(24 April 2023) Government Data Roundup: Reports & Draft Circulars/Papers by UNFPA, TRAI, NITI Aayog Among Those Released Recently
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 24, 2023
The 27th edition of the fortnightly government roundup covers reports, draft circulars/papers released by UNFPA, RBI, TRAI, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Animal Husbandry & Fishing among others.
In this 27 edition of fortnightly government data roundup, we look at the State of World Population Report 2023, State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22, draft ‘Sagar Mala innovation and Startup policy’, Animal Birth Control Rules 2023, National Quantum Mission, Framework for acceptance of Green Bonds, Master directions on outsourcing of Information Technology services, and White paper on ‘Gearing up to solve food security challenges’ by NITI Aayog.
The Reserve Bank of India issued the ‘Draft circular on Fair Lending practices- Penal charges in Loan accounts.’ This is to streamline the ‘divergent practices’ adopted by the Regulated entities (REs) & to address the issue of utilizing penal charges as a tool for revenue enhancement by the REs. This is a crucial step in protecting the interests of the borrowers.  In addition, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a consultation paper on ‘Issues related to Low Power Small Range FM Radio Broadcasting’. Both are open for comments till 15 May 2023.
Among the monthly reports, CPI, IIP and WPI were released. The descriptions for these reports can be found here. Key statistics from these reports are as below.
State of World Population 2023
Brief about the report:
It is an annual flagship publication of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). It aims to bring forth the emerging challenges and developments in the field of reproductive and sexual health and the rights emanating from them. The current report is titled, ‘8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities: the case for Rights and Choices.’
Key findings of the report:
State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22
Brief about the report:
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy (AEEE) has developed the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) for the years 2021–2022. It is used to track and monitor energy efficiency initiatives in the states and UTs. It offers perceptions on intervention priority areas with regard to state-level policy adoption, successful implementation, and monitoring. The latest report is the fourth edition.
Fifty (50) qualitative, quantitative, and outcome-based indicators are included in the SEEI 2021–22 to track the latest developments. Indicators have been developed for seven demand sectors—buildings, industry, municipal services, transportation, agriculture, DISCOMs, and cross-sector initiatives. The buildings and industry sectors, which utilize the most energy, make up 25% and 21% of the total weight, respectively. The Index has a maximum score of 100.
Key findings:
Draft ‘Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy’
Brief about the draft:
‘Sagarmala Programme’ was launched by India to encourage port-led growth throughout the nation.  By enacting the “Sagarmala Innovation and Startup Policy,” the Ministry seeks to create an innovation and entrepreneurship environment for the marine industry. The primary objective is to create an ecosystem that will foster new approaches and ideas for addressing and resolving problems in Indian ports and the maritime sector by actively enhancing collaborations between academic institutions, the private sector and between different agencies of the government.
Key highlights:
Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023
Brief about the rules:
Responding to the growing menace of street dogs and various supreme court judgements, the Central Government notified the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. These are the revisions to the 2001 rules which failed to curb the growing conflicts between humans and stray dogs. These rules are based on the judicial developments handling of stray dogs by striking the balance between animal and human co-existence, no relocation, no cruelty and the need for proper care of stray dogs.
Key revisions and highlights
National Quantum Mission
Highlights of the Mission
Framework for acceptance of Green Bonds
Brief about the framework:
There is growing recognition of the role played by the financial sector in mobilizing the required resources to tackle the challenge of climate change. To encourage and foster an ecosystem for green finance and to address the issue of ‘greenwashing’, the framework for acceptance of green bonds is developed.
Key highlights:
Master Directions on outsourcing of Information Technology Services
Brief about the directions:
With evolving technologies, there is a constant push for regulated entities to embrace newer technologies to support their business models and products. However, this push also exposes them to potential threats of cyber-attacks. To prevent this, the RBI has come up with directions for outsourcing of IT services.
Key features:
Gearing up to solve food security challenges- Building agritech ecosystem for global south.
Brief about the report:
Agriculture remains the crucial sector of the Indian economy. Millions of farmers are dependent on farming for their sustenance. There is a need for sustained growth in the agriculture sector to ensure self-sufficiency in food.
Yet, the agriculture sector faces multiple challenges of production, market linkages, supply chain, climate change, weather risks, etc., which cause significant losses. Agri-tech start-ups have the potential to come up with innovative solutions to address these challenges. This report is an effort in that direction to discuss emerging agritech trends.
Key highlights: