9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – August 25, 2022

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• Keep it simple: On Aadhaar-voter ID linking
• To hoist the flag or not to — the choice is clear
• Heading the G20 and New Delhi’s choices

GS Paper 3

• Let’s end the Wild West ways of fintech lending
• Drone strikes: Targeted killings raise troubling questions
• Chips for growth
• Water Of India
• How a 16-foot yacht points to nation’s vulnerability to a terror attack
• ONORC Scheme: Grains Of Transformation

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• • Digantara to set up India’s first private SSA observatory in UttarakhandIndia’s sex ratio at birth normalises slightly
  • Explained: What is moonlighting and if it’s legal in India
  • What is Acculturation?
  • India nominates Garba to be inscribed on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list
  • Union Minister launches, ‘Azadi Quest’ a series of online educational games based on India’s freedom struggle
  • Wind project addition to peak by 2024, says report
  • Supply Chain Ministerial Forum: India adopts joint statement on cooperation on global supply chains
  • The Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022
  • ANPR cameras: Explained: What is the Govt’s new model for toll collection on highways?

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Keep it simple: On Aadhaar-voter ID linking

The success of Indian democracy has been the regular conduct of elections and the relatively high participation of electors in the voting process compared to other countries.

How has India achieved this success?

The process of conducting elections is relatively simple with the use of the electronic voting machine.

High voter turnout has also been possible due to registration drives by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The repeated cycles of elections have allowed for a united process, with voters allowed to register based on proof of their age and current place of residence.

There is an increase in the school-educated population and citizens living in houses whose addresses are mentioned in several identity documents. Thus, registering such citizens to vote is a relatively easy process.

What are the issues faced by the Election Commission of India (ECI)?

The ECI faces the issue of a cleaning up of electoral rolls due to an increase in migrant populations in urban areas, demographic changes due to the entry of more eligible voters, and deaths of older people.

What are the concerns with the linkage of Voter Ids with Aadhar cards?

The Aadhaar number is not proof of citizenship and is meant to be issued to residents, while only adult citizens who are residents in India are eligible to vote.

There is also evidence that Aadhaar-linkage with voter identity cards will lead to the arbitrary deletion of eligible voters on a large scale. It was seen in the Assembly elections in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh recently.

There is an absence of data protection law. It can possibly lead to misuse by agencies that can access the voter’s database, as Aadhar cards are now used at various places for different services.

To hoist the flag or not to — the choice is clear

Source: The post is based on the article “To hoist the flag or not to -the choice is clear” published in the Indian Express on 25th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 2 Important Provisions of the Constitution of India

News:  Recently, the Prime Minister gave a slogan “har ghar tiranga”, and requested the people of India to fly flags at least on Independence Day.

What were the responses to requests for “Har Ghar Tiranga” from some sections of society?

Some people said It is freedom of choice to fly a flag or not. It can’t be forced.  Further, there is no point in flying the national flag on a particular day like Independence Day, if one is patriotic.

Some argue that they are patriotic even if they don’t show it by waving a flag or standing for our anthem.

Why is it wrong to argue for freedom of choice etc. in such cases?

Philosophically, more than freedom of choice and not standing (like for the National Anthem), all of us have a bigger responsibility i.e., to respect our flag and anthem.

For most, if it is requested by the Prime Minister of India, we should respect and honour such a request and celebrate the special occasions like the 75th year of Independence with flying of national flag

Freedom of choice comes with greater responsibility. This can be illustrated with the case of the Elected Member of Parliaments (MPs).

Case of MPs: For example, no work is taking place in Parliament in the name of freedom of choice like the Opposition parties often resort to walk out and parliamentary disruption.

The people don’t expect the elected MPs to take to the streets and hold placards in Parliament. They should use the Parliament to state their parties’ views.

What should be done?

The Opposition must stay in Parliament and state their position clearly, even if they are overruled. The ruling party must also communicate in unambiguous terms the rationale behind their position.

Parliament is for healthy debate, not for unruly behaviour. Therefore, parliament should pass a law for “no work, no pay.”

Heading the G20 and New Delhi’s choices

What is G20?

The G20 has played a vital role in addressing financial and economic challenges such as the global financial crisis of 2008-09 and the Eurozone crisis of 2010.

The representation of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, World Health Organization, and other multilateral institutions in it makes the G20 an incomparable body.

What is the significance of India as a G20 president and hosting the G20 summit?

India has hosted large international conferences such as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in 1983 and the Third India-Africa Forum summit in 2015. But nothing compares with hosting the G20. This is because,

a) It is the world’s informal steering directorate on global economic issues; b) It entails the responsibility of shaping decision-making on key challenges facing the world today; and c) Its summit is preceded by a large quantum of preparatory deliberations that feed into the final outcome.

 What are the challenges faced by the G20 at present?

The existential crisis of countries: The major powers of the G20 nations are facing challenges, especially after the disastrous impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. This makes the task of the presidency of the country much more complicated. This is seen in the present president of Indonesia.

Various international disputes: The war in Ukraine, India-China border tensions, EU/U.S.-Russia hostility, and deteriorating U.S.-China relations all impact the outcome of G20. So, the upcoming Bali summit will affect the Delhi summit.

What are the major opportunities for India as a G20 president?

First, the G20 presidency offers a unique branding opportunity for India’s recent achievements. This includes the ability to combat COVID-19 both in India and abroad through India’s vaccine diplomacy, India’s digital revolution, reshaping global value chains, etc.

Secondly, it can be utilised to transform India’s sub-optimal physical infrastructure to create an attractive investment and tourism destination, especially as several important G20 meetings will be hosted outside Delhi.

Thirdly, four democracies — Indonesia, India, Brazil, and South Africa — hold the presidency from December 2021 to November 2025. This offers a rare opportunity for synergy and solidarity to advance the interests of the developing world and to assert their combined leadership of the Global South.

Fourthly, all three members of IBSA Forum — India, Brazil, and South Africa — will hold the G20 presidency consecutively in 2023, 2024, and 2025. This forum is insulated from the geopolitical pressures and can develop a cohesive plan to project the priority concerns of the Global South.

What India as a G20 president can do to save the G20 and India’s stake?

a) India can provide evidence of its domestic successes, tested at the continental scale, for global adoption, b) IBSA needs an urgent rejuvenation by convening an informal meeting of its top leaders on the sidelines of the Bali summit,

c) India should factor in the perspectives of countries not represented in the G20 and advocate an inclusive approach, with pragmatic and human-centric solutions to global issues. For instance, India can demand the G20 for elevating the African Union (AU) from a permanent observer to a full-fledged member of the G20, thus placing it on a par with the EU.

GS Paper 3

Let’s end the Wild West ways of fintech lending

Source: The post is based on an article “Let’s end the Wild West ways of fintech lending” published in Live Mint on 25^th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 3 – Financial Institutions

Context: The internet has revolutionized digital businesses. Many such businesses are practicing unfair business practices and nil accountability. Fintech is fast becoming one such business.

Fintech promised efficient and cheaper credit operations so that borrowers do not have to spend days filling out meaningless forms.

A working group set up by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) says fintech lenders in India are not following existing rules and regulations and indulging in unethical practices.

Defining fintech

In a recent podcast, Aditya Narain, deputy director of the International Monetary Fund, defined fintech as “technology-driven innovation in financial services”.

He also said that fintech covers all manner of firms, from small startups to large universal banks.

It meant that any business with financial products at its core has to be regulated for the sake of proper growth, financial system stability, and protection of depositor and customer interests.

What is the view of fintech on regulations?

Many fintech lenders consider that they should be free of regulation because they operate in a free market.

Why fintech regulation is necessary?

The regulatory framework and legal structure in India mandate that fintech must be regulated by RBI to conduct any lending business. This is necessary for two reasons:

First, regulatory compliance imposes a cost on regulated entities.

• The increase in the number of regulators and touchpoints will compel fintechs to employ additional manpower for compliance.
• This will increase operational costs, and startup fintech firms enjoy an unfair cost advantage by avoiding regulatory compliance.

Second, not adhering to regulation can lead to adverse market outcomes or the unintended consequences of widespread instability.

• This will impose not only additional costs on all players but could also erode public confidence in the online lending ecosystem.
• This will have an impact on all financial systems, especially when innovation in the financial system, products, and credit delivery platforms and mechanisms are deemed critical for achieving meaningful financial inclusion.

Drone strikes: Targeted killings raise troubling questions

Source: The post is based on an article “Drone strikes: Targeted killings raise troubling questions” published in The Business Standard on 25^th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 3 – Science and technology and their effects on everyday life

News: Increasing range and unrestricted use of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), is a matter of global concern.

What are Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS)?

Lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) are fully machine-systems controlled and depend on facial recognition and artificial intelligence.

Such drones operate only on the basis of ex-ante data inputs about the target and are independent of human discretion in carrying out a strike.

Examples of the use of cross-border drones: 1) The US government announced on August 1 that the Egyptian surgeon Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by them in a drone strike in Kabul. 2) More than two years ago, on January 3, 2020, Qasem Soleimani an Iranian major general was killed at Baghdad airport by a Reaper drone strike launched by the US.

Which countries have developed such drones?

Along with the US, a Turkish government-promoted company called Savunma Teknolojileri Muhendislik (STM) produces a drone named Kargu-2, which can be operated manually and autonomously.

India is behind Turkey and even lagging Iran in the context of drones and these types of drones pose a threat to the national security of India.

What are the concerns with Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS)?

First, there is no international convention limiting or providing a context for the use of such weapons.

Second, there is no publicly available information about the reliability of LAWS.

Third, the concerns with the development of drones are the increasing range, automation, and possibly deniability of origin.

Fourth, The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for rules to regulate and limit the use of LAWS.

Chips for growth

Source: The post is based on an article “Chips for growth” published in The Business Standard on 25^th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 3 – Industries and industrial policies

News: India’s attempt to enter the global semiconductor market with a government commitment of $10 billion is well-timed. But the policy decision must be followed up with a lot of work on the ground.

What were the reasons behind the disruption of the value chain for chips?

First due to the pandemic, and then by the Ukraine War, the supply of neon, a gas that’s key for the semiconductor manufacturing process, was affected.

What are the advantages for India to enter into the semiconductor market?

First, India has a strong background and plenty of skills and experience in chip design.

Second, it has a large domestic market, which is expected to grow faster after the launch of 5G telecom services, which will create new demand for chips.

Third, India has a large automobile industry, that has suffered from chip shortages.

Fourth, domestic semiconductor production could also provide a boost to the growing aerospace and defense sectors and enable local mobile handset manufacturing to move up the value chain.

What are the concerns associated with India, entering the semiconductor market?

Policy drafts, made for the industry, are ambiguous and unclear.

Delays in land acquisition, environmental and other statutory clearances are also major issues.

Lack of infrastructure.

Chip manufacturers require massive amounts of absolutely pure water, whereas India is water-deficient and the water quality is poor in most places.

The policy commitment of $10 billion and assurances of support by India may not be enough, as setting up these plants is fairly expensive.

Making out a case for the other UBI in India

Source: The post is based on the article “Making out a case for the other UBI in India” published in “The Hindu” on 25^th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 3 Inclusive growth

News: Universal basic income (UBI) and Universal basic insurance became a hot debate in policy circles across the globe, especially after the Covid Pandemic.

About Poverty Lines and Poverty Trap

Income shocks result in a free fall of those living on the line of basic living wages down towards the critical survival line. A fall below the critical survival line needs to be prevented as it can be catastrophic like a household can end up facing a poverty trap.

What are the three types of security nets?

1) A passive safety net focuses on those falling from basic living wages and prevents them a fall below the critical survival line. For example, it is basically a social assistance programme meant for the most income-deprived sections of society.

2) An active safety net which works like a trampoline so that those who fall on it are able to bounce back to basic living wages. This type of safety net is a scheme with a higher outlay.

3) A proactive safety net which acts like a launchpad so that those who fall on it will not only bounce back but will also move up beyond basic living wages. The third type of social security net is the most desirable option but requires immense resources and institutional capacity.

What are the various types of Social Security nets in India?

India operates the widest spectrum of social security schemes at a different level, which cater to the largest number of people than any other country.

(a) Food security: The National Food Security Act (NFSA) is the world’s largest food security programme.

Issues: There are issues of financial sustainability and leakages in the food security programme.

(b) Health Security: For the unorganised sector, there is the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. For the organised sector, the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) are being run. Further, about 110 million people in India have private health insurance.

Issues: Despite these large-scale provisions, about 400 million Indians are not covered under any kind of health insurance.

(c) Income security: For the organised sector, the General Provident Fund (GPF), the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), the Public Provident Fund (PPF) and the New Pension Scheme (NPS) are being run. In the unorganised sector, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY), the PM-KISAN scheme, the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, are being run.

Issues: The Indian economy is informal in nature. Therefore, rolling out schemes such as unemployment insurance is difficult due to the challenges of identification of the beneficiaries. Further, there are huge fiscal implications (around 4.5% of GDP).

Why should India adopt Universal Basic Insurance (UBI)?

Insurance penetration (premium as a % of GDP) in India has been hovering around 4% for many years. However, it is around 17%, 9% and 6% in Taiwan, Japan and China, respectively.

Though the economy largely remains informal, data of the informal sector are now available both for businesses (through GSTIN, or Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) and for unorganised workers (through e-Shram portal, centralised database of all unorganised workers).

What should be done?

The Karnataka Model: It has developed a prototype of a social security portal based on such data, known as ‘Kutumba’. It is the social registry portal available as a blueprint. The government should implement it at national level.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Digantara to set up India’s first private SSA observatory in UttarakhandIndia’s sex ratio at birth normalises slightly

Source: The post is based on the article “Digantara to set up India’s first private SSA observatory in Uttarakhand” published in TOI on 24th August 2022.

What is the News?

India’s first commercial Space Situational Awareness(SSA) Observatory will be set up in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.

About India’s First Private Space Situational Awareness(SSA) Observatory:

To be Setup by: Digantara, a Bengaluru-based space sector start-up. 

Location: Garhwal region of Uttarakhand 

Purpose: The observatory will assist in tracking any activity in space including that of space debris and military satellites hovering over the region.

Working: The observatory will help to monitor events occurring in deep space, especially in the geostationary, medium-Earth, and high-Earth orbits. The high-quality observations made will be complemented by observations of its partner ground-based sensor network.

– With this data, India would be able to reduce the potential for collisions between satellites and other spacecraft by making more accurate predictions of their location, speed, and trajectory.

Significance: The observatory will fill the crucial gap in SSA observations in the region as there is a lack of such facilities between Australia and Southern Africa.

– It will also give India indigenous capabilities to monitor space activity over the subcontinent providing a strategic advantage.

What is Space Situational Awareness(SSA)?

Space Situational Awareness(SSA) refers to the knowledge of the space environment, including the location and function of space objects and space weather phenomena. 

SSA is generally understood as covering three main areas: 1) Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) of man-made objects, 2) Space Weather (SWE) monitoring and forecast and 3) Near-Earth Objects (NEO) monitoring (only natural space objects).

Explained: What is moonlighting and if it’s legal in India

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: What is moonlighting and if it’s legal in India” published in TOI in 24th August 2022.

What is the News?

Swiggy has launched a Moonlighting Policy allowing its employees to work on their passion projects outside of their work (calling it a step towards a “remote-first organization”).

What is Moonlighting?

Moonlighting is the act of working at an extra job beyond regular working hours, usually without the knowledge of the employer. 

Since the side job was mostly at nighttime or on weekends, it was referred to as moonlighting. 

Why do people moonlight?

Moonlighting is a source of gaining extra profits.

Additionally, working in a different role can allow a person to develop new skills, explore related domains and connect with more people.

Many universities abroad consider such side projects as valuable and an applicant who performs in challenging projects alongside their regular 9-5 jobs thus gets an upper hand over others.

What are the arguments against moonlighting?

Legal but may not be ethical: There is no overarching law which prohibits a person from doing multiple jobs. However, a person with a similar nature of jobs may spark breach of confidentiality issues.

Moonlighting adversely affects the day job and takes the focus off it. There is also a fear of leakage of confidential information in the primary job.

Can employees be fired because of moonlighting?

According to legal professionals, courts have in the past permitted employers to terminate employment in case of employers engaging in moonlighting.

There is also a restriction on double employment under the Factories Act. However, this law is not applicable to IT companies in some states.

What is Acculturation?

Source: The post is based on the article “What is Acculturation?” published in The Hindu on 24th August 2022.

What is the News?

India, with its distinctive fusion of various cultures, has ideals that provide a deeper understanding of the concept of acculturation and its outcomes.

What is Acculturation?

The concept of acculturation was coined in 1880 by American geologist John Wesley Powel in a report for the U.S. Bureau of Ethnology.

It is defined as the process in which a person or group from one culture comes in contact with another culture, adopting the values and practices of the other while still retaining their own distinct identity.

Sociologists understand acculturation as a two-way process, wherein the minority culture adopts aspects of the majority to fit in and the culture of the majority is also influenced by that of the minority.

What is the relevance of Acculturation in the Indian context?

India’s distinctive fusion of various cultures helps significantly in understanding the concept of acculturation and its outcomes. For instance: 

– Persian culture has influenced almost all aspects of Indian society; the origins of popular food items like biryanis and faloodas and spices like saffron, and cumin seeds trace back to Persian origins.

– The Urdu language, a blend of Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Hindi, is an example of the amalgamation and transmutation of cultures.

– The architectures of Christian Churches in Kerala like the Cheriapally (small church) in Kottayam or the Pazhaya Suriyani Pally (old Syrian church) in Chengannur have marks of Hindu Temple architectural styles.

India nominates Garba to be inscribed on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list

Source: The post is based on the article “India nominates Garba to be inscribed on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list” published in AIR on 24th August 2022.

What is the News?

India has nominated the dance form Garba to be inscribed on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. If approved, it will become the first intangible cultural heritage of Gujarat to be listed by UNESCO.

What is Garba?

Garba is a form of dance which originates from the state of Gujarat in India. Traditionally, it is performed during the nine-day Hindu festival Navarātrī. 

The word garba comes from the Sanskrit word for womb and so implies gestation or pregnancy — life.

Traditionally, the dance is performed around a clay lantern with a light inside, called a Garbha Deep (“womb lamp”). This lantern represents life and the fetus in the womb in particular. The dancers thus honour Durga, the feminine form of divinity.

Garba is performed in a circle reflecting the cycle of life. As the cycle of time revolves from birth, to life, to death and again to rebirth, the only thing that is constant is the Goddess, the idol of whom is placed stationary.

Wind project addition to peak by 2024, says report

Source: The post is based on the article “Wind project addition to peak by 2024, says report” published in The Hindu on 25th August 2022.

What is the News?

Global Wind Energy Council(GWEC) and MEC Intelligence have launched a report titled “Renewing wind growth to power the energy transition: India Wind Energy Market Outlook 2026”.

What are the key findings of the report?

Wind Energy Installed: India has committed to sourcing half its electricity in 2030 from non-fossil fuel sources and installing 60 gigawatts (GW, or 1000 MW) of wind power by 2022.

– So far, only 40 GW of wind power capacity has been established.

– Reason: Wind industry installations have been slowing down in India since 2017. Only 1.45 GW of wind projects were installed in 2021 with many delayed due to the second wave of COVID-19 and supply chain-related disruptions.

Future Projections: Annual installation of new wind power projects in India will peak by 2024 and likely decline thereafter.

– After 2024, fresh projects are likely to be wind-solar hybrid projects (where both systems are installed on a piece of land to generate power throughout the day)

Supply Chain Ministerial Forum: India adopts joint statement on cooperation on global supply chains

Source: The post is based on the article “India adopts joint statement on cooperation on global supply chains” published in Economic Times on 22nd July 2022.

What is the News?

The US State Department released a Joint Statement of the 2022 Supply Chain Ministerial Forum, focusing on the global challenge which includes – the COVID-19 pandemic, wars and conflicts and climate change.

What is the Supply Chain Ministerial Forum?

Hosted by: United States

Aim: To advance work to reduce and end near-term supply chain disruptions and collaborate to build supply chain resiliency to avoid future disruptions.

Partner Countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.

What is the statement issued by the Supply Chain Ministerial Forum?

The shocks to global supply chains came from pandemics, wars and conflicts, extreme climate impacts and natural disasters.

To address these disruptions, the world needs to further strengthen supply chains, end near-term disruptions and build long-term resilience.

For this, all the partner countries aim to follow various global supply chain principles including transparency, diversification, security and sustainability.

The Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022

Source: The post is based on the article “The Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022” published in The Hindu on 25th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to amend the Competition Act, 2002.

What are the key features of the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022?

Regulation of combinations based on deal value: Any acquisition, merger or amalgamation may constitute a combination. The act currently says parties indulging in merger, acquisition, or amalgamation need to notify the Commission of the combination only on the basis of ‘asset’ or ‘turnover’. The Bill proposes to add a ‘deal value’ threshold.

Time limit for approval of combinations: The Act specifies that any combination shall not come into effect until the CCI has passed an order or 210 days have passed from the day when an application for approval was filed, whichever is earlier. The Bill reduces the time limit in the latter case to 150 days.

Gun Jumping: Parties should not go ahead with a combination prior to its approval. If the combining parties close a notified transaction before the approval, or have consummated a reportable transaction without bringing it to the Commission’s knowledge, it is seen as gun-jumping.

– The penalty for gun-jumping was a total of 1% of the asset or turnover. This is now proposed to be 1% of the deal value.

Addresses the issue of the Hub and Spoke Model: A Hub-and-Spoke arrangement is a kind of cartelisation in which vertically related players act as a hub and place horizontal restrictions on suppliers or retailers (spokes). 

– Currently, the prohibition on anti-competitive agreements only covers entities with similar trades that engage in anti-competitive practices.

– To combat this, the Bill broadens the scope of ‘anti-competitive agreements’ to catch entities that facilitate cartelisation even if they are not engaged in identical trade practices.

Leniency Plus: The Bill allows the commission to give an additional waiver of penalties to an applicant who discloses the existence of another cartel in an unrelated market, provided the information enables the Commission to form a prima facie opinion about the existence of the cartel.

Settlement and Commitment in anti-competitive proceedings: Under the Act, CCI may initiate proceedings against enterprises on grounds of: (i) entering into anti-competitive agreements, or (ii) abuse of dominant position.  

– The Bill permits CCI to close inquiry proceedings if the enterprise offers: (i) settlement (may involve payment), or (ii) commitments (may be structural or behavioral in nature).

Appointment of Director General: The Act empowers the central government to appoint a Director General to CCI.The Bill amends this to empower the CCI to appoint the Director General, with prior approval of the government.

Penal Provisions: The penalties and penalty guidelines are proposed to be amended. 

– For any false information filed, a penalty of five crores will be imposed, and for failure to comply with the Commission directions, a penalty of ₹10 crores will be imposed. 

– For an appeal to be heard by the National Company Law Tribunal(NCLT) against the Commission’s order, the party will have to deposit 25% of the penalty amount.

ANPR cameras: Explained: What is the Govt’s new model for toll collection on highways?

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: What is the Govt’s new model for toll collection on highways?” published in Indian Express on 24th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is planning to remove all the toll plazas on the national highways and rely on Automatic Number Plate Reader(ANPR) cameras.

How do Automatic Number Plate Reader(ANPR) cameras work?

ANPR cameras will read the vehicle number plates and automatically deduct toll fees from the bank accounts of the vehicle owners. The entries and exits of the toll roads will have these cameras installed.

Can all number plates be read by these ANPR cameras?

Not all number plates in India can be read, and only those that have come after 2019 will be registered by the cameras.

In 2019, the government had come up with a rule mandating passenger vehicles to have company-fitted number plates, and only these number plates can be read by cameras. The government plans to come up with a scheme to replace older number plates.

What is the current model for toll collection on Indian highways?

Currently, about 97% of the total toll collection of nearly Rs 40,000 crore happens though FASTags — the remaining 3% pay higher than normal toll rates for not using FASTags.

While FASTags have eased traffic at toll plazas across the country, congestion is still reported as there are toll gates that need to be crossed after authentication. 

Are there any issues with ANPR cameras?

The biggest problem being faced during the trials is when things are written on number plates, beyond the nine-digit registration number, such as ‘govt of India/Delhi’ and names of Gods etc.

Another problem that ANPR cameras face is in reading number plates on trucks, as most of the time they are hidden or soiled etc.