GS- 2nd Paper
Topic covered– Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Services Exports Promotion Council (SEPC)
Context
SEPC Launched India IP Guide at Cannes in MIPCOM 2019.
About
- Services Exports Promotion Council (SEPC) has brought out the India Intellectual Property (IP) Guide at Cannes in MIPCOM 2019, for the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry.
- The guide features a catalogue of over 60 Indian Intellectual Property (IP)s, popular in over 160 countries.
- It comprehensively breaks the narrative of only low-end work being done in India.
About Services Exports Promotion Council (SEPC)
- SEPC is an Export Promotion Council set by Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.
- It is an apex trade body which facilitates service exporters of India.
- As an advisory body it actively contributes to the formulation of policies of Government of India and acts as an interface between the Services Industry and the Government.
- SEPC has been instrumental in promoting the efforts of Indian service exporting community, and in projecting India’s image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality services.
- It organizes a large number of promotional activities such as buyer-seller meets (BSM) – both in India and abroad, overseas trade fairs/exhibitions, and India pavilion/information booths in selected overseas exhibitions to demonstrate the capabilities of Indian Services Industry.
Objectives of SEPC
- One of the key objectives at SEPC is to facilitate service exporters of India and handhold medium and small enterprises to expand their global footprint.
- To present Intellectual Property (IP)s from India to the buyers and distributors from across the globe. The IP Guide is to illustrate strengths of the Indian content creators.
What is Intellectual Property?
- Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce.
- IP is protected in law by, for example, patents, copyright and trademarks, which enable people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create.
- By striking the right balance between the interests of innovators and the wider public interest, the IP system aims to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.
- Intellectual Property (IP), especially in the innovation economy of today, is vital to a large number of SEPC’s stakeholders.
- Creation, protection and expansion of IP products alone will bring huge benefits to the sector.
GS- 2 Paper
Topic covered– Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Competition Commission of India (CCI)
Context
CCI approves Kora Master Fund LP investment of up to 10% ($75 million).
About
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Kora Master Fund LP investment of upto 10 per cent ($75 million) in Edelweiss Securities Ltd.
- Kora, a foreign portfolio investor, proposes to invest $75 million in Edelweiss Securities and Edelweiss Global Investment Advisory (EGIA) subsidiaries, as set out in the share subscription agreement.
- The principal activity of Kora is that of investment holding and related activities.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI)
- Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a quasi-judicial statutory bodyof the Government of India responsible for enforcing The Competition Act, 2002.
- Competition Commission of India (CCI) and Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) were established under the Competition Act, 2002.
- It was established on 14 October 2003.
- It became fully functional in May 2009.
Composition of CCI
- The CCI is composed of a Chairperson and 6 members.
- The members of CCI are appointed by the Central Government.
- The CCI acts as a market regulator to check on the ill competitive practices in India.
Objectives
- To prevent practices having adverse effect on competition.
- Make the markets work for the benefit and welfare of consumers.
- To promote and sustain competition in markets.
- To protect the interests of consumers.
- Ensure fair and healthy competition in economic activities in the country for faster and inclusive growth and development of economy.
- Implement competition policies with an aim to effectuate the most efficient utilization of economic resources.
The Competition Appellate Tribunal
- The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) was formed in 2009.
- It is a fully empowered body by the Constitution of India.
- The final appeal after this tribunal can be made in the Supreme Court of India.
The Competition Act, 2002
- The idea of Competition Commission was conceived and introduced in the form of The Competition Act, 2002.
- It was enacted to promote competition and private enterprises especially in the light of 1991 Indian economic liberalization.
- The Competition Act, 2002, is amended by the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2007.
- The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises and regulates combinations (acquisition, acquiring of control and Merger and acquisition), which causes or likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition within India.
- The Commission is also required to give opinion on competition issues on a reference received from a statutory authority established under any law and to undertake competition advocacy, create public awareness and impart training on competition issues.
GS- 2nd Paper
Topic covered– Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Food Safety Mitra (FSM) scheme
Context
Food Safety Mitra (FSM) scheme was launched for strengthening and scaling up ‘Eat Right India’ movement.
About
- Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare commemorate World Food Day 2019 on 16 October.
- The theme for this day was ‘Healthy Diets for a Zero Hunger World’.
- To strengthen food safety administration and scale up the ‘Eat Right India’ movement, The union Minister launched following schemes-
- ‘Food Safety Mitra (FSM)’ scheme
- ‘Eat Right Jacket’,
- ‘Eat Right Jhola’
The ‘Food Safety Mitra (FSM)’ scheme
- The ‘Food Safety Mitra (FSM)’ scheme will support small and medium scale food businesses to comply with the food safety laws.
- It will facilitate licensing and registration, hygiene ratings and training.
- Apart from strengthening food safety, this scheme would also create new employment opportunities for youth, particularly with food and nutrition background.
- The FSMs would undergo training and certification by FSSAI to do their work and get paid by food businesses for their services.
The ‘Eat Right Jacket’
- The ‘Eat Right Jacket’ will be used by the field staff.
- This jacket has a smart design to hold tech devices like tablets/smart phone, a QR code and RFID tag for identification and tracking.
- Apart from providing safety to field staff on duty, this would bring in efficiency, professionalism and transparency in food safety administration and bring in a sense of ownership & visibility of FSOs.
The ‘Eat Right Jhola’
- The ‘Eat Right Jhola’, a reusable cloth bag shall replace plastic bags for grocery shopping in various retail chains.
- Since on repeated use, bags are often contaminated with microorganisms and bacteria, proper and regular washing of cloth bags is essential to ensure safety and hygiene.
- These cloth bags are being provided on rental basis through a private textile rental service company.
GS- 2nd Paper
Topic covered– Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Context
New Controller General of Accounts (CGA) Appointed, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure.
Controller General of Accounts (CGA)
About
Controller General of Accounts (CGA) is–
- The Principal Advisor on Accounting matters to the Union Government.
- Responsible for establishing and managing a technically sound Management Accounting System.
- Responsible for preparation and submission of the accounts of the Union Government.
- Responsible for exchequer control and internal audits.
Functions of CGA
- Controller General of Accounts derives his mandate from Article 150 of the Constitution.
- This statutory mandate as incorporated in the Allocation of Business Rules 1961 brings out the duties and responsibilities of CGA as below-
- General principles of Government accounting relating to Union or State Governments and form of accounts, and framing or revision of rules and manuals relating thereto;
- Reconciliation of cash balance of Union Government with Reserve Bank in general and, in particular, of Reserve Deposits pertaining to Civil Ministries or Departments;
- Overseeing the maintenance of adequate standards of accounting by Central Civil Accounts Offices;
- Consolidation of monthly accounts, preparation of review of trends of revenue realization and significant features of expenditure etc and preparation of annual accounts (including Summary, Civil Appropriation Accounts) showing under the respective heads, the annual receipts and disbursements for the purpose of the Union Government;
- Administration of Central Treasury Rules and Central Government Account (Receipt and Payment Rules 1983);
- Coordination and assistance in the introduction of management accounting system in Civil Ministries or Departments;
- Cadre management of Group ‘A’ (Indian Civil Accounts Service) and Group ‘B’ Officers of the Central Civil Accounts Offices;
- Matters relating to the Central Civil Accounts staff belonging to Group ‘C’ and ‘D’;
- Disbursement of Pension through Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in respect of Central Civil Pensioners, Freedom Fighters, High Court Judges, Ex-M.P.s and Ex-Presidents.
For Prelims-
Controller General of Accounts
- Shri J.P.S. Chawla assumed charge as the new Controller General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure.
- Controller General of Accounts (CGA) is-
- The Principal Advisor on Accounting matters to the Union Government.
- Responsible for establishing and managing a technically sound Management Accounting System.
- Responsible for preparation and submission of the accounts of the Union Government.
- Responsible for exchequer control and internal audits.
Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF)
Context
48th edition of the Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF) was inaugurated at the India Expo Centre & Mart at Greater Noida.
Highlights
- Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF)- Delhi was inaugurated at the India Expo Centre & Mart at Greater Noida.
- Theme – The Theme of IHGF-Delhi Fair is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”.
- Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is a nodal agency for promoting exports of handicrafts from the country to various destinations of the world and projecting India’s image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality handicrafts goods and services.
- EPCH has set up Handicrafts Carpet Sector Skill Council which has set up the initiative VRIKSH, the Indian Timber Legality Assessment and Verification Scheme.
- VRIKSH is to establish the chain of custody and legality of the wood which has further been mapped with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- VRIKSH ensures, encourages and supports sustainable development and encourages women entrepreneurs.
