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Exams आसान है !

04 May 2023

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS

. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains
1.  National Manufacturing Innovation Survey Prelims & Mains
2.  Gig Economy Prelims & Mains
3.  Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Bill Prelims & Mains
4.  Hate Speech Prelims & Mains

1 – National Manufacturing Innovation Survey: GS II – Government Policies and Interventions:

Context:

  • The “National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) 2021-22: Summary for Policymakers” report was released by the Department of Science and Technology in India in an effort to increase the competitiveness of Indian manufacturing and increase its GDP contribution.

Information:

  • The National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) 2021–2022

Done by:

  • In collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
  • evaluation of the innovation performance of Indian manufacturing enterprises.

Components:

  • Information and communication technology (ICT), food and beverage, textiles, pharmaceuticals, automotives, and a study of sectoral systems of innovation (SSI) in these five particular industries.
  • India Manufacturing Innovation Index (IMII)The firm-level study gathered data on a variety of topics for firms, including the innovation process, financial access, resources, and knowledge. These data were then used to create the India Manufacturing Innovation Index (IMII), which comprises 28 states and 6 UTs.

Follow-up:

  • The first DST National Innovation Survey was released in 2011.
  • in the UNIDOUNIDO is a specialist UN agency with offices in Vienna, Austria, and it was established in 1966. India was one of the original UNIDO members.

Situation in the Indian Manufacturing Sector:

  • In India, the manufacturing sector is anticipated to develop at one of the quickest rates, accounting for 16–17% of GDP (the target is 25%).

Important NMIS Survey 2021–2022 Results:

Innovative companies:

  • India has an innovation rate of around 25%.
  • The top-ranked states for innovation (in IMII) are Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, who are followed by Daman & Diu.

State that came last:

  • Northeastern states include Bihar, Assam, and Jharkhand.
  • A barrier is insufficient funding from outside sources.
  • About 40% of the businesses were impacted by this issue.

The triple-helix model’s primary goal:

  • The survey focuses on this model. It discusses the relationships among educational institutions, corporations, governments, and hybrid organisations.

The recommendations from the survey include:

Collaboration (Triple-Helix model emphasis):

  • Create a joint R&D initiative between academic institutions, research bodies, and private sector businesses to encourage collaboration and the sharing of best practises.

Innovation centres:

  • In every state, establish innovation hubs that offer money and training to MSMEs.

Investment:

  • Venture capitalists and angel investors will be encouraged to invest in innovative businesses by removing regulatory barriers and providing tax advantages.

Financing:

  • Establish a government-backed credit system that offers companies low-interest financing for creative projects.

Workforce:

  • Promote STEM education and provide training programmes so that staff members can learn new information about cutting-edge technologies.

Industry 4.0 technologies:

  • Providing financial assistance to enterprises will enable them to upgrade their manufacturing facilities with IoT, AI, and big data analytics.
  • guarding the rights to intellectual propertyEstablish a strong legal system that provides prompt enforcement against copyright, trademark, and patent infringement.

Source The Hindu

2 – Gig Economy: GS III – Indian Economy:

Context:

  • The ongoing delivery strike by Zomato employees who work for Blinkit has once again brought attention to issues with the country’s gig economy.
  • Background: After Blinkit decreased the minimum payment for each delivery from Rs. 25 to Rs. 15, protests broke out.

The gig economy in India:

  • The gig economy would employ almost 23.5 million people by 2029, according to the NITI Aayog.
  • Gig workers are workers who don’t typically have an employer-employee connection. The two types of gig workers are platform workers and non-platform workers.
  • a platform’s employees non-platform staff
  • Platform workers are gig workers that interact with clients using online platforms or applications that use algorithmic matching. Construction labourers and temporary employees who are not employed by technology corporations are examples of non-platform workers.

Issues faced by gig workers:

  • Gig workers usually lack access to basic employment rights like minimum wages since the gig economy differs from traditional, full-time employment.
  • Overtime pay.
  • A legally necessary method of resolving disputes between employers and employees.
  • Should gig workers be categorised as “employees” or “independent contractors”?
  • It relies on the employer’s level of management and control, as well as how fully the employee is incorporated into the company.
  • Employees in India are entitled to a variety of perks under the Minimum Wages Act of 1948, the EPF Act of 1952, and the Payment of Bonus Act of 1965.
  • Contract workers are covered by the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act of 1970, just like employees, and they are also entitled to EPF benefits.
  • However, gig workers display characteristics of both employees and independent contractors and are not protected by statutory benefits as a result.

What does the proposed gig economy law entail?

  • The National Commission on Labour’s recommendation to consolidate national labour law led the Ministry of Labour and Employment to propose the Code on Social Security 2020.

Important provisions of the 2020 Social Security Code include:

  • It introduces gig workers to the realm of employment laws for the first time.
  • It distinguishes between these people and employees.
  • It requires that the federal and state governments create suitable social security policies for gig workers.
  • A social security fund for gig workers will receive the 1-2% of annual earnings that gig companies are required to contribute. This fund will be used for the aforementioned projects.
  • Additionally, in order to be eligible for benefits under these programmes, all gig workers must register.
  • It also requests that a National Social Security Board be established by the Central Government to supervise the implementation of such policies.

Concerns:

  • Among the four new labour regulations that have been presented, only the Code on Social Security makes reference to gig work.
  • As a result, they are unable to create unions that are officially recognised or to secure a national minimum wage that is applicable to all work categories.
  • The terms “wage workers” or “unorganised workers” do not apply to gig workers.
  • Additionally, gig workers are still not permitted to sue their employers through the specialised dispute resolution process.
  • In addition, they are denied the ability to engage in collective bargaining, which is a fundamental component of modern labour law.
  • All of the aforementioned deeds constitute forced labour as described in Article 23 and violate their fundamental rights as outlined in Articles 14 and 21.
  • Can a judge intervene in this matter? A petition demanding that gig workers or platform employees be classified as “unorganised workers” is currently pending before the Indian Supreme Court in order for them to be protected by the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008.

Prime suggestions:

  • In 2021, the UK Supreme Court declared Uber drivers to be “workers” under the UK Employment Rights Act 1996.
  • Gig workers are entitled to equal pay and treatment under the German Temporary Employment Act.
  • Singapore has additionally proposed changing the law to include these workers in the pension and work injury insurance programmes.

Plans for India’s future:

  • The labour codes need to go into force immediately.
  • For this, state governments should establish regulations as soon as is practical.

Source The Hindu

3 – Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Bill: GS II – Government Policies and Interventions:

Context:

  • The Rajasthan Platform-based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023, which creates a welfare board, is a first step towards ensuring the welfare of gig workers.
  • Because gig workers are not regarded as “workers” and do not receive social security or other benefits, working conditions have gotten worse.

Source The Hindu

4 – Hate Speech: GS I – Indian Society:

  • In the event of incidents of hate speech, the Supreme Court of India has instructed all states to submit First Information Reports (FIRs) and take appropriate action against the offenders without first waiting for a complaint.

In relation to Hate Speech:

Definition:

  • an incitement to violence that is specifically made against a group of persons who can be recognised by their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or other traits.

Forms:

  • Expression can take the shape of words, images, drawings, objects, gestures, and symbols, which can all be communicated offline as well as online.

The scenario in India right now is:

  • In India, there is no established definition of hate speech. On the other hand, remarks or words that could cause difficulties or suggest a threat to national integration are covered by IPC, 1860 sections like 153A, 153B, 298, and others.

Legislation:

  • The Law Commission of India has proposed two new sections, Section 153C and Section 505A, to the Indian Penal Code in order to specifically criminalise hate speech.

Growth in Cases:

  • The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals a dramatic increase in incidents that are thought to be promoting xenophobia and hate speech in society. In 2014, there were just 323 cases documented; by 2020, there were 1,804 cases.

Punishment:

  • The punishment for hate speech is not specified by Indian law. The Supreme Court, however, has determined that statutes prohibiting hate speech are intended to uphold equality and fight prejudice.

Hate Speech vs. Blasphemy:

  • In contrast to the goals of democratic countries, laws against blasphemy ban discussing religion, but laws against hate speech aim to end prejudice and ensure equality. A fine and/or up to three years in prison are the possible penalties under Section 295(A) of the IPC for any speech, writing, or sign that disparages a person’s religion or religious beliefs.

Source The Hindu

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