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  • 22 Jul 2021
  • 57 min read
Indian Economy

Amendment in IBBI Regulations 2016

Why in News

Recently, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has amended the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2016.

Key Points

  • Revealing Former Names & Address:
    • The amendment requires an Insolvency Professional (IP) conducting Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) to disclose all former names and registered office address(es) so changed in the two years preceding the commencement of insolvency along with the current name and registered office address of the Corporate Debtor (CD), in all its communications and records.
      • CIRP includes necessary steps to revive the company such as raising fresh funds for operation, looking for a new buyer to sell the company as a going concern, etc.
      • CD is any corporate organization which owes a debt to any person.
    • A CD may have changed its name or registered office address prior to commencement of insolvency. Therefore the stakeholders may find it difficult to relate to the new name or registered office address and consequently fail to participate in the CIRP.
  • Appointment of Professionals:
    • The amendment provides that the Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) or Resolution Professional (RP) may appoint a professional, other than registered valuers, if he is of the opinion that the services of such professional are required and such services are not available with the CD.
    • Such appointments shall be made on an arm’s length basis following an objective and transparent process.
  • Avoidance of Transactions:
    • The RP is duty bound to find out if a CD has been subject to avoidance transactions, namely, preferential transactions, undervalued transactions, extortionate credit transactions, fraudulent trading and wrongful trading, and file applications with the Adjudicating Authority seeking appropriate relief.
  • Significance:
    • It would allow stakeholders to claw back lost value and would disincentive stakeholders from entering into such transactions.

Note

  • Insolvency: It is a situation where individuals or companies are unable to repay their outstanding debt.
  • Bankruptcy: It is a situation whereby a court of competent jurisdiction has declared a person or other entity insolvent, having passed appropriate orders to resolve it and protect the rights of the creditors. It is a legal declaration of one’s inability to pay off debts.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

  • Enactment:
    • The IBC was enacted in 2016.
  • Objective:
    • To streamline and speed up the resolution process of failed businesses.
    • To consolidate provisions of the existing legislative framework to form a common forum for debtors and creditors of all classes to resolve insolvency.
    • To stipulate that the resolution process of a stressed company will have to be completed in a maximum of 270 days.
  • Institutions to Facilitate Resolution of Insolvency:
    • Insolvency Professionals:
      • These professionals administer the resolution process, manage the assets of the debtor, and provide information for creditors to assist them in decision making.
    • Insolvency Professional Agencies:
      • The agencies conduct examinations to certify the insolvency professionals and enforce a code of conduct for their performance.
    • Information Utilities:
      • Creditors will report financial information of the debt owed to them by the debtor. Such information will include records of debt, liabilities and defaults.
    • Adjudicating Authorities:
      • The proceedings of the resolution process are adjudicated by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), for companies; and the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT), for individuals.
      • The duties of the authorities will include approval to initiate the resolution process, appoint the insolvency professional, and approve the final decision of creditors.
    • Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board:
      • It is a key pillar of the ecosystem responsible for implementation of the Code.
      • It regulates insolvency professionals, insolvency professional agencies and information utilities set up under the Code.
      • The Board consists of representatives of the Reserve Bank of India, and the Ministries of Finance, Corporate Affairs and Law.
  • Insolvency Resolution Process
    • It can be initiated by any of the stakeholders of the firm (debtors/creditors/employees). If the adjudicating authority accepts, an IP is appointed.
    • The power of the management and the board of the firm is transferred to the Committee of Creditors (CoC). They act through the IP.
    • The IP has to decide whether to revive the company (insolvency resolution) or liquidate it (liquidation).
    • If they decide to revive, they have to find someone willing to buy the firm.
    • The creditors also have to accept a significant reduction in debt. The reduction is known as a haircut.
    • They invite open bids from the interested parties to buy the firm.
    • They choose the party with the best resolution plan, that is acceptable to the majority of the creditors (75% in CoC), to take over the management of the firm.

Source: PIB

Governance

Geospatial Technologies for the Water Sector in India

Why in News

Recently, the Association of Geospatial Industries released a report titled “Potential of Geospatial Technologies for the Water Sector in India''. The report mentions opportunities in the Water sector that can benefit from the use of Geospatial technologies.

  • As the severity of the water crisis in India increases every year, central and state government agencies are using a variety of resources to tackle the water crisis. One among them is the adoption of Geospatial technologies.

Key Points

  • Overview of Water Sector in India:
    • Demand-Supply Mismatch: India has about 17% of the world population, but only about 4% of the world’s freshwater reserves, and is currently facing a severe water challenge.
      • Further, total capacity of India’s reservoirs stands at 250 billion cubic meters (bcm), while its total water bearing capacity over the surface is around 320 bcm.
    • Low Rate of Collection: India receives 3,000 billion cubic metres of water every year through rainfall or other sources such as glaciers; of this, only 8% is collected.
    • Over-extraction & Over-reliance on Groundwater: India fills groundwater aquifers at the rate of 458 bcm per year, while it extracts around 650 bcm of water from the earth.
      • 89% of India’s water resources are used for agriculture, out of which 65% is withdrawn from under the ground.
      • Thus, one of India’s biggest challenges is to conserve groundwater.
    • Water Stress: As per a NITI Aayog report, currently nearly 820 million people in 12 major river basins of India face extreme water stress.
    • Qualitative Issue: Adding to the issue of lack of water availability is the issue of water quality.
      • Groundwater in one-third of India’s 600 districts is contaminated mainly through fluoride and arsenic.
      • Further, there has been a 136% increase in the number of grossly polluting industries between 2011- 2018, according to the State of India’s Environment report, 2019.
  • Need to Conserve Water:
    • Given the population density and requirement of water for agriculture, India is heavily dependent on groundwater and is one of the worst hit countries as far as the water crisis is concerned.
    • Availability of clean water to all for personal, industrial, and agricultural use will not only ensure India reaches its vision of becoming a USD 5 Trillion economy but will also enable it to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
  • About Geospatial Technologies:
    • Geospatial technologies is a term used to describe the range of modern tools contributing to the geographic mapping and analysis of the Earth and human societies.
    • The term 'geospatial' refers not to one single technology, but a collection of technologies that help to collect, analyse, store, manage, distribute, integrate, and present geographic information.
    • Broadly speaking, it consists of the following technologies:
    • Benefits: Geospatial technology enables better measurement, management, and maintenance of assets, monitoring of resources and even providing predictive and prescriptive analysis for forecasting and planned interventions.
  • Geospatial Technology for Water Sector:

Digital Twin

  • Digital Twin is a virtual replica of the physical world, its dynamics, and processes, which allow us to simulate real life situations and analyse its impact.
  • Digital twins are composed of three parts:
    • the physical entities in the physical world,
    • the virtual models in the virtual world, and
    • the connected data that tie the two worlds.
  • Digital Twins not only integrate the digital representation of physical assets, like physical systems of pipes, pumps, valves, and tanks, but also include historical data sets such as weather records and realtime dynamic interactions, which allow them to be used for multiple analyses.

Way Forward

  • Long-term Geospatial Vision: In order to derive maximum benefit from geospatial technology implementation in various programmes, user departments need to build a long-term vision of the outcomes of geospatial implementation.
  • Integrated Geospatial Platform: An integrated collaborative platform to connect the data and technology used by various organizations need to be developed for seamless access to information both locally and nationally and enable decision making.
  • Data and System Integration: Various datasets including demography, socio-cultural, economic, and other parameters need to be integrated with spatial and non-spatial data related to water, like soil moisture, annual rainfall, rivers, aquifer, groundwater levels, water quality etc.
  • Improving Water Use Efficiency: Agriculture sector is the largest user of water resources in our country.
    • They use 80-85% of water resources, while have only about 30-35% efficiency of water use.
    • Geospatial technologies can be used for increasing water use efficiency, so that this can be increased to at least 50%.
  • Sharing of Best Practices: A lot of good work has taken place in pockets within state governments or within programmes related to the water sector.
    • A lot of knowledge exists that can help stakeholders to leverage from and not reinvent the wheel.
    • A central repository of such a knowledge base, in the form of a Knowledge Portal can be created and maintained by the Ministry of Jal Shakti that includes case studies, best practices, tools, information on data sources etc.

Source: PIB

International Relations

China-led South Asian Initiative

Why in News

Recently, Bangladesh has invited India to join the China-led South Asian initiative for Covid-19 vaccines and poverty alleviation.

  • It includes the creation of the China-South Asian Countries Emergency Supplies Reserve, and a Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Centre set up in China.

Key Points

  • About China-South Asian Initiative:
    • Members: China, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
      • India, Bhutan and the Maldives are the other SAARC countries that are not part of this initiative.
    • Intended Vision: China has different kinds of strategic, maritime, political and ideological interests with different South Asian nations so it is increasing its engagements with each country on equal footing to counterbalance India.
    • India’s Stand: Given continuing tensions over Chinese PLA aggression at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, India’s stand is that other bilateral relations cannot move ahead without a resolution of the boundary stand-off.
  • Associated Issues: This initiative seems to be China 's strategy to contain and undermine India's role in South Asia. This can be reflected in the following arguments:
    • Minus-India Initiative: Combinations of all SAARC member countries (other than India, Bhutan and Maldives) led some experts to suggest this was meant to be a “Minus India” initiative.
    • Diluting India’s Role in South Asia: This initiative is one of China's attempts to make inroads into South Asia.
    • Countering Quad: The China-led bloc could be its plan to create what some call a northern Himalayan Quad aimed at countering the US-led Quad of which India is an active member.
  • India’s Initiatives for South Asia:
    • In early 2021, India - driven by its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and in its understanding of its role as the ‘net security provider’ of the region began providing Covid-19 vaccines on a priority basis to its immediate neighbours (Vaccine Diplomacy).
      • India is also helping with the training of health workers in some of these countries and the setting up of the infrastructure to administer the shots.
    • Recently, India, Japan and Australia have formally launched the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI).
      • It aims to reduce dependence on China amid a likelihood of rechurning of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
    • However, India for years has struggled to match the pace of Chinese investment in countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives, where China is building ports, roads and power stations as part of its Belt and Road Initiative.

Way Forward

  • Establishing a Border Commission: Demarcation of Indian external boundaries is yet to be completed. Resolution of border disputes will pave way for stable regional integration.
    • Thus, India must strive for resolution of borders by establishing a border commission.
  • Broader Lens of Foregin Policy Goals: Integrating India’s regional economic and foreign policy remains a major challenge.
    • Therefore, India should resist compromising bilateral relationships with neighbours for short economic interests.
  • Improving Regional Connectivity: Regional connectivity must be pursued with greater vigour while security concerns being addressed through cost-effective, efficient and reliable technological measures which are in use in other parts of the world.
  • Implementing Gujral’s Doctrine: India’ neighbourhood policy should be based on the principles of Gujral Doctrine.
    • This would ensure India’s stature and strength cannot be isolated from the quality of its relations with its neighbours and there can be regional growth as well.

Source:TH

Governance

Extension to OBC Sub-Categorisation Commission

Why in News

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved a six-month extension to the commission appointed to examine sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), up to 31st January 2022.

  • This is the eleventh extension for the commission, which was initially due to submit its report in March 2018.

Key Points

  • About:
    • It will enable the Commission to submit a comprehensive report on the issue of sub-categorization of OBCs, after consultation with various stakeholders.
    • Its objectives include working out a mechanism, criteria, norm and parameters through a scientific approach for sub-categorisation within the OBCs and identifying the respective castes or communities or sub-castes or synonyms in the Central List of OBCs and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.
  • Commission:
    • Also called Rohini Commission, constituted under Article 340 of the Constitution with the approval of the President on 2nd October 2017.
    • It had been constituted to complete the task of sub-categorising 5000-odd castes in the central OBC list so as to ensure more equitable distribution of opportunities in central government jobs and educational institutions.
    • In 2015, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) had recommended that OBCs should be categorised into extremely backward classes, more backward classes and backward classes.
      • NCBC has the authority to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding socially and educationally backward classes.
  • Work Done:
    • It has met representatives of state governments, state backward classes commissions, community associations etc. apart from obtaining caste-wise data of OBCs in higher educational institutions and recruits in central departments, public sector banks and financial institutions.
    • Earlier this year the commission proposed to divide OBCs into four subcategories numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4 and split the 27% into 2, 6, 9 and 10%, respectively.
    • It also recommended complete digitisation of all OBC records and a standardised system of issuing OBC certificates.
  • Possible Outcomes:
    • The commission may make recommendations which will benefit the communities in the existing list of OBCs which have not been able to get any major benefit of the OBCs reservation scheme for appointment in central government posts and for admission in central government educational institutions.

Article 340 of the Indian Constitution

  • The President may by order appoint a Commission consisting of such persons as he thinks fit to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within the territory of India and the difficulties under which they labour and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the Union or any State to remove such difficulties.
  • A Commission so appointed shall investigate the matters referred to them and present to the President a report setting out the facts as found by them and making such recommendations as they think proper.
  • The President shall cause a copy of the report so presented together with a memorandum explaining the action taken thereon to be laid before each House of Parliament.

OBC Reservation

  • The Kalelkar Commission, set up in 1953, was the first to identify backward classes other than the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) at the national level.
  • The Mandal Commission Report, 1980 estimated the OBC population at 52% and classified 1,257 communities as backward.
    • It recommended increasing the existing quotas, which were only for SC/ST, from 22.5% to 49.5% to include the OBCs.
  • The central government reserved 27% of seats in union civil posts and services for OBCs [Article 16(4)]. The quotas were subsequently enforced in central government educational institutions [Article 15 (4)].
    • In 2008, the Supreme Court directed the central government to exclude the creamy layer (advanced sections) among the OBCs.
  • The 102nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018 provided constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), which was previously a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Source: PIB

Social Justice

Fighting Drug Menace

Why in News

India has signed 26 bilateral pacts, 15 memoranda of understanding and two agreements on security cooperation with different countries for combating illicit trafficking of narcotic, drugs and psychotropic substances, besides chemical precursors.

Key Points

  • Drug Menace In India:
    • The menace of drug addiction has spread fast among the youth of India.
    • According to the World Drug Report 2021, prescription drugs and their ingredients or 'precursors' are being increasingly diverted for recreational use in India--the largest manufacturer of generic drugs in the world.
      • India is also linked to shipment of drugs sold on the 19 major darknet markets analysed over 2011-2020.
    • As per the report Magnitude of Substance Use in India released by All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) in 2019:
      • Around 5 crore Indians reported to have used cannabis and opioids at the time of the survey (conducted in the year 2018).
      • It has been estimated that there are about 8.5 lakh people who inject drugs.
      • Of the total cases estimated by the report, more than half of them are contributed by states like Punjab, Assam, Delhi, Haryana, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh.
      • About 60 lakh people are estimated to need help for their opioid use problems.
  • Various Steps taken:
    • Coordination with Various International Organisations:
      • The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) coordinated with various international organisations for sharing information and intelligence to combat transnational drug trafficking.
      • They included the SAARC, BRICS, Colombo Plan, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the International Narcotics Control Board.
    • Coordination among Various Central and State Agencies:
      • For this, the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism was set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2016 for effective drug law enforcement.
        • This NCORD system was restructured into a four-tier scheme up to district level in July 2019, for better coordination.
      • A Joint Coordination Committee with the NCB Director General as its chairman was set up in July 2019, to monitor the investigation into cases involving large seizures.
    • SIMS (Seizure Information Management System) Portal:
      • For digitisation of pan-India drug seizure data, the MHA launched an e-portal called ‘SIMS’ in 2019 for all the drug law enforcement agencies under the mandate of Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS).
    • National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse:
      • It was constituted to meet the expenditure incurred in connection with combating illicit traffic in Narcotic Drugs; rehabilitating addicts, and educating the public against drug abuse, etc.
    • National Drug Abuse Survey:
      • The government is also conducting the Survey to measure trends of drug abuse in India through the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment with the help of National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre of AIIMS.
    • Project Sunrise:
      • It was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2016, to tackle the rising HIV prevalence in north-eastern states in India, especially among people injecting drugs.
    • The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, (NDPS) 1985:
      • It prohibits a person from producing, possessing, selling, purchasing, transporting, storing, and/or consuming any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.
      • The NDPS Act has since been amended thrice – in 1988, 2001 and 2014.
      • The Act extends to the whole of India and it applies also to all Indian citizens outside India and to all persons on ships and aircraft registered in India.
    • ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’, or Drug-Free India Campaign:
      • It focuses on community outreach programs.
  • International Treaties and Conventions to Combat Drug Menace:

Way Forward

  • While steps must be taken to stop supply by tamping down on cross-border trafficking, imposing harsher penalties under the NDPS Act, or improving drug enforcement, India must also address the problem on the demand side.
  • Addiction should not be seen as a character flaw, but as an ailment that any other person could be struggling with. Therefore, the stigma associated with drug taking needs to be reduced. Society needs to understand that drug-addicts are victims and not criminals.
  • Certain crop drugs which have more than 50% alcohol and opioids need to be contained. Strict action is required from police officers and the excise and narcotics department to curb the problem of drug menace in the country.
  • Education curriculum should include chapters on drug addiction, its impact and also on de-addiction. Proper Counselling is another alternative.

Source: TH

Biodiversity & Environment

Polluted River Stretches

Why in News

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2018 identified 351 polluted river stretches in India.

  • CPCB study reveals that discharge of untreated wastewater is one of the main causes of river pollution.
  • The assessment of water quality for identification of polluted river stretches found that 31 states and Union territories (UT) had rivers and streams that did not meet the water quality criteria.

Key Points

  • Findings of CPCB:
    • Concentration of Polluted River Stretches: Almost 60% of polluted river stretches exist in eight states: Maharashtra, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal and Karnataka.
      • Maharashtra has the maximum number of polluted river stretches in the country.
    • Disproportionate Sewage Treatment: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2019 directed that 100% treatment of sewage needed to be ensured before 31st March, 2020.
      • However, these states have sewage treatment capacity disproportionate to the sewage generated.
      • According to the CPCB report National inventory of sewage treatment plants 2021, about 72,368 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage was generated against which operational treatment capacity was only 26,869 MLD in 2021.
    • Increasing Biological Oxygen Demand: This huge amount of sewage is left untreated/partially treated and discharged directly into rivers and pollutes rivers by increasing the biological oxygen demand.

Biological Oxygen Demand

  • Biological Oxygen Demand is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by microorganisms to decompose organic matter (waste or pollutants) under aerobic reaction (in the presence of oxygen).
  • The more organic matter there is (e.g., in sewage and polluted bodies of water), the greater is the BOD.
  • Greater BOD, the lower the amount of dissolved oxygen available for higher animals such as fishes.
  • The BOD is therefore a reliable gauge of the organic pollution of a water body.
  • One of the main reasons for treating wastewater prior to its discharge into a water resource is to lower its BOD i.e. to reduce its need of oxygen and thereby lessen its demand from the streams, lakes, rivers, or estuaries into which it is released.

Dissolved Oxygen

  • It is the amount of dissolved oxygen present in the water which is needed for aquatic life to survive. The quality of water increases with an increase in DO levels.
  • A DO level of 5 mg/l or above is the recommended level for bathing in a river.
  • Other Reasons for Polluted Rivers:
    • Urbanization: Rapid urbanization in ​India during ​the recent ​decades has ​given rise to a ​number of ​environmental ​problems such ​as water supply,​ wastewater ​generation and ​its collection, ​treatment, and ​disposal. ​
      • Many towns ​and cities ​which came upon the banks of ​rivers have not ​given proper ​thought to the ​problem of ​wastewater, ​sewerage, etc.
    • Industries: Unrestricted flow of sewage and industrial effluents into the rivers has adversely affected their purity. All ​these ​industrial ​wastes are ​toxic to life ​forms that ​consume this ​water.
    • Agricultural ​Runoff and Improper ​Agricultural ​Practices: ​Traces of ​fertilizers and ​pesticides are washed into the ​nearest water-​bodies at the ​onset of the ​monsoons or ​whenever there ​are heavy ​rains.
    • Amount of Flow of Rivers: Impact on river ​water quality ​resulting from ​discharges of ​treated or ​untreated ​wastewater into ​the river will ​depend on the ​dilution ​offered by the ​quantum of ​flows in the ​river. ​
    • Religious ​and Social ​Practices: Religious ​faith and ​social ​practices also ​add to the ​pollution of the ​rivers, especially ​Ganga.
      • ​Dead bodies are ​cremated on the ​river banks. ​Partially burnt ​bodies are also ​flung into the ​river.
      • Mass bathing ​in a river ​during ​religious ​festivals is ​another ​environmentally ​harmful ​practice.
  • Government Initiatives to Tackle Water Pollution:
    • Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Ministry of Jal Shakti to devise an appropriate National River Rejuvenation Mechanism for effective monitoring of steps to curb pollution and for rejuvenation of all polluted river stretches across the country.
    • National Water Policy (2012): It aims to take cognizance of the existing situation, to propose a framework for creation of a system of laws and institutions and for a plan of action with a unified national perspective.
      • Started by the Ministry of Water Resources, it highlights the importance of water for human existence as well as for economic development related activities.
      • It suggests frameworks to conserve water resources through optimal, economical, sustainable and equitable means.
    • National Water Mission (2010): It ensures integrated water resource management leading to water conservation, less wastage, equitable distribution forming better policies.
    • National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): It envisages a five-tier structure at national, state and district level to take measures for prevention, control, and abatement of environmental pollution in river Ganga.
      • It aims to ensure continuous adequate flow of water so as to rejuvenate the river Ganga.
    • Namami Gange Project: It integrates the efforts to clean and protect the Ganga River in a comprehensive manner.

Way Forward

  • Maintaining Minimum Flow of the River: To maintain and restore the wholesomeness of the river (Aquatic ecosystem), there is a need to maintain the minimum flow.
    • Minimum flow of the river is also important to discharge treated sewage.
  • Comprehensive Waste Management Policy: There is a need for a comprehensive waste management policy that stresses the need for decentralised garbage disposal practices as this will incentivise private players to participate.
  • Bioremediation: It is important that Bioremediation (i.e. use of microbes to clean up contaminated soil and water) is made compulsory for areas wherever they can be applied.
  • Behavioural Change: To overhaul the waste management sector and induce the necessary behavioural change, citizen participation and engagement is the key.

Source: DTE

Governance

New Initiatives in Building Energy Efficiency

Why in News

Recently, “Aiming for Sustainable Habitat: New Initiatives in Building Energy Efficiency 2021” was launched by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).

  • These initiatives seek to enhance energy efficiency in the building sector and were launched as part of 'Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav'.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency

  • The BEE is a statutory body established through the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 under the Union Ministry of Power.
  • It assists in developing policies and strategies with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
  • BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations to identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing its functions.

Key Points

  • Initiatives Launched:
    • Eco Niwas Samhita 2021:
      • It is an Energy Conservation Building Code for Residential Buildings (ECBC-R) to give a further fillip to India’s energy conservation efforts.
      • It specifies code compliance approaches and minimum energy performance requirements for building services, and verification framework with Eco Niwas Samhita 2021.
    • Hand Book for Learning:
      • The web-based platform ‘The Handbook of Replicable Designs for Energy Efficient Residential Buildings’ as a learning tool, which can be used to create a pool of ready-to-use resources of replicable designs to construct energy-efficient homes in India.
    • Online Directory of Building Materials:
      • Creating an Online Directory of Building Materials that would envisage the process of establishing standards for energy efficient building materials.
    • NEERMAN Awards:
      • NEERMAN Awards, (National Energy Efficiency Roadmap for Movement towards Affordable & Natural Habitat) were announced, with the goal of encouraging exceptionally efficient building designs complying with BEE’s Energy Conservation Building Codes.
    • Online Star Rating Tool:
      • It provides performance analysis to help professionals decide the best options to pick for energy-efficiency of their homes.
      • It was launched for Energy Efficient Homes, created to improve energy-efficiency and reduce energy consumption in individual homes.
    • Training:
      • Training of over 15,000 Architects, Engineers and Government officials on Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2017 and Eco Niwas Samhita 2021.
  • Significance:
    • The building sector is the second largest consumer of electricity after industry but it is expected to become the largest energy consuming sector by 2030.
    • These initiatives will help enhance the energy-efficiency levels in residential buildings across the country, thereby leading to sustainable habitation.
      • The initiatives will go a long way to make India more energy-efficient.

Energy Efficiency in India

  • Energy Efficiency:
    • Energy efficiency means using less energy to perform the same task – that is, eliminating energy waste.
    • Energy efficiency brings a variety of benefits: reducing GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions, reducing demand for energy imports, and lowering our costs on a household and economy-wide level.
  • Transition:
  • Potential of Energy Efficiency:
    • Energy Efficiency has the maximum GHG abatement potential of around 51% followed by renewables (32%), biofuels (1%), nuclear (8%), carbon capture and storage (8%) as per the World Energy Outlook (WEO 2010).
    • India can avoid building 300 GW of new power generation up to 2040 with implementation of ambitious energy efficiency policies.
  • Positives:
    • Successful implementation of Energy Efficiency Measures contributed to electricity savings of 7.14% of total electricity consumption of the country and emission reduction of 108.28 million tonnes of CO2 during 2017-18.
  • Other initiatives to Promote Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency:
    • PAT Scheme:
    • Standards and Labeling:
      • The scheme was launched in 2006 and is currently invoked for equipments/appliances Room Air Conditioner (Fixed/VariableSpeed), Ceiling Fan, Colour Television, Computer, Direct Cool Refrigerator, Distribution Transformer, Domestic Gas Stove, General Purpose Industrial Motor, LED Lamps, Agricultural Pumpset, etc.
    • Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC):
      • It was developed for new commercial buildings in 2007.
      • It sets minimum energy standards for new commercial buildings having a connected load of 100kW (kilowatt) or contract demand of 120 KVA (kilovolt-ampere) and above.
    • Demand Side Management:
      • DSM is the selection, planning, and implementation of measures intended to have an influence on the demand or customer-side of the electric meter.

Source: PIB

Science & Technology

Bird Flu: Avian Influenza

Why in News

Recently, the first human death was recorded due to Bird Flu in India this Year. This was caused by H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus.

  • Earlier, China reported the first human infection of H10N3 bird flu.

Key Points

  • About:
    • A disease caused by avian influenza (AI) Type A viruses found naturally in wild birds worldwide.
      • AI viruses are broadly classified as low pathogenic AI (LPAI) and highly pathogenic AI (HPAI) viruses, based on their pathogenicity. H5N1 strains come under HPAI viruses.
    • The virus can infect domestic poultry including chickens, ducks, turkeys and there have been reports of H5N1 infection among pigs, cats, and even tigers in Thailand zoos.
  • Impact:
    • Outbreaks can lead to devastating consequences for the country, particularly the poultry industry.
    • Farmers might experience a high level of mortality in their flocks, with rates often around 50%.
  • Infection in Humans:
    • The most common route of virus transmission is direct contact with infected birds, either dead or alive, or contact with contaminated surfaces or air near the infected poultry.
    • Human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus is very rare.
    • Children and adults below 40 were seen to be the most affected and mortality was high in 10-19 years olds.
  • Symptoms in Humans:
    • Range from mild to severe influenza-like illnesses such as fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting.
    • People can also develop severe respiratory illness (e.g., difficulty breathing, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia) and altered mental status, seizures etc.
  • Prevention and Eradication:
    • Strict biosecurity measures and good hygiene are essential in protecting against disease outbreaks.
    • If the infection is detected in animals, a policy of culling infected and contact animals is normally used in an effort to rapidly contain, control and eradicate the disease.
    • WHO’s global laboratory system, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), identifies and monitors strains of circulating influenza viruses, and provides advice to countries on their risk to human health and available treatment or control measures.
  • Status of Bird Flu in India:
    • Fresh cases of bird flu were reported in different states of India between December 2020-January 2021 causing alarm across the country.
    • Previously in 2019, India was declared free from Avian Influenza (H5N1), which had also been notified to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
      • The OIE is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide. It is headquartered in Paris, France.

Types of Influenza Virus

  • There are four types of influenza viruses: influenza A, B, C, and D
    • Influenza A and B are the two types of influenza that cause epidemic seasonal infections nearly every year.
    • Influenza C mainly occurs in humans, but has been known to also occur in dogs and pigs.
    • Influenza D is found mainly in cattle. It’s not known to infect or cause illness in humans yet.

Avian influenza Type A viruses

  • Type A viruses are classified based on two proteins on their surfaces – Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA). There are about 18 HA subtypes and 11 NA subtypes.
  • Several combinations of these two proteins are possible e.g., H5N1, H7N2, H9N6, H17N10, H18N11 etc.
  • All known subtypes of influenza A viruses can infect birds, except subtypes H17N10 and H18N11, which have only been found in bats.

Way Forward

  • There is a need to enhance monitoring of wild bird and animal disease in our environment to act as an early warning system of change/arrival of potential diseases.
  • There is a need for a well-designed study to screen poultry and domestic waterfowl for low pathogenic viruses.
  • A study found that H5N1 outbreak occurrence was higher with greater proximity specifically to lakes, rivers, and coastal wetlands, by blocking the mixed-use of surface water by domestic poultry and wild waterfowl, cycling of Avian Influenza can be interrupted.
  • The emphasis should be on monitoring multiple waterbird sites of local, national, and international importance.

Source: IE

Internal Security

Akash-NG & MPATGM: DRDO

Why in News

Recently, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the New Generation Akash Missile (Akash-NG) and the Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM).

  • In June 2021 a new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-P (Prime) was successfully test-fired by the DRDO.
  • In February 2021 India also successfully test-fired indigenously-developed anti-tank guided missile systems ‘Helina’ and ‘Dhruvastra’.

Defence Research & Development Organisation

  • It is the Research & Development wing of the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India, with a vision to empower India with cutting-edge defence technologies.
  • It was established in 1958 after combining the Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).

Key Points

  • Akash Missile (Akash-NG):
    • About:
      • It is a surface-to-air Missile. It is a new variant of the Akash missile that can strike targets at a distance of around 60 km and fly at a speed of up to Mach 2.5.
      • Once deployed, the Akash-NG weapon system will prove to be a force multiplier for the air defence capability of the Indian Air Force.
    • Development & Production:
      • Developed by Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories.
      • It is being produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
    • Akash Missile:
      • Akash is India’s first indigenously produced medium range Surface to Air missile that can engage multiple targets from multiple directions.
        • The missile is unique in the way that it can be launched from mobile platforms like battle tanks or wheeled trucks. It has nearly 90% kill probability.
        • The missile is supported by the indigenously developed radar called 'Rajendra'.
        • The missile is reportedly cheaper and more accurate than US’ Patriot missiles due to its solid-fuel technology and high-tech radars.
      • It can engage targets at a speed 2.5 times more than the speed of sound and can detect and destroy targets flying at low, medium and high altitudes.
      • The Akash missile system has been designed and developed as part of India’s 30-year-old Integrated Guided-Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
  • Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile:
    • It is an indigenously-developed anti-tank guided missile.
      • Anti Tank guided missile is a medium or long-range missile whose primary purpose is to destroy tanks and other armoured vehicles.
    • It is a low weight, fire and forget missile. It is incorporated with state-of-the-art Miniaturized Infrared Imaging Seeker along with advanced avionics.
    • It is launched using a tripod designed for a maximum range of 2.5 km with a launch weight of less than 15 Kg.
    • Its successful test marked a major boost for the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign and would strengthen the Indian Army.

Integrated Guided-Missile Development Programme

  • It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology. b
  • The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are:
    • Prithvi: Short range surface to surface ballistic missile.
    • Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges, i.e. Agni (1,2,3,4,5)
    • Trishul: Short range low level surface to air missile.
    • Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile.
    • Akash: Medium range surface to air missile.

Source: PIB

Governance

New Vintage Vehicles Policy

Why in News

Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has made amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989.

  • It has some special provisions for vintage vehicles that are over 50 years old.

Key Points

  • Definition of Vintage Vehicles:
    • All two- and four-wheelers that are 50+ years old and have been maintained in their original form and which have not undergone any substantial overhaul, shall be defined as Vintage Motor Vehicles.
  • Regulation:
    • These will not be driven for regular and commercial purposes and will have to get a special registration.
    • Other than that, the owners can use their vintage cars in any way they wish - such as an exhibition, or a ride from time to time.
    • The new registration rules say vehicles that are already registered can retain their original Registration Mark and fresh registrations will take place under a unique VA (Vintage) series.
      • Registration information will be on the Parivahan portal of the MORTH.
      • The registration certificate will be valid for 10 years, renewable thereafter.
    • Sale and purchase of vehicles registered as vintage is permissible; the buyer and seller have to inform their respective State Transport Authorities.
    • Vintage vehicles are insulated from the scrappage policy. If a vehicle is more than 15 years old but within 50 years, the owner can continue to keep it by passing fitness tests every five years.
  • Significance:
    • No existing rules for regulating the process of registration across different states for Vintage Vehicle.
    • The new rules will provide a hassle-free process for fresh registration.
    • This is aimed at preserving and promoting the heritage of old vehicles in India.

Source: IE

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