[Newsbits] 21+22+23.12.2023: UPI Lite X, Paat-Mitro App, Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) & More

UPI Lite X is a revolutionary payment system launched by the Reserve Bank of India at the Global Fintech Fest 2023. It’s designed to facilitate offline money transactions in areas with poor network coverage. This system, which operates using Near Field Communication (NFC), allows users to transfer money without an internet connection and a bank account. UPI Lite X stands out by enabling faster, low-value transactions (below Rs 500 without UPI PIN, with a daily limit of Rs 4,000 and a wallet balance limit of Rs 2,000) and broadens financial access to a larger demographic. It’s a part of a suite of new UPI-related products aimed at enhancing digital payments in India.

Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are unique atmospheric phenomena occurring at high altitudes in the polar stratosphere, particularly during the extreme cold of polar winters. These clouds, observable during civil twilight, are classified into two main types: Type I, composed of water, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid, and Type II, consisting only of water ice. Type I PSCs play a crucial role in ozone depletion by facilitating the conversion of benign forms of chlorine into reactive, ozone-destroying radicals and removing nitrogen compounds that would otherwise moderate this destructive effect. PSCs also influence climate, particularly polar warming, by trapping heat similarly to greenhouse gases. Their formation and behavior have significant implications for climate modeling, offering insights into past climate conditions and future projections. Their impact highlights the intricate connections between atmospheric phenomena, climate change, and environmental health.

The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, a collaborative effort between the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India, represents a major advancement in malaria prevention. Recently receiving WHO prequalification, it is now one step closer to being widely deployed, particularly in regions with high malaria transmission. The vaccine has shown high efficacy in preventing malaria in children and is expected to play a crucial role in reducing the global burden of the disease. The Serum Institute of India’s commitment to produce 100 million doses annually, with plans to double this figure, underscores the vaccine’s potential for widespread impact. While specific challenges and concerns related to the vaccine are not fully detailed here, the overall significance of R21/Matrix-M in the fight against malaria is clear, with its affordability and efficacy positioning it as a vital tool in global health.

In simple terms, the Draft Omnibus Framework released by the RBI aims to establish improved standards for self-regulation in the financial sector by recognizing and regulating Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs). These SROs are non-governmental bodies that will create rules to ensure order and ethical practices among businesses and organizations in various sectors. The framework outlines the roles, responsibilities, eligibility criteria, and governance standards for these SROs. It is part of RBI’s effort to enhance regulatory efficiency, foster innovation, and protect stakeholder interests in an increasingly complex and technologically advanced financial landscape.

To summarize, the “Paat-Mitro” app is a significant step towards enhancing the livelihoods of jute farmers in India. Developed by JCI and launched by the Ministry of Textiles, it offers a one-stop solution for these farmers, providing essential information about Minimum Support Prices (MSP), agronomic practices, jute gradation parameters, and more. The app also features a chatbot for real-time assistance and allows farmers to track the status of their payments, promoting transparency and ease of access. Available in six languages and free of cost, this app is tailored to meet the needs of India’s vast jute farming community.

To summarize, the CCI’s draft regulations on turnover determination are pivotal in shaping the penalty framework for anti-competitive practices. By shifting to a ‘global turnover’ basis for penalties, the CCI aims to strengthen its deterrent capabilities. However, this approach has raised concerns about disproportionate financial implications, especially for multinational companies and enterprises with a global presence. The CCI is currently soliciting public feedback to refine these regulations, indicating an effort to balance effective deterrence with fairness and practicality in enforcement.

To summarize, the definition of a ‘child’ in Indian laws varies across different acts, each tailored to its specific context and objectives. This variance ranges from under 14 years in labor-related laws to under 18 years in juvenile justice and sexual offenses laws, with special provisions in laws concerning education and marriage. While these diverse definitions aim to cater to the unique needs of different age groups, they also create challenges in implementing child protection uniformly, leading to potential loopholes and inconsistencies in safeguarding children’s rights. The way forward suggests a harmonized definition of ‘child’ across all legislations to ensure coherent and effective child protection measures.

The UK Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in December 2023, in the case of “Thaler v Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks [2023],” established that under the Patents Act 1977, an “inventor” must be a natural person, not artificial intelligence (AI). Dr. Stephen Thaler’s attempt to register patents for inventions claimed to be created by his AI system, DABUS, was rejected. The Court maintained that the legal definition of an inventor could not extend to machines or AI. This ruling aligns with similar decisions in other jurisdictions and marks a significant development in the AI landscape, particularly considering the evolving AI regulations in the EU and the AI Safety Summit. The case underscores the current legal framework’s limitations in accommodating the growing role of AI in innovation.

The Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) Scheme, operational since January 2021 and extended until December 31, 2025, aims to subsidize the deployment of Points of Sale (PoS) infrastructure across India, particularly in underserved areas like tier-3 to tier-6 centres and the northeastern states. It has been expanded to include beneficiaries of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi in tier-1 and tier-2 centres, with the Reserve Bank of India, card networks, and banks contributing to its corpus. The scheme’s modification in 2022 to enhance subsidy amounts and simplify the subsidy claim process reflects its commitment to boosting digital transaction facilities and financial inclusion, especially at the grassroots level.

The Election Commission of India’s guidelines for ensuring the equal participation of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the electoral process focus on promoting respectful and inclusive political discourse. These guidelines mandate political parties to avoid derogatory language, ensure disability-sensitive communication, and provide accessible campaign materials. The guidelines are part of the Commission’s effort to uphold the democratic principle of representation for all communities. While they signify progress in inclusivity, implementation challenges persist, such as difficulty accessing polling units and a lack of necessary assistive devices. Despite these challenges, some positive experiences highlight the potential for successful inclusive practices in elections.