19 March 2020: PIB Summary & Analysis

PIB 19 March 2020:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. ISRO Missions
2. World Consumer Rights Day
3. Samagra Shiksha Scheme
4. Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme
5. Revival of Khadi and Village Industries
6. Central Waqf Council
7. Electricity production in India
8. The new Motor Vehicles Act, 2019
9. Discontinuation of BS-IV Vehicles
10. National Technical Textile Mission
11. National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM)

1. ISRO Missions

Context:

ISRO to launch 36 missions including 10 earth observation satellites in 2020-21: MoS for Space

Details:

• The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has planned 36 missions including satellites and launch vehicles for the fiscal year 2020-21.
• Details of the missions:
  • Earth observation satellites: 10
  • Communication satellites: 3
  • Navigation satellites: 2
  • Space science satellites: 3
  • Technology demonstration: 1
  • PSLV: 1
  • GSLV MK II: 3
  • GSLV MK III: 1
  • Small Satellite Launch Vehicle: 2
  • Gaganyaan (unmanned): 1
• During the current fiscal year of 2019-20, till date 11 out of the total targeted missions have been completed details of which are as follows:
  • Earth observation satellites: 4
  • Communication satellites: 1
  • Space science satellites: 1
  • GSLV MK III: 1

2. World Consumer Rights Day

Context:

World Consumer Rights Day observed on March 15.

About the World Consumer Day:

• The World Consumer Rights Day 2020 was observed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs with the theme “The Sustainable Consumer”. The theme in 2019 was “Trusted Smart Products”.
• The day aims to raise awareness about a consumer’s needs and rights and ensure that they are not subjected to social injustice or market abuse that may undermine their rights.
• This day is commemorated by countries across the world by holding conferences on human rights and conducting discussions on various ways to protect consumer rights.
• The day was first observed in 1983 when the then US President John F Kennedy sent a special message to the US Congress about consumer rights.

3. Samagra Shiksha Scheme

Details:

To know more about Samagra Shiksha Scheme, click on the linked article.

Context:

The above information was given by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development in the Rajya Sabha.

4. Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme

Details:

• The PMEGP is a major credit-linked subsidy programme aimed at generating self-employment opportunities through the establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by helping traditional artisans and unemployed youth.
• To know more about the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), click on the linked article.

Context:

The Union Minister for MSME mentioned the above scheme in the Lok Sabha.

5. Revival of Khadi and Village Industries

Details:

• The Ministry of MSME, through the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), has been implementing the Khadi Reform and Development Programme (KRDP) scheme for the revival and increase in the production of Khadi.
• In order to revitalize and reform the activities of Khadi and Village Industries (KVI) Sector, in terms of employment generation, enhancement in earning of artisans and ensure positioning of Khadi in consonance with the current market trend, a comprehensive reform programme namely Khadi Reform and Development Programme (KRDP) is being implemented with the assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• The KRDP aims to revitalize the Khadi and Village Industries through Policy and Institutional Reforms. Specific objectives are:
  • Repositioning Khadi and aligning it to market demand and trends.
  • Enhancing artisan welfare and empowerment.
  • Undertaking extensive capacity building of Khadi Institutions (KIs).
  • Strengthening institutional mechanisms.
  • Implementation of MIS at Khadi Institution level and e-Governance at KVIC.
  • Strategic development of traditional village industries.

Context:

The above information was given by the Union Minister for MSME in the Lok Sabha.

6. Central Waqf Council

About the Central Waqf Council (CWC):

• It is a statutory body formed in 1964 created under the Waqf Act, 1954.
• It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, GOI.
• The Central Waqf Council (CWC) is an advisory body to the Central Government, State Governments and the State Waqf Boards on the issues of due administration of Auqaf (endowment of property) and working of the Waqf Boards.
• Besides, it is implementing some schemes of the Government relating to Waqfs.
• The brief details of functioning of CWC are as under:
  • To monitor the implementation of the provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013 in States and UTs.
  • To render legal advice on the protection and retrieval of the Waqf properties and for removal of encroachment, etc.
  • To implement the Scheme for Development of Urban Waqf Properties & Identification of potential Waqf land for development by National Waqf Development Corporation Ltd.
  • To implement educational and women welfare schemes for skill development and to empower the poor, especially women.

Context:

Functioning of the Central Waqf Board was mentioned by the Union Minority Affairs Minister in the Lok Sabha.

7. Electricity production in India

Context:

India is 3^rd largest producer of Electricity in the World: MoS for Power

Details:

• As per the latest key world energy statistics published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2019, India is the 3^rd largest producer of electricity in the world and it ranks 106^th in terms of per capita consumption in 2017.
• India has become power surplus from power deficit situation.
• Thus, power sector reforms now focus on the supply of 24×7 quality power to consumers, higher standards of service, promotion of renewable energy sources, development of hydro power, improving efficiency, especially in distribution sector, etc.
• Reforms linked distribution scheme and changes in tariff policy are some of the measures under consideration in this regard.

8. The new Motor Vehicles Act, 2019

Context:

Impact of the new Motor Vehicles Act, 2019.

Details:

For more on the new Motor Vehicles Act, check CNA dated Aug 3, 2019.

9. Discontinuation of BS-IV Vehicles

Context:

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had notified that new motor vehicles conforming to Emission Standard Bharat Stage-IV manufactured before 1^st April, 2020 shall not be registered after the 30^th June, 2020 and the new motor vehicles of categories M and N conforming to Emission Standard Bharat Stage-IV manufactured before 1^st April, 2020 and sold in the form of drive away chassis shall not be registered after 30^th September, 2020.

Details:

The Supreme Court also, vide its order dated 24^th October, 2018 has directed that no new motor vehicle conforming to the emission standard Bharat Stage-IV shall be sold or registered in the entire country with effect from 01.04.2020.

Also read: Bharat Stage VI Norms.

10. National Technical Textile Mission

Context:

The government has approved the proposal for creation of National Technical Textiles Mission for a period of 4 years (2020-21 to 2023-24) with an outlay of Rs.1480 crores.

Details:

• The focus of the Mission is for developing the usage of technical textiles in various flagship missions, programmes of the country including strategic sectors.
• The use of technical textiles in agriculture, aquaculture, dairy, poultry, Jal Jivan Mission; Swachch Bharat Mission; Ayushman Bharat, etc. will bring an overall improvement in cost economy, water and soil conservation, better agricultural productivity and higher income to farmers per acre of land holding in addition to promotion of manufacturing and exports activities in India.
• The use of geo-textiles in highways, railways and ports will result in robust infrastructure, reduced maintenance cost and higher life cycle of the infrastructure assets.

More details on this mission at CNA dated Feb 27, 2020.

11. National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM)

Context:

The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is implementing National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM), which envisages mapping of aquifers (water bearing formations), their characterization and development of Aquifer Management Plans to facilitate sustainable management of Ground Water Resources.

Details:

Details on the mission at PIB dated Dec 9, 2019.

Related Links:

Read more PIB articles here.

PIB 19 March 2020:- Download PDF Here