QCI set up by the Government of India in partnership with India’s leading industry bodies - Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) is an independent, non-profit body has developed and launched accreditation and certification schemes for the food and agriculture sector such as Food Safety Management Systems, Product Certification, Inspection, INDGAP certification, IND-GHP Certification, IND-HACCP Certification etc.
Areas of cooperation: To develop training material on various QCI Certification Schemes such as INDGAP in consultation with APEDA. Design and operationalize Capacity Building program in the form of workshops to disseminate the Certification Schemes such as INDGAP amongst various stakeholders across various commodities.
To implement INDGAP Standard and certification of required projects as per APEDA mandated species.
To implement the Benchmarking process as per GLOBALG.A.P. requirements.
Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture(ICFA) ICFA is a society registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860, established in 2015, is an Industry body working on business, policy and development agenda and serving as global platform for trade facilitation, partnerships, technology and agribusiness services.
A proactive approach helps ICFA in discerning critical challenges emerging in agriculture along with creating opportunities for development, value addition and international trade to accelerate growth in food and agriculture sector globally.
With its 21 industry Working Groups and sector specific Business Councils, ICFA represents the interests of key stakeholders at the national level and through its international platforms and partnerships facilitates India’s global engagement in food and agriculture sector.
Areas of cooperation: To work with the clusters identified by APEDA in enhancing the capabilities of various stakeholders in the supply chain for higher value realization for exports. Identify the gap areas in quality and production of different exportable agricultural produce to plan and recommend effective support program to boost agricultural exports.
To coordinate with concerned authorities/institutes (ICAR institutions like IIHR, CISH etc) for the development of sea protocol in a time bound manner. To support agri-startups in scaling up their businesses and commercializing their products and conduct capacity development programs for large scale GAP certification in agriculture.
To network with various trade and industry bodies to mount Indian delegations to and from the targeted countries, to help APEDA in organizing commodity specific trade events, conferences, Fruit festival, exhibitions in India or in other countries.
Union Human Resource Development Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ along with senior women officers of the Ministry planted a sapling in memory of Gaura Devi, Chipko Activist in New Delhi today. The HRD Ministry has organized various programmes as part of International Women’s Day celebrations.
While remembering Gaura Devi, Shri Pokhriyalsaid that she was a simple woman from the mountainous rural environment, who fearlessly was ready to sacrifice her life to protect the trees. He said that Gaura Devi made the whole world aware of the invisible relationship between environment, trees, fodder, livestock and rural life. Her vision and commitment towards environment protection is an inspirationto all of us.
Infact, following her footsteps, many other women are at the forefront of promoting the environmental revolution at the global level. He added that we need activists and protectors of environment like her in the present times when we are faced with the challenge of climate change and threat to environment.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development is celebrating Women's Week from 1st March to 8th March 2020. In this sequence, MHRD today remembered the women of history who have made significant contribution in the past.
Shri Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment visited the week-long Exhibition-cum-Fair “EKAM Fest” organized by National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation (NHFDC) under M/o Social Justice & Empowerment at State Emporia Complex, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi-1 today.
He visited the stalls of Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs who have come from all over the country to showcase their products ranging from handicraft, handloom, Embroidery work and dry fruits. Around 82 Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs coming from 17 States/ UTs are showcasing their products. They include 44 Men and 38 Women Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs. The Fest is open for public from 11 AM till 9.00 PM from 2nd March to 9th March, 2020.
The Ekam Fest stalls are displaying the broad products in many categories viz: Home Décor and Lifestyle; Textiles; Stationery and Eco Friendly products; Packed Food and Organic Products; Toys and Gifts; and Personal Accessory –Jewellary, Clutch Bags etc. Additional highlights of the event are astrological consultations and foot massage by Divyang professionals. Fest is also hosting a number of activities like cultural extravaganza including performances by Divyang artists and well known professionals as follow:
In the Ekam Fest, Divyang Entrepreneur and Artisans have been invited with representation from J&K to Puducherry and from Nagaland to Gujarat. The Fest presents vibrant products of from J&K and NE with products ranging from handicraft, handloom, Embroidery work and dry fruits.
Number of women beneficiaries in livelihood project of North Eastern Region Community Resources Management Project (NERCORMP) is 3,45,489
Female beneficiaries in the events undertaken by North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd. (NEHHDC) is 577 Posted On: 05 MAR 2020 10:05AM by PIB Delhi Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER)
Though the schemes of MDoNER are generally gender neutral and the schemes are gap filling measures related to development of infrastructure in North Eastern Region, NER.
There is one livelihood programme called North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP), where female have been benefitted. The other livelihood scheme i.e. North East Rural Livelihoods Project (NERLP), has concluded on 30.09.2019. Similarly, two PSUs under the Ministry namely, North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) and North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) have benefitted some women entrepreneurs. Also, Cane & Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) and North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) have benefitted women in the region. The details are given below:
NERCORMP a livelihood project is being implemented in four States, viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya, running under North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society (NERCRMS) (A registered Society under North Eastern Council, Chaired by Secretary NEC). The beneficiary details of North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP), Shillong is as under;
The project strategy of forming NaRMGs, (Natural Resource Management Groups) with equal representation of men and women, and promotion of women SHGs has strengthened women empowerment and agency of women in decision making processes alongside the men on matters of household and community wellbeing. Social sector project interventions in particular are aimed at reducing drudgery of women through access to safe drinking water and low cost latrines enhancing in improved hygiene and social dignity of women. Sanitary toilets, Sanitary Napkins and drinking water supply in the village greatly benefit women and girl children as the chore of fetching water falls on them and they endure great deal of inconvenience and personal indignities in the absence of covered toilets near the homestead. As an illustration, the activities carried out by 15 SHGs and NaRM-G are like Poultry farming, Handloom Weaving, Tea cultivation, Fishery, Drinking water facilities, Banning of alcohol and opium, Piggery and Horticulture among others.
Ministry of DoNER was implementing World Bank assisted NERLP (North East Rural Livelihoods Project) in the four States namely Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura for a period of 5 years with a total project cost of Rs. 683 crore. The objective of the project was to improve rural livelihoods, especially that of women, unemployed youth and the most disadvantaged in these four States. The project was completed on 30th September, 2019. Under the programme 28, 154 SHG Groups have been formed consisting of 3,44,549 Households out of which there were 2,92,881 female beneficiaries.
NERAMAC (North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation) under its Integrated Export Development Project funded by NEC has supported 35 female beneficiaries from Assam and Mizoram. Under this programme, skill development training on Export Management was held in Guwahati, Assam and Aizawl, Mizoram.
NEHHDC (North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation) was set up in March 1977 with the mandate of promotion and development of handicrafts and handlooms of the North Eastern Region of India. Over the years Ministry of DoNER has been supporting NEHHDC to provide supports to the female Artisans and Weavers of the North Eastern Region.
Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC): The Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) is mandated for incubating farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs for becoming self-sustaining by setting up micro and small enterprises using cane and bamboo as raw material. In this process, the CBTC has reached villages of all North Eastern States since its inception. Women have also participated in skill and awareness programmes conducted by CBTC and got motivated to set up enterprises. CBTC has also been supporting these women to market their products in domestic and international market through exhibitions and tying up with wholesalers of bamboo handicraft.
North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) - An initiative towards Women Empowerment: To support micro and small borrowers including small farmers and recognizing that financial inclusion is a key driver of economic development and poverty alleviation in the region, NEDFi started the “NEDFi Micro Finance Scheme (NMFS)” to assist the grass-root small borrowers in unserved and underserved areas of the region.
Capacity building support to NGOs/ MFIs: In addition, NEDFi provides hand-holding support to the local organizations in developing them as Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) and capacity building initiatives involving trainings on risk management, operation management, systems and process, financial management, human resource management, etc.
Women Empowerment through Microfinance: The Micro finance scheme has been beneficial to the weaker sections in un-served & underserved areas of the region. About 96% of the beneficiaries are women and the project has enabled most of them to increase their earnings above the Poverty Line.
Sustainable Livelihood Programmes: NEDFi organises Programmes on various trades for providing alternative sustainable livelihood to the artisans. Through such initiatives, NEDFi covered 10,470 nos. of beneficiaries upto Feb 2020 out of which more than 80% are women beneficiaries. Some of the trades considered by NEDFi for conducting sustainable livelihood programmes are given below:
Vocational trades like beautician, plumber, electrician, welder, carpenter etc. Marketing Support: NEDFi is also facilitating marketing support to the artisans of NER through exhibition participation and its various showrooms at Guwahati & Khetri in Assam, Imphal in Manipur, Aizwal in Mizoram, Namchi in Sikkim and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. The showrooms at Guwahati, Khetri and Aizwal are under NEDFi’s direct CSR support and the rest of the showrooms are setup in collaboration with various established NGOs/Societies of the locality. Till February 2020, total 5737 artisans were provided platforms in various exhibition/ outlets, out of which more than 80% are women beneficiaries.
Functions of NIRA: It is expected to take up both inter-State and intra-State projects. It will also make arrangements for generating funds, internally and externally.
About National River Linking Project (NRLP): The NRLP formally known as the National Perspective Plan, envisages the transfer of water from water ‘surplus’ basins where there is flooding to water ‘deficit’ basins where there is drought/scarcity, through inter-basin water transfer projects.
Significance: It is designed to ease water shortages in western and southern India while mitigating the impacts of recurrent floods in the eastern parts of the Ganga basin.
ILR Projects in India: As of now, six ILR projects — the Ken-Betwa, Damanganga- Pinjal, Par-Tapi-Narmada, Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga, Mahanadi-Godavari and Godavari-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) — have been under examination of the authorities.
With regard to the peninsular rivers, the Centre has chosen to focus on the Godavari-Cauvery link than the earlier proposal to link the Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Cauvery rivers.
Issues and Concerns: Interlinking of rivers is a very expensive proposal. It will adversely affect land, forests, biodiversity, rivers and the livelihood of millions of people.
Interlinking of rivers will lead to destruction of forests, wetlands and local water bodies, which are major groundwater recharge mechanisms. It causes massive displacement of people. Huge burden on the government to deal with the issue of rehabilitation of displaced people. Due to interlinking of rivers, there will be decrease in the amount of fresh water entering seas and this will cause a serious threat to the marine life.
It also declared all citizens of Chandigarh as loco parentis (in the place of a parent) to save the lake from extinction.
Background: The order was passed in a 2009 suo motu petition initiated amid depleting water level in the lake.
What the order says? Sukhna Lake will now be a legal entity for its survival, preservation and conservation. The Chandigarh administration has been directed to declare it a wetland within a period of three months.
All structures in Sukhna’s catchment area (which was demarcated by the Survey of India in 2004) should be demolished, and affected owners whose building plans have been approved should be relocated in the vicinity of Chandigarh and they should be compensated with ₹25 lakh each.
Chandigarh should ensure that the average capacity of the lake is increased by at least about 100-150 hectare by one-time large scale desilting.
Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh have also been told to lower the storage capacity of the check dams to ensure regular flow of water into the lake. Chandigarh will have to ensure that there is no seepage losses. The aquatic weeds are ordered to be removed within a period of six months.
Polluter pays principle: Invoking the ‘polluter pays’ principle of environmental law, the Court said in its order: “The States should have taken precautionary measures to save the catchment of Sukhna lake. It is the duty of the States of Punjab and Haryana to restore the catchment area. The State government has also failed to take precautionary measures to save the catchment area. The damage caused to the catchment area is enormous.”
What is legal entity? A legal entity means entity which acts like a natural person but only through a designated person, whose acts are processed within the ambit of law.
About Sukhna lake: The man-made Sukhna Lake was built in 1958 by Le Corbusier, the architect of Chandigarh. Located in the foothills of the Shivalik Hills, it was designed to collect runoff water from the Hills. The Lake, which is in the process of being officially notified as a wetland, also has a nearby wildlife sanctuary that is home to sambar, pangolin, wild boars, red jungle fowl, cobras and other species.
Facts for Prelims: In 2018, a bench presided over by justice Sharma had accorded the status of “legal person or entity” to animals in Haryana. In Uttarakhand high court, justice Sharma was part of a bench in 2017, which declared the Ganga and Yamuna as living entities, a verdict that was later stayed by the Supreme Court. In June 2019, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ruled that all animals, birds and aquatic life in Haryana would be accorded the status of legal persons or entities.
How does Indian law define ‘anti-govt’ activities for them? According to visa guidelines laid out by the MHA, foreign nationals shall be required to strictly adhere to the purpose of visit declared while submitting the visa application. However, a foreign national (other than a Pakistani national) coming to India on any type of visa will be allowed to avail activities permitted under tourist visa.
However, there are no provisions specified under “anti-government” activities subhead. The absence of any such provision in visa laws or Foreigner’s Act makes it necessary for the government to define “anti-government” activities under a statute.
What do ‘anti-government’ activities mean for an Indian national? According to the lawyers, “anti-government” activities are those which are listed as punishable under Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code. Section 124A IPC states: “Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which a fine may be added; or, with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which a fine may be added; or, with fine.”
Does a foreigner on Indian visa have a right to protest? Right to protest peacefully is enshrined under Article 19(1)(a) of Indian Constitution which guarantees the freedom of speech and expression. Article (19)(b) guarantees the citizens of the country the right to assemble peacefully and without arms. Since Article 14 of the Constitution ensures equality to any person before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India, foreigners also have the right to protest peacefully.
Besides, Article 21 of Indian Constitution states: “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to a procedure established by law.” And protesting falls under his personal liberty. Being a part of a peaceful protest isn’t illegal and thus, being a part of it isn’t anything wrong even if that is against the Indian government.
Can a foreigner be asked to leave India without specifying the act committed by him or her amounting to the order? The government does not have unfettered powers to impose such an order without furnishing reasons. This was clarified by the Delhi High Court in a 2019 case, where a Pakistani national was served a leave India notice without specifying the reason.
Observations made by the Delhi HC: Despite fundamental rights being applicable only to the citizens of the country, with respect to Article 21, they can also be extended to foreigners. So, the government needs to list out the acts which it considers as anti-government before asking any foreigner to leave.
About PMBJP: ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’ is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. Of India, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendra’s known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra.
Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementing agency of PMBJP. BPPI (Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs.
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE SCHEME: Ensure access to quality medicines. Extend coverage of quality generic medicines so as to reduce the out of pocket expenditure on medicines and thereby redefine the unit cost of treatment per person. Create awareness about generic medicines through education and publicity so that quality is not synonymous with only high price.
A public programme involving Government, PSUs, Private Sector, NGO, Societies, Co-operative Bodies and other Institutions. Create demand for generic medicines by improving access to better healthcare through low treatment cost and easy availability wherever needed in all therapeutic categories.
What is a generic medicine? There is no definition of generic or branded medicines under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 made thereunder. However, generic medicines are generally those which contain same amount of same active ingredient(s) in same dosage form and are intended to be administered by the same route of administration as that of branded medicine.
The price of an unbranded generic version of a medicine is generally lower than the price of a corresponding branded medicine because in case of generic version, the pharmaceutical company does not have to spend money on promotion of its brand.
How are they regulated in India? Drugs manufactured in the country, irrespective of whether they are generic or branded, are required to comply with the same standards as prescribed in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 made thereunder for their quality.
Drugs whose exports is restricted: Besides over-the-counter painkiller and fever reducer paracetamol, drugs restricted for exports included common antibiotics metronidazole, those used to treat bacterial and other infections, as well as vitamin B1 and B12 ingredients.
Background: In February, the Department of Pharmaceuticals asked the DGFT to issue orders restricting the export of 12 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
What’s the concern now? Although India is source of about 20% of the world’s generic drug supply, pharmaceutical companies in the country are dependent on China for two-thirds of the chemical components needed to make them. The outbreak of COVID-19 has shut factories in China and impacted supplies, leading to fears of a shortage.
Implications: This restriction has not gone down well with the exporters. For exporters, it is going to be a problem and will have an impact on reputation too.
What are APIs? API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) means the active ingredient which is contained in medicine. For example, an active ingredient to relieve pain is included in a painkiller. This is called API. A small amount of the active ingredient has an effect, so only a tiny part of the active ingredient is contained in medicine.
Components of Medications: All drugs are made up of two core components: the API, which is the central ingredient, and the excipient, the substances other than the drug that helps deliver the medication to your system. Excipients are chemically inactive substances, such as lactose or mineral oil in the pill.
How can a UN body seek intervention in a case involving a domestic Indian law? The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights.
It is mandated to, Inter alia protect and promote all human rights and to conduct necessary advocacy in that regard, established pursuant to the United Nations General Assembly resolution 48/141.
It also has to promote adherence to international human rights law and, with this purpose in mind, to support domestic courts, with their constitutional or judicial function, in ensuring the implementation of international legal obligations. This is the basis for seeking intervention.
What exactly does the intervention application say? What are the issues raised wrt to CAA? The CAA, it says, raises “important human rights issues, including its compatibility in relation to the right to equality before the law and nondiscrimination on nationality grounds under India’s human rights obligations”.
It questions the reasonableness and objectivity of the criterion of extending the benefits of the CAA to Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan alone.
Muslim community is also affected: It points out that while the Indian government has suggested that persons of Muslim faith, regardless of denomination or ethnicity, are protected in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, recent reports by UN human rights treaty bodies, special procedures and other mechanisms show that Ahmadi, Hazara and Shia Muslims in these countries warrant protection on the same basis as that provided in the preferential treatment proposed by the CAA.
Significance of this intervention: The issue of nondiscrimination on nationality grounds falls outside the scope of this intervention, but this in no way implies that there are not human rights concerns in this respect.
Way ahead: India has the history of openness and has exhibited to persons seeking to find a safer, more dignified life within its borders. But, the CAA’s stated purpose is protection of some persons from persecution on religious grounds, simplifying procedures and requirements and facilitating the granting of citizenship to such persons, including migrants in an irregular situation, as well as refugees, from certain neighbouring countries. This selective application of law goes against the very basic right which guarantees equality. In this background, it is necessary to revisit the law, say experts.
In this regard, some central principles of international human rights law can be considered. These include: Enjoyment of human rights by all migrants and the rights of all migrants (non-citizens) to equality before the law. The principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the forcible return of refugees and asylum seekers to a country where they are likely to be persecuted.
All migrants “regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, nationality and/or immigration status enjoy human rights and are entitled to protection”. International human rights law “requires the granting of citizenship under law to conform to the right of all persons to equality before the law and to be free from prohibited discrimination”.
Key findings: Black carbon concentrations near the Gangotri glacier rose 400 times in summer due to forest fires and stubble burning from agricultural waste, and triggered glacial melt.
The monthly mean concentration of EBC (equivalent black carbon) was found to be minimum in August and maximum in the month of May. The observed seasonal mean concentrations of EBC indicated a pristine glacial source and an absence of EBC sources in the locality.
The concentration varied from a minimum of 0.01μg/cubic metre in winter to 4.62μg/cubic metre during summer. Being a pristine zone far from sources of pollution, the measurements are critical to establishing a baseline for pollution loads and estimating the contribution of various sources to pollution.
What is black Carbon? What are the concerns? Black carbon results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. BC is produced both naturally and by human activities as a result of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. Primary sources include emissions from diesel engines, cook stoves, wood burning and forest fires.
Concerns associated: The fine particles absorb light and about a million times more energy than carbon dioxide. It is said to be the second largest contributor to climate change after CO2. But unlike CO2, which can stay in the atmosphere for years together, black carbon is short-lived and remains in the atmosphere only for days to weeks before it descends as rain or snow.
Black carbon absorbs solar energy and warms the atmosphere. When it falls to earth with precipitation, it darkens the surface of snow and ice, reducing their albedo (the reflecting power of a surface), warming the snow, and hastening melting.
India is the second largest emitter of black carbon in the world, with emissions expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades, says an April 2019 study in the journal Atmospheric Research, with the Indo Gangetic plains said to be the largest contributor.
Facts for Prelims: Complete combustion would turn all carbon in the fuel into carbon dioxide (CO2), but combustion is never complete and CO2, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and organic carbon and black carbon particles are all formed in the process. The complex mixture of particulate matter resulting from incomplete combustion is often referred to as soot.
National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) was constituted under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013 for hearing appeals against the orders of National Company Law Tribunal(s) (NCLT), with effect from 1st June, 2016.
It is also the appellate tribunal for hearing appeals against orders passed by NCLT(s) under Section 61 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC), the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
Composition: Chief Justice of India or his nominee- Chairperson. A senior judge of the Supreme Court or a Chief Justice of High Court. Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice. Secretary in the Department of Financial Services.
Appeal: NCLAT decisions can be challenged in the Supreme Court on a point of law.
On COVID- 19: The world has entered uncharted territory in its battle against the deadly coronavirus, the UN health agency warned, as new infections dropped dramatically in China but surged elsewhere.