In the 90s era, the TV channels were sent in analog and unencrypted form.

You local Cable operator would install a big white dish on his roof, receive those signals and then lay down wires to each household. This is called Analog cable TV system. But Lets just call it 90s Cable TV. Ok so next question, what is the Problem with 90s Cable TV system? #1: customers problem It can carry up to 80-100 TV channels. (Dish TV, Tatasky etc have more than 500) In this system the consumers do not have an option to choose channels/services of their choice and pay accordingly, rather they have to pay for the entire bouquet of channels offered by the cable operator. Lack of quality. Generally local Cable operator would hand out connections to way too many people than his signal-capacity. So TV image quality will be poor. Inconvinience: because the entire system runs on cable wires, itd breakdown during kite-flying season, heavy-rain etc. #2: TV channel owners problem The local cable operator would under-report the number of customers and pocket the money. E.g. if 1000 households have his cable connection and each pays Rs.50 to watch Zee TV channel monthly. Then he would only send money of 500-800 household to the Zee TV channel owner. #3: local Cable operators problem There is a joint house with three brothers and their separate families. Theyd pay for only one connection and watch three TVs in three separate rooms, because it is unencrypted. (This is not possible in DTH or DAS because theyre encrypted. So if you have more than one TV in your house, youve to pay extra money.) Entry of mafia-elements, frequent territorial disputes between cable-operators, including gun-firing and supari-killings. Customers dont pay money on time, use more than one TV on same connection. TRAI: Cable digitalization To settle the problems of all three groups (customers, TV channel owners and local cable operators), the TRAI came out with new rule: compulsory for every cable operator to show channels through a digital addressable system (DAS) in the entire country. Incase you wonder what is TRAI doing here? Well it regulates not only the Telecom network but also the internet, broadband, broadcasting network, cable TV, hell even FM radio.

Who gets how much? (Approximatly) When Customers Local Cable operators gets Pays Rs.100 Rs.35

Whole-seller,known as multi-system operator or MSO. Rs.23 TV channel owner Rs.42

When it came to implementing the TRAI order for Cable Digitization, local Cable operator had to install Set-top boxes in each house and rewire the whole network. Each settop box would cost about Rs.700+. Who would pay the money? Middle-class families would simply move to DTH system (tatasky, dish TV etc. because of their portability advantage listed after some paragraphs). The lower middle-class families couldnot pay all money in one go, and couldnot afford DTH system. So, they had to be given the set-top box and then collect money in installments everymonth. But local cable operators did not have that much money of their own, to install set-top boxes in 200-500 houses in their territory. The (Whole-sellers) MSOs took advantage of this opportunity. They made up agreements with local cable operators, under which MSOs would finance the money to install set-top box, in-lieu of local cable operator accepting the MSO as business-partner. Thus local cable operators share is permanently. Because partnership is not like business-loan, it never ends. A business partner has to be given part of profit forever! Moral of the story: In any business, Small players are always exploited, by the big players- both domestic and foreign. Anyways the original deadline was following 31 October 2012 31 March 2013 September 2014 Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai Cities with a population of more than 1 million All urban areas (municipal corporations and municipalities)

31 December 2014 Rest of India.

But now IB ministry says, it is impossible to implement. Difference: DAS vs DTH? DAS Digital Addressable Cable TV system Set-top box necessary to view channels. DTH Direct to Home. (Tata Sky, Dish TV shahruk khan etc) Same

The Set Top Box used for DAS cannot be used for Same DTH service as technologies are different. In DAS service, TV signals reach consumer through the cable network. So it is local-cable operator->wire->customers home->set-topbox->TV. DAS will become mandatory by Dec 2014. No cable channel can be served through Analogue format. DAS cable is a ground distribution network and you may have to change your operator if you move to a different place even within a city. keeps working unless cable is broken or damaged. What is set top box (STB)? Set top box (STB) is a device. It is connected to a television set so the consumer can view encrypted channels of his choice. (using smart card.) The basic function of the set top box is to decrypt the channels and to convert the digital signals into analog mode for viewing on television sets. Why Jayalalitha is unhappy? In the sidelines of NDC meeting held @New Delhi in Dec 2012, Jayalalitha raised objection about DAS license. Arasu Cable TV Corporation= PSU owned by Tamilnadu State Government. This Arasu has applied for DAS license for Chennai City. in DTH service, TV channels are directly received by consumer from satellite using small dish antennas located at the customer premise. so it is small dish @roof->set-topbox->TV. Not mandatory. It is just a product, if you can afford and you like it, then purchase, else no worries. all-India coverage. You can use the same DTH operator even if you move cities. Whatever money you had paid, stays in your account (smart-card.) Doesnt work in bad weather particularly when there is heavy rain and clouds.

But Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (run by the totally awesome Manish Tewari) is not giving the license. Jayalalitha Youre not giving license, to protect the monopoly of SunTV network (owned by Maran Family, DMK ties= coalition partner of UPA). Sorry we cant give license because Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has held that central and state governments should not be allowed to enter the business of broadcasting. Not just governments but political bodies should also not be allowed to enter the broadcasting sector, according to TRAI order. By the way, Under Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 it is compulsory for each operator to show (BORING) DD-1, DD-News, DD- Regional (concerned region), DD-Rajya Sabha DD-Sports, DDUrdu, Gyandarshan and Lok-Sabha to each subscriber on its network. Handloom vs Handicraft? Why Handloom Mark? What is Handloom Mark? Social Security for Handloom n Handicraft? Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana Health Insurance Scheme (HIS) for weavers Special schemes? Technology Upgradation Fund (TUF) Integrated Handlooms Development Scheme (IHDS) Mill Gate Price Scheme Babasaheb Ambedker Hastshilp Vikas Yojna (AHVY) Marketing Promotion Programme Problems faced by Handicraft and Handloom Reform, New suggestions Mock Questions for UPSC Civil Service Exam Handloom vs Handicraft?

IB ministry @Delhi

Handloom Yarn= A fine cord of twisted fibers (of cotton, silk, wool or nylon etc.) used in sewing and weaving Loom= A machine for weaving yarn into a fabric. Handloom= process of weaving fabric from yarn, using hand-operated machines. Powerloom= doing same but via motorized machines that use electricity. Textile ministry looks after both sectors via

Handicraft

Items made by hand /with the use of simple tools. from stone, leather, wood, glass, bamboo, metal etc. used (mostly) for decorative purposes, including gifts and souvenirs as well as for utility purposes.

Office of the Development Commissioiner for Handlooms. Office of the Development Commissioner for Handicrafts. Why Handloom Mark? Thanks to technological developments, the handloom products are being increasingly replicated on power looms at a much lower cost. Then economy of scales comes into picture (= If you produce something at mass-scale then cost price of each product unit will decrease). Therefore, a power loom can sell the products at much lower selling price and yet keep good profit margin compared to a small time handloom weaver. What is the solution?

Government came up with Handloom Mark system. This is being operated by Development Commissioner for Handlooms=> falls under Ministry of Textiles.

What is Handloom Mark? A logo that can be stiched on every handloom product. Itll serve as a guarantee for the buyer that given product genuinely hand woven and not produced using machinery / power-loom.

National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad created this logo. This Handloom mark is in two forms Domestic products the word Handloom is written beneath the logo

International marketing same logo with the word Hand woven in India written beneath it. If someone misuses this logo. E.g. a powerloom miller stitching fake Handloom Mark logos on his readymade products then he can be jailed and fined under Trademarks Act. Anyways, lets take a look @some other important schemes/programs for Handloom and handicraft sector. Social Security for Handloom n Handicraft? Handloom Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana Gives monetary relief incase of a weavers death or disability. Administered by LIC. Also provides scholarship for their children in class 9 to 12. Health Insurance Scheme (HIS) for weavers Almost same, but name is different Weaver, his wife and two children, can get free treatment for preexisting diseases as well as new diseases Administered by ICICI. Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana (RGSSBY) Almost same, but name is different Janashree Bima Yojana for Handicrafts Artisans Handicraft

Special schemes? Handloom Technology Upgradation Fund (TUF) Run by Ministry of Textiles-> Office of the Development Commissioner It provides subsidy to weavers for Purchase of new machineries and equipments; Factory building and renovation of existing factory building Handicraft Babasaheb Ambedker Hastshilp Vikas Yojna (AHVY) Issue of ID cards to the artisans Supply of improved modern tools Training seminars

Integrated Handlooms Development Scheme (IHDS) form Self Help Groups (SHGs). Government gives you money for buying raw material + machines. training in weaving, dyeing, designing and business Management. Mill Gate Price Scheme Cotton yarn is the major input for handloom weaving. In recent years, there has been a phenomenal rise in the prices of yarn. main reason for this is the sharp increase in the prices of cotton. To solve this problem, Government launched this scheme. Here, Government helps the handloom weavers to buy yarn at the price @which it comes out from a Mill. (No middlemen eating commi$$ion.) Marketing Promotion Programme Government organizes Special Expos, Craft Melas, Urban Haats and Marketing Complexes; Gives National Awards and National Merit Certificates to weavers and artisans. Holds seminars with professional designers and marketing consultants. Problems faced by Handicraft and Handloom

Marketing Exposure tours Loans

Raw material @reasonable price= not available. Government schemes work on paper only, due to infrastructural problems (roads connectivity etc). Cannot comepte with machine made products because of they lack marketing, Management and sales expertise. No synergy between Government agencies responsible for handlooms, handicrafts, khadi and the cottage industry sectors =kingdoms within kingdom=Inefficient utilization of resources. Some people get double benefits (Handicraft+Handloom) schemes while others dont get even one. The role of women in the handloom industry is largely unacknowledged. Artisans still rely upon local moneylenders. They charge heavy interest rate, leaving the artisan in vicious poverty cycle.

Finance problem Although Government has made many schemes to give them loans via Scheduled Commercial Banks, Cooperative Banks, Regional Rural Banks, etc. But These banks donot have branches in remote rural areas, particularly in North East and J&K. Even where bank branch is available, the needy people are unaware of the schemes. Theyve to go through lengthy paperwork and repeated trips to bank-office, to get loan money= inconvenient for those living in remote areas. Reform, New suggestions Given by Planning Commissions Committee, for 12th FYP Create a Distress Relief Fund, to help weavers and artisans during various crises such as natural or manmade disasters, severe economic distress and suicides. e-kiosks, a single-window based loan-clearance system via SIDBI and NABARD Artisan Credit Card (ACC) should be promoted. Pension Scheme should be introduced through the support of the National Social Security Fund. More funding for North Eastern Regions. Remove the artificial divisions between Khadi, Handicraft, Handloom etc. that compartmentalize administration of common sectors. Just focus on a unified Handmade in India. Social welfare schemes should be strengthened for ensuring better living conditions for weavers, artisans and ancillary workers. Women workers should be recognized as contributors and be included in various schemes/programmes in their own individual capacities. Financial inclusion and financial literacy support programs. What is BioControl Agent? is a method of controlling pests, weeds and plant diseases using other living organisms (insect, parasite or pathogens). Theyre safer than artificial pesticides (soil-water pollution, impact on human health). Trichoderma and Pseudomonas are two examples of Biocontrol Agents. Pepper plants are suseptible to fungal diseases. A biocontrol agent, called Trichoderma helps controling these fungus.

Under Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana, the Krishi Vigyan Kendras provides training to tribal girls, to form Self-help groups (SHG) and manufacture these bio-control agents. What is Krishi Vigyan Kendra Krishi Vignan Kendra (KVK) is a project of ICAR for testing and transfer of Agricultural technologies @grassroot level. to increase self employment opportunities among the farming communities. These centres are located in every state. What is What is ICAR? Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. ICAR is the apex body for co-ordination, research n development (R&D) and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country. HQ=Delhi What is Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana Government of India launched this scheme for backward districts of the country, in 10th Five year plan. Aim: to fill critical gaps in physical and social infrastructure and to reduce the inequalities in the levels of development in these backward districts. Examples of Projects undertaken Construction of Anganwadi centers Veterinary health centers Irrigation structures School buildings Roads, Culverts,Bridges Fish ponds Rural market sheds Income generation schemes Why is CISF important?

The scene of operations has shifted from rural and jungle areas to highly populated centres. Nowadays the terrorist/extremists want to attack high profile targets like historical monuments, critical infrastructure and public transport. Thus CISF is crucial because it provides security to such prime installations in the country, including airports, Delhi Metro, steel, coal and power utilities. Background: CISF vs ASF In the beginning, State Police was responsible for airport security in their respective states. But in 1999, Terrorists hijacked an Indian Airlines flight (IC-814) took it to Kandahar, Afghanistan. From then onwards, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), was given the responsibility of airport security. CISF manages security at 59 airports across the country, deploying its nearly 21,000 personnel. The cost of maintaining CISF security is charged on passangers= Rs.150 to 250 per person as passenger services fee. Problem: Aviation Security Force (ASF) In August 2012, Civil Aviation Ministry considered a proposal to create an exclusive Aviation Security Force (ASF) for airports across the country. Aviation Security Force will report to Civil Aviation Ministry (and not to Home Ministry) Arguments against creation of ASF CISF is already deployed at the airports, akin to the Transport Security Administration (TSA) in the USA. This model is also beneficial when it comes to intelligence sharing with the central intelligence agencies who also report to the MHA. This system has worked quite well both at the central and local levels due to close coordination between CISF, Intelligence Bureau (IB) and state intelligence. Such an arrangement will not be possible if the force reports to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. CISF is a central armed police force, so its personnel cannot form association or join any kind of agitation or union activities. There is no clarity on whether ASF will be kept away from forming a union. If yes, that might lead to strikes and problems which are common with AirIndia=not good for security. Removal of CISF security Cover

In Nov 2012, Civil Aviation Ministry decided: Airports that are not hyper-sensitive should be secured by State Police personnel instead of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). CISF currently manages security at 59 airports across the country. Civil Aviation Ministry has decided to replace them from 47 airports that are not hyper sensitive. So CISF will handle only 59-47=12 airports only. Argument in favor: This will reduce airfares. Because payment for security is collected from passengers through a passenger services fee that ranges between Rs 150 to Rs 250 per ticket. State Police is cheaper than CISF. Argument against: In terms of weapons, tactics and training, State Police is no match to deal with terror / hostage crisis at airports. What is Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA)? A Government project aimed at Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) Under SSA, Union and State Governments provide money for following To open new schools in those habitations which do not have schooling facilities strengthen existing school infrastructure via additional teachers, class rooms, toilets, drinking water, teaching-learning materials, maintenance grant etc Why is SSA in News? Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan costs the Centre about Rs 25,000 crore each year and about the same from the states And like every other Government scheme, this SSA is also riddled with leakages and fake beneficiaries. But Maharashtra State government saved Rs.2000 crores by using Aadhar-cards to cut down on bogus student enrollments. Inspired with this success, now the Union Government is planning to get all SSA-students be provided Aadhar-cards. It will help weed out fake students from the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). This Revamped SSA programme could be rolled out in the next academic year

What is JBY and AABY Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) Was 2000 launched in Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) 2007

Why?

cover against natural, accidental and disability of the For rural and urban poor persons head of the family of rural landless households in the aged between 18 and 59 years. country. Both are Centrally sponsored Insurance schemes.

Similarity Both are managed by LIC. What is the problem? There is significant overlapping of beneficiaries, because they cater to same or similar categories of population. This leads to increased Management cost (need to maintain two databases, more staff etc) What is National Automotive Board (NAB)? It is a body to facilitate interaction between Government and automobile industry. NAB will act as a thinktank for the Government, especially for the growth of hybrid and electric vehicles in the country. NAB will promote research and Development in auto sector. NAB also help in National Mission for Electric Mobility (NMEM) and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). [Details given in the same article] Who will be the members of NAB? Board will have members from the Planning Commission Department of Heavy Industry, Road Transport and Highways, Science and Technology, Environment and Forests. Scientists and industry representatives.

Where is the money for NAB? Recall the earlier article on Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), that body will be financed via charging 5 rupees per airplane ticket. Similarly this NAB will be financed by putting Cess (Tax on tax) on the Automobile industry. What is National Mission for Electric Mobility (NMEM)? It provides the roadmap for achieving significant penetration of electric vehicles (including hybrid vehicles) in Indian market by 2020. Department of Heavy Industry (DHI), will be responsible for implementing NMEM What is a Hybrid vehicle? A hybrid vehicle is uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. So, if you can design a car that can use solar, hydrogen, petrol, diesel, kerosene and electricity (6 in one) that can also be called a Hybrid car. But Most commonly Hybrid cars use petrol and electricity. Here is an example car: Honda Civic (hybrid) What are the functions of DGCA ? DGCA=Directorate General of Civil Aviation It is a regulatory body under Ministry of Civil Aviation. The main functions of DGCA, following: registration of aircraft Licensing pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, flight engineers. Supervision of Institutes, clubs and schools engaged in in flying training. Conducting air crash investigations Formulating guidelines for airplane safety. It serves as nodal agency for coordination with ICAO (International civil aviation organisation, a United Nations agency). What is Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Bill? Government plans to introduce this bill in the winter session of Parliament.

This bill aims to replace the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) -an autonomous body with more powers. Structure of CAA Chairman + board members. Chairman (of CAA) will have a fixed term of five years Chairman will be a person with requisite aviation experience can head the authority. An Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer with requisite aviation experience will also be eligible for the post. Autonomy: Finance This new regulator will need annual earnings of around Rs 140 crore, for making itself financially independent. A major part of the earnings will come from fee charged for giving out licences. A substantial amont of money will also come from charging from passengers. (Government plans to introduce a surcharge of Rs 5 per flight ticket to fund the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)). Autonomy: Personnel CAA will also have the autonomy to hire its employees and decide the salaries of its employees. At present, appointments at the DGCA are approved by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which is a time-consuming process. What is National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)? It is an attached office of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemical. Motto: Affordable medicine for all It enforces the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order [which was, issued under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA).] monitors the availability of drugs, identify shortages, if any, and to take remedial steps; It advices Government on drug policy Pranab Sen Task Force on Drug Pricing In 2003 Supreme court passed an order that all essential drugs should remain under price control.. Therefore, Government of India set up a Task Force under Dr. Pronab Sen on drug pricing. It submitted its final report in 2005.

Then why the hell do we need to study it after 7 years? ans- It becomes an important [yearbook] topic for mains, due to the Glevac Patent Case, which has been in news recently. Crux is: Novartis company was refused the patent of Glevac (anti-cancer) drug in India and the judge said he was concerned with the extreme price of that drug. Recommendations of Pranab Sen Here are the major (and easy to remember) recommendations. How to regulate drug price? Pranab Sen says that No effort should be made to impose a uniform price,. only a ceiling price should be indicated. The ceiling price of essential drugs should normally not be based on cost of production but on readily monitorable market based benchmarks. The drug regulator must maintain a data base of brands and their compositions and no change should be permitted in the composition of a given brand. Price regulation should be on the basis of Essentiality of the drug and it should be applied only to formulations and not to upstream products, such as bulk drugs. Drugs and Therapeutics (Regulation) Act (DATA) should be enacted for price control on drugs. Set up National Authority of Drugs and Therapeutics (NADT). Adopt the recommendations of the Mashelkar Committee 2003 i.e The Centre should financially support State Governments to bring their state drug control formations to a threshold level. What about Patented drugs? All patented drugs and formulations should compulsorily be brought under price negotiation prior to the grant of marketing approval. (case CANCER DRUG;GLIVEC PATENT CASE; NOVARTIS;) Insurance companies should be encouraged to extend health insurance covering medicines. Give PSU a chance The role of PSUs producing drugs should be recognized. All Departments of Central Government must be advised to first procure their drugs from the PSUs at prices approved by NPPA There should be bulk purchases of drugs by Government agencies, cooperatives or consumer bodies through public-private partnership

Funding Central Government has set up a National Illness Assistance Fund (NIAF)= BPL patient is given financial assistance upto Rs.1.50 lakhs. Similarly State Governments should form State illness Funds (SIF) Increase the funding of Pharmaceutical Research and Development Support Fund (PRDSF). Excise duty reduce Reduce the excise duty on all pharmaceutical products from 16% to 8%. Open Website for public To create public awareness about drug pricing. + use other possible modes of enhancing public awareness like public literatures, booklets, newsletters/magazines etc which of the following statements are correct? National Illness Assistance Fund (NIAF) provides monetary relief for occupational hazards faced by workers in coal and asbestos industry. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) falls under the domain of Health Ministry. Universal Service Obligation Fund What is it? There is a Universal associated so obviously this must be one amongst the inclusive development strategies of the government. Here the idea is to provide universal access to telecom services, i.e., focus on providing telecom services to rural and remote areas at affordable and reasonable prices. A fund exclusively for meeting the above objectives, created under department of telecommunications, Ministry of communication and information technology. It is a non-lapsable fund i.e., unspent amount under target financial year does not lapse, accrues for next years spending. All credits to the fund require parliamentary approval and it has a statutory support under Indian Telegraph (amendment) act 2003. What are the activities undertaken?

Installation of village public telephones in every revenue village of 1991 census and additional revenue village of 2001 census. Provision of rural community telephones at next stage. Provision of household telephones in rural areas. Creation of Infrastructure for mobile services in remote, rural areas. Provision of broadband in villages in a phased manner. Induction of new technologies like national optic fibre network in rural areas. For all the above activities a service provider gets grants from the USOF like a subsidy. The service provider is usually chosen through a bidding process on least quoted subsidy support basis (minimum subsidy maximum service). Resources- where from? Through a Universal service levy- at 5% of adjusted gross revenue of all telecom service providers. Exception- pure value added service providers like internet, voice mail, e-mail no need to contribute. Also some quantum of funds to come thru central govt. grants. Specialty in this scheme is that it also does some allocation under gender budgeting, for providing services to women, like broadband access to women SHGs. Timeline 1910 1999 ITA(2003)amendment ITA(2004)amendment ITA(2006)amendment Why is it news? First BSNL was selected as service provider in many areas unilaterally for provision of services and given grants. Theodre vail of AT&T (American multinational telecommunication corp) in a annual report makes passing reference to universal service Cabinet defines Universal service objectives in Telecom services Statutory support for USOF Rules for administration of the fund notified Mobile and broadband service providence included into its ambit

Govt. says private providers are not willing to establish infra in core affected areas so choice BSNL is inevitable, also private players will try to exploit this scheme for business ends, misusing govt subsidy. BSNL says it has already created infra in rural areas and now if you allow other private players it is a waste of Govt. money, so ask other players to use established facilities in rented basis. Second delay in implementation and provision of services by BSNL is under critic. Third now a proposal to provide services in LWE(left wing) affected areas is on the table of finance ministry, a proposal to this effect already rejected during tenure Shri Pranab Mukherjee citing too much demand for funds and want of allowing private players as service providers to make it more competitive. The provision of connectivity in naxal, maoist affected areas a project designed by current FM P.Chidambaram for improving security is likely to get its allocation this time. Ultimately our wish let there be inclusion, improved connectivity and security. What is TKDL? Traditional Knowledge Digital Library This program is Jointly implemented by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology and Department of AYUSH (Ayurveda, siddha, Unani, Homeopathy), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Why is it done? Two Expatriate Indians in US file a patent for use of turmeric as a medicine for wound healing. But we very well know use of turmeric has been in India while cooking, medicinal usage since earlier times. So now CSIR of India puts up a fight and won the case in US patent office. This is just one instance, we already know cases for use of Basmati rice, Neem products. Government looked into reasons for such easy misappropriations and ended up identifying following factors: Whenever request for patents are put up, examiners search for similar products which are already patented or registered uses. Indian Traditional knowledge especially in the field of medicines are renowned worldwide. But difficulties: The knowledge is mostly inaccessible to common man Even if accessible compiled in languages difficult to understand or interpret.

What does TKDL intend to do? Convert the ancient knowledge into Unicode structure, knowledge based interpretation. Compile in a single database. Translate the information to English, Spanish, German, French for easy reference of the examiners. Digitized form makes it easy transmission, preservation. Also to be complied in simpler terms for understanding of common man. This model has inspired worldwide aping of this method, which is likely to be initiated in WIPO with US patent office, EU patent office and similar other nations collaborations. Ganga river: Geography It rises from the gangotri glacier with the name Bhagirathi It meets two of her tributaries Mandakini and alaknanda at Devaprayag from where she is known as Ganga. It was warded the National river status in 2009. Whats the problem with Ganga? rising pollution of the river. To address this problem cleaning mission was organized under the Ganga Action Plan I in 1985, without much development. again Ganga Action Plan II was set up in 1993 which included cleaning of Yamuna and Gomati as well. Again to clean all National rivers National River conservation plan was set up in 1996. Finally to hasten measures, a National Ganga River Basin Authority was set up in 2009 to have a focused action. National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)? For planning, monitoring, financing, coordinating actions for the Ganga river. This organization was setup under the Environment protection act 1986. Whore the Members of NGRBA? PM Cabinet ministers

Ministers of environment and forests, Finance, Urban Development, Water resources, Power, Science and Tech Minister of state (Environment and Forests). Deputy chairman of Planning commission Chief minsters of states through which Ganga passes Uttarkand U.P West Bengal Bihar Jharkhand Sankat Mochan Tarun Bhagat Sangh (of Rajendra singh, the Magsaysay awardee). NGOs Whatre the Functions of NGRBA? Reduce Ganga Polution. Moniter and finance the activities to cleaning Ganga. Investigation, research into problems of pollution, conservation of Ganga. Collection, dissemination of information. Promoting recycling, reuse of water, rainwater harvesting, sewage treatment. The authority aims at reduction pollution, controlling industrial pollutant inflow, essentially reducing BOD to 30mg/litre. What is BOD?

Biochemical Oxygen Demand It is the demand for oxygen in water body by aerobic bacteria present in them. Used to indicate the level of organic pollutants present in water, usually to indicate the quality of water. Actually these bacteria do a beneficial activity of chemically breaking down the organic elements in water. But in the process they consume oxygen in water at a more rapid pace than they can be replaced by atmosphere. Net demand for oxygen is proportional to number of Bacteria inside which in turn is proportional to the amount of organic pollutants present.

Steps taken by Government to improve handicraft industry: Khadi and Village industries Commission (KVIC) [a Statutory Commission] All India Handicrafts Board [under Textile Ministry] Indian Council of Cultural Relations is another autonomous organisation created under the Ministry of External affairs. It works for the promotion of Indian craft and Culture overseas. Arranging or sponsoring the visits of Indian artists abroad, holding promotional fairs depicting Indias cultural heritage NABARD provides low-interest loans to the artisans. Every year, separate budget provisions are made for the development of tribal handicrafts. Various crafts melas ( Dilly Haat and Crafts Museum in New Delhi) are set up with the purpose of eliminating middlemen so that profit can directly reach to the artisans Gramshree and other exhibition like TEX India, International Trade Fair, etc. ( at New Delhi) arc organised for the promotion of handicrafts Problems Use outdated tools and technology. (for example Indians use hand driven potter wheel, while Chinese use the mechanized wheel) dont have the capital (money) to buy latest tools and most of the artisans are not even aware of the Government loans / schemes.

lack of transport and communication network, so local artisan is unaware of the trends and demands in cities of India and abroad. Middlemen: Most artisans reside in rural areas, while the customers are located in urban areas. Thus comes the middlemen, who take away majority of the profit. so, in spite of governments efforts still lot more is to be done as the real profit is still not reaching the artisans. Solutions need to create more awareness regarding the various assistance programmes of the government among the rural masses and the tribals need to take care that real profit should reach the artisans. Influence of brokers, middlemen, etc. must be minimised.

What is National Knowledge Network (NKN)? It is a network grid, by Government of India, to provide high speed internet connectivity among the Governmental, educational and research institutes, IITs and IIMs etc. It was started as a small programme in the Planning Commission in 2009 NKN comprises of an ultra-high speed CORE (multiples of 10 Gbps). The Participating institutions at connect to the National Knowledge Network seamlessly at speeds of 1 Gbps or higher. (so theoretically, you can copy a movie DVD from New Delhi to Mumbai in less than 5 seconds via this internet.) What are the uses of NKN? NKN is a computer network platform for delivering effective distance education where teachers and students can interact in real time. This is especially significant in a country like India where access to education is limited by factors such as geography, lack of infrastructure facilities etc. The network enables co-sharing of information such as classroom lectures, presentations and handouts among different institutions. The Virtual Library enables sharing of journals, books and research papers across different institutions. NKN provides high speed backbone connectivity for e-governance infrastructure such as data centres at the national and state levels, and networks (SWANs). SWAN = State Wide Area Network it joins various departments of the State Government. The NKN will also provide massive data transfer capabilities required for e-governance applications.

It is enabling Indian scientists to take on big data challenges that earlier required weeks and months of high-power computing. Sifting through gene mutations for diseases or analysing the 30 million per second pictures from the Large Hadron Collider. from bio informatics researchers and medical experts to climate scientists and particle physicists. NKN, its resources and computing powers have so far proved useful in areas of brain research, nuclear reactor safety, search for drug targets and biodiversity research Criticism of NKN

Very few people are using the resources and computing power, and that the network bandwidth available is nothing compared to in the US, Europe, China and even Brazil. We have a knowledge highway but I dont see enough people using the highway. The big research centres like the IITs and IISc (Indian Institute of Science) are already equipped with high-performance computing facilities and networks. We need to have students from universities around the country on the NKN network. Private industry is also needed. With the NKN in place, the government will not be sanctioning requests for funds to create smaller computing facilities at institutes and people will be directed to be a part of the network. GK: What is Exaflop? A measurement of computer speed. exa is one quintillion or 10^18 zeroes. Organ Transplant in India: The Present Situation First, some fodder for Essays and Group Discussions. It is estimated that every three minutes, a patient requires an organ transplant. More than 4 Lakh Indians require transplantation annually. However, not even 10% get it. Once a patient is declared brain dead, almost 37 different organs and tissues can be donated, including heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and lungs. [important fact for CSAT GS] Whereas, when a brain dead patient is kept for autopsy for hours, his heart finally fails, after which only a few tissues like cornea, bone, skin and blood vessels can be re-used.

In India, 1.5 lakh new patients get end-stage renal failure every year. Of these, only 3,500 undergo kidney transplants. About 6,000 get dialysis while the rest perish, while 1.6 lakh people die of road accidents every year. On an average, 3,000 people die every year because of lack of timely organ transplant surgeries. About 40 needy patients can benefit from donation of an entire human body. What is the solution? Public advertisement campaigns to create awareness and enthusiasm among people for organ transplant. More dialysis centres, transplant centres with transplant surgeons and nurses Free or subsidized diagnostic services and immuno-suppressant drug supply for the poor and needy. What is National Organ Transplantation Programme (NOTP) ? A program by Union Health Ministry. It aims to setup a single apex national organization that will procure and distribute human organs.

The autonomous National Organ Procurement and Distribution Organization (NOPDO) at the Centre and 10 State Organ Procurement and Distribution Organization (SOPDO) Apart from that, Union Government will provide funds to States, for

For developing bio-material centres in states storage banks for skin, bones, heart valves and organs For cost of immunosupressant drugs. Side Question: What are immunosuppressant Drugs? Theyre crucial medicines that have to be taken life long by transplant patients to ensure their own immune system does not attack the foreign organ. (important fact for CSAT GS 4TF questions.) What is Indian Organ Donor Register? Health Ministry aims to establish this official record book.

It will enable individuals to record their legal consent to become an organ or tissue donor after death. The Register will ensure that consent (or objection) to donating organs for transplantation can be verified by authorized medical personnel across India. In the event of death, information about the decision will be accessed from the Register and provided to family.

This registry will have information on all types of organ procurement, matching, distribution, transplantation and complications. It will also maintain entries of transplant centres, transplant surgeons, dialysis physician and dialysis centres Why is NOTP in News? Because in July 2012, Government decided to scaled down the budget allocation of NOTP to almost 1/10th its original provision. Government will no longer give construction money for developing bio-material centres in states storage banks for skin, bones, heart valves and organs They will no longer provide funds for new transplantation units or to strengthen the existing ones. The cost of dialysis units originally attached with the renal transplant programme will also be cut. Government will no longer fund the Cost of Immunosuppressant drugs Why this budget cut in NOTP? Because officials in Health ministry feel that the job of the Centre is to coordinate between states, to see that organs retrieved from one transplant unit is made available to needy patients in others. In short, Government wants to cut down the subsidy bill. (be it LPG, Kerosene, Diesal or organ transplant.) Now why would Government want to cut down the subsidy bill? You might find the answer in Eurozone Crisis article. What is NSDC? National Skill Development Corporation [NSDC] is a not- for- profit company set up by the Ministry of Finance. (Mind it: Finance ministry and not HRD ministry= important fact for MCQs] In short, Government gives it money, and it gives the money to NGOs to set up vocational training institutes, which usually have stupid computer instructors who think that hitting refesh button on desktop every third second, is going to speed up the computer. And by mimicking them, those who get Skill training from these institute, they also do the same- thus decreasing the life of a normal mouses right click button. Why do we Need NSDC? Because there is shortage of skilled workers in every sector. Government plans to pump in around Rs 40,000 crore in over five years to provide skill to around 3 crore people during the period. Why is it in news?

Because Mohan wants to give it an Authority badge. i.e. from National Skill Development Corporation he wants to create National Skill Development Authority *NSDA+ Again Why ? Because As an authority the organization will have the power to draw funds from the government and spend it with the states and other partner agencies, which is not possible now. NSDC provides services for the following sectors in India: *Not that youve to mug up the entire list, but it helps to list a few and throw them up while giving essays and GDs] Automobile / autocomponents Electronics hardware Textiles and garments Leather and leather goods Chemicals and pharmaceuticals Gems and jewellery Building and construction Food processing Handlooms and handicrafts Building hardware and home furnishings IT or software ITES-BPO Tourism, hospitality and travel Transportation/ logistics/ warehousing and packaging Organised retail Real estate Media, entertainment, broadcasting, content creation, animation Healthcare Banking/ insurance and finance

Education/ skill development Unorganised sector What is Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)? An independent Department directly under the Prime Minister. Mind it: This dept doesnt fall under any other ministry such as Ministry of Power, or Ministry of Science and Technology this is an important fact for CSAT/APFC MCQs. What is the Policy on Exploitation of Beach Sand Minerals?

In the beaches of Kerala and Orissa, the sands contain monazite, ilmenite, zircon, rutile, garnet and sillimanite. Its mining and production was reserved for the public sector but this 1998 policy resolution allowed selective entry of the private sector. According to this Policy on Exploitation of Beach Sand Minerals (1998), Private firms can extract and sell rare ores such as garnet and ilmenite from these sands but they cannot process or sell radioactive monazite leftovers. Theyve to store it at their own cost or fill it back in the mines. The beaches of Kerala and Orissa, hold 70+ % of Indias estimated monazite reserve of 18 million tonnes.

Department of Atomic Energy, wants the Government to amend this policy- with a new provision that Private firms, should hand over these monazite leftovers to Indian Rare Earths (IREL) which will then process it and try to extract thorium. And this thorium can be then used as fuel in the Nuclear reactors. A 300 MW nuke-reactor requires 50+ tonnes of fuel in its core initially and about 5 tonnes subsequently each year. Given the amount of thorium rich sand weve in Kerala and Orissa, we can provide continuous supply of fuel to our nuke-reactors for many years. Donot get confused Monazite is a type of Mineral > You extract Thorium (a type of ELEMENT) from it > use Thorium as fuel to run your Adanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR). It is pretty easy for the examiner to twist these facts and come up with pretty MCQs. This is a guest article written by Mr.Krapesh Bhatt, an IT Security professional from Surat. Introduction Dear All, Firstly, I would like to thank Mrunal for providing me with the opportunity to write and come up with the article which provides information on our IT ACT. I am motivated to write this article relating to Our Information Technology Act and its related amendments so as to spread the awareness of the Act. I have tried to make the IT Acts major sections which come in our daily lives simpler to understand. As India is one of few countries in the world which enacted the law specially to curb cyber crime a positive approach in this direction. The countries which have their own cyber laws are U.S, U.K, Japan, European Union, Australia, Germany, Singapore, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Italy, and France. India has too joined the club and framed laws to curb cyber crime. Timeline of Events The ministry of commerce, Govt. of India drafted the guidelines as Ecommerce Act 1998, since the ministry of Information Technology was absent at that time. Later on coming to existence, this was re-drafted as Information Technology bill 1999 This draft was placed in the parliament in Dec 1999 and passed in May 2000.

After the Assent of president, the bill finally came to effect from 17th Oct 2000. This came to be known as IT ACT 2000 It was amended in 2008. Why was IT Act 2000 amended in 2008? The main intent to pass the 2000s Act was to provide legal recognitions to transactions carried out by means of electronic data interchange and other means of electronic communications, commonly known as electronic commerce, which involved the use of alternatives to paper based methods of communication and storage of information and to facilitate the filing of documents of government agencies. But Cyber crime was not looked upon in this act. Even after passing the Act, there was still need to address the specific cyber crimes that were taking place along with the technological advancement. Since the Booming growth of BPO industry and increasing dependence on computers and networks, the incidents of leaking of private data from the BPOs, Banks, Healthcare sectors, telecommunication industry gave rise to provide for a strict legislation to protect the data privacy of all the customers and corporations. Also, the crimes related to privacy breach were rising but as there was no legal framework, specific to the incidents, the IT ACT 2000 seemed ineffective. With the developing demands, the amendments in the IT ACT 2000 were made and IT ACT 2008(amendment) was passed finally on 23rd December 2008. Data privacy As Data privacy remains prime importance to the topic of discussion, I will discuss the section related to Section 43A of the amended Act which covers all the sectors of Indian economy. Section 43A was inserted After Section 43 of the parent Act. As per the stated Act, in Section 43A of the amended act, stats as follows: 43A. Where a body corporate, possessing, dealing or handling any sensitive personal data or information in a computer resource which it owns, controls or operates, is negligent in implementing and maintaining reasonable security practices and procedures and thereby causes wrongful loss or wrongful gain to any person, such body corporate shall be liable to pay damages by way of compensation to the person so affected. Definitions Body Corporate Means any company and includes a firm, sole proprietorship or other association of individuals engaged in commercial or professional

activities; Means security practices and procedures designed to protect such information from unauthorized access, damage, use, modification, disclosure or impairment. It means Password; Financial information such as Bank account or credit card or debit card or other payment instrument details; Physical, physiological and mental health condition; sensitive personal data or information Sexual orientation; Medical records and history; Biometric information; any detail relating to the above clauses as provided to body corporate for providing service; and Any of the information received under above clauses by body corporate for processing, stored or processed under lawful contract or otherwise. (SOURCE: IT ACT 2008 Amendment, Sec 43A) What are the responsibilities of a company handling personal data? Now, we try to understand the procedures and practices needed to safeguard the sensitive personal data from being stolen, modified without consent of owner, misused or sold in underground markets. lets make it simple to understand this rule. Say for eg. We have a bank, and as we all know, it deals with sensitive personal data of its customers in its computer networks/servers. Our names, account numbers, passwords, Date of birth, Sex, credit/Debit card details, etc. Therefore, to make sure the bank complies with Mandate of IT ACT, it needs to either get certify with ISO 27001 (world renowned standard for data protection) or it may develop its own security manual which describes full indepth details of its IT assets, the Life cycle of assets, the physical security measures(viz. CCTVs, Locks, vaults, fire prevention/detection, temperature controls in server rooms, security guard details and so on). It should also have a detailed Business Continuity plan (In case of any natural/manmade calamity the

reasonable security practices and procedures

organization must have a detailed backup process so as to continue its business), Other applicable procedures of separation of duties of key personals, background checks of employees before employing, etc. Not only Banks, but the BPOs/KPOs, hospitals, and various other businesses which deals with sensitive personal data, need to comply with this act. What is the punishment for cyber crimes? SECTION OF THE ACT OFFENCE PENALTY

Section 65

Tampering with computer source documents.

Imprisonment up to 3 years or a fine of 2 lakh rupees, or both. Imprisonment up to 3 years or a fine up to 5 lakh rupees or both. (For Hacking, fine is 2 lakh rupees, imprisonment is 3 years)

Section 66

Hacking & Breach of confidentiality of personal information as per sec.43 & 43A

Section 66A

Sending offensive messages through communication service, etc. Dishonestly receiving stolen resource or communication device.

Imprisonment of 3 years & fine.

Section 66B

Imprisonment of 3 years & fine.

Section 66C &D

Identity theft

Imprisonment up to 3 years & fine up to 1 lakh rupees. Imprisonment up to 3 years or fine not exceeding 2 lakh rupees or with both. Imprisonment for life. Imprisonment term up to 5/7 years and fine up to 10 lakh rupees. Imprisonment for 3 years and

Section 66E

Violation of personal Privacy

Section 66F

Cyber terrorism Publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form./pornography/child pornography Failure to preserve and retain information by

Section 67, 67A & B

Section 67C

intermediaries Who can conduct RAIDS AND INVESTIGATION for Cybercrimes?

fine.

As per the act, previously, a police officer not less than a rank of DySP can investigate or conduct a raid at a public place without a warrant, but as per the amendment, the rank of Police Inspector can investigate the offences and conduct raids. (Section 78-amended) Also, As per the provisions in the act, and according to section 46(amended), adjudicating officer shall exercise jurisdiction to adjudicate matters in which claim for injury or damage does not exceed 5 crore. If this claim exceeds above 5 crore, then the matter is looked upon by the competent court. NOTE: This article is made to provide firsthand information to the readers regarding Information technology act, and spread awareness for IT ACT among masses. In case more detailed information is needed, then it is recommended to refer the gazette published by the ministry of information technology. Website: http://www.mit.gov.in/ What is FSSAI? Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 What was FSSAI created? FSSAI has been created for laying down standards for food products. To regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. It falls under the purview of Health Ministry. Gutkha Issue: SC vs FSSAI 2010: Supreme Court ordered a ban on the sale of tobacco products like gutkha and pan masala in plastic pouches from March 2011 SC had observed that since pan masala, gutkha or supari are eaten for taste and nourishment, they are all food within the meaning of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. Health ministry wants FSSAI to lay down about what levels of tobacco that would be safe in such products. But FSSAI says that no food item can contain a harmful substance like tobacco so there is no question of setting down permissible standards of tobacco in gutkha. Such products must be totally banned.

Shammi Kapoor says He doesnt want Dowry for his Sons wedding but the Baraatis (guests) must be welcomed with truckload of Pan Parag Pan Masala. It doesnt matter if there is no soup, salad, dal-roti, chaawal or ice-cream. Gutkha: Lack of Political will Gutkha is believed responsible for 90 per cent of oral cancers in India; plays a role in cancers of the stomach, food pipe and urinary bladder. The industry is worth an estimated Rs 8,000 crore. A powerful political lobby backs the Gutkha industry, which employs many people in rural areas, and therefore a ban cannot be implemented countrywide. It is very difficult to bring all states on the same page on a gutkha ban because of the political lobby Madhya Pradesh was the first state to ban gutkha but there is no change in availability. Supply from Uttar Pradesh is being routed there and a Rs 2 sachet now sells for Rs 10. (Smuggling) That is not a solution. Issue of Surrogate Advertisement Cable Television Network Act completely prohibits cigarette and alcohol advertisements. But the alcohol and tobacco companies found a loophole: Surrogate advertisement. Most of the large players adapted quickly to introducing what are termed as complimentary products which fell outside the ambit of the Governments regulation. For example:

Royal stag: originally a whiskey company, but casting SRK and Bhajji for the soda and music CD ads Have i made it large. Kingfisher (originally a beer manufacturing company) started selling Soda, Water and Calendars for brand advertisement. Because that doesnt fall under the ban. Bagpiper: Water and Soda, Cassettes and Compact discs. (Recall the ads of Akshay Kumar: aap mein aur bagpiper club soda). Bacardi:Cassettes and Compact discs Goa Gutkha, Pan Parag etc: started giving ads of Pan Masala. Because Pan Masala doesnt contain tobacco hence out of the advertisement ban. Surrogacy in advertising by Alcohol and Tobacco companies, continues in the absence of a strong code by the ASCI (Advertising Standards Council of India). Food for thought by Ex-Health minister Anbumani Ramadoss Tobacco industry directly pay cinema stars to smoke in films. When millions of people give polio drops to their children inspired by Amitabh Bachchans appeal, the impact of smoking scenes is not difficult to imagine. 76% of the 800-900 movies made in India had smoking scenes. British medical journal Lancet to claim that 52 per cent of children take to smoking due to movies and that smoking on screen was 16% more effective than direct tobacco advertisements. There was an outrage in the US Congress in the 70s over alleged direct payment to Hollywood stars by the tobacco industry to glamorise smoking. 40% of health-related problems from cancer, cardiovascular diseases, kidney ailments, skin allergy, lung problems to miscarriages are caused by smoking. What is Epidemic Disease? A widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected rapidly at the same time. Whatre the examples of Epidemic Disease? bird flu, swine flu, SARS, plague, Japanese encephalitis, cholera. Present Legal framework for dealing with Epidemic disease right now weve The Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 but it is outdated and toothless when dealing with situations of public emergency. It does not empower us to take relevant screening measures at airports or push through public health

measures in an emergency situation. With many known diseases acquiring more virulent drug resistant forms, the present law is grossly inadequate to deal with such situations. When Public health officials try culling of chicken with flu or isolation of anthrax-affected animals, many a times the farmers and villagers start protesting and obstructing the work. This Epidemic Disease act doesnt help, so officials use CrPC 144. Similarly public health measures like quarantine of those coming from yellow fever endemic countries are undertaken under IPC 188. What is Public Health (Prevention Control Management of Epidemics, Bioterrorism and Disasters) Bill? Government wants this new law to replace the outdated Epidemic Disease Act of 1897. This new bill includes provision for up to seven years jail term and up to Rs 5 lakh fine for somebody obstructing public health officials during a health exigency. For example, owner of a poultry farm, which has birds afflicted by H5N1 virus, creating problems in culling of his birds, could be charged under these sections. Gurupadswamy Committee Way back in 1979, Government formed the first committee called Gurupadswamy Committee to study the issue of child labour and to suggest measures to tackle it. Recommendations of Committee As long as poverty continued, it would be difficult to totally eliminate child labour and hence, any attempt to abolish it through legal recourse would not be a practical proposition. Therefore in the given circumstances, the only alternative left was to ban child labour in hazardous areas and to regulate and ameliorate the conditions of work in other areas. Action taken on Gurupadswamy Committee Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act was enacted. 1986 It prohibits employment of children in certain specified hazardous occupations and processes and regulates the working conditions in others. 1987 National Policy on Child Labour was formulated 1988 National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme was launched in 9 districts of high child labour endemicity in the country.

What is National Child Labour Project (NCLP)?

Based on the recommendations of Gurupadaswamy Committee, the Act In consonance with the above approach, a in 1987. Started in 1988, Under this project, the child labour withdrawn from work and sent to special schools run by NGOs. (District Collect gets the funds and he allocates it to the NGOs) these children are provided formal/non-formal education along with vocational training, a stipend of Rs.100 per month, supplementary nutrition and regular health check ups so as to prepare them to join regular mainstream schools What is INDO US DOL (INDUS PROJECT)? project has been being developed as a follow-up of the Joint Statement on Enhanced Indo-US Cooperation on Eliminating Child Labour signed between the Ministry of Labour and the US Department of Labour in August, 2000 implemented in ten hazardous sectors in 21 districts across five states namely, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh An estimated 80,000 children will be withdrawn and rehabilitated in this project. Major components INDUS Project Withdrawing children in the age group 8-14 from hazardous occupations and providing them meaningful transitional education. Making provision for systematic Vocational education/training of adolescents. Providing viable income generating alternatives for families of children withdrawn from work. Strengthening public education of child workers (to be implemented through the Department of Education, MHRD) SWASTHYA BIMA YOJANA You already know what is the meaning of Social security and what is unorganized sector. If not click me.

Whatre the Problems of Workers in Unorganized sector? workers in the unorganized sector constitute about 93% of the total work force in the country. Majority of the workers are still without any social security coverage. frequent incidences of illness and need for medical care and hospitalization of such workers and their

family members. Despite the expansion in the health facilities, illness remains one of the most prevalent causes of human deprivation in India. health insurance is one way of providing protection to poor households against the risk of health spending leading to poverty. Poor are unable or unwilling to take up health insurance because of its cost, or lack of perceived benefits Whatre The Salient Features Of The Swasthya Bima Scheme? Contribution by Government of India: 75% of the estimated annual premium of Rs.750 cost of smart card will be borne by the Central Government. Contribution by respective State Governments: 25% beneficiary would pay Rs. 30 per annum as registration/renewal fee. administrative and other related cost of administering the scheme would be borne by the respective State Governments Who is Eligible? Unorganized sector workers belonging to BPL category and their family members (a family unit of five) shall be the beneficiaries under the scheme. beneficiaries will be issued smart cards for the purpose of identification. What are the Benefits ? Unorganized sector worker and his family (unit of five) will be covered. Total sum insured would be Rs. 30,000/- per family per annum Cashless attendance to all covered ailments Hospitalization expenses, taking care of most common illnesses All pre-existing diseases to be covered Transportation costs (actual with maximum limit of Rs. 100 per visit) within an overall limit of Rs.1000. Minority communities in the notified by the Central Government

Minority Muslims

% of Total Population Acc2 Census 2001 13.4%;

Christians 2.3%; Sikhs 1.9%,

Buddhists 0.8% Parsis Total 0.007%. 18.4%

What are the Minority Concentration Districts? districts which are relatively backward in which at least 25% of the total population belongs to minority communities districts having a large absolute minority population of more than 5 lakhs but with minority population between 20% to 25% Backwardness parameters used for identifying Minority Concentration Districts religion-specific socio-economic indicators basic amenities indicators literacy rate; female literacy rate; work participation rate female work participation rate % of households with pucca walls % of households with safe drinking water % of households with electricity; % of households with W/C latrines

90 Minority Concentration Districts have been identified What is MsDP? Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP). Coordinated by Ministry of Minority Affairs. What are the objectives of MsDP?

To fill up the development deficits in Minority Concentration Districts (MCD) It provides specific plan for providing better infrastructure for school and secondary education, sanitation, pucca housing, drinking water and electricity supply, beneficiary oriented schemes for creating income generating activities. connecting roads, basic health infrastructure, ICDS centres, skill development and marketing facilities required for improving living conditions and income generating activities What are the types of schemes approved under MsDP? Indira Awas Yojana housing Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme for Installation of hand pumps Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan (RMSA) for Construction of additional classrooms in Govt. higher secondary schools Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) for Construction of additional class rooms in lower primary and middle schools Total Sanitation Campaign for Construction of toilet blocks in various categories of schools Solar lantern for girls studying in high schools for BPL Scheme of solar street lights Construction of additional primary health centres (APHCs) building under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) Integrated Child Development Scheme Construction anganwadi centres (AWC) Establishment of new Industrial Training Institutes (ITI)

Scheme for upgradation of existing ITI into centre of excellence Capacity building of farmers, traders, entrepreneurs on scientific coconut cultivation & processing technology. Vocational training on computer and I.T. Swarnjayanti Gremeen Swarozgar Yojna * (SGSY) Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidalaya (KGBV) for Construction of hostel for girls in high/secondary schools Novadaya Vidyalaya Samiti for Construction of hostel for boys high/secondary schools Providing modern teaching aid, Computer with Accessories under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan. What is Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation? It functions as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Located in Delhi established in 2008 during Birth Centenary Celebration Year of Babuji. Objectives of the Foundation propagate the ideology and philosophy of life and mission of Babu Jagjivan Ram; undertake and implement various schemes and programmes assigned from time to time by the Central and State Govts; implement special schemes for removal of untouchability and caste-based prejudices in the society; Babu Jagjivan Ram National Relief to SC Victims of Atrocities Scheme formulated in Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation under the Ministry to provide instant monetary relief to the victims of relatively heinous offences of atrocities under Prevention of Atrocities Act. Relief amount upto Rs. 5 lakh would be paid to each victim. Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana Centrally Sponsored Scheme of construction of Hostels for SC Girls and Boys. If a State / UT or University, constructs a new hostel for SC girls, then Centre will provide 100% cost. Central assistance is released only for meeting the cost of hostel buildings and the responsibility for maintenance of such hostels rest with the respective State Governments/UT Administrations.

Construction must be completed within 2 years. Capacity per hostel should not exceed 100 students. Thrust will be primarily for construction of new hostels for middle and higher secondary level of education. 2 marker for Mains Who is Babu Jagjivan Ram?

popularly as Babuji, was a freedom fighter and a social reformer from Bihar youngest minister in Jawaharlal Nehrus provisional government (1946) member of Constituent Assembly of India, where he ensured that social justice was enshrined in the Constitution the First Union Cabinet of India as a Labour minister (and father of current Speaker Meera Kumar)

What is 15 points program? A programme by Indian government Started in 2006 for welfare of minorities. What are the 15 points? Equitable availability of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Improving access to School Education Greater resources for teaching Urdu Modernizing Madarsa Education Scholarships for meritorious students from minority communities

Improving educational infrastructure through the Maulana Azad Education Foundation. Self-Employment and Wage Employment for the poor Upgradation of skill through technical training Enhanced credit support for economic activities Recruitment to State and Central Services Equitable share in rural housing scheme Improvement in condition of slums inhabited by minority communities. Prevention of communal incidents Prosecution for communal offences Rehabilitation of victims of communal riots. What are the objectives of this program? Enhancing opportunities for education for minorities. economic activities and employment, through existing and new schemes, enhanced credit support for self-employment, and recruitment to State and Central Government jobs. share for them in infrastructure development schemes Prevention and control of communal disharmony and violence. It also provides that, wherever possible, 15% of targets and outlays under various schemes should be earmarked for minorities. term substantial minority population in the 15 Point Programme applies to such districts/sub-district units where at least 25% of the total population of that unit belongs to minority communities. Who are the target groups? Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis) What are the schemes? Equitable availability of ICDS Services Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is aimed at holistic development of children and pregnant/lactating mothers from disadvantaged sections, by providing services through Anganwadi Centres

supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-up, referral services, pre-school and non-formal education. Improving access to School Education Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme Greater resources for teaching Urdu Central assistance will be provided for recruitment and posting of Urdu language teachers in primary and upper primary schools Modernizing Madarsa Education provides basic educational infrastructure in areas of concentration of educationally backward minorities Scholarships for meritorious students from minority communities pre-matric and post- matric Self-Employment and Wage Employment for the poor Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY), the primary self-employment programme for rural areas, has the objective of bringing assisted poor rural families above the poverty line by providing them income generating assets through a mix of bank credit and Governmental subsidy. certain percentage of the physical and financial targets under the SGSY will be earmarked for beneficiaries Swarn Jayanti Shahari Rojgar Yojana (SJSRY) consists of two major components namely, the Urban SelfEmployment Programme (USEP) and the Urban Wage Employment Programme (UWEP). certain percentage of the physical and financial targets under USEP and UWEP will be earmarked to benefit people below the poverty line from the minority communities. Sampurna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) is aimed at providing additional wage employment in rural areas alongside the creation of durable community, social and economic infrastructure. Since the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) has been launched in 200 districts, and SGRY has been merged with NREGP in these districts, in the remaining districts, a certain percentage of the allocation under SGRY will be earmarked for beneficiaries belonging to the minority communities living below the poverty line till these districts are taken up under NREGP Upgradation of skills through technical training ertain proportion of all new ITIs will be located in areas predominantly inhabited by minority

communities Enhanced credit support for economic activities National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) was set up in 1994 with the objective of promoting economic development activities among the minority communities. It will be ensured that an appropriate percentage of the priority sector lending in all categories is targeted for the minority communities. Recruitment to State and Central Services Large scale employment opportunities are provided by the Railways, nationalized banks and public sector enterprises. In these cases also, the concerned departments will ensure that special consideration is given to recruitment from minority communities. to provide coaching in government institutions as well as private coaching institutes with credibility. Equitable share in rural housing scheme

certain percentage of the physical and financial targets under IAY will be earmarked for poor beneficiaries from minority communities living in rural slums inhabited by minority communities Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Prevention of communal incidents In the areas, which have been identified as communally sensitive and riot prone, district and police officials of the highest known efficiency, impartiality and secular record must be posted. prevention of communal tension should be one of the primary duties of the district magistrate and superintendent of police. Prosecution for communal offences Special court or courts specifically earmarked to try communal offences should be set up so that offenders are brought to book speedily. Rehabilitation of victims of communal riots Victims of communal riots should be given immediate relief and provided prompt and adequate financial assistance for their rehabilitation.

Who is eligible? All unmarried adolescent girls in the age group of 1118 year. Target group = school drop-outs girls in rural areas, whore forced to leave studies after class 5. What are the objectives of KSY? To improve the nutritional and health status of girls in the age group of 1118 years. To provide the required literacy and innumeracy skills through the nonformal stream of education, to stimulate a desire for more social exposure and knowledge and to help them improve their decision making capabilities. To train and equip the adolescent girls to improve/upgrade homebased and vocational skills. To promote awareness of health, hygiene, nutrition and family welfare, home management and child care, and to take all measure as to facilitate their marrying only after age of 18. To gain a better understanding of their environment related social issues and the impact on their lives and To encourage them to initiate various activities to be productive and useful members of the society. What are the services offered under KSY? The Anganwadi centre of a village, will gather 20 or more girls, form a Balika Mandal and give them training for 6 months. Educational activities through nonformal & functioned literacy pattern. Immunization A general health check up every six months Treatment for minor ailments Prophylaxis measures against anemia, goiter, vitamin deficiencies etc. Referral to PHC/District Hospital in the case of acute need Convergence with Reproductive Child Health Scheme. RCH-II (Reproductive and Child health) programme was launched in 2005. Goals = reduction in IMR, MMR and TFR. In order to achieve these goals, RCH-II has four target groups:

Group

Government initiatives Early detection and Registration of Pregnant mothers

Mother

Tetanus Toxide injection, iron & Folic Acid Tablets to prevent Anemia minimum 3 periodical check-ups =hospital services to meet the emergency care during prenatal, natal and post-natal period. immunization against measles and Vitamin A deficiency

Child

Qualitative Treatment for Acute Respiratory Infection and Diarrhea. polio dose and BCG vaccination

Adolescent Sex education, safe abortion services under ARSH clinics Couple Family planning with contraceptive services both permanent and temporary like free Nirodh (condoms), IUD, N.S.V and Tubectomy etc

What is ARSH clinic? Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) clinics Launched under the RCH-II scheme. ARSH was originally instituted to tackle issues such as child marriage, child pregnancy and HIV/AIDS to make up for the parental opposition that sex education in schools encountered. The idea of the clinic-based counselling was to provide the child with support as and when s/he was in need of it rather than risk a backlash. (^taken from Indian Expres) Why Adolescents are important? Adolescents (10-19 years) in India represent almost one-third of the total country's population. A large number of them are out of school, get married early, work in vulnerable situations, are sexually active, and are exposed to peer pressure. These factors have serious social, economic and public health implications. Adolescents are not a homogenous group. Their situation varies by age, sex, marital status, class, region and cultural context. This calls for interventions that are flexible and responsive to their disparate needs.

Some of the public health challenges for adolescents include pregnancy, excess risk of maternal and infant mortality, sexually transmitted infections and reproductive tract infections in adolescence, and the rapidly rising incidence of HIV in this age group. Thus it is important to influence the health-seeking behaviour of adolescents as their situation will be central in determining India's health, mortality and morbidity; and the population growth scenario. Who? Anil Kakodkar, Ex-Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission E. Sreedharan, Ex-Chief of Delhi Metro Rail Corp. When? 2011 Why? 70 passengers died in Kalka Mail accident in July 2011, necessitated a holistic assessment of additional measures to enhance rail safety. So, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi formed this panel, to lay down a road map on the long- and shortterm safety-related issues of Railways. What are the problems? 30 per cent of the derailments are caused by defective tracks Department is procuring sub-standard sparesparts 40 percent of all railway accidents happen at the unmanned level crossings. 42 per cent accidents are caused by railways own staff between 10pm and 6am, because theyre overworked and hence not alert enough. 3,000-plus rail bridges are very old and not monitored scientifically= a perennial safety hazard each time a train passes over. Indian Railways is using most corridors beyond 100 per cent and it is difficult to carry out planned and systematic maintenance on trunk routes, as there is no time available due to excess traffic. Recommendations of Kakodkar Panel on Railway Safety Setup New institutes An independent rail safety authority and put commissioners of railway safety under it. Set up Railway Research and Development Council (RRDC)

Replace Toilets Due to pH content etc. of the toilet discharge, there is widespread corrosion of the railway trackss. These toilets need to be discontinued. Maintenance workers often refuse to service the undercarriage of the trains because discharge from toilets keep the undercarriage extremely dirty. Railways have been experimenting with zero-discharge toilets for years but have not yet completed the field trials to deploy them in passenger coaches. Elimination of all level crossings. Replace r 32,000 crossings with overbridges and subways over the next five years Itll Require Rs 50,000 crore, but the Railways would save Rs 7,000 crore by way of not having to maintain the crossings. New Infrastructure and technology Adopt an advanced signaling system based on continuous track circuiting and cab signaling similar to European train control system. All new coaches should only be of LHB design, which is safer for present speeds and train lengths. Where is the Money? The Railways will need Rs 1 lakh crore in the next five years to implement Kakodkars recommendations. Panel suggests at least one-third of the cost, about 30,000 crore, is recovered from passengers in surcharges over and above the ticket fare. Given the populist bent of most leaders who have headed the department, this is an unlikely course. The railways, it seems, is headed for disaster. Who? Ministry of Rural Development Department of Rural Development. When? 1995 Why? Directive principles of State Policy (DPSP) Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement etc.

Where? Both rural areas as well as urban areas Who and What? See the table Name Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) Annapurna Who (BPL person+) Senior citizen (60-79 years) Senior citizen >80 years Widow 40-59 years What? Rs. 200 pm Rs. 500 pm Rs. 200pm

18-59 years

Rs. 200pm

Death of primary breadwinner in 18-64 age Senior citizen uncovered in above schemes.

Rs. 10000/-

10 kg grains pm

IGN=Indira Gandhi pm= Per month. How? Gram Panchayat / Municipalities shortlist the beneficiaries. Beneficiaries get money via their accounts in Banks or in Post Office Savings or through Postal Money Order INDIRA AWAAS YOJANA (IAY) Who? Ministry of Rural Development Department of Rural Development. When? launched during 1985-86 Why? Government gives money to BPL families, for construction / upgradation of houses.

Cost-sharing Centre :State =75:25 Centre :North Eastern States=90:10 How much money is given to the selected family?

Financial assistance given to a BPL family under IAY scheme Provisions 60% of the funds should go for SC/ST Families. Gram Panchayats may draw out the shelterless families from the BPL List. House will be registered in the name of Female member. (Women empowerment) Family can also get additional loan upto Rs. 20,000 at 4% interest rate, incase they want to do more furnishing of the house. Convergence with other Schemes: IAY Family will get funds provided under the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) for building toilet. Ministry of Power: Under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) being implemented by each IAY Family will get free electricity connection to the house. Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) will give (1)Janshree Bima for rural BPL families and (2) Aam Aadmi Bima for the benefit of rural landless families. District administration (DM) to ensure that a jobless IAY beneficiary gets a job card under MNREGA and Self Help Group (SHG) membership under Swarnjayanti-gram-swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana || . Who? . ||

Ministry of Rural Development Department of Rural Development. Why? To bring the assisted poor families (Swarozgaries) above the Poverty Line. i.e. BPL to APL How? Organise the rural poor into Self Help Groups (SHGs). train them and provide them income generating assets. When? April 1, 1999. (To make us April fool?) PS: Exact Date or year is not important, but you should have idea on which time-era this falls in: Which scheme came first and which came later? Some Details. Under the SGSY, generally a self-help group may consist of 10 to 20 persons. all members of the group should belong to families below the poverty line. 50% of the groups formed in each block should be exclusively for the women. group formation and development is not a spontaneous process, so NGO can help as a facilitator. Bank Linkage Programme of NABARD: To give Loan-cum-subsidy to such SHG groups for their business activities. Cost sharing: Center and State on a 75-25 basis. Who? Ministry of Rural Development Department of Rural Development. (Presently Jairam Ramesh is the union minister for rural Development) When? 25 December 2000 Why?

PMGSY is a nationwide plan in India to provide good all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages, as envisigaed under Bharat Nirman* What Objective? To connect all habitations with a population of 500/+ persons (plain areas) and 250/+ persons (in hill States, the tribal and the desert areas.) *What is Bharat Nirman? Union Government launched this major initiative for rebuilding rural India, in 2005. It has 6 components: Water Supply,Housing,Telecommunication and Information Technology Electrification,Irrigation,Roads - Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, falls in here. (i.e. it is a Program to transform the Bharat Nirman Policy into reality) Radhakrishnan Committee Agriculture Indebtedness, Farmer Suicides-UPSC Observations PMs Loan waiver Package Problems in implementing the package : What is to be done ? Observations slowdown in the growth of the agricultural in the past two decades An excessive proportion of the population is dependent on agriculture, resulting in increasing pressure on land, decline in the availability of land per agricultural worker =lead to increase in smaller holdings of land. Increasing stress on water resources. Wide disparities between different states as regards the productivity and growth in agriculture. Lack of availability of credit to small and medium farmers. The seed-fertiliser technology seems to have exhausted its potential and is no longer cost efficient. Inadequate public investment in the agricultural sector has also resulted in limited extension services.

Depletion in the quality of soil, groundwater and the growing pollution of river and canal water. PMs Loan waiver Package Announced in July 2006, it was to provide relief and rehabilitation to farmers in 31 distressed districts across four states of Andhra Pradesh,Karnataka,Kerala,Maharashtra. Package is around 17000 crores, 11,000 crore as subsidy/grant remaining as loans to be implemented over a three year period. The package includes a credit component, non-credit component which includes irrigation, watershed development, rainwater harvesting check dams extension services. aims to revive the livelihood base of the distressed farmers. Problems in implementing the package : The package is universal in nature does not take into account the specificities of various districts the causes of distress vary across the districts. been no coordination between different agencies implementing the schemes. Some schemes have not been designed taking into account the felt needs of the households. Projects delayed due to problems in obtaining sanctions. What is to be done ? Agriculture needs to grow at 4%; long term growth to be sustained; cropping intensity and yields must rise substantially

Additional investment in rural infrastructure, irrigation, agricultural research extension; greater focus on rainfed areas; plan for National Rainfed Areas Authority More attention to marginal and small farmers; promotion of allied activities, development of rural non-farm sector, organisation of small and marginal farmers through collectives like Self Help Groups, etc Improvement in R&D in the farm sector resurrect rural credit agencies in both geographical spread as well delivery mechanisms. Need to improve institutional supply of credit as against the non-institutional supply (Money Lenders) moderate price related risks (whether they be induced due to the weather or market fluctuations) via different tariff mechanism. This is an important topic with respect to, Mains General studies, Essay & Interview of UPSC Civil Service IAS IPS Exam. Here is a brief outline for it. Towards the ideal of a hunger-free India To a people famishing and idle, the only acceptable form in which God can dare appear is, work and promise of food as wages. Mahatma Gandhi (Naokhali, 1946) poverty is also the first among the U.N. Millennium Development Goals (MDG),represent a global common minimum programme for human security and well-being. The Food and Agriculture Organization: FAO says achieving the goal of reducing hunger by half by 2015,

some 75 million more were added to the hunger trap during 2007, principally due to the rise in food prices. Nearly 30 million of the 75 million additions are from India. Five-point action plan : a) Institutional structures for public policy and coordinated action in nutrition concurrent attention to food (macronutrients and micronutrients, clean drinking water) non-food factors (such as sanitation, environmental hygiene, primary health care, nutrition, literacy and work and income security). Itll need a fusion of political will and action, professional skill peoples participation.

b) Learning for success: converting the unique into the universal learn from successful examples of the elimination of malnutrition, as for example, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Kerala has adopted a universal Public Distribution System (PDS). Tamil Nade unique combination of the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) TINP (Tamil Nadu Integrated Nutrition Project) TINP identified a community worker to concentrate on families with children in the 0-3 age group. From 1982, Tamil Nadu has been operating a universal noon-meal programme for school children, which now covers old age pensioners, destitute,

widows pregnant women. Support is being extended to nursing mothers. Further, Tamil Nadu is providing rice to the poor at Re. 1 a kg from September 15, 2008. This will require focussing on two important target groups: children under two years of age women, especially adolescent girls pregnant and nursing women. c) Action at the local level: community food and water security system Community food and water security systems including grain, seed, fodder and water banks can be promoted by local bodies. The food basket should be widened so as to include a wide range of millets such as ragi, besides legumes, vegetables and tubers. d) Action at the State level: coordinating nutrition security initiatives

The State Level Committee on Nutrition Security chaired by the Chief Minister implementation of ongoing nutrition safety net programmes (national, bilateral and international) A media coalition must be formed to include representatives of the print media, audio and video channels, new media including the Internet, and traditional media such as folk dance, music, and street plays.

e) Action at the national level: mainstream nutrition in national missions Programmes such as the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (Rs. 25,000 crore), National Horticulture Mission (Rs. 20,000 crore) National Food Security Mission (Rs. 5,000 crore) should have a nutrition advisory board, so that cropping and farming systems are anchored on the principle of food-based nutrition security.

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in Food Security all NREGA sites, should have a nutrition clinic operated by a knowledgeable person and a PDS facility. If food is not available at affordable prices at NREGA sites, most of the money earned will go towards purchasing staple foods at high cost and under-nutrition will persist. Some more steps: All MLAs and MPs who are provided with Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 2 crore a year respectively for local area development (under MPLADS) should set apart the funds to eliminate malnutrition from their constituencies based on the Gandhi district plan of assisting every family to earn their daily bread. corporate social responsibility to projects enhancing the productivity and profitability of small scale farming womens self help groups, strengthening nutrition safety nets eliminating leakages in the delivery system. India must not remain home to the largest number of malnourished people in the world.