India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-January2019-20* are estimated to be USD 446.46 billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 1.94 per cent over the same period last year. Overall imports in April-January 2019-20* are estimated to be USD 510.62 billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-)4.69 per cent over the same period last year.

*Note: The latest data for services sector released by RBI is for December 2019. The data for January2020 is an estimation, which will be revised based on RBI’s subsequent release.

I. MERCHANDISE TRADE EXPORTS (including re-exports) Exports inJanuary2020 were USD25.97 billion, as compared to USD26.41 billion in January 2019, exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 1.66 per cent. In Rupee terms, exports were Rs. 1,85,204 crore in January2020, as compared to Rs. 1,86,801.37 crore in January2019, registering a negative growth of (-) 0.86 per cent.

In January2020, major commodity groups of export showing positivegrowth over the corresponding month of last year are

Cumulative value of exports for the period April-January 2019-20 was USD265.26 billion (Rs.18,69,762.61 crore) as against USD270.49 billion (Rs.18,89,062.68 crore) during the period April-January 2018-19, registering a negative growth of (-) 1.93per cent in Dollar terms (negative growth of (-) 1.02 per cent in Rupee terms).

Non-petroleum and Non Gems and Jewellery exports in January 2020 were USD19.79 billion, as compared to USD19.94 billion in January2019, exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 0.78 per cent. Non-petroleum and Non Gems and Jewellery exports in April-January 2019-20 were USD197.60billion, as compared to USD197.59 billion for the corresponding period in 2018-19.

IMPORTS Imports in January2020 were USD41.14 billion (Rs.2,93,418.56 crore), which was 0.75 per cent lower in Dollar terms and 0.07 per cent higher in Rupee terms over imports of USD41.46 billion (Rs 2,93,225.37 crore) in January2019. Cumulative value of imports for the period April-January 2019-20 was USD398.53 billion (Rs.28,08,202.38 crore), as against USD433.77 billion (Rs.30,30,317.38 crore) during the period April-January 2018-19, registering a negative growth of (-)8.12per cent in Dollar terms (negative growth of (-)7.33 per cent in Rupee terms).

Major commodity groups of import showing negative growth in January2020 over the corresponding month of last year are:

CRUDE OIL AND NON-OIL IMPORTS: Oil imports inJanuary2020 were USD12.97 billion (Rs. 92,502.86 crore), which was 15.27 percenthigher in Dollar terms (16.21 percent higher in Rupee terms), compared to USD11.25 billion (Rs. 79,596.67 crore) in January2019. Oil imports in April-January 2019-20 were USD108.66 billion (Rs. 7,65,950.42 crore) which was 9.24 per cent lower in Dollar terms (8.53 percent lower in Rupee terms) compared to USD119.72 billion (Rs. 8,37,369.22 crore), over the sameperiod last year.

In this connection it is mentioned that the global Brent price ($/bbl) has increased by 7.31% in January2020 vis-à-vis January2019 as per data available from World Bank.

Non-oil imports inJanuary2020 were estimated at USD28.17 billion (Rs. 2,00,915.70 crore) which was 6.72 per cent lower in Dollar terms (5.95 percent lower in Rupee terms), compared to USD30.20 billion (Rs. 2,13,628.70 crore) in January2019. Non-oil imports in April-January 2019-20 were USD289.87 billion (Rs. 20,42,251.96 crore) which was 7.70 per cent lower in Dollar terms (6.87percent lower in Rupee terms), compared to USD314.04 billion (Rs. 21,92,948.16crore) in April-January2018-19.

Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports wereUSD26.59 billion in January2020, recording a negative growth of (-)4.66 per cent, as compared to Non-Oil and Non-Gold importsof USD 27.89 billion in January2019. Non-Oil and Non-Gold imports wereUSD265.23 billion in April-January 2019-20, recording a negative growth of (-)7.59 per cent, as compared to Non-Oil and Non-Gold importsUSD 287.00 billion in April-January 2018-19.

II. TRADE IN SERVICES EXPORTS (Receipts) As per the latest press release by RBI dated 14thFebruary 2020, exports in December2019 were USD 20.00 billion (Rs. 1, 42,413.68 crore) registering a positive growth of 11.59 per cent in dollar terms, vis-à-vis December2018. The estimated value of services export for January2020* is USD 20.92 billion.

IMPORTS (Payments) As per the latest press release by RBI dated 14th February 2020, imports in December 2019 were USD 12.56 billion (Rs. 89,382.31 crore) registering a positive growth of 10.36 per cent in dollar terms, vis-à-vis December 2018. The estimated value of service Import for January2020* is USD 13.10 billion.

III.TRADE BALANCE MERCHANDISE: The trade deficit for January2020 was estimated at USD15.17billion as against the deficit of USD15.05billion inJanuary2019. SERVICES: As per RBI’s Press Release dated 14th February 2020, the trade balance in Services (i.e. Net Services export) for December, 2019 is estimated at USD7.45 billion.

OVERALL TRADE BALANCE: Taking merchandise and services together, overall trade deficit for April-January 2019-20* is estimated at USD64.16billion as compared to USD97.79billion in April-January 2018-19.

*Note: The latest data for services sector released by RBI is for December 2019. The data for January2020 is an estimation, which will be revised based on RBI’s subsequent release.

What are Autonomous District Council? As per the Sixth Schedule, the four states viz. Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram contain the Tribal Areas which are technically different from the Scheduled Areas. Though these areas fall within the executive authority of the state, provision has been made for the creation of the District Councils and regional councils for the exercise of the certain legislative and judicial powers. Each district is an autonomous district and Governor can modify / divide the boundaries of the said Tribal areas by notification.

The Governor may, by public notification: (a) Include any area. (b) exclude any area. (c) create a new autonomous district. (d) increase the area of any autonomous district.

(e) diminish the area of any autonomous district. (f) alter the name of any autonomous district. (g) define the boundaries of any autonomous district.

Constitution of District Councils and Regional Councils: (1) There shall be a District Council for each autonomous district consisting of not more than thirty members, of whom not more than four persons shall be nominated by the Governor and the rest shall be elected on the basis of adult suffrage.

(2) There shall be a separate Regional Council for each area constituted an autonomous region. (3) Each District Council and each Regional Council shall be a body corporate by the name respectively of the District Council of (name of district) and the Regional Council of (name of region), shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and shall by the said name sue and be sued.

Related- 125th amendment bill: It seeks to increase the financial and executive powers of the 10 Autonomous Councils in the Sixth Schedule areas of the northeastern region. The amendments provide for elected village municipal councils,ensuring democracy at the grassroot level.

Powers: The village councils will be empowered toprepare plans for economic development and social justice including those related to agriculture, land improvement, implementation of land reforms, minor irrigation, water management, animal husbandry, rural electrification, small scale industries and social forestry. The Finance Commissionwill be mandated to recommend devolution of financial resources to them.

Finance: The Autonomous Councils now depend on grants from Central ministries and the State government for specific projects. Reservations: At least one-third of the seats will be reserved for women in the village and municipal councils in the Sixth Schedule areas of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura after the amendment is approved.

Facts for Prelims- other tribes in Tripura: Bhil Bhutia Chaimal Chakma Garo Halam Jamatia Kahshia Kuki Lepcha Lushai Mog Munda Noatia Orang Reang

Background: At present the ports are governed by a ports law of 1963. The major port sector has not seen the required level of fixed assets creation to pare the country’s high logistic costs owing to legacy issues including the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP)’s archaic regulatory grip.

Overview of the Bill: The proposed law is aimed at enhancing the overall efficiencies of the ports. Now ‘major ports’ will get to determine the tariffs for various port-related services as well as the terms for private developers who team up with them. Every port will now be governed by a Port Authority which will have powers to fix reference tariffs for various port services.

The Bill also proposes the creation of an adjudicatory board at the apex level for review of port authority’s decisions. It will have the mandate to resolve the disputes between port authorities and the PPP operators.

Major Ports in India: India has 12 major ports — Deendayal (erstwhile Kandla), Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar (earlier Ennore), V O Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia).

Observations made by the Court: A juvenile in conflict with law, if apprehended, has to be placed immediately under the care of the special juvenile police unit or a designated child welfare officer.

The child has to be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB).

Once a child is produced before a JJB, bail is the rule. And even if, for some reason, bail is not granted, a child cannot be put behind bars. He has to be lodged either in an observation home or in a place of safety.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 is meant to protect children and not detain them in jail or keep them in police custody.

Background: The order came after the court’s attention was drawn by the recent media reports about “children being detained in police custody and tortured in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh”.

About the Juveniles Justice Act, 2015: The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 came into force in January, 2016. The Act repeals the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The JJ Act, 2015 provides for strengthened provisions for both children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law.

Key provisions: It establishes a statutory status for the Child Adoption Resources Authority (CARA). It also proposes several rehabilitation and social integration measures for institutional and non-institutional children. It provides for sponsorship and foster care as completely new measures.

Mandatory registration of all institutions engaged in providing child care is required according to the Act. New offences including illegal adoption, corporal punishment in child care institutions, the use of children by militant groups, and offences against disabled children are also incorporated in the legislation.

The law gives the Juvenile Justice Board the power to assess whether the perpetrator of a heinous crime aged between 16 and 18, had acted as a ‘child’ or as an ‘adult.’ The board will be assisted in this process by psychologists and social experts.

Constitution and composition of JJB: State Government constitutes Juvenile Justice Boards in the districts time to time, for exercising the powers & to discharge duties, conferred on such Boards in relation to Children in Conflict with Law under this Act and Rule.

Composition: A board should consist of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of First Class not being Chief Metropolitan Magistrate with at least three years experience and two social workers of whom at least one shall be a woman, forming a bench.

Key provisions: The bill will empower farmers to get all the information regarding pesticides including their strengths and weaknesses and the risk and alternatives involved, as the data would be made available in open source, in a digital format and in all languages.

The bill will also include the provision of compensating the farmers in case of losses due to the use of spurious or low quality of pesticides. The union government may form a central fund to take care of the compensation.

Any person who wants to import, manufacture, or export pesticides would have to register under the new bill and provide all details regarding any claims, expected performance, efficacy, safety, usage instructions, and infrastructure available to stock that pesticide. The information will also include details on the pesticide’s potential effects on the environment.

The bill also plans to regulate pesticides-related advertisements to check misleading claims by industries and manufacturers.

Need for a fresh law: The current state of regulation of pesticides in India, using the extant law called Insecticides Act 1968, has not caught up with post-modern pest management science nor has taken cognizance of a huge body of scientific evidence on the ill effects of synthetic pesticides. Therefore, it is high time that new legislation is brought in. Besides, the acute pesticide poisoning deaths and hospitalisations that Indian farmworkers and farmers fall prey to are ignominious by now. It is not just human beings but wildlife and livestock that are poisoned routinely by toxic pesticides as numerous reports indicate.

Pesticides usage in India: India is the fourth-largest producer of pesticides in the world, with the market segmentation tilted mainly towards insecticides, with herbicides on the increase in the recent past. It is reported that eight states consume more than 70% of the pesticides used in India. Amongst the crops, paddy accounts for the maximum share of consumption (26-28%), followed by cotton (18-20%), notwithstanding all the hype around Bt technology.

There are 292 pesticides registered in the country, and it is estimated that there are around 104 pesticides that are continued to be produced/ used in India that have been banned in two or more countries in the world. The industry has grown to be an INR 20,000 crores business in India, with the top 3 companies having a market share of 57%.

Background: Rajasthan, where only 12% households are currently getting piped water supply, has formulated new action plans for implementing JJM by rejuvenating the sources of water to provide connections to about 98 lakh households. The JJM is being implemented under the State Water and Sanitation Mission, which is already functional, and different sources, including rainwater harvesting, have been tapped.

Way ahead: The State, which had only 1.01% of the country’s surface water, has been trying hard to supply drinking water to geographically difficult areas and expected more assistance from the Centre to achieve the targets of JJM. Unless the steps are taken to increase surface water, the dark zones would expand across the State.

About Jal Jeevan Mission: The Mission was announced in August 2019. The chief objective of the Mission is to provide piped water supply (Har Ghar Jal) to all rural households by 2024.

Jal_Jeevan_Mission Key features: It aims to create local infrastructure for rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household waste water for reuse in agriculture. The Jal Jeevan Mission is set to be based on various water conservation efforts like point recharge, desilting of minor irrigation tanks, use of greywater for agriculture and source sustainability.

The Jal Jeevan Mission will converge with other Central and State Government Schemes to achieve its objectives of sustainable water supply management across the country.

Need for and significance of the mission: India has 16% of the world population, but only 4% of freshwater resources. Depleting groundwater level, overexploitation and deteriorating water quality, climate change, etc. are major challenges to provide potable drinking water. It is an urgent requirement of water conservation in the country because of the decreasing amount of groundwater level. Therefore, the Jal Jeevan Mission will focus on integrated demand and supply management of water at the local level.

Maharashtra government has announced five-day working week for its officers and employees from February 29.

Employees will now work 45 minutes more Monday to Friday to avail of the weekend off.

The five-day week is followed by the central government, in Rajasthan, Bihar, Punjab, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

It will not apply to government offices covered under the Factories Act and the Industrial Disputes Act and to those that are considered essential services.

Bottled drinking water has come under a price cap in Kerala, with the State making it an essential commodity and fixing a ceiling of ₹13 per litre.

Including bottled water in the list of essential commodities enables price control.