Daily Mains Practice Questions 22-02-2023

KEY POINTS

·        The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has not acquitted itself well by issuing a circular on higher PF pension at the fag end.

·        Article 142 of the Constitution, had granted these members the four months, which it called a “further chance,” as two opportunities had been provided in the 2014 amendment of the EPS.

·        The Court’s rationale was that it found uncertainty as regards the validity of the amendment (quashed by three High Courts).

·        Unfortunately, the latest circular is not comprehensive. Eligible employees would need additional circulars to be issued before they can make their decision.

·        Such a decision cannot be taken in a hurry as such a transfer would mean hiving off a substantial portion of lifetime savings.

·        Under such circumstances, a flood of submissions, online or offline, is inevitable, disrupting the normal workload of the PF authorities.

·        Some employers, having suffered a severe fund crunch, have restricted their contributions to the statutory ceiling even though, till the outbreak of the pandemic.

·        It would not be out of place to suggest that the time period be extended. Nevertheless, with the EPFO having to comply with the Court order, it should expedite issuing all its guidelines with clear illustrations on higher PF pension.

KEY POINTS

·        Rajya Sabha Chairman directed the Privileges Committee, headed by Deputy Chairman, to investigate the “disorderly conduct” by 12 Opposition Members of Parliament that had led to multiple adjournments during the first leg of the Budget session.

·        All through Prime Minister’s 85-minute address, the Opposition kept raising slogans, which Sansad TV that does the live telecast of the proceedings blacked out the camera did not pan towards the Opposition benches.

·        Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha speech during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address several times.

·        The Opposition has protested the Chair’s repeated direction to “authenticate” remarks made during speeches.

·        Parliament is the platform where the Opposition has the responsibility to ask questions of the government, which the Council of Ministers has the responsibility to answer.

·        It is the government that is in custody of all the information, over which queries are raised in Parliament.

·        The authenticity, or the lack of it, of any assumption that a Member of Parliament may express in the House must be clarified by the government, which is its duty.

·        Parliamentary discipline must ensure that discussions take place, and the government provides the answers.

KEY POINTS

·        Viscose, a man-made fibre witnessing global demand growth, is a new addition to India’s textile story.

·        It is a biodegradable fibre and an alternative to silk and cotton. Viscose is ‘poor people’s silk’ because it is cheaper but with similar properties.

·        Due to a rise in the price of natural fibres such as cotton, many weavers shifted to producing viscose or blended viscose fabric.

·        Indian textile sector is still cotton dominated, which has limitations in supply. Cotton acreage cannot be increased as food is a priority.

·        Overall, viscose holds 16.5 per cent of the man-made fibre market in India. Other than being a cheaper alternative, versatility in design and application also contributes to its demand.

·        Anti-dumping duty on VSF was first introduced in 2010 and continued till 2021. It was removed only after the entire industry repeatedly appealed after suffering for over 11 years.

·        The duty will also impact the entire value chain of the fabric, as the procurement of the fibre, which is the heart of the value chain, will be hit.

·        Viscose is also the fabric of future. It is widely used in upcoming subsectors in the textile industry, such as technical textiles and medical textiles.

·        Most importantly, viscose is a sustainable choice due to its biodegradable properties.

Q. 3) Viscose