22 July 2019: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

Read the daily PIB update and stay up-to-date on current affairs for the UPSC exam.

July 22nd, 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

Digitization of Archaeological Museum

Context:

The JATAN: Virtual Museum software was developed by Human Centres Design and Computing Group, C-DAC, Pune as a tool to develop and host the National Portal and Digital Repository for Indian Museums. As of now, two Archaeological Site Museums namely, Velha Goa and Nagarjunakonda have been digitised.

Details:

• The JATAN software is used for creating the digital collections in various museums and digital archival tools that are used in background for managing the National Portal and Digital Repository for Indian Museums.
• Out of the 48 Archaeological Site Museums under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), two, as mentioned before, have been digitised in the first phase using JATAN.
• The data has been uploaded in public domain through National Portal and Digital Repository for Indian Museums.
• The portal can be viewed online through the website http://museumsofindia.gov.in/.

Indian Navy Commissions Dornier Squadron INAS 313 at Chennai

Context:

Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 313, the fifth Dornier aircraft squadron was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Admiral Karambir Singh, the Chief of the Naval Staff at Chennai on 22^nd July.

Details:

• The Squadron will be operating from Chennai International Airport.
• With the commissioning of INAS 313, Tamil Nadu will have three naval air bases which is the highest number for any coastal state.
• The Squadron will operate Dornier aircraft which is a multi-role Short Range Maritime Reconnaissance (SRMR) aircraft manufactured by HAL, under license from RUAG Aerospace.
• The aircraft is used for maritime surveillance, Search and Rescue Operations and to provide targeting data to weapon platforms.

Private Sector Investment in Defence Production

Context:

The defence industry sector was opened up to 100% for private sector participation in May 2001 through licensing.

Details:

• Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) had been revised in 2016 wherein specific provisions have been introduced for stimulating growth of the domestic defence industry.
• A new category of procurement ‘Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)}’ has been introduced in DPP-2016 to promote indigenous design and development of defence equipment.
• ‘Buy (Indian)’, ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ & ‘Make’ categories of capital acquisition have been given preference over ‘Buy (Global)’& ‘Buy & Make (Global)’categories.
• The ‘Strategic Partnership (SP)’ model has been notified by the government to establish longstanding strategic partnerships with Indian entities through a transparent and competitive process, in order to tie up with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to seek technology transfers to set up domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains.
• The ‘Make’ Procedure has been simplified with provisions for funding of 90% of development cost by the Government to Indian industry and reserving projects not exceeding development cost of Rs.10 crore (Government funded) and Rs.3 crore (Industry funded) for MSMEs.
• Separate procedure for ‘Make-II’ subcategory has been notified wherein a number of industry friendly provisions such as relaxation of eligibility criterion, minimal documentation, provision for considering proposals suggested by industry/individual, etc. have been introduced.
• The Government will establish two defence industrial corridors to serve as an engine of economic development and growth of defence industrial base in India.
• An innovation ecosystem for Defence titled Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) has been launched in April, 2018. iDEX is aimed at creation of an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries including MSMEs, Start-ups, Individual Innovators, R&D institutes and Academia and provide them grants/funding and other support to carry out R&D.
• The Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti has been introduced to encourage IPR culture in indigenous defence industry.
• A Policy for indigenisation of components and spares used in Defence Platforms has been notified in April 2019.
• A Defence Investor Cell has been created in the Defence Ministry to provide all necessary information including addressing queries related to investment opportunities, procedures and regulatory requirements for investment in the sector.
• FDI is now allowed under automatic route up to 49% and beyond 49% through Government route.
• Export clearance process has been streamlined and a scheme for the promotion of defence exports has been notified.
• Technology Development Fund (TDF) has been set up by the GOI to encourage participation of public/private industries especially MSMEs, through provision of grants.
• Offset guidelines have been made flexible by allowing change of Indian Offset Partners (IOPs) and offset components, even in signed contracts. Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are now not required to indicate the details of IOPs and products at the time of signing of contracts.  ‘Services’ as an avenue of offset have been reinstated.

Inter-Ministerial Committee on Virtual Currencies submits its Report

Context:

The Inter-Ministerial Committee which was constituted to study the issues related to virtual currencies has submitted its report.

Details:

• The Committee was chaired by the Secretary, Office of the Economic Adviser, and had as its members Secretary, MeiTY; Chairman (SEBI) and Deputy Governor, RBI.
• The report has highlighted the positive aspect of distributed-ledger technology (DLT) and suggested various applications, especially in financial services, for use of DLT in India.
• The DLT-based systems can be used by banks and other financial firms for processes such as loan-issuance tracking, collateral management, fraud detection and claims management in insurance, and reconciliation systems in the securities market.
• The report has recommended banning of the cryptocurrencies in India and imposing fines and penalties for carrying on of any activities connected with cryptocurrencies in India.
• The report has also suggested Government to keep an open mind on official digital currency.
• Along with the report, the Draft Bill ‘Banning of Cryptocurrency & Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2019’ was also submitted.

Parliament Passes the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 unanimously

Context:

The Rajya Sabha passed the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 unanimously.

Details:

• The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 was enacted to provide for the constitution of a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and the Human Rights Courts for protection of human rights.
• The current Amendment had been prepared based on the challenges faced in the last thirteen years, and will increase the efficiency of the Commission.
• Provisions of the Bill:
  • that a person who has been a Judge of the Supreme Court is also made eligible to be appointed as Chairperson of the Commission in addition to the person who has been the Chief Justice of India;
  • to increase the Members of the Commission from two to three of which, one shall be a woman;
  • to include Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes, Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities as deemed Members of the Commission;
  • to reduce the term of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission and the State Commissions from five to three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment;
  • to provide that a person who has been a Judge of a High Court is also made eligible to be appointed as Chairperson of the State Commission in addition to the person who has been the Chief Justice of the High Court; and,
  • to confer upon State Commissions, the functions relating to human rights being discharged by the Union territories, other than the Union territory of Delhi, which will be dealt with by the Commission.

Dignity and Security of Women Workers

Details:

• The Labour and Employment Ministry has taken steps for drafting four Labour Codes namely The Code on Wages; The Code on Industrial Relations; The Code on Social Security & Welfare; and The Code on Occupation Safety, Health and Working Conditions by simplifying, amalgamating and rationalizing the relevant provisions of the existing Central Labour Laws without any gender discrimination.
• The Labour Codes envisage extension of minimum wages and timely payment of wages to all 50 Crore workers, provision of appointment letter, provision for annual medical check-up, extension of safety and other welfare provisions are also stipulated for both male & female workers.

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June 15th, 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

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