PIB Summary- 28th June, 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Equalisation Levy 2020

Context

India and USA extend the Transitional Approach on Equalisation Levy 2020 until June 30, 2024. 

Background:

• On October 8, 2021, India and the United States joined 134 other members of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework (including Austria, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) in reaching an agreement on the Statement on a Two-Pillar Solution to Address the Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalization of the Economy.
• In October 2021, the US and Austria, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK reached a political compromise on the transitional approach to the unilateral measures in force while Pillar 1 is implemented.
• On November 24, 2021, India and the United States agreed that the same terms that apply under the October 21 Joint Statement shall apply between India and the United States with respect to India’s charge of 2% equalisation levy on e-commerce supply of services and the United States’ trade action regarding the said Equalisation Levy. 
• The validity of this agreement was from 1st April 2022 till the implementation of Pillar One or 31st March 2024, whichever is earlier.

Details:

• India and the United States have decided to extend the validity of the agreement reflected in the November 24 Statements until June 30, 2024.
• To maintain stability in digital business, India and the US have decided to extend a 2 per cent equalisation levy or digital tax on e-commerce supplies until June 30.
• Experts say the US has suspended any trade retaliatory measures until June 30, 2024, or until the implementation of Pillar One of the OECD’s global tax reform initiatives, whichever occurs earlier.
• Effective April 1, 2020, India is imposing an equalisation levy (EL) of 2 per cent on amounts received/receivable by a non-resident e-commerce operator from e-commerce supply or services. 
• This levy captures many cross-border e-commerce transactions in the absence of any local country physical presence.

Launch of three initiatives at Ayushman Bharat event

Context

Union ministers launched three initiatives at Ayushman Bharat event.

Details of the initiatives launched:

• This virtual assessment provides a robust quality assurance framework for AAMs.
• Currently, 1,70,000 AAMs are running in the country and they provide comprehensive, accessible healthcare services for all citizens. 
• AAMs are led by Community Health Officers who are trained to manage initial care, triage, and refer patients to appropriate facilities for further treatment. 
• To ensure that every citizen receives quality health services, National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) were developed for District Hospitals, Community Health Centres, Rural and Urban Primary Healthcare Centres, and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Sub Centres) with the goal of full compliance by 2026.
• Significance:
  • Online evaluations have been introduced to streamline the assessment process, involving virtual tours and interactions with patients, staff and community members. 
  • Each healthcare facility will undergo a rigorous multi-level assessment process to achieve quality certification.
• Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHL)
  • IPHLs were established to strengthen the laboratory systems under the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). 
  • These laboratories ensure accessibility, efficiency, and quality in diagnostic services, which are fundamental to effective healthcare delivery.
  • The National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) for IPHLs have been developed to ensure consistent, precise, and safe laboratory testing processes.

IPHS Dashboard for Real-time Monitoring of Public Health Facilities

• The IPHS Dashboard is a digital platform for real-time monitoring of public health facilities that provides a comprehensive overview of the assessment and compliance status of public health facilities including hospitals and health centres.
• Through this dashboard, the Ministry aims to ensure that all healthcare institutions adhere to the benchmarks set by the IPHS 2022.
• The dashboard facilitates real-time data collection and analysis through the Open Data Kit (ODK) tool, enabling health officials to conduct thorough assessments, identify gaps, and implement necessary improvements promptly.

FoSCoS

• FoSCoS is a state-of-the-art, pan-India IT platform designed to address all food safety regulatory needs. 
• This system simplifies the licensing and registration processes, aiming to offer an enhanced user experience. 
• FoSCoS also facilitates self-compliance through online return filings, hygiene ratings for food service establishments, third-party audits for safety parameters, etc.
• New feature:
  • FSSAI has introduced a new functionality that enables the instant issuance of licenses and registrations for low-risk categories of food businesses. 
  • This will be achieved through digital verification, ensuring that food safety is not compromised.
  • Instant issuance of licenses without the intervention of a licensing authority will be available for select categories such as wholesalers, distributors, retailers, transporters, storage without atmospheric control + cold, importers, food vending agencies, direct sellers and merchant-exporters.
  • This scheme will not apply to businesses involved in high-risk food categories like milk, meat and fish.

Cancer research development

Context

Camouflaging as a dead enzyme VEGFR1 holds key to medical solutions for colon and renal cancers.

What is the study?

• Researchers investigated a Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTK) called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR). 
• The VEGFR family of receptors is the key regulator of the process of generating new blood vessels. This process is essential for functions like embryonic development, wound healing, tissue regeneration, and tumour formation. This family of enzymes bind growth factors, regulates cell differentiation, proliferation, survival and metabolism.
• Various malignant and non-malignant diseases can be treated by targeting VEGFRs.

Who conducted the study?

• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata.

Findings:

• Researchers have decoded the molecular mechanism in which the enzyme VEGFR1 prevents cancers.
• VEGFR1 withholds self-expression (autoinhibited) in the absence of a ligand—for example, hormones. 
• The research can show the way to develop medical solutions for colon and renal cancers by using molecules that preferentially stabilise the inactive state of VEGFR1.
• Cell surface receptors like Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTK) are crucial for converting extracellular signals (from chemical cues like growth factors, generally referred to as ligands) to tightly regulated cellular response. 
• Ligand binding to extracellular receptors activates intracellular coupled enzymes (tyrosine kinases). The activated enzyme, in turn, adds phosphate group to several tyrosine molecules that function as an adaptor for assembling a signalling complex. 
• The formation of the signalling complex regulates diverse cellular functions like cell growth, development, and host immune response. 
• Spontaneous activation of RTKs, in the absence of ligands, is often linked to multiple human pathologies like cancers, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. 
• Researchers are exploring how a cell maintains an autoinhibited state of the enzyme and why such autoinhibition is breached during the progression of human pathology.

Prelims Facts

UH-3H Helicopter

• The Indian Navy bid farewell to the UH-3H helicopter after 17 years of glorious service during a de-induction ceremony held at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam.
• The UH-3H helicopter will be replaced by Sea King 42C helicopter at INAS 350, to continue and deliver operational power and capability.
• Brought to Indian shores in 2007 along with INS Jalashwa, the UH-3H helicopter was inducted into INAS 350 christened ‘Saaras’ in 2009 at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam. 
• This versatile helicopter played a crucial role in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, security of offshore installations and special operations. Its advanced Search and Rescue (SAR) capabilities and logistical support were vital during natural disasters, often making the difference between despair and relief, and saving countless lives.