13 December 2019: PIB Summary & Analysis

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December 13th, 2019 PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Huge subsidy burden for fertilizers
2. Economic Census Flagged off in Delhi
3. National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management
4. National Afforestation Programme
5. Research in Traditional System of Medicines
6. Cancer Care Infrastructure
7. Vaccination for Pneumonia
8. Programmes to Control Anaemia among Women
9. Anti-TB Drugs Provided by Private Sector Clinics
10. Medical Device Park
11. Maternal Mortality Rate
12. FSSAI’s Hygiene Rating Scheme
13. India to Host 36th International Geological Congress in March 2020

Huge subsidy burden for fertilizers

Nutrient Based Subsidy Policy

• In 2010, the government had launched the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) programme under which a fixed amount of subsidy, decided on an annual basis, is provided on each grade of subsidised phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers, except for urea, based on the nutrient content present in them.
• The basic purpose of the Concession Scheme and Nutrient Based Subsidy Policy has been to provide fertilizers to the farmers at the subsidized prices.

Read more about Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme

Economic Census Flagged off in Delhi

What’s in News?

The Seventh Economic Census has been launched in the National Capital Territory.

National Economic Survey:

• National Economic Survey is conducted every five years and is very crucial for framing of policies and planning for the government and other organisations.
• The process of Economic Census was first held in 1978.
• This is the Seventh Census which will provide dis-aggregated information on various operational and structural aspects of all establishments in the country.
• The census will provide valuable insights into geographical spread/clusters of economic activities, ownership pattern; persons engaged etc. of the establishments engaged in economic activity.

Details:

• For the first time the entire Census is being conducted on a digital platform by the use of an application which will ensure high accuracy and data security.
• Delhi is the 26^thstate where the survey has been launched, while the process is already on in 20 states and 5 UTs.

National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management

What’s in News?

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has set up the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai to undertake studies and research in the area of Coastal Zone Management including coastal resources and environment. NCSCM has 6 research divisions. Its cutting-edge research infrastructure provides for world class research outputs and decision support system that directly enables policy decisions.

• NCSCM is mandated to disseminating knowledge pertaining to coastal management by capacity building at all levels for the benefit of coastal communities and stakeholders.
• NCSCM’s Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Plan has been developed on international standards that can be replicated in other parts of the World.
• Survey of India and NCSCM have mapped the Hazard Line for the entire coast of India, which includes vulnerability mapping of flood, erosion and sea level rise.  The outputs will be used by all the coastal States and UTs in managing coastal vulnerability in the coming years and as a tool for preparation of disaster management plans.

The aims and Objectives of the Centre:

• To strive for being a World Class Knowledge Institution related to coastal zones, environment, resources and processes.
• To promote integrated and sustainable management of the coastal and marine areas in India for the benefit and wellbeing of the traditional coastal and island communities.
• To advice the Union and State Governments and other associated stakeholder(s) on policy, and scientific matters related to Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).

National Afforestation Programme

What’s in News?

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is implementing plantation/afforestation schemes in the forest areas with participatory approach. The plantation species under the schemes is selected by the implementing agencies/the members of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC) on the basis of their needs, ecological conditions and other local factors in consultation with the Forest Department.

Conservation and development of forest:

• The conservation and development of forest primarily involves three strategies – afforestation through natural/artificial regeneration, protection and management.
• The ministry is implementing three major schemes for development of forest areas e.National Afforestation Programme (NAP) scheme, National Mission for a Green India (GIM) and Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme (FFPM).
• While NAP is being implemented for afforestation of degraded forest lands, GIM aims at improving the quality of forest and increase in forest cover besides cross sectoral activities on landscape basis.
• The FFPM takes care of forest fire prevention and management measures.
• For scientific management of forests, the States prepare management plan called Working Plan which highlights various activities to be undertaken in a forest division for effective management of forest. The working plan is approved by the Ministry.
• Besides, the funds collected under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), as compensatory levies from states inter-alia, is also used in plantation activity including compensatory afforestation by States/UTs.
• The overall objective of the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) scheme is ecological restoration of degraded forests and to develop the forest resources with peoples’ participation, with focus on improvement in livelihoods of the forest-fringe communities, especially the poor.

Research in Traditional System of Medicines

What’s in News?

• Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an autonomous organization under Ministry of AYUSH has established 9 Institutes /Centres to promote Research in traditional system of medicine in Himalayan region.
• These Institutes/ Centres are located in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura and Nagaland.

CCRAS has one research Institute namely National Research Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NRISR) located at Leh, Laddakh. The Institute has undertaken three Intramural Research Projects and One Tribal Health Care Research Project as follows:

1. Completed  Project on Pictorial guide of commonly used medicinal plants of Sowa -Rigpa and Ayurveda.
2. Completed Project on Compilation and Documentation of classical Sowa-Rigpa formulations NRISR, Leh.
3. Project on Development of Agro Technique for high altitude, endangered Medicinal Plants of trans-Himalayan.
4. Strengthening the tribal health care research project under tribal sub plan at Leh and also  Sowa-rigpa health center at Kargil.

Sowa Rigpa:

• Sowa-Rigpa is one of the oldest, living and well documented medical tradition popular in the world.
• The term ‘Sowa Rigpa’ is derived from Bhoti language which means ‘Knowledge of Healing’.
• It is an ancient Indian medical system which was enriched in the entire Trans-Himalayan region.
• At present Sowa-Rigpa is more popular in Himalayan societies especially in J & K region’, Ladakh ,Himachal Pradesh (Lahoul & Spiti), West Bengal (Darjeeling), Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of India.
• It is also being practiced in countries like Bhutan, Mongolia and Russia etc.
• It is a formally recognized and promoted as traditional medical system by the Government of India.

Cancer Care Infrastructure

• Cancer is being diagnosed and treated at various levels in the Government health care system.
• To tackle the challenge of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD), including cancer, NCD Clinics at District level and NCD Clinics at Community Health Centre level have been set up under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).
• Screening of common NCDs including three common cancers i.e. oral, breast and cervical is also an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres.
• Several measures have been taken to discourage the use of tobacco products, which is one of the key risk factors of Cancer. Other initiatives like promoting healthy lifestyles through healthy eating and regular physical activity are also being undertaken.
• Further, Oncology is also one of the focus areas in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).
• The Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), through the Department of Atomic Energy has also taken initiatives to address the problem of cancer. TMC has established the National Cancer Grid, which is a network of 193 cancer centres, research institutions, patient groups, professional societies in the country with the mandate of creating uniform standards of cancer care in India.

National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS)

• Considering the rising burden of NCDs and common risk factors to major Chronic Non –Communicable Diseases, Government of India initiated an integrated National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) under the National Health Mission.
• The focus of the Programme is on health promotion and prevention, strengthening of infrastructure including human resources, early diagnosis and management and integration with the primary health care system through NCD cells at different levels for optimal operational synergies.

Vaccination for Pneumonia

Pneumonia:

• Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.
• The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
• A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia.

Under National Health Mission, the Government of India is implementing following interventions to address pneumonia:

• SAANS (Social Awareness and Actions to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully) Initiative to accelerate action to reduce deaths due to Childhood Pneumonia. The SAANS initiative encompasses a three tiered strategy: i) National Childhood Pneumonia Management Guidelines on treatment and management of Childhood Pneumonia; ii) Skill building and training of service providers for identification and standardized management of Pneumonia; and iii) a 3600 communication SAANS Campaign to ensure greater awareness on childhood Pneumonia among families and parents in order to trigger behaviour change and improve care seeking.
• Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) focuses on Measles, Haemophilus Influenzae (B) and Pneumococcal Vaccine for prevention of pneumonia.
• Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are promoted under Mothers’ Absolute Affection (MAA) initiative.
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) has been introduced since May 2017 in a phased manner under Universal Immunization Program.

Following steps have been taken to disseminate knowledge about Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) vaccination under Universal Immunization Program of National Health Mission:

• Awareness among community has been generated utilizing audio-visual and print material like poster, banner, leaflet, TV spot and radio spot and use of Social media through WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook messages.
• Awareness among service providers like medical officers and Front Line Workers like Accredited Social Health Activists(ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Mid wives (ANMs) and Anganwadi workers(AWWs)has been created through trainings.

Programmes to Control Anaemia among Women

The anaemia control programme review indicated challenges in IFA supply chain management, demand generation and monitoring. Considering, the slow progress i.e. less than 1% per annum in reduction of anaemia from 2005 to 2015, the Government of India has launched the Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy under the Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment (POSHAN) Abhiyaan and the targets has been set to reduce anaemia by 3% per year.

• The 6x6x6 strategy under AMB implies six age groups, six interventions and six institutional mechanisms. The strategy focuses on ensuring supply chain, demand generation and strong monitoring using the dashboard for addressing anaemia, both due to nutritional and non-nutritional causes.
• The six population groups under AMB strategy are:

• 1. Children (6-59 months)
  2. Children (5-9 years)
  3. Adolescents girls and boys (10-19 years)
  4. Pregnant women
  5. Lactating women
  6. Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) group (15-49 years)

• The six interventions are:

• 1. Prophylactic Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation
  2. Deworming
  3. Intensified year-round Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Campaign and delayed cord clamping
  4. Testing of anaemia using digital methods and point of care treatment,
  5. Mandatory provision of Iron and Folic Acid fortified foods in Government funded health programmes
  6. Addressing non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis and the six institutional mechanisms.

• The six institutional mechanisms are:
  1. Inter-ministerial coordination
  2. National Anaemia Mukt Bharat Unit
  3. National Centre of Excellence and Advanced research on Anemia Control
  4. Convergence with other ministries
  5. Strengthening supply chain and logistics
  6. Anaemia Mukt Bharat Dashboard and Digital Portal- one-stop shop for Anemia.

The topic “Anaemia” has been covered in 24^th November 2019 Comprehensive News Analysis. Click here to read.

Anti-TB Drugs Provided by Private Sector Clinics

To eliminate TB in India by 2025, five years ahead of the global target, a framework to guide the activities of all stakeholders including the national and state governments, development partners, civil society organizations, international agencies, research institutions, private sector, and many others whose work is relevant to TB elimination in India is formulated by RNTCP as National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination 2017-2025.

• Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) has initiated early and firm steps to its declared objective of Universal access to early quality diagnosis and quality TB care for all TB patients’.
• It has policy of provision of free drugs to all TB patients. All TB patients in public sector avail free anti-TB drug.
• However, 8% of TB patients notified from private sector availed free anti-TB drugs from the Government.

Read more about Tuberculosis.

Medical Device Park

• Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers has a sub-scheme viz. Assistance to Medical Device Industry for Common Facility Center under the umbrella scheme for Development of Pharmaceuticals Industry.
• Under this sub-scheme, financial assistance to the tune of Rs.25 Crore or 70% of the project cost, whichever is less may be provided for creation of common facilities under any Medical Device Park promoted by State Governments/State Corporations.

Maternal Mortality Rate

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is defined as the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births due to pregnancy or termination of pregnancy, regardless of the site or duration of pregnancy.

Read more about Maternal Mortality Rate

FSSAI’s Hygiene Rating Scheme

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Hygiene Rating Scheme is a user driven, technology-enabled scheme applicable to food businesses supplying food directly to consumers either on or off the premise.
• Food businesses are rated on the basis of food hygiene and safety conditions found at the time of inspection and are given a score as per their hygiene and food safety compliance.
• This scheme has been recently introduced for food service sector such as hotels & restaurants, cafeterias, etc.
• The main purpose of this scheme is to:
• Allow consumers to make an informed food choice about where to eat and inculcate   right eating habits.
• Encourage food businesses to adopt high hygiene standards and to sustain them so as to showcase the same to their consumers.
• The FSSAI also launched a new initiative ‘Repurpose Used Cooking Oil’ which is an ecosystem that will enable the collection and conversion of used cooking oil to bio-diesel.
• Detailed guidelines have also been issued for handling & disposal of used cooking oil by Food Business Operators (FBOs), to ensure safe handling and disposal of used cooking oil.

India to Host 36th International Geological Congress in March 2020

What’s in News?

India is gearing up to host the 36^th International Geological Congress (IGC) in the capital during the first week of March, 2020.

International Geological Congress:

• Popularly described as the Olympics of Geosciences, the IGCs are a prestigious global geoscientific events held once in four years and participated by around 5000-6000 geoscientists from all across the world.
• The theme of the forthcoming conference is ‘Geosciences: The Basic Science for a Sustainable Development’.

Details:

• India is the only Asian country to host the event twice.
• In 1964, India had hosted it for the first time, which was the 22nd IGC. The event was inaugurated by the then President of India Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
• The IGC is making a comeback to the Indian soil after 56 long years much to the enthusiasm of the entire geoscientific community.
• The event is being funded by the Ministry of Mines (MoM) and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) with the support of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the national Science Academies of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
• Geological Survey of India is the nodal agency for organizing the event.

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