[Newsbits] 21+22+23.12.2023: UPI Lite X, Paat-Mitro App, Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) & More

UPI Lite X is a revolutionary payment system launched by the Reserve Bank of India at the Global Fintech Fest 2023. It’s designed to facilitate offline money transactions in areas with poor network coverage. This system, which operates using Near Field Communication (NFC), allows users to transfer money without an internet connection and a bank account. UPI Lite X stands out by enabling faster, low-value transactions (below Rs 500 without UPI PIN, with a daily limit of Rs 4,000 and a wallet balance limit of Rs 2,000) and broadens financial access to a larger demographic. It’s a part of a suite of new UPI-related products aimed at enhancing digital payments in India.

Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are unique atmospheric phenomena occurring at high altitudes in the polar stratosphere, particularly during the extreme cold of polar winters. These clouds, observable during civil twilight, are classified into two main types: Type I, composed of water, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid, and Type II, consisting only of water ice. Type I PSCs play a crucial role in ozone depletion by facilitating the conversion of benign forms of chlorine into reactive, ozone-destroying radicals and removing nitrogen compounds that would otherwise moderate this destructive effect. PSCs also influence climate, particularly polar warming, by trapping heat similarly to greenhouse gases. Their formation and behavior have significant implications for climate modeling, offering insights into past climate conditions and future projections. Their impact highlights the intricate connections between atmospheric phenomena, climate change, and environmental health.

The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, a collaborative effort between the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India, represents a major advancement in malaria prevention. Recently receiving WHO prequalification, it is now one step closer to being widely deployed, particularly in regions with high malaria transmission. The vaccine has shown high efficacy in preventing malaria in children and is expected to play a crucial role in reducing the global burden of the disease. The Serum Institute of India’s commitment to produce 100 million doses annually, with plans to double this figure, underscores the vaccine’s potential for widespread impact. While specific challenges and concerns related to the vaccine are not fully detailed here, the overall significance of R21/Matrix-M in the fight against malaria is clear, with its affordability and efficacy positioning it as a vital tool in global health.

In simple terms, the Draft Omnibus Framework released by the RBI aims to establish improved standards for self-regulation in the financial sector by recognizing and regulating Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs). These SROs are non-governmental bodies that will create rules to ensure order and ethical practices among businesses and organizations in various sectors. The framework outlines the roles, responsibilities, eligibility criteria, and governance standards for these SROs. It is part of RBI’s effort to enhance regulatory efficiency, foster innovation, and protect stakeholder interests in an increasingly complex and technologically advanced financial landscape.

To summarize, the “Paat-Mitro” app is a significant step towards enhancing the livelihoods of jute farmers in India. Developed by JCI and launched by the Ministry of Textiles, it offers a one-stop solution for these farmers, providing essential information about Minimum Support Prices (MSP), agronomic practices, jute gradation parameters, and more. The app also features a chatbot for real-time assistance and allows farmers to track the status of their payments, promoting transparency and ease of access. Available in six languages and free of cost, this app is tailored to meet the needs of India’s vast jute farming community.

To summarize, the CCI’s draft regulations on turnover determination are pivotal in shaping the penalty framework for anti-competitive practices. By shifting to a ‘global turnover’ basis for penalties, the CCI aims to strengthen its deterrent capabilities. However, this approach has raised concerns about disproportionate financial implications, especially for multinational companies and enterprises with a global presence. The CCI is currently soliciting public feedback to refine these regulations, indicating an effort to balance effective deterrence with fairness and practicality in enforcement.

To summarize, the definition of a ‘child’ in Indian laws varies across different acts, each tailored to its specific context and objectives. This variance ranges from under 14 years in labor-related laws to under 18 years in juvenile justice and sexual offenses laws, with special provisions in laws concerning education and marriage. While these diverse definitions aim to cater to the unique needs of different age groups, they also create challenges in implementing child protection uniformly, leading to potential loopholes and inconsistencies in safeguarding children’s rights. The way forward suggests a harmonized definition of ‘child’ across all legislations to ensure coherent and effective child protection measures.

The UK Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in December 2023, in the case of “Thaler v Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks [2023],” established that under the Patents Act 1977, an “inventor” must be a natural person, not artificial intelligence (AI). Dr. Stephen Thaler’s attempt to register patents for inventions claimed to be created by his AI system, DABUS, was rejected. The Court maintained that the legal definition of an inventor could not extend to machines or AI. This ruling aligns with similar decisions in other jurisdictions and marks a significant development in the AI landscape, particularly considering the evolving AI regulations in the EU and the AI Safety Summit. The case underscores the current legal framework’s limitations in accommodating the growing role of AI in innovation.

The Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) Scheme, operational since January 2021 and extended until December 31, 2025, aims to subsidize the deployment of Points of Sale (PoS) infrastructure across India, particularly in underserved areas like tier-3 to tier-6 centres and the northeastern states. It has been expanded to include beneficiaries of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi in tier-1 and tier-2 centres, with the Reserve Bank of India, card networks, and banks contributing to its corpus. The scheme’s modification in 2022 to enhance subsidy amounts and simplify the subsidy claim process reflects its commitment to boosting digital transaction facilities and financial inclusion, especially at the grassroots level.

The Election Commission of India’s guidelines for ensuring the equal participation of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the electoral process focus on promoting respectful and inclusive political discourse. These guidelines mandate political parties to avoid derogatory language, ensure disability-sensitive communication, and provide accessible campaign materials. The guidelines are part of the Commission’s effort to uphold the democratic principle of representation for all communities. While they signify progress in inclusivity, implementation challenges persist, such as difficulty accessing polling units and a lack of necessary assistive devices. Despite these challenges, some positive experiences highlight the potential for successful inclusive practices in elections.

The Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) represents a significant advancement in rocket propulsion technology. It utilizes pressure gain combustion, where detonations continuously travel around an annular channel, achieving supersonic flame front expansion. This method is theoretically more efficient than traditional deflagrative combustion, potentially offering up to 25% efficiency gains. In 2023, NASA successfully tested a novel, 3D-printed RDRE, producing over 5,800 pounds of thrust, demonstrating the potential for lightweight propulsion systems for deep space missions. GE Aerospace and GE Research have also shown interest in RDE technology, planning to demonstrate a full-scale hypersonic dual-mode ramjet with RDE in 2024. Furthermore, JAXA achieved a milestone by testing an RDE in space for the first time. This ongoing research and development across various institutions aim to enhance combustor efficiency and performance, significantly benefiting the aerospace sector.

France’s controversial immigration bill, which passed in December 2023, aims to introduce stricter controls on migration. Spearheaded by Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and backed by President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist coalition and conservative lawmakers, the bill has been subject to significant political maneuvering and ideological division. The support from Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, and the opposition within Macron’s own party, including the resignation of a minister, highlight the contentious nature of the legislation.

The bill has undergone various amendments to make it more agreeable to the right, including weakening measures for residency permits and extending the eligibility duration for migrants to access welfare benefits. It also introduces measures such as delaying housing benefits for non-EU migrants, implementing migration quotas, and making it more difficult for immigrants’ children to become French. At the same time, the bill facilitates residency for migrants working in sectors with labor shortages and makes it easier to expel illegal migrants.

Given the controversy and constitutional concerns, the bill has been submitted to the Constitutional Council for review. This body will examine whether the law aligns with the French constitution and decide whether it can be enforced in its current form or requires amendment. The decision is expected within 30 days, marking the next step in the ongoing debate and implementation of this significant piece of legislation in France.

The Leif Erikson Lunar Prize is an annual award presented by the Exploration Museum in Húsavík, Iceland, as part of the Leif Erikson Awards. Named after the Norse explorer Leif Erikson, the awards recognize achievements in exploration and work in the field of exploration history. The Leif Erikson Lunar Prize specifically honors significant accomplishments in lunar exploration. In 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) received this prize for the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved a soft landing near the Moon’s South Pole. The award ceremony, part of the Húsavík Explorers Festival, also includes other categories such as the Leif Erikson Award, the Young Explorer Award, and the Exploration History Award, acknowledging various explorers and organizations for their contributions to space science and exploration history. The winners are selected by the Scientific Committee of the Exploration Museum, emphasizing the global recognition of trailblazing achievements in the realm of space exploration.

The Local Resident of Jharkhand Bill, passed by the Jharkhand Assembly in December 2023, aims to define ‘local resident’ based on land records from 1932 or earlier, including provisions for landless individuals identified by Gram Sabhas. This bill paves the way for 100% reservation for locals in Class-III and Class-IV state government jobs. The bill faced opposition and was returned twice for reconsideration due to constitutional concerns raised by Governor CP Radhakrishnan, particularly regarding potential violations of Articles 14 and 16(A) of the Indian Constitution. Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s government aims to place the bill in the Ninth Schedule to avoid judicial review, despite its controversial nature and similarity to a policy introduced in 2002, which was struck down by the courts. Additionally, the Jharkhand Assembly ratified an amendment bill increasing reservations from 60% to 77%, covering various social categories. The bill now awaits presidential approval and a judicial response to the legal challenges it faces.

The EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum, agreed upon in 2023, marks a significant advancement in the European Union’s approach to managing migration. The pact encompasses several key provisions aimed at establishing a more humane, dignified, and effective system. These include a new solidarity mechanism for sharing asylum applications among EU countries based on various criteria, an expedited border procedure for processing and potentially returning individuals unlikely to win asylum, measures for gathering more accurate data to detect unauthorized movements, the creation of uniform rules for the identification of non-EU nationals to enhance security within the Schengen area, and preparedness for future crisis situations.

Despite these measures, the pact has faced criticism from rights groups concerned about the potential for overcrowded migration camps and the protracted detention of minors. The implementation of the pact, starting from 2024 and expected to take full effect within two years, will involve the formal adoption of these proposals by the European Parliament and Council, followed by the adoption of specific legislative acts. The European Commission will assist member states in implementing the new rules in their national legislation, moving towards long-term and sustainable solutions for migration management in the EU.

The UNODC’s Global Study on Homicide Report 2023 provides a comprehensive analysis of global homicide trends, highlighting the prevalence and patterns of intentional homicides. The report, released in December 2023, shows an average of 52 homicide victims per hour worldwide in 2021, with homicide accounting for more deaths than armed conflict and terrorism combined. It emphasizes the significant role of organized crime in these homicides, particularly in the Americas, and the varied homicide rates across regions, with the Americas and Africa having the highest rates. The study also sheds light on gender disparities in homicide victims and perpetrators, the risks faced by certain groups like human rights defenders, and the future impact of demographic and environmental changes on homicide rates. Significantly, the report includes a special focus on India, noting the rise in homicides related to land and water disputes, exacerbated by factors like population growth and climate change. The study aims to inform evidence-based preventive policies and address the root causes of violence.