The ANRF plan has got off on the wrong foot 

Passage of ANRF Bill:

• Year: 2023
• Significance: Passed by both Houses of Parliament.
• Purpose: Promote and advance research in India, especially in universities and colleges.

2019 National Research Foundation (NRF) Project Report:

• Objective:
  • Seed, grow, and facilitate research in India.
  • Focus on universities and colleges.
• Aim:
  • Create a research-friendly environment free from bureaucratic constraints.
  • Boost funding and foster collaboration with industry partners.
• Scope and Structure:
  • Five major divisions: Sciences, Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts.
• Priority:
  • Enhance existing research cells in State Universities.

Lack of Industry Representation in India:

• Governing Bodies Composition:
  • ANRF Governing Board and Executive Council lack representation from Central and State universities or colleges.
• Current Members:
  • Primarily Secretaries from government science departments, directors of top research institutions, and international figures.
  • Limited inclusion of Indian industry or local academia.
• Industry and Academia Input:
  • Critical need for representatives with practical challenges and ground-level experience in the university system.
• Diversity Issues:
  • Minimal industry representation.
  • Only one industry representative (Indian-American in Silicon Valley).
  • Only one woman representative (Secretary of DSIR).

R&D Underfunding:

• Current Funding Levels:
  • India allocates less than 1% of GDP to R&D.
  • Need to increase funding to at least 4% to compete globally.
• Systemic Overhaul:
  • Significant reform needed in the funding system.
  • Establish a robust grant management system.
  • Ensure timely disbursal of funds.
  • Reduce bureaucratic obstacles at funding bodies and grantee institutions.
• Grant and Fellowship Disbursal:
  • Aim for a turnaround time of less than six months between application and fund disbursal.
• Flexibility in Spending:
  • Researchers need flexibility in using research funds.
  • Current system’s strict financial rules and GeM portal requirements hinder efficient resource utilization.
• Diverse and Competent Leadership:
  • ANRF should include diverse representatives from practising natural and social scientists, young entrepreneurs, and women.

Other Government Initiatives:

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM):
  • Promotes innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • Supports startups through incubators, accelerators, and mentorship programs.
• Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) Program:
  • Joint initiative of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
  • Promotes translational research.
• Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana (UAY):
  • Promotes industry-specific, need-based research in premier institutions.

Conclusion:

• Inclusion Needed:
  • Actively involve representatives from Indian industry and academia in the ANRF Governing Board and Executive Council.
  • Ensure decision-making processes are informed by practical insights and ground-level experiences.

Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science is not as attractive as are business professions, engineering or administration, and the universities are becoming consumer-oriented. Critically comment. (2014)

What does the Karnataka Bill promise gig workers?   

 Karnataka Gig Workers Bill:

• Initiative: Karnataka released the draft of the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill.
• Significance: Second Indian state after Rajasthan to propose such legislation.

Definition of Gig Workers:

• Who are they?
  • Independent contractors, freelancers, or temporary workers.
  • Hired for specific projects or tasks through online platforms.
  • Not in traditional long-term employer-employee relationships.

Key Highlights of the Bill:

• Social Security and Welfare Fund:
  • Establishment of welfare boards and a social security and welfare fund for gig workers.
  • Funded by a welfare fee on transactions or company turnover, and contributions from the Union and State governments.
• Grievance Redressal Mechanism:
  • Two-level system to address workers’ complaints.
  • Ensures transparency in automated monitoring and decision-making systems used by platforms.
• Fair Termination Procedures:
  • Contracts must list exhaustive grounds for termination.
  • Requires a 14-day prior notice and valid reasons in writing before terminating a worker.
• Payment and Deductions:
  • Weekly payments to workers.
  • Clear communication regarding any payment deductions.
  • Right for workers to refuse a specified number of gigs per week without adverse consequences.
• Safe Working Conditions and Contract Transparency:
  • Aggregators must provide reasonable and safe working conditions.
  • Registration of all gig workers.
  • Contracts written in simple language with a 14-day notice for any changes.
  • Workers can terminate the contract without losing existing entitlements.

Impacts on the Labour Market and Need for Safeguards:

• Lack of Basic Rights and Social Security:
  • Gig workers often classified as “partners” rather than employees.
  • Excluded from labour protection laws and basic rights and social benefits.
• Arbitrary Terminations and Lack of Grievance Redressal:
  • Common instances of arbitrary terminations, blacklisting, and dismissals without hearing the worker’s side.
  • Decisions often made by automated monitoring and decision-making systems, with no room for grievance redressal.
• Reduced Payments and Exploitation:
  • Gig workers face reduced payments, arbitrary deductions, and exploitation due to lack of regulatory laws.
  • Disparity between the purchasing power of gig workers and affluent consumers raises sustainability concerns.
• Need for Transparency and Fair Contracts:
  • Lack of transparency in automated monitoring systems and decision-making by platforms.
  • Need for fair contracts and state review of contract templates.
• Lack of Access to Credit and Skill Development:
  • Gig workers often lack access to credit and skill development opportunities.
  • Platforms need to provide these benefits to gig workers.

Previous State-level and National Initiatives:

• Code on Social Security, 2020:
  • Recognized freelancers and short-term contract workers.
  • Mandated employers to provide benefits similar to those of regular employees to gig workers.
• Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act:
  • First state to introduce a bill for gig workers’ welfare in 2023.
  • Established a welfare board and fund for gig workers.
  • Went into cold storage after a government change in November 2023.
• Haryana Gig Workers Welfare Board Bill:
  • Aims to establish a state-level board for the social and economic security of gig workers delivering goods, services, and food.

Case Study:

• California (USA):
  • Proposition 22 allows app-based transportation and delivery companies to classify drivers as independent contractors.
  • Provides some benefits like a health insurance subsidy and minimum earnings guarantee.
• New York City (USA):
  • Legislation requiring food delivery apps to provide workers with benefits like paid sick leave and minimum pay.

Way Forward:

• Unified Legislation:
  • Introduce a comprehensive national-level legal framework specifically addressing the rights and welfare of gig workers.
  • Should encompass social security, fair wages, occupational safety, and grievance redressal mechanisms.
• Strict Enforcement:
  • Ensure robust enforcement of these laws through dedicated government bodies and regular audits of gig economy platforms.
  • Substantial penalties for non-compliance to deter exploitative practices.

Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (2021)

Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) Cases in Kerala

Cases in Kerala:

• Recent Incidents: Four cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) in Kerala over the last two months.
• Outcome: Three of the cases resulted in death.

What is Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)?

• Cause:
  • A rare brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri.
  • Naegleria fowleri: A free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater and soil worldwide.
  • Amoebas: Unicellular organisms that can change shape by extending and retracting pseudopods.
• Environmental Factors:
  • Thrives in higher temperatures up to 115°F (46°C).
  • Can survive for short periods in warm environments.
• Transmission:
  • Enters the body through the nose, typically during activities like swimming.
  • Travels to the brain, causing severe damage.
  • Non-communicable.

Symptoms:

• Headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Coma

Prognosis:

• According to the CDC:
  • Most people with PAM die within 1 to 18 days after symptoms begin.
  • Typically leads to coma and death within 5 days.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

• Diagnosis:
  • Involves PCR tests of cerebrospinal fluid.
  • Detection is challenging due to the rarity of PAM.
• Treatment:
  • No established effective treatments currently exist.
  • Follows CDC guidelines, including:
    • Miltefosine: Recently procured by the State Health Department from Germany.
    • Azithromycin
    • Amphotericin B
  • Medical interventions usually involve a combination of drugs, including:
    • Amphotericin B
    • Azithromycin
    • Fluconazole
    • Rifampin
    • Miltefosine
    • Dexamethasone

Red flags over runaway Silver Imports from UAE through Gift City

Shift in India’s Silver Import Landscape:

• Current Trend: Majority of imports handled by select private players from Dubai via the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) at Gift City.
• Primary Objective: Reduce import duties.
• Potential Issue: Possible long-term revenue losses for India.

India’s Silver Imports:

• 2024 Import Data:
  • Record import of 4,172 metric tons in the first four months.
  • Total imports in 2023: 3,625 tons.
• February 2024 Record:
  • 2,295 metric tons, a 260% increase from 637 tons in January.

Drivers of Increased Imports:

• Demand Sources:
  • Solar panel industry.
  • Speculative investments, with expectations of silver outperforming gold.
• Source Country:
  • Nearly half of imports from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to lower import duties under the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Import Duty Details:

• General Import Duty: 15% on silver.
• CEPA Agreement (2022):
  • Allows private traders to import silver via IIBX at 9% duty.
  • Additional 3% value-added tax (VAT).

Government Concerns:

• Spike in Imports:
  • 647-fold increase in silver imports from the UAE.
• Planned Actions:
  • Discussions with Abu Dhabi regarding the surge.
• Scrutiny:
  • Gift City exchange under review for potential rule violations compared to imports from other ports since December 2023.