Civilsdaily

Author: Explains

  • National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

    Subjects:
    • Outlay: Rs. 10,000 crore
    • Target: 50 lakh apprentices to be trained by 2019-20
    • Implementing Agency: Director General of Training (DGT) under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)

    Incentivising employers:

    • It incentivises employers to engage apprentices
    • 25% of the total stipend payable to an apprentice would be shared with employers directly by Government of India
    • It is for the first time a scheme has been designed to offer financial incentives to employers to engage apprentices

    Basic training:

    • It also supports basic training which is an essential component of apprenticeship training
    • 50% of the total expenditure incurred on providing basic training would be supported by Government of India

    Benefits:

    • Will catalyze the entire apprenticeship ecosystem in the country and will offer a win-win situation for all stakeholders
    • It is expected to become one of the most powerful skill-delivery vehicle in the country

    Why Apprentices Training?

    • Apprenticeship Training is considered to be one of the most efficient ways to develop skilled manpower for the country
    • It provides for an industry led, practice oriented, effective and efficient mode of formal training
    • The National Policy of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015 launched by the Prime Minister focuses on apprenticeship as one of the key components for creating skilled manpower in India.
    • The present scheme also aims to achieve the objective as stated in the National Policy, 2015
    • The policy proposes to work pro-actively with the industry including MSME to facilitate tenfold increase opportunities in the country by 2020-20

  • Ask a Question, Answer a Question – Round 2

    Subjects:

    The last dinner table experience was amazing. So many teachers and so many students! Click here to go to visit the Round 1

    This time, we intend to tweak the concept a little bit. Since prelims are fast approaching, let’s make it more useful.

    Do one of the following:

    1) Ask for a memory trick/ mnemonic which can help you retain a difficult passage in a subject.

    2) Suggest a memory trick on a difficult subject/ chapter which can help the readers.

    You may want to tell your strong points/ favorite subjects/ sub subjects which can help other users ask better queries.

    PS – Please, please, please – do not ask very vague questions, “How to remember all the names of the RED list?”

    PPS – Hope you have read Dr. V’s tit bits and his uncanny explanations on prelims questions. Try to step into his shoes and come up with memory hacks!

    PPS #2 – To the readers who view this blog on the app, you won’t be able to have a look at the comments so please open this blog over mobile or desktop web

  • [Update] Ask a Question, Answer a Question – Round 1

    Subjects:

    Major Update:

    Hats off to the community for an amazing participation. We never do this thing (flashing numbers and claiming a top spot etc.), but these numbers are insane. Notice the REAL time users. If the participation remains this high over the weekend, we will make it a weekend affair!

    Think of this as a dinner table conversation with no theme. The idea of this blog is to experiment with a hypothetical BIG family dinner table setting!

    Do one of the following:

    1) Ask CD readers a question.

    2) Answer someone’s question.

    You may want to tell your strong points/ favorite subjects/ sub subjects which can help other users ask better queries.

    PS – Please, please, please – do not ask very basic questions akin to “i am in class 12th but want to become an IAS officer, what to do!”

    PPS – No questions on what book to study. But yeah you can ask about opinions on books, classes, subjects, optionals etc.

    PPS #2 – To the readers who view this blog on the app, you won’t be able to have a look at the comments so please open this blog over mobile or desktop web

  • 5 important schemes from Ministry of Minority Affairs

    Subjects:

  • Government Schemes for the development of North East India

    Subjects:

    #1. Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources

    Background:

    • The North Eastern Region (NER) comprises 8 States viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura
    • All the States in the NER are Special Category States whose Development Plans are centrally financed on the basis of 90% Grant and 10% Loan
    • In October 1996, the then Prime Minister announced “New Initiatives for North Eastern Region” and stipulated that at least 10% of the Budget(s) of the Central Ministries/Department will be earmarked for the development of North Eastern States
    • But, what if they are not able to use all funds? We created a Central Pool of Resources for the North East out of the unspent amount of stipulated 10% of GBS to support infrastructure development projects in the North East
    • Subsequently, this fund became non-lapsable

    Objective:

    The broad objective of the Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources scheme is to ensure speedy development of infrastructure in the North Eastern Region by increasing the flow of budgetary financing for new infrastructure projects/schemes in the Region.

    Funds from the Central Pool can be released for State sector as well as Central sector projects/schemes.

    #2. North East Rural Livelihood Project

    • North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP) is implemented in 4 North Eastern States of Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura
    • 2 districts in each of these 4 states only
    • It was launched in 2013 for a period of 5 years
    • Aiding agency: World Bank
    • Objective: Create sustainable community institutions around women Self Help Groups (SHG), Community development groups (CDG) and the youth of the select districts

  • Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV-TD) – Everything that you need to know

    Subjects: ,

    source: NDTV

    First things first, let’s hold your excitement down – these are baby steps towards a fully functional RLV. What ISRO tested few days is a TD HEX-01 (Technology demonstrator) – It is a small, aircraft-like, winged structure.

    Before we go into the details of

    The RLV-TD is a series of technology demonstration missions that has been considered as a first step towards realising a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) fully re-usable vehicle.

    Technology demonstration (TD) project by ISRO is to test different parameters related from the launch to landing of a Reusable launch Vehicle viz.

    1. Testing the characterisation of aero-thermo dynamics of hypersonic flight
    2. To test autonomous mission management of hypersonic vehicles 
    3. To test re-entry technology for the vehicle

    Important Points 

    1. RLV-TD-HEX1, a prototype of actual vehicle, successfully launched on 23 May 2016 
    2. Launched From – SDRC, Sriharikota, AP
    3. 2 Stage Process – launching rocket (HS9 Solid state booster) & RLV-TD (atop the rocket)

    1st phase of testing RLV – Launched beyond the atmosphere after which RLV-TD separated & atmospheric reentry began @Ma5 (Hypersonic speed) – Navigation guidance and control system steered it accurately for a controlled descent  – landed in Bay of Bengal, 450km from Sriharikota. 

    RLV will require 5km landing airstrip which is not available as of now. Will be build at SDRC, Sriharikota in near future. 

    Ultimate Aim & Advantages of the RLV would be to send manned missions, including satellites into space and re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere without extreme P and Heat condition (T)

    1. Successful launch of RLV will have a huge impact on launching cost – will slash it down by 80% – RLV aims to achieve a low cost, reliable and on-demand space access 
    2. Future Moon and Mars missions, Inter-Planetary missions 
    3. Make India competitive Space player globally in terms of cheap affordable satellite launched (for LDCs), regular and periodic space missions and various space exercises like building its own Space Station in future similar to ISS, Tiangong-1
    4. India will join select league of nations – Only USA (Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Endeavour, Atlantis), Russia (Soyuz) & China (Shenzhou) have their own Space flights. After successful induction of RLV, India will also have its own manned spacecraft capability.

    Development Process 

    1. In Jan 2012 – Prototype of RLV-TD was approved to be built & tested 
    2. RLV-TD developed at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram
    3. Aerodynamic characterisation – done by National Aerospace Laboratories in India

    Thermal tiles does at VSSC, Trivandrum – Critical component during atmospheric reentry of the flight – to prevent the structure damage due to sudden rise in T due to Hypersonic speed (Ma5)

    Total 4 phases of Technology demonstration and assessment

    Technology will be developed and tested in phases through as series of experimental flights 

    1. HEX – Hypersonic Flight Experiment – Done May 23, 2016 
    2. LEX – Landing Experiment 
    3. REX – Return Flight Experiment 
    4. SPEX – Scramjet Propulsion Experiment

    The final version will take 10-15 years to be ready. Still long time to go!! Other agencies involved in building reusable launch vehicles 

    1. SpaceX – Elon Musk 
    2. ESA
    3. JAXA – Japan 
    4. Blue Origin (Jeff Bezos – Amazon) 
    Published with inputs from Gaurav

  • Coal is parching the planet as well as cooking it!

    Subjects: ,

    source: Greenpeace Report

    The coal industry’s effects on water-deficient areas in the near future poses the most serious threat to water security around the world.

    Greenpeace’s analysis of the global coal-water conflict shows that the five countries with the highest water consumption by current coal power plants in red-list areas are, in order of magnitude, China, India, US, Kazakhstan and Canada.

    The world is reliant on coal for around 40% of its electricity generation and fast-growing countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand are expected to join Asia’s three largest economies China, Japan and India in becoming big burners of coal.

    Although countries agreed to include 1.5C and 2C temperature targets in the Paris Climate Agreement signed in Paris last December, only a scaling up of national climate targets, and a major reallocation of energy finance, are likely to deliver a decisive shift away from coal in the power generation mix.

    Recommendations

    To reduce the coal industry’s demands on water use, Greenpeace says water management should be taken into account in all regional planning, and major restrictions placed on coal industry projects when their water demand exceeds the availability of water.

    A phase-out of coal, a long-held goal of environmental groups, should be prioritised in areas of water stress, the report adds. Policymakers should also opt for renewables, which use much less water than coal.

     

    Published with inputs from thethirdpole

  • USTR’s Special 301 Report & India’s Priority Watchlist status

    Subjects:

    source: USTR

    If you have been following our coverage on this story – Intellectual Property Rights in India  along with the CD explains article written on the same link, you would be aware of a latest development –

    After releasing our National IPR Policy, our commerce minister, Nirmala Sitharaman maintained that –

    India does not recognise “unilateral measures” such as the U.S. Special 301 Report that tries to create pressure on countries to enhance IPR protection beyond the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of IPRs (TRIPS).

    So, this is a classic case of Uncle Sam bullying the minions with its internal reports!

    • The Report: Comes under US Trade Act 1974, Section 301 and is prepared by office of USTR
    • Office of US Trade Representative (USTR) has to prepare a list of countries, whose IPR regime has negative impact on American products in their markets
    • The resultant? Lo and behold, it’s the Special 301 report which rants about –
      • Weak and incompetent IPR regimes of a list of countries
      • Elaborate on their inadequate IPR policies and press for a censure

    The Special 301 report eventually ends up classifying countries into 3 groups:

    1. Priority Foreign Countries (PFC) – Red Flag! Most egregious offenders (Hello Ukraine!),
    2. Priority Watch List (PWL) – Serious offenders (India is here),
    3. Watch List (WL) – Less serious offenders
    The PWC number is *13

    Being in the PWL, India does not have much to fear and that probably is the reason why we could make bold statements like the one above! We have been a PWL since the inception of the report, which begs an inquiry into what’s the issue with India’s IPR and USTR?

    What does the 2016 Special 301 report has to say about India?

    +ives

    #1. In 2016, the United States continues to prioritize making progress on IPR issues through the High Level Working Group on Intellectual Property (IP Working Group), established by President Obama and Prime Minister Modi

    #2. The 2015 passage of the Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill may provide an important new tool for new patent and trademark applications

    #3. Acknowledged and applauded the establishment of India’s first anti-piracy policy unit in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh’s anti-piracy campaign, which resulted in the arrest of 11 individuals

    #4. Welcomed the deliberate and transparent process employed in India’s evaluation of a compulsory license application in 2015

    -ives

    1. Doesn’t have separate Anti-Camcording law to combat video piracy.
    2. Doesn’t have special takedown procedures against piracy websites
    3. Indian Patents Act prohibits “ever greening” of patents. As a result, Novartis lost patent of anti-cancer drug “Glivec”. USTR interprets it as an obstacle to IPR of MNCs.
    4. India permitted a domestic company NATCO to produce cheaper generic version of Bayer Pharma’s patented drug Nexvar. USTR interprets such “Compulsory licensing” as an obstacle to IPR of MNCs.
    5. India’s Drug Price Control Order 2013, permits certain Indian manufactured drugs to be sold at higher price. Same relaxation not given to foreign companies.
    6. India is the top supplier of counterfeit pharmaceuticals to USA. Patent holder lose billions of dollar each year due to counterfeit / pirated products.

    Should India (really) worry about the Priority Watchlist tag?

    1. Special 301 report violates WTO principles. It permits US government to take unilateral actions against any country. Despite the fact that USA, India, China – all have agreed to sort disputes through WTO dispute resolution mechanism
    2. Americans have just kept the carrot dangling, by keeping India in the ‘Priority Watch List’, so that the threat remains. And, OCRs are nothing but keeping the pressure on, so US will continue to play their games with Modi or whoever else comes in power. Americans only concerned with maximizing their profit. (Hardeep Singh Puri, Ex-UN representative)

    MCQs

    Q1. One of the reasons why USTR included India under the “priority watchlist” in its Special 301 report:

    1. Indian laws permit ever greening of patents by domestic companies but deny the same to Foreign companies.
    2. India is the biggest supplier of counterfeit medicines to USA.
    3. Sun Pharmaceutical’s plant in Punjab was violating quality guidelines set by US-FDA.
    4. None of above

    Q2. Which of the following statements are correct?

    1. US Trade Act permits their government to impose sanctions on “Priority foreign countries” listed under USTR’s special 301 report.
    2. Apart from India, Ukraine is also in “priority foreign country” list
    3. Despite Ukraine being a “Priority foreign country” under Special 301 report, USA has deferred sanctions on Ukraine, given the ongoing Crimean crisis.

    Correct choice

    1. Only 1 and 2
    2. Only 2 and 3
    3. Only 1 and 3
    4. All of them

    Q3.Correct statements about “Compulsory License” in Patent law?

    1. It is an Authorization given to a third party to manufacture a patented invention at cheaper price, without original patent owner’s willful consent.
    2. As such, Compulsory License is not permitted under Indian Patents Act, but SC has permitted it in Nexvar case for larger public interest.
    3. Both A and B
    4. Neither A nor B

    Q4. Incorrect statements about “Ever Greening” in Patent law?

    1. It is a practice of extending patents on pharmaceutical products by making slight changes to a drug molecule.
    2. Indian Patent Act prohibits ever greening but permits compulsory licensing.
    3. Both A and B
    4. Neither A nor B

    Q5. Indian Patent Controller General gave compulsory license to NATCO to manufacture Bayer pharma’s anti-cancer drug “Nexvar”, because _____.

    1. Bayer pharma was “evergreening” the patent of the drug molecule.
    2. Bayer pharma had forged clinical trial records to obtain the patent.
    3. Bayer pharma had obtained patent only for Germany and not for India.
    4. Bayer pharma was selling patented drug at an unaffordable price to Indian patients.

    Q6. Novartis lost patent right over its anti-cancer drug Glivec in India, because ____.

    1. Novartis was selling imported drug at an unaffordable price to Indian patients.
    2. Novartis had forged clinical trial records to obtain the patent.
    3. Novartis had obtained patent only for Switzerland and not for India.
    4. Novartis was “ever-greening” the patent of the drug molecule.
    Published with inputs from Gaurav

  • Mandates of International Seabed Authority & an introduction to Rare Earth Minerals

    • ISA: International Seabed Authority | HQ @ Kingston, Jamaica
    • ISA is a UN agency estd in 1995 under UNCLOS (all 167 member nations under UNCLOS are also ISA members) and has the mandate to issue licenses regarding exploration and mining of deep marine resources particularly deep seabed mining in International waters (beyond 370 km in Continental Shelf region)
    • Note: US is an observer state
    members in blue | observers in yellow

    ISA has set environmental regulations regarding marine exploration activities BUT not mining regulations for underwater deep seabed mining.

    By now ISA has opened 1.2million sq. km area for seabed exploration (one-third of India’s area) by granting 26 licenses since 2001 for exploration and mineral rights.

    Who can engage in seabed mining?

    1. ISA
    2. State owned enterprises
    3. Govt. sponsored companies

    Govt. which applied for licenses include – China, India, Russia, Singapore, Germany & UK & US defence major Lockheed Martin

    But why is Seabed mining such a hot topic?

    The vast repository of minerals, including the precious cobalt, zinc, manganese and rare earth minerals (REM) that are needed for smart phones, laptops and hybrid cars, are present in this hitherto unexplored area.

    Typically, an ore from seabed deposit is 7 times enriched with minerals than that mined from land. So you can imagine the earnesty with which nations and organisations want to pursue this area of influence (as they run out of resources on land).

    This repository of minerals is found in 3 kind of ores:

    1. Polymetallic manganese nodules that remain strewn across the ocean floor
    2. Cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts that cover the seamounts
    3. Polymetallic sulphide deposits around hydrothermal vents

    A hydrothermal vent is a fissure in a planet’s surface from which geothermally heated water issues. As you can imagine, these would be commonly observed in volcanically active places. 

    At least 20 countries have been carrying out exploration activities since 2001. Deep sea mining is witnessing a fast revival after a lull of almost 40 years.

    What are these Rare Earth Minerals (REM)?

    • Rare earth minerals – 17 in numbers – D block elements – Important because of their applications in the fields of renewable energy (wind turbines, solar panel), defence (LASER, Radar), electronic gadgets (smartphones), Hybrid vehicle components, Medical imaging etc.
    • China produces ~95% of the total REMs followed by USA and India. Add to that, China has imposed quota limits on REM’s exports

    What’s up with India wrt. REMs?

    • In India, Monazite is found mainly in Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand. The problem here is that its extracts contain radioactive Thorium because of which it cannot be stored (hence, not mined)
    • That being said, India has collaborated with Japan since 2012 to develop rare earth materials
    • An agreement was signed for exploration and production of rare earths, following which India is setting up a monazite processing plant in Odisha
    This is how India’s resource distribution looks like

    If you were an environmentalist, you would list down these (adverse) consequences to sea bed mining

    1. Impact to the endemic species because of huge churning of the sediments and debris – exposure to sunlight might impact the growth and reproduction of species
    2. Destruction of marine species may impact the CO2 absorption capacities – hello global warming!
    3. Large robots, accompanied noise pollution may destroy habitats of rare species

    Concerns regarding ISA and mining licensing approvals

    1. ISA does not have the power to decide whether seafloor mining is good or bad. Its establishment is more tilted towards “exploiting” the resources
    2. There is insufficient scientific data to understand the impacts of deep sea mining; there are no regulatory frameworks in place to govern mining operations; and the capacity to enforce such frameworks does not yet exist
    3. No taxation/royalty on seabed miners, to keep a check on extraction of ores and controlling the mining through yearly ceiling limits and penalty clause to violators

     

    Published with inputs from Gaurav

  • [E&B Bodies #8] National Ganga River Basin Authority

    Need

    The need for revamping the river conservation programme was widely recognised in view of the shortcomings in the approach followed in GAP. It was felt necessary that a new holistic approach based on river basin as the unit of planning and institutional redesign should be adopted.

    Accordingly, the Government of India has given Ganga the status of a National River and has constituted the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) on 20th February 2009 under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

    About

    • It is a planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating body of the centre and the states
    • The Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation(MoWR, RD & GR) is the nodal Ministry for the NGRBA
    • It is chaired by the Prime Minister and has as its members the Union Ministers concerned, the Chief Ministers of the States through which Ganga flows, viz., Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, among others
    • This initiative is expected to rejuvenate the collective efforts of the Centre and the States for cleaning the river

    Objectives

    • Ensuring effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a river basin approach to promote inter-sectoral co-ordination for comprehensive planning and management
    • Maintaining environmental flows in the river Ganga with the aim of ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development

    Functions

    It has both regulatory and developmental functions. It will take measures for effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga in keeping with sustainable development needs. These include:

    • Development of a river basin management plan
    • Regulation of activities aimed at prevention, control and abatement of pollution in Ganga to maintain its water quality, and to take measures relevant to river ecology and management in the Ganga basin states
    • Maintenance of minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga
    • Measures necessary for planning, financing and execution of programmes for abatement of pollution in the river Ganga including augmentation of sewerage infrastructure, catchment area treatment, protection of flood plains, creating public awareness
    • Collection, analysis and dissemination of information relating to environmental pollution in the river Ganga
    • Investigations and research regarding problems of environmental pollution and conservation of the river Ganga
    • Promotion of water conservation practices including recycling and reuse, rain water harvesting, and decentralised sewage treatment systems
    • Monitoring and review of the implementation of various programmes or activities taken up for prevention, control and abatement of pollution in the river Ganga
    • Issue directions under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for the purpose of exercising and performing these functions and for achievement of its objectives

    Progress

    • The NGRBA is fully operational and is also supported by the state level State Ganga River Conservation Authorities (SGRCAs) in five Ganga basin States which are chaired by the Chief Ministers of the respective States
    • Under NGRBA programme, projects worth Rs. 4607.82 crore had been sanctioned up to 31st March 2014
    • It has started the Mission Clean Ganga with a changed and comprehensive approach to champion the challenges posed to Ganga through four different sectors- wastewater management, solid waste management, industrial pollution and river front development

    Task for you

    • Critically examine the magnitude of Ganga river pollution, its causes and challenges faced by the government in cleaning the river
    • Despite the enormous funds and time spent, efforts made to clean the River Ganga have not yielded desired results. Critically examine

     

    Published with inputs from Swapnil

  • [E&B bodies #7] Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau

    source

    About

    • Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau is a statutory multi-disciplinary body
    • Established by the Government of India on 6 June 2007, by amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 197
    • Functions under the Ministry of Environment and Forests
    • Headquarter- New Delhi
    • It complements the efforts of the state governments, primary enforcers of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and other enforcement agencies of the country
    • Aim: To combat organized wildlife crime in the country
    • The Bureau was initially headed by a Senior Police Officer of Inspector General of Police rank, Ms. Rina Mitra, and the organisation achieved substantial progress under her leadership

    Mandates

    Under Section 38 (Z) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, it is mandated to:

    • Collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate the same to State and other enforcement agencies for immediate action so as to apprehend the criminals
    • Establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank
    • Co-ordinate actions by various agencies in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of the Act
    • Assist foreign authorities and international organization concerned to facilitate co-ordination and universal action for wildlife crime control
    • Capacity building of the wildlife crime enforcement agencies for scientific and professional investigation into wildlife crimes and assist State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes
    • Advise the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications, relevant policy and laws

    Other functions/ initiatives

    • It also assists and advises the Customs authorities in inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna as per the provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item
    • WCCB is also partnering with United Nations University and CIESIN-Earth Institute at Columbia University through the Wildlife Enforcement Monitoring System Initiative

    Recognition

    Won the prestigious 2010 Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Award for its outstanding work on wildlife law enforcement in the country

    Task for you

    1. Recent years have seen rise in the population of wild lions and tigers in India. Critically examine the reasons behind this success.
    2. Comment on the existing legal framework in India to protect and conserve wildlife

     

    Published with inputs from Swapnil

     

  • All that you need to know about the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana

    Subjects:

    Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) is a conditional maternity benefit scheme.

    It is being implemented using the platform of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme.

    This scheme is for the pregnant and lactating women of 19 years of age or above for first two live births to contribute to a better enabling environment by providing conditional cash transfer for improved health and nutrition and to also promote health and nutrition seeking behaviour in them.

    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.

    It provides cash maternity benefit to the women. The pregnant women of 19 years of age and above is entitled to a cash incentive of Rs. 4000 in three installments for first two live births.

    Eligibility criteria?

    1. Pregnant Women & Lactating women of 19 years of age and above for their first 2 live births.
    2. Women hve to register pregnancy at the Anganwadi centre (AWC) within four months of conception
    3. Women have to register the birth
    4. All Government/PSUs (Central & State) employees are excluded from the scheme as they are entitled for paid maternity leave

    IGMSY was launched in 2010. What are some of the issues that plague its implementation?

    • Leveraging the Integrated Child Development Scheme’s (ICDS) platform, in 2010, the IGMSY programme was piloted in 53 districts across the country
    • In September 2013, the IGMSY cash incentive was increased from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 6,000 to comply with the minimum maternity entitlement provision of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

    The causes for poor implementation are invariably the same:

    1. It was found that most beneficiaries were unaware or misinformed about the scheme.
    2. Under the IGMSY, cash is only deposited into an account. Opening and accessing accounts is often expensive and time consuming because banks and post offices are often far from villages.
    3. IGMSY guidelines specify that the accounts should have to be zero-balance no-frill accounts. Here again, the misinformation proved to be the menace
      • Since women were unaware, they were asked to cough up and maintain a minimum deposit which went against the incentive of opting for the scheme
    4. In few of the study states – there was a delay in payment by up to 1 year. Such delays undermine the objective of the scheme — to provide partial wage compensation during pregnancy to enable adequate rest.

    What’s required to get things in order?

    You will invariably find that the solution to the mal-implementation of any govt. scheme lies in these 4 pillars. Might as well memorise them for a generic answer template:

    1. Awareness building,
    2. Establishment of implementation cells,
    3. A responsive grievance redress mechanism and
    4. A publicly accessible management information system

  • 5 dedicated schemes on Protection of Women

    Subjects:

    The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing following schemes for protection of women:

    #1. Swadhar and Short Stay Homes to provide relief and rehabilitation to destitute women and women in distress.

    The Schemes, Swadhar and Short Stay Homes have been merged and revised as “Swadhar Greh” Scheme.

    #2. Ujjawala Homes for rehabilitation of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.

    Note: Do not confuse this with PM Ujjawala scheme – The Rs. 8,000 crore scheme to provide 5 crore free LPG connections to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families using the money saved from 1.13 crore cooking gas users voluntarily giving up their subsidies.

    #3. Working Women Hostels for ensuring safe accommodation for working women away from their place of residence.

    #4. One Stop Centre to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence. Read the full coverage, here.

    #5. Scheme for Universalisation of Women Helpline intended to provide 24 hours immediate and emergency response to women affected by violence.

    Taking the case for Universalisation of women helpline further:

    source

    According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau data, during the year 2013, 3,09,546 incidence of crime against women (both under Indian Penal Code and other laws) were reported as against the 2,44,270 cases reported during 2012, showing an increase of 26.7% over the previous year.

    What are the gaps in the existing emergency response system?

    #1. Lack of centralised system functional across the country

    Currently, different State governments had set up helpline in collaboration with NGOs, and private organizations. Various NGOs working on women’s issues have also undertaken helpline initiatives to provide information and referral service to women facing violence within the home as well as outside, but these attempts have been sporadic and state/ city-centric due to the limitations of outreach and resources. 

    #2. Tracing the location of the caller

    In the existing emergency response system, the information about the location is provided by the caller and the emergency responders rely on this information. If the caller is not able to convey her location or location conveyed by her is vague or erroneous, then there is a possibility that responding unit may not locate her/him.

    #3. Lack of unified approach

    Presently, there are different numbers for different emergency services i.e. 100-Police, 101-Fire, 102 and 108-Ambulance, 1091 and 181-women in distress etc.

    In case the caller does not know the correct emergency number to dial or is confused between various emergency numbers, he will be either deprived of any help or will get help after avoidable delay.

    #4. Jurisdictional Issues

    Many a time call made to emergency numbers land at the control room that may not have jurisdiction of the location of caller causing delay in response. This is quite common in cases where the caller is using mobile handsets and calling from a place that is at the boundary of a District or State.

    In view of the above, it has been decided that a Women Helpline (state level toll free number such as 181) would be made universal for providing an immediate and 24 hour emergency response to women affected by violence including rescue (where necessary), information, first point contact counseling and referral (linking with appropriate authority such as police, One Stop Centre, hospital) services to any woman in distress across the country.

  • One Stop Centre Scheme and the Nirbhaya Fund. What’s the connect?

    Subjects:

    Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), has formulated a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for setting up One Stop Centres (OSC), to be funded from the Nirbhaya Fund.

    source

    Aim?

    • Centres will be established across the country to provide integrated support and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces
    • An integrated range of services including medical, legal, and psychological support
    • In the first phase, one OSC will initially be established in each State/UT
    • The OSC will be integrated with 181 and other existing helplines

    What’s 181? It is the women in distress helpline number. It was recently in news when this helpline for women in Delhi was transferred under the Delhi Commission for Women with the AAP government handing over its charge to the panel.

    Implementation guidelines and appraisal process?

    • The implementation guidelines have a prescribed proforma, for the submission of proposal for the establishment OSCs by States/UTs.

    The term pro forma (Latin for “as a matter of form” or “for the sake of form”) is most often used to describe a practice or document that is provided as a courtesy and/or satisfies minimum requirements, conforms to a norm or doctrine, tends to be performed perfunctorily and/or is considered a formality.

    • Feedback received from states/ UTs will be examined by a Programme Approval Board (PAB) to be constituted in the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

     

    Concerns? Areas of improvements?

    • While providing counselling, can these centres be equipped with a direct line to state police stations to file FIRs? Online FIR system for sex related violence may be a possible solution
    • How would these centres fare against the AFSPA provisions which guarantee safeguards for the security personnel?
    • The Nirbhaya fund, though allocated, has still not been utilised to the full capacity

    Read here and here about how OSC comprise only a small %utilisation of the otherwise 3,000cr heavy Nirbhaya fund.

    Questions

    1. What has the GoI done with Nirbhaya fund since its inception in 2013? Mark out the small or big schemes (along with ministries) where the funds’ utilisation was pegged to bring about a social change?

    Hint: In the fiscal year 2013-2014, one proposal was made by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the Ministry of Railways each.

     

     

  • [E&B Bodies #6] Centre for Science and Environment

     

    • The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is a public interest research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi
    • CSE researches into, lobbies for and communicates the urgency of development that is both sustainable and equitable
    • Established in 1980, CSE works as a think tank on environment-development issues in India, poor planning, climate shifts devastating India’s Sundarbans and advocates for policy changes and better implementation of the already existing policies
    • The Director of CSE is Sunita Narain who is named among the 100 most influential persons by The Time Magazine

     

    Aim:

    • The scenario today demands using knowledge to bring about change. In other words, working India’s democracy
    • Thus the aim of CSE is to raise concerns, participate in seeking answers and more importantly, in pushing for answers and transforming these into policy and so practice
    • CSE does this through its research and by communicating the understanding through its publications. This is called knowledge-based activism

    Two-pronged challenge of balance:

    On the one hand, millions live within a biomass based subsistence economy, at the margins of survival. The environment is their only natural asset. But a degraded environment means stress on land, water and forest resources for survival. It means increasing destitution and poverty. Here, opportunity to bring about change is enormous. But it will need a commitment to reform, a structural reform, in the way we do business with local communities

    On the other hand, rapid industrialization is throwing up new problems: growing toxification and a costly disease burden. The answers will be in reinventing the growth model of the Western world for ourselves, so that we can leapfrog technology choices and find new ways of building wealth that will not cost us the earth

    CSE’s efforts are built around five broad programmes:

    #1. Communication for Awareness

    • CSE’s publications and informational products have been its strength and they have always combined research and readability to get the message across
    • CSE’s tools for awareness raising are periodicals, publications, films/short spots, briefing papers, exhibitions, posters and other products
    • CSE’s informational products reach people in more diverse ways such as features service, website and e-news bulletins

    #2. Research and Advocacy

    • CSE’s efforts are specifically designed to create awareness about problems and propose sustainable solutions
    • Research at CSE often consists of in-depth learning about an environmental problem and then finding answers in accordance with CSE’s core values

    #3. Education and Training

    • There is a growing interest amongst professionals, public administrators, private sector executives NGO professionals, students and others in environmental issues
    • With this in mind, CSE, has for some years, been developing programmes in the area on non-formal environmental education programmes

    #4. Knowledge Portal

    • The overall aim is to develop into an excellent resource centre with information — printed and visual — on sustainable development issues, which is possibly the best in India
    • For a knowledge-based organisation like CSE, information collection is the basic foundation for all its research and advocacy activities

    #5. Pollution Monitoring

    CSE’s Pollution Monitoring Laboratory is an independent, analytical laboratory that monitors toxic contamination of the environment and uses the results of this monitoring to advocate for improved regulation of the use of toxins in the country

    Published with inputs from Swapnil

  • [E&B Bodies #5] Central Water Commission

    • Central Water Commission is a premier Technical Organization of India in the field of Water Resources
    • It is presently functioning as an attached office of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India

    Mission Statement:

    To promote integrated and sustainable development and management of India’s Water Resources by using state-of-art technology and competency and coordinating all stake holders.

    Organisation:

    • CWC is headed by a Chairman, with the status of Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India
    • The work of the Commission is divided among 3 wings:
    1. Designs and Research (D&R) Wing
    2. River Management (RM) Wing
    3. Water Planning and Projects (WP&P) Wing
    • A separate Human Resources Management Unit headed by a Chief Engineer, deals with Human Resources Management or Development, Financial Management, Training and Administrative matters of the CWC
    • National Water Academy, Pune is responsible for training of Central and State in-service engineers and it functions directly under the guidance of Chairman

    Responsibilities:

    • The Commission is entrusted with the general responsibilities of initiating, coordinating and furthering schemes for control, conservation and utilization of water resources throughout the country
    • It is done in consultation of the State Governments concerned & for purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and Water Power Development
    • It also undertakes the investigations, construction and execution of any such schemes as required
    • The Commission, if so required, can undertake the construction and execution of any such scheme

    Functions:

    • To carry out Techno-economic appraisal of Irrigation, flood control & multipurpose projects proposed by the State Governments
    • To collect, compile, publish and analyze the hydrological and hydrological data relating to major rivers in the country, consisting of rainfall, runoff and temperature, etc. and to act as the central bureau of information in respect of these matters
    • To collect, maintain and publish statistical data relating to water resources and its utilization including quality of water throughout India and to act as the central bureau of information relating to water resources
    • To provide flood forecasting services to all major flood prone inter-state river basins of India through a network of 175 flood forecasting stations
    • Monitoring of selected major and medium irrigation projects, to ensure the achievement of physical and financial targets. Monitoring of projects under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), and Command Development (CAD) programme has also been included in its field of activities
    • To advise the Government of India and the concerned State Governments basin-wise development of water resources
    • To undertake necessary surveys and investigations as and when so required prepare designs and schemes for the development of river valleys in respect of power generation, irrigation by gravity flow or lift, flood management and erosion control, anti-water logging measures, drainage and drinking water supply
    • To undertake construction work of any river valley development scheme on behalf of the Government of India or State Government concerned
    • To advise and assist, when so required, the State Governments (Commissions, Corporations or Boards that are set up) in the investigation, surve1 preparation of river valley and power development schemes for particular and regions
    • To advise the Government of India in respect of Water Resources Development regarding rights and disputes between different States which affect any i for the conservation and utilization and any matter that may be referred Commission in connection with river valley development
    • To impart training to in-service engineers from Central and State Organizations in various aspects of water resource development
    • To initiate studies on socio-agro-economic and ecological aspects of irrigation projects for the sustained development of irrigation
    • To conduct and coordinate research on the various aspects of river development schemes such as flood management, irrigation, navigation, power development, etc., and the connected structural and design features
    • To promote modern data collection techniques such as remote sensing technology for water resources development, flood forecasting and development of related computer software
    • To conduct studies on dam safety aspects for the existing dams and stand related instrumentation for dam safety measures
    • To carry out morphological studies to assess river behavior, bank erosion/coastal erosion problems and advise the Central and State Governments on all such matters
    • To promote and create mass awareness regarding the progress and achievements made by the country in the water resources development, use and conservation
    Published with inputs from Swapnil

  • [E&B Bodies #4] Forest Survey of India

    • Forest Survey of India (FSI), is a premier national organization under the union Ministry of Environment and Forests
    • It is responsible for assessment and monitoring of the forest resources of the country regularly
    • In addition, it is also engaged in providing the services of training, research and extension

    Background:

    • Established on June 1,1981, the Forest Survey of India succeeded the ‘Pre-investment Survey of Forest Resources‘ (PISFR)
    • PISFR is a project initiated in 1965 by Government of India with the sponsorship of FAO and UNDP
    • The main objective of PISFR was to ascertain the availability of raw material for establishment of wood based industries in selected areas of the country
    • In its report in 1976, the National Commission on Agriculture (NCA) recommended for the creation of a National Forest Survey Organization for a regular, periodic and comprehensive forest resources survey of the country leading to creation of FSI
    • After a critical review of activities undertaken by FSI, Government of India redefined the mandate of FSI in 1986 in order to make it more relevant to the rapidly changing needs and aspirations of the country

    Objectives:

    • To prepare State of Forest Report biennially, providing assessment of latest forest cover in the country and monitoring changes in these
    • To conduct inventory in forest and non-forest areas and develop database on forest tree resources
    • To prepare thematic maps on 1:50,000 scale, using aerial photographs
    • To function as a nodal agency for collection, compilation, storage and dissemination of spatial database on forest resources
    • To conduct training of forestry personnel in application of technologies related to resources survey, remote sensing, GIS, etc
    • To strengthen research & development infrastructure in FSI and to conduct research on applied forest survey techniques
    • To support State/UT Forest Departments (SFD) in forest resources survey, mapping and inventory
    • To undertake forestry related special studies/consultancies and custom made training courses for SFD’s and other organisations on project basis

    Organisation:

    • FSI is headed by a Director General supported by two Joint Directors and eight Deputy Directors at headquarters
    • Each Zonal office is headed by a Regional Director and supported by one or two Deputy Directors
    • The Joint Directors at the headquarters head two units namely National Forest Data Management Centre (NFDMC) and Training & Forest Inventory (TFI)
    • NFDMC conducts assessment of forest cover, thematic mapping, production of maps, etc
    • TFI unit is concerned with inventory of tree resources inside and outside the forests, conducting of training courses, extension works, publication of reports, maintenance of library, etc
    • The total sanctioned strength ofthe organisation is 436, which includes members of the Indian Forest Service and Indian Statistical Service on deputation

    Major Activities:

    • Forest Cover Assessment
    • Inventory of Forest areas
    • Thematic Maps
    • Inventory of Trees Outside Forests (Rural & Urban)
    • Inventory data processing
    • Methodology Design
    • Training and Extension
    • Projects and Consultancies
    Published with inputs from Swapnil

  • [E&B Bodies #3] Central Zoo Authority

     

    • Central Zoo Authority is an autonomous statutory body
    • It regulates the functioning of zoos
    • It has been constituted under the Wild Life (Protection) Act
    • Organisation: The Authority consists of a Chairman, ten members and a Member Secretary
    • Main objective: To complement the national effort in conservation of wild life

    Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992:

    • Standards and norms for housing, upkeep, health care and overall management of animals in zoos
    • Every zoo in the country is required to obtain recognition from the Authority for its operation
    • The Authority evaluates the zoos with reference to the parameters prescribed under the Rules and grants recognition accordingly
    • Zoos which have no potential to come up to the prescribed standards and norms may be refused recognition and asked to close down

    Roles & Functions:

    • The Authority’s role is more of a facilitator than a regulator
    • It, therefore, provides technical and financial assistance to such zoos which have the potential to attain the desired standard in animal management
    • Primary function– grant of recognition and release of financial assistance
    • It also regulates the exchange of animals of endangered category Listed under Schedule-I and II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act among zoos
    • Exchange of animals between Indian and foreign zoos is also approved by the Authority before the requisite clearances under EXIM Policy and the CITES permits are issued by the competent authority
    • The Authority also coordinates and implements programmes on capacity building of zoo personnel, planned breeding programmes and ex-situ research including biotechnological intervention for conservation of species for complementing in-situ conservation efforts in the country

    Some major initiatives:

    • Establishment of Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species at Hyderabad for carrying out research in biotechnology, planned breeding of Red Panda and its restocking into the wild
    • Upgradation of diagnostic facilities for disease diagnosis at selected veterinary institutions and their networking with zoos on regional basis for better health care of animals
    Published with inputs from Swapnil

  • [E&B Bodies #2] Animal Welfare Board of India

     

    • The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body on Animal Welfare Laws and promotes animal welfare in the country
    • It is the first of its kind to be established by any Government in the world
    • Established: 1962
    • Under: Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
    • Headquarter: Chennai
    • It was started under the stewardship of Late Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, a well-known humanitarian. <Can you tell us more about Rukmini Devi Arundale? Especially about her contribution to Art & Culture. Answer in comments>
    • It has been the face of the animal welfare movement in the country for the last 50 years- From ensuring diligent following of animal welfare laws to providing grants to such organisation & advising Govt on such issues
    • Organisation: The Board consists of 28 Members. The term of office of Members is for a period of 3 years

    Roles & Functions:

    • To keep the law in force in India for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals under constant study and to advise the government on the amendments to be undertaken in any such law from time to time
    • To advise the Central Government on the making of rules under the Act with a view to preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals generally, and more particularly when they are being transported from one place to another or when they are used as performing animals or when they are kept in captivity or confinment
    • To advise the Government or any local authority or other person on improvements in the design of vehicles so as to lessen the burden on draught animals
    • To take all such steps as the Board may think fit for amelioration of animals by encouraging, or providing for the construction of sheds, water troughs and the like and by providing for veterinary assistance to animals
    • To advise the Government or any local authority or other person in the design of slaughter houses or the maintenance of slaughter houses or in connection with slaughter of animals so that unnecessary pain or suffering, whether physicrd or mental, is eliminated in the pre- slaughter stages as far as possible, and animals are killed, wherever necessary, in as humane a manner as possible
    • To take all such steps as the Board may think fit to ensure that unwanted animals are destroyed by local authorities, whenever it is necessary to do so, either instantaneously or after being rendered insensible to pain or suffering
    • To encourage by the grant of financial assistance or otherwise, the formation or establishment of Pinjarapoles, rescue homes, animals shelters, sanctuaries and the like, where animals and birds may find a shelter when they have become old and useless or when they need protection
    • To co-operate with, and co-ordinate the work of associations or bodies established for the purpose of preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals or for the protection of animals and birds
    • To give financial assistance and other assistance to Animal Welfare Organisations functioping in any local area or to encourage the formation of Animal Welfare Organisations in any local area which shall work under the general supervision and guidance of the Board
    • To advise the Government on matters relating to the medical care and attention which may be provided in animal hospitals, and to give financial and other assistance to animal hospitals whenever the Board think it is necessary to do so
    • To impart education in relation to the humane treatment of animals and to encourage the formation of public opinion against the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering to animals and for the promotion of animal welfare by means of lectures books, posters, cinematographic exhibitions and the like
    • To advise the Government on any matter connected with animal welfare or the Prevention of infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals
    Published with inputs from Swapnil

  • [E&B Bodies #1] Guide to understanding the National Biodiversity Authority

    • The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established in 2003 to implement India’s Biological Diversity Act (2002)
    • The NBA is a Statutory, Autonomous Body
    • It performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory function for the Government of India on issues of- conservation, sustainable use of biological resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources
    • Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
    • Structure: The Authority, Secretariat, SBBs, BMCs and Expert Committees
    • Since its establishment, NBA has supported creation of SBBs in 29 States and, facilitated establishment of around 37,769 BMCs

    The Biological Diversity Act 2002

    • The Biological Diversity Act (2002) mandates implementation of the Act through decentralized system
    • It mandates NBA to focus on advising the Central Government on matters relating to:
    1. The conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of biological resources
    2. Advising the State Governments in the selection of areas of biodiversity importance to be notified as heritage sites and measures for the management of such heritage sites
    • The Act covers conservation, use of biological resources and associated knowledge occurring in India for commercial or research purposes or for the purposes of bio-survey and bio-utilisation
    • It provides a framework for access to biological resources and sharing the benefits arising out of such access and use
    • The Act also includes in its ambit the transfer of research results and application for intellectual property rights (IPRs) relating to Indian biological resources
    • The Act covers foreigners, non-resident Indians, body corporate, association or organization that is either not incorporated in India or incorporated in India with non-Indian participation in its share capital or management
    • These individuals or entities require the approval of the National Biodiversity Authority when they use biological resources and associated knowledge occurring in India

    State Biodiversity Boards

    • State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) are to be established under Section 22(2) of the Act
    • So far 29 States have established the SBBs

    Functions of SBBs:

    • Advise the State Governments on matters relating to conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of utilization of biological resources
    • Regulate by granting approvals or otherwise request for commercial utilization or bio-survey and bio utilization of any biological resource by Indians
    • Perform such other functions as necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act or as prescribed by the State Governments

    Biodiversity Management Committees

    As per the Act, the local bodies constitute the BMC in accordance with Section 41, within their area of jurisdiction

    Purpose:

    • Promoting conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity
    • Preservation of habitats, conservation of land races, folk varieties and cultivars, domesticated stocks and breeds of animals, micro-organisms
    • Chronicling of knowledge relating to biological diversity

    Composition: A Chairperson, and six persons nominated by local bodies, including 1/3rd women and 18% SC/ST

    Functions:

    • Prepare, maintain and validate People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) in consultation with the local people
    • To maintain a Register giving information about the details of biological resources and traditional knowledge available within the jurisdiction of BMC
    • Advice on any matter referred to it by the State Biodiversity Board or Authority for granting approval
    • To maintain data about the local vaids and practitioners using the biological resources

    Questions

    1. Critically evaluate the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 which is meant to fulfil the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

    Published with inputs from Swapnil