How to pollution-proof doorstep delivery

 The near-death blow dealt by the COVID-19 pandemic to global economies notwithstanding, e-commerce companies have not just thrived but have witnessed a much higher growth rate. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, e-commerce companies registered a growth of 31 per cent in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The consequent increase in demand for e-commerce deliveries has had an impact on the environment in urban areas and will inevitably lead to rise in emissions and air pollution.

To reduce this environmental impact, e-commerce companies need to promote zero-local-emission delivery strategies. While “true” zero emission vehicles are still some distance away — even electric vehicles (EVs) are ultimately powered by the grid fuelled primarily by thermal power plants — the realisation of zero local emissions will go a long way in reducing air pollution in major cities.

On an average, major e-commerce players in India such as Amazon, Flipkart and Bigbasket deliver around 1.5–2 lakh orders per day; 65 per cent of this demand comes from just five cities, namely, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. This demand increases significantly, by 1.5 times, during the festive season. For instance, according to a report in Business Insider, Flipkart witnessed a 10-fold increase in shipments during the Diwali festival sale this year compared to the same period last year.

Though there are no conclusive numbers yet, the increased sales of commercial vehicles, such as mini-trucks and pick-up vans, during the pandemic is proof that the e-commerce industry helped the automobile sector stay afloat when it was struggling because of hugely decreased demand. However, these are mostly conventional vehicles and may lead to environmental impacts in the long run. According to a World Economic Forum study on the future of the last-mile delivery, the increase in demand will lead to an increase in emissions by 32 per cent globally.

Introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) and non-motorised transport (NMT; walking and cycling), and optimising delivery trips are a few of the solutions for realising sustainable last-mile deliveries in urban areas. Flipkart and Amazon have recently announced plans to introduce EVs in their delivery fleet. While Flipkart aims to convert 40 per cent of its fleet to EVs, Amazon plans to introduce 10,000 EVs in India in the near future. However, the introduction of EVs comes with challenges as electric transportation is still an evolving segment and not a run-of-the-mill solution. In addition, the introduction of NMT needs strategic implementation and planning.

A major challenge is that most of the e-commerce companies outsource the logistics and last-mile delivery. These delivery service providers need to convert their fleet to clean vehicles. Additionally, the location of warehouses pose a challenge, with a majority of them situated in the outskirts due to affordable rentals.

Return deliveries (in case the addressee is not available or when goods are exchanged) add to the cost of operation, increasing the man-hours and the travel/trip length per order. The different categories of delivery slots (priority, same day, free, etc.) also complicate trip planning.

Delivery service providers need to convert their fleets to clean vehicles; private players can play a vital role in minimising the potential air pollution from this sector. DOT, a Delhi-based start-up, provides EVs to Swiggy, Amazon, and Bigbasket for last-mile delivery. Further, leased EVs can be a viable option for both delivery service providers and e-commerce companies. The latter can even forge tie-ups with EV manufacturers to directly lease the required fleets.

The peripheral location of warehouses provides an opportunity for not only EV implementation but also traffic reduction within cities, ultimately reducing emissions. Within cities, strategically located warehouses shared by multiple e-commerce players can make EV introduction financially viable through sharing of land and charging infrastructure cost, streamlining the flow of heavy and light commercial vehicles, efficient fleet utilisation, and ease of operation for delivery service providers.

A potential solution to reduce the travel required by delivery executives is to set up a pickup point network, with smart lockers every 1 km or so, considering the location-wise number of shipments. Bus stops, shopping malls, etc. could be used as potential locations for such lockers. Such a network can also open up the option of NMT delivery to the consumer’s doorstep. Gated communities can install lockers at the entrance to avoid travel inside their premises.

Cities need to understand delivery movements, as well as the location of warehouses, consolidation centres, and delivery hotspots to prioritise sustainable last-mile delivery. Further, assessing the socio-economic and environmental impacts of urban last-mile deliveries and freight movement will help cities develop sustainable transport policies. Zero-emissions vehicles (electric or non-motorised vehicles), off-peak-hour deliveries, centralised pick-up points, and a network of freight hubs throughout a city are some of the solutions to meet the growing demand of urban last-mile deliveries. Finally, to realise long-term sustainable mobility, cities need to develop urban freight policies with an emphasis on strategic interventions in last-mile delivery.

By Trupti Deshpande and Anantha Lakshmi Paladugula

The writers work in the area of environment and the ecosystem at the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), a research-based think tank

Current Affairs – January 15

 

India

Foundation stone of science communication and policy research institute

On January 14, 2021, the Union Science and Technology minister Dr Harsh Vardhan laid the foundation stone of CSIR- National Institute of Science communication and policy research in New Delhi. The institute has been formed by merging CSIR-NISCAIR and CSIR-NISTADS.

Armed forces veterans day

on January 14, 2021, V armed forces veterans day was celebrated. The armed forces day marks the retirement day of Field Marshal Cariappa. Cariappa was the first Indian commander in chief of the Indian armed forces. He retired on January 14, 1953.

ASMI 9 mm machine pistol

The Indian army and the defence Research Development organisation DRDO has developed India’s first indigenous 9 mm machinie pistol called ASMI.

Centre to SC: Discriminalising adultery may cause instability in Army

On January 13, 2021, the centre urged the Supreme Court that its 2018 verdict, decriminalising adultery be not made applicable to the armed forces. According to the central government it may cause instability within the services. The verdict was pronounced under the Indian Penal Code.

75th Foundation Day of Food Corporation of India

On January 14, 2021, the 75th foundation day of the Food Corporation of India was celebrated. The Food Corporation of India is a statutory body that operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. It was founded on January 14, 1965. Its initial headquarters was located in Chennai and was later moved to New Delhi.

Employee welfare measures to be extended to seamen

The demand of the National Union of seafarers of India to extend the employee welfare measures such as pension and provident fund to the seamen community has been approved by the government of India. This is to benefit more than 4 lakh Indian seafarers all ranks working in India and in foreign ship.

Dushyant Dave resigned as Supreme Court bar association president

On January 14, 2021, the president of Supreme Court bar association Dushyant Dave resigned from her post.

Supreme Court asks states and union territories to reopen Anganwadis

On January 13, 2021, the Supreme Court of India ordered the state and union territories to reopen Anganwadi centres. The centre for closed during lockdown.

No Republic Day chief guest in 2021

On January 14, 2023 the ministry of external affairs announced that there will be no chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations due to global situation arising because of covid-19. The decision has been taken after the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled his visit to India to attend the Republic Day celebrations due to the pandemic.

Economy and corporate

Bhartiya Kisan union president recuses himself from Supreme Court committee

Bhartiya Kisan union president Bhupinder Singh recused himself from the four-member committee appointed by the supreme court. Committee was appointed to resolve the issues between farmers and centres over the three farm laws. The farmer unions have been raising doubts over the composition of the panel in fitting that the members are in favour of the laws.

WPI slows to 1.22%

the wholesale price-based inflation slowed down to 1.22 % in December 2020. This is the food prices. The WPI in November, 2020 was 1.55% and in December,2019 it was 2.76%.

Bharat Biotech starts supply of COVID-19 vaccine

The Bharat Biotech has begin its supplies of core vaccine. The vaccine was developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of virology is top the first batch has been dispatched from Hyderabad to 11 cities across the country. This was followed by the receipt of government purchase order for 55 lacs of doses.

SWITCH Drones

the Indian Army has signed a contract to procure or undisclosed quantities of high altitude variant of SWITCH unmanned aerial vehicles with ideaForge. The contract was signed at 20 million USD.

Thales and Bharat Dynamics to work in partnership on air defence system

on January 14, 2021, the European defence company Thales signed an agreement with the Public Sector Unit Bharat dynamics Limited on and add defence system. With this the Bharat dynamics Limited will become a part of the STAR Streak Missile System. The this will provide an opportunity to boost the export of Indian manufactured components.

Google remove personal loan apps

On January 14, 2021, Google reviewed hundreds of personal loan apps in India. That it giant then remove those Apps that were found to be violating uses safety policies.

World

Donald Trump impeached

On January 13, 2021, Donald Trump became the first president of United States to be impeached twice.

President elect Joe Biden names Samantha Power as USAID Chief

On January 13, 2021 the president-elect Joe Biden named the former Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power as the chief of United State agency for international development, USAID.

Snapchat bans Donald Trump

On January 13, 2021, Snapchat permanently banned the United States President Donald Trump from the platform.

WHO experts arrived in Wuhan

IT team of experts from the World Health Organisation has arrived in we want to investigate the Origins of the Deadly coronavirus pandemic.

United States Bans tomato and cotton products from china

On January 13, 2021, the United States announced a ban on the entry of tomato and cotton products from the Xinjiang region of China.

Assam Polytechnic PAT 2021 dates announced

 Assam Polytechnic PAT 2021: The dates of the Assam Polytechnic Admission Test (PAT 2021) have been announced. The exam will be held in two phases on July 18 and 25, and the application process will begin from May 20 to June 30.

PAT will be held in offline (pen-and-paper) format following COVID-19 guidelines. The candidates have to carry face masks, hand sanitisers at the exam centres, without it, they will not be allowed to appear at the exam centre.

The admit card will be released at the website- dte.assam.gov.in following the completion of the registration process, and the exam centres are mentioned on the hall ticket.

Here’s how to apply for PAT 2021

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Directorate of Technical Education

Step 2: Click on “click here to apply”.

Step 3: Fill up the application form

Step 4: Upload photograph and scanned signature

Step 5: Click submit to save the application form.

After step five, an automated unique application number will generate, which will be active as long the admission process ends.

After saving the unique application number, a candidate will be required to complete payment.

Step 1: Select the payment category “PAT – 2020”

Step 2: EnteStep 3: Select either offline or online payment

Step 4: Pay and save the receipt for future reference.

The status of payment will be updated in the application form within seven days after the transaction. Once a candidate completes his/her registration, they can check their application status any time using the applicant login area.r your details

Source: Indian Express, 14/01/21

To truly become self-reliant, invest in research and development

 India has long had a reputation about its ability to thrive on “jugaad technology” which can be loosely translated as innovative solutions which get around the rules. This needs to become a story of the past now. For India to evolve into a self-reliant economy, the importance of investment in research and development (R&D) is critical in this new decade.

Despite all efforts, the gross domestic expenditure on R&D as a fraction of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has declined from 0.8% in 2010 to 0.6% in 2018. It has been hovering around this level for more than two decades. This pales in comparison to R&D investment in developed countries such as Japan (3.2%), Germany (3.0%), the United States (2.8%) and developing ones such as South Korea (4.8%) and China (2.2%) in 2018. Most R&D expenditure in India comes from the government and this is unfortunate.

A higher expenditure on R&D usually correlates with high technology exports. India’s share in high technology exports stands at 9.1%, while for China and South Korea, it is 31.4% and 36.3% respectively. To move up the manufacturing value chain and enhance competitiveness, there is a need to increase R&D expenditure in sectors which are import-dependent.

Though hundreds of international companies having set up R&D shops, utilising the talent pool at lower cost, Indian corporates have failed to keep pace.

The heightened need for R&D creates opportunities for financing its expansion. This will not only lead to augmenting exports but also reduce the country’s dependence on R&D-related product imports — something which can make the trade deficit more manageable. In fact, according to the government’s Invest India report, each $1 million invested in R&D in India per year by multinational corporations (MNCs) is likely to generate a demand for around eight to ten researchers.

In this context, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government may possibly consider setting up a credit facility solely for investments in R&D in industries in which India requires import substitution. The initiative would provide lending at rates lower than the prevailing repo rate, for 10 to 12 years, to finance investments that create technological and production capacity in R&D-intensive sectors.

To further ensure greater access for the R&D sector, the government can consider a sub-category under the priority sector lending (PSL) which will boost access to finance. However, there should be clarity on the list of industries to be covered in order to ensure that benefits are not skewed to select ones only.

India has always been found lacking in terms of academia-industry linkages. This is a bedrock in developed economies. In fact, private-public partnerships aligned with national innovation and industrial strategies such as China’s Industry-Research Strategic Alliances, Canada´s Strategic Network Grants, the Netherlands´ Top Sectors, Germany´s Innovation Alliances, Israel´s Magnet Consortium, and France´s Strategic Industrial Innovation Programme are all worth looking into.

The government should set up a mechanism wherein the grants received by Central Universities and technology and management institutes are linked to their collaboration with the public and private sectors and designed to produce concrete outcomes, not just cooperation agreements on paper.

Economies worldwide have graduated in the production chain from low and middle technology exports and have been focusing on R&D-related high technology exports which bring in greater foreign exchange earnings. In fact, Samsung’s global R&D spending in the first nine months of 2020 hit a record high of $14.3 billion and was equivalent to 9.1% of its sales amid the Covid-19 pandemic. This clearly demonstrates the importance such firms give to R&D.

India needs to show flexibility and offer differential treatment to Indian companies in the form of tax incentives, uninterrupted support, and stringent supervision. The upcoming Budget in 2021 could possibly be just the right moment to support R&D in the backdrop of the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Rahul Mazumdar is an economist with EXIM Bank, India

Source: Hindustan Times, 13/01/2021

Dear Reader, Wish You A Very Happy Bihu

 "May this festival of zeal and verve fill your life with lots of energy and enthusiasm, may it help bring happiness and prosperity to you and your loved ones. Happy Bihu to you and your family"

TISS Guwahati Campus Library

Quote of the Day January 13, 2021

 

“At twenty years of age the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgment.”
Benjamin Franklin

“बीस साल की उम्र में इंसान अपनी मर्ज़ी से चलता है, तीस में बुद्धि से और चालीस में विवेक से।”
बेंजामिन फ्रैंकलिन

Current Affairs – January 13, 2021

 

India

SC stays implementation of three new farm laws

The Supreme Court has put a stay on the implementation of three new farm laws until further orders. “The implementation of the three farm laws 1) Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; (2) Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020; and (3) Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, shall stand stayed until further orders,” it said. The bench was hearing a batch of petitions regarding the Constitutional validity of three farm laws passed by Parliament and a plea to disperse the protesting farmers. It has also set up a committee of agricultural experts to facilitate talks between the Centre and farmers’ unions to resolve the impasse. The four-member panel comprises agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, former Director for South Asia, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Pramod Kumar Joshi, National President of Bhartiya Kisan Union & All India Kisan Coordination Committee, Bhupinder Singh Mann, and Shetkari Sanghatana President Anil Ghanwat.

Kayakalp awards given to Public and Private Health Facilities

Public and Private Health Facilities across the country were on January 12, 2021 felicitated with Centre’s Kayakalp award for high standards of Sanitation and Hygiene. The government had launched a National Initiative ‘Kayakalp’ on 15^th May 2015 to ensure hygiene, sanitation and cleanliness in Public Health Facilities in the country.

Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda celebrated as National Youth Day

Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated as National Youth Day on January 12, 2021. Swami Vivekananda became popular in the western world after his famous speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893. He was the chief disciple of the 19^th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramhansa and was the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission.

PM addresses valedictory function of National Youth Parliament Festival

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the valedictory function of the second National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) on January 12, 2021 via video conferencing. The objective of NYPF is to hear the voice of youth between 18 and 25 years of age.

Committee on TRPs of TV channels submits report to I&B minister

The committee constituted to make the Television Rating Points (TRPs) of TV channels more transparent, submitted its report to the Union Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Prakash Javadekar on January 12, 2021. A committee was formed under the chairmanship of Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati on November 4, 2020 to make the TRP system more transparent. Following the report, guidelines would be issued to the rating agency, Broadcast Audience Research Council.

Women to be inducted as Army pilots: Army Chief

Women will be inducted as pilots in the Army Aviation Corps from next year, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said on January 12, 2021. Till now, women are only part of ground duties in the Army Aviation Corps (AAC). The Indian Army raised the AAC on November 1, 1986 and it comprises helicopters that fly in conflict and peace zones.

Economy & Corporate

CPI-based inflation eased to 4.59% in December

Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation eased to 4.59% in December 2020 compared to 6.93% in November, according to government data released on January 12, 2021.

Industrial output contracts by 1.9% in November 2020

The country’s industrial output, measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), contracted by 1.9% in November as against 3.6% growth in October, according to data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

KVIC launches eco-friendly “Khadi Prakritik Paint”

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways & MSME Nitin Gadkari launched an innovative new paint developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission on January 12, 2021. The eco-friendly, non-toxic paint, called “Khadi Prakritik Paint” is a first-of-its-kind product, with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties.

Bharat Biotech to supply Covaxin to Brazil

Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech has signed an agreement with Precisa Medicamentos, a firm in Brazil, to supply the COVID-19 vaccine candidate to the Latin American country. Twelve million doses of the indigenous vaccine are likely to be supplied over a period of time.

World

India to set up financial facility for academic collaboration with Arab World

India on January 12, 2021 decided to set up one-billion-dollar facility for academic collaboration with the Arab World. This was decided at third Senior Officials Meeting of the Arab-India Cooperation Forum held via video conference. The financial facility will be a rolling one and continue to be replenished.

Private messages will continue to be encrypted end-to-end: WhatsApp

In the wake of a backlash over its updated privacy policy, Facebook-owned WhatsApp on January 12, 2021 clarified that the update would not affect users’ messages to friends or family. The changes only relate to messaging a business using the platform, the messaging service provider said. In an FAQ posted on its website, WhatsApp added that this update includes changes related to messaging a business on WhatsApp, which is optional.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un given title of general secretary of ruling party

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was given the title of general secretary of the ruling Workers Party formerly held by his late father Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung. Kim already was the party’s top leader. During a 2016 party congress, he was named party chairman and before that had led the party with the title of first secretary.

Malaysia: King declares emergency till August 1 to fight Covid-19

Malaysia’s king on January 12, 2021 declared a nationwide state of emergency to fight a coronavirus surge. Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah agreed to declare an emergency until August 1 following a request from Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in a meeting on January 11, the national palace said in a statement.

U.S. rebrands Cuba as state sponsor of terrorism

President Donald Trump’s outgoing administration on January 11, 2021 returned Cuba to the U.S. blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cited Cuba’s ties with Colombian rebels, alliance with leftist Venezuela and sanctuary to several U.S. fugitives in justifying the blacklisting. The terror designation only be removed after a formal review by the new Joe Biden administration.

Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson dies at 87 in US

Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire mogul and power broker who built a casino empire spanning from Las Vegas to China, died at the age of 87 on January 11, 2021. He was the Chairman and CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.