Today's Headlines - 29 July 2023
Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 passed
GS Paper - 2 (Polity)
Rajya Sabha passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which cracks down on film piracy along with changing how movies are certified by the censor board. The Bill lays down a three-year jail term and a fine of up to 5% of a movie’s production cost for those making its pirated copies.
More about the amended Bill
It introduces three certifications under the ‘UA’ category, UA 7+, UA 13+ and UA 16+, which means that children younger than the given age limits can access such movies with parental guidance.
It also empowers the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to give separate certificates for a film’s exhibition on television or other media.
As the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 stipulates that only UA category films can be shown on TV, the Bill allows for a change of category of a film from A (adult) or S (specialised groups) to UA, after making suitable alterations.
While the earlier Act provided that the certificate issued by the CBFC is valid for 10 years, it would now be valid perpetually.
The new Bill clarifies that the Centre will not have any revisional powers over CBFC certificates.
Recording or helping a person record any film that is being exhibited at a cinema theatre using audio-visual devices has been prohibited under the Bill. The film industry is facing a loss of Rs 20,000 crore annually because of piracy.
While inserting new clauses for piracy, the Bill aims to harmonise the Cinematograph Act with the existing laws that tangentially address piracy — the Copyright Act, 1957 and the Information Technology Act (IT) 2000.
The background
The Cinematograph Act, 1952 needed to be amended due to several reasons — to harmonise the law with various executive orders, Supreme Court judgements, and other legislations; to improve the procedure for licensing films for public exhibition by the CBFC; and to expand the scope of categorisations for certification.
Lastly and importantly, there was a huge demand from the film industry to address the issue of unauthorised recording and exhibition of films and curb the menace of piracy, which is causing them huge losses.
The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 12 February 2019, proposing changes related only to film piracy.
This Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Information Technology, which presented its report in March 2020.
The recommendations by the panel included age-based categories of certification and the removal of redundant provisions. So, the revised Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was released on 18 June 2021, seeking public comments.
In 2022, consultations with industry stakeholders were held based on which the Ministry introduced the 2023 Bill.
Interestingly, with the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, all special provisions in central laws related to the erstwhile state have become redundant. Thus, the special reference to J&K in the Act has been omitted in the 2023 Bill.
#upsc #news #todayheadline #cinematograph #polity #rajyasabha #bill #cable #television #CBFC #theatre #audio #harmonise #technology #jammu #kashmir #industry
Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 passed
GS Paper - 2 (Polity)
Rajya Sabha passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which cracks down on film piracy along with changing how movies are certified by the censor board. The Bill lays down a three-year jail term and a fine of up to 5% of a movie’s production cost for those making its pirated copies.
More about the amended Bill
It introduces three certifications under the ‘UA’ category, UA 7+, UA 13+ and UA 16+, which means that children younger than the given age limits can access such movies with parental guidance.
It also empowers the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to give separate certificates for a film’s exhibition on television or other media.
As the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 stipulates that only UA category films can be shown on TV, the Bill allows for a change of category of a film from A (adult) or S (specialised groups) to UA, after making suitable alterations.
While the earlier Act provided that the certificate issued by the CBFC is valid for 10 years, it would now be valid perpetually.
The new Bill clarifies that the Centre will not have any revisional powers over CBFC certificates.
Recording or helping a person record any film that is being exhibited at a cinema theatre using audio-visual devices has been prohibited under the Bill. The film industry is facing a loss of Rs 20,000 crore annually because of piracy.
While inserting new clauses for piracy, the Bill aims to harmonise the Cinematograph Act with the existing laws that tangentially address piracy — the Copyright Act, 1957 and the Information Technology Act (IT) 2000.
The background
The Cinematograph Act, 1952 needed to be amended due to several reasons — to harmonise the law with various executive orders, Supreme Court judgements, and other legislations; to improve the procedure for licensing films for public exhibition by the CBFC; and to expand the scope of categorisations for certification.
Lastly and importantly, there was a huge demand from the film industry to address the issue of unauthorised recording and exhibition of films and curb the menace of piracy, which is causing them huge losses.
The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 12 February 2019, proposing changes related only to film piracy.
This Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Information Technology, which presented its report in March 2020.
The recommendations by the panel included age-based categories of certification and the removal of redundant provisions. So, the revised Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was released on 18 June 2021, seeking public comments.
In 2022, consultations with industry stakeholders were held based on which the Ministry introduced the 2023 Bill.
Interestingly, with the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, all special provisions in central laws related to the erstwhile state have become redundant. Thus, the special reference to J&K in the Act has been omitted in the 2023 Bill.
#upsc #news #todayheadline #cinematograph #polity #rajyasabha #bill #cable #television #CBFC #theatre #audio #harmonise #technology #jammu #kashmir #industry
Today's Headlines - 29 July 2023
Jan Vishwas Bill passed
GS Paper - 3 (Economy)
The Lok Sabha on 27 July 2023 approved the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023, to enhance ease of doing business, decrease compliance burden for individuals and industry, and alleviate judicial load by decriminalising minor economic offences.
More about the Bill
Spearheaded by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Bill proposes to revise 183 provisions across 42 laws under 19 government ministries.
At present, existing laws contain clauses for imprisonment for minor and procedural defaults, as well as lesser fines and penalties.
This resulted in fear and mistrust towards the government. The intended changes of this proposed law aim to avoid unnecessary imprisonments and impose higher penalties and fines where necessary.
According to the Bill, offences will be decriminalised by either eliminating both imprisonment and/or fine; removing imprisonment while retaining or increasing fines; or changing imprisonment and/or fine to penalties.
Conversion of fines and penalties implies that court prosecution can be bypassed for punishment.
The government over the past nine years removed roughly 40,000 provisions and procedures, which had the potential to create problems for people.
#upsc #news #todayheadline #janvishwas #bill #loksabha #business #industry #alleviate #judicial #economy #DPITI #department #promotion #internal #trade #laws #government #potentional #conversion
Jan Vishwas Bill passed
GS Paper - 3 (Economy)
The Lok Sabha on 27 July 2023 approved the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023, to enhance ease of doing business, decrease compliance burden for individuals and industry, and alleviate judicial load by decriminalising minor economic offences.
More about the Bill
Spearheaded by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Bill proposes to revise 183 provisions across 42 laws under 19 government ministries.
At present, existing laws contain clauses for imprisonment for minor and procedural defaults, as well as lesser fines and penalties.
This resulted in fear and mistrust towards the government. The intended changes of this proposed law aim to avoid unnecessary imprisonments and impose higher penalties and fines where necessary.
According to the Bill, offences will be decriminalised by either eliminating both imprisonment and/or fine; removing imprisonment while retaining or increasing fines; or changing imprisonment and/or fine to penalties.
Conversion of fines and penalties implies that court prosecution can be bypassed for punishment.
The government over the past nine years removed roughly 40,000 provisions and procedures, which had the potential to create problems for people.
#upsc #news #todayheadline #janvishwas #bill #loksabha #business #industry #alleviate #judicial #economy #DPITI #department #promotion #internal #trade #laws #government #potentional #conversion
#upsc #news #headline #private #rockets #3D #printed #engines #emerging #technology #chennai #spacetech #agnikul #cosmos #rocket #developed #launchpad #flight #suborbital #company #hyderabad #skyroot #indian #commence #integration #aerospace #vikram #privatespace #industry #vehicle #agnilet #agnibaan #LEO #payloads #earth #orbit #diameter #mass #cryogenic #supercold #kerosene #dhawan #superalloy #globally #economy #indiannationalspacepromation #authorisationcenter #satellite #market #research #ISRO #NASA #scientificmisssion
Today's Headlines - 29 August 2023
Water shortages reduce from wastewater
GS Paper - 3 (Environment)
Europe has experienced severe heat and drought over the last few summers, and 2023 has been no different. Vast swathes of Central and Southern Europe are simply too dry from a lack of rainfall. Human-induced climate change has led to more heat waves and drought and is one reason for Europe’s growing water crisis. At the same time, demand for the resource is growing, with industry and agriculture extracting more water from the ground, rivers and lakes than can be replenished.
Who uses the most water?
Industry uses half of Europe’s water resources, while a further 40% is hoovered up by agriculture and 10% by households.
In the European Union, water scarcity impacts 11% of all citizens. Falling water supplies can lead to households facing use restrictions. But the problem also impacts the energy sector.
In 2022, French authorities had to switch off some nuclear power plants because river water used for cooling them was too warm.
Last year, the dry summer also reduced hydropower in Norway. Farmers, though, who use large amounts of water for crop irrigation, are also hard hit by water shortages and drought.
Could using industry wastewater help farmers?
One solution for agriculture could be to use more treated industrial and domestic wastewater for irrigation and protect valuable freshwater supplies. Six times more waste water could be reused across the EU than current levels.
Freshwater resources are scarce and increasingly under pressure. In times of unprecedented temperature peaks, we need to stop wasting water and use this resource more efficiently.
New EU regulations on minimum requirements for water reuse for agricultural irrigation came into force this summer.
The regulations stipulate that EU member states must process communal and industrial wastewater so it can be used by farmers.
Processing and reusing water could replace a fifth of irrigation that currently uses groundwater in Spain and Portugal, said the European Commission.
In France, Italy and Greece, it could be as much as 45%. Wastewater could cover all irrigation needs in EU countries with smaller agricultural sectors.
Leaky pipes lead to massive water waste
One way to save water that is often overlooked is maintaining the pipes that shuttle the resource to homes and businesses.
On average, a quarter of the EU’s freshwater is lost during transport to taps because of leaks and broken pipes.
Currently, countries most affected by drought and a lack of rain — such as Spain, Italy and Bulgaria — invest the least amount of money per citizen to fix leaky water infrastructure.
#upsc #headline #news #watershortages #wastewater #enviroment #europe #vast #swathes #watercrisis #resource #industry #agriculture #scarcity #nuclear #powerplant #riverwater #farmers #frenchauthorities #scarce #temperature #wastingwater #spain #portugal #european #commission #france #italy #greece #wasterwater #sectors #leaky #pipes #massivewaste #bulgaria
Water shortages reduce from wastewater
GS Paper - 3 (Environment)
Europe has experienced severe heat and drought over the last few summers, and 2023 has been no different. Vast swathes of Central and Southern Europe are simply too dry from a lack of rainfall. Human-induced climate change has led to more heat waves and drought and is one reason for Europe’s growing water crisis. At the same time, demand for the resource is growing, with industry and agriculture extracting more water from the ground, rivers and lakes than can be replenished.
Who uses the most water?
Industry uses half of Europe’s water resources, while a further 40% is hoovered up by agriculture and 10% by households.
In the European Union, water scarcity impacts 11% of all citizens. Falling water supplies can lead to households facing use restrictions. But the problem also impacts the energy sector.
In 2022, French authorities had to switch off some nuclear power plants because river water used for cooling them was too warm.
Last year, the dry summer also reduced hydropower in Norway. Farmers, though, who use large amounts of water for crop irrigation, are also hard hit by water shortages and drought.
Could using industry wastewater help farmers?
One solution for agriculture could be to use more treated industrial and domestic wastewater for irrigation and protect valuable freshwater supplies. Six times more waste water could be reused across the EU than current levels.
Freshwater resources are scarce and increasingly under pressure. In times of unprecedented temperature peaks, we need to stop wasting water and use this resource more efficiently.
New EU regulations on minimum requirements for water reuse for agricultural irrigation came into force this summer.
The regulations stipulate that EU member states must process communal and industrial wastewater so it can be used by farmers.
Processing and reusing water could replace a fifth of irrigation that currently uses groundwater in Spain and Portugal, said the European Commission.
In France, Italy and Greece, it could be as much as 45%. Wastewater could cover all irrigation needs in EU countries with smaller agricultural sectors.
Leaky pipes lead to massive water waste
One way to save water that is often overlooked is maintaining the pipes that shuttle the resource to homes and businesses.
On average, a quarter of the EU’s freshwater is lost during transport to taps because of leaks and broken pipes.
Currently, countries most affected by drought and a lack of rain — such as Spain, Italy and Bulgaria — invest the least amount of money per citizen to fix leaky water infrastructure.
#upsc #headline #news #watershortages #wastewater #enviroment #europe #vast #swathes #watercrisis #resource #industry #agriculture #scarcity #nuclear #powerplant #riverwater #farmers #frenchauthorities #scarce #temperature #wastingwater #spain #portugal #european #commission #france #italy #greece #wasterwater #sectors #leaky #pipes #massivewaste #bulgaria
Today's Headlines - 06 September 2023
Your personal data online
GS Paper - 3 (ITC)
Recently, India notified its personal data protection framework as a law, signalling the beginning of a new era of privacy legislation in the country. Provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 will come in force in a few months, after the Centre has allowed enough transition time to the industry, with users of these platforms — you — experiencing several new notices and rights, as prescribed in the law.
When can an entity process your personal data?
There are broadly two circumstances under which entities — both government and private — can process an individual’s personal data: (i) There has to be clear consent for such processing; and (ii) for certain “legitimate uses”.
When an entity is processing your personal data for which you have consented, it has to be accompanied by a notice, which is to be made available in all 22 languages of Schedule 8 of the Constitution.
You can directly consent to businesses, and the government can process your personal data, or alternatively use a consent manager.
What happens to your personal data that was collected before this law came into existence?
Any entity that has collected a person’s personal data before the Act came into being should give her a notice about the personal data in its possession “as soon as it is reasonably practicable”.
The notice should include:
The personal data an entity is processing and the purpose for such processing;
The way in which a user can withdraw their consent;
The means of grievance redressal
However, the contents of this notice have been significantly diluted from previous iterations of the many data protection Bill drafts in the last five years.
For instance, the Act doesn’t require companies to state the duration for which they will store personal data, if it will be shared with third-parties, and if it will be sent to a foreign jurisdiction.
There are exemptions to consent requirements as well:
The Act says that the government can exempt itself and its instrumentalities from adhering to any and all provisions of the law that relate to processing of personal data.
Will your rights be restricted in any way?
Broadly, there are three major roadblocks that impose restrictions, or limit the rights prescribed in the provisions of the law from applying to individuals. These are as follows:
Government exemptions: In the interest of national security, friendly relations with other governments and public order among others, many of the provisions of the Act, including rights afforded to citizens will no longer be applicable.
The way we have prepared the law, it has adequate safeguards for citizens. A lot of the fear against the government’s power comes from citizens’ experience with previous governments. But that is not the case today. People have a lot of trust in our government, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
Processing of data for legitimate uses: Neither the government nor private companies need to seek informed consent from citizens for certain legitimate uses.
For the government, this includes processing personal data for offering subsidies and certificates, responding to a medical emergency, for national security, and during natural disasters.
Private entities can assume consent when an individual has not expressly denied her consent.
#upsc #news #headline #personaldata #online #ITC #protection #industry #rights #legitimateuses #Constitution #grievance #redressal #duration #instrumentalities #roadblocks #ITMinister #AshwiniVaishnaw #subsidies #medicalemergency #disasters #safeguards #online
Your personal data online
GS Paper - 3 (ITC)
Recently, India notified its personal data protection framework as a law, signalling the beginning of a new era of privacy legislation in the country. Provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 will come in force in a few months, after the Centre has allowed enough transition time to the industry, with users of these platforms — you — experiencing several new notices and rights, as prescribed in the law.
When can an entity process your personal data?
There are broadly two circumstances under which entities — both government and private — can process an individual’s personal data: (i) There has to be clear consent for such processing; and (ii) for certain “legitimate uses”.
When an entity is processing your personal data for which you have consented, it has to be accompanied by a notice, which is to be made available in all 22 languages of Schedule 8 of the Constitution.
You can directly consent to businesses, and the government can process your personal data, or alternatively use a consent manager.
What happens to your personal data that was collected before this law came into existence?
Any entity that has collected a person’s personal data before the Act came into being should give her a notice about the personal data in its possession “as soon as it is reasonably practicable”.
The notice should include:
The personal data an entity is processing and the purpose for such processing;
The way in which a user can withdraw their consent;
The means of grievance redressal
However, the contents of this notice have been significantly diluted from previous iterations of the many data protection Bill drafts in the last five years.
For instance, the Act doesn’t require companies to state the duration for which they will store personal data, if it will be shared with third-parties, and if it will be sent to a foreign jurisdiction.
There are exemptions to consent requirements as well:
The Act says that the government can exempt itself and its instrumentalities from adhering to any and all provisions of the law that relate to processing of personal data.
Will your rights be restricted in any way?
Broadly, there are three major roadblocks that impose restrictions, or limit the rights prescribed in the provisions of the law from applying to individuals. These are as follows:
Government exemptions: In the interest of national security, friendly relations with other governments and public order among others, many of the provisions of the Act, including rights afforded to citizens will no longer be applicable.
The way we have prepared the law, it has adequate safeguards for citizens. A lot of the fear against the government’s power comes from citizens’ experience with previous governments. But that is not the case today. People have a lot of trust in our government, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
Processing of data for legitimate uses: Neither the government nor private companies need to seek informed consent from citizens for certain legitimate uses.
For the government, this includes processing personal data for offering subsidies and certificates, responding to a medical emergency, for national security, and during natural disasters.
Private entities can assume consent when an individual has not expressly denied her consent.
#upsc #news #headline #personaldata #online #ITC #protection #industry #rights #legitimateuses #Constitution #grievance #redressal #duration #instrumentalities #roadblocks #ITMinister #AshwiniVaishnaw #subsidies #medicalemergency #disasters #safeguards #online
Today's Headlines - 10 September 2023
Self Regulatory Organisation for fintechs
GS Paper - 3 (Economy)
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has asked fintech entities to form a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO). An SRO can help in establishing codes of conduct for its members that foster transparency, fair competition, and consumer protection. It can act as a watchdog and encourage members to adopt responsible and ethical practices. It can provide a link between the regulator and market participants through a less formal set-up.
What is an SRO?
An SRO is a non-governmental organisation that sets and enforces rules and standards relating to the conduct of entities in the industry (members) with the aim of protecting the customer and promoting ethics, equality, and professionalism. SROs typically collaborate with all stakeholders in framing rules and regulations.
Their self-regulatory processes are administered through impartial mechanisms such that members operate in a disciplined environment and accept penal actions by the SRO.
An SRO is expected to address concerns beyond the narrow self-interests of the industry, such as to protect workers, customers or other participants in the ecosystem.
Regulations, standards, and dispute resolution and enforcement by an SRO get legitimacy not just by mutual agreement of its members, but also by the efficiency with which self-regulation is perceived to be administered.
Such regulations supplement, but do not replace, applicable laws or regulations, according to the Reserve Bank of India.
What is the need for an SRO?
As regulators continue to contemplate, implement, and refine regulations for the orderly development of the fintech sector, SROs could play a pivotal role in the fintech industry by promoting responsible practices and maintaining ethical standards.
There have been many instances where a few fintech players were involved in unethical practices such as charging exorbitant higher interest rates and harassment of borrowers for recovering loans.
What are the benefits of an SRO?
SROs are widely considered experts in their fields and so have in-depth knowledge of the markets they operate in. This is helpful to their members as they can be called in to participate in deliberations and learn more about the nuances of the industry.
Formation of SROs ensures member organisations follow a certain standard of conduct that helps promote ethical ways of doing business, which can lead to enhanced confidence in the ecosystem.
They can serve as a watchdog to guard against unprofessional practices within an industry or profession.
What are the functions of an SRO?
The recognised SRO will serve as a two-way communication channel between its members and the RBI.
It will work towards establishing minimum benchmarks and standards and help instil professional and healthy market behaviour among its members.
SROs will impart training to the staff of its members and others and will conduct awareness programmes. It will establish a uniform grievance redressal and dispute management framework across its members.
#upsc #news #headline #self #regulatory #fintechs #Economy #RBI #shaktkantaidas #organisation #consumer #protection #watchdog #ethical #regulator #link #SRO #enforces #rules #stakeholders #mechanisms #industry #workers #resolution #dispute #laws #supplement #india #sector #grievance
Self Regulatory Organisation for fintechs
GS Paper - 3 (Economy)
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has asked fintech entities to form a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO). An SRO can help in establishing codes of conduct for its members that foster transparency, fair competition, and consumer protection. It can act as a watchdog and encourage members to adopt responsible and ethical practices. It can provide a link between the regulator and market participants through a less formal set-up.
What is an SRO?
An SRO is a non-governmental organisation that sets and enforces rules and standards relating to the conduct of entities in the industry (members) with the aim of protecting the customer and promoting ethics, equality, and professionalism. SROs typically collaborate with all stakeholders in framing rules and regulations.
Their self-regulatory processes are administered through impartial mechanisms such that members operate in a disciplined environment and accept penal actions by the SRO.
An SRO is expected to address concerns beyond the narrow self-interests of the industry, such as to protect workers, customers or other participants in the ecosystem.
Regulations, standards, and dispute resolution and enforcement by an SRO get legitimacy not just by mutual agreement of its members, but also by the efficiency with which self-regulation is perceived to be administered.
Such regulations supplement, but do not replace, applicable laws or regulations, according to the Reserve Bank of India.
What is the need for an SRO?
As regulators continue to contemplate, implement, and refine regulations for the orderly development of the fintech sector, SROs could play a pivotal role in the fintech industry by promoting responsible practices and maintaining ethical standards.
There have been many instances where a few fintech players were involved in unethical practices such as charging exorbitant higher interest rates and harassment of borrowers for recovering loans.
What are the benefits of an SRO?
SROs are widely considered experts in their fields and so have in-depth knowledge of the markets they operate in. This is helpful to their members as they can be called in to participate in deliberations and learn more about the nuances of the industry.
Formation of SROs ensures member organisations follow a certain standard of conduct that helps promote ethical ways of doing business, which can lead to enhanced confidence in the ecosystem.
They can serve as a watchdog to guard against unprofessional practices within an industry or profession.
What are the functions of an SRO?
The recognised SRO will serve as a two-way communication channel between its members and the RBI.
It will work towards establishing minimum benchmarks and standards and help instil professional and healthy market behaviour among its members.
SROs will impart training to the staff of its members and others and will conduct awareness programmes. It will establish a uniform grievance redressal and dispute management framework across its members.
#upsc #news #headline #self #regulatory #fintechs #Economy #RBI #shaktkantaidas #organisation #consumer #protection #watchdog #ethical #regulator #link #SRO #enforces #rules #stakeholders #mechanisms #industry #workers #resolution #dispute #laws #supplement #india #sector #grievance