11th Agriculture Census in India (GS Paper 3, Economy)
Why in news?
- The Eleventh Agricultural Census (2021-22) was launched recently by the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
About Agriculture Census:
- Agriculture Census is conducted every 5 years, which is being undertaken now after delay due to corona pandemic.
- Agricultural Census is the main source of information on a variety of agricultural parameters at a relatively minute level, such as the number and area of operational holdings, their size, class-wise distribution, land use, tenancy and cropping pattern, etc.
Digitized data:
- This is the first time that data collection for agricultural census will be conducted on smart phones and tablets, so that data is available in time.
- Most of the States have digitized their land records and surveys, which will further accelerate the collection of agricultural census data.
- The use of digitized land records and the use of mobile apps for data collection will enable the creation of a database of operational holdings in the country.
New initiatives:
- The new initiatives include use of digital land records like land title records and survey reports, collection of data through app/software using smartphone/tablet, complete enumeration of all villages in states with non-land records during Phase-I as done in states having land records, and real time monitoring of progress and processing.
Way Forward:
- The field work of agricultural census will start in August 2022.
- This computation will bring huge benefits in a vast and agricultural country like India.
Trend on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India
(GS Paper 3, Economy)
Context:
- As per the UNCTAD World Investment Report (WIR) 2022, in its analysis of the global trends in FDI inflows, India has improved one position to 7th rank among the top 20 host economies for 2021.
- India is rapidly emerging as a preferred country for foreign investments in the manufacturing sector. FDI Equity inflow in Manufacturing Sectors have increased by 76% in FY 2021-22 (USD 21.34 billion) compared to previous FY 2020-21 (USD 12.09 billion).
Transformative reforms:
- The Government has implemented several transformative reforms under the FDI policy regime across sectors such as insurance, defence, telecom, financial services, pharmaceuticals, retail trading, e-commerce, construction & development, civil aviation, manufacturing etc.
- Despite the ongoing pandemic and global developments, India received the highest annual FDI inflows of USD 84,835 million in FY 21-22 overtaking last year’s FDI by USD 2.87 billion.
- Earlier, FDI inflows increased from USD 74,391 million in FY 19-20 to USD 81,973 million in FY 20-21.
- The Government continues to liberalize investment restrictions, eliminate regulatory barriers, nurture international relations and improve business environment.
- While foreign investments are permitted under the automatic route in most sectors/activities, due to strategic reasons certain investments are either restricted or permitted under the Government approval route through a screening mechanism as per the prescribed framework.
Countries:
- During FY 2021-22 FDI has been reported from 101 countries, whereas, it was reported from 97 countries during previous FY 2020-21.
Top 5 nations:
- Singapore (27.01%) and USA (17.94%) have emerged as top 2 sourcing nations in FDI equity flows into India in FY2021-22 followed by Mauritius (15.98%), Netherland (7.86%) and Switzerland (7.31%).
Top 5 sectors:
- Top 5 sectors receiving highest FDI Equity Inflow during FY 2021-22 are Computer Software & Hardware (24.60%), Services Sector (Fin., Banking, Insurance, Non Fin/Business, Outsourcing, R&D, Courier, Tech. Testing and Analysis, Other) (12.13%), Automobile Industry (11.89%), Trading 7.72% and Construction (Infrastructure) Activities (5.52%).
Top 5 States:
- Top 5 States receiving highest FDI Equity Inflow during FY 2021-22 are Karnataka (37.55%), Maharashtra (26.26%), Delhi (13.93%), Tamil Nadu (5.10%) and Haryana (4.76%)
FDI limits:
- In India FDI up to 100% is allowed in non-critical sectors through the automatic route, not requiring security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- Prior government approval or security clearance from MHA is required for investments in sensitive sectors such as defence, media, telecommunication, satellites, private security agencies, civil aviation and mining, besides any investment from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- All foreign investments are required to be in compliance with the applicable entry route, sectoral cap, attendant conditions, sectoral laws, Companies Act, 2013 and rules thereunder, pricing guidelines, documentation and reporting requirements.
- The FDI policy regime continues to welcome all investments in the country subject to compliance of applicable entry conditions and rules/regulations.
India's first indigenous INS Vikrant handed over to Navy
(GS Paper 3, Defence)
Why in news?
- Recently, Indian Navy created maritime history by taking the delivery of the prestigious indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant from its builder Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.
- It is the largest warship ever to be built in India having a deep displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes and is also considered as the most ambitious naval vessel project of the country.
Designed by:
- Designed by Indian Navy's inhouse Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built by CSL, a Public Sector Shipyard under Ministry of Shipping (MoS), the carrier is christened after its illustrious predecessor, India's first Aircraft Carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war.
Salient Features:
- The 262 metre long carrier has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes which is much larger and advanced than its predecessor.
- The ship is powered by four Gas Turbines totalling 88 MW power and has a maximum speed of 28 Knots.
- Vikrant has been built with high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability, and has been designed to accommodate an assortment of fixed wing and rotary aircraft.
- The ship would be capable of operating air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising of MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).
- Using a novel aircraft-operation mode known as STOBAR (Short Take- Off but Arrested Landing), the IAC is equipped with a ski- jump for launching aircraft, and a set of 'arrester wires' for their recovery onboard.
Stakeholders:
- The ship has large number of indigenous equipment and machinery, involving major industrial houses in the country viz. BEL, BHEL, GRSE, Keltron, Kirloskar, Larsen & Toubro, Wartsila India etc. as well as over 100 MSMEs.
- The indigenisation efforts has also led to development of ancillary industries, besides generation of employment opportunities and bolstering plough back effect on economy, both locally as well as pan-India.
India backs UN resolution to recognise human right to healthy environment
(GS Paper 2, International Relation)
Why in news?
- Recently, India has voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution that recognises the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right.
- But India dissociated itself from an operative paragraph of the text and voiced its concerns over the procedure and substance of the resolution.
Details:
- The 193-member General Assembly adopted the resolution with 161 votes in favour and abstentions by Belarus, Cambodia, China, Ethiopia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Syria.
- While India voted in favour of the resolution, it voiced its concerns over the procedure and substance of the resolution.
- The resolution recognises the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right and affirms that the promotion of the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment requires the full implementation of the multilateral environmental agreements under the principles of international environmental law.
India’s stand:
- India stands ready to support any effort for a better environment and to further international cooperation for environmental protection. However, it constrained to dissociate ourselves with the operative paragraph 1 of the resolution.
Operative paragraph 1:
- The operative paragraph 1 of the resolution reads that the UNGA Recognises the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right.
- He requested that this statement be included in the official records in the meeting.
- He asserted that the UNGA resolutions do not in themselves create binding obligations, and it is only through conventions and treaties that State parties commit to a new human right and undertake appropriate obligations for the realisation of such a right.
- Further, there is no clear understanding and agreed definition of terms clean', healthy' and sustainable'. Currently, these terms remain open to subjective interpretations and thereby dilutes the very objective of the recognition proclaimed in the present resolution.
Preambular paragraph 8 of the Human Rights Council:
- India also remains concerned that even after strong support by many member states for the inclusion of preambular paragraph 8 of the Human Rights Council resolution 48/13, which forms the basis of the current resolution, the decision of the core group was otherwise.
- It is an important paragraph that reaffirms the importance of international cooperation, on the basis of mutual respect, in full compliance with the principles and purposes of the Charter, with full respect for the sovereignty of States while taking into account national priorities,.
Way Forward:
- UN Secretary-General welcomed the adoption of the historic resolution, saying it demonstrates that the member states can come together in our collective fight against the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
- He however noted that adoption of the resolution is only the beginning and urged states to make the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment a reality for everyone, everywhere.
