integrated system at the central and state level departments will provide relief to the user from repeated submission of documents, ensure the authenticity of the same and lead to quicker processing of requests.

What is the Vivad Se Vishwas scheme?

Vivad Se Vishwas scheme provides for settlement of disputed tax, interests, penalty or fees in relation to an assessment or reassessment order on payment of 100% of the disputed tax and 25% of the disputed penalty or interest or fee.

The Finance Minister announced that if MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) failed to execute contracts, 95% of performance security would be returned to a small business as part of ‘Vivad Se Vishwas’ scheme.

Budget 2023: What are lab-grown diamonds, mentioned by FM

Source: The post is based on the article “Budget 2023: What are lab-grown diamonds, mentioned by FM” published in Indian Express on 3rd February 2023.

What is the News?

During the Budget speech, the Finance Minister announced the government’s move to focus on lab-grown diamonds. 

What are Lab Grown Diamonds?

Click Here to read

What are LGDs used for?

Firstly, LGDs are most often used for industrial purposes, in machines and tools. Their hardness and extra strength make them ideal for use as cutters. 

Secondly, pure synthetic diamonds have high thermal conductivity, but negligible electrical conductivity. This combination is invaluable for electronics where such diamonds can be used as a heat spreader for high-power laser diodes, laser arrays and high-power transistors.

Thirdly, as the Earth’s reserves of natural diamonds are depleted, LGDs are slowly replacing the prized gemstone in the jewellery industry.

What are the steps announced in the Budget on Lab Grown Diamonds?

Finance Minister announced:

A five-year research grant for one of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to encourage the indigenous production of lab-grown diamonds and 

Reduction in customs duty on the seeds and machines used to produce the Lab Grown Diamonds.

Allocation of ₹7,000 cr. for Phase 3 of eCourt will improve justice delivery system: Law Minister

Source: The post is based on the article “Allocation of ₹7,000 cr. for Phase 3 of eCourt will improve justice delivery system: Law Minister” published in The Hindu on 2nd February 2023.

What is the News?

The Finance Minister has allocated ₹7,000 crore for the introduction of Phase 3 of the eCourts Project.

What is eCourts Project?

The eCourts Project was conceptualized on the basis of the “National Policy and Action Plan for Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Indian Judiciary – 2005”.

Aim: To improve access to justice using technology.

Phase III of the project: Phase III of the eCourts Project would build on the gains made by the earlier two phases that proved crucial in the delivery of justice during the COVID-19 pandemic when courts were under lockdown protocol.

The project envisages various path-breaking initiatives like: 1) Digital & Paperless Courts that aim to bring court proceedings under a digital format in a court, thereby limiting the use of paper and speeding up the disposal of cases, 2) Online Court that focus on eliminating the presence of litigants or lawyers in the court and 3) Expansion of scope of Virtual Courts beyond adjudication of Traffic Violations.

What Finance Minister’s push to end manual scavenging means

Source: The post is based on the article “What Finance Minister’s push to end manual scavenging means” published in Indian Express on 2nd February 2023.

What is the News?

The Finance Minister has announced that the Union government was looking to enable 100% mechanical desludging of septic tanks and sewers in all cities and towns.

She has also allocated around ₹100-crore in this year’s Budget for the newly named NAMASTE (National Action Plan for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) scheme.

What is Manual Scavenging?

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Deaths due to Manual Scavenging

According to the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis(NCSK), a body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, 1,054 people have died till December 31, 2022 due to hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks.

The highest number of such deaths have been reported from Tamil Nadu, where 231 persons have died during sewer cleaning. Gujarat comes next where 153 safai karamacharis have died.

What are the steps taken against Manual Scavenging?

Manual scavenging is completely prohibited under the ‘Prohibition of employment as manual scavengers and their rehabilitation Act 2013”.

In 2014, the Supreme Court passed a landmark judgment and ordered that compensation of Rs 10 lakh each must be paid by the state government to families of those who have died while cleaning sewer/septic tanks from the year 1993 onwards.

What is the significance of the announcement by the Government against Manual Scavenging?

The government’s decision to move entirely to the mechanical desludging of sewers is significant because, despite regulations prohibiting manual scavenging, the practice nevertheless persists, with contractors frequently outsourcing work to day labourers for as little as a few hundred rupees per day.

State and federal governments have tried a number of different things to stop the practice.

For instance, in 2018, the Delhi government and the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry began developing a proposal for a project to introduce smaller machines to clean sewers, which could enter narrow streets, on an ownership model with guaranteed work for the relatives of those who died while cleaning sewer lines in the city. Nearly 200 of these machines are currently in use throughout the city.

MISHTI, Amrit Dharohar, PM PRANAM: Conservation initiatives in the Budget

Source: The post is based on the article “MISHTI, Amrit Dharohar, PM PRANAM: Conservation initiatives in the Budget” published in Indian Express on 2nd February 2023.

What is the News?

The Finance Minister in his budget speech has announced several schemes and policies aimed at ecological conservation.

What are the schemes announced in Budget on ecological conservation?

MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes)

MISHTI is a new programme that will facilitate mangrove plantations along India’s coastline and on salt pan lands. It will aim at the intensive afforestation of coastal mangrove forests. 

The programme will operate through convergence between MGNREGS, CAMPA Fund and other sources.

PM PRANAM (Prime Minister Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth):

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Bhartiya Prakritik Kheti Bio-Input Resource Centres:

To further facilitate the adoption of natural farming, 10,000 Bio-Input Resource Centres will be set-up creating a national-level distributed micro-fertiliser and pesticide manufacturing network. This will impact over 1 crore farmers over the next three years.

Amrit Dharohar Scheme:

The Amrit Dharohar scheme will be implemented over the next three years to encourage optimal use of wetlands, and enhance biodiversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generation for local communities.

The scheme will emphasize on the importance of wetlands and their preservation with an outlook that is inclusive of local communities as caretakers of the ecosystem.

Union Budget 2023-24 Highlights

Source: The post is based on the following articles

“SUMMARY OF THE UNION BUDGET 2023-24” and “HIGHLIGHTS OF THE UNION BUDGET 2023-24” published in the PIB on 1st February 2023.

“All that you need to know about this year’s budget” and “Agriculture to zero emissions: here’s the budget in 26 letters” published in the Livemint on 2nd February 2023.

“Union Budget 2023 big picture: Capex push, tax reform” published in the Indian Express on 2nd February 2023.

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs presented the Union Budget 2023-24 in Parliament.

What are the major Union Budget 2023-24 highlights?

The government focused on two areas primarily. Such as 1) Incentivise the private sector in the economy to invest in the productive capacity and thereby create jobs and push growth, 2) Increasing capital expenditure and raising more government revenues via disinvestment and privatisation. This was done to ensure that the government maintains fiscal prudence.

What is the status of the economy mentioned in the Budget 2023-24?

Fiscal deficit: According to the Revised Estimates 2022-23 the fiscal deficit is 6.4% of GDP. The fiscal deficit for 2023-24 is estimated to be 5.9% of GDP.

Income Tax: The rebate limit of Personal Income Tax is to be increased to Rs. 7 lahks from the current Rs. 5 lahks in the new tax regime.

Per capita income has more than doubled to ₹1.97 lakh in around nine years.

What are the salient schemes and programs mentioned or launched in the Budget 2023-24?

Schemes for Agriculture

GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) scheme: 500 new ‘waste to wealth’ plants under GOBARdhan scheme to be established for promoting circular economy

Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Program: The program will be launched to boost the availability of disease-free, quality planting material for high value horticultural crops.

Agriculture Accelerator Fund: It will be set-up to encourage agri-startups by young entrepreneurs in rural areas.

New sub-scheme under PM Matsya Sampada Yojana: It will be launched to further enable activities of fishermen, fish vendors, and micro & small enterprises, improve value chain efficiencies, and expand the market.

PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth” (PM-PRANAM): To incentivize States and Union Territories to promote alternative fertilizers and balanced use of chemical fertilizers.

Governance

National Data Governance Policy: To unleash innovation and research by start-ups and academia.

Environment

Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI): For mangrove plantation along the coastline and on salt pan lands, through convergence between MGNREGS, CAMPA Fund and other sources.

Green Credit Programme: It will be notified under the Environment (Protection) Act to incentivize and mobilize additional resources for environmentally sustainable and responsive actions.

Amrit Dharohar scheme: To encourage optimal use of wetlands, enhance bio-diversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generation for local communities.

Infrastructure

Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF): It will be established through the use of Priority Sector Lending shortfall. It will be managed by the National Housing Bank and will be used by public agencies to create urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Skill Training

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0: It will be launched to skill lakhs of youth within the next three years covering new age courses for Industry 4.0 like coding, AI, robotics, mechatronics, IOT, 3D printing, drones, and soft skills.

Unified Skill India Digital platform: For enabling demand-based formal skilling, linking with employers including MSMEs, and facilitating access to entrepreneurship schemes.

Industries

Unity Mall: States will be encouraged for setting up such malls for the promotion and sale of their own and also all other states’ ODOPs (One District, One Product), GI products and handicrafts.

Entity DigiLocker: It will be setup for use by MSMEs, large businesses and charitable trusts to store and share documents online securely.

Health

The government will soon launch a Sickle Cell Anaemia elimination mission.

The new Programme to promote research in Pharmaceuticals will also be launched.

Education

National Digital Library for Children and Adolescents: To facilitate the availability of quality books across geographies, languages, genres and levels, and device-agnostic accessibility.

Bharat Shared Repository of Inscriptions: It will be set up in a digital epigraphy museum, with the digitization of one lakh ancient inscriptions in the first stage.

Tribal development

Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission: The government allocated funds for the implementation of the mission under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes.

Women

Mahila Samman Savings Certificate: It is a new small savings scheme for women. It will offer a deposit facility upto Rs 2 lakh in the name of women or girls for the tenure of 2 years (up to March 2025) at a fixed interest rate of 7.5 per cent with a partial withdrawal option.

How Budget 2023-24 will promote various sectors?

Promote EVs: This is done by a) A capacity of 4,000 MWh of battery energy storage systems is being supported with viability gap funding, b) The import duty on goods and machinery used in the manufacture of lithium-ion cells has been waived.

Increase Capital Expenditure: One of the major highlights of this year’s budget. There is a sharp 33% increase in capital investment.

Defence: The allocation for defence has seen an increase of 1.5%, which is an all-time high. This is allocated for purchasing new weapons, aircraft, warships and other hardware.

Benefits for High net worth individuals: The highest effective income tax rate currently stands at 42.74%. In 2023-24, this will be reduced to 39%.

Overall, the projects mentioned in Budget have a low gestation period and can create jobs quickly.