Monthly - Jatin Verma · P a g e | 1 ©Jatin Verma All Rights Reserved.

PIB COMPILATION November 2019

www.jatinverma.org

Monthly

P a g e | 1

©Jatin Verma All Rights Reserved. https://www.jatinverma.org

INDEX

History of India

1. Excavation by ASI Indicates a Trade Centre of Early Historic Period

2. Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019

Geography

3. Wastelands Atlas’ – 2019

Social Issues

4. Endowment Fund of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

5. National Population Stabilization Fund (NPSF)

6. About Road Accidents in India

7. Drug Abuse

8. Government of India to Set Up & Strengthen AHTUs & WHDs in States

International relations

9. ASEAN-India FTA (AIFTA):

10. All You Need To Know about the 11th BRICS Summit

11. Indo – French Collaboration (Largest FDI Project of Railways)

12. DUSTLIK-2019 Joint Field Training Exercise (FTX)-2019

13. Exercise MITRA SHAKTI– 2019

14. Strategic Partnership Council between India and Saudi Arabia

https://www.jatinverma.org/

P a g e | 2


Important Bills and Act

15. Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019

16. Company Law Committee-2019 submits its report to Finance Minister

17. Critical Analysis of the Transgender Persons Bill, 2019

18. Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016

19. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019

Indian Economy

20. Special Fund for Housing Project

21. On Public Sector Undertakings Disinvestment

22. The Industrial Relations Code, 2019

23. International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019

24. Toll-Operate-Transfer Model and Securitization of User Fee Receipts of NH

25. Recycling Of Ships Bill, 2019

26. Trends in the exports

27. First-Ever Movement Of Container Cargo On Brahmaputra

Science and Technology

28. NuGen Mobility Summit-2019

29. Cartosat-3 satellite

30. Bamboo Technology Parks

Environment

31. Swachh – Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan

32. North India's stubble burning woes have an RBI link

33. Special Grade Fuel.


P a g e | 3


History of India

Excavation by ASI Indicates a Trade Centre of Early Historic Period

In the 1st phase of excavation by a team of Archaeological Survey of India’s Excavation

Branch – VI, Bangalore has discovered the remains of a huge settlement surrounded by a massive brick enclosure.

About Gottiprolu

The site of Gottiprolu lies on the right bank of a

distributary of river Swarnamukhi. Swarnamukhi is a river in southern India. The holy

Hindu temples of Tirumala and Srikalahasti are located in the river basin.

What the excavation have founded?

1. Stone Vishnu Idol- One life-size Vishnu sculpture and a wide variety of pottery of the early centuries of the

current era. Subsequent excavations conducted around the image revealed it to be a life-size image of Vishnu measuring about 2 meters in height. It displays a four-

armed Vishnu standing over a pedestal carrying chakra and conch in his upper right and left hands respectively.

The lower right is in the bestowing boon and the left hand in kalahasti (resting on the hip) posture.

2. Massive Brick Structure- It also revealed elliptical,

circular and rectangular brick structures. 3. Female Terracotta- Other interesting antiquity

retrieved is the molded female terracotta figurine with two hands lifted upwards.

4. Conical shaped Terracotta Pipes for drainage

purpose - A series of broken terracotta pipes fitted

into one another revealed about the civic amenities maintained by the occupants of this site. The drainage

system pattern is understood by the exposed remains

of the drainage at the site. 5. Stone Tools, Stone Celt-These settlements could have

been an important trade Centre as indicated by the presence of imitated amphorae wares that were mostly used to transport liquid commodities.

6. Globular Pot Carinated vessel, Footed Vessels, Red

Slipped ware, In-situ Pot and Conical Jar- The

proximity of the site to the seacoast suggests that the site could have served as a strategic settlement involved in maritime trade.


P a g e | 4


4. Other major retrieved antiquities unearthed are copper and lead coins, iron spearhead,

stone celts, terracotta beads, ear stud in semi-precious stone and hopscotches. The

ceramic assemblage of the site consisted of fine quality black and redware collected from the lower levels, conical jars, rouletted shred’s, russet coated ware , etc. The extensively used

goblet-shaped ware indicates the typical tableware associated with the site. Gottiprolu: Trade Centre

● Further the entire seacoast on the east is dotted with various forms of antiquarian remains

extending from Tamil Nadu and culturally linked with each other. ● The two fortified townships within the gap of 15kms during early historic times indicate the

significant strategic location was preferred by the early historic people for trade in the region keeping in view of the proximity of the sea, River and Lake.

Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2019

Background: Jallianwala Bagh massacre has completed its 100th anniversary and after 100 years, it is necessary to build Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial as National Memorial in true sense.

These amendments will make this Memorial a National Monument in true spirit. About the Bill:

1. The bill seeks to make apolitical the trust that runs Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial by removing the clause pertaining to the President of INC as a permanent member of the trust.

2. The Bill also amends to include the Leader of Opposition recognized as such in the House

of the People (Lok Sabha) or where there is no such Leader of Opposition, then the Leader of the single largest Opposition Party in that House as a member of the trust.

3. The Bill also amends that a nominated trustee may be terminated before the expiry of the period of five years by the Central Government.


P a g e | 5


Geography

Wastelands Atlas’ – 2019

Context

● Realizing the importance of availability of reliable database on the wastelands of the country, Ministry for Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare & Panchayati Raj

released the Wastelands Atlas – 2019. ● The Department of Land Resources in collaboration with National Remote Sensing Centre

(NRSC), Department of Space has published Wastelands Atlases of India - 2000, 2005, 2010 & 2011 editions.

Background

● India with 2.4% of total land area of the World is supporting 18% of the World’s population. ● The per capita availability of agriculture land in India is 0.12 ha whereas World per capita

agriculture land is 0.29 ha. ● Unprecedented pressure on the land beyond its carrying capacity is resulting into degradation

of lands in the Country. ● Therefore, robust geospatial information on wastelands assumes significance and effectively

helpful in rolling back the wastelands for productive use through various land development

programmes / schemes.

About Wasteland Atlas- New Edition, 2019

● The new wastelands mapping exercise, carried out by NRSC using the Indian Remote

Sensing Satellite data is brought out as the fifth edition of Wastelands Atlas – 2019. ● This Wastelands Atlas-2019 provides district and state wise distribution of different

categories of wastelands area including mapping of about 12.08 Mha hitherto unmapped area

of Jammu & Kashmir. ● The effort has resulted in estimating the spatial extent of wastelands for entire country to the

tune of 55.76 Mha (16.96 % of geographical area of the Country) for the year 2015-16 as compared to 56.60 Mha (17.21%) in the year 2008-09.

● During this period 1.45 Mha of wastelands are converted into non wastelands categories.

There is a net conversion of 0.84 Mha (0.26%) of different wasteland categories in the country during 2008-09 to 2015-16.

Changes observed changes in wastelands between 2008-09 and 2015-16 have been presented in

the Atlas. ● Negative change- A reduction in wasteland area was observed in the categories of land

with dense scrub, waterlogged and marshy land, sandy areas, degraded pastures/grazing land and gullied and / or ravinous land.

● Positive Change- Majority of wastelands have been changed into categories of ‘cropland’

(0.64 Mha), ‘forest-dense / open’ (0.28 Mha), ‘forest plantation’ (0.029 Mha), ‘plantation’ (0.057 Mha) and ‘industrial area’ (0.035 Mha) etc.

● The wastelands have undergone positive change in the states of Rajasthan (0.48 Mha), Bihar (0.11 Mha), Uttar Pradesh (0.10 Mha), Andhra Pradesh (0.08 Mha), Mizoram (0.057 Mha), Madhya Pradesh (0.039 Mha), Jammu & Kashmir (0.038 Mha) and West Bengal (0.032

Mha).


P a g e | 6


Social Issues

Endowment Fund of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

The president of India launched the Endowment Fund of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi at

Rashtrapati Bhavan. Key Facts about the Announcement:

● The move is the right step to align India’s financial health of educational institutions along with the players.

● By giving through endowments, alumni are not just giving to their institution but they are

also supporting and nurturing future generations of learners. ● Endowments globally have become integral to the financial health of educational institutions

over time. ● In fact, India is still far from the size and importance of endowment funds of Institutions such

as Harvard, Yale or Columbia.

Why IIT Delhi?

● In the latest QS World University ranking 2020, IIT Delhi was ranked at 182. ● Looking at the ranking, there is a lot of scope for improvement if it aims to be one of the top

institutes in the world.

What needed for Delhi IIT?

● Increase the number of Faculty: It needs to increase the number of faculty particularly faculty with international experience.

● Upgrading the Infrastructure: It needs to upgrade its infrastructure to ensure its campus,

course content and research facilities are completely world-class.

2020 QS World University Rankings: ● The recently released 2020 QS World University Rankings under which the Massachusetts

Institute of Technology (MIT) has retained its top spot for the eighth consecutive year.

● The QS World University Rankings rank 1,000 universities in 82 different locations which consider the following criteria:

● Academic standing, ● Internationalization, ● Student/staff ratio,

● Graduate employability, and t ● Teaching capacity.

● In Asia: The top two universities are the National University of Singapore Endowment Fund Of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

● Compatriot Nanyang Technological University at a shared 11th spot in the rankings.

● In Latin America: The top university for the fifth consecutive year is the Universidad de Buenos Aires (74th).

● Middle East: The Middle East has two top 200 universities in the rankings with Saudi Arabia’s King AbdulAziz University (186th) leading the region.


P a g e | 7


QS World University Rankings 2020 – Top 10

2020 Rank

2019 Rank

University Location

1 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) United States

2 2 Stanford University United States

3 3 Harvard University United States

4 5 University of Oxford United

Kingdom

5 4 California Institute of Technology (Caltech) United States

6 7 ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)

Switzerland

7 6 University of Cambridge United

Kingdom

8 10 UCL (University College London) United Kingdom

9 8 Imperial College London United

Kingdom

10 9 University of Chicago United States


P a g e | 8


Issues with the present Higher Education System in India:

● Teaching Quality: The quality of most higher education institutions in India is abysmal. The expansion in the number of universities and colleges has often been at the expense of

quality.

● Financing: Financing is also an issue with higher education in India. However, if the quality of higher education has to be improved then more financing is needed.

● Quota System: Reservation in Indian education system continues to be a controversial social and political issue and has resulted in many protracted legal disputes and a multitude of legal

interpretations

● Political Factor: Political influence is also a bad thing and an issue with higher education. Governing bodies do not want any political influence or interference in their affairs.

● Equipment: Extreme faculty shortage, deficiencies in library books, laboratory facilities,

computer and broadband internet, classrooms and buildings, etc. are the main issue.

National Population Stabilization Fund (NPSF)

To empower the National Population Stabilization Fund (NPSF), the Government of India has set up Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK).

Background: ● The Government of India had set up a National Population Stabilization Fund (NPSF) in

the year 2004-05 with a one-time grant of Rs.100 crore in the form of a corpus fund. ● This is now known as Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK). ● This is an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

● JSK can take all the policy-related decisions. It can raise contributions from organizations and individuals that support population stabilization. JSK implements two schemes,

namely, Santushti and Prerna.

Santushti strategy:

● Santushti is a strategy of Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK) for the highly populated

states of India viz Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,

Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh & Odisha. ● Under this strategy, Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh invites private sector gynecologists and

vasectomy surgeons to conduct sterilization operations in Public-Private Partnership

model. ● According to this Scheme, an accredited private Nursing Home/ Hospital can sign a

tripartite MOU between the State Health Society as 1st party, accredited private health facility as 2nd party and JSK as the third party.

● Upon signing the MOU, the private hospitals/nursing homes shall be entitled to incentive

by JSK whenever it conducts 10 or more Tubectomy/Vasectomy cases in a month. ● The accreditation is done by the district and approved by the State Health Society.


P a g e | 9


Prerna strategy ● In order to help push up the age of marriage of girls and space the birth of children in the

interest of the health of young mothers and infants, Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (National Population Stabilization Fund) has launched PRERNA, a Responsible Parenthood

Strategy in seven focus states namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Rajasthan.

● The strategy recognizes and awards couples who have broken the stereotype of early

marriage, early childbirth and repeated childbirth and have helped change the mindsets of the community.

● In order to become eligible for award under the scheme, the girl should have been married after 19 years of age and given birth to the first child after at least 2 years of marriage.

● The couple will get an award of Rs.10, 000/- if it is a Boy child or Rs.12, 000/- if it is a girl

child. ● If the birth of the second child takes place after at least 3 years of the birth of the first child

and either parent voluntarily accept permanent method of family planning within one year of the birth of the second child, the couple will get an additional award of Rs.5,000/- (Boy child) / Rs.7,000/- (Girl child).

● The amount of award is given in the form of National Saving Certificate (NSC). The scheme is meant only for BPL families.

About Road Accidents in India

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways released the annual report on road accidents in

India.

Key Findings

● More than 1.5 lakh people lost their lives in road crashes in the country in 2018, registering an increase of 2.4% as compared to the year before.

● India witnessed 53 crashes and loss of 17 lives every hour.

● Road traffic injuries constitute the eighth leading cause of deaths in India in 2018. ● The annual report also reveals that of the total people killed in road crash deaths in 2018,

48% were between 18 years and 35 years old. ● Minors involved in road crash deaths were at 6.6% of the total deaths. ● Not wearing helmets and seat belts are not causes of crashes, but are critical for avoiding

grievous injuries and fatalities, according to the report. ● Among the States, Tamil Nadu (13.7%) topped the country in terms of the total number of

road crashes. ● A lot of States that have opposed the implementation of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act

or have reduced the fines are amongst the States with the highest road crash fatalities.

Example: Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttarakhand

Government Initiatives in this regard The Ministry has been making concerted efforts to address the problem of road safety through a

series of measures that include ● Improving road infrastructure,


P a g e | 10


● Road safety audits, ● Identification and rectification of black spots on roads

● Strengthening the automobile safety standards, ● Organizing road safety awareness programmes and strengthening enforcement etc.

● Guidelines for setting up Driver Training Schools in districts. ● The Ministry has issued guidelines associating Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

for promoting awareness about road safety under a scheme titled “Grant of financial

assistance for administering Road Safety Advocacy and awards for the outstanding work done in the field of Road Safety.

● SukhadYatra App and Toll-Free Emergency Number: The SukhadYatra mobile application provides information on toll gates. The key feature of the app includes a provision for the user to enter road quality-related information or to report any accident or

pothole on the highway. ● The toll-free number 1033 will enable users to report an emergency condition, or highway-

related feedback, across the highway. ● To help accident victims in getting reasonable and fast compensation from insurance

companies, the Ministry revised the relevant rules of the Motor Vehicles Act according to

which every accident victim or his next of kin will be entitled to a compensation of Rs 5

lakh in case of death, and up to Rs 5 lakh, proportionate to the extent of injury in case of

grievous hurt and disablement. ● Accident victims can claim higher compensation through court if they are not satisfied, but

with this rule even the poorest of the poor will get a fast and reasonable compensation.

● CCTV installation at Toll Plazas. ● Films on Road Safety: Three short films for generating public awareness for the need to

comply with the rules of the road, eventually contributing to the cause of road safety, were launched

● Capacity Building in the area of Road Safety: National Centre for Road Safety has been

able to train over 1,400 professionals in road safety and road safety audit by conducting 31 courses pan India.

The latest data highlights the urgent need on the part of the States to implement key road safety provisions of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019.

Drug Abuse National Survey to collect state wise data on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use was

conducted in the country during the year 2018. Drug abuse

● Drug abuse is defined as self-administration of a drug for non-medical reasons.

● In such amount and periodicity which may impair the ability to function adequately and which may result in social, physical, or emotional harm.

● A wide range of biological, genetic, medical, social, and environmental factors have influenced people from the community for drug abuse.

● Drug abuse tends to affect the individuals from the middle-aged and later years of life.

● It even affects the quality of life, family interdynamics, and burdening of the health system

Reason for the drug abuse

● Wide range of biological, genetic, medical, social, and environmental factors have

influenced people for drug abuse .


https://www.omicsonline.org/human-genetics-embryology.php

P a g e | 11


● These multidimensional factors include parameters ● Genetic predisposition

● Childhood behavioral problems

● Adverse childhood events like physical / emotional / sexual abuse or neglect

● Problem family or broken family ● Family conflicts and quality of parenting – strict parents ● Presence of drug abuse in parents

● Peer pressure or pleasure seeking ● Low levels of self-confidence or self-control

● Socioeconomic status ● History of academic failures ● History of antisocial and aggressive behavior

● Pre-existing psychological disorder in individual or family members ● Increase in prescriptions for neuropsychiatric medications like opioids / stimulants /

sedatives ● Weak legislative measures

● Rise in the sale of non-prescription or over-the-counter drugs

● No effective strategies to curb new drugs usage that are sold through internet

Impact of drug abuse

● Affects the quality of life and family inter-dynamics ● Substance abuse has produced a significant impact on health and social dimensions like

poor academic performance ● Increase in the incidence of school dropouts

● Rise in cases of juvenile delinquency ● Aggravated cases of familial disharmony ● Enhanced cardiovascular risks

● Psychological morbidities like depression and adjustment disorders ● More frequent adoption of high risk behavior

● HIV / AIDS infection ● Cerebro-vascular accidents ● Metabolic complications in elderly

● Casualties due to interpersonal violence ● Rate of admission in hospitals owing to drug overdose or infections from needles.

● In addition, drug abuse imposes a substantial economic burden on the country because of the added direct and indirect medical aid.

About the survey

● The report presents major findings of the survey in terms of proportion of Indian

population using various substances and those affected by substance use disorders. ● This survey indicates that there are wide variations in the extent and prevalence of

substance use across different states and between various substances.

● The prevalence of opioid use problem is existing in a majority of the States . ● The top ten states where people need help for opioid use problem are Uttar Pradesh,

Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, West

Bengal, Rajasthan, Odisha.


https://www.omicsonline.org/family-medicine-medical-science-research.php

P a g e | 12


Measures to control drug menace

Government measures

● Article 47 says that the State shall endeavor to bring about prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health.

● Drug regulation: To ensure food safety, the government has set up a food regulator. Similarly for drugs. Drugs are beneficial or injurious depending on quantity and frequency.

● Control cross border drug trafficking: Punjab’s drug situation can be addressed through

proper patrolling by the border forces.

Societal measures

● Mass media campaigns. Media avenues might include the use of billboards, newspapers, radio, and television, as well as collaborations with the entertainment industry, music videos,

and interactive media. ● Community organizing and coalitions. These efforts require collaboration among several

community entities to develop community-wide strategies for reducing substance use. ● Family training, counseling, and case management. This category includes efforts to alter

family management practices or to build parenting skills in general through instruction or

training. These activities often teach.

International precedent

● Israel's national drug control policy continues to promote a comprehensive approach centered on health, human rights, and balanced demand and supply reduction.

National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) for 2018-2025

● This Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing a National Action

Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) for 2018-2025. ● The Plan aims at reduction of adverse consequences of drug abuse through a multi-

pronged strategy involving education, de-addiction and rehabilitation of affected

individuals and their families.

● The activities under the NAPDDR, inter-alia, include awareness generation

programmes in schools/colleges/Universities, workshops/seminars/ with parents,

community based peer led interactions intervention programmes for vulnerable

adolescents and youth in the community. ● The Ministry has also initiated focused intervention programmes in vulnerable districts

across the country. ● It aims to increase community participation and public cooperation in the reduction of

demand for dependence-producing substances and promote collective

initiatives and self-help endeavor among individuals and groups vulnerable to addiction

or found at risk.

Government of India to Set Up & Strengthen AHTUs & WHDs In States

Government Of India To Set Up & Strengthen AHTUs & WHDs In States On October 22nd

2019, the Empowered Committee (EC) under Nirbhaya Framework, chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, favourably appraised two proposals


P a g e | 13


● To develop systems for operationalization of Women Help Desks (WHDs) in police stations &

● Expansion of Anti-Human-Trafficking-Units (AHTUs) in all districts.

Setting up and strengthening Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) in all districts of

States & UTs:

● The EC recommended the proposal for setting up AHTUs at a cost of Rs. 100 crores for the safety and security of women and girl victims of trafficking, with the condition that a proper

monitoring and reporting mechanism should also be put in place. ● 100% cost of setting up of these AHTUs has been recommended to be borne by the Central

Government under Nirbhaya Fund as per the MHA proposal. ● The EC has also suggested that psychosocial counselling and legal counselling and aid

should also be made available through these AHTUs to the beneficiaries.

● The MHA has also been requested to ensure the nomination of State level nodal officers

for coordinating and monitoring the functioning of AHTUs and sharing their data with

the EC and the Ministry of WCD.

Setting up/ strengthening Women Help Desks (WHDs) in Police Stations in all States &

UTs:

● The EC recommended the proposal for setting up Women Help Desks in Police Stations in all States and UTs at the cost of Rs. 100 crores to be funded 100% by the Central

Government under the Nirbhaya Fund. ● WHDs would be gender-sensitive desks for grievance redressal of women through the

policing system, as well as catalysts for improved community interaction of the police

with a focus on crime against women and children. ● They would also help create a conducive atmosphere for distressed women and girls to

approach the police stations without any hesitation and fear. ● The EC has suggested that these Women Help Desks should preferably be headed by a

woman police officer, not below the rank of Head Constables, and preferably by women

officers not below the ranks of JSI or ASI. ● Further, training, orientation and sensitization of both men and women police officials

working at or in relation to WHDs at police stations, should also be taken up. ● Presently, as per the proposal of MHA, WHDs have been approved for ten thousand police

stations.

● However, the EC has suggested that the facility may be expanded to all the police stations in the country may be over a period of time or in phases.

● MHA has also been requested to ask the States and UTs to notify Nodal Officers at District and State levels as early as possible to coordinate the functioning of the Women Help Desks and share the data with EC.

Important topics for Prelims: The Nirbhaya Fund

● The Nirbhaya Fund was set up by the UPA-II in the aftermath of the gang rape of a

paramedical student in a moving bus in New Delhi in December 2012 with an initial corpus of ₹1,000 crores.


P a g e | 14


● The Nirbhaya Fund Framework provides for a non-lapsable corpus fund for safety and security of women to be administered by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) of

the Ministry of Finance (MoF) of the Government of India. ● Further, it provides for an Empowered Committee (EC) of officers chaired by the

Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) to appraise and recommend proposals to be funded under this framework.

● The Fund supports schemes for the safety of women, and over the past six years, it has

swelled to ₹3,600 crores through allocation in the Finance Budgets. ● The key schemes under which the States have been allocated money include

● Emergency Response Support System, ● Central Victim Compensation Fund.

● Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children.

● One Stop Scheme.

● Mahila Police Volunteer, and

● Universalisation of Women Helpline Scheme .


P a g e | 15


International relations

ASEAN-India FTA (AIFTA): ● The ASEAN–India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) is a free trade area among the ten member

states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India. The initial

framework agreement was signed on 8 October 2003 in Bali, Indonesia and the final agreement was on 13 August 2009.

Outcomes of 16th ASEAN- India summit:

● Reaffirmed commitment to continue the implementation of the Delhi Declaration.

● ASEAN-India will look forward to a new Plan of Action (2021-2025) as a guiding document to further enhance ASEAN-India cooperation in areas of mutual interest, and continue bringing about tangible benefits to the peoples of both sides as well as contributing

to the promotion of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. ● Reiterated shared commitment to support ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led mechanisms in

the evolving regional architecture that is open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based. ● ASEAN Leaders appreciated India’s active participation and positive contribution to

ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional

Forum (ARF), the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). ● Emphasized the need to enhance ASEAN-India collaborative efforts in countering

terrorism, radicalization, violent extremism, and transnational crimes, and the need to strengthen cooperation on cyber security through supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Cyber security Cooperation Strategy and the ARF Work Plan on Security of and

in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies. ● ASEAN Leaders reiterated the importance of the ASEAN Outlook on the IndoPacific

(AOIP), appreciated India’s support of the AOIP and encouraged India to undertake cooperation with ASEAN.

● ASEAN Leaders welcomed the conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic

Partnership (RCEP) negotiations and the commitment to sign the RCEP Agreement in 2020.

● ASEAN Leaders also expressed appreciation to India for launching 1,000 doctoral fellowships for ASEAN students at Indian institutes of technology on 16 September 2019.

● ASEAN-India will look forward to the expeditious conclusion of the ASEAN-India Air

Transport Agreement (AI-ATA) and the ASEAN-India Maritime Transport Agreement (AI-MTA).

● PM Modi said, ASEAN is and always will be the heart of our Act East Policy. ● India is committed to further strengthen partnerships through the stronger surface,

maritime and air-connectivity, and digital-link.

● India has put forward “reasonable proposals" in a clear manner and is engaged in talks with “sincerity" for the free trade deal.

● India remains committed to a comprehensive and balanced outcome from the ongoing RCEP negotiations.

Why India is looking for a review? ● The potential flood of Chinese imports in India.


P a g e | 16


● India’s stand on data localization issue and its opposition to E-commerce chapter due to that. ● Industries at a disadvantage: RCEP members want India to eliminate or significantly

reduce customs duties on the maximum number of goods it traded globally. India’s huge domestic market provides an immense opportunity for exports.

● India wants greater market access for its professionals in the proposed agreement. ● NITI Aayog said India’s trade deficit with ASEAN, Korea, and Japan has widened post-

FTAs.

● Trade deficits with several ASEAN partners: it can be concluded that India’s quality of trade has not improved under AIFTA (ASEAN-India FTA).e.g.: bilateral trade deficit of over $50

billion with China.

Bilateral Meetings of the Prime Minister on the sidelines of ASEAN – India Summit,

Bangkok.

● Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate meetings with Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha and Indonesian President Joker Widodo.

● Discussed various issues to expand cooperation in areas such as trade and culture.

● PM Addressed the Indian community at the 'Sawasdee PM Modi' event in Bangkok

All You Need To Know about the 11th BRICS Summit

The 11th BRICS Summit 2019 is currently underway in Brazil. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Brasilia to attend the summit.

11th BRICS summit: The BRICS summit 2019 theme is 'Economic Growth for an Innovative

Future'.

● The BRICS 2019 is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in the fields of science, technology, innovation and the digital economy.

● The annual summit also aims to advance cooperation in the fight against transnational crime,

especially organized crime, money laundering and drug trafficking.


P a g e | 17


Key highlights of the summit:

● Multilateralism: India articulated a vision for strengthening and reforming the present multilateral system.

● BRICS leaders and BRICS Business Council Meeting: BRICS Business Council

created a roadmap to achieve the $ 500 billion Intra-BRICS trade target by the next summit and identification of economic complementarities among BRICS countries would be important in this effort.

● Security Cooperation: first Seminar on BRICS Strategies for Countering

Terrorism was organized. It will increase strong BRICS Security Cooperation against terrorism and other organized crimes. The joint working group on counter-terrorism has

decided to constitute sub-working groups in five areas:

1. Terrorist financing;

2. Use of the Internet for terrorist purposes;

3. Countering radicalization;

4. The issue of foreign terrorist fighters;

5. Capacity-building.

● India –China border talks: India-China decided to hold border talks on matters relating to the boundary question. It reiterated the importance of maintaining

peace and security along the border areas. It shows India’s


P a g e | 18


commitment to an early settlement of the dispute. Chinese president Xi Xinping invited PM Modi to China for the third informal summit between the two nations in 2020.

● India- Russia- both countries decided to hold the 1st bilateral regional forum between

Russian Provinces and the Indian States in 2020 to do away with the trade barriers at the regional level. Russia also highlighted the potential of the Arctic region in natural gas and

invited India to invest in the region.

● India’s proposals:

Sustainable water management, sanitation and disaster management: India proposed to hold first meeting of BRICS Water Ministers in India. India requested

BRICS countries and NDB to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure initiative. India requested that the work of establishing the Regional Office of NDB (New Development Bank) in India should be

completed soon.

Mutual trade and investment: special attention should be given to mutual trade and investment as Intra-BRICS trade accounts for just 15% of world trade, while

the combined population is more than 40% of the world's population.

India requested BRICS countries and NDB to join Coalition for Disaster

Resilient Infrastructure initiative. India requested that the work of establishing

the Regional Office of NDB (New Development Bank) in India should be completed soon.

Indo – French Collaboration (Largest FDI Project of Railways) Indian Railways has entered into Procurement cum Maintenance Agreement with

Madhepura Electric Locomotive Pvt. Ltd. (MELPL), a joint venture of Indian Railways and M/s Alstom.

Background:

As part of the largest Foreign Direct Investment project of Indian Railways, Ministry of

Railways and Alstom came together in 2015 to transform the heavy freight transportation landscape of the country.

A landmark agreement worth 3.5 billion Euro was signed to manufacture 800 electric

locomotives for freight service and its associated maintenance.

Current Status: ● After the test and trials, M/s Alstom will accelerate the delivery schedule and supply 10

locomotives in FY 2019-20, 90 locomotives in FY 2020-21 and 100 locomotives per year

beyond March 2021 as per their recovery plan. ● As part of the project, factory along with township has been set up in Madhepura, Bihar

with capacity to manufacture 120 locomotives per year. ● More than Rs 2000 Crores have already been invested in the project by the company. ● One Maintenance Depot already established in Saharanpur. Work starting on the second

Depot at Nagpur. ● More than 300 Engineers from India and France are working in Bangalore, Madhepura

and France on the Project.


P a g e | 19


Significance of Agreement: ● This is truly a Make in India Project which will give impetus to domestic production

● This will be a game-changer for further movement of coal trains for Dedicated Freight

Corridor and will further develop ancillary units for locomotive components .

● It will ensure socio-economic development of the region as skill centres are being set up in Madhepura to impart training to local people.

● More than 50% of locals have been hired in the factory. A fully functional mobile health

clinic is being operated in the villages around Madhepura. ● With 100% electrification, the new locomotive will not only bring down operational cost

for Railways but will also reduce congestion and environmental

DUSTLIK-2019 Joint Field Training Exercise (FTX)-2019

India-Uzbekistan conducted DUSTLIK-2019 Joint Field Training Exercise (FTX)-2019 after 10 days of joint training with Uzbekistan Army.

Dustlik-2019: ● It was conducted at Chirchiq Training Area, Uzbekistan. ● It was focused on counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations in urban scenario.

● Armies of both countries shared expertise on skills at arms, combat shooting and experiences in counter insurgency and counter terrorism.

● The exercise also provided an opportunity to armies of all nations for greater cultural understanding, sharing experiences and strengthening mutual trust and cooperation.

● Both Armies exhibited their combat power and dominance over the extremist groups.

Significance of Dustlik:

● The exercise will improve interoperability and confidence between the two armies and enable the sharing of best practices between the two countries.

● It will generate goodwill that will go a long way in future strengthening the bonds between

the two armed forces. ● This will help in understanding each other’s Organization and methodology of conducting

various operations.

Exercise MITRA SHAKTI– 2019 The seventh edition of India-Sri Lanka Exercise MITRA SHAKTI– 2019 is scheduled to be conducted at Foreign Training Node (FTN), Pune in December.

Exercise MITR SHAKTI - 2019 is aimed at sending a strong message to all the member nations of the United Nations of the intent, commitment, and capability of the militaries of both India & Sri Lanka towards maintaining world peace and upholding the mandate of United

Nations.

Significance of Mitra Shakti exercise: ● Joint training exercise helps in building and promoting positive relations between the armies

of India and Sri Lanka.

● Strengthen interoperability. ● Focus on subunit level training for counter-insurgency & counter-terrorism operations in the

urban and rural environments under the United Nations mandate.


P a g e | 20


● This Exercise is incorporating the current dynamics of United Nations peacekeeping operations through practical & comprehensive discussions and tactical exercises.

Strategic Partnership Council between India and Saudi Arabia

Cabinet approves Post Facto the Agreement on the establishment of the Strategic Partnership

Council between India and Saudi Arabia.

About Strategic Partnership Council (SPC)

● A principal takeaway from the recent Saudi visit of Indian PM included the signing of a MoU to establish a Strategic Partnership Council (SPC), headed jointly by PM Modi and Crown Prince Muhammad.

● The SPC will have two parallel tracks: Political, security, culture and society, headed by Foreign Ministers; and economy and investment, headed by India’s Commerce Minister and

Saudi’s Energy Minister. ● India is the fourth country with which Saudi Arabia has formed such a strategic

partnership, after the UK, France, and China.

Benefits

● It will enable the leadership at the highest level in both countries to meet regularly and

monitor progress in the ongoing initiatives/projects under the strategic partnership. ● The proposal aims to benefit the citizens with improved economic and commercial

linkages with Saudi Arabia irrespective of any gender, class or income bias. ● This Agreement with Saudi Arabia will open new avenues of partnership in strategic

areas like defense, security counter-terrorism, energy security, and renewable energy.


P a g e | 21


Important Bills and Act

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019

● On the recommendation of Parliament, the President effectively dismantled Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and gave assent to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act,

2019.

● With asset of the president, now Jammu and Kashmir will work as union territory

directly under the administrative of the centre.

What’s new? Muzaffarabad as a new capital

● In a notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs also released the new map of India

depicting the two UTs with PoK ‘capital’ Muzaffarabad within the geographical

boundary of the country.

Union Territory of Ladakh

● The UT of Ladakh consists of two districts of Kargil and Leh.

1. Kargil district was carved out from the area of Leh and Ladakh district.

2. The Leh district of the new UT of Ladakh has been defined in the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Removal of Difficulties) Second Order, 2019, issued by the President of

India, to include the areas of the districts of Gilgit, Gilgit Wazarat, Chilhas and Tribal Territory of 1947, in addition to the remaining areas of Leh and Ladakh districts of 1947, after carving out the Kargil District.

Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir

● The rest of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir is in the UT of Jammu and

Kashmir.

● As per the new map, PoK remains with Jammu and Kashmir UT

Newly carved districts

● By 2019, the government of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir had reorganized the areas

of these 14 districts into 28 districts. ● The names of the new districts were – Kupwara, Bandipur, Ganderbal, Srinagar,

Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Samba and

Kargil.

Company Law Committee-2019 submits its report to Finance Minister

Context

The Company Law Committee (Chairman - Injeti Srinivas) has recommended amendments to the provisions under the company law to reduce criminality and de-clog the criminal justice

system. It will lead to ease of living for corporates in the country.


P a g e | 22


Considerations by the committee -

● Decriminalization of 16 minor procedural/technical lapses made through the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2019

● Adopted a principle based approach to further remove criminality ● Explored an alternative methods of imposing sanctions in some cases.

The main recommendations of the Committee

● Recommended changes in the 46 penal provisions so as to remove criminality or to restrict

punishment to only fine or to allow rectification of defaults through alternative methods. ● 23 offences have been recategorised. It will be dealt with in the in-house adjudication

framework.

● Reducing the quantum of penalties in - Category E offences (technical defaults relating to intimation of certain information

by filing forms with the Registrar of Companies) Category F offences (defaults involving substantial violations which may affect the

going concern nature of the company).

● Retention of status-quo in case of the non-compoundable offences. ● Exclude certain class of companies from the definition of ‘listed company’ in consultation

with SEBI. ● Proposing benches of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). ● Reducing timelines so as to speed up rights issues

● Extending exemptions from filing of certain resolutions to certain classes of NBFCs. ● Providing power to enhance the thresholds of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

provisions. ● Providing for appeal against the orders of the Regional Directors before the NCLT after due

examination.

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)

● It was constituted under the Companies Act, 2013.

● It was established for hearing appeals against the orders of - National Company Law Tribunal(s) (NCLT)

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India and Competition Commission of India (CCI).

Critical Analysis of the Transgender Persons Bill, 2019

Background:

● According to the 2011 Census there are more than 4.80 lakh transgenders in the country. These people are often discriminated upon and humiliated in public for being transgender.

● Currently several criminal and civil laws recognise two categories of gender i.e. man and woman. These include laws such as Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 and Hindu Succession Act, 1956 which contain some

gender specific provisions.


P a g e | 23


● However major impetus to transgender rights was given in 2014 in National Legal Services

Authority of India (NALSA) V. Union of India Case under which Supreme Court for the

very first time recognized them as 3rd gender ● Further in Navtej Singh Johar V. Union of India Case, Supreme Court Decriminalised

some part of S-377 of Indian Penal Code that barred even consensual homosexual sex between adults, thereby strengthening transgender rights.

SC under this case introduced the concept of the Doctrine of progressive realization

of rights which mandates that the laws of a country should be in consonance with its modern ethos, it should be “sensible” and “easy to apply”.

The state has an obligation to take appropriate measures for the progressive realization of economic, social and cultural rights

Doctrine of progressive realization of rights as a natural corollary, gives birth to

the doctrine of non-retrogression. As per this doctrine, the State should not take measures or steps that deliberately lead

to retrogression on the enjoyment of rights either under the Constitution or otherwise ● All of the above things compelled government to bring progressive bills for their protection

and development.

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016

The Lok Sabha on December 17, 2018 passed the Transgender (Protection of Rights)

Bill, which seeks to define transgender and prohibit discrimination against them.

Highlights of the Bill-

● Prohibition against discrimination- It prohibits discrimination in relation to opportunities for education, job, health care services, and access to services, accommodation, transport etc. It directs the central and state govts to provide welfare schemes in these areas.

● Procedure for transgender recognition- The certificate of identity has to be obtained from the District Magistrate, who will issue the certificate based on the recommendations of a District Screening Committee , comprising the Chief Medical Officer, District Social

Welfare Officer, Psychologist or Psychiatrist, and a representative of transgender community.

● Right of residence- No transgender person shall be separated from parents or immediate family on the ground of being a transgender.

● Offences like compelling a transgender person to beg, denial of access to a public place,

physical and sexual abuse, etc. would attract up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine. ● The bill Criminalizes Begging by Transgender persons so as to induce them to undertake

other sustainable vocations.

Need for a revised bill/ Concerns of 2016 bill:

● Against self-identified gender expression: Under this district screening committee’s assent was required for getting transgender certificate which undermined Right of Self-

Identification as per NALSA judgment.


P a g e | 24


● No reservation: The bill was silent on Affirmative actions regarding transgenders and no reservation in jobs or education was proposed.

● Criminalization of begging: It made transgender communities more vulnerable, as they are forced to do begging due to lack of employment opportunities and criminalizing the same

was a threat to their livelihood. ● Limited protection against sexual abuse: The bill failed to accord equal protection to trans

genders in consonance with women as many offences under the IPC such as rape, stalking,

sexual harassment etc are applicable only if the victim is female. For example, definition of rape under Section 376 IPC deals with crime committed against a female but doesn't mention

transgender.

Further the bill made “sexual abuse” punishable, with a disproportionate punishment of imprisonment only up to 2 years

● No civil rights recognized: The Bill didn’t catered to civil rights such as marriage, civil

partnership, adoption and property rights. ● National Commission not enough: The bill proposed a transgender commission at the

national level which was not enough. The need is to establish a welfare board for

transgender, and a helpline number for those in distress at regional and local levels. ● Bar on separation from family: There was a bar on forcible separation of transgender

persons from their families, except through court orders. However, it was within the family that many transgender persons faced harassment and abuse, and often felt driven to flee their homes.

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 was passed by the Lok Sabha in August, 2019 and now Rajya Sabha has also passed it.

Key Provisions:

● Definition of a transgender person: The Bill defines a transgender person as one whose gender does not match the gender assigned at birth. It includes trans-men and trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and persons with socio-cultural identities,

such as kinnar and hijra. ● Prohibition against discrimination: The Bill prohibits the discrimination against a

transgender person, including denial of service or unfair treatment. ● Right of residence: Every transgender person shall have a right to reside and be included in

his household. If the immediate family is unable to care for the transgender person, the

person may be placed in a rehabilitation Centre, on the orders of a competent court. ● Employment: No government or private entity can discriminate against a transgender person

in employment matters, including recruitment, and promotion. Every establishment is required to designate a person to be a complaint officer to deal with complaints in relation to the Act.

● Education: Educational institutions funded or recognized by the relevant government shall provide inclusive education, sports and recreational facilities for transgender persons, without

discrimination.


https://www.jatinverma.org/the-transgender-persons-protection-of-rights-bill-2019

P a g e | 25


Health care: The government must take steps to provide health facilities to transgender

persons including separate HIV surveillance Centre’s, and sex reassignment surgeries.

Certificate of identity for a transgender person: A transgender person may make an application to the District Magistrate for a certificate of identity, indicating the gender as

‘transgender’. A revised certificate may be obtained only if the individual undergoes surgery to change their gender either as a male or a female.

Welfare measures by the government: The Bill states that the relevant government will take measures to ensure the full inclusion and participation of transgender persons in

society.

It must also take steps for their rescue and rehabilitation, vocational training and self-

employment, create schemes that are transgender sensitive, and promote their participation in cultural activities.

Offences and penalties: The Bill recognize the following offences against transgender

persons:

Forced or bonded labour (excluding compulsory government service for public purposes)

Denial of use of public places

Removal from household, and village

Physical, sexual, verbal, emotional or economic abuse. Penalties for these offences vary between six months and two years, and a fine.

National Council for Transgender persons (NCT): The NCT will consist of: ● Union Minister for Social Justice (Chairperson);

● Minister of State for Social Justice (Vice- Chairperson); ● Secretary of the Ministry of Social Justice;

● One representative from ministries including Health, Home Affairs, and Human Resources Development.

● Other members include representatives of the NITI Aayog, and the National Human Rights

Commission. State governments will also be represented. ● The Council will advise the central government as well as monitor the impact of policies,

legislation and projects with respect to transgender persons. It will also redress the grievances of transgender persons.

Lacunas addressed from Previous Bill:

● Decriminalized Begging: Trans genders are forced to beg owing to lack of employment opportunities and criminalizing the same was grave injustice for them due to this the new bill decriminalized begging by trans genders.

● No District Screening Committee: In earlier bill screening committee was to give its assent to District Magistrate for issuing certificate of identity which undermined right of self-

determination, now certificate will be issued after self-declaration by a person in front of district magistrate.


P a g e | 26


Remaining Bottlenecks:

● Problem of Nomenclature: A more comprehensive term like LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay,

Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) would have been more appropriate rather than focusing on rights of trans genders only.

● Against the Spirit of Self-Perceived Identity: The Bill states that a person will be

recognized as ‘transgender’ on the basis of a Certificate of Identity issued by a District Magistrate. In such a case, it is unclear what the term ‘self-perceived’ gender

identity entails and how it will be enforced. ● No Review Mechanism: If a transgender person is denied a Certificate of Identity, the Bill

does not provide a mechanism for appeal or review of such decision of the District

Magistrate. ● No role of Chief Medical Officer: The Standing Committee, emphasized on the importance

of the role of the Chief Medical Officer to check any potential misuse of the certificate. However, the 2019 Bill removes the provisions for a District Screening Committee and leaves the power to issue the Certificate with the District Magistrate, based on procedure

notified through rules. ● Ambiguity on other rights: Currently several criminal and civil laws recognise two

categories of gender i.e. man and woman. The Bill recognises a third gender i.e. ‘transgender’. However, the Bill does not clarify how the existing laws will apply to transgender persons.

● Compartmentalization of Discrimination: Bill expressly prohibits discrimination against a transgender person, only on nine types of discriminatory acts. Discrimination is a

multidimensional concept and to name just nine types is a travesty of justice. ● No Reservation: In the NALSA judgment, the state and central govts were asked to extend

backward class reservation to transgender in education and public employment. But the bill

fails to address that issue. ● Lighter Sentences: There are lighter punishments for several criminal offences, such as

“sexual abuse" and “physical abuse" if they are committed against transgender people in comparison to females.

● National Commission not enough: A transgender commission at the national level is not

enough. There is need for a welfare board for transgender, and a helpline number for those in distress at regional and local levels.

● Sex Selective Reassignment Surgeries: Some activists are criticizing this provision as according to him it is defying the order of nature and encouraging forceful or nonconsensual sex reassignment surgeries.

Way Forward:

● More State level initiatives are needed for augmenting their welfare like:

Tamil Nadu established a transgender welfare board in 2008. Kerala brought the ‘State Policy for Transgenders in Kerala 2015’ to provide the

“right to live with dignity.” It was the first state to have a transgender policy.

Odisha is the first state to give transgender people social welfare benefits. Andhra Pradesh also announced pension scheme for transgender community.

● Socio Economic support: Provide opportunities in social and economic activities by encouraging their incorporation in government initiatives and bringing reservation for them


P a g e | 27


in education and employment. Ernakulam District Panchayat helped 6 transgender people to open Kerala’s 1st Transgender run hotel named Ruchimudra.

● Grassroot Support: Local governments need to play a positive and proactive role in removal of taboos and discrimination. Moreover, reservation in Panchayat can also be done

to empower them. ● Child Protection laws: It needs to be strengthened to address issues faced by transgender

adolescents. The abandonment of children is a punishable offence under Section 317 of IPC

(Indian Penal Code) .The age limit of child for this offence need to be increased to 18 years as abandonment of transgender children usually takes place between 12 and 18 years.

● Sensitization: The Home Department of the Government of India must take initiative and work in coordination with the State Governments for sensitizing the law enforcement agencies and by involving all the stakeholders to identify the measures and to implement the

constitutional goal of social justice and the rule of law.

Conclusion:

The only hope for Transgender Persons is that the National Council which is supposed to provide the institutional framework for implementing the Act might allow more latitude for

incorporating genuine demands. Otherwise, this Act might well be a glove that ill fits the hand

it was tailored for.


P a g e | 28


Indian Economy

Special Fund for Housing Project

In order to increase the productivity of the real-estate sector, the Union Cabinet approved setting up of special funds for 1600 stalled projects.

Brief about the News: ● Government has approved Rs 25,000 crore alternate fund for 1600 stalled projects. ● The move intended to incentivize the real estate sector in India that are under stress.

● The total fund size is estimated at over Rs 25,000 crore with the Centre putting in Rs 10,000 crore.

● State Bank of India and LIC injecting the balance amount into the fund in due course. ● The government boosting the sector by formation of an AIF Category II fund and a

promise of top-up subsequently both from the contributors as well as others, including

sovereign wealth funds.

Criteria for Funding: ● Registered under RERA: Those projects are eligible for funding whose net worth positive

and registered under RERA.

● Classified as NPA: Stuck projects that are classified as Non-Performing Assets (NPA) are also eligible under the new approved fund.

● Projects under NCLT Process: The projects that are undergoing resolution under the National Company Law Tribunal.

Mechanism: ● The funds will be set up as Category-II Alternative Investment (AIFs) Fund registered

with SEBI. ● The Fund will be managed by professional fund managers. ● For the first AIF under the special window fund, SBICAP Ventures Limited has been

proposed as the investment manager.

Why a “Special Fund”? The real estate in India is currently in the midst of fairy challenging times. In the past three years, the sector has witnessed a few noticeable macro shifts.

Data shows that an estimated 1,600 projects involving 4.58 lakh housing units are stuck across the country for want of last-mile funding.

● Ban on high-value currency notes: The crunch of high currency notes from the market resulted in piling inventory, stagnant-to-falling property prices and dwindling funding for developers.

● Introduction of GST: Another reason for which the real estate industry has failed to recover from the shocks of the introduction of goods and services tax that was introduced in

July 2016. ● Demand-Supply Gap: The demand-supply gap has been an issue with most of the key real

estate markets. However, the big funding challenge came in India in 2018 after the IL&FS

crisis.


P a g e | 29


Benefit: ● Reviving of stuck Projects: The approved fund will provide last-mile funding for viable

housing projects stuck across the country. ● Alleviation stress of the realtor: Providing funds for the installed projects is expected to

alleviate stress for home buyers, real estate players as well as banks that have backed these projects.

● Generating a commercial return for the realtor: The fund is expected not only to support

the sector but also generate commercial returns for its investors. ● Relieve for middle-class buyers: This will give relief to the financial stress faced by a large

number of middle-class homebuyers who have invested their hard-earned money. ● Restoring trust b/w the buyers and developers: This will also restore trust between buyers

and developers and boost the sentiments of the housing sector as a whole.

● Boosting Economic Productivity: Releasing a large amount of money for the housing sector will prove to be productive for the economy as the economy under stress.

On Public Sector Undertakings Disinvestment

The Union Cabinet has approved strategic disinvestment of the government’s shareholding in five public sector enterprises including Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Shipping Corporation of India and the Container Corporation of India.

Reasons behind the move:

● A massive shortfall in revenue and capital receipts — as of September 30, net tax revenue

had only reached 36.8% of the budget estimate of ₹16.5 lakh crore for the full year, while non-debt capital receipts were at 17.2% of the fiscal’s target of about ₹1.2 lakh crore according to the Controller General of Accounts.

● Narrowing fiscal deficit: The share sale is aimed at helping the government narrow the fiscal gap.

Significance of the move:

● The resources unlocked by the strategic disinvestment of these CPSEs would be used

to finance the social sector/developmental programmes of the Government benefiting the public.

● It is expected that the strategic buyer/acquirer may bring in new

management/technology/investment for the growth of these companies and may use innovative methods for their development.

Concerns:

● The aim is hazy: BPCL is a profitable refiner and oil marketing company, also made investments in upstream energy resources and holds interests in overseas hydrocarbon blocks. A full sale now deprives the government of all upside potential.

● Exclusion of BPCL’s 62% holding in Assam’s Numaligarh refinery from

disinvestment: It would surely cut the price it could get from a prospective buyer.

● How the government intends to actually complete the transaction —initiating a transparent bidding process before finalizing a buyer is another big question.


P a g e | 30


● Under achieved disinvestment target: With just ₹17,364 crore of the ₹1.05 lakh crore disinvestment target realized so far, the Centre has to expedite strategic sale.

● Government’s 74.23% holding in THDCIL transfer to state -owned power producer

NTPC Ltd: This generates neither fresh efficiencies nor fresh monies for investing in

public goods like health and education. Even in holding on to a minority stake, government discourages buyers.

● On the labour laws: The proposal to continue to require companies with over 100

workers to seek prior approval for layoffs disincentives small enterprises from scaling up in India, while also hurting our competitiveness against countries like Bangladesh and

Vietnam.

Way forward:

Niti Aayog has prepared a list of around 50 PSUs that should be sold, not only for big-ticket

asset monetization but because the government has no business running businesses like hotels. ● Liberalization: Every effort in this direction will be rewarded with tangible improvements in

the investment climate.

● Land, labour and capital reforms: As long as the labour unions get their way in protecting their own jobs inflexibly, new job creation will continue to suffer.

Disinvestment and Strategic Disinvestment:

● Disinvestment is an action of an organization or government selling or liquidating an

asset or subsidiary. ● Strategic disinvestment implies the sale of a substantial portion of the Government

shareholding of central public sector enterprises (CPSE) of upto 50% or

higher percentage along with transfer of management control. ● Strategic Disinvestment is guided by the basic economic principle that the

Government should discontinue its engagement in manufacturing/producing goods and services in sectors where they will perform better in the private hands due to various factors e.g. technology up-gradation and efficient management practices.

The Industrial Relations Code, 2019 The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the introduction of the Industrial Relations

Code, 2019 in the Parliament.

Background

The draft code on Industrial Relations has been prepared

after amalgamating, simplifying and rationalizing the relevant provisions of following three Central Labour Acts:

● Trade Unions Act, 1926 ● Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 ● Industrial Disputes Act, 1947


P a g e | 31


Salient features of the Industrial relations code, 2019:

● Setting up of two-member tribunal introducing a concept that some of the important cases

will be adjudicated jointly and the rest by a single member resulting in speedier disposal of

cases. ● To impart flexibility to the exit provisions relating to retrenchment, for which, the threshold

for prior approval of appropriate Government has been kept unchanged at 100 employees, but added a provision for changing ‘such number of employees’ through notification.

● The re-skilling fund is to be utilized for crediting to workers in a manner to be prescribed. ● Fixed Term Employment ● As opposed to the contract employee which is widely prevalent today.

● For eg textile sector where more employees are employed to fulfill big orders. ● This would not lead to any notice period.

● Payment of compensation is excluded on retrenchment. ● Vesting of powers with the government officers for adjudication of disputes

involving penalty as fines thereby lessening the burden on tribunal.

International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019 The Union Cabinet approved for withdrawing of the International Financial Services Centres Authority, 2019 Bill and introducing the International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha in the ensuing session of the Parliament.

About International Financial Services Centres Authority, 2019 Bill

● The International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on February 12, 2019.

● The Lok Sabha Secretariat has now conveyed that this is a Finance Bill under Article

117(1) of the Constitution and that it should be introduced in Lok Sabha accordingly with

the recommendation of the President under Article 117(1) and 274(1) of the Constitution.

A Financial Bill may only be introduced in Lok Sabha, on the recommendation of the President. The Bill must be passed by both Houses of Parliament, after the President has

recommended that it be taken up for consideration in each House.

What is the need for the Bill? ● Currently, the banking, capital markets and insurance sectors in IFSC are regulated

by multiple regulators i.e. RBI, SEBI and IRDA. ● Hence a need is felt for having a unified financial regulator for IFSCs in India to provide a

world-class regulatory environment to financial market participants.

● Further, this would also be essential from an ease of doing business perspective .

What are the salient features of the Bill? ● Coverage: The Bill will apply to all International Financial Services Centres (IFSC) set up

under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005.

● Constitution of the International Financial Services Centres Authority: The Bill provides for the establishment of the International Financial Services Centres Authority.


P a g e | 32


● The Authority will consist of nine members , appointed by the central government. These posts will have a term of three years, subject to reappointment. Members of the Authority

will include: (i) the Chairperson, (ii) four members to be nominated from the Reserve Bank of India, the Securities Exchange Board of India, the Insurance Regulatory and Development

Authority of India, and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, (iii) two members from amongst the officials of the Ministry of Finance, and (iv) two members to be appointed on the recommendation of a Selection Committee.

● Functions of the Authority: Functions of the Authority include: regulating financial products, financial services, and financial institutions in an IFSC

which have been approved by any regulator (such as the RBI or SEBI) Recommending to the central government, any other financial services, products, or

institutions which may be permitted in an IFSC.

● Performance Review Committee: Under the Bill, the Authority will constitute a Performance Review Committee to review the functioning of the Authority.

● Transaction in foreign currency: As per the Bill, all transactions of financial services in IFSCs will be in such foreign currency as specified by the Authority, in consultation with the central government.

● International Financial Services Centres Authority Fund: The Bill sets up the International Financial Services Centres Authority Fund.

Toll-Operate-Transfer Model and Securitization of User Fee Receipts of NH

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval to the amendments proposed

in the Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) Model by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Background: ● In 2016, the Cabinet authorized NHAI to monetize 75 public-funded national highways with

a road length of around 4,500 km. ● The TOT model was introduced by the government to increase private sector participation.

What is TOT Model?

● TOT is a model for monetizing operational national highway projects where investors make a lump sum payment in return for long-term toll collection rights

backed by a sound tolling system. ● Under TOT, the highest bidder wins the right to operate and maintain operating road

assets for 30 years, with rights to toll revenues from these assets until then.

● This model is more attractive for investors as they don’t have to build an

infrastructure project from scratch.

● TOT rectifies the deep risk-sharing weaknesses of BOT and regularly garners fresh funds for investment.

What are the changes?

● As a part of the changes, public funded projects-- engineering, procurement and

construction (EPC) and Build Operate Transfer (BOT) -- that are operational for more

than a year after beginning commercial operations can be monetized through TOT model.

Till now, the model authorized NHAI to monetize such projects that were operational for at least two years.


P a g e | 33


● Now NHAI has been allowed to vary the concession period of toll projects between 15-30

years.

What are the benefits of the TOT Model?

The TOT Model allows NHAI to: ● Ensure efficient management of constructed and operational NH projects through proper

Operation and Maintenance (O&M).

● Arrange for additional funds that are required for the achievement of targets under the Bharatmala Programme and other NH development works.

● The model would facilitate efficient toll realization through private sector

Progress so far

● NHAI has already monetized one bundle of projects under the TOT Model, generating revenue worth ₹9681.50 cores for the government.

● However, the second bundle saw deviation in the market valuation of assets from NHAI's valuation.

Recycling Of Ships Bill, 2019

Context:

● The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for enactment of Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019 and accession to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009.

● International Maritime Organization (IMO), during its ongoing 31st session in London, UK has highly appreciated India's decision of accession to the Hong Kong International

Convention, 2009.

Background

● India is the leader in the global ship recycling industry. As per data available for 2018, India handles around five million gross tonnage (MnGT) annually, which is around 25%

share of the world’s ship recycling industry. ● The government plans to nearly double this by 2024, at around nine MnGT. ● The industry being largely concentrated in South Asia, the Alang-Sosiya ship breaking

yard in Gujarat handles around 450 ships every year.

● The ship-recycling industry is a labor-intensive sector, but it is susceptible to concerns on environmental safety.

About International Maritime Organization (IMO)

● It is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. IMO's work

supports the UN SDGs. ● Its headquarters are located in London, United Kingdom. The IMO has 171 Member

States and three Associate Members.


P a g e | 34


Hong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of

Ships, 2009

● The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships in 2009, which is

aimed at ensuring that ships being recycled after reaching the end of their operational

lives do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health, safety and the environment. ● Hong Kong Convention 2009 is not yet in force, but with India's accession, the first of the

three conditions for the Convention's entry into force has now been fulfilled. ● The Convention has only been ratified by Norway, Congo, France, Belgium, Panama and

Denmark. It will enter into force when ratified by 15 states, representing 40 per cent of the world merchant shipping.

● The Convention’s third condition for entry into force requires the accession or ratification

by countries that have recycling capacity that is proportionate to the tonnage of the fleets under the scope of the Convention.

Benefits for India ● By this accession, environmental protection and workers’ safety will get more

importance. ● It will allow global funds to come and invest in ship-recycling centers in India.

● By this accession, India hopes to get better assistance from these international

agencies which are wanting to fund (ship recycling centres)

Salient features of Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019: It aims to provide for the regulation of recycling of ships by setting certain international

environmental and safety standards and laying down the statutory mechanism for enforcement of such standards. ● The proposed Bill restricts and prohibits the use or installation of hazardous material,

which applies irrespective of whether a ship is meant for recycling or not. ● For new ships, such restriction or prohibition on the use of hazardous material will be

immediate, that is, from the date the legislation comes into force, while existing ships shall have a period of five years for compliance.

● Restriction or prohibition on the use of hazardous material would not be applied to

warships and non-commercial ships operated by Government. ● Ship recycling facilities are required to be authorized and ships shall be recycled only in such

authorized ship recycling facilities. ● The ships shall be recycled in accordance with a ship-specific recycling plan. Ships to be

recycled in India shall be required to obtain a Ready for Recycling Certificate in

accordance with the HKC.


P a g e | 35


Trends in the exports

Context

Changes in the export volume and the steps taken by the government.

Current status of exports

● India’s overall exports (merchandise and services) increased from USD 498.63 billion in

2017-18 to USD 538.07 billion in 2018-19.

● Registering a positive growth of 7.91% as compared to the previous year.

● India’s exports have also increased from USD 262.14 billion in 2018-19 (Apr-Sept) to

USD 266.63 billion in 2019-20 (Apr-Sept), showing a positive growth of 1.71% during the

current year.

● Export Development Fund (EDF) in Exim Bank under the provisions of the Export-

Import Bank of India Act, 1981.

Government has taken following steps to increase exports and thereby earn foreign exchange

for the country:

i. A new Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-20 was launched on 1st April 2015. The policy,

rationalized the earlier export promotion schemes and introduced two new schemes, namely

Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) for improving export of goods and

Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) for increasing exports of services. Duty credit

scrips issued under these schemes are fully transferable.

ii. Mid-term Review of the FTP 2015-20 was undertaken on 5th December, 2017. Incentive

rates for labour intensive/MSME sectors were increased by 2% with a financial implication

of Rs 8,450 crore per year.

iii. New Logistics Division: was created in the Department of Commerce to coordinate

integrated development of the logistics sector. India’s rank in the World Bank’s Logistics

Performance Index moved up from 54 in 2014 to 44 in 2018.

iv. Interest Equalization Scheme: on pre and post shipment rupee export credit was introduced

from 1.4.2015 providing interest equalization at 3% for labour intensive/ MSME sectors. The

rate was increased to 5% for MSME sectors with effect from 2.11.2018 and merchant

exporters were covered under the scheme with effect from 2.1.2019.

v. Ease of doing business: Various measures for improving ease of doing business were taken.

India’s rank in the World Bank Ease of doing business ranking improved from 142 in 2014

to 63 in 2019 with the rank in trading across borders moving up from 122 to 80.

vi. Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) - was launched with effect from 1st April

2017 to address the export infrastructure gaps in the country.


P a g e | 36


vii. Agriculture Export Policy: A comprehensive Agriculture Export Policy was launched on

6th December, 2018 with an aim to double farmers’ income by 2022 and provides an

impetus to agricultural exports.

viii. Transport and Marketing Assistance (TMA) scheme has been launched for mitigating

disadvantage of higher cost of transportation for export of specified agricultural products.

ix. A scheme for Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) covering export of

garments and made-ups was providing refund of duties/taxes at higher rates.

India need to reverse the trend of slowdown and take it to the level of export to $1tn.

First-Ever Movement Of Container Cargo On Brahmaputra

First-Ever Movement Of Container Cargo On Brahmaputra - For the first time ever, an Indian

waterway is being used for transport of cargo between the two countries, using India for transit.

● Ministry of Shipping flagged-off a ship of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, carrying

a stone from Bhutan to be delivered in Bangladesh

What are the connecting points? The ship has been sailing from Dhubri in Assam and will

travel to Narayanganj in Bangladesh, over river Brahmaputra. About Waterways in India

● Water transport in India has played a significant role in the country's economy and is

indispensable to foreign trade.

● It is one of the cheapest modes of transport in India, as it takes advantage of natural track and

does not require huge capital investment in construction and maintenance except in the case

of canals

National Waterway

● India has about 14,500 km of navigable waterways which comprise of rivers, canals,

backwaters, creeks, etc.

● About 55 million tons of cargo are moved annually by Inland Water Transport (IWT)


P a g e | 37


About Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

● The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) came into existence on 27th October 1986

for the development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.

● The Authority primarily undertakes projects for the development and maintenance of IWT

infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping.

● Currently, there are 111 national waterways.

Till now, Bhutan has been exporting a significant quantity of stone aggregates to Bangladesh

through the land route. What’s New? This is the first time an Indian waterway is being used as a

channel for transport of cargo between the two countries, using India for transit. Benefits


P a g e | 38


● The development is a historic one as it will promote cargo transportation through inland

waterways.

● It will be beneficial to India as well as Bhutan and Bangladesh and strengthen relations

between the neighboring countries.

● The transport of cargo through this route will cut short travel time by 8 to 10 days, and

reduce transportation costs by 30%, bringing down logistics costs.

● It will also be a more environmentally-friendly mode of transport.

● This new development will not only strengthen our ties with our neighboring countries but

will also open up an alternate route to the North-Eastern states, making it easier and cheaper

to reach goods to these places from other parts of the country.

● Capital dredging has been carried out to maintain an assured draft in the navigation channel.

Other Measures to develop cargo shipping

● The Government is also taking various initiatives to increase the use of Inland Waterways

and Coastal Shipping for greater cargo shipment.

● These include providing the assured depth of water in the channels, navigation aids like GPS

and River Information System, terminals at regular intervals, facilities for mechanized

handling of cargo handling, etc

● .A minimum of 40 % discount and priority in berthing are being given to coastal vessels at

major ports.

● Licensing relaxations have been made for fertilizers, agricultural products, fisheries,

horticultural, and animal husbandry products, empty containers and containers being

transhipped from another Indian port.


P a g e | 39



P a g e | 40


Science and technology

NuGen Mobility Summit-2019

Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways inaugurated NuGen Mobility Summit-2019 at International Center of Automotive Technology (ICAT), Manesar in Haryana.

About the Summit

● The three-day conference is the largest automotive technology event in the country so far.

● Automotive technology experts from 15 countries including India will be presenting more than 120 technical research papers in this event.

● NuGen Mobility Summit 2019 is the first in a series of the conference organized by ICAT. ● Its benefits will be found in finding a suitable alternative to the IC engine running for

about 125 years in the country and the world. The focus is on developing new technological

solutions according to global requirements. ● Keeping in mind that New Generation Mobility shall be Green, safe and affordable , the

theme of this event has been set up around new generation topics like e-mobility, Hydrogen

Mobility, Connected Vehicles. ● During the conference, future vehicle technologies such as connected mobility, autonomous

vehicles, electric mobility, alternative fuels, intelligent transportation systems, hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen IC engines, vehicle dynamics, advanced materials and laboratories associated

with light weighting and re-cycling Trials will also be shown. ● The summit also highlighted the importance of combining the agricultural sector with the

automobile sector and said that biodiesel can change the fate of both the agriculture and

auto industry by decreasing its dependence on fossil fuels and agricultural base of the country by supporting in production of non-edible oil for biodiesel.

ICAT

The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), Manesar, located in the northern automotive hub of India, is a leading world class automotive testing, certification

and R&D service provider under the aegis of NATRiP (National Automotive Testing and

R&D Infrastructure Project), Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, and Government of India.

Cartosat-3 satellite

Advanced earth observation satellite Cartosat-3, which is due to be launched from the

Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR at Sriharikota in coastal Andhra Pradesh, will have

the ‘sharpest eye’ of civil remote sensing satellites in the world. ● It will be carried by PSLV-C47. ● Thirteen small satellites of two U.S. customers will be the secondary payloads.

● One of Cartosat-3’s cameras offers a ground resolution of 25 cm — this means it can pick up an object of a minimum of that size from a height of around 500 km.


P a g e | 41


● Currently, WorldView-3, a satellite owned by U.S. Company Maxar, has the best ground

resolution of 31 cm.

● So far, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has orbited eight Cartosats since May 2005.

● Data from most of them, especially the last four Carto-2 series ones, are exclusively used by the armed forces.

● The previous best view from a Cartosat was 65 cm, as put in the last three or four satellites in

the Cartosat-2 series — 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F. ● However, an existing policy allows only government and government authorised agencies to

access ISRO's high-resolution imageries below a resolution of 1 m. ● At 1,625 kg, Cartosat-3 is unusually heavy and more than double the mass of the previous

eight in its class.

● Many new technologies have been built in, such as a highly agile or flexible camera; high-

speed data transmission, advanced computer system and new power electronics.

Bamboo Technology Parks Bamboo Technology Parks would be set up in the two new Union Territories of Jammu &

Kashmir and Ladakh. More about news ● The Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) under North Eastern Council will

implement the project, he added.

● The project for setting up three new Bamboo Technology Parks in Jammu, Srinagar and Leh would be in consonance with the National Bamboo Mission (NBM). A Bamboo Industrial

Park has already been approved to be set up in the Dima Hasao district of Assam.


P a g e | 42


Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC)

● CBTC was incorporated with the objective of organizing the hitherto untapped

bamboo sector of NE India which is a significant occupant of its topography, culture and customary practices since time immemorial.

● Its formal existence came into being as a coordinated effort headed by North

Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) along with the Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India, UNIDO and UNDP.

● CBTC is the field implementation agency and forms a part of the Technology

Management Program (TMP) which is a joint effort of Govt of India and UNDP.

● CBTC has embarked on a new phase of programmes and projects in the bamboo sector with renewed vigor under the aegis of North Eastern Council (NEC).

● It can be said that CBTC is one of core outreach programmes of NEC for giving a shift to the economy of NE in the positive direction.

About North Eastern Council (NEC):

● NEC was established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971 as an apex level

body for securing balanced and coordinated development and facilitating coordination with the States.

● Subsequent to the Amendment of 2002, NEC has been mandated to function as a

regional planning body for the North Eastern Area and while formulating a regional plan for this area, shall give priority to the schemes and projects benefiting two or more states provided that in the case of Sikkim, the Council shall formulate specific

projects and schemes for that State.

● The Union Cabinet, in June 2018, approved the proposal of Ministry of

Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) for the nomination of the Union

Home Minister as ex-officio Chairman of North Eastern Council (NEC). The Cabinet also approved that Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of DoNER would serve as Vice Chairman of the Council.

● The Governors and Chief Ministers of North Eastern States (8) will be Members.


P a g e | 43


Environment

Swachh – Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan Swachh – Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan - A Week-long intensive (from 11th -17th November, 2019)

Beach Cleaning Drive by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has been started in 50 identified beaches of India.

Objective: To strive to make our beaches clean and create awareness amongst citizens about the importance

of coastal ecosystems

Features:

● States Targeted: The identified beaches are in 10 coastal States/Union Territories (UTs) namely Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu,

Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. ● Stakeholders involved: The cleaning drives in all beaches are being undertaken, involving

school/college students of Eco-clubs, district administration, institutions, volunteers, local

communities and other stakeholders. ● State Nodal Agencies for the Eco-clubs: They will be facilitating the week long intensive

cleanliness drive in all 10 States/UTs. Nodal teachers from the Eco-clubs will be present at the sites during the entire cleanliness drive. MoEF&CC officials have also been deputed to monitor the implementation of the drive.

● Targeted Area: For beach cleaning activities which will be conducted for two hours daily, a minimum of one Kilometer stretch of the beach shall be identified.

● Management of Waste: Beach sand cleaning machines shall also be deployed at about

identified 15 beaches. Thereafter collected waste will be processed as per extant Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016: ● The Rules are now applicable beyond Municipal areas and extend to urban

agglomerations, census towns, notified industrial townships, areas under the control of

Indian Railways, airports, special economic zones, State and Central government organizations etc.

● The source segregation of waste has been mandated to channelize the waste to wealth by recovery, reuse and recycle.

● Responsibilities of Generators have been introduced to segregate waste

into three streams, Wet (Biodegradable), Dry (Plastic, Paper, metal, wood, etc.) and domestic hazardous wastes (diapers, napkins, empty containers of cleaning agents,

mosquito repellents, etc.) and handover segregated wastes to authorized rag-pickers or waste collectors or local bodies.

● Integration of waste pickers/ rag pickers and waste dealers/ Kabadiwalas in the formal

system should be done by State Governments, and Self Help Group, or any other group to be formed.

● Generator will have to pay ‘User Fee’ to waste collector and for ‘Spot Fine’ for Littering and Non-segregation.


P a g e | 44


● The concept of partnership in Swachh Bharat has been introduced. Bulk and institutional generators, market associations, event organizers and hotels and restaurants

have been made directly responsible for segregation and sorting the waste and manage in partnership with local bodies.

● New townships and Group Housing Societies have been made responsible to develop in-house waste handling, and processing arrangements for biodegradable waste.

● Every street vendor should keep suitable containers for storage of waste generated during

the course of his activity such as food waste, disposable plates, cups, cans, wrappers, coconut shells, leftover food, vegetables, fruits etc. and deposit such waste at waste

storage depot or container or vehicle as notified by the local authority. ● The developers of Special Economic Zone, industrial estate, industrial park to earmark at

least 5% of the total area of the plot or minimum 5 plots/ sheds for recovery and

recycling facility. ● All manufacturers of disposable products such as tin, glass, plastics packaging etc. or

brand owners who introduce such products in the market shall provide necessary financial assistance to local authorities for the establishment of waste management system.

● Extended Producer Responsibility: All brand owners who sell or market their products

in such packaging material which are non-biodegradable should put in place a system to collect back the packaging waste generated due to their production.

● Responsibility: Environment Education Division of the MoEF&CC and Society of

Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) under the aegis of this Ministry will be responsible

for the overall coordination for the drive in 50 beaches. Respective State Governments and Central Ministries will also be actively participating in the beach cleaning drives.

● Reward: The Ministry has also decided that on completion of the drive, best three beaches will be suitably awarded along with a Certificate of Appreciation for all the participating Eco-clubs.

North India's stubble burning woes have an RBI link

Context:

● Proposals of several refiners to set up ethanol plants have failed to achieve financial

closure due to an RBI rule.

● Central bank regulations mandate that banks limit their exposure to 25% of their capital for connected parties.

Background

● Over the past few days, Delhi has witnessed a severe deterioration in its air quality,

with burning of crop stubble by farmers in neighbouring states emerging as one of the

key causes of air pollution.


P a g e | 45


About the project

● An ambitious project to convert thousands of tons of agricultural waste in the farmlands

of northern India into biofuel and thereby lessen Delhi annual affair with toxic air pollution, a serious health hazard, has run into delays.

● Proposed 2G ethanol plants were to offer a solution to this problem 2G ethanol is produced using non-edible agricultural waste left over after harvesting.

● This can include corn cobs, rice straw, and wheat straw, among others, which is converted

to cellulose which can later be fermented to form ethanol, which is turn can be

blended with conventional fuel.

RBI directives ● Several oil marketing companies such Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum

Corporation (BPCL) had decided to set up 2G ethanol or bio-refineries, have failed to attain

financial closure for the projects, with several lenders citing a recent Reserve Bank of

India (RBI) directive that caps single borrower exposure limits by commercial banks. ● The plan to build these bio-refineries is on but the progress has slowed due to paucity of

funds.

Additional Information Second Generation (2G) differs from 1st generation ethanol in terms of feedstock and subsequently, the production process. Second Generation (2G) feed stocks include agri-residues like rice & wheat straw, cane trash, corn cobs & stover, cotton stalk, bagasse,

Empty Fruit bunches (EFB), etc. 2G Bio refinery The Smart Bio refinery will process multiple feed stocks and shall produce multiple products like bio ethanol, bio butanol, bio chemicals,

power, Bio CNG, CO2 etc.

Special grade fuel.

In news

● Motorists in high-altitude sectors like Ladakh, Kargil, Kaza and Keylong face the

problem of freezing of diesel in their vehicles when winter temperatures drop to as low as -30o Celsius.

About the fuel

● Indian Oil has come up with an innovative solution to this problem by introducing a special

winter-grade diesel with a low pour-point of -33o Celsius. ● It does not lose its fluidity function even in extreme winter conditions.

● Regular diesel fuel contains paraffin wax which is added for improving viscosity and lubrication.

● At low temperatures, the paraffin wax thickens or “gels” and hinders the flow of the fuel

in the car engine. ● “Indian Oil’s winter-grade diesel meets BIS specifications and has been successfully

produced and certified for the first time by Indian Oil’s Panipat Refinery.


P a g e | 46


Benefits to the Ladakh region

● The new status of union territory will accelerate the pace of holistic development of the region and bring prosperity to the people at par with the rest of India.

● Ladakh region people will now get uninterrupted supply of special winter-grade diesel. ● This will help reduce the hardships faced by the local people for transportation and

mobility during the harsh winter months.

● This will further facilitate the local economy as well as tourism in the region. ● IOC also said that it had set up an LPG bottling plant of 6 TMTPA capacity at Le


Monthly - Jatin Verma · P a g e | 1 ©Jatin Verma All Rights Reserved.

Documents

Transcript of Monthly - Jatin Verma · P a g e | 1 ©Jatin Verma All Rights Reserved.