Cabinet approves introduction of National Research Foundation Bill, 2023 in Parliament (GS Paper 2, Governance)
Why in news?
- The Union Cabinet recently approved the introduction of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023 in the Parliament.
- The approved Bill will pave the way to establish NRF that will seed, grow and promote Research and Development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
Key Highlights:
- The bill, will establish NRF, an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), at a total estimated cost of Rs. 50,000 crore during five years (2023-28).
- The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be the administrative Department of NRF which will be governed by a Governing Board consisting of eminent researchers and professionals across disciplines.
- NRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, and government departments and research institutions, and create an interface mechanism for participation and contribution of industries and State governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries.
- It will focus on creating a policy framework and putting in place regulatory processes that can encourage collaboration and increased spending by the industry on R&D.
Composition:
- Since the scope of the NRF is wide-ranging, the Prime Minister will be the ex-officio President of the Board and the Union Minister of Science & Technology & Union Minister of Education will be the ex-officio Vice-Presidents.
- NRF’s functioning will be governed by an Executive Council chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
Repealing SERB Act:
- The bill will also repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established by an act of Parliament in 2008 and subsume it into NRF which has an expanded mandate and covers activities over and above the activities of SERB.
After 12 years, UN drops India from its report on children & conflict
(GS Paper 2International Organisation)
Why in news?
- Recently, the United Nations (UN) has removed India from its annual list of countries where children are impacted by armed conflict.
- It was reported in the UN Secretary-General’s latest annual report for 2023 titled, ‘Children and armed conflict’.
Background:
- India was earlier included in the report based on allegations that separatist militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir were recruiting young boys.
- Additionally, there were also allegations that Indian security forces in Kashmir detained young boys, accusing them to be associated with militant groups.
- This is the first time since 2010 that India has not been named in the report alongside countries like Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Lake Chad basin, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines.
Key Highlights:
- The report has noted that the highest number of violations were committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Israel, Palestine, Somalia, Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Yemen.
- The countries where “the worst deterioration” occurred were Myanmar, South Sudan, and Burkina Faso.
- There were 1,163 attacks on schools recorded, and 647 attacks on hospitals, a 112 per cent increase.
- The widespread military use of schools both by armed forces and armed groups, is a “very worrisome trend”. Nearly 2,500 children were detained.
Initiatives by Indian Govt:
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development said that all statutory service delivery structures like the Child Welfare Committee and Juvenile Justice Boards under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 have been established.
- In view of the measures taken by the Government to better protect children, India has been removed from the report in 2023.
Union Cabinet approves ratification of Headquarters Agreement with CDRI
(GS Paper 3, Economy)
Why in news?
- The Union Cabinet has given its approval for ratification of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) between Government of India (Gol) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
Background:
- The CDRI was launched by the Prime Minister of India during the United Nations Climate Action Summit on the 23rd September, 2019, at New York.
- It is a major global initiative launched by the Government of India and is seen as India's attempts to obtain a global leadership role in climate change and disaster resilience matters.
- On the 28 August, 2019, the Cabinet had approved the setting up of CDRI along with its supporting Secretariat in New Delhi and also gave the approval for Government of India financial support of Rs. 480 crore to CDRI over a period of 5 years from 2019-20 to 2023-24.
About CDRI:
- CDRI is a global partnership of National Governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, academic and knowledge institutions that aims to promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks, thereby ensuring sustainable development.
- Since its launch, 31 Countries, 06 International Organizations and 02 private sector organizations have become members of CDRI.
- CDRI has been expanding its membership consistently by attracting a wide variety of economically advanced countries, developing countries, and countries that are most vulnerable to climate change and disasters.
Way Forward:
- Ratification of the signed Headquarters Agreement between Gol and CDRI will facilitate grant of exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemplated under Section- 3 of the United Nations (Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947.
- It will provide CDRI an independent and international legal persona so that it can carry out its functions internationally, more efficiently.
