Issues of Stubble Burning
Issues of Stubble Burning Stubble burning is intentionally setting fire to the straw stubble that remains after grains, like paddy, wheat, etc., have been harvested. The practice was widespread until the 1990s when governments increasingly restricted its use. Why farmers opt for stubble burning: Cheap Quick and Easy Can assist weed, insect, and disease control With less income due to crop damage, farmers are likely to be inclined to light up their fields to cut costs and not spend on scientific ways of stubble management. The farmers are ill-equipped to deal with waste because they cannot afford the new technology that is available to handle the waste material. Reduced nitrogen tie-up According to the forecasting system, SAFAR, maintained by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the contribution of stubble burning to the worsening air quality was 16%, relative to other sources such as road dust, vehicular emissions and industrial activities. Supreme court observation: The Supreme Court had appointed retired judge Justice Madan B Lokur to monitor stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh — a key source of the pollution every winter. The Centre will bring in a law, via ordinance, to address air pollution as well as check stubble burning in Delhi as well as the surrounding National Capital Region. Chhattisgarh Model: An innovative experiment has been undertaken by the Chhattisgarh government by setting up gauthans. A Gaughan is a dedicated five-acre plot, held in common by each village, where all the unused stubble is collected through parali daan (people’s donations) and is converted into organic fertilizer by mixing with cow dung and few natural enzymes. The scheme also generates employment among rural youth. The government supports the transportation of parali from the farm to the nearest gauthan. The state has successfully developed 2,000 gauthans. Causes of stubble burning: Late transplantation and consequently late harvesting of paddy in Punjab and Haryana (allegedly due to a conspiracy by the Monsanto company and the Laws enacted by Punjab for the preservation of groundwater), which results in burning of paddy crop residue (stubble) by the farmers in the end of October or November. A shorter period of sowing days prohibits transplantation before a notified date, which in turn limits the window available for harvesting paddy to between 15 and 20 days. High Silica Content Effect of stubble burning: Stubble burning results in the emission of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide along particulate matter. Soil Fertility Heat penetration The air in the Indo-Gangetic Plains region of north India has started to become heavy. Loss of nutrients Reduction in soil structure steps are being taken to solve the problem of stubble burning: Biomethanation of rice straw to solve stubble burning In an all India coordinated project, efforts are on to produce bio-gas for kitchen use and quality manure for fields using bio-methanation of rice straw by anaerobic digestion method. Six domestic level paddy straw-based biogas plants have been installed in Punjab for field trials and further study is in progress. R&D project has been supported on refinement and demonstration of integrated process technology for conversion of crop residues into ethanol and methane for use as transport fuels. A major focus on agriculture waste/stubble management (waste to wealth), an alternative to burning, has been taken up under waste management technologies program and proposals are being considered. A review of the main sources of air pollution measures taken and the progress made by the State Governments and various Ministries was carried out. It was noted that the incidence of stubble burning has reduced by more than 50% in the last two years and the number of Good AQI days has gone up. Way forward: The industries which are converting this agri-waste/crop residue into wealth in the form of cattle feed or fuel briquettes may also be suitably incentivized and subsidized. Agri waste collection center Subsidies Alternative cropping method Encourage and incentivize the farmers to go for early paddy, so as to give them enough time to harvest and thereafter prepare their fields for the next Rabi crop. Alternative cropping method. Read Also Kisan Rail Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW
Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA)
The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) This agreement would facilitate exchange of geospatial information between India and United States for both military and civilian use. BECA The agreement pertains to exchange of Geospatial-Intelligence information for use by the governments for defence and other purposes. It will allow India and the US to share military information including advanced satellite and topographic data such as maps, nautical and aeronautical charts and geodetic, geophysical, geomagnetic and gravity data. BECA is an important precursor to India acquiring armed unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Predator-B from the USA. Predator-B uses spatial data for accurate strikes on enemy targets. The pact includes a provision of sharing classified information with safeguards to prevent it from being shared with any third party. BECA is to help India and the US counter growing Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region. 2+2 Talks: The 2+2 dialogue is the highest-level(Ministerial) institutional mechanism between India and the USA that brings together the perspectives of the two countries on foreign policy, defence and strategic issues. Strengthening the Defense and Security Partnership Partners in the Indo-Pacific and Beyond Promoting Prosperity and People-to-People Ties India-US defence deal The previous three are The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) signed in 2002. An extension – the Industrial Security Annex (ISA) was signed in 2019. The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) signed in 2016. The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018. Significance and benefits for India from BECA The BECA will allow US armed forces to provide advanced navigational aids and avionics on US-supplied aircraft to India. Sharing geospatial intelligence with the US through BECA will boost the Indian military’s accuracy of automated hardware systems and weapons like cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones. It is a key step for India when it comes to acquiring armed drones such as MQ-9B from the US. Way Forward Strategic Hedging. Indo-China conflict. The increase in India’s maritime interactions with the Quad countries centred around information sharing for improved MDA in the Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific will strengthen India’s position internationally. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW
Kisan Suryodaya Yojana
Kisan Suryodaya Yojana Prime minister Modi launched the ‘Kisan suryodaya yojana’ in his home state Gujarat,Aimed at providing day-time electricity to farmers in the State for irrigation and farming purposes. PM Modi said ,”Farmers should save water and adopt the Mantra’Per drop,more crop’.” In order to implement the scheme,the state government of Gujarat has allocated budget of Rs 3500 crores.These funds will install transmission infrastructure by 2023. Around 234 transmission lines are to be installed under this scheme. Each line is to carry power of 66kw.They are to be erected to a total length of 3,490km,also additional 220kv substations are to be installed. Read Saubhagya Scheme Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW
Arogya Setu App
Arogya Setu App India launched Aarogya Setu mobile App for helping augment the efforts of limiting the spread of COVID19. Objective of enabling Bluetooth based contact tracing, mapping of likely hotspots and dissemination of relevant information about COVID19. Those who are identified as Bluetooth contacts of COVID19 positive cases or are classified as needing assistance based on their self-assessment, are contacted by National Health Authority. Analytics of Bluetooth contacts and location data has also helped identify potential hotspots with higher probability of COVID cases allowing State Governments and District Administration and Health authorities to take necessary steps for containment of the pandemic, early, which is critical for controlling the spread of the pandemic. The App is available in 12 languages and on Android, iOS and KaiOS platforms. Aarogya Setu uses contact tracing to record details of all the people you may have come in contact with, as you go about your normal activities. If any one of them, at a later point in time, tests positive for COVID-19, you are immediately informed and proactive medical intervention is arranged for you. For registration of Aarogyasetu, the individual needs an Indian mobile number operated in India. Citizens across the country are using Aarogya Setu to protect themselves, their loved ones and the nation. The process of supporting the open source development will be managed by National Informatics Centre (NIC). Developing and maintaining the source code is a huge responsibility, both for Team Aarogya Setu and the developer community. Aarogya Setu’s source code has been licensed under Apache License. Government has also launched a Bug Bounty Programme with a goal to partner with security researchers and Indian developer community to test the security effectiveness of Aarogya Setu and also to improve or enhance its security and build user’s trust. Read Vande Bharat Mission Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW
Vivad se Vishwas scheme
Vivad se Vishwas scheme Vivad se Vishwas scheme is a direct tax scheme announced in Budget 2020, for settling tax disputes between individuals and the income tax department. The objective to reduce pending income tax litigation, generate timely revenue for the Government and to benefit taxpayers by providing them peace of mind, certainty and savings on account of time and resources that would otherwise be spent on the long-drawn and vexatious litigation process. Earlier, the scheme offered complete waiver on interest and penalty to the taxpayers with a full and final settlement of the dispute if the scheme was availed by March 31, 2020. An individual opting for settlement after March 31, 2020 was required to pay additional 10 per cent penalty on the disputed tax amount. As per the scheme income tax disputes settled under it cannot be reopened in any other proceeding by the income tax department or any other designated authority. At present, there are as many as 4,83,000 direct tax cases pending in various appellate forums i.e. Commissioner (Appeals), ITAT, High Court and Supreme Court. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVxraAO5FXs Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW
Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)
Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) Government introduces Bill to amend the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 through Finance Act, 2018. The Amendments aim at further enhancing the effectiveness of the Act, widen its scope and take care of certain procedural difficulties faced by the Enforcement Directorate in prosecution of PMLA cases. Measures to enhance effectiveness of PMLA: Amendment in definition of “proceeds of crime”: The definition of “proceeds of crime” in PMLA was amended in 2015 to include “property equivalent held within the country” in case proceeds of crime is taken out or held “outside the country”. Amendment in bail provisions: The applicability of bail conditions uniform to all the offences under PMLA, instead of only those offences under the schedule which are liable to imprisonment of more than 3 years Corporate frauds included as Scheduled offence: To strengthen the PMLA with respect to Corporate frauds. Measures to enhance effectiveness of investigations: The section is proposed to be amended to include the period of stay in this time limit of 180 days and also further period of not more than 30 days to take care of delays if any in communication of judicial orders. Measures for restoration of property of persons adversely affected by PMLA investigation:Distribution of confiscated property to the rightful claimants, only after the trial is complete. Money laundering Money laundering is the illegal process of making “dirty” money appear legitimate instead of ill-gotten. Criminals use a wide variety of money laundering techniques to make illegally obtained funds appear clean. Online banking and cryptocurrencies have made it easier for criminals to transfer and withdraw money without detection. The prevention of money laundering has become an international effort and now includes terrorist funding among its targets. process of laundering money Placement puts the “dirty money” into the legitimate financial system. Layering conceals the source of the money through a series of transactions and bookkeeping tricks. In the final step, integration, the now-laundered money is withdrawn from the legitimate account to be used for whatever purposes the criminals have in mind for it. Money Laundering Variants: Smurfing (also known as “structuring”) . Investing in commodities such as gems and gold. Electronic money laundering cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoins (Blackmail scheme). Preventing money laundering: Anti-money-laundering laws (AML)-to catch up cyber crime. The Group of Seven (G-7) formed an international committee called the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in an attempt to fight money laundering on an international scale. ED (Enforcement Directorate): It is responsible for enforcement of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) and certain provisions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Functions: To collect, develop and disseminate intelligence relating to violations of FEMA, 1999, the intelligence inputs are received from various sources such as Central and State Intelligence agencies, complaints etc. To investigate suspected violations of the provisions of the FEMA, 1999 relating to activities such as “hawala” foreign exchange racketeering, non-realization of export proceeds, non-repatriation of foreign exchange and other forms of violations under FEMA, 1999. To adjudicate cases of violations of the erstwhile FERA, 1973 and FEMA, 1999. To realize penalties imposed on conclusion of adjudication proceedings. To handle adjudication, appeals and prosecution cases under the erstwhile FERA, 1973 To process and recommend cases for preventive detention under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) To undertake survey, search, seizure, arrest, prosecution action etc. against offender of PMLA offence. To provide and seek mutual legal assistance to/from contracting states in respect of attachment/confiscation of proceeds of crime as well as in respect of transfer of accused persons under PMLA. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW
National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL)
National Securities Depository Limited(NSDL) NSDL, one of the largest Depositories in the World. India had a vibrant capital market which is more than a century old, the paper-based settlement of trades caused substantial problems like bad delivery and delayed transfer of title, etc. The Reserve Bank has issued a license to the bank under Section 22 (1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, to carry on the business of payments bank in India. NSDL Payments Bank Limited has commenced operations as a payments bank. Benefits of NSDL NSDL works to support the investors and brokers in the capital market of the country. It aims at ensuring the safety and soundness of Indian marketplaces by developing settlement solutions that increase efficiency, minimize risk and reduce costs. NSDL, we play a central role in developing products and services that will continue to nurture the growing needs of the financial services industry. In the depository system, securities are held in depository accounts, which is more or less similar to holding funds in bank accounts. Transfer of ownership of securities is done through simple account transfers. This method does away with all the risks and hassles normally associated with paperwork. Consequently, the cost of transacting in a depository environment is considerably lower as compared to transacting in certificates. NSDL provides bouquet of services to end investors, stock brokers, stock exchanges, custodians, issuer companies etc. Nachiket Mor Committee The Committee on Comprehensive Financial Services for Small Businesses and Low Income Households. The objective of the committee was to propose measures for achieving financial inclusion and increased access to financial services. One of the key suggestions of the committee was to introduce specialized banks or ‘payments bank’ to cater to the lower income groups and small businesses. Major recommendations of the Committee are Wide-spread payment network and universal access to savings. Sufficient access to affordable formal credit. Priority Sector Lending. Customer protection issues. Payment Banks The main objective of payments bank is to widen the spread of payment and financial services to small business, low-income households, and migrant labour workforce in secured technology-driven environment. They are banks offering most regular banking facilities such as remittance services, cash withdrawal/deposit, net banking, third-party fund transfers and mobile payments/transfers/purchases. Payments banks cannot offer any financial products, say credit cards, of their own. They have to tie-up with other financial services providers to offer third-party products like loans and insurance to their customers. Way forward NSDL has been able to win the trust of crores of investors and other intermediaries, thus standing true to its tag line −Technology, Trust and Reach. We at NSDL believe that ‘Every Indian should not only become an ‘Investor’ but a ‘Prudent Investor’ indeed. Vidhyalakshmi Portal for Education Loan(NSDLe-Governance). Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. JOIN NOW
Mission Karmayogi
Mission Karmayogi Mission Karmayogi – the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB). Mission Karmayogi aims to prepare the Indian Civil Servant for the future by making him more creative, constructive, imaginative, innovative, proactive, professional, progressive, energetic, enabling, transparent, and technology-enabled. Features: The mission ‘Karmayogi’, government officials, and employees will get a chance to improve their performance. A council headed by the Prime Minister was approved for civil service capacity building schemes under Mission Karmayogi. The Chief Minister will be a member of this council. This will help in ending the individualized assessment of the employees and ensure their scientific and objective evaluation in a timely manner. To emphasize on ‘on-site learning’ to complement the ‘off-site’ learning, To create an ecosystem of shared training infrastructure including that of learning materials, institutions, and personnel, Principles of the program: Strengthen common foundations and remove department silos. Demonstrate learning to cover all categories. Setting an annual capacity building plan for all departments and services Will ensure efficient service deliveryPromote technology-inspired learning pedagogy Monitoring the implementation of the capacity building plan. Setting benchmarks in learning for public servants iGOT Karmayogi Platform: It brings the scale and state-of-the-art infrastructure to augment the capacities of over two crore officials in India. The platform is expected to evolve into a vibrant and world-class market place for content were carefully curated and vetted digital e-learning material will be made available. Besides capacity building, service matters like confirmation after probation period, deployment, work assignment and notification of vacancies etc. would eventually be integrated with the proposed competency framework. Objectives: It is proposed to set up a Capacity Building Commission, with a view to ensuring a uniform approach in managing and regulating the capacity building ecosystem on collaborative and co-sharing basis. Functions: To assist the PM Public Human Resources Council in approving the Annual Capacity Building Plans. To exercise functional supervision over all Central Training Institutions dealing with civil services capacity building. To create shared learning resources, including internal and external faculty and resource centers. To coordinate and supervise the implementation of the Capacity Building Plans with the stakeholder Departments. To make recommendations on standardization of training and capacity building, pedagogy and methodology To set norms for common mid-career training programs across all civil services. To suggest policy interventions required in the areas of HR Management and Capacity Building to the Government. Challenges: There is a tendency in the Bureaucracy to resist the change which challenges their status quo. online courses must not become another opportunity for the officers to go for the sabbatical leaves. This Mission is an effort to develop karmayogi government employees to serve the country as an ideal karmayogi so that they can be creative and creative and technically empowered. Read Full GS Notes Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW
Green Delhi App
Green Delhi App Due to deterioration of air quality in the National Capital Region with the onset of winter, the government has released a seven-point action plan to fight air pollution. The mobile application is part of the government’s action plan. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced an action plan to fight air pollution. The government’s “Yudh Pradushan Ke Virudh” campaign, along with dust-control strategies, a tree transplantation policy and schemes to encourage electric vehicles, included the launch of the Green Delhi app. Citizens can take photos, videos and audio of local causes of pollution such as garbage burning, industrial pollution,stubble burning and construction dust among others and upload on the app. Constant monitoring will be done at the Delhi government’s Green War Room. Read Also Air Pollution & Concerted Efforts Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Ground Water Extraction Norms
Ground Water Extraction Norms India is the largest user of ground water in the world, extracting ground water to the tune of 253 bcm per year, which is about 25% of the global ground water extraction. Groundwater utilisation in India: Out of the total of 6584 assessment units, 1034 have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’ 253 as ‘Critical’, 681 as ‘Semi-Critical’ and 4520 as ‘Safe’ The remaining 96 assessment units have been classified as ‘Saline’ due to non-availability of fresh ground water due to salinity problem. Ground water extraction in India is primarily for irrigation in agricultural activities, accounting for nearly 228 BCM (Billion Cubic Meter), which amounts to 90% of the annual ground water extraction. The remaining 10% of extraction (25 BCM) is for drinking & domestic as well as industrial uses. Industrial use is estimated to account for only about 5% of the annual ground water extraction in the country. Regulation of Groundwater in India: Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, has the mandate of regulating ground water development and management in the country. In 23 States/ Union Territories ground water development is being regulated by Central Ground Water Authority. The remaining States/ Union Territories are regulating ground water development through ground water legislation enacted by them or through Government Orders. CGWA has been regulating ground water development for its sustainable management in the country through measures such as issue of advisories, public notices, grant of No Objection Certificates (NOC) for ground water withdrawal. Central Ground Water Authority has framed guidelines for grant of NOC for withdrawal of groundwater, which have been revised from time to time. Salient features of the revised guidelines: Prohibition of industries: The new guidelines prohibit new industry and mining projects in over-exploited zones and makes it mandatory for existing industries, commercial units and big housing societies to take ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC). Exemption: The domestic consumers, rural drinking water schemes, armed forces, farmers and micro & small enterprises (that withdraw upto 10 m3 water per day) are exempted from the requirement of a no objection certificate from the CGWB. The guidelines have also encouraged the use of recycled and treated sewage water by industries, mentioned a provision of action against polluting industries and mandated the requirement of digital flow meters, piezometers and digital water level recorders Compensation: The guidelines notified by the CGWB under the Jal Shakti Ministry prescribes a minimum environmental compensation of ₹1 lakh on industrial, mining and infrastructure users for extracting groundwater without a no objection certificate (NOC). This can rise, depending on the quantum of water extracted and the duration of the breach. Abstraction charges: All residential apartments/ group housing societies/ Government water supply agencies in urban areas would be required to pay ground water abstraction charges. All industries/mining/ infrastructure projects drawing groundwater in safe, semi-critical and critical assessment units will have to pay groundwater abstraction charges based on the quantum of groundwater extraction and category of assessment unit. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): Sustainable Development and Management of Ground Water Resources of the Country. To Develop and disseminate technologies, and monitor and implement national policies for the Scientific and Sustainable development and management of India’s Ground Water Resources. including their exploration, assessment, conservation, augmentation, protection from pollution and distribution, based on principles of economic and ecological efficiency and equity. Government initiatives: The atal bhujal yojana Mission kakatiya, Telangana National acquifer mapping Jal Dal-Children’s Institutions for Water Management, Rajasthan Bulk Metering System, Bangalore, Karnataka Bamboo drip irrigation, Meghalaya. Project Bhujal, Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh. Issues involved: Water use efficiency is very low. Free electricity supply. Ground water extraction. Water is a state subject Impact of industry. Way Forward: Ground water management plan Micro irrigation Artificial recharge of groundwater Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
