NATIONAL – DAIRY OF EVENTS

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006

• Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has introduced changes to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.

• The changes aim to improve the environmental clearance process for projects across India.

Objective

• The main objective is to avoid delays and administrative gaps in approving Category B projects when state-level environmental bodies are not functioning or are slow in processing applications.

New Backup Authorities

• To ensure that project approvals continue without interruption, two permanent backup bodies have been created for every State/UT:
  • Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment (SAEIA) – Performs the functions of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) when it is not functioning.
  • Standing Committee on Environment Impact Appraisal (SCEIA) – Takes over the responsibilities of the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) when required.

Tenure

• These backup bodies will work for 6 months initially.

• Their tenure can be extended by another 6 months.
• The maximum total period is 1 year.

Changes in Members’ Tenure

• The tenure of members of SEIAA, SEAC, and the Central Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has been increased from 3 years to 4 years.

• Members can serve up to two terms.
• The maximum age limit is 70 years, which may be extended to 75 years in exceptional cases if qualified experts are not available.

Renewal of State Bodies

• State governments must begin the renewal and reconstitution process for SEIAA and SEAC at least 6 months before their existing term ends.

Removal of Members

• The Central Government can remove members of the EAC, SEIAA, or SEAC before the end of their term if they repeatedly cause unnecessary delays in granting environmental clearances.

Automatic Escalation

• If a SEAC does not complete the appraisal of a project within 120 days, the proposal will be automatically transferred to the SCEIA through the PARIVESH portal.

Change in Approval Process

• Earlier, if a state-level committee was not functioning, Category B projects were sent to the Central Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).

• Under the new rules, such projects will instead be handled by the SCEIA, reducing dependence on the Central Government.

Key Concerns

• Independent environmental scientists may be replaced by government officials (ex-officio bureaucrats).
• The reduced role of the Central EAC may weaken independent oversight.
• The 120-day deadline may encourage faster approvals instead of detailed scientific assessment of environmental risks.

 

One Year of National Cooperation Policy 

• Context: The National Cooperative Policy has recently completed one year of implementation.

Background

• • The cooperative movement in India is based on the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), which promotes cooperation, collective welfare, and community development.
  • The Government follows the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation) to strengthen the cooperative sector through policies, institutions, and grassroots initiatives.

• The cooperative movement received legal recognition through the Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904.

• • After Independence, cooperatives became an important part of decentralised rural and economic development.
  • The establishment of:

• National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) – 1963

• • National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) – 1982 further strengthened cooperative finance and rural development.

About Cooperatives

• • A cooperative is a voluntary association of people who come together to meet their economic, social, and cultural needs through a jointly owned and democratically managed organisation.

• Cooperatives are based on the principle of “owned by members, managed by members, and run for the benefit of members.”

• Present Status

• • Cooperatives in India work in sectors such as: Agriculture, Banking, Credit, Housing, Women’s welfare
  • India accounts for more than one-fourth of the world’s cooperatives.

Major Government Initiatives

• Constitutional Provisions

• • • The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 gave a major boost to the cooperative movement.
    • Added Part IXB to the Constitution.

• Recognised the right to form cooperative societies as a Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(c).

• • • Inserted Article 43B in the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs), directing the State to promote voluntary, autonomous, democratic, and professionally managed cooperative societies.

• Although cooperatives are a State subject, Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) are governed by the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023.

• National Cooperation Policy (NCP) 2025

• Launched in July 2025, replacing the National Cooperative Policy, 2002.

• • The new policy was introduced to address changes brought by globalisation, digitalisation, and socio-economic transformation.
  • It provides a roadmap to strengthen the cooperative sector and support India’s goal of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
  • It is based on the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” and aims to:
    • Promote economic democracy.
    • Strengthen cooperatives.
    • Improve rural livelihoods through collective participation.

• Computerisation of PACS

• A Centrally Sponsored Scheme, approved in 2022.

• It aims to make Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) fully digitally enabled by 31 March 2027.

• Bharat Taxi

• • Started by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited.
  • It is a driver-owned cooperative taxi platform.
  • It aims to:
    • Improve drivers’ income.
    • Provide safe, affordable, and reliable transport services.

• Tax Relief and Ease of Doing Business

• Surcharge reduced from 12% to 7% for cooperatives with income between ₹1 crore and ₹10 crore.

• Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) reduced from 18.5% to 15%.

• TDS limit on cash withdrawal increased from ₹1 crore to ₹3 crore.

• Higher cash transaction limits provided to PACS and Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (PCARDBs).

• White Revolution 2.0

• • Aims to: Expand dairy cooperatives, Generate employment, Promote women’s empowerment.
  • The target is to increase milk procurement by dairy cooperatives by 50% over the next five years.

• Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) (Amendment) Act & Rules, 2023

• • • Introduced to: Improve governance, Increase transparency, Strengthen accountability.

• Reform the election process of Multi-State Cooperative Societies.

• Ministry of Cooperation

• • Established in July 2021.
  • It is responsible for promoting and strengthening cooperative societies and agricultural credit institutions across India.

 

‘Catch the Rain’ Campaign 2026

• Background: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is implementing the ‘Catch the Rain’ Campaign 2026 across urban India under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme.

• It is conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan–Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 2.0 initiative.

About ‘Catch the Rain’ Campaign 2026

• A nationwide water conservation initiative promoting the concept: “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls.”

• Focuses on rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, rejuvenation of traditional water bodies, tree plantation drives, and public participation.
• Guided by the ‘3Cs’: Community, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Cost-effectiveness

Objectives

• Maximizing rainwater harvesting at the local level.
• Enhancing groundwater recharge and water conservation.
• Restoring and rejuvenating traditional water bodies.
• Increasing green cover through tree plantation.
• Encouraging public participation (Jan Bhagidari) in water conservation.
• Strengthening urban water sustainability under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme.

Shallow Aquifer Management (SAM) Scheme

• Implemented under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme.

• Promotes scientific aquifer mapping and targeted groundwater recharge activities.
• It supports long-term groundwater sustainability and reinforces the objectives of the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign.

 

NABARD’s Geographical Indication (GI) Registration

• Background: NABARD facilitated the GI registration of 28 products, bringing the total number of GI-registered products supported to 176.

About NABARD

• • Established in 1982; Headquarters: Mumbai.

• Set up based on the recommendations of the Sivaraman Committee (1979).

• • India’s apex development financial institution for agriculture and rural development.

• Wholly owned by the Government of India.

• Operates under the Department of Financial Services (DFS) of the Ministry of Finance.

Objective:

• To promote unique local products through GI registration, enhance market value, preserve traditional knowledge, and strengthen rural livelihoods.

Key Functions:

• • Regulates, finances, and promotes agriculture and rural development.

• Acts as the apex supervisory body for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), State Cooperative Banks (SCBs), and District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs).

• Provides refinancing and development credit to institutions supporting rural sectors.
• Channels refinancing assistance from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to eligible rural financial institutions.