9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – December 6th, 2021

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• Neo-socialism: State’s expanding tech biz
• Tehran’s white flag in Vienna
• The need to reopen anganwadis
• Putin’s visit must be used to realize the potential of India- Russia ties
• Nagaland killings aren’t a mere ‘blunder’
• The learning curve: Why college education for women matters

GS Paper 3

• Wanted: New leaders to tackle climate change challenge
• On Blockchain: The next big tech revolution
• The brush with crypto offers some lessons for regulation
• Cooperation awaits its “finding Raiffesisen” movement
• Fresh air has become a luxury in Delhi
• Storm surges and relief: Why India should rethink its cyclone response

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• India’s First private Cryogenic Engine – Hyderabad-based rocket men aim for the stars
• Judicial Infrastructure, a neglected case
• Poverty ratio 32.75% in rural areas against 8.81% in urban: NITI report
• First of the four ships under Survey Vessel (Large) project for Indian Navy launched in the presence of Raksha Rajya Mantri at GRSE, Kolkata
• What the new wage rate index series means for salaries?
• Launch of All India EdTech Challenge and Master Class Series 2021-2022 by Atal Innovation Mission
• Explained: Konyak tribe numbers make them crucial to peace talks
• KVIC Rolls Out Project RE-HAB in Assam to Prevent Elephant – Human Conflicts Using Tiny Bees
• 11TH Edition of Joint INDO-MALDIVES Training Exercise ‘EX EKUVERIN’

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Neo-socialism: State’s expanding tech biz

News: Reuters recently reported that Visa Inc. had complained to the US government about India’s “informal and formal” promotion of domestic payments rival RuPay.

In this context, state’s direct intervention in digital tech initiatives has been criticised by some as socialisation of fintech.

What complaints have been raised by Visa Inc and Master card?

Mastercard Inc, way back in 2018 had charged India’s PM of using nationalism to promote RuPay. For instance, in 2018, Indian PM had declared the use of RuPay patriotic.

Visa recently complained that, the phenomenal increase in the use of RuPay card is a result of India’s informal and formal policies supporting it. For instance, the government had abolished the merchant discount rate (MDR) on transactions using the RuPay debit card and the UPI from January 1, 2020.

How has govt promoted the use of RuPay and UPI?

Along with PM, Union Finance Minister has also supported the use of RuPay when in 2020, she said that RuPay is the only card banks should promote.

Govt also abolished MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) for RuPay transactions from 1st Jan 2020, while for Mastercard or Visa debit card, merchants are charged an MDR of 0.4-0.9%.

Further, all Indian companies with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 50 crore have to compulsorily offer RuPay payment options to their customers.

What are the technological initiatives launched by the government in fintech?

Esanjeevani: The government launched a telemedicine platform, esanjeevani.in. It allows anyone to register, consult a doctor, and download a prescription.

Village-level retail chain: Recently, the government launched a desi, rural version of Big Basket by creating a village-level online retail chain. This ambitious plan is being led by the Common Service Centres.

BHIM: Apart from the UPI and RuPay, the government had launched the payment facility Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM).

Bharat Bill Pay System: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched the Bharat Bill Pay System, a single platform for all utility biller.

BharatNet: the launch of BharatNet to provide a minimum of 100 Mbit/s broadband connectivity to all 250,000-gram panchayats in the country, covering nearly 625,000 villages.

The author of this article mentions that he is neither in support nor in opposition of these initiatives.

And that he merely wants to point out that while govt wants to sell its share in PSUs and public sector banks, it is venturing deep into fintech business itself. 

This, as per the author, has implications for data gathering and privacy.

Tehran’s white flag in Vienna

News: Iran’s new delegation joined the seventh round of talks in Vienna for the revival of a joint comprehensive plan of action (JCPOA).

What is the status of progress in talks?

Iran has shown an inclination that all the issues can be negotiated. Iran has maintained that negotiations should not be called nuclear negotiations, as the key objective is the lifting of sanctions. So, the Iranian delegation is composed of legal and banking officials.

What policies does Iran adopt?

During the suspension of JCPOA, Iran expanded its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium. This was to show that if the USA withdraws from the agreement again, Iran will likely expand its nuclear program.

Iran is linking its economy from JCPOA negotiations, is prioritizing economic diplomacy with Asia to ensure that any backtracking by the USA does not shock Iran economically.
Iran is continuing its intensive diplomatic outreach with Gulf neighbors, including, UAE.

Furthermore, Iran has delinked the JCPOA negotiations with its ballistic missile programmes, stating that they are different issues and will only be dealt with by regional partners.

What should be the way forward?

While Israel presses for a hardline approach against Iran, a well-negotiated deal, which includes Iran in the regional security architecture, will be most conducive for peace in the region.

The need to reopen anganwadis

News: Due to the Covid pandemic, Anganwadis were closed owing to lockdown.

What are the services provided by Anganwadis?

Anganwadis play a crucial role in supporting households, low-income families, by providing child care, health and nutrition, education, supplementary nutrition, immunization, health checkup, and referral services.

They play an important role in Integrated Child development services (ICDS), covering 88 million children aged between 0 and 6 years, The largest of its kind in the world.

Why Anganwadis are important?

A survey by IDinsight across five states between Nov. 2018 to Nov. 2019, found that Anganwadi workers were a primary source of nutrition information for families.

According to NFHS-5, in 2019-20, less than 15% of five-year-olds attended any pre-primary school. 58% of women cited home-schooling as the biggest contributor behind an increase in unpaid work at home.

Therefore, National education policy 2020 places Anganwadis at the center of the push for universal access to early childhood care and education (ECCE).

What deficiencies were found by the survey?

As shown by studies from Delhi and Bihar, knowledge of Anganwadi workers about key health behaviours such as complementary feeding and hand washing was low.

-Anganwadi workers do not have support or training to provide ECCE.

–Administrative responsibilities take up significant time and core services like preschool education are neglected. A typical worker spends about 10% of the time on preschool education, while the recommended time is 120 minutes.

-Niti Aayog found that only 59% of Anganwadis had adequate seating for children and workers, and more than half are unhygienic.

What can be done to deepen the impact of Anganwadis?

Prioritize Interventions: There is a need to prioritise interventions that have demonstrated success. Studies from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh show that home visits of volunteers engaging with children have significantly improved cognition, language, and motor development.

Reforms by state governments:  States should improve career incentives and remuneration for Anganwadi workers. Policymakers should try linking Anganwadis with primary schools to strengthen the convergence.

More investment: Anganwadis are the largest providers of early childhood care in the world. To improve their outcomes, we need to invest more in Anganwadis and focus on proven innovative interventions.

Putin’s visit must be used to realize the potential of India- Russia ties

News: Russian President Vladimir Putin is on one day visit to India.

What are the expectations from the summit?
India and Russia are expected to begin a 2+2 dialogue Involving defence and foreign ministers. Both countries are expected to sign a ten-year defence pact. and Mutual logistical support agreement for each other’s armed forces.

However, two factors have the potential of limiting cooperation. The first one is the continuing conflict between Kremlin and the West. The second is the absence of a thriving commercial relationship between India and Russia.

How do China and USA impact India Russian relations?
India is increasing its relationship with the USA. The continuing conflict between USA And Russia impacts India Russia relations. Example CAATSA imposition over S400 deal with Russia.
The hostility of the USA and China is driving China and Russia closer.

Russia and Chinese relations are getting stronger, particularly in defence cooperation and they have the alignment of views, particularly over Indo Pacific.

What is the status of economic relations between India and Russia?
India’s trade with Russia is around $10 billion. On the other hand, India’s trade with China and USA is around $100 billion. This shows that the economic aspect is lacking. Also, Russian businessmen prefer investing in Europe and China, Indian businessmen prefer investing in America and China.

What can be expected in future?
USA current administration is attempting to mend relations with Russia. In the Geneva summit, both counterparties (Biden and Putin) laid down a broad framework for engagement on wide-ranging issues.

Further, a Virtual summit is expected to discuss and reduce the tensions over Ukraine. Stable USA-Russia relations would be beneficial for the USA in understanding its stance against China.

What is the way forward for India and Russia?

Russia understands that India US relations are expected to grow in future. India understands that it has no veto over Sino Russian relations. So the best way forward for both countries has let down a path for economic and strategic cooperation and develop a better understanding of each other’s imperatives.

Nagaland killings aren’t a mere ‘blunder’

News: In a counter insurgency operation by Assam Rifles, in Mon district in Nagaland, more than a dozen people and a jawan were killed.

Though the union Home Minister has announced a special investigation team to probe the matter, there are reports of violent responses.

Why N-E is a unique case wrt security and peace?

The Northeast is embedded in a complex web of identities and a different history of nation-building.

Their affinity to linguistic, regional, ethnic and clan identity is too deep.

So overt nationalism mixed up with religion and over-securitisation emphasis in peace advancement can have dire consequences.

Its geography, history and political economy are also conducive for insurgent groups to operate.

What can be the possible repercussions of this incident?

The peace in the region is very fragile. It can break at any time if the political leadership, security forces and the civil society cease to be vigilant.

– Impact on Naga peace process: There are multiple insurgent groups operating here for years. Among these groups, the talks with the “NSCN-IM” for a settlement to end the seven-decade-old Naga insurgency is at an advanced stage. This incident could impact the process.

– The unrest in Myanmar may spill over to Nagaland and Manipur. As unrest has reportedly influenced Naga and Manipur insurgent groups that have a base in that country.

What is the way forward?

Short term:

– End the violence, penalise those responsible for this tragedy, and institute peace in the region.

– The government should immediately reach out to the families of the victims to address the breach of trust between the local population and state agencies.

– All groups, political parties, community leaders, and the security forces, must get together to calm the situation.

Long term:

– In future, security forces of the region need to be extra cautious and sensitive to local communities while doing their job, even under extreme pressure.

– Nation-building here has to be an extremely cautious exercise and should be negotiated with multiple stakeholders, having a difference of opinion on different socio-economic and political parameters.

The learning curve: Why college education for women matters

News: NITI Aayog released the first state-wise National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), inline with the global index released by the United Nations each year.

The report has found that a quarter of the population in the country was multi-dimensionally poor or deprived on at least a few of the 12 counts.

How access to various services varies with female education?

Female college education plays a significant role in ensuring access to services:

On Adequate Nutrition – In districts where college-educated females were higher than 2.2% of the population, around 30% of the households were deprived of adequate nutrition.

– In contrast, in districts where college-educated females were less than 2.2%, 42.3% of the people lacked adequate nutrition.

On years of schooling – In districts where college-educated females were lower than 2.2%, 18% of households were deprived. In contrast, the corresponding it is just 8.4% for districts that had more then 2.2% college-educated females.

On electricity access – In districts where college-educated females were lower than 2.2%, had 15.9% of households deprived of electric supply. In contrast, only 5.2% of the households in higher female-educated districts lacked electricity.

– Availability of ‘bank accounts’ and ‘drinking water‘ were the only two indicators where college education played no role in determining access to resources.

GS Paper 3

Wanted: New leaders to tackle climate change challenge

News: CoP 26 has been successful in making countries commit to climate change mitigation policies. However, many issues have still been left unaddressed due to politics.

COP27, therefore, should be led by a collective of experts and leaders, who can accelerate the implementation of the action plan towards net-zero.

In this context, climate change governance needs leadership that has uncompromising commitment towards the vision of achieving net-zero.

What is the success of CoP26 summit?

– 90% of the world committed to a net carbon zero target.

– 23 countries agreed to stop financing fossil fuels by the end of 2022.

– 100 countries committed to end deforestation.

– The accounting systems for calculating carbon emissions were finalised

– The phase down of coal and inefficient fuel subsidies was accepted.

What are the issues that are not addressed yet?

– Read here: Glasgow Climate Pact – Explained, pointwise

Why the world needs to address climate change sincerely?

The NGO, Climate Action Tracker, has analysed the consequences of climate change policies.

– In the absence of a climate change policy, global temperatures would rise by between 4.1 and 4.8^oC above pre-industrial levels.

– However, if every country implements its non-binding nationally determined commitments for 2030, the temperature rise would be 2.4^oC.

– If they met their binding commitments including net-zero targets, the increase would range between 1.8 and 2.1^oC.

So, any laxity in the implementation of the action plan towards net-zero carbon will push the increase above an acceptable threshold with devastating consequences.

What needs to be done to bring down carbon emissions?

John Doerr (the author of a recently published book, Speed and Scale — A Global Action Plan for Solving our Climate Crisis), lays out a six-point action plan for bringing carbon emissions down from the current annual amount of 59 GT to zero by 2050.

– Electrification of transport: Improvements in battery technology.

– Decarbonisation of the grid: 50 per cent of electricity from solar and wind, no new oil and gas plants after 2021.

– Food system: no nitrogen-based fertilisers, contain methane/nitrous oxide emissions from rice farming

– Protect nature: net-zero deforestation and elimination of deep-sea trawling

– Clean up industry: reduce carbon intensity in cement/steel/aluminium)

– Remove carbon: nature-based and engineering solutions

What is the way forward?

First, the current institutions of governance have created a forum for collaborative effort, but the rules of engagement reinforce separateness. This is the reason institutions need to be redesigned.

Second, the leadership of COP27 should be handed over to experts who are not bounded by the interests of a specific country and are beyond petty politics. They must be capable of driving technological change, catalysing green investment and forging global collaboration.

On Blockchain: The next big tech revolution

News: Blockchain technology will be the next big tech revolution.

What is blockchain technology?

A blockchain is a digital ledger that allows parties to transact without a central authority as a trusted intermediary.

Blockchain is not a new technology. Rather, it is an innovative way of using existing technologies.

The technologies underpinning blockchain are asymmetric key encryption, hash values, Merkle trees, and peer-to-peer networks.

How the blockchain technology works?

A blockchain is a digital ledger, in this ledger, transactions are grouped together in blocks, which are cryptographically chained together in a way that is tamper-proof and creates a mathematically indisputable history.

The development and maintenance of blockchain are open, distributed, and shared. A team of volunteers around the world maintains the core software for blockchain

Why the blockchain technology is so promising?

“Smart Contracts” is the revolution that blockchain will bring. It will permit trusted transactions and agreements to be carried out among any two parties without the need for a central authority, legal system, or external enforcement mechanism.

It has the following benefits,

– it makes transaction very quick.

For more benefits and advantages of Blockchain: Read here

Why blockchain and its related technologies are looked at with deep suspicion?

Firstly, the use of algorithms to establish the validity of the transaction is viewed with suspicion.

Secondly, Part of the reason why blockchain and its related technologies are looked at with deep suspicion is the story about its origins. The development of ‘Bitcoins/ digital cryptocurrency’ had contributed to the mystery of blockchain.

The brush with crypto offers some lessons for regulation

News: Technology innovation typically remains a step ahead of regulatory frameworks designed with current practices in mind. Problems occur when these innovations push the envelope beyond accepted codes of social and ethical behaviour.

At present, innovations in two sectors are a cause of worry for India’s sectoral regulators: Proliferation of Cryptocurrency exchanges and unregulated digital lending marked by the rise of dubious digital lending apps.

The government and sectoral regulators should act before it’s too late.

Further, the regulatory architecture must be based on principle-based regulations, rather than rule-based regulations, to allow for flexibility and adaptability in a fast-changing technology environment.

What are the issues/concerns with rise of Crypto exchanges and unregulated digital lending?

Crypto exchanges:

Through aggressive media advertising, these platforms have quickly spread their business amongst Indian masses. There are an estimated 15-20 million crypto users in India, many of whom live in Tier-II or Tier-III towns.

They have circumvented responsible norms of advertising, like:

– announcing important disclaimers at high speed

– Not communicating that cryptos are neither currencies nor strictly assets

– Not mentioning that trading platforms are not truly “exchanges

– Not stating that Crypto values are not determined by the usual dynamics governing other income-yielding assets

– Investing in cryptos was an exceedingly risky proposition.

As a result, many scam crypto issuers and exchanges have come up.

Unregulated digital lending:

A report of the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on a proposed data privacy law, has pointed at the proliferation of shady digital lending apps on the Google Play Store. At least 60 such loan apps are there.

– They are neither registered nor recognised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC).

– These applications are owned by Chinese operators or companies, including those named like other legitimate fintech companies. For instance, ‘Udhaar Loan’ resembles ‘Udhaar’, a fintech focusing on micro loans, recognised by the Government of India.

– These lenders have been found using unethical methods of lending and recovering loans.

Why sectoral regulators couldn’t act on this issue?

Sectoral regulators, such as RBI and Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), were unable to step in and act earlier because they are governed by specific Acts which do not mention cryptos as a category that needs regulation.

What is the way forward?

The government has now stepped in and is drafting legislation to regulate cryptos.

Financial sector regulators should be able to intervene, by law, whenever any intermediary tries to sell a financial service or any new innovative financial service that poses the risk of disrupting financial stability. For this, relevant enabling clauses must be added to the existing Acts.

The relevant amendments or additions to existing laws should strive to neither be too open-ended nor become overly sector-specific.

NITI Aayog’s paper on licensing digital banks recommends an evolutionary path for digital banks that’s RBI-regulated at all stages:

– first a restricted licence, then a regulatory sandbox offering some relaxations, and finally a “full-stack” digital banking licence.

Recommendations made by RBI’s internal working group on ownership guidelines for Indian private sector banks: RBI has accepted some of the suggestions and modified a few to make entry norms stricter.

Cooperation awaits its “finding Raiffesisen” movement

News: India enacted legislation for cooperatives in 1904. All India rural credit survey committee in 1954 pointed out that the cooperatives have failed in their objective.

How did the cooperative movement start?

It started in Europe with pioneers like Friedrich Raiffeisen and Schulze-Delitzsch In Germany. They were based on principles of self-help, self-governance, and self-responsibility.

How did the cooperative movement start in India?

In India, it started in Madras presidency with the enactment of the Indian cooperatives act in 1904. Registrar of cooperative societies (RCS) acts as nodal agencies for the cooperatives.

Pioneers like Dr. John Mathai, who graduated from the London School of economics, assisted in the initial phases.

Why did cooperatives fail in India?

In India, cooperatives were created by resolution of the government, Unlike Europe, where they were created Bottom-up. Co-operatives demanded a flexible model, but government grip increased over the years in the form of regulations.

Some cooperatives like Amul, IFFCO performed successfully.

What should be done to improve the condition of cooperatives?

First, the power of RCS should be reduced. They should act as facilitators and not as instruments of inspection and domination.

Second, the Rural-urban dichotomy in regulations should be done away with. The regulation should be based on the size of the cooperative or the nature of the business of the cooperative.

Third, the regulation and supervision mechanism needs to be streamlined. Currently, urban cooperatives are regulated by RBI and rural by NABARD. The regulatory mechanism should be combined and it should have its own regulator with norms created specifically for cooperatives.

What should be the way forward?

We need former commercial banks – cooperative sector linkages, which can provide finances to cooperatives and make cooperatives viable in long term.

Fresh air has become a luxury in Delhi

News: Supreme Court (SC) judges expressed dissatisfaction with the Delhi and central governments for not doing enough to correct the dire situation of pollution in NCR.

As per the World Air Quality Report of 2020, published by IQAir, 22 out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world are in India.

Delhi’s pollution, in November, is generally above 300 on AQI scale. It is the worst amongst the G20 members capital’s where AQI is below 50 mostly, as per World Air Quality Index Project.

Centre and states must work together to tackle this problem of pollution in the National Capital Region.

What are the reasons for this pollution issue?

A report of the MoEF&CC submitted to the UNFCCC listed the reasons for it.

– Energy generation (largely coal-based thermal power) is the biggest driver.

– Manufacturing and construction; agriculture; transport; industrial processes and product-use, and ‘waste burning’ in the decreasing order.

As per SAFAR (System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research) data, the pollution in Delhi is driven by different factors in different time of year. One such being “stubble burning” during October-November.

What are the other challenges in tackling pollution in NCR?

Solar energy– The land taken for solar farm can’t be used for other purposes for a long time. Nothing else can be grown on those corporate solar farms.

Rice cultivation in NCR belt and Punjab is creating the problem of disposal of rice straws. Farmers resort to stubble burning.

– Besides, rice cultivation is also leading to depletion of the water table, creating methane and nitrous oxide.

Lack of enough charging points for Electric Vehicles(EV) is a hindrance for the EV’s smooth rollout and therefore the issue of vehicular pollution by fossil fuel based cars persists.

What is the way forward?

Replacing coal in energy generation: As a substitute to coal, solar and wind derived energy is placed as a solution. Companies are setting up large solar farms on degraded lands. This has resulted in solar tariffs to be lower than even thermal power.

We should develop solar farms on farmers’ fields too, by fixing solar panels at a 10 feet height with due spacing for photosynthesis. These solar trees can then become the third crop for the farmers, earning them regular income throughout the year.

– For instance, Delhi government’s pilot project in Ujwa KVK land on these lines showed that farmers can earn up to Rs 1 lakh per acre per year from this ‘solar farming’.

The Centre needs to collaborate with neighbouring states and come up with a plan to reduce the rice area in this belt.

– Farmers can be incentivised to switch to other crops through better returns than in rice cultivation.

Creating fast charging stations for EVs in parking lots in offices, housing societies, petrol pumps, etc, can help to create demand for EVs. The government can incentivise it by providing upfront subsidies on EVs.

Delhi also needs a good carbon sink. Rejuvenating the Ridge area with dense forests and developing thick forests on both sides of the Yamuna may help.

Storm surges and relief: Why India should rethink its cyclone response

News: Factors such as the cyclone’s intensity, high tides and topography results in storm surges, which are the principal cause of destruction in major cyclones.

It is important that, in this period, we recognise that there is more to cyclone risk management than the total number of evacuees. However, the usual approach has certain deficiencies for cyclone management.

What are the deficiencies with the present approach?

Over-emphasis on a total evacuee figure, particularly in states such as Odisha: response effectiveness is calculated by over-emphasis placed on the total number of evacuation done from all areas, rather than focussing specially on some vulnerable areas.

– In evacuations in Odisha, the distinct threat from tidal or storm surges is mixed with the impact of high wind speed. Consequently, all areas where the cyclone is likely to travel are given similar scale attention. The high storm surge vulnerable areas don’t get specific attention.

The current strategy of horizontal evacuation (Under this type of evacuation, the region where maximum storm surge is likely, is completely secured by moving residents away) have worked in the past few cyclones only because the tidal surge was limited at the most up to 1 km. It will prove to be inadequate, if tidal inundation reaches up to 20 km.

Inadequate focus on response aspects other than evacuation: Our existing approach gives too little attention to key disaster response functions other than evacuation. Some of them are:

– Delay in financial assistance to those eligible for house reconstruction is often delayed beyond a reasonable time period.

– Distress selling and premature harvesting because of the cyclone.

– Power failures for days.

What is the way forward?

Pre-cyclone:

– India can learn from developed countries such as the United States and Australia, which follow a practice of identifying the most vulnerable zone and ensuring that no one except emergency officials are allowed there.

– Forewarning the farming communities

Post-Cyclone:

– Farmers need to be provided with financial input and immediate credit to restart the agriculture work immediately.

– The government should consider writing off the agricultural loans of small farmers. It should also provide sufficient cattle feed and support to people who own livestock.

– There should be emphasis placed on the quality and quantity of the relief distributed.

– Media’s role: A general pattern in disaster management observed around the world is that the media focus typically is limited to the emergency period. This should change too.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

India’s First private Cryogenic Engine – Hyderabad-based rocket men aim for the stars

Source: This post is based on the article “Hyderabad-based rocket men aim for the stars” published in The Hindu on 6th December 2021.

What is the News?

Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based space technology startup, has successfully test-fired the Dhawan-1 engine and is planning to launch Vikram-1 and Vikram-2 launch vehicles in a few years.

What is Dhawan-1?

Dhawan-1 is India’s first privately developed, fully cryogenic rocket engine. It runs on two high-performance rocket propellants — liquid natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LoX).

The engine was developed using 3D printing with a superalloy.

Click Here to read about Cryogenic 

What is Vikram?

Vikram is a series of launch vehicles to be launched by Skyroot space. These vehicles are specially crafted for the small satellite market. 

Vikram-1:  It is based on a solid propulsion engine. After Skyroot successfully designed and developed the solid propulsion rocket engine, it became the first private firm in the country to do so.

Vikram-2: This vehicle is using a cryogenic engine. It will be launched into orbit in the next 2 years.

Judicial Infrastructure, a neglected case

Source: This post is based on the article “Judicial Infrastructure, a neglected case” published in The Hindu on 6th December 2021.

What is the News?

The Chief Justice of India has proposed the creation of a National Judicial Infrastructure Authority of India (NJIAI) to address neglected judicial infrastructure in the country.

What is the state of judicial infrastructure in India?

Firstly, the total sanctioned strength of judicial officers in the country is 24,280 but the number of court halls available is just 20,143 including 620 rented halls.

Secondly, around 26% of the court complexes do not have separate ladies’ toilets and 16% do not have gents’ toilets. 

Thirdly, only 32% of the courtrooms have separate record rooms and only 51% of the court complexes have a library.

Fourthly, only 5% of the court complexes have basic medical facilities and only 51% of the court complexes have a library.

Fifthly, only 27% of the courtrooms have a computer placed on the judge’s dais with a video conferencing facility.

What is the scheme for judicial infrastructure?

The government of India has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary since 1993-94.

The current fund-sharing pattern of the scheme stands at 60:40 (Centre: State) and 90:10 for the eight northeastern and three Himalayan States. The Union Territories get 100% funding.

However, the funds allocated under this scheme are severely underutilized, since it was introduced. For example, five states in 2019-20 did not utilize 90% of the funds allocated.

What is the solution suggested by the CJI?

The Chief Justice of India has proposed the creation of the National Judicial Infrastructure Authority of India (NJIAI).

Purpose: It will take control of the budgeting and infrastructure development of subordinate courts in the country.

The NJIAI could work as a central agency, with each state having its own State Judicial Infrastructure Authority.

The Chief Justice of India could be the patron-in-chief of the NJIAI and one of the Supreme Court judges nominated by the Chief Justice could be the executive chairman.

But, unlike NALSA which is serviced by the Ministry of Law and Justice, the proposed NJIAI would be placed under the Supreme Court of India.

Poverty ratio 32.75% in rural areas against 8.81% in urban: NITI report

Source: This post is based on the article “Poverty ratio 32.75% in rural areas against 8.81% in urban: NITI report” published in Business Standard on 6th December 2021.

What is the News?

Recently, Niti Aayog has released India’s first National MPI (multidimensional poverty index). The index is based on the findings of the fourth National Health Family Survey (2015-16).

This index calculated the poverty ratio on the basis of three dimensions of MPI– health, education, and standard of living — with each having a weighting of one-third in the index. 

What are the key findings of National MPI?

Source: Business Standard

Around 25.01% of the Indian population is multidimensionally poor.

There is a rural-urban disparity in the spread of poverty. The poverty ratio was as high as 32.75% in rural areas during 2015. On the other hand, the poverty ratio in urban areas was around 8.81% in 2015.

This means ​that around 288 million people in rural areas and close to 38 million in urban areas were poor in 2015.

This pattern was the same in states and Union Territories in varying degrees — a greater proportion of the poor in villages than in urban areas — except for Delhi, which is predominantly a city-state.

What do the earlier reports say about poverty?

Tendulkar Report: It showed the proportion of the poor in the rural population declined to 25.7% from 33.8%, while that in the urban population came down to 21.9% from 29.8% between 2009-10 and 2011-12. This method took those spending less than Rs 33 a day in urban areas and Rs 27 a day in the rural areas as poor.

Rangarajan Report: According to this report, the poor constituted 30.9% of the rural population during 2011-12, against 39.6% during 2009-10. On the other hand, the urban poverty ratio fell to 29.5% from 38.2% over this period. The report took a person spending less than Rs 47 a day in cities and below Rs 32 a day in villages as poor.

First of the four ships under Survey Vessel (Large) project for Indian Navy launched in the presence of Raksha Rajya Mantri at GRSE, Kolkata

Source: This post is based on the article “First of the four ships under Survey Vessel (Large) project for Indian Navy launched in the presence of Raksha Rajya Mantri at GRSE, Kolkata” published in PIB on 5th December 2021.

What is the News?

The Indian Navy has launched Sandhayak, a survey vessel, in Kolkata.

What is Sandhayak?

‘Sandhayak’ is one of the first of the four Survey Vessels (Large) projects being built for the Indian Navy.

Developed by: Defence Public Sector Undertaking, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited.

Purpose:

• To conduct a full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic survey of ports and harbors and determination of navigational channels and routes.
• To collect oceanographic and geophysical data for defense as well as civil applications and
• To perform roles such as Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief, besides serving as hospital ships with limited facilities during emergencies.

Name: The ship has taken its name from the first ship of the erstwhile Sandhayak-class survey ships.

Features:  The vessel will have over 80% indigenous content. It is also propelled by two marine diesel engines combined with fixed pitch propellers and fitted with bow and stern thrusters, enabling it to manoeuvre at a low speed during surveys.

What the new wage rate index series means for salaries?

Source: This post is based on the article “What the new wage rate index series means for salaries” published in Livemint On 1st Dec 2021.

What is the News?

The Union Labour Ministry has revised the Wage Rate Index by setting the new base year at 2016 which will replace the old series with base of 1963-65. 

What is the Wage Rate Index?

Wage Rate Index is a vital economic indicator that measures changes in the wage level in selected industries.

Released by: Labour Bureau, an attached office of the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

What are the changes made to the wage rate index? 

Source: Livemint

Change in Base year: The base year has been changed from 1963-65 to 2016.

Half Year Basis: The new WRI will now be compiled on a half-year basis (on the first of January and July every year) as against the annual in the existing series.

Basket of Goods: The previous series covered 21 industries. But the new one covers 37 including 30 from the manufacturing sector and three each from the mining and plantation sectors.

What is the significance of the changes in the Wage Rate Index?

The government periodically revises the base year for major economic indicators to reflect the changes in the economy and to capture the wage pattern of workers.

Hence, the revised base will be more representative and play a critical role in determining the minimum wages and national floor wages, along with other parameters.

Moreover, companies can use the data to finalize corporate strategies by comprehending the likely expenditure on employee compensation, consequent per unit cost, marketing strategy, and assessing the viability of the business.

Launch of All India EdTech Challenge and Master Class Series 2021-2022 by Atal Innovation Mission

Source: This post is based on the article “Launch of All India EdTech Challenge and Master Class Series 2021-2022 by Atal Innovation Mission” published in PIB on 6th December 2021.

What is the News?

Atal Innovation Mission(AIM), Amazon Web Services(AWS) and the Global EdTech Accelerator -UIncept have joined hands to organise the ‘All India EdTech Challenge and Master Class Series’ for early and advanced stage EdTech founders.

What is the All India EdTech Challenge and Master Class Series Initiative?

Aim: To nurture EdTech companies and startups who are in pre and post-minimum viable product (MVP) stages.

Features: The initiative will help EdTech identify industry gaps and clearly define clear problem statements in the last mile; conduct focussed sessions on product-market fit, go-to-market strategy, customer discovery, Master Class series to provide them exposure to business fundamentals, and more.

Eligibility: The challenge is open for Indian Edtech startups having a unique combination of talent, ideas, creativity, competitiveness, perseverance, and passion.

Tracks: The challenge will have two tracks: 1) Pre EdTech MVP startup challenge for existing and aspiring EdTech entrepreneurs. 2) Post EdTech MVP Challenge will be aimed to bring existing EdTech entrepreneurs closer to universities, schools, venture capital firms, and policymakers and enable funding opportunities.

Explained: Konyak tribe numbers make them crucial to peace talks

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: Konyak tribe numbers make them crucial to peace talks” published in Indian Express on 6th December 2021.

What is the News?

At Least 14 civilians were killed in the firing by security forces in Mon District in Nagaland. The civilians killed in this incident belonged to the Konyak Community.

About Konyak Tribe

​​Konkyak is one of the major tribes of Nagaland that reside mostly in the Mon district. They are also found in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Myanmar.

Note: Mon is the only district in Nagaland where separatist group NSCN (IM) has not been able to set up base camps, largely due to resistance from the Konyaks.

Features: A distinct group of Konyaks is easily recognized by their tattooed faces.

Occupation: They are traditional hunters and warriors of Nagaland, but now their main occupation is agriculture.

Festivals:

Aoling Festival: It is a festival celebrated by the Konyak Naga people. It celebrates the arrival of spring and prays for a good upcoming harvest.

Lao-Ong Mo Festival also known as the Post-harvest festival is celebrated by the Konyak tribe to signify the winding up of all harvest activities, norms, and rituals that were practiced or adhered to by every household.

KVIC Rolls Out Project RE-HAB in Assam to Prevent Elephant – Human Conflicts Using Tiny Bees

Source: This post is based on the article “KVIC Rolls Out Project RE-HAB in Assam to Prevent Elephant – Human Conflicts Using Tiny Bees” published in PIB On 5th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has launched Project RE-HAB (Reducing Elephant-Human Attacks using Bees) in Assam.

What is Project RE-HAB?

Project RE-HAB is a sub-mission of KVIC’s National Honey Mission. 

Under this Project, “Bee-fences” are created by setting up bee boxes in the passageways of elephants to block their entrance to human territories. 

The boxes are connected with a string so that when elephants attempt to pass through, a tug or pull causes the bees to swarm the elephant herds and dissuade them from progressing further.

Where was this project earlier launched?

Project RE-HAB was earlier launched in Kodagu district of Karnataka in March 2021. In just 6 months, this project has reduced elephant attacks by over 70%.

What is the significance of this Project?

Firstly, this project is a cost-effective way of reducing human-wild conflicts without causing any harm to the animals. 

Secondly, it is scientifically recorded that elephants are annoyed by the honey bees. Elephants also fear that the bee swarms can bite their sensitive inner side of the trunk and eyes. Hence, this project will force elephants to return and prevent Elephant – Human Conflicts.

11TH Edition of Joint INDO-MALDIVES Training Exercise ‘EX EKUVERIN’

Source: This post is based on the article “INDIAN ARMY CONTINGENT LEAVES FOR 11TH EDITION OF JOINT INDO-MALDIVES TRAINING EXERCISE ‘EX EKUVERIN’” published in PIB On 5th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

The 11th Edition of Exercise EKUVERIN between India & Maldives will be conducted at Kadhdhoo Island, Maldives.

What is Exercise EKUVERIN?

Exercise Ekuverin (meaning ‘Friends’ in the Maldivian language) is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Maldives since 2009.

Aim: To enhance synergy & interoperability between the Armed Forces of both the Nations in terms of understanding transnational terrorism both on land & at sea, conducting Counter Terrorism & Counter Insurgency Operations, and sharing best military practices and experiences.

The exercise is held alternatively in India and Maldives.

The 10th edition of the exercise was held in Maharashtra, India.

What are the other exercises between India and Maldives?

Exercise Dosti: It is a Biennial Trilateral Coast Guard Exercise between India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.