{"id":16874,"date":"2023-07-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-25T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/uncategorized\/25-07-2023\/daily-current-affairs-25-07-2023\/"},"modified":"2023-07-25T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T00:00:00","slug":"daily-current-affairs-25-07-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/25-07-2023\/daily-current-affairs-25-07-2023","title":{"rendered":"Daily Current Affairs &#8211; 25-07-2023"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<html><body><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:20pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Bill to Amend Registration of Birth and Death Act\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Parliament, Bills, Government policies &#038; interventions<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">A Bill to amend the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Registration of Birth and Death Act 1969 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">to be introduced in the ongoing session of Parliament by the Union Home Ministry.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1969<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> is a simple law that was brought for registration of births and deaths in the country.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Background<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Recently, the Union government allowed the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Registrar General of India (RGI)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> to perform <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Aadhaar authentication during registration of births and deaths in the country.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Presently, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Aadhaar is not mandatory for such registration<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">. The proposed amendment to the 1969 Act will <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>give it legal teeth.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>About the Bill<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Bill will amend the Registration of Birth and Death Act, 1969, and will also enable the sharing of data on births and deaths with the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> Registrar-General of India (RGI)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, which is responsible for maintaining the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> National Population Register (NPR).<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Bill also requires States to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>compulsorily share data on registered births and deaths with the RGI<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, which functions under the Union Home Ministry. The <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>RGI will maintain its own register of births and deaths<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, presently States are required to only send annual statistical reports to the RGI.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Bill puts in place a mechanism to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>continuously collect information from individuals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">As per the requirements of the amendment, States will have to sign a memorandum of understanding with the RGI to share the Application Programming Interface (API) from where the data can be pulled out.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Significance &#038; NPR database\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">If the amendments are implemented, the Union government could use the data to update the NPR that was first prepared in 2010 and revised through <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>door-to-door enumeration in 2015<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">. NPR already has a database of 119 crore residents.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The real-time updation of the data on births and deaths will eliminate the requirement of such enumeration to a large extent.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The database will also be used to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>update the electoral register, Aadhaar, ration card, passport and driving licence databases.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Concerns Regarding the Bill<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The proposed amendments to this 50-year-old law will turn a simple state exercise into a population controlling mechanism that can be <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>used against every citizen.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Every individual has the right to documentation, a birth certificate or other forms of identification which they need to lead a dignified life. History shows us this simple yet transformative exercise can be weaponized and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>used to identify populations that are different and non-conformative.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It pushed the surveillance capacity of the state at population scale. The weaponization of this information without clearly bringing in any surveillance reform is a big concern.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">At present the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>lack of a privacy law or surveillance law<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> has ignored any form of accountability on the executive.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Even with the Aadhaar project it has only shown that large databases are full of noise with fraudulent data entries.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Way Ahead<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Finding solutions to concerns regarding bill and data protection would help address challenges in implementation in a significant way and make for a more future-proof legislation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"margin-left:12px\">\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"border-collapse:collapse; border:none; width:612px\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:612px\">\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Brief History of UIDAI:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The UIDAI was initially a division of the Planning Commission, which is today known as the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>NITI Aayog<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">. But in 2015, the government changed the &#8220;Allocation of Business Rules&#8221; to include <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>UIDAI under the control of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">In 2010, a person residing in Nandurbar, Maharashtra, received the first UID number, also known as an Aadhaar.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The government of India officially acknowledged UIDAI on July 12, 2016, in accordance with the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Aadhaar Act 2016.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">With its main office in New Delhi, UIDAI also operates eight or so regional offices across India.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Objectives of UIDAI:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The main objective of UIDAI is to issue a 12-digit unique identification number (UID) to each individual in order to:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Do away with duplication of identities<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Verify and authenticate identity in a cost-effective manner<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The body is now responsible for the enrolment, authentication and management of all stages in the development of the <\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankbazaar.com\/aadhar-card.html\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Aadhaar Card<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> life cycle.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>About Aadhar<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">Its a 1<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><strong>2-digit unique identity for every Indian individual, including children and infants\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">Enables id<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><strong>entification for every resident Indian\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">Establishes uniqueness of every individual on the basis of demographic and biometric information\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">It is a voluntary service that every resident can avail irrespective of present documentation\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">Each individual will be given a single unique Aadhaar ID number<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">Aadhaar will provide a universal identity infrastructure which can be used by any identity-based application (like ration card, passport, etc.)\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">UIDAI will give Yes\/No answers to any identity authentication queries\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/bill-to-amend-registration-of-birth-and-death-act-likely-to-make-aadhaar-compulsory\/article67116359.ece\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><strong><u>TH<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:20pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus:GS2\/Polity<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Monsoon Session of Parliament proceedings saw the Lok Sabha being adjourned over the issue of Manipur.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Parliament holds three Sessions in a year<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Budget Session\u2014February-May;\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Monsoon Session\u2014July-September; and<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Winter Session\u2014November-December.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Rules for the Conduct of Business of Parliament<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Under <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Rule 377<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, Members are allowed to raise matters which are not Points of Order or which have not been raised during the same session under any other Rule.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">In the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Rajya Sabha,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> Members are allowed to make a mention of matters of public importance under <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Rule 180A-E<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">There are four main procedures under which there could be a discussion in the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Lok Sabha <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">\u2014<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> a debate without voting under Rule 193<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, a motion (with a vote) <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>under Rule 184, <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>an adjournment motion or a no-confidence motion.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">\u201d Except the last one, similar measures also exist in the Rajya Sabha.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Procedures\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>\u2018Zero Hour\u2019: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The period of time immediately after the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Question Hour<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> is over and before the regular business as entered in the List of Business is taken up, is referred to as the \u2018Zero Hour\u2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Government is, however, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>under no obligation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> to respond to the matters raised during the \u2018Zero Hour\u2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Short Duration Discussion:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> Members could raise discussion for a short duration <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>without a formal motion or vote.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Any member desirous of raising a discussion on a matter of urgent public importance may <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>give notice in writing specifying clearly and precisely<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> the matter desired to be raised.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The notice shall be required to be accompanied by an explanatory note stating <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>reasons for raising the discussion and supported by the signatures of at least two other members.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The discussion concludes with a reply from the Minister concerned.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Adjournment Motion: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">This motion is introduced to draw attention of the house towards a recent matter of urgent public importance.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">If admitted, it leads to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>setting aside the normal business of the House<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> for discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">While giving his consent to an Adjournment Motion, the Speaker is guided by the principles that the matter sought to be raised should be of <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>recent occurrence, definite, urgent and of sufficient public importance<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> to warrant interruption of the normal business of the House.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Individual matters or matters pertaining to local grievances <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">cannot be raised further, matters that are sub judice or do not involve direct or indirect responsibility of the Union Government cannot be raised under this device. It is also not permissible to raise a question of privilege by way of an Adjournment Motion.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>No-Confidence Motion: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Collective responsibility is the essence of parliamentary democracy. The Council of Ministers must enjoy the confidence of the House at all times to remain in power.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>The Opposition Parties in Lok Sabha <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">can move a No-confidence Motion in the Council of Ministers to express the lack of confidence of the House and such a motion, if adopted,<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> results in the fall of the Government.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Motion of Confidence: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Motion of Confidence has come up as a<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> new procedural device<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> to cope with the emerging situations of fractured mandates resulting in hung Parliaments, minority Government, etc. in the last two decades or so.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Governments formed with thin majority have been, in recent times, called upon by the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> President to prove their majority on the floor of the House.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Government of the day, sometimes, on its own, seeks to prove its majority by moving a Motion of Confidence and winning the confidence of the House. If the Confidence Motion is negative, it results in the fall of the Government.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/everyday-explainers\/adjournment-motion-manipur-congress-mp-8854464\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><strong><u>IE<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:20pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Israel&#8217;s Judicial Bill<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus:GS2\/IR<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Israel\u2019s government has<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> passed a key clause<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> in its controversial judicial reform package.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>About the Judicial Reform<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It aims to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>limit the powers of the Supreme Court<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> in striking down government decisions which the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> judges deem &#8220;unreasonable&#8221;.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Under the new law, the Supreme Court <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>cannot overrule the national government <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">using the legal standard of <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>\u201creasonableness\u201d <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">\u2014 a concept that judges previously used to strike down decisions made by lawmakers and ministers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Besides the &#8220;reasonableness&#8221; law, the government wants to:<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Weaken the power of the Supreme Court to review or throw out laws, enabling a<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> simple majority <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">of one in the Knesset (parliament) to overrule such decisions,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Have a decisive say over <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>who becomes a judge, <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">including in the Supreme Court, by increasing its representation on the committee which appoints them,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Scrap the requirement for ministers to obey the advice of their legal advisers &#8211; guided by the attorney general &#8211; which they currently have to do by law.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Political Structure in Israel<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">\u00e2&#8364;&#8249;Israel is a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>parliamentary democracy<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, consisting of <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>legislative, executive and judicial branches.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> Its institutions are the Presidency, the Knesset (parliament), the Government (cabinet), the Judiciary and the State Comptroller.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The system is based on the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>principle of separation of powers,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> with checks and balances, in which the executive branch (the government) is subject to the confidence of the legislative branch (the Knesset) and the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> independence of the judiciary is guaranteed by law.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Israel has<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> no formal constitution.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> However, most chapters of the prospective constitution have already been written, and enacted as <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Basic Laws.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Presidential duties, which are mostly ceremonial and formal, are defined by law. The president is elected for <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>one term of seven years.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Knesset: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Knesset (Israel&#8217;s unicameral parliament) is the country&#8217;s legislative body. The Knesset took its name and fixed its membership at 120 from the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Knesset Hagedolah (Great Assembly),<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> the 120 Knesset members are elected <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>directly by the public to four-year terms.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> They represent all of the State of Israel&#8217;s citizens.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Judiciary: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Judges are <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>appointed by the president,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> upon recommendation of a special nominations committee, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>composed of supreme court judges, members of the bar and public figures.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> Judges&#8217; appointments are for life, with a mandatory retirement age at 70.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Reasons for the Protest<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Critics argue that the government wants to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>rein in the Israeli judiciary, <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">known for its fierce independence, through a series of laws.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The judicial revamp will undermine <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Israel\u2019s liberal democracy<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> by removing checks and balances on the executive, while the government argues it needs to curb judicial overreach.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">This could open the way to a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>more authoritarian government<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> by removing checks and balances on the Israeli executive.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Opposition see it as a move that would help the ultra-right government enact <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>orthodox and illiberal policies<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> without any intervention of the judiciary.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/45005\/OPS\/G05BHCEJI.1+GMLBHCJCP.1.html\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><strong><u>TH<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:20pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Rajasthan\u2019s Bill for Gig Workers<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Government policies and interventions, GS3\/Inclusive Growth and related issues<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>In Context<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Recently the Rajasthan government passed the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Bill Highlights<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Registration of a gig worker: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Bill states any person has the right to be registered the minute they join an app-based platform, regardless of the duration of work or how many providers they work for.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Bill applies to<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:square\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>\u201cAggregators\u201d <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">(digital intermediaries connecting buyers and sellers) and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:square\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>\u201cPrimary employers\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> (individual or organisations engaging platform-based workers).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Welfare Board: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Bill proposes a Welfare Board comprising State officials, five representatives each from gig workers and aggregators, and two others from civil society.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Board will set up a welfare fund, register platform-based gig workers, aggregators and primary employers, facilitate guarantee of social security to platform-based gig workers and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Board will maintain a database of companies and workers and each worker will receive a unique ID which \u201cshall be valid in perpetuity.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Social Security and Welfare Fund: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">According to the Bill,<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> the Board will create a \u201cSocial Security and Welfare Fund\u201d.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The fund will comprise of contributions made by individual workers, State government aids, other sources and a \u2018welfare cess\u2019 \u2014 a cut from each transaction \u2014 which the aggregator is required to pay.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Grievance redressal: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Gig workers \u201chave an opportunity to be heard for any grievances\u201d with \u201centitlements, payments and benefits provided under the Act.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">As per the bill, a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>worker can file a petition physically<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> before an officer or online through the web portal.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> employer can object to the order within 90 days<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> before an \u2018Appellate Authority\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Objections &#038; suggestions for the bill<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Unions objected to contributing to the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>\u201cSocial Security and Welfare Fund\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, arguing that<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> it should be sourced only from aggregator companies and State funds<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, owing to the fluctuating and inadequate nature of pay.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Unions have recommended that <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>benefits available to gig workers be enumerated clearly<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> in the Bill, expanding on the clause \u201cother benefits.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Another responsibility of the Welfare Board, unions say, should be <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>to assist workers in negotiating contracts<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> by developing standard formats and principles for aggregators.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Gig Economy<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>About: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The gig economy is about individual workers carrying out tasks for clients through the intermediation of a platform attributing those tasks and taking care of the transfer of payment on a<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> task-by-task basis<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Gig workers: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">NITI Aayog defines &#8216;gig workers&#8217; as those engaged in work outside of the traditional employer-employee arrangement.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">NITI Aayog\u2019s report titled \u2018India\u2019s Booming Gig and Platform Economy\u2019 defines a gig worker as<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:square\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>\u201csomeone who engages in income-earning activities outside of a traditional employer-employee relationship, as well as in the informal sector\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:square\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Additionally, it defines those working with platforms such as <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Ola, Uber, Dunzo, Swiggy, Zomato <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Urban Company<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> as <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>platform workers<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Significance: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The gig economy is based on<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> temporary, or freelance jobs<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, often involving <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>connecting with clients or customers through an online platform<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The gig economy can benefit workers, businesses, and consumers by making work more adaptable to the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> needs of the moment<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> and the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>demand for flexible lifestyles<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:square\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Time flexibility:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> Workers operating in the gig economy are allowed to work any of the hours they desire.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:square\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Income flexibility:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> It is an increasingly attractive market due to the sheer flexibility that allows individuals to<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> earn extra income<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Size of the sector: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">As per the report, 47 percent of gig work currently is in <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>medium-skilled jobs<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, 22 percent in<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> high-skilled<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, and about 31 percent in <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>low-skilled jobs<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Drivers and sales persons<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> accounted for more than 52 percent of the gig workers in 2019-20.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">When workers are classified by industries, the report said that 26.6 lakh gig workers were involved in<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> retail trade<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>sales <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">in FY20, and about 13 lakh were in the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>transportation sector<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Roughly 6.2 lakh persons were in<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> manufacturing<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> and another 6.3 lakh in the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>finance and insurance activities.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Challenges faced by the Gig workers<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Urban factor: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Accessibility makes gig work a largely urban phenomenon, as access to the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>internet and digital technology<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> can be a restrictive factor.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Partners &#038; not employees: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Under existing labour laws, gig workers who are named \u2018partners\u2019 by platforms are not \u2018employees\u2019 because theirs is not a \u201cfixed term of employment\u201d \u2014 marked by providing exclusive service to one provider for a specified duration.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Gig workers often are<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> not employees<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> and hence do not receive income security and social protection.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Safety issues: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Along with it comes occupational <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>safety and health risks<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> including road safety, theft and physical assault, discrimination or harassment.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">This is amplified for <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>women in app-based taxi work and delivery<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Work pressure: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Another challenge listed is that workers may be under pressure due to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>algorithmic management practices <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>performance evaluation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> on the basis of <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>ratings<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Regulatory framework: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">India lacks a framework that balances the flexibility offered by platforms while also ensuring the social security of workers.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Currently, they work in a regulatory gray area.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> Code on Social Security does not consider<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> how to handle the labour rights of <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>gig and platform workers<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">; rather, it only seeks to give them protections from vulnerable aspects of their work.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Suggestions &#038; way ahead<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Extending social security measures:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> Social security measures are required for <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>gig workers and their families<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> liks <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>paid sick leave, health access and insurance year-round, occupational disease and work accident insurance, retirement\/pension plans and other contingency benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Skilling: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It is recommended that skill gaps be bridged by<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> carrying out assessments periodically<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> and partnering with platform businesses for onboarding skilled women and persons with disabilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It is also suggested to make aggregate data public to enable decision-making.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Women in the gig economy: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Companies should carry out gender sensitization and accessibility awareness programmes for workers and their families, particularly<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> to promote the rights of women and persons with disabilities<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:20pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA)<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus :GS 2\/Government Policies and Interventions\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture noted that the National Mission on Monuments and <\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/current-affairs\/17-03-2023\/missing-antiquities-in-india\" style=\"text-decoration:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><u>Antiquities <\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">(NMMA) has only been able to document 16.8 lakh antiquities out of a total of 58 lakh which is just about 30 percent.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>About National Mission on Monuments and <\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/current-affairs\/17-03-2023\/missing-antiquities-in-india\" style=\"text-decoration:none\"><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><strong><u>Antiquities <\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>(NMMA)<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It was launched in 2007 to document the country\u2019s monuments and antiquities.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It was initially set up for a period of 5 years from 2007 to 2012.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It was extended for a further 5 years till 2017 and later merged with <\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/current-affairs\/03-08-2022\/archaeological-survey-of-india-asi\" style=\"text-decoration:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><strong><u>Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Objectives of NMMA<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Documentation and <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>creation of suitable databases <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">on <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>built heritage and sites <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">through published and unpublished secondary sources for information and dissemination to planners, researchers, etc. and for better management of such cultural resources.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Documentation in a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>uniform developed by NMMA<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, of all Antiquities that are available in different formats in the form of Registered Antiquities, Catalogued Antiquities with Central as well as State Governments, Private museums and Collections, Universities, etc.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Promote awareness and sensitize people <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">concerning the benefits of preserving the historical and cultural aspects of built heritage, sites and antiquities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Extend training facility <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">and capacity building to the concerned State Departments, Local bodies, NGOs, Universities, Museums, Local communities etc.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Help in developing synergy<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> between institutions Archaeological Survey of India, State Departments, concerned Institutions and NGOs to generate close interaction. Publication and Research.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Concerns\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">A Parliamentary Standing Committee has expressed dismay at the slow pace of documentation of antiquities noting that this was critical in proving ownership and reclaiming stolen heritage items.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Way Ahead\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">A big chunk of movable heritage is unprotected and scattered all over the country without any vigilance and protection.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Therefore, the documentation of all such antiquities in the form of digitized records along with maintenance and periodic auditing of inventory is the first step to ensure the safeguarding of India\u2019s tangible cultural heritage.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"border-collapse:collapse; border:none; table-layout:fixed; width:624px\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color:#d9ead3; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Do you know ?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Indian heritage items and cultural repositories which are scattered all over the country come under the purview of various agencies.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Some are protected by ASI, some are under the state government and some are under trusts, local authorities and private ownership.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Recently ,the United States handed over 105 trafficked antiquities to India.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">India and the US are to work on a Cultural Property Agreement too. That would help prevent trafficking of cultural artefacts in future, a<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/documentation-of-antiquities-moving-too-slowly-panel\/article67116325.ece\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><strong><u>TH<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:20pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>13th Amendment<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ International Relation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Even after repeated requests from India to meet Tamil aspirations by implementing the 13th Amendment, Sri Lanka\u2019s ruling party rejected the prospect, contending that the President of Sri Lanka had no mandate for it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>About 13th Amendment<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It is an outcome of the Indo-Lanka Accord of July 1987, signed by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President J.R. Jayawardene, in an attempt to resolve Sri Lanka\u2019s ethnic conflict.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It provided for setting up provincial governments across the country and made Tamil, too, an official language, and English, a link language.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It also sought to address the Tamils\u2019 right to self-determination. Under this, the Sri Lankan government had committed to a power-sharing arrangement to enable all nine provinces in the country, including Sinhala majority areas, the right to self-govern.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Why is it contentious?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Baggage from civil war years:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It was opposed vociferously by both Sinhala nationalist parties and the LTTE. The former thought it was too much power to share, while the Tigers deemed it too little.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">A large section of the Sinhala polity saw the Accord and the consequent legislation as an imprint of Indian intervention, an imposition by a neighbour wielding hegemonic influence.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Tamil polity, especially its dominant nationalist strain, does not find the 13th Amendment sufficient in its ambit or substance.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">However, some including the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) \u2014 which chiefly represented the Tamils of the north and east in Parliament in the post-war era until its setback in the recent polls \u2014 see it as an important starting point, something to build upon.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>India\u2019s Stance\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">India has always supported both political and economic stability in the island nation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">India called upon Sri Lanka to take the necessary steps to address the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil community, including the implementation of the 13th Amendment to ensure that the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all its citizens are fully protected.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">India considers the full implementation of the 13th Amendment in Sri Lanka &#8220;critical&#8221; for achieving reconciliation with the minority Tamil community.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/45005\/OPS\/G05BHCEK3.1+G4QBHD9L7.1.html\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><strong><u>TH<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:20pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Facts In News<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:16pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Cantonments<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Indian Polity<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">In order to bring uniformity in municipal laws, civil areas of certain cantonments will be merged with neighbouring State municipalities, the Defence Ministry informed Parliament recently .<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>About Cantonment Board<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">In terms of <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Entry 3 of Union List (Schedule VII)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> of the Constitution of India, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Urban Self Governance of the Cantonments and the Housing Accommodation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> therein is the subject matter of the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Union of India.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">There are <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>61 Cantonments in the country<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> which have been notified under the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Cantonments Act, 1924<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> (succeeded by the Cantonments Act, 2006) and come under the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Ministry of Defence.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The overall municipal administration of the notified Cantonments is the function of the Cantonment Boards which are democratic bodies.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>The Station Commander of the Cantonment is the ex-officio President of the Board<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> and an officer of the IDES or Defence Estates Organisation is the Chief Executive Officer who is also the Member-Secretary of the Board.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Board has <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>equal representation of the elected and nominated\/ex-officio members<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> to balance the official representation with the democratic composition.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Cantonment areas are primarily meant to accommodate the military population and their installations.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Cantonments are different from the Military Stations. <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Military Stations are purely meant for the use and accommodation of the armed forces and these are established under an executive order whereas the Cantonments are areas which comprise both military and civil population.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">There are <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>four categories of Cantonments<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> which depend on the size of population: Category I (>50,000), Category II (10,000-50,000), Category III (2,500-10,000), and Category IV (<2,500).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>DGDE (Directorate General, Defence Estates)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> is an Inter Services Organisation of the Ministry of Defence which directly controls the Cantonment Administration.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Source: <\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1942023\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><u>PIB<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:16pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Inclusion of \u201cMahara\u201d and \u201cMahra\u201d Communities in the Schedule Caste List<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Indian Economy<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Union Social Justice Ministry recently introduced the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> to add two synonyms for the Mahar community(\u201cMahara\u201d and \u201cMahra\u201d) in Chhattisgarh to the State\u2019s Scheduled Castes list.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>The Criteria for inclusion:-<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Extreme social, educational and economic backwardness arising out of traditional practice of untouchability.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Procedure followed for inclusion\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Scheduled Castes(SCs) are specified under the provisions of <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Articles 341<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> of the Constitution of India.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">(1) <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>The President<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> may with respect to any State or Union territory, and where it is a State after consultation with the Governor thereof, <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>by public notification, specify the castes, races or tribes or parts of or groups within castes, races or tribes<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Castes in relation to that State or Union territory, as the case may be.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">(2) <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Castes<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> specified in a notification issued under clause (1) any caste, race or tribe or part of or group within any caste, race or tribe, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Further, the Government has <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>laid down Modalities<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> which envisage that only such proposals of the concerned State Governments\/ UTs, which have been agreed to by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), are processed in accordance with provisions of clause (2) of Articles 341.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>As any amendment in the list of Scheduled Castes can be made only by an Act of Parliament,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> in view of clause (2) of Article 341 of Constitution of India, no time frame can be assigned in the matter.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Source: <\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidistws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/45005\/OPS\/G05BHCEK1.1+G4QBHD9MV.1.html\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><u>TH<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:16pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Fluorochemical Production<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Scientists from the University of Oxford have come up with a new way to obtain <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>fluorine atoms <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">in a much safer and less energy-intensive way.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>About Fluorine\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Fluorine atoms\u00a0 used to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>manufacture important chemical <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">compounds used in industry and research.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Fluorine is a highly reactive element used to make <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>fluorochemicals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, which in turn are used to produce plastics, agrochemicals, lithium-ion batteries, and drugs.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Source and Process :<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Fluorine comes from a calcium salt called <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>calcium fluoride, o<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">r <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>fluorspar<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Fluorspar is mined and then treated with sulphuric acid at a high temperature to release <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>hydrogen fluoride (HF).\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:square\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">HF is then made to react with other compounds to create <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>fluorochemicals.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Major downside : <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">HF is an extremely<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> poisonous and corrosive<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> liquid that irritates the eyes and respiratory tract even at low concentrations.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It also requires special transportation and storage. Despite stringent safety regulations, HF spills have occurred numerous times in the last decades, sometimes with <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>fatal accidents and detrimental environmental effects.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Relevance of recent breakthroughs :\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">To avoid HF and to make the extraction process require less energy, the researchers took inspiration from how the human body makes bones and teeth: through calcium phosphate bio-mineralisation.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">They ground <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>fluorspar <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">in a ball-mill with potassium phosphate.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">While fluorine is very reactive, calcium atoms prefer phosphorus even more, so the milling created calcium phosphate and another compound with fluorine atoms. They called the latter<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> Fluoromix.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">When Fluoromix was reacted with organic compounds, it could create around <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>50 fluorochemicals with up to 98% yield.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Aside from sidestepping the creation of HF, the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> new process also shortens the fluorochemicals supply chain.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Future steps of the research group : <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Include producing Fluoro mix at a larger scale and to figure out how its cost will scale.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Two members of the group also co-founded a start-up called Fluorok in 2022 to focus on \u201ccleaner, safer and less expensive access to fluorochemicals\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Source:<\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/reader\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><u>TH<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:16pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Interest Rate for PF Deposits<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus:GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The government has approved an <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>interest rate of 8.15 percent<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> on deposits under the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Employees Provident Fund (EPF) scheme for the financial year 2022-23.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>About\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">EPF is a<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> welfare scheme <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">brought into force to secure a better future for employees.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It is a statutory benefit available to the employees post retirement or when they leave the services.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">In case of deceased employees, their dependents will be entitled for the benefits.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Under the EPF Scheme <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>both employers and employees have to make their contributions towards the Fund.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Interest earned on the amount is credited to the member\u2019s Provident Fund Account (PF account) and is available to the employee at the time of retirement or exit from employment as the case may be, provided certain conditions are fulfilled.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Employees&#8217; Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It is a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>statutory body<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> came into existence with the promulgation of the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Employees&#8217; Provident Funds Ordinance in 1951.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It promotes employees to save funds for retirement. The organisation is governed by the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Act and Schemes framed there under are administered by a tripartite Board known as the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> Central Board of Trustees.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Board operates three schemes &#8211; <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>EPF Scheme 1952, Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS) and Insurance Scheme 1976 (EDLI).<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/45005\/OPS\/G05BHCEJI.1+G4QBHD9SG.1.html\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><strong><u>TH<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:16pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Meri Maati, Mera Desh campaign<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus:GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>In News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Union government has launched the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> Meri Maati, Mera Desh campaign.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:13pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>About<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It is envisaged as a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>culminating event of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Under the campaign, soil collected from different parts of the country will be used to <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>develop a garden along the Kartavya Path in Delhi.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Events have been planned at the panchayat, village, block, urban local body, and State and national levels, respectively.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The five-point agenda includes the installation of a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>shilaphalakam<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> (memorial plaque), bearing the names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">For this purpose, veers (bravehearts) include freedom fighters, defence personnel, CAPF personnel, and State Police .<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/45005\/OPS\/G05BHCEK0.1+G4QBHD9NH.1.html\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><strong><u>TH<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:16pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Zero FIR<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus:GS2\/Polity<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Recently, Zero FIR was in news due to sexual violence in Manipur.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>What is an FIR?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">First Information Report (FIR) is a written document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence. It is a report of information that reaches the police first at that point of time and that is why it is called the First Information Report.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">It is generally a complaint lodged with the police by the victim of a<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> cognizable offence<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> or by someone on his\/her behalf. Anyone can report the commission of a cognizable offence <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>either orally or in writing<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> to the police. Even a telephonic message can be treated as an FIR.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Section 154 of the\u00a0 Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, deals with the FIR. However the term is not defined in the act.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>What is Zero FIR?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">When a police station receives a complaint regarding an alleged offense that has been committed in the jurisdiction of another police station, it registers an FIR and then transfers it to the relevant police station for further investigation.This is called a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Zero FIR.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">No regular FIR number is given and after receiving the Zero FIR, the relevant police station registers a fresh FIR and starts the investigation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Purpose:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The provision is meant to provide speedy redressal to the victim so that timely action can be taken after the filing of the FIR.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>When was the provision of Zero FIR established?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The provision of Zero FIR came up after the recommendation in the report of the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Justice Verma Committee,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> constituted after the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>2012 Nirbhaya case.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The committee was set up to suggest amendments to the Criminal Law in a bid to provide for<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> faster trial<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> and enhanced punishment for criminals accused of committing sexual assault against women.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Source:<\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/everyday-explainers\/what-is-zero-fir-why-it-is-registered-8854310\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><u>IE<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:16pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Greenfield Airport<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus:GS3\/Economy and Infrastructure<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">The Prime Minister will inaugurate <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><strong>Gujarat\u2019s first Greenfield Airport<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"> at Hirasar near Rajkot.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><strong><u>What is a Greenfield project?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">Greenfield projects are those that are <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><strong>initiated from scratch<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"> on undeveloped ground. They do not include the renovation or demolition of an existing building.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">The classification takes into account specific environmental characteristics as well as planning, commissioning, and construction processes from scratch.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">Government of India has accorded &#8216;In-Principle&#8217; approval for setting up of <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><strong>21 new<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"> Greenfield Airports. Out of these, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><strong>11 Greenfield airports<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"> have been operationalised.(Till July 2023)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#313131\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/newsonair.gov.in\/News?title=PM-Modi-to-inaugurate-Gujarat%e2%80%99s-first-Greenfield-Airport-at-Hirasar-on-July-27&#038;id=464849\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><span style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><strong><u>AIR<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:16pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><u>Film Certification in India<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Syllabus:GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>News<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Union Information &#038; Broadcasting Minister has raised concerns to the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> over their nod to the Hollywood film Oppenheimer.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>What is the CBFC?<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">CBFC is a <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>statutory body<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> tasked with regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Cinematograph Act, 1952.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> Films can be shown in India only after they have been certified by the Board.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Parent Ministry:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&#038;B).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Headquarters<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">:Mumbai<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Governance:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Board consists of <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Board members and a Chairperson <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">(all of whom are appointed by the Central Government).The CEO, under the chairperson, is in charge of the administrative functioning.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Regional Offices<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">:CBFC has nine regional offices(ROs).In the examination of films, the ROs are assisted by <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Advisory Panels<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> that can have multiple members.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">These members of the Advisory panel are nominated by the Central Government for<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> two years.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">While the board members are usually film and TV professionals, members of the advisory panel are often from outside the industry.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Process of film certification\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">After receiving all of the film\u2019s materials, requisite fees and other matters required under the rules, the regional officer forms an <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Examining Committee<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> to view the film.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">After the film has been previewed, the CBFC has to ensure that each member gives a report in writing about his\/her\u00a0 recommendations about the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> modifications and the classification<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> recommended to the film.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Certification process is in accordance with<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> The Cinematograph Act, 1952, The Cinematograph (certification) Rules, 1983<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">, and the guidelines issued by the Central government under section <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>5 (B)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> of The Cinematograph Act, 1952.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:circle\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Section 5(B) <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">states that \u201ca film shall not be certified if any part of it is against the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite commission of any offence\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The report is then given to the Chairperson who will ask the regional officer to initiate further procedures.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong><u>Certificates that can be issued to Indian films<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Certification is decided by the Regional Officer based on reports by Examining Committee members in unanimity or majority. In case of a divided opinion, the case rests with the chairperson.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">These certifications include<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> unrestricted public exhibition (U),parental guidance for children below age 12 (U\/A), adult (A), or viewing by specialized groups (S)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">\u00a0If the applicant is unhappy with the certification or the list of changes, he or she can apply to the <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Revising Committee.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">The Committee cannot have any of the members who were on the earlier committee; and it also has to have a Board member (or more) on it, mandatorily.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type:disc\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">If there is still contention the last point of appeal is the<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"><strong> Film Certification Appellate Tribunal,<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\"> an independent body.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#000000\">Source:<\/span><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/cbfc-oppenheimer-gita-scene-how-are-films-certified-8857462\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size:12pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\"><u>IE<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bill to Amend Registration of Birth and Death Act\u00a0 Syllabus: GS2\/ Parliament, Bills, Government policies &#038; interventions In News A Bill to amend the Registration of Birth and Death Act 1969 to be introduced in the ongoing session of Parliament by the Union Home Ministry. The Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1969 is a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16524,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[28,29],"class_list":["post-16874","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs","tag-indian-express","tag-thehindu"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2023\/09\/1164148images.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16874","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16874"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16874\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16874"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16874"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16874"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}