12-04-2022

12-APRIL-2022

The Hindu News Analysis – 12th April 2022 – Shankar IAS Academy
S. Page Number*
News Articles
No. C B D H T

1 Landfill: Delhi told to release funds to agencies - - 2 - -

2 In pandemic shock, critical lessons for MSMEs 8 6 8 6 6

3 Bad loan dip to aid bank profitability 14 12 16 12 12

4 TRAI moots up to 40% spectrum price cut 14 12 16 12 12

5 NITI puts out Energy and Climate Index list 12 10 14 10 10

6 Prelims Practice Questions

@ end of the video
7 Mains Practice Question
*C – Chennai; B – Bengaluru; D – Delhi; H – Hyderabad; T – Thiruvananthapuram

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Pg: 2 – D;

Landfill

• Well-engineered and managed facility/land for the disposal of solid waste (municipal solid waste
(MSW)).

• Advantage - keep cities, towns and districts clean.

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• Wastes dumped
• No Landfilling - Biowaste or garden waste,
(i) Non-biodegradable and inert waste
and Dry recyclables.
(residual solid waste).
• Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
(ii)Co-mingled waste or mixed waste - not
suitable for waste processing.  Non-reactive, inert, and pre-treated
waste - disposed.
(iii)pre-processing and post-processing
rejects from waste processing sites.  Disposal of organic matter - not
permitted.
(iv)Non-hazardous waste - not being
processed or recycled.

Issues with landfills

1. Contaminate the environment.

• Contaminants present in waste stream.

• Groundwater contamination - leachate.

• Surface water contamination - runoff.

• Air contamination - gases, litter, dust

and bad odour.

 Landfill gas - product of waste

biodegradation.

2. Spontaneous ignition.

3. Problems due to rodents, pests, bird menace, etc.

4. Slope failure, erosion etc.

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Components of modern landfills:

a) A liner system at the base and sides of the landfill which prevents migration of leachate or gas to the
surrounding soil.
b) A leachate collection and control facility which collects and extracts leachate from within and from the base
of the landfill and then treats the leachate.
c) A gas collection and control facility (optional for small landfills) which collects and extracts gas from within
and from the top of the landfill and then treats it or uses it for energy recovery.
d) A final cover system at the top of the landfill which enhances surface drainage, prevents infiltrating water
and supports surface vegetation.
e) A surface water drainage system which collects and removes all surface runoff from the landfill site.
f) An environmental monitoring system which periodically collects and analyses air, surface water, soil-gas and
ground water samples around the landfill site.
g) A closure and post-closure plan which lists the steps that must be taken to close and secure a landfill site once
the filling operation has been completed and the activities for long-term monitoring, operation and
maintenance of the completed landfill.

Sanitary landfill

• Designed on principle of waste containment & protective contaminants measures.

• Presence of liner system - prevent ground water contamination.

 Liner systems - combination of leachate drainage and collection layers, and barrier layer.

Conclusion

• Objective - to minimize the waste going

to landfills.

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Sanitary Landfill site is not permitted in
which of the following areas?
1. Flood-prone areas
2. Coastal regulation areas
3. Near Ponds
4. Wetlands
5. Critical habitat areas
Select the correct answer from the code
given below.
a) 1, 3 and 4 only
b) 2, 3 and 5 only
c) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Pg: 8 – C, D;
Pg: 6 – B, H, T;

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Part A—Preliminary Examination Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium

Paper I - (200 marks) Enterprises:
 Current events of national and international importance.
• A branch of sGOI.
Part B—Main Examination
PAPER-III • Apex executive body.
General Studies‐ II: Governance, Constitution, Polity,
• For formulation and administration of
Social Justice and International relations.
rules, regulations & laws relating to MSME
 Government policies and interventions for development in
in India.
various sectors and issues arising out of their design and
implementation.
 Development processes and the development industry —
the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations,
donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
 Issues relating to development and management of Social
Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human
Resources.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

• MSMED (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development) Act of 2006.

• Enterprises involved in the processing, production, and preservation of goods and commodities.

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Need for classification

National Board for Micro, Small and
• MSME sector - contributed substantially to Nation’s
Medium Enterprises (NBMSME)
socio-economic development.
• To examine factors affecting
• Generates employment opportunities.
promotion and development of MSME.
• Development of backward and rural areas.
• Reviews existing policies & suggests
recommendations to Govt. • MSME registration process – conceptualised.

• To provide maximum benefits to all types of

enterprises.

 After registration - Benefits offered under MSMED

Act.

 Benefits from Central Government:

 Easy sanction of bank loans.

 Lower rates of interest.

Impacts of COVID-19 on MSMEs • Reasons for a fall in turnover

• Observation of recent study  Restrictions on economic activities and mobilities;

 FY 2020-21 - turnover of around 90%  Decrease in demand & Shortage of raw materials;

of small firms had declined.  Restriction on trade;

 Around 53% of firms - faced more  Slow recovery of markets;

than a 50% decline in their turnover.
 Payment delays and labour shortage.
 Around 29% of firms - reported a
• Major challenges in revival
collapse of their businesses.
 Delayed payment issues & Reduced demand;
 Around 53% - observed a decrease in
demand.  A lack of financial resources;

 Around 36% - faced erratic supply of  Supply chain disruptions;

raw materials.  Increased cost of production;

 Lack of skilled workers & Business uncertainties.

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Government Initiative
• Not all firms – suffered.
• 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ – a special
 Firms - lacking financial planning for
economic package
business uncertainties suffererd.
 To make India independent against tough
 Around 10% of firms - either a rise in
global supply chain competition.
turnover or no change.
 Help empower labourers, poor and
 Quick adaptation to e-commerce platforms.
migrants affected by COVID-19 pandemic.
 Switched to other demanded business
activities.

 Firms exploited opportunity using their own

savings.

 To invest in new opportunities.

Conclusion Practice Question – Mains

• COVID-19 - neither first pandemic nor last. GS-II
Q. “MSME sector is considered the backbone of the
• Develop a mechanism for MSMEs. Indian economy”. Analyse the challenges and
faced by the MSMEs sector in India and suggest
 Government - ‘Uncertainty Corpus Fund
measures to overcome the challenges.
for Small Businesses’.
(250 Words, 15 Marks)
 Fund - to meet financial needs of
small firms - business uncertainties

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Pg: 14 – C;
Pg: 16 – D;
Pg: 12 – B, H, T;

A non performing asset (NPA)

Non-Performing Asset
• is a loan or an advance where;

• Indicator - performance & Bank’s  interest and/ or instalment of principal remains overdue for a period of
more than 90 days in respect of a term loan,
financial health.
 the account remains ‘out of order’ as indicated at paragraph 2.2 below, in
• Non-performing - ceases to generate respect of an Overdraft/Cash Credit (OD/CC),
 the bill remains overdue for a period of more than 90 days in the case of
income for bank.
bills purchased and discounted,

• Overdue - amount not been paid by
due date fixed by bank.
 the instalment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for two crop
seasons for short duration crops,
 the instalment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for one crop
season for long duration crops,
 the amount of liquidity facility remains outstanding for more than 90 days,
in respect of a securitisation transaction undertaken in terms of the
Reserve Bank of India (Securitisation of Standard Assets) Directions, 2021.

 in respect of derivative transactions, the overdue receivables representing

positive mark-to-market value of a derivative contract, if these remain
unpaid for a period of 90 days from the specified due date for payment.
• In case of interest payments, banks should, classify an account as NPA only if
the interest due and charged during any quarter is not serviced fully within 90
days from the end of the quarter.

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Special mention accounts (SMA)

• Recognised by lenders (SCBs, AIFIs, SFBs, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
NBFCs etc.) • Streamlined the insolvency resolution process

• Incipient stress in loan accounts immediately for corporates and individuals. And as well as

on default. unsecured creditors.

• Red flags - unaddressed, becomes NPAs. • Time-bound and optimal recovery for
creditors.

Basis for classification – Principal • 2019-20 - 45.5% recovered under IBC.

SMA or interest payment or any other
Sub-categories amount wholly or partly overdue
between

SMA-0 1-30 days

SMA-1 31-60 days

SMA-2 61-90 days

Practice Question – Prelims

Bad Bank
Q. Consider the following statements with
• Corporate entity. reference to Non-Performing Assets
• Alienates not liquid and risky assets.
(NPA):
1. An asset is classified as ‘Loss Asset’, if it
• Banks and financial institutions or a group of
has remained NPA for more than 12
banks.
months.
• To help banks clean their balance sheets by 2. A Standard Asset should not be an
transferring bad loans. NPA.
• National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd. Which of the above statements is/are
(NARCL) - bad bank. correct?
a) 1 only
 Acquire stressed loan assets - Rs. 2 Lakh
b) 2 only
crore in phases.
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Pg: 14 – C; Pg: 16 – D; Pg: 12 – B, H, T;

Members
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
• Appointed by GOI.
(TRAI)
 A Chairperson
• Established - 20th February 1997.
 Two whole-time members & two part-time
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act,
members.
1997.
• Tenure of Members
• To regulate telecom services -
fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom  3 years or till 65 years.
services.

• Head office - New Delhi. Mission

 To create and nurture conditions for growth

of telecommunications.

 Enable India to play a leading role in

emerging global information society.

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• Amended in 2000.

 Established a Telecommunications Dispute

Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).
Main objectives
 Take over the adjudicatory and disputes
 To provide a fair & transparent policy functions from TRAI.
environment.
 Set up to adjudicate any dispute
 To promote a level playing field and
 Between a licensor and a licensee,
facilitates fair competition.
 Between two or more service providers,
 Directions, orders and regulations issued
- tariff, interconnection and service  Between a service provider and a group of
quality, governance of the Authority. consumers,

 To hear and dispose of appeals against any

direction, decision or order of TRAI.

Practice Questions – Prelims

Q. Which of the following statements with
reference to Telecom Regulatory Authority
of India (TRAI):
1. It is a statutory body.
2. The recommendations made by the
TRAI are not binding on the Central
Government.
Select the correct answer using the code
given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Pg: 12 – C; Pg: 14 – D; Pg: 10 – B, H, T;

State Energy and Climate Index (SECI)  Helping drive affordable, accessible,
efficient and clean energy transition.
• Track efforts made by states and UTs in
climate and energy sector.  Encouraging healthy competition among
the states.
• First of its kind.

• Released by NITI Aayog.

• Assesses and identifies the scope for improving

the performance.

• Help states efficiently manage energy resources.

• Objectives

 Ranking States based on their efforts

towards improving energy access, energy
consumption, energy efficiency, and
safeguarding environment.

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Findings

Country-level analysis.

• Overall score - is 40.6.

• More than half of the states scored higher than all-India score.

State level performance

• Front-runners:

 Highest score (Larger states) - Gujarat.

 Small states - Goa and Tripura.

 UTs - Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli,

Chandigarh, Delhi and Puducherry.

 Delhi - performed well in energy efficiency.

 Scored above all-India average in DISCOM’s

performance.

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• Aspirants:

 Larger states - Chhattisgarh scored the lowest score.

 Did not performed well in clean energy initiatives,

energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and new
initiatives.

 Small states - Arunachal Pradesh.

 All the small states are performing average in

environmental sustainability, and access, affordability &
reliability.

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following pairs:
Indices Released by
1. World Energy – World Economic
Trilemma Index Forum
2. World Energy – World Energy
Transition Index Council
3. Climate Change – Germanwatch
Performance Index
Which of the above pair(s) is/are correctly
matched?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Sanitary Landfill site is not permitted in
which of the following areas?
1. Flood-prone areas
2. Coastal regulation areas
3. Near Ponds
4. Wetlands
5. Critical habitat areas
Select the correct answer from the code
given below.
a) 1, 3 and 4 only
b) 2, 3 and 5 only
c) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements with
reference to Non-Performing Assets
(NPA):
1. An asset is classified as ‘Loss Asset’, if it
has remained NPA for more than 12
months.
2. A Standard Asset should not be an
NPA.
Which of the above statements is/are
correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Practice Questions – Prelims

Q. Which of the following statements with
reference to Telecom Regulatory Authority
of India (TRAI):
1. It is a statutory body.
2. The recommendations made by the
TRAI are not binding on the Central
Government.
Select the correct answer using the code
given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following pairs:
Indices Released by
1. World Energy – World Economic
Trilemma Index Forum
2. World Energy – World Energy
Transition Index Council
3. Climate Change – Germanwatch
Performance Index
Which of the above pair(s) is/are correctly
matched?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Practice Question – Prelims

ANSWERS
Q1. Option (c) - 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
Q2. Option (b) - 2 only
Q3. Option (c) - Both 1 and 2
Q4. Option (c) - 3 only

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Practice Question – Mains

GS-II
Q. “MSME sector is considered the backbone
of the Indian economy”. Analyse the
challenges and faced by the MSMEs sector
in India and suggest measures to overcome
the challenges.
(250 Words, 15 Marks)

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