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.