
Daily Important News from The Hindu (27 Apr 2023)
1.
SC modifies order on ESZ around protected forests
(Page No.6)
2.
Promising Bill (Page No.8)
3.
Virtual digital assets, India’s stand and the way
ahead (Page No.8)
4.
The ambiguities in the nuclear liability law (Page
No.10)
5.
India intends to make healthcare affordable for
whole world: Modi (Page No.13)
6.
Only half of PMJDY insurance claims settled in two
years (Page No.14)
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1)
SC modifies order on
ESZ around protected forests(Page No.6)
UPSC Syllabus Topic: Environment and
Ecology
ANALYSIS-
·
Supreme Court modifies its judgment on
mandatory eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) of a minimum of one kilometer around
protected forests, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.
·
Bench led by Justice B.R. Gavai explains
that ESZ cannot be uniform across the country and must be "protected
area-specific".
·
June 2022 judgment ordered a one-km buffer
zone for protected areas to act as a "shock absorber".
·
The Centre and several States, including
Kerala, sought modification of the June 2022 judgment as it affected hundreds
of villages on the peripheries of forests.
·
Court acknowledges that the purpose of ESZs
is not to hamper citizens' daily activities and modifies the direction.
·
The court recognizes that stringent
observance of the June 2022 judgment would cause more harm than good,
potentially increasing man-animal conflict.
·
Mining within national parks, wildlife
sanctuaries, and within one kilometer from the boundary remains prohibited.
Practice Question:-
Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding
the Supreme Court's decision on eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) around protected
forests, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries?
a) The Court has mandated a uniform one-kilometer ESZ
across the country.
b) The Court has acknowledged that the purpose of ESZs is
not to hamper citizens' daily activities.
c) The Court has recognized that stringent observance of
the previous judgment might increase man-animal conflict.
d) The Court has prohibited mining within national parks,
wildlife sanctuaries, and within one kilometer from their boundaries.
Answer: a
Explanation:
The Supreme Court, led by Justice B.R. Gavai, has modified its judgment on
mandatory eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) around protected forests, national parks,
and wildlife sanctuaries. The Court reasoned that ESZ cannot be uniform across
the country and must be "protected area-specific", which means option
(a) is incorrect. The other statements accurately represent the Court's
decision.
2)
Promising Bill (Pg. 8)
UPSC
Syllabus Topic: Economy, Employment and Labour Reforms
ANALYSIS-
·
Gig work, employing an estimated 8 million people in
India, provides a significant source of employment for the country's youth and
migrant workers.
·
The gig economy is poised to grow further due to
increased smartphone use and reliance on apps for daily needs and services.
·
Despite its growth, gig workers face lower
incentives, increased workload, and uncertain work hours, with many not
receiving adequate pay.
·
Gig workers are typically not recognized as
"workers" by aggregating platforms, resulting in a lack of social
security or related benefits.
·
Rajasthan government plans to introduce the
Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023,
proposing a welfare board for gig workers.
·
The board aims to create a social welfare corpus funded
by a cess on digital transactions made by consumers on platforms utilizing gig
worker labor.
·
If implemented successfully, Rajasthan's draft bill
could encourage other states to adopt similar measures for gig worker welfare.
Practice Question-
What
is one key provision of the proposed Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers
(Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023?
a)
Recognition of gig workers as employees by aggregating platforms
b)
Establishment of a welfare board for gig workers
c)
Mandatory minimum wage for gig workers
d)
A cap on the number of hours gig workers can work per week
Answer:
b
Explanation:
The proposed Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill,
2023, aims to establish a welfare board for gig workers. The board is expected
to design welfare policies, hear grievances of gig workers on a piece rate
basis, and work towards creating a social welfare corpus funded by a cess on
digital transactions made by consumers on platforms that utilize gig worker
labor.
3)
Virtual digital assets,
India’s stand and the way ahead(Pg. 8)
UPSC Syllabus Topic: Economy, Banking and
Finance, Digital Economy
Analysis:
·
India takes a measured approach to
regulating virtual digital assets, extending anti-money laundering provisions
to the industry.
·
Virtual digital asset platforms must register
as reporting entities with the Financial Intelligence Unit-India and follow
compliance requirements.
·
The move aligns India with global
guidelines from the International Monetary Fund and the Financial Action Task
Force (FATF).
·
The new regulatory framework will increase
transparency, build confidence in the ecosystem, and provide the government
with more oversight.
·
There is potential for India to reconsider
its tax treatment of virtual digital assets, possibly aligning it with other
asset classes.
·
India's presidency of the G-20 presents an
opportunity to lead global discussions on virtual digital asset regulation.
Practice Question:-
Which of the following is a consequence of India's recent
notification extending anti-money laundering provisions to virtual digital
assets businesses and service providers?
a) Increased tax rates for virtual digital assets
b) Compulsory registration as reporting entities with the
Financial Intelligence Unit-India
c) Mandatory licensing for Virtual Asset Service
Providers (VASPs)
d) Direct government control over virtual digital asset
transactions
Answer: b
Explanation:
The recent notification by the Indian government extends anti-money laundering
provisions to virtual digital assets businesses and service providers. As a
result, virtual digital asset platforms carrying out specified activities must
register as reporting entities with the Financial Intelligence Unit-India. This
unit is the national agency responsible for strengthening India's efforts
against money laundering and terror financing.
4)
The ambiguities in the
nuclear liability law (Pg 10)
Topic in UPSC Syllabus:
Science and Technology - Developments and their Applications and Effects in
Everyday Life
ANALYSIS-
·
India's nuclear
liability law continues to deter foreign companies from signing deals with
India.
·
The Civil Liability for
Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) establishes a compensation mechanism for victims of
nuclear accidents.
·
CLNDA introduces the
concept of supplier liability, which has caused concerns for foreign suppliers.
·
Issues with the supplier
liability clause, such as unlimited liability exposure, have been major
sticking points for suppliers.
·
Projects like Jaitapur
nuclear project remain stalled due to unresolved concerns with India's nuclear
liability law.
Practice Question-
Which of the following is a unique
aspect of India's Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) compared to
other international civil nuclear liability laws?
A. Strict liability on nuclear plant
operators
B. Supplier liability for damages
caused by defective equipment or substandard services
C. Compensation mechanism for
victims of nuclear accidents
D. Government's capped liability
amount in case of nuclear accidents
Answer: B. Supplier liability for damages caused by defective
equipment or substandard services
Explanation: India's CLNDA is unique in that it introduces the
concept of supplier liability over and above that of the operator's liability.
This means suppliers can be held responsible for damages caused by defective
equipment or substandard services. This provision has caused concerns for
foreign suppliers and has been a major sticking point in nuclear deals with
India.
5)
India intends to make
healthcare affordable for whole world: Modi (Pg13)
Topic in UPSC Syllabus:
Social Sector Initiatives - Health
Analysis-
·
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi emphasizes the importance of making healthcare accessible and affordable
for all at the "One Earth, One Health – Advantage Health care India
2023" event.
·
India's traditional
healthcare systems can provide solutions to stress and lifestyle diseases,
according to PM Modi.
·
PM Modi calls for an
integrated, inclusive, and institutional global response to healthcare
challenges, as demonstrated by the COVID pandemic.
·
India has been a
significant partner in providing vaccines and medicines to many nations during
the pandemic.
·
The two-day conclave
brings together health ministers from various countries, stakeholders from
public and private sectors, and professionals from academic domains.
Practice Question-
Which of the following factors were
mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as India's strengths in holistic
healthcare?
A. Talent
B. Technology
C. Track record & Tradition
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: PM Narendra Modi highlighted India's key strengths in
holistic healthcare, which include talent, technology, track record, and
tradition. Indian doctors are known for their competence and commitment, and
the country's traditional healthcare systems provide valuable insights into
stress and lifestyle disease management.
6)
Only half of PMJDY
insurance claims settled in two years (Pg 14)
Topic in
UPSC Syllabus: Government Schemes - Financial Inclusion
Analysis-
· Only
329 out of 647 claims filed under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
accident insurance cover were settled in the past two financial years.
· The
accident insurance cover for death or permanent disability is provided to all
48.65 crore PMJDY account holders without any premium charges.
· To
qualify for the accident insurance, beneficiaries must have performed at least
one successful transaction using their RuPay debit card in the 90 days before
the accident.
· In
2021-22, 341 claims were received, with 182 settled, and 48 rejected, while in
2022-23, 306 claims were received, with 147 settled, and 10 rejected.
· The
life insurance cover of ₹30,000 under the PMJDY scheme was discontinued in
March 2020.
Practice
Question-
Which of
the following statements is/are true about the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
(PMJDY) accident insurance cover?
A. The
insurance cover is provided without charging any premium from account holders.
B.
Beneficiaries must perform at least one successful transaction in 180 days
prior to the accident to be eligible for the insurance.
C. The life
insurance cover under PMJDY was discontinued in March 2020.
Choose the
correct Option-
a)
A only
b)
A and B only
c)
A and C only
d)
A, B, and C
Answer: 3.
A and C only
Explanation:
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accident insurance cover is provided
without charging any premium from account holders. To be eligible for the
insurance, beneficiaries must perform at least one successful transaction using
their RuPay debit card in the 90 days prior to the accident, not 180 days. The
life insurance cover under PMJDY was discontinued in March 2020.
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