14 June 2019: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

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June 14th 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting

Context

• The Intersessional meeting of Kimberley Process (KP) is being hosted by India
• Besides meetings of different Working Groups and Committees of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), two special forums regarding Diamond Terminology and Artisanal Mining – Small Steps to Larger Outcomes, will be held during the Intersessional.

India and the KPCS

• India is one of the founder members of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and is the Chair of Kimberley Process for the year 2019 with Russian Federation as Vice Chair.
• At present, KPCS has 55 members representing 82 countries including EU with 28 members.
• The Kimberley Process is a joint initiative involving Government, international diamond industry and civil society to stem the flow of Conflict Diamonds.
• Conflict Diamonds means rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments.
• It is also described in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions.

Functioning of KPCS

• Task of carrying out a review of the working of the scheme in each participant country through review visit/review missions and gives its recommendations.
• Collects data in respect of export, import and production of rough diamonds in the participant countries.
• Solves technical problems in the implementation of the KPCS like proposing changes to the ‘Harmonised System Codes’ for rough diamonds to World Customs Organisation and harmonisation of valuation methodologies.
• To promote more effective internal controls on the production and trade of alluvial diamonds.

Rough diamond trading under the KPCS

• As per the Scheme, each shipment of rough diamonds being exported and imported by crossing an international border be transported in a tamper proof container and accompanied by a validated Kimberley Process Certificate.
• The shipment can only be exported to a co-participant country in the KPCS. No uncertified shipments of rough diamonds are permitted to enter a participant country.

Sahitya Akademi announces awards 2019

Context

Sahitya Akademi has selected 22 writers for the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2019 and 23 writers for Yuva Puraskar 2019.

About the awards

• The awardees have been selected on the basis of recommendations made by the Jury comprising of three members each in the concerned language, in accordance with the rules and procedure laid down for the purpose.
• According to the procedure, the Executive Board declared the Awards on the basis of unanimous/majority vote by the Jury.
• The Award in the form of a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque and a cheque of Rs.50,000/- will be presented to the awardees at a special function to be held at a later date.

Shri Ajit Seth address the Secretaries of Gambia

Context

Shri Ajit Seth, former Cabinet Secretary and Shri V. Srinivas, Additional Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances addressed a 27-member delegation

The National Center for Good Governance is conducting a Special Training Program for Senior Civil Servants of Gambia under the  Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation program (ITEC).

National Center for Good Governance (NCGG)

• The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) is an autonomous institute under the aegis of Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India. Its head office is at New Delhi and registered office at Mussoorie.
• The National Centre for Good Governance traces its origin to the National Institute of Administrative Research (NIAR). NIAR was set up in 1995 by the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).
• Institution, has been training Civil Servants from a number of countries in South Asia and Africa
• Recently, the NCGG had entered into a collaboration with the Maldives Civil Services Commission for capacity building of 1000 Maldives civil servants over the next 5 years.
• OBJECTIVES

• To be a think tank for governance & policy reforms, working across administrative, social, financial and political arenas.
• To initiate and participate in research and training on various aspects of regulatory and developmental administration, public policy, governance and public management.
• To provide a platform for policy development debates and discussions.
• To promote exchange of innovative ideas and best practices in Governance by organising, sponsoring and aiding seminars, workshops, study circles, working groups and conferences.
• To interact with national and international organisations, in and outside government, engaged in research and training in subject areas of mutual interest.

The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)

• The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme was instituted by a decision of the Indian Cabinet
• The decision regarding setting up the ITEC programme was predicated on the underlying belief that “it was necessary to establish relations of mutual concern and inter-dependence based not only on commonly held ideals and aspirations, but also on solid economic foundations.
• Technical and economic cooperation was considered to be one of the essential functions of an integrated and imaginative foreign policy.”

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