{"id":129946,"date":"2021-08-30T21:00:06","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T15:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=129946"},"modified":"2022-02-05T09:17:09","modified_gmt":"2022-02-05T03:47:09","slug":"9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-august-30th-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-august-30th-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 August 30th, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"content-box-red\">Dear Friends,<br \/>\nWe 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<h3 class=\"p-3 mb-2 bg-info text-white text-center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Mains Oriented Articles\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>GS Paper 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#gs11\">Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) has great potential in government applications<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs12\">Biofortified food can lead India from food security to nutrition security<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs13\">Time to bury Mudra &#8216;loan mela&#8217; (On MUDRA loans)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs14\">Towards a more humane race<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs15\">Guarding Democracy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs16\">The purpose of literature<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs17\">The broken promise of justice in rape cases<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs18\">Seize the opportunity to institutionalise accountability<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs19\">Soft power, India\u2019s strength in Afghanistan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs10\">Taliban has put geo-economics on top in India-US ties<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>GS Paper 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#gs21\">Genetically changed mosquitoes could transform Africa\u2019s long fight against malaria<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs22\">Infrastructure development and eco-conservation should go hand-in-hand<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs23\">It makes sense to extract value from underutilized public assets (On Asset monetisation)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs24\">GoI Plus India Inc (On lack of trust b\/w govt &amp; businesses)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"p-3 mb-2 bg-info text-white text-center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#f1\">NITI Aayog caught in e-com cross hairs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f2\">Duopoly in telcom will hurt both consumers and govt<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f3\">No taper tantrum (On US Fed reserve policies)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f4\">Sambhar Lake needs faster restoration, says expert study<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f5\">Defence Minister dedicates to the Nation Indigenously built Indian Coast Guard Ship &#8216;Vigraha&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f6\">Scientists are using new satellite tech to find glow-in-the-dark milky seas of maritime lore<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f7\">Government introduces a new registration mark for new vehicles \u201cBharat series (BH-series)\u201d to facilitate seamless transfer of vehicles<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f8\">WCD Ministry to celebrate POSHAN Maah across nation throughout next month<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f9\">Ayush Minister announces major plans for Boosting Ayush Initiatives in Northeast<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f10\">PIB Shillong Organizes Webinar on \u2018Unsung Heroes of Meghalaya\u2019 to Commemorate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f11\">PM dedicates\u00a0renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh Smarak to the nation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f12\">India warns arms cos of action for default in offset commitments<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f13\">Rs 1.42-trillion tied grant to villages for water, sanitation: 15th FC<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Mains Oriented Articles<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>GS Paper 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs11\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/free-and-open-source-software-foss-has-great-potential-in-government-applications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) has great potential in government applications<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201cFree and Open Source Software has great potential in government applications\u201d published in The Indian Express on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS2 -E governance<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: using open source technology to improve public services in India<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: India announced a policy to encourage open source in 2015. However, the true potential of this policy is yet to be realized, largely due to constraints in public procurement processes. A look at the misconceptions about FOSS and a roadmap for its optimum utilization.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is FOSS?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Free and Open Source (FOSS) is a software that is licensed to be free to use, modify, and distribute. FOSS today presents an alternative model to build digital technologies for population scale. Unlike proprietary software, everyone has the freedom to edit, modify and reuse open-source code.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Benefits of FOSS<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>FOSS offers many advantages:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Reduced costs<\/li>\n<li>No vendor lock-in<\/li>\n<li>The ability to customize for local context<\/li>\n<li>Greater innovation through wider collaboration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Usage of FOSS in India\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Recognising its potential, in 2015, the Indian government announced a policy to encourage open source instead of proprietary technology for government applications. We have seen some great examples of public services being delivered through systems that use FOSS building blocks, including <strong>Aadhaar, <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/goods-and-services-tax-gst-network\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">GSTN<\/span><\/a>,<\/strong> and the <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/plea-against-digilocker-rules\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DigiLocker<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Many other solutions launched by the government including <strong>Digilocker, Diksha, Aarogya Setu,<\/strong> the Covid-19 vaccination platform CoWIN have also been built on top of open-source digital platforms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Misconceptions about FOSS<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Lack of trust<\/strong>: \u201cFree\u201d in FOSS is perceived to be \u201cfree of cost\u201d and hence many think that the solutions based on FOSS are not good enough. For example, FOSS is often mistaken to be less trustworthy and more vulnerable, whereas FOSS can actually create more trust between the government and citizens.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Absence of one clear owner<\/strong>: Another important issue is that it can feel easier to deal with a proprietary software vendor who builds a customized software and can be held accountable for any failures. In the case of FOSS, there appears to be an absence of one clear \u201cowner\u201d, which makes it harder to identify who is responsible.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5><strong>Suggestions\/measures<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Incentivize uptake of FOSS in government: <\/strong>The government\u2019s policy on the adoption of open-source software requires all tech suppliers to submit bids with open source options. Suppliers also need to justify in case they do not offer an open-source option, and sourcing departments are asked to weigh the lifetime costs and benefits of both alternatives before making a decision. The present policy can go a step further by <strong>formally giving greater weightage to FOSS-specific metrics<\/strong> in the evaluation criteria in RFPs, and offering recognition to departments that deploy FOSS initiatives, such as, a special category under the Digital India Awards.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A repository of \u201cGovTech ready\u201d building blocks<\/strong>: Off-the-shelf FOSS software is often not ready for direct deployment by government. Creating a repository of ready-to-use \u201cGovTech-ised\u201d building blocks, can help departments quickly identify and deploy FOSS solutions in their applications.<\/li>\n<li><strong>FOSS innovations can be encouraged through \u201cGovTech hackathons and challenges\u201d<\/strong>, bringing together the open-source community to design solutions for specific problem statements identified by government departments. The best innovations emerging from these challenges can be listed on government procurement platforms such as GeM.\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li>One such challenge \u2014 <strong>a #FOSS4Gov Innovation Challenge<\/strong> \u2014 was recently launched to accelerate the adoption of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in government by harnessing innovation from the FOSS ecosystem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>A national \u201cFOSS Centre of Excellence&#8221;<\/strong>: Finally, a credible institutional anchor is needed to be a home for FOSS led innovation in India. Such an institution can bring together FOSS champions and communities that are scattered across India around a shared agenda for collective impact. Kerala\u2019s International Centre for Free &amp; Open Source Software (ICFOSS) is a great example of such an institution that led to Kerala being a pioneering state in the adoption of FOSS. A national \u201cFOSS Centre of Excellence\u201d can create the much-needed momentum to build world-class \u201cmade in India\u201d FOSS products.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs12\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/biofortified-food-can-lead-india-from-food-security-to-nutrition-security\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Biofortified food can lead India from food security to nutrition security<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201cBiofortified food can lead India from food security to nutrition security\u201d published in The Indian Express on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS2 &#8211; Issues related to poverty and hunger<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Tackling malnutrition<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Using science to address the complex challenge of malnutrition, particularly for low-income and vulnerable sections of the society, can be a good intervention. Bio-fortification of food can come handy to address the issue of malnutrition in India along with other measures.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The Prime Minister recently announced that, by 2024, rice provided to the poor under any government scheme \u2014 PDS, mid-day-meal, Anganwadi \u2014 will be fortified.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Malnutrition in India<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>15.3% of the country\u2019s population is undernourished<\/li>\n<li>India has the highest proportion of \u201cstunted\u201d (30%) and \u201cwasted\u201d children (17.3%) below five years of age as per \u2018The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, 2021\u2019 report.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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\/food-fortification-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Food fortification in India &#8211; Explained<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>Recent developments\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Work done by ICAR<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have been developing biofortified crops in India with a view to eradicating malnutrition<\/li>\n<li>As per the ICAR website, they had developed 21 varieties of biofortified staples including wheat, rice, maize, millets, mustard, groundnut by 2019-20<\/li>\n<li>These biofortified crops have 1.5 to 3 times higher levels of protein, vitamins, minerals and amino acids compared to the traditional varieties<\/li>\n<li>These varieties are not genetically modified rather they have been developed through conventional crop breeding techniques<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute in Mohali has also developed biofortified coloured wheat (black, blue, purple) that is rich in zinc and anthocyanins<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>The HarvestPlus programme<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The HarvestPlus programme of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research is working with ICAR, state agricultural universities (SAUs), the international centres of CGIAR, seed companies and farmer organisations.<\/li>\n<li>It aims to accelerate production and improve the access of the poor in India to iron-rich pearl millet and zinc-rich wheat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Malnutrition, is a multidimensional problem. Nutritious food is only a part of it. Hence, it requires a multipronged approach.<\/p>\n<h5><b>The correct approach<\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Nutrition is just one part of malnutrition challenge. Poor access to safe drinking water and sanitation (especially toilets), low levels of immunization and education, especially of women are other determinants of nutrition<\/li>\n<li>About 50% of the rural population does not have safe and adequate drinking water within premises<\/li>\n<li>About 15% of schools still lack access to basic infrastructure (electricity, drinking water and sanitation)<\/li>\n<li>the average annual school dropout rate at the secondary level (Class 9-10) is still 18 percent (as per the Niti Aayog\u2019s SDG Index for the year 2020)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All this calls for a multipronged approach to address the pressing problem of malnutrition<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Suggestions\/Measures<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Improving mother&#8217;s education<\/strong>&#8211; There is a direct correlation between mothers\u2019 education and the wellbeing of children. Children with mothers who have no education have the least diversified diets and suffer from stunting and wasting and are anemic. Hence, <strong>targeted programmes<\/strong> for improving the educational status of girls and reducing the school dropout rates, particularly at the secondary and higher educational levels, need to be promoted.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Increasing expenditure on agri R&amp;D<\/strong>&#8211;\u00a0 Innovations in biofortified food can alleviate malnutrition only when they are scaled up with supporting policies. This would require steps like, increasing expenditure on agri-R&amp;D, incentivizing farmers by linking their produce to lucrative markets through sustainable value chains and distribution channels etc.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Private participation<\/strong>&#8211; The government can also rope in the private sector to create a market segment for premium-quality biofortified foods to cater to high-end consumers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Creating awareness<\/strong>&#8211;\u00a0 A national awareness drive on the lines of the \u201cSalt Iodisation Programme\u201d launched by the government in 1962 to replace ordinary salt with iodised salt, can play an important role at the individual and community levels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"content-box-green\">\n<p><strong>Terms to know<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW178320921 BCX0\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/stunting-wasting-and-malnutrition-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Highlight Underlined SCXW178320921 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW178320921 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Malnutrition, stunting, and <\/span><span class=\"FindHit SCXW178320921 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">wasting<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"EOP SCXW178320921 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs13\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/time-to-bury-mudra-loan-mela-on-mudra-loans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Time to bury Mudra &#8216;loan mela&#8217; (On MUDRA loans)<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201cTime to bury Mudra &#8216;loan mela&#8217;\u201d published in The Business Standard on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS2 &#8211; Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: MUDRA loans, Loan mela<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis: <\/strong>Mudra loans have generated no jobs, resulting in misspending of trillions of taxpayers\u2019 money. The loans were supposed to be for a three- to five-year period. The first cycle of the experiment is over, and the result has been disastrous.<\/p>\n<h5><b>Context<\/b><\/h5>\n<p>Recently, Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI), told that 20% in its loan portfolio under the <strong>Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)<\/strong> scheme had turned bad.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Mudra loans were launched six years ago. They are collateral-free or unsecured loans of up to Rs 10 lakh extended to micro and tiny businesses. However, the idea of such \u201cequitable lending\u201d has been tried before and had failed miserably.<\/p>\n<p>This very same desire to ensure fairness in lending drove the socialist Indira Gandhi to nationalise banks and <strong>force them to lend to \u201cpriority sectors\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>But government control over banks led to <strong>large-scale corruption<\/strong> and their <strong>repeated recapitalisation<\/strong> through taxpayers\u2019 money. This further reduced the money available for small businesses.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Criticism of MUDRA\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li>In 2018, when the economy was stagnating, Mudra was publicised as a <strong>job-generation scheme. <\/strong>However, since 90% of the loans were issued <strong>under the Shishu category<\/strong> (less than Rs 50,000), they could not have generated many jobs. Besides, the default rate for shishu category is the highest.<\/li>\n<li>Mudra was a <strong>populist and political move<\/strong> to give away money. \u00a0Not surprisingly, almost immediately bad debts started piling up and so, the scheme has remained a headache for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and banks. From <strong>4.35%<\/strong> of Mudra advances in 2016-17, bad loans shot up to <strong>9.3%<\/strong> in FY19, as political parties organised camps to canvass Mudra loans for their supporters.<\/li>\n<li>In July 2019, the RBI blamed the <strong>poor credit-appraisal system of banks<\/strong> for rising bad debts. The biggest bad loans (12.39 per cent) were in the smallest loan category (under Rs 50,000).<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>scheme emphasised more on cash flow-based lending<\/strong> and not security-based lending. Collateral securities were avoided, and repayment obligations were kept flexible.<\/li>\n<li>The staff at branches <strong>focussed more on meeting the target<\/strong>. Once the loan is given, there is virtually no effective mechanism that can be employed to get the repayment. Banks have recovery agents and business correspondents, but often they are local people and the borrowers don\u2019t take them seriously.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5><strong>Way forward<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Government should consider burying the scheme. \u00a0More recent policies (renewable energy, production-linked incentives, timely tariff protection against dumping) where the government isn&#8217;t giving any direct loan and <strong>only helping the private sector,<\/strong> would generate much more economic growth and employment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-green\">\n<p><strong>Terms to know<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/cabinet-approves-2-interest-subvention-for-shishu-mudra-loans\/\">MUDRA Scheme<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs14\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/towards-a-more-humane-race\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Towards a more humane race<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> This post is based on the article &#8220;Towards a more humane police force&#8221; published in The Hindu on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong>GS-2 Police reforms<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance: <\/strong>To understand the requirements of police reforms<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis: <\/strong>Efforts are on to improve the human rights protection regime in police stations<\/p>\n<p><strong>Context:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Recently, the Chief Justice of India expressed his concerns about the human rights violations in police stations. The violations happen despite various constitutional safeguards and guarantees. Unfortunately, the threat to human rights violation &amp; bodily integrity is highest in police stations. Since the police are meant to protect human rights, efforts are needed to improve the situation in the police stations.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Findings of National crime Record Bureau:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>According to NCRB, the number of deaths in police custody varies every year. The data reveals that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>100 custodial deaths have taken place every year between 2010 -2019<\/li>\n<li>Of these deaths,\n<ul>\n<li>3.5% have been due to injuries caused by the police<\/li>\n<li>28.1 % because of suicide<\/li>\n<li>8.6 %, while escaping custody<\/li>\n<li>Rest, due to other different reasons like illness etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>A judicial enquiry is mandatory for suspicious deaths. It has been conducted only in 26.4 cases<\/li>\n<li>On average, about 47.2 criminal cases were registered annually against policemen in the last 10 years<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>When Arrest should not be made?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Read the following articles.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/sc-arrest-shouldnt-be-done-as-routine\/\">SC- Arrest should not be done as routine<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/arrest-is-not-always-a-must-says-supreme-court\/\">SC- Arrest is not always a must<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/give-it-a-rest-sc-reminds-lower-courts-cops-to-avoid-unnecessary-arrests-but-bureaucratic-habits-die-hard\/\">SC reminds lower courts, cops to avoid unnecessary arrests. But bureaucratic habits die hard<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Supreme court judgements to protect human rights:<\/h5>\n<p>The Supreme Court has pronounced many judgements to strengthen the human rights regime. For instance,<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>In <strong>Arnesh Kumar v State of Bihar (2014): <\/strong>The SC held that <strong>even though the offence is non-bailable<\/strong>, <strong>an arrest is not mandatory<\/strong> as per Section 41 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)<\/li>\n<li>In <strong>Special Action Forum v Union of India (2018): <\/strong>The SC held, the <strong>police officer shall explain<\/strong> to the magistrate <strong>the reasons necessitated the arrest<\/strong> for further detention of the accused.<\/li>\n<li>In <strong>Prakash Singh v Union of India (2006): <\/strong>The SC recommended <strong>separating the investigating police from law and order police<\/strong> to ensure better expertise in the investigation. Similar, recommendations have been given by the National Police Commission (1977-81), 154th Law Commission report (1996) &amp; Malimath committee (2003).\n<ul>\n<li>Malimath committee also recommended that investigation officers should not investigate more than 10 cases a year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>In <strong>DK Basu v State of Bengal (1996): <\/strong>The SC laid down the <strong>guidelines to check custodial torture<\/strong> and also mentioned steps to increase transparency &amp; responsibility of police officers during an arrest.<\/li>\n<li>In <strong>Paramvir Singh v Baljit Singh (2020): <\/strong>The SC directed states to cover more areas of police stations under CCTV &amp; to maintain a storage facility for audio-video recording for 18 months<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>What needs to be done?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Training of police persons to sensitize and encourage them to adopt scientific tools of interrogation. For instance, Narco test, Lie detector test etc.<\/li>\n<li>As was mentioned by the Home ministry, India needs to link police modernization with police reforms to create a police force that can meet the demands of contemporary times.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"content-box-green\">\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Terms to know<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indian-penal-code\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Penal Code<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/malimath-committee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Malimath Committee<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs15\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/guarding-democracy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Guarding Democracy<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong>This post is based on the article &#8220;Guarding democracy&#8221; published in the Times of India on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong>GS 2 \u00a0\u2013 Reforming the system to strengthen democracy<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance: <\/strong>To understand the significance of free speech<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis: <\/strong>The governments seek to suppress free speech. However, no vibrant democracy can be formed if it lacks free speech.<\/p>\n<h5>Context<\/h5>\n<p>The article highlights the importance of democracy in the public sphere. The essence of which is in the participation of the public in the decision-making process.<\/p>\n<p>But for that to happen, citizens should be adequately informed. The health of any democracy rests on the foundation of governments <strong>being truthful<\/strong> about the current state of affairs.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the role of citizens in ensuring a democratic process:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>They should ensure that media is free, especially when it is giving a critique of public institutions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>However, the government at times seeks to silence criticism. This is evident through recently introduced Information Technology Rules. It imposes Draconian restrictions on a digital medium that is fast growing. A consequence will be that fake news, which undermines the health of a democracy, will proliferate through other digital platforms.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>How can we strengthen democracy?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Education: <\/strong>Both the education system and democracy work well when children are allowed to develop a temperament that allows them to pose questions to power<strong>. Thus, <\/strong><strong>education is the key to strengthening a vibrant democracy.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Elections: <\/strong>Voting is a right in India, something that people in many other countries cannot take for granted. However, this right needs more involvement from India\u2019s more privileged citizens.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Way Forward<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The commitment to search for truth is a key aspiration of our society. \u00a0The best way to realize this goal is to allow the plurality that characterizes Indian society free expression.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, it can be said that democracy produces the best results when it creates a platform for multiple opinions.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs16\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-purpose-of-literature\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The purpose of literature<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong>This post is based on the article &#8220;The purpose of literature&#8221; published in The Hindu on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong>GS-2 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector\/Services relating to education<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance: <\/strong>To understand the value of Indian literature<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis: <\/strong>It is through inclusive and diverse writing that we get a socio-cultural understanding of the nation<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Recently, Delhi University dropped Mahasweta Devi\u2019s renowned short story \u201cDraupadi\u201d &amp; two Dalit writers \u201cBama &amp; Sukirtharani\u201d from their BA Hons syllabus<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What should be the purpose of literature?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>To understand who we are, or ought to be, as people<\/li>\n<li>To understand where and how we live and the challenges that face our time and society<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To understand literature better, all over the world, the literature syllabus is being redrawn to ensure inclusion and diversity.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is special about writings that have been removed?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li>Draupadi\u2014it details the hardships of tribals, which still exist in today\u2019s world.<\/li>\n<li>Bama\u2019s Karakku: It gives a brief about subjugation, caste oppression &amp; exclusion from society.<\/li>\n<li>Sukirtharani poems: It\u2019s about Dalit feminist politics.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>These are the important writings that highlight concerns that help us in getting a socio-cultural understanding of the issues that plague Indian society. These kinds of writings helps us to encourage critical questioning &amp; thinking among young minds.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What should be done before removing any such writings?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>There should be proper scrutiny by the experts<\/li>\n<li>Proper reasoning why the particular text is chosen to be removed.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure that there is no political interference\/pressure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Previous instances<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>This is not the first time such incidents have happened. There are many examples where such writings have been dropped from the University syllabus. The prominent ones are,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>AK Ramanujan&#8217;s <\/strong>Three hundred Ramayanas<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rohinton Mistry&#8217;s <\/strong>A fine balance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Way forward<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>We should focus on Indian literature along with world literature.<\/li>\n<li>An introduction to Indian writing will go a long way in creating passionate learners and critical thinkers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs17\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-broken-promise-of-justice-in-rape-cases\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The broken promise of justice in rape cases<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong>This post is based on the following articles.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;Rape &amp; insensitivity&#8221; published in The Hindu on 30th August 2021<\/li>\n<li>\u201cThe broken promise of justice in rape cases\u201d published in the Indian Express on 30<sup>th<\/sup> August 2021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS 2 mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: To understand crimes against women<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Despite stringent laws, crimes against women continue. The problems go far beyond law and point to the legal and socio-political system.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The issues of violence against women continue unabated in India. While the Nirbhaya case still lives in our collective memory, on August 24, an MBA student was gang-raped near Chamundi hills in Mysuru.<\/p>\n<p>In such incidents, the Apex court has been viewed as a saviour by the weak and marginalized groups. This is also true because of power asymmetry in a society where often Police are seen to side with power holders.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Issues associated with the Indian legal and socio-political system<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Legal system<\/strong>: Our legal system records that rape survivors are routinely killed or kill themselves in protest. But the legal system does not take any action on the root cause.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Media<\/strong>: Media discourse on rape is mostly spectacularised and sensationalized for TRP ratings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Society<\/strong> immediately starts focussing on anti-rape protests and not on the welfare of the victim. Further, society also <strong>put restrictions on the women<\/strong> movements to prevent that from happening.<\/li>\n<li><strong>State response<\/strong> is focused on criminalizing anti-rape protests.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Victims <\/strong>are counter cased are filed and victims are victimized further.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Judiciary<\/strong>: There is no Judicial enquiry on why the victims are imprisoned on false counter cases?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Impact of the lockdown on rape survivors:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Victims were subject to intimidation as the system was busy fighting Covid<\/li>\n<li>No moratorium was declared against arbitrary arrests of women and victims of violence<\/li>\n<li>Guidelines on how to treat rape survivors during the lockdown were not announced<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Judicial observations to protect freedom of women:<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>In June, the Supreme Court had to order police protection for a couple in a live-in relationship. As earlier they were denied relief by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>What needs to be done?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Recent rulings by the <strong>Chhattisgarh High Court and the Kerala High Court<\/strong>, reiterating that <strong>any sexual act by a man against his wife<\/strong>, even if it involved force, <strong>is not rape<\/strong>. This can be course-corrected.<\/li>\n<li>In the <strong>Aparna Bhat &amp; Ors vs. State of Madhya Pradesh case<\/strong>, the Supreme Court accepted the \u201cpaternalistic and misogynistic attitudes that are regrettably reflected at times in judicial orders and judgments&#8221;. This has to be <strong>course-corrected by the judiciary.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Instead of curbing the freedom of women, society and the state must ensure the protection of women both in public and private places.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs18\"><\/a>Seize the opportunity to institutionalise accountability<\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong>This post is based on the article &#8220;Seize the opportunity to institutionalise accountability&#8221; published in The Hindu on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS 2 \u2013 <strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector\/Services relating to health<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: India\u2019s vaccination program<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: India\u2019s vaccine program is underperforming, and India should speed up vaccine acquisition from foreign manufacturers.<\/p>\n<h5>Context<\/h5>\n<p>India&#8217;s vaccination drive, though in full swing, is underperforming given the size of the Indian population. India has granted approval to a few vaccines, while many are seeking approval. We should not let the delay in approval to jeopardize the vaccination drive.<\/p>\n<h5>What options does India have to boost vaccination?<\/h5>\n<p>The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) to the COVID-19vaccines manufactured by Moderna and by Johnson &amp; Johnson, at the end of June and early August 2021.<\/p>\n<p>Further, India also has an opportunity to receive 5 to 10 crore doses of Pfizer-BioNTech&#8217;s mRNA-based vaccine, including through the COVAX mechanism, before the end of 2021.<\/p>\n<h5>The government initiatives to boost vaccination<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>The government had modified regulations like providing for fast track trials for Vaccines approved by UK, US, Japan etc.<\/li>\n<li>The government has done away with requirements like bridging trials and the mandatory batch testing for vaccines manufactured abroad.<\/li>\n<li>But a<strong> key bottleneck has been the demand of manufacturers seeking indemnity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Must read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/what-is-indemnity-and-why-vaccine-manufacturers-are-demanding-that\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What is \u201cIndemnity\u201d and why vaccine manufacturers are demanding that?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5>Why India is not granting Indemnity?<\/h5>\n<p>Vaccines usually meet all safety parameters as immunobiological substances. But sometimes vaccines can be associated with rare and serious Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFIs).<\/p>\n<p>For instance, vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VIT) and Myocarditis are well known AEFIs. This is the major reason India is not granting indemnity.<\/p>\n<p>The other reasons are,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>First<\/strong>, the supply from these manufacturers is likely to be a very small proportion of total vaccine availability in the country.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Second<\/strong>, if foreign manufacturers are granted this indemnity, manufacturers currently supplying vaccines might make similar demands.\n<ul>\n<li>The manufacturers of the 3 vaccines currently being administered in India (Covishield, Covaxin, and Sputnik V) have not been granted indemnity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thirdly<\/strong>, if indemnity is granted, in case of legal issues Government might have to pay the compensation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fourth,<\/strong> the stand of manufacturers to not supply vaccines till indemnity is granted is too rigid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>What are the existing provisions for compensation in India for AEFIs?<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>If the person is a trial subject<\/strong>, then the rules governing clinical trials in India specify that <strong>compensation must be granted<\/strong> in case of injury or death of a trial subject.<\/li>\n<li>If any problem <strong>occurred in the government immunization programs<\/strong>, then <strong>no such compensation<\/strong> mechanism exists.<\/li>\n<li>If any problem <strong>occurred during private vaccinations<\/strong>, then the legal responsibility for any vaccine-related injury lies with the manufacturers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Why do we need an urgent review of these procedures?<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>India&#8217;s Covid-19 vaccine drive is underperforming.<\/li>\n<li>As per the data, only 11% of the total population has been fully vaccinated, and 35.5% have received the first dose.<\/li>\n<li>One of the major reasons for this is the insufficient supply, which has consistently been less than the projected vaccine availability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Other mechanisms in India to ensure the safety of vaccines<\/h5>\n<p>However, going beyond indemnity, India has mechanisms in the current legal framework to ensure safety and legal remedy for any harm.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>First<\/strong>, the Drugs Controller General of India, while granting registration certificates, is empowered to take action against companies found to be in violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Second<\/strong>, any individual seeking compensation can file petitions before consumer courts and the High Courts<\/li>\n<li><strong>Third<\/strong>, recent amendments to the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 disallow individuals but permit the regulatory bodies to initiate class-action suits (cases representing groups of people who have suffered from the same loss)&#8217; based on individual complaints.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Way Forward <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>India&#8217;s need to take a comprehensive view and not be rigid about indemnity alone:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>As long as citizens can redress the complaint, it makes little difference if compensation is paid by the Government or manufacturer.<\/li>\n<li>India should also examine the safeguards in place in other countries which have granted indemnity, like America&#8217;s Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Given the needs of India&#8217;s health, Government should work innovatively to speed up the vaccine supply to meet the demands of its vaccination program.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs19\"><\/a>Soft power, India\u2019s strength in Afghanistan<\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the following articles:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Hindu<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;Near and present&#8221; published on 28th August 2021<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;Afghan situation uncertain, says India&#8221; published on 28th August 2021<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;The Afghan theatre and judging India\u2019s responses&#8221; published on 30th August 2021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Indian Express<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;Soft power, India\u2019s strength in Afghanistan&#8221; published on 28th August 2021<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;India\u2019s limited options in Afghanistan&#8221; published on 28th August 2021<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;India important, want to maintain ties: Taliban leadership in Qatar&#8221; published on 30th August 2021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS \u2013 2:\u00a0<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>India and its neighbourhood- relations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: This article explains the recent developments in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h5>Context<\/h5>\n<p>Recently, the Taliban has declared that it will not allow any further evacuation of Afghan nationals. Following the announcement, a suicide bombing also took place in Kabul airport which claimed close to 100 lives. This shattered any optimism that the world had to hand over Afghanistan to the Taliban.<\/p>\n<p>But a member of the Taliban leadership in Qatar has said that India is \u201c<strong>very important for this subcontinent<\/strong>\u201d and that his group wants to continue Afghanistan\u2019s \u201c<strong>cultural\u201d, \u201ceconomic\u201d, \u201cpolitical\u201d and \u201ctrade ties\u201d with India \u201clike in the past\u201d<\/strong>. This explains India&#8217;s soft power investments in Afghanistan is reaping benefits.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Please read the following articles for a better understanding:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-script-of-the-new-endgame-in-afghanistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The script of the new endgame in Afghanistan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/return-of-taliban-has-implications-for-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Return of Taliban has implications for India<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/new-delhis-af-pak-old-friends-versus-old-foes-should-india-accept-taliban-betray-afghans-or-support-resistance-movements-like-salehs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New Delhi\u2019s Af-Pak: Old friends versus old foes: Should India accept Taliban, betray Afghans or support resistance movements like Saleh\u2019s?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/history-over-geography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">History over geography<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/modi-putin-discuss-afghanistan-india-flags-terror-concern-at-brics-unhrc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Modi, Putin discuss Afghanistan; India flags terror concern at BRICS, UNHRC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/fourth-evacuation-from-kabul-since-1992-the-legal-challenges-in-recognising-the-taliban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fourth evacuation from Kabul since 1992 &amp; The legal challenges in recognising the Taliban<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5>Taliban leadership opinion on India<\/h5>\n<p>Recently, a member of the Taliban leadership has said that India is \u201cvery important for this subcontinent\u201d and they wanted to continue relations like in the past. This\u00a0is the <strong>first categorical statement directed at India<\/strong> by a senior leader of the Taliban.<\/p>\n<p>The Taliban has also mentioned that they <strong>will give due importance to Afghan&#8217;s political, economic and trade ties<\/strong> with India. Further, he mentioned that <strong>Trade with India through Pakistan is very important<\/strong> for them.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, he also mentioned that the Taliban would <strong>address the issues holding up Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline<\/strong> project after the formation of the government.<\/p>\n<h5>India&#8217;s investment in Afghanistan<\/h5>\n<p>India is currently the fifth-largest donor in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is also among the top five recipients of India\u2019s external assistance. \u00a0India\u2019s total development assistance over the years has been worth over $3 billion.<\/p>\n<h6>Hard power investments:<\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/explained-indias-afghanistan-investment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read this post to know about India\u2019s Afghanistan investment<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h6>Soft power investments:<\/h6>\n<p>India&#8217;s soft power investments have helped India to build goodwill and greater people-to-people contact. It involves measures focusing on health, education, capacity development and food security, among others.<\/p>\n<p>Many Indian projects have been community-driven, thus helping engage a large section of people in development efforts.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, the <strong>Afghan Women\u2019s Empowerment Programme <\/strong>is a collaboration between USAID and the Self-Employed Women\u2019s Association (SEWA) for providing vocational education for Afghan women.<\/p>\n<h5>How India\u2019s development aid and cooperation distinguishes it from other donors?<\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li>India follows a demand-driven approach, which implies that the<strong> sectors for investment are chosen by the recipient government<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>India&#8217;s aid and investments come without any political trappings. For instance, the US and Germany invested funds with the condition to have peace talks.<\/li>\n<li>In PPP terms, the value of the Indian rupee is often underestimated. This means with the rupee, one can buy substantially more goods and services at adjusted exchange rates.\n<ul>\n<li>For example, a study by the Stimson Centre found out that even though I<strong>ndian aid in 2015-16 totalled $1.36 billion<\/strong>,<strong> in PPP terms it could be pegged at over $5 billion<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5>Criticism against India&#8217;s approach to Afghanistan<\/h5>\n<p>Despite India&#8217;s achievement in soft power, India also faces criticisms like:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>India <strong>did not follow an independent or national interest-based policy<\/strong> towards the events in that country. For example, India <strong>blindly accepted the governments installed by the US<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>India&#8217;s investment in Afghan earned goodwill among the people, but it did <strong>not earn any role in the political consultations<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Further, India also <strong>did not engage or endorse the Taliban in the past<\/strong>. This makes it<strong> hard to begin negotiations at present<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5>India&#8217;s response to the condition in Afghanistan<\/h5>\n<p>Recently, the External Affairs Ministry has stated, &#8220;Currently, there is <strong>no clarity on any entity forming a government in Kabul<\/strong>. There has been a lot of stories going around about who will be represented in the government&#8221;. He also mentioned that India is &#8220;monitoring the situation and are in touch with partner countries\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>India&#8217;s External Affairs Minister has mentioned that the Government is pursuing a \u201cwait and watch\u201d policy. India needs to establish itself as a neutral entity that is keen on the development of the region, but ready to work with all parties concerned. The recent statement of India&#8217;s External Affairs Minister has affirmed that.<\/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\/who-are-taliban-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Taliban<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/e-emergency-x-misc-visa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">e-Emergency X-Misc visa<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/new-delhi-to-host-the-next-panel-meet-for-tapi-gas-pipeline\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs10\"><\/a>Taliban has put geo-economics on top in India-US ties<\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article &#8220;Taliban has put geo-economics on top in India-US ties&#8221; published in the Livemint on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS \u2013 2:\u00a0 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and\/or affecting India\u2019s interests.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: This article explains the issues surrounding developed countries vs developing and least developed countries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h5>Afghan issues mentioned in the article<\/h5>\n<p>Please read the following articles for the recent developments in Afghanistan:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-script-of-the-new-endgame-in-afghanistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The script of the new endgame in Afghanistan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/return-of-taliban-has-implications-for-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Return of Taliban has implications for India<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/new-delhis-af-pak-old-friends-versus-old-foes-should-india-accept-taliban-betray-afghans-or-support-resistance-movements-like-salehs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New Delhi\u2019s Af-Pak: Old friends versus old foes: Should India accept Taliban, betray Afghans or support resistance movements like Saleh\u2019s?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/history-over-geography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">History over geography<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/modi-putin-discuss-afghanistan-india-flags-terror-concern-at-brics-unhrc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Modi, Putin discuss Afghanistan; India flags terror concern at BRICS, UNHRC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/fourth-evacuation-from-kabul-since-1992-the-legal-challenges-in-recognising-the-taliban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fourth evacuation from Kabul since 1992 &amp; The legal challenges in recognising the Taliban<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5>Context<\/h5>\n<p>There are two upcoming multilateral meetings over the next four months.\u00a0These are,<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The upcoming CoP-26 in Glasgow, scheduled to kick off on 31 October.<\/li>\n<li>The World Trade Organization\u2019s (WTO) ministerial is scheduled this December.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Some key determinants are likely to emerge from the meetings. But, the fight between rich nations vs developing and poor nations will also get intensify.<\/p>\n<h5>What are the issues surrounding climate change negotiations?<\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li>Developed nations, led by the US, are <strong>not yet willing to accept the developing bloc\u2019s principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.<\/strong> Instead, they are focusing on net-zero targets.<\/li>\n<li>Under the Paris Agreement, <strong>rich countries had promised to provide $100 billion every year to developing and poor nations<\/strong>. This fund will primarily help them to cope with the effects of climate change and gradually shift from polluting factories to greener ones. So far, <strong>the promise of $100 billion has remained only on paper<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/net-zero-emissions-target-and-significance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Net Zero Emissions Target for India \u2013 Explained, Pointwise<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5>What are the issues surrounding trade negotiations?<\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Agricultural trade<\/strong> remains a bone of contention. Rich nations have consistently bullied developing countries at every trade negotiation. Rich nations tried to <strong>restrict farm subsidies of developing countries while refusing to touch their own<\/strong>.\n<ol>\n<li>The rich nations mention that there is an asymmetry in the 1995 agriculture agreement. But one has to remember that the rich nations only introduced the agreement during the morphing of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade into the WTO.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>Apart from that, the rich nations have also been trying to <strong>shift the goal-post by questioning special and differential treatment provisions<\/strong> for developing countries.<\/li>\n<li>The rich nations also <strong>add new issues<\/strong> to the agenda in which <strong>they have a competitive advantage, such<\/strong>\u00a0as e-commerce and investment facilitation.<\/li>\n<li>A permanent solution to the <strong>public stockholding for food security<\/strong> has been pending since 2013. The pandemic has shown the importance of public stockholding by India and other poor nations. The issues with public stockholding are,\n<ul>\n<li>The formula is based on average crop prices of 1986-1988.<\/li>\n<li>The developed countries are of the opinion that the minimum support price system in India is trade-distorting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wto-rules-on-domestic-support-and-food-security\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WTO rules on domestic support and food security<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"content-box-green\">\n<p><strong>Terms to know:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/india-uk-plan-world-bank-for-green-energy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The United Nations Climate Change Conference 2021 or the CoP 21<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/world-trade-organization-wto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World Trade Organization<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/cbdr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wto-terminologies-aoa-blue-green-amber-box-peace-clause\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), Blue| Green| Amber Box, Peace clause<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>GS Paper 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs21\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/genetically-changed-mosquitoes-could-transform-africas-long-fight-against-malaria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Genetically changed mosquitoes could transform Africa\u2019s long fight against malaria<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201cGenetically changed mosquitoes could transform Africa\u2019s long fight against malaria\u201d published in The Down to Earth on 29th August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3 &#8211; Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Tackling Malaria via genetic programming of Mosquitoes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Genetic programming of mosquitoes along with traditional methods of Malaria prevention could help us reduce the increasing cases of Malaria globally and help reduce associated mortality.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>For Malaria prevention, some countries heavily depend on using insecticide treated bed nets and house spraying. These efforts, together with effective treatment, have greatly reduced the malaria burden across the continent. But lately, some countries, in Africa, have been reporting increases in cases because of resistance to insecticides.<\/p>\n<p>Malaria control must, therefore, move away from relying too much on insecticides to <strong>more sustainable options.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A World Health Organisation (WHO) panel in 2016, concluded that even with the best use of current approaches, there would still be 11 million malaria cases in 2050. It called for long term strategies to complement current methods.<\/p>\n<p>One of the solution is the release of<strong> genetically programmed mosquitoes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>About gene drive<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>In nature, there\u2019s a phenomenon called\u00a0<strong>gene drive<\/strong>\u00a0which operates in the process of reproduction. This is when a genetic element is able to increase the chance that it will be inherited by offspring<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The general underlying principle of all gene drives is an organism that will produce offspring similar to themselves.<\/li>\n<li>Some characteristics are randomly passed on from parents to the next generation. However, gene drive forces a different type of inheritance that ensures a specific characteristic is always present in the next generation. Scientists engineer gene drive using various molecular tools.<\/li>\n<li>Gene drive is not just a human invention; some occur naturally in insects<\/li>\n<li>Unlike traditional genetic modification, <strong>gene drives enable extremely rapid spread of the desired characteristics<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Genetically-programmed mosquitoes<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>The genetically programmed mosquitoes, are also called as \u201c<strong>protector mosquitoes\u201d<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Upon mating with wild mosquitoes they produce offspring that are either\u00a0incapable of any further reproduction\u00a0or\u00a0unable to transmit malaria parasites<\/li>\n<li>Researchers are using\u00a0<strong>gene-editing tools\u00a0<\/strong>to modify what certain mosquitoes are capable of, and make sure these capabilities are passed on to the next generation<\/li>\n<li>The genetically programmed mosquitoes could take over wild populations of disease-carrying mosquitoes in just a few generations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Concerns\/Issues\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ethical concerns<\/strong> about gene drive are often motivated by larger issues, such as how to stop gene drive from being used in biological weapons by engineering insects that are more dangerous. Then there is the question of who should decide which gene drive projects move forward and what types of insects with gene drive can be released into the environment.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ecological concerns<\/strong>&#8211; Gene drive might cause unintended consequences in the ecosystem. What will happen to the natural ecosystem if a population, even of mosquitoes that make people sick, is driven to extinction? Potential threats to natural biodiversity and the security of food? etc, are some serious questions that need answering.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Way forward<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>More education and risk assessments are needed to inform further development of the technology. Regulatory and accountability systems are required so that regulations are adhered to and public safety is protected.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs22\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/infrastructure-development-and-eco-conservation-should-go-hand-in-hand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Infrastructure development and eco-conservation should go hand-in-hand<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201cInfrastructure development and eco-conservation should go hand-in-hand\u201d published in The Hindu on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3 &#8211; Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Balancing economic development with environmental conservation<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Infrastructural development, though necessary, must be rooted in regional ecological and environmental realities.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Infrastructure development in the Himalayan region such as Hydropower is disturbing fragile ecosystem and leading to issues such as landslips, avalanches and the loss of lives and property.<\/p>\n<p>The avalanche in Chamoli this February, that destroyed two power projects and killed at least 200, was only the latest reminder. It has brought attention back to development and conservation dilemma.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>In the aftermath of the devastating Kedarnath floods of 2013, the Supreme Court ordered a halt to hydroprojects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins pending a review on whether they exacerbated the damage.<\/li>\n<li>The future of hydroprojects is closely linked to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) programme. For the health of the river, it must be allowed to flow unimpeded, and\u00a0hydropower projects are an obstacle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Present scenario<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Division of views b\/w ministries<\/strong>: The Water Resources Ministry, which manages the NMCG, is opposed to hydropower projects while the Ministry of Power supports for them. Whenever a group of experts has recommended a cessation of infrastructure development, there is always another group of experts that differ and recommend the opposite.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Way forward<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Uttarakhand, like all other States, is not immune from the demands for reliable power and infrastructure from its people. Along with better dialogue, power companies and the Centre must inspire greater trust in the residents of the region.<\/p>\n<p>Infrastructure development will have to necessarily account for the region\u2019s constraints.<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-green\">\n<p><strong>Terms to know<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong> <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/national-mission-for-clean-ganganmcg\/\">NMCG<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs23\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/it-makes-sense-to-extract-value-from-underutilized-public-assets-on-asset-monetisation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">It makes sense to extract value from underutilized public assets (On Asset monetisation)<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201cIt makes sense to extract value from underutilized public assets (On Asset monetisation)\u201d published in The Live Mint on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong>GS3 &#8211; Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance:<\/strong> Resource Mobilisation<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong> National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), should be welcomed.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Read here<\/strong>:\u00a0<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/national-monetization-pipeline-explained-pointwise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/national-monetization-pipeline-explained-pointwise\/<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Rationale behind Asset Monetisation<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Additional Fiscal resource for states:<\/strong> Public assets like roadside parking slots, municipal grounds and advertising surfaces and parade grounds of police and defence services remain unused for most part of the year. Revenue-starved governments across the country could find new resources to finance higher demands on public expenditure.\n<ul>\n<li>For instance, imposing parking charges on a mere 1.5% of Bengaluru city roads could add 5% to its annual budget<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Improved Governance and Public services: <\/strong>Corruption and inefficiency are often blamed for the poor state of public services like policing, health, education, transport and so on<strong>. <\/strong>However<strong>,<\/strong> cash-strapped governments are the single biggest reason for the poor public delivery of services. With increase in public finances governance and public services will improve substantially.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Suggestions\/measures<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>To control corruption and cronyism <em>(giving undue favors to friends and associates)<\/em>, <strong>policy design should be corruption-resistant<\/strong>, insist on transparency, promote market competition and punish wrong-doers<strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>NMP implementation should allocate assets in a way that the lessee has a <strong>natural incentive to maintain public assets.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Recommendations by NITI Aayog<\/strong>: NITI Aayog has made the following recommendations to make NMP a success,\n<ul>\n<li>First, government should give <strong>i<\/strong><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">ncome tax breaks to attract retail investors<\/strong><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"> into instruments such as Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs). <\/span>More <strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">tax-efficient and user-friendly mechanisms<\/strong><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"> like allowing tax benefits in InvITs as eligible security to invest under Section 54EC of the Income Tax Act, 1961, are important for <\/span><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">initiating retail participation<\/strong><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"> in the instruments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Second, it also suggested bringing<strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">\u00a0policy and regulatory changes<\/strong><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"> to scale up monetisation instruments such as InvITs and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). <\/span>Section 54EC allows taxpayers to <strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">offset long-term capital gains<\/strong><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"> from transactions in immovable properties through investments in bonds issued by some government-backed infrastructure firms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Third, it suggested expanding the investor base, which is a critical element for the NMP.<\/li>\n<li>Fourth, it also called for bringing such trusts <strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">within the ambit of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)<\/strong><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"> to provide greater comfort to investors.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs24\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/goi-plus-india-inc-on-lack-of-trust-b-w-govt-businesses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GoI Plus India Inc (On lack of trust b\/w govt &amp; businesses)<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong>This post is based on the article \u201cGoI Plus India Inc (On lack of trust b\/w govt &amp; businesses)\u201d published in the Times of India on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong>GS3 &#8211; Effects of Liberalization on the Economy, Changes in Industrial Policy and their Effects on Industrial Growth.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance: <\/strong>Industry-Government partnership<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis: <\/strong>No nation became prosperous without trust between government and business. A look at some such events that indicate lack of trust.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>In the past few weeks, a series of events have raised the question of trust between government and business. It brought back unhappy memories of the Licence Raj.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What are those events?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li>Present signs of distrust came in late July with the <strong>failure of the Indian Railways to attract a single private player to run 150 trains.<\/strong> The reform failed because of a lack of trust. Bidders had repeatedly insisted on an independent regulator to create a level playing field, flexibility in timings, routes and a fair exit. They didn\u2019t trust the current regulator. However, the railways were not ready to heed to their demands.<\/li>\n<li>Second, <strong>govt released draft e-commerce rules<\/strong> and created uncertainty among foreign and Indian investors. E-commerce offers such hope to thousands of India\u2019s small businesses of entering the world market via global e-commerce. It is India\u2019s ticket to massive exports and millions of jobs.<\/li>\n<li>Third, <strong>differences<\/strong> came out in the open between <strong>India\u2019s outward looking businesses<\/strong>, who want to integrate with global chains, versus the <strong>government\u2019s inward looking atmanirbhar policy<\/strong>. In an intervention at a CII forum, the commerce minister reportedly said Indian industry doesn\u2019t always act in national interest. He reportedly censured businesspersons of structuring foreign investments against the spirit of the rules.<\/li>\n<li>Fourth, the commerce ministry announced an online essay competition for students. One of the two topics was <strong>\u2018Import substitution: Atmanirbhar ki Aur\u2019<\/strong>. Surely, it was a mistake to revive a discredited policy of the 1960s that did so much harm to India\u2019s exports.<\/li>\n<li>Fifth, <strong>Infosys was \u201csummoned\u201d by the finance ministry<\/strong> to explain failures with income tax e-filing. It could have been sorted out quietly. The vendor could be penalised for its faults without public messaging.<\/li>\n<li>Other issues that hamper Industry-Government connect\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Criminalising short spending on CSR philanthropy<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Draconian amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act<\/strong> brought mistrust and panic among NGOs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5><strong>Implications of distrust\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The prosperity of Germany, United States and Japan has been attributed to high levels of trust between business and the state.<\/p>\n<p>In India, however, low trust has led to <strong>over-regulation, complicated laws, higher costs <\/strong>and <strong>making the nation uncompetitive.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Business was thus skeptical of Rs 6 trillion monetisation plan announced recently. Although its brownfield projects are free of risks of land acquisition, environment clearance, <strong>industry fears hassles at each stage<\/strong> of execution, from unfair PPP contracts to lack of justice from weak regulators.<\/p>\n<p>Reforms of 1991 ushered in a new age of trust and prosperity. As tax rates came down, compliance rose, taxes collected went up. When a government weakens trust, it harms itself. People do not want a pro- or anti-business government. They want one open to new ideas.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 24pt;\"><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><\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f1\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/niti-aayog-caught-in-e-com-cross-hairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NITI Aayog caught in e-com cross hairs<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201cNITI Aayog caught in e-com cross hairs\u201d published in The Business Standard on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the news?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has criticized NITI Aayog on its opposition to some of the e-commerce policy rules.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In June, the consumer affairs ministry had proposed a range of amendments under the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, to \u2018\u2019protect the interests of consumers and encourage fair competition\u2019\u2019 in the market and had sought comments from relevant stakeholders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Read here<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/share-info-with-govt-ban-on-specific-flash-sales-move-to-tighten-e-commerce-norms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Draft E-commerce rules<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>What did NITI Aayog say?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>NITI Aayog had raised concerns regarding the <strong>fallback liability clause<\/strong> that puts the onus on marketplace platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart, instead of sellers.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #f7f2f2;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Must Read:<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/government-extends-deadline-for-comments-on-draft-ecommerce-rules\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">E-commerce companies call out lack of clarity in draft rules<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>What is the fallback liability clause?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The draft e-commerce rules define \u201cfall back liability\u201d as<\/p>\n<p><em>the liability of a marketplace e-commerce entity where a <b>seller registered with the entity fails to deliver the goods or services<\/b>\u00a0exactly in the way described on the platform, as a result of negligent conduct, omission or a seller&#8217;s fault.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Companies too have expressed their concerns regarding this clause.<\/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>: <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/for-consumer-a-bad-bargain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Issues with draft e-commerce rules<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>Why is CAIT criticizing NITI Aayog?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>As per CAIT, the doubts cast by NITI Aayog on draft e-commerce rules under Consumer Protection Act are contrary to the objectives for which it has been constituted, and it seems to be doing so under pressure of e-commerce giants<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f2\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/duopoly-in-telcom-will-hurt-both-consumers-and-govt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Duopoly in telcom will hurt both consumers and govt<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201cDuopoly in telcom will hurt both consumers and govt\u201d published in The Business Standard on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the news?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p>The government is reportedly looking at a relief package for the stressed\u00a0telecom\u00a0sector while also exploring ways to allow operators to pay their dues linked to\u00a0adjusted gross revenue\u00a0(AGR) over 20 years rather than 10 years currently.<\/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>: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/two-is-too-few\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Two is too few &#8211; Issues with telecom sector<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Preventing a duopoly in telecom sector is crucial for a large country like India. Hence, the need for a relief package is evident. Further, following steps can be taken,<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Steps needed<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>The DoT (Department of Telecommunication) must <strong>revisit the components of AGR,<\/strong> which includes interest income, dividend, profits on the sale of assets, insurance claims, and forex gains.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>reserve price for the upcoming 5G spectrum auction should be rationalized<\/strong> to a level that would prevent telcos from any further bleeding.<\/li>\n<li>Telecom companies must<strong> rationalize their tariffs<\/strong> without TRAI&#8217;s interference. Small beginnings have been made by telcos in the post-paid segment, but to make a real difference in their financial health, they need to ask the larger universe of pre-paid telecom users to shell out more for the services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"content-box-green\">\n<p><strong>Terms to know<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/adjusted-gross-revenue-agr\/\">AGR<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/telecom-regulatory-authority-of-india-trai\/\">TRAI<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f3\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/no-taper-tantrum-on-us-fed-reserve-policies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">No taper tantrum (On US Fed reserve policies)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Source:\u00a0<\/strong>This post is based on the article \u201cNo taper tantrum (On US Fed reserve policies)\u201d published in The Business Standard on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the news?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p>The US Fed Reserve is considering reducing the pace of its asset purchase. As per Fed&#8217;s Chairman, the economy had evolved as expected, and it could be appropriate to start reducing asset purchase this year.<\/p>\n<p>But, it&#8217;s not clear at this stage as to when the Fed will start <strong>tapering<\/strong> and at what pace.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tapering is the\u00a0<strong>gradual reduction in the monthly purchase of assets<\/strong> by the Federal Reserve. It is the process of slowing down Quantitative Easing (QE).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-great-unwind\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>What is Quantitative Easing (QE)?<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>Concerns for India<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>The announcement of tapering in 2013 resulted in significant volatility, which led to a near currency crisis in India. A slower normalisation will give emerging markets more time to adjust. Some emerging market economies have started normalisation despite a slower economic recovery.<\/li>\n<li>To be sure, India is in a much better position than in 2013. Unlike then, the current account is in far better shape and India reported a surplus last fiscal year.<\/li>\n<li>It has also accumulated large foreign exchange reserves, which will help the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) manage volatility in the currency market effectively.<\/li>\n<li>But it still has two big problems, (i) sustained higher inflation, (ii) large general government Budget deficit with high public debt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Way forward<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>As the world starts returning to normal, Indian policymakers will need to address inflation and a budget deficit to preserve financial stability.<\/li>\n<li>The government must also work on a medium-term fiscal plan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/sambhar-lake-needs-faster-restoration-says-expert-study\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sambhar Lake needs faster restoration, says expert study<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b>This post is based on the article &#8220;Sambhar Lake needs faster restoration, says expert study&#8221; published in The Hindu on 27th August 2021.<\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to an expert study, Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is constantly shrinking with degradation of soil and water quality.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>About Sambhar Lake:<\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Sambhar Lake <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is India\u2019s largest inland saline water body, located near Jaipur in Rajasthan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>The lake is surrounded <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on all sides by the Aravali hills. The lake <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is spread across Jaipur and Nagaur districts and also a part of Ajmer district in Rajasthan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>The lake receives water from six rivers: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mantha, Rupangarh, Khari, Khandela, Medtha and Samod.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Ramsar Site: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lake was also designated as a Ramsar site in 1990.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Salt Production:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The lake <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">produces 196,000 tonnes of clean salt every year, which is around 9% of India&#8217;s salt production.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Migratory Birds:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The lake <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">attracts thousands of migratory birds every year. <\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2019, the death of more than 20,000 birds belonging to about 10 species that migrate annually to the lake had made international headlines. Later, it was found that the birds had died due to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/avian-botulism-reason-for-bird-deaths-near-sambhar-lake\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">avian botulism.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b>Study on Sambhar Lake:<\/b><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Loss of Sambhar Lake Area:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Almost 30% of Sambhar Lake\u2019s area had been lost to mining and other activities, including the illegal salt pan encroachments<\/span><b>.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Loss of Livelihoods of Local People: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The loss of the area has also threatened the livelihoods of local people, who have always lived in harmony with the lake and its ecology.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Reduction in Wetland: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There has been a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reduction of wetland from 30.7% to 3.4% at a constant rate with its conversion into saline soil, which increased by 9.3%.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>What needs to be done?<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Urgent action<\/strong> is needed to restore the lake\u2019s ecosystem for protecting the birds and biodiversity as well as the salt production.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The study has recommended that <\/span><strong>Sambhar Lake Development Authority<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> should be formed<\/strong> by taking experts from multiple agencies.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Further, a <strong>coordination committee should also be developed<\/strong> among the administration of three districts &#8211; Jaipur, Ajmer and Nagaur.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f5\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/defence-minister-dedicates-to-the-nation-indigenously-built-indian-coast-guard-ship-vigraha\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Defence Minister dedicates to the Nation Indigenously built Indian Coast Guard Ship &#8216;Vigraha&#8217;<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b>This post is based on the article &#8220;Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh dedicates to the Nation Indigeneously built Indian Coast Guard Ship &#8216;Vigraha'&#8221; published in PIB on 28th August 2021.<\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Defence Minister has <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">commissioned the Indian Coast Guard (ICG)&#8217;s offshore patrol vessel (OPV) Vigraha.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>About ICGS Vigraha:<\/b><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Vigraha <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is an indigenously built Indian Coast Guard(ICG)&#8217;s offshore patrol vessel (OPV).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Built by: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ship has been designed and built by M\/s Larsen &amp; Toubro Shipbuilding Ltd.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Based at:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The ship will be based at Visakhapatnam and operate on India&#8217;s Eastern Seaboard.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b>Key Features:<\/b><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Communication Technology: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ship is equipped with advanced radars. The sensors and machinery present in the ship make it capable of operating in tropical sea conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Carrying Capacity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The ship has been designed to carry one twin-engine helicopter and four high-speed boats for the purpose of boarding operation, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b style=\"color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Climate Sensitive: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The design of the vessel is also climate-sensitive. The ship is capable of carrying &#8220;<strong>pollution response equipment&#8221; to contain oil spills<\/strong> at sea.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f6\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/scientists-are-using-new-satellite-tech-to-find-glow-in-the-dark-milky-seas-of-maritime-lore\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scientists are using new satellite tech to find glow-in-the-dark milky seas of maritime lore<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source:\u00a0<\/b>This post is based on the article &#8220;Scientists are using new satellite tech to find glow-in-the-dark milky seas of maritime lore&#8221; published in Down to Earth on 27th August 2021.<\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scientists are using new satellite technologies to find the reasons for the Milky Seas effect.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>About Milky Seas Effect:<\/b><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li><b>Milky seas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are also called mareel. It is a luminous phenomenon in the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ocean,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in which large areas of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seawater<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> appear to glow <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">translucently<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (in varying <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shades of blue)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Such occurrences glow <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">brightly enough at night to be visible from satellites orbiting Earth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5><b>Reason for the Milky Sea Effect:<\/b><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Till now,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> only one research vessel has encountered a milky sea. That crew collected samples and found a strain of luminous bacteria (called <\/span><b>Vibrio harveyi<\/b>) <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">colonizing algae at the water\u2019s surface.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Purpose of the Glow: <\/b>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luminous bacteria cause the particles to glow when they colonize. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Researchers also think that the purpose of this glow could be to attract fish that eat them. <\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These bacteria thrive in the guts of fishes, so when their populations get too big for their main food supply, a fish\u2019s stomach makes a great second option.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you go into a refrigerated fish locker and turn off the light, you may notice that some fish emit a greenish-blue glow \u2013 this is bacterial light.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>The instrument used for detecting Milky Sea Effect:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Day\/Night Band: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are new constellations of satellites planned for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They are designed to capture low-light emission sources, under a variety of illuminated conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f7\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/government-introduces-a-new-registration-mark-for-new-vehicles-bharat-series-bh-series-to-facilitate-seamless-transfer-of-vehicles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government introduces a new registration mark for new vehicles \u201cBharat series (BH-series)\u201d to facilitate seamless transfer of vehicles<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source:\u00a0<\/b>This post is based on the article &#8220;Government introduces a new registration mark for new vehicles \u201cBharat series (BH-series)\u201d to facilitate seamless transfer of vehicles&#8221; published in PIB on 28th August 2021.<\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced a new registration mark for new vehicles called the Bharat series (BH-series).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the BH Number Series?<\/b><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>BH number series <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is a newly introduced number series for vehicle registration across India. It is specifically meant for those vehicle owners who shift from one state to another on a regular basis due to their transferable nature of jobs.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Currently,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">person is allowed to keep a vehicle for a maximum of one year in any State other than the one, it is registered in. Owners have to get such vehicles re-registered before the expiry of one year (12 months).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The BH signifies Bharat <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and will replace the state letters in the number plate denoting the state of vehicle registration, like UP or DL.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5><b>Who is eligible to apply for BH Series?<\/b><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The vehicle registration facility under the \u2018BH\u2019 series will be available to defence personnel, employees of Central government, state governments, Central\/State PSUs <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Further, individuals working in private sector companies\/organisations, which have their offices in five or more states\/Union Territories can also avail of this registration. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the employees in these services have a transferable job, moving from one state to another every 2-3 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Motor Vehicles Tax:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, one has to pay road tax for regular vehicles for 15 years. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, for the BH series, the motor vehicle tax will be levied for two years or in multiple of two. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After completion of the fourteenth year, the motor vehicle tax shall be levied annually.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Benefits of BH Series:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vehicles will not require any transfer of registration and will be valid across the country. This will allow free movement of personal vehicles across States\/Union Territories.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f8\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wcd-ministry-to-celebrate-poshan-maah-across-nation-throughout-next-month\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WCD Ministry to celebrate POSHAN Maah across nation throughout next month<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source:\u00a0<\/b>This post is based on the article &#8220;\u2018Thematic\u2019 POSHAN Maah To Be Celebrated Across The Nation Throughout The Month Of September As Part Of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav&#8221; published in PIB on 29th August 2021.<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ministry of Women and Child Development will celebrate the POSHAN Maah across the nation throughout the next month.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>About POSHAN Maah:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>POSHAN Maah <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is celebrated every year during the month of September under <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/tackling-malnutrition-challenge-via-poshan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">POSHAN Abhiyan <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(PM\u2019s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Aim: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To ensure community mobilisation and bolster people\u2019s participation under POSHAN Abhiyan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Nodal Ministry: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ministry of Women and Child Development is celebrating it in convergence with partner Ministries and departments at the National, State\/UTs, District and grass-root levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Activities:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During POSHAN Maah, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">activities related to nutrition awareness will be carried out across all the States\/UTs right up to the grass-root levels<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The weekly themed wise activities include:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plantation Activity as \u201cPoshanVatika\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yoga and AYUSH for Nutrition.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Distribution of \u2018Regional Nutrition Kit\u2019 to Anganwadi beneficiaries of High Burden Districts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identification of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) children and distribution of nutritious food.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f9\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/ayush-minister-announces-major-plans-for-boosting-ayush-initiatives-in-northeast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ayush Minister announces major plans for Boosting Ayush Initiatives in Northeast<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source:\u00a0<\/b>This post is based on the article &#8220;\u2018Ayush Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal announces major plans for Boosting Ayush Initiatives in Northeast&#8221; published in PIB on 28th August 2021.<\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Union Minister of Ayush has announced a number of major initiatives planned to boost the traditional medicinal practices in the northeastern states of India.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>Major Initiatives Announced:<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><b>Health and Wellness Centres:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b>The Government of India <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will set up 1,000 health and wellness centres (HWC) in the Northeast as a part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/cabinet-approves-continuation-of-centrally-sponsored-scheme-national-ayush-mission\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Ayush Mission(NAM)<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for the growth and development of Ayush systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>The aim of these centres<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will be to provide a holistic wellness model based on principles of Ayush systems of medicine.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5><b>Ayurvedic College:<\/b><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The Ministry of Ayush<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will provide \u20b970 crore for the establishment of a new ayurvedic college at Dudhnoi in Assam\u2019s Goalpara.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Y-Break App:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Y-Break mobile application has been developed by MDNIY (Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through this app, yoga and meditation can be done anywhere in just 5 minutes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>AyushAapkeDwar programme:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the programme, saplings will be distributed to households to promote the concept of growing medicinal plants in the kitchen garden. It will help households to use the medicines from their gardens for common illnesses.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Schemes Mentioned in the Article:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>The scheme on Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a Central Sector Scheme.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The scheme is implemented by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/national-medicinal-plants-board-launches-consortia-of-medicinal-plants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Medicinal Plants Board,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ministry of Ayush.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>Objectives of the scheme:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Under the scheme, the following activities are supported for the management of medicinal plants:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In-situ conservation\/ Ex-situ conservation of medicinal plants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To support joint forest management committees (JFMCs) for value addition, drying, warehousing and augmenting marketing infrastructure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IEC activities like Training\/ Workshops\/ Seminars\/ Conference etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research &amp; Development.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promotion, marketing and trade of medicinal plants produce.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f10\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/pib-shillong-organizes-webinar-on-unsung-heroes-of-meghalaya-to-commemorate-azadi-ka-amrit-mahotsav\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PIB Shillong Organizes Webinar on \u2018Unsung Heroes of Meghalaya\u2019 to Commemorate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source:\u00a0<\/b>This post is based on the article &#8220;PIB Shillong Organizes Webinar on \u2018Unsung Heroes of Meghalaya\u2019 to Commemorate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav&#8221; published in PIB on 28th August 2021.<\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Press Information Bureau, Shillong has held a virtual discussion on \u2018Unsung Heroes of Meghalaya\u2019 as part of the nationwide celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>Important Unsung Heroes of Meghalaya:<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><b>U Tirot Sing Sylem:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>U Tirot Sing was <\/b><b>born in the year 1802 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and died in the year 1835. He was one of the chiefs of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Khasi people<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the early 19th century.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>He declared war <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and fought against the British for attempts to take over control of the Khasi Hills.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>U Sib Charan Roy:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>U Sib Charan Roy <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was a Nationalist and socio-religious reformer, born in 1862 in Sohra, Meghalaya. He was the eldest son of Babu Jeebon Roy, the \u2018Father of modern Khasis\u2019.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>He joined government service <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in 1891 as an A.S.I of police. But, he grew disgusted with the oppressive measures resorted by the British Government. Subsequently, he resigned from Government service in 1892.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>He joined the Indian National Congress in 1920<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and was the <strong>only Khasi who attended the famous \u2018Lahore Session\u2019 of 1929<\/strong> and had seen the flag hosting and demand for \u2018Purna Swaraj\u2019 (complete independence) by the Congress.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>He started a monthly paper<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2018U Nongphira\u2019 (watchman).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, he knew Sanskrit and translated the <\/span><b>Hindu religious book \u2018Bhagavad Gita\u2019 into the Khasi language.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5><b>U Kiang Nangbah:<\/b><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>U Kiang Nangbah <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was a Khasi freedom fighter from Meghalaya who led an uprising against the British.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>He was hanged by the British <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">publicly at Iawmusiang in Jowai town in West Jaintia Hills district in 1862.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>A postage stamp <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was issued by the Government of India to commemorate him in 2001. A government college was also opened at Jowai in 1967 in his honour.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f11\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/pm-dedicates-renovated-complex-of-jallianwala-bagh-smarak-to-the-nation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PM dedicates\u00a0renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh Smarak to the nation<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong>This post is based on the article &#8220;PM dedicates\u00a0renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh Smarak to the nation&#8221; published in the PIB on 28th August 2021.<\/p>\n<h5>Context<\/h5>\n<p>To pay homage to Jallianwala Bagh brave hearts, PM dedicated renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh Smarak to the nation. PM also inaugurated Museum Galleries at the Smarak.<\/p>\n<h5>About the Jallianwala Bagh massacre<\/h5>\n<p>The Jallianwala Bagh massacre also known as the Amritsar Massacre took place on 13th April 1919 under the command of General Dyer who ordered firing against the protestors who were gathered at Jallianwala Bagh to condemn the arrest of two national leaders Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\">Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/jallianwala-bagh-incident\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jallianawala Bagh incident<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>Why April 13 is special?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>It is the celebration of Baisakhi, a spring harvest festival.<\/li>\n<li>It marks the establishment of \u201cKhalsa Panth\u201d by the 10<sup>th<\/sup> Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, which had the objective of \u201cSarbat da Bhala\u201d (blessings for everyone).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f12\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/india-warns-arms-cos-of-action-for-default-in-offset-commitments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">India warns arms cos of action for default in offset commitments<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201cIndia warns arms cos of action for default in offset commitments\u201d published in the Times of India on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the news?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The Government of India has started taking action against foreign armament majors for failure to fulfill their offsets obligations in defence deals. It has threatened to ban a US company and put another 11 firms on watchlist for imposition of penalties.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What are offset obligations?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">In defence sector, the offset is an obligation by an international player to boost India\u2019s domestic defence industry if India is buying defence equipment from it.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Since defence contracts are costly, the government wants part of that money either to benefit the Indian industry, or to allow the country to gain in terms of technology.<\/li>\n<li>An offset provision in a contract makes it obligatory on the supplier to either \u201creverse purchase, execute export orders or invest in local industry or in research and development\u201d in the buyer\u2019s domestic industry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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\/offset-policy-in-defence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Offset policy in defence<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in a report, defined offsets as a \u201cmechanism generally established with the triple objectives of:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>partially compensating for a significant outflow of a buyer country\u2019s resources in a large purchase of foreign goods<\/li>\n<li>facilitating induction of technology and<\/li>\n<li>adding capacities and capabilities of domestic industry<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5><strong>What will happen now?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>A <strong>warning<\/strong> has been issued that if companies do not fulfill their offset obligations in a timely manner, their <strong>bank guarantees could be forfeited<\/strong> and payments could be deducted.<\/li>\n<li>If these options are not available against a company, then a <strong>show cause notice<\/strong> will be sent to explain why it should not be banned.<\/li>\n<li>The CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General of India) has called for a <strong>major overhaul of the entire offset policy<\/strong> highlighting it has failed to meet the objectives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f13\"><\/a>Rs 1.42-trillion tied grant to villages for water, sanitation: 15th FC<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article &#8220;Rs 1.42-trillion tied grant to villages for water, sanitation: 15th FC&#8221; published in the Business Standard on 30th August 2021.<\/p>\n<h5>Context<\/h5>\n<p>Recently, The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation &#8211; under the Jal Shakti ministry &#8211; has recommended the release of the first instalment of tied grant to 25 states.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier, the Fifteenth Finance Commission (15th FC) has recommended a \u20b91.42-trillion tied grant to local rural bodies and panchayats for the next five years (from 2021- 22 to 2025\u201326).<\/p>\n<h5>About the 15th FC recommendation:<\/h5>\n<figure id=\"attachment_129839\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-129839\" style=\"width: 671px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-129839\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Tied-grant-to-villages.png?resize=671%2C545&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Tied grant to villages\" width=\"671\" height=\"545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Tied-grant-to-villages.png?w=849&amp;ssl=1 849w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Tied-grant-to-villages.png?resize=300%2C243&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Tied-grant-to-villages.png?resize=768%2C623&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 671px) 100vw, 671px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-129839\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Business Standard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>About the Grant<\/strong>: The tied grant is 60 percent of the total amount of \u20b92.37 trillion allocated to rural local bodies. The grant is meant for ensuring the <strong>supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling<\/strong>. The grant is also to be used for sanitation and maintenance of open defecation-free status in villages.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nodal Agency<\/strong>: The <strong>Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation<\/strong> &#8211; under the Jal Shakti ministry &#8211; will be the<strong> nodal department for determining the eligibility of the rural local bodies<\/strong> for the 15th FC&#8217;s tied grant for water and sanitation.<\/p>\n<h5>Significance of the fund release<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>The funds will help village panchayats function as local public utilities with a focus on service delivery.<\/li>\n<li>The funds will push tap water supply and better sanitation facilities in villages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Other initiatives of the government<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>The government has selected 84 institutions to act as <strong>key resource centres to impart training and capacity building of gram panchayats<\/strong> for ensuring assured water supply, improved sanitation, and hygiene.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Other directions by the Union government to improve the water, sanitation at the local level<\/h5>\n<p>The government has directed the state and local authorities for the following initiatives.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>States need to <strong>identify nodal departments and put in place a system<\/strong> in accordance with the guidelines during the 15th FC period.<\/li>\n<li>States have been asked to <strong>institute a robust \u2018operation and maintenance\u2019 policy<\/strong> to recover service charges from households.\n<ul>\n<li>This is expected to help them <strong>meet the recurring expenditure on rural water supply and sanitation services<\/strong> in villages for long-term and assured service delivery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong> Five-year Village Action Plan<\/strong>: To institute a robust \u2018operation and maintenance\u2019 policy, every village will have to <strong>draw up a five-year action plan<\/strong> for the same duration as the 15th FC\u2019s period.\n<ul>\n<li>The plan will consist of components such as drinking water source strengthening, greywater treatment and its reuse, operation and maintenance, solid and liquid waste management, among others.<\/li>\n<li>These village action plans are to be a <strong>part of gram panchayat development plans<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>What is a tied grant?<\/h5>\n<p>The state and local bodies cannot utilise the fund for any other purpose other than the attached condition. So, these grants are also called conditional grants.<\/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-30th-2021\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 August 30th, 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":[8032,1542,9388],"class_list":["post-129946","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-upsc","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\/129946","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=129946"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129946\/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=129946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=129946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=129946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}