Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) have identified a gene that facilitates in the greening of plants.
It would be no surprise to expect a core Biology question in the coming years, if we look at this PYQ:
Q. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant cells and animal cells? (CSP 2020)
Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not.
Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animals cells which do
Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst animal cell has many small vacuoles
Select the correct answer using the given code below-
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
BBX11
The synthesis of chlorophyll in plants is a lengthy, multi-step process.
When a seedling emerges from under the soil it must quickly synthesize chlorophyll to start supporting its own growth.
In order to facilitate the quick synthesis of chlorophyll, plants make a precursor of chlorophyll called ‘protochlorophyllide’ in the dark, which glows red when blue light is shone on the plant.
As soon as the plant comes out into the light from under the soil, light-dependent enzymes convert protochlorophyllide to chlorophyll.
The two proteins oppositely regulate the ‘BBX11’ gene to maintain optimum levels of ‘BBX11’.
How does it work?
It plays a crucial role in regulating the levels of protochlorophyllide — an intermediate in the biosynthesis of the green pigment chlorophyll.
The amount of protochlorophyllide synthesized needed to be proportional to the number of enzymes available to convert them to chlorophyll.
If there is an excess of free protochlorophyllide, then exposure to light converts it into molecules that cause ‘photobleaching’.
Thus, it is very important to regulate the amount of protochlorophyllide synthesized by the plant and here comes the vital plant played by the ‘BBX11’ gene.
If it is less, plants are unable to efficiently ‘green’ in order to harvest sunlight.
Benefits of the research
The study could have tremendous implications in the agriculture sector in tropical countries like India and can help provide leads to optimize plant growth under stressful and rapidly changing climatic conditions.
Due to the rapidly changing climatic conditions, farmers in several states in India, especially in Maharashtra, are suffering huge losses in crop yields.
This often leads to severe distress among the farming community as indicated by the high number of farmer suicides in Maharashtra for the past several years.
Severe drought, high temperature and high light are some of the major reasons for crop failure. Young seedlings emerging out of the soil are extremely sensitive to high irradiance of light.
This study can provide leads to optimize plant growth under these stressful conditions.
Two persons died and several took ill in a major ammonia gas leakage at a fertilizers unit at Prayagraj.
Try this PYQ:
Q. With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements:
At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas.
Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of all oil refineries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1,2 and 3
Ammonia
Ammonia is critical in the manufacturing of fertilizers and is one of the largest-volume synthetic chemicals produced in the world.
More than 80 per cent of ammonia made is consumed in the manufacturing of fertilizer, and most of the remainder goes into the production of formaldehyde.
A tri-hydroid of nitrogen (NH3), ammonia is a building block for ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) that is used in agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertilizer.
Why is it harmful?
According to experts in Chemistry, ammonia is stored for industrial use in liquid form under high pressure or in gaseous form at low temperature.
In such cases, the cause of death is always suffocation as in the case of Prayagraj incident, the victims must have been very close to the point of a gas leak.
Effects on the human body
Ammonia, even in moderate concentration, can cause irritation to eyes, skin, nose and throat.
It interacts immediately upon contact with moisture present in the skin, eyes, oral cavity, and respiratory tract to form ammonium hydroxide.
It is very caustic and disrupts the cell membrane lipids, ultimately leading to cellular destruction.
As cell proteins break down, water is extracted, resulting in an inflammatory response that causes further damage.
Secretion in humans
Ammonia, which is highly soluble in water, is found in soil, air, and water; it is naturally present in the body.
It is secreted by the kidneys to neutralize excess acid.
However, it is highly diluted when in the environment and does not affect the human body to a noticeable level.
This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in The Hindu.
Try this PYQ:
Q.With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?
(a) Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.
(b) Tansen composed Dhrupads on Hindu gods and goddesses.
(c) Tansen composed songs on his patrons.
(d) Tansen invented many Ragas.
Who was Rahim?
Dating back to 1598, during the rule of Akbar, Abdur Rahim Khan I Khanan was one of the Navratna in the court.
Winning wars with his military training and hearts with his dohas and translated texts — he was a man who survived despite his father Bairam Khan’s assassination when he was just four.
Meant to be a dedication of a husband to his wife, the tomb ended up housing his own remains too when he died in 1627.
His works
Apart from writing various dohas, Rahim translated Babar’s memoirs, Baburnama from Chagatai language to the Persian language, which was completed in 998 (1589–90) AD.
He had an excellent command over the Sanskrit language.
In Sanskrit, he wrote two books on astrology, Khetakautukam and Dwatrimshadyogavali.
Why in news?
The tomb is in a run-down situation but undergoing renovation.
The historical and cultural significance is more than the archaeological and architectural significance, so restoring the dignity of the burial place has been very important.
We owe it to the next generation who will have to bear the burden of climate change and pay off the debt of the recovery…..
The international community, including the European Union (EU) and India, gathered at the Climate Ambition Summit 2020. The Summit was held on the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement.
This edition of Burning Issue takes stock of the progress made on climate action in the last 5 years.
The story at a glance
Five years ago, as negotiations for the Paris climate agreement ran into overtime, a worldwide urgency was felt for reaching an accord. Thus came to being, the Paris Agreement.
Yet five years after the Paris pact was signed, the heady wine of global climate collaboration has been soured by rogue nations backsliding, and in the case of the US, even withdrawing from the agreement.
And effective climate action has been hampered by continued fossil fuel propaganda as well as by related economic policies like fossil fuel subsidies (as in the case for natural gas) anywhere in the world.
Under the agreement, 2020 was supposed to be a milestone year, with a deadline for setting more ambitious targets to cut emissions.
But, the deadly global pandemic had stalled all the efforts as well as talks. Then came, the Climate Ambition Summit 2020.
What is the Paris Agreement?
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016.
Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate-neutral world by mid-century.
It is a landmark process because, for the first time, a binding agreement brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.
Key points of the agreement
The action plan
Implementation of the Paris Agreement requires economic and social transformation, based on the best available science.
The Agreement works on a 5- year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action carried out by countries.
By 2020, countries submit their plans for climate action known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
Five years after: Where are we now?
All states have submitted their national contributions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Distant hypothetical targets are being set. Seems like we are still speeding in the wrong direction or we are lagging far behind.
(1) Unclear targets and response
The world is still unclear since five years as to how the net-zero pledges will translate into shorter term targets. Few of the countries that have announced ambitious long-term goals have implemented national policies to reach them in time.
(2) Degradation isn’t stopped
Meanwhile, we continue to destroy the world’s carbon sinks, by cutting down forests – the world is still losing an area of forest the size of the UK each year, despite commitments to stop deforestation – as well as drying out peatlands and wetlands, and reducing the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon from the air.
(3) Countries aren’t scaling up their targets
Although 151 states have indicated that they will submit stronger targets before December 31, only 13 of them, covering 2.4 per cent of global emissions, have submitted such targets. While states have been slow to update their national contributions for 2025-2030, several have announced exaggeratedly high “net zero” targets in the recent past.
Issues in setting up targets
A chasm between aspirations and emissions remains, as does the continued economic gap between developed and developing countries.
(1) Credibility of the commitments
The credibility checks; Are these long-term net zero goals aligned with short-term actions, policies and measures? And we know very well.
Many net zero goals have not yet been embedded in national contributions and long-term strategies under the Paris Agreement.
Current national contributions are not on track for such a fall. For many there is a mismatch between short-term actions and long-term commitments.
(2) Fixing accountability
In any case, accountability under the Paris Agreement is limited. States are not obliged to achieve their self-selected targets.
There is no mechanism to review the adequacy of individual contributions. States are only asked to provide justifications for the fairness and ambition of their targets.
The transparency framework does not contain a robust review function, and the compliance committee is facilitative and limited to ensuring compliance with a shortlist of binding procedural obligations.
(3) Fairness of climate action
The principles of equity, justice and fairness are fundamental to understanding and addressing the challenges of global climate change.
These principles are legally side-stepped in the Paris Agreement.
This is because the problem has been caused by the emissions of the rich countries for several centuries but will primarily impact the poorest people and poorest countries.
Analysis: A success in making
(1) Political resilience: A no mean achievement
The accord itself has proved remarkably resilient. Bringing together 196 nations in 2015 was not easy. The failure, discord and recriminations of those decades were left behind as delegates from 196 countries hugged, wept and cheered in Paris.
(2) All emitters concurred
The agreement has proven to be inclusive and at scale, with the participation of countries representing 97% of global emissions. It gave a powerful signal of hope in the face of the climate emergency.
(3) Clean energy shift
Renewable energy will make up about 90% of the new energy generation capacity installed around the world, according to the International Energy Agency. That massive increase reflects rapid falls in the price of renewable energy (ex. solar tariffs in India) now competitive or cheaper than fossil fuel generation.
(4) Worldwide quests for net-zero emissions
Many nations led the way in adopting net-zero targets. In September this year, China surprised the world by its pledge to achieve net-zero emissions in 2060. US president-elect Joe Biden has also pledged to adopt a target of net zero emissions by 2050. That puts more than two-thirds of the global emitters under a commitment.
(5) Normalizing 1.5C
One of the biggest surprises of Paris was the inclusion of 1.5C as an aspirational limit on global temperature rise. Official recognition of 1.5C did not make it any less of a long shot. But it shifted the onus away from proponents of 1.5C having to defend its feasibility, to proponents of 2C having to defend sacrificing vulnerable communities.
(6) Institutional change
The Paris Agreement has no central enforcement mechanism. That does not mean it is unenforceable. Institutions ranging from financial regulators to city authorities are embedding the deal’s targets and principles in their policies, creating new avenues for accountability.
A caution: For the world to be serious again
Any sense of optimism about the progress driven by the Paris deal must be tempered by the harsh reality of how far there is to go. Here is what has yet to change.
(1) Rising emissions
Global greenhouse gas emissions have continued to grow, with a billion tonnes of CO2 added to annual figures between 2015 and 2018. The trend is dominated by emerging economies in Asia, as incumbent energy industries meet a hunger for development by any means. Advanced economies are not cutting emissions fast or consistently enough to offset growth elsewhere.
(2) Rising temperatures
As emissions rise, so too do temperatures. 2020 is set to be 1.2C warmer than pre-industrial times and among the three hottest years on record. Droughts and floods are confounding subsistence farmers the world over. The atmosphere will keep serving up new records for generations. Temperatures will not stabilize until emissions reach net-zero, because carbon dioxide builds up in the air.
(3) Rising fossil fuel production
The phrase “fossil fuels” do not appear in the Paris Agreement. Nor do the words “coal”, “oil” or “gas”. To meet the Paris goals, the vast majority of hydrocarbons need to stay in the ground — but that was too blunt a reality to concede for countries economically reliant on them.
(4) The vulnerable continue to suffer
Within and between countries, it is poor and marginalised people who are most exposed and continue to suffer the climate crisis. The Paris Agreement has failed to acknowledge that some people will experience loss and damage that cannot be mitigated against or adapted to.
(5) Climate finance is still meagre
Climate finance flows from rich governments have increased on the face of it. But the majority is delivered as loans, not grants, adding to the debt burden of developing countries. There is no compensation for victims of climate disaster, only talking shops and insurance schemes they must pay the premiums for.
Global scene
(1) US retreat
The US – the world’s second-biggest emitter began the process of withdrawal from Paris, under President Trump in 2017.
The Kyoto 1997 protocol fell apart after the US signed but failed to ratify the agreement, leaving climate negotiations in limbo for a decade.
However, the president-elect Joe Biden announced the US’s return to the Paris Accord, accompanied by a battery of measures vide his election mandates.
Biden has also announced his support for a carbon border tax, a mechanism that the European Commission also wants to put in place.
(A carbon border tax is a tax on carbon emissions attributed to imported goods that have not been carbon-taxed at the source.)
(2) Chinese over-ambitions
China surprised the world with a pledge to make itself carbon neutral by 2060. With this, China has an opportunity to assert its global leadership on climate before Biden takes an ambitious green agenda to the White House. China committed to values compared to 2005 levels:
Reduce carbon intensity by over 65% by 2030 (compared to its initial commitment of 60-65%)—it was at 48.1% at the end of 2019;
Increase non-fossil energy to around 25% by 2030 (compared to 20% in their current target)—it was at 15.3% at the end of 2019;
Increase forest stock volume to 6 billion cubic meters by 2030 (compared to 4.5 billion in their current target)—it was approximately 4.5 billion cubic meters at the end of 2019; and
Increase the total installed capacity of wind and solar to 1,200 gigawatts by 2030 (no previous target)—it was at 415 gigawatts at the end of 2019.
India and the Paris Agreement
India has achieved 21% of its emissions intensity reduction target as a proportion of its GDP in line with its pledge to a 33-35% reduction by 2030.
(1) Clean energy
India, the world’s fourth-largest renewable energy market, has been one of the leaders in this transition. India has grown its renewables capacity by 250% in just the last five years and plans to expand it by another 500% to reach 450 gigawatts by 2030.
(2) CO2 emission reduction
The Emissions Gap Report has stated that India’s per capita emissions are actually 60% lower than the global average. Also, emissions in the country grew 1.4% in 2019, much lower than its average of 3.3% per year over the last decade, the report said.
India was the only major G20 country that was on track towards keeping to its nationally determined commitments to halt runaway global warming.
Climate Diplomacy and India
India has not caused the climate change crisis and, unlike developed nations, but it is meeting its obligations under the Paris Agreement. India is one of the few overachievers in terms of meeting the NDCs.
We cannot make lofty promises as China or the US does.
Climate negotiations potentially are more far-reaching for our polity, economy and society.
Several are suggesting that our best option is a “No” to more ambitious commitments.
Going beyond coercive environmentalism
China’s vigorous mobilization of state power to enforce new environmental norms in the last few years has helped China on climate issues. This has been hailed as the model for “authoritarian environmentalism” which has been more effective than the “liberal environmentalism”
The urgency of addressing climate change is likely to intensify in the immediate term with regime change in the US and overambitious Beijing.
India’s ability to influence the new geopolitics of climate change will depend a lot on its domestic political resilience (as in case of stubble-burning).
The question of penalizing stubble burning that chokes the cities of north-western India during the early winter months is only one of the issues in the larger argument.
Gearing up for uncertainties
India needs to be cognizant that some are preparing tools of coercive climate diplomacy. EU is eyeing a carbon border adjustment mechanism by 2021.
The Biden administration will also look to favour a carbon tax with border adjustments, although whether it can get through such legislation remains uncertain.
Caution needs to be our watchword. For a sui generis state such as ours with varied interests, to gather allies with similar climate goals is not easy.
Way forward: The grounds for optimism
The Paris agreement still provides the best hope of avoiding the worst ravages of climate breakdown: the question is whether countries are prepared to back it up with action, rather than more hot air.
Renewing the shorter term commitments is the best way ahead.
Making promises for the 2050s-60s is one thing, but major policy changes are needed now to shift national economies on to a low-carbon footing.
None of these (net zero) targets will be meaningful without very aggressive action in this decade. Diplomacy is inevitably a tool in global climate action.
Conclusion
For many, there is a mismatch between short-term actions and long-term commitments. A credible short-term commitment with a clear pathway is the key.
Not all states will be in a position to pledge net-zero targets, nor should they be expected to.
All states, including India, can, however, pledge actions that are credible, accountable and fair.
Our real test on climate change is on building a new domestic consensus that can address the economic and political costs associated with an internal adjustment to the prospect of a great global reset.
Although it is envisaged that municipal revenue should be 1% of GDP, between 2010 and 2018 revenues declined from 0.48% to 0.43%.
As against the municipal revenue of Rs 4,624 per capita, own-source revenue was only Rs 1,975 in 2018 (ICRIER, 2019).
This affects the low-levels of municipal services and translates into salary delays for employees.
8-way strategy to increase the revenue of ULBs
1) Increasing the property tax base
In India, property taxes only account for 0.15% of GDP, whereas in developing economies they account for 0.6% and the global average is 1.04%.
To double the property tax collection the property tax base needs to be expanded using GIS mapping, cross-checking with building licenses, ration cards, mutations, electricity/gas accounts, and review of exemptions.
This also needs to cover government properties as per GoI circular 2009 and the SC judgment in Rajkot Corporation vs Railways.
Similarly, rates need revision in the guiding value for rent or unit area; for instance, in Delhi, rates are fairly low.
The collection process needs to be automated too.
ABC (Always best Control) analysis should be done to target the top 10-20% properties, and measures such as attaching bank accounts must be implemented.
2) Upward revision of various fees
The value capture taxes need to include upward revision of building license fee and new sources like impact fee, as imposed in Telangana, exactions, and betterment levy like the one imposed in Gujarat.
3) Levy advertisement fee
An advertisement fee needs to be levied.
Thiruvananthapuram listed the sites and plugged leakages for 33,170 unauthorized boards to double its income from 2018 to 2019.
South Delhi MC has achieved a three-time increase with revision of rates in a ratio of 1:8 as per location and by dividing the city into clusters.
4) Local fee
Local fee/charges also have immense potential such as (i) recovery on user charges (water, etc) which is only 20% (ii) right of way from gas/electricity and fiber optic lines, (ii) cell tower, (iii) leasing electricity poles, etc.
5) Participatory funding
The potential of participatory funding (private sector, CSR, and local community) needs to be tapped.
This has been done by Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Mathura (Hybrid Annuity project), Indore, and Pune.
6) Special attention for assigning and activating the fiscal instrument
Sixth, small and medium-sized municipal bodies need special attention for assigning and activating fiscal instruments.
Better mobilization of own sources may also lead to revenue account surplus.
This has been achieved in Ahmedabad, Pune, etc and it also enables access to the capital market.
7) Revision of Article 243X
Article 243X needs suitable revision to allow larger inclusion of fiscal instruments above within the scope of a municipality’s own sources.
8) Creating ULBs as per MoHUA’s advisory
Over 3,000 census towns not having city government need special attention to create ULBs in line with MoHUA’s advisory in 2016.
It will create an innovative and effective financing framework for sustainable urban development.
Conclusion
Financially strong local bodies hold the key to the development of the country. The steps mentioned here needs to be implemented effectively to make the ULBs financially strong.
Central Universities need reforms in their Governing Councils to make them realise their potential.
Central Universities in the need of reforms
There are 55 central universities.
These are endowed with prime land, extensive funding from the central government and there is a long line of students waiting to get in.
However, they are in turmoil. In recent years, six vice-chancellors (VCs) of central universities have been sacked.
Some of these institutions have seen their glory days, yet increasingly, the energy is going out of the system.
However, not a single new private university has so far been able to create a true broad-based Vishwa Vidyalaya with the full range of humanities, social and natural sciences, and professional disciplines.
Therefore, to save academia in India, central universities must be saved.
Organizational structure
Each of the 55 central universities is governed by a separate Act. but the broad structure is as follows.
The Visitor of the university is the President of India.
On his behalf, the Ministry of Education recommends an eminent citizen as the chancellor, whose role is mostly ceremonial.
The Ministry also constitutes a search committee for the post of VC, which comes up with a list of 3 candidates.
From this list, the government picks a VC.
Separately, and through a different process, the governing council (GC) is chosen.
The governing council (GC) of the university usually have nominees from various stakeholders, including the government, faculty, students, and citizens.
The university’s work is carried out by the executive council chaired by the VC, who also appoints the registrar.
A separate finance committee is constituted, headed by a chief finance officer, who is often a civil servant on secondment to the university.
This arrangement is designed to maintain financial checks and balances.
Issues with the governance
The GC has no say in the selection of the VC.
The GC typically meets only once a year and its size is usually very large.[Delhi University has 475 members]
In theory, the VC presents and gets approval for the annual plan of the university from the GC.
In practice, after much grandstanding on both sides, the plan is rubberstamped.
After that, throughout the year, there is the minimal direction or monitoring from the GC, which may or may not meet again.
There are typically no quarterly updates, and there is little oversight.
Under the circumstances, the high number of failures should not come as a surprise, since effectively, there is minimal governance.
Comparing with provisions in IIM Bill
The new IIM Bill very sensibly limits the GC to at most 19 members.
They are expected to be eminent citizens, with broad social representation and an emphasis on alumni.
This GC chooses the director, provides overall strategic direction, raises resources, and continuously monitors his or her performance.
Within the guidelines provided by the GC, the director has full autonomy but also full accountability.
Way forward
The governing councils of all central universities, IITs, and all other central institutions, need to be restructured by an Act of Parliament.
The most eminent alumni of these institutions must be brought on their boards.
The dynamism and exposure that these alumni bring to the table will promptly lead to world-class innovations.
Conclusion
To allow central universities, the IITs and other public institutions to truly blossom, we need to reform their Governance. There is no time to waste.
Recently, Governor turned down the recommendation of the Kerala government to convene the session of the state legislature. It also points to the trend of declining seating of the state legislature and issues with it.
Governor-Government conflict
The Kerala government made a recommendation to the governor for summoning the state’s legislature for a one-day session.
The government wanted to discuss the situation arising out of the farmers’ protest in the legislative assembly.
Media reports suggest that the governor turned down the government on the grounds that there is no emergent situation for which the state assembly should be called to meet at short notice.
Earlier this year, the Rajasthan governor had rejected the recommendation of the government to call a session.
The chief minister wanted a session of the legislature called so that he could prove his majority on the floor of the house.
Constitutional provisions
The Constitution is clear: The government has the power to convene a session of the legislature.
The council of ministers decides the dates and the duration of the session.
Their decision is communicated to the governor, who is constitutionally bound to act on most matters on the aid and advice of the government.
The governor then summons the state legislature to meet for a session.
The refusal of a governor to do so is a matter of concern.
Declining sittings of the state legislature
In the last 20 years, state assemblies across the country, on average, met for less than 30 days in a year.
But states like Kerala, Odisha, Karnataka are an exception.
The Kerala Vidhan Sabha, for example, has on average met for 50 days every year for the last 10 years.
The trend across the country is that legislatures meet for longer budget sessions at the beginning of the year.
Then for the rest of the year, they meet to fulfill the constitutional requirement that there should not be a gap of six months between two sessions.
Why is it a matter of concern
Close scrutiny: Continuous and close scrutiny by legislatures is central to improving governance in the country.
Voice to public opinion: Legislatures are arenas for debate and giving voice to public opinion.
Accountability institutions: As accountability institutions, they are responsible for asking tough questions of the government and highlighting uncomfortable truths. So, it is in the interest of a state government to convene lesser sittings of the legislature and bypass their scrutiny.
Prevent ordinance: Lesser number of sitting days also means that state governments are free to make laws through ordinances. And when they convene legislatures, there is little time for MLAs to scrutinize laws brought before them.
Way forward
Convening legislatures to meet all around the year.
In many mature democracies, a fixed calendar of sittings of legislatures, with breaks in between, is announced at the beginning of the year.
It allows the government to plan its calendar for bringing in new laws.
It also has the advantage of increasing the time for debate and discussion in the legislative assembly.
And with the legislature sitting throughout the year, it gets rid of the politics surrounding the convening of sessions of a legislature.
Conclusion
Continuous and close scrutiny by legislatures is central to improving governance in the country. Increasing the number of working days for state legislatures is a first step in increasing their effectiveness.
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With the New Year, a new concept of Positive Pay System for Cheque Truncation System (CTS) will be introduced by the Banking regulator Reserve Bank of India (RBI) seeking to further augment customer safety in cheque payments.
Try this PYQ:
Q.Which of the following is the most likely consequence of implementing the ‘Unified Payments Interface (UPI)’?
(a) Mobile wallets will not be necessary for online payments.
(b) Digital currency will totally replace the physical currency in about two decades.
(c) FDI inflows will drastically increase.
(d) Direct transfer of subsidies to poor people will become very effective.
Positive Pay System
The concept of Positive Pay involves a process of reconfirming key details of large-value cheques.
Put simply, cheques will be processed for payment by the drawee bank based on information passed on by its customer at the time of issuance of the cheque.
When the beneficiary submits the cheque for encashment, the cheque details are compared with the details provided to the drawee bank through Positive Pay.
If the details match, the cheque is honoured. In case of mismatch in cheque details, the discrepancy is flagged by CTS to the drawee bank and the presenting bank, which would take redress measures.
For cheques above 50k
The banks are advised to enable it for all account-holders issuing cheques for amounts of ₹50,000 and above.
While availing of this facility is at the discretion of the account-holder, banks may consider making it mandatory in case of cheques for amounts of ₹5 lakh and above, the RBI had said.
Benefits of the system
Under the Positive Pay system, the drawee bank is already aware of the issuer the details of the high-value cheque (above ₹50,000) he has issued.
Without this intimation, if a cheque gets presented, then the drawee bank can reject payment and examine the case. Positive Pay is going to benefit both the issuer and the beneficiary.
For the issuer, the benefit from this concept is that there cannot be fraudulent cheques encashed out of issuer’s account.
For the beneficiary, the benefit is that the cheques handed out to him will mostly get honoured.
Is Positive Pay the same as ‘certified cheque’?
The concept of ‘certified cheque’ was there long back — about 30 years back, long before technology swept across the Indian banking landscape.
Whenever anybody issued a cheque, banks used to certify that money is there in their customer’s bank account and, therefore, the cheque will get honoured.
This provided comfort to a beneficiary that cheque payment will get honoured and therefore did not insist on a pay order or demand draft.
Drawee banks used to earmark the amount in the account of the issuer and then certify the cheque.
This was adopted in an era when the cheque instrument used to travel physically for clearing.
Why need such a system?
The RBI says the Positive Pay system is to augment customer safety in cheque payments and reduce instances of fraud occurring on account of tampering of cheque leaves.
Banks had recently witnessed a rise in frauds involving high-value cheques.
The Visva-Bharati University established by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore has completed its centenary.
Do you remember the scheme of education by Gandhi Ji, called Nai Talim?
Visva-Bharati University
The university was set up by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1921 at Santiniketan, Bolpur in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.
It was founded by Rabindranath Tagore who called it Visva-Bharati, which means the communion of the world with India.
Until independence, it was a college. Soon after independence, the institution was given the status of a central university in 1951 by an act of the Parliament.
Its establishment
The origins of the institution date back to 1863 when Debendranath Tagore was given a tract of land by the zamindar of Raipur, the zamindar of Kirnahar.
He set up an ashram at the spot that has now come to be called chatim tala at the heart of the town.
The ashram was initially called Brahmacharya Ashram, which was later renamed Brahmacharya Vidyalaya.
It was established with a view to encouraging people from all walks of life to come to the spot and meditate.
In 1901 his youngest son Rabindranath Tagore established a co-educational school inside the premises of the ashram.
What makes it special?
Rabindranath Tagore believed in open-air education and had reservations about any teaching done within four walls.
This was due to his belief that walls represent the conditioning of the mind.
Tagore did not have a good opinion about the Western method of education introduced by the British in India; on this subject, Tagore and Gandhiji’s opinion matched.
So he devised a new system of learning in Visva-Bharati. He allowed students to continue their course till the student and his teacher both are satisfied.
At Visva-Bharati, if a course demanded by a student is not available, then the university will design a course and bring teachers for that course.
The university would not be bothered by the consideration of whether there is a demand for the course.
