1) Regulation of digital media:
In an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, the Center has said that if it wanted to regulate the media, then it must first look into digital media before electronic media
- India has IT Act and guidelines for the kind of content to be published by websites but there is lack of concrete framework for Digital content
- When it comes to social media platform it becomes very difficult to regulate the content as the source is undefined.
Bodies regulating mainstream media are:
The Press Council of India
- It is a statutory adjudicating organization in India formed in 1966 by the Parliament.
- It is the self-regulatory watch dog of the press for the press and by the press that operates under Press Council of India Act of 1978.
- The Council has a chairman a retired Supreme Court judge and 28 additional members of which 20 are from media nominated by the newspaper television channel and other media outlets operating in India
News Broadcasting Standard Authority-
- This is established by and industry body, News Broadcasters Association
- It has issued code of ethics and broadcasting standards
- Like PCI and NBSA is also headed by retired Supreme Court judge
News channels are also regulated by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under the Cable Television Network Regulation Act 1995,
- It contains a program code and an advertising code
2) Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:
Reports of animals being subjected to different kinds of dangers like sexual abuse acid attacks being thrown off rooftops and being burnt alive are seen very recently
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals act 1960 the most serious forms of animal violence with a small fine of rupees 50.
- We also have social media campaigns petitions before the Supreme Court seeking stricter punishment for animals abuse
- Section 11 list series of offences which vary from abandoning and animal to keeping it mutilating it or killing it and prescribed the same punishment for all these offences
- Though section 11 criminalizes several forms of animal cruelty there are some exceptions given for animal husbandry procedures such as dehorning, Castration, nose roping and branding.
- People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India moved to Delhi High Court seeking the enactment of proper regulations for such animal husbandry procedures
- The PCA act also suffers from ambiguity in definition. The law was enacted to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals. However this phrase is not defined anywhere in the Act
- The constitution requires all the citizens to have compassion for living creatures
3) UNSC Reforms:
United Nation commences the 75th session of the general assembly
There is a need of internal reforms to suit the 21st century
- As concerns are raised about the structure of 15 members, Security Council that ought to be more democratic and representative
- The action was long overdue on-demand especially from the so-called G4 countries – Brazil Germany India and Japan which advocated a permanent seat for of them
- Uniting for consensus UFC is a movement nicknamed the Coffee Club that developed in the 1990s in opposition to the possible expansion of permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council
- 75th session is under the leadership of Italy, it aims to counter the bids for permanent seats proposed by G4 Nations and is calling for consensus before any decision is reached on the form and size of Security Council.
- The Push for reforms gathered momentum following the unilateral declaration of War by the United States and the United Kingdom against Iraq in 2003 the general assembly’s 122nd plenary meeting in 2008 decided to facilitate the Reform process through the Intergovernmental Negotiations Framework IGN on equitable representation as well as expansion of the UNSC
- Though the General Assembly’s adoption of 2015 resolution to allow the IGN on the basis of a Framework document generated some enthusiasm it was dampened by the US, Russia and China being opposed to serious reform of the Council.
- India’s selection in June as a non-permanent member of the UNSC obtaining 184 votes was a diplomatic triumph, notwithstanding that it was The Lone contestant for the Asia Pacific seat
- The UN remains unreflective of the current trajectory especially in the strategic and economic Arena
- All the countries must have the voice to influence policy
4) Utkrisht Sansthan Vishwakarma Award:
Context: Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ virtually confers Second Utkrisht Sansthan Vishwakarma Award in 14 categories to the Institutions under AICTE on Vishwakarma Divas Celebration.
The Utkrisht Sansthan Vishwakarma Award is being organized by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) since 2019
Aim
To motivate, recognize and honor the AICTE approved institutions to raise their performance in the specific domain leading to significant contribution for the growth and development of the society.
College of Engineering, Pune gets first award in overall category
2020 Theme: INDIA FIGHTS CORONA
In addition to Utkrishtha Sansthan Vishwakarma Awards, AICTE conducts AICTE Chhatra Vishwakarma Awards since 2017 for promoting innovative spirit and scientific temperament for holistic development of society through the stake holders of its approved institutes.
By means of this competition, the innovations and achievements of individuals are recognized and applauded.
5) Marathwada Mukti Sangram Divas:
Context: Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has wished the people of Maharashtra on the occasion of the Marathwada Liberation Day.
- On this day, Marathwada was liberated from the oppressive rule of the Nizam and integrated with the rest of the country.
- Even though India became Independent on August 15, 1947, the people of old Hyderabad state, now divided into Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana, had to wait for another 13 months and two days to get freedom from the Nizam’s rule.
- Finally, it was on September 17, 1948 that Marathwada was integrated with India following the success of ‘Operation Polo’.
6) Development of Handloom Sector:
The Government of India is implementing the following schemes across the country for development of handloom sector and welfare of handloom weavers: –
- National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)
- Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)
- Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS)
- Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS)
National Handloom Development Program
National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and Comprehensive Handicraft Cluster Development Schemes aims at holistic development of handicrafts clusters through integrated approach by providing support on design, technology up-gradation, infrastructure development, market support etc.me (NHDP):
Block Level Cluster:
- Introduced in 2015-16 as one of the components of National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP).
- Financial assistance up to Rs. 2.00 crore per BLC for various interventions such as skill upgradation, Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata, product development, construction of workshed, project management cost, design development, setting up of common facility centre (CFC) etc. is provided.
- Besides, financial assistance up to Rs. 50.00 lakh is also available for setting up of one dye house at district level. The proposals are recommended by the State Government.
Handloom Marketing Assistance is one of the components of National Handloom Development Programme.
In order to provide marketing platform to the handloom agencies/weavers to sell their products directly to the consumers, financial assistance is provided to the States/eligible handloom agencies for organizing marketing events in domestic as well as overseas markets.
Weaver MUDRA Scheme:
- Under the Weaver MUDRA Scheme, credit at concessional interest rate of 6% is provided to the handloom weavers.
- Margin money assistance to a maximum of Rs. 10,000 per weaver and credit guarantee for a period of 3 years is also provided.
- MUDRA Portal has been developed in association with Punjab National Bank to cut down delay in disbursement of funds for margin money and interest subvention.
HATHKARGHA SAMVARDHAN SAHAYATA (HSS):
- Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata (HSS) was introduced on 1st December 2016
- Objective- to provide looms/accessories to the weavers to enhance their earnings through improved productivity and quality of the handloom products.
- Under the scheme, 90% of the cost of loom/accessory is borne by the Government of India while remaining 10% is borne by the beneficiary.
- The Government of India’s share is released to the supplier through Weavers’ Service Centre.
EDUCATION OF HANDLOOM WEAVERS AND THEIR CHILDREN:
- Ministry of Textiles has signed Memorandums of Understanding with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to secure educational facilities for the weavers and their families.
- NIOS offers Secondary and Senior Secondary level education with specialized subjects on design, marketing, business development, etc. through distance learning mode for handloom weavers, whereas IGNOU offers continuing education programs through accessible and flexible learning opportunities relevant to the aspirations of handloom weavers and their children for career progression.
The programme envisages reimbursement of 75% of the fee towards admission to NIOS/IGNOU courses in case of SC, ST, BPL, and Women learners belonging to handloom weavers’ families.
India Handloom” Brand
- “India Handloom” Brand- During the celebration of 7th August 2015 as National Handloom Day, ‘India Handloom’ Brand was launched for branding of high quality handloom products.
- It promotes production of niche handloom products with high quality, authentic traditional designs with zero defect and zero effect on environment.
E-COMMERCE- In order to promote e-marketing of handloom products, a policy frame work was designed and under which any willing e-commerce platform with good track record can participate in online marketing of handloom products.
URBAN HAATS are set up in the big towns/metropolitan cities to provide adequate direct marketing facilities to the craft persons/weavers and eliminate middle agencies. 39 such Urban Haats have been sanctioned across the country so far.
2. Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme:
- The Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) is targeted at development of Mega Handloom Clusters in clearly identifiable geographical locations covering atleast 15000 handlooms with the Government of India (GoI) contribution up to Rs.40 crore per cluster over a period of 5 years.
- Components such as conducting diagnostic study, corpus for raw material, etc., are fully funded by the Government of India (GoI) whereas components like lighting units, technological up-gradation of looms and accessories are 90% funded by the GoI.
- Other components such as creation of infrastructure for design studio/ marketing complex/garmenting unit, marketing development, assistance for exports and publicity are 80% funded by the GoI.
- 08 Mega Handloom Clusters viz. Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Sivasagar (Assam), Virudhunagar(Tamil Nadu), Murshidabad (West Bengal), Prakasam & Guntur districts (Andhra Pradesh), Godda & neighbouring districts (Jharkhand), Bhagalpur (Bihar) and Trichy (Tamil Nadu) have been taken up for development.
3. Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme
Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS) is providing life, accidental and disability insurance coverage under the components Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Converged Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana (MGBBY).
4. Yarn Supply Scheme:
- Yarn Supply Scheme is being implemented throughout the country to make available all types of yarn at Mill Gate Price. The scheme is being implemented through National Handloom Development Corporation.
- Under the Scheme freight is reimbursed and depot operating charges @2% is given to depot operating agencies.
- A component of 10% price subsidy also exists on hank yarn, which is applicable on cotton, domestic silk, wool and linen yarn with quantity caps.
Common Facility Centres
- There is provision under Block Level Cluster (BLC) for setting up of Common Facility Centres (CFCs) for housing the technical facilities to meet the local requirements of weavers.
- This may include loom shed for skill up-gradation/sample development/production etc., warping, dyeing, yarn depot, store room etc.
- CFC should have built-up area of about 3,000 sq. ft. (may be in single/double floors) with an estimated cost of not more than Rs.50.00 lakh (including a Common Service Centre), excluding land cost.
- Implementing Agency may have their own land or taken on lease from Government/Government agency for atleast 15 years. Proposals are submitted by the Implementing Agency through the State government and based on recommendations of State Government, they are examined and if approved, funds are released directly to the Implementing Agencies.
Following Agencies/Entities are eligible to be Implementing Agencies:
- National Level Handloom Organizations
- State Handloom Development Corporations
- State Apex Handloom Weavers’ Co-operative Societies.
- Central Government Organizations.
- Primary Handloom Weavers’ Co-operative Society, having large presence in the Block as identified by the State Government.
- Self Help Groups registered as legal entity.
- Non-Government Organizations, engaged in the handlooms (recommended by the State Government and approved by DC (Handlooms).
- Any other appropriate legal entity working for handlooms (recommended by the State Government and approved by the DC (Handlooms).
6) Employment Opportunities in Textile Sector:
Textile Sector in India provides largest source of employment in the country with over 4.5 crore people employed directly and another 6 crores people in allied sector including large number of women and rural population through various schemes and public programmes such as:-
Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme is being implemented to upgrade technology/machineries of textile industry with an outlay of Rs.17, 822 crore during 2016-2022 which will attract investment of Rs.1 lakh crore and generate employment in the textile sector by 2022.
Under the Scheme of Integrated Textile Park (SITP)
- Government provides 40% subsidy with a ceiling of Rs.40 crore to set up Textile Parks for infrastructure creation and employment generation.
- 59 sanctioned textiles parks are under various stages of implementation, once fully operational it is expected to house about 5909 textile units and will generate employment for about 3,61,093 persons.
- Under the Scheme for development of Knitting and Knitwear to boost production in knitting and knitwear clusters which provide employment to nearly 24 lakh persons.
Under the broad objective of “Skill India” & “Make in India” initiatives, Government is taking many initiatives in addition to the above mentioned schemes such as:
SAMARTH- Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector and placement oriented programme targeting skill development of 10 lakh youth in the entire value chain of textiles, excluding Spinning & Weaving in the organized Sector.
SAMARTH scheme include
Training of Trainers (ToT),
- Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS),
- CCTV recording of training Programme,
- Dedicated call center with helpline number,
- Mobile app based Management Information System (MIS)
- And online monitoring of the training process.
Under this scheme, 18 State Government have been allocated a training target of 3.6 lakh beneficiaries for conducting training Programme in traditional programme in traditional and organized sectors.
Sectoral Organization of Ministry (DC-Handloom, DC-Handicrafts, CSB & National Jute Board) has been allocated a training of 43,000 beneficiaries for skilling/ up-skilling in traditional sectors.
Further, undertaking industry oriented entry level skilling programme in the organized sector a total of 76 industries have been empanelled under entry level skilling and allocated a training target of 1.36 lakh beneficiaries.
Under Technical Textiles interventions, it is poised to create high value jobs in the country for textiles sector workers.
- Employment in the sector is expected to increase to 23 lakhs by 2024 from the present 16 lakhs.
- Interventions will help to achieve 40 Billion USD market size by 2024-25 from present level of 19 Billion USD
- To enhance target penetration level in domestic applications: Agro-textiles (10% – 40%), medical textiles (10% – 30%), Geo-textiles (20% – 60%), protection textiles (20% – 60%).
- To promote development and application of these high quality raw material.
- The product range into 12 broad segments.
- In the long run we aim at achieving a share of 30-35 per cent of fibre consumption for applications in technical textiles.
Textile Parks
The Government is implementing Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) which is demand driven and it provides support for creation of world-class infrastructure facilities for setting up of textile units, with a Government of India grant up to 40% of the project cost and
Government of India grant up to 90% of the project cost for first two projects (each) in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh; with ceiling limit of Rs. 40.00 crores for each textile park.
The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed by the representatives of local industry, Financial Institutions, State Industrial and Infrastructural Corporations and other agencies of State and Central Governments
Registered as a Corporate Body under Companies Act would submit their proposal directly to the Ministry for consideration.
Government has launched a special package of Rs.6000 crore in 2016 to boost investment, employment and exports in the garmenting and made-ups sector with the following components viz.
- Full refund is provided under Remission of State Levies (ROSL) to the exporters for the State level taxes
- Production linked additional incentive of 10% is provided under the Amended Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS).
PowerTex India:
A comprehensive scheme for Powerloom sector with components relating to Powerloom up-gradation, infrastructure creation, concessional access to credit, etc.
Silk Samagra:
An integrated Scheme for development of silk industry with components of research & development, transfer of technology, seed organization and coordination, market development, quality certification and export.
Jute ICARE for increasing the income of farmers by at least 50% through promotion of certified seeds, better agronomic practices, use of microbial reusing of Jute plant, retting to produce quality of jute, increase productivity and to reduce the cost of jute production for the jute farmers.
North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) for promoting textiles industry in the NER by providing infrastructure, capacity building and marketing support to all segments of textile industry.
7) Training in Bagh Printing to Tribal Artisans:
As the nodal agency working towards tribal empowerment, the team of TRIFED warriors is forging ahead in its endeavour to bring the tribal people towards mainstream development.
An area where the tribal population is predominant, Barwani in Madhya Pradesh has been listed as an aspirational district by the Government of India due its poor socio-economic development conditions.
These aspirational districts have been identified in order to bring about a sustained development, which will be closely monitored the Central Government.
In this regard, the Govt.of India also designated few senior officers to guide and mentor the District administration of these aspirational districts in implementing and monitoring of the various development plans.
A substantial number of local tribal artisans are engaged in Bagh printing and traditional weaving of textiles in the Maheshwari style.
Bagh Printings:
- Bagh print has its roots in Sindh, which is now a part of Pakistan.
- The art of Bagh printing then moved eastwards to Marwar (Rajasthan) and later to Manavar (Madhya Pradesh) with the migration of the craftsmen.
- Over time, the style of Bagh Printing has evolved and attained uniqueness.
- The present form of Bagh printing actually started in 1962 when the craftsmen migrated from Manavar to the neighboring town of Bagh situated in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh and hence Bagh has always been associated with this printing style.
8) Tribal Sub Plan (TSP):
Now called Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) Strategy was adopted in 5th Five Year Plan (1974-75) for accelerated development of tribal people.
It envisages channelizing the flow of outlays & benefits from all sectors of development to ST population. TSP funds are dedicated source of fund for tribal development.
Apart from Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 40 Central Ministries/Departments have been mandated to earmark Tribal Sub-Plan funds in the range of 4.3% to 17.5% of their total Scheme allocation every year for tribal development.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides additive to these initiatives by way of plugging gaps.
The efforts made through TSP / STC Strategy has brought out improvements for tribals in terms of various indices relating to literacy, health, livelihood, etc. The list of Schemes/ Programmes of Ministry of Tribal Affairs is given below.