9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – October 13th, 2022

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• The Court and the problem with its collegium
• Measure topography to ensure the equitable delivery of goods and services to all
• Donors R Us: It’s absurd that police confuses online crowdfunding with begging. Stop fraud not charity

GS Paper 3

• FDI and the ordinary Indian
• Oil & Gas: A discouraging history
• Disintermediation: An overblown bank scare
• The war against illegal goods as India’s fight
• We need a forest-led COP27

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• The grandeur of the Chola Empire, one of the longest ruling dynasties in South India
• Home Minister to launch Hindi version of first-year MBBS books on Oct. 16
• No more indictment under Section 66A of IT Act: Supreme Court
• Tamil Nadu notifies India’s first slender loris sanctuary
• Sloth Bear: A day to explore bear necessities
• Army prepares road map for induction of electric vehicles
• Living Planet Report-Shrinking biodiversity: 69% drop in wildlife populations in nearly 5 decades, shows report
• Languages panel recommendations and a fresh ‘Hindi imposition’ row
• Govt amends Multi State Cooperative Societies Act to bring in transparency
• IISc retains top position, 8 IITs in overall list: THE World University Rankings
• Cabinet approves new Scheme “Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) for the remaining four years of the 15th Finance Commission from 2022-23 to 2025-26

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

The Court and the problem with its collegium

News: The Chief Justice of India, Justice U.U. Lalit is set to vacate his office on November 8, 2022. He along with his collegium has the task to name the successor for the next CJI but it seems there have been problems with the names.

What are the problems with the collegium system, as per the author?

Following are the issues, as per the author of the source article Sriram Panchu. He is a Senior Advocate of Madras High Court.

The problem with collegium is that there is no one in the collegium to check the problems and working of the collegium.

It is an extra-constitutional body brought in existence by the judgments if the Supreme Court which provides power of appointment to the judges only and thus creating issues.

The Constitution of India provided that the President of India will appoint the judges of the after consulting the court. However, the judgements of the SC for the collegium have reversed it and appointment has been done by the court with the consultation with the government.

Further, there is no seat in the collegium for any non-judge neither from the executive, the Bar or anywhere else to raise the functioning of the collegium.

The SC also struck down National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC). It comprised three judges, the Law Minister and two eminent persons to handle the task of appointing judges.

There were concerns that three judges in NJAC may be overruled in the appointment of judges.

However, the probable option could have been to struck down the second eminent person from the Act and secure a situation where the judges were in the majority.

This could have secured judicial primacy, with some executive involvement as well as had one person representing a larger public constituency. This would have been generated accountability in the appointment of judges.

What are other problems with the appointment of judges and what can be the course of action?

There have been no appointments from the category of distinguished jurists stated in Article 124 of the Constitution.

Further, appointments to the top court seem to be the preserve of judges from the High Courts along with a few appointments from the Bar.

Therefore, there is a need to secure a better, broad-based and transparent method of appointing senior judges to the High Courts and the Supreme Court.

Measure topography to ensure the equitable delivery of goods and services to all

News- The article explains the creation of the Finance Commission. It also explains the need for improvement in methodology for fund transfers to states by the Finance Commission.

What is the history behind the Finance Commission?

Government of India Act, 1935 had provision for grants in aid to provinces in need of assistance.

Niemeyer Report (1936), Krishnamachari Enquiry Committee Report (1949) and Sarkar Committee Report (1948) also suggested creation of such a body.

What is the logic behind creation of the Finance Commission?

The basic idea behind its creation is equity between states.

State has to provide a basket of goods and services. The states have differential sources of revenue. Cost of delivering these things also varies across states.

The cost of delivering social and physical infrastructure also varies across states.

Why topographical area rather than geographical area needs to be considered for devolution of funds to states?

Calculating the costs is not easy. The Finance Commission has more challenging tasks vertical as well as horizontal distribution of resources.

There are broadly three approaches used by the Finance Commission to measure fiscal capacity- (a) expenditure equalisation based on costs of public services; (b) revenue equalisation measured by the ability of the state to raise revenue from one or more sources; and (c) macro-indicators that estimate fiscal capacity.

The cost of expenditure incurred by states is mostly measured through geographical area and population. Larger the area, the larger the expenditure.

But geographical area alone is not sufficient to calculate the expenditure requirement. Topography also matters. The cost of infrastructure creation is not the same across plains and hilly areas.

Cost calculation should be based on topographical area. Improvement in technology has made it possible to calculate it.

Donors R Us: It’s absurd that police confuses online crowdfunding with begging. Stop fraud not charity

News- The article explains the issue related to the new phenomena of crowdfunding for charitable purposes.

Recently a show-cause notice was served on a crowdfunding platform. The Bombay high court has asked the state to answer whether private organizations are permitted to do online crowdfunding for medical treatments.

Why should government agencies not discourage crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding has very diversified interests in the world today. It’s a very competitive sector. So, using images of children for children causes to appeal to potential donors is understandable. It is not begging.

Their business helped many families pay medical bills during the pandemic.

India has gross inequalities and poor health services. Crowdfunding can help deprived families in many ways.

What measures should be taken by different stakeholders to stop the fraudulent practices?

Complaints of fraud should be seriously investigated. It should be punished through IPC provisions against criminal breach of trust and cheating.

Donors should do due diligence while making contributions.

GS Paper 3

FDI and the ordinary Indian

News: There have been views that India is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. However, India has not been able to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as it should have been.

Does the improvement of rank in EoDB increases FDI?

India has improved in the rankings of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2020 but there has been a high unemployment rate.

The improvement in EoDB rankings has also not resulted in more the Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) inflows.

The FDI in India has seen a dip in 2021 and the dismal condition of SMEs have also been unable to attract FDIs.

Whereas, China ranked second in terms of FDI despite an EoDB ranking of 31 in 2019 whereas India ranked 63 in EoDB but it ranked seventh in FDI.

What is the importance of SMEs and what are the issues they are facing?

Majority of the parameters of the EoDB represents the views of larger corporations. However, investor might look for the ease of business most of the Small and Medium Businesses (SMEs) having in a country. However, SMEs are not getting the similar environment, as big corporations are getting.

SMEs face many issues such as getting permits, licenses, and the high cost of electricity. The owners of SMEs have to rely on local contacts to sort issues related to permits and licenses.

The license-permit regimes are relatively less oppressive in the IT sector compared to SMEs.

The ranking of India in EoDB was improved with the improvements in resolving insolvency rankings with the introduction of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. However, it is meaningless for SMEs because they lack the ability to access the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code processes.

Moreover, the current government has come up with Production-Linked Incentive scheme (PLI) to improve the Indian business environment and attract foreign investment.

However, there is a doubt on the efficiency of the scheme as it is new.

What are the problems with the present policies to attract FDI?

The backward-area investment incentive does not work. It proves that the business environment cannot be improved by compensatory policies. Companies start to leave as soon as the sunset clauses come to an end.

Import substitution which is also present in the PLI schemes has proved to be a failure in the seventies and eighties.

Incentives are needed for a long term as India will have to constantly compete with rivals (Vietnam and Indonesia) in the global investment race.

Therefore, government should work with its ordinary people like the small-scale entrepreneur in order to attract FDI.

Oil & Gas: A discouraging history

News: The government is set to put the exploration licences for 42 hydrocarbon blocks for auction in the next round of its licensing process.

The government hopes that there will be reasonable private sector participation in this auction.

However, the target of exploration of 1 million square kilometres seems difficult to be met.

What are the problems associated with the exploration of hydrocarbon blocks?

The new Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) was announced to provide a licensing mechanism and pricing formulae. The first round of 55 blocks was auctioned in January 2018.

The government announced that companies could select blocks of their choice and they have freedom over marketing and pricing. However, this liberalization process did not attract foreign Oil Companies and among the Indian private sector Vedanta was only interested.

This shows that implementation of the HELP system was not successful as it was an attempt to attract global investment into the sector.

Further, the HELP system has not performed up to the expectations as there were only 26-billion-dollar oil and gas deals between 2011 and 2021.

Why private sectors are not interested in exploration of hydrocarbons in India?

The past disagreements on tax demands on Cairn, the dispute over KG-D6 production have raised concerns over private participation from foreign countries.

The private sector’s lack of interest in the downstream sector also shows that they have a lack of trust of making enough profits in India.

Therefore, there is a need for the government to come up with laws and policies that attract foreign investment in this sector.

Disintermediation: An overblown bank scare

News: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently outlined a plan for the proposal of e-rupee which is a digital currency.

The proposal sets aside intermediaries like banks from the involvement in e-rupee. However, the Nobel Prize winner in economics this year, highlights the vital role of financial intermediation played by banks in an economy.

What will be the advantages of e-rupee?

First, an e-rupee can easily attract savings as it will bear an RBI promise.

Second, money held in cash-like e-token form would be a very safe asset when compared to an account at a bank that requires transfers via UPI which looks ‘digital’ but is not risk-free. Further, offering interest on e-rupee can increase the deposits.

Third, lenders could borrow funds from RBI to on-lend and to sharpen their skills of pricing credit risk.

Therefore, retail deposits play an important role in credit expansion.

The war against illegal goods as India’s fight

News- The article explains the impacts of high inflation on the illegal goods market. It also provides suggestions to stop these practices.

Inflation has remained in double digits since April 2021.It was recorded at 12.41% in August.

What are the impacts of high inflation?

Parallel economy– The high inflation leads to a search for cheaper alternatives. It gives rise to a parallel economy. Cheaper goods from China flood the Indian market.

Illegal goods market– Search for cheaper alternatives give rise to the illegal goods market. It leads to loss of taxation revenues for the government.

According to the FICCI’s CASCADE report the illicit market is thriving in five key Indian industries. This includes mobile phones, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) -household and personal goods, packaged foods, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages.

The size of the illicit market in these industries was valued at ₹2,60,094 crore in 2019-20. The estimated tax loss to the Government due to illicit goods in these industries has been estimated to be ₹58,521 crore.

According to a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, in 2018 India ranked low in the Global Illicit Trade Environment Index. It needs quantifiable actions to bring down the risks of illicit trade on the economy.

What should be the course of action?

Improve the taxation structure– Government should rationalize the taxation structure. It should incentivize local manufacturers to make world-class goods.

Global brands should be encouraged to manufacture in India provided they can offer India-specific pricing. They should not be allowed to remit royalties and profits out of the country earned from goods being consumed by Indians. This type of model is followed by China.

Law enforcement– Strict enforcement can stop the inflow of low-quality smuggled goods. Enforcement can be improved by using cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and location technology.

Awareness generation– The Government must also increase consumer awareness so that people boycott smuggled, counterfeit and poor-quality goods.

We need a forest-led COP27

News- The article explains the need of moving away from technological solutions and having a forest-led approach to tackle climate change.

There are calls for developing technology to fight climate change across the world.

COP26 at Glasgow also emphasised on technological solutions.

Why technology alone is not sufficient to fight climate change?

Every technological solution discussed at COP26 depends on just three resources: non-emitting electricity, carbon capture and storage (CCS) or biomass.

The total demand for those resources required by the plans discussed at COP26 cannot be met by 2050. We currently have 4kWh/day of non-emitting electricity per person. But the COP26 plans require 32. We currently have 6kg of Carbon capture and storage per person per year, but the COP26 plans require 3600.

In 2003, Carnegie Institution found that the world would need a nuclear plant every day between 2000 and 2050 to avoid catastrophic climate change.

In 2018, MIT Technology Review reported that at the given rate, the world will take nearly 400 years to transform the energy system.

What forest led approach is needed to tackle climate change?

Our climate crisis is linked with other complex issues. We need multi-pronged, interconnected climate solutions. There is an intersection of the climate change crisis and the biodiversity crisis. Forests are home to 80% of terrestrial wildlife. Therefore they need protection.

Forests absorb a net 7.6 billion metric tonnes of CO2 a year. A new study has found that they have a tendency to cool the earth by an additional 0.5%.

The conservation of forests along with other nature-based solutions are needed. It can provide up to 37% of the emissions reductions needed to tackle climate change.

Why is there a need for conserving natural sinks?

The IPCC Land Report estimates that land serves as a large CO2 sink.

Emission reduction can be achieved by conserving natural sinks, improving biodiversity protection, and restoring ecosystems.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

The grandeur of the Chola Empire, one of the longest ruling dynasties in South India

Source: The post is based on the article “The grandeur of the Chola Empire, one of the longest ruling dynasties in South India” published in The Hindu on 13^th October 2022.

What is the News?

After the Ponniyin Selvan I movie, based on Kalki’s creation of a world of the Cholas, there is a renewed interest in knowing more about one of the oldest and longest-ruling dynasties in the history of Southern India spreading over four centuries.

What are the sources of the Chola kingdom?

Literary sources: The best option to know more about the ancient civilisation is to read from the available literature that talks of the valour and conquests of Chola kings of yore, their trade links and wealth, styles of administration, art and architecture, and cuisine and skills of the period.

For instance, 1) details of the Chola kings in Tamil Sangam literature such as Pattinappalai and Puranaanooru was brought to print by U.V. Swaminatha Ayyar.

2) The Mahavamsa (which tells the history of Sri Lanka), Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and other notes by Chinese and Arabian travellers to India also have many details about them.

3) Japanese historian Noboru Karashimahas has written insightful volumes on the Cholas’ economic, social and administrative prowess.

4) Besides that, books and novels by scholars and modern writers on the Dravidian kingdom also reveal more important information.

Other sources: The monumental relics, majestic bronzes and 1,00,000 inscriptions, and temples also reveal details about the Cholas.

About the era of the Chola kingdom

Literary works: Kalingathu Parani by Jayam kondar, Kamba Ramayanam by Kambar, Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar were written during the reign of Kulothunga I and II.

Architectural achievements: The construction of the Brihadeeshwara Temple in Thanjavur was done by Raja Raja I. Similarly, Gangai konda Chozhapuram was built by Rajendra I, and the Airavateswara Temple at Dharasuram was done by Rajaraja III.

Home Minister to launch Hindi version of first-year MBBS books on Oct. 16

Source: The post is based on the article “Home Minister to launch Hindi version of first-year MBBS books on Oct. 16” published in The Hindu on 13^th October 2022.

What is the News?

Union Home Minister will launch the Hindi versions of first-year MBBS textbooks in Bhopal. With this, Madhya Pradesh will inch closer to becoming the first State to provide medical education in Hindi.

The books have been prepared by a panel of 97 doctors over the past eight to nine months.

What are the advantages of Hindi versions of MBBS textbooks?

a) The initiative would change mindsets and prove that one could progress in life even after being educated in the Hindi medium, b) The move would make students feel proud of their mother tongue.

What are the concerns associated with the Hindi versions of MBBS textbooks?

a) Hindi-centric approach might rob students of crucial opportunities, and also have practical difficulties involved, b) If such a move was made compulsory, then people may only be able to work in the Hindi-speaking States, and c) Medical education involved going through a lot of reference books that are in English, and a mix of languages could cause confusion.

No more indictment under Section 66A of IT Act: Supreme Court

Source: The post is based on the article “No more indictment under Section 66A of IT Act: Supreme Court” published in The Hindu on 13^th October 2022.

What is the News?

The Supreme Court ordered States and their police forces to stop prosecuting free speech on social media under Section 66A of the Information Technology Act which was declared unconstitutional by the court in a judgment seven years ago.

What is Section 66A of the IT Act?

Section 66A had prescribed three years’ imprisonment if a social media message caused “annoyance” or was found “grossly offensive”.

The SC has struck down Section 66A as “vague” and “chilling”. But despite that the police continued to pick out people and prosecute them under the Section. The court found this as “distressing” and “shocking.”

What did the SC say about section 66A?

The court held that “all Directors General of Police as well as Home Secretaries of the States and competent officers in Union Territories to instruct their entire police force in their respective States/Union Territories not to register any complaint of crime with respect to alleged violation of Section 66A”.

However, the court clarified that this direction would apply only to a charge under Section 66A and not extend to other offences in a case.

Tamil Nadu notifies India’s first slender loris sanctuary

Source: The post is based on the article “Tamil Nadu notifies India’s first slender loris sanctuary” published in The Hindu on 13^th October 2022.

What is the News?

In a first in the country, the Tamil Nadu government has notified the Kaduvur slender loris sanctuary. The sanctuary will cover 11,806 hectares in Karur and Dindigul districts.

What is the need for Kaduvur slender loris sanctuary?

The survival of the species depends on habitat improvement, conservation and mitigation of threats. There is great demand for keeping slender loris as pets. So, they are illegally smuggled.

Habitat loss, electrocution of live wires and road accidents are other threats that have caused its populations to destabilise. So, there is a need for immediate conservation of Slender loris species.

About the Slender loris

Slender lorises are small nocturnal mammals. They are arboreal as they spend most of their life on trees.

Conservation status

IUCN red list: Endangered species

CITES: Appendix II

Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972: Schedule I

The species acts as a biological predator of pests in agricultural crops and benefits farmers.

Sloth Bear: A day to explore bear necessities

Source: The post is based on the article “A day to explore bear necessities” published in The Hindu on 13^th October 2022.

What is the News?

The first World Sloth Bear Day was observed recently to generate awareness and strengthen conservation efforts around the unique bear species endemic to the Indian subcontinent.

About Sloth Bear

The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) was an important species and endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Sloth bears were omnivorous and survived on termites, ants and fruits.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

CITES: Appendix I

Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972: Schedule I

Habitat: Around 90% of the species’ population is found in India. A small population of bears is also found in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Characteristics:

Sloth bears are very fond of honey, hence their alternative name of “honey bear”.
Sloth bears do not hibernate.

Threats: a) For a long time, sloth bears were exploited as dancing bears by the nomadic Kalandar community members, b) There has been a rise of incidents of human sloth bear conflict in States like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra among other states, c) Habitat loss, and d) They are also poached for body parts and hunted because of their aggressive behaviour and destruction of crops.

Army prepares road map for induction of electric vehicles

Source: The post is based on the article “Army prepares road map for induction of electric vehicles” published in The Hindu on 13^th October 2022.

What is the News?

The Army has planned a road map to induct electric vehicles (EVs) wherever possible considering the operational commitment.

About the Army’s road map for the induction of EVs

Present status of EVs in the Army: The Army has already started using EVs as part of civil hired transport. Stations such as Delhi Cantonment have already established charging stations to support EVs being hired or inducted subsequently.

Factors considered for the road map: Various factors unique to the Indian Army’s employability, remote locations of employment and operational commitments were considered to arrive at a definite time-bound road map.

Salient features of the road map

More procurement of EVs: The existing shortage of buses would be fulfilled by procuring electric buses for select peace establishments for initial exploitation.

Around 25% of light vehicles, 38% of buses and 48% of motorcycles of select units and formations will be changed to EVs with adequate charging infrastructure.

Charging infrastructure: To enable a viable EV ecosystem as part of the overall plan, the required support infrastructure is being created. EV charging points on the parking lots of offices and residential complexes for charging are being set up, which will have at least one fast charger and two or three slow chargers.

This also includes electric circuit cables and transformers with adequate load-bearing capability based on the anticipated number of EVs per station. Solar panel-driven charging stations are also planned in phases.

Living Planet Report-Shrinking biodiversity: 69% drop in wildlife populations in nearly 5 decades, shows report

Source: The post is based on the article “Shrinking biodiversity: 69% drop in wildlife populations in nearly 5 decades, shows report” published in the Indian Express on 13^th October 2022.

What is the News?

Recently, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released the Living Planet Report.

About the Living Planet Report

It is a biennial report produced by the Zoological Society of London. The report measures how species are responding to pressure in the environment due to biodiversity loss and climate change.

What are the key findings of the Living Planet Report?

Global findings of the Living Planet Report

Wild life populations: Monitored wildlife populations — including mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish — have seen a 69% drop between 1970 and 2018.

Latin America and the Caribbean regions have seen the largest decline of monitored wildlife populations globally, with an average decline of 94% between 1970 and 2018.

During the same period, monitored populations in Africa plummeted by 66%, while Asia Pacific’s monitored populations fell by 55%.

Oceans: The global abundance of 18 of 31 oceanic sharks have declined by 71% over the last 50 years. By 2020 three-quarters of sharks and rays were threatened with extinction.

Most threatened species: Freshwater populations have declined the most, with an average 83% decline between 1970 and 2018.

Cycads — an ancient group of seed plants — are the most threatened species, while corals are declining the fastest, followed by amphibians.

The Bramble Cay melomys, a small Australian rodent, was declared extinct after sea-level rise.

Mangroves: Despite their importance, mangroves continue to be deforested by aquaculture, agriculture and coastal development at a rate of 0.13% annually.

Main drivers of wildlife population decline: a) Habitat degradation and loss, b) exploitation, c) the introduction of invasive species, d) pollution, e) climate change and disease, f) Land-use change and g) Rising temperatures.

Agriculture is the most prevalent threat to amphibians. Hunting and trapping are most likely to threaten birds and mammals.

Findings of the Living Planet Report related to India

Vulnerable regions: The Himalayan region and the Western Ghats are some of the most vulnerable regions in the country in terms of biodiversity loss, and where increased biodiversity loss is expected in future if temperatures are to increase.

Decline in species: India has seen a decline in the population of honeybees and 17 species of freshwater turtles in this period.

Sundarbans: 137 km of the Sundarbans mangrove forest have been eroded since 1985, reducing land and ecosystem services for many of the 10 million people who lived there.

River ecosystem: Rivers in India are no longer free-flowing. This has threatened migration of fish.

Appreciated India’s conservation efforts: India has seen successes such as Project Tiger, or (projects for) the one-horned rhino and lions. Projects like the recent cheetah translocation are therefore good in the preservation of species.

Languages panel recommendations and a fresh ‘Hindi imposition’ row

Source: The post is based on the article “Languages panel recommendations and a fresh ‘Hindi imposition’ row” published in the Indian Express on 13^th October 2022.

What is the News?

The committee of Parliament on Official Language has submitted its 11th report to the President.

About the Committee of Parliament on Official Language

It was set up in 1976 under Section 4 of The Official Languages Act of 1963.

Chaired by: Union Home Minister

Members: 30 (20 MPs from Lok Sabha and 10 MPs from Rajya Sabha)

Objective: To review the progress made in the use of Hindi for official purposes, and to make recommendations to increase the use of Hindi in official communications.

Unique features of the committee: a) Unlike the other Parliamentary panels( constituted by the Parliament), this Committee is constituted by the Home Ministry, b) The panel submits its report to the President not to Parliament like other panels.

About the previous committees of Parliament on Official Language

The first Report of the Committee was submitted in 1987. The Ninth Report was submitted in 2011. In 2011, the committee made 117 recommendations, including suggestions to increase the use of Hindi in computers in government offices.

The Committee recommends that all Ministries/Departments should immediately provide facilities of bilingual computers and should train officials…so that they can work in Hindi also.

What are the major recommendations of the committee of Parliament on Official Language?

Does the recommendation apply to every state government?

No. States like Tamil Nadu and Kerala are exempt as per The Official Languages Act, 1963 and the Rules and Regulations (of the Act), 1976. The law is implemented only in ‘A’ category states, in which the official language is Hindi.

Region ‘A’ includes the states of Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, and the Union Territories of Delhi and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Region ‘B’ includes Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab, and the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Other states, where the use of Hindi is less than 65 per cent, are listed under region ‘C’.

Govt amends Multi State Cooperative Societies Act to bring in transparency

Source: The post is based on the article “Govt amends Multi State Cooperative Societies Act to bring in transparency” published in the Business Standard on 13^th October 2022.

What is the News?

Recently, the Cabinet has approved the extensive amendments to the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act (MSCS). The Act was last amended in 2002.

What are the Multi-state Cooperative Societies, and What is the need for this amendment?

India, at present, has nearly 800,000 cooperative societies of which around 1,600 are MSCS. They serve the interest of members in more than one state. These include some big names like IFFCO, Kribhco and Nafed.

What are the salient features of the amendment?

Make the functioning of the board transparent: This is done through processes such as registration becoming simpler and seats can be reserved for women, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe candidates in coop boards.

Formation of specific bodies: The Bill also has specific provisions for setting up

a) Cooperative Election Authority will be formed to conduct free, fair and timely elections to coops. This, in turn, will help reduce incidents of complaints and malpractices. There is a provision to debar offenders for three years to bring in more electoral discipline.

b) Cooperative information officer: S/he will enhance transparency by providing members timely access to information.

c) Cooperative ombudsman: The ombudsman will provide a mechanism for redressal of member grievances in a structured fashion.

To increase ease of doing business: The Bill proposes to reduce the period of registration, with a provision for the applicants to seek additional time of two months for rectification of mistakes.

Encourages a comprehensive digital ecosystem: The Bill provides for electronic submission and issuance of documents, thus providing for a comprehensive digital ecosystem.

Applicability: For cooperative banks, the banking functions will be governed by the Banking Regulation Act. However, for all other operational issues of such entities, the MSCS Act and its new amendments will be at play.

IISc retains top position, 8 IITs in overall list: THE World University Rankings

Source: The post is based on the article “IISc retains top position, 8 IITs in overall list: THE World University Rankings” published in the Indian Express on 13^th October 2022.

What is the News?

The Times Higher Education has announced the results of World University Rankings-2023.

About THE World University Rankings

It is formerly known as The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES). It is a magazine reporting specifically on news and issues related to higher education.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings include 1,799 universities across 104 countries and regions, making them the largest and most diverse university rankings to date.

The ranking is based on 13 performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance across four areas: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

What are the key findings of THE World University Rankings-2023?

The University of Oxford has emerged as the best institute among 1,799 universities from 104 countries.

India is the sixth most represented country in the 2023 rankings with 75 ranked universities.

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is at the top position among Indian institutes, for its performance score for teaching and research. Globally, the IISc is placed in the 251-300 band. This is followed by Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences (351-400 band) and Tamil Nadu’s Algappa University.

Note: The ranking has been boycotted by most Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for the third consecutive year over transparency concerns.

Cabinet approves new Scheme “Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) for the remaining four years of the 15th Finance Commission from 2022-23 to 2025-26

Source: The post is based on the article “Cabinet approves new Scheme “Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) for the remaining four years of the 15th Finance Commission from 2022-23 to 2025-26” published in the PIB on 12^th October 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Cabinet has approved a new Scheme, Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) for the remaining four years of the 15th Finance Commission from 2022-23 to 2025-26.

What is PM-DevINE Scheme?

Type: Central Sector Scheme with 100% Central funding

Implemented by: Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).

Objectives: a) Fund infrastructure convergently, in the spirit of PM Gati Shakti; b) Support social development projects based on felt needs of the NER; c) Enable livelihood activities for youth and women; and d) Fill the development gaps in various sectors.