1)Vadhavan Port recently seen in news is proposed in?
a. Gujarat
b. Maharashtra
c. Andhra Pradesh
d. West Bengal
2)Consider the following statements with respect to Types Of ATMs
- Brown Label ATMs are those ATMs which set up, owned and operated by non-bank entities.
- White Label ATM are those ATMs, where banks outsourced the ATM operations to a third party.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
3)Consider the following statements with respect to GLOBAL Competitiveness Index
- It is compiled by World Economic Forum.
- Among the BRICS Nation, India has ranked second after China.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
NEWS:-The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020
Main provisions –
The new legislation will create an ecosystem where the farmers and traders will enjoy freedom of choice of sale and purchase of agri-produce.
It will also promote barrier-free inter-state and intra-state trade and commerce outside the physical premises of markets notified under State Agricultural Produce Marketing legislations.
The farmers will not be charged any cess or levy for sale of their produce and will not have to bear transport costs.
The Bill also proposes an electronic trading in transaction platform for ensuring a seamless trade electronically.
In addition to mandis, freedom to do trading at farmgate, cold storage, warehouse, processing units etc.
Farmers will be able to engage in direct marketing thereby eliminating intermediaries resulting in full realization of price.
The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020
Main provisions –
The new legislation will empower farmers for engaging with processors, wholesalers, aggregators, wholesalers, large retailers, exporters etc., on a level playing field. Price assurance to farmers even before sowing of crops. In case of higher market price, farmers will be entitled to this price over and above the minimum price.
It will transfer the risk of market unpredictability from the farmer to the sponsor. Due to prior price determination, farmers will be shielded from the rise and fall of market prices.
It will also enable the farmer to access modern technology, better seed and other inputs.
It will reduce cost of marketing and improve income of farmers.
Effective dispute resolution mechanism has been provided for with clear time lines for redressal.
Impetus to research and new technology in agriculture sector.
NEWS:- ALL ABOUT NO CONFIDENCE MOTION :-
Procedure to move a “No Confidence Motion”:
A motion of “No Confidence Motion” against the Government can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha under rule 198.
The Constitution of India does not mention about either a Confidence or a No Confidence Motion. Although, Article 75 does specify that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
A motion of No Confidence can be admitted when a minimum of 50 members, support the motion in the house.
The Speaker then, once satisfied that the motion is in order, will ask the House if the motion can be adopted.
If the motion is passed in the house, the Government is bound to vacate the office.
A no-confidence motion needs a majority vote to pass the House.
If individuals or parties abstain from voting, those numbers will be removed from the overall strength of the House and then the majority will be taken into account.
NEWS:–Government tables Bill to amend Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act:– The Centre is set to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and proposes to make Aadhaar a mandatory identification document for all the office-bearers, directors and other key functionaries of an NGO or an association eligible to receive foreign donations.
The Bill says the amendment is required to enhance transparency and accountability in the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions.
The Bill proposes to include “public servant” and “corporation owned or controlled by the government” among the list of entities who are not eligible to receive foreign donations, the draft says.
Bars public servants:-
“Amendment of clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 3 to include public servant also within its ambit, to provide that no foreign contribution shall be accepted by any public servant.”
NEWS:- TRAMI TRADITION :- IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR , the tradition during marriages where 4 people eat together in a thali, has be done away with seeing at the corona pandemic.
News:-An ancient temple’s transition over years of neglect:-
A temple constructed by emperor Ganapati Deva, a mighty ruler of Kakatiya dynasty, in Dharanikota near present Andhra Pradesh capital Amaravathi has been converted into an abode of local goddess Balusulamma (Goddess Durga).
he presiding deity at this 13th century temple was Kakati Devi, the tutelary deity of Kakatiya rulers. Due to ravages of time and for no upkeep, the presiding deity got damaged. The villagers of Dharanikota, who had no knowledge about the hoary past of the temple, installed Balusulamma idol and started worshipping.
News:-No preference for ‘Make in India’ in World Bank project to curb coronavirus:-
What is the Project About :-This is part of the “India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Strengthening Project,” a joint initiative of the Government of India and the World Bank that has $1 billion loan disbursed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The Railway Ministry is one of the implementing agencies of the project.
So what has happened:– The $1 billion World Bank loan to prevent, detect and respond to the threat of coronavirus and strengthen national health systems for preparedness as India combats the ongoing pandemic comes with a condition of “universal eligibility” in procurements.
EDITORIAL OF THE DAY :- Its no green signal from the farm world:-
The article is about the Farm Bills and why there is such hue and cry after the Bills:- n brief, the Bills aim to do away with government interference in agricultural trade by creating trading areas free of middlemen and government taxes outside the structure of Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) along with removing restrictions of private stockholding of agricultural produce.
Why is opposition united agains the bill:- the issue is not about the Bills; it is also about the process of their introduction. the government has failed to have or hold any discussion with the various stakeholders including farmers and middlemen.
This is also true when it comes to consultation with State governments even though the subject of trade and agriculture are part of subjects on the State list. The attempt to pass the Bills without proper consultation adds to the mistrust among various stakeholders including State governments.
While farmer organisations see these Bills as part of the larger agenda of corporatisation of agriculture and a withdrawal of government support, the immediate concern has been the attempt to weaken the APMC mandis and eventual withdrawal of the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) guaranteed by the government.
Importance of APMC Mandis:– APMCs account for less than a fourth of total agricultural trade. But APMCs do play an important role of price discovery essential for agricultural trade and production choices. The vilification of APMCs and the middlemen who facilitate trade in these mandis is a poor reflection of the understanding of functioning of agricultural markets.
Where is the issue:- While the proposed Bills do not do away with the APMC mandis, the preference for corporate interests at the cost of farmers’ interests and a lack of regulation in these non-APMC mandis are cause for concern. The absence of any regulation in non-APMC mandis is being seen as a precursor to the withdrawal of the guarantee of MSP-based procurement.
Case study of Bihar :- Bihar Abolished APMC’s in 2006 , After the abolition of mandis, farmers in Bihar on average received lower prices compared to the MSP for most crops.
Does Market intervention mean higher farm prices?:- While retail prices have remained high, data from the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) suggest a deceleration in farm gate prices for most agricultural produce. This has happened despite increased procurement through the MSP-based regime for paddy and wheat. Decline in basmati rice prices by more than 30% and despite higher international prices suggests the limitation of market intervention in raising farm gate prices.
The protests by farmers are essentially a reflection of the mistrust between farmers and the stated objective of these reforms.
