India ranked 40th in the International IP Index
Context :
India ranked 40th on a global International Intellectual Property (IP) Index. It was released by the Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) of the US Chambers of Commerce. GIPC conducted the survey for 53 countries.
Report Highlights :
♦ India scored 38.46% (19.23 out of 50) in 2020. It 2019, it scored 36.04% (16.22 out of 45).
♦ As per the report, India has shown improvement in terms of scores when it comes to the protection of IP and copyright issues. India showed a 2.42% jump in the absolute score.
♦ Also, India’s relative score increased by 6.71%.
♦ GIPC said India has continued to score well in the Systemic Efficiency indicator by scoring ahead of 28 other economies in these indicators.
♦ The report identified several challenges for India including compulsory licensing, patentability requirements, patent enforcement, patent opposition, regulatory data protection, transparency in reporting seizures by customs, Singapore Treaty of Law of Trademarks and Patent Law Treaty.
Global Innovation Policy Center :
GIPC is the premier institution of the United States Chamber of Commerce. It handles all issues relating to innovation and creativity through advocating for strong IP standards. It aims to promote & defend the system of IP rights in the US, multilateral forums, and other key countries.
Note: India secured 36th rank among 50 countries in 2019.
Select Committee recommendations on Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill
Context :
15 major changes have been suggested in a report presented by the Select Committee on Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill. The bill prohibits commercial surrogacy and allow only altruistic surrogacy.
Background :
The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in August 2019, but had to be referred for re-assessment to the select committee in November 2019, as several Rajya Sabha members found certain clauses contentious such as allowing only altruistic surrogacy with a near relative as a surrogate.
Key Recommendations :
- Keep an option for compensating the surrogate mother beyond medical expenses and insurance coverage that includes taking care of her nutritional food requirements, maternity wear, etc. that is vital for the wellbeing and upkeep of the surrogate mother.
- The controversial clause of “close relative” has been done away with and instead the committee has recommended the term to be replaced with a “willing woman”.
- Who can opt? Single women, including a widow and divorcee, between the ages of 35 and 45 years, should be able to opt for surrogacy.
- Increase insurance cover for the surrogate mother from the 16 months proposed in the Bill to 36 months.
- In order to protect the interests of the child born through surrogacy, the order regarding the parentage and custody of the child, issued by a Magistrate, shall be the birth affidavit for the surrogate child.
Need for regulation :
India has emerged as a surrogacy hub for couples from other countries and there have been reports concerning unethical practices, exploitation of surrogate mothers, abandonment of children born out of surrogacy, and rackets involving intermediaries importing human embryos and gametes. The 228th report of the Law Commission of India has recommended prohibiting commercial surrogacy and allowing altruistic surrogacy by enacting suitable legislation.
SASE reported that Himalayas get 20 percent above normal snowfall in 30 years
Context :
Snow and Avalanche Studies Establishment (SASE) report on mid-winter assessment stated that the snowfall received from November 2019 to January 2020 has been the highest in the past 30 years.
Report Highlights :
- Snowfall in the western Himalayas during the first half of the ongoing winter season has been about 20% above the long period average.
- It also forecasted that snowfall in the Himalayas during February to April would be good.
- The winter season over the Himalayas officially lasts from November to April.
- It stated that Strong El Nino in the Eastern Pacific Ocean during the year 2019 has favoured a significant increase in snowfall during the current winter season over western and central Himalayas.
Snow and Avalanche Studies Establishment (SASE) :
SASE is the Defence Research & Development Organization’s (DRDO) laboratory. It is located in Manali. The main objective of SASE is to conduct research in the field of snow and avalanches. It provides avalanche control measures and forecasting support to Armed forces.
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed on 6 February
Context :
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is observed on 6 February. The day is observed to end the practice of FGM. It creates awareness about FGM which is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.
On this day, a campaign titled ‘A Piece of Me’ is organized by the UNFPA to celebrate three survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) to raise awareness to end FGM.
Theme :
The theme for the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM for the year 2020 is “Unleashing Youth Power: One decade of accelerating actions for zero female genital mutilation”. The theme focuses on mobilizing youth around the eliminations of harmful practices including FGM.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) :
FGM is the practice of partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is mostly carried out on girls between infancy and 15 years age 15. It causes problems including severe bleeding, urinating problems, cysts, infections, and other complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths. The practice is performed mainly in North-Eastern, Eastern and Western parts of Africa.
History :
In 2007, a Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting was initiated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). In 2012, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution and designated 6 February as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. UNGA aimed to amplify and direct the efforts on the elimination of this practice.
‘LIC IPO will certainly happen next year’
Context :
The Centre has indicated that it may need to push through an amendment in the LIC Act, 1956 before the stake sale.
- Currently, the government owns 100% of LIC, the country’s largest insurer.
- Opposition parties have objected to the divestment plan, while LIC’s employee unions have claimed that it would be “against national interest.”
Life Insurance Corporation :
- Life Insurance Corporation of India (abbreviated as LIC) is an Indian state-owned insurance group and investment corporation owned by the Government of India.
- The Life Insurance Corporation of India was founded in 1956 when the Parliament of India passed the Life Insurance of India Act that nationalised the insurance industry in India.
- Over 245 insurance companies and provident societies were merged to create the state-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India.
- As of 2019, Life Insurance Corporation of India had total life fund of ₹28.3 trillion.
- The total value of sold policies in the year 2018-19 is ₹21.4 million.
- Life Insurance Corporation of India settled 26 million claims in 2018-19. It has 290 million policy holders.