TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (6th OCTOBER 2023)

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1. BAN ON THE CULTIVATION OF PUSA-44

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Punjab Chief Minister announced on October 4, 2023 that the state will ban the cultivation of the PUSA-44 paddy variety from next year onwards.

PUSA-44:

• PUSA-44 was developed in 1993 by the Delhi-based Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Punjab’s farmers started increasing the area under PUSA-44 by multiplying the seed, after getting a high yield from the crops.
• By the end of 2010, it had gained widespread popularity among farmers across the Punjab, covering approximately 70 to 80% of the area under paddy cultivation.
• However, the Agriculture Department and Punjab Agricultural University have never promoted it from the beginning and discouraged farmers due to declining groundwater levels.
• By 2018, the Punjab government reduced the area under PUSA-44 to 18 per cent of the total area under paddy, but it rebounded to 22 per cent last year.
• According to the Agriculture Department, in the previous year, 7.74 lakh hectares (19.12 lakh acres) of paddy were under Pusa-44, out of a total non-Basmati paddy area of 26.61 lakh hectares.

PUSA-44 YIELD AS COMPARED TO OTHER VARIETIES:

• PUSA-44 yields nearly 85 to 100 mann (34 to 40 quintals) per acre, while other varieties’ yield average is 28 to 30 quintals per acre.
• Many farmers are able to get a yield of 36 to 40 quintals per acre with PUSA-44 if the weather is favourable.
• Currently, the Minimum Support Prince (MSP) offered for paddy is Rs 2,205 per quintal, so if it yields farmers 7-10 quintals more than the other varieties, then it will add to their income by Rs 15,000 to 22,000 per acre.

Punjab wants to ban the cultivation of PUSA-44 paddy variety for the following reasons:

• It is a water-intensive crop.
  • PUSA-44 takes around 152 days to mature, which is about 35 to 40 days more than other varieties.
  • This requires 5-6 extra cycles of irrigation, which puts a strain on Punjab’s already depleting groundwater resources.
• It produces a lot of stubble.
  • PUSA-44 is a long-duration variety, which means that its straw is also longer and more difficult to manage.
  • This contributes to the problem of stubble burning in Punjab, which causes severe air pollution in the region during the winter months.
• It is susceptible to pests and diseases.
  • PUSA-44 is more susceptible to pests and diseases than other varieties, which requires farmers to use more pesticides.
  • This can increase the cost of cultivation and reduce the profitability of the crop.
• Despite its high yield, PUSA-44 is no longer considered a sustainable crop for Punjab.
  • The state government is encouraging farmers to switch to shorter-duration, less water-intensive varieties, such as PR-126.
  • These varieties produce less stubble and are less susceptible to pests and diseases.
• It contributes to climate change.
  • Stubble burning releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which contribute to climate change.
  • By banning PUSA-44, the Punjab government is hoping to reduce stubble burning and its associated environmental impacts.
• It is harmful to human health.
  • Air pollution from stubble burning can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory infections, heart disease, and cancer.
  • By banning PUSA-44, the Punjab government is hoping to improve the health of its citizens.

WAY FORWARD:

• The Punjab government is facing some resistance from farmers who are reluctant to switch to other varieties.
• Farmers argue that PUSA-44 gives them a higher yield, which is essential for their livelihood.
• However, the government is providing incentives to farmers to switch to other varieties, such as higher subsidies and guaranteed procurement of their produce.
• The ban on PUSA-44 is a step in the right direction for Punjab.
• It will help to conserve water, reduce stubble burning, and improve the environment and human health.
• However, the government needs to ensure that farmers are adequately compensated for switching to other varieties.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/punjab-ban-pusa-44-paddy-explained-8969472/

2. MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE ACT (MGNREGA)

TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE, GS:2 SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE CONTEXT: According to government data, the demand for work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has surged to its highest in a decade in 2023-2024.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DATA:

• The programme is reeling under a severe budget crisis due to the lowest budget assigned during the current financial year.
• While nearly 54 million people demanded work in 2023-2024, only 48 million workers could access it.
• The scheme has over 150 million registered workers. However, almost 52 million workers lost their job cards in 2022-2023.
• Only 40 per cent of the registered workers are eligible for payments under the Aadhar-based payment system (ABPS) mandated by the government.
• The Centre, in its 2023-24 fiscal budget, allotted Rs 60,000 crore for the programme against the pre-budget estimates of Rs 89,400 crore.
• The allocation of 0.198 per cent of the gross domestic product is the lowest in the history of the programme which started in 2005.
• West Bengal, one of the major contributors to the scheme, has witnessed no payment of wages for the past 18 months.

The surge in demand for work under MGNREGS in 2023-2024 is likely due to a number of factors, including:

• The ongoing economic slowdown.
  • The Indian economy has been slowing down in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation.
  • This has led to job losses and reduced incomes in rural areas, which has pushed more people towards MGNREGS for work.
• The impact of climate change.
  • Climate change is having a significant impact on rural India, with more frequent and severe droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events.
  • These events can damage crops and livestock, and lead to food insecurity and loss of income.
  • This can also push people towards MGNREGS for work.
• The high cost of living.
  • The cost of living, especially the cost of food and fuel, has been rising steadily in recent years.
  • This has made it difficult for many rural households to make ends meet, and has increased their reliance on MGNREGS.
• The budget crisis facing MGNREGS is a major concern.
  • The government has allocated the lowest budget for MGNREGS in the current financial year since the scheme was launched in 2006.
  • This is likely to lead to a shortage of funds and make it difficult to meet the demand for work.

The following are some of the consequences of the budget crisis facing MGNREGS:

• Reduced employment opportunities.
  • The shortage of funds will likely lead to a reduction in the number of workdays available under MGNREGS.
  • This will make it difficult for rural households to earn a decent living.
• Increased distress and migration.
  • If rural households are unable to find work under MGNREGS, they may be forced to migrate to urban areas in search of work.
  • This can lead to social problems such as family separation and urban poverty.
• Impact on rural development.
  • MGNREGS has played a significant role in rural development in India.
  • It has helped to create infrastructure, such as roads, canals, and ponds, and has improved the quality of life in rural areas.
  • The budget crisis facing MGNREGS could jeopardize this progress.

MGNREGA:

• It is also known as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS), is a legislation enacted on 25th August, 2005.
• It provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage.
• According to the act, the workers should receive work within 15 days of demanding work.
• The worker becomes eligible for unemployment allowance if the work is not given.
• After receiving and completing work, the worker must get wages within 15 days or compensation for each day of delayed payment.
• The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is monitoring the entire implementation of this scheme in association with state governments.
• This act was introduced with an aim of improving the purchasing power of the rural people, primarily semi or unskilled work to people living below poverty line in rural India.
• It attempts to bridge the gap between the rich and poor in the country.
• According to the law roughly one-third of the stipulated work force must be women.
• The registered person can submit an application for work in writing (for at least fourteen days of continuous work) either to Panchayat or to Programme Officer.

WAY FORWARD:

• The government needs to take urgent steps to address the budget crisis facing MGNREGS.
• This could involve increasing the budget for the scheme or finding other sources of funding.
• Need to leverage technology to tackle corruption and reduce the issue of late payments through efficient management of resources.
• The government should also work to create more employment opportunities in rural areas, so that people are less reliant on MGNREGS.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/governance/lack-of-budget-high-demand-slow-mgnregs-92144

3. NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: The recent developments in the South Caucasus region (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan) have implications for India, in connectivity and ties with the region.

EXPLANATION:

• The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh is called one of the “frozen conflicts” of the world.
• This conflict erupted on September 19, 2023, when Azerbaijan launched an offensive and within 24 hours, declared victory over the separatist province of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Authorities of the province have said the ethnic Armenian enclave would dissolve on January 1, 2024.

THE CONFLICT OVER THE DECADES OF THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH:

• The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is a decades-long dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• It is de facto controlled by the self-declared Republic of Artsakh.
• The region is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
• The conflict has its roots in the early 20th century, when the region was part of the Russian Empire.
• After the Russian Revolution, Nagorno-Karabakh was disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
• In 1921, the Soviet Union awarded the region to Azerbaijan, but granted it an autonomous status.
• In the late 1980s, tensions between Armenians and Azerbaijanis in Nagorno-Karabakh increased.
• In 1991, Nagorno-Karabakh declared its independence from Azerbaijan.
• This led to a full-scale war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which lasted from 1992 to 1994.
• The war resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of millions more.
• A ceasefire was signed in 1994, but the conflict remained unresolved.
• The two sides have negotiated a number of peace agreements over the years, but none of them have been successful.
• In 2020, the conflict erupted again. The war lasted for six weeks and resulted in the deaths of thousands of people on both sides.
• The war ended with a ceasefire that resulted in Azerbaijan regaining control of most of the territory it had lost in the 1990s war.
• The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is a complex and difficult one.
• There is no easy solution. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have legitimate claims to the region, and neither side is willing to give up its claims.
• The conflict has had a devastating impact on the people of the region. Millions of people have been displaced, and the economy of the region has been severely damaged.
• The conflict has also destabilized the region and increased tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan’s neighbors, including Turkey and Russia.
• The international community has been unable to resolve the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
• The United Nations Security Council has passed four resolutions demanding that Armenia withdraw its forces from Nagorno-Karabakh, but Armenia has refused to comply.
• The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is a complex and difficult one, and it is likely to remain unresolved for the foreseeable future.

WHAT IS THE STANCE OF INDIA?

• India has a neutral stance on the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
• India has close ties with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
• Importantly, the region is central to its plans of connectivity through the south Caucasus region.
• India has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and it has supported the efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to mediate a settlement.
• India has also provided humanitarian assistance to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• India’s neutral stance on the conflict is in line with its foreign policy of non-alignment.
• However, India’s neutral stance on the conflict has been criticized by some who argue that India should support Armenia’s right to self-determination.
• Others argue that India should support Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
• India is in a difficult position on the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-history-indias-response-8970391/

4. CABLE TELEVISION NETWORKS (REGULATION) ACT, 1995

TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: The punishments specified under Section 16 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 were decriminalized through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provision) Act, 2023.

EXPLANATION:

• Recently, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has notified amendments in the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994.

WHAT DOES SECTION 16 DEAL WITH?

• Section 16 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 dealt with the punishment for contraventions under any of its provisions.
• This section had provision for imprisonment which might extend upto 2 years, in case of first instance and 5 years for every subsequent offence.
• Punishments specified under Section 16 were re-examined and were decriminalized through the Jan Viswas (Amendment of Provision) Act, 2023.
• With an aim to make the Act more business-friendly and to boost the investor confidence in the sector, Section 16 has been decriminalised.
• The imprisonment provisions have been now replaced with monetary penalty and other non-monetary measures like Advisory, Warning and Censure.
• These measures will be enforced through the “designated officer” defined in the rules notified.
• Moreover, Section 16 now introduces an appeal mechanism against the order made by designated officer.
• Sections 17 and 18 were omitted for being redundant.

CABLE TELEVISION NETWORKS (REGULATION) ACT, 1995:

• The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to regulate the operation of cable television networks in the country.
• The Act was passed in the wake of the rapid growth of cable television in India in the early 1990s.
• The Act has been amended several times since it was passed.
• The most recent amendment was in 2011.
• The 2011 amendment introduced a number of new provisions, including a requirement for cable television operators to provide set-top boxes to their subscribers and a requirement for cable television channels to be uplinked only from India.
• It has played an important role in regulating the cable television industry in India.
• The Act has helped to ensure that the industry is orderly and that consumers are protected from harmful content.

Here are some of the key features of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995:

• It requires all cable television operators to register with the government.
• It empowers the government to regulate the content that is broadcast on cable television networks.
• It establishes a Cable Television Authority of India to oversee the implementation of the Act.
• It requires cable television operators to provide set-top boxes to their subscribers.
• It requires cable television channels to be uplinked only from India.
• The Act has been criticized by some for being too restrictive. However, the government has defended the Act, arguing that it is necessary to protect consumers and to ensure that the cable television industry is orderly.

Some of the benefits of decriminalization of provisions under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 are:

• The amendments are likely to encourage compliance with the Act without resorting to harsh punishments and sensitive to minor or unintended contraventions.
• The amended provision allows for the use of a range of penalties, which provides flexibility in addressing different types of contraventions.
• The amendment in the rules defines a “designated officer” for imposing penalties.
• The amended provision explicitly addresses subsequent contraventions and in addition to the provision for higher penalties, includes the provisions for suspension or cancellation of registration.
• The inclusion of an appeal mechanism provides individuals or entities the opportunity to challenge penalties or decisions.
• This ensures a fair and transparent process and safeguards against potential abuse of power.
• The definition of common terms in cable industry like “platform services” and “local cable operator” have been defined in the rules for the first time to bring about uniformity in their usages.

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1964677

5. DOMESTIC CARD SCHEME (DCS)

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY, GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Al Etihad Payments (AEP) for Domestic Card Scheme (DCS) Implementation in UAE.

ABOUT THE AGREEMENT:

• As per the agreement, NIPL and AEP will work together to build, implement, and operationalize UAE’s national domestic card scheme.
  • NIPL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
  • AEP is an indirect subsidiary of the Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE).
• The DCS will aim to facilitate:
  • the growth of e-commerce;
  • digital transactions in the UAE;
  • bolster financial inclusion;
  • support the UAE’s digitization agenda;
  • increase alternate payment options;
  • reduce the cost of payments;
  • enhance the UAE’s competitiveness and
  • position as a global payments leader.
• The partnership aligns perfectly with NIPL’s mission to offer its knowledge and expertise to assist other countries in establishing their own cost-efficient, and secure payment systems.
• The DCS solution is based on the principles of:
  • Sovereignty;
  • speed to market;
  • innovation;
  • digitization, and
  • strategic independence.
• The DCS solution provided by NIPL consists of a RuPay stack and value-added services like fraud monitoring services and analytics.
  • RuPay is an indigenous, highly secure, and widely accepted card payment network in India.
  • RuPay cards have debit, credit, and prepaid propositions.
  • More than 750 Million RuPay cards are in circulation as of date.
  • RuPay cards make up more than 60% of total cards issued in India, with every second Indian having a RuPay card now.
  • These cards are issued through the entire banking spectrum, including public sector, private, and small banks.
• NIPL will also assist AEP in formulating the operating regulations for their domestic card scheme.

DOMESTIC CARD SCHEME (DCS):

• It is a payment card system that is operated and managed by a domestic entity.
• It is independent of international card networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

DCSs offer a number of benefits, including:

• Lower transaction fees:
  • DCSs typically charge lower transaction fees than international card networks.
  • This is because DCSs do not have to pay royalties to international card networks.
• Greater control over the payment system:
  • DCSs give domestic governments and central banks greater control over the payment system.
  • This can be important for managing the economy and financial stability.
• Increased innovation:
  • DCSs can foster innovation in the payments industry, as they are not bound by the rules and regulations of international card networks.

Here are some examples of DCSs around the world:

• RuPay (India)
• UnionPay (China)
• MIR (Russia)
• Elo (Brazil)
• Troy (Turkey)
• Interac (Canada)

BENEFITS OF THE DCSs:

• DCSs are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a number of advantages over international card networks.
• DCSs are also seen as a way to reduce reliance on foreign payment systems and to promote financial sovereignty.
• DCSs are typically used for domestic transactions, but they can also be used for international transactions.
• For example, RuPay cards can be used in over 100 countries around the world.
• DCSs are a growing trend in the payments industry, and they are expected to play an increasingly important role in the future.

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1964712