PIB Analysis : 14th August

PIB Analysis for UPSC CSE

Topics Covered

1. Competition Law Review Committee 
2. Gallantry Awards & Tatrakshak medals
3. Document Identification Number (DIN)
4. Facts for Prelims : CORAS

1 . Competition Law Review Committee

Context : Shri Injeti Srinivas, Secretary (Corporate Affairs) presented the Report of the Competition Law Review Committee 

About the Committee

• The Government constituted a Competition Law Review Committee on 1st October, 2018 to review the existing Competition law framework and make recommendations to further strengthen the framework to inter alia meet new economy challenges.
• The Committee was chaired by Shri Injeti Srinivas 

The key recommendations of the Competition Law Review Committee

1. Introduction of a ‘Green Channel’ for combination notifications to enable fast-paced regulatory approvals for vast majority of mergers and acquisitions that may have no major concerns regarding appreciable adverse effects on competition. The aim is to move towards disclosure based regime with strict consequences for not providing accurate or complete information.
2. Combinations arising out of the insolvency resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code will also be eligible for “Green Channel” approvals.
3. Introducing a dedicated bench in NCLAT for hearing appeals under the Competition Act.
4. Introduction of express provisions to identify ‘hub and spoke’ agreements as well as agreements that do not fit within typical horizontal or vertical anti-competitive structures to cover agreements related to business structures and models synonymous with new age markets.
5. Additional enforcement mechanism of ‘Settlement & Commitments” in the interests of speedier resolution of cases of anti-competitive conduct.
6. Enabling provisions to prescribe necessary thresholds, inter alia, deal-value threshold for merger notifications. 
7. CCI to issue guidelines on imposition of penalty to ensure more transparency and faster decision making which will encourage compliance by businesses.
8. Strengthening the governance structure of CCI with the introduction of a Governing Board to oversee advocacy and quasi-legislative functions, leaving adjudicatory functions to the Whole-time Members.
9. Merging DG’s Office with CCI as an ‘Investigation Division’ as it aids CCI in discharging an inquisitorial rather than adversarial mandate. However, functional autonomy must be protected.
10. Opening of CCI offices at regional level to carry out non-adjudicatory functions such as research, advocacy etc. and interaction with State Governments and State regulators.

2 . Gallantry Awards

About Gallantry Awards

• Post-independence, first three gallantry awards namely the Param Vir Chakra, the Maha Vir Chakra and the Vir Chakra were instituted by the Government of India on 26th January, 1950 which were deemed to have effect from the 15th August, 1947.
• Thereafter, other three gallantry awards i.e. the Ashoka Chakra Class-I, the Ashoka Chakra Class-II and the Ashoka Chakra Class-III were instituted by the Government of India on 4th January, 1952, which were deemed to have effect from the 15th August, 1947.
• These awards were renamed as the Ashoka Chakra, the Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakrarespectively in January, 1967.
• These gallantry awards are announced twice in a year – first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day.
• Order of precedence of these awards is the Param Vir Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra, the Mahavir Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra.

Tatrakshak Medal

• These awards are being given to the personnel of Indian Coast Guard on Republic Day and Independence Day every year, since 26 January 1990 onwards.

3 . Document Identification Number (DIN)

Context : Every communication to be issued by the Income-Tax Department will now have a Document Identification Number (DIN). This intends to insure proper audit trail of such communication.

About Document Identification Number

• The CBDT has now laid down parameters specifying the manner in which any communication issued by any income-tax authority relating to assessment, appeals, orders, statutory or otherwise, exemptions, enquiry, investigation, verification of information, penalty, prosecution, rectification and approval to the assessee will be dealt with.
• All such communication issued on or after the 1st of October, 2019 shall carry a computer-generated Document Identification Number (DIN) duly quoted in the body of such communication.
• Any communication which is not in conformity with the prescribed guidelines shall be treated as invalid and shall be deemed to have never been issued”.
• CBDT also specifies exceptional circumstances where communication may be issued manually, only after recording reasons in writing & with prior written approval of Chief Commissioner/Director General of Income-Tax concerned,” the Income Tax Department tweeted on its official Twitter handle.
• The exceptional circumstances include situations where there are technical difficulties in generating/allotting/quoting the DIN or issuing the communication electronically or the PAN of the assessee is not available or is lying with a non-jurisdictional Assessing Officer due to delay in PAN migration.

4 . Facts for Prelims

CORAS

• Minister of Railways and Commerce &Industry,Shri Piyush Goyal launched CORAS (Commando for Railway Security) of Indian Railways and new establishment manual for Railway Protection 
• CORAS is a separate Commando Unit of RPF
• Commissioning of CORAS will address challenges to these ongoing projects as well as any challenging situation for Railway travellers. The commandos in CORAS are well trained in reputed institutions and are capable of meeting any precarious situation. This new unit will strengthen the Railway security.

VISION STATEMENT

• To develop world level capabilities of specialized responder for any situation pertaining to damage, disturbance, disruption of train operations, attack/hostage/hijack, disaster situations in railway areas.
• Following the doctrine of graded response, minimum effective force shall be used for providing fool proof security to Indian Railways and its users.

SALIENT FEATURES

• Carved out from motivated and willing young staff of RPF/RPSF.
• With an average age between 30-35 years, CORAS will always be young and motivated staff.
• Very high physical standards to join CORAS.
• Commando Coys shall be deployed in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)/Insurgency/Terrorism affected Railway areas.