CNA 08 Sep 2022:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related GOVERNANCE 1. The mandatory requirements for packaged commodities INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. New Delhi, Dhaka hail Ganga panel C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials GOVERNANCE 1. The evolving role of CSR in funding NGOs SECURITY 1. Time for a joint space exercise F. Prelims Facts G. Tidbits 1. Cabinet approves PM SHRI scheme 2. Positive secularism is allowed: student to SC in hijab case H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
1. The mandatory requirements for packaged commodities
Syllabus: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.
Mains: Important provisions of Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 and the proposed amendments
Context: The Department of Consumer Affairs has notified a draft amendment to the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011.
Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011
- The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 establishes and enforces certain standards of weights and measures, and regulates trade and commerce in weights, measures and other goods.
- The Act aims to:
- Regulate trade and commerce in weights and measures
- Enforce the standards of weight and measure
- Regulate the manufacture, sale and use of goods by weights, measures or numbers
- Rationalise the Metric system
- The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 regulates the sale of pre-packaged commodities in India.
- Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 mandates certain specific labeling requirements before the sale of pre-packaged commodities in the country.
Mandatory provisions under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011
- As per the provision of the Rules, it is compulsory to mention certain a number of declarations in the interest of consumers which include:
- Name and address of the manufacturer/packer/importer
- Country of origin
- Common or generic name of the commodity
- Net quantity
- Month and year of manufacture
- Maximum Retail Price (MRP)
- Customer care details
- Rule 2(h) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 mentions that the “principal display panel”, in relation to a package is the total surface area of a package containing the information required in accordance with these rules.
- This suggests that the information mentioned on the package must be grouped together and provided in one place. However, the online information can be mentioned in another place.
- Rule 9(1)(a) mentions that the declaration on the package must be legible and prominent.
- Further, it also provides that if the important declarations mentioned on the package are illegible and non-prominent it accounts for the violation of consumer’s “right to be informed”.
- Rule 6(1)(b) provides that the name or number of each product should be mentioned on the package. However, this rule is not applicable to mechanical or electrical goods.
Proposed amendments to the rules
- Section 6(1)(ba) included in the draft amendment released by the department provides that if a commodity has more than one constituent, then the front side of the package should include a declaration of two or more of the commodities’ key constituents along with the brand name and should also include the percentage/quantity of the unique selling proposition (USP) of the product in the same font size as the declaration of the USPs.
- This rule is not applicable to mechanical or electrical goods.
- The Department of Consumer Affairs has recommended the mentioning of a minimum of two primary components on the front side of the package along with the brand name.
- Further, the declaration on the front side must also include the percentage of the composition of the unique selling proposition (USP).
- A unique selling proposition or unique selling point (USP) is a marketing strategy designed to inform customers about the superiority of one’s own brand or product.
- Mentioning the USP on the front side of the package without disclosing its composition percentage was believed to have violated consumer rights.
- With the increase in the demand for blended food and cosmetic products in the market, the primary constituents of such products must be mentioned on the packaging.
- Currently, such information about the list of components and nutritional value was mentioned on the back of the packaging.
- Further, the declaration on the front side must also include the percentage of the composition of the unique selling proposition (USP).
Nut graf: The mandatory provisions under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules play a crucial role in protecting the interests and rights of the consumer and the Department of Consumer Affairs has proposed amendments to the Rules with an aim of strengthening the rules by mandating the disclosure of other essential details about the commodity.
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. New Delhi, Dhaka hail Ganga panel
Syllabus: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
Prelims: Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, 1996
Mains: Important outcomes of India-Bangladesh bilateral meeting and the latest developments in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Context: India and Bangladesh announced the setting up of a joint technical committee to study the use of Ganga waters in Bangladesh.
Details
- The Ganga technical committee is one of the key initiatives announced during the visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister to India.
- The committee will undertake a study on the measures for the optimum utilisation of water received by Bangladesh under the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, 1996.
Ganges Water Sharing Treaty
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Image Source: www.thisday.app/
Other important outcomes of the bilateral meeting
- India highlighted the immediate irrigation-related requirements in the state of Tripura which can be addressed with the waters of the river Feni and urged Bangladesh to expedite the interim water sharing agreement on the river.
- The leaders of both countries reviewed various connectivity projects involving railway tracks and rolling stock. Which include:
- Conversion to a dual gauge of the Tongi-Akhaura line
- Supply of rolling stock
- Kaunia-Lalmonirhat-Mogalhat-New Gitaldaha link
- Upgradation of Hili-Birampur track.
- Benapole-Jashore and Burimari-Changrabandha lines
- Bangladesh also urged India to ensure a predictable supply of essential food items like rice, wheat, sugar, onion, ginger and garlic.
- India and Bangladesh agreed to fasten the implementation of projects that aim to connect the power grids of both countries through the proposed high capacity 765 kV transmission line from Katihar in Bihar to Bornagar in Assam through Parbatipur in Bangladesh.
- In the wake of the energy crisis in Bangladesh, the progress on the construction of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline was also reviewed.
- Further, Bangladesh sought increased support from India to import power from Nepal and Bhutan to which India said that the guidelines for the same are already in place.
- Additionally, the main focus of Bangladesh was on attracting Foreign Direct Investment FDI from Indian industries.
- In this context, the Bangladeshi PM mentioned the two dedicated Special Economic Zones for Indian companies, coming up at Mongla and Mirsarai.
To read more about the topic refer to the following article:
UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis dated 07 Sep 2022
Nut graf: The latest developments in the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh are said to be significant in strengthening the engagement in trade, connectivity and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. The evolving role of CSR in funding NGOs
Syllabus: Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Mains: NGOs and the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding in India, its associated challenges and important recommendations.
Context: This article talks about the nature of corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding in India based on a survey of over 500 NGOs, funders and intermediary organisations across the country
Background
- The importance of the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in ensuring localised social support has been widely acknowledged ever since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
- NGOs across the country have played a crucial role in addressing various pandemic-induced challenges such as loss of livelihood for vulnerable sections of society and vulnerabilities in healthcare and medical systems.
- Various initiatives and programmes of NGOs attract large scale funding in the form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in India.
- However, these funds are mainly targeted towards addressing specific issues and often fail to take into account the true cost of NGOs which includes organisational development and indirect costs such as rent, electricity, technology and human resource costs.
- Failure to fund these true costs will impact the efficacy and the overall implementation of the developmental programmes.
Different types of funders
- Based on a survey of over 80 diverse social sector funders it is found that there exist three distinct types of funders.
- The three distinct types of funders have different beliefs about how philanthropy becomes impactful and these beliefs make them adopt different strategies towards funding indirect and organisational development costs of NGOs.
- The three different types of funders seen are:
- Programme proponents: These types of funders believe that the value of the outcomes of the developmental programme is the most important aspect.
- Adaptive funders: These types of funders are not rigid about the value of outcomes and are open to supporting indirect and organisational development costs of NGOs.
- Organisation builders: These types of funders see value in investing in stronger organisations along with developmental programmes.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding in India and its associated issues
- The CSR funders in the country mainly fall under the category of programme proponents.
- In India at present, CSR funding accounts for about 20% of total private giving.
- CSR funders contribute little or no money to fund the organisational development cost and restrict their contribution towards paying the indirect costs to a fixed rate which is usually less than 5%.
- However, according to various studies NGOs’ indirect costs range from 5% to 55%, depending on their mission and operating model.
- Such practice of CSR funders is mainly due to their focus on regulatory compliance as the latest amendments to the CSR law in 2021 have prescribed significant financial penalties in case of non-compliance.
- Close to 90% of the CSR funders in the country are relatively small and unlisted companies.
- As per the CSR Law, such companies which spend less than ₹50 lakh yearly on CSR are not mandated to set up a CSR committee,
- Important decisions on CSR spending in such companies are mostly taken by individuals who have no expertise in NGOs or social impact and their main focus is centered around risk avoidance, compliance, and cost minimisation.
- With respect to large companies, key decisions on CSR spending are taken by administrative or HR managers rather than hiring professionals in the social sector.
- Additionally, there is a lack of understanding of all the facets of the CSR rules.
Challenges faced by the NGOs in the country
- The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of the NGOs in the country.
- NGOs in the country are currently experiencing severe financial stress.
- According to studies, about 54% of the NGOs had less than three months in reserve funds in September 2020 as compared to 38% before the pandemic.
- Inadequate reserves make it difficult for NGOs to pay salaries or bills in case of an unexpected shortfall in funding.
Important recommendations and the way forward
- Companies must hire professionals with prior experience working in the NGO and the social sector. Professionals will help in increasing the potential of the outcomes of the programmes.
- Since 2020, the number of philanthropic collaboratives like the Migrants Resilience Collaborative which finances migrant workers and the Revive Alliance which funds semi- and unskilled workers, has increased more than two times.
- CSR funders must look to learn from peer organisations that see organisational development costs and indirect costs differently.
- Example: the ASK Foundation, which is the CSR branch of ASK Group has increased its indirect cost funding to about 20% from 5-10% earlier after realising the benefits of strengthening the NGO on the outcomes of the programme.
- As per the existing law, CSR programmes are barred from directly contributing to NGO reserves. However, the increasing financial stress on the NGOs can be eased by funding the indirect and organisational development costs.
- NGOs that lack expertise in true-cost analysis can be benefitted from the accounting and finance capabilities of the corporate companies by strengthening mutual trust between the two.
Nut graf: The efficacy and the impact of the outcomes of the CSR funded social sector programmes on society can be increased if the CSR funders shift their focus from regulatory compliance and the value of outcomes towards the overall development and strengthening of the NGOs in the country.
1. Time for a joint space exercise
Syllabus: Security challenges and their management
Prelims: About Mission Shakthi, Defence Space Agency (DSA) and the Defence Space Research Agency (DSRA)
Mains: Critical evaluation of militarisation of space and the possibility of a joint space military exercise between India and the U.S.
Context: This article talks about the importance of undertaking a joint space military exercise between India and the U.S.
Background
- India and the U.S. are expected to undertake joint military drills in Auli, Uttarakhand in October 2022. Auli is at an altitude of 10,000 feet and is about 95 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- In this context, the authors of the article suggest that it is time that India and the U.S. collaborate on a joint space military exercise.
Recognising space as a military domain
- In recent years, there has been an increase in the acceptance of Space as a military domain.
- In 2019, the U.S. inducted its space force as a branch under the Air Force making it the first country to have an independent space force.
- France conducted its first space military exercise called AsterX in 2021.
- Space has remained the sole jurisdiction of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in India traditionally.
- However, the successful testing of the Anti-satellite (ASAT) missile through Mission Shakthi in 2019 has changed this stance of India.
- Further, India also undertook IndSpaceX in 2019 which is India’s first ever simulated space warfare exercise.
- The establishment of the Defence Space Agency (DSA) and the Defence Space Research Agency (DSRA) have also suggested that India is coming out of its traditional views and is recognising Space as a military domain.
Defence Space Agency (DSA)
Defence Space Research Agency (DSRA)
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Advantages of conducting a joint space military exercise between India and the U.S.
- The move will help boost India’s defence partnership with the U.S.
- Undertaking a joint space military exercise will send a strong message to China which is seen as a common adversary to both India and the U.S.
- Such an exercise will benefit in widening the scope of Quad and strengthening its position in geopolitics.
- A joint space military exercise between the countries will facilitate other space military collaborations like directed energy weapons, rendezvous and proximity operations (RPOs), co-orbital ASATs, etc.
Arguments against undertaking joint space military exercise
- The move will aggravate the tension between India and China and poses a risk of diffusing the ongoing Core Commanders dialogue in Ladakh.
- The move will promote the militarisation of space.
- Challenges associated with the creation of space debris.
To read more about – Militarisation Of Space
Way forward
- According to the author, the advancement of space as a military domain requires innovation in various doctrines, technologies and deterrence.
- According to the author, Indo-U.S. partnership and collaboration is crucial for India to become a space power.
Nut graf: Space has been identified as an important area of cooperation in the recent Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) meeting between India and the U.S. and with both the countries sharing a common adversary in the form of China, experts feel that it would not be a surprise if both the countries come together for a joint space military exercise.
F. Prelims Facts
Nothing here for today!!!
G. Tidbits
1. Cabinet approves PM SHRI scheme
- The Union Cabinet approved the “PM Schools for Rising India” (PM SHRI) scheme which aims to turn the existing government schools into model schools for implementation of the National Educational Policy, 2020 (NEP).
- It is a Centrally sponsored scheme with a total project cost of over ₹27,360 crores aimed at transforming over 14,500 schools across India.
- The PM SHRI scheme also provides a “School Quality Assessment Framework” which will be formulated for measuring key performance indicators which assess the quality of schools selected from the current academic year.
- However, schools under the scheme will be selected only if the respective State governments agree to implement the National Education Policy.
To read more about – PM SHRI Scheme
2. Positive secularism is allowed: student to SC in hijab case
- A student from Karnataka who has challenged the ban on wearing hijab to school told the Supreme Court that India follows “positive secularism” based on tolerance of all religious faiths and not the negative form of secularism that has been adopted in other countries such as France which holds that display of religion in public is offensive.
- A senior advocate appearing in the case said that the Constitution provides that all religions have to be treated with equal respect and also quoted the Supreme Court’s judgement in the Aruna Roy case that had said that there should be no discrimination on the grounds of any religion.
- The advocate further said the State should show “reasonable accommodation” of Muslim students’ right to wear hijab to school as a part of their expression, religion and dignity to which the Supreme Court judge replied that “if you say the right to dress is a fundamental right then the right to undress also becomes a fundamental right”.
- According to the senior advocate, the state can restrict the right only in three circumstances, namely:
- To safeguard public order, morality and health.
- To safeguard another fundamental right
- If any such restriction is authorised by a law which is introduced in order to regulate or restrict any economic, financial, political or secular activity that is associated with religious practice or to ensure social welfare and reform
To learn more about – Secularism in India
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with regards to National Clean Air Programme (Level – Medium)
- It seeks to cut the concentration of coarse (particulate matter of diameter 10 micrometer or less, or PM10) and fine particles (particulate matter of diameter 2.5 micrometer or less, or PM2.5) by 20% – 30% by 2024, with 2017 as the base year for comparison.
- The programme was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in January 2019.
- It includes 123 non-attainment cities across the country based on the 2014-2018 Air Quality data since these cities did not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for these 5 straight years.
Choose the correct code:
- 1 & 2 only
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 & 3 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is a pollution control initiative with the aim to cut the concentration of coarse (particulate matter of diameter 10 micrometer or less, or PM10) and fine particles (particulate matter of diameter 2.5 micrometer or less, or PM2.5) by 20% – 30% by 2024, with 2017 as the base year for comparison.
- Statement 2 is correct, NCAP was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in January 2019.
- Statement 3 is correct, It includes 123 non-attainment cities across the country based on the 2014-2018 Air Quality data since these cities did not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for these 5 straight years.
Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to Subhash Chandra Bose and INA (Level – Difficult)
- Owing to political differences, he resigned from the Congress Presidentship in 1939 and organised the All India Forward Bloc, a faction within the Congress in Bengal.
- On 21st October 1941, Subhash Chandra Bose announced the formation of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind in Singapore.
- The INA was first formed under Mohan Singh and Japanese Major Iwaichi Fujiwara and comprised Indian prisoners of war of the British-Indian Army captured by Japan in the Malayan (present-day Malaysia) campaign and at Singapore.
Choose the correct code:
- 1 & 2 only
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 & 3 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, Owing to political differences, Subhash Chandra Bose resigned from the Congress Presidentship in 1939 and organised the All India Forward Bloc which was a faction within the Congress in Bengal.
- Statement 2 is not correct, On 21st October 1943, Subhash Chandra Bose announced the formation of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind (free India) in Singapore.
- Statement 3 is correct, The INA was first formed under Mohan Singh and Japanese Major Iwaichi Fujiwara and comprised Indian prisoners of war of the British-Indian Army captured by Japan in the Malayan (present-day Malaysia) campaign and at Singapore.
Q3. Which of the following is/are non-communicable diseases? (Level – Easy)
- Cancer
- Tuberculosis
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Malaria
- Diabetes
Choose the correct code:
- 1, 3 & 5 only
- 1, 4 & 5 only
- 2 & 4 only
- 1, 2, 4 & 5 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Non-communicable diseases are a diverse group of chronic diseases that do not spread from one person to another.
- Cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease and Diabetes are all Non-communicable diseases.
- Tuberculosis caused due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Malaria caused due to plasmodium parasites are examples for communicable diseases.
Q4. Consider the following statements with regards to the Border Road Organization: (Level – Medium)
- It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
- BRO only takes up projects within India.
- BRO was conceived and raised in 1960 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for coordinating the speedy development of a network of roads in the North and the North Eastern border regions of the country.
Choose the correct code:
- 1 & 2 only
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 & 3 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, Initially, BRO was functional under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. But since 2015, it is being managed and is functional under the Ministry of Defence
- Statement 2 is not correct, The BRO undertakes projects in India and also in friendly countries.
- Statement 3 is correct, BRO was conceived and raised in 1960 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for coordinating the speedy development of a network of roads in the North and the North Eastern border regions of the country.
Q5. India is an important member of the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India? (Level – Easy) PYQ (2016)
- It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation
- It can attain a global role in satellite navigation
- It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation
- It can build fusion reactors for power generation
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
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- International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a nuclear fusion power plant.
- The seven members are: European Union (EU), India, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the US
- If this experiment succeeds, the immediate advantage of India is it can build fusion reactors for power generation.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Corporate-NGO partnership on the CSR front not only helps companies create an image or brand as a socially responsible corporate but also helps them to serve society better. Elucidate. (15 Marks, 250 Words) (GS-2; Governance)
- If India is to become a defence power, then an Indo- U. S. military collaboration in every field is necessary. Examine. (10 Marks, 150 Words) (GS-2; International Relations)
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 08 Sep 2022:- Download PDF Here
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