21 March 2020: PIB Summary & Analysis

This article gives a summary of Press Information Bureau. It covers topics related to COVID-19 emergency funds, extradition treaty, schemes for giving an upward thrust to manufacture of electronic components and semi-conductors, scheme for medical parks, provides more information on Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and digital e-learning platforms.

Aspirants would find this topic very helpful while preparing for the IAS Exam.

March 21st, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. COVID-19 Emergency fund
2. Extradition Treaty between India and Belgium
3. Scheme for Promotion of manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors
4. Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme
5. Scheme on Promotion of Medical Device Parks
6. Promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials/Drug Intermediates and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in the country
7. Border Roads Organisation
8. Digital e-Learning platforms

COVID-19 Emergency Fund

Context: 

• The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep appreciation for the Government of Maldives for contributing to the COVID-19 Emergency fund.

For further information on this topic, refer to 16 March 2020, Comprehensive News Analysis.

Extradition Treaty – India & Belgium

Context: 

• Cabinet approves signing and ratifying of the Extradition Treaty between India and Belgium.

Salient features of the Treaty:

1. Obligation to Extradite: Each Party agrees to extradite to the other any person found in its territory, who is accused or convicted of an extraditable offence in the territory of the other Party.
2. Extraditable Offences: An extraditable offence means an offence punishable under the laws of both the Parties with imprisonment for a period of one year or more severe punishment.  
   • Where extradition is sought in respect of a convicted person, the duration of the sentence remaining to be served must be at least six months at the time of making the request.  
   • Offences relating to taxation, or revenue or is one of a fiscal character also fall within the scope of this Treaty.
3. Mandatory grounds for Refusal: Under the Treaty, extradition shall be refused if:
   • The offence involved is a political offence.
   • The offence for which extradition is requested is a military offence.
   • The request for prosecution has been made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing the person on account of his race, sex, religion, nationality or political opinion.
   • The prosecution of enforcement of sentences has become time barred.
4. Extradition of Nationals: Extradition of nationals is discretionary.

Benefits 

1. The Treaty would provide a legal framework for seeking extradition of terrorists, economic offenders, and other criminals from and to Belgium. 

Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components & Semiconductors

Context: 

1. As part of efforts to strengthen electronic manufacturing ecosystem in the country, the Union Cabinet has approved the Scheme for Promotion of manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS)

Details:

1. The Scheme will provide a financial incentive of 25% on capital expenditure for the select electronic goods that comprise the downstream value chain of electronic products, i.e., electronic components, semiconductor/ display fabrication units,Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) units, etc. 
   • The scheme will cater to all segments of electronics manufacturing such as mobile electronics, consumer electronics, industrial electronics, automotive electronics, medical electronics, strategic electronics, power electronics, telecom equipment and computer hardware.
   • The scheme will also be applicable to expansion of capacity modernization and diversification of existing units along with investments in new units
2. SPECS will help meet the constraints in domestic manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductors  in order to strengthen the electronic manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

Benefits of SPECS:

The proposal when implemented will lead to the development of electronic components manufacturing ecosystem in the country.  Following are the expected outputs/outcomes in terms of measurable indicators for the scheme:

1. Development of electronic components manufacturing ecosystem in the country and deepening of Electronics value chain.
2. New investments in Electronics Sector to the tune of at least Rs. 20,000 crore.
3. Direct employment of approximately 1,50,000 is expected to be created in the manufacturing units supported under the scheme, including indirect employment of about three times of direct employment as per industry estimates. Thus, the total employment potential of the scheme is approximately 6,00,000.
4. Reducing dependence on import of components by large scale domestic manufacturing that will also enhance the digital security of the nation.

Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme

Context: 

1. The Union Cabinet has approved financial assistance to the Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC2.0) Scheme which would support setting up of both Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs) and Common Facility Centres (CFCs).

Details

1. The EMCs will aid the growth of the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector, help the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, drive innovation and catalyse the economic growth of the region by attracting investments in the sector.
   • EMCs would be set up in geographical areas of certain minimum extent, preferably contiguous, where the focus is on development of basic infrastructure, amenities and other common facilities for the ESDM units.
2. For the CFC, there should be a significant number of existing ESDM units located in the area and the focus is on upgrading common technical infrastructure and providing common facilities.

Benefits

The Scheme will create a robust infrastructure base for the electronic industry to attract flow of investment in the ESDM sector and lead to greater employment opportunities.  Following are the expected outputs/outcomes for the Scheme:

1. Availability of ready infrastructure and Plug & Play facility for attracting investment in electronics sector.
2. New investment in electronics sector
3. Jobs created by the manufacturing units;
4. Revenue in the form of taxes paid by the manufacturing units

Scheme for Promotion of Medical Device Parks

Context: 

1. The Union Cabinet has approved a scheme on the promotion of medical device parks for financing common infrastructure facilities and a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for promoting domestic manufacturing of medical devices.

Background 

1. The medical device sector suffers from a cost of manufacturing disability of around 12 per cent to 15 per cent, vis-a-vis competing economies due to lack of adequate infrastructure, domestic supply chain and logistics, high cost of finance, inadequate availability of quality power, limited design capabilities and low focus on research and skill development. Hence, there is a need for a mechanism to compensate for the manufacturing disability.

Details

1. The scheme aims to promote medical device parks in the country in partnership with the states. 
2. Under the scheme, an incentive of five per cent of incremental sales over the base year 2019-20 will be provided on the segments of identified medical devices.

Implementation of the Scheme:

1. The Scheme for Promotion of Medical Device Parks will be implemented by a State Implementing Agency(SIA).
2. The PLI Scheme for promoting domestic manufacturing will be implemented by a Project Management Agency(PMA) to be nominated by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
3. There are four categories of medical devices considered under the PLI Scheme:
   • Cancer care/Radiotherapy medical devices
   • Radiology & Imaging medical devices (both ionizing & non-ionizing   radiation products) and Nuclear Imaging Devices.
   • Anesthetics & Cardio-Respiratory medical devices including Catheters of Cardio Respiratory Category & Renal Care Medical Devices.
   • AII Implants including implantable electronic devices like Cochlear Implants and Pacemakers.

Impact of the Scheme: 

1. The Schemes will lead to substantial reduction in import of target segments of medical devices.
2. The PLI Scheme aims to boost domestic manufacturing by attracting large investments in the medical device sector.
3. The PLI Scheme for promoting domestic manufacturing of Medical Devices would boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the medical device sector, particularly in the identified target segments.

Promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials/Drug Intermediates and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in the country

Context: 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister,has approved the following schemes:

1. The scheme on Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks for financing Common Infrastructure Facilities in 3 Bulk Drug Parks.
2. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical KSMs/Drug Intermediates and APIs in the country.

Background

1. The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the 3rd largest in the world by volume. However, despite this achievement, India is significantly dependent on import of basic raw materials, viz., Bulk Drugs that are used to produce medicines. In some specific bulk drugs the import dependence is 80 to 100%.
2. Continuous supply of drugs is necessary to ensure delivery of affordable healthcare to the citizens. Any disruption in supplies can have a significant adverse impact on Drug Security, which is also linked to the overall economy of the country. 
3. Thus Self-sufficiency in manufacturing of bulk drugs is highly required.

Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks: 

1. The decision is to develop 3 mega Bulk Drug parks in India in partnership with States.
2. The scheme will be implemented by State Implementing Agencies (SIA) to be set up by the respective State Governments 
3. Parks will have common facilities such as solvent recovery plant, distillation plant, power & steam units, common effluent treatment plant etc
4. Impact:The scheme is expected to reduce manufacturing cost of bulk drugs in the country and dependency on other countries for bulk drugs.

Production Linked Incentive Scheme: 

1. The scheme will be implemented through a Project Management Agency (PMA) to be nominated by the Department of Pharmaceuticals. 
   • The Scheme will be applicable only for manufacturing of 53 identified critical bulk drugs (Key Starting Materials (KSMs) /Drug Intermediates and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs))
   • The Scheme will be applicable only for manufacturing of 53 identified critical bulk drugs.

Impact:

1. The scheme intends to boost domestic manufacturing of critical KSMs/Drug Intermediates and APIs by attracting large investments in the sector to ensure their sustainable domestic supply and thereby reduce India’s import dependence on other countries for critical KSMs/Drug Intermediates and APIs.
2. It will lead to expected incremental sales and significant additional employment generation over 8 years.

Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

Context: 

1. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened a 360-feet long bailey suspension bridge over the Teesta river for traffic in Munshithang near Chungthang town in North Sikkim.

Details: 

1. The construction of the bridge started in October 2019 and completion was in January 2020. It was constructed under project Swastik. 
   • Swastik has a significant role as it maintains the vital road network in east and north Sikkim leading to the international border and many tourist spots in the region. 

Significance: 

1. The bridge will give impetus to tourism. 
2. It will also facilitate the movement of logistics for the Armed Forces deployed in forward areas.

Digital E-Learning Platforms

Context: 

1. Union Human Resource Development Minister has asked students to continue their learning by making full use of the available digital e-Learning platforms during the period the educational institutions are closed as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.
2. Educational institutions have been urged to promote digital learning and make students aware of the various digital/e-learning platforms which are provided by MHRD for online education.

The digital learning platforms of Ministry of HRD:

1. DIKSHA: Diksha has more than 80000 e-Books for class 12th created by CBSE, NCERT and States/UTs which are available in multiple languages.
2. e- PATHSHALA: In this web portal NCERT has deployed 1886 audios, 2000 videos, 696  e-books (e-Pubs) and 504 Flip Books for classes 1st to 12th in different languages.
3. National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER): It is an initiative to bring together all digital and digitisable resources across all stages of school education and teacher education.

The e-platforms of Ministry of HRD for school education & Higher Education are as under:

• SWAYAM: SWAYAM is the national online education platform hosting 1900 courses covering both school (class IX to XII) and Higher Education (undergraduate, post graduate programs) in all subjects.

• • • A unique feature of SWAYAM is that it is integrated with conventional education.
    • Credit transfers are possible  for SWAYAM courses

• SWAYAM PRABHA: It has 32 D2H TV channels transmitting educational content on a 24/7 basis.
  • The channels cover both school education (class IX to XII) and Higher Education (undergraduate, post graduate, engineering, out of school children, vocational courses and teacher training) in arts, Science, commerce, performing arts, Social Sciences and Humanities subjects, engineering, technology,  law, medicine, and agriculture.

March 21st, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

The above details would help candidates prepare for UPSC 2020.

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