{"id":125322,"date":"2021-08-11T21:00:53","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T15:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=125322"},"modified":"2021-08-12T09:35:43","modified_gmt":"2021-08-12T04:05:43","slug":"9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-august-11th-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-august-11th-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 August 11th, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Dear Friends,<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-red\">\n<p>We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs.\u00a0What we sought to do:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today\u2019s newspaper are readily available to you.<\/li>\n<li>We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and adds value not just for GS but also for essay writing. Hence, the 9 PM brief now covers the following newspapers:\n<ol>\n<li><strong>The Hindu\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Indian Express\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Livemint\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Business Standard\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Times of India\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>We have also introduced the relevance part to every article. This ensures that you know why a particular article is important.<\/li>\n<li>Since these changes are new, so initially the number of articles might increase, but they&#8217;ll go down over time.<\/li>\n<li>It is our endeavor to provide you with the best content and your feedback is essential for the same. We will be anticipating your feedback and ensure the blog serves as an optimal medium of learning for all the aspirants.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>For previous editions of 9 PM Brief<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-brief\/\">Click Here<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>For individual articles of 9 PM Brief<\/strong>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/daily-current-affairs-summaries-for-upsc-exam\/\">Click Here<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center; background-color: powderblue;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;469777462&quot;:[418],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">Mains Oriented Articles\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>GS Paper 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#gs11\">Proposed amendments to Coal Bearing Areas Act will change land acquisition for mining: Experts<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs12\">Towards a new compact (On centre-state relations)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs13\">Undermining Justice<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs14\">Choppy Waters<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>GS Paper 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#gs21\">ISRO-SAC instrument finds presence of hydroxyl and water molecules on Moon<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs22\">Why India\u2019s military leaders must have a free and frank discussion on demarcation of air power roles and missions?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs23\">Our Harmed Forces: \u2018Merit\u2019 Principle Is Dangerous: Don\u2019t let politics enter that domain<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs24\">Transition from fossil fuels in India is a matter of politics, communities, federalism &amp; jobs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs25\">Fighting the climate change &#8211; India&#8217;s way ahead (On IPCC report)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs26\">Revisit the idea of \u2018aging out\u2019 India\u2019s coal plants<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs27\">Expiry of safeguard duty: Boon for solar developers, bane for manufacturers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs28\">The silent rise of Small Finance Banks (SFBs)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs29\">Indian startups deserve an easier shot at success<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs31\">The repeal of the retrospective tax shows Modi government means business on reforms<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs32\">Connecting India by inland waterways<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center; background-color: powderblue;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW98137723\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW98137723\">Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly<\/span><\/span>)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#f1\">\u201829% of students exposed to second-hand smoke\u2019<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f2\">PM launches Ujjwala 2.0 Scheme<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f3\">Union Home Minister chaired the 36th meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f4\">Steps taken by the Government for awareness about the Pusa Decomposer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f5\">Sultanpur, Bhindawas wetlands near Delhi get Ramsar tag<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f6\">West Africa records 1st death from \u2018highly infectious\u2019 Marburg virus<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f7\">Lok Sabha passes Constitution amendment Bill to restore states\u2019 powers on OBC list<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f8\">Scientists develop soft robotic actuators using porous carbon nanoparticles from waste onion peels<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#9\">What happened during NASA\u2019s first attempt to collect Mars samples with the Perseverance rover?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f11\">Expand food basket under PDS, says WHO scientist<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Mains Oriented Articles<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>GS Paper 2<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs11\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/proposed-amendments-to-coal-bearing-areas-act-will-change-land-acquisition-for-mining-experts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Proposed amendments to Coal Bearing Areas Act will change land acquisition for mining: Experts<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/news\/mining\/proposed-amendments-to-coal-bearing-areas-act-will-change-land-acquisition-for-mining-experts-78388\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Down to Earth<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS2 &#8211; Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Implications of the amendments to Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) [CBA] Act, 1957.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: The proposed amendments to the CBA Act are likely to grant more control to private corporations, make tribal land acquisition easy. An analysis.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the CBA Act?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957 provides for the acquisition of land containing, or likely to contain, coal deposits and for matters connected therewith. Under the provisions of this Act, the land is acquired for government companies only for coal mining and activities strictly incidental to mining.<\/p>\n<p>The law was primarily meant to\u00a0facilitate the acquisition of coal reserves\u00a0for Coal India Limited, a public undertaking with a significant role in India\u2019s energy production.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Proposed amendments<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The new amendment bill will bring three important changes:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Changes in federal structure of coal sector<\/strong>: The new amendments are likely to change the federal structure of the coal sector. The central government, after the bill is passed, would be responsible for the acquired land. However, once the acquisition is done, the land and mining rights would be delegated to the states which can lease the acquired land or coal deposits to an eligible company.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use of acquired land<\/strong>: The second big change would be regarding the use of acquired land. It could be used for constructing coal-related infrastructure, allied activities or other public purposes. The 1957 Act did not allow this. In fact, it clearly stated that the land acquired for the mining of coal could only be used for the extraction of coal. Apart from this, under the MMDR (Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation) Act, the miners are obligated to restore the land to its former condition after the completion of mining.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lignite (low-grade coal minerals) could now be mined along with coal<\/strong>. To this end, appropriate changes will also be made in the Colliery Control Rules, 2004 and Coal Blocks Allocation Rules, 2017.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #f7f2f2;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Must Read<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/does-india-need-more-coal-power\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Does India need more coal power?<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>Implications<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Land acquisition for coal mining<\/strong>: More than 80% of the country\u2019s coal reserves are in tribal areas. Most of them come under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. Both PESA and Forest Rights Act are applicable over this land, making prior consent of the local Gram Sabhas a constitutional provision. The process of land acquisition in these areas will become easier via these amendments.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Land-use:<\/strong> The acquired land would be allowed to be used for other purposes. The 1957 Act restricted land use for only coal mining. Coal India Ltd has acquired a lot of lands for coal mining. But now it could be used for building infrastructure and \u2018public purpose\u2019 projects.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Control beyond lease period:<\/strong> Through these proposed amendments, once the lease is granted, private companies would continue to have control over the acquired land even after mining activities are completed and will be able to continue ancillary activities.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs12\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/towards-a-new-compact-on-centre-state-relations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Towards a new compact (On centre-state relations)<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/opinion\/towards-a-new-compact-121081002133_1.html\">Business Standard<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2<\/strong>&#8211;\u00a0Issues and Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance:<\/strong>\u00a0 Bringing in the second generation of reforms &#8211; challenges and way forward<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis: <\/strong>\u00a0Without a collaborative arrangement between the Centre and the states, <strong>second generation reforms <\/strong>(Reforms in health, education, land, labour, electricity and agriculture) would become more contentious.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>The reach of economic reforms in the last 30 years remained limited to a few sectors of the economy.<\/li>\n<li>Further, much-needed reforms in the social sector like health, education, land, labour, electricity and agriculture have either been slow or non-existent.<\/li>\n<li>Without cooperative federalism, the progress of <strong>second-generation reforms<\/strong> could remain fraught with problems, agitations and delays.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Implementation of 2<sup>nd<\/sup> generation reforms &amp; challenges faced<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>1. Reforms in Agriculture<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>After decades of wait and deliberations, the present government introduced reforms in three agriculture-related laws.<\/li>\n<li>Their broad intent and objectives were unexceptionable, and the reforms to be achieved through them were long overdue.<\/li>\n<li>Yet, faced with the continuing long-drawn agitation by farmers and the Supreme Court\u2019s intervention, those agriculture reforms <strong>remain suspended.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2. Labour Reforms<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The new Labour Codes, ushering in the much-awaited flexibilities in labour laws, were passed a little more than a year ago and even gazetted.<\/li>\n<li>But the rules for these four Labour Codes are <strong>yet to be framed and notified,<\/strong> due to the lack of unanimity among the states.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>3. Power sector reforms<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The present government had recently proposed the next phase of electricity sector reforms via <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/electricity-amendment-bill-2021-explained-pointwise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">draft electricity amendment bill 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, by delicensing power distribution.<\/li>\n<li>But some states have already opposed the move, as they fear it could adversely affect the financial viability of the state-owned power distribution companies.<\/li>\n<li>The proposal on delicensing power distribution, potentially a big reform, now awaits how the political movement gathers momentum in the states.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>4. Land Reforms<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Early in the first term of the present government, the proposal on relaxing the land acquisition laws had met with strong political resistance.<\/li>\n<li>That <strong>move was dropped<\/strong> in deference to the collective lobbying of states and the Opposition political parties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What needs to be done?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>A new compact<\/strong>: The Indian Constitution does not give the Centre complete authority in framing laws pertaining to areas like and, labour, agriculture and electricity. So, the reform must take place in the governance framework, creating a new compact between the Centre and the states. The new compact must recognise and accept the <strong>need for a collaborative and consultative procedure <\/strong>to be followed for such policy changes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The states must be taken on board<\/strong> while the Centre plans to bring about reforms in land, labour, agriculture, electricity as also in health and education.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Learnings from GST<\/strong>: The learning from the way the GST was introduced needs to be studied. It was the consultative process that helped in persuading the states to give up their rights to independently fix tax rates for goods and services.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Conclusion <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A new governance framework should be devised to determine the relations between the Centre and the states. Till such time, the progress of reforms in health, education, land, labour, electricity and agriculture could remain fraught with problems, agitations and delays.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs13\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/undermining-justice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Undermining Justice<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/Home\/ShareArticle?OrgId=GQJ8S3G55.1&amp;imageview=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Hindu<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/why-the-collegium-system-while-the-best-for-judicial-appointments-needs-course-corrections-7447904\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Express<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/blogs\/toi-editorials\/where-are-the-judges-to-enforce-laws-effectively-fill-judicial-vacancies-resolve-ongoing-goi-sc-kerfuffle-fast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TOI<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS 2 \u2013 Polity, Judiciary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance:<\/strong> To understand the collegium system and Tribunals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong> Indian judiciary has come a long way from the decade of \u201970s where politics began to influence the Judiciary. With the arrival of tribunals, further Judicial reforms were expected. However, Judiciary is facing numerous problems.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Judicial appointments and collegium system:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Initially, the judiciary was free and without much political interference. However, this changed in the &#8217;70s when politics influenced the appointments of Judges. This came to be tested in the ADM Jabalpur case.<\/li>\n<li>Though Art 124(2) and 217 provided for the executive role in appointment, it was felt that the <strong>executive breached separation of powers by interfering in appointments<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>In 1982, S P Gupta case, SC gave its approval for supremacy of Government in judicial appointments. This 5 Judge Bench decision was overturned by 9 Judge Bench, which interpreted that <strong>consultation with CJI accorded primacy to Judiciary in judicial appointments<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>This was resented by Governments and in 2014 NJAC Act was introduced to strike a balance. But, this was struck down by the judiciary for violation of the Separation of powers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-collegium-system-explained-pointwise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here to read about Collegium System<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Issues with the collegium system:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>There have been instances of Nepotism with person links to Judges appointed as Judges in high courts.<\/li>\n<li>There are instances where the inferior persons against the All India Seniority of High court judges were appointed to SC.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tribunals <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tribunals, a quasi-judicial body, are aimed at quicker resolution of disputes following the process of natural justice. Many domain-specific tribunals were set following LPG reforms after HCs faced difficulty in the disposal of specialized matters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Issues with tribunals:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tribunals are now facing <strong>governance problems<\/strong> because of issues and deadlock between SC and GOI.\u00a0For instance, The SC judges who head statutory selection committees for tribunal vacancies have decided to stop working until 100 recommendations made since 2017 are appointed.<\/li>\n<li>The jurisdiction of high courts is being exercised by tribunals. Failures to adjudicate or dispose of cases amount to the denial of justice.<\/li>\n<li>Recent moves <strong>give greater control to the executive<\/strong> over tenure, emoluments and conditions of service, and the functioning of tribunals.<\/li>\n<li>The Memorandum of Procedure,\u00a0 which was meant to guide the post-NJAC collegium in judicial appointments remains in limbo.<\/li>\n<li>Pandemic further impacted High Courts. As their disposals crashed by 53% and pendency swelled by 4 Lakh cases.<\/li>\n<li>The government has further made them dysfunctional through<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/pendency-of-cases-and-rising-vacancies-in-the-judiciary-explained-pointwise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong> a large number of vacancies<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>The government has been reluctant to appoint a national body for overseeing the appointments to tribunals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Way forward:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The ease of doing business experience depends on the speed of disposal of litigation and the quality of justice. So the government and the Judiciary has to function together for the welfare of the public.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs14\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/choppy-waters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Choppy Waters<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong>Hindu<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong>GS- 2, IR, International organizations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance: <\/strong>Understanding UNCLOS and India\u2019s vision of maritime security.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis: <\/strong>India recently hosted the UNSC summit on maritime security. With such importance being given to the topic, understanding UNCLOS also becomes important.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Problems with UNCLOS: <\/strong>There is friction among many countries because of abuse of maritime rights &amp; disrespect of territorial rights of nations by leading powers like the USA, China, and Russia.<\/p>\n<p><strong>India\u2019s vision of Maritime security<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>To remove barriers to legitimize maritime trade through cooperation<\/li>\n<li>Peaceful resolution of the maritime dispute based on international law<\/li>\n<li>Collaboration in handling natural disasters and maritime threats created by non-state actors<\/li>\n<li>Preserving maritime environment and resources<\/li>\n<li>Encourage responsible maritime connectivity<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/pm-modi-outlines-five-point-framework-for-maritime-security-debate-at-unsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">India five point framework for Maritime Security<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Problems<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Illegitimate maritime claims by various actions like the entrance of vessels in other state waters.<\/li>\n<li>Unlawful access to maritime resources.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Way Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As UNCLOS is the only international convention that provides a framework for state jurisdiction in maritime spaces, India should advocate for ratification of UNCLOS by all major maritime powers like the USA<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-green\">\n<p><strong>Terms to know<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/united-nations-convention-on-the-law-of-the-sea-unclos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UNCLOS<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>GS Paper 3<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs21\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/isro-sac-instrument-finds-presence-of-hydroxyl-and-water-molecules-on-moon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ISRO-SAC instrument finds presence of hydroxyl and water molecules on Moon<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><b>Source<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/technology\/science\/isro-sac-instrument-finds-presence-of-hydroxyl-and-water-molecules-on-moon-7448012\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian express\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Syllabus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: GS 3 &#8211; Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Synopsis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The discovery of hydroxyl and water molecules on the moon would help in studying its mineralogy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Background<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chandrayaan-2 has detected the unambiguous <strong>presence of hydroxyl and water molecules<\/strong> on the Moon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The findings were confirmed by a paper published in the latest issue of the fortnightly journal Current Science.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The paper was authored by scientists from the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) in Dehradun, SAC in Ahmedabad, UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, and ISRO.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>About the Chandrayaan-2 mission<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was aimed to widen the scientific objectives of Chandrayaan-1 by way of soft landing on the Moon and deploying a rover to study the lunar surface.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, due to a failed soft landing, the lander, rover, and the associated five payloads were destroyed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonetheless, <\/span><b>the orbiter for mapping the lunar surface and studying the outer atmosphere of the Moon is continuously sending back crucial scientific data<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mission life of the Orbiter was planned to be of one year, but has exceeded expectations and is expected to serve for seven years.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Findings of the paper<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Imaging infrared spectrometer (IIRS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> onboard Chandrayaan 2 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has detected the <\/span><b>unambiguous presence of hydroxyl and water molecules <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on the Moon.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IIRS is an imaging instrument that collects information from the electromagnetic spectrum for understanding the mineral composition of the lunar surface. Under this, each element possesses a \u2018spectral signature\u2019 unique to itself.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was developed by the Ahmedabad-based unit of Space Applications Centre (SAC) of ISRO.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is capable of operating in the wavelength of 0.8 to 5 micrometres, which is greater than Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3).\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">M3 was used in Chandrayaan 1 for detecting water and operates in the range of 0.4 to 3 micrometres. It was developed by NASA.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The formation of water and hydroxyl occurs due to interaction of solar winds with the lunar surface, a process termed as \u2018space weathering\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Space weathering along with the impact from small meteorites often lead to chemical changes on the surface of the moon.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This ultimately leads to formation of either the reactive hydroxyl molecules or the more stable form of water molecules.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Significance of Discovery:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It will provide clues to understand the various sources and water production mechanisms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It will also provide important inputs regarding geology and geophysics of the mantle (of the moon) in terms of their mineralogy, chemical composition, rheology and solar\u2013wind interaction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The discovery is being hailed as critical for future planetary exploration and resource utilisation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs22\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/why-indias-military-leaders-must-have-a-free-and-frank-discussion-on-demarcation-of-air-power-roles-and-missions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Why India\u2019s military leaders must have a free and frank discussion on demarcation of air power roles and missions?<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: Indian Express<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3 &#8211; Various Security forces, agencies and their mandate<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Unresolved issues pertaining to inter-services cooperation of armed forces in India.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Indian Air Force is marred by a deep sense of insecurity over tri-service integration and the concept of jointness of armed forces. A historical perspective and a way forward.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>In India, there is no mutually agreed upon or government-mandated demarcation of aviation roles and missions. This has left Indian Air Force with a deep sense of insecurity.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Historical context<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Debate b\/w IAF &amp; IN<\/strong>: The 1970s witnessed a bitter debate between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy (IN) about the discharge of the maritime reconnaissance (MR) role, which the air force had inherited at independence. After the penetration in 1971 of our waters by Pakistani submarines, the government decided to hand over the MR role and aircraft to the Indian Navy in 1976.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Demands by Army for an integral air arm<\/strong>: The Indian Army, too, had been demanding the creation of an integral air arm, citing unsatisfactory aviation support by the IAF in forward areas. The inter-services issue was resolved after the government intervened in 1986 and sanctioned the transfer of assets from the IAF to the newly formed <strong>Army Aviation Corps.<\/strong> The controversy did not end here, as <strong>control of attack helicopters remained an issue<\/strong> of inter-service contention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>IAF&#8217;s issues with jointness<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The fear IAF has of tri-service integration can be seen in above context. The IAF, having seen sister services appropriate its roles and assets, remained cautious about <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/what-is-military-jointness-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">jointness.<\/a><\/strong><\/span> Concepts of <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answereddiscuss-the-role-and-significance-of-chief-of-defence-staff-cds-how-it-would-help-in-indias-security\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)<\/a><\/strong><\/span> and <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/cds-to-chair-meet-on-theatre-commands\/#What_is_a_theatre_command\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">integrated theatre commands,<\/a><\/strong><\/span> which would require air assets being placed under non-IAF control, ring alarm bells in Air HQs.<\/p>\n<p>There are misperceptions on both sides of the air-power divide, and the need is for the tri-service leadership to sit around a table and provide mutual reassurance regarding service roles and missions.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Why air-power gained importance over years?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Air-power, in the post-Cold War era, acquired importance. Based on the lethality and speed of modern air power, it is claimed that once \u201cair dominance\u201d has been achieved, the war is virtually won. In this paradigm, close support of surface forces receives low priority because quick military victories can be won from the air at minimal cost.<\/p>\n<p>However, such assumptions were based on recent conflicts where modern air forces using advanced technology had encountered irregular forces.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Can India rely on air-dominance?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>India, on the other hand, is faced with well-equipped, motivated and competent adversaries. The Pakistan Air Force, although numerically inferior, has the assurance of Chinese support. The PLA Air Force not only outnumbers the IAF, but has the advantage of an advanced technological base.<\/p>\n<p>Hence, in our calculations, we cannot afford to rely on any specific advantage, establishing \u201cair dominance\u201d over Pakistan or Tibet.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Potent questions<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Questions that military leaders will need to address, jointly, are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Should attainment of air dominance be an end in itself, superseding military and maritime strategies<\/li>\n<li>Should air power be seen as merely an instrumentality to gain operational objectives on land, sea and air?<\/li>\n<li>Is there a via-media which will maximize the synergy and combat effectiveness of all three services, perhaps by modifying the IAF\u2019s 2012 doctrine?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Suggestions\/Measures<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>There should be a free and frank discussion on the demarcation of air power roles and missions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>On joint commands<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>First<\/strong>, it must be ensured that allocation of air power is not made piece-meal, but flows from an integrated, <strong>tri-service plan. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Second,<\/strong> operational deployment of the command\u2019s aviation resources must be managed on behalf of the C-in-C, by his 2\/3-star IAF component commander.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Third,<\/strong> the government must clarify that most high-level posts will, eventually, be tenable by officers of all three services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs23\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/our-harmed-forces-merit-principle-is-dangerous-dont-let-politics-enter-that-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Our Harmed Forces: \u2018Merit\u2019 Principle Is Dangerous: Don\u2019t let politics enter that domain<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/blogs\/toi-edit-page\/our-harmed-forces-merit-principle-is-dangerous-officers-at-the-very-top-are-all-able-dont-let-politics-enter-that-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TOI<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3 &#8211; Various security forces and agencies and their mandate<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: \u00a0Selection for top military posts, issues of merit over seniority.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: The Current system of promotion and advancement employed by the military is fair and based on merit. An analysis of the current system and potential implications of changing it.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Read here<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/for-top-military-posts-mod-weighs-merit-over-seniority\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">For top military posts, MoD weighs merits vs seniority<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Significance of a fair promotion system<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>It is vital for services to ensure that the system of promotions and advancement is as just, fair and transparent as possible, so that the rank and file remain confident that the leaders they unquestioningly follow deserve the position they have attained.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Existing methodology<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>The military has a very <strong>fair methodology<\/strong> for selection of officers for promotion from the rank of Colonel to General (and equivalents in other services). There&#8217;s a fierce competition and stringent selection criteria, resulting in 60-70% of officers not making the cut.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Promotion boards<\/strong>, convened periodically for placing officers on a \u2018select list\u2019 for promotion to ranks of Colonel and above, examine only <strong>annual confidential reports<\/strong> rendered periodically on candidates.\n<ul>\n<li>ACRs contain numerical gradings for a number of attributes, as well as a \u2018pen picture\u2019 that describes the individual\u2019s qualities for the board and substantiates the grading.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u2018Merit\u2019, therefore, remains the sole criterion for the selection process by which a batch of 100 officers may be reduced to 10-12 by the time they reach 3-star rank.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Current system is fair<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The current system of promotion to higher military ranks is based on the <strong>principle of seniority-cum-merit<\/strong>. As pointed out above, it consists of repeated screening of officers on the basis of merit alone. Therefore, the handful who remain and survive to reach top echelons are of <strong>uniformly high caliber. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Choosing the senior-most, by date of promotion to his present rank (not by date of birth or date of commission), has, therefore, proved a \u2018safe bet\u2019 for decades.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Issues<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Areas that need reform:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Written remarks for changing gradings<\/strong>: An issue of unhappiness arises from the fact that the service chiefs are entitled to have the last say as far as ACRs of 2- and 3-star rank officers are concerned. This is quite appropriate, but they too, must provide full justification, via written remarks, for changing earlier gradings.<\/li>\n<li>There&#8217;s also a need to <strong>bring uniformity in personnel policies<\/strong> of the three services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Implications of a changed methodology<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>A deep-selection methodology, overlooking seniority and based on some other definition of \u2018merit\u2019, must be weighed against these drawbacks:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The selected would consider himself <strong>obligated to the politico-bureaucratic establishment<\/strong>, undermining his own credibility within the service<\/li>\n<li><strong>Political polarization<\/strong>: high-level military decisions may be biased to <strong>please politicians. <\/strong>Political polarization, if allowed to take place in the military, would create deep fissures within the officer corps \u2013 eventually infecting the rank and file.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The public respects the military for its apolitical and non-partisan conduct. But if the citizens perceive it as just another interest-group seeking to promote itself, that respect will soon vanish.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs24\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/transition-from-fossil-fuels-in-india-is-a-matter-of-politics-communities-federalism-jobs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Transition from fossil fuels in India is a matter of politics, communities, federalism &amp; jobs<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/blogs\/toi-edit-page\/climate-reality-check-transition-from-fossil-fuels-in-india-is-a-matter-of-politics-communities-federalism-jobs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TOI1, <\/a><\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/blogs\/toi-editorials\/green-on-your-own-india-must-not-depend-on-west-for-clean-tech-transfer-best-strategy-is-to-incentivise-domestic-rd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TOI2<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3 &#8211; Environment<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Issues involved in transitioning from coal-based industries to a clean energy model<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: In light of the recently released IPCC report, it is clear that India needs an energy transition towards cleaner energy sources from the current coal-based scenario, but it must be done in a way which secures an equitable outcome for the vulnerable sections of the society.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Issues involved<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Asymmetry in energy distribution<\/strong>: While 85% of coal production is concentrated in relatively poor eastern and central states of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, over 60% of renewable energy potential (and 80% of current capacity) is concentrated in relatively wealthy southern and western states \u2013 Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Implications on govt revenue<\/strong>: The fossil fuel industries contribute significantly to the exchequer. Taxes on coal, oil and gas contributed 18.8% of the total revenue receipts of the central government and about 8.3% of the state governments in 2019-20. Thus, these taxes are essential for the government\u2019s revenue and spending.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Large scale of employment:<\/strong> The industry employs a large number of people, with at least 20 million people working in mines and factories. Automobile, iron and steel, and coal mining are the biggest employers. To put things in perspective, the coal-mining sector in the United States employed 54,000 people in 2019; in India, the figure is over 2.0 million.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lack of job security<\/strong>: In addition, the informal workforce is approximately four times the formal employees. As a result, a vast majority of workers don\u2019t have employment security.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Therefore, the energy transition is more than technological fixes and investments; it is also about workers and communities who will be affected. To get this transition right, we will have to start developing policies and plans for a Just Transition and not merely an energy transition.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Measures<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>A Just Transition in India will need policy and planning for five key elements (the five R\u2019s):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Restructuring\u00a0<\/strong>of the economy and industries in fossil fuel-dependent districts\/ states;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Repurposing\u00a0<\/strong>of land and infrastructure, as these industries hold vast land and assets. For example, coal mines and thermal power plants alone have 0.3 million hectares of land, which can be repurposed to build a new green economy;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reskilling\u00a0<\/strong>existing and skilling new workforce to avoid job loss and create a new workforce for the green industries;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Revenue substitution<\/strong>\u00a0and investments in Just Transition. This will require progressively moving taxes away from fossils and using fossil taxes like GST compensation cess (formerly coal cess) and District Mineral Foundation funds for Just Transition; and,<\/li>\n<li><strong>Responsible\u00a0<\/strong>social and environmental practices during the transition process to create a better world than today.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Way forward<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Phase-out of fossil fuels is imminent; we have no choice.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs25\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/fighting-the-climate-change-indias-way-ahead-on-ipcc-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fighting the climate change &#8211; India&#8217;s way ahead (On IPCC report)<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/blogs\/toi-editorials\/green-on-your-own-india-must-not-depend-on-west-for-clean-tech-transfer-best-strategy-is-to-incentivise-domestic-rd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TOI, <\/a><\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/climate-change-global-warming-ipcc-7447894\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Express, <\/a><\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/current-affairs\/ipcc-climate-report-vindicates-our-polluter-pays-stand-says-govt-121081100015_1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Business Standard 1, <\/a><\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/opinion\/a-warning-to-india-121081002174_1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Business Standard 2<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3 &#8211; Environment<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Fighting the climate-change crisis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: India is already taking many steps to combat climate change, but it needs to do more to ensure climate-adaptation and mitigation are at the heart of every government policy.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Steps taken by India<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>INDC Targets<\/strong>: India is well on its way to meet its INDC targets <em>(see the pic below)<\/em><\/li>\n<li><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bsmedia.business-standard.com\/_media\/bs\/img\/article\/2021-08\/11\/full\/1628620919-4154.jpg?resize=507%2C264&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"chart\" width=\"507\" height=\"264\" \/><strong>PM KUSUM<\/strong>: India has already commenced one of the largest programmes for greening the agriculture power supply through the PM-KUSUM scheme.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Green hydrogen<\/strong>: India is also giving an aggressive push to green hydrogen as a fuel. NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd recently signed a MoU with the Union Territory of Ladakh to set up India\u2019s First <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/ntpc-renewable-arm-to-set-up-indias-first-green-hydrogen-mobility-project-in-leh\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Green Hydrogen Mobility Project<\/a><\/strong><\/span> in Ladakh Region.<\/li>\n<li><strong>India has an energy revolution underway: <\/strong>This ranges from household electrification to smart meters, scaling up solar and wind to new ambitions in biofuels and hydrogen, energy efficiency to clean cooking for millions, electrification of railways to electric vehicles, first country with a <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indias-cooling-action-planicap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cooling action plan<\/a><\/strong><\/span> to skilling thousands in green jobs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Why India has not declared net-negative emission targets?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>India\u2019s stand is that it is the industrialized world, not developing countries, who should have Net Negative <em>(more saving than emission)<\/em> targets and moreover they should finance the green energy targets of India and other developing countries.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #f7f2f2;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Must Read<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/ipccs-sixth-assessment-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPCC 6th Assessment report &#8211; Explained in detail<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>Measures India must take<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li>India must <strong>adopt a more climate-friendly development pathway<\/strong> to deliver high rates of economic growth within a shrinking carbon budget.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Policy support to new low-carbon sectors<\/strong>: India must tap into sunrise sectors (green hydrogen), new business models (distributed and digitalised services, for distributed energy, EV charging, cold chains), new construction materials (low-carbon cement, recycled plastic), new opportunities in the circular economy of minerals, municipal waste and agricultural residue, and new practices for sustainable agriculture and food systems. Many of these technologies and business models are proven, but need policy and regulatory support.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A clear data on warming effects<\/strong>: The number of days with temperatures over 40<sup>o<\/sup>C will increase proportionately with the average temperature. This presents a threat to life to the large proportion of India\u2019s workforce which still conducts manual. India chronically under-reports heat deaths; this must change going forward if the government is to build up a true picture of the effect of warming on public health.<\/li>\n<li><strong>International cooperation<\/strong>: It&#8217;s imperative to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and repair the climate in critical regions, such as the poles. This will require new levels of international cooperation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Climate-smart agriculture<\/strong>: Current cropping patterns and agricultural practices also contribute greatly to India\u2019s carbon footprint, and over the next decade they will have to be addressed, alongside greater reforestation to serve as traps for carbon. Climate-smart agriculture is already being trialled across the country, but the changing weather patterns warned of by the\u00a0IPCC report\u00a0mean farmers will need access to the latest advice and methods.<\/li>\n<li>The government must <strong>stop subsidizing coal-fired thermal power plants<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Agricultural extension system<\/strong>: The revival of the agricultural extension system is overdue, and is the only weapon in India\u2019s arsenal when it comes to adaptation in the primary sector.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Urban planning<\/strong> will also have to shift. For residents of Indian cities, walking in the sun must be de-emphasised going forward in the planning. Metro and electrified bus systems will have to be put in place that have a denser network of stops than are currently common in India.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Climate change has to be at the heart of planning and policy across multiple domains going forward.<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-green\">\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Terms to know<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/agricultural-extension\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Agricultural extension<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs26\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/revisit-the-idea-of-aging-out-indias-coal-plants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Revisit the idea of \u2018aging out\u2019 India\u2019s coal plants<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><b>Source<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/Home\/ShareArticle?OrgId=G6K8RS85V.1&amp;imageview=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Hindu<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Syllabus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: GS 3 &#8211; Infrastructure: Energy<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Synopsis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is right to let old coal capacity fade away in due course, but age shouldn\u2019t be used as the sole criteria for it. The focus should be on doing detailed analysis and weeding out the needless capacity in the pipeline, to derive long-term economic and environmental benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Background<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The government is showing a willingness to retire old coal-based plants (25 years or more) as testified in the recent budget speech by the finance minister.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, some experts believe that the government should revisit the idea of aging out old coal plants.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Why should the old coal plants retire<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firstly, there is the availability of under-utilized newer and presumably more efficient coal-based capacity. Hence, shutting down older inefficient plants would lead to <\/span><b>improved efficiencies, reduced coal usage, and cost savings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secondly, they are <\/span><b>major contributors to carbon emissions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Their closure will aid in achieving India\u2019s Nationally Determined Contributions, as per the Paris Agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Third, it would be <\/span><b>uneconomical for old plants<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to install pollution control equipment required to meet the emission standards announced by the Environment Ministry.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This argument was reflected in a recent order from the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CERC allowed Delhi\u2019s BSES distribution company to exit its concluded 25-year-old power purchase agreement with the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited\u2019s Dadri-I generating station.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Arguments against the retirement of old coal plants:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plants older than 25 years <\/span><b>consist of around 20% of the total installed thermal capacity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and play a <\/span><b>significant role in the country\u2019s power supply.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are also several old plants, which <\/span><b>operate at lower costs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, plants such as Rihand (U.P) and Vidhyanchal (Madhya Pradesh) are over 30 years old and have very low generation costs of around Rs. 1.7\/kWh. The cost is lower than the national average.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many studies suggest that the total savings from shutting older plants would be less than 5,000 crores annually. It is just 2% of the total power generation cost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These <\/span><b>savings may not be sufficient to even pay for the fixed costs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that would have to be paid anyway, even if the plants are prematurely retired.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similarly, savings in coal consumption by replacing generation from plants older than 25 years with newer coal plants are also likely to be only in the 1%-2% range.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are some old plants that may continue to be <\/span><b>economically viable even if they install pollution control equipment as their current fixed costs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are very low.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indeed, about half the coal capacity older than 25 years has already issued tenders for pollution control equipment installation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Old thermal capacity <\/span><b>is required, to support the growing intermittent renewable generation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> until other technologies (such as storage) can replace them at scale.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Way Forward<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age should not be used as a sole criterion to retire a coal-based plant.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>detailed analysis should be done<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, considering the various technical, economic, and operating characteristics of individual plants and units before taking the retirement decision.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Further, an emphasis should be placed on accounting for aspects such as intermittency of renewables, growing demand, and the need to meet emission norms.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs27\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/expiry-of-safeguard-duty-boon-for-solar-developers-bane-for-manufacturers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Expiry of safeguard duty: Boon for solar developers, bane for manufacturers<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><b>Source<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/economy-policy\/expiry-of-safeguard-duty-boon-for-solar-developers-bane-for-manufacturers-121080900364_1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Business Standard<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Syllabus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: GS 3 &#8211; Infrastructure: Energy<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Synopsis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The decision of the center to impose a basic customs duty from April 2022 and the expiration of the existing safeguard guard duty will result in higher solar imports. This move will benefit solar plant developers, but create more problems for domestic manufactures.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Background<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian solar cell and module makers may see difficult times ahead with no protection from imports till April next year.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safeguard Duty (SGD) was imposed on solar cells and module imports for the past two years, which expired last month.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, the Basic Customs Duty (BCD), announced by the Centre, will kick in only after 9 months. F<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or solar project developers, it\u2019s a boon as they would be able to import before the BCD is enforced.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>About India\u2019s Solar Sector<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to industry data, India has 3,100 Mw of cell manufacturing capacity and 9,000 Mw of module manufacturing capacity. India\u2019s installed capacity of solar power stands at 39.08 Gw (including ground-mounted and rooftop).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The country aims to have 100 Gw of solar power capacity by next year.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a price difference of <\/span><b>about 10-20 percent between Indian and Chinese solar cells and modules<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India imports close to 90 percent of its solar cells and modules and nearly 80% of this is from China.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Benefits for Solar project developers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 9-month duty-free period gives a much-deserved breathing space to Indian solar developers. They would be able to import cheaper modules from China.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This will cause a <\/span><b>reduction of close to 15% in solar tariffs.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Further, more projects and new players would enter the business.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Issues for Manufacturers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The manufacturers are already unable to compete with cheap imports. Many of them have <\/span><b>complained against the dumping of solar imports<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from China, Vietnam, and Taiwan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At present, domestic manufacturers lack orders and are running below optimal capacity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In such a scenario, a duty-free period of 9 months will <\/span><b>make sustenance for local manufacturers extremely difficult, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as they will be left with almost nil orders to continue production.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Further, they<\/span><b> will have to continue paying hefty duties on imported raw materials<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, thereby being unable to compete with internationally-produced modules.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Conclusion:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Centre can impose an <\/span><b>anti-dumping duty to create a level-playing field for domestic module manufacturers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This will provide the much-needed relief to the material injury caused to the domestic sector and also help in protecting over 300,000 jobs.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs28\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-silent-rise-of-small-finance-banks-sfbs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The silent rise of Small Finance Banks (SFBs)<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/epaper.livemint.com\/Home\/ShareArticle?OrgId=118eb1f2f5f&amp;imageview=0\">Live Mint<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong> GS3- Inclusive Growth and issues arising from it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance: <\/strong>Financial inclusion and measures taken by RBI<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis: <\/strong>Challenges faced by SFBs and Criticism against them<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>SFBs have grown rapidly since RBI first carved out this category half a decade ago in Indian financial system. In Financial Year (FY) 2018 &#8211; 2020, SFBs registered a phenomenal growth by doubling the advances and tripling deposit accumulation over the same period.<\/li>\n<li>At latest, five <strong>small finance banks or SFBs<\/strong> are expected to launch an Initial Public offering (IPO) over the next 2 months.<\/li>\n<li>More, Five years after the experiment on SFBs began, the RBI is now gearing up to issue another set of SFB licences to new players.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Evolution of Small Finance banks<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>The idea behind SFBs can be traced back to 2013. An internal group of the RBI recommended that much like microfinance institutions (MFIs), banks should begin viewing the poor as profitable customers.<\/li>\n<li>The proposal, however, became a reality when <strong>Raghuram Rajan<\/strong> became the governor of the RBI, and the term <strong>\u2018small finance\u2019<\/strong> was introduced.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Idea behind SFBs<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Although share of Indians with bank accounts has swiftly expanded over the past decade, most of these accounts are rarely used. A <strong>majority of Indians still remain outside the reach of formal financial institutions.<\/strong> Without assured access to credit, small entrepreneurs can\u2019t flourish, and innovation cannot take root.<\/p>\n<p>This is exactly the problem that these new banks were meant to solve.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Criticism of SFBs<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Non-inclusive:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Most of the branches have been opened in the relatively well-banked regions or states.<\/li>\n<li>Most of the new small banks operate in <strong>urban and semi-urban areas<\/strong> and a large part of their deposit portfolio consists of large borrowers.<\/li>\n<li>They are only catering to the missing middle-income market.<\/li>\n<li>For instance, as of March 2020, about 39% of all SFB branches were in semi-urban areas and 26% in urban centres.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>High cost for borrowers:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The lending rate continues to be fairly high despite their transition into a bank.<\/li>\n<li>According to RBI data, loans had been given at an interest rate of 13% and above. This goes against their very purpose of such institutions, that is to enable enhanced financial inclusion.<\/li>\n<li>High lending rates also affects SFBs growth negatively. According to RBI data, SFBs have <strong>outstanding loans<\/strong> of \u20b983,441 crore as of March 2021.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Diversification<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Many SFBs have <strong>diversified into other segments<\/strong>, such as MSME lending.<\/li>\n<li>In fact, SFBs have been <strong>lowering their exposure to microfinance customers<\/strong> to reduce the risk from income shocks, and political and operational risks inherent in the microfinance business.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Challenges faced by SFBs<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Weak Deposits:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The share of current and savings accounts (CASA) in total deposits for SFBs stood at 15% in March 2020, as compared to 41% for banks. This is despite SFBs offering a higher interest rate to attract depositors. Weak Deposits limit their lending capacity and finally a banks&#8217; growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Market Risk<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Over the past four years, SFBs have also had to face two big risk events demonetization and the covid-19 pandemic. These events have resulted in <strong>liquidity stres<\/strong>s.<\/li>\n<li>The NPA (non-performing asset) ratio for the sector touched a high of 5% compared to the sub 1% mark earlier.<\/li>\n<li>A lot of regulations are liberal for universal banks. Becoming a universal bank is less capital intensive. That\u2019s why most of them want to become a universal bank.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Nomenclature: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>One of the initial challenges that SFBs faced was with the \u201csmall finance\u201d byname. Brand acknowledgment among customers was a worry initially. Some people thought SFBs are similar to cooperative banks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As more players enter the SFB space, a stiff competition is expected to break out in the segment alongside a rise in innovation and digitalization. However, the hurriedness shown by Indian SFBs to grow is threatening the financial future of India\u2019s unbanked millions.<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-green\">\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Terms to know<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/small-finance-banks-sfbs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Small Finance Banks (SFBs)<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs29\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indian-startups-deserve-an-easier-shot-at-success\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian startups deserve an easier shot at success<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/epaper.livemint.com\/Home\/ShareArticle?OrgId=1184d4e0479&amp;imageview=0\">Livemint<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong>GS3- Changes in Industrial Policy<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance- <\/strong>Regarding Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), their significance and need for further reforms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis: <\/strong>\u00a0Recently, the Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill, 2021, got the approval of Lok Sabha. Need for it and the changes introduced.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>An enactment of law in 2008 allowed the <strong>emergence of large joint-stock companies as LLPs,<\/strong> with the liability of all investors limited to the extent of their investment. <strong>Thousands of limited liability partnerships (LLPs) sprang up<\/strong>. These could <strong>take loans and expand<\/strong> without anyone\u2019s personal assets put at stake.<\/p>\n<p>However, financial risk is not the only kind there exists. In a rule-dense country, entrepreneurs also need to worry about the hazards of compliance failure.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Changes proposed<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>To qualify as a small LLP, the country\u2019s <strong>cap on business turnover will be raised sharply<\/strong> to \u20b950 crore from \u20b940 lakh and the limit on partner contribution to \u20b95 crore from \u20b925 lakh.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fraud penalties will be hardened,<\/strong> with prison sentences going up to 5 years and fines up to \u20b95 lakh.\n<ul>\n<li><strong>However, <\/strong>the likelihood of a partner being dragged up for relatively trivial offences is to be reduced for ease of doing business.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The revised LLP law will have <strong>fewer penal provisions<\/strong>, cut to 22 from 24, and 12 of these violations will no longer be deemed criminal.<\/li>\n<li>The Bill also proposes <strong>special LLP courts for speedy trials and dispute resolution<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Issues\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>1]. <\/strong>Many of LLPs <strong>deal in intangibles and have few hard assets<\/strong> for lenders to claim. For them to be credit-worthy as a class, they must comply with stiffer regulations than they\u2019d need to without a liability limit. It\u2019s not just a long check-list of structure-specific dos and don\u2019ts that daunts many budding startups in India.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2].<\/strong> <strong>Compliance burden<\/strong>: Most small businesses struggle to comply with rules and filing requirements that can range from enforcement at the municipal level all the way up to central diktats. Energy spent on these often gets in the way of productive pursuits.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Our startups have been a bright spot in an otherwise weakening economy. They deserve an easier shot at success.<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-green\">\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW10373580 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW10373580 BCX0\">Terms to know<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW10373580 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW10373580 BCX0\">:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW10373580 BCX0\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/limited-liability-partnership-llp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW10373580 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW10373580 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"EOP SCXW10373580 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs31\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-repeal-of-the-retrospective-tax-shows-modi-government-means-business-on-reforms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The repeal of the retrospective tax shows Modi government means business on reforms<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/the-repeal-of-the-retrospective-tax-shows-modi-government-means-business-on-reforms-7447879\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The\u00a0Indian Express<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong>\u00a0GS Paper 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance:<\/strong> This article explains government actions to boost investor confidence<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h5><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Along with the taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, India has taken many steps to boost investor confidence.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The government has recently introduced the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021, in Parliament.<\/span>\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"auto\">The bill seeks to nullify the contentious\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">retrospective tax law\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">by amending the<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Income Tax (IT) Act<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of 1961 and the Finance Act of 2012.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>This move will boost investor confidence.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f2e9f1;\">\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/retrospective-taxation-and-the-taxation-laws-amendment-bill-explained-pointwise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Retrospective taxation and the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill \u2013 Explained, pointwise<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>The other moves of government to boost investor confidence:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>India is enjoying one of the best years of foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio investment.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For many decades, <strong>India had one of the highest effective corporate taxes (at 27%)<\/strong> in the world. But recently, the government brought the effective corporate taxes to near world competitive levels.\n<ul>\n<li>An <strong>effective tax is simply the ratio of the tax paid to income earned<\/strong>. The difference between the stated nominal and the actual effective arises because of legal tax deductions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>After having one of the highest real policy rates in the world, the RBI has introduced a trend of having a competitive real policy rate.<\/li>\n<li>The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill will directly influence Indian sovereign (and corporate) bonds to become part of global bond indices. This will result in reducing the cost of borrowing for governments and corporates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f2e9f1;\">\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-sovereign-right-to-tax-is-not-absolute\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The sovereign right to tax is not absolute<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The Commerce Department&#8217;s High Level Advisory Group committee report \u00a0was published in September 2019. That report had argued for several reforms, including some major reforms in the capital market. It is time for government to implement that and increase further investor confidence.<\/p>\n<p>All this will result in more capital and more investment \u2014 both of this will result in higher growth.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs32\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/connecting-india-by-inland-waterways\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Connecting India by inland waterways<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-understand-what-the-new-inland-vessels-bill-is-setting-out-to-achieve-7445960\/\">Indian Express<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Syllabus: <\/span><\/b>GS3-\u00a0Infrastructure: Energy, Ports<\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Relevance:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Infrastructure development, Inland waterways<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Synopsis<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Recently,\u00a0Parliament passed a new law\u00a0to\u00a0bring uniformity in the rules and regulations governing inland waterways and navigation on them.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span>The Inland Vessels Bill, 2021\u00a0replaces the century-old Inland Vessels Act, 1917.<\/p>\n<h5><b>Background<\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Read here<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indian-vessels-bill-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Vessels Bill 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Issues with the 1917 Act<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"37\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The 1917 Act was seen as a purely consolidating legislation with\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">limited applicability and purposes.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"37\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\">It <span data-contrast=\"none\">had <strong>undergone several amendments<\/strong>, the last major ones in 1977 and 2007.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"37\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">It had provisions for <strong>restrictive movement<\/strong> of mechanically propelled vessels within the jurisdiction of the state government.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"37\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Non-uniform standards and regulations<\/strong> that varied from one State to another.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The government wants to\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">promote inland waterways<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0as a supplement to freight movement across India.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Aim and objective of the bill<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">It seeks to bring all inland waterways in India and movement of vessels on them for any purpose under a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">central regulatory regime.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">It is aimed at\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">developing India\u2019s inland waterways<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0as a viable, thriving mode of transport, especially for cargo. The inland waterways network spans close to 15,000 km across rivers, channels, backwaters, creeks etc.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Key features of the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Registration<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:\u00a0To operate in inland waters, vessels must have a certificate of survey, and registration.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Those with Indian ownership must be registered with the Registrar of Inland Vessels.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">It\u00a0will be valid across India.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">While the state government will issue the certificate, the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">form will be prescribed by the Centre<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0like in the case of motor vehicles.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Bill\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">defines mechanically propelled vessel<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">s as ships, boats, sailing vessels, container vessels, and ferries.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Functions of the central government:<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">It\u00a0empowers the Centre to prescribe what kind of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">pollutants<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">sewage<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0vessels and can discharge, and how much.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">It\u00a0envisages\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">maintaining a fund, which will be used for emergency preparedness,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0checking pollution and boosting navigation.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Centre will\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">frame classification, standards of design, construction<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, and crew accommodation.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Construction or modification will require approval of a designated authority.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">All such vessels are to be registered with respective states or Union Territories. Their movement and identities will be logged in a central database.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The new law mandates that if any distress or SOS signal is sent out by the master of a vessel, any other vessel nearby must respond like maritime custom and rules on sea.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">In case of accidents, the nearest police station is to be involved for inquiry and action.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Non-compliance will attract a penalty of up to Rs 10,000<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0for the first offence, and Rs 25,000 for subsequent offences.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">However, the Bill has been criticized on the ground that it takes away a lot of rights of the states and vests them with the Centre.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-green\">\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Terms to know<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW260019724 BCX0\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/inland-waterways-in-india-issues-and-challenges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW260019724 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW260019724 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Inland waterways<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/inland-waterways-authority-of-india-iwai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW260019724 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW260019724 BCX0\">Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW98137723\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW98137723\">Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly<\/span><\/span>)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f1\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/29-of-students-exposed-to-second-hand-smoke\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201829% of students exposed to second-hand smoke\u2019<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/Home\/MShareArticle?OrgId=GQJ8S3O1O.1&amp;imageview=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>The Hindu<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has presided over the release of the Fourth Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4), India, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>About Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4), India, 2019:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The fourth round of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was conducted in 2019 by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first three rounds of GYTS were conducted in 2003, 2006 and 2009.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Purpose<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The survey was designed to produce <strong>national estimates of tobacco use among school-going children<\/strong> aged 13-15 years at the state level and Union Territory (UT) by sex, location of school (rural-urban), and management of a school (public-private).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Key Findings of the Survey:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Use of Tobacco<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Nearly o<strong>ne-fifth of the students aged 13-15 used any form of tobacco product<\/strong> (smoking, smokeless, and any other form) in their life. However, there has <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">been a <strong>42% decline in tobacco use in the past decade<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Gender wise<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The u<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">se of any form of tobacco was higher among boys than girls.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>State-wise:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The current use of tobacco among students across the States\/ UTs ranged from the highest in Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram (58% each) to the lowest in Himachal Pradesh (1.1%) and Karnataka (1.2%).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Age of Initiation of Tobacco:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">38% of cigarettes, 47% of bidi smokers and 52% of smokeless tobacco users initiated the use before their 10<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> birthday.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Second-hand smoke: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">29.5% of the students were exposed to second-hand smoke (11.2% at home, 21.2% inside enclosed public places, 23.4% at outdoor public places.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Use of E-Cigarettes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The use of e-cigarette among the students was 2.8%.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f2\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/pm-launches-ujjwala-2-0-scheme\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PM launches Ujjwala 2.0 Scheme<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1744400\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>PIB<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Prime Minister of India has launched Ujjwala 2.0 (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana &#8211; PMUY) by handing over LPG connections at Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>About <\/b><b>Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana(PMUY):<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in 2018.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Aim: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To replace the unclean cooking fuels mostly used in rural India with the clean and more efficient LPG(Liquefied Petroleum Gas).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Under the scheme, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an adult woman member of a below poverty line family identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) was given a deposit-free LPG connection with the financial assistance of Rs 1,600 per connection by the Centre.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Target<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Initially the target was the installation of 5 crores LPG connections by 2019. But the target was revised to 8 crores which was achieved in August 2019.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>About<\/b> <b>Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana(PMUY) 2.0:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>In the Union Budget for 2021-22, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Government has announced the target of an additional one crore LPG connection. These additional connections will be provided under Ujjwala 2.0.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Hence, Ujjwala 2.0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">aims to provide deposit-free LPG connections to those low-income families who could not be covered under the earlier phase of PMUY.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Along with a deposit-free LPG connection, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ujjwala 2.0 will also provide the first refill and hotplate free of cost to the beneficiaries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Moreover, the migrants <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">would only be required to submit a self-declaration of their residential address to get the gas connection.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f3\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/union-home-minister-chaired-the-36th-meeting-of-the-parliamentary-committee-on-official-language\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Union Home Minister chaired the 36th meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1744615\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>PIB<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Union Home Minister has chaired the 36th meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>About Parliamentary Committee on Official Language:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The Parliamentary Committee on Official Language<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was set up in 1976 under section 4 of the Official Languages Act,1963.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Mandate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Committee shall review the progress made in the use of Hindi for the Official purposes of the Union and submit a report to the President making recommendations. The President shall then lay the report before each House of Parliament and send it to all the State Governments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Composition:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Committee comprises 30 members of Parliament, 20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Chairman<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The Chairman of the Committee is elected by the members of the Committee.\u00a0 As a convention, the Union Home Minister has been elected as Chairman of the Committee from time to time.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f4\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/steps-taken-by-the-government-for-awareness-about-the-pusa-decomposer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Steps taken by the Government for awareness about the Pusa Decomposer<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1744517\"><b>PIB<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Government of India has taken several steps to spread awareness about the Pusa Decomposer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>About Pusa Decomposer:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Pusa Decomposer <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is a low-cost capsule that can <strong>convert paddy stubble into bio-manure<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The capsule <\/b><b>consists<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of a <strong>fungi-based liquid solution<\/strong> that can soften hard stubble to the extent that it can be easily mixed with soil in the field to act as compost.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Developed by:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pusa Decomposer Technology has been developed by ICAR &#8211; Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Benefits:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>This method rules out<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the need to burn the stubble. It also helps in retaining the essential microbes and nutrients in the soil that is otherwise damaged when the residue is burned.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Concerns:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The window of time <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">required for the Pusa Decomposer solution to work is around 20 to 25 days. Farmers argue that this window is too long for them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f5\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/sultanpur-bhindawas-wetlands-near-delhi-get-ramsar-tag\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sultanpur, Bhindawas wetlands near Delhi get Ramsar tag<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/city\/gurgaon\/sultanpur-bhindawas-wetlands-get-ramsar-tag-a-first-for-haryana\/articleshow\/85223346.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>TOI<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wetlands<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Haryana \u2014 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sultanpur National Park<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 have been included in the Ramsar list. With this, the number of protected <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wetlands\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ramsar sites<\/span> <\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in India has now gone up to 46.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>About <\/b><b>Sultanpur National Park:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Sultanpur National Park <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">situated in the Gurgaon district of Haryana. The park is spread across 353 acres.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The park is an\u00a0important<\/strong><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u00a0wetland<\/strong> <\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that harbours rich plant and animal life. It supports more than 220 species of resident, winter migratory and local migratory waterbirds at critical stages of their life cycles.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>More than ten of these<\/strong> are globally threatened, including the critically endangered sociable lapwing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>About <\/b><b>Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is located in the Jhajjar<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">district of Haryana. In 2009, it was declared as a bird sanctuary by the Indian Government.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The sanctuary <\/b><b>is an important part<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the ecological corridor along the route of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sahibi River <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which traverses from <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aravalli hills<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Rajasthan to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yamuna. The sanctuary is located just<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 1.5 km from <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>The\u00a0sanctuary<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0is an important wetland<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that provides a safe habitat to numerous animals and plants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>A total of 265 species of birds <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have been reported from the site. More than 30,000 migratory birds belonging to over 250 species visit Bhindawas throughout the year.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f6\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/west-africa-records-1st-death-from-highly-infectious-marburg-virus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">West Africa records 1st death from \u2018highly infectious\u2019 Marburg virus<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/news\/africa\/west-africa-records-1st-death-from-highly-infectious-marburg-virus-78381\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b> Down To Earth<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">West Africa\u2019s first case of the extremely contagious and deadly Marburg virus was confirmed in Guinea.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>About Marburg Virus:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Marburg virus disease(MVD) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was formerly known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>The virus causes <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hemorrhagic fever and belongs to the same family (Filoviridae family) as the Ebola virus.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>First Case:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">virus was initially detected in 1967 after simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany; and in Belgrade, Serbia.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Symptoms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The common symptoms of a virus are fever, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain and gingival haemorrhage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Transmission<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marburg is transmitted to people from fruit bats. The virus spreads among humans through<strong> direct contact with the bodily fluids<\/strong> of the patient, surfaces and materials<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Fatality Rate: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks, depending on virus strain and case management.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Treatment: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are <strong>no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments<\/strong> for the virus yet. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f7\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/lok-sabha-passes-constitution-amendment-bill-to-restore-states-powers-on-obc-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lok Sabha passes Constitution amendment Bill to restore states\u2019 powers on OBC list<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/ls-passes-key-bill-to-restore-states-power-to-make-their-own-obc-lists-7447786\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Indian Express<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lok Sabha has unanimously passed the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constitution (127th Amendment) Bill, 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>About Constitution (127th Amendment) Bill, 2021:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Main Purpose of the Bill:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill amends the Constitution to <strong>allow states and union territories to prepare their own list of socially and educationally backward classes<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Key Provisions of the Bill:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>List of socially and educationally backward classes:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The National Commission for Backward Classes(NCBC)<\/strong> was established under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The Constitution (One Hundred and Second Amendment) Act, 2018<\/strong> gave constitutional status to the NCBC, and empowered the President to notify the list of socially and educationally backward classes for any state or union territory for all purposes.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The 2021 Bill amends this<\/strong> to provide that the President may notify the list of socially and educationally backward classes <strong>only for<\/strong> purposes of the<strong> central government<\/strong>. This central list will be prepared and maintained by the central government.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Further, the Bill enables<\/strong> states and union territories to prepare their own list of socially and educationally backward classes.\u00a0 This list must be made by law and may differ from the central list.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Consultation with the NCBC:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Article 338B of the Constitution<\/strong> mandates the central and state governments to consult the NCBC on all major policy matters affecting the socially and educationally backward classes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The Bill exempts<\/strong> states and union territories from this requirement for matters related to the preparation of their list of socially and educationally backward classes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f8\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/scientists-develop-soft-robotic-actuators-using-porous-carbon-nanoparticles-from-waste-onion-peels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scientists develop soft robotic actuators using porous carbon nanoparticles from waste onion peels<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1744417\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>PIB<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A team of Indian Scientists have developed <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">soft robotic actuators using porous carbon nanoparticles from waste onion peels.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What are Soft Robots or Actuators?<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Soft robots or actuators<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is the specific subfield of robotics dealing with constructing robots from highly compliant materials similar to those found in living organisms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Soft robotics draws heavily<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the way in which living organisms move and adapt to their surroundings.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>In contrast to robots <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">built from rigid materials, soft robots allow for increased flexibility and adaptability for accomplishing tasks, as well as improved safety when working around humans.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>These characteristics <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">allow for the potential use of soft robotics in the fields of medicine and manufacturing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>What scientists have developed?<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Scientists have developed <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">soft<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> robotic actuators with enhanced photomechanical capacity. It was developed using porous carbon nanoparticles from waste onion peels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>These soft robots can act as <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">efficient traps for the illuminating low-power near-infrared (NIR) light. They can also convert a <strong>control signal into mechanical motion<\/strong> with bioengineering applications such as drug delivery, wearable and assistive devices, prostheses, and even artificial organs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f9\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/what-happened-during-nasas-first-attempt-to-collect-mars-samples-with-the-perseverance-rover\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What happened during NASA\u2019s first attempt to collect Mars samples with the Perseverance rover?<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-nasa-first-attempt-to-collect-mars-samples-with-perseverance-rover-7443545\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b> Indian Express<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NASA\u2019s Perseverance rover is exploring the Jezero Crater on Mars and attempting to collect its first rock samples. However, no rock samples were collected during the first attempt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>About <\/b><b>Perseverance rover:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The perseverance rover mission <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is a part of NASA\u2019s Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the Red Planet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Aim<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The rover is<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> designed to study signs of ancient life, collect samples that might be sent back to Earth during future missions, and test new technology that might benefit future robotic and human missions to the planet.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Objectives of the Mission<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore a geologically diverse landing site<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assess ancient habitability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seek signs of ancient life, particularly in special rocks known to preserve signs of life over time<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gather rock and soil samples that could be returned to Earth by a future NASA mission<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Demonstrate technology for future robotic and human exploration.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Landing Site of the Rover:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Jezero Crater<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (an ancient river delta that has rocks and minerals that could only form in water).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Duration of the Mission:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perseverance Rover will spend one Mars year (two years on Earth).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Instruments of the Mission:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The rover is carrying<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with it seven instruments, which include an advanced camera system with the ability to zoom, a SuperCam, which is an instrument that will provide imaging and chemical composition analysis, and a spectrometer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>One of the most interesting instruments <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">aboard the rover is called MOXIE. It will produce oxygen from Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide. If this instrument is successful, then future astronauts (as of now, no human being has kept the foot on Mars) can use it to burn rocket fuel for returning to Earth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The rover is also carrying <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/nasas-mars-helicopter-ingenuity-makes-first-flight-on-another-planet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ingenuity<\/a>, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the first helicopter to fly on Mars that will help collect samples from the surface from locations where the rover cannot reach.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f11\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/expand-food-basket-under-pds-says-who-scientist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Expand food basket under PDS, says WHO scientist<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/Home\/MShareArticle?OrgId=GQJ8S3R4I.1&amp;imageview=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>The Hindu<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The World Health Organisation(WHO) chief scientist has attended a seminar titled \u201cEnsuring food and nutrition security in the context of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Key Highlights from the Seminar:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Expand Public Distribution System(PDS):<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Currently<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indias-public-distribution-system-pds-is-in-danger-of-being-derailed-in-several-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public Distribution System(PDS) <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in India is taking care of food insecurity by providing only cereals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The Government of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should expand the food basket of the PDS by<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including Millets, pulses, fruits, vegetables and animal proteins.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>This will ensure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that sufficient nutrition is available to people in lower socio-economic groups.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Optimum Nutrition to Children:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>The governments <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">should organize campaigns to bring a behavioural change of families towards providing optimum nutrition to children.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>The optimum nutrition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<strong>to babies<\/strong> can be provided by intensive breastfeeding, kangaroo mother care and providing diverse nutritious complementary food to babies.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>About Kangaroo Mother Care:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kangaroo mother care is a method of care for preterm infants. The method involves infants being carried, usually by the mother, with skin-to-skin contact.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear Friends, We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs.\u00a0What we sought to do: Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today\u2019s newspaper are readily available to you. We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-august-11th-2021\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 August 11th, 2021<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":80068,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"9pm-brief-template.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,9],"tags":[8032,1542,8033],"class_list":["post-125322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9-pm-brief","category-public","tag-current-affairs-for-upsc","tag-daily-current-affairs-for-upsc","tag-upsc-current-affairs","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/9-PM-Brief-1-e1615452440806.png?fit=600%2C335&ssl=1","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=125322"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125322\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=125322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=125322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=125322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}