Current Affairs search results for: "E GOVERNANCE"

1. Bribery Risk Matrix 2021:

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Why in the news?

Recently, Bribery Risk Matrix 2021 was released by anti-bribery standard setting organisation(TRACE).

Key highlights:

• India ranked 82nd with a score of 44.(2021)
• In 2019, India’s rank stood 78 position with a score of 48 while in 2020 the country was ranked 77 with a score of 45.
• India performed better than Pakistan, China, Nepal and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Bhutan was ranked 20 places above India, at 62nd.
• North Korea, Turkmenistan, Venezuela and Eritrea posed the highest commercial bribery risk, while Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden and New Zealand had the lowest.

About TRACE:

• 
  The TRACE Matrix was originally developed in 2014 in collaboration with RAND Corporation.
•  It is updated annually by TRACE.
• The TRACE Bribery Risk Matrix (TRACE Matrix) measures business bribery risk in 194 jurisdictions, territories, and autonomous and semi-autonomous regions.
• The matrix aggregates relevant data obtained from leading public interest and international organisations, including the United Nations, World Bank, V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg and World Economic Forum.
• This data helps companies to assess the likely risk of bribe demands in each country and to design compliance and due diligence programs tailored to that risk.

 

The score is based on four factors:

•  Business interactions with the government.
• Anti-bribery deterrence and enforcement.
• Government and civil service transparency.
• Capacity for civil society oversight, including the role of the media.

 

Steps taken by India to stop the corruption:

• Government of India, in pursuance of its commitment to “Zero Tolerance Against Corruption” has taken several measures to combat corruption which, inter alia, include:
• Systemic improvements and reforms to provide transparent citizen-friendly services and reduce corruption. 

These, inter alia, include:

• Disbursement of welfare benefits directly to the citizens under various schemes of the Government in a transparent manner through the Direct Benefit Transfer initiative.
• Implementation of E-tendering in public procurements.
• Introduction of e-Governance and simplification of procedure and systems.
• Introduction of Government procurement through the Government e- Marketplace (GeM).
• The Central Vigilance Commission, though created in 1964, became an independent statutory body only in 2003 by an Act of parliament based on a judgement of the supreme court. 
• Its mandate is to oversee the vigilance administration and to advise and assist the executive in matters relating to corruption. 
• It investigates cases of corruption arising out of complaints or detection by vigilance wings in the various departments and recommends punishment wherever required. 
• It is then for the executive to punish the individual official.

The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 :

• It is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to combat corruption in government agencies and public sector businesses in India.

In 2018, some changes were made in it, which are as follows:

• Punishment for bribe-taking enhanced: Minimum punishment of 3 yrs, extendable up to 7 yrs with fine; from the earlier 6 months, with extension up to 3 yrs.
• Gifts criminalised: Gifts received for established undue advantage/mala-fide motive are now considered an act of corruption.
• Superiors to be held if an employee/agent has bribed with their approval, for advancement of the organisation’s interests.
• For the first time, the giving of bribe has now been made a direct offence on par with taking of bribe.

2. Celebration of First Audit Diwas:

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Why in the news?

The Prime Minister unveiled the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India to mark the First Audit Diwas (16th November, 2021)

Key highlights:

• This is the First edition of the Audit Diwas is celebrated to mark the historic origins of the institution of CAG and the contribution made by it to the governance, transparency and accountability.
• Shri Girish Chandra Murmu assumed office as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on 8th August 2020.

What is CAG?

• 
  
  • Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
  • CAG is the Constitutional Authority in India.
  •  It was established in accordance with Article 148 of the Constitution of India. 
  • The Constitution of India provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). 
  • He is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.
  • The CAG is the statutory auditor of Government-owned corporations.
  • The accountability of the executive to the Parliament in the sphere of financial administration is secured through audit reports of the CAG.
  • The CAG has been ranked at 9th place in the order of precedence. 
  • It enjoys the same status as the sitting judge of the Supreme Court.
  • Appointment: Appointed by the President of India by a warrant under his hand and seal.
  • Tenure: A period of six years or upto the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
  • Not eligible for further office, either under the Government of India or of any state, after he ceases to hold his office.
• Salary and other service : conditions are determined by the Parliament.
• The administrative expenses of the office of the CAG, including all salaries, allowances and pensions of persons serving in that office are charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India.

Constitutional provisions:

• Art. 148:  broadly speaks of the CAG, his appointment, oath and conditions of service
• Art. 149:  broadly speaks of the Duties and Powers of the CAG
• Art. 150:  The accounts of the Union and of the States shall be kept in such form as the President may, on the advice of the CAG, prescribe.
• Art. 151:  Audit Reports: The reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India relating to the accounts of the Union shall be submitted to the president, who shall cause them to be laid before each House of Parliament.

Duties:

• He audits all expenditure from the Contingency Fund of India and the Public Account of India as well as the Contingency Fund and Public Account of each state.
• He audits all trading, manufacturing, profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and other subsidiary accounts kept by any department of the Central Government and the state governments.
• He audits all transactions of the Central and state governments related to debt, sinking funds, deposits, advances, suspense accounts and remittance business.
• He advises the President with regard to the prescription of the form in which the accounts of the Centre and states shall be kept.
• He acts as a guide, friend and philosopher of the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament.

3. UIDAI wants exemption from Data Protection Bill:

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Why in news?

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has asked for exemption from the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Law.

Why?

To avoid the duplicity of the laws

Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019:

• It aims to provide protection to personal data of individuals.
• It seeks to create a framework for processing personal data, by establishing a Data Protection Authority.
• It governs processing of personal data by government, companies included in India, as well as foreign companies that deals with personal data of individuals in India.
• It categories personal data like financial data, caste, religious & political beliefs, biometric data etc as sensitive personal data.

What are the provisions of the bill?

• Section 35 call on sovereignty & integrity of India, security of the state, public order and friendly relations with foreign states to provide powers to the Central government for suspend all or any provisions of the Act for government agencies.
• Section 12 of the Act gives UIDAI some leeway from the rights of the Bill as it enables for processing data for provision of a service or benefit to the data principal.
• THE AADHAAR (TARGETED DELIVERY OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER SUBSIDIES, BENEFITS AND SERVICES) ACT, 2016: An Act to provide for, as a good governance, efficient, transparent, and targeted delivery of

UIDAI:

• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
• The UIDAI is mandated to assign a 12-digit unique identification (UID) number (Aadhaar) to all the residents of India.

4. Tele-Law on Wheels: Campaign

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Why in news?

Department of Justice launched the week-long “Tele-Law on Wheels” campaign, joining the celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Key points:

• The campaign was started from November 8 and it will continue November 14, 2021.
• Tele-Law Mobile App launched by Minister of Law and Justice and Minister of State for Law and Justice.
• Under the campaign, several activities are being undertaken for empowering people by pre-litigation advice in order to rightfully claim their entitlements and timely redressal of their difficulties.
• This one week is dedicated for ensuring "Justice for All by digital legal empowerment" of the needy people.
• This App will help in connecting the beneficiaries directly with Panel Lawyers who are offering legal advice and consultation.
• The Tele-Law on Wheels Campaign is being organized with aid of “CSC e-Governance”. 
• CSC e-Governance is a network of more than 4 lakh digitally enabled CSCs across India.

What is CSC e-Governance?

• CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle, has been set up by the Ministry of Electronics & IT under the Companies Act, 1956 to oversee the implementation of the CSC scheme.
• CSC Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC SPV) provides a centralized collaborative framework for delivery of services to citizens through CSCs, besides ensuring systemic viability and sustainability of the Scheme.

Other Information:

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav:

• Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.
• This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in it's evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Modi's vision of activating India 2.0, fueled by the spirit of Atmanirbhar India.

Minister of Law and Justice and Minister of State for Law and Justice:

• Kiren Rijiju (Union Minister)
• Singh Baghel (Minister of State)

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