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Daily PIB/ 10 Feb
General Studies- II
Topic- Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
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Central Deputation of IAS officers
Context:
The Centre is examining the comments received from the States/UTs on a proposal to amend Rule 6(1) of IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954, relating to the Central Deputation of IAS officers.
- The Indian Administrative Service (Fixation of Cadre Strength) Regulations, 1955 provide for a Central Deputation Reserve not exceeding 40% of the Senior Duty Posts of a cadre/joint cadre.
- However, State Governments have not been sponsoring adequate number of officers for central deputation to meet the requirements of the Government of India.
Therefore, in order to address the above problem, comments have been sought from States/UTs, on a proposal to amend the Rule relating to the Central Deputation of IAS officers.
Proposed amendments:
Overall, The Proposed amendments will give greater authority in this matter to the Centre.
- The amendments enable the Union government to seek the services of an Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer posted in a State even without the State government’s consent.
- The Centre will be able to relieve an officer from their cadre if the State government does not give effect to the Central government’s decision within the specified time.
- In case of any disagreement, the matter shall be decided by the central government and the state government or state governments concerned shall give effect to the decision of the central government “within a specified time”.
- Services of an AIS officer with a specific domain expertise may be required for any important time-bound flagship programme or project.
Current rule on deputation:
- Central deputation in the Indian Administrative Service is covered under Rule-6 (1) of the IAS (Cadre) Rules-1954, inserted in May 1969.
As per the rule:
“A cadre officer may, with the concurrence of the State Governments concerned and the Central Government, be deputed for service under the Central Government or another State Government or under a company, association or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, which is wholly or substantially owned or controlled by the Central Government or by another State Government.”
In case of disagreement:
- In case of any disagreement, the matter shall be decided by the Central Government and the State Government or State Governments concerned shall give effect to the decision of the Central Government.
- However, existing rules did not mention any time limit for deciding on such disagreement.
Previous Matters:
- In December 2020, the Home Ministry had attached three Indian Police Service (IPS) officers of West Bengal cadre but the State government did not relieve them.
- Following this, a petition was filed which stressed that the unique dichotomy in the prevalent laws is itself self-contradictory and violative of Article 14.
- It claimed that this rule has created havoc in the law-and-order situation and in the administrative structure of the concerned state governments.
However, the Supreme court rejected the petition.
General Studies- III
Topic- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Parvatmala Project
Context:
Government has decided to develop Ropeways in hilly areas of the country. For this, the National Ropeways Development Programme – “Parvatmala” was announced by the Union Finance Minister in the Union Budget for 2022-23.
Need for:
- Developing an efficient transport network is a big challenge in hilly areas.
- The rail and air transport networks are limited in these areas, while the development of road network has technical challenges.
- In this backdrop, Ropeways have emerged as a convenient and safe alternate transport mode.
About the scheme:
National Ropeways Development Programme – “Parvatmala” — will be taken up on PPP mode.
- ‘Parvatmala’ will be a preferred ecologically sustainable alternative in place of conventional roads in difficult hilly areas.
- The idea is to improve connectivity and convenience for commuters, besides promoting tourism.
Coverage:
- The programme may also cover congested urban areas, where conventional mass transit system is not feasible along with hilly areas.
- The contracts for 8 ropeway projects for a length of 60 km would be awarded in 2022-23.
- The scheme is being presently started in regions like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir and the other North Eastern states.
Implementation:
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has so far been responsible for development of Highways and regulating the road transport sector across the country.
Major Factors Driving Ropeway Infrastructure:
- Economical mode of transportation: Given that ropeway projects are built in a straight line over a hilly terrain, it also results in lower land acquisition costs.
- Faster mode of transportation: Owing to the aerial mode of transportation, ropeways have an advantage over roadway projects where ropeways can be built in a straight line, over a hilly terrain.
- Environmentally friendly: Low dust emissions. Material containers can be designed so as to rule out any soiling of the environment.
- Last mile connectivity: Ropeway projects adopting 3S (a kind of cable car system) or equivalent technologies can transport 6000-8000 passengers per hour.
Benefits of Ropeways:
- Ideal for difficult / challenging / sensitive terrain.
- Long rope spans: The system crosses obstacles like rivers, buildings, ravines, or roads without a problem.
- Ropes guided over towers: Low space requirements on the ground, and no barrier for humans or animals.
- This mode of transportation will enable mobility to people living in difficult areas and help them become part of the mainstream.
- Villagers / farmers living in such areas will be able to sell their produces in other areas, which in turn will help them grow their income.
- Economy: Ropeway having multiple cars propelled by a single power-plant and drive mechanism. This reduces both construction and maintenance costs. On level ground, the cost of ropeways is competitive with narrow-gauge railroads; in the mountains the ropeway is far superior.
- Flexible: Transport of different materials – A ropeway allows for the simultaneous transport of different types of material.
- Ability to handle large slopes: Ropeways and cableways (cable cranes) can handle large slopes and large differences in elevation. Where a road or railroad needs switchbacks or tunnels, a ropeway travels straight up and down the fall line.
Low footprint: The fact that only narrow-based vertical supports are needed at intervals, leaving the rest of the ground free, makes it possible for ropeways to be constructed in built-up areas and in places where there is intense competition for land use.
General Studies- III
Topic- Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Foreign Direct Investment
Context:
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows has shown a continuous increase from US$ 45.15 billion in 2014-15 to US$ 81.97 billion in 2020-21.
During the last five financial years, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows worth US$ 339.55 billion have been reported into India.
Background:
To promote Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the Government has put in place an investor-friendly policy, wherein most sectors are open for 100% FDI under the Automatic route.
- Further, the policy on FDI is reviewed on an ongoing basis, to ensure that India remains attractive & investor friendly destination.
- Changes are made in the policy after having consultations with stakeholders including apex industry chambers, Associations, representatives of industries/groups and other organizations.
- In the last one year, reforms in the FDI policy have been undertaken in sectors such as Insurance, Defence, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Telecom, etc.
Significance:
- Foreign Direct Investment inflows serve to augment domestic investments, promote industrial development and employment generation across sectors and ancillary industries.
- Further, such investments bring international best practices and latest technologies which facilitate in skill development, export promotion and improvement of overall competitiveness of economy leading to overall economic growth and development in the country.
What Is a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)?
A foreign direct investment (FDI) is a purchase of an interest in a company by a company or an investor located outside its borders.
Generally, the term is used to describe a business decision to acquire a substantial stake in a foreign business or to buy it outright in order to expand its operations to a new region.
- It is not usually used to describe a stock investment in a foreign company.
- Foreign direct investments (FDI) are substantial investments made by a company into a foreign concern.
- The investment may involve acquiring a source of materials, expanding a company’s footprint, or developing a multinational presence.
How Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) Work?
Companies considering a foreign direct investment generally look only at companies in open economies that offer a skilled workforce and above-average growth prospects for the investor.
- Lighter government regulation also tends to be prized.
- Foreign direct investment frequently goes beyond capital investment. It may include the provision of management, technology, and equipment as well.
- A key feature of foreign direct investment is that it establishes effective control of the foreign business or at least substantial influence over its decision-making.
Types of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):
Foreign direct investments are commonly categorized as horizontal, vertical, or conglomerate.
- With a horizontal direct investment, a company establishes the same type of business operation in a foreign country as it operates in its home country. For example: A U.S.-based cell phone provider buying a chain of phone stores in China.
- In a vertical investment, a business acquires a complementary business in another country. For example, a U.S. manufacturer might acquire an interest in a foreign company that supplies it with the raw materials it needs.
- In a conglomerate type of foreign direct investment, a company invests in a foreign business that is unrelated to its core business. Since the investing company has no prior experience in the foreign company’s area of expertise, this often takes the form of a joint venture.
Chrome facts for Prelims
Powerthon-2022
- Powerthon-2022 is a hackathon competition under RDSS to find technology driven solutions to solve the complex problems in power distribution and to ensure quality and reliable power supply.
- It is launched by Ministry for Power and MNRE.
The hackathon will task participants to find innovative solutions based on advanced emerging technologies like AI/ML, Blockchain, IoT, VR/AR etc on nine (09) themes.
- Demand/Load Forecasting
- AT&C (Aggregate Technical & Commercial) Loss Reduction
- Energy Theft Detection
- Prediction of DT (Distribution Transformer) Failure
- Asset Inspection
- Vegetation Management
- Consumer Experience Enhancement
- RE (Renewable Energy) Integration
- Power Purchase Optimization
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DESIGN
The National Design Policy, 2007 envisaged that four new National Institutes of Design shall be set up in addition to the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
- Accordingly, Government of India has recently established four new National Institutes of Design, one each in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
These four new NIDs have started functioning and are offering courses in Bachelor of Design to students from all across the country.
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