February 2021 National Affairs

• Government looks at easing e-visa restrictions
  “The deliberations are on with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Health Ministry regarding e-visa relaxations but would tread cautiously considering the new Covid-19 strain” - Union Ministry of Tourism.
  
  The government is going all out to promote domestic tourism to fill the gap in the tourism sector.
  
  The Ministry of Tourism, as part of its ongoing engagement with industry and its stakeholders, supported the Association of Domestic Tour Operators (ADTOI) for their annual convention at Kevadia, from February 12 to 14. The convention is the first major physical event being organised by the industry post-lockdown.
  
  The visa relaxations will be on the sidelines of the annual convention of domestic tour operators in Gujarat’s Kevadia recently.
  
  If the success of the vaccination is established abroad and when there is confidence that the numbers of cases are decreasing.
  
  Centre is taking a very cautious approach in reopening the e-visa facility especially to US, UK and Europe which were worst hit by the pandemic.
  
  “The final decision will depend on a lot of factors, including bilateral arrangements with other countries,” he said, adding that the discussions on easing visa restrictions for international travellers was definitely on and the air bubble arrangement may soon be expanded. There may be a reciprocal visa arrangement with some “safer” countries.
  
  
• Centre to challenge all Cairn cases in international courts
  The Indian government has decided to appeal the US$1.2 billion international arbitration award won by Cairn Energy Plc. in tax disputes.
  
  India’s decision to appeal this award shows that the Indian government is committed to defending tax sovereignty.
  
  The government has also maintained the possibility of making resolutions within the scope of existing Indian laws.
  
  This also shows that India is willing to resolve tax disputes under the Vivad Se Vishwas scheme. If the principal tax has been paid, the scheme can reduce interest and fines.
  
  
• NHAI successfully transitions to 100 per cent cashless toll collection at NH fee plazas across country
  The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has successfully realized 100% cashless toll collection in National Highway toll plazas across the country.
  
  From February 16, 2021, all lanes on the National Highway toll plaza will be declared as FASTag lanes.
  
  Highway users have actively accepted the introduction of 100% cashless tolls.
  
  Since the FASTag specification was notified, more than 2,50,000 labels have been sold.
  
  In one day, a total of 6 million transactions were completed and a toll of 950 million rupees was collected through FASTag.
  
  So far, FASTag's total penetration rate has reached 87% of the country.
  
  Since February 16, the penetration rate has increased by 7%.
  
  The government is also promoting the free FASTag campaign to encourage highway users to adopt FASTag. This free advertising campaign will last until March 1.
  
  
• 25 cities selected for Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge
  The Smart Cities Mission of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in collaboration with the Bernard Van Leer Foundation (BvLF) and technical partner WRI India, announced 25 cities that were shortlisted in the "Nurturing Neighborhood Challenge" cohort.
  
  The cohort will receive technical assistance, capacity building, and scale-up experimental support and implement trials and pilots in the next six months, to prove early victory, solicit citizen participation and build consensus around its proposals.
  
  
• UP to export 20 tonnes of Kala Namak rice to Singapore by March end
  Uttar Pradesh is to export a batch of 20 tons of Kala Namak rice to Singapore. This has greatly promoted the export of agricultural products from the state.
  
  Nearly 20 tons of cargo will be sent from Siddharth Nagar to Singapore. The rice is packaged in glass jars, which also mentions the quality of the rice.
  
  The rice packaging contains the saying of the Mahatma Buddha: "The unique aroma of rice will remind people of me." Soon, the state will start to watch the Kalamanak Rice Festival at the Strawberry Festival.
  
  The government also plans to jointly establish the Kara Namac Rice Research Center in Siddharth Nagar with the Varanasi International Rice Research Center.
  
  The state government also declared rice to be a regional product of Siddharth Nagar. At the same time, the central government announced that it was once a district product of Gorakhpur, Basti, Maharajganj and Sant Kabir Nagar.
  
  This statement will help the production, processing, packaging and branding of rice.
  
  Kala Namak Rice - This kind of rice is also called Buddha rice. It is one of the best fragrant rice varieties grown in India. Rice is also called "Buddha ka Mahaprasad" (Buddha dedication).
  
  Rice was provided to monks to promote rice in Buddhist countries. This type of Rice ( KalaNamak Rice) is mainly grown in Deoria, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Gonda, Maharajganj, Siddharth Nagar, Balrampur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Bahraich, Shravasti. Geographical indications (GI) claim that these regions have similar climates.
  
  
• Railways stung by “breaches” in IT applications during pandemic
  There were many instances of cyber-attacks during the ongoing pandemic across the Railway network.
  
  The Ministry of Railways has roped in the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to educate its officials on Internet ethics, cyber hygiene and best practices in the use of IT equipment, including mobile phones.
  
  This is a part of its National Cyber Security Strategy.
  
  In January 2019 alone, 6.61 crore passengers booked from 10,394 PRS terminals in 3,440 locations and the IRCTC website resulting in a revenue of Rs.3,962.27 crore.
  
  While 9.38 lakh passengers made bookings on January 10, 2019, 671 bookings were made per second nine days later.
  
  The PRS involves passengers disclosing their identities along with proof of address, mobile phone number and net banking/card payment details.
  
  The Railways also uses its IT infrastructure for Unreserved Ticketing System which served 2.11 crore passengers in January 2019 earning Rs.58.83 crore each day.
  
  E-payment is provided as part of the Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) leading to 8,666.6 crore of revenue in January 2019.
  
  Before 2013, India did not have a cybersecurity policy. The need for it was felt during the NSA spying issue that surfaced in 2013.
  
  Information empowers people and there is a need to create a distinction between information that can run freely between systems and those that need to be secured.
  
  This could be personal information, banking and financial details, security information which when passed onto the wrong hands can put the country’s safety in jeopardy.
  
  This Policy has been drafted in consultation with all the stakeholders.
  
  In order to digitise the economy and promote more digital transactions, the government must be able to generate trust in people in the Information and Communications Technology systems that govern financial transactions.
  
  A strong integrated and coherent policy on cybersecurity is also needed to curb the menace of cyber terrorism.
  
  To protect information and information infrastructure in cyberspace.
  
  To build secure and resilient cyberspace for citizens, businesses and Government.
  
  To build capabilities to prevent and respond to cyber threats.
  
  To reduce vulnerabilities and minimize damage from cyber incidents through a combination of institutional structures, people, processes, technology and cooperation.
  
  
• Kerala government annuls agreement with U.S. firm
  The Kerala government has invalidated a controversial agreement that the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) had reached with a U.S.-based firm, EMCC International.
  
  The agreement aimed to build and operate a deep-sea trawling fleet to harvest the marine wealth off the State’s coast.
  
  The agreement is a 2,950-crore pact for building 400 deep-sea fishing trawlers and new harbors and port development activities.
  
  The investment proposal that seemed at odds with the vast coastal community’s inalienable right to harvest their traditional fishing grounds exclusively.
  
  The government found that the agreement contravened the Left Democratic Front’s policy to allow only traditional fishers to own or operate deep-sea trawlers. Only they would receive new boat permits.
  
  The government felt the KSINC had “missed” the critical proviso when inking the agreement. The KSINC “failed” to vet the firm before inking the memorandum of understanding.
  
  The company “lacked” the financial heft to build a vast fleet and allied infrastructure. Its seed money was less than ?10 lakh, an official said.
  
  The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation also appeared taken in by the firm’s pitch to build modern fishing harbours and a marine product processing centre.
  
  Consequently, it agreed to allocate four acres for the firm in an industrial park in Alappuzha.
  
  The government found the firm had attempted to take advantage of its programme to modernise the State’s ageing fishing fleet incrementally.
  
  
• When is the Central Excise Day observed?
  Every February 24th, the Central Board of Excise Customs (CBEC) celebrates the Central Excise Day all over the nation.
  
  The purpose of this day is to recognize the contribution of the Central Committee of Consumption Tax to the Indian economy.
  
  In addition, the Central Consumption Tax Bureau is the central government's main tax collection agency. This day, it also recognizes and recognizes the hard work of CBBC officials and encourages them to perform their duties with the utmost sincerity.
  
  In addition, it was observed that corruption in the goods manufacturing business was checked one day and other rules were implemented to provide the best consumption tax service.
  
  The Central Excise Day is celebrated mainly in India to promote equality among officials of the CBEC Ministry. It also assists them to ensure better compliance with tax regulations. It is also to commemorate the enactment of the 1944 Central Consumption Tax Law on February 24.
  
  According to the Central Consumption Tax Act of 1944, celebrations refer to the collection of taxes on goods and those exceeding the limit. According to the Central Consumption Tax Law of 1985, the taxable rate is set in Schedule I and II.
  
  
• Vice President calls for ending low representation to women in Parliament and legislatures
  The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu called for ending low representation to women in Parliament and legislatures and called upon all political parties to reach a consensus on providing reservation to them.
  
  Releasing a postal stampbrought out in memory of late Smt. Eashwari Bai, educationist, social reformer and a former MLA, the Vice President paid rich tributes to her.
  
  SmtEashwari Bai’s contributions to the political and social spheres are truly laudable and left a deep imprint on the public mind.
  
  Smt. Eashwari Bai had been the voice of the people as an opposition leader. She constantly advocated the cause of Children, NGOs, Teachers, Agricultural labourers, and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
  
  Shri Naidu said that although the 17th Lok Sabha has the highest number of 78 women members, they account only for 14% of the total number.
  
  Pointing out that reservations for women in the local bodies have politically empowered lakhs of women in the country, he said introducing reservation for women in Parliament and legislatures needs urgent attention and consensus of all political parties.
  
  Expressing his anguish over the increasing disruptions instead of meaningful discussions and debates in legislatures and Parliament, Shri Naidu called upon all parliamentarians and other public representatives to raise the standards of debate in every forum.
  
  Observing that the mantra for a healthy democracy is to discuss, debate and decide and not disrupt, the Vice President said that frequent disruption of Parliament and legislatures was tantamount to disrespecting the people’s mandate. “Agree to disagree and be tolerant of the mandate of the people.
  
  Shri Naidu emphasized that it is the responsibility of both the ruling and opposition parties to ensure the effective functioning of our legislatures.
  
  The Vice President also urged all political parties to adopt a consensual approach on matters of national importance like the country’s security, eliminating corruption and ensuring social justice.
  
  He said that there should be consensus on reforms to accelerate development, eliminate delays, diversions and dilutions in delivery of schemes and reaching out benefits to the needy.
  
  Similarly, all political parties must speak in one voice on empowering people, promoting transparency and accountability in the system.
  
  The Vice President also urged all political parties to evolve a code of conduct for their members, particularly public representatives.
  
  VP appealed to the people to elect their representatives on the basis of 4Cs—Character, Conduct, Calibre and Capacity.
  
  Unfortunately, another set of 4Cs—cash, caste, criminality and community—is trying to hold politics hostage to its vicious interests and needs to be completely eliminated for India’s democracy to flourish and become a role model for other nations.
  
  Shri Naidu opined that for a healthy democracy, the Government and opposition should respect each other.
  
  He also appealed to the youth to enter politics with a missionary zeal to serve the needy and poor in the society.
  
  
• Karnataka set to add value to its flower power
  The Ministry of Horticulture of Karnataka will establish a flower processing center in cooperation with the Bangalore International Flower Auction (IFAB). The center will be set up to convert unsold flowers into useful products.
  
  The flower processing center will process flowers and convert them into high value-added products, such as flower art, natural dyes, incense sticks, flower paper, flower embedding works, flower petal powder for cosmetics and flowers stored in silica.
  
  This kind of flower processing facility is needed because once the market is interrupted, flower growers will suffer huge losses. Therefore, by establishing this facility, farmers can learn flower processing skills from the center.
  
  This unit will be used to process various flowers. Karnataka is rich in flora and fauna. The total forest area recorded in the state is 38,720 square kilometers. It accounts for 20.19% of the country's total geographic area.
  
  The forest contains 25% of India’s elephants and 10% of tigers. The Western Ghats is a hotspot of biodiversity, including the western part of Karnataka.
  
  Talacauvery and Kudremukh are the two Western Ghats in Karnataka and have a place on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  
  The Indian roller is a national bird, and the Indian elephant is a national animal. Sandalwood is the state tree of Karnataka.
  
  The lotus is the state flower of Karnataka. Karnataka is a leading country in flower cultivation. It accounts for 75% of India's total flower production. The state is the state with the largest area of modern cut flowers, consisting of 40 flower planting and exporting units. The state also has India's first and only flower auction center.
  
  
• Karnataka to host second Khelo India University Games
  Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa announced that Karnataka will host the second Indian Khelo India University Game (KIUG) in 2021. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the Khelo University Games in India.
  
  The game will be held at Ja Na University and other venues in the state. That university will organize the Olympic Games in cooperation with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
  
  Khelo Indian University Game (KIUG) is the largest multi-sports university game in India at the national level.
  
  The event observed the competitive participation of athletes from various universities across the country in different sports disciplines.
  
  Khelo Indian University Game is organized by the Youth Affairs and Sports and Sports Authority of India (SAI) in cooperation with the University Association of India, the Indian Olympic Association and the National Sports Federation.
  
  The event was launched after the successful holding of the Khelo Indian Youth Games. The organization of the competition aims to tap sports talents so that they can represent India in such things as
  
  The first edition of the event was held in Bhubaneswar in February. In the 2020 event, a total of 3,182 participants participated in the U-25 age group. They come from 158 universities and colleges across the state
  
  In KIUG 2021 Yogasana and Mallakhamb have also been added to the game list. The purpose of this is to maintain and promote India's century-old sports discipline. Organizers expect that this move will increase the number of participants this year.
  
  
• CBSE syllabus for classes 1 to 7 in Andhra govt schools from 2021-22
  The State government has decided to introduce the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus for classes 1 to 10 in a phased manner.
  
  The CBSE syllabus for classes 1 to 7 in government schools will be introduced from the academic year 2021-22. It will be gradually extended to the next classes year-wise. Classes 1 to 10 will come under the CBSE system by 2024
  
  English to Telugu dictionary will be added to Vidya Kanuka kit for the benefit of students. Teachers will also be provided dictionaries. All the items to be given under Vidya Kanuka should be of good quality.
  
  Similarly, students who opt for laptops under the Amma Vodi scheme, should be given devices of high configuration. Buildings will be constructed for 390 schools, which do not have pucca structures in the State.
  
  The first phase of Mana Badi Nadu Nedu works should be completed by the end of March. Further changes should be made in the second phase of Nadu Nedu works.
  
  
• Andhra Pradesh govt to provide Rs 15,000 to upper-caste women under EBC Nestham scheme
  The Cabinet also approved the Welfare Programme Calendar for the financial year 2021-22 in which dates have been fixed for the implementation of 23 different welfare programmes.
  
  From the financial year 2021-22, an assistance of Rs 15,000 per year will be extended to women in the age group of 45-60 from Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) belonging to upper castes such as Brahmin, Vysya, Velama, Kshatriya, Kamma, Reddy, and Muslims among others on the lines of KapuNestham and YSR Cheyutha
  
  The new scheme EBC Nestham -- has been allocated Rs 670 crore and for the next three years, beneficiaries will be provided Rs 15,000 as financial assistance per annum. It will be implemented in November and is expected to benefit 6 lakh women.
  
  From April, VasathiDeevena will be implemented, benefiting 15.56 lakh students.
  
  Jagananna Vidya Deevena (Total fee reimbursement) for 18.18 lakh student beneficiaries will be implemented in April, July, December and February 2022.
  
  In April, interest free loan dues (Rabi 2019, Kharif 2020) will be provided to 66.11 lakh beneficiaries. In the same month, interest free loans for 90.37 lakh DWCRA women will also be provided.
  
  
• Union Cabinet approves President’s rule in Puducherry
  The Union Cabinet recently approved a proposal by the Home Ministry to dissolve the Puducherry Assembly and impose President’s Rule in the Union Territory.
  
  The decision came days after the Congress-led government in the Union Territory lost power during a vote of confidence.
  
  President's rule is the suspension of state government and imposition of direct Union government rule in a state.
  
  Under Article 356 of the Constitution of India, in the event that a state government is unable to function according to Constitutional provisions, the Union government can take direct control of the state machinery.
  
  Subsequently, executive authority is exercised through the centrally appointed governor, who has the authority to appoint other administrators to assist them.
  
  The administrators are usually nonpartisan retired civil servants.
  
  Chhattisgarh and Telangana are the only states where the President's rule has not been imposed so far.
  
  Government said the decision was taken as no party came forward to stake claim to form the government following the resignation of Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy.
  
  Subsequently, Lieutenant-Governor recommended President’s Rule.
  
  After the President’s assent, the Assembly will get dissolved... Further steps for administrative work will be taken soon.
  
  
• Rajasthan budget: Gehlot announces Universal Health Care scheme worth 3,500 crore
  In the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, Rajasthan Chief Minister recently announced a Universal Health Coverage with an allocation of Rs 3,500 crore in the upcoming financial year as part of measures to reinforce health infrastructure in the state as well as to ensure that healthcare is more accessible to its citizens.
  
  CM also announced the ‘Rajasthan Model of Public Health’ (RMPH), wherein a Right to Health Bill will be brought, and that the state will take measures towards Preventive Care, Primary Care and Curative Care as envisioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
  
  As part of the RMPH, and under the Universal Health Coverage plan, every family will get a Rs 5 lakh health cover.
  
  Those covered under Ayushman Bharat – Mahatma Gandhi Rajasthan SwasthyaBima Yojana (AB-MGRSBY) as well as contract workers, and small and marginal farmers will be eligible for free, while others can avail this scheme through 50 percent cost of insurance premium (about Rs 850/year) at government and private hospitals for cashless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per year.
  
  As for the Right to Health Bill – details of which are still being finalised – officials said it sought to guarantee quality healthcare to all citizens, without any “catastrophic” out of pocket financial burden on them.
  
  As per one of the drafts, the state hopes to ensure that no person is forced to pay any kind of fee or charge which may prevent the person from seeking complete medical care.
  
  
• Chhattisgarh’s SitanadiUdanti tiger reserve: Tribals seek forest rights, officials cite core area rule
  THOUSANDS OF tribals living in villages located in the core areas of SitanadiUdanti Tiger Reserve are demanding that their Community Forest Resource rights be recognised.
  
  Despite the Congress-led Chhattisgarh government’s promise of recognition of community resource rights, these villagers are facing bureaucratic hurdles, largely based on interpretation of law.
  
  Recently, residents of one of the villages, Bahigaon asked for a special gram sabha to facilitate the recognition of Community Forest Resource rights provided under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
  
  A zila panchayat member said, “The district authorities are telling us that our rights can’t be recognised as we are in the core areas. The forest officials say the rights do not apply in the core areas, which is against the Act.”
  
  Residents of more than 10 villages are trying to get their resource rights on the forest around them from authorities of the tiger reserve and district authorities of Dhamtari and Gariaband.
  
  Local officials said the villagers’ community rights should be discussed only when they move out of the core areas.
  
  In the core areas, even grazing is not allowed. The villages want the resource rights so that they can get roads and other amenities that can’t be built inside the core area.
  
  The fact has come to light that in Critical Wildlife Habitat/Tiger Reserve, due to some reasons, recognition of Forest Rights are getting delayed.
  
  According to the Act’s Section 4(1), notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, and subject to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government hereby recognises and vests forest rights under Section 3(1) of the same Act.
  
  Giving community resource rights there seems difficult as the management of such areas need to be done by skilled people.
  
  The Act states that rights of tribals be recognised in any type of forested area.
  
  Officials think they can manage the forests better than the tribals who have spent generations inside the forest. It shows lack of trust, but tribals are involved and employed by department for the upkeep of the forests.
  
  
• President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates world's largest Cricket Stadium at Motera in Ahmedabad
  Indian President Ram Nath Kovind opened the world's largest stadium on February 24, 2021 in Motera, Gujarat.
  
  Motera Stadium was later renamed Narendra Modi Stadium. This stadium has surpassed the Melbourne Cricket Ground to become the largest stadium in the world.
  
  The stadium will make history by hosting the second home pink ball test match between India and Britain on February 24.
  
  The old Motera Stadium was demolished in 2016 and could hold 54,000 spectators at the time. Therefore, the cornerstone of the new cricket stadium was laid in January 2018. The cornerstone was laid by the Gujarat Cricket Association. Its construction has been completed within two years. Amenities of the Stadium:
  
  The new stadium was constructed by equipping it with all the modern facilities and technologies required for today's cricket. It consists of four dressing rooms, which are now necessary for hosting twenty or twenty games back to back.
  
  The stadium covers an area of 63 acres. It has a capacity of 1.1 million people, which exceeds the capacity of 90,000 people in Melbourne Stadium. Its construction cost is estimated at Rs. 8 billion It was built by Larsen & Toubro.
  
  The stadium also includes 76 company gift boxes that can accommodate 25 people. In addition, it also houses an indoor academy, an Olympic-level swimming pool, four changing rooms for athletes, a GCA clubhouse and a food court.
  
  In the cricket ground, 11 pitch pitches composed of 5 black soil and 6 red soil have been prepared. This is the first stadium to use colored clay as a driving range and main court. One of its main characteristics is that in the rain, asphalt can dry in only 30 minutes.
  
  
• Government to monitor OTT content
  For the first time, the government, under the ambit of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, has brought in detailed guidelines for digital content on both digital media and Over The Top (OTT) platforms, while giving itself overriding powers.
  
  The new rules lay down a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism.
  
  However, over and above this framework, the government has equipped itself with “emergency” powers to block public access of any information.
  
  The rules state, “in case of emergency nature” the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, may “if he is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient and justifiable” give orders to block access.
  
  Such orders can be released “without giving an opportunity of hearing” to the publishing platform.
  
  The first level of the grievance redressal system will be at the level of each OTT provider. Each complaint will have to be addressed within 15 days.
  
  If the complaint is not satisfactorily addressed, then the complainant can scale it up to a self-regulatory body collectively established by the OTTs.
  
  This body will be headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court, a High Court, or an independent eminent person from the field of media, broadcasting, entertainment, child rights, human rights or other relevant fields.
  
  This self-regulatory body also has “censuring” powers in case of any incriminating content.
  
  At the third tier, the government has equipped itself with overriding powers in the form of “oversight mechanism”.
  
  An inter-ministerial committee will perform this function and it will largely have the same powers as the collective self regulatory body of the OTTs.
  
  Both Ministers also clarified that no new law has been framed. And the government already has power to step in, in case of an emergency under the existing law.
  
  There have been widespread concerns about digital content, especially on OTT platforms, with 50 Parliament questions on the issues recently.
  
  
• INCOIS to go for airline mapping of ocean floor
  The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) is planning to take the help of the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) for aerial mapping of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep to get a better picture of the ocean floor, also called ‘bathymetric’ study.
  
  NRSC has already done a similar high resolution topographic Airborne Laser Terrain Mapping (ALTM) for the entire coastal areas of the country.
  
  Now, it is in the process of integrating the data for a 3D multi-hazard mapping of both the east and west coastline for a more precise picture of the ocean floor.
  
  Such a study has become imperative in view of the recent tsunamis of the Indonesian coasts where more than the quake related high waves, damage was due to landslides under the sea beds causing sudden wave surges leading to much damage without giving sufficient time to alert people.
  
  The research institute, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, had also identified ‘gaps’ across the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for installing more tide gauges for better monitoring of the sea and more accurate prediction of impending disasters like cyclones.
  
  These will be in addition to the 36 already in the Bay of Bengal.
  
  INCOIS scientists with their counterparts in the Chennai-based National Institute of Ocean Technology and an United States independent scientific agency, Massachusetts-based Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, have been mining the data recorded by a unique ‘Flux Buoy’ retrieved from the Bay of Bengal off the Kolkota coast recently.
  
  
• Indian Army to buy augmented reality head-mounted display systems
  The Indian Army is purchasing 556 Augmented Reality Head Mounted Display systems (ARHMD).
  
  The ARHMD system is considered to be an enhancement to Land Based Air Defence Weapon Systems (such as the IGLA shoulder-fired Infrared Homing Air Defence Missile System and the ZU 23mm 2B AD Gun System). It will provide operators with radar and Thermal Imaging (TI) targeting the output is superimposed.
  
  The proposed system is designed to enhance the ability to participate in night and severe weather conditions, and participation in the daytime should also be enhanced by increasing response time, data calculation for decision support, and integration of TI sight output.
  
  
• Food grain production in country to touch all time high of over 303 million tonnes during current fiscal
  Record Food grain production was 303.34 million tons. The second preliminary estimate of the output of major crops showed a record output of 303.34 million tons of food grains.
  
  The second preliminary estimate of the output of major crops showed a record output of 303.34 million tons of food grains.
  
  According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, it is estimated that India’s grain production will increase by 2% in the 2020-21 crop year, reaching a record high of 303.34 million tons per year due to continued monsoon rains and increased production of rice, wheat, beans and coarse grains.
  
  The Minister of Agriculture attributed the increase in production to the efforts of farmers and scientists and the central government's initiatives.
  
  
• Cabinet approves PLI scheme for pharmaceuticals, IT hardware
  The Union Cabinet has approved the Production Linked Incentive Scheme related to IT Hardware
  
  The PLI scheme proposes incentives to boost domestic manufacturing. It also recommends attracting substantial investment in the value chain of IT Hardware.
  
  The proposed scheme includes target market segments such as tablets, laptops, all-in-one computers and servers.
  
  The total cost of the proposed scheme is approximately Rs 73.5 billion in 4 years.
  
  The budget includes 73.25 billion rupees in rewards, in addition to 250 million rupees in administrative expenses.
  
  According to the scheme, a total production value of Rs 3,26,00 crore will be realized, 75% of which will be realized through exports.
  
  The scheme has the potential to create more than 1,800,000 direct and indirect jobs within four years.
  
  It will also provide impetus for the Domestic Value Addition of IT Hardware. It is expected that by 2025, its domestic value will increase to 20%-25%.
  
  
• Inter-caste marriages will possibly reduce caste and community tensions: SC
  The Supreme Court said in a recent judgment that the educated youngsters are showing the way forward to reduce caste and community tensions in India by tying the knot in inter-marriages.
  
  Educated younger boys and girls are choosing their life partners, which, in turn, is a departure from the earlier norms of society where caste and community play a major role.
  
  JUSTICE KAUL QUOTED FROM B.R. AMBEDKAR’S ANNIHILATION OF CASTE-I am convinced that the real remedy is intermarriage.
  
  Fusion of blood can alone create the feeling of being kith and kin, and unless this feeling of kinship, of being kindred, becomes paramount, the separatist feeling — the feeling of being aliens — created by caste will not vanish.
  
  Currently there are more and more cases challenging religious conversion laws enacted by several States reach the Supreme Court.
  
  Justice Kaul observed in the judgment recently that “consent of the family or community or clan is not necessary once the two adult individuals agree to enter into wedlock and that their consent has to be piously given primacy”.
  
  
• Excess alcohol intake can irreversibly change DNA: NIMHANS study
  A study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru has debunked the assumption that damage to health from excessive consumption of alcohol can be reversed if one stops drinking.
  
  Excessive alcohol consumption can cause irreversible changes to the DNA and these can persist even when alcohol is no longer consumed, revealed a study conducted by a team of researchers at NIMHANS.
  
  The study has been published online in the American Journal of Medical Genetics.
  
  Although we inherit genes from our parents, their expression is regulated in a unique manner in each person, and may be influenced by their lifestyle.
  
  Exposure to alcohol affects the pattern of gene expression, and may explain some of the systemic complications.
  
  We find that the chemical changes in the DNA associated with excessive alcohol consumption may not be reversed.
  
  Researchers analysed the DNA chemistry of individuals who had been drinking on an average of 10 drinks/day.
  
  The effects of alcohol were more pronounced in those who had started drinking at an early age.
  
  This suggests that starting to drink early may physically alter many genes, including those of the brain.
  
  
• Governance should be left to elected members accountable to legislature: Law Ministry
  Law Minister recently told the Lok Sabha that just as independence of the judiciary is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution, the principle of separation of powers is also a part of that basic structure.
  
  He asserted that governance and lawmaking should be left to the elected members of the legislature.
  
  Separation of powers is the division of the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government.
  
  It minimises the possibility of arbitrary excesses by the government, since the sanction of all three branches is required for the making, executing, and administering of laws.
  
  The constitutional demarcation precludes the concentration of excessive power by any branch of the Government.
  
  In India, a separation of functions rather than of powers is followed. Unlike in the US, in India, the concept of separation of powers is not adhered to strictly.
  
  However, a system of checks and balances have been put in place in such a manner that the judiciary has the power to strike down any unconstitutional laws passed by the legislature.
  
  Today, most of the constitutional systems do not have a strict separation of powers between the various organs in the classical sense because it is impractical.
  
  
• With CJI Bobde's term nearing end, deadlock over new appointments in SC continues
  With just over a month left in his 14-month tenure as Chief Justice of India, the Justice S A Bobde-led collegium is yet to make its first recommendation of a judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court since he took office in November 2019.
  
  The last time a CJI retired without a single appointment to the SC was in 2015 during the tenure of CJI H L Dattu when there was an unprecedented stand-off between the judiciary and the government over the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC).
  
  The Collegium System is a system under which appointments/elevation of judges/lawyers to Supreme Court and transfers of judges of High Courts and Apex Court are decided by a forum of the Chief Justice of India and the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.'
  
  There is no mention of the Collegium either in the original Constitution of India or in successive amendments.
  
  The Collegiums System of appointment of judges was born through “three judges case” which interpreted constitutional articles on October 28, 1998.
  
  The recommendations of the Collegium are binding on the Central Government; if the Collegium sends the names of the judges/lawyers to the government for the second time.
  
  The collegium of the Supreme Court judges is comprises of 5 senior most judges of Suprme Court.
  
  
• Which City becomes 31st district of Karnataka?
  The Karnataka government notified that Vijayanagara City has officially become the 31st district of Karnataka. The headquarters of the region is located in Hosapete.
  
  Vijayanagara is located in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. The area is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hampi and Virupaksha Temple.
  
  The Vijayanagara region is named after the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. According to the Karnataka Land Income Act of 1964, the area was established outside the ore-rich Barali area. The area will be composed of six taluks they are Hosapete, kotturu, Kudligi, Hagaribommanahalli, Harapanahalli and HoovinaHadagali.
  
  BS Yediyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka, announced his plan to establish a new Vijayanagara district in September 2019 and that new district must be established for administrative reasons.
  
  The creation of the new district will help promote tourism to places such as Hampi Temple. Therefore, the Karnataka Cabinet formally approved the establishment of the new Vijayanagara District on November 18, 2020.
  
  The plan to establish a new district was criticized and opposed by the ruling party. In addition, this move has been criticized because of the view that dividing the Ballari district into a new district may lead to language disputes between Telugu and Kannada speakers in the district.
  
  Hampi or Hampe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east-central part of Karnataka. The site is a Hindu pilgrimage center. The Hampi area was once the capital of the Vijay Niagara Empire in the 14th century. Hampi-Vijayanagara is the second largest medieval city in the world after Beijing.
  
  
• When is the National Women’s Day observed?
  India celebrates the birthday of Sarojini Naidu as National Women’s Day every February 13th. This year, Nation celebrated its 142nd anniversary. She was born on February 13, 1879. Her poems are known by the nickname "Indian Nightingale" or "Bharat Kokila".
  
  Sarojini has been very smart since he was a child and passed the 12-level standardized test when he was 12 years old. When she was 13 years old, she wrote a poem called "Lake Girl".
  
  Her first collection of poems is called "Golden Threshold". Sarojini's poems "Birds of Time" and "Broken Wings" made her a famous poet of her time. Naidu first met Gandhiji in the UK in 1914 and dedicated herself to the country.
  
  She became the second female president of the Indian National People's Congress in 1925 and went to South Africa in 1932 as a South African representative.
  
  In 1928, she was awarded Kaiser-i-Hind for the work done by the British government during the Indian plague. On March 2, 1949, she died of a heart attack while working in her office in Lucknow.
  
  Sarojini Naidu was elected as the chairman of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1925. Sarojini Naidu had to go to jail with Gandhiji while participating in several freedom struggles in India.
  
  In 1942, Gandhiji initiated the "Quit India Movement" and the British government imprisoned Sarojini Naidu for 21 months. In addition, International Women's Day is celebrated and celebrated on March 8th every year.
  
  
• PM Modi hands over indigenous Arjun tank to Indian Army in Chennai
  Prime Minister handed over the indigenous main battle tank Arjun Mk-1A to the Army.
  
  Chief of the Army Staff General received the model of the tank, designed and developed by Chennai-based Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), a unit of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
  
  A tank made in Tamil Nadu will be used in our northern borders to keep the nation safe. This showcases India’s united spirit — Bharat’s Ekta Darshan.
  
  India will continue working to make our armed forces one of the most modern forces in the world.
  
  The focus on making India Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) in the defence sector is moving with full speed.
  
  One of the two defence corridors is in Tamil Nadu. The corridor has already received investment commitments of over Rs.8,100 crore.
  
  Setting up of Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor would catalyse indigenous production of defence and aerospace related items, thereby reducing our reliance on imports and promoting export of these items to other countries.
  
  This will lead to generation of direct & indirect employment opportunities and growth of private domestic manufacturers including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups.
  
  Tamil Nadu is already the leading automobile manufacturing hub of India.
  
  The Arjun Mk-1A has superior firepower, high mobility, excellent protection and crew comfort, with 14 major upgrades from Arjun Mk-1, according to the CVRDE.
  
  The Arjun Main Battle Tank project was initiated by DRDO in 1972 with the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) as its lead laboratory.
  
  The objective was to create a “state-of-the-art tank with superior fire power, high mobility, and excellent protection”.
  
  During the development, the CVRDE achieved breakthroughs in the engine, transmission, hydropneumatic suspension, hull and turret as well as the gun control system.
  
  Mass production began in 1996 at the Indian Ordnance Factory’s production facility in Avadi, Tamil Nadu.
  
  The indent for 118 of these tanks would be placed shortly with the Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF) at Avadi near Chennai.
  
  The Army is expected to soon approach the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for approval after which it would place the indent for 118 tanks at a cost of Rs.8,956.59 crore.
  
  Issues with Arjun Mk-1 ammunition, spares and repairs have also been resolved, and the DRDO has set up an Arjun hub in Jaisalmer for spares and support.
  
  
• Assam uses combs for voter literacy
  The Goalpara district administration has been distributing combs and other utilitarian items of daily use, such as sanitary pads, with SVEEP messages printed on them.
  
  SVEEP expands to Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation, the flagship programme of the Election Commission of India for promoting voter literacy in the country.
  
  Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation program, better known as SVEEP, is the flagship program of the Election Commission of India for voter education, spreading voter awareness and promoting voter literacy in India.
  
  Since 2009, Election Commission has been working towards preparing India’s electors and equipping them with basic knowledge related to the electoral process.
  
  SVEEP’s primary goal is to build a truly participative democracy in India by encouraging all eligible citizens to vote and make an informed decision during the elections.
  
  The programme is based on multiple general as well as targeted interventions which are designed according to the socio-economic, cultural and demographic profile of the state as well as the history of electoral participation in previous rounds of elections and learning thereof.
  
  The district election office is particularly ramping up SVEEP activities in areas with polling stations that have recorded low overall and low female voter turnout in the 2016 Assembly and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
  
  The four Assembly constituencies in Goalpara — Dudhnai, Goalpara East, Goalpara West and Jaleswar — averaged a voter turnout of 90.83% in the 2016 State polls but the turnout at some polling booths was less than 10% of the average of a constituency.
  
  
• Fossils of ‘Dickinsonia’ found at Bhimbetka
  Researchers have discovered three fossils of the earliest known living animal — the 550-million-year-old ‘Dickinsonia’ — on the roof of the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, about 40 km from Bhopal.
  
  One can identify the fossils from the white leaf-like patches with a central vertebra (central midrib) and connecting veins. While one fossil is 17 inches long, the other two are much smaller.
  
  The new discoveries, published in a journal, Gondwana Research, can be seen right at the beginning of the ‘Auditorium Cave’, the first of such caves at Bhimbetka, a UNESCO heritage site, located about 3.5 metres above the ground.
  
  Geological Survey of India’s Bhopal told that they were the only such fossils available in the country, and were similar to those seen in south Australia.
  
  This is further proof of the similar paleoenvironments and confirms assembly of Gondwanaland by the 550 Ma (mega annum), but not reconstructions adjusted for true polar wander.
  
  The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site in central India that spans the prehistoric Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, as well as the historic period.
  
  It exhibits the earliest traces of human life in India and evidence of Stone Age starting at the site in Acheulian times.
  
  It is located in the Raisen District in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh about 45 kilometres (28 mi) south-east of Bhopal.
  
  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of seven hills and over 750 rock shelters distributed over 10 km (6.2 mi).
  
  At least some of the shelters were inhabited more than 100,000 years ago. The rock shelters and caves provide evidence of a "rare glimpse" into human settlement and cultural evolution from hunter-gatherers, to agriculture, and expressions of prehistoric spirituality.
  
  Some of the Bhimbetka rock shelters feature prehistoric cave paintings and the earliest are about 10,000 years old (c. 8,000 BCE), corresponding to the Indian Mesolithic.
  
  These cave paintings show themes such as animals, early evidence of dance and hunting.
  
  The Bhimbetka site has the oldest-known rock art in India, as well as is one of the largest prehistoric complexes.
  
  
• Challenge for Food Corporation of India: Rising stocks, cost, & push to procure
  The Food Corporation of India’s (FCI) “economic cost” of wheat sold through the public distribution system (PDS) is budgeted to go up to Rs 29.94 per kg and that of rice to Rs 42.94 per kg in 2021-22, from their corresponding current levels of Rs 27.40 and Rs 39.99 per kg.
  
  Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013, 81.35 crore persons, accounting for over 67% of the country’s population, are entitled to receive 5 kg of PDS wheat or rice per month at Rs 2 and Rs 3 per kg, respectively.
  
  At the projected economic cost of Rs 29.94/kg for wheat and Rs 42.94/kg for rice, the corresponding per-kg PDS consumer subsidy in the coming fiscal would work out to Rs 27.94 and Rs 39.94, respectively.
  
  The economic cost is what the FCI incurs in procuring, transporting, storing and distributing every kg of wheat or rice.
  
  Under NFSA, enacted during the previous United Progressive Alliance regime, the Rs 2-3/kg PDS issue prices for wheat and rice were valid for up to three years from the date of commencement of the law on July 5, 2013.
  
  The NDA government has not raised these rates so, even as the Finance Ministry’s latest Economic Survey has pointed to the need to consider a revision in the Central issue prices of PDS grain “to reduce the bulging food subsidy bill”.
  
  At Rs 42.94 for rice and Rs 29.94 for wheat, FCI faces higher cost for PDS and Covid distress schemes.
  
  Add to it the political pressure to procure given the protests over the farm laws. The subsidy bill is set to balloon.
  
  Meanwhile, rice and wheat stocks in the Central pool remain at way above necessary levels, despite the NDA government implementing special schemes for alleviating the widespread economic distress resulting from the Covid-19-induced lockdown.
  
  As against 65.91 million tonnes (mt) of grain offtake from public godowns in 2018-19 and 62.19 mt in 2019-20, the NDA government has allocated a total quantity of 94.37 mt in the current fiscal.
  
  The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana scheme involved providing an extra 5 kg grain per month, free of cost, to NFSA beneficiaries (for eight months from April-November 2020) and 8 crore returning migrant labourers (for two months from May-June).
  
  The continued buildup of public stocks is largely due to procurement.
  
  Government agencies had, as on February 11, bought 63.63 mt of paddy during the ongoing 2020-21 kharif marketing season (October-September), 16.1 per cent more than the 54.80 mt in the corresponding period of 2019-20.
  
  The political pressure from the farmer protests may force similar stepped-up purchases of wheat, too, in the ensuing rabi marketing season from April.
  
  
• All about National Tribal festival “Aadi Mahotsav”
  The last two days of the National Tribal festival “Aadi Mahotsav” have seen a major increase in footfall as Delhiites are doing their best to enjoy rich tribal craft, culture and cuisine.
  
  Celebrating the spirit of tribal ways of life, the Aadi Mahotsav showcases and has on display and for sale a vast range of tribal handlooms, handicrafts, artefacts and natural produce.
  
  The Aadi Mahotsav, a nine-day tribal festival and the Centre’s first official function in Ladakh after the government decided to make it a Union Territory, to start in Leh on the evening of 17th August, 2019.
  
  This is the first time that the Aadi Mahotsav is being held in Ladakh as in earlier times, the Tribal Ministry never got a response from the J&K administration.
  
  Aadi Mahotsav is a national tribal festival and a joint initiative of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India & Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
  
  Tribal artists have also been enthralling the audiences with their colourful performances.
  
  Other than this, a focus has also been to expose the urban Delhi audiences to earthy tribal cuisine at Aadi Vyanjan.
  
  A crowd of people at a concertDescription automatically generated with low confidence
  
  Aadi Mahotsav is a mini-India; more than 1000 From paintings be it in the Warli style or Pattachitras;
  
  Dokra jewellery to bead necklaces from the Wancho and Konyak tribes of the North-East;
  
  from famous Toda embroidery of the South to Eri silks from Assam;
  
  from colourful puppets and children’s toys to traditional weaves such as Dongria shawls,
  
  Kota Doria from Rajasthan; from iron craft from Bastar to bamboo craft and cane furniture;
  
  pottery such as blue pottery and Longpi pottery from Manipur, the festival is a feast for the senses.
  
  
• Rules on geospatial data, maps liberalized
  In sweeping changes to the country’s mapping policy, the government recently announced liberalisation of norms governing the acquisition and production of geospatial data.
  
  This move is to help boost innovation in the sector and create a level playing field for public and private entities.
  
  Spatial data, also known as geospatial data, is a term used to describe any data related to or containing information about a specific location on the Earth’s surface.
  
  Spatial data can exist in a variety of formats and contains more than just location specific information.
  
  Geospatial data, also known as geodata, has locational information connected to a dataset such as address, city or ZIP code.
  
  Geospatial data can also come from Global Positioning System (GPS) data, geospatial satellite imagery, telematics devices, IoT and geotagging.
  
  Under the new guidelines, the sector will be deregulated and aspects such as prior approvals for surveying, mapping and building applications based on that have been done away with, Department of Science and Technology Secretary said.
  
  For Indian entities, there will be complete deregulation with no prior approvals, security clearances and licences for the acquisition and production of geospatial data and geospatial data services, including maps.
  
  Prime Minister said the liberalisation of policies governing the acquisition and production of geospatial data was a “massive step in the government’s vision for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
  
  The reform will benefit the country’s farmers, start-ups, the private sector, the public sector, and research institutions to drive innovations and build scalable solutions.
  
  Science and Technology Minister said the easing of norms will greatly help in several sectors that were suffering because of non-availability of high quality maps.
  
  The move will unlock tremendous opportunities for the country’s start-ups, private sector, public sector, and research institutions, to drive innovations and build scalable solutions. It will also generate employment and accelerate economic growth.
  
  India’s farmers will also be benefited by leveraging the potential of geospatial and remote sensing data.
  
  
• Assam central to success of Act East policy
  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the development of Assam is central to the success of the Act East policy.
  
  India's Look East policy is an effort to cultivate extensive economic and strategic relations with the nations of Southeast Asia to bolster its standing as a regional power and a counterweight to the strategic influence of the People's Republic of China.
  
  Initiated in 1991, it marked a strategic shift in India’s perspective of the world.
  
  It was developed and enacted during the government of Prime Minister Narsimha Rao (1991–1996) and rigorously pursued by the successive administrations of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998–2004) and Man Mohan Singh (2004–2014).
  
  The success of Look East policy enthused the Mandarins of South-Block to develop the policy into more action oriented, project and outcome based policy.
  
  After a couple of decades, India’s Act-East Policy, which was announced in 2014 by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, became a successor to the Look-East Policy.
  
  EVENT- “ACT EAST POLICY AND INDIA-JAPAN COOPERATION IN NORTH-EAST INDIA WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON ASSAM”:
  
  To make this policy successful, the role of Assam as its springboard needs to be fully realized.
  
  He said that the push on the policy would help create connectivity not just to and within Assam, the Northeast, Myanmar and Bangladesh, but to “eventually push all the way by road, by sea, by air to Vietnam, to Japan”.
  
  A more connected Assam will be a more energetic Assam, a more contributing Assam, and obviously, a more employed Assam.
  
  To that, there should be a push for stronger cooperation between Assam and international partners, especially Japan.
  
  Japan has long been involved in the expansion of our economic and social infrastructure.
  
  Across our states and cities, Japanese Official Development Assistance has funded roads, rail, urbanization and energy.
  
  Ambassador of Japan said that Assam — and the Northeast — occupied an important place in Japan’s vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific (FOIP). That is why Japan is supporting various connectivity projects in the state.
  
  CM of Assam said despite Japan having been a great trade and investment partner for India, it was unfortunate that there was no single Japanese company present in Assam or in other Northeastern states.
  
  
• New nodal agency to tackle fraud, pesky SMSes& calls
  An official release from the Ministry of Telecommunications said that the central government will set up a digital intelligence unit (DIU) as a nodal agency to deal with complaints of unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) and cases of financial fraud, especially in the digital payments space.
  
  At a high-level meeting presided by Telecom Minister, the Ministry decided that apart from the DIU at the nodal level, a Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection (TAFCOP) will also be set up at all the 22 license service area level.
  
  The main function of DIU will be to coordinate with various LEAs (law enforcement agencies), financial institutions and telecom service providers in investigating any fraudulent activity involving telecom resources.
  
  The issue of UCC has been a major area of concern for the Telecom Ministry as well as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).
  
  TRAI has from time to time fined telecom operators for not following its directives on stopping UCC.
  
  In November last year, the telecom sector regulator told the Delhi High Court that it had imposed fines of up to Rs 30 crore on telecom companies such as state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, and private telecom companies such as Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio Infocomm for not putting enough measures to control UCC, which occurred over their networks between April and June 2020.
  
  All telecom service providers have been asked to ensure strict compliance of the directives issues with respect to UCC.
  
  In case of any violation, it was proposed to impose financial penalty against the tele-marketers including disconnection of resources in case of repetitive violations.
  
  A web and mobile application as well as a SMS-based system shall be developed for effective redressal of complaints.
  
  Apart from UCC, the rise in fraudulent digital transactions was also discussed in the meeting.
  
  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had, in its annual report for 2018-19, said frauds related to misuse of credit and debit cards, cloning of identities, spam amounted to Rs 220 crore in the year, and was slated to rise unless proper mitigation measures were taken.
  
  Special strategies, including blocking of telecom operations in regions, such as Jamtara and Mewat, which are infamous for running digital fraud transaction centers, shall also be taken, the Ministry said.
  
  In August last year, Haryana’s Faridabad police arrested five people from Jamtara for being involved in a racket involving e-SIM frauds.
  
  Those arrested had then told the police that by swapping e-SIM of Apple’s iPhones, funds were transferred into wallets provided by PhonePe, OlaMoney, Paytm Payments Bank and Airtel Payments Bank, which were then again routed into other bank accounts all over the country before being taken out.
  
  
• WhatsApp policy: Indians apprehensive about privacy, says CJI
  Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde recently said Indians have “grave apprehensions” about privacy from Facebook and WhatsApp.
  
  People have grave apprehensions about loss of privacy.
  
  You may be a two or three trillion company, but people value their privacy more.
  
  People think that if A sends a WhatsApp message to B and B to C, the circuit of messages is revealed to Facebook. It is our duty to protect people’s privacy.
  
  Lawyers vehemently denied this as “misinformation”.
  
  Solicitor General for the government, stated, “This is an apprehension of the nation. Privacy is part of our fundamental rights. They [WhatsApp and Facebook] cannot compromise our privacy. They cannot differentiate.”
  
  The hearing concerned the new privacy policy introduced by WhatsApp .
  
  The allegation is that it scraps users’ ‘opt-out policy’. The user would have to, according to the policy, compulsorily consent to share their data with Facebook and its group, the petitioners have alleged.
  
  The policy deadline was February 8 initially, but it was extended to May 15.
  
  Lawyer representing Whatsapp denied allegations that WhatsApp was treating Europeans and Indians differently.
  
  Europe has a special law [General Data Protection Regulations], India doesn’t. As soon as India has the special law, we will follow.
  
  We will follow the law of Parliament,” he submitted. The new privacy policy was applicable to the rest of the world except Europe.
  
  Lawyer said the General Data Protection Regulations was followed by probably 20 countries in the world. Allegations of differential treatment being accorded to Indians were unfounded.
  
  Lawyers challenging the new privacy policy, said they were not on whether WhatsApp was encrypting messages or not. “We are on the point of sharing of meta data for profit.
  
  There is a different set of rules for Europeans and different for Indians. Even the government has taken serious note and issued notices to the companies. They urged the court to ensure that no data is leaked.
  
  At present, in the absence of a dedicated data protection regulation, the usage and transfer of personal data of users is regulated by the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2011, under the IT Act, 2000.
  
  However, given the growing pace of the digital economy, the Act has shortcomings with respect to how personal and sensitive data is defined, and provisions that can be easily overridden by companies using a contract.
  
  
• NCLAT suspends Gymkhana’s board, halts new membership
  The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) ordered the appointment of a Central government-nominated administrator to manage the affairs of the Delhi Gymkhana Club after prima facie finding several irregularities.
  
  The tribunal also ordered the suspension of the General Committee of the 107-year-old club, along with a halt on acceptance of new membership till further orders.
  
  The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) is a tribunal which was formed by the Central Government of India under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013.
  
  The tribunal is responsible for hearing appeals from the orders of National Company Law Tribunal(s) (NCLT), starting on 1 June 2016.
  
  The tribunal also hears appeals from orders issued by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India under Section 202 and Section 211 of IBC.
  
  It also hears appeals from any direction issued, decision made, or order passed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
  
  The Club was granted government land on perpetual lease primarily for sports related activity. The club is spread across 27 acres of land near the Prime Minister’s residence.
  
  In a strongly-worded judgment, the tribunal said the club has been “converted into a recreational club for a chosen few with doors virtually shut for an aspirant belonging to the common stock”.
  
  Under the garb of distinctive character of the club which is a relic of the Imperial past, the doors for membership are virtually limited to people having blue blood thereby perpetrating apartheid.
  
  This is shattering the most cherished Constitutional goal of securing social justice and equality of status and opportunity.
  
  The tribunal opined that there was a “prima facie case demonstrating that the affairs of the club are being conducted in a manner prejudicial to public interest”.
  
  It is abundantly clear that misuse of the club meant for pastime and sports activities and denying access of membership even after accepting the enhanced membership fee... involved public interest.
  
  The Ministry of Corporate Affairs had claimed that new applicants seeking membership, and having paid registration fee, are on a waiting list for more than 37 years in the non-government category and more than 15 years in the government category.
  
  The Ministry said the club virtually barred entry of people who applied for membership as the children of permanent members managed to sneak in as green card holders and finally as UCP (use of club premises) holders.
  
  The Ministry further alleged that the money taken from the waitlisted applicants was being utilised by the club by persons coming through various channels, a practice which it claimed was unfair and prejudicial to public interest.
  
  It stressed that barely 3% of the total expenditure was being incurred by the club towards sports activity and over 60% was being spent on maintaining the recreational club.
  
  The club argued that it was entitled to decide membership issue in accordance with the Articles of Association and its action cannot be called into question by the government on the grounds of being prejudicial to public interest.
  
  It pleaded that the land was allotted to the club after its incorporation in July 1913 for sports and pastimes along with other objectives, which have neither been altered nor is the club pursuing any other objective.
  
  
• Rice shipment flagged off from Kakinada deep-water port
  First consignment of rice from the Kakinada deepwater port as the Kakinada anchorage port has already met its capacity to handle rice exports.
  
  The Rice Exporters Association (TREA-India) is exporting the rice that is beyond the handling capacity of the Kakinada Anchorage Port operated by the A.P. Maritime Board.
  
  The maximum annual rice export from the Kakinada Anchorage Port is three million tonnes. In coming years, the total rice export from the two ports on the Kakinada coast is likely to be six million tonnes as two berths have been dedicated for the rice exports at the deep-sea port
  
  The port of Kakinada is located in Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) on the east coast of India. The Kakinada Port is situated 170 kilometers south of Visakhapatnam Port.
  
  The Kakinada Port is a large complex composed of Kakinada Anchorage Port, Kakinada Deepwater Port, Kakinada Fishing Port and Shipbreaking Forces.
  
  The Port of Anchorage in Kakinada has a century-old tradition.
  
  The Kakinada constitutes the main gateway port for the rich agricultural belt of East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh. Kakinada Deep Water Port is an all-weather port with a channel depth of 12 meters.
  
  
• Sedition law cannot be used to quell disquiet, says Delhi court
  Delhi Court observed that Charges of sedition “cannot be invoked to quieten the disquiet under the pretence of muzzling the miscreants.
  
  The youth was arrested for posting a fake video on Facebook about the Delhi police on the farmers’ agitation. It granted bail to a 21-year-old labourer.
  
  Sedition, which falls under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, is defined as any action that brings or attempts to bring hatred or contempt towards the government of India and has been illegal in India since 1870.
  
  Sedition laws were enacted in 17th century England when lawmakers believed that only good opinions of the government should survive, as bad opinions were detrimental to the government and monarchy.
  
  This sentiment (and law) was borrowed and inserted into the Section 124A of IPC in 1870, by the British.
  
  British used Sedition law to convict and sentence freedom fighters. It was first used to prosecute Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1897.
  
  Additional Sessions Judge remarked that in the absence of any exhortation, call, incitement or instigation to create disorder or disturbance of public peace by resort to violence, the sedition law cannot be invoked against anyone.
  
  The law of sedition is a powerful tool in the hands of the State to maintain peace and order in society.
  
  However, it cannot be invoked to quieten the disquiet under the pretence of muzzling the miscreants.
  
  
• Government to allow all types of steel to be used for highway construction due to rising steel prices
  An order was issued to allow all steel (whether produced by melting ore, billets, pellets or scrap) to be used for the construction of National Highways. The steel must meet the required standards for a specific grade of steel.
  
  The recommended steel will be tested in NABL accredited laboratories before being approved.
  
  Considering that rising steel prices may affect the cost of building national highways, this decision was made.
  
  Through this step, the base of steel suppliers will increase, leading to more competition and better market price discovery.
  
  
• PM Modi inaugurates first full fledged international cruise terminal at Cochin Port in Kerala
  The Prime Minister of India launched multiple projects in Kochi, Kerala.
  
  The Kochi International Cruise Terminal Sagarika was inaugurated.
  
  This is India's first full-fledged international cruise terminal.
  
  The Inauguration of the Marine Engineering Training Institute of Cochin Shipyard Ltd. will help those who want to learn marine engineering.
  
  The South Coal Berth will reduce logistics costs and increase cargo capacity.
  
  The Propylene Derivative Petrochemical Project (PDPP) will help India strengthen its journey to become Aatmanirbhar because it will save foreign exchange.
  
  With the use of Ro-Ro Vessels, the distance of nearly 30 kilometers on the road through the waterway will be changed to 3.5 kilometers, thereby reducing congestion and providing more convenience, commerce and capacity building.
  
  
• Chief Minister of Kerala inaugurates first route of Water Metro project
  The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, unveiled the first route and terminal of the Kochi Water Metro.
  
  The project uses advanced ships to connect the islands throughout the city.
  
  The subway route goes from Vitila to Kakinada. Vyttila is one of the busiest transportation hubs in Kerala, and Kakkanad is an IT hub.
  
  After obtaining the legal permit, the subway will begin commercial operation in March 2021. The first phase of the Kochi Water Subway Project is 520 kilometers long.
  
  The Chief Minister also opened the Panamkutty Bridge. It is also called the Petta Bridge, and it was activated for traffic. It will make the traffic between the Petta junction and the SN junction smooth.
  
  The bridge is 250 meters long. 70 meters of it are on the Poorna River. The CM also launched the "Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System" (IURWT) project. The IURWT project will renew and revitalize the six major canals of Kochi 34 kilometers.
  
  The IURWT project is a Integrated urban regeneration and water transportation system project. Some people suggest developing Edappally Canal (11.23 km), Chilavanoor Canal (9.88 km), Thevara-Perandoor Canal (11.15 km), Market Canal (0.664 km) and Thevara Canal (1.405 km) in Kochi City.
  
  Due to household and commercial waste, construction waste, etc., all these canals are severely blocked and polluted. Under the IURWT project activities, such as canal cleaning, bank protection, dredging and cutting, sewer and sewage treatment plants, reconstruction of piers and cross structures and pedestrian bridges will be taken away.
  
  The total cost of the project is Rs 1,418 crore. It has been released for ten years. The construction related to the project will be completed within 3 years.
  
  
• American space agency NASA lands its fifth rover 'Perseverance' on Mars successfully
  The American space agency NASA successfully landed its fifth rover 'Perseverance' on Mars in a deep crater near the planet's equator called Jezero.
  
  It touched down the surface of Mars after successfully overcoming a risky landing phase known as the seven minutes of terror. The six-wheeled vehicle will now spend at least the next two years drilling into the local rocks, looking for evidence of past life.
  
  About the size of an SUV, it weighs a ton, is equipped with a seven feet long robotic arm, has 19 cameras, two microphones and a suite of cutting-edge instruments to assist in its scientific goals. It has a laser spectrometer on board that will be able to examine rocks using different wavelengths of energy.
  
  Starting from summer, it will attempt to collect around 30 rock and soil samples in sealed tubes, to be eventually sent back to Earth sometime in the 2030s for lab analysis.
  
  The rover is only the fifth ever to set its wheels down on Mars. This feat was first accomplished in 1997 and all so far have been American.
  
  
• India rejects UN Special Rapporteurs' comments on Jammu and Kashmir
  India has taken strong objection on Jammu & Kashmir by the two Special Rapporteurs of Human Rights Council on minority issues and freedom of religion or belief.
  
  India expects the Special Rapporteurs to develop a better understanding of the issues under their consideration before jumping to hasty conclusions and issuing press statements.
  
  The Press Release has ignored the positive impact of extending Laws applicable to the rest of India to Jammu and Kashmir and enabling the people of Jammu and Kashmir to enjoy the same rights as available to people in other parts of India.
  
  The fact that an overwhelming majority of domicile certificates issued in J&K are to the erstwhile Permanent Resident Certificate holders shows that these fears are baseless and unfounded.
  
  
• Go Electric campaign" launched to give a boost to electric mobility and use of electrical appliances across country
  The Centre launched the Go Electric campaign to boost the adoption of electric mobility vehicles and electric cooking appliances to ensure energy security in the country.
  
  Go Electric is a future of India which will promote cost effective, environment friendly and indigenous electric products.
  
  Expressing concern over the huge imported cost of fossil fuel, he said, carbon emission from transport vehicles is a major challenge and the country needs to promote usage of vehicles which operate on alternative modes of fuels like electric batteries, CNG and Bio-fuel.
  
  India would become the number one manufacturer of electric vehicles in the next five years.
  
  
• Hyderabad gets recognition as 2020 Tree City of the World
  The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the Arbor Day Foundation have recognized Hyderabad as a 2020 Tree City of World, for its commitment to growing and maintaining urban forests.
  
  The recognition was a testament to the city’s sustained and institutional efforts to plant, nurture and celebrate trees, development of urban and peri-urban forestry actions, projects and strategic planning and commitment to building a healthy city.
  
  Most of the other cities were from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
  
  
• PM calls for special visa for Doctors and Nurses and regional air ambulance agreement in South Asia to tackle any medical emergency
  Prime Minister of India applauded the “spirit of collaboration” among South Asian and Indian Ocean island countries as “a valuable takeaway from this pandemic".
  
  Prime Minister suggested recently the creation of a regional platform for collating and studying data on the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccines, a special visa scheme for doctors and nurses to travel within the region during health emergencies, and a regional air ambulance agreement for medical contingencies.
  
  A workshop on ‘Covid-19 Management: Experience, Good Practices and Way Forward’ is being attended by health leaders, experts and officials of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and India.
  
  All countries, including Pakistan, supported the PM’s proposals. They sought a structured discussion for regional cooperation on these proposals to take them forward.
  
  When Covid-19 hit the world last year, many experts voiced special concern about our densely populated region. But, from the very beginning, we all met this challenge with a coordinated response.
  
  In March last year, we were the first to come together for recognising the threat and committing to fight it together. Many other regions and groups followed our early example.
  
  We created the Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund to meet the immediate costs of fighting the pandemic. We shared our resources — medicines, PPEs, and testing equipment.
  
  And, above all, we shared the most valuable commodity, knowledge, through collaborative training of our health workers.
  
  Through webinars, online courses and IT portals, we shared experiences and learned from each other’s best practices in testing, infection control and medical waste management.
  
  We developed our own best practices based on what worked best for us. Each one of us contributed immensely to this pooling of knowledge and experience.
  
  This spirit of collaboration is a valuable takeaway from this pandemic. Through our openness and determination, we have managed to achieve one of the lowest fatality rates in the world.
  
  
• Narendra Modi launches connectivity projects in Assam
  Prime Minister recently launched multiple initiatives in Assam, including the Mahabahu-Brahmaputra inland waterway project and the foundation stone of two bridges across the Brahmaputra.
  
  PM also laid the foundation stone for two medical colleges and launched the Asom Mala, a major road network project.
  
  The Brahmaputra is a confluence of brotherhood and togetherness. For years, this sacred river has connected people.
  
  PM referred to the lines of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika’s song — ‘Mahabahu Brahmaputra Mahamilanar Tirtha, Koto YugDhoriAahisePrakashiSamanyar Tirtha’ (The mighty Brahmaptura is on a timeless pilgrimage, assimilating, integration and unifying people of diverse cultures) — to highlight the role of the river in the life in Assam.
  
  But it is also true that for long, work that should have been done to increase connectivity on the Brahmaputra, has not been done,”
  
  That is why connectivity has always remained a challenge, not just in Assam but in the Northeast, too. But now India is steadfastly working in that direction.
  
  To mark the Rs 3,200 crore Mahabahu-Brahmaputra initiative — aimed at improving water transport connectivity — PM inaugurated three Ro-pax vessel operations between Neemati Ghat (Jorhat) and Majuli island, North Guwahati and South Guwahati as well as Dhubri and Hatsingimari.
  
  PM also laid the foundation stone of Inland Water Transport (IWT) Terminal at Jogighopa and various tourist jetties on the Brahmaputra and launched two portals for ease-of-doing-business.
  
  The Ro-Pax service between Majuli and Jorhat would reduce travel time of 11 hours to one hour, while the North and South Guwahati travel time will reduce from three hours to 30 minutes, and to reach Dhubri from Hatisingmari, it will now take three hours, instead of eight.
  
  The PM also laid the foundation stone for a 19-km-long four-lane bridge over the Brahmaputra — which will be India’s longest bridge over a river — that connects Dhubri in Assam and Phulbari in Meghalaya, to be constructed at the cost of Rs 5,000 crore.
  
  A bhumipujan, or ground-breaking ceremony, was also performed for a 6.8-km-long two-lane bridge that would connect Kamalabari in Majuli, the world’s largest river island to Neematighat in Jorhat.
  
  
• Software Defined Radio (SDR) for Indian Army under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan
  To arm the soldiers with advantages offered by technology and equip him to fight a war in the Net–Centric battle space, present radios are to be replaced soon by indigenously developed Software Defined Radio (SDR).
  
  SDR will have enhanced data transmission capability, enhanced voice clarity and data transmission accuracy in spectrally noisy environments, support multiple waveforms, greater system security and better communication survivability in clear and secure mode to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army.
  
  Communication is vital and critical to all military operations. The Combat Net Radio (CNR) is the mainstay of communications for the Indian Army in the battlefield.
  
  The contemporary CNR equipment in the Indian Army supports voice communication only and has limited or no data transmission capability.
  
  Indian Army is in the process to revamp its communication systems by procuring Very/Ultra High Frequency (V/UHF)Manpack SDRs under Make-II category.
  
  After successful evaluation of vendor responses, Project Sanction Order (PSO) has now been issued to 18 Indian vendors to start prototype development.
  
  The contract will be placed with one of the firms post successful development of prototype as per provisions of Buy (Indian-IDDM) category of DAP 2020.
  
  Development of V/UHF Manpack SDR under Make-II will be a game changer for Indian Army.
  
  It is in sync with the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” policy of the Government which will lead to “Self Reliance” in advanced communication systems.
  
  
• All about Haryana’s ID scheme; Privacy concerns
  Haryana government unique identity card scheme — Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) asks the district education officer to collect required information to avail benefits of the social security schemes of the state government.
  
  It further says that it is mandatory for all families to register themselves on the PPP portal.
  
  the objectives of this massive data collection exercise and what the government intends to do with this and whether the PPP was going to be accepted as an official identification document in the future in the State.
  
  PPP scheme was formally launched in July 2019 to achieve Haryana government’s vision for “paperless” and “faceless” delivery of schemes, services and benefits offered by the government.
  
  It is trying to make it mandatory for all those who are likely to avail benefits of government schemes such as below poverty line families, social security benefit recipients etc.
  
  The efforts of government to train district officials and residents are being made aware of the scheme through print and audio visual campaigns and face-to-face interactions.
  
  The group discussions are being held with key stakeholders such as members of residents’ welfare associations in the urban areas and other local representatives in urban as well as rural areas.
  
  The estimated 65 lakh only residential families of Haryana, and around 48 lakh have voluntarily can enrolled for PPP and provided the data on ‘self-declaration mode’.
  
  The family ID or PPP, an eight-digit alpha numeric ID, is provided to those who are residents of Haryana.
  
  The required period for residency has been reduced to five years from 15 years as of January 2021.
  
  As of now, over 110 services and schemes being delivered to citizens via the Saral platform have been linked to the PPP scheme.
  
  These services and schemes such as social security pensions ration cards and birth, death, caste and income certificates etc. And the government has plans to gradually extend the PPP to all government schemes, services, benefits and subsidies.
  
  The PPP may also be linked with land records to property records in the government database of lands and properties to prevent fraudulent transactions and clarify ownership.
  
  As a first step, it has been announced that from April 1, “anywhere” registration of property transactions is being attempted the first in the country.
  
  A lot of data is being sought, well above and beyond what is required to deliver education and related services.
  
  The demand for Aadhaar numbers evidently, virtually mandatory is in violation of the Supreme Court guidelines especially if no State benefits or subsidies are being sought by the residents.
  
  He also expressed concern over reports of plans to cross-link this database with other databases, saying that if the PPP becomes a precondition to getting birth or death certificates, etc. then there is no choice in the matter and it was an offer you can’t refuse.
  
  In the absence of privacy laws in India, or any indication of data protection Standard Operating Procedures being followed for this exercise, there will be potential abuse of this data.
  
  The office of PS, CRID, however, said that the data in PPP would be used only for planning purposes and for delivery of government schemes, subsidies, benefits and services and not for any private purpose.
  
  Only data that is legitimately sought for implementation of government schemes, subsidies, benefits or services is put together and not any other private data.
  
  It also dismissed apprehensions that the State government might profile people on the basis of this data and use it for election campaigns and strategy as “baseless”.
  
  Section 5 of the draft data protection bill deals with purpose limitation and states that the “personal data shall be processed only for purposes that are clear, specific and lawful.
  
  Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and if the purpose for which Aadhaar authentication is intended to be used is either backed by law made by parliament or is in the State interest.
  
  
• Crop insurance claim rejection shot up 900% between FY18 and FY20
  The number of farmers’ crop insurance claims that were rejected by insurance companies under the Centre’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) multiplied 10 times in just two years.
  
  In 2017-18, the number of rejected claims was 92,869. In the next year, 2018-19, the figure more than doubled to 2.04 lakh. By 2019-20, it was 9.28 lakh, a whopping 900% increase.
  
  Under the PMFBY, there was actually no need to file crop loss claims in case of widespread natural calamities such as drought or flood, as claims were calculated on the basis of shortfall in yield of the whole unit.
  
  At the end of the season, prevented sowing and midseason adversity claims were settled on the basis of an area approach for which yield data and crop damage reports were provided by the State governments concerned.
  
  When it came to risks impacting like risks of hailstorms, landslips, inundation, cloud burst, or natural fire. Such losses were calculated on the basis of crop loss assessment at individual insured farm levels.
  
  If the Farmers claims informed to the insurance company and the State government, their claims were assessed by a joint committee with representatives from the State government and the insurance company.
  
  The farmer claims can reject by the companies on various grounds.
  
  
• Aero components sector to double to ? 60,000 cr. by 2024, says Rajnath Singh
  The aero components sector in the country is set to double from Rs.30,000 crore today to 60,000 crore by 2024.
  
  Government is endeavouring to bring down defence imports by at least $2 billion by 2022.
  
  GOI have signed 128 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU), 19 Transfer of Technology (ToT), four handing overs, 18 product launches and 32 major announcements, totaling a grand figure of 201 feats.
  
  Further, of the 45 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) participating in Aero India, 21 have bagged orders worth Rs.203 crore. This is a major achievement.
  
  Between 2016 and 2019, 138 proposals worth over $37 billion for domestic manufacturing had been approved by the government in order to boost domestic defence manufacturing.
  
  The India has a great potential to emerge as a global and regional Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub, given the cost competitiveness of its manpower resources, the availability of abundant, specialist capabilities and geographical advantages.
  
  The aerospace sector has an important role to play, if India has to reach the targets of domestic defence production of $25 billion and exports of $5 billion by 2025.
  
  
• Veil of privacy can be lifted for legitimate state interest: Centre response in Delhi HC
  Government told the Delhi High Court that though the right to privacy has been held to be a “sacred fundamental right” and is being “respected” by the government, the “veil of privacy” can be lifted for certain “legitimate state interest”.
  
  The government said lawful interception, monitoring or decryption of any messages or information stored in any computer resources is done by authorised agencies after due approval in each case by the competent authority.
  
  The government was responding to a petition seeking permanent halting of the Centre’s surveillance projects, Centralized Monitoring System (CMS), Network Traffic Analysis (NETRA) and National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID).
  
  The petitioners have contended that these enable government authorities to intercept, store, analyses and retain telephone and internet communications data in bulk in violation of the fundamental right to privacy.
  
  It seeks oversight authority for authorising and reviewing interception and monitoring orders or warrants issued under the Telegraph Act, 1885 and the IT Act, 2000.
  
  PIL has argued that the three systems allow the government a 360 degree surveillance of all citizens, including judges.
  
  The government recently said the interest of sovereignty or integrity of India, defence of the country, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states or public order fall under “legitimate state interest”.
  
  The grave threats to the country from terrorism, radicalization, cross-border terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, drug cartels cannot be understated or ignored and a strong and robust mechanism for timely and speedy collection of actionable intelligence including digital intelligence is imperative to counter threats to the national security. This is undeniably legitimate State interest.
  
  The government said there is no blanket permission to any agency for interception or monitoring or decryption, because its violate Article 21 of constitution.
  
  Every proposal received from authorized law enforcement agencies for interception and monitoring, are scrutinized by the dedicated unit of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  
  It said existing safeguards of oversight by the high level committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary at Central level and by the Chief Secretary at the state level are adequate.
  
  
• All about Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram! – GK > Schemes
  The Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and has been continuing since the "Twelfth Five-Year Plan".
  
  The scheme aims to cultivate the personalities and leadership skills of young people and enable them to participate in nation-building activities.
  
  The beneficiaries of this scheme are young people in the 15-29 age group. In the case of the programme specifically targets young people, the age group is 10-19 years old.
  
  This is an overall scheme that includes the following sub-schemes:
  Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (founded in 1972, one of the largest youth organizations in the world)
  National Youth Corps
  National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development
  International Cooperation
  Youth Hostels
  Assistance to Scouting and Guiding Organisations
  National Youth Leadership Program
  
  
• All about National Handloom Development Programme!
  National Handloom Development Programme is a central sector scheme that aims to support weavers inside and outside the cooperative fold, including Self-Help Groups, NGOs, etc.
  
  This is a central sector scheme that aims to support weavers inside and outside the cooperative fold, including Self-Help Groups, NGOs, etc.
  
  It follows a demand-based approach to the integrated and holistic development of handlooms and the welfare of handloom weavers.
  
  It supports weavers in obtaining raw materials, design inputs, technology upgrades, marketing, providing support through exhibitions, and establishing permanent infrastructure in the form of Urban Haats, marketing complexes, and development of web portals for e-marketing of handloom products.
  
  In this way, the weavers benefit from exempting overdue loans, obtaining loans at a preferential interest rate, participating in exhibitions/ fairs/craft melas, selling handloom products, loom upgrading and training to increase income.
  
  The main components of the scheme include:
  Block-level cluster project
  Marketing assistance for handlooms
  Preferential credit
  
  Handloom census (data on handloom weavers, the number of handlooms, the number of handlooms engaged in commercial and household use, etc.)
  
  Some other components include handloom parks, research and development, publicity, training, etc.
  
  
• People patronized Tawang's Monpa Handmade Paper
  After PM promoted Mann ki Baat, people patronized Tawang's Monpa Handmade Paper. These are handcrafted by artisans in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
  
  Monpa handmade paper is made from the bark of a Shung Sheng tree grown in Tawang, and is known for its unique translucent fiber texture.
  
  Paper has no weight, but its natural fibres add great tensile strength to the paper, making it suitable for various artworks.
  
  Monpa handmade paper has been used for writing Buddhist scriptures, manuscripts and making prayer flags.
  
  Writing on this paper is also tamper-proof.
  
  Paper was once produced in every family in Tawang and exported to many countries such as Tibet, Bhutan, Myanmar and Japan.
  
  However, with the emergence of new technologies, the handmade paper industry has almost disappeared in the past 100 years.
  
  
• All about 'KAPILA'!!
  The Government initiated a campaign, namely the "Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness Campaign (KAPILA) for Intellectual Property Literacy aimed at raising patent awareness.
  
  KAPILA was launched in October 2020.
  
  Objective is to Build awareness of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
  
  Provide intellectual property protection for inventions originating from faculty and students from HEIs.
  
  Develop intellectual property right Credit Courses
  
  Provide intellectual property training programs for faculty and students in HEIs.
  
  Sensitization and development of IP archiving system
  
  
• The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Defence Ministers’ Conclave
  The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Defence Ministers’ Conclave began with a keynote address from Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on 4th February on the sidelines of Aero India 2021 in Bengaluru.
  
  As the largest nation in the IOR region with a vast coast line of 7500 Kms, India has an active role to play for peaceful and prosperous co-existence of all countries.
  
  SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region is the theme of Indian Ocean Policy as outlined by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2015.
  
  India’s approach and vision to tackle global challenges was highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dynamic five ‘S’ vision – Samman (Respect), Samvaad (Dialogue), Sahyog (Cooperation), Shanti (Peace) and Samriddhi (Prosperity).
  
  
• National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is expanding to ease farmers
  The government announced in the 2021-22 budget that it will expand e-NAM to integrate more than 1,000 mandis.
  
  The Prime Minister of India launched the e-NAM or e-trading platform (online trading portal) for the National Agricultural Market (NAM) in April 2016.
  
  e-National Agricultural Market (e-NAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal. It established a connection with Mandis, the popular Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) at the time, to establish a unified national market for agricultural products.
  
  The e-NAM project will be operated through an online portal linked to the Mandis (wholesale market) in each state. All participating states will provide e-NAM software (Website and Mobile application) free of cost.
  
  
• AYUSH Ministry's CYP - Yoga Appreciation Programme to continue till June 2021
  The Ministry of AYUSH (MoA) has developed a "Common Yoga Protocol" (CYP) training plan. The plan was launched in the context of the Ministry of Education's efforts to increase the acceptance and context of yoga practice in India and abroad.
  
  The training plan is the soul of the upcoming International Yoga Day celebrations.
  
  The agreement promotes harmony among millions of people participating in International Yoga Day (IDY).
  
  The Universal Yoga Protocol is developed by a team of leading yoga masters and experts.
  
  The program includes safety measures to improve the physical, emotional, psychological and mental health of the population.
  
  This is the most popular yoga program in the world and is widely carried out on the occasion of International Yoga Day (IDY) every year.
  
  The protocol is designed in such a way that everyone can easily adapt it, regardless of age and gender. You can learn through simple training courses and online courses.
  
  Every year, the International Yoga Federation (IDY) will lead a joint yoga agreement by Prime Minister Modi. It is organized by the Ministry of AYUSH (MoA) in cooperation with Morarji Desai National Yoga Institute (MDNIY).
  
  It also organized the Yoga Appreciation Program (YAP) with the purpose of promoting and disseminating yoga knowledge and practice among people.
  
  From 2015, June 21 is the International Yoga Day every year declared by the United Nations.
  
  
• India’s military aviation expo underway at Yelahanka Air Force station
  The 13th Indian Aero Show began at Yelahanka Air Force Base (Karnataka) in Bangalore. This is an important event that attracts international and Indian military and civil aircraft manufacturers, its supporting industries, military brass and government officials, and business visitors.
  
  Aero India is an international military and civil air show held every two years.
  
  Since its launch in Bangalore in 1996, the Yelahanka Air Force Base, headquartered in Bangalore, is about 30 kilometres from the city centre and has been hosting an air show in February.
  
  This is the first "hybrid" air show, which means people can also participate digitally. Aero India’s key region in 2021 is the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The show is organized by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
  
  Aero India has seen the participation of top airlines in 2021, while India has demonstrated its home-grown defence capabilities.
  
  In addition to global aviation giants such as Boeing (USA), Lockheed Martin (USA), Dassault Company (France) and Airbus (Europe), the exhibition will also attract Thales (France) including the participation of top defence companies in the aviation industry, BAE Systems (UK) and missile manufacturer MBDA (Europe).
  
  India has been buying products from these major giants, such as Boeing P8-I, Dassault Rafale, and other aircraft.
  
  During the air show, the government also officially sealed the rupees. The $48 billion transactions purchased 83 Tejas light fighters from the state-owned airline Hindustan Airways Limited (HAL).
  
  Tejas was manufactured by Hindustan Airways Limited (HAL) is a single-engine, highly agile multi-role supersonic fighter that can operate in high-threat air environments.
  
  
• Beggars learning vocational skills for life with dignity in Rajasthan
  A new scheme launched here for the rehabilitation of beggars through vocational training has enabled them to lead a life with dignity.
  
  Beggars are being equipped with the necessary life skills at a special training centre established in Jaipur by the Rajasthan Skill and Livelihoods Development Corporation (RSLDC).
  
  Over 40 beggars hailing from Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, who came to Jaipur in search of livelihood but ended up on footpaths, have been provided with shelter, where they are learning yoga, meditation, sports and computer operations.
  
  In addition to skill development, psychological counselling and emotional support is also being given during the residential training.
  
  The first group of beggars is being trained in the catering skills. Others will be trained later for a variety of occupations, such as that of an electrician, plumber, guard or beautician.
  
  The preamble of the Constitution of India mandates to ensure equality of status and of opportunity and Justice, social, economic and political to all its citizens.
  
  The article 14 provides for quality of all before law, article 16 provides for equality of opportunity in matters of public employment,
  
  The article 21 provides the right to protection of life and article 23 provides for the right against exploitation, all of which being fundamental rights bestowed by the Constitution to all citizens of the country.
  
  Also the United Nations Convention against Transnational organized Crime identifies forced begging as a form of exploitation through trafficking in human beings.
  
  It extends to the whole of India. Whoever employs or uses any person for the purposes of begging or causes any person to beg shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than three years which may extend to ten years, or with fine, or with both;
  
  Whoever, having the actual charge of, or control over a child, abets the commission of the offence punishable under sub-section (1), shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than three years which may extend to ten years, or with fine or with both.
  
  The Competent Court, may increase punishment or penalty on trial under subsection (1) on finding aggravating circumstances or heinous offences, depending on the nature of the crime,
  
  Any person convicted of human rights violations or an offence under Indian Penal Code of 1860 or other laws that involve as human right violation trafficking of human body parts, rape, Molestation, Sexual Harassment and torture.
  
  Any person found begging shall be detained by the police and before mankind such a detention, the officer—in-charge of the concerned police jurisdiction shall satisfy himself as to the bona fide of the detained beggar.
  
  The appropriate Government shall have mandatory establish and maintain, in every district, either by itself or through voluntary or non-Governmental organisations a Receiving Vocational Shelter, for persons detained under Section 4 with the exception of children and differently abled persons, with the following provisions.
  
  The appropriate Government may establish and maintain, in every district, either by itself or through voluntary or non-governmental organizations, Children Shelters, which shall be registered as such, for all children with the exception of those with physical or mental disability, detained under Section 4, with the following provisions.
  
  The Central Government, in consultation with the State Government, shall establish a Beggar's Welfare Fund for the purpose of skill development, vocation training, medical facilities and Education among others in such manner as may be prescribed.
  
  
• Ministry’s mental health helpline sees most calls from men
  The ‘Kiran’ Helpline service was set up by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry. Seventy per cent of callers to a mental health rehabilitation helpline launched, in September 2020 by the Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE) Ministry,
  
  were men according to an internal report of the Ministry accessed by About 32% of those who reached out were students.
  
  The Kiran helpline (1800-599-0019) of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) of the Ministry was launched on September 7 by SJE Minister
  
  The majority of callers (75.5%) were in the age group of 15 to 40 years, while 18.1% were older, in the 41 to 60 age group,
  
  The callers, the report said, 65.9% had “milder nature of distress”, while 26.5% were “moderately distressed” and 7.6% were “severely distressed”. The report said 32.3% of the callers were students, 15.2% were self-employed, 27.1% were employed, 23.3% were unemployed, 1.4% were home-makers and 0.7% did not reveal the information.
  
  While most of the callers (78.2%) sought help for themselves, others reached out for their parents, siblings, spouse and others.
  
  Most of the calls were from the North zone (40.32%), followed by West (27.08%), South (16.99%), East (11.28%) and North East (4.33%), the report said.
  
  Speaking to The Hindu on condition of anonymity, a clinical psychologist of the DEPwD working on the helpline said most of the calls had been from “young adults”.
  
  The 24/7 helpline offers early screening, psychological first-aid, psychological support, distress management, mental well-being, psychological crisis management services and referrals to mental health experts and is operated by 81 front-line professionals, apart from volunteer psychiatrists, clinical and rehabilitation psychologists, the Ministry report said.
  
  
• Government allocates Rs. 16000 crore for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for 2021-22
  Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has allocated Rs 16000 crores for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for the fiscal year 2021-22. This is a budgetary increase of around Rs 305 crore as against the previous fiscal year 2020-21,
  
  The scheme extends coverage for the entire cropping cycle from pre-sowing to post-harvest including coverage for losses arising out of prevented sowing and mid-season adversities.
  
  The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) launched on 18 February 2016 by Prime Minister is an insurance service for farmers for their yields.
  
  It was formulated in line with One Nation–One Scheme theme by replacing earlier two schemes National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) by incorporating their best features and removing their inherent drawbacks.
  
  It aims to reduce the premium burden on farmers and ensure early settlement of crop assurance claim for the full insured sum.
  
  To provide a comprehensive insurance cover against failure of the crop thus helping in stabilising the income of the farmers.
  
  The Scheme covers all Food & Oilseeds crops and Annual Crops Commercial/Horticultural for which past yield data is available and for which requisite number of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) are being conducted under General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES).
  
  The scheme is implemented by empanelled general insurance companies. Selection of Implementing Agency (IA) is done by the concerned State Government through bidding.
  
  The scheme is compulsory for loanee farmers availing Crop Loan /KCC account for notified crops and voluntary for other others. The scheme is being administered by Ministry of Agriculture.
  
  The scheme has made it easier for the farmer to report crop loss within 72 hours of occurrence of any event through the Crop Insurance App, CSC Centre or the nearest agriculture officer. Claim benefit is then provided electronically into the bank accounts of eligible farmer.
  
  Integration of land records with the PMFBY portal, Crop Insurance mobile-app for easy enrollment of farmers and usage of technology such as satellite imagery, remote-sensing technology, drones, artificial intelligence and machine learning to assess crop losses are some of the key features of the scheme.
  
  As of now, out of total farmers enrolled under PMFBY, 84% are small and marginal farmers. Thus, financial assistance is provided to most vulnerable farmers.
  
  Today, PMFBY is globally the largest crop insurance scheme in terms of farmer participation and 3rd largest in terms of premium. Over 5.5 crore farmer applications are received on year-on-year basis.
  
  
• First women team inducted into CRPF's CoBRA commando unit
  A maiden team of 34 women CRPF staff was introduced into a special jungle warfare commando called CoBRA. The task force will now be deployed in India's anti-Nazi operations grid.
  
  COBRA is a special operations unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) of India.
  
  Combat troops are proficient in guerrilla tactics and jungle warfare.
  
  It was established in 2009 to deal with the Naxal problem.
  
  It is deployed against insurgent groups engaged in asymmetric warfare.
  
  Currently, there are 10 CoBRA camps.
  
  These battalions are among the most experienced and successful law enforcement agencies.
  
  Up to now, these camps are an all-male unit. For the first time, a female team was introduced.
  
  
• Four more states complete ease of doing business reforms
  Four other states completed the "Ease of Doing Business" reforms to obtain more borrowing permits.
  
  The four states of Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab have carried out the "Ease of Doing Business" reform prescribed by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
  
  Therefore, these states are eligible to mobilize more financial resources and are allowed to raise an additional Rs.5,034crore through Open Market Borrowings.
  
  The total number of States that have adopted prescribed reforms to facilitate ease of doing business has reached 12.
  
  The other states are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
  
  
• Rs.1,000-crore Startup India Seed Fund from April 1st
  The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) has been approved for a period of four years starting from 2021-22.
  
  The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to start-ups for proof of concept, prototype development, product testing, market entry and commercialization.
  
  It will be effective from April 1, 2021.
  
  In the next 4 years, Rs. 945 Crore corpus will be divided and to provide seed funding for qualified start-ups through qualified incubators across India.
  
  The scheme is expected to support approximately 3,600 startups.
  
  The implementing agency of the scheme is the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
  
  These 3,600 entrepreneurs will represent start-ups in various industries registered by DPIIT and were established not more than two years ago when applying for the scheme.
  
  The selected start-up company will be offered up to Rs 20 lakhs as a grant for proof of concept and provide up to Rs 50 lakhs to commercialize products through convertible debentures or debt or debt-linked instruments.
  
  The start-ups selected under the scheme are preferably from the following fields: social impact, waste management, water management, financial inclusion, education, agriculture, food processing, biotechnology, healthcare, energy, transportation, defence, aerospace, railway, oil and natural gas, textiles, etc.
  
  
• National Horticulture Fair from February 8th
  The National Horticultural Expo began on February 8, 2021. The five-day event will be held on the campus of the Indian Institute of Horticulture (IIHR). People from all over India will also participate in this event virtually.
  
  The theme of the National Horticultural Expo in 2021 will be: "India's emerging and standing gardening". The theme aims to encourage farmers to become entrepreneurs.
  
  The expo will be organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Institute of Horticulture (IIHR). It can be held almost offline.
  
  In the COVID-19 pandemic, the actual entry limit for participants is 30,000.
  
  Farmers will also participate in the event with the help of 721 Krishi Vijnana Kendras and 11 agricultural technology application institutes.
  
  In order to enable people to participate in the event, arrangements have also been made at the agricultural training center of the state government.
  
  During the event, about 211 live demonstrations will be displayed. Through this event, farmers can also interact with scientists.
  
  The Indian Institute of Horticulture (IIHR) is an autonomous organization. It engages in basic, strategic, anticipated and applied research on all aspects of gardening. Its headquarters is located in Bangalore, Karnataka. The institute is a subsidiary of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It works under the leadership of the head of the Ministry of Agriculture.
  
  Horticulture is a branch of agriculture that involves intensive cultivation of plants that humans use directly for food, medicinal purposes and aesthetic satisfaction. It involves the cultivation, production and sale of fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, ornamental plants or exotic plants.
  
  L.H. Bailey is known as the father of American gardening. On the other hand, M.H. Marigowda is known as the father of Indian gardening.
  
  
• India falls to 53rd position in EIU's Democracy Index
  2020 Democracy Index’s report titled “Democracy in sickness and in health?” has been released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
  
  India slipped two places to 53rd position due to the “democratic backsliding” by authorities and “crackdowns” on civil liberties has led to a further decline in the country’s ranking.
  
  With mounting pressure on India’s democratic norms, India’s score fell from a peak of 7.92 in 2014 to 6.61 in 2020 (6.9 in 2019) and its global ranking slipped from 27th (in 2014) to 53rd. India was ranked 51st in the 2019 Democracy Index.
  
  It has been classified as a ‘flawed democracy’.
  
  Report alleged that the Central government had “introduced a religious element to the conceptualisation of Indian citizenship, a step that many critics see as undermining the secular basis of the Indian state”.
  
  The authorities’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic led to a further erosion of civil liberties in 2020.
  
  Sri Lanka: 68th , flawed democracy
  
  Bangladesh (76), Bhutan (84) and Pakistan (105) : ‘Hybrid regime’ category
  
  Afghanistan : 139th , ‘Authoritarian regime’
  
  
• NITI Aayog orders study on ‘economic impact’ of judicial decisions
  Government think tank NITI Aayog has asked Jaipur-headquartered research organization Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) International to conduct a study on the “economic impact” of various judgments delivered by Supreme Court, the high courts, and quasi-judicial bodies such as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the “judicial activism” of such courts and tribunals.
  
  Judicial decisions have far-reaching economic impacts which are often not taken into account at the time of decision making.
  
  The absence of ex-ante analysis of the economic costs associated with a decision is further exacerbated when judicial activism by courts and tribunals is also in play.
  
  Study funding: NITI Aayog
  
  Objective of study: “narrative building for sensitising the judiciary on the economic impact of their decisions”
  
  Significance: the findings will be used as a training input for judges of commercial courts, NGT, HCs, SC.
  
  The study, initially supposed to start in February 2020 and get over by the end of this month, was delayed due to a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
  
  The study is to do an objective cost-benefit analysis of the economic impact of the decisions.
  
  The study is also a part of the larger umbrella project undertaken by NITI Aayog under which it wants to establish a judicial performance index, which would measure the performance of judges at district courts and subordinate levels.
  
  
• 'Schools under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan to be renamed after Subhas Chandra Bose'
  The Ministry of Education has decided on the Schools and hostels under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, which was renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
  
  Renaming the scheme will help to create awareness regarding the facility of these residential schools and hostels in difficult areas.
  
  It will also motivate these schools to achieve high-quality education.
  
  Samagra Shiksha Scheme is an integrated scheme of school education. The scheme extends from pre-school to class XII.
  
  Ensure the provision of inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education.
  
  The scheme was launched after the inclusion of three schemes, namely Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Teacher Education (TE), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).
  
  Under the scheme, school education is seen as a continuum from pre-kindergarten to grade 12.
  
  The scheme emphasizes improving the quality of school education by focusing on two T’s, namely Teachers and Technology.
  
  In addition, under the scheme, the Ministry of Education provides financial assistance to states and union territories to open and operate residential schools and hostels in hilly areas.
  
  It also provides financial assistance for opening schools and houses in small, under populated areas for children who need shelter and care.
  
  
• Business confidence improves with rollout of vaccines: NCAER
  The Business Confidence Index (BCI) was released by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).
  
  Between the second and third quarters of the 2020-2021 financial year, the index rose 29.6%. In the context of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in many countries/regions, including India, the vaccination rate has increased.
  
  Respondents also expect that overall economic conditions will improve in the next six months.
  
  They expect that it will increase by 4.8 percentage points in the third quarter of the 2020-2021 financial year. In other words, from 29.8% in the second quarter of 2020-2021 to 34.6% in the third quarter.
  
  They also expect that "the company's financial situation will improve in the next six months." It is expected to increase by 3.1 percentage points in the third quarter of 2020-2021.
  
  NCAER is a non-profit economic think tank based in New Delhi. NCAER conducts research in the field of economics. It was established in 1956. Currently, NandanNilekani is the president of the governing body.
  
  
• PM dedicates slew of infra projects to nation in West Bengal's Haldia
  PM is responsible for the 348 km Dobhi-Durgapur Natural Gas Pipeline section across the country, which is part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project.
  
  This is a natural gas pipeline project that aims to provide cooking gas to people.
  
  It was launched in Varanasi in 2016 and later expanded to people in the states of Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand.
  
  The government is actively connecting the eastern states with the national gas grid.
  
  The total length of the pipeline under the PradhanMantriUrja Ganga project is approximately 3,384 kilometers, of which 766 kilometers of pipelines are located in Orissa, and the remaining 2,618 kilometers are located in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam.
  
  The project will not only provide Compressed Natural Gas for automobiles and cooking gas to household kitchens in cities along the route, but also provide natural gas for industries that meet their raw material or fuel needs.
  
  GAIL is implementing the project.
  
  
• Rajya Sabha passes Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill
  Rajya Sabha passed the “Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Act 2021" on February 8, 2021 by voice vote.
  
  The bill seeks to replace the decree to merge the cadres of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and the civil servants of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, and Mizoram Confederate Territories (AGMUT).
  
  The bill was introduced in the upper house of parliament. The bill will also increase the number of officers in the Union territories of Jammu, Kashmir and Leh.
  
  After Article 370 of the region was revoked, the "Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Act 2021" was passed and the "Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act" was promulgated in 2019.
  
  The 2019 Act re-divided Jammu and Kashmir into two states on October 31, 2019, namely Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. It restructured the area of J&K, which has always been part of the larger area of Kashmir, which is a dispute between India, Pakistan and China.
  
  Voice voting is a voting method for voting on a certain topic or motion in the parliamentary procedure. It is the simplest and fastest voting method used in the negotiation assembly.
  
  First, the host or conference chairperson submits the question to the conference. Then ask all those who agree to the motion to speak ("Yea" or "Yes"). Later, he asked all those who opposed the motion to speak out ("No" or "Nay").
  
  The host then counts on both parties and explains the result. Voice voting has disadvantages because the volume of the voice is only an estimate, and is not actually measured with a sound level meter.
  
  
• When is the Safer Internet Day observed?
  In this year 2021, Safer Internet Day is observed on February 9, 2021. Last year the day was marked on February 11, 2020. That is, it falls on second day of the second week of February.
  
  SID is an international event held in February every year. The purpose is to raise people's awareness of emerging online issues (such as cyberbullying) and choose a topic that reflects current concerns.
  
  It is organized by the Insafe/INHOPE Awareness Center Network, which is spread across 30 countries and is funded by the European Union’s "Connected European Facilities Project" (CEF).
  
  SID started in 2004 and is part of the EU’s "Children’s Internet is Better" policy. Now, the SID program has been recognized in about 150 countries/regions around the world.
  
  In order to expand the influence of the plan, the Safer Internet Day Committee was introduced in 2009. The New Delhi-based NGO DISC (Developing Internet Safe Community) Foundation is the SID Committee in India.
  
  
• UP government announces a unique 16-digit Unicode to identify landholdings
  The Uttar Pradesh government introduced a system that publishes the unique 16-digit Unicode on February 7, 2020. The Unicode will be used to mark all kinds of landholdings in the state.
  
  The Unicode number of the land will consist of 16 digits.
  
  The first six digits are population-based on land.
  
  The next 4 digits in the row will determine the unique identity of the land.
  
  The digits from 11 to 14 will be the number of divisions of the land.
  
  The two digits will contain detailed information about the category. With the help of the last two digits, the category of the land viz. residential, agricultural and commercial land can be identified.
  
  With the introduction of Unicode, every piece of land in the state will now have its own unique identity.
  
  Unicode will help to examine land dispute cases.
  
  It will also put people in the trap of fraudsters.
  
  Unicode will be issued by the revenue department of the Uttar Pradesh government.
  
  It will be issued for various agricultural, residential and commercial land.
  
  With the help of Unicode, people can know detailed information about the land with just single click.
  
  
• Bill extending protection to illegal constructions in Delhi passed
  The Rajya Sabha passed the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
  
  Housing and Urban Affairs Minister had introduced the Bill
  
  The Bill extended the protections from punitive action for certain kinds of unauthorised constructions by three years.
  
  The Bill replaced an ordinance brought by the government in December 2020.
  
  The existing protections from sealing and demolition of illegal constructions, including unauthorised colonies, were set to end on December 31.
  
  It is a matter of fact which is undisputable that Indian cities are virtually turning into slums and worst is that their boundaries are increasing with every passing day.
  
  Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2006 had been enacted by Parliament to protect certain forms of encroachment and unauthorised development from punitive action, namely, demolition, sealing, displacement, etc
  
  The Ordinance amended this to provide that the unauthorised colonies will be identified for regularisation in accordance with the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Act, 2019 and the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Regulations, 2019.
  
  The unauthorised colonies that existed as on June 1, 2014 and had witnessed 50 percent development as on January 1, 2015 will be eligible for regularisation.
  
  
• Government looks for new agency to do pollution source study
  Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi had taken a decision to cancel a study, which was being done by the University of Washington in St. Louis for the Delhi government at a cost of Rs.1.2 crore.
  
  The government had paid over Rs.50 lakh to the university but decided to cancel the study as a government-appointed committee had raised red flags about the study.
  
  In a bid to study and combat pollution sources in Delhi, Chief Minister recently held a meeting with researchers of IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, and TERI.
  
  It was decided that the Delhi government will work with teams of researchers and launch ‘Real-time Source Apportionment’ project in Delhi, along with setting up an advanced monitoring system of real-time pollution sources.
  
  This technology will also clarify the factors responsible for the spike in air pollution at a particular spot.
  
  It will also help to study the real-time effect of vehicles, dust, and smoke from factories.
  
  IIT Kanpur has submitted a proposal for a study that will cost about RS.11 crore. An expert panel is examining the proposal.
  
  Delhi government has initiated an electric vehicles policy and is also running a 'Switch Delhi' campaign to encourage citizens of Delhi to switch from polluting fuel-run cars to EVs.
  
  
• Centre objects to plea against Special Marriage Act
  The Centre has objected to a petition seeking to discontinue with the provision of inviting objection from public while applying for marriage registration under the Special Marriage Act (SMA).
  
  According to the Ministry of Law and Justice, the intention behind the provision in SMA was to “keep adequate safeguards to the interest of various parties involved”.
  
  An Act of the Parliament of India with provision for civil marriage (or "registered marriage") for people of India and all Indian nationals in foreign countries, irrespective of the religion or faith followed by either party.
  
  The Act originated from a piece of legislation proposed during the late 19th century. Marriages solemnized under Special Marriage Act are not governed by personal laws.
  
  The Special Marriage Act, 1954 replaced the old Act III, 1872. The new enactment had three major objectives-
  
  to provide a special form of marriage in certain cases,
  
  to provide for registration of certain marriages and,
  
  to provide for divorce.
  
  All marriages done under the SMA requires publication of the names of the couple for inviting objections from public for 30 days.
  
  Within this period, anyone can object to the marriage on the ground that it would contravene one or more of the conditions specified in section 4 of the SMA.
  
  Some of the conditions include neither party has a spouse living; either of them is of unsound mind, incapable of giving a valid consent; and the man has completed twenty-one years and the woman eighteen years.
  
  The provision was challenged by an inter-faith couple on the ground that the 30 days gestation period was not warranted as the same objective can be mitigated on the basis of certificates issued by government hospitals and on the basis of undertaking by them.
  
  If any person raises objection to the said marriage within a period of 30 days, the marriage officer shall not solemnise the marriage until he has enquired into the matter of objection.
  
  It may not be possible to verify the credibility of such person if at least thirty days period is not given.
  
  The procedure laid down in this Act for registration of marriage is fair and reasonable.
  
  Advocate, who had appeared for the couple, argued that the question with regard to whether either party has a living spouse can arise in other religious marriage also, but they are exempted from 30 days’ notice period.
  
  
• Anganwadi beneficiaries dropped by 2 crore in 7 years
  According to data submitted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in Parliament, the number of beneficiaries under the government's "Anganwadi" plan has been reduced by nearly 20 million.
  
  During 2014-2015, approximately 1.4 million grams of Anganwadi Center recruited approximately 1.045 billion pregnant women, lactating mothers and children between 6 months and 6 years old. By March 2020, this number has fallen to 85.5 billion.
  
  The number of children also dropped from 8.49 million in 2014-2015 to 6.86 million in March 2020.
  
  The number of pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers dropped from 19.95 million in 2014-15 to 16.68 million in March 2020. The government did not emphasize the reasons for this decline.
  
  Anganwadi is a kind of rural childcare center in India. These centers were established by the Indian government in 1975. These centers were established under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program to eliminate child hunger and malnutrition.
  
  The Integrated Child Development Program was launched in 1975. Although the Morarji Desai government suspended the plan in 1978, it restarted the plan in the Tenth Five-Year Plan.
  
  The plan includes a package of six services, which are managed in different Anganwadi centers. Services include immunization, supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, health check, health education and referral services.
  
  
• 328 appeals have been filed before NCLAT from decisions of CCI
  The decision of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has filed 328 appeals to National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
  
  NCLAT was formed under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013, which aims to hear appeals against National Company Law Tribunal orders.
  
  NCLAT is also the Court of Appeal.
  
  NCLT's order passed under Section 61 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 2016.
  
  Orders passed by the Indian Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board under Section 202 and Section 211 of the IBC.
  
  Any instructions, decisions or orders issued by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
  
  Based on the caseload and other related factors, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) courts have been established in various states.
  
  Considering the heavy caseload of some existing benches, more members have been appointed and other courts have been activated from time to time.
  
  
• NITI Aayog formed team to develop National Action Plan for Migrant Workers
  NITI Aayog has formed a team to develop the National Action Plan for Migrant Workers.
  
  The team is composed of members from various ministries of the Govt. of India, subject matter experts, NGOs and civil society organizations to develop practical action plans to solve problems related to migrant workers.
  
  In order to safeguard the interests of migrant workers, the Central Government promulgated Inter-state Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979.
  
  The Act has now been incorporated into the "Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020", and the Code was notified on September 29, 2020.
  
  The above-mentioned code (usually called OSH Code) stipulate decent working conditions, minimum wages, grievance mechanism, protection from abuse and exploitation, and strengthen the skills and social security to all category of organized and unorganized workers, including migrant workers.
  
  The guidelines apply to every agency that hired or employed 10 or more inter-state migrant workers on any day in the past 12 months.
  
  
• This 84-year-old man has conserved over 100 exotic pickling mango varieties
  84-year-old Beluru Subbanna Heggade (B.V. SubbaRao) has collected more than 100 appe midi varieties of mango, which were on the verge of extinction.
  
  He has preserved these mangoes, used for pickling as whole fruit, by growing them on his premises in Belur of Sagartaluk in Shivamogga district.
  
  His collection includes some 10 rare and premium varieties such as DombesaraJeerige, Genasinakudijeerege, Cheenethotajeerege, Baagijeerige, Barigejeerige. They have a distinct taste and aroma. Also, they have a shelf life ranging from three to five years.
  
  The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research honoured Mr. Heggade for his conservation efforts at its ongoing national horticultural fair in Hessarghatta on Wednesday.
  
  In all, the Institute now has about 200 appe midi varieties of mango. Of them, four to five varieties have premium characteristics and are ideal for exporting.
  
  
• Despite Opposition show of unity, Rajya Sabha passes ports Bill
  The Rajya Sabha on 10th February, 2021 passed the Major Ports Authority Bill, 2020 with 84 votes in favour and 44 against.
  
  Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways said the Bill aimed to make the ports world class and give the port authorities power to make their own decisions. He denied the Opposition’s charge that it would lead to privatisation.
  
  Decentralise decision making and infuse professionalism in governance of major ports.
  
  Impart faster and transparent decision making benefiting the stakeholders and better project execution capability.
  
  Reorient the governance model in central ports to landlord port model in line with the successful global practice.
  
  The bill seeks to provide for regulation, operation and planning of major ports in the country and provide greater autonomy to these ports.
  
  It seeks to replace the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963. The legislation provides for the creation of a Board of Major Port Authority for each major port.
  
  These Boards will replace the existing Port Trusts.
  
  
• Government sets up nodal authority for design and specifications of deep-sea fishing vessels
  The government of India has set up a Nodal Authority in order to frame the Approved Standardised Deep-Sea Fishing Vessels Design and Specifications (ASDDS).
  
  It would help the fisheries departments of states to implement the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
  
  ASDDS will provide a framework of minimum basic design parameters. The vessels would be constructed under the prescribed framework.
  
  It will cover the basic design aspects including the Outline Specifications, Basic Calculation, General Arrangement and Basic Structural Drawings.
  
  ASDDS will be prepared by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL).
  
  It will technically be vetted by Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT).
  
  The ‘In Principle’ approval will be given by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
  
  Deep-Sea Fishing Vessels (DSFV’s) was also constructed in compliance with the ASDDS.
  
  DSFV was promulgated by the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways.
  
  DSFV will also be eligible for subsidy under the PMMSY scheme.
  
  It is a flagship scheme that focuses on the sustainable development of the fisheries sector. It will be implemented for a five-year period. The scheme was launched on April 1, 2020 in all States and Union Territories under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package.
  
  The PMMSY was launched with an estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crores. Out of this amount, an investment of about Rs 12,340 crores is allocated for the beneficiary-oriented activities in Inland fisheries, Marine and Aquaculture. Rs. 7,710 crores was allocated for fisheries infrastructure.
  
  The nodal authority will be headed by the director of CIFT. It would also comprise of the representatives from the Naval Architecture Department of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur or IIT Madras; Cochin Shipyard Ltd and the Indian Register of Shipping.
  
  
• 17 major OTT players adopt toolkit for regulation
  The government is soon expected to come out with regulations for OTT platforms.
  
  The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) recently said 17 platforms, including Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video, have adopted a ‘toolkit’ for effective implementation of the self-regulation code introduced last year.
  
  The industry body added that it will set up an ‘IAMAI Secretariat for the Code’, comprising representatives from the signatories to the Code, as well as the IAMAI, for its implementation.
  
  The toolkit amplifies all the critical points that were addressed in the Code signed last year and aims to address feedback received from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, particularly on strengthening the grievance redressal mechanism.
  
  While there are no specific laws that are enacted to regulate the content available online, there are a collective of multiple different articles and sections from different acts that regulate the content available online.
  
  Article 19(1) of the Indian Constitution, gives everybody the Freedom of Speech but right under Article 19(2) of the Indian Constitution, such freedom can be taken away by imposing reasonable restrictions in case such a content is against the wellbeing of the State, leads to hamper in the public order, international relations or aims towards inciting any crime.
  
  The Indian Penal Code, serves to punish anybody who has been indulged in the selling or distribution of work of literature which is obscene (Section 293). Has the intention of outraging religious sentiments which is intentional and done maliciously (Section 295 A). Any act of publishing defamatory content (Section 499) and of anyone who insults any woman’s modesty (Section 354).
  
  The Indecent Representation of Women (Prevention) Act, 1986 acts towards making sure that there is complete prohibition of indecent representation of women in advertisements, books, movies, painting etc.
  
  The POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act makes it an offence to sell and distribute child pornography
  
  Sections 67A, 67B and 67C if the Information Technology Act, 2000 provide for penalty as well imprisonment to be imposed on anybody who has transmitted or published any kind of obscene material, any sexually explicit material including those where children are depicted in sexual acts. The Central Government is also provided with the powers to issue directives to block certain information to be in public access, under Section 69A of this Act.
  
  Though not an Act, many of the OTT platforms signed a self-regulatory Code, the ‘Code of Best Practices for Online Curated Content Providers’ which was released by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). This code works towards a framework of open disclosure.
  
  
• PM Pitches for privatisation
  A day after Prime Minister emphasised the crucial role of the private sector in the Indian economy and pitched for privatisation at a time when there has been a decline in private sector investment, industry leaders welcomed the statement.
  
  PM’s statements pitching the importance of the private sector come in the backdrop of a push towards government spending, which the government expects will help crowd in private investment.
  
  The government is working towards creating a Development Finance Institution for infrastructure financing, aiming to have a government owned DFI and have space for the private sector also.
  
  Private sector investment in the country has been tapering over the years, while the government’s efforts to elicit such expenditure have been largely unsuccessful.
  
  This includes plans to raise Rs 2.1 lakh crore in funds through divestment and strategic sales of government-owned enterprises in 2020-21, of which the centre was only able to raise Rs 19,499.07 crore.
  
  As per CMIE data from October last year, 44 per cent of the new investments in the July-September quarter were by government agencies and the rest were by the private sector.
  
  Rs 258 billion of investment proposals made by the governments, both central and the states, were the lowest made by them in any quarter in the past 16 years since June 2004, while the private sector investments of Rs 328 billion were also the lowest by them since June 2004.
  
  Also, as per CMIE, cumulative new investment proposals in 2020-21 were estimated at Rs 1.3 trillion, with total not expected to cross Rs 5 trillion, which hasn’t been lower than that level since 2004-05.
  
  Private sector investment has been tapering over the years, while the government’s efforts to elicit such expenditure have been largely unsuccessful.
  
  The Prime Minister’s speech seems to have enthused confidence in India Inc about the nation’s growth story.
  
  The private sector contributes as much as 87 percent to India’s GDP and almost 60 percent to employment in the country.
  
  If India has to lift its teeming millions out of poverty, we need to create a national consensus to ensure that those who create jobs, economic value and a culture of enterprise are recognised for their contribution.
  
  
• The Supreme Court halts dismantling of INS Viraat
  The Supreme Court has suspended the dismantling of the recently decommissioned INS Viraat. This decision was made in the context of restoring the everlasting glory of the legendary warship of the Indian Navy.
  
  The bench led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) S A Bobde listened to the petition.
  
  The bench issued a notice to the Center and other personnel and asked them to respond to the request.
  
  After the government made a decision in December 2020, part of this legendary vessel has been scrapped. This is an order from SC.
  
  The company that submitted the petition proposed to buy the aircraft carrier for Rs 100 crore.
  
  The SC has been dismantling the petition submitted by the company. The company submitted a petition seeking permission to transform INS Viraat into a maritime museum and multi-purpose adventure centre. After proper consultation with the Indian Navy, the centre notified the Parliament of their decision to dismantle INS Viraat in July 2019.
  
  INS Viraat is a Centaur-class aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. The aircraft carrier was the flagship of the Indian Navy until INS Vikramaditya entered service in 2013.
  
  INS Viraat was completed and commissioned in 1959 and entered service as the Royal Navy’s HMS Hermes. In 1984, the aircraft was decommissioned, and in 1987 the aircraft carrier was sold to India. After that, it was put into service in the Indian Navy on May 12, 1987.
  
  The aircraft carrier has served the Indian Navy for 29 years and was decommissioned in 2017. This is the last British-built ship to serve the Indian Navy.
  
  
• MoES gets International institutes proposals for funding through Monsoon Mission
  The Minister of Earth Science informed Rajya Sabha about National Monsoon Mission
  
  Under the Monsoon Mission, the Ministry has developed the most advanced weather and climate prediction models, which are now in operation.
  
  These models include models for short-range and medium-range (1-10 days), extended-range (10 days to 30 days), and seasonal (up to one season).
  
  Use the Monsoon Mission Model to develop seamless forecasting systems on different time scales, such as Seasonal, Extended range, Short-range forecasting.
  
  Initiate and coordinate working partnerships between Indian and foreign institutions to develop a system for forecasting extreme climate applications
  
  Develop and implement climate application systems with social impact (such as agriculture, flood forecasting, extreme event forecasting, wind energy, etc.)
  
  Advanced data assimilation system can prepare high-quality data for model prediction.
  
  The major achievements of NMM in the past three years is to
  
  Establish an advanced forecast system for Seasonal forecast;
  
  Extended range forecast and Very-high resolution Short-range forecast.
  
  Commissioning of the Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) for short and medium-range predictions of 12 kilometres.
  
  
• India tightens oversight on funds received by NGOs
  The Union Home Ministry has laid down a charter for banks.
  
  It says that “donations received in Indian rupees” by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and associations from “any foreign source even if that source is located in India at the time of such donation” should be treated as “foreign contribution”.
  
  FCRA regulates foreign donations and ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect the internal security of the country.
  
  As per the existing rules, all banks have to report to the Central government within 48 hours the “receipt or utilisation of any foreign contribution” by any NGO, association or person whether or not they are registered or granted prior permission under the FCRA.
  
  Last September, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, was amended by Parliament and a new provision that makes it mandatory for all NGOs to receive foreign funds in a designated bank account at the State Bank of India’s (SBI) New Delhi branch was inserted.
  
  All NGOs seeking foreign donations have to open a designated FCRA account at the SBI branch by March 31.
  
  The NGOs can retain their existing FCRA account in any other bank but it will have to be mandatorily linked to the SBI branch in New Delhi.
  
  The Ministry has laid out a series of guidelines and charter to make the NGOs and the banks comply with the new provisions.
  
  The charter for the banks said, it may be noted that foreign contribution has to be received only through banking channels and it has to be accounted for in the manner prescribed.
  
  Any violation by the NGO or by the bank may invite penal provisions of the FCRA, 2010.
  
  It added that “donations given in Indian rupees (INR) by any foreigner/foreign source including foreigners of Indian origin like OCI or PIO cardholders” should also be treated as foreign contribution.
  
  
• To assess equity, Economic Survey introduces a bare necessities index
  Inequalities in access to bare necessities like drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and housing conditions continue to exist between urban and rural India despite “widespread” improvements in each of these aspects, the Economic Survey for 2020-21 has shown, using a newly constructed “Bare Necessities Index” (BNI).
  
  The BNI builds on the idea of Thalinomics in the Economic Survey for 2019-20, through which it had sought to examine the access to food in the country.
  
  The BNI summarises 26 indicators on five dimensions — water, sanitation, housing, micro-environment, and other facilities — and has been created for all states for 2012 and 2018 using NSO data.
  
  The index classifies areas on three levels of access — high, medium, low — to bare necessities.
  
  The Survey has underlined the need to focus on reducing variations in the access to bare necessities across states, between rural and urban areas, and between income groups.
  
  “Government schemes such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, SBM-G (Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin), PMAY-G (Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana), may design appropriate strategy to address these gaps.
  
  This should be done to enable India to achieve the SDG (UN Sustainable Development Goals) goals of reducing poverty, improving access to drinking water, sanitation and housing by 2030.
  
  There should be effective targeting of the needier population be they in urban or rural areas or across states,” it has said.
  
  In 2018, access to bare necessities was the highest in states such as Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, and lowest in Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Tripura, the Survey has said.
  
  In terms of urban-rural divide, all states barring Delhi, Punjab, Goa, Kerala, and Sikkim had medium or low access to bare necessities in their rural areas. In 2012, only rural Delhi had high access to bare necessities.
  
  In 2018, the lowest access in rural India was recorded in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Manipur, and Tripura.
  
  J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh showed improvement in access to bare necessities in rural areas between 2012 and 2018.
  
  By contrast, in urban India, no state showed the lowest level of BNI in 2018. In 2012, urban areas of only Bihar and Manipur fell in the lowest BNI category.
  
  
• Textiles Committee of Ministry of Textiles signs MoU with Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre, Japan
  The Textiles Committee of the Ministry of Textiles has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre, Japan to boost export of Textile and Apparel to Japanese market.
  
  The MoU signing ceremony was held through video conferencing which was presided over by Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani and State Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan Yasumasa Nagasaka.
  
  The MoU will help in creating awareness on the various quality parameters being sought by the importers based in Japan.
  
  
• Union Education Minister addresses the Valedictory Function of Kala Utsav 2020
  The Ministry of Education organized the Kala Utsav 2020 annual event to promote the development of arts in education.
  
  Kala Utsav is an initiative of the Ministry of Education (MoE) to promote the development of arts in education.
  
  The programme was initiated by Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and has now been merged with other schemes under the "Samagra Shiksha- an integrated scheme for School Education ".
  
  Kala Utsav aims to cultivate and showcase the artistic talents of secondary stage school students in the country.
  
  District/state/national level Utsav is an art festival that includes performances and exhibitions.
  
  According to NCF 2005, in terms of education of Arts (music, theatre, dance, visual arts and crafts), the initiative is guided by the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework 2005 (NCF-2005).
  
  In 2020, Kala Utsav introduced the Indigenous Toys and Games department and supported the "Vocal for Local" initiative
  
  It keeps pace with the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes the promotion of art and culture through education.
  
  It complements the Samagra Shiksha scheme by enhancing the aesthetic and artistic experience of secondary-level school students, which plays an important role in raising awareness of India’s rich cultural heritage and its vibrant diversity with 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' effect.
  
  It improves students' reasoning ability, understanding ability, problem-solving ability, cognitive ability and decisive ability, and contributes to the overall development of students.
  
  
• New Chapter of Ladakh S&T development inked with CSIR MoU
  The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the United Territory of Ladakh signed an agreement to develop a joint territory through science and technology (S&T) intervention.
  
  The agreement was signed by D. Srinivas Reddy, Director of CSIR-IIIM, and Rigzin Samplel, who is an agricultural and horticultural specialist in Ladakh, Utah.
  
  The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding aims to establish a knowledge partnership between CSIR and Ladakh UT.
  
  It seeks to develop areas such as natural resource exploration, the introduction of cash crops in the area, and the utilization of biological resources unique to Ladakh.
  
  In the first phase, CSIR-IIIM, CSIR-CMERI, CSIR-NBRI, CSIR-IHBT, CSIR-CLRI and CSIR-NGRI will provide extensive knowledge and technical support in the territory of the alliance. To this end, the CSIR-IIIM of Jammu will become a node organization.
  
  Main areas of interest include aromatic and nutritious plants or crops, geophysical mapping, environmentally friendly leather processing, bioprospecting of local microorganisms, industrial agriculture (focusing on the commercialization of local and other high-value drugs), plant diversity, and microbial and biotech interventions.
  
  
• Kerala’s Gender Park to open on February 11 in Kozhikode
  The Gender Park in Kozhikode, Kerala, will open next month. The park will be opened on the occasion of the Second International Conference on Gender Equality (ICGE-II).
  
  The park will be unveiled by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan from February 11th to 13th, which also marks the unveiling of the second edition of ICGE-II.
  
  On this occasion, the foundation of the International Women’s Trade and Research Center (IWTRC) will also be laid.
  
  IWTRC will be established, the purpose of which is to provide a safe and sustainable ecosystem for women entrepreneurs. It will also provide women with space to sell products.
  
  ICGE is an initiative of Gender Park. The second edition of the conference will be unveiled, with the aim of exploring measures to increase the economic potential of women and transgender people. This will help them become sustainable entrepreneurs.
  
  The Conference is organized under the theme is: "Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Gender Issues in Social Business: The Mediating Role of Empowerment". The Conference event will be organized in cooperation with UN Women.
  
  The Kerala government established a gender park in 2013. This is an initiative aimed at promoting gender equality and empowerment in Kerala. The headquarters of the project is located in Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala. However, the main campus is located in Silver Mountain in Kozhikode. The campus covers an area of 24 acres.
  
  The main focus of the park is gender justice. The platform will provide an environment for policy analysis, research, capacity development, advocacy, economic and social initiatives. The park will operate under the Ministry of Social Justice. This space is the world's first of its kind.
  
  The purpose of establishing a gender park is to create relevant interventions to solve a series of gender-based issues. It includes off-campus and on-campus activities as well as other projects aimed at enhancing personal and community capabilities.
  
  
• When is the Martyrs Day observed?
  Martyr’s Day is Death Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. To commemorate Mahatma Gandhi and his contribution to the country, January 30th is a scorching sun every year.
  
  In 2021, 73rd death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is observed.
  
  March 23 is also regarded as the Martyrs' Memorial Day to pay tribute to the three revolutionaries of India, namely Bagt Singh, Shivaram Raguru and Sukhdev Thapal.
  
  Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Gujarat on October 2, 1869, and died in Gandhi Smriti, New Delhi on January 30, 1948.
  
  In the evening prayers, he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse of Birla House.
  
  Gandhi was a lawyer, politician, social activist, writer, and became the leader of the nationalist movement against Indian rule in India.
  
  Gandhi is considered the father of the nation. Gandhi and his ideology played an important role in liberating India from Britain.
  
  
• Government likely to postpone census to 2022
  The Central government is on track to push the 2021 Census to 2022 on account of the country’s continuing preoccupation with the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
  Measures taken to deal with the pandemic and now the massive vaccination programme under way across the country are the reasons behind the postponement.
  
  The Census exercise was to be conducted in two phases
  
  House Listing and Housing Census from April to September 2020
  
  Population Enumeration from February 9 to February 28, 2021.
  
  Thousands of people had protested against the Centre’s decision to update the NPR, which is considered the basis for the preparation of a National Register of Citizens (NRC) that could potentially exclude millions of people born in India.
  
  The entire process of NPR had become controversial after Parliament approved the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in December 2019 that sought to give citizenship to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.
  
  The rules required for implementing the CAA have not been framed so far more than a year after the passage of this key legislation.
  
  Diplomatic sources believe that strong opposition from Bangladesh is one of the factors that led to the CAA remaining on hold.
  
  
• Three-language policy not applicable to Central offices
  The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has said the three-language policy is not applicable to offices of the Union government.
  
  The Ministry gave this response to a question filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act on the recent CRPF event at Bhadravati in Shivamogga district, where the plaques unveiled to mark the foundation stone-laying ceremony were only in English and Hindi.
  
  It was first incorporated in the National Education Policy 1968 by the Indira Gandhi government.
  
  In Hindi-speaking states: English, Hindi, and a modern Indian language.
  
  Non-Hindi speaking states: English, Hindi, and one Indian language.
  
  The three-language formula sought to serve three functions namely, accommodating group identity, affirming national unity, and increasing administrative efficiency.
  
  In 1968, the three-language formula was implemented across the country, barring Tamil Nadu that adopted a two-language policy.
  
  Kannada activists and Opposition leaders, including former Chief Ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah, said Kannada was ignored at the programme.
  
  Hundreds of people took to social media to criticise the Centre. Union Home Ministry has defended its stand citing the rules- “as per the provision of the Official Language Act, 1963, and the Official Language Rules, 1976, the provision of bilingual policy is applicable in the offices of the Central government.
  
  The only solution to this problem could be amendments to the Articles from 343 to 351 of the Constitution which declare Hindi as the official language.
  
  
• Medical board on abortion ‘unfeasible’, says study
  A panel of doctors to decide on termination of pregnancy beyond 24 weeks as proposed in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Amendment Bill, 2020, is “unfeasible” as 82% of these posts are lying vacant in the country, finds a new study.
  
  The data is based on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Rural Health Survey, which provides details of vacancies filled at secondary healthcare centers. Similar data for urban areas were unavailable.
  
  The MTP Bill was passed in the LokSabha in March 2020, and is likely to be brought before the RajyaSabha during the Budget Session.
  
  The Bill proposes several amendments, including the constitution of a medical Board in every State and Union Territory. The Board will decide on pregnancies beyond 24 weeks in cases of fetal abnormalities.
  
  Each Board will have a gynecologist, a radiologist or sonologist, a pediatricians, and other members prescribed by the governments.
  
  The report analyzed district-wise availability of specialists, including surgeons, obstetricians and gynecologists, physicians and pediatricians.
  
  It found that for each of the years between 2015 and 2019, the shortfall in these posts hovered between 71% and 81.8%. For 2019, for a total of 21,296 vacancies in the country, only 3,880 were filled, that is, there was a shortfall of 81.8%.
  
  The shortfall was starker in the northeast where Sikkim, Mizoram and Manipur had a total absence of obstetricians and gynecologists, and a near total absence of pediatricians.
  
  Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya had a 100% shortage of pediatricians.
  
  
• When was 125th Anniversary of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’ celebrated?
  Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a speech at the 125th-anniversary celebration "PrabuddhaBharata" originally scheduled on January 31, 2021. It is a monthly publication of the Order of Ramakrishna.
  
  The magazine is under the direction of Swami Vivekananda and is run by P. Aiyasami, B. R. RajamIyer, G. G. Narasimhacharya and B. V. KamesvaraIyerwere founded in 1896.
  
  Prabuddha Bharata magazine is of great significance for spreading the information of ancient spiritual wisdom in the country. The magazine has articles and translations on the humanities and social sciences written by monks, scholars and other writers.
  
  The publication of PrabuddhaBharata magazine started from Madras (now Chennai). The PrabuddhaBharata magazine was published in Chennai for 2 years.
  
  After that, the magazine began to be distributed from Almora. From April 1899, the magazine began to be distributed from AdvaitaAshrama. Since then, Advaita Ashram has continuously edited the magazine, published and printed it in Kolkata.
  
  Historically, many prominent figures have contributed to the magazine, such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, former president SarvepalliRadhakrishnan, NetajiSubhas Chandra Bose, sisters Nivedita and Sri Aurobindo. Currently, it is edited by Swami Vireshananda.
  
  Advaita Ashrama was founded in 1899. It is a branch of Ramakrishna Math. Ashrama is located in Uttarakhand.
  
  Ramakrishna Temple is a line of monasteries established by Ramakrishna. It was established in January 1886 and is located in Cossipore House. It is different from Ramakrishna mathematics.
  
  Ramakrishna mathematics is a legal entity that trains young monks and directs the spiritual duties of the Swamis of Ramakrishna teachings.
  
  
• Pulse Polio Programme for 2021 begins across the country
  The President of India will launch a countrywide Pulse Polio Programme in 2021. On January 31, 2021 (Sunday), the National Immunization Day for Polio was celebrated.
  
  On January 31, 2021 (Sunday), the National Immunization Day for Polio, also commonly known as Polio Ravivar, is celebrated.
  
  As part of the Indian government's maintenance of the country's polio-free status, about 170 million children under the age of 5 will be injected with polio drops.
  
  The nationwide movement will be supported by approximately 2.4 million volunteers, 1.5 lakh supervisors and many Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), WHO, UNICEF, Rotary clubs, etc.
  
  Healthcare workers will visit up to 20 million households to ensure that no children are left without the protection by the polio vaccine.
  
  Before the program started, India had 60% of polio cases worldwide. With the last case of Polio reported in Howrah on January 13, 2011, the country has been polio-free for ten years.
  
  
• Navy's fast attack craft T-81 decommissioned
  The Indian Naval Fast Attack Craft, IN FAC T-81, of the Super Dvora MK II class was decommissioned on January 28, 2020 in Mumbai.
  
  The IN FAC T-81 was decommissioned after providing service for more than 20 years. The event for decommissioning was held at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
  
  The Chief Guest of the event was Rear Admiral V Srinivas who is the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area. It is a 25 meters long vessel having 60 tonnes of displacement.
  
  The craft was built at Goa Shipyard Ltd. in collaborations with M/s Ramta of Israel. It was commissioned into the service of Indian Navy on June 5, 1999.
  
  The commissioning of the craft was done by the then Governor of Goa, Lt Gen JFR Jacob (Retd). It was specially designed for shallow waters.
  
  It has the capability of day or night surveillance and reconnaissance. The craft was also involved in the beach insertion, extraction of Marine Commandoes, high-speed interception of intruder craft and Search & Rescue.
  
  The craft could achieve the speeds up to 45 knots. It was the 2nd ship of the Extra Fast Attack Craft (XFAC) Super Dvora MK II Class.
  
  Super Dvora Mark II-class patrol boatsare meant for a variety of naval missions ranging from the typical off-shore coastal patrol mission profiles to a high-speed, high-manoeuvre littoral warfare.
  
  It is built by Israel Aerospace Industries for the Israeli Sea Corps. It is the successor to the Dvora-class fast patrol boats. He boats have been employed by the Sri Lanka Navy to counter the LTTE operations at sea.
  
  FAC (fast attack craft) is a small, fast, agile and offensive warship that are armed with anti-ship missiles, gun or torpedoes. They are operated in close proximity to land. They lack seakeeping and all-round defensive capabilities to survive in blue water. They can reach up to the speeds of 25–50 knots.
  
  
• PM Modi to inaugurate Chauri Chaura Centenary celebrations virtually on Feb 4
  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold the opening ceremony of Chauri Chaura Centennial Celebration on February 4, 2021. The celebration will be hosted by PM and will be held in Uttar Pradesh.
  
  On this occasion, the Prime Minister will also issue a stamp to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Chauri Chaura incident. Families of martyrs and freedom fighters will also participate in the celebration.
  
  The statewide celebration will also be held. It will start on February 4 and the celebration will last for one year.
  
  The ChauriChaura incident occurred in Chauri Chaura, British India on February 4, 1922. ChauriChaura is a place in the Gorakhpur district of modern Uttar Pradesh.
  
  In the incident, a large number of protesters participating in the non-cooperative movement clashed with the police, who opened fire on them. In return, the demonstrators attacked and set fire to the police station.
  
  This incident resulted in the killing of all residents. In the incident, three civilians and 22 policemen were killed. These protesters protested based on the "uncooperative movement" initiated by Mahatma Gandhi. After the incident, Mahatma Gandhi stopped the uncooperative movement on February 12, 1922.
  
  Mahatma Gandhi launched a non-cooperation movement on September 4, 1920. The beginning of the sport was to autonomy and to gain full independence or PurnaSwaraj.
  
  The Indian National Congress (INC) abolished support for the British reforms following the Rollat Act and the JallianwalaBagh massacre.
  
  The Rowlatt Act of March 1919 was passed to suspend the right of political prisoners in seditious trials. This behavior prompted Mahatma Gandhi to follow Satyagraha (truth).
  
  
• Automotive sector welcomes vehicle scrappage policy
  Leading players in the automotive sector have welcomed the Centre’s announcement on the voluntary vehicle scrappage policy to phase out old and unfit vehicles.
  
  While tabling the Union Budget for 2021-22, Finance Minister said the policy would help in encouraging fuel-efficient, environment-friendly vehicles, thereby reducing vehicular pollution and the oil import bill.
  
  The idea is to phase out cars and commercial vehicles which are older than 20 or 15 years, respectively.This is being done in a bid to reduce urban pollution levels and galvanise automotive sales, which continue to suffer during India’s post-COVID recovery phase.
  
  This means that any private vehicle that’s older than 20 years will have to undergo a fitness test. A fitness test, according to the Finance Minister, will be conducted at automated fitness centres, which will determine whether the vehicle in question is qualified to run on roads, or headed for the scrap heap.
  
  Vehicles would undergo fitness tests after 20 years in automated fitness centres in the case of personal vehicles (PV), and after 15 years in the case of commercial vehicles (CV). Yes. The government has proposed a Green Tax, which requires you to pay 10-25 percent of your road tax every time you renew your fitness certificate.
  
  This means that, in addition to the fee you’re required to shell out for the test, you have to pay a considerable sum, which differs from city to city, based on their pollution levels. In the Delhi-NCR region, for example, the Green Tax, if implemented, would require the customer to pay 50 percent of the road tax, upon renewal of registration.
  
  Kenichi Ayukawa, president, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), “the vehicle scrappage scheme has a good intent and the auto industry would be keen to work with the government on suggestions for maximising benefits to environment and society.” Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations president VinkeshGulati said, “If we take 1990 as the base year, there are approximately 37 lakh CVs and 52 lakh PVs eligible for voluntarily scrappage. “As an estimate, 10% of CVs and 5% of PVs may still be plying on the road.”
  
  VipinSondhi, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland Ltd., said the policy is good for the environment and for setting in motion a circular economy. “However, we await further details of the policy as the industry had requested an incentive-based scrappage policy for it to be effective, Mr. Sondhi said.
  
  
• Mission Poshan 2.0 launched in Budget to improve nutritional outcomes
  The Ministry of Women and Child Development has received a 16 per cent increase in its budget allocation this year with a sum of Rs. 24,435 crore announced.
  
  Finance Minister further announced that supplementary nutrition schemes were being merged with the PoshanAbhiyan to launch Mission Poshan 2.0. Government is implementing several schemes and programs under the Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services Scheme as direct targeted interventions to address the problem of malnutrition in the country.
  
  All these schemes address one or other aspects related to nutrition and have the potential to improve nutritional outcomes in the country. POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India, which ensures convergence with various programmes i.e., Anganwadi Services, PradhanMantriMatruVandanaYojana (PMMVY), Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) of MWCD JananiSurakshaYojana (JSY), National Health Mission (NHM), Swachh-Bharat Mission, Public Distribution System (PDS), Department Food & Public Distribution, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation.
  
  The goals of NNM are to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in a time bound manner during the next three years beginning 2017-18. Out of the allocation for the ministry this year, the highest amount has been allocated to Mission Poshan 2.0 and SakshamAnganwadi scheme — Rs 20,105 crore.
  
  Poshan 2.0 now combines the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Anganwadi services, PoshanAbhiyan, Scheme For Adolescent Girls and National Creche Scheme.
  
  The allocation for social services sector, which includes nutrition and social security and welfare, has been increased from Rs 2,411.80 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 3,575.96 crore. Schemes like BetiBachaoBetiPadhao, One Stop Centres, SwadharGreh, Child Protection, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Scheme for Adolescent Girls and Ujjawala have not been allocated anything in this budget.
  
  The budget of the ministry’s autonomous bodies — National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, Central Adoption Resource Agency, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, National Commission for Women and Central Social Welfare Board — have been increased. The budget for Mission for Protection and Empowerment of Women has been drastically reduced from Rs 726 crore to Rs 48 crore.
  
  The launch of Mission Poshan 2.0 by merging the supplementary nutrition programme and PoshanAbhiyan is a great step to strengthen the country’s public health as the mission intends to enhance the nutritional content delivery and the outreach. NFHS-5 data shows the significance of nutrition more than ever before as the nutrition indicators have not fared well. We recognise that malnutrition is a complex condition that can involve multiple factors. Therefore, to reduce multiple forms of malnutrition, more nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive interventions should be targeted.
  
  
• 14 new minor forest produce items included under MSP scheme to provide fair prices to tribal gatherers
  The Government decided to add 14 new Minor Forest Products under the mechanism for the marketing of Minor Forest Products by the Minimum Support Price scheme.
  
  This new mechanism will help provide remuneration and fair prices to tribal gatherers of forest products. The items included in the scheme include-Tasar Cocoons, bamboo shoots, dried elephant apples, wild dried mushrooms and malkangani seeds.
  
  Minimum Support Price (MSP): This is the price of agricultural products purchased directly from farmers as set by the Indian government. MSP is not enforceable by law.
  
  If the open market price is lower than the cost incurred, the decision is made to use the MSP ratio to keep the farmers’ income to a minimum. Set prices for 23 commodities twice a year.
  
  Based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) since 2009.
  
  It includes all non-timber forest products of plant origin. It also includes bamboo, fodder, leaves, cane, wax dyes, gums, resins, and various forms of food such as nuts, honey, wild fruits, lac, and tusser. MFP provides living and cash income for people living in or near the forest.
  
  
• SmritiIrani inaugurates 8th India International Silk Fair
  SmritiIrani, Textiles Minister of India, held the 8th India International Silk Fair on the virtual portal.This fair is the largest silk fair in India.
  
  The fair is held under a roof of the virtual platform of the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council. The Expo lasts for five days. More than 200 overseas buyers have registered.
  
  In addition, about 200 Indian overseas representatives will interact with more than 100 well-known and large Indian companies engaged in the production and trade of silk and silk blended products.
  
  Silk is a luxury item in India. Approximately 97% of raw mulberry silk is native to five states, namely Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat. Mysore and North Bangalore will also be home to a Silk City costing US$20 million.
  
  In Tamil Nadu, mulberry silk cultivation is concentrated in Salem, Erode and Dhamapuri regions. Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, and Gobichettipalayam in Tamil Nadu are the first locations to build automatic silk reeling units.
  
  India is the second largest silk producer after China. India is also the world's largest silk consumer. India is also the only country in the world that produces all four major silk varieties-Mulberry, Eri, Tassar and Muga.
  
  
• Delhi HC directs Future Retail to maintain status quo on deal with Reliance
  The Delhi High Court provided interim relief to e-commerce major Amazon by directing Future Retail Limited (FRL) to maintain status quo with regard to the transfer of its retail assets to Reliance Retail.
  
  Justice J.R. Midha also said he was of the prima facie view that an order of the emergency arbitrator (EA) at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) restraining FRL from taking any steps to transfer its retail assets was enforceable in India.
  
  SIAC is a not-for-profit international arbitration organisation based in Singapore, which administers arbitrations under its own rules of arbitration and the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.
  
  It was established on 1 July 1991 and is located at Maxwell Chambers, formerly the Customs House.
  
  SIAC arbitration awards have been enforced in many jurisdictions including Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam, amongst other New York Convention signatories.
  
  SIAC is a global arbitral institution providing case management services to parties from all over the world.
  
  
• Jal Jeevan Mission to revive urban water bodies
  The urban water supply mission announced in the Budget on Monday will include rejuvenation of water bodies and 20% of supply from reused water, the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry.
  
  In a statement, the Ministry said there was an estimated gap of 2.68 crore urban household tap connections that the Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) (JJMU) would seek to bridge in all 4,378 statutory towns.
  
  The Mission would also aim to bridge the gap of 2.64 crore sewer connections in the 500 cities under the existing Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
  
  The Ministry said the Metro Neo and MetroLite technologies, which are cheaper than conventional Metros, mentioned in the Budget were already being considered by it.
  
  Apart from the Budget announcements, the Ministry said there had been an increase in the funds to urban local bodies as per the 15th Finance Commission’s report.
  
  There had been a 78% increase, from RS.87,143 crore in the 14th Finance Commission period to Rs.1,55,628 crore in the 15th Finance Commission’s period.
  
  It said the Finance Commission had allocated ?8,000 crore for incubation of eight new cities and that the selection of the cities would be done through a competition for States, for which guidelines would be prepared by it.
  
  AMRUT was launched by PM in June 2015 with the focus to establish infrastructure that could ensure adequate robust sewage networks and water supply for urban transformation by implementing urban revival projects.
  
  Rajasthan was the first state in the country to submit State Annual Action Plan under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
  
  The scheme Housing for All by 2022 and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) were launched on the same day.
  
  The scheme is dependent with public–private partnership(PPP) model.
  
  If required, various other schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission, Housing for All 2022, along with the local state schemes like that related to water supply and sewerage and other infrastructure related schemes can be linked to AMRUT.
  
  
• SC notice on petition to transfer cases from HCs
  The Supreme Court decided to examine a plea to transfer to itself cases pending in the Delhi and Rajasthan High Courts to declare a “uniform minimum age” for marriage.
  
  A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bode issued notice to the government on the plea by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, who argued that it was filed to “secure gender justice, gender equality, and dignity of women”.
  
  Various laws state that the minimum age to get married should be 18 for women and 21 for men.
  
  “Petitioner is compelled to approach this court as more PILs may be filed seeking ‘Uniform Minimum Age of Marriage for Men and Women’.
  
  Therefore, to avoid multiplicity of the litigations, the Court may be pleased to transfer these PILs and decide them collectively.
  
  It sought a direction to the Union government to remove the anomalies in the minimum age of marriage and make it ‘gender-neutral, religion-neutral and uniform for all citizens’.
  
  27% of girls in India are married before their 18th birthday and 7% are married before the age of 15. 4% of boys were married off before their 18th birthday.
  
  India has the highest absolute number of women married or in a union before the age of 18 in the world – 15,648,000.
  
  Child marriage is more prevalent in rural areas than in urban areas and, in general, rates of child marriage are highest in the central and western parts of India.
  
  For instance, child marriage rates in districts of Rajasthan and Bihar range from 47% to 51%.
  
  
• India could get 8 new cities after Finance Commission provides Rs 8,000 crore grant
  The 15th Finance Commission has recommended a grant of Rs 8,000 crore to incubate eight new cities, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
  
  The Finance Commission has given a new window and new thinking. The way the nation is growing, unless we have planned cities, it will all be outgrowth cities. And outgrowth is an inefficient use of the city.
  
  2011 Census had categorised 31.2 percent of India as urban, but only 26 percent of that as statutory towns.
  
  This gap of 5 percent of urbanised India – populated by roughly 6 crore people – is living in either census towns or in outgrowth towns.
  
  Census towns are towns of over 5,000 people, with a density of more than 400 per sq km, and more than 75 percent of non-farm, male labourers.
  
  These towns are still under the panchayat systems, and not municipalities. Outgrowth towns are in the periphery of big cities, also governed by panchayats.
  
  For cities with more than a million people, roughly Rs 38,000 crore will be distributed based on performance of improvements in air quality, drinking water, sanitation, and solid waste management.
  
  For cities with less than 1 million people, roughly Rs 83,000 crore will be distributed in a similar manner.
  
  The Finance Commission has also allotted Rs 450 crore to a “shared municipal services” fund where the ministry will help smaller urban bodies with their back-end work such as database maintenance.
  
  The ministry made 86 clusters of the smallest urban local bodies (ULBs) which they can help service from afar.
  
  The Commission’s overall funds for ULB saw a 78 percent increase over last year – from Rs 87,000 crore to Rs 1.6 lakh crore. Of this, a little over Rs 1.2 lakh crore has been allocated directly to ULBs.
  
  Cities will receive funding only when their annual accounts are put in public domain.
  
  Also, if a state’s GDP increases, then the city’s property tax should increase by a similar proportion, Mishra said.
  
  Even as a state’s GDP is increasing, the urban local bodies are becoming that much weaker. So this condition has been added.
  
  In the budget for MoHUA, the PradhanMantriAwasYojna (PMAY), to provide housing for all, was allocated Rs 8,000 crore in 2020-21, but spent Rs 21,000 crore.
  
  Continuing the same trend, the allocation in this year’s Budget is Rs 8,000 crore, leading industry experts to deduce that the mission will again have to resort to extra-budgetary resources to finance the bulk of the mission.
  
  In her Budget speech, Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman had announced a new bus scheme and emphasis on MetroLite and MetroNeo systems in cities.
  
  The bus augmentation will focus on cities with a population of over 5 lakh and the state capitals.
  
  With a focus on Metros in Tier-II cities such as Gorakhpur, Jammu, Srinagar, Bhiwadi, and Darihera, the goal is to extend India’s Metro lines to 1,000 km, from a current estimate of 700 km.
  
  
• Dalai Lama shares spiritual insights on Sino Indian relations in the 'Little book of Encouragement'
  The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, released his new book "Little Book of Encouragement". This book contains 130 citations. The book was edited by Renuka Singh and published by Penguin Random House.
  
  When writing this book, the Dalai Lama emphasized that he is one of the 7 billion people in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, he is committed to promoting human happiness.
  
  He further emphasized this point; we believe that happiness comes from money and power. But we rarely know the role of the mind, or the key to happiness is inner peace.
  
  He asks readers to discuss the ideas in the book with friends and use these ideas in daily life practice. In addition to the Covid-19 pandemic, he also called climate change and global warming a very serious problem.
  
  He wrote on China-India relations that India and China have recently developed a sense of competition. These countries have large populations and are powerful countries.
  
  However, they cannot destroy each other and must live side by side. In addition, on the Tibet issue, he suggested that Tibetans treat the Chinese as brothers and sisters, not enemies.
  
  The Tibetan people awarded the title of Dalai Lama to the chief spiritual leader of the Gelug or "yellow hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism.
  
  Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th Dalai Lama and he is Dalai Lama at present. He lives in India as a refugee. The Dalai Lama’s ID card is believed to be Turkus’ successor. Turkus is considered to be the incarnation of Avalokiteshvara.
  
  Tenzin Gyatso: He is also known as Tenzin Gyatso. He was born on July 6, 1935. He is considered to be a living bodhisattva, the birthplace of Guanyin Bodhisattva. He is the current Dalai Lama.
  
  
• Which state launched 'Har Ghar Pani, Har Ghar Safai' mission? == GK > general
  Captain Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab, actually initiated the "HarGharPani, HarGharSafai" mission. This task is part of the government campaign, which aims to achieve 100% tap water supply for all rural households by March 2022.
  
  Giant surface water supply plan Captain Amarinder Singh also initiated a huge surface water supply plan.
  
  It covers 85 villages in the Moga region.
  
  It includes 144 new water supply plans for 172 villages.
  
  It also includes 121 arsenic and iron removal devices.
  
  The plan will benefit 160,000 residents from 155 villages in Amritsar, Tarntaran and Gurdaspur.
  
  This will help replace groundwater with surface water for drinking.
  
  It also seeks to solve problems other than the habitat problem affected by arsenic.
  
  The project is funded by the World Bank, NABARD, GoI’sJalJeevan Mission and the national budget.
  
  The government spends an average of 9.2 billion rupees on water supply and sanitation plans each year. According to the data, total Rs. Since March 2017, Rs 14.5 billion has been spent on rural sanitation and rural drinking water supply.
  
  Multi-village surface water supply plan The government has also launched 10 new large-scale multi-village surface water supply projects.
  
  The plan costs Rs 1,020 crore. It will cover 1,018 villages, including water-affected areas in Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran.
  
  The JalJeevan mission of Indian Government was launched on August 15, 2019. The plan aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water. The plan strives to provide tap water for individual housing in rural India by 2024. It is based on community water use.
  
  
• HAL awarded ?48,000 crore contract for 83 advanced Tejas fighters
  The 13th edition of Aero India in Bengaluru, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was awarded the contract to manufacture 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  
  The HAL Tejas is an Indian single-engine, fourth-generation, multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
  
  It came from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the 1980s to replace India's ageing MiG-21 fighters.
  
  In 2003, the LCA was officially named "Tejas".
  
  Tejas has a tail-less compound delta-wing configuration with a single vertical stabilizer. This provides better high-alpha performance characteristics than conventional wing designs.
  
  It integrates technologies such as relaxed static stability, fly-by-wire flight control system, multi-mode radar, integrated digital avionics system and composite material structures.
  
  It is the smallest and lightest in its class of contemporary supersonic combat aircraft.
  
  The Tejas is the second supersonic fighter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) after the HAL HF-24 Marut.
  
  Production of the Tejas Mark 1 for the Indian Air Force (IAF) began in 2016, at which time the naval version was undergoing flight tests for Indian Navy (IN).
  
  The first Tejas IAF unit, No. 45 Squadron IAF Flying Daggers was formed on 1 July 2016 with two aircraft.
  
  The Minister of State for Defence, Subhash Bhamre, reported to parliament that the indigenous content of the Tejas was 59.7% by value and 75.5% by number of line replaceable units in 2016.
  
  India has long witnessed unfortunate attempts to employ force to change the status quo along our unresolved border and India is vigilant and prepared to counter and defeat any misadventure and defend people and territorial integrity at all costs. India’s resolve towards this is shown by our growing defence capabilities"
  
  India plans to spend $130 bn on military modernisation in the next 7-8 years.
  
  India faced threats and challenges emanating from multiple fronts and it was a victim of state-sponsored terrorism, which was now a global threat.
  
  This contract is the biggest Make in India defence contract till date.
  
  The contract includes 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 trainer aircraft at a cost of Rs.45,696 crore along with design and development of infrastructure sanctions worth Rs.1,202 crore.
  
  The deliveries of all 83 aircraft shall be completed in eight years from now.
  
  Globally we are facing unprecedented levels of ‘uncertainty, volatility and interconnected threats’. In this regard he pitched for greater regional coordination.
  
  As part of efforts to boost defence exports, HAL displayed an ‘Atmanirbhar formation’ consisting of its platforms — LCA trainer, HTT-40 trainer, Intermediate Jet Trainer, Advanced Hawk Mk-132 and Civil Dornier Do-228.
  
  
• Collection of DNA samples will lead to misuse, says former Supreme Court judge Madan Lokur
  DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 allows investigating agencies to collect DNA samples from “suspects”.
  
  Retired SC Justice Madan Lokur has observed in a written submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology that it will give investigating agencies “unbridled power that is easily capable of misuse and abuse” and amount to a “threat to the life, liberty, dignity and privacy of a person”.
  
  Justice Lokur has questioned the need to collect DNA of a “suspect”. In his submission, he argued that in a blind crime or a crime involving a large number of persons (such as a riot), everybody is a suspect without any real basis.
  
  This would mean that thousands of persons could be subjected to DNA profiling on a mere suspicion.
  
  Such an unbridled power is easily capable of misuse and abuse by targeting innocents, against whom there is not a shred of evidence.
  
  Such an unbridled police power ought not to be conferred on anybody or any agency as it would amount to a threat to the life, liberty, dignity and privacy of a person.
  
  Many members of the committee, too, had expressed concern over including “suspects” in this list, flagging that it could lead to misuse and targeting certain categories of people.
  
  Bill would lead to the targeting of Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis.
  
  The committee has said while taking on board these concerns, it has gone with the majority view of retaining the preamble.
  
  Its report, however, notes that these fears are not entirely unfounded and have to be addressed by the government and by Parliament as well.
  
  At the same time, the committee observed that it does not negate the need for such legislation, especially when DNA technology was in use.
  
  Its use in recent months has exposed a false encounter in which innocents were killed contradicting initial claims made that they were militants,” the report said.
  
  It pointed to the encounter at Shopian in Kashmir last September, where the Army had killed three men claiming to be unidentified terrorists.
  
  The DNA sample from the three dead men matched with their families, confirming it to be a fake encounter.
  
  
• Kerala's first human milk bank to be opened on 5 February
  Kerala will open its first Human Milk Bank (HMB) on February 5, 2021. This is a state-of-the-art facility, and Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja will open at Ernakulam General Hospital.
  
  A milk bank was established with the support of the Rotary Club of Cochin Global.
  
  The breast milk bank will ensure that newborn babies who are not ill or deceased or who are not breastfed due to insufficient breast milk production can obtain breast milk.
  
  Approximately 3,600 babies are born in general hospitals every year. Among them, 600 to 1,000 sick babies enter the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
  
  However, due to the low weight of premature babies or babies separated from their mothers, mothers cannot adequately feed them.
  
  Therefore, pasteurized breast milk from the milk bank will reduce the risk of infection and help strengthen its immunity.
  
  The concept of this milk bank appeared in India 32 years ago, but Kerala has no milk bank until now.
  
  Milk will be collected in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures, stored and provided to children in need in accordance with government guidelines.
  
  The collected milk will be safely stored in the bank for 6 months. Initially, the milk will be provided free of charge to babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.
  
  At a later stage, plans will be made to establish a hospital network for multiple collection and safe distribution points.
  
  The milk will be donated by the delivery mother in the hospital. These mothers will get all health statistics in the hospital.
  
  The human milk bank includes a pasteurization unit, deep freezer, refrigerator, disinfection equipment, reverse osmosis equipment and computer.
  
  After the State Health Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rotary Club of Cochin Global in 2020, its cost was 3.5 million rupees.
  
  The Association of Pediatricians (IAP) will provide trained nursing staff to operate the milk bank.
  
  
• 'One Nation One Ration Card': 32 States/UTs implement plan
  According to the National Food Security Act of 2013 (NFSA), the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme is being implemented in the country to nation-wide portability of ration cards.
  
  So far, the facility has been opened in 32 States/UTs, covering nearly 69 crore beneficiaries, accounting for almost 86% of the country's NFSA population.
  
  The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution launched a pilot scheme called the “One Nation One Ration Card Scheme” in four states in 2019.
  
  On January 1, 2020, 12 states were added. As of August 2020, the One Nation One Ration Card plan has integrated 25 states and union territories.
  
  By March 2021, it will be launched in all Indian states and UTs.
  
  The purpose of the scheme is to ensure nationwide portability through the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and deliver subsidized food grains to all immigrant beneficiaries anywhere in the country without worry.
  
  This scheme is one of the important government schemes for eligible beneficiaries of NFSA.
  
  This is a national ration card that allows migrant workers and their families to receive Public Distribution System (PDS) benefits from any fair price shops across the country.
  
  
• Bill coming on Delhi government, Lieutenant Governor’s functions
  The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is all set to introduce a legislation in the Budget session of the Parliament to amend a 1991 Act pertaining to the powers and functions of the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor.
  
  The proposed legislation received Union Cabinet’s approval.
  
  The Bill is likely to clearly define the powers of the L-G and the Delhi government on the lines of the Supreme Court judgment of February 2019. It is likely to give more teeth to the L-G’s office.
  
  A Supreme Court Bench had other than the question of services given a unanimous verdict on the role of the two authorities.
  
  The services plea has been referred to a larger Bench of the SC and the hearing is yet to conclude.
  
  Due to the co-existence of Article 239 and 239AA, there is a jurisdictional conflict between the government of NCT and the Union Government and its representative, the Lieutenant Governor.
  
  According to the Union government, New Delhi being a Union Territory Article 239 empowers the Lieutenant Governor to act independently of his Council of Ministers.
  
  However, the state government of Delhi held that the Article 239AA of the Constitution bestows special status to Delhi of having its own legislatively elected government.
  
  This creates a tussle around the administrative powers of the LG and state government of NCT of Delhi.
  
  In the February 14, 2019 verdict, the court upheld as “legal” the MHA’s May 21 and July 23, 2015 notification authorising the L-G to exercise powers in relation to services and directing the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) police not to take cognisance of offences against Central government officials.
  
  The apex court confirmed the Delhi High Court’s finding that the ACB’s jurisdiction is confined to Delhi officials and statutory bodies and does not extend to Central government officials.
  
  Last year, the MHA notified rules for the newly created Union Territory of J&K.
  
  It said that in case of difference of opinion between the L-G and a Minister when no agreement could be reached even after a month, the “decision of the Lieutenant Governor shall be deemed to have been accepted by the Council of Ministers.”
  
  The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 is among the 20 Bills proposed to be introduced in this Parliament session.
  
  The Bill was listed in the monsoon session last year but it could not be taken up as it had not received the Union Cabinet’s approval then.
  
  It is reported that according to changes proposed in the new Act, the L-G could act in his discretion in any matter that is beyond the purview of the powers of the Delhi Assembly in matters related to the All India (Civil) Services and the ACB.
  
  
• ‘India ready to supply weapon systems to Indian Ocean nations’
  India has already seen the negative impact of conflicting claims in some maritime areas of the world.
  
  Recently the Defence Ministry made a strong pitch for collaboration among countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) while offering to supply a range of weapon systems to them and also helping to build capacities of partner countries.
  
  IOR Defence Ministers conclave is being held at the ongoing Aero India attended by Ministers and representatives from 27 countries, some of them virtually.
  
  Defence Ministry pointed at the negative impact of conflicting claims in some maritime areas of the world and said it is important ensure that the maritime expanse of the Indian Ocean is peaceful and is optimally harnessed for the benefit of all nations in the region.
  
  An order of 83 LCA Tejas jets was placed to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as a milestone in indigenisation of defence manufacturing capabilities.
  
  India is ready to supply various types of missile systems, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), helicopters, multi-purpose light transport aircraft, warship and patrol vessels, artillery gun systems, tanks, radars, military vehicles, electronic warfare systems and other weapons systems to the IOR countries.
  
  An initiative has been taken to develop a comprehensive maritime domain awareness picture in the IOR, which has resulted in the signing of technical agreements for sharing of ‘White Shipping Information’ with many countries.
  
  India had been the first responder during natural disasters and has always been ready to share expertise and capacity with all IOR countries for coordination in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
  
  White Shipping Agreement (WSA) is an information network protocol that allows the navies of two countries to exchange information about ships in their oceanic territories.
  
  Ships would be classified into white (commercial ships), grey (military vessels), and black (illegal vessels).
  
  It facilitates preventing any potential threat from sea from impinging an coastal and offshore security of the country.
  
  
• PMMVY beneficiaries cross 1.75 crore
  The government’s maternity benefit scheme, or Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, has crossed 1.75 crore eligible women till financial year 2020, the Centre informed Parliament.
  
  A total sum of Rs.5,931.95 crore was paid to 1.75 crore eligible beneficiaries between financial year 2018 and 2020.
  
  Apart from that, RS.2,063.70 crore was disbursed in the current fiscal to 65.12 lakh women, Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani informed the Rajya Sabha.
  
  Pradhan Mantri Matri Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a maternity benefit program run by the government of India.
  
  It was introduced in 2017 and is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
  
  It is a conditional cash transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating women of 19 years of age or above for the first live birth.
  
  It provides a partial wage compensation to women for wage-loss during childbirth and childcare and to provide conditions for safe delivery and good nutrition and feeding practices.
  
  In 2013, the scheme was brought under the National Food Security Act, 2013 to implement the provision of cash maternity benefit of Rs.6,000 (US$84) stated in the Act.
  
  Presently, the scheme is implemented on a pilot basis in 53 selected districts and proposals are under consideration to scale it up to 200 additional 'high burden districts' in 2015–16.
  
  The eligible beneficiaries would receive the incentive given under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) for Institutional delivery and the incentive received under JSY would be accounted towards maternity benefits so that on an average a woman gets 6,000 (US$84).
  
  The scheme, rechristened Maternity benefits programme is set to cover the entire nation.
  
  Prime Minister, in his 2017 New Year's Eve speech, announced that the scheme will be scaled up to cover 650 districts of the country.
  
  The announcement assumes significance as India accounts for 17% of all maternal deaths in the world.
  
  The country's maternal mortality ratio is pegged at 113 per 100,000 live births, whereas infant mortality is estimated at 32 per 1,000 live births.
  
  Among the primary causes of high maternal and infant mortality are poor nutrition and inadequate medical care during pregnancy and childbirth.
  
  Disaggregated data on how many of these were unique beneficiaries, and how many were those receiving different instalments of the scheme was not provided.
  
  According to the government’s initial estimate, it aimed to reach 51.7 lakh women per year through the scheme.
  
  Under PMMVY, pregnant women and lactating mothers receive Rs.5,000 on the birth of their first child in three instalments, after fulfilling certain conditionalities.
  
  The direct benefit cash transfer is to help expectant mothers meet enhanced nutritional requirements as well as to partially compensate them for wage loss during their pregnancy.
  
  
• Govt introduces Bill to merge J&KIAS, IPS, IFoScadre with AGMUT
  The government introduced a Bill in the Rajya Sabha to merge the IAS, IPS and IFS cadre of Jammu and Kashmir with that of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre.
  
  The cadres had been merged last month through an Ordinance.
  
  The move has allowed officers posted in these states and union territories to work in Jammu and Kashmir and vice versa.
  
  The government had to merge the two cadres in view of paucity of officers in the newly created union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
  
  The J&K Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 seeks to amend the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 which had then made provision for retention of the J&K cadre for existing officers and stated that new officers posted there would henceforth come from the UT cadre.
  
  There is a huge deficiency of officers of All India Services in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
  
  The developmental schemes, centrally sponsored schemes and other allied activities suffer due to non-availability of All India Officers in the existing cadres of Jammu and Kashmir.
  
  There is a requirement of merging Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, union territories cadre so that the officers in this cadre can be posted in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to meet out any deficiency to some extent.
  
  It said the Bill is being brought “in order to provide uniformity in the governance of all the union territories and to further enhance efficiency in their administration.
  
  Apart from paucity of officers, the reason for merging the cadres is also entrenched interests of officers of the J&K cadre and their “political links”.
  
  
• Umbrella Scheme to address health, welfare issues of transgenders on cards
  The government is working on an umbrella scheme to address issues of access to health, education, welfare, skill upgradation, shelter, and economic support and livelihood for the transgender community.
  
  Government had enacted the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 for the welfare of the community.
  
  The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 is an act of the Parliament of India with the objective to provide for protection of rights of transgender people, their welfare, and other related matters.
  
  The Bill defines a transperson as someone whose gender does not match the one assigned at birth.
  
  It prohibits discrimination against them in employment, education, housing, healthcare and other services.
  
  The Bill allows self perception of gender identity. But it mandates that each person would have to be recognised as ‘transgender’ on the basis of a certificate of identity issued by a district magistrate.
  
  The Bill states that transgender persons will have the right to “self-perceived” gender identity.
  
  Activists- Change of gender identity in documents cannot be done without a certification by the District Magistrate after proof of a sex reassignment surgery is provided.
  
  The Bill enforces a minor’s right of residence compelling any transperson below 18 to cohabit with their natal family.
  
  Activists- Families are often a source of gruesome violence against the trans community leading them to separate from the natal family.
  
  The Bill criminalises begging.
  
  Activists- It does not offer reservations for employment and education.
  
  The Bill strongly focuses on transwomen and hijras.
  
  Activists- There is little emphasis on the intersex, gender queer and even transmen.

Published date : 02 Mar 2021 12:36PM