The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has informed that telecom service providers will need to deposit all unclaimed money of consumers, including excess charges and security deposit, in the Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund (TCEPF).
Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund (TCEPF)
The TCEPF Regulations, 2007 have been amended to provide the basic framework for depositing unclaimed money of consumers by service providers, maintenance of the TCEPF and other related aspects.
Any unclaimed / unrefundable amount belonging to consumers in the TCEP fund will be utilized for the welfare measures of the consumers.
With this amendment, service providers will deposit any unclaimed consumer money of any form such as excess charges, security deposit, plan charges of failed activations, or any amount belonging to a consumer, which service providers are unable to refund to consumers.
Why such move?
The TRAI observed that there is a need to bring clarity among service providers in depositing money which they are unable to refund to the consumers.
While some service providers were depositing money only on account of excess billing revealed in the audit, others were depositing unclaimed money such as security deposits and plan charges of failed activations.
In an attempt to attract investments in coal mining, the Union Cabinet approved the promulgation of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2020.
With this India has opened up the coal sector completely for commercial mining for all local and global firms after easing restrictions on end-use and prior experience in auctions.
The move is sought to bring an end to state-run Coal India Ltd’s (CIL) monopoly.
Background: India’s Coal Sector
Coal is the most important and abundant fossil fuel in India. It accounts for 55% of the country’s energy need.
India has the fifth-largest coal reserves in the world producing 662.79 million metric tons (730.60 million short tons) in 2016–17.
The Coal resources of India are available in older Gondwana Formations of peninsular India and younger Tertiary formations of north-eastern region.
Due to high demand and poor average quality, India is forced to import high quality coal to meet the requirements of steel plants.
Types of Coal found in India
Anthracite: It is the highest grade of coal containing a high percentage of fixed carbon. It is hard, brittle, black and lustrous. It is found in smaller quantity in regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
Bituminous: It is a medium grade of coal having high heating capacity. It is the most commonly used type of coal for electricity generation in India. Most of bituminous coal is found in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
Subbituminous: It is black in colour, dull (not shiny) and has a higher heating value than lignite.
Lignite: It is the lowest grade coal with the least carbon content. It is found in the regions of Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu & Kashmir.
About the Ordinance
The Union Cabinet approved promulgation of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 to amend the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, as well as the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Key Provisions
The ordinance democratizes the coal industry and makes it attractive for merchant mining companies, including multinationals to look at India.
The ordinance allows any India-registered company to bid and develop coal blocks.
It would allow any companies that do not have coal mine operations in India to also participate in coal block auctions.
The end-use restrictions – meaning coal produced from them could be used only for the designated captive purpose only and not traded in the market has now been lifted.
The central government can auction coal and lignite mining licences only to companies engaged in iron and steel, power and coal washing sectors.
The companies also needed prior experience of mining in India to bid for the blocks.
How it worked earlier?
Until now there were restrictions on who could bid for coal mines.
Only those in power, iron and steel, and coal washery business could bid for mines and the bidders needed prior experience of mining in India.
This effectively limited the potential bidders to a select circle of players and thus limited the value that the government could extract from the bidding.
Other provisions of the Ordinance
The Centre has set a mining target of 1.5 billion tonnes of coal by 2020.
Of this, 1 billion tonnes were to be from CIL and 500 million tonnes from non-CIL sources, in line with the government’s push to raise natural resources production to kickstart economic growth.
This has now been revised down to 1 billion tonnes of coal by 2023-24.
Why was such Ordinance promulgated?
Attracting FDIs
The government plans to promote FDI in the coal sector by removing restrictions and eligibility criteria for participation in coal block auctions.
Curbing import
Despite having the world’s fourth-largest coal reserves, India imported 235 million tonnes (mt) of coal last in 2019 of which 135mt valued at ₹171,000 crore.
With these amendments the government aims to curb imports of coal through and encourage the use of the country’s coal reserves, which had earlier been available only for the captive use of the steel and power industry.
Boosting economic growth
Till now, FDI was only allowed in coal mines allotted for captive use, meaning for use by the companies themselves.
But now with the slowing economy the centre New is trying to attract foreign investment to get economic growth back on track.
Benefits of the move
The move will help India gain access to sophisticated technology for underground mining used by global miners.
It will ease rules for auctioning coal mines to open up to all sectors.
Large investment in mining will create jobs and set off demand in critical sectors such as mining equipment and heavy commercial vehicles.
Consequences on CIL
Coal India Limited (CIL) is a Maharatna PSU and tremendous public resources have been invested in the company over the years. It contributes to around 82% of the coal production in India.
The company employs about 3 lakh people and is a national asset. Opening up of coal mining effectively ends CIL’s monopoly status.
However CIL will be “supported and strengthened” and adequate blocks will be allocated to it to meet the target of producing 1 billion tonnes of coal by 2023.
Conclusion
The move comes at a time when the window for fossil fuels is rapidly closing, and the global energy landscape evolving, with fundamental changes to the investment culture amid growing climate concerns.
As a responsible global player, India must put in place stringent norms to limit pollution and carbon emissions, even if fresh coal is being mined.
Getting access to new and environment-friendly technologies could be a precondition to allowing foreign players in mining coal.
The spate of incidents of lynching over the past few years has led to a heightened sense of insecurity among the marginalised communities. The Centre should specify penal action against officials and doctors accused of dereliction of duty.
2018 Supreme Court Judgement
In 2018, the Supreme Court described lynching as a “horrendous act of mobocracy”.
The Court exhorted the Centre and State governments to frame laws specifically to deal with the crime of lynching.
The SC laid down certain guidelines to be incorporated in these laws including
Fast-track trials.
Compensation to victims, and
Disciplinary action against lax law-enforcers.
The State laws
Manipur bill for the law against lynching: The Manipur government came up first with its Bill against lynching in 2018, incorporating some logical and relevant clauses.
Provision of nodal officer: The Bill specified that there would be nodal officers in each district to control such crimes.
Compensation to the victim: The law provides for adequate monetary compensation to the victims or their immediate kin.
Punishment for failure to enforce the law: Police officers who fail to prevent the crime of lynching in their jurisdiction are liable to be imprisoned for a term that may extend from one to three years with a fine limit of ₹50,000.
No concurrence of state for the prosecution of the police: No concurrence of the State government is required to prosecute them for dereliction of duty.
Rajasthan bill: The government has accepted only a few guidelines issued by the apex court.
No action against police officers: The bill is also silent on any action to be initiated against police officers who may be accused of dereliction of duty.
West Bengal bill: Most other guidelines of the Supreme Court have been adopted by the State.
Stringent punishment: Punishment for lynching to death is punishable with the death penalty or life imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh.
What the Centre can do
Adoption of the SC guidelines: The Centre should adopt the guidelines provided by the SC to deal with the crime.
Action against doctors: Centre would do well to incorporate sections in the law for penal action against doctors who stand accused of-
Dereliction of duty.
For delay in attending to victims of lynching.
For submitting false reports without carrying out a proper and thorough medical examination of the victims.
The compensation scheme for victims: Under the compensation scheme for the victims, the amount to be paid to the victims should be recovered from the perpetrators of the crime.
Collective fines: Collective fines should be imposed on the villagers where the lynching takes place.
Punishment for a political leader for inciting the mob: Centre could even provide for punitive action against political leaders found guilty of inciting mobs.
Punitive action against police: Punitive action to be taken against police officers accused of dereliction of duty, as incorporated in the law enacted by Manipur government, could be replicated in the Central law too.
Punitive action as a deterrent: It would deter police officials acting in a partisan manner in favour of the lynch mob.
Conclusion
Until a zero-tolerance attitude is adopted in dealing with mob lynching, this crime will continue to show a rising trend.
The mains results have been announced and we congratulate all those who advance to the next level. At the same time, this is also a moment of sadness for those who worked so hard and weren’t able to make it. If you have gotten this far, then you have it in you to make it. Don’t let anybody tell you that you cannot clear the exam – not even yourself.
Folks, the level of the competition is immense. It is not like how it used to be 3-4 years back. Very good students with really good writing skills are appearing for the exams. We are seeing such innovative answers from first-timers that it amazes us.
We understand what it feels like to get so close to clearing the exam but eventually not making it. For many, this feeling would be worse than not clearing prelims. Don’t be shattered by failures, don’t let them slow you down. Team Civilsdaily will ensure that your LBSNAA dream is fulfilled.
The 3-phase program is for UPSC veterans only. Entry Restricted to those who have given mains in the past 2 years and have failed to score high marks.
Phase 1(January-March)
We will identify the fundamental weaknesses that are preventing you from clearing mains and prelims.
After having worked with so many students, we can say with utmost surety that these weaknesses vary from individual to individual and require a very personalized approach. They can broadly be divided into Question Comprehension, Structure, Content, Presentation, Language and Expression. But the specific shortcomings can only be worked upon in 1-1 personalized settings.
That’s the only way to ensure sure shot improvement.
Phase 2(March-May)
You will be attempting 8 Prelims Full-Length Tests.
Detailed scrutiny of your prelims papers will be done via 1-1 personalized settings – Are you risk-averse or risk-taker, whether you are using (Tikdams), silly mistakes made, whether you are getting the factual questions wrong.
We will help you develop your prelims competency.
Phase 3(June-September)
This will be the most important phase. The final refinements of your attempts will happen in this phase. By now, you should be in a position to write above-average answers. However, above-average answers are not enough to guarantee you a top rank. We will work with you to ensure you have enough material for value addition. Our focus will be on providing tips that add the missing X factor to your answers.
Throughout your journey, we will ensure that you have the best psychological support available. End of the day, your mind has to remain calm and less anxious to be able to give a solid attempt.
Sajal Sir will be directly interacting with you and overseeing your progress. His scores in GS Papers for 2017 were as follows –
132 in GS paper 1 125 in GS paper 2 130 in GS paper 3
Inclusions
1. Mains Test Series
2. Current Affairs is always a tricky affair. To ensure you have continuity, we will be giving you access to Samachar Manthan’s lectures and notes. These notes do not miss anything that is important from an exam perspective.
3. Decimate Prelims Crash Course
4. Prelims Full Lenght Tests – To prep you for prelims.
Students are requested to email their mains scorecard + attempts of any of their past test series & essay papers to hello@civilsdaily.com
Folks, the level of the competition is immense. It is not like how it used to be 3-4 years back. Very good students with really good writing skills are appearing for the exams. We are seeing such innovative answers from first-timers that it amazes us.
We understand what it feels like to get so close to clearing the exam but eventually not making it. For many, this feeling would be worse than not clearing prelims. Don’t be shattered by failures, don’t let them slow you down. Team Civilsdaily will ensure that your LBSNAA dream is fulfilled.
The 3-phase program is for UPSC veterans only. Entry Restricted to those who have given mains in the past 2 years and have failed to score high marks.
Phase 1(January-March)
We will identify the fundamental weaknesses that are preventing you from clearing mains and prelims.
After having worked with so many students, we can say with utmost surety that these weaknesses vary from individual to individual and require a very personalized approach. They can broadly be divided into Question Comprehension, Structure, Content, Presentation, Language and Expression. But the specific shortcomings can only be worked upon in 1-1 personalized settings.
That’s the only way to ensure sure shot improvement.
Phase 2(March-May)
You will be attempting 8 Prelims Full-Length Tests.
Detailed scrutiny of your prelims papers will be done via 1-1 personalized settings – Are you risk-averse or risk-taker, whether you are using (Tikdams), silly mistakes made, whether you are getting the factual questions wrong.
We will help you develop your prelims competency.
Phase 3(June-September)
This will be the most important phase. The final refinements of your attempts will happen in this phase. By now, you should be in a position to write above-average answers. However, above-average answers are not enough to guarantee you a top rank. We will work with you to ensure you have enough material for value addition. Our focus will be on providing tips that add the missing X factor to your answers.
Throughout your journey, we will ensure that you have the best psychological support available. End of the day, your mind has to remain calm and less anxious to be able to give a solid attempt.
Sajal Sir will be directly interacting with you and overseeing your progress. His scores in GS Papers for 2017 were as follows –
132 in GS paper 1 125 in GS paper 2 130 in GS paper 3
Inclusions
1. Mains Test Series
2. Current Affairs is always a tricky affair. To ensure you have continuity, we will be giving you access to Samachar Manthan’s lectures and notes. These notes do not miss anything that is important from an exam perspective.
3. Decimate Prelims Crash Course
4. Prelims Full Lenght Tests – To prep you for prelims.
Students are requested to email their mains scorecard + attempts of any of their past test series & essay papers to hello@civilsdaily.com
When much is made of peace talks with rebels in Northeast India, avoidance of peace talks with Maoist rebels is strange.
States left to deal with the Maoists
Scale and extent of the problem: Officially in 2019, there are 11 states and 90 affected districts.
State subject: This is because policing and maintaining law and order are matters devolved to states.
The approach adopted to deal with the problem: According to MHA-
Capacity building: Primarily by capacity building of the state governments.
Areas of capacity building: Capacity building is to be carried out in areas of security and development. This will continue with the-
Better police training.
Better intelligence gathering.
Reinforcing police stations in conflict zones.
And recruiting locals into auxiliary forces.
Support by MHA: MHA will continue to provide the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other paramilitaries under its command.
Support of NTRO: Intelligence gathering outfits such as the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO).
NTRO has in the past year increased drone surveillance over the densely forested Abujhmad area in southwest Chhattisgarh, which remains the main rebel hub.
The success achieved so far
Influence reduced to 90 districts: The policies so far has certainly contained the rebels across 90 affected districts.
Surrender and rehabilitation policy: Most Maoist-affected states in India have a surrender and rehabilitation policy.
Surrender policy along with search and destroy : Surrender policy rides in tandem with search-and-destroy missions that police and paramilitaries provide.
This pincer has massively depleted rebel leadership and ranks with regular killings, arrests, and surrender of its leaders and cadres.
Return of conflict displaced people
It is crucial for the conflict-displaced to return to their homes.
Issues related to return of displaced: Agencies discourage those returning from going back to their old home and instead are offered state-mandated enclaves.
No or little economic imperatives: Those returning are offered little economic imperative besides daily wage labour and scrambling for government handouts.
Some government jobs: For some, jobs are offered in
That is, in any case, the present for much of the 50,000 or so who did not manage to escape to Telangana and elsewhere.
Conclusion
The central government would do well to focus here and in beginning negotiations for peace.
The Left-wing rebellion, a reality for over 50 years, is difficult to end until poor governance is improved.
The RBI’s responsibility to regulate the financial sector may have taken a back seat after the adoption of inflation targeting as the main objective. Has a fixation with inflation rate made the RBI take its eyes off the loan books of the banks?
Evolution of the role of the Central Banks
Maintaining financial stability: The establishment of some of the world’s oldest central banks was inspired by the goal of maintaining financial stability.
Harm to the depositors: It was recognised that when private commercial banks fail, whether due to malfeasance or misjudgement, they harm their trusting depositors.
Harm to the entire system: But when banks fail they not only harm the depositors they can also take down with them the rest of the financial system.
Banks lending to one another: The entire financial system also gets harmed when banks have lent to one another, which is not uncommon.
The collapse of credit: In the crisis that ensues, there is a collapse of credit which, in turn, leads to a downturn in economic activity.
Lender of last resort: To avoid this, the central bank was conceived of as the lender of last resort.
Prevention of run on the banks: Lender of last resort is the one that could pre-empt a run on banks and give them time to put their books back in order.
Regulation of banks: However, this was to be accompanied by the adoption of a tough regulatory stance.
Whereby the central bank would stay hawk-eyed towards the activities of banks, particularly risky lending.
Rise of neo-liberalism and change in a role: With the rise of neoliberalism, the central tenet of which is that markets should be given free play, the regulatory role of central banks took a back seat.
Inflation control as primary role: The Central banks came to be primarily mandated with inflation control.
Inflation targeting and regulation of the financial market by RBI
Multiple indicator approach: In India, the RBI had earlier pursued a ‘multiple indicators approach’.
What was the multiple indicator approach: The approach involves concern for outcomes other than inflation, including even the balance of payments.
Discouraging the approach: Developments in economic theory discouraged ‘multiple indicators approach’.
It was argued that having economic activity as an objective of monetary policy leads to higher inflation.
Favouring low inflation over lower unemployment: Discouraging the ‘multiple indicator approach’ encouraged low inflation over low unemployment.
Inflation targeting as the sole objective of monetary policy: The Indian government also instituted inflation targeting as the sole objective of monetary policy.
The fixed target for the RBI: The RBI was permitted to exceed or fall short of a targeted inflation rate of 4% by a margin of 2 percentage points.
But have the RBI’s original mandate as a central bank been met?
IL&FS crisis: In 2018, within three years of the adoption of inflation targeting goal, a crisis engulfed IL&FS, a non-banking financial company in the infrastructure space.
Not a small player: It operated over 100 subsidiaries and was sitting on a debt of ₹94,000 crores.
Effects of default: Given this, IL&FS default had a chilling effect on the investors, banks and mutual funds associated with it both directly or indirectly.
PMC bank crisis: In 2019, a run on the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank had to be averted by imposing withdrawal limits.
Outright fraud in PMC case: While in the case of IL&FS, some part of the problem may have been caused by a slowing economy, outright fraud underlay the crisis at PMC Bank.
Raghavendra Sahakara Bank case: In early 2020, curbs have had to be placed on withdrawals from the Bengaluru-based Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank.
Pertinent question
Regulatory sector at the backseat? It is not too early to ask if the RBI’s responsibility to regulate the financial sector may have taken a back seat after the adoption of inflation targeting as the main objective.
Has a fixation with inflation rate made the RBI take its eyes off the loan books of the banks?
The recent rise in inflation and shortfall of currency notes
Inflation at 7%: At over 7%, the inflation rate in December is the highest in five years.
Not cause of concern: This may not be the reason to panic, for the price rise could be seasonal and may well abate.
Question on inflation targeting: But it does raise a question on the efficacy of inflation targeting as a means of inflation control.
Reason for moderate inflation so far: If the inflation rate was within the intended range so far, that may have been due to both declining food prices and, for a phase, oil prices.
The shortfall of notes: The central bank has a monopoly on the issue of notes.
There is an absolute shortage of small denomination notes in the bazaars of India.
Small-denomination notes are mostly unavailable.
Conclusion
While focusing on the inflation, the Central bank also needs to keep the other mandates especially the regulation of the finance sector in check.
