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  • 08 Mar 2021
  • 37 min read
Governance

Rights of Overseas Citizens of India

Why in News

Recently, the government has notified a consolidated list of rights of the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).

  • The rights and restrictions are not new, they have been notified previously in 2005, 2007, and 2009. They were also mentioned in an OCI brochure published by the Ministry of Home Affairs in November 2019.

Key Points

  • Multiple Entry Lifelong Visa:
    • OCI cardholders will be entitled to get multiple entry lifelong visas for visiting India for any purpose.
  • Prior Permission:
    • OCI cards would need prior permission for a set of activities that include research, journalism, mountaineering, missionary or Tablighi work, and visits to restricted areas.
  • Parity with Non Resident Indians (NRIs):
    • OCI cardholders will enjoy parity with NRIs in adoption of children, appearing in competitive exams, purchase or sale of immovable property barring agricultural land and farmhouses, and pursuing professions such as doctors, lawyers, architects, and chartered accountants.
  • Parity with Indian Nationals:
    • They have parity with Indian nationals in the matter of domestic air fares, entry fees to monuments and public places.
  • Entrance Exams and Admissions:
    • OCIs can appear for all-India entrance tests such as National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), Joint Entrance Examination (Mains), Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) or such other tests to make them eligible for admission only against any NRI seat or any supernumerary seat.
    • The OCI cardholder shall not be eligible for admission against any seat reserved exclusively for Indian citizens.
  • Other Economic, Financial and Educational fields:
    • In respect of all other economic, financial and educational fields not specified in the latest notification or the rights and privileges not covered by the notifications made by the Reserve Bank of India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999,  the OCI cardholder shall have the same rights and privileges as a foreigner.
  • Exemption:
    • They are exempted from registration with the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) for any length of stay in India.
      • Foreigners visiting India who hold long-term visas (more than 180 days) are required to register their presence in India with the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
  • Restrictions:
    • There will be no restriction in visiting religious places and attending normal religious activities like attending religious discourses.
    • However, preaching religious ideologies, making speeches in religious places, distribution of audio or visual display/pamphlets pertaining to religious ideologies, spreading conversion etc. will not be allowed.

Overseas Citizen of India

  • The Ministry of Home Affairs defines an OCI as a person who:
    • Was a citizen of India on or after 26th January 1950; or
    • Was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950; or
    • Is a child or grandchild of such a person, among other eligibility criteria.
  • According to Section 7A of the OCI card rules, an applicant is not eligible for the OCI card if he, his parents or grandparents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh. The category was introduced by the government in 2005.
  • The Government of India via Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015 merged the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) category with OCI category in 2015.

Non Resident Indian

  • A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) means a person resident outside India who is a citizen of India or is a person of Indian origin.
    • An Indian citizen residing outside India for a combined total of at least 183 days in a financial year is considered to be an NRI.
  • NRIs enjoy voting rights and are required to pay and file the income tax return on their Indian income like resident Indians.
    • NRI is more of a technical classification for taxation purposes and investment purposes.
  • However, in case an NRI wishes to take up foreign citizenship, he/she will have to give up Indian citizenship as the Indian constitution does not allow dual citizenship.
    • A person cannot hold Indian as well as foreign citizenship simultaneously.

Foreigner

  • As per the the Foreigners Act, 1946, foreigner means a person who is not a citizen of India.
  • The Fundamental Rights guaranteed by Articles 14, 20, 21, 21A, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 are available to all persons whether citizens or foreigners. The Fundamental Rights guaranteed by Articles 15, 16, 19, 29, and 30 are available only to citizens of India.

Source:IE

Agriculture

Sub-Mission on Agroforestry Scheme

Why in News

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Silk Board on a convergence model for the implementation of Agroforestry in the silk sector. It is a part of the ongoing Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme.

Key Points

  • Convergence Model:
    • Aim:
      • To incentivize the farmers to take up sericulture based Agroforestry models thereby contributing to the Make in India and Make for the World vision of the Prime Minister.
    • About:
      • This linkage will add another dimension to agroforestry for faster returns to the growers as well as support the production of the range of silks that India is famous for.
      • The Central Silk Board (CSB - under the Ministry of Textiles) will act as a catalyst to promote Agroforestry in the silk sector.
        • CSB is a statutory body established in the year 1948 by an Act of Parliament.
      • The initiative of formalizing the collaboration in the sericulture sector is especially targeted for augmentation of sericulture host plants e.g. Mulberry, Asan, Arjuna, Som, Soalu, Kesseru, BadaKesseru, Phanat, etc. to be cultivated both as block plantations and border or peripheral plantations on farmlands.
    • Significance:
      • Planting sericulture based tree species on the farm bunds and rearing silkworms will help in creating additional income opportunities for farmers besides their regular source of income from agriculture activities.
      • It will contribute to the Prime Minister's vision of doubling farmers' income by 2022.
  • Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme:
    • About:
      • The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC & FW) has been implementing the SMAF since 2016-17 as part of the recommendation of the National Agroforestry Policy 2014.
        • India was the first country to have such a comprehensive policy which was launched at the World Agroforestry Congress held in Delhi in February 2014.
      • The scheme is implemented only in the states having liberalized transit regulations for the transport of timber and will be extended to other states as and when such relaxations are notified by them.
        • At present, the scheme is being implemented in 20 States and 2 UTs.
      • The scheme promotes endemic species or tree species that come with medicinal value.
        • Exotic species are not promoted by the scheme.
    • Aim:
      • To encourage farmers to plant multi-purpose trees together with the agriculture crops for climate resilience and an additional source of income to the farmers, as well as enhanced feedstock to inter alia wood-based and herbal industry.
    • Funding:
      • It is operational under the funding pattern 60:40 (Central government: State government) basis for all states except for 8 states of North East Region, the hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand where it would be 90:10 fund sharing. For Union Territories (UTs), the assistance will be 100% from the Central government.
    • Beneficiaries:
      • Farmers would be supported financially to the extent of 50% of the actual cost of the interventions (limited to 50% of the estimated cost as indicated in the Cost norms) for the respective interventions.
      • Farmers groups/Cooperatives and Farmer Producers Organization (FPO) can also avail the benefit of the programme but the assistance can be accessed as per norms and provisions applicable to the individual farmers.
      • At least 50% of the allocation is to be utilized for small, marginal farmers of which at least 30% should be women beneficiaries/farmers. Further 16% & 8% of the total allocation or in proportion of SC/ST population in the district will be utilized for Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) respectively.
      • Farmers must have a soil health card to get the benefit under the programme.
  • Other Initiatives for Farmers:

Agroforestry

  • Agroforestry is defined as a land use system which integrates trees and shrubs on farmlands and rural landscapes to enhance productivity, profitability, diversity and ecosystem sustainability.
  • It is a dynamic, ecologically based, natural resource management system that, through integration of woody perennials on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production and builds social institutions.

Sericulture

  • About:
    • It is an agro-based industry.
    • It involves rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk, which is the yarn obtained out of cocoons spun by certain species of insects.
    • The major activities of sericulture consist of food-plant cultivation to feed the silkworms which spin silk cocoons and reeling the cocoons for unwinding the silk filament for value-added benefits such as processing and weaving.
    • Domesticated silkworms (Bombyx mori) are raised for the purpose of sericulture.
  • Silk Production in India:
    • There are five major types of silk of commercial importance, obtained from different species of silkworms.
      • These are Mulberry, Oak Tasar & Tropical Tasar, Muga and Eri.
    • Except for mulberry, other non-mulberry varieties of silks are wild silks, known as vanya silks.
    • India has the unique distinction of producing all these commercial varieties of silk.
    • South India is the leading silk producing area of the country and is also known for its famous silk weaving enclaves like Kancheepuram, Dharmavaram, Arni, etc.

Source: PIB

Social Justice

MT Swarna Krishna: International Women’s Day

Why in News

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has flagged off an all-women crew onboard Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) vessel MT Swarna Krishna.

  • The initiative is a part of SCI’s ongoing Diamond Jubilee celebrations and also to commemorate the International Women’s Day (8th March).
  • This is the first time in the world maritime history that a cargo ship is being sailed by all women officers.

Shipping Corporation of India

  • About:
    • SCI was established on 2nd October 1961 by the amalgamation of Eastern Shipping Corporation and Western Shipping Corporation.
      • Two more shipping companies, Jayanti Shipping Company and Mogul Lines Limited, were merged with SCI in 1973 and 1986 respectively.
    • It is a Government of India Public Sector Enterprise. It operates and manages vessels that service both national and international lines.
  • Headquarters: Mumbai.
  • Navratna status: SCI was also awarded the prestigious "Navratna" status by Indian Government in 2008.
  • Disinvestment: In November 2019, the Union Cabinet had accorded ''in-principle'' approval for strategic disinvestment of Government of India's shareholding of 63.75% in SCI along with transfer of management control to a strategic buyer.

Key Points

  • International Women's Day:
    • About: It is celebrated annually on 8th March. It includes:
      • Celebration of women's achievements,
      • raising awareness about women's equality,
      • lobbying for accelerated gender parity,
      • fundraising for female-focused charities, etc.
    • Brief History:
      • Women’s Day was first celebrated back in 1911 by Clara Zetkin, who was a German. The roots of the celebration had been in the labour movement.
      • It was only in 1913, however, that the celebrations were shifted to 8th March, and it has remained that way ever since.
      • International Women's Day was celebrated for the first time by the United Nations in 1975.
        • In December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions.
  • 2021 Theme:
    • The UN has decided to keep the theme as “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world”.
    • Meanwhile, some groups of women have called for the theme to be “Choose to challenge”, claiming that the world only became alert about such issues if it was challenged.
  • Related Data:
    • According to the UN, legal restrictions have kept 2.7 billion women from accessing the same choice of jobs as men.
      • As of 2019, less than 25% of parliamentarians were women.
      • One in three women experience gender-based violence.
    • In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, female labor force participation in India was 20.5%, according to ILO estimates. Comparable estimates for males was 76%.
    • In the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index (which measures progress towards gender parity), India slipped to 112th place in 2019-20, simply because over 70 lakh Indian women have dropped out of work.
  • Safeguards for Women in India:
    • Constitutional Safeguards:
      • Fundamental Rights: It guarantees all Indians the right to equality (Article 14), no discrimination by the State on the basis of gender (Article 15(1)) and special provisions to be made by the State in favour of women (Article 15(3)).
      • Fundamental Duties: The Constitution imposes a fundamental duty on every citizen through Articles 51 (A)(e) to renounce practices derogatory to dignity of women.
    • Legislative Framework:
      • Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: It provides victims of domestic violence with a means for practical remedy through prosecution.
      • The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: It prohibits the request, payment or acceptance of a dowry.
      • The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013: This legislative act seeks to protect women from sexual harassment at their place of work.
    • Related Schemes: Women Technology Park, Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI), etc.
  • World Conferences on Women:
    • The United Nations has organized 4 world conferences on women. These took place in
      • Mexico City, 1975
      • Copenhagen, 1980
      • Nairobi, 1985
      • Beijing, 1995
    • The 4th World Conference on Women (WCW), held in Beijing, was one of the largest ever gatherings of the United Nations, and a critical turning point in the world’s focus on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
      • The Beijing Declaration is an agenda for women’s empowerment and considered the key global policy document on gender equality.
      • It sets strategic objectives and actions for the advancement of women and the achievement of gender equality in 12 critical areas of concern like women and health, women in power and decision-making, the girl-child, women and the environment.
  • Recently, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has proposed a Temporary Basic Income (TBI) for poor women in developing countries to help them cope with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and alleviate the economic pressures they face every day.

Source: TH

Indian Economy

MSME Credit Health Index

Why in News

The latest MSME Credit Health Index indicates that MSME credit growth has accelerated in the quarter ending September 2020 as compared to the quarter ending in June 2020.

Key Points

  • About the MSME Credit Health Index:
    • Launch: The TransUnion CIBIL in partnership with the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has launched MSME Credit Health Index.
      • The Index is published quarterly.
    • Aim: To provide a measure of the growth and strength of the MSME sector in India.
      • The Index will provide government, policy makers, lenders and MSME market participants, a numeric indicator for benchmarking the health of the MSME sector.
    • Measurement: The Index measures the credit health of India’s MSME industry on two parameters i.e, growth and strength. Both the growth and strength indices follow the principle of higher the better.
      • Growth is measured by plotting increase in exposure value (outstanding balances) over time.
        • An increasing Growth Index indicates improvement in credit growth.
      • Strength is measured by decrease/increase in credit risk in terms of non-performing assets (NPA).
        • An increasing Strength Index implies better asset quality and therefore denotes an improvement in the structural strength of the sector.
    • Significance: This measurement model will facilitate better MSME credit risk management, formulation of strategies and policies to support the revival and resurgence of the MSME sector and the economy.
  • Latest Data:
    • The overall growth index inched up to 114 points, which is a three-point increase from 111 in June, 2020.
    • The overall Strength Index also improved to 89 from 83 over the same period.
  • About the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme:
    • The scheme was launched as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package announced in May 2020 to mitigate the distress caused by coronavirus-induced lockdown, by providing credit to different sectors, especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
    • The ECLGS provides for the Guaranteed Emergency Credit Line (GECL) facility.
      • The GECL is a loan for which 100% guarantee is provided by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) - banks, financial institutions and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
      • The loans are extended in the form of additional working capital term loan facility in case of banks and additional term loan facility in case of NBFCs to eligible Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)/business enterprises and interested Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) borrowers.

National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd

  • NCGTC is a private limited company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 in 2014, established by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, as a wholly owned company of the Government of India, to act as a common trustee company for multiple credit guarantee funds.
    • Credit guarantee programmes are designed to share the lending risk of the lenders and in turn, facilitate access to finance for the prospective borrowers.

Source: TH

Indian History

Sculpture of Hardit Singh Malik

Why in News

Recently, England has approved the design for a sculpture of an early 20th century Sikh fighter pilot “Hardit Singh Malik” for a new memorial to be erected in the port city of Southampton.

  • The memorial is built in memory of all Indians who fought in the World Wars.
  • The memorial will be created by English sculptor Luke Perry.

Key Points

  • About Hardit Singh Malik:
    • Birth:
      • He was born into a Sikh family on 23rd November 1894 in Rawalpindi in West Punjab, pre-partitioned India.
    • Career:
      • Hardit Singh Malik first arrived in the UK in 1908 as a 14-year-old to Balliol College at the University of Oxford.
      • He became a member of the Royal Flying Corps during World War I (1914-1918).
        • As the first Indian and turbaned pilot with a specialised helmet, he became famous as the “Flying Sikh”.
      • Malik also played cricket for Sussex and was also the Indian Ambassador to France after a long and distinguished career in the Indian Civil Service.
    • Death:
      • He died in New Delhi on 31st October 1985.
  • India’s Contribution to World War I:
    • About:
      • World War I (WW I), also known as the Great War, lasted from July 1914 to November 1918.
      • WW I was fought between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers.
        • Allied Powers: France, Russia, and Britain. The United States also fought on the side of the Allies after 1917.
        • Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
      • India made a huge contribution to Britain’s war effort.
      • As high as 100 million British Pounds was given by India to Britain to fund their war anticipating dominion status and home rule in return.
      • The British raised men and money from India, as well as large supplies of food, cash, and ammunition, collected by British taxation policies.
        • In return, the British promised to award self-rule to India at the end of the war which eventually was not delivered.
    • Troops:
      • It sent staggering numbers of volunteers to fight and die on behalf of the allied forces.
      • Almost 1.5 million Muslim, Sikh and Hindu men from regions such as the Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Bihar volunteered in the Indian Expeditionary Force, which fought on the Western Front, in East Africa, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Gallipoli.
      • However, of these men, around 50,000 died, 65,000 were wounded, and 10,000 were reported missing, while 98 Indian army nurses were killed.
    • Other Supplies:
      • The country also supplied 1,70,000 animals and 3.7 million tonnes of supplies, jute for sandbags to the British government.
  • India’s Contribution to World War II:
    • About:
      • World War II, also called Second World War, was a conflict that involved virtually every part of the world during the years 1939–45.
      • The principal belligerents were:
        • Axis powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan.
        • Allies: France, Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, and, to a lesser extent, China.
      • India sacrificed too much for the war. In the end the promised independence was also not granted. Indian contribution was hence largely neglected by the allied powers.
    • Troops:
      • Approximately 2.5 million Indian soldiers served in World War 2.
      • Over 36,000 Indian soldiers lost their lives, 34,000 were wounded and 67,000 were taken prisoners of war.
      • Their exploits were seen in East and North Africa, Italy, Burma, and as far out as Singapore, Malay Peninsula, Guam, and Indo China.
      • The roles played by Air Force pilots from India are legendary and well documented.
      • In the East, the Indian soldiers, as part of the British Indian Army, fought against the Japanese and were responsible for ultimately securing South East Asia that included Singapore, the Malay Peninsula and Burma.
    • Other Supplies:
      • Indian doctors and nurses were also involved on the British soil and other countries.
      • India supplied over 1.7 million food packets to soldiers and Asian prisoners of war, besides putting together warm clothes and other supplies.

Source: IE

Governance

India Science Research Fellowship 2021

Why in News

Forty scholars from six countries have been recommended for award of Indian Science Research Fellowship (ISRF) 2021.

  • This fellowship is a platform to establish research cooperation with neighbouring countries of India, which is one of the mandates of DST’s (Department of Science and Technology) International Science and Technology Cooperation.

Key Points

  • About India Science Research Fellowship (ISRF):
    • As part of India’s initiatives to engage with neighbouring countries to develop S&T partnerships, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched ISRF Programme.
    • This fellowship is for scholars from the neighbouring countries - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
    • ISRF programme has provided an opportunity to the young researchers from neighbouring countries to get access to the state of art facilities available in the Indian institutes/universities.
    • ISRF has been implemented since 2015.
  • Significance of the Fellowship:
    • Science Diplomacy: Enlarging India’s pursuit of influence in global arena/platforms and mainstreaming Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) into international diplomacy and foreign relation.
    • Technological Advancement in the South Asia region.

International Science and Technology Cooperation

  • About: The International S&T Cooperation (IC) Division of DST has the mandated responsibility of
    • negotiating, concluding and implementing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Agreements between India and other countries, and
    • providing interventions on STI aspects in international forums.
  • Significance:
    • In showcasing and projecting India’s scientific excellence in the global research landscape,
    • Leveraging foreign alliances and partnerships to accelerate key priorities and programs devoted to strengthening India’s national science and technology (S&T)/ Research and Development (R&D) competencies-capabilities-access to technologies in synergies with national flagship programs.
  • IC Division is partnering in the following International programs-

Source: PIB

Important Facts For Prelims

Equine Herpes Virus Outbreak in Europe

Why in News

Recently, there has been an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) among horses in Europe.

  • So far seven countries have confirmed EHV-1 cases: Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Qatar.

Key Points

  • About Equine Herpes Virus (EHV):
    • Equine Herpes Virus is a common DNA virus that occurs in horse populations worldwide.
    • EHV is a family of viruses which are named by numbers such as EHV 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
      • There are more viruses in this family, but EHV 1, 3, and 4 pose the most serious health risks for domestic horses.
    • Health Risks:
      • EHV1 can cause manifestations of disease in horses, including respiratory disease, abortion and neonatal death.
      • This strain can also cause neurological problems, leading to paralysis and in some cases, death. Horses that contract this virus can develop a lack of coordination, weakness, loss of appetite and are unable to stand.
  • Spread of EHV-1 Virus:
    • It is contagious and spread by direct horse-to-horse contact via the respiratory tract through nasal secretions.
    • This virus can also be spread indirectly through contact with physical objects that are contaminated with the virus.
  • Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is another name for the neurologic disease associated with Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) infections.
  • Precautions and Treatment:
    • As the infection has a high transmission rate, keeping a diseased horse in isolation is required.
    • Treatments may include anti-inflammatory drugs.

Source:IE

Important Facts For Prelims

CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award

Why in News

The Prime Minister of India was conferred with the Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award by Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA).

  • He was awarded for his commitment to expanding India's leadership in sustainable development to meet the country's, and the world's, future energy needs.
  • He addressed the CERAWeek conference and highlighted the steps taken by India to address the issue of climate change and attaining the target of achieving clean fuel.

Key Points

  • About the CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award:
    • The Award was instituted in 2016.
    • It recognises the commitment of leadership on the future of global energy and environment, and for offering solutions and policies for energy access, affordability and environmental stewardship.
  • Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA):
    • It is a consulting company in the United States that specializes in advising governments and private companies on energy markets, geopolitics, industry trends, and strategy.
  • CERAWeek:
    • It was founded in 1983 by Dr. Daniel Yergin.
    • It is an annual energy conference, organized in Houston (USA) in March, since 1983.
    • CERAWeek by IHS Markit is the annual international gathering of energy industry leaders, experts, government officials and policymakers, leaders from the technology, financial and industrial communities - and energy technology innovators.
    • CERAWeek 2021 was convened virtually from 1st-5th March, 2021.
      • Theme: The New Map: Energy, Climate, and Charting the Future.
  • Highlights of PM Address:

Source: PIB

Important Facts For Prelims

Whale Shark

Why in News

Recently, fishers in Odisha rescued a whale shark.

Key Points

  • About:
    • Whale sharks are the largest shark, and indeed largest of any fishes alive today and they travel large distances to find enough food to sustain their huge size, and to reproduce.
    • The whale shark is a ‘filter feeder shark’ which means it does not eat meat like other sharks. Whale sharks filter sea water and feed on tiny planktons.
    • The maximum size of whale sharks is not known, but could be as large as 20m.
  • Scientific Name:
    • Rhincodon typus.
  • Habitat:
    • Whale sharks are found in all the tropical oceans of the world.
  • Threats:
    • Oil & gas drilling, shipping lanes etc.
  • Protection Status:

Source: DTE

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