Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024
Editorials & Articles Analysis – 6th Feb 2024
A critical view of the ‘sanitation miracle’ in rural India.
Introduction
- Sanitation improvement has been a key policy focus in India in the past decade, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 6.
- The Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) aimed to make India Open Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2019.
Progress and Data
- Sanitation coverage improved from 39% in 2014 to 100% in 2019, leading to Phase II of SBM-G.
- Government aims for ODF Plus by 2024-25, with 85% of villages already ODF Plus according to official data.
Usage and Behavioral Patterns
- The construction of toilets does not guarantee usage; NSSO survey revealed various reasons for non-use in 2012.
- Subsequent studies in 2018 and 2020 identified issues such as lack of access to water, collapsed structures, and social norms affecting usage.
Left-Out Households and Unused Toilets
- The National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey (NARSS)- Round-3 (2019-20) identified a gap of 10% between toilet access and usage.
- Left-out households need attention in Phase II, and shortcomings of the previous phase should be addressed.
Economic and Social Factors
- Econometric models show toilet usage depends on economic conditions, education, household size, and social norms.
- Larger household sizes and difficulties in water access reduce toilet usage.
Program Criteria and Synergy
- Phase II lacks criteria for multiple toilets in larger households and does not mandate attached bathrooms.
- Lack of synergy between sanitation programs and other basic needs programs hinders collective behavioral change.
- Social norms, caste hierarchy, and social networks play a crucial role in sanitation behavior and vary across regions.
Conclusion
- Despite significant toilet construction, collective behavioral change is yet to occur, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts and addressing societal challenges in sanitation programs.
- Synergy between various programs and consideration of social networks are crucial for achieving sustainable sanitation goals in India.
Importance of Sanitation in Rural India |
Significance:
Challenges:
Way Forward:
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The road to a healthy democracy
Vision for a Developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047:
- The prospect of elevating India to a developed nation Vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047, its 100th year of Independence is achievable today.
- Quantum leaps in every sector, massive expansion in social and economic infrastructure, boost to entrepreneurship, rural transformation, and increased educational institutions.
Foundations of Viksit Bharat Mission:
- Chandrayaan’s milestone in science and technology.
- Digital public infrastructure, including Aadhaar and UPI, recognized globally.
Healthcare as a Pillar for Development:
- Viksit Bharat Mission emphasizes progress, development, innovation, economic strength, and social prosperity.
- Well-being of citizens and achieving health equity for all as a central focus.
Advantages and Challenges:
- India’s demographic dividend with a young population.
- Potential economic burden and reduced productivity due to prevalent health issues, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
Preventive Healthcare as a Priority:
- Leveraging technological innovations, scientific research, and AI for preventive healthcare.
- Individual empowerment through knowledge of risk factors, genomics data, and personalized prevention plans.
Leading the World in Healthcare:
- Clinical excellence and prowess surpassing global benchmarks.
- Pioneering a patient-centric healthcare model with expanded touchpoints.
- World-class healthcare infrastructure, clinical talent, and globally competitive costs.
- AI and Machine Learning (ML) contributing to a new healthcare model.
- Integration of AI enhancing patient care, accessibility, and quality.
Global Leadership in Medical Value Travel:
- India’s healthcare industry as a global leader in infrastructure, technology, and clinical expertise.
- Emergence as a medical value travel hub, particularly in specialized areas.
- Proton Beam Therapy technology making India a regional leader in cancer treatment.
Pivotal Moment in Healthcare Journey:
- Reimagining the healthcare model to position India globally.
- Strategic role of medical value travel in employment, foreign exchange, and global competency.
- India’s potential as a powerhouse in AI-driven healthcare solutions and a leader in combating non-communicable diseases.
Conclusion:
- In conclusion, India’s pursuit of development hinges on healthcare innovation, AI integration, and global leadership in medical value travel. Embracing these pillars can propel the nation toward a visionary future.
Demography and destiny
More about the news: Demographic Landscape:
- India, being the world’s most populous nation, is undergoing a significant demographic transition.
- Fertility rates have steadily declined, signaling a shift in societal norms towards family planning.
- Despite the demographic challenge, India has managed to integrate population growth with economic development.
- However, adapting to the changes brought by this transformation remains a priority.
Anticipating 2047:
- The workforce composition in 2047 is already determined, with a notable decrease in the younger population and an increase in the older working-age group.
- Preparing the middle-aged workforce for the demands of a technologically-driven economy requires strategic investments in continuous skill development, emphasizing on-the-job training beyond formal education.
Regional Disparities:
- Demographic changes will not be uniform across all states.
- States with earlier fertility declines, like southern states, will experience more visible population aging.
- The dependency burden on states traditionally considered demographic laggards, such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, will play a crucial role.
- The challenge lies in investing in these states to ensure the well-being of both the elderly and children.
Empowering Women in the Workforce:
- As fertility declines, the burden of childcare for women diminishes. However, this freed-up time has not translated into increased women’s workforce participation.
- Creating a welcoming labor market for women is crucial.
- Improving childcare availability, possibly through innovative combinations of existing schemes, can turn the demographic dividend into a gender dividend.
Sustaining the Elderly Population:
- With a rising number of elderly individuals and a declining number of children to care for them, policies need to enhance the self-sustainability of the older population.
- This could involve increasing the retirement age, improving pension schemes, and facilitating the sale of land or homes owned by the elderly.
Learning from Global Experiences:
- The discourse on population control in India has historically been dominated by fears of explosion.
- Learning from China’s experiences, where aggressive one-child policies led to economic challenges, suggests that India should refrain from panicked reactions and allow fertility decline to occur naturally.
Multifaceted Challenges:
- Addressing these complex challenges requires a collaborative effort from demographers, economists, sociologists, and public policy experts.
- The proposed high-powered committee, in conjunction with the 16th Finance Commission, aims to evaluate the challenges posed by demographic transformation and guide government spending priorities.
- This approach reflects a nuanced understanding of the demographic shift, moving away from past coercive measures toward adapting with grace.
What is the Significance of Population Growth? |
Better Human Capital:
Better economic growth:
High Working Age Population:
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Gated communities of mind
More about the news: The Fallacy of Selective Development:
- Experts advocate for selective development, emphasizing overinvestment in a few institutions to enhance their global rankings.
- However, this approach raises doubts about the effectiveness of creating isolated centers of excellence without addressing the broader educational landscape.
- The “percolation theory” is criticized, highlighting the gated community nature of this meritocracy.
Contrasting Strategies with China:
- While the experts commend China’s strategy for high university rankings, the analysis suggests that India should focus on improving effective school education for its entire population.
- China’s success in global university rankings is attributed to its widespread access to quality schooling, a feature notably absent in India, as corroborated by the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER).
Challenges at the School Level:
- The article questions the feasibility of selective upgrading even at the school level, emphasizing that the existence of a large, exclusive, and well-funded private sector has not led to widespread educational reform.
- The National Education Policy’s emphasis on meaningful school education for all is criticized for not effectively addressing the challenges at the grassroots level.
Flaws in Competitive Examinations:
- The critique extends to competitive examinations like JEE and NEET, which result in a concentration of candidates vying for limited seats in a handful of institutions.
- The suggestion is made to increase the number of institutions to accommodate a larger pool of aspirants, fostering a more balanced and inclusive model.
Ignoring the Imperative Role of School Education:
- The article asserts that India has consistently ignored the crucial role of meaningful school education for all.
- The deficiencies in the proposed PM-Shri schools, shortage of teachers, and the acceptance that not all children need full-time schooling are cited as indicators of a flawed approach.
Digital Learning Challenges:
- While acknowledging the benefits of digital learning, the analysis warns against considering it a panacea.
- The computer is deemed not a magic wand, and the overreliance on digitization is critiqued for compromising the development of connected thought in students.
- The dangers of children growing up without basic literacy and numeracy due to online learning are highlighted.
The Issue of Digital Access:
- Digital access becomes a focal point, with skepticism raised about the claimed percentage of students availing online classes during the pandemic.
- Concerns about smartphone sharing, poor connectivity, and the inadequacy of smartphones as learning devices are emphasized, debunking the notion that the nation can educate its children through quick fixes and cost-cutting.
Conclusion:
- The article concludes by emphasizing that no developed nation has achieved its status without effective school education for all citizens.
- It underscores the need for capable teachers, adequate infrastructure, and digital support for all students at the school level, with the assurance that higher education will automatically fall into place when these fundamentals are in order.
- The urgency to address this challenge is highlighted, calling for a departure from delaying tactics.
Why in news?
- Union minister Jitendra Singh introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha.
- The bill mandates a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations.
What’s in today’s article?
- News Summary
News Summary: Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024
- The government tabled the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill in the Lok Sabha to check malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations
Background against which the bill has been brought
- About
- The bill comes in the backdrop of a cancellation of a series of competitive tests such as:
- the teacher recruitment exam in Rajasthan,
- Common Eligibility Test (CET) for Group-D posts in Haryana,
- recruitment exam for junior clerks in Gujarat and
- constable recruitment examination in Bihar following question paper leaks.
- The bill comes in the backdrop of a cancellation of a series of competitive tests such as:
- Statistics
- As per various reports, more than 1.5 crore students have been affected by paper leaks from 2016 to 2023.
- More than 70 cases of question paper leaks have occurred in the same period.
- At least a dozen recruitment drives have been cancelled owing to paper leaks in the state between 2018 and February 2023.
- Since 2014, 615 accused have been arrested in connection with 33 cases of government recruitment paper leaks.
- No specific substantive law
- At present, there is no specific law to deal with unfair means adopted or offences committed by various entities involved in the conduct of public examinations by the central government and its agencies.
Key highlights of the bill
- Objective
- The objective of the Bill is:
- to bring greater transparency, fairness and credibility to the public examination systems and
- to reassure the youth that their sincere and genuine efforts will be fairly rewarded and their future is safe.
- The objective of the Bill is:
- Applicability
- The bill is applicable to central recruitment and entrance exams conducted by:
- the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC),
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC),
- Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs),
- Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), and
- National Testing Agency (NTA).
- The NTA conducts exams for admission to higher educational institutions, like the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for engineering, National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical, and Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate and post-graduate studies.
- Apart from these designated public examination authorities, all central ministries and departments, as well as their offices for recruitment, will also come under the purview of the new law.
- The bill is applicable to central recruitment and entrance exams conducted by:
- Does not target students
- The Bill provides punishment for persons, organised groups or institutions indulging in unfair means for monetary or wrongful gains.
- However, candidates appearing for the exams have been left out of its purview.
- Candidate shall continue to be covered under the extant administrative provisions of the public examination authority concerned.
- Punishments
- The bill mandates a three-to-five-year prison term for involvement in paper leak cases.
- However, in cases where a link to organised crime is proven it calls for a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
- It imposes a fine of Rs 1 crore and recovering the cost of conducting examinations from firms.
- It says a firm also may be barred from conducting public exams for years in case of a conviction.
- Defines unfair means
- Section 3 of the Bill defines unfair means.
- It proposes 20 offences and unfair means including impersonation, manipulation of answer sheets and tampering with documents.
- Nature of offences
- Section 9 of the bill states that all offences shall be cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.
- Investigation
- The bill proposes that officers not under the rank of deputy superintendent of police or assistant commissioner of police must head up such matters.
- The government under the bill also holds the power to send the probe to a Central agency.
- In essence, this frees up to the police to act on its own and arrest suspects without a warrant.
- High-level national technical committee on public examinations
- Th bill proposes the formation of a high-level national technical committee on public examinations that will make recommendations to make the computerised examination process more secure.
- The committee shall look into developing protocols for
- insulating digital platforms,
- devising ways and means for developing foolproof IT security systems,
- ensuring electronic surveillance of examination centres and
- formulating national standards and services for both IT and physical infrastructure to be deployed for conduct of such examinations.
- Model draft for states
- While the provisions will be binding for central public examination authorities, it will serve as a model draft for states.
India’s Manufacturing Sector: Saw Employment, Profits Improve Despite Pandemic Blows
Why in News?
- The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) for 2020-21 and 2021-22.
- According to the ASI, the Covid-19 pandemic affected the number of factories and fixed investments in the organised manufacturing sector in the country but profits and invested capital recorded an increase.
- The ASI data is the principal source of industrial statistics and data for organised manufacturing (employing 10 or more workers using power and those employing 20 or more workers without using power).
What’s in Today’s Article?
- An Introduction to India’s Manufacturing Sector
- Potential of the India’s Manufacturing Sector
- Challenges Faced by the India’s Manufacturing Sector
- Navigating the Future of the India’s Manufacturing Sector
- Highlights of the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI)
An Introduction to India’s Manufacturing Sector:
- Manufacturing is emerging as an integral pillar in the country’s economic growth, thanks to the performance of key sectors like automotive, engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and consumer durables.
- With ~17% of the nation’s GDP and over 27.3 million workers, the manufacturing sector plays a significant role in the Indian economy.
- India now has the physical and digital infrastructure to raise the share of the manufacturing sector in the economy and make a realistic bid to be an important player in global supply chains.
- Through the implementation of different programmes and policies, the Indian government hopes to have 25% of the economy’s output come from manufacturing by 2025 (National Manufacturing Policy).
Potential of the India’s Manufacturing Sector:
- India’s target of achieving the milestone of USD 1 trillion by the year 2028, is promising with key industries such as electronics, industrial machinery, and textiles playing a pivotal role.
- Due to factors like power growth, long-term employment prospects, and skill routes for millions of people, India has a significant potential to engage in international markets.
- Several factors contribute to this potential –
- Global value chains are well positioned to benefit from India’s advantages in terms of raw materials, industrial expertise, and entrepreneurship.
- They can take advantage of four market opportunities: expanding exports, localising imports, internal demand, and contract manufacturing.
- Manufacturing sector in India is gradually shifting to a more automated and process driven manufacturing which is expected to increase the efficiency and boost production of the manufacturing industry.
Challenges Faced by the India’s Manufacturing Sector:
- Lack of infrastructure: The manufacturing sector requires robust infrastructure, including transportation, power, and telecommunications, to function smoothly.
- Lack of skilled labour: India’s education system has not been able to keep up with the changing needs of the economy, and there is a shortage of skilled workers in the manufacturing sector.
- Complex regulatory environment: India’s regulations are often complex and difficult to navigate, which is a significant deterrent for businesses looking to set up manufacturing units in India.
- Lacking innovation: The lack of innovation has made it difficult for Indian manufacturers to produce goods that are competitive with those produced in other countries.
Navigating the Future of the India’s Manufacturing Sector:
- Despite the challenges, India’s manufacturing industry has started its journey to achieve self-reliance.
- This is majorly because the manufacturing sector has gone through many changes post-pandemic.
- For example, huge dependence on raw materials coming from China and other countries has been reduced.
- India is gradually progressing on the road to Industry 4.0 through the Government of India’s initiatives like the Make in India, National Manufacturing Policy and the PLI scheme for manufacturing.
- India has ascended to become the world’s fifth-largest economy and is expected to become the third-largest economy by 2030.
- India’s ambition to become the next big global manufacturing hub will have a significant bearing on its growth over the next few years.
Highlights of the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI):
- Employment in the manufacturing sector: It took a hit during the lockdown-affected year of 2020-21, but then recovered in 2021-22 to levels higher than pre-pandemic.
- The number of workers employed in the factories reduced to 1.26 crore in 2020-21 from 1.31 core in 2019-20, but recorded an increase in 2021-22 to 1.36 crore, with a CAGR growth of 2.1% over these two years.
- Fixed capital investments: It took a sharp hit during the pandemic affected years.
- Gross fixed capital formation, an indicator of investment, declined by 11% in 2021-22 to Rs 3.30 lakh crore from Rs 4.17 lakh crore in the pre-pandemic year of 2019-20.
- The GFCF picked up marginally in 2021-22, rising about 5% from Rs 3.14 lakh crore in 2020-21.
- Profits in the manufacturing sector: It grew sharply for the pandemic-affected years, rising by 42.3% (CAGR) to Rs 9.51 lakh crore in 2021-22 as against Rs 4.70 lakh crore in 2019-20.
- The Gross Value Added: It has gone up significantly by 26.6% in 2021-22 over 2020-21 riding on a high growth in the industrial output which grew by more than 35% in value terms during this period in current prices.
- Significance of the ASI results: It exhibits the resilience shown by the Indian manufacturing sector and tells the unique turn-around story of the Indian manufacturing sector.
Zero tolerance towards use of children in poll campaigns
Why in news?
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) said it issued directions to political parties to refrain from using children in election campaigns.
- The ECI asked parties to adhere to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and a Bombay High Court order of August 4, 2014.
- The Bombay High Court, in August 2014, emphasised the need to ensure that parties do not allow children to participate in election-related activities.
What’s in today’s article?
- Child Labour
- Steps taken by India to eliminate child labour
Child Labour
- About
- According to the ILO, child labour includes any work that deprives children of their childhood, potential and dignity, physical or mental development.
- It perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty (due to poor education-health, less economic opportunities), denying children their fundamental rights and a better future.
- Constitutional provision in India
- Article 24 of the Constitution of India prohibits employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory or mine or in any hazardous employment.
- Prevalence of child labour in India
- According to the International Labour Organization, India has the highest number of child laborers in the 5-17 age range in South Asia.
- In rural areas, 13.9% of children are involved in child labor, compared to 4.7% in urban areas.
- 70% of child laborers are in agriculture, 20% in services, and 10% in industry.
- As per census 2011, 10. 1 million children, or 3.9% of the total child population, are “main workers” or “marginal workers”.
- Reasons behind Child labour in India
- Poverty and lack of social security are the main causes of child labour.
- Entry of multi-national corporations into industry without proper mechanisms to hold them accountable has led to the use of child labour.
- Lack of quality universal education has also contributed to children dropping out of school and entering the labour force.
- Laws that are meant to protect children from hazardous labour are ineffective and not implemented correctly.
- A growing phenomenon is using children as domestic workers in urban areas.
- Rigid caste structure and associated socio-economic condition is also one of the reasons for this.
- According to many surveys, child labour is highest among schedule tribes, Muslims, schedule castes and OBC children.
- India’s commitment to eliminate child labour
- India resolves to eliminate child labour by 2025 as per –
- The commitments made by the county after ratification of ILO conventions, and
- The target stipulated in Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 to end all forms of child labour.
- India resolves to eliminate child labour by 2025 as per –
Steps taken by India to eliminate child labour
- The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and its 2016 amendment
- The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, prevents children from partaking in certain employments and regulates the conditions of work for children in other fields.
- In 2016, an amendment completely banned the employment of children below 14 years.
- It also prohibits employment of adolescents (14-18 years) in hazardous occupations and processes.
- Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2017
- Government has framed the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2017.
- This rule specifies the duties and responsibilities of State Governments and District Authorities.
- PENCIL (Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour) platform
- To ensure effective enforcement of the provisions of the Child Labour Act and smooth implementation of the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme a separate online portal PENCIL has been developed.
- Government had initiated the NCLP Scheme in 1988 to rehabilitate working children in 12 child labour endemic districts of the country.
- Under this Scheme, the children in the age group of 9-14 years are withdrawn from work and put into NCLP Special Training Centres.
- Here they are provided with bridge education, vocational training, mid-day meal, stipend, health care etc. before being mainstreamed into formal education system.
- The Portal connects Central Government to State Government(s), District(s) and all District Project Societies.
- To ensure effective enforcement of the provisions of the Child Labour Act and smooth implementation of the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme a separate online portal PENCIL has been developed.
- The Factories Act of 1948
- This act prohibits the employment of children under 14 years old in factories.
- Right to Education
- The Right to Education Act was passed in 2009 to ensure that all children get an education in place of working.
- There are several schools set up that impart free education to such children and also offer faculties such as textbooks, uniforms, and others for free.
- Ratification of two core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on child labour
- In 2017, India ratified two core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on child labour:
- Convention 138: On the minimum age of employment
- Convention 182: On the worst forms of child labour
- In 2017, India ratified two core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on child labour:
Bill Allowing Exemption to Industrial Units Tabled in the Rajya Sabha
Why in the News?
- The Central government has introduced the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 in Rajya Sabha.
What’s in Today’s Article?
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill (Background, Need, Provisions, etc.)
- News Summary
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024:
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
- The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution.
- The Act prescribes various penal provisions for non-compliance or contravention of the provisions punishable with imprisonment.
- Rationale behind bringing the amendment
- The Amendment Bill emphasizes that the cornerstone of democratic governance lies in the government trusting its own people and institutions.
- The Bill indicates that outdated rules and regulations causes trust deficit.
- For example, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 imprisonment of up to three months for not informing the State Board about abstraction of water from a stream or well.
- The Bill amends it to a fine between Rs10,000 and Rs15 lakh.
- The imprisonment provisions for minor violations which are simple infringements, not leading to any injury to humans or damage to the environment, many a times cause harassment to business and citizen.
- It is also not in consonance with the spirit of Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business.
- Therefore, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 proposes rationalising criminal provisions.
- It also ensures that citizens, business and companies operate without fear of imprisonment for minor, technical or procedural defaults.
Major Features of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024:
- The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024, among other things, seeks to provide:
- that the manner of nomination of the chairman of the State Pollution Control Board is to be prescribed by the Central Government;
- that the Central government may exempt certain categories of industrial plants from the application of Section 25 relating to restriction on new outlets and new discharges;
- that the Central government may issue guidelines on the matters relating to the grant, refusal or cancellation of consent by any State Board for establishment of any industry;
- for decriminalising minor offences and replacing it with monetary penalty in case of continuation of contravention;
- the manner of adjudication of penalties by the adjudicating officer who shall be an officer not less than the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India or Secretary to the State government;
- punishment for failure to comply with the provisions of section 25 relating to restrictions on new outlets and new discharges and section 26 relating to existing discharge of sewage or trade effluent, etc.;
- the amount of penalty imposed is to be credited to the Environmental Protection Fund established under section 16 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
News Summary:
- The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
- It would be applicable to Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, and any other state that passes a resolution under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
- The Bill enables the Centre to “exempt certain categories of industrial plants” from the restrictions on new outlets and discharges.
- It also enables the Centre to “issue guidelines” on matters relating to grant, establishment of any industry, etc.