26 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 26th, 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI)

Context:

Provision of storage facilities to farmers.

Key Points:

• The Government is supporting the creation of well-equipped scientific storage facilities to farmers in India through the ‘Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI)’ scheme.
• The AMI is a sub-scheme of Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM).

About AMI Scheme:

• It is a back ended capital subsidy scheme in which the rate of subsidy is 25% and 33.33% based on the category of eligible beneficiary and is provided on capital cost of the project.
• The beneficiaries of the scheme are individual farmers, groups of farmers/growers, registered Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), etc.
• It is a demand-driven scheme.
• Under this scheme, a total of 38,964 storage infrastructure projects (Godowns), with storage capacity of 655.48 Lakh MT have been sanctioned across the country till date.

Draft National Policy on e-Commerce

Context:

A draft National e-Commerce policy has been prepared and placed in public domain by the Department of Commerce.

Key Points:

• The draft policy addresses six chief issues of the e-commerce system:
  • e-commerce marketplaces
  • regulatory issues
  • infrastructure development
  • data
  • stimulating domestic digital economy
  • export promotion through e-commerce
• The Department also established a Think Tank on ‘Framework for National Policy on e-Commerce’ and a Task Force under it to deliberate on the challenges India faces in the field of the digital economy and e-commerce.
• Issues discussed by the think tank include:
  • physical and digital infrastructure
  • regulatory regime
  • taxation policy
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
  • technology flows
  • skill development
  • trade-related aspects
• The first meeting of the Think Tank was held in April, 2018 and the second one was held in July 2018.

IBBI amends the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2016 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2016

Context:

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) notified the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Liquidation Process) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019:

• The amendments specify the process for withdrawal of applications before constitution of committee of creditors (CoC), after constitution of CoC but before issue of invitation for expression of interest, and after issue of invitation for expression of interest.
• While approving a resolution plan or deciding to liquidate the corporate debtor, the CoC may:
  • approve a plan providing for contribution for meeting the liquidation costs
  • recommend sale of the corporate debtor or sale of business of the corporate debtor as a going concern, and
  • fix, in consultation with the RP, the fee payable to the liquidator, if an order for liquidation is passed by the Adjudicating Authority

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Liquidation Process) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019:

• The amendments specify the process for (i) sale of corporate debtor as going concern, and (ii) sale of business of corporate debtor as going concern under liquidation. These also provide that where a corporate debtor is sold as a going concern, the liquidation process shall be closed without dissolution of the corporate debtor.
• The amendments require completion of liquidation process within one year of its commencement, notwithstanding pendency of applications for avoidance transactions.
• To ensure that the liquidation process completes at the earliest, it:
  • provides a model timeline for each task in the liquidation process
  • specifies a maximum time of 90 days from the order of liquidation for completion of compromise or arrangement, if any, proposed by the stakeholders under section 230 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• The amendments require the financial creditors, who are financial institutions, to contribute towards the liquidation cost, where the corporate debtor does not have adequate liquid resources to complete liquidation, in proportion to the financial debts owed to them by the corporate debtor, in case the CoC did not approve a plan for such contribution during corporate insolvency resolution process. However, such contribution along with interest at bank rate thereon shall form part of liquidation cost, which is paid in priority.
• The amendments provide for constitution of a Stakeholders’ Consultation Committee, whose advice is not binding on the liquidator.
• The amendments require that a stakeholder may submit its claim or update its claim submitted during the corporate insolvency resolution process, as on the liquidation commencement date.
• The amendments have introduced a comprehensive compliance certificate to be submitted along with the final report to the Adjudicating Authority.

Monuments of Valour & Victory Homage to Kargil Warriors

Context:

The Union Culture Minister Shri Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated an exhibition of ‘Monuments of Valour & Victory Homage to Kargil Warriors’ on the 20th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Divas.

Key Points:

• The exhibition was organized by National Monuments Authority of Ministry of Culture.

About National Monuments Authority (NMA):

• The NMA has been established under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains AMASR (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010.
• It is chiefly engaged in the protection and preservation of monuments and sites through management of the prohibited and regulated area around the centrally protected monuments.
• Another function is to consider grant of permissions to applicants for construction related activity in the prohibited and regulated area.
• The NMA is particularly relevant with increasing urbanisation and development.
• The NMA is also involved in grading and classifying the monuments.

Prevention of Communicable Diseases

Context:

Prevention is an integral component of all major communicable disease control programmes.

Table showing the focus areas for various communicable diseases in India:

Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)

Context:

The Government has launched National Health Protection scheme known as Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in September 2018.

Details:

• The scheme provides health assurance/insurance of Rs. 5.00 lakh per family to around 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families as per the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC).

Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme

Background:

• India accounted for 27 per cent of the world’s total TB cases in 2017 as per the WHO’s Global TB Report 2018.
• In terms of incidence, i.e., number of cases per lakh population, India ranks 35th in the world.

Details:

• There is no such classification of high risk states under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP).
• During the review meetings which are done on a regular basis under the policy, the performance of the States is analysed under various thematic areas such as:
  • Drug Sensitive Tuberculosis (DSTB) services
  • Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DRTB) services (diagnostic and treatment)
  • TB Co-morbidities
  • Infrastructure
  • Human Resource
  • Finance
  • Drugs & Supply chain management
  • Medical colleges’ contribution
  • Supervision & monitoring
• Total TB cases reported under RNTCP have increased by 12% to 12.02 Lakhs during Jan to June 2019, as compared to 10.70 Lakhs during Jan to June 2018.
• The Ministry has developed the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tuberculosis (2017-2025) with the goal of ending TB by 2025.
• Focus areas of the NSP:
  • Early diagnosis of all the TB patients, prompt treatment with quality assured drugs and treatment regimens along with suitable patient support systems to promote adherence.
  • Engaging with the patients seeking care in the private sector.
  • Prevention strategies including active case finding and contact tracing in high risk / vulnerable population
  • Airborne infection control.
  • Multi-sectoral response for addressing social determinants.
• Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY)
  • This is a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.
  • Introduced in April 2018 by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW).
  • It provides support worth Rs 500/- per month for the duration of treatment to TB patients.

Ministry of mines organised a workshop on Effective utilization of Red Mud

Context:

A workshop titled ‘Waste to Wealth’ was organised by the Ministry of Mines in Delhi regarding Red Mud.

Red Mud:

• Red Mud is a solid waste generated during the aluminium production process.
• It is a bauxite residue.
• This is an environmental concern due to presence of impurities such as caustic soda and others minerals.
• Global generation of red mud is more than 150 million tons and there exists a global inventory of more than 3 billion tons.
• Red mud generation in India is around 9 million tons per year.

Fieldwork of 7th Economic Census to be launched in Tripura

Context:

Fieldwork of 7th Economic Census will be launched in Tripura on 29^th July.

Economic Census 2019

• The Seventh Economic Census (7th EC) is being conducted by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in 2019.
• The Economic Census is the census of the Indian economy through counting all entrepreneurial units in the country which involved in any economic activities of either agricultural or non-agricultural sector which engaged in production and/or distribution of goods and/or services not for the sole purpose of own consumption.
• The first EC was conducted in 1977 by the Central Statistical Organisation in collaboration with the Directorate of Economics & Statistics.
• This time, the Ministry has partnered with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology as the implementing agency.
• An IT based digital platform for data capture, validation, report generation and dissemination will be used.

Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry (ISDSI)

Context:

The ISDSI is launched under the central scheme Silk Samagra.

Features:

• The chief aim of the scheme is the overall development of silk industry in India.
• It has an objective to scale up production by improving the quality and productivity.
• Four components of the scheme:
  • Research & Development, Training, Transfer of Technology and Information Technology Initiatives
  • Seed Organizations
  • Coordination and Market Development
  • Quality Certification Systems (QCS) / Export Brand Promotion and Technology Up-gradation

Components of the scheme in detail:

R&D: development of improved host plant varieties and improved disease resistant Silkworm breeds via research through organisations like CSIR, IITs, etc.

Seed Organizations: Seed production units will be strengthened to bring in quality standards in production network, besides increasing the production capacity to cater to the increased silk production target, promote adopted seed rearers to generate quality seed cocoons, Private Graineurs to produce quality seed and Chawki Rearing Centres (CRCs) with Incubation facilities to produce and supply chawki worms.

Coordination and Market Development: Promote Indian silk through quality certification by Silk Mark not only in the domestic market but also in the Export market.

Muga Yarns

Context:

For the conservation of Muga in natural habitat, under Integrated Sericulture Development Project (ISDP) of North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS), the Government of India has approved a project on conservation of Muga in natural habitat in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and Meghalaya.

Muga Silk

• Muga silk is a variety of wild silk geographically tagged to Assam.
• It is extremely durable with a glossy, shimmering texture.
• It also has a natural yellowish-golden tint.
• Previously used only by royalty, Muga silk is now used in saris, mekhalas and chadors (traditional Assamese dress).

Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana

Context:

The Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY) was launched by the GOI in 2001 – 02 to mobilize the artisans into Self Help Groups thrift and credit, training of Self Help Groups on various aspects of forming and running the community business enterprises for self-sustainability of artisans.

Features:

• Design & Technology Upgradation
• Human Resource Development
• Direct Benefit to Artisans
• Infrastructure and Technology Support
• Research and Development
• Marketing Support & Services

Detention of Indian Fishermen in Foreign Countries

Details:

As of 5^th July 2019, the number of Indian fishermen under foreign custody are as follows (data by Ministry of External Affairs):

1. Sri Lanka – 5 Indian fishermen
2. Pakistan – 209 Indian and believed to be Indian fishermen
3. Iran – 2 Indian fishermen

• This matter is raised at the highest levels and strong protests are lodged in the countries concerned.
• It is reiterated to the countries concerned that the fishermen issue may be considered as a purely humanitarian and livelihood concern and there should not be any use of force under any circumstances.
• 2004 Indian fishermen and 380 boats have been released by Sri Lanka Government since May 2014.
• 2080 Indian fishermen and 57 Indian fishing boats have been released by Pakistan Government since 2014.

Related Links:

June 26th, 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

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