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CONTENTS PAGE:5 - 16 INTERNATIONAL / BILATERAL India’s Eastern Region And Trade Port Stanley, FalklandsCabinet Approves MOU Between India And UK In Transport India Gets Access To Strategic Duqm Port In Oman For Military UseBSI Signs MOU With UK’s Natural History Museum India, Iran Ink 9 Pacts After ‘Substantive’ Talks India, Iran Ink Pact To Avoid Double Taxation, Prevent Fiscal EvasionUK, India Launch Joint Research Projects On Clean Water And EnergyNer’s First Regional Centre For Agriculture With Israeli Collaboration India Notifies Revised Tax Treaty With Kenya Indo-german MOU Signed For Technical Cooperation For Affordable HousingMOU Between India-jordan For Mining, Beneficiation Of Rock Phosphate India Iran Relations FATF And Pakistan

16 - 24 INFRASTRUCTURE

India’s First Ever Highway Capacity Manual ReleasedNational Automotive Policy For Holistic Development Of Automobile Sector On Anvil Pm Modi Inaugurates Fourth Container Terminal At Jnpt Ccea Approves Silkyara Bend-barkot Tunnel In Uttarkhand Ccea Approves Auction Of Coal Blocks To Private Sector For Commercial Mining Tapi Gas Pipeline: Work On Afghanistan Section Begins Grid Stability

24 - 38 INDIAN POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 24

Digital Gender Atlas For Advancing Girl Education Government Approves Construction Of 1,86,777 Affordable House Cabinet Approves Creation Of National Urban Housing Fund Government Launches Six New User Friendly Features Of National Agriculture Market (E-

nam) Platform Iaf Conducts Maiden Afcat Online Cabinet Approves Trafficking Of Persons (Prevention, Protection And Rehabilitation) Bill,

2018 Ccea Approves Continuation Of Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme Mixing Work With Study

Making Health Insurance WorkStates Of Health: Niti Aayog First Health IndexReforming The Public HealthNational Nutrition Mission To Improve The Nutritional Indicators Of Women And Children

39 - 58 ECONOMICS

Union Budget 2018-19: Highlight Ayushman Bharat: The Big Budget Scheme Railway Budget 2018-19 Crisil, Sidbi Launch India’s First Mse Sentiment Index Launch Of Startupindia Ranking Framework New Consumer Protection Bill 2018 Nhai To Launch Pilot Project “Pay As You Use” Cabinet Approves Discovered Small Fields (Dsf) Policy Bid Round-ii 14 Coastal Economic Zones For Port-led IndustrializationStepping Up Coal Supplies To Power SectorIndia Post Payments Bank (Ippb) To Enable Digital Payments By AprilBetter Port Ecosystem To Help Boost India’s Ease Of Doing Bus Ness RankingAmendments In Small Savings Act Ndb To Lend $ 100 Million For Water Project In RajasthanBIS Accentuates The Role Of Standardization In Big DataRBI Releases Ombudsman Scheme For NbfcsGOVT Imposes Anti-dumping Duty On Chinese Ceramic ItemsSecond India-korea Business Summit 2018Senior Citizens Budget 2018A Deeper Malady

58 - 67 ENVIRONMENT

Cabinet Approves Ratification Of The Minamata Convention On Mercury Environment Ministry Launches Green Good Deeds Campaign National Adaptation Fund For Climate Change India Among Top Ten Nations In The World In Terms Of Forest Area Clean Air Campaign To Curb Pollution GOVT Sees Huge Potential For Organic Farming In A&n Islands India Is Global Host For World Environment Day 2018Murky MiningOn The State Of Indian Forests International Conference On Sustainable Biofuels 2018

67 - 68 DISASTER MANAGEMENT

NDMA PREPARES STATES TO DEAL WITH HEAT WAVE 2018

68- 79 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Barc Technology To Convert Sewage Into Bio-fertilizer Cabinet Approval And Financial Sanction For Setting Up Ten Indigenous Phwr Cabinet Approves Prime Minister Research Fellows Scheme ISRO Plans To Launch Chandrayaan-2 Mission Pm Narendra Modi Inaugurates World Information Technology Congress 2018India Successfully Test-fires Nuclear Capable Ballistic Agni Ii MissileIndian Scientists Develop Test Bed To Generate Clean EnergyDrdo Successfully Test Flight Rustom 2Csir-cimap Signs Mou With Iora To Host Coordinating CentreAviation Multi-skill Development Centre Opens In ChandigarhIndia Successfully Test-fires Atgm NagAll About Block Chain

80- 87 DEFENCE & INTERNAL SECURITY

Make In India In Defence SectorPM’s Interaction With Itbp Excursion GroupsInauguration Of Integrated Automatic Aviation Meteorological Systems (IAAMS) At Ins GarudaCyber-crime Coordination Centre For Cyber Crimes Against WomenIAF Activates Civil Airfield In DehradunIndigenous Saras Completes The Second Test-flight SuccessfullyIntegrated Office Complex To Be Set Up For Aviation AuthoritiesAnti Hijacking Law

88- 88 SPORTS

India Wins Under-19 World Cup 2018

88- 89 ART AND CULTURE

Hunar Haat - Sixth Edition

89- 92 SOCIAL ISSUESConsumer Protection Bill, 2018Breaking The Caste Hierarchy

93- 79 AGRICULTUREHas Bose LivedAgrarian Distress

INTERNATIONAL / BILATERALINDIA’S EASTERN REGION AND TRADE PORT STANLEY, FALKLANDS

What Is It?

Navika Sagar Parikrama is a project wherein a team of women officers of the Indian Navy would circumnavigate the globe on an Indian-built sail boat INSV Tarini.

This is the first ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew.

The expedition will be covered in five legs, with stop-overs at 4 ports Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falklands), and Cape Town (South Africa) for replenishment of ration and repairs as necessary.

Navika Sagar Parikrama voyage is in consonance with National policy to empower women to attain their full potential. It also aims to showcase India’s Nari Shakti on world platform and help revolutionize societal attitudes and mindset towards women by raising visibility of their participation in challenging environs.

The voyage also aims to show case ‘Make in India’ initiative by sailing onboard indigenously built INSV Tarini.

INSV Tarini is 55 foot sailing vessel built indigenously in India by M/s Aquarius Shipyard Pvt Ltd, Goa. It was inducted into the Indian Navy recently in Feb 2017.

INTERNATIONAL / BILATERAL

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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

It also encourage use of environment friendly non-conventional renewable energy resources as ship harnesses wind, a renewable energy.

The crew has also been collating and updating meteorological, ocean and wave data on a regular basis for accurate weather forecast by India Meteorological Department (IMD), as also monitoring marine pollution on the high seas.

INSV Tarini had arrived at Port Stanley on 21 January 2018 after completion of third leg of its maiden voyage to circumnavigate the globe. This historic circumnavigation attempt by an all-women crew is being led by Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi.

The visit of INSV Tarini to Port Stanley was covered widely in the International social media and the Falklands print and electronic media. The next port halt is scheduled at Cape Town, South Africa on 08 Mar 18.

Source: PIB, Wikipedia. • • • • •CABINET APPROVES MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND UK IN TRANSPORT

What Is It?

The Union Cabinet chaired has approved the signing and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and ‘Transport for London’, a statutory body established under the Greater London Authority Act, 1999 (UK) to improve Public Transport in India.

The MoU will help to improve the overall public transport system in the country, improve passenger services and promote the use of high capacity buses in India. It will go a long way in strengthening ties and promoting bilateral relations between India and United Kingdom.


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The MoU will help in strengthening the integrated public transport for all. This will help people from poorer strata of the society to have access to a quality public transport system.

The MoU will help in strengthening the integrated public transport for all. This will help people from poorer strata of the society to have access to a quality public transport system.

Source: PIB. • • • • •INDIA GETS ACCESS TO STRATEGIC DUQM PORT IN

OMAN FOR MILITARY USE

What Is It?

India signed a key pact with Oman on Monday that allows her military vessels to use the strategically located Duqm port and dry dock. The port is located close to both the Chabahar port in Iran, which India is helping develop.

The port will act as India’s entry point for wider West Asia and Eastern Africa, a welcome development at a time when China has deployed strategic assets in the Indian Ocean Region.

India’s interest in Duqm port, which is merely at a 40-minute flight distance from Mumbai, has been necessitated by the fact that the Chinese navy has increased its activities in the western part of the Indian Ocean Region besides setting up a military base in Djibouti.

The port and dry dock will be available for maintenance of Indian military vessels.With the Assumption Island being developed in Seychelles and Agalega in Mauritius, Duqm fits into India’s proactive maritime security roadmap.

Source: PIB. • • • • •BSI SIGNS MOU WITH UK’S NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

What Is It?

The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Natural History Museum (NHM) of United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on February 16, 2018 to enhance cooperation in the field of genetic/taxonomic studies, research and training and conservation in India, including species and habitat conservation assessments.


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The main objective behind signing the agreement is to open up mediums of collaboration in science, support further research and boost scientific study for the benefit of both India and UK.

The agreement will also help both the nations keep up with their commitment to use scientific evidence to support the goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES and the Nagoya Protocol.

Besides this, the MoU will centre on capacity building and scientific exchanges between the two nations and will enable both to learn from each other and work collaboratively to address important scientific questions and deliver benefit to humanity.

They will be able to share fairly the benefits that may arise from the collection, study and conservation of the plant materials such as seeds, herbarium specimens and tissue samples and exchange associated data and images.

NHM will also help BSI in capacity building in areas of systematic botany and long-term conservation of plant genetic resources in India.

Source: PIB. • • • • •INDIA, IRAN INK 9 PACTS AFTER ‘SUBSTANTIVE’ TALKS

What Is It?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held “substantive” talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to boost cooperation in key areas of security, trade and energy, after which the two sides inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance, including a lease contract for a part of Chabahar port’s operation for 18 months.

The two sides also inked nine pacts, which included lease contract between Iran’s Port and Maritime Organization and India’s Ports Global Limited (IPGL) to take over operation of existing facilities at the Shahid Beheshti Port—Phase 1 of Chabahar—for 18 months.


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Agreements:

Agreement on Exchange of Instrument of Ratification of Extradition Treaty. It brings into effect the Extradition Treaty signed between India and Iran in 2008.

Lease Contract for Shahid Beheshti Port- Phase 1 of Chabahar during Interim Period. It was signed between Port and Maritime Organization (PMO), Iran and India Ports Global Limited (IPGL). Leasing is for 18 months to take over operation of existing port facilities.

MoU on Exemption from Visa requirement for holders of Diplomatic Passports. It will waive requirement of visa for travel of diplomatic passport holder in each country.

Agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on Income. It will avoid burden of double taxation between two countries in order to promote flow of investment and services.

MoU on Cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine. It seeks to develop and strengthen cooperation in traditional systems of medicine including regulation of teaching, practice, drugs and drugless therapies.

MoU on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors. It includes joint activities, programmes, exchange of information and personnel, cooperation in field of agricultural crops, agricultural extension, horticulture, machinery, postharvest technology, plant quarantine measures, credit and cooperation, soil conservation, seed technology, livestock improvement, dairy development.

MoU on Postal Cooperation. It includes exchange of experience, knowledge and technology in e-commerce and logistics services; cooperation on philately feasibility studies on using air and surface transit capacities of both countries.

Source: PIB. • • • • •INDIA, IRAN INK PACT TO AVOID DOUBLE TAXATION,

PREVENT FISCAL EVASION

What Is It?

India and Iran signed an agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with regard to taxes on income. The agreement is on similar lines as entered into by India with other countries, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).

The agreement will stimulate flow of investment, technology and personnel from India to Iran and vice-versa, and will prevent double taxation.


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The pact provides for exchange of information between the two nations in line with the latest international standards. It will improve transparency in tax matters and will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance.

The agreement also meets treaty related minimum standards under G-20 OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project, in which India participated on an equal footing. • • • • •

UK, INDIA LAUNCH JOINT RESEARCH PROJECTS ON CLEAN WATER AND ENERGY

What is it?

India and United Kingdom on February 19, 2018 jointly launched research projects on ‘Water Quality Research’ and ‘Energy Demand Reduction in Built Environment’.

The ‘Water Quality Research’ programme has eight projects. It is supported jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), NERC, EPSRC and ESRC in the UK.

These projects aim to deliver mutual benefits and research solutions not only to UK and India but also to address shared global sustainable development goals – clean water and clean energy. These eight collaborative research projects should bring benefits to both people and the environment.

This India-UK water quality programme is supported jointly by Department of Science and Technology (DST) in India and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in UK. It aims to equip local communities, policymakers, regulators and businesses with information and solutions they need to secure provision of clean water, rejuvenate rivers and restore ecosystems.

Source: PIB. • • • • •


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NER’S FIRST REGIONAL CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURE WITH ISRAELI COLLABORATION

What Is It?

Northeast India’s first regional Centre for Agriculture with collaboration of Israel will be inaugurated in Mizoram in March 2018. It will be first such centre in North East region of India being established with Israeli collaboration.

The project has been set up exclusively for processing of citrus fruits with the tripartite collaboration of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Government of Israel and State Government of Mizoram. Israel will provide expertise knowledge and professional support. Though located in Mizoram, this centre will cater to the whole north east.

There are 22 such operational centres in India including in the states of Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab. The first centre was established in 2008 in Haryana.

It will benefit the farmers of the north eastern region in the long run and will also encourage the farmers from other regions. It will serve as model of learning for other countries in Indian sub-continent. It will benefit the people of North East in the area of innovation, especially for start-ups.

Source: PIB. • • • • •INDIA NOTIFIES REVISED TAX TREATY WITH KENYA

What Is It?

The government has notified revised tax treaty between India and Kenya which provides for lower withholding tax rate and mutual assistance in collection of tax revenue claims.

In order to promote cross border flow of investments and technology, the revised DTAA provides for reduction in withholding tax rate on dividend and interest to 10 per cent from 15 per cent.

The withholding tax rate on royalties, and fees for management, professional, technical services has been slashed to 10 per cent from 20 per cent and 17.5 per cent, respectively.The Article on Exchange of Information has been updated to the latest international standard to provide for exchange of information, including banking information for tax purposes, to the widest possible extent.

The revised DTAA provides for a new Article on Limitation of Benefits to allow treaty benefits to bonafide residents of both countries, to combat treaty abuse by third country residents and to allow application of domestic law to prevent tax avoidance or evasion.


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The revised DTAA will improve transparency in tax matters, help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance, remove double taxation and will stimulate the flow of investment, technology and services between India and Kenya.

Both the countries had first entered into the tax pact in 1985 and subsequently the DTAA was renegotiated and a revised DTAA was signed between both countries on July 11, 2016. The treaty has now been notified on February 19, 2018.

Source: PIB. • • • • •INDO-GERMAN MOU SIGNED FOR TECHNICAL COOPERATION FOR

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

What Is It?

An Indo-German memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on Friday for technical cooperation under the sustainable urban development programme and smart cities in India. The German contribution to the project is up to 8 million euros and the project will be for duration of three years.

The objective of the programme is to develop and apply concepts for sustainable urban development about the provision of urban basic services and housing in selected cities and smart cities in India.

The technical cooperation measure will support approaches for sustainable urban development in the area of integrated planning, provision of affordable housing and basic services with particular focus on water, waste water and solid waste management and mobility.

The Sustainable Urban Development Programme - Smart Cities in India project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and jointly implemented by the ministry of housing and urban affairs and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

MoHUA and GIZ will jointly work on implementing the Indian government’s missions, the optimisation of the national orientation framework and the dissemination of practice-proven approaches on sustainable urban development.

Focus will also be on integrated planning approaches for the three smart cities with development of local innovations and pilot approaches pertaining to the provision of affordable housing and basic services within the three cities.



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MOU BETWEEN INDIA-JORDAN FOR MINING, BENEFICIATION OF ROCK PHOSPHATE

What Is It?

The Union Cabinet has approved signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between India and Jordan for mining and beneficiation of Rock Phosphate and Muriate of Phosphate (MOP). It also approved setting up production facility in Jordan for Phosphoric Acid/NPK/DAP Fertilizers with long term agreement for 100% off-take to India.

The MOU would ensure a consistent supply of raw material, intermediaries and finish Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers to cater to the needs of the country at a reasonable price.

The Union Cabinet also approved the proposal for signing of MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Manpower between India and Jordan. It aims at enhancing collaboration between two countries in promoting best practices in administration of contractual employment.

The MoU will be valid for period of 5 years and incorporates provision of automatic renewal and monitoring mechanism through Joint Technical Committee.

It reflects latest reforms in recruitment processes and enhances protection and welfare of Indian workers in Jordan. It is expected to usher in greater transparency and curb malpractices in the recruitment process due to use of online portal for recruitment of Indian manpower.

Source: PIB. • • • • •INDIA IRAN RELATIONS

Why In News?

Iranian President recent visit to India has helped elevating the bilateral relations to a newer and commendable height.

What Are The Recent Developments?

India and Iran signed agreements and memorandums of understanding on a wide variety of issues.

Among the announcements was the decision to award India the contract to operate the Chabahar Shahid Beheshti port terminal after the project is completed.

While no announcement was made on the Farzad-B gas field that India has expressed an interest in, the joint statement indicates that positive deliberations may follow.


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There were discussions on enhancing trade and investment and ease of doing business between India and Iran, including a double taxation avoidance agreement and an expert group to recommend “trade remedy measures”.

Just before Mr. Rouhani’s visit, India announced it would allow Indian investment in Iran to be done in rupee terms.

The concession, which has so far been extended only to Bhutan and Nepal, allows money lying in Indian banks as payment for imports from Iran, mostly oil, to be repatriated.

Till now these funds have been blocked because international banks and insurance companies refuse to facilitate trade to Iran fearing further U.S. sanctions on Iranian entities.

In turn, Iran is understood to have reversed last year’s decision to slash the credit period for oil payments from India, and issue more generous guidelines.

How Is The Growing Bonhomie?

Mr. Modi and Mr. Rouhani also drew broad strokes highlighting the importance of bilateral ties between the two countries, stressing the strategic imperative for their growth.

Mr. Modi called the talks “substantive and productive”, while thanking Mr. Rouhani for his leadership on regional connectivity.

Mr. Rouhani endorsed India’s bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council with the veto, and praised India as a “living museum of religious diversity”.

The joint statement issued contained tough language on the “sanctuaries for terrorism”, an issue important to both countries.

The visit came amid uncertainty over the U.S.’s next move on Iran, given the Trump administration’s line on the Iran nuclear deal.

U.S. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster oh his part asked countries to track their investments in Iran as these might be supporting terrorism and “murder across the Middle East”.

It will be important to see what, if any, implications the Indian overtures would have on India’s ties with the U.S. and its recently upgraded relations with Israel.

However, it is crucial that India maintain a steady course on its strategic interests with Iran, a key source of energy, and as Mr. Modi put it, a “golden gateway” to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Source: The Hindu • • • • •


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FATF AND PAKISTAN

Why In News?

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that monitors countries on action taken against terror-financing and money-laundering has decided to place Pakistan back on its watch list, or “greylist”, from June.

Why is this step of FATF important?

The decision is both appropriate and overdue, given Pakistan’s blatant violation of its obligations to crack down on groups banned by the Security Council 1267 sanctions committee that monitors groups affiliated to the Taliban (which originally included al-Qaeda affiliated groups), such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Haqqani network.

Their leaders like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar continue to hold public rallies and freely garner support and donations.

In the process, both the LeT and JeM, which continue to praise and claim credit for terror attacks in India, have grown their bases in Pakistan, with fortress-like headquarters that the authorities turn a blind eye to.

By doing this, successive Pakistani governments have jeopardised ties with India, and shown disregard for the outcry against terrorism worldwide.

How Pakistan is failing to curb state sponsored terrorism?

One violation was a Pakistani court’s bail to Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, LeT operational commander and a key planner of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Under the 1267 sanctions ruling, banned entities can get no funds, yet Lakhvi received the bail amount, and the authorities have since lost track of him.

It is surprising, then, that the first round of talks of the International Cooperation Review Group that makes its recommendations to the FATF plenary failed to reach the consensus needed to list Pakistan, despite a formidable team of the U.S., U.K., France and Germany proposing the resolution against it.

That the initial support for Pakistan came from China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is cause for concern in New Delhi, given the recent diplomatic outreach by India.


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Equally significant, however, is China’s turnaround in the plenary session two days later, when it dropped objections to the resolution, indicating that its support for Pakistan is negotiable and not set in stone.

Why does this listing affect Pakistan?

The FATF listing will not miraculously change Pakistan’s behaviour, and this is not the first time it has been listed as a country with “strategic deficiencies” in countering terror-financing and money-laundering.

However, if the greylisting comes as part of a concerted campaign to hold Pakistan accountable, and pressure is ratcheted up with financial strictures on its banks and businesses and targeted sanctions imposed against specific law enforcement and intelligence officials, it may yet bear fruit.

The hope is that such sanctions will persuade Pakistan to stop state support for these terror groups and become a responsible player on the global stage and a responsive neighbour.


INFRASTRUCTURE

INDIA’S FIRST EVER HIGHWAY CAPACITY MANUAL RELEASED

What is it?

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday released country’s first ever Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) which will guide road engineers and policy makers about road expansion.

The manual known as ‘Indo-HCM’ has been developed by CSIR-CRRI on the basis of an extensive, country-wide study of the traffic characteristics on different categories of roads like single lane, two-lane, multi-lane urban roads, inter- urban highways and expressways and the associated intersections on these roads.

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The study involved seven academic institutions including IIT-Roorkee, Mumbai and Guwahati, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, Indian Institute of Engineering and Science and Technology, Shibpur, Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Institute of Technology, Surat and Anna University, Chennai.

The manual lays down guidelines for when and how to expand or manage different types of roads and their intersections and the level of services to be put in place. It has been developed based on the unique nature and diversity of traffic on Indian roads.

This is first time that manual has been developed in India. Other countries like USA, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan have developed their own Highway Capacity Manuals long time back.

Source: PIB. • • • • •NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE POLICY FOR HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF

AUTOMOBILE SECTOR ON ANVIL

What Is It?

The Department of Heavy Industry is in the process of formulating a National Automotive Policy for holistic development of the automobile sector in India.

The proposed Automobile Policy aims at developing a comprehensive long-term roadmap for the automotive industry, define the emission standards that will be applicable after BSVI with a target of harmonizing with the most stringent global standards by 2028, across all vehicle segments.

This roadmap will in turn enable the industry and support agencies to define the requirement of technologies, testing facilities, skill development and plan long-term investments, including development of a roadmap for reduction in CO2emissionsthroughCorporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations.

The roadmap will define corporate average CO2 g/km targets for all passenger vehicle manufacturers from 2020 onwards. Vision will be to match CO2 targets set by developed countries by 2025.

The policy prescribes economic penalties for manufacturers that do not meet corporate average targets and evaluate mechanism for flexibilities and provisions such as banking and trading of emission credits.

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It will introduce a composite length and emissions based criterion for vehicle taxation, rationalise the GST structure for automobiles that is currently based on length, engine displacement, engine type and ground clearance.

Vehicle length-based classification will target reduction in vehicular congestion and CO2emissions based classification will align with the overall vision of green mobility and reduction in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

Testing and certification agencies like ARAI and NATRiP will be upgraded in line with the harmonisation plan, so as to develop capabilities which are at par with global testing and certification agencies.

Based on technology roadmap, the department will identify the critical components for which domestic capacities and capabilities need to be developed, encourage FDI in coordination with Invest India to attract investments in identified areas and support auto component cluster development programmes in identified areas of development.

Source: PIB.

• • • • •PM MODI INAUGURATES FOURTH CONTAINER TERMINAL AT JNPT

What is it?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the first phase of the Rs 7,900-crore fourth container terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust that is expected to double its handling capacity.

Phase-I, which would add 2.4 million tonne equivalent units a year capacity, was completed at a cost of Rs 4,719 crore in 36 months. The second phase that will take the additional capacity to 10 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) would be completed by 2022.

The terminal, jointly developed by JNPT and Port of Singapore Authority, would be able to dock mother vessels, handle the biggest container ships and cranes that can reach 22 rows wide or more.

The terminal, once complete, will be the largest cargo handling port in the country with a provision for storing 1,600 refrigerated containers to also handle agriculture and horticulture produce. To enhance the connectivity from JNPT to various parts of the country, the trust is working on a dedicated 12-lane freight corridor, which stretches up to Goa to ease traffic congestion, informed Krishna. It would be ready by 2020.

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The terminal has deepest berths to handle “Mother Ships. It can handle biggest container ships from quay length of 1 km and cranes that can reach 22 rows wide or greater. It can also handle three container ships at one go with sufficient yard space.

Source: PIB. • • • • •CCEA APPROVES SILKYARA BEND-BARKOT TUNNEL IN UTTARKHAND

What is it?

The central government approved a 4.531-km tunnel project in Uttarakhand that would be part of the ‘Char Dham’ project to connect Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri.

Estimated to cost Rs 1,384 crore, Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel will be two-laned and two-way, and is expected to bring down travel time between Dharasu and Yamunotri by an hour, cutting the journey short by 20 km.

The tunnel will be along NH-134 (old NH-94) in Uttarakhand and will be built under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Mode, funded under NH (O) Scheme of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Ministry.

It is meant to provide “all-weather connectivity to Yamunotri, encouraging regional socio-economic development, trade and tourism in the country.

The civil construction cost of the project is estimated at Rs 1,119.69 crore, while the total project cost is Rs 1,383.78 crore, which is inclusive of the cost towards Land Acquisition & Rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities as well as maintenance and operation cost of tunnel for 4 years.

The project will be implemented by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), through National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL). NHIDCL is wholly state owned company, established in 2014 for development of highways in states on the international borders.


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CCEA APPROVES AUCTION OF COAL BLOCKS TO PRIVATE SECTOR FOR COMMERCIAL MINING

What is it?

In a major reform in the coal sector since its nationalisation in 1973, the government allowed private companies to mine the fossil fuel for commercial use, ending the monopoly of state-owned Coal India Ltd (CIL).

The CCEA has approved the methodology for auction of coal mines/blocks for sale of coal under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

This decision opens coal sector to commercial mining by private establishment, ending 41 year old monopoly of state owned Coal India Ltd (CIL). It will allow power cement and steel producers to source fuel more efficiently.

It will increase competitiveness and allow the use of best possible technology into the sector. The higher investment will create direct and indirect employment in coal bearing areas especially in mining sector and will have an impact on economic development of these regions. It will increase competitiveness and allow the use of best possible technology into the sector. The higher investment will create direct and indirect employment in coal bearing areas especially in mining sector and will have an impact on economic development of these regions.

The methodology gives highest priority to transparency, ease of doing business and ensures that natural resources are used for national development and opening up the sector will also lead to energy security through assured coal supply, accountable allocation and affordability.

The move will lead to energy security as 70 per cent of country’s electricity is generated from thermal power plants, adding that this reform will ensure assured coal supply, accountable allocation of coal and affordable coal leading to affordable power prices for consumers.

Source: PIB. • • • • •TAPI GAS PIPELINE: WORK ON AFGHANISTAN SECTION BEGINS

What is it?

Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India on Friday ceremonially broke ground on the Afghan section of an ambitious, multi-billion dollar gas pipeline expected to help ease energy deficits in South Asia.

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The pipeline will traverse war-wracked Afghanistan, raising security concerns, the bulk of the 33 billion cubic metres of gas to be pumped annually through the conduit will be purchased by South Asian rivals Pakistan and India.

The quartet aims to complete the 1,840-kilometre (1,143-mile) pipeline and begin pumping natural gas from Turkmenistan’s giant Galkynysh gas field by the beginning of 2020.

India’s commitment to the pipeline has previously been questioned over its relationship with Pakistan and easy-access to liquefied natural gas markets seen as potential stumbling blocks.

The overall funding picture for the mammoth gas pipeline remains unclear, with commercial energy giants such as France’s total failing to follow up on reported interest in the project.

Turkmenistan sits on the world’s fourth-largest gas reserves but lost a major buyer in Russia after Russian energy giant Gazprom wound down imports of Turkmen gas and then ceased purchases completely in 2016.

Source: PIB. • • • • •GRID STABILITY

Why In News?

The central government ambitious plan to help farmers earn from solar power generation hinges on small details.

What Is The Government Plan?

Electricity is a major concern in rural India, especially for farmers.

The Government of India has come up with an original plan to address this problem.

Instead of transmitting electricity to the farmers, the government, to start with, wants farmers to use solar energy to power their irrigation pumps.

According to the January 2018 report of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, there are about 142,000 solar pumps in India.

The government is planning to install one million solar pumps by 2021.

INFRASTRUCTURE

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What Are The New Initiatives To Augment Solar Energy?

To achieve the above said initiative, the Union Budget 2018 has allocated close to 48,000 crore to set up the Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM).

This programme will help set up more than 28 GW of combined solar capacity through these solar pumps.

Additionally, to ensure optimal use of this solar energy, and to incentivise farmers to shift to renewable energy, the government plans to purchase the surplus power through electricity distribution companies.

This proposal will almost certainly increase agricultural incomes and reduce electricity losses when transmitting power to remote rural areas.

Analysts claim that losses from distribution could fall to about 12% from the current level of at least 23%.

However, the feasibility of purchasing surplus solar power seems problematic.

There is a need to address the issue of grid stability that this injection of surplus power is bound to create.

The advantage of this scheme is that transmission losses and power theft would drop significantly.

Most rural retailers of power also lose money as they sell power at a subsidised rate to the poor and the farm sector.

The state-run distribution companies were thus running a loss of Rs.4.3 trillion as of September 2015.

Local generation of power in the manner proposed would take care of the above issues.

What Is The Issue?

The disadvantages currently outweigh the advantages because of the issue of grid stability.

This is an issue that is often neglected.

All power grids require balancing.

INFRASTRUCTURE

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This balancing entails meeting the demand with adequate supply 24x7 to ensure there is no blackout.

The reason for striking this balance is that electrical energy cannot readily be stored, meaning that power generation ought to work round the clock.

These electrical gridlines were created to depend on reliable and controllable generators (coal, oil and even hydroelectric).

However, with more and more power being generated through fluctuating power generators (solar and wind), a more precise balance will have to be created, which may cause more failures.

Take the example of solar panels that farmers use.

These panels will only generate electricity during daylight hours, so to maintain a consistent round-the-clock power delivery the grid operators will need to have a back-up source of power in the form of coal or oil.

During the day as well, they will have to be ready to quickly adjust output to compensate for the rise and fall of solar power generation due to changing weather and rain.

Output from solar panels can also change due to clouds.

Variations in weather patterns make it more difficult for the grid operator to predict the balance of electrical energy that will be required to meet the demand.

Because wind and solar power sources constantly generate shortfalls and excesses, the grid operators send a signal to power plants every few seconds to ensure that the total amount of power demand at the grid is consistently equal to the total power supply.

Most countries handle inputs from renewable energy sources similarly.

But India is short of power.

Thus, while other nations see solar and wind power as an energy management problem, India also sees this as a capacity management problem.

Because of India’s sheer size, the variability factor considerably increases: if some areas have low consumption, others are likely to have high consumption.

More stability can be achieved by integrating the grids into all-India grids.

Expected advances in storage technology would also significantly improve grid stability.

INFRASTRUCTURE

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How Budget Is Helping The Initiative?

The plan of the Government of India to purchase solar power from farmers has nevertheless taken off on a good note.

In the Union Budget 2018, the Finance Minister asked governments to put in place adequate procedures to purchase the excess solar power from farmers.

This sale of excess power has also discouraged overutilisation of groundwater.

However, the only problem that the government seems to be focussed on is to adequately remunerate the farmers and increase their incomes.

We believe attention also ought to be provided to the stability of the grid, lest the grid network collapses due to the uncertainties of power supply and demand.


INDIAN POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

DIGITAL GENDER ATLAS FOR ADVANCING GIRL EDUCATION

What is it?

Union Government has released ‘Digital Gender Atlas for Advancing Girls Education’ a web-based tool for advancing girls education.

Digital Gender Atlas has been developed to identify the low performing geographic pockets for girls, particularly from marginalised groups such as scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and Muslim minorities, on specific gender related education indicators.

These pockets particularly have been identified from marginalised groups such as scheduled castes (SC’s), scheduled tribes (ST’s) and Muslim minorities.

The gender atlas has been developed as hands on management tool that will enable to take critical decisions and actions in order to fill the gaps in the low performing geographical pockets.


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The atlas has a geographical representation and time series data on various levels of education related parameters in the country. The data from atlas will help states in policy-making and implementation.

It will also help in identifying and ensuring equitable education with a focus on vulnerable girls. It includes girls with disabilities.

The atlas uses current available Government data such as Unified District Information System for Education (2011-14), Census 2011 and District Level Health Survey 2007-08.

Source: PIB, Wikipedia. • • • • •GOVERNMENT APPROVES CONSTRUCTION OF 1,86,777

AFFORDABLE HOUSE

What is it?

With a firm focus on achieving its Housing for All target by 2022, the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has approved the construction of 1,86,777 more affordable houses benefitting the urban poor under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).

The decision comes in the wake of huge response to PMUY from the women particularly in rural areas and to cover such households not having LPG connection.

Haryana has been sanctioned 53,290 houses in 38 cities and towns with an investment of Rs 4,322 crore with central assistance of Rs 799 crore.

Tamil Nadu got 40,623 houses in 65 cities and towns with an investment of Rs 2,314 crore and central assistance of Rs 609 crore.

Besides, expanding target base of scheme, Cabinet also approved proposal to expand scheme to cover all SC/ST households, beneficiaries of Antyoday Anna Yojana (AAY), PMAY (Gramin), forest dwellers, most backward classes (MBC), Tea and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes, people residing in Islands and rivers etc. in addition to SECC identified households. This


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move will address practical difficulty faced in implementation of PMUY, namely, targeting genuinely poor households left out of Socio Economic Caste Survey (SECC) list.

PMUY was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2016 with the tagline of Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan. The scheme’s motive is to provide free of cost LPG (cooking gas) connections to women from BPL Households.

Source: PIB. • • • • •CABINET APPROVES CREATION OF NATIONAL URBAN HOUSING FUND

What is it?

The Union cabinet on Tuesday approved the creation of a Rs60,000 crore National Urban Housing Fund to finance the government’s Housing for All programme, which aims to build 12 million affordable housing units in urban areas by 2022.

The newly created fund will be placed under the aegis of the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council, an autonomous body under the ministry of housing and urban affairs, whose primary task is the mainstreaming of new construction technologies.

The fund will be raised from non-budgetary sources and could tap into existing government entities such as the Housing and Urban Development Corp. (Hudco).

The newly created fund is expected to raise the requisite funds as per requirement for the next four years and plug any budgetary shortfalls. The projected overall funding envisaged by the government is around Rs1.7 lakh crore.

Besides direct support for house construction, more than 87,000 interest subsidy applications for housing loans have been sanctioned and another 40,000 are currently being processed.

Under the scheme, each beneficiary gets financial assistance worth Rs1.5 lakh to support the construction of an affordable housing unit. In case of in-situ development of houses replacing slums, each beneficiary gets Rs1 lakh.

The government has also launched a sub-component of the scheme which targets middle income groups by providing Rs2.5 lakh to Rs2.7 lakh as interest subsidy.



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GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES SIX NEW USER FRIENDLY FEATURES OF NATIONAL AGRICULTURE MARKET (E-NAM) PLATFORM

What is it?

The agriculture ministry has added six new features in the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform to make it more user friendly.

This includes MIS dashboard for better analysis, BHIM payment facility by traders, mobile payment facility by traders, enhanced features on mobile app such as gate entry and payment through mobile, integration of farmer’s database and eLearning module in e-NAM website.

e-NAM is one of major and important flagship schemes implemented by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. Its objective is to provide competitive and remunerative price to farmers for their produce through online competitive and transparent bidding process.

Launched in 2016 with the objective of providing competitive and remunerative price to farmers for their produce through online competent bidding process, currently 479 mandis across 14 states and 01 union territory are covered under it.

Using it, farmers can showcase their produce online from their nearest market and traders can quote price from anywhere. It seeks to increase number of traders and greater competition. It will also ensure open price discovery and better returns to farmers.



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IAF CONDUCTS MAIDEN AFCAT ONLINE

What is it?

Giving an impetus to government’s ambitious Digital India initiative, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday conducted first ever Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) and Selection Test for Airmen Recruitment (STAR) across the country.

The maiden online AFCAT for selecting officers was planned to be conducted on 25 Feb 18 simultaneously at 536 Centres in 99 cities covering 25 states and 3 Union Territories. C-DAC did the tie-up with various Government and Private Educational Institutions as exam centres.

The exam was successfully conducted at approximately 450 centres across the country.Source: PIB. • • • • •

CABINET APPROVES TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS (PREVENTION, PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION) BILL, 2018

What is it?

The Union Cabinet has approved the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018 for introduction in the Parliament.

Human Trafficking is third largest organized crime violating basic human rights. At present there is no specific law to deal with this crime. The bill addresses the issue of human trafficking from point of view of prevention, rescue and rehabilitation.

The bill proposes creating a rehabilitation fund for the victims, designating courts in every district for quick, time-bound trials as well as protecting those rescued from traffickers at the earliest. It also proposes rigorous imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of no less than Rs 1 lakh for the guilty.

Not just this, rehabilitation fund which has been created for the first time, will be used for the physical, psychological and social well-being of the victim including education, skill development, health care/psychological support, legal aid, safe accommodation, etc.


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“A National Anti-Trafficking Bureau will perform the functions of international coordination with authorities in foreign countries and international organisations,” the bill says.

The Bill also creates dedicated institutional mechanisms at District, State and Central Level. These will be responsible for prevention, protection, investigation and rehabilitation work related to trafficking. National Investigation Agency (NIA) will perform the tasks of Anti-Trafficking Bureau at the national level present under the MHA.

Trafficking in human beings is the third largest organized crime violating basic human rights. There is no specific law so far to deal with this crime.

Source: PIB. • • • • •CCEA APPROVES CONTINUATION OF PRIME MINISTER’S EMPLOYMENT

GENERATION PROGRAMMEWhat is it?

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved continuation of Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) beyond 12th Plan for 3 years from 2017-18 to 2019-20.

The scheme has been extended with total outlay of Rs. 5,500 crore to create sustainable estimated employment opportunities for 15 lakh persons in three financial years.

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is the nodal implementation agency for the PMEGP at the national level. At the state/district level, state offices of KVIC, Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBs) and District Industry Centres (DIC) are the implementing agencies.

A minimum target of 75 projects /district is awarded to all districts of the country to achieve inclusive growth.

Higher rate of subsidy (25-35 per cent) will be applicable for women, SC/ST, OBC, Physically Disabled, NER applicants in rural areas,” an official statement said.

The applications are invited and processed online on the PMEGP-e-portal. The scheme’s targets are fixed taking into account the extent of backwardness of state; extent of unemployment; extent of fulfilment of previous year targets; population of state/union territory; and availability of traditional skills and raw material.

PMEGP is a major credit-linked subsidy programme being implemented by the Ministry of MSME since 2008-09.


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The Scheme is aimed at generating self-employment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by helping traditional artisans and unemployed youth in rural as well as urban areas.

A total of 4.55 lakh micro enterprises have been assisted with a margin money subsidy of Rs 9,564.02 crore providing employment to an estimated 37.98 lakh persons from inception till January 31, 2018.

Modification made in the scheme include a second loan of up to Rs 1 crore to existing and better performing PMEGP units for upgrading with subsidy of 15 per cent; Mandatory Aadhaar and Pan card and Geo-tagging of units.

Source: PIB. • • • • •MIXING WORK WITH STUDY

Why in news?

Recently, the Annual Status of Education Report (Rural) 2017, published by a non-governmental organisation and containing data from 26 districts in 24 States, has some national-level findings that should cause concern.

What does the study say?

Basic education has slipped in priority in the national policy matrix over the decades.

The Census and several other data sets have pointed to various dimensions of the problem.

Focussing on the 14-18 years age group, the ‘Beyond Basics’ study has tried to assess, inter alia, whether this cohort of young people is enrolled in any educational institution, whether they are both enrolled and pursuing work, how well they have been prepared in previous schooling, their access to technology, and what occupies their time.

This is an important segment of the population, on the threshold of adulthood, and, importantly, political participation.

A national-level finding is that as a group, 14.4% of youth aged 14 to 18 years are not enrolled in school or college.

The imperative clearly is to look at factors that prevent them from being part of formal higher secondary education, of which availability and affordability of schools would be important.


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What is the possible situation?

Evidently, a large-scale vocational education system on the lines of the “dual” German model - classroom instruction plus apprentice training - would help raise the productivity of both individuals and the economy.

ASER’s statistics indicate that overall, only 5.3% of the age group is enrolled in a vocational course, while 60.2% of out-of-school youth are engaged in some form of work.

These trends underscore the need to scale up substantive skill-building programmes, making them free or highly subsidised.

It is in this context that the role of agriculture as a provider of jobs and prosperity must be viewed.

Among those who are already working in the 14-18 age group, 79% are engaged in farming, and that too in their family farms.

By contrast, agriculture as work ranked very low as an aspiration among the youth.

What this appears to show is that for a significant number of youth, a useful education in agriculture, coupled with access to the formal economy for finance and marketing, could raise the quality of life.

In fact, the ability of farmers to adopt technology, avail benefits offered by the government and demand stronger institutions would be enhanced, if elementary education is improved.

It would also produce the additional benefit of promoting health-seeking behaviour among these youth.

At the moment, though, the education tests administered to them seem to show that they can read text, but feel challenged when it comes to solving a simple mathematical problem.

They will do better if the teaching-learning process becomes engaging and effective.Source: The Hindu • • • • •


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MAKING HEALTH INSURANCE WORK

Why in news?

The introduction of National Health Protection Scheme in this year budget as created mixed reactions.

What did the budget offered this year?

The previous government missed the bus when it failed to implement the recommendations of the High-Level Expert Group on Universal Health Coverage (2011).

Yet, those recommendations resonate in the Budget of 2018, with commitment to universal health coverage, strengthening of primary health care (especially at the sub-centre level), linking new medical colleges to upgraded district hospitals

It also stated for provision of free drugs and diagnostics at public health facilities, and stepping up financial protection for health care through a government-funded programme that merges Central and State health insurance schemes.

However, health care is not just a matter of health insurance.

It involves any other elements such as the availability of a multi-layered, multi-skilled health workforce.

Further, there is health beyond health care, dependent on many social determinants.

What is NHPS and how is it better?

The scheme will provide cost coverage, up to Rs.5 lakh annually, to a poor family for hospitalisation in an empanelled public or private hospital.

The precursor of the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS), the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), provided limited coverage of only ₹30,000, usually for secondary care.

Though it improved access to health care, it did not reduce out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE), catastrophic health expenditure or health payment-induced poverty.

The NHPS addresses those concerns by sharply raising the coverage cap, but shares with the RSBY the weakness of not covering outpatient care which accounts for the largest fraction of OOPE.

The NHPS too remains disconnected from primary care.


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The NHPS will pay for the hospitalisation costs of its beneficiaries through ‘strategic purchasing’ from public and private hospitals.

This calls for a well-defined list of conditions that will be covered, adoption of standard clinical guidelines for diagnostic tests and treatments suitable for different disorders, setting and monitoring of cost and quality standards, and measuring health outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Both Central and State health agencies or their intermediaries will have to develop the capacity for competent purchasing of services from a diverse group of providers.

Otherwise, hospitals may undertake unnecessary tests and treatments to tap the generous coverage.

The choice of whether to administer NHPS through a trust or an insurance company will be left to individual States.

What is the condition of primary health care centres?

Reduced allocation for the National Health Mission and sidelining of its urban component raise concerns about primary care, even though the transformation of sub-centres to health and wellness centres is welcome.

If primary health services are not strong enough to reduce the need for advanced care and act as efficient gatekeepers, there is great danger of an overloaded NHPS disproportionately draining resources from the health budget.

That will lead to further neglect of primary care and public hospitals, which even now are not adequately equipped to compete with corporate hospitals in the strategic purchasing arena.

That will lead to decay of the public sector as a care provider.

This must be prevented by proactively strengthening primary health services and public hospitals.

How will NHPS works financially?

The NHPS is not a classic insurance programme, since the government pays most of the money on behalf of the poor, unlike private insurance where an individual or an employer pays the premium.

However, the scheme operates around the insurance principle of ‘risk pooling’. When a large number of people subscribe to an insurance scheme, only a small fraction of them will be hospitalised in any given year.

In a tax funded system or a large insurance programme, there is a large risk pool wherein the healthy cross-subsidise the sick at any given time.


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The NHPS will be financially viable, despite a high coverage offered to the few who fall sick in any year, because the rest in the large pool do not need it that year.

However, the NHPS will need more than the Rs.2,000 crore presently allocated.

It is expected to require Rs. 5,000-6,000 crore to get it going in the first year and Rs.10,000-12,000 crore annually as it scales up.

It will draw additional resources from the Health and Education Cess and also depend on funding from States to boost the Central allocation.

The premiums are expected to be in the range of Rs.1,000-1,200 per annum.

They may be lowered if enrolment is high but will rise if utilisation rates are high.

What will states do?

State governments have the main responsibility of health service delivery and also need to bear the major share of the public expenditure on health.

The National Health Policy (NHP) asks the States to raise their allocation for health to over 8% of the total State budget by 2020, requiring many States to double their health spending.

Will they be stimulated to do so, when the Central Budget has not signalled a movement towards the NHP goal of raising public expenditure on health to 2.5% of GDP by 2025?

The NHPS needs a buy-in from the States, which have to contribute 40% of the funding.

Even with the low cost coverage of the RSBY, several States opted out.

Some decided to fund their own State-specific health insurance programmes, with distinctive political branding.

In a federal polity with multiple political parties sharing governance, an all-India alignment around the NHPS requires a high level of cooperative federalism, both to make the scheme viable and to ensure portability of coverage as people cross State borders.

Source: The Hindu, Business Line• • • • •


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STATES OF HEALTH: NITI AAYOG FIRST HEALTH INDEX

Why in news?

NITI Aayog released its first Health Index.

What does the report say?

Health-care delivery is the responsibility of States; the Centre provides financial and policy support.

Being able to meet the Sustainable Development Goals over the coming decade depends crucially on the States’ performance.

Yet, health care is not a mainstream political issue in India, and hardly influences electoral results.

States with a record investment in literacy, nutrition and primary health care have achieved high scores in NITI Aayog’s first Health Index.

Kerala, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu are the best-performing large States, while Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh bring up the rear.

Why is this Index important?

The Index, with all its limitations given uneven data availability, hopes to make a difference here by encouraging a competitive approach for potentially better outcomes.

For instance, with political will, it should be possible for Odisha to bring down its neonatal mortality rate, estimated to be the highest at 35 per thousand live births - worse than Uttar Pradesh.

A dozen States with shameful under-five mortality rates of over 35 per 1,000 live births may feel the need for remedial programmes.

What the Index shows for the better-performing States such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu is that their continuous improvements have, overall, left little room to notch up high incremental scores, but intra-State inequalities need to be addressed.

Coming soon after the announcement of a National Health Protection Scheme in the Union Budget, the Index uses metrics such as institutional deliveries, systematic reporting of tuberculosis, access to drugs for people with HIV/AIDS, immunisation levels and out-of-pocket expenditure.

The twin imperatives are to improve access to facilities and treatments on these and other parameters, and raise the quality of data, including from the private sector, to enable rigorous assessments.


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At the same time, as NITI Aayog points out, data on other key aspects such as non-communicable diseases, mental health, governance systems and financial risk protection lack the integrity to form part of a good composite index.

What is the way forward?

Both the Centre and the States have the responsibility to scale up their investment on health as a percentage of their budgets.

While the NHPS may be able to address some of the financial risk associated with ill-health, it will take systematic improvements to preventive and primary care to achieve higher scores in the Index.

As the experience from countries in the West and now even other developing economies shows, socialisation of medicine with a reliance on taxation to fund basic programmes is the bedrock of a good health system.

If the NITI Aayog Health Index leads to a mainstreaming of health on these lines, that would be a positive outcome.

Source: The Hindu • • • • •REFORMING THE PUBLIC HEALTH

Why in news?

The recent launch of National Health care protection, dubbed as the world’s largest health care system, has missed the important point of reforming the primary and other health care system.

What Is The Issue?

Should the focus be on the demand side of health-care finance when the supply side, the public health infrastructure, is in a shambles?

Experience with insurance schemes, such as the Centre’s Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana and Andhra Pradesh’s Rajiv Aarogyasri, show how demand side interventions can miss the mark.

While the RSBY and Aarogyasri did improve access to health-care overall, they failed to reach the most vulnerable sections.

At times they led to unnecessary medical procedures and increased out-of-pocket expenditure for poor people, both of which are undesirable outcomes.

These showed that unless the public health system can compete with the private in utilising funds from such insurance schemes, medical care will remain elusive for those who need it most.


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Policymakers behind the NHPS, which will cost the government around Rs.5,000 crore in its first year, must take heed.

What Does The Study Say?

Both RSBY and Aarogyasri are cashless hospitalisation schemes.

While both benefited people living below the poverty line, over-reliance on private hospitals and poor monitoring watered down their impact.

According to one Gujarat-based study, a majority of RSBY insured patients ended up spending about 10% of their annual income during hospitalisation, because hospitals still charged them, unsure as they were when they would be compensated.

A study in Andhra Pradesh found that beneficiaries spent more from their own pockets under Aarogyasri.

They spent most of their money on outpatient care, and Aarogyasri didn’t tackle this adequately.

Possibly the most problematic fallout was mass hysterectomies done in Andhra Pradesh.

Between 2008 and 2010, private hospitals removed the uteri of thousands of women unnecessarily, to make a quick buck.

Thus, perverse incentives can drive the private sector to sabotage schemes that are not well monitored.

The second problem with over-reliance on the private sector is that it limits the reach of such programmes.

Evidence from RSBY and Aarogyasri shows that as distance from empanelled hospitals grew in Andhra and Gujarat, fewer people benefited from them - most empanelled hospitals are private and urban.

Scheduled Tribe and rural households typically missed out, while richer quintiles of the population benefited.

There can be much gained from the NHPS if the government views it as the first step towards universal health care, rather than a panacea to all of India’s health-care woes.

The second, and a long-awaited, step is to reform the public health system.

Without this, an insurance scheme, no matter how ambitious, will be a band-aid.Source: The Hindu • • • • •


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NATIONAL NUTRITION MISSION TO IMPROVE THE NUTRITIONAL INDICATORS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

What is it?

The National Nutrition Mission as an apex body under Ministry of Women and Child Development will monitor, supervise, fix targets and guide nutrition related interventions across the Ministries. It will monitor various schemes contributing towards addressing malnutrition. The programme through the targets will strive to reduce the level of stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia and low birth weight babies. It will create synergy, ensure better monitoring, issue alerts for timely action, and encourage States/UTs to perform, guide and supervise the line Ministries and States/UTs to achieve the targeted goals. Government is implementing several schemes and programs like Anganwadi Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna under the Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services Scheme as direct targeted interventions to address the problem of malnutrition in the country.

All these schemes address one or other aspects related to nutrition and have the potential to improve nutritional outcomes in the country. Malnutrition is not a direct cause of death but contributes to mortality and morbidity by reducing resistance to infections. There are a number of causes of death of children.

Apart from the existing schemes aimed at reduction in the levels of malnutrition among women and child, recently, the Government has set up National Nutrition Mission (NNM) for improving the nutritional indicators of children and pregnant women and lactating mothers. The Mission aims to prevent and reduce prevalence of stunting among children (0-6 years) in the country by 6%, undernutrition (underweight) prevalence among children (0-6 years) by 6%, prevalence of anaemia among children (6-59 m) by 9%, prevalence of anaemia among women (15-49 years) by 9% and reduction in prevalence of low birth weight by 6%.

The Goals set under the mission will be achieved by ensuring convergence with various programmes; incentivizing States/ UTs; IT enabled Real Time Monitoring (ICT-RTM) by using Smart Phones and Tablets; Evaluation; Community mobilisation awareness advocacy; IEC, Online Course on Nutrition for Children, Nutrition message from folk songs and songs on WASH, and strengthening human resource, etc. As a result of these concerted efforts of the Government, the level of malnutrition among women and children has reduced in the country as is evident from the recent report of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) – 4, 2015-16, which shows reduction from the previous NFHS-3 levels.



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ECONOMYUNION BUDGET 2018-19: HIGHLIGHT

What Is It?

Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley presents general Budget 2018-19 in Parliament. Budget guided by mission to strengthen agriculture, rural development, health, education, employment, MSME and infrastructure sectors.

Government says, a series of structural reforms will propel India among the fastest growing economies of the world. Country firmly on course to achieve over 8 % growth as manufacturing, services and exports back on good growth path.

MSP for all unannounced kharif crops will be one and half times of their production cost like majority of rabi crops: Institutional Farm Credit raised to 11 lakh crore in 2018-19 from 8.5 lakh crore in 2014-15.

22,000 rural haats to be developed and upgraded into Gramin Agricultural Markets to protect the interests of 86% small and marginal farmers.

“Operation Greens” launched to address price fluctuations in potato, tomato and onion for benefit of farmers and consumers.

Two New Funds of Rs10,000 crore announced for Fisheries and Animal Husbandary sectors; Re-structured National Bamboo Mission gets Rs.1290 crore.

Loans to Women Self Help Groups will increase to Rs.75,000 crore in 2019 from 42,500 crore last year.

Higher targets for Ujjwala, Saubhagya and Swachh Mission to cater to lower and middle class in providing free LPG connections, electricity and toilets.

Outlay on health, education and social protection will be 1.38 lakh crore. Tribal students to get Ekalavya Residential School in each tribal block by 2022. Welfare fund for SCs gets a boost.

ECONOMY

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World’s largest Health Protection Scheme covering over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families launched with a family limit upto 5 lakh rupees for secondary and tertiary treatment.

Fiscal Deficit pegged at 3.5 %, projected at 3.3 % for 2018-19.Source: PIB - http://www.pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1518571• • • • •

AYUSHMAN BHARAT: THE BIG BUDGET SCHEME

What Is It?

The Government announced two major initiatives in health sector, as part of Ayushman Bharat programme aimed at making path breaking interventions to address health holistically, in primary, secondary and tertiary care systems, covering both prevention and health promotion.

‘Ayushman Bharat’ programme to address health holistically, in primary, secondary and tertiary care system, covering both prevention and health promotion.

The insurance scheme, billed as the world’s largest government-funded healthcare programme and seen as a precursor to universal health coverage, can be used to pay for hospitalization.

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National Health Protection Scheme that will cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families, or around 50 crore people.

Adequate funds will be provided for the scheme, set to be the world’s largest government-funded healthcare programme, A provisional allocation of Rs. 2,000 crore has been made for the scheme in the Budget. Coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh a family a year will be provided for secondary and tertiary-care hospitalization.

The finance minister allocated Rs 600 crore to provide nutritional support for each tuberculosis patient. Under the provision, Rs500 a month will be paid through the treatment period to each patient.

Besides reinforcing access healthcare, the health insurance cover will lead to the creation of jobs in the sector as new facilities come up in districts and villages.

It would expand the coverage under Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana by bringing all 60 crore basic accounts within its fold.

Under the existing Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY),poorfamiliesgetanannualcoverage of Rs. 30,000. Several State governments have implemented or supplemented health protection schemes that provide varying coverage.

Health and Wellness Centre: – The National Health Policy, 2017 has envisioned Health and Wellness Centres as the foundation of India’s health system. Under this 1.5 lakh centres will bring health care system closer to the homes of people. These centres will provide comprehensive health care, including for non-communicable diseases and maternal and child health services.

These centres will also provide free essential drugs and diagnostic services. The Budget has allocated Rs.1200 crore for this flagship programme. Contribution of private sector through CSR and philanthropic institutions in adopting these centres is also envisaged.

National Health Protection Scheme:- The second flagship programme under Ayushman Bharat is National Health Protection Scheme, which will cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) providing coverage up to 5 lakh rupees per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. This will be the world’s largest government funded health care programme. Adequate funds will be provided for smooth implementation of this programme.


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RAILWAY BUDGET 2018-19

What Is It?

The Union Budget has allocated a record Rs1.48 lakh crore for Indian Railways to raise its carrying capacity and improve the train travel experience.

Of this, Rs1.46 lakh crore is capital expenditure, while Rs.2,028 crore is to reimburse operating losses on strategic lines and reimburse Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation for the operational cost of e-ticketing.

A large part of the expenditure is for capacity creation, and mentioned different initiatives being taken.

These include track doubling, and third and fourth line works of 18,000 km; 5,000 km of gauge conversion; redeveloping 600 railway stations, equipping them with Wi-Fi and CCTV cameras; introduction of modern train-sets; and escalators for stations with footfalls over 25,000.

In a major thrust to modernisation, the budget is likely to earmark Rs 95,000 crore for overall upgradation in the rail infrastructure including signalling automation, replacement of all old tracks and other assets.

The Budget’s focus is expected to be on safety, especially in light of the spike in the number of derailments in 2017, as well as improving passenger amenities.

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A provision of around Rs 3,000 crore to install CCTV systems in all 11,000 trains, including premier and suburban services, and all the 8,500 stations in the Indian rail network is also expected.

The construction of new lines, gauge conversion and doublings besides massive electrification will continue to be part of the infrastructure development plan.

Source: PIB. • • • • •CRISIL, SIDBI LAUNCH INDIA’S FIRST MSE SENTIMENT INDEX

What Is It?

India’s first sentiment index for micro and small enterprises ( MSEs) CriSidEx developedjointly by CRISIL & SIDBI was launched.

CriSidEx is a composite index based on a diffusion index of 8 parameters and measures MSE business sentiment on a scale of 0 (extremely negative ) to 200 ( extremely positive) . The parametric feedback was captured through a survey of 1100 MSEs in November –December.

CriSidEx will have 2 indices , one for the ‘survey quarter’ and another for the ‘next quarter’ once a trend emerges after few rounds of the survey , providing independent time series data.

The crucial benefit of CriSidEx is that its readings will flag potential headwinds and changes in production cycles and thus help improve market efficiencies. And by capturing the sentiment of exporters and importers , it will also offer actionable indicators on foreign trade.

Provide intelligence and insights for regulators, trade bodies, lenders as well as economic and financial analysts.

Help in forecasting business environment by capturing sentiment on various business parameters such as business situation, capacity utilisation, order book and margins.

Allow policy makers to take timely proactive steps, including those based on early warnings thrown up by survey of index.


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LAUNCH OF STARTUPINDIA RANKING FRAMEWORK

What Is It?

The States Startup Ranking framework launched by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is an exercise aimed at ranking States for establishing a robust ecosystem for supporting Startups.

The framework will evaluate States on parameters such as Startup policy and implementation, incubation support, seed funding support, angel and venture funding support, simplified regulations, easing public procurement, awareness and outreach.

This ranking will help states to bring progress made in their startup ecosystem and also make different states learn and replicate good practices.

The Ranking Framework will also enable continuous learning through the dissemination of good practices.

The State and UT Ranking Framework is based on the feedback collected from Startup ecosystem stakeholders, which include startups, mentors, investors, accelerators, incubators and the government bodies.

The parameters of this feedback focus on all actions and initiatives undertaken by states on or before March 2018.

These parameters include having startup cell or helpline and mobile or web portal for queries, size of startup mentor network created by state government and number of key incubators for incubation support to startups.


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NEW CONSUMER PROTECTION BILL 2018

What Is It?

The Government introduced new Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 in the Lok Sabha on 05.01.2018.

The Consumer Protection Bill, 2018, introduced in Parliament, provides for establishment of an executive agency to be known as the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) which will deal with unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements.

The salient features of the bill To promote, protect and enforce the rights of the consumers and will be empowered to

investigate, recall, refund and impose penalties. Provision for product liability action in cases of personal injury, death, or property

damage caused by or resulting from any product. Provision for mediation as an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) making the process

of dispute adjudication simpler and quicker and simplification of the process of adjudication by the Consumer Fora.

Source: PIB. • • • • •NHAI TO LAUNCH PILOT PROJECT “PAY AS YOU USE”

What Is It?

The road transport and highways ministry is set to launch the pilot for a global positioning system (GPS)-based tolling project on the Delhi-Mumbai corridor.

Under the GPS-based tolling system, India’s first, commuters will pay only for the distance they travel on a toll road as against the current practice of paying a fixed toll irrespective of whether they use all or a part of a road.

The project to be run for one year involves implementing a satellite-based electronic toll collection system running on GPS/GSM technology for around 500 commercial vehicles on the Delhi-Mumbai National Highway.

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The pilot project will look at ways to integrate the new solution with the existing pre-paid wallet account offered by NHAI under the FASTag program.

It will also draw a comparison between distance based tolling and the existing tolling system, as also virtual tolling Vs normal tolling.

The amount will be deducted from the vehicle holder’s account and credited to the concessionaire’s within a day.

However, in case of a failed transaction it would be able to alert the toll operator to collect payment manually and not open the gate.

GPS-based e-tolling is a part of the National Electronic Toll Collection programme of the government of India and the success of this technology can transform the toll collection system.

This would not only help in capturing actual distances travelled by a vehicle and charging user based on travel distance but may also eliminate the need to construct toll plazas in future.

Source: PIB. • • • • •CABINET APPROVES DISCOVERED SMALL FIELDS (DSF)

POLICY BID ROUND-IIWhat Is It?

Union cabinet on Wednesday approved second round of Discovered Small Field (DSF) auctions, under which the government is offering a total of 60 discovered small fields with an estimated 194.65 Million Metric tonnes of oil equivalent (MMtoe).

Of the 60 fields, 22 fields belong to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), 5 to Oil India Limited (OIL), 12 are relinquished discovered fields from New Exploration and Licensing

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Policy (NELP) blocks. It also includes 21 fields that did not receive any investor interest in first round of DSF.

These fields will be developed and monetized faster thereby augmenting production of oil and gas leading to enhance energy security of the country.

It is estimated that investments into these fields will lead to generation of over 88,000 jobs as direct, indirect and induced employment. This policy has also been extended for future round of bidding.

Empowered Committee of Secretaries (ECS) comprising of Secretary (Petroleum & Natural Gas), Secretary (Expenditure) and Law Secretary will finalize and approve Model Revenue Sharing Contract, Notice Inviting Offer (NIO) and other documents for Discovered Small Fields Bid Round-ll.

The award of contract will be approved by the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Finance based on the recommendations of ECS.

Source: PIB. • • • • •14 COASTAL ECONOMIC ZONES FOR PORT-LED INDUSTRIALIZATION

What Is It?

The government is planning to develop 14 Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) as part of the National Perspective Plan under its ambitious Sagarmala Programme to promote port-led industrialization. Parliament.

The Perspective Plans for all 14 CEZs have been prepared in consultation with relevant State Governments and Central Ministries. All maritime states and union territories would be covered under the plan.

The idea behind developing the zones is to promote ‘development of port-proximate industrial clusters’. This will encourage port-led development and lead to reduction of logistics, cost and time for movement of EXIM and domestic cargo.

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Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and West Bengal are the other states where potential for coastal economic zones has been identified.

These zones are expected to enhance global competitiveness of the Indian manufacturing sector.

Port-led industrialization through the proposed development of CEZ under Sagarmala Programme are expected to provide impetus to the “Make in India” initiative of the Government of India, that will aid in creation of jobs in India.

Finalization of institutional framework and roadmap for the development of CEZ based on therecommendations of Inter-Ministerial Committee has been taken up.

Source: PIB. • • • • •STEPPING UP COAL SUPPLIES TO POWER SECTOR

What Is It?

A slew of measures are being taken to try and mitigate the ongoing power crisis. Under fire for faltering on supplies to power utilities, coal companies have now been asked by the Coal Ministry to work overtime to ensure priority movement of fuel to key power stations.

The Ministry has claimed that NTPC Ltd’s key power stations — 705 MW Badarpur plant, 2,000 MW Rihand, 1,820 MW Dadri, 2,000 MW Singrauli and 1,050 MW Unchahaar stations — have been despatched more rakes of coal than they require for daily operations over the last three days, which could go into replenishing the critically low stocks at the stations.

This is expected to help fuel-starved power plants quickly get coal supply, for which they have been waiting since September when the auctions were held.

In addition to the monitoring mechanism available at coal companies, coal supplies to Power Utility sector is monitored regularly by an Inter-Ministerial Sub-Group comprising representatives of Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Railways constituted by the Infrastructure Review Committee of Cabinet Secretariat.

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This Sub-Group takes various operational decisions for meeting any contingent situations relating to coal supplies to Power sector including critical coal stock position for power plants. Moreover, the situation is also monitored jointly by Secretary (Coal), Secretary (Power) and Member Traffic, Railway Board in regular reviews.

Coal India Limited (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) make all efforts to meet the requirements of Power Sector in the Country. The Production and dispatch plan is also prepared keeping the same in view.

Source: PIB. • • • • •INDIA POST PAYMENTS BANK (IPPB) TO ENABLE DIGITAL

PAYMENTS BY APRILWhat Is It?

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) Expansion Programme continues to make brisk progress and a nation-wide roll-out is scheduled beginning April 2018.

The new model of banking allows mobile firms, super market chains and others to cater to banking requirements of individuals and small businesses.

A payments bank is a differentiated bank and confines its activities to acceptance of demand deposits, remittance services, Internet banking and other specified services.

IPPB will be the third payments bank to have full-fledged operations after Airtel Payments Bank and Paytm.

IPPB will also enable more than 17 crore active account-holders of Post Office Savings Bank to make interoperable digital payments including the benefit of NEFT, RTGS, UPI and bill payment services.

All 1.55 lakh post office branches will operate as access points and 650 payments bank branches will provide them back-end support.

Additionally, the IPPB will enable acceptance of digital payments across post offices in the country in line with the digital payments initiative of the government.


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BETTER PORT ECOSYSTEM TO HELP BOOST INDIA’S EASE OF DOING BUSINESS RANKING

What Is It?

To achieve the ambitious target of having a 5% share in world exports and climb up the ranks in ease of doing business, India needs to address its port ecosystem, says a report commissioned by government think tank Niti Aayog.

The report says that processes and operations across India’s ports are not standardized or uniform, costs and time for key processes are unpredictable and there is an unacceptable level of variation across ports as well as within ports.

It listed five issues-port congestion, custom clearance, shipping line issues and charges, documentation and paperwork and regulatory clearances—as the major hurdles leading to detention and demurrage challenges faced by traders in.

It also ranked 13 major ports and one non-major port on a Port Performance Index. It rated four ports (Mundra, JNPT, Kamarajar, Vizag) as good; seven (Cochin, Kandla, Paradip, Chennai, Mormugao, New Mangalore and VOC) as average and three (Haldia, Kolkata and MbPT) as poor.

Report emphasises strengthening port infrastructure, the shipping ministry is undertaking an ambitious Sagarmala project to promote port-led development.

To increase India’s share in world exports, we need to strengthen India’s industrial sector and increase its product competitiveness. And to enhance product competitiveness, we would have to improve the infrastructure for trade. Ports are the key part of trade infrastructure.

Source: PIB. • • • • •AMENDMENTS IN SMALL SAVINGS ACT

What is it?

The legislative changes proposed in Finance Bill 2018 are aimed at adding flexibility in operation of the account under small savings schemes.

The government proposed the merger of Government Savings Certificates Act, 1959 and Public Provident Fund Act, 1968 with the Government Savings Banks Act, 1873. No existing benefits to depositors are proposed to be taken away through this process.

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The main objective in proposing a common Act is to make implementation easier for the depositors as they need not go through different rules and acts for understanding the provision of various small saving schemes, and also to introduce certain flexibility for the investors.

With a single act, relevant provisions of the Government Savings Certificates (NSC) Act, 1959 and the Public Provident Fund Act, 1968 would stand subsumed in the new amended act without compromising on any of the functional provision of the existing Act, said the release.

The latest bill proposes to make it easier for depositors to close their public provident accounts before five years. The benefits of premature closure of Small Savings Schemes may now be introduced to deal with medical emergencies, higher education needs, etc, stated the release.

The bill does not make any amendment in interest rate or tax policy on small savings scheme.

Source: PIB. • • • • •NDB TO LEND $ 100 MILLION FOR WATER

PROJECT IN RAJASTHAN What Is It?

India has signed a second loan agreement for $100 million with the New Development Bank (NDB) for efficient use of water in desert areas of Rajasthan and is set to benefit the desert areas in Rajasthan through restructuring of Indira Gandhi Canal and formulation of flood management systems for the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej and Ghaggar rivers.

The restructuring and repairing of Indira Gandhi Canal and its distributaries will help solve the problems of loss of water and water-locking in the agricultural fields. It will also ensure the supply of irrigation water to the farmers at the tail-ends of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project.

The agreement with the New Development Bank, stipulating the release of 1,000 crore as first instalment of a loan worth 3,300 crore, was signed by Rajasthan Principal Irrigation Secretary and an NDB representative in New Delhi.

The project implementation period is six years. The Rajasthan government will implement the project primarily through the Rajasthan Water Resources Department.

The project is aimed at arresting the seepage by refurbishing the canal, rehabilitation of waterlogged areas, modernisation of the irrigation management practices by involving

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water users’ associations, and strengthening of drinking water supply and irrigation facilities.

The project will benefit 10 districts in Rajasthan – Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu, Nagaur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and the issue of scarcity of clean drinking water in these districts would also be resolved to a significant extent with the help of the project.

Source: PIB. • • • • •BIS ACCENTUATES THE ROLE OF STANDARDIZATION IN BIG DATA

What is it?

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India, in association with Data Science Foundation organized the 5th international data science summit in New Delhi.

Eminent speakers from across the globe discussed various topics and aspects of big data, including Big Data Standardization, Challenges with Big Data, Machine Learning, Application of Big Data Analytics in Media, Artificial intelligence.

‘Big data’ have gained significant popularity globally because of its capability to revolutionize the businesses and services. In fact, Big data has an impact on every aspect of our daily life.

The emerging technology areas like Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial intelligence, machine learning are fuelled by Big data and analytics only. In India also Big data has become the major focus of scientists and technologists because of our government’s new initiatives like ‘Digital India’.

Standardization in Big data is going to play a major role in facilitating the exchange and sharing huge volume of data across multiple platforms, multiple applications and multiple sectors. With proper standardization in place, huge volume of data generated within a system can be effectively utilized by other systems/services and applications.

The summit was successfully concluded providing insights into various applications of Big data ecosystem in the emerging technology areas like Artificial intelligence, Machine learning, IoT and Smart cities.


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RBI RELEASES OMBUDSMAN SCHEME FOR NBFCS

What is it?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday issued an ombudsman scheme for non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), offering a grievance redressal mechanism for their customers.

The scheme will provide a cost-free and expeditious complaint redressal mechanism relating to deficiency in the services by non-banking financial companies covered under the scheme.

The offices of the NBFC Ombudsmen will function at four metro centres — Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi — and will handle complaints of customers in the respective zones.

Under this scheme, any customer or person can file compliant with ombudsman on various grounds. Only written complaints or those in electronic format will be accepted.

The complaint may be wrt non-payment or inordinate delay in payment of interest, non-repayment of deposits, lack of transparency in loan agreement, non-compliance with RBI directives on fair practices code for NBFCs, levying of charges without sufficient notice to customers and failure or delay in returning securities documents despite repayment of dues among others.

It will be the obligation of the non-banking financial company concerned to implement the settlement arrived with the complainant or the Award passed by the Ombudsman when it becomes final and send a report in this regard to the Reserve Bank within 15 days of the award becoming final.

In the event of non-implementation of settlement or the Award, the complainant may represent to the RBI and the RBI may initiate such action under the provisions of RBI Act, 1934 as it deems fit.

Source: PIB. • • • • •GOVT IMPOSES ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ON CHINESE

CERAMIC ITEMSWhat is it?

India has imposed anti-dumping duty on import of ceramic table and kitchenware items from China to protect domestic industry against goods being sold at below normal value.

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The Department of Revenue in the finance ministry yesterday issued a notification imposing the anti-dumping duty of USD 1.04 per kg on import of ceramic tableware and kitchenware, excluding knives and toilet items from China.

The anti-dumping duty imposed shall be levied for a period not exceeding six months (unless revoked, amended or superseded earlier),” it said. It cited investigation by the DGAD which concluded that ceramic tableware and kitchenware, excluding knives and toilet items, are being exported from China to India “below its normal value, resulting in dumping.

The Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) in its findings recommended imposition of provisional anti-dumping duty in order to remove the injury to the domestic industry.

Countries initiate anti-dumping probes to determine if the domestic industry has been hurt by a surge in below-cost imports. As a counter measure, they impose duties under the multilateral WTO regime.

Source: PIB. • • • • •SECOND INDIA-KOREA BUSINESS SUMMIT 2018

What is it?

Second India-Korea Business Summit organized by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in partnership with ChosunILbo, KOTRA, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Invest India, was held today in New Delhi.

Aim of the summit is to strengthen the economic relationship, boost trade relations and increase investments between India and Republic of Korea.

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The summit highlighted the strategic partnership between India and Republic of Korea and the potential of increasing trade and investment between the two countries. The roundtable gave the Korean companies an opportunity to discuss their investment plans and resolve any pending issues being faced by the Korean companies in their India operations. The roundtable included delegates from both Governments and 25 CEOs from leading Korean companies with an estimated revenue of USD 575 billion.

The Prime Minister invited Korean investments in India in railways, water, transport, energy, electronics, IT and infrastructure. Shri Suresh Prabhu, Union Commerce and Industry Minister stressed the importance of the three offerings of India: Democracy, Demography and Demand.

On the sidelines of the summit, several B2B meetings were arranged. The summit addressed various issues across industries and was attended by over a thousand delegates, Including 425 South Korean delegates from 90 Korean companies, senior government officials and political leaders.

Source: PIB. • • • • •SENIOR CITIZENS BUDGET 2018

Why in news?

Finance Minister in his Budget speech said “to care for those who cared for us is one of the highest honours”, underscoring the importance the Centre attaches to providing economic support for India’s growing population of senior citizens.

What does the budget offered?

It announced several tax and related incentives to ease the financial burden on people aged 60 and above, all of which are very welcome given that the elderly face steeply escalating health-care costs on declining real interest and pension incomes.

It afforded a five-fold increase in the exemption limit on interest income from savings, fixed and recurring deposits held with banks and post offices to 50,000.

It also did away with the requirement for tax to be deducted at source on such income.

This it does by leaving a little more money in the hands of elderly savers who are heavily dependent on interest income to meet their living expenses.

Another useful tax change is the proposal to raise the annual income tax deduction limit for health insurance premium and/or medical reimbursement to 50,000 for all seniors.

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And a crucially allied step is the move to set the ceiling for deduction in lieu of expenses incurred on certain critical illnesses to 1 lakh, irrespective of the age of the senior citizen.

What are the other proposals?

Mr. Jaitley also proposed extending the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana by two years, up to March 2020, and doubled the cap on investment in the scheme to 15 lakh.

This annuity-cum-insurance scheme entitles the senior citizen policyholder to a guaranteed pension that equates to an annual return of 8% on investment.

This pension plan, unlike the entirely government-funded Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme for the elderly who live below the poverty line, is contributory and is run by the Life Insurance Corporation of India.

While all these Budget measures are laudable insofar as they recognise that the right to a life with dignity doesn’t retire with the crossing of a chronological threshold

But much more needs to be done to address the needs of this rapidly growing demographic cohort.

What does statistics say?

With more than 70% of the 104 million elderly living in the rural hinterland, any serious initiative to improve the lot of senior citizens must incorporate adequate budgetary support for social welfare spending on the relevant programmes.

While the Budget provisions 6,565 crore for the pension scheme for the elderly poor, its outlay for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s assistance to voluntary organisations for programmes relating to the ‘aged’ at 60 crore is starkly inadequate.

With the number of the elderly in India set to surge by 2050 to almost 300 million, or about a fifth of the population, governments need to make more comprehensive efforts to address the nation’s greying demographic.


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A DEEPER MALADY

Why in news?

Barely after few days of the 11,500 crore fraud at the Punjab National Bank broke, another but very different scam of a 3,695 crore wilful loan default has surfaced.

What Is The Issue?

The Central Bureau of Investigation on allegations of cheating a consortium of banks by siphoning off loans disbursed to the company.

If the two cases must be compared, the similarities lie in the breakdown in internal control mechanisms and in the supervisory failure at the banks.

In the case of Kanpur-based Rotomac Global, it had availed credit limits from a consortium of seven public sector banks.

Given that the facility was made available from 2008 and was used for a range of seemingly unrelated transactions including the import of gems and jewellery and the export of wheat.

It is especially surprising that it took such a long time for this diversion of funds to surface as a criminal complaint.

It is quiet surprising that the supervisory cadre and risk detection and management systems to have delayed taking remedial action as they did in the Rotomac case.

It took too long for the criminal complaints to be filed against the defaulters.

On Bank of Baroda’s website Rotomac was listed as its top defaulter almost a year ago; the account had been classified as an NPA in 2015.

In the case of the Punjab National Bank fraud, letters of undertaking were issued bypassing the bank’s reporting system.

The three-tier audit failed to detect the malfeasance.

In contrast, BoB was not oblivious of the Rotomac default and took unconscionably long to act.

It is important to determine why the Reserve Bank of India, which is vested with keeping an eye on bank books, was unable to take prompt corrective action in this case.

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What Is The Solution For These Issues?

Rather than routinely reiterate the importance of strengthening corporate governance in public sector banks and promising to infuse greater professionalism, transparency and accountability, it is time the Centre, the major shareholder in these institutions, takes serious steps to translate this intent into action.

Any improvement in the functioning of the PSBs cannot be undertaken without empowering bank managements and securing their independence from political interference while enforcing strict accountability for lapses.

To restore the depositor’s faith in the banking system, the government, the RBI and the judiciary must ensure that prompt and salutary action is taken.

The economic cost of doing otherwise is too painful to imagine.Source: The Hindu • • • • •

ENVIRONMENTCABINET APPROVES RATIFICATION OF THE MINAMATA

CONVENTION ON MERCURYWhat Is It?

The Union Cabinet chaired has approved the proposal for ratification of a treaty, aimed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions from mercury and its compounds, a move which will enable India to become a member of the Minamata Convention.

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and its compounds.

The Union Cabinet chaired approved the proposal for ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and depositing the instrument of ratification enabling India to become a party to the convention.

ENVIRONMENT

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The Minamata Convention on Mercury will be implemented in the context of sustainable development with the objective to protect human health and environment from the anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.

The Convention protects the most vulnerable from the harmful effects of mercury and also protects the developmental space of developing countries. Therefore, the interest of the poor and vulnerable groups will be protected.

This convention on Mercury will further urge enterprises to move to mercury-free alternatives in products and non-mercury technologies in manufacturing processes. This will drive research & development, and promote innovation.

Source: PIB. • • • • •ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY LAUNCHES GREEN

GOOD DEEDS CAMPAIGNWhat is it?

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr Harsh Vardhan has appealed to the teaching community to join the “Green Good Deeds” campaign, launched by the Ministry.

The purpose of the mission is to sensitise the people and students, in particular, about climate change and global warming.

ENVIRONMENT

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Referring to the crucial role played by ‘Polio Sainiks’ from municipal corporation schools in the Pulse Polio campaign, the Union environment minister underlined the need for ‘Green Sainiks’ to broaden the ‘Green Good Deeds’ campaign and take it to the grassroots level.

The campaign aims to broad its base with involvement of teachers, students and other voluntary organisations.

Source: PIB • • • • •NATIONAL ADAPTATION FUND FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

What is it?

The National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) is a Central Sector Scheme which was set up in the year 2015-16 with an overall aim of NAFCC is to support concrete adaptation activities which mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

The activities under this scheme are implemented in a project mode. The projects related to adaptation in sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, water, forestry, tourism etc. are eligible for funding under NAFCC. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is the National Implementing Entity (NIE).

It will be implemented following a phased approach. Based upon performance in first phase, its scope will be enhanced and more activities will be supported subsequently.

The first phase of the project was approved for Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan at cost of approximately Rs.100 crore. It will leverage approximately three times the approved amount with contribution from States as well as farmers.

The States/UTs are required to prepare the project proposal in consultation with NIE i.e. NABARD. The project proposals are required to be approved by the State Steering Committee on Climate Change to be eligible for consideration under NAFCC.

It is the discretion of the State Government to engage any organization to assist in project preparation, as per their requirement.

Projects sanctioned under National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change. The details on financial support sanctioned, period of support, implementation and executing agencies, State-wise, project-wise and year-wise since 2015-16.

Link: https://www.nabard.org/content.aspx?id=585Source: PIB, www.nabard.org.• • • • •

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INDIA AMONG TOP TEN NATIONS IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF FOREST AREA

What is it?

India is ranked 10th in the world, with 24.4% of land area under forest and tree cover, even though it accounts for 2.4 % of the world surface area and sustains the needs of 17 % of human and 18 % livestock population.

India State Forest Report 2017, the 15th in the series of biennial reports that officially record the country’s forest and tree cover, shows the country has added 8,021 sq km of forest and tree cover in the past two years.

Three states - Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala - have contributed the most to increasing the forest cover, according to the report.

The overall increase in the forest and tree cover notwithstanding, the report has flagged two areas of concerns - decrease in medium dense forest cover and the decreasing forest cover in states in the Northeast.

Twelve states and Union territories have seen a dip in their forest cover which includes Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and six naturally rich states in the Northeast - Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura.

What is India State Forest Report?

Forest Survey of India (FSI) is a Government of India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organisation for conducting forest surveys, studies and research to periodically monitor the changing situation of land and forest resources and present the data for national planning, conservation and sustainable management of environmental protection as well for the implementation of social forestry projects.

With those survey key datas FSI publishes biennial report called “India State Forest Report”.

Source: PIB, Wikipedia. • • • • •

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CLEAN AIR CAMPAIGN TO CURB POLLUTION

What is it?

Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today launched the ‘clean air campaign’ to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

After several poor air quality days during winter, the Centre and Delhi government will initiate a two-week Clean Air Campaign in the capital, which would involve checking vehicular pollution, inspection of power plants to ensure norms compliance, dust management at construction sites, a marathon to improve awareness and indoor air quality management.

Under the campaign, 70 teams comprising officials from various government agencies will fan out and monitor causes of pollution and initiate remedial measures, including on-the-spot penal action against serious polluters.

The campaign launched will also include enforcement of pollution-control measures for vehicles, driving discipline, inspection of power plants in Delhi to ensure they comply with the norms on pollution, etc.

Local area development plans to specifically address air pollution will also be worked at and implemented.

Source: PIB. • • • • •GOVT SEES HUGE POTENTIAL FOR ORGANIC

FARMING IN A&N ISLANDS

What is it?

Andaman and Nicobar Islands has huge potential to scale up organic farming. The island has immense potential and is favourably placed for organic farming due to less use of chemical fertilisers and abundant species.

The aim is to convert the UT into an organic farming island and therefore efforts are being made to create more awareness among farmers and consumers, currently organic farming is being taken up on a small scale in about 321 hectares of the Union Territory.

Organic farming is highly favourable in dry and lowly-irrigated regions, hilly states, north-eastern states and islands. In fact, Sikkim has been declared 100% organic state and many states are now following its footsteps.

Organic soybean occupies the top slot in organic exports with 70% followed by food grains and Bajra at 6% and chemical fertilizer at 5%. Apart from them, organic spices, tea and

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cloth etc. also have immense potential. Also Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) has developed model coconut organic farms to showcase to farmers.

Since identifying authentic organic produce in the islands is a major challenge, the authorities have been working to train employees and implement a partnership guarantee model.

Organic markets are being developed through local marketing programmes so that organic produce can be made available to household consumers. In order to ensure sale of organic produce, the administration is working to develop Andaman Bazaar. Besides, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has taken the responsibility of organic exports.

Source: PIB. • • • • •INDIA IS GLOBAL HOST FOR WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2018

What is it?

India will be the global host of this year’s World Environment Day on June 5. ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ will be the theme of this year’s event which would drive world-wide efforts to discourage use of hazardous plastic.

The World Environment Day (WED) 2018 will be celebrated across the country, involving all states and Union Territories.

A week-long environmental awareness campaign and pollution mitigation activities are being planned in Delhi and other parts of the country from June 1-5.

World Environment Day (WED) observed annually on 5 June for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. It was established by United Nations General Assembly to mark opening of United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in 1972.

WED serves as a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime.


ENVIRONMENT

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MURKY MINING

Why in news?

The Supreme Court order to halt the murky course that mining has taken in Goa should help restore some balance to the exploitation of iron and manganese ore in the ecologically fragile State.

What is the issue?

Court observed in the Goa Foundation case, commercial mining activity can be rapacious in the absence of clearly laid down and strictly enforced conditions.

This is exactly what has happened in Goa, with the State government displaying shocking disregard for rules and processes while renewing licences for a second time in 2015.

It inexplicably chose not to exercise its right to view the licences as fresh leases that require new environmental impact assessments.

The government in Goa invited a cloud of suspicion by hastily launching the renewal of licences just a day after it unveiled a Grant of Mining Leases Policy on November 4, 2014.

Quite extraordinarily, it issued 31 orders on a single day apparently to pre-empt the Centre’s Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Ordinance that came into force the same day.

Now that the Supreme Court has ordered the termination of 88 licences, grant of fresh licences and proper accounting of the losses, mining activity in its entirety should begin on a clean slate.

Future decisions should be guided solely by the true cost to the environment and to humanhealth.

What is the impact of mining?

Goa has argued that the mining industry is crucial to its economy as it brings in foreign exchange, provides employment and supports a transport industry.

Yet, it is also true that the ore mined in the State is low in iron, reducing its value to the domestic steel industry.

Given that mining has a severe destructive impact on the ecology, resumption of large-scale activity should await a scientific audit of how sustainable it is.

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Any more mining should also account for the loss of employment while calculating economic gains.

Just last year, public protests over contaminated groundwater and fouled air, as in Sattari taluk, underscored the need for strict environmental controls.

It is relevant to point out that the Union Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee found in 2013 that many of the past leases had been issued without the approval of the National Board for Wildlife, and miners had extracted ore in excess.

The requirement for clearance from the Central Ground Water Board was ignored.

Going forward, the Environment Ministry must display zero tolerance to such violations of unsustainable mining.

The Supreme Court’s directions provide Goa with an opportunity: to change course and become a mainstream tourist State.

It can regain its position as a top destination for global visitors and broaden employment in services.

Tourist charters need to replace its open cast mines and dust bowls.Source: The Hindu • • • • •

ON THE STATE OF INDIAN FORESTS

Why in news?

The Environment’s Ministry India’s State Of Forest Report was released recently.

How Is The State Of Indian Forest?

Based on satellite imagery, the report says that a net positive balance in the form of 24.4% of India’s land area under some form of forest or tree cover, but this is but a broad-brush assessment.

According to the report, forest and tree cover together registered a 1% rise over the previous estimate two years ago.

However, such an estimate listing very dense, moderately dense, open and scrub forests mapped through remote sensing does not really provide deep insights into the integrity of the green areas. The emphasis in environmental policy to raise forest cover to 33% of the geographical area will yield some dividends.

There has been an increase over the baseline cover of 20% at the turn of the century.

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Yet, tree cover is not the same as having biodiverse, old-growth forests.

The ecosystem services performed by plantations that have a lot of trees grown for commercial purposes cannot be equated with those of an undisturbed assemblage of plants, trees and animals.

India may be endowed with 16 major forest types, and 221 types and sub-types based on the Champion and Seth classification, but retains very little of its ancient forests after centuries of pre-colonial and colonial exploitation.

Latter-day development pressures are also taking their toll.

Forest restoration should, therefore, aid the return of native vegetation.

What More Does The Report Conclude?

In its audit of various regions, the Ministry’s report has calculated a cumulative loss of forests in Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal of nearly 1,200 sq km.

The impact of such a terrible loss must be seen against the backdrop of the Northeast representing a global biodiversity hotspot. Any gains achieved through remediation programmes in Odisha, Assam, Telangana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur cannot compensate for it adequately.

Naturally, environmental economists have come to regard the calculation of national accounts of wealth and development as weak, because governments do not add the benefits of functions such as flood control and climate moderation to the value of forests.

Such a failure erodes the gains made by many communities, because lost natural capital contributes to material losses.

What Is The Way Forward?

India must review the programmes that it has been pursuing to revive forests, and move away from monoculture plantations that are favoured by even forest development corporations in many States. Scientific reforms to bring true nature back are needed.

The latest assessment categorises more than 300,000 sq km of area as open forests with a tree canopy of 10-40%.

These lands provide the opportunity to bring back diverse, indigenous trees. Such a measure, combined with a policy against allowing open cast mining, can bring about a renaissance.

Dedicated efforts will be required to protect the precious forests of the Northeast.Source: The Hindu • • • • •

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE BIOFUELS 2018

What is it?

The two day international conference on Sustainable Biofuels is jointly being organized by Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India and Biofuture platform. The event is bringing experts and delegates from 19 countries together in Sustainable Biofuels sector to take stock of current knowledge, share information and best practices, and build consensus on the actions most needed to move forward.

This event aims to provide a common platform to Government policy makers, industry, investors and research community to exchange experiences and challenges related to development and scaling of advance biofuels.

The conference also aimed to provide clear understanding of development in bio-economy made by participating countries, increase awareness of policy makers about challenges faced by industry-investor for commercial scale up of advanced biofuels.

Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under Ministry of Science & Technology is nodal agency coordinating and steering activities of Mission Innovation (MI) in India. Mission Innovation India unit was set-up in 2017 by DBT at ICGEB, New Delhi. DBT has lead in ushering R&D in advanced biofuels and has set up four large Bioenergy Research Centres.


DISASTER MANAGEMENT

NDMA PREPARES STATES TO DEAL WITH HEAT WAVE 2018

What Is It?

In order to minimise the impact of heat wave on the people particularly those living in the urban areas in the summer, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has asked all the states to prepare an action plan in this regard.

The NDMA had conducted a two-day national workshop on preparedness, mitigation and management of heat wave on Thursday in Vijaywada where all stakeholders resolved to work towards effectively mitigating the impact of the imminent heat wave this year.

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The session discussed the monitoring, review and updation of ‘Heat Action Plan’ discussed the importance of coordination amongst all agencies and regular monitoring of the heat wave situation.

Heat waves often lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, stress and even a fatal heat stroke. With advance planning and preparedness, heat wave-induced deaths and illnesses can be brought down.

In 2016, with NDMA’s ‘Guidelines for Preparation of Action Plan – Prevention and Management of Heat-Wave’ and the pro-active approach of some of the most vulnerable States, the number of deaths in the country came down significantly.

Deliberations at the workshop along with timely updation of the Guidelines, regular follow-up, close monitoring and review, effective implementation by State Governments and awareness generation campaigns further brought down the number of heat wave-induced deaths in the country.

Three technical sessions - Heat Wave Action Plan and Risk Reduction, Early warning, forecasting and Preparedness for heat wave and Experience Sharing and lessons learnt for heat wave mitigation measures and emerging issues in 2018 -were held on the first day of the workshop.


SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYBARC TECHNOLOGY TO CONVERT SEWAGE INTO BIO-FERTILIZER

What Is It?

India’s premier nuclear research organisation, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), is planning to deploy its technology in treatment of sewage through radiation, and its conversion into bio-fertiliser.

The BARC wishes to share its technology with state governments and various municipal bodies and other organisations to spread the societal use of nuclear technologies.

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Through irradiation - the process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation - the harmful bacteria and other pathogens will be eliminated and the waste sludge when dried will be used as a bio-fertiliser.

In the next step, BIO-NPK (Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium) microorganisms are sprayed on to it to make it bio- fertilizer. The use of such bio-fertilizer provides organic carbon and other nutrients to the soil. The process also helps in recycling of the waste material to useful Bio-fertilizer.

This system is being used in a 100 ton/day capacity facility sewage water treatment plant that has been constructed at Ahmedabad under MoU with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. The cold trials have been completed successfully.

Another similar facility of 100 ton/day capacity will be constructed at Indore under MoU with BARC.

Source: PIB. • • • • •CABINET APPROVAL AND FINANCIAL SANCTION FOR SETTING

UP TEN INDIGENOUS PHWR

What is it?

The Government has in June, 2017 accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for setting up ten indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) in Fleet Mode, “at an estimated cost of Rs 1,05,000 crore”.

These ten Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) are being built based on indigenous technology and supply of equipment and services by Indian industry.

The total capacity to be added by these ten reactors would be 7000 MW. This capacity is expected to be progressively added by the year 2031.


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It supports India’s commitment to sustainable development, energy self-sufficiency and bolsters global efforts to combat climate change.

India’s installed nuclear power capacity is 6,780 MW from 22 operational plants, and another 6,700 MW is expected to be generated by 2021-22 through projects under construction.

The release said the approval marks a statement of strong belief in the capability of India’s scientific community to build our technological capacities.

The details of these PHWRs are two of the reactors would be constructed as units 5 and 6 of the Kaiga nuclear power plant in Karnataka state; two as units 3 and 4 of the Gorakhpur plant in Haryana state; two as units 1 and 2 of the new Chutka plant in Madhya Pradesh; and four units at the new Mahi Banswara plant in Rajasthan. They are scheduled to be progressively completed by 2031.

Source: PIB. • • • • •CABINET APPROVES PRIME MINISTER RESEARCH FELLOWS SCHEME

What is it?

The Union Cabinet has approved implementation of Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme for doctoral students pursuing research in areas related to technology.

It aims to realize importance of innovation and technology for progress and development of the nation through innovation.

The fellowship scheme was announced in the Budget Speech 2018-19. It will be implemented for period of seven years beginning 2018-19 at total cost of Rs. 1650 crore.

Under it, best students who have completed or are in final year of B. Tech/Integrated M.Tech/M.Sc courses in Science and Technology streams from IISc/IITs/IISERs/ NITs/IIITs will be offered direct admission in PhD programme in IITs/IISc. Maximum of 3000 Fellows would be selected in three year period, beginning 2018-19.

Selected students through selection process laid down in PMRF Guidelines will be offered monthly fellowship of Rs.70,000 for first two years, Rs.75,000 for 3rd year and Rs.80,000 in 4th and 5th years.

A research grant of Rs.2.00 lakh will be provided to each of the Fellows for a period of 5 years to cover their foreign travel expenses for presenting research papers in international conferences and seminars. A maximum of 3000 Fellows would be selected in a three year period.


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The scheme will go a long way in tapping the talent pool of the country for carrying out research indigenously in cutting edge science and technology domains. The research under the Scheme will address our national priorities at the one hand and shortage of quality faculty in the premier educational institutions of the country, on the other.

Source: PIB. • • • • •ISRO PLANS TO LAUNCH CHANDRAYAAN-2 MISSION

What is it?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch Chandrayan-2 Mission, the country’s second mission to moon, around April this year and will cost around Rs. 800 crore.

Chandraayan-2 will be different from the agency’s maiden launch in 2008 as for the first time it will carry an orbiter, a lander and a rover to the moon.

If the mission’s launch could not take place in April due to unsuitable weather, the window for launch is open till October this year.

ISRO plans to land rover near the South Pole as it has very old rocks formed a million years ago and could possibly help in understand the origin of universe.

Chandrayaan-1 mission spotted the presence of water on the moon. Chandrayaan-2 is a further extension of the project and it is as good as landing a man on the moon.

The Chandrayaan-2 is a totally indigenous mission comprising of an Orbiter, Lander and Rover. After reaching the 100 km lunar orbit, the Lander housing the Rover will separate from the Orbiter. After a controlled descent, the Lander will soft land on the lunar surface at a specified site and deploy a Rover.

The six-wheeled Rover will move around the landing site in semi-autonomous mode as decided by the ground commands. The instruments on the rover will observe the lunar surface and send back data, which will be useful for analysis of the lunar soil. Collection of soil and rock sediments is not planned in this mission.

The benefits that are likely to accrue to the country on accomplishing this mission include upgradation of Indian technological capabilities, enhanced understanding of moon’s surface and environment and opportunities for younger generation in the country for planetary research.



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PM NARENDRA MODI INAUGURATES WORLD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONGRESS 2018

What is it?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated World Information Technology Congress (WITC) 2018 in Hyderabad, Telangana via video conference.

The theme of this edition of conference was ‘Future Enterprises.’ It was hosted by Telangana Government, in association with country’s top IT body, National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) and global IT organization World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA).

India had come a long way with the convergence of Make in India and Digital India. From only two mobile factories in India in 2014, today there are 118 mobile manufacturing factories operational in India, including some of the best global brands.

India had made a great leap forward in digital technology, with one lakh villages connected through optical fibre network, more than 100 crore people using mobile phones, 121 crore people with Aadhaar connections and 50 crore internet users.

This is for first time India is hosting WITC. It will second time that the event will be taking place in Asia after it was hosted in Kualalumpur, Malaysia in 2008. Around 2500 delegates and top IT honchos from across the world participated in the mega IT event.

WITC is a biennial event and considered as the biggest event of its kind. It aims provide single platform to IT experts, policy and decision makers and Government officials from all over the world together to discuss various challenges and possible solutions to them.

Source: PIB. • • • • •INDIA SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRES NUCLEAR CAPABLE BALLISTIC

AGNI II MISSILEWhat is it?

The Indian Army on Tuesday successfully test-fired surface-to-surface nuclear capable Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) Agni-II in full operational configuration from a defence base off Odisha coast.

The trial of the surface-to-surface missile was conducted from a mobile launcher at the Launch Complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at around 8.38 am.


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The entire trajectory of the trial was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and two naval ships located near the impact point in the down range area of the Bay of Bengal.

The Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) has already been inducted into the services and the test was carried out by the Army’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) with logistic support provided by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Agni-II is two-stage nuclear capable surface-to-surface missile developed indigenously by DRDO. It is 21-metre long and weighs 17 tonnes and with a strike range of 2000 kilometres, which can also be increased to 3000km by reducing the payload.

It is one of the sophisticated weapons that can act as a deterrent against nuclear-armed neighbours and is propelled by the solid rocket propellant system.

The successful launch has once again proved reliability of the medium range missile. Radar, telemetry systems, electro-optical tracking stations tracked and monitored the mission parameters throughout the trajectory making the mission was highly successful and flawless.

Source: PIB. • • • • •INDIAN SCIENTISTS DEVELOP TEST BED TO GENERATE

CLEAN ENERGYWhat is it?

Indian scientists have developed a supercritical Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Brayton test facility at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) here to generate clean energy from power plants, including solar thermal, the premier institute.

Touted to be the first in the country, the Brayton cycle test loop facility and the facility is part of the Indo-US consortium -- Solar Energy Research Institute for India and the United States (SERIIUS).

The test bed was developed by a research group at the inter-disciplinary centre for energy research of the IISc as part of the consortium and funding was provided by the Indian


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government’s Department of Science and Technology under the Indo-US Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Centre programme.

The new-generation high-efficiency power plants with closed cycle CO2 as the working fluid have the potential to replace steam-based nuclear and thermal power plants, thus reducing the carbon foot print significantly.

This breakthrough research could potentially be game changer for meeting the energy needs of the country in terms of higher efficiency and capacity at lower operating costs and size.

While the current day’s thermal power plants would use steam to carry the heat and turn a turbine to generate power, the research makes use of supercritical CO2 (SCO2) instead of steam to generate more power.

Supercritical refers to the state of carbon dioxide above its critical temperature of 31 C and critical pressure of 73 atmospheres, which makes it twice as dense as steam.

Besides increasing power generation and making the process more efficient, there are other advantages of using this new technology like making the power plants cheaper with lower operating costs.

Source: PIB. • • • • •DRDO SUCCESSFULLY TEST FLIGHT RUSTOM 2

What is it?

India’s premier defence research institute, the DRDO, on Sunday, 25 February, carried out “successful” test flight of its Rustom 2 drone, a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), at Chalakere in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district.

A medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, Rustom 2 or TAPAS-BH-201 has been developed by India on the lines of the American Predator drones. It comes seven years after the first flight of Rustom-I took place on 16 November 2009 at the Taneja Aerospace Air Field near Hosur.

The Indian-made drone is being developed on the lines of predator drones of the US to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the armed forces with an endurance of 24 hours.

Rustom 2 is capable of carrying different combinations of payloads like synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence systems and situational awareness payloads.


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The around Rs 1,500-crore UAV project was initiated considering requirement of the the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The UAV has been designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the DRDO, and aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Bharat Electronics Ltd are its production partners.

Source: PIB. • • • • •CSIR-CIMAP SIGNS MOU WITH IORA TO HOST COORDINATING CENTRE

What is it?

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on February 26, 2018 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Regional Centre for Science and Technology Transfer (RCSTT) of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for designating Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow (CSIR-CIMAP) as Coordinating Centre on Medicinal Plants.

The MoU was signed by Director CSIR-CIMAP Anil Kumar Tripathi and Director IORA-RCSTT A Sedrpousan, in the office of Vice Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Iran Morteza Sarmadi in Tehran in the presence IORA Secretary General Nomvuyo Nokwe.

It will promote cooperation in the area of traditional knowledge related to medicinal plants for the welfare of the people of IORA member states.

It will also provide an opportunity for two important member states of IORA India and Iran to enhance cooperation between them.

The Iranian side emphasized the historical importance of this initiative and expressed their happiness and optimism on this new initiative. This is a major development to boost the relationship between India and Iran.

Considering the role India plays in Indian Ocean region and India’s role in IORA, the Union Ministry of External Affairs has committed it’s support towards the establishment and operationalization of the proposed Coordinating Centre at CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow.

The IORA is an association of 21 countries and 7 dialogue partners which have identified 6 areas of cooperation including medicinal plants.



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AVIATION MULTI-SKILL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE OPENS IN CHANDIGARH

What is it?

The central government on Tuesday launched what it said was first-of-its-kind Aviation Multi-Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Chandigarh.

The centre, a corporate social responsibility initiative of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), has been set up in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation and is supported by the Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council of India.

This centre which will train about 2,400 youth and women in eight aviation job roles over the next three years has already received a very enthusiastic response. I would like to see many more such centres for aviation skill development to be set up across the country.

In recent time demand for aviation skilled personnel has been rising with the boom in the civil aviation sector witnessed in the last three to four years. More than 900 new aircraft are expected to be inducted by Indian scheduled airlines in the coming few years.

Air connectivity for both passenger transport and air freight is increasing, with new air routes and operationalisation of unserved or underserved airports through the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme.

To meet this demand, the ministries of aviation and skill development and entrepreneurship collaborated to launch the aviation MSDC at the Chandigarh old airport terminal building. The Rs 5.2 crore project is housed at Chandigarh’s old airport terminal building.

It will leverage AAI’s existing infrastructure, which has been converted to offer training in modern aviation courses as well as upskilling programmes to empower youth and women in particular.

Source: PIB. • • • • •INDIA SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRES ATGM NAG

What is it?

India on Wednesday successfully test-fired Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) Nag in desert conditions, defence sources said. The Nag ATGM has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Wednesday’s flight tests have once again proved their capability.


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The Nag ATGM, manufactured by India’s sole missile producer, state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited, until the recent test had only been fired from an armoured combat vehicle specifically designed for that purpose.

The third-generation fire-and-forget ATGM has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).With these tests, its developmental trials have been completed and it is now ready for induction.

The Nag Missile Carrier (NAMICA) is an Indian license-produced variant of the Soviet-era BMP-II armored infantry fighting vehicle. NAMICA can launch Nag missiles from a retractable armored launcher that contains four launch tubes (the armored vehicle can carry up to 12 missiles in total) and the guidance package including a thermal imager for target acquisition. The missile’s targeting system is based on visual identification prior to its launch (‘lock-on-before-launch system’).

Indian Army officials have repeatedly stated that they expect development trials to be concluded by the end of 2018. The Army has delayed the induction of the Nag, a fire-and-forget ATGM with an estimated range of 4 kilometres, due to numerous technical shortcomings including inadequate thermal sensors.

DRDO has been working on the Nag ATGM for over a decade. The Indian Army intends to procure up to 8,000 Nags, although it most likely will place an initial order for only 500 ATGM systems. As I reported in January, the Indian Army has a requirement for around 68,000 anti-ATGMs of various types and over 850 launchers.

• • • • •


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ALL ABOUT BLOCK CHAIN

What Is The Issue?

The innovation of Block chain could enable substantial economic transformation in India.

What Is A Block Chain Technology?

A block chain is a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography.

Each block typically contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp and transaction data.

By design, a block chain is inherently resistant to modification of the data.

It is “an open, distributed ledger that can record transactions between two parties efficiently and in a verifiable and permanent way”.

How Block Chain Is Useful?

Block chain could be the least elucidated among the disruptive technologies rapidly transforming the world around us.

Although the architecture of the block chain is far more complex, the underlying principle is not that complex.

It can be described as a way for people to share the extra space and computational power in their computers to create a global super-computer that is accessible to everyone.

The block chain lets people who are part of this super-computer perform functions such as verification of transactions and contracts, and the updating and maintenance of these records in the form of trustworthy ledgers, tasks that are normally reserved for established intermediary organisations such as banks and legal firms, and be rewarded for it.

This core feature of the block chain creates a space for trusted transactions in the digital space that have never been possible before.

The crypto currency Bitcoin is the first successful application of this technology.

Even though there are mixed standpoints regarding the credibility, scalability and practicality of digital currencies, the core technology behind them, block chain, undoubtedly has tremendous value.

Annual global economic output is over $90 trillion, with almost 3% of the amount going to various financial toll collectors such as banks, and credit card platforms.


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Block chain technology could drastically cut down, or even eliminate, these transaction charges by replacing the intermediaries, thereby creating hundreds of billions, or even trillions, of yearly savings.

This is a significant amount that could be used for other economically and socially productive purposes.

Why Block Chain Remains The Most Important Innovation?

Understanding this cost-saving potential, several international banks and state-owned banks in Russia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have started working on block chain-powered financial solutions.

The Indian government and Finance Ministry’s lackadaisical approach towards this technology could make our banks less competitive in the long run, when compared to their international counterparts.

Block chain applications could be further extended to sectors such as insurance, law, real estate and digital art, and could be used to further strengthen our national institutions, including the judiciary and the Election Commission.

Critical citizen information like land records, census data, birth and death records, business licenses, criminal records, intellectual property registry, electoral rolls could all be maintained as block chain-powered, tamper-proof public ledgers, and be verified, or updated in real time, with utmost security.

Thereby generating inconceivable improvements in efficiency, transparency and time savings.

The potential of block chain to bring about substantial economic transformation is the mirror image of the way the Internet revolutionised commerce, media and advertising in the previous decade.

India should effectively channel its technical human capital surplus to position itself as one of the pioneers during this upcoming wave of innovation.

Source: The Hindu, Wikipedia• • • • •


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DEFENCE & INTERNAL SECURITY

MAKE IN INDIA IN DEFENCE SECTOR

What Is It?

‘Make in India’ in defence sector, which is primarily driven by capital acquisition of defence equipment and other policy measures, has been introduced in all major areas of defence such as combat vehicles, combat aircrafts, warships, weapons, ammunitions, missiles, radars, electronic warfare systems etc.

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), the Research wing of Ministry of Defence has been set up with a mandate of developing cutting edge technologies and systems for Indian Armed Forces as per their specific Qualitative Requirements.

The list of major projects developed by DRDO during the last three years is as under :- Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System 155mm/52 Calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) Swati High speed Heavy Weight Ship Launched Torpedo (Varunastra) Anti-Torpedo Decoy System (Maareech) Arudhra-Medium Power Radar Akash Weapon System Abhay Sonar Hull Mounted Sonar (HUMSA) HUMSA UG Advanced Indigenous Distress Sonar System (AIDSS) Near field acoustic characterization system (NACS) NBC Technologies NBC Recce Vehicle Mk-I 120 mm FSAPDS (Fin stabilised Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot) Mk-II Ammunition

for MBT Arjun 120 mm FSAPDS Practice Ammunition for MBT Arjun 250 Kg Pre-fragmented Bomb


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46m Inflatable Radome Air Bursting Grenades for Individual Weapons Anti-Torpedo Decoys Bar Mine Layer CBRNe Remotely Operated Platforms Commanders Non-Panoramic TI (Thermal Imaging) Sight for Armoured Fighting

Vehicles (T-90, T-72 & BMP-II) Computerized Pilot Selection System Dual Colour Missile Approach Warning System for Fighter Aircraft Electro-Optical Fire Control System for Naval Ships Electro-Optical Sensors for Airborne Platforms Enhanced Range Rocket (Pinaka Mk-II) EW Suite for Fighter Aircraft Exotic and Indigenous Varieties of Vegetables under Protected Environment G-band CC-TWT for Weapon Locating Radar Heavy Drop System - l6T Integrated Automotive Vetronics Systems for AFVs Ku-Band MPM based Transmitter for Airbone Radar Laser Target Designator with Thermal Imager for Air Force Medium Size Integrated Aerostat Surveillance System Mine field Marking Equipment Mk-ll Mountain Foot Bridge Multi Calibre Individual Weapon System Multi-Influence Ground Mine Penetration-cum-Blast Sub-Munition Warheads for Pinaka Synthetic Aperture Radar for UAV Terrain Assessment System for Trans-border Deserts in Western Sector Thermo-Baric Ammunition for 120 mm Arjun Tank Upgraded Troposcatter Communication System for Indian Air Force Vehicle Mounted High Power Laser Directed Energy System Against RPVs/UAVs/

DRONES Water Mist System Validation for Fire Protection in Naval Ships A Gist of this list is enough to have an outlook.Source: PIB, Wikipedia. • • • • •


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PM’S INTERACTION WITH ITBP EXCURSION GROUPS

What Is It?

53 students from Sikkim and Ladakh, who are part of two ITBP excursion groups visiting different parts of India, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The students shared their vision of a prosperous and corruption-free India and the Prime Minister exhorted them to work towards achieving this vision.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces of

India, raised on 24 October 1962, under the CRPF Act, in the wake of the Sino-Indian War of 1962. The ITBP was intended for deployment along India’s border with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.

ITBPF is a specialized mountain force and most of the officers and men are professionally trained mountaineers and skiers. Being the first responder for natural disaster, ITBPF has been carrying out numerous rescue and relief operations across the country.

In September 1996, the Parliament of India enacted the “Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act, 1992” to “provide for the constitution and regulation” of the ITBP “for ensuring the security of the borders of India and for matters connected therewith.

ITBP is a multi-dimensional force which primarily has 5 functions: Vigil on the northern borders, detection and prevention of border violations, and

promotion of the sense of security among the local populace. Check illegal immigration and trans-border smuggling Provide security to sensitive installations and threatened VIPs Restore and preserve order in any area in the event of disturbance To maintain the peaceSource: PIB, http://itbpolice.nic.in.• • • • •

INAUGURATION OF INTEGRATED AUTOMATIC AVIATION METEOROLOGICAL SYSTEMS (IAAMS) AT INS GARUDA

What Is It?

The Indian Navy has unveiled the Integrated Automatic Aviation Meteorological System (IAAMS) at INS Garuda.

INS Garuda is the fourth air station to have been installed with this integrated system. The IAAMS project at INS Garuda will give a major fillip to aviation safety through automation of weather monitoring process.


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IAAMS is an ambitious project of the Indian Navy to modernise the Meteorological infrastructure of the nine Naval Air Stations.

Equipped with the state of the art Meteorological Sensors viz., Radar Vertical Wind Profiler, Transmissometer, Ceilometer and Automatic Weather Observation System, IAAMS undertakes automatic and continuous recording of relevant weather parameters that are vital for accurate weather forecasting.

It has a special alarm feature that alerts the duty staff about any abnormal change of weather parameters that may affect safe flying operations.

The system can also provide automatic dissemination of routine weather reports of the air station as per World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standards to other Air Stations and to ATC tower without human intervention.

Source: PIB. • • • • •CYBER-CRIME COORDINATION CENTRE FOR CYBER CRIMES

AGAINST WOMENWhat Is It?

The Union Home Minister has said the Government has decided to establish a Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to report Cyber Crimes against Women.

In the recent modern times due to increase in more number of cyber-crimes and due to lack of adequate Traditional policing there is a need to increase our cyber forensic capabilities.

The Union Home Minister said there is a need for Standard Operating Procedures for all forensic labs in order to avoid contradictions in reports. The chain of custody of samples needs to be transparent.

Our Police Forces need to be sensitised about forensics. They should be properly trained in forensics; especially the Investigating Officers should upgrade and update their forensic knowledge.

New technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Block chain Technology, Cloud Computing, 3D Printing, Robotics and Internet of Things are posing new security challenges before us. Forensic experts should transform these challenges into opportunities.

Measures are taken to come up with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems. By connecting this centralised database with courts and forensic labs we will create an Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System.



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IAF ACTIVATES CIVIL AIRFIELD IN DEHRADUN

What Is It?

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will operate two Sukhoi fighter jets from Uttarakhand’s Jolly Grant airport as part of a move to expand options for any future requirement.

As a routine exercise of activating civil airfield by the IAF, a detachment of two Su-30 MKI aircraft would operate from Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun.

The move comes amid increasing assertiveness by Chinese soldiers along nearly 4,000 km-long the Sino-India border, which includes a portion in Uttarakhand.

The detachment would operate from the airfield for two days from Feb 19 for area familiarisation before returning to their parent base.

Source: PIB. • • • • •INDIGENOUS SARAS COMPLETES THE SECOND TEST-FLIGHT

SUCCESSFULLYWhat Is It?

India’s indigenous light transport aircraft SARAS was successfully test flown for the second time, on Wednesday.

This was the second of the 20 test flights planned for SARAS PT1N, before freezing the production version. Only last month-on January 24-- the first successful test was carried out. The design and development of the aircraft is by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).

CSIR-NAL proposes to get the SARAS-Mk 2 version certified initially for military and subsequently for civil version. SARAS will be 20-25% cheaper than any imported aircraft in the same category. The improved version will be a 19-seater aircraft instead of 14-seater.

The aircraft programme is named after Indian crane Saras. It was first conceptualised in 1990s to establish short-haul civil aviation market. The original design of plane included maximum take-off weight of 6,100kg and a maximum payload of 1,232kg.

SARAS-Mk 2 will be ideal for commuter connectivity under Government of India’s UDAAN scheme for variety of applications like air taxi, aerial search/survey, executive transport, disaster management, border patrol, coast guard, ambulance and other community services.


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The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been identified as the production agency for the military version of SARAS, while the production of civil version will be given to identified private industries. It is estimated that India needs 120-160 aircraft in this genre – both civil and military versions – in the next 10 years.

The aircraft currently available in the international market are of 1970s technology. They have higher fuel consumption, lower speeds, unpressurised cabin, high operating cost and unsuitable for operations from hot and high-altitude airfields.

• • • • •INTEGRATED OFFICE COMPLEX TO BE SET UP FOR AVIATION

AUTHORITIES

What is it?

An integrated office complex for various aviation authorities, including the AAI and the DGCA, will be set up in the national capital at an estimated cost of Rs 303 crore.

The offices of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) would come under one roof.

This complex would serve a long felt need of an office for all the aviation regulatory authorities under one roof and in close vicinity of the civil aviation ministry for better coordination.

With total built up area of 70,940 Sq meter, the proposed Integrated Office Complex will be a three storeyed building and would accommodate the total requirement upto 1500 personnel.

The building will be designed with sustainable green and eco-friendly features and will have roof mounted solar panels, energy efficient lighting, rain water harvesting system, zero waste discharge and use of daylight with glass façade.



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ANTI HIJACKING LAW

Why In News?

Recently GOI repealed the archaic Anti hijacking Law to suite the modern day changes.

What Necessitated The Change?

The hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 in 1999 and the 9/11 attacks in the U.S., in which aircraft were used as missiles, were wake-up calls for India to tighten the 1982 vintage anti-hijacking law.

The need was also felt to make hijacking punishable with death penalty.

The government felt that the Anti-Hijacking Act of 1982 had insufficient penalties and was not comprehensive enough to deal with new challenges.

In fact, it was hardly a deterrent for prospective offenders.

What Does The New Legislation Say?

The law seeks to repeal The Anti-Hijacking Act, 1982, and give effect to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, 1970 and its Protocol Supplementary, signed on September 10, 2010.

The Bill defines hijacking as seizing control of an aircraft in service, unlawfully and intentionally, by technological means or by exercising force, coercion, or any other form of intimidation.

The Bill includes several acts within the definition of hijacking including: (i) attempt and abetment of hijacking; (ii) making a credible threat to commit hijacking; (iii) organising or directing others to commit hijacking; (iv) agreeing with another to commit the offence, and acting on the agreement; etc.

This takes into consideration the possibility that a hijacker need not be physically present inside the aircraft to take control of it.

The Bill provides for: (i) death penalty, where the offence results in death of hostage or security personnel; (ii) life imprisonment in all other cases; and (iii) moveable and immoveable property of the accused may be confiscated.

The bill seeks to provide power to Indian courts which can exercise jurisdiction on several grounds including where the offence is committed: (i) in India; (ii) against an aircraft registered in India; (iii) on board an aircraft which lands in India with the accused still on


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board; (iv) by or against an Indian citizen; (v) by a person who is present in India and is not extradited by the central government, etc

The central government may confer powers of investigation, arrest and prosecution on any officer of the central government or the National Investigation Agency.

An investigating officer can order seizure or attachment of property which is related to the offence, and is likely to be concealed or disposed of by the accused.

According to the bill, the accused can never be granted a bail or bond unless An investigating officer can order seizure or attachment of property which is related to the offence, and is likely to be concealed or disposed of by the accused.

The accused person shall be tried by a Sessions Court which is notified to be a designated court by the concerned state government.

In case the investigation is carried out by the National Investigation Agency, the designated court shall be a court set up under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.

Hijacking and the related offences shall be extraditable.

Extraditable offences are those offences for which one country many transfer the accused to another country’s legal jurisdiction.

No request for extradition shall be refused on the ground that hijacking is a political offence or is connected to a political offence.

Source: The Hindu, PRS Legislation

• • • • •


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SPORTS

INDIA WINS UNDER-19 WORLD CUP 2018

What Is It?

India has won Under-19 ICC World Cup 2018 by defeating Australia by eight wickets. With this victory, India became first nation to win Under-19 World Cup four times.

It was India’s sixth appearance in the under-19 World Cup finals. Australia had made into the final five times, winning the tournament three times.

Indian team was led by Parthiv Shah and was coached by former batsman Rahul Dravid.

The 2018 final match was played at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. Australia, choosing to bat first after winning the toss had set target of 216 runs (10 wickets) in 47.2 overs. India in the chase, scored 220-2 in the 39th over.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated the young cricketers of team India on winning the Under-19 World Cup.


ART AND CULTUREHUNAR HAAT - SIXTH EDITION

What Is It?

Home Minister will on Sunday inaugurate the sixth edition of ‘Hunar Haat’, a platform made available by the government for artisans from minority communities to showcase and sell their works.

The theme of Hunar Haat being organized by the Ministry of Minority Affairs is Development with Dignity.

While exquisite handicraft & handloom made by master artisans from across the country will be on display on the one hand, people will have a glimpse of the traditional Indian music at Hunar Haat on the other hand.

SPORTS & ART AND CULTURE

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Hunar Haat have been proved to be an effective mission to provide market & opportunities to talent of master artisans and craftsmen from across the nation.

Exquisite pieces of handicraft & handloom work like ajrakh, bagh, bandhej, bangles, Batik, black stone pottery, calligraphy in wood, candles & flowers, cane& bamboo, ceramic products, Chanderi silk, Chikankari, carpet, Giza & mataka silk, glassware, golden grass products, ikat, Muradabadi and Madrasi brass work, Jaipuri jooti, Kuchh embroidery, Kalamkari, Kantha, Kashmir art, linen dress materials, maheshwari products, marble crafts, metalware, mooja grass, Muttvakuchh embroidery, namda, parsigara embroidery, pen knife, phool patti work, Rogan art, Shantipuri saree, terracotta products, toran bandhandwars, Varanasi silk sarees, wood inlay, wrought iron products & zari begs to name a few will be available for display and sale at this Hunar Haat.


SOCIAL ISSUES

CONSUMER PROTECTION BILL, 2018

What Is The Issue?

As online transactions become a way of life, the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 is a step towards providing ordinary consumers some protection of their interests and establishing points for quick and effective administration and settlement of disputes.

What Does The Bill Say?

The Bill replaces the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

According to the bill a consumer is defined as a person who buys any good or avails a service for a consideration.

It does not include a person who obtains a good for resale or a good or service for commercial purpose.

It covers transactions through all modes including offline, and online through electronic means, teleshopping, multi-level marketing or direct selling.

SOCIAL ISSUES

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Six consumer rights have been defined in the Bill, including the right to: (i) be protected against marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property, (ii) be informed of the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services, (iii) be assured of access to a variety of goods or services at competitive prices, and (iv) seek redressal against unfair or restrictive trade practices.

According to the bill the central government will set up a Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers.

It will regulate matters related to violation of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, and misleading advertisements.

The CCPA will have an investigation wing, headed by a Director-General, which may conduct inquiry or investigation into such violations.

CCPA will carry out the following functions, including: (i) inquiring into violations of consumer rights, investigating and launching prosecution at the appropriate forum; (ii) passing orders to recall goods or withdraw services that are hazardous, reimbursement of the price paid, and discontinuation of the unfair trade practices, as defined in the Bill; (iii) issuing directions to the concerned trader/ manufacturer/ endorser/ advertiser/ publisher to either discontinue a false or misleading advertisement, or modify it; (iv) imposing penalties, and; (v) issuing safety notices to consumers against dangerous or unsafe goods and services.

The CCPA may impose a penalty on a manufacturer or an endorser of up to to Rs 10 lakh for a false or misleading advertisement.

In case of a subsequent offence, the fine may extend to Rs 50 lakh.

The manufacturer can also be punished with imprisonment of up to two years which may extend to five years for every subsequent offence.

CCPA can also prohibit the endorser of a misleading advertisement from endorsing that particular product or service for a period of up to one year.

For every subsequent offence, the period of prohibition may extend to three years.

Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (CDRCs) will be set up at the district, state, and national levels.

A consumer can file a complaint with CDRCs in relation to: (i) unfair or restrictive trade practices; (ii) defective goods or services; (iii) overcharging or deceptive charging; and (iv) the offering of goods or services for sale which may be hazardous to life and safety.

Final appeal will lie before the Supreme Court.

SOCIAL ISSUES

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The Bill seeks to set up a monitoring cell, to be constituted by the president of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to oversee the functioning of the State consumer commissions from the administrative point of view.

The Bill provides for a State government to establish a consumer mediation cell to be attached to each of the district commissions and the State commissions.

Further, the Bill proposes that the Centre establishes a consumer mediation cell to be attached to the National Commission.

The District CDRC will entertain complaints where value of goods and services does not exceed Rs one crore.

The State CDRC will entertain complaints when the value is more than Rs one crore but does not exceed Rs 10 crore.

Complaints with value of goods and services over Rs 10 crore will be entertained by the National CDRC.

The Bill provides for product liability action in cases of personal injury, death or property damage caused by or resulting from any product, and mediation as an alternate dispute resolution, making the process of dispute adjudication simpler and quicker.

Product liability means the liability of a product manufacturer, service provider or seller to compensate a consumer for any harm or injury caused by a defective good or deficient service.

To claim compensation, a consumer has to prove any one of the conditions for defect or deficiency, as specified in the Bill.

Source: The Hindu, PRS Legislation• • • • •BREAKING THE CASTE HIERARCHY

Why in news?

The training of 500 Dalit and tribal youth by a conservative religious institution such as the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) sets a new precedent.

Why is this step a revolutionary one?

With the aim of helping them become priests in Hindu temples, this step would be hailed as a reformative and a revolutionary step, even in a region that has seen the worst of caste oppression symbolised by the violence against Dalits.

SOCIAL ISSUES

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For progressive Hindus, such a programme would represent long-overdue inclusive, perhaps disruptive, social engineering that could bring marginalised communities, previously barred from entering temples for fear of “impurity”, into the mainstream.

Elevating a few from among these oppressed communities to priesthood, even in small neighbourhood temples of the TTD in far-flung areas of Andhra Pradesh, could serve as a reparation of sorts.

How is the opposition for such a initiative?

For status quoists, drenched as they tend to be in “pure” orthodoxy, this initiative to appoint Dalit and lower caste priests is apparently being considered a breach of their exclusive privilege.

The arguments made against the proposal appear to question whether those who eat non-vegetarian food, or have a variety of other such lifestyle habits that differ from those of the privileged class, could endure the rigours of maintaining “purity from outside and inside” and be able to chant mantras.

What is conveniently forgotten is that the Supreme Court in 2015 held that caste and birth should not determine induction of priests in temples.

Rather, domain knowledge, traditional codes of practice, and the Constitution’s guarantee of equality before law should be applied.

Thus rigid, divisive caste hierarchy may be on the wane.

Despite these small steps forward, some activists describe it as “window dressing”.

They say that this mode of training and appointing Dalits in their neighbourhood temples would not change the basic structure of Hinduism and the “so-called tradition of following agamasastras,” or doctrine for temple rituals.

“Unless Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis are trained in proper theological schools and appointed in main temples like Tirumala, Hinduism does not become a spiritual democratic system.

What are the other challenges?

The other challenge for this initiative is to demonstrate why it is even a priority to train Dalits to become priests.

Are we unwittingly creating another social layer or a “sanskritised class of purity” when what we should focus on is creating a contemporary era of scientific and rationale thinking?


SOCIAL ISSUES

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AGRICULTURE

HAS BOSE LIVED

Why in News?

The controversy over Subhas Chandra Bose’s death has finally been laid to rest, after his daughter Anita Bose Pfaff stated that there is no doubt that he was killed in a plane crash in 1945,

Now it is worth asking what might have happened in politics had he survived.

How different the situation if Bose was alive?

Over time the rift between Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Bose would have certainly led to a split in the Congress.

The old guard, including economic rightists and concealed Hindu nationalists, may have aligned with Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru as they did in 1939.

The younger and more radical elements and most the ordinary members would have most probably supported Bose.

Had this split occurred not in 1939 but two decades prior, it is more than likely that Partition could have been avoided.

The main reason is that Bose’s popularity among the Muslim elites surpassed that of Gandhi and Nehru.

Gandhi’s Hindu attire and vocabulary had turned off most of the Muslim elite as had Nehru’s attitude towards them, demonstrated above all by his refusal to accommodate the Muslim League in the Uttar Pradesh government in 1937.

Contrarily, Bose could have competed with Muhammad Ali Jinnah for the loyalty of the Muslim elite, thus making a fundamental difference to the outcome of the 1946 provincial elections in which the League bagged most of the Muslim seats.

By 1937, the Congress membership was 97% Hindu.

By contrast, the Indian National Army (INA), led by Bose, was composed of officers and men of the British Indian Army, which was 35-40% Muslim.

One can, therefore, assume that at least one-third of the INA was composed of Indian Muslims loyal to Bose.

AGRICULTURE

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How Bose commended Muslim loyalty?

Bose’s sensitivity to Muslim concerns came from his birth and childhood in a predominantly Muslim locality in Cuttack, Odisha,

And his later move to Bengal where more than half the population was Muslim.

His elder brother Sarat Chandra Bose had worked closely with the Muslim leaders of Bengal and was trusted by them.

Congress under Bose would have been able to steal much of Jinnah’s thunder and made compromises, for example based on the Cabinet Mission Plan, which could have kept India united.

Even assuming India was divided, Bose as the nationalist par excellence but secular to the core would have been able to outflank Hindu nationalists, including fellow Bengali Syama Prasad Mukherjee, the founder of the Jan Sangh.

Nehru’s commitment to a secular India was second to none but his secularism was both liberal and effete.

Bose’s secularism tinged with hypernationalism based on the INA’s motto Ittehad, Itemad, Qurbani (Unity, Confidence, and Sacrifice) would have been far more muscular and could have prevented Hindu chauvinism from gaining traction.

Today’s India may have looked very different in that case.Source: The Hindu • • • • •

AGRARIAN DISTRESS

Why in News?

Similar to the last two Budgets, this year’s pro-agriculture intentions are palpable through increased outlays to the agricultural sector and initiation of various programmes.

They seem impressive, but closer scrutiny shows that the measures may be of little help to stem the tide of agrarian distress.

What is the issue with MSP?

The first is to raise the minimum support price (MSP) by at least 50% above the cost of production.

The MSP will also be extended to all crops for which estimates on cost of cultivation and a remunerative price are to be ascertained.

There are two pertinent issues here.

AGRICULTURE

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One is to estimate the cost of production of commodities not covered under the scheme and their procurement procedures, if undertaken.

Two, the production cost, as calculated by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, is based on three different methods, termed as A2, A2+FL, and C2.

A2 covers all paid-out expenses, including in cash and in kind, namely, cost on account of seeds, chemicals, hired labour, irrigation, fertilizers and fuel.

A2+FL covers actual paid cost and unpaid family labour.

C2 includes all actual expenses in cash and kind incurred in production and rent paid for leased land, inputed value of family labour plus interest paid.

In the last few years, the government has been giving MSP above 50% based on cost A2+FL, which is to be continued as per this Budget.

But farmers, for many years, have been demanding that the raise in MSP be based on C2 instead.

Also, little attention has been paid towards altering the ongoing ‘high input cost and low output price’ regime.

While a workable formula for fixing MSP in consonance with the States will take time, the government must extend immediate help to farmers from rampant price volatility.

The States can implement the ‘price deficiency payment scheme’ (difference between MSP and price received) as has been started in Haryana for some vegetables, and the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana in Madhya Pradesh for select oilseeds.

These schemes can also encourage small holders, including tenants, who constitute at least 86% of farmers, to sell in the regulated markets.

Why are Agri markets most important?The second measure is to develop and upgrade the existing 22,000 rural haats into Gramin Agricultural Markets.

A corpus of 2,000 crore has been allocated in the name of the Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund for developing and upgrading marketing infrastructure.

Despite the promising appearance, the real challenges are to ascertain the priority of the respective States towards it and ways to accelerate its pace.

The latter can be taken forward through public-private partnership, which has worked successfully in other sectors.

Under market reforms, it will also be important to link production centres with marketing through agri-value chains, which would require farmers to aggregate, form self-help groups, or farmer producer organisations.

AGRICULTURE

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The hard truth is that farmers, especially small landholders in less developed States, sell their produce mainly through village traders or government-run Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (for wheat and paddy at MSP) and often get exploited.

It is a daunting task, particularly in the event of a crash in commodity prices, to have some mechanism in place to avert distress (as mentioned in the case of Haryana and Madhya Pradesh).

A hike in MSP should be supplemented with irrigation, and reduction in fertilizer cost.

Another interrelated initiative is the launching of ‘Operation Green’ with an outlay of 500 crore to address the challenge of price volatility of perishable commodities.

This again makes it necessary for State governments to bring various programmes under one roof, perhaps within the Agricultural Produce and Livestock Market Committee 2017, to help farmers.

What is the issue with credit?The third important step is to increase institutional credit from

10 lakh crore in 2017-18 to 11 lakh crore in 2018-19.

The share of agricultural credit in gross domestic product in agriculture and allied activities has increased from 10% in 1999-2000 to 41% in 2015-16.

The actual flow has considerably exceeded the target.

Therefore, targeting of the announced allocation to the poorer farmers and tenants in each State will go a long way in improving their purchasing power and augmenting investment, which is currently low.

What did the budget miss?There are certain pressing issues not considered in this Budget that must be given closer attention.

Close to 52% of net sown area (73.2 million hectares out of 141.4 million hectares) is still unirrigated and rainfed, in addition to the recurrence of floods and droughts due to climate change.

Despite its presence in the Economic Survey 2017-18, the subject has not received due attention in this Budget.

The plan is to take up 96 districts deprived of irrigation with an allocation of 2,600 crore under the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana - Har Khet ko Pani.

The Centre will work with the State governments to enable farmers to install solar water pumps to irrigate fields.

At the same time, the Minor Irrigation Census 2013-14, published in 2017, warns of a tremendous increase in deep tube wells to more than 2.6 million in 2013-14, from 1.45 million in 2006-07, and the resultant decline in the ground water table.

AGRICULTURE

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It is ironic that the government aims to install more tube wells while being worried about depleting groundwater.

A location-specific policy for irrigation with the identification of suitability of medium-major irrigation projects and/or minor or micro irrigation facilities is required to protect farmers from the adverse impacts of climate change.

It must be supplemented with timely completion of pending canal irrigation projects, and strengthening of the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme by an increase in compensation and timely advice on weather.

Technological interventions that update farmers about sowing and harvesting time and extension services can help prevent misfortunes.

What is the issue with agri research and innovation?

Another key component missing in the Budget is investment in agricultural research and development (Ag R&D).

This is a serious concern in view of the low annual rate of growth in agriculture in the last four years.

More drought and pest-resistant crops are needed, along with better irrigation technology.

Farmers also require interventions in the seed sector to raise production and diversify to alternate crops to induce higher growth.

The most disquieting aspect is that India spends almost 6,500 crore on Ag R&D, which is not even 0.4 % of GDP from agriculture and allied activities.

Dividends from Ag R&D are much higher in the less developed eastern and rainfed States and hence receive adequate funds.

What is the way forward?

Rather than enticing farmers with compensation and increased budgetary outlays, the government should assure doable action plans that quickly rescue them from price or crop failure.

The long-term measures to increase their income and trigger agricultural growth, as reflected in the Budget, remain to accelerate investments in irrigation, infrastructure, improved extension services and institutions fully backed by a competitive marketing system.


AGRICULTURE

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