December 22nd, 2020, PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Modi receives Legion of Merit Award from US
2. National Startup Awards
3. Commission for Air Quality Management
4. Tidbits

1. Modi receives Legion of Merit Award from US

Context:

PM Modi honoured with the Legion of Merit Award from the US.

Details:

• Mr Modi was bestowed with the award for his leadership in elevating the strategic partnership of the two countries and for the emergence of India as a global power.
• The Prime Minister was presented with the highest degree Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit which is given only to a Head of State or Government.
• The award was also bestowed to the Australian and Japanese prime ministers.

About the Legion of Merit:

• The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.
• The decoration is issued to members of the eight uniformed services of the United States as well as to military and political figures of foreign governments.
• Apart from Mr Modi, other Indians to receive this award include:
  • Field Marshall KM Cariappa (1950) – Chief Commander degree
  • General Satyawant Mallana Srinagesh (1955) – Chief Commander degree
  • General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja (1946) – Commander degree
  • Admiral Jal Cursetji (1978) – Commander degree
  • General Bikram Singh (2013) – Commander degree
  • General Dalbir Singh Suhag (2018) – Commander degree

2. National Startup Awards

Context:

DPIIT invites applications for National Startup Awards 2021.

Details:

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is launching the second edition of the National Startup Awards (NSA) 2021.
• The award aims to recognize and reward outstanding Startups and ecosystem enablers that are building innovative products or solutions and scalable enterprises, with high potential of employment generation or wealth creation, demonstrating measurable social impact. Not only financial gains for the investors but also the contribution to the social good will be considered.
• It also aims to recognise innovations focussed towards indigenisation of key products essential for the realisation of an Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
• The awards for startups will be given in 49 areas classified into 15 broad sectors.
• The 15 sectors are Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Drinking Water, Education and Skill Development, Energy, Enterprise Systems, Environment, FinTech, Food Processing, Health and Wellness, Industry 4.0, Security, Space, Transport and Travel.
• In addition, there are six special awards for startups from educational institutions, making an impact in rural areas, women entrepreneurs, the potential for import substitution, innovation for combatting COVID-19 and content delivery in Indic languages.
• It will also reward exceptional incubator and accelerator as key building blocks of a robust startup ecosystem.
• A cash prize of INR 5 lakh each will be awarded to the winning startup in each area.
• The winner and two runners up will also be given opportunities to present their solutions to relevant public authorities and corporates for potential pilot projects and work orders.
• They will also be given priority for participation in various national and international startup events.
• A cash prize of INR 15 lakh each will be awarded to one winning incubator and one winning accelerator as well.

Also read: Startup India Scheme

3. Commission for Air Quality Management

Context:

Air Quality Commission directs 100 percent switching over of industries in Delhi to PNG.

Details:

• The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas reviewed the progress of switching over of industries operating in Delhi to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) with the Government of NCT of Delhi, GAIL and Indraprastha Gas Limited.
• Though a sizeable number of industries are using PNG, the Commission stressed the need to switch over to PNG by all identified industries in Delhi considering the fact that the industrial sector is one of the major contributors to air pollution in Delhi and National Capital Region.

About the Commission for Air Quality Management:

• The Commission was constituted in November 2020 through an ordinance for air quality management in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas.
• It supersedes all existing bodies including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the state pollution control boards of Delhi, UP, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan in matters of air pollution mitigation.
• Through the ordinance, the Centre has dissolved the Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) for the NCR.
• The Commission is a permanent body and will be chaired by a government official of the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary.
• It is a statutory body.
• Members of the Commission:
  • A representative of the Secretary of the Environment Ministry, five Secretary level officers who will be ex officio members, and two joint secretary-level officers who will be full-time members.
  • Representatives of the CPCB, ISRO, air pollution experts, and three representatives of non-government organisations (NGOs).
  • As associate members, the Commission will have representatives from various other ministries including the Ministries of Agriculture, Petroleum, Power, Road Transport and Highways, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Commerce and Industry.
• Powers of the Commission:
  • It can issue directions and entertain complaints for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the air in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas and shall also have the duty to take all such measures for protecting and improving the air quality.
  • The commission can take measures to abate air pollution and to regulate or prohibit activities that are likely to cause or increase pollution in NCR and adjoining areas.
• It has jurisdiction in NCR including regions of Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan.
• The Commission has penal powers including imprisonment and heavy fines.
• Cases involving the Commission can be heard only by the National Green Tribunal and not by civil courts.

4. Tidbits

World Bank signs project to develop green highways in India.

Details:

• The Government of India and the World Bank signed a $500 million project to build safe and green national highway corridors in the states of Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
• The project will also enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in mainstreaming safety and green technologies.
• The Green National Highways Corridors Project will support MoRTH construct 783 km of highways in various geographies by integrating safe and green technology designs such as local and marginal materials, industrial by-products, and other bioengineering solutions.
• The project will help reduce GHG emissions in the construction and maintenance of highways.

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December 22nd, 2020, PIB:- Download PDF Here