The Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare (Chair: Mr. Ram Gopal Yadav) submitted its report on the Medical Council of India (MCI) on March 8, 2016. Key observations and recommendations of the Committee include:

Composition: Presently, the MCI is largely an elected body and contains only medical doctors. In light of issues arising due to the its elected nature (disproportionate private representation, etc.), the Committee recommended that a regulatory framework must be set up under which regulators are appointed through an independent selection process.

Also, diversity in the composition of the MCI must be brought in, to include professionals other than medical doctors (such as public health experts, etc.). Presently, the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 does not limit the reappointment of members of the council. The Committee suggested that the reappointment of members should be limited to two terms.

Establishment of colleges: The Committee observed that the present requirements for establishing a medical college are based only on physical space, infrastructure and rigid faculty requirement. The land requirement leads to high initial investment due to which the government and genuine parties (interested in providing medical education) cannot open colleges. The existing minimum standards are causing impediments in the establishment and expansion of medical colleges. It recommended that the requirements for physical infrastructure must be reduced accordingly.

Medical education: As the two stages of medical education (undergraduate and postgraduate) require different kinds of expertise, they should be regulated separately (through setting up of separate boards). Further, the Committee recommended that in order to tackle the issue of high capitation fees and to bring transparency, etc., the central government must introduce a common entrance exam for undergraduate, postgraduate and super speciality courses. To standardise the competencies etc. of graduating doctors, an exit test must be introduced for under and postgraduates.

Presently, there are two systems of post graduate certification, namely DNB (diploma) and MD/MS (master’s degree). The Committee recommended that the current system of postgraduate admission must be restructured. One common entrance and exit test must be introduced for all candidates. The training and evaluation must be integrated into one national qualification. Till such time, DNB students should be given equal status as MD/MS, once they complete two years of teaching experience in a medical college.

Accreditation: The Committee observed that the functioning of the MCI leads to conflict of interest as it gives permission to establish medical colleges and also ensures quality of education. Therefore, an independent and autonomous accreditation body must be set up which will be responsible for ensuring the quality of education.

Professional conduct: The Committee observed that the present focus of the MCI is only on licensing of medical colleges. There is no emphasis given to the regulation of medical ethics. In light of this, the Committee recommended that the areas of medical education and medical practice should be separated. A separate board of medical ethics should be set up which will be responsible for developing mechanisms for the promotion of medical ethics. Further, the government must establish a system of auditing medical practice.

Indian Medical Register: According to the Ministry the doctor-population ratio in India is 1:1674 as against the WHO norm of 1:1000. The Committee was of the view that this number may not be the correct estimate. Presently, the Indian Medical Register also contains the names of registered medical practitioners who are dead or retired from active practice. This hinders healthcare human resource planning. Therefore, the Committee recommended that the register should be maintained as a live database to provide a realistic assessment of number of practitioners.

Corruption: The Committee observed issues related to corruption in the MCI. Further, it noted that autonomy should be balanced with accountability. As MCI is funded by the government, therefore it should enforce accountability on the MCI. The Ministry should take measures to amend the present statute or enact a new legislation which allows the government to intervene in matters of corruption.

The Standing Committee on Petroleum & Natural Gas (Chair: Mr. Pralhad Joshi) submitted its report on the National Auto Fuel Policy on May 7, 2015. The Auto Fuel Policy, 2003 aims at addressing issues of vehicular emissions and vehicular technologies by applying fuel quality standards.

An Expert Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Saumitra Chaudhari was set up to review the Auto Fuel Policy, 2003. Further, the objective of the Expert Committee was to draw a roadmap for the auto fuel quality till 2025. The Standing Committee made observations and recommendations on the Expert Committee report and the Auto Fuel Policy, 2003.

The Standing Committee recommends that the Ministry needs to create an action plan to implement the recommendations of the Expert Committee. Further, an assessment of the benefits of implementing the Expert Committee recommendations against the expenditure that will be incurred must be undertaken.

In order to achieve the unified fuel norm, the Ministry should implement the less polluting Bharat Stage (BS)-IV quality of fuel standard across the country by 2017. Further, the Standing Committee recommends the implementation of the BS-VI quality of fuel standard by 2020.

Some public sector refineries do not produce BS-IV quality of fuel. Hence, the Standing Committee recommends all refineries be upgraded in a phase wise manner to produce BS-IV quality of fuel.

The Expert Committee recommended levying a high sulphur cess on high polluting BS-III automotive fuels. The Expert Committee also recommended a special fuel up-gradation Cess on all gasoline and diesel sold. The Standing Committee recommends the Ministry to decide on the levy of cess at the earliest. The sum generated must be utilised for fuel up-gradation projects.

As fossil fuel reserves are depleting, the Ministry must assess the commercial viability of non-conventional fuels. In terms of usage, the share of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is low. Therefore, the Standing Committee recommends the Ministry to give high priority to coverage of more areas under CNG.

The establishment of a centralised national data centre for collecting information regarding polluting vehicles is recommended. In order to achieve this objective, if required, formulating a plan scheme and specific fund allocation has been recommended by the Standing Committee.

The constitution of an inter-ministerial committee of secretaries of the concerned Ministries is required. The objective is to attain better coordination between the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Ministry of Urban Development, state governments etc. The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas is the nodal agency and is expected to constitute the same.

The Inspection and Maintenance System that enhances the safety and emission performance of vehicles has not been implemented. Therefore, it is recommended that the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas impresses upon the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to implement the same.

Formulation of a vehicle retirement policy will improve air quality. The Ministry should apply the provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to formulate an age limit for retirement of vehicles.

The Standing Committee on Agriculture (Chairperson: Mr. Basudeb Acharia) presented its report on the National Agricultural Research System on February 18, 2014. The National Agricultural Research System comprises the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), other central research institutes, and national research centres set up by ICAR. The Committee’s recommendations are:

Representation of states in Regional Committees: The Committee noted that the Governing Body of ICAR has constituted eight Regional Committees for the eight different agro-ecological regions of the country. These committees analyse and recommend solutions for problems of agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries and forestry that are particular to the region. The Committee recommended that these committees meet annually instead of biennially and have adequate representation of states.

AICRP/Network Projects: All India Coordinated Research Projects provide opportunities for scientists working on similar problems in different institutions to come together to exchange their ideas and solutions to similar problems. These projects are typically sanctioned for five years. The Committee felt that since the projects provide for effective coordination across institutions and disciplines, it is important that regular interaction take place and the projects be completed within the stipulated time frame.

Strengthening of ICAR: The Committee recommended that the Department of Agricultural Research and Education strengthen the ICAR network to meet new challenges with respect to food security. The Department should study the methods and technologies adopted by countries such as China, Brazil and Malaysia and adapt them to India’s given conditions so as to enhance productivity in the agriculture sector. The Ministry of Agriculture should also lay more emphasis on agriculture research in the Twelfth Five Year Plan and provide adequate financial support.

Twelfth Plan allocations: The Committee noted that the Planning Commission had allocated less than 50% of the funds sought by the Department of Agriculture for the Twelfth Five Year Plan. It had also allocated only 23% of the total amount for the first two years of the Plan. The Committee recommended that the Department request the Planning Commission to grant more funds, i.e., at least 1% of the GDP and grant them evenly over the years so the Department can achieve its targets on conservation agriculture, higher agricultural education, etc.

Investment in agricultural research: The Committee noted the significance of agricultural research and development. It recommended that the Department prepare an action plan to attract investment in agricultural research. This would help reduce dependency on imports and add to the export capacity of the country. The Department should also approach the Ministry of Finance to provide monetary and fiscal incentives for such investment.

Policy framework for agricultural research: ICAR has prepared a policy framework for research and development (R&D) in agriculture and allied areas. The Committee urged the Ministry to ensure the implementation of the policy, as well as ensure it is integrated with the national R&D system and Science and Technology Innovation Policy 2013.

Farm mechanisation: The Committee urged the Department to call for research in developing low cost, light weight, multi-purpose farm equipment and tools for the benefit of small and marginal farmers and those with fragmented land holdings. The Department should also probe the possibility of encouraging youth to create stocks of machines and rent them out to small land holders to utilise mechanisation for enhancing productivity.

Yesterday, the Election Commission announced the dates for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The voting will take place in seven phases between April 11, 2019 to May 19, 2019. With this announcement, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has comes into force. In this blog, we outline the key features of the MCC.

What is the Model Code of Conduct and who does it apply to? The MCC is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections, to ensure free and fair elections. This is in keeping with Article 324 of the Constitution, which gives the Election Commission the power to supervise elections to the Parliament and state legislatures.

The MCC is operational from the date that the election schedule is announced till the date that results are announced. Thus, for the general elections this year, the MCC came into force on March 10, 2019, when the election schedule was announced, and will operate till May 23, 2019, when the final results will be announced.

How has the Model Code of Conduct evolved over time? According to a Press Information Bureau release, a form of the MCC was first introduced in the state assembly elections in Kerala in 1960. It was a set of instructions to political parties regarding election meetings, speeches, slogans, etc. In the 1962 general elections to the Lok Sabha, the MCC was circulated to recognised parties, and state governments sought feedback from the parties. The MCC was largely followed by all parties in the 1962 elections and continued to be followed in subsequent general elections.

In 1979, the Election Commission added a section to regulate the ‘party in power’ and prevent it from gaining an unfair advantage at the time of elections. In 2013, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to include guidelines regarding election manifestos, which it had included in the MCC for the 2014 general elections.

What are the key provisions of the Model Code of Conduct? The MCC contains eight provisions dealing with general conduct, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booths, observers, party in power, and election manifestos. Major provisions of the MCC are outlined below.

General Conduct: Criticism of political parties must be limited to their policies and programmes, past record and work. Activities such as: (a) using caste and communal feelings to secure votes, (b) criticising candidates on the basis of unverified reports, (c) bribing or intimidation of voters, and (d) organising demonstrations or picketing outside houses of persons to protest against their opinions, are prohibited.

Meetings: Parties must inform the local police authorities of the venue and time of any meeting in time to enable the police to make adequate security arrangements.

Processions: If two or more candidates plan processions along the same route, organisers must establish contact in advance to ensure that the processions do not clash. Carrying and burning effigies representing members of other political parties is not allowed.

Polling day: All authorised party workers at polling booths should be given identity badges. These should not contain the party name, symbol or name of the candidate.

Polling booths: Only voters, and those with a valid pass from the Election Commission, will be allowed to enter polling booths. Observers: The Election Commission will appoint observers to whom any candidates may report problems regarding the conduct of the election. Party in power: The MCC incorporated certain restrictions in 1979, regulating the conduct of the party in power. Ministers must not combine official visits with election work or use official machinery for the same.

The party must avoid advertising at the cost of the public exchequer or using official mass media for publicity on achievements to improve chances of victory in the elections. Ministers and other authorities must not announce any financial grants, or promise any construction of roads, provision of drinking water, etc. Other parties must be allowed to use public spaces and rest houses and these must not be monopolised by the party in power.

Election manifestos: Added in 2013, these guidelines prohibit parties from making promises that exert an undue influence on voters, and suggest that manifestos also indicate the means to achieve promises.

What changes have been recommended in relation to the MCC since the last general elections? In 2015, the Law Commission in its report on Electoral Reforms, noted that the MCC prohibits the issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer in newspapers/media during the election period. However, it observed that since the MCC comes into operation only from the date on which the Commission announces elections, the government can release advertisements prior to the announcement of elections. It noted that this gives an advantage to the ruling party to issue government sponsored advertisements that highlights its achievements, which gives it an undue advantage over other parties and candidates. Therefore, the Commission recommended that a restriction should be imposed on government-sponsored advertisements for up to six months prior to the date of expiry of the House/Assembly. However, it stated that an exception may be carved out for advertisements highlighting the government's poverty alleviation programmes or any health related schemes.

Is the Model Code of Conduct legally binding? The MCC is not enforceable by law. However, certain provisions of the MCC may be enforced through invoking corresponding provisions in other statutes such as the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Election Commission has argued against making the MCC legally binding; stating that elections must be completed within a relatively short time (close to 45 days), and judicial proceedings typically take longer, therefore it is not feasible to make it enforceable by law. On the other hand, in 2013, the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, recommended making the MCC legally binding. In a report on electoral reforms, the Standing Committee observed that most provisions of the MCC are already enforceable through corresponding provisions in other statutes, mentioned above. It recommended that the MCC be made a part of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

About NKK: What is it? NKN is a multi-gigabit pan-India network which facilitates the development of India’s communications infrastructure, stimulates research and creates next generation applications and services.

Aim: With its multi-gigabit capability, NKN aims to connect all universities, research institutions, libraries, laboratories, healthcare and agricultural institutions across the country to address such paradigm shift.

What it does? It enables collaboration among researchers from different educational networks such as TEIN4, GARUDA, CERN and Internet2. It also enables sharing of scientific databases and remote access to advanced research facilities. The leading mission oriented agencies in the fields of nuclear, space and defence research are also part of NKN.

Role of NKN: Establishing a high-speed backbone connectivity which will enable knowledge and information sharing amongst NKN connected institutes. Enabling collaborative research, development and innovation amongst NKN connected institutes.

Facilitating advanced distance education in specialized fields like engineering, science, medicine etc. Facilitating an ultra-high speed e-governance backbone. Facilitating connection between different sectoral networks in the field of research

What are enemy properties? When wars broke out between India and China in 1962, and India and Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, the central government took over properties of citizens of China and Pakistan in India under the Defence of India Acts. These Acts defined an ‘enemy’ as a country that committed an act of aggression against India, and its citizens.

The properties of enemies in India were classified as enemy property. The properties included land, buildings, shares held in companies, gold and jewellery of the citizens of enemy countries. The responsibility of the administration of enemy properties was handed over to the Custodian of Enemy Property, an office under the central government.

Of the total properties left behind by those who took Pakistani citizenship, 4,991 are located in Uttar Pradesh, the highest in the country. West Bengal has 2,735 such estates and Delhi 487.

The highest number of properties left by Chinese nationals is in Meghalaya (57).West Bengal has 29 such properties and Assam seven. The estimated value of all enemy properties is approximately Rs 1 lakh crore.

Enemy properties Act: After the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, the Enemy Property Act was enacted in 1968, which regulates such properties and lists the custodian’s powers. The government amended the Act in the wake of a claim laid by the heirs of Raja Mohammad Amir Mohammad Khan, known as Raja of Mahmudabad, on his properties spread across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The government has vested these properties in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India, an office instituted under the Central government.

Highlights of the report: India was the world’s second largest importer of major arms in 2014-18 and accounted for 9.5% of the global total.

After eight years of holding the position of the largest importer of weapons, India has been superseded by Saudi Arabia and dropped down to become the second largest importer of weapons in the world. Last year (for the period 2013-17), India accounted for 13% of all imports and was the world’s largest importer.

Reasons for gradual lowering of imports by India: Imports decreased by 24% between 2009-13 and 2014-18 (two five-year blocks), partly due to delays in deliveries of arms produced under licence from foreign suppliers, such as combat aircraft ordered from Russia in 2001 and submarines ordered from France in 2008.

The five biggest exportersin five-year block period 2011-2015 were the US, Russia, France, Germany and China. The US and Russia remain by far the largest exporters, accounting for 36% and 21%, respectively, of the total global trade.

China, which is now the fifth largest exporter of weapons, has been aiding Pakistan and Bangladesh in stepping up their military prowess in the region. The two countries accounted for 53% of Beijing’s exports from 2014-2018. On the other hand, Beijing is also an importer. China is the world’s sixth largest arms importer in 2014-18 and accounted for 4.2% of the global total.

Pakistan recorded a 39% dip in arms imports in 2014-18 compared to 2009-13, with the US becoming “increasingly reluctant” to provide military aid or sell arms to Pakistan. US arms exports to Pakistan fell 81% between 2009-13 and 2014-18. Pakistan has instead turned to other suppliers. For example, in 2018 it ordered four frigates and 30 combat helicopters from Turkey.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) established in 1966 is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.

Based in Stockholm the Institute provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.

Key facts: India, which is the world’s largest consumer of gold, has the 11th largest gold reserve, with the current holding pegged at 607 tonnes. International Monetary Fund (IMF) is third on the list with total gold reserves of 2,814 tonnes.

Top slot is occupied by the U.S., which boasts of gold reserves of 8,133.5 tonnes, followed by Germany with 3,369.7 tonnes. Among Asian countries, China and Japan have more reserves of the precious metal when compared to India. Pakistan, with its gold reserves of 64.6 tonnes, occupies the 45th position.

About World Gold Council: The World Gold Council is the market development organisation for the gold industry. It works across all parts of the industry, from gold mining to investment, and their aim is to stimulate and sustain demand for gold.

The World Gold Council is an association whose members comprise the world’s leading gold mining companies. It helps to support its members to mine in a responsible way and developed the Conflict Free Gold Standard.

Headquartered in the UK, they have offices in India, China, Singapore, Japan and the United States.

What are globular clusters? Globular clusters are collections of thousands to millions of stars, moving as one unit. These stars are tightly held together by gravity of the cluster itself, and are believed to have formed together at roughly the same time. Some globular clusters could be among the oldest objects in our Milky Way, which hosts over 150 of them.

About ASTROSAT: ASTROSAT is India’s first dedicated multi wavelength space observatory. This scientific satellite mission endeavours for a more detailed understanding of our universe.

ASTROSAT is designed to observe the universe in the Visible, Ultraviolet, low and high energy X-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum simultaneously with the help of its five payloads.

Astrosat aims at understanding the high energy processes in binary star systems containing neutron stars and black holes, to estimate magnetic fields of neutron stars, to study star birth regions and high energy processes in star systems lying beyond the Milky Way galaxy.

This mission has put ISRO in a very exclusive club of nations that have space-based observatories. Only the United States, European Space Agency, Japan and Russia have such observatories in space.

Context: The indigenously developed Pinaka Guided Weapons System was successfully test fired at Pokhran desert in Rajasthan.

Pinaka rocket systems are developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The rocket system was named after Pinaka, the bow of Lord Shiva. It was initially a 30 to 40 km range rocket. Its range was increased 70 to 80 km with Pinaka Mark II.

Context: Google Doodle marked the 30 years of the innovation of World Wide Web on March 12, 2019 with a GIF doodle, which featured an old, plugged-in computer with a rotating globe.

What is WWW? The inventor of WWW, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, was 33 when he first submitted the ‘Information Management: A Proposal’ for World Wide Web while working at Europe’s CERN lab. He submitted his proposal on March 12, 1989, which led to the invention of World Wide Web. Today, it nearly has 2 billion websites online.

Berners started out with his invention by typing out the basic HTML language, the HTTP application, and WorldWideWeb.app, which became the first web browser and page editor. And by 1991, the external Web servers were up and running.

The web was made public in April 1993, after which the first search engine was launched called Mosaic. The World Wide Web has been central to the development of the Information Age and is the primary tool billions of people use to interact on the Internet.

Wood snake: Context: A species of wood snake that wasn’t seen for 140 years has resurfaced in a survey conducted by scientists in the Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. The species is endemic to the Meghamalai forests and the Periyar Tiger Reserve landscape.

In News- National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA): NPPA is an organization of the Government of India which was established, inter alia, to fix/ revise the prices of controlled bulk drugs and formulations and to enforce prices and availability of the medicines in the country, under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995.

The organization is also entrusted with the task of recovering amounts overcharged by manufacturers for the controlled drugs from the consumers. It also monitors the prices of decontrolled drugs in order to keep them at reasonable levels.

Functions of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority: To implement and enforce the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order in accordance with the powers delegated to it. To deal with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the Authority. To monitor the availability of drugs, identify shortages, if any, and to take remedial steps.

To collect/ maintain data on production, exports and imports, market share of individual companies, profitability of companies etc, for bulk drugs and formulations. To undertake and/ or sponsor relevant studies in respect of pricing of drugs/ pharmaceuticals.

To recruit/ appoint the officers and other staff members of the Authority, as per rules and procedures laid down by the Government. To render advice to the Central Government on changes/ revisions in the drug policy.

To render assistance to the Central Government in the parliamentary matters relating to the drug pricing.

Model Code of Conduct(MCC): What is MCC? These are the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, election manifestos, processions and general conduct.

Aim: To ensure free and fair elections. When it comes into force? So far, the Model Code of Conduct came into force immediately on announcement of the election schedule by the commission. The Code remains in force till the end of the electoral process.

Status: The need for such code is in the interest of free and fair elections. However, the code does not have any specific statutory basis. It has only a persuasive effect. It contains what is known as “rules of electoral morality”. But this lack of statutory backing does not prevent the Commission from enforcing it.

Evolution: The Commission issued the code for the first time in 1971 (5th Election) and revised it from time to time. This set of norms has been evolved with the consensus of political parties who have consented to abide by the principles embodied in the said code and also binds them to respect and observe it in its letter and spirit.

What it contains? The salient features of the Model Code of Conduct lay down how political parties, contesting candidates and party(s) in power should conduct themselves during the process of elections i.e. on their general conduct during electioneering, holding meetings and processions, poll day activities and functioning of the party in power etc.

Drawbacks: The biggest drawback of the MCC is lack of statutory backing. This imposes limitations on Election Commission to proceed against those violating the norms of MCC. Hence Election Commission is bound to use moral sanction or censure for its enforcement.

What restrictions does the Model Code of Conduct impose? The MCC contains eight provisions dealing with general conduct, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booths, observers, the party in power, and election manifestos.

As soon as the code kicks in, the party in power — whether at the Centre or in the States — should ensure that it does not use its official position for campaigning. Hence, no policy, project or scheme can be announced that can influence the voting behaviour. The party must also avoid advertising at the cost of the public exchequer or using official mass media for publicity on achievements to improve chances of victory in the elections.

The code also states that the ministers must not combine official visits with election work or use official machinery for the same. The ruling party also cannot use government transport or machinery for campaigning. It should also ensure that public places such as maidans etc., for holding election meetings, and facilities like the use of helipads are provided to the opposition parties on the same terms and conditions on which they are used by the party in power.

The issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer in the newspapers and other media is also considered an offence. The ruling government cannot make any ad-hoc appointments in Government, Public Undertakings etc. which may influence the voters.

Political parties or candidates can be criticised based only on their work record and no caste and communal sentiments can be used to lure voters. Mosques, Churches, Temples or any other places of worship should not be used for election propaganda. Bribing, intimidating or impersonation of voters is also barred.

Holding public meetings during the 48-hour period before the hour fixed for the closing of the poll is also prohibited. The 48-hour period is known as “election silence”. The idea is to allow a voter a campaign-free environment to reflect on events before casting her vote.