India-Italy Military Cooperation Group ( MCG ) meeting
Paper 2 International Relations
Why in News?
Recently, the 11th meeting of the India-Italy Military Cooperation Group (MCG) was held.
Key Points
• The 11th edition of the India-Italy Military Cooperation Group (MCG) meeting was held in Rome, Italy from 31 May 2022 to 01 June 2022.
• It may be mentioned that the India-Italy Military Cooperation Group (MCG) is a platform set up to promote defence cooperation between the two countries through regular dialogue at strategic and operational levels between the headquarters, the consolidated defence staff and the joint staff headquarters of the Italian armed forces.
• The meeting was co-chaired by The Deputy Assistant Chief of Integrated Staff IDC (A) on behalf of the Indian side, Brigadier Vivek Narang, Headquarters IDC and Brigadier Alesandro Grassano, Defence General Staff, Italy on the Italian side.
• During the meeting, the focus on new initiatives within the framework of the existing bilateral defence cooperation mechanism and further strengthening of the ongoing defence relations were discussed.
• The meeting of the Military Cooperation Group was held in a friendly, cordial and harmonious atmosphere. The discussions focused on new initiatives within the framework of the current bilateral defence cooperation mechanism and further strengthening of the ongoing defence cooperation.
• Earlier in November 2020, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart, Giuseppe Conte, had co-chaired a virtual summit and held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues.
• The two leaders had stressed on the need to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries and recognised the importance of regular defence exchanges between the two countries.
• At the same time, they underlined the need to further expand defence ties through two-way cooperation and technology cooperation, co-development and co-production by expediting discussions through the Joint Defence Committee and the Military Cooperation Group.
Source – PIB
Government E-Marketplace
Paper 3 Economics
Why in News?
Recently, the Cabinet has approved the extension of mandate of Government e-Marketplace – Special Purpose Company (GeM – SPV) to allow purchases by cooperatives as buyers.
Key Points
• The Union Cabinet on June 1, 2022 approved the expansion of the scope of the Government Online Purchase Market (GeM). Under this, cooperatives have been allowed to purchase from the GeM portal. At present, the registration of cooperative societies as buyers is not done on the GeM portal.
• In order to create an open and transparent procurement platform for government buyers, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) was launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India on August 9, 2016.
• A Special Purpose Company (SPV) by the name of Government e-Marketplace (GeM SPV) was established on May 17, 2017 as the National Public Procurement Portal, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on April 12, 2017.
• Currently, the platform is open to purchases to be made by all government buyers: Union and State Ministries, Departments, Public Sector Enterprises, Autonomous Institutions, Local Bodies, etc. As per the existing mandate, GeM is not available for use by private sector buyers. Suppliers (sellers) can be from all classes: government or private.
• It may be mentioned that more than 8.54 lakh registered cooperative societies and their 27 crore members will be benefited from this initiative. The GeM portal is open to all buyers and sellers across the country.
Description
• GeM has already been developed enough as a one stop portal to facilitate online purchase of goods and services of general use. It is transparent and efficient, has a large-scale economy and caters to procurement faster. The cooperatives will now be allowed to purchase goods and services from GeM.
• Allowing cooperatives to register as buyers on GeM will help cooperatives to achieve competitive price through an open and transparent process.
• The valid list of cooperatives to be included on GeM — to include pilot as well as others later — will be decided by the Ministry of Cooperation in consultation with GeM SPV. It will be ensured that the technical potential and logistics of the GeM system are also taken into account while deciding the pace of inclusion of cooperatives as buyers on GeM.
• GeM will provide a dedicated onboarding process to involve cooperatives, provide technical infrastructure to support additional users on the existing portal, as well as provide necessary support to cooperatives to complete the process of inclusion and transaction through available contact centres, area-based training and other support services.
• The Ministry of Cooperation will issue necessary advisories in the context of encouraging cooperatives to use the GeM platform in order to procure goods and services to take advantage of greater transparency, efficiency and competitive prices.
• To protect the interests of the wider vendor community on GeM and ensure timely payment, the modalities of the payment system will be decided by GeM in consultation with the Ministry of Cooperation.
Implementation Strategy and Goals
• GeM will start undertaking appropriate functions, which, inter-alia, will include: Creation of necessary facilities and modalities on the GeM portal, upgradation of infrastructure, strengthening of helpdesk and training ecosystem and involvement of cooperatives. The initial and necessary arrangements for inclusion will be decided by the Ministry of Cooperation.
• The dates for the important achievement and target will be mutually arranged between the Ministry of Cooperation and GeM (Ministry of Commerce and Industry).
Impact including employment generation potential
• The Co-operative Ministry wanted cooperatives to be allowed to procure goods and services from GeM, as it is already adequately developed as a one stop portal to facilitate online procurement of goods and services of common use. It is transparent, efficient, has a large-scale economy and completes the process of rapid procurement.
• In the above context, allowing cooperatives to register on GeM as buyers of goods and services required by them will help cooperatives to achieve competitive price through an open and transparent process. Moreover, since the societies have over 27 crore members, procurement through GeM will not only benefit the common man economically, but it will also increase the credibility of the cooperatives.
• GeM has developed a rich understanding of running an advanced procurement portal, including working needs, management of technical infrastructure and doing business with various stakeholders. It is felt that the rich experience gained in creating the procurement ecosystem in the country can be used to create efficiency and transparency in procurement processes even for cooperatives. This is expected to improve the overall “ease of doing business” and better for cooperatives, while GeM will also provide a larger base of buyers to registered vendors.
Expenditure involved
• GeM SPV will continue to leverage the existing platform and organization to support the proposed expanded mandate, which may require some investment in additional technology infrastructure and additional training and supportive resources.
• To meet these incremental costs, GeM can charge appropriate transaction fees from cooperatives in consultation with the Ministry of Cooperation. Such charges shall not exceed the charges that GeM will receive from other government buyers. It will be planned to ensure the self-reliance of GeM operations. Therefore, no major financial burden is required for the Government.
Background
• GeM SPV has made significant progress since its inception. The gross commercial value (GMV) from fy 2018-19 to fy 2021-22 has increased with a CAGR of over 84.5 per cent. The portal has given a 178% increase in GMV in FY 2021-22 and crossed Rs 1 lakh crore in FY 2021-22 alone , higher than the cumulative GMV up to FY 2020-21.
• Significant progress has been made in each of the three pillars of GeM i.e. inclusion, transparency and efficiency. MSME’s contribution to the cumulative transaction value is about 58%. Various independent studies, including the World Bank and the National Economic Survey 2021, have indicated substantial savings due to GeM’s ability to provide greater participation and cost-effective alternatives .
• The Cooperative Campaign in India has developed significantly, especially in the agriculture, banking and housing sectors, playing an important role in meeting the developmental needs of the disadvantaged sections in India. There are currently 8.54 lakh registered cooperative societies. These cooperatives collectively buy and sell in large quantities. At present, registration of cooperatives as “buyers” did not fall under the existing mandate of GeM.
Source – PIB
Industry Transition Dialogue
Paper 3 Economics
Why in News?
Recently, India and Sweden hosted the Industry Transition Dialogue in Stockholm, let’s know about it.
Key Points
• India and Sweden hosted the Industry Transition Dialogue in Stockholm on 01 June 2022 as a part of their joint initiative i.e. Leadership for Industry Transition (LEADIT).
• It is noteworthy that the LeadIT initiative pays special attention to areas that are key stakeholders in global climate work and that need specific interventions.
• This high-level dialogue has contributed to the UN Conference ‘Stockholm+50′: A Healthy Earth for the Prosperity of All, Our Responsibility, Our Opportunity’, which is taking place on 2nd and 3rd June 2022 and has set the agenda for COP27.
• The programme began with the addresses of Shri Bhupendra Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change of India and Ms. Annika Strandhall, Minister for Climate and Environment, Sweden.
• The new members of this initiative were welcomed by Japan and South Africa. With this, the total membership of LeadIT has gone up to 37 countries and companies. The Union Minister also briefed the audience freshly about the progress made under this initiative which includes sectional road mapping, workshops and visits to the industrial area to facilitate knowledge sharing and joint efforts.
• During the event, India chaired the Round Table Talks on priorities for implementation of 2022-23. In it, all the speakers stressed the need to accelerate climate action.
• In it, countries and companies shared their initiatives, success stories and plans made for the future. Participants shared some very specific and valuable ideas. It felt that if domestic work is implemented well and the dialogue is carried forward on that, it can be a valuable motivation at the international level.
• The exchange of efforts and ideas through such forums has the potential to take the world in the right direction. Commitments and pledges to climate must now be turned into action that can only result from climate finance and technology transfer.
What is Leadership for Industry Transition ?
• LeadIT is an Indian-Swedish climate change initiative. This will help countries to take the lead in heavy industry transitions as well as meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and create new permanent jobs.
• The Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LEADIT) groups countries and companies that are committed to achieving the Paris Agreement.
• It was launched by the governments of Sweden and India at the UNITED NATIONS Climate Action Summit in September 2019 and is supported by the World Economic Forum.
• LeadIT members subscribe to the assumption that with a goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the energy-intensive industry can and should progress on low-carbon pathways.
Source – All India Radio
Unnat Pashudhan Sashakt Kisan Conclave
Paper 3 Agriculture
Why in News?
Recently, the Union Minister Shri Purushottam Rupala inaugurated a conference of 75 entrepreneurs and an exhibition of 75 indigenous livestock breeds.
Key Points
• The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Purushottam Rupala inaugurated the Conference of 75 Entrepreneurs and exhibition of 75 indigenous livestock breeds – Unnat Livestock Empowered Farmers’ Conference in New Delhi on 1st June 2022.
• Dr L Murugan, MoS For Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan were the guests of honour at the event and both of them also gave speeches at the event. Shri Purushottam Rupala along with Dr. L. Murugan and Dr. Sanjeev Balyan inaugurated the digital exhibition to showcase the best 75 indigenous breeds of bovine/goat/bird/pig species.
• The digital exhibition showcased the success stories of 75 indigenous livestock breeds and dairy and poultry farmers, FPOs, new entrepreneurs, start-ups and industry. More than 1200 farmers were present at the event. Farmers from across the country were associated with the event through 1,000 common service centres.
• Significantly, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of FAHD (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying) in association with CII has organized the conference focusing on dairy and poultry farmers, new entrepreneurs, startups and industry.
• Addressing the conference, The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Purushottam Rupala said that India’s dairy sector is growing at a rapid pace due to the combined contribution of all stakeholders. He said the government aims to ensure the development of the livestock sector by increasing farmers’ access to animal health and credit services.
• Shri Rupala launched the training programme for A-Help at the conference. He felicitated 3 Padma Shri awardees – Prof. Motilal Madan, Dr. Kushal Kunwar Sarma and Dr. Sosamma Ipe – during the event.
• Apart from this, Mr. Rupala also felicitated the winners of Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge 2.0 at the conference. The Coffee Table Book about about 75 indigenous breeds and 75 entrepreneurs was launched at the Unnat Pashudhan Sashakt Kisan Conclave-. The event featured videos of 4 farmers who have gained recognition at the national and global level due to their innovative technologies in farming and dairy sector.
• The conference is being attended by three technical thematic sessions such as enhancing productivity and improving animal health, value addition and market linkages and innovation and technology. It focuses on devising a clear roadmap for dairy and poultry sector with a focus on showcasing the main trend, identifying the opportunity and increasing farmers’ income.
• The conference sessions are showcasing some innovative solutions/best practices that have the potential to transform the dairy and poultry sector and increase farmers’ income and will aim to prepare a roadmap for the dairy and poultry sector.
• It is a deep dive into emerging opportunities and will be a platform to learn from the experiences of progressive farmers, entrepreneurs as well as start-ups on how value addition, diversified product portfolios and improved market access brought about a change in dairy and poultry sector and also enhanced income growth opportunities.
Source – PIB
Internship programs for law students
Paper 2 Health, Education, Human Resources
Why in News?
Recently, the Government of India has started an internship programme for law students, let’s know about it.
Key Points
On the orders of The Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju, the Department of Legal Affairs has started making the form available for the internship programme for law students on June 1, 2022.
• It is worth mentioning that the internship program aims to inform young students of law about the functioning of the Department of Legal Affairs, train them in research and referential work, various specific areas of law such as constitutional and administrative law, financial law, law of infrastructure, economic law, labour law, transport, It is to provide legal advice in various areas of law such as arbitration and contract law etc.
• The Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju has asked the young talent to apply for the internship programme launched for law students.
• Certain eligibility criteria have been laid down for this internship programme which include that applicants must be Indian students, who are pursuing their studies in the second and third year of a three-year degree course, and are studying in the third to fifth year of a five-year degree course, or students who have not attended any recognised college/course. Law School/ Have completed their LLB course from the university.
• The duration of this internship will usually be one month, starting from the first working day of each month until something else is specified. The monthly internship will run temporarily from June, 2022 to May, 2023.
• In a given month, a maximum of 10-30 students will be allowed to intern. Students desirous of pursuing internship programme under the Department of Legal Affairs can apply along with the relevant documents/NOC from their respective college/law school/university.
• The interns for the programme will be selected on first come, first served basis subject to availability of slots and approval of the competent authority. The selected interns will be engaged with an officer of the appropriate level in the Department of Legal Affairs in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata.
• At the end of the internship programme, all interns will be required to submit a report on the work done by them in the Legal Affairs Department and on satisfactory completion of internship, they will be issued a certificate of internship with an honorarium of Rs 5000. For the completion of the internship to be satisfactory, inter alia, 90% attendance is also mandatory.
• The said internship is a full-time internship, in which it is necessary to be physically present, and from interns to the interns in any other course/course in the duration of the internship. The task is expected not to be included.
Source – PIB
State of India’s Environment 2022 Report
Paper 3 : Environment, Pollution
Why in News?
Recently, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth released the report “State of India’s Environment 2022: These Figures”, let’s know about it.
Key Points
• In India, 50% of farmer households are burdened with debt. On an average, every farmer’s family has a debt of more than Rs 74,000. On an average, 29 farmers and agricultural labourers commit suicide every day in this agrarian country. This information has been revealed in the new report “State of India’s Environment 2022: In Figures” released today by CSE and Down to Earth.
• On the occasion of World Environment Day (June 5 ), the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth publishes its e-book in June every year, which is a unique collection of environmental data. These data are analysed by experts associated with CSE and the journal.
• If you look at the analysis related to agriculture, according to the report, while the cost of agriculture has increased by about 35 per cent between 2012-13 and 2018-19, on the other hand, the income of an average farmer household from farming has come down from 48 per cent in 2012-13 to 37 per cent in 2018-19.
• Similarly, in 2019-20, India generated a total of 35 lakh tonnes of plastic waste, of which only 12 per cent could be recycled, while 20 per cent were burnt. There is no account of the remaining 68 per cent.
• That is, it has been left open in the environment, which has been dumped in the ground or water. At the same time, if you look at the harmful waste, it has increased by 5 per cent between 2019-20 and 2020-21 . Between 2018-19 and 2019-20, electronic waste production has registered an increase of about 32 per cent.
• The situation of air pollution in the country is such that if the World Health Organization standards are met, the life expectancy of an average person in India will increase by 5.9 years. At the same time, the global average can increase by 2.2 years.
• In the case of climate change, the situation is getting worse with every falling day. Significantly, that’s where the country experienced the warmest march of its history this year. Between March 11 and May 18, the total number of heatwave days in 16 states of the country was recorded at 280, the highest in the last 10 years.
• The number of days with the heat wave is almost double that of 2012, 2012 was the second year in the last decade when the maximum number of heat waves were recorded. India is the fourth most affected country after China, philippines and Bangladesh in terms of people leaving their homes due to climate change.
• Similarly, if you look at the statistics related to food, every year about 17 lakh Indians are exposed to such diseases which are caused by poor food. On an average, an Indian’s diet lacks fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains.
• It is worth mentioning that the information in this report is based on official government data which is available in the public domain. Analysts simply analyze these and present them with the firmness of the researcher and the insights of the journalist.
• Significantly, these figures once again highlight the issues that need to be discussed. This report understands the environmental situation in the country through statistics. This year is a milestone for both the country and the world. India is celebrating the 75thyear of its independence. We have the promise of a ‘New India’ with set goals of development.
• This year is also the 50thanniversary of the Stockholm Conference, which is the first meeting of the United Nations on the environment. The report tries to do justice to both, where in India it assesses whether the promise of a new India will come true. At the same time, it also shares information about how the last 50 years have been for this earth and what has been the impact on the environment.
Source – Down to Earth
Agricultural land price index
Paper 3 Agriculture
Why in News?
Recently, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad has developed the Agricultural Land Price Index, let’s know about it.
Key Points
• The farmers do not have any means to know exactly what is the fair price of their cultivable land. Sometimes the farmer is embroiled in a legal dispute over the compensation for the acquisition of agricultural land, then sometimes the farmer is not able to get the actual price of his land. An index way is being found to solve similar problems related to agricultural land.
• For the first time in the country, an attempt has been made to create an Indian Agricultural Land Price Index (ISLPI) through the Misra Centre for Financial Markets and Economy Centre, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, which will give the actual and reasonable remunerative price of agricultural land. This website will be hosted through the center itself.
• Under the pilot scheme, six states have been covered. These include Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh. More states will be added by September 2022.
• Prashant Das, associate professor of real estate finance, IIM Ahmedabad, told islpi about the need that the returns that most of the farmers are getting from their agricultural land are inadequate. For instance, farmers are getting a return of only 0.5 to 2 percent from the yield in farming. In such a situation, this index can prove to be very helpful in getting a good price for them through the sale of agricultural land.
• Das said that 80 per cent of the agricultural households in the country depend on their own functioning while 70 per cent produce crops. They also have no means and hope for a good deal of agricultural lands. In such a situation, the buying and selling of agricultural land on the lines of real estate can go on a profitable path.
• How will the index determine the price of the land? Four major factors have been taken for this. These include irrigation, distance from the nearest town, distance from the nearest airport, possibility of international airport. Prices improve by 15 per cent when irrigation facilities are near and 20 per cent when international airports are likely, while prices vary by 0.5 per cent per kilometre per kilometre when they go away from the town and one per cent per kilometre per kilometre when they go away from the nearest airport. That is, they are less.
• Data based help in this index is being provided through SPharmus India. For this, the data of 30,000 farmers was collected across the country. Out of this, 7,000 farmers have sold lands ranging from 0.25 to 50 acres. He said that those who sell more land are farmers with large acreages.
• Under the pilot scheme, which started from an analysis based on the data of these 30,000 farmers, the Agricultural Land Price Index claims that it will be able to give a fair price for agricultural land in six states.
• The index is yet to cover the circle rate, type of land recorded in the revenue, etc., for determining the price of cultivable land. Das said these points would be further included for the index.
• We also want this index to attract policy-makers so that they can provide proper and scientifically compensated agricultural land for any agricultural land acquisition or other functioning, Das said. This index can benefit from price movement between buyers and sellers to financial inclusion. This will be helpful in better settlement of loans and insurance payments, especially on agricultural land.
• Professor Erol D’Souza, Director, IIM A, said India has only 2 per cent of the world’s crop land but it feeds 15 per cent of the world’s population. Recently, we have seen an increase in entrepreneurial interest in agricultural land and allied businesses. Agricultural engineering and other types of entrepreneurship have also increased. In such a situation, it is high time that there is an index that can guide such people about the prices of cultivable land.
Source – Down to Earth
Greece’s First Climate Law
Paper 3 : Environment, Pollution
Why in News?
Recently Greece took its own step against climate change and passed its first climate law.
Key Points
• The Greek government passed the country’s first national climate law on May 26, 2022. The law seeks to make power generation in the country completely coal-free by 2028. Under this law, a deadline of 2023 has been set for the review of all coal-based power plants in the country .
• Not only this, in order to achieve the climate targets, under this law, the country will cut its total emissions by 55% by 2030, while the target is to increase it to 80% by 2040. By 2050, there is talk of net zero emissions in Greece.
• It will also start the process of developing regional carbon budgets for seven sectors of the economy under this law. Against climate change, it is a component that exists only in some of the most advanced climate laws in Europe, which is special in itself.
• The legislation talks about the country’s adaptation measures and policies in the context of climate change, as well as the legislation to ensure the path to making Greece carbon-free by 2050.
• The key measures and policies that this legislation has emphasized to establish include strengthening climate adaptation at as low a price as possible, setting emission targets for 2030 and 2040. At the same time, it involves setting up carbon budget mechanisms for key sectors of the economy and setting indicators for the progress made in the country in achieving the associated targets.
• At the same time, the law also envisages participation in the governance system and climate action associated with it. At the same time, measures related to how to reduce emissions from power generation have also been introduced.
There is enough buzzing for improvement
• In this regard, Green Tank, an organisation working for the environment, which also participated in the public hearing on national climate law, has also submitted its recommendations for improvement in the form of a memorandum on it.
• According to this memorandum, the level of ambition that has been made from many sectors is quite low compared to the bill submitted for public consultation in November 2021. This is also contrary to the spirit of climate reforms taking place in Europe.
• It is worth noting that the European Commission is creating an energy plan called REPOWERU which aims to save energy. At the same time, there is a variety of clean energy production and supply in Europe, so that its dependence on Russia in terms of fossil fuels can be reduced and by 2030, Europe, Russians can be free from fossil fuels.
• Under the Fit for 55 package of the European Green Deal, a binding goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 has been set. At the same time, in a move to climate neutrality, Europe has committed to cutting its emissions by at least 50 per cent by 2030.
• Greenpeace says the law is a small step towards climate neutrality, which lacks a strategy to make Greece increasingly fossil fuel-free.
Source – Down to Earth
Operation Mahila Suraksha
Paper 1 Social Issues
Why in News?
Recently, “Operation Mahila Suraksha” was run by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), under which the RPF rescued many women.
Key Points
• Safety and Security of women have always been paramount to the Indian Railways. Railway Protection Force (RPF) and frontline railway staff are relentlessly working to ensure safe & secure travel of women over the Indian railways.
• Dedicated to this objective of women security a pan India drive “Operation Mahila Suraksha” was launched from 3rd to 31st May 2022.
• During this drive, RPF has arrested more than 7000 persons who were traveling unauthorizedly in the coaches reserved for women. RPF also rescued 150 girls/women from becoming the victims of human trafficking.
• With an objective of providing enhanced safety and security to lady passengers travelling by trains for their entire journey a pan India initiative “Meri Saheli” is also operational.
• 283 teams (covering 223 stations) of trained mahila officers and personnel with an average total deployment of 1125 lady RPF personnel per day, are deployed across the Indian railways who interacted with more than 2 Lakh 25 thousand ladies during this period and provided them end to end security.
• Train escort duties with mixed composition of male & female RPF personnel were also widely deployed during this period. Mixed escort duties have commenced few months back and are getting a positive feedback.
• To educate the rail users regarding their safety and Dos & Don’ts during their journey, 5742 awareness campaigns were organized. During this month long operation, RPF personnel risking their own life, saved the life of 10 ladies who had slipped while boarding/ deboarding the moving train and were likely to get run over by the moving train.
• Indian Railways is keen and determined to continue to enhance women security cover over the railway network.
About Railway Protection Force
• Railway Protection Force is a security force under the ownership of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, Government of India established by the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957;enacted by the Indian Parliament for “the better protection and security of railway property and passenger area”.
• It has the power to search, arrest, investigate, and prosecute offenses committed under Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act 1966, The Railways Act, 1989 (amended from time to time).
• However the power of arrests under other penal laws rests in the hands of the Government Railway Police (GRP) of state police. The force is under the authority of the Indian Ministry of Railways.
• All the officers of Railway Protection Force are members of the Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS) and are recruited through UPSC Civil Services Examination.
• They are recruited as Group-A Central Civil Servants. However, the post of Director-General of RPF is held on deputation by a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.
• Recruitment also occurs for various posts like sub-inspectors & constables. Such recruitments are conducted through various exams held by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
Source – All India Radio
Gig Economy Workers
Paper 3 Economics
Why in News?
Recently the Centre has decided to train officials of the Union and State governments on technological change, new forms of employment, working conditions and mechanisms to protect labour and social security rights of gig workers.
Key Points
• Gig workers are independent contractors, online platform workers, contract firm workers, on-call workers and temporary workers.
• Concerned at the lack of job and social security among gig and platform workers, the Centre has decided to train officials of the Union and State governments on technological change, new forms of employment, working conditions and mechanisms to protect labour and social security rights of these workers.
• The V.V. Giri Institute, the training arm of the Union Labour Ministry, is organising the programme aimed at sharing information and good experiences on policies and global practices relating to gig and platform workers and their social security.
• Examples such as social security for platform workers in the transport sector of Thailand and Malaysia, where there are online models under which 2% for every ride is deducted for health and accident insurance and for social security will be taken up during the session.
• Another issue that will be taken up is the employer-employee relationship in the context of the gig economy. Workers’ employment relationships are not recognised in law in this case and gig workers are largely excluded from labour and social security rights.
• Though there are certain benefits for youth and migrant workers, such as quick money and flexible work hours in the gig platforms, uncertain working hours and insufficient income are still considered major issues that need governmental address.
What are gig economy workers?
• In a gig economy, temporary, flexible jobs are commonplace and companies tend to hire independent contractors and freelancers instead of full-time employees.
• A gig economy undermines the traditional economy of full-time workers who often focus on their career development.
• So the Gig workers are independent contractors, online platform workers, contract firm workers, on-call workers and temporary workers.
Source – The Hindu