29 Aug 2022

 

 

. No.	Topic Name	Prelims/Mains
1.	About the Digital India	Prelims & Mains
2.	Details of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India	Prelims & Mains
3.	About the PM CARES Fund	Prelims & Mains
4.	Details of the Dragon Fruit Cultivation	Prelims Specific Topic

1 – About the Digital India:GS II

Topic à Government Policies and Interventions

·       The Core Values of the Digital India Vision Are:

·       Digital infrastructure is a resource for all citizens.

·       On-demand services and governing.

·       Citizens’ digital empowerment

 

·       Objectives:

·       to get India ready for a knowledge-based future.

·       Realizing that IT Will Be the result of IT Plus IT (Indian Talent) (Information Technology)

·       placing a focus on technology to support change.

 

·       The various Digital India Programs’ plans:

·       The Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing, or The Diksha Initiative

·       It acts as the nation’s educational digital infrastructure. The most recent digital technology will be available to every teacher in the country.

·       eNAM: This pan-Indian electronic trading platform, which was introduced on April 14, 2016, connects Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) from all the States.

·       eSanjeevani is the brand name of the telemedicine service platform run by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

·       DigiBunai: DigiBunai enables weavers to convert saree designs into loom-compatible files and generate digital artwork.

·       The Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) project was started by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to offer street vendors low-interest loans. It encourages street vendors to adopt digital transactions.

·       The contact tracing programme Aarogya Setu was one of the digital solutions suggested by the Covid-19.

·       A number of significant government programmes, such as BharatNet, Make in India, Startup India and Standup India, industrial corridors, etc., are available through the Digital India programme.

 

·       Important accomplishments:

·       Enhanced Electronic Payments: The UPI’s debut made digital payments more popular all around the nation.

·       UPI’s aid with payments and transactions benefits everyone, from major enterprises to independent street vendors.

·       Additionally, it motivates other private actors to offer substitutes for digital payments, which have drastically changed the Indian economy

·       Simplified Business Processes: To assist businesses in streamlining their operations, the Electronic Customer Identification System (e-KYC), the Electronic Document Storage System (DigiLocker), and the Electronic Signature System (eSign) were developed.

·       The JAM Trinity and Beyond The JAM trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhar, and Mobile—was initially turned on to stop system leakage. The entire Covid immunisation programme was started by this one small action, making India the only country after the United States to administer 20 crore COVID 19 Jabs.

 

·       Next Steps:

·       A variety of problems, including taxation challenges, limited infrastructure, bad internet, a lack of cooperation among various institutions, and digital illiteracy, are impeding its proper implementation. For this programme to succeed to the fullest, a number of challenges must be overcome.

·       Here are six specific steps that could help India become the new digital benchmark as we commemorate six years since the launch of Digital India. India is using 4.0 to help it achieve its goals and reach a five trillion dollar GDP.

·       Promoting a scientific approach in which judgments are made without regard to perception.

·       Lower gadget prices and easier access to data, particularly for smartphones.

·       Accelerated technology and constant connectivity (5G, 6G).

·       High-caliber information in the local tongue.

·       A dedicated environment for ombudsmen, grievance representation, and dispute resolution that is safe and secure online.

·       Finally, more government services will be made available online and more agencies will interact with one another. electricity in plenty, green technologies, and renewable energy

·       Agritech, health tech, smart cities, e-governance, retail management, and simple banking and payment solutions can now be implemented thanks to Digital India, which has been building the infrastructure for years.

Source à The Indian Express 

2 – Details of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India:GS II

Topic à Appointment to various Constitutional Posts

·       Introduction:

·       The Indian Constitution’s Article 148 designates the Comptroller and Auditor General as an autonomous office (CAG).

·       He is one of the pillars of India’s democratic system of government and the chairman of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.

·       He is in charge of overseeing the nation’s whole financial system on both the federal and state levels as the protector of the public purse.

·       In the area of financial management, he is responsible for respecting the Indian Constitution and parliamentary rules.

 

·       Constitutional Conditions for the CAG Office:

 

·       Article 148 provides a general overview of the CAG’s appointment, oath, and responsibilities.

·       The duties and authority of India’s Comptroller and Auditor General are covered under Article 149.

·       According to Article 150, the President may establish a format for the Union and State accounts based on suggestions from the CAG.

·       At the request of the President, the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India shall provide reports on the financial statements of the Union to each House of Parliament.

·       Section 279: The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India determines and certifies the calculation of “net proceeds,” and his or her certificate is definitive.

 

·       Appointment, Timeframe, and Removal:

·       Th President of India signs and seals a warrant that names the CAG.

·       The CAG shall serve in that capacity until they reach the age of 65 or for a term of six years, whichever occurs first.

·       He is free to resign whenever he wants by sending a letter to the president.

·       He can be removed from office by the president using the same justifications and procedures as a justice of the Supreme Court. In other words, the president has the power to oust him if both Houses of Parliament pass a resolution to that effect with a special majority, either on the grounds of proved malfeasance or incapacity.

 

·       To guarantee and defend CAG’s independence, the following provisions have been added to the Constitution:

·       He enjoys a secure tenure and can only be removed by the authority of the President and in compliance with the processes outlined in the Constitution. He is therefore not formally in office until the president declares him to be such, despite being chosen by the president.

·       After leaving his current job, he is ineligible for any other appointment with the Indian government or any state.

·       The Parliament sets his pay and other service requirements. His pay is comparable to that of a Supreme Court justice.

·       After his appointment, neither his salary nor his rights regarding a leave of absence, pension, or retirement age may be negatively changed.

·       The Consolidated Fund of India is used to cover the administrative costs of the CAG’s office, including all employee salary, benefits, and pensions. Parliament does not need to approve these costs.

·       In the Parliament (both Houses), no minister may speak on behalf of the CAG or be questioned on any of his deeds.

 

·       CAG’s objectivity:

·       The Consolidated Fund of India, the Consolidated Fund of each state, and the UT with a legislative assembly all have their accounts audited by the CAG.

·       For the Public Account of India, the Contingency Fund of India, and the Public Account and Contingency Fund of each state, all expenditures are audited by CAG.

·       All trading, manufacturing, profit and loss, balance sheets, and other subsidiary accounts maintained by any department of the Central Government and the State Governments are audited by the Central Accounting Group (CAG).

·       Government corporations, as well as other corporations and bodies, have their revenue and expenses audited by CAG as required by applicable laws. This also applies to all bodies and authorities that are primarily funded by Central or State resources.

·       The net revenues of any tax or duty are determined and certified by him, and his certification is conclusive in the matter.

 

·       Reports:

·       The President and Governor receive his audit reports on the Center’s and the State’s accounts, and they in turn deliver them to the Houses of Parliament and the State Legislature, respectively.

·       Three audit reports—one on financial accounts, one on public undertakings, and one on appropriation accounts—are delivered to the President by him.

 

·       In relation to PAC and CAG:

·       He acts as the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament’s mentor, friend, and philosopher.

·       The three CAG reports that the PAC looks at include the audit reports on public sector undertakings, finance accounts, and appropriation accounts.

·       A list of the issues that need the PAC’s immediate attention is another way that CAG contributes to the committee’s debates.

·       Additionally, he aids the committee and the witnesses in comprehending the committee’s and the government’s respective actions.

·       Occasionally, the CAG’s role will be that of an interpreter and translator, relaying to politicians the opinions of officials and vice versa.

·       The CAG is still responsible for other issues. He must keep an eye on the implementation of the remedy he recommended. When he notices that nothing has been done, he brings matters to the PAC’s attention.

 

·       Concerns that the CAG has:

·       There are no set standards for:

·       If the terms are made explicit, independence can be ensured. Such criteria would include the qualities a candidate must have in order to be selected as a CAG as well as the selection process. Transparency in the process is necessary.

 

·       Inaccessibility Issue:

·       Currently, the finance minister sends a shortlist to the Cabinet Secretary, who then chooses the CAG on behalf of the prime minister.

·       One candidate from this list is recommended to the president by the prime minister. If the President concurs, the CAG is appointed by a warrant bearing the President’s signature and seal.

·       Such a technique is flawed since there could be an interest conflict.

 

·       Compromised accountability:

·       The Indian government, which is led by the prime minister, is audited by the CAG.

·       There is a potential that the person chosen by the auditee’s boss to audit his company will end up becoming the CAG, which could reduce accountability.

 

·       Reductions and delays in the CAG Report:

·       Detractors refer to this as being “CAGed” since reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) have been delayed and are now pending.

·       According to a recent response to a Right To Information (RTI) request, the overall number of CAG reports referencing central government ministries and departments fell from 55 in 2015 to just 14 in 2020, a loss of over 75%.

·       Reforms required:

·       Establishing Independence:

·       In order to ensure that the head of their Supreme Audit Institution operates independently and is not influenced by the Executive, whose performance he is required to evaluate and give an audit opinion on attaining the objectives, the majority of countries have passed laws establishing certain qualifications as well as the process of appointment.

·       According to the 1983 revision of the UK’s Exchequer and Audit Act, the CAG will be chosen jointly by the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, and will subsequently be confirmed by the House of Commons. Confidentiality in Appointment:

·       India must establish a formal system to promote transparency and objectivity in the CAG nomination process.

·       A list of applicants who fit these criteria could be compiled. Then, a high-level committee may assess the candidates’ personalities and suggest to the president a list of three candidates, from which only one may be selected.

 

·       Getting Rid of Delays:

·       Similar to the citizen’s right under the RTI Act of 2005 to get information within a month, auditors should have priority access to documents within seven days; if not, heads of departments should be forced to offer a rationale for the delay.

 

·       How to raise CAG’s effectiveness:

·       The CAG’s publication of a Big Data management strategy and the construction of a Centre for Data Management and Analytics in Delhi are examples of positive developments after the Big Data revolution.

·       The 2017 Commonwealth Auditors General Conference was held at the CAG of India. The two conference topics were using technology in public audit and environmental audit. The conference encouraged collaborations amongst Commonwealth nations to increase knowledge of public auditing.

·       The fact that Indian CAG was able to audit the UN headquarters, which involves numerous complex jobs, demonstrates the organization’s trustworthiness.

·       Conclusion:

·       Reforms at the CAG office are crucial because they enable the parliament and state legislatures to hold their respective administrations responsible.

·       He serves as a pillar of India’s democratic political system and, in the words of B.R. Ambedkar, is in the most significant position permitted under the Indian Constitution.

 

Source à The Hindu

3 – About the PM CARES Fund:GS II

Topic à Government Policies and Interventions

·       Context:

·       The Income Tax Department was ordered to release copies of every file PM CARES Fund produced when applying for an exemption under the Income Tax Act, along with filing notations confirming the request, according to a Central Information Commission (CIC) ruling. On Thursday, the Delhi High Court issued a stay of execution on the order.

 

·       What is the mechanism of the PM-CARES Fund?

·       In order to respond to difficult situations like the COVID-19 outbreak, the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund, or PM CARES Fund, was established in March 2020.

·       The fund does not get any financial support; all contributions are voluntary and originate from both individuals and organisations.

·       Donations can now be used to fulfil a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligations, but they are no longer tax deductible.

·       In addition, it is free from the International Contribution (Regulation) Act of 2010 and takes contributions from outside, despite the fact that the Centre has previously turned down foreign aid in the wake of catastrophes like the Kerala floods.

·       The prime minister serves as the official chair of the fund and may recommend to the Board of Trustees three renowned individuals in related professions.

·       As ex-officio Trustees of the Fund, the Ministers of Defense, Home Affairs, and Finance serve.

 

·       What problems is the PM-CARES Fund dealing with?

·       ignores other funds, such as the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

·       The PM CARES Fund was not established in line with the Indian Constitution or any other law, raising concerns regarding its right to utilise the title of prime minister, national symbols, the official PMO website (gov.in), tax exemptions through an order, and other things.

·       There are questions regarding transparency and accountability because the money it collects is not audited by CAG and does not go to the Consolidated Fund of India.

·       The management of the trust is independent of the federal government and the state governments.

·       If the PM CARES Fund is not affiliated with the government, it could become a for-profit organisation, which would prevent the prime minister and the three ministers from maintaining their respective constitutional positions.

·       Since the trustees are required by Section 19 of the Indian Trusts Act to provide beneficiaries with information regarding the trust property, the PM CARES Fund must be available in accordance with Section 2(f) of the RTI Act.

·       A factor for determining whether an organisation qualifies as a public authority for purposes of the RTI Act is whether the trustees have a significant level of influence over it, according to the Thalappalam Service Coop. Bank Ltd. vs. State of Kerala case.

·       The PMO is required by the RTI to respond to our questions about the fund because it is a public entity.

 

Source à The Indian Express

4 – Details of the Dragon Fruit Cultivation:

Prelims Specific Topic

·       Context:

·       Since dragon fruit is regarded as a “super fruit” for its many health advantages, the Center has chosen to support its development. This decision is in line with the policy of the governments of Gujarat and Haryana. The Center believes that the fruit’s production in India can be increased given its accessibility and the high demand for it globally due to its nutritional benefits. This exotic fruit, which is currently grown on 3,000 hectares, will spread to 50,000 hectares in five years.

 

·       Introduction:

·       America is where the dragon fruit first appeared (Hylocereus undatus). It belongs to the cactus family.

·       It is also referred to globally as “Pitaya,” “Pitahaya,” strawberry pear, noblewoman, and queen of the night. It is also referred to as “Kamalam” in India.

·       It thrives in a variety of climatic conditions and soil types, especially in India’s semi-arid and desert regions.

·       Although it can withstand certain salts in the soil, it loves slightly acidic soil.

·       Dragon fruit trees in India flower and bear fruit during the monsoon season (June to November).

 

·       Features:

·       Its blossoms open at night and are hermaphrodite by nature (contain both male and female organs).

·       The plant has a yield that lasts for more than 20 years, is beneficial for industries that add value through processing, and is abundant in nutraceutical characteristics (which have therapeutic effects).

·       There are numerous vitamins and minerals.

 

·       Favorability in India:

·       In the 1990s, backyard gardens in India started to include dragon fruit.

·       India’s farming community has been drawn to dragon fruits because of its low maintenance requirements and high profitability.

·       As a result, the cultivation of dragon fruit has sharply increased in a number of north eastern states as well as in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

·       Each year, the nation produces about 12,000 tonnes of the fruit.

 

·       Related concerns:

·       High Cost: Due to the climbability of dragon fruit, growers must invest about Rs. 3.5 lakh per acre in infrastructure.

·       Drip irrigation also adds to the cost of the initial expenditure.

·       problems with blossoming In semi-arid and dry areas, sunburn is a common problem that can be controlled by creating 25–30% shade, either by growing shade-producing trees (such moringa, sesbania, and Melia dubia) or by putting shade netting during the sweltering summer months.

 

·       Government programmes:

·       Through the Mission on Integrated Development of Horticulture, the Maharashtra government has taken the initiative to encourage the production of dragon fruit in several state regions by providing quality planting materials and financial aid for its development (MIDH).

·       The centrally supported MIDH initiative seeks to advance the whole horticulture industry. Growing bamboo, coconuts, cashews, roots and tubers, mushrooms, spices, flowers, and scented trees is one example of this.

·       Beginning in 2014–15, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will implement MIDH.

 

Source à The Down To Earth Magazine