FCRA regulations hampers foreign aid flow

In News: The problems that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and registered organisations are facing due to the strict regulations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, are magnified when individuals attempt to channel international funds into the country.

Context:

  • The Centre issued a public notice stating that existing FCRA account holders would have to open an ‘FCRA account’ in the New Delhi main branch of the State Bank of India by June 30.
  • Foreign contributions cannot be accepted in any account other than the FCRA account after July 1.
  • It is also pointed out that many NGOs who are taking up relief work on the ground do not have FCRA registration. Even if the funds are received by an organisation with FCRA registration, they cannot be used to engage another NGO to do the work. This is resulting in major implementation issues.

FCRA Regulations:

  • All banks have to report the receipt or utilisation of any foreign contribution by any NGO, association or person to the Central government within 48 hours, whether or not they are registered or granted prior permission under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) 2010.
  • In September 2020, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act (FCRA), 2020 was passed by the Parliament.
  • A new provision that makes it mandatory for all NGOs to receive foreign funds in a designated bank account at the State Bank of India’s New Delhi branch was inserted.

Karnataka High Court live-streams proceedings

In News:

  • Karnataka High Court has become the second court to use YouTube for live-streaming proceedings on a trial basis, after the High Court of Gujarat.
  • For the first time, the High Court of Karnataka live streamed its proceedings for an hour through YouTube on an experimental basis.
  • The court has already been using Zoom and other applications for virtual hearings since March last year in view of the pandemic, allowing only advocates and party-in-person litigants to log in for them.

Maharashtra’s Maratha community brought under EWS quota

In News:

  • In a bid to extend relief to the Maratha community of Maharashtra, the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra extended the benefits of reservation for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) to the Socially and Economically Backward Class (SEBC).
  • As per the government resolution, a person fulfilling the criterion for EWS would be eligible for 10% reservation in educational institutes, barring minority institutes.
  • This would also be applied for State government recruitment. The resolution said the reservation would be above the existing reservation.

Union Minister launches Horticulture Cluster Development Programme

In News: To ensure holistic growth of horticulture, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfaree Shri Narendra Singh Tomar virtually launched the Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (CDP).

Context:

  • A central sector programme implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, CDP aims at growing and developing identified horticulture clusters to make them globally competitive.
  • The programme will address all major issues related to the Indian horticulture sector including pre-production, production, post-harvest management, logistics, marketing and branding.
  • The programme is designed to leverage geographical specialisation and promote integrated and market-led development of horticulture clusters.
  • The clusters of the pilot phase include Shopian (J&K) and Kinnaur (H.P.) for Apple, Lucknow (U.P.), Kutch (Gujarat) and Mahbubnagar (Telangana) for Mango, Anantpur (A.P.) and Theni (T.N.) for Banana, Nasik (Maharashtra) for Grapes, Siphahijala (Tripura) for Pineapple, Solapur (Maharashtra) and Chitradurga (Karnataka) for Pomegranate and West Jaintia Hills (Meghalaya) for Turmeric.
  • These clusters will be implemented through Cluster Development Agencies (CDAs) which are appointed on the recommendations of the respective State/UT Government.
  • The programme is expected to converge with other initiatives of the Government such as the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund which is a medium – long term financing facility for investment in projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets and will leverage the central sector scheme of the Ministry for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs).
  • The Cluster Development Programme has a huge potential to transform the entire horticulture ecosystem improving its global competitiveness by building last-mile connectivity with the use of multimodal transport for the efficient and timely evacuation and transport of horticulture produce.

Ministry of Defence notifies ‘Second Positive Indigenisation List’

In News: To boost indigenisation in the Defence sector, Defense Minister has approved to notify the ‘Second Positive Indigenisation List’ of 108 items.

Context:

  • In August 2020, the ‘First Positive Indigenisation’ List comprising 101 items was notified, in pursuance of Government’s endeavor of ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ and to boost indigenisation in the defence sector.
  • The second list (enclosed) lays special focus on weapons/systems which are currently under development/trials and are likely to translate into firm orders in the future, for fulfilling the twin objectives of achieving self-reliance and promoting defence exports.
  • All the 108 items will now be procured from indigenous sources as per provisions given in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.
  • Not only does the list recognise the potential of local defence industry, it will also invigorate impetus to domestic Research &Development by attracting fresh investment into technology and manufacturing capabilities.
  • The ‘Second Positive Indigenisation List’ comprises complex systems, sensors, simulator, weapons and ammunitions like Helicopters, Next Generation Corvettes, Air Borne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems, Tank Engines, Medium Power Radar for Mountains, MRSAM Weapon Systems and many more such items to fulfil the requirements of Indian Armed Forces.

IIT Ropar develops “AmbiTAG”- India’s first indigenous temperature data logger for the cold chain management

In News: Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar (IIT Ropar) in Punjab has developed a first-of-its-kind IoT device – AmbiTag that records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of perishable products, vaccines and even body organs and blood.

Context:

  • The recorded temperature further helps to know whether that particular item transported from anywhere in the world is still usable or perished because of temperature variation.
  • Shaped as USB device, AmbiTag continuously records the temperature of its immediate surroundings from -40 to +80 degrees in any time zone for a full 90 days on a single charge.
  • It also generates an alert when the temperature goes beyond a pre-set limit. The recorded data can be retrieved by connecting the USB with any computer.
  • The device has been developed under Technology Innovation Hub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) and its Startup ScratchNest.
  • AWaDH is a Govt of India project.
  • Besides perishable items including vegetables, meat and dairy products it can also monitor the temperature of animal semen during transit.

World No Tobacco Day 2021 – May 31

In News:

  • Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare chaired an event to mark the World No Tobacco Day and led the pledge by everyone present to abstain from Tobacco.
  • “Commit to Quit” – the theme of the “World No Tobacco Day” 2021.
  • The Minister said, In India, over 1.3 million deaths are attributable to tobacco use every year amounting to 3500 deaths per day, imposing a lot of avoidable socio-economic burden. 
  • He also pointed out that smokers face a 40-50% higher risk of developing severe disease deaths from COVID-19.
  • As per the WHO study titled “Economic Costs of Diseases and Deaths Attributable to Tobacco Use in India” it has been estimated that the economic burden of diseases and deaths attributable to tobacco use of tobacco in India was as high as Rs. 1.77 lakh crores, amounting to approx 1% of GDP.

Use, Disinfect & Reuse PPEs, Masks, –  Vajra Kavach

In News:

  • A product aptly named Vajra Kavach removes the scourge of viral particles from equipment used by our Corona warriors.
  • The disinfection system, developed by Mumbai-based startup Indra Water, removes any possible traces of the disease-causing SARS-Cov-2 virus from Personal Protective Equipment, N95 masks, coats, gloves and gowns.
  • It thus enables reuse of PPEs and other materials used by healthcare workers. It thus protects not only them, but our environment too, by helping reduce biomedical waste generation.
  • It is also making personal protective equipment more available, affordable, and accessible.

Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship – Craftsmen Training Scheme

In News:

  • The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, announced results of the All India Trade Test (AITT) held in December 2020, for CTS Academic session 2020-2021.
  • Craftsmen Training Scheme:
    • The Directorate General of Training (DGT) initiated Craftsmen Training Scheme in 1950.
    • Training periods range from six months to two years in over 130 different specialties.
    • Prerequisites for the courses range from 8th to 12th class pass.
    • Upon completion of the training, trainees write the All India Trade Test (AITT). Successful candidates receive the National Trade Certificate (NTC).
    • The scheme has been implemented in about 15,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country.
    • The country toppers of 2020-2021 may be facilitated at the national level on the International Skills Day i.e. on 15th July.