Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- [op-ed snap] Is India winning the battle against extreme poverty?

Definitions of Poverty

Read more about the Poverty Line in India in this blog

Poverty Lines in India: Estimations and Committees

B2B #2: From news- HEFA to allot ₹1 lakh crore for education

Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA)

1. It will be formed as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) within a PSU Bank or the Government-owned-NBFC (Promoter).
2. HEFA will have an authorized capital of 2,000 crore rupees and the government equity would be 1,000 crore rupees.
3. The HEFA will also mobilize CSR funds from Corporates/PSUs which will, in turn, be released for promoting research and innovation in these institutions on grant basis.
4. The principal portion of the loan will be repaid through the ‘internal accruals’ of the institutions earned through the fee receipts, research earnings etc.
5. All the Centrally Funded Higher Educational Institutions will be eligible to join as members of the HEFA.
6. For joining as members, the educational institution must agree to escrow a specific amount from their internal accruals for a period of 10 years to the HEFA.

B2B #3: From news- Uttarakhand HC declares animals to be ‘legal persons’

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

1. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted in 1960 to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals and to amend the laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals.
2. The Act further recognizes slaughter for food. Section 11 of the Act does not categorize slaughter of animals for food as cruelty.
3. It makes a specific exemption for “destruction of any animal as food for mankind unless such destruction or preparation was accompanied by the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering.
4. As per the provisions of the law, the government of India formed the Animal Welfare Board of India.

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Key words related to History : Rajukas

Dynasty/era : Mauryan period

Meaning : The pllar Edict IV refers to the rajukas as officers “set over many hundred thousand of people and charged with the duty of promoting the welfare of the janapadas.Rajukas performed judicial duties.