PIB Summary- 10th February, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

World Sustainable Development Summit 2021

Context: PM inaugurates World Sustainable Development Summit 2021.

About the Summit

• The World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) is the annual flagship event of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
• Started in 2001, the Summit has become a focal point for leaders and stakeholders across the world to bridge thought and action for sustainable development.
• The Summit series has emerged as the premier international event on sustainability which focusses on the global future, but with an eye on the actions in the developing world which could bend our common future.
• The Summit series brings together governments, business leaders, academicians, climate scientists, youth, and the civil society in the fight against climate change.
• The WSDS 2021 is being held online with the theme, “Redefining our common future: Safe and secure environment for all”.

About TERI

• TERI is a leading think tank dedicated to conducting research for the sustainable development of India and the Global South.
• TERI was established in 1974 as an information centre on energy issues. However, over the following decades, it made a mark as a research institute, whose policy and technology solutions transformed people’s lives and the environment.
• It is located in New Delhi.

World Pulses Day

Context: February 10 is observed as World Pulses Day.

About World Pulses Day

• The UN General Assembly in 2019 decided to dedicate a day to Pulses to increase awareness and access to pulses globally known as World Pulses Day.
• The World Pulses Day falls on February 10 every year and recognised pulses as a global food.
• On this Day, people make efforts in creating awareness about the importance of pulses in sustainable food production.
• World Pulses Day 2021 theme – #LovePulses

Significance of pulses

• Pulses are important for a healthy diet.
• Pulses are rich in nutritional and protein values.
• Pulses, and legumes (lentils, peas, chickpeas, beans, soybeans, and peanuts) play an equally important role in health maintenance and overall improvement.
• Pulses also contribute majorly to achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development.
• Pulses and legume crops help in improving the feasibility of agricultural production systems.
• Pulses provide environmental benefits. The nitrogen-fixing properties of pulses improve soil fertility, which increases the productivity and fertility of the farmland.

TROPEX 21

Context: TROPEX 21 which commenced in January is underway.

About TROPEX

• TROPEX (Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise) is Indian Navy’s largest exercise.
• It sees participation from all operational units of the Navy including ships, submarines, aircraft as well as units of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Coast Guard.
• The exercise is being conducted over a vast geographical expanse in the Indian Ocean Region including its adjunct waters and is aimed at testing combat readiness of the Navy in a complex multi-dimensional scenario set in the context of the current geo strategic environment.
• The Theatre Level exercise also aims to validate Navy’s offensive-defence capabilities, safeguard national interests in the maritime domain and promote stability and peace in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The month-long drill will witness distinct phases that will also test the Navy’s transition from peace time to hostilities.
  • In the first phase, the Indian Navy had conducted coastal defence exercise ‘Sea Vigil’ along the entire coastline and Island territories of India.
  • Exercise Sea Vigil was followed by a large-scale Tri-Service joint amphibious exercise AMPHEX-21, which was conducted in the Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands.
  • The latest phase was the ‘Weapon Workup Phase’ which saw multiple ‘on-target’ ordnance deliveries including missiles, torpedoes and rockets from frontline warships, aircraft and submarines. It demonstrated the lethal firepower of the Indian Navy and reaffirmed the Navy’s capability to carry out long range maritime strikes in the Indian Ocean Region.

Modernisation of Police Forces

Context: The Minister of State for Home Affairs gave information about the Modernisation of Police Forces Scheme in the Rajya Sabha.

About Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF) Scheme

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been supplementing the efforts and resources of the States, from time to time, by implementing the Scheme for Modernisation of State Police Forces (MPF Scheme) since 1969-70.
• Even though ‘police’ and ‘law and order’ come within the State List, the states have not been able to fully modernise and equip their police forces, hence, the Centre is implementing this scheme.
• Objective: To gradually reduce the dependence of the State Governments on the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces to control internal security and law and order situations by equipping the State Police Forces adequately and strengthening their training infrastructure.
• The focus of the scheme is to strengthen police infrastructure at cutting edge level by construction of secure police stations, training centres, police housing (residential), equipping the police stations with the required mobility, modern weaponry, communication equipment and forensic set-up, etc.
• Under the Scheme, the States are grouped into two categories, namely Category ‘A’ and Category ‘B’ for the purpose of funding.
  • Himalayan and NE states will receive central assistance in the ratio of 90:10, centre-state sharing basis.
  • Other states will receive on 60:40 basis.
• Funds from the MPF scheme are typically used for improving police infrastructure through construction of police stations and the provision of modern weaponry, surveillance and communication equipment. Upgradation of training infrastructure, police housing and computerisation are also important objectives funded through the scheme.
• The scheme has many sub-schemes, the Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and System (CCTNS) being one.

Issues related to police forces in India

• Overburdened police force: The 2nd ARC pointed out that the police carry out other tasks like traffic management, disaster rescue and removal of encroachments, apart from maintaining law and order. This increases the burden tremendously on the police force.
• Poor quality of investigation: The police are not well-equipped or adequately trained to carry out investigations in the most efficient and scientific manner. They lack expertise and sufficient knowledge in terms of laws, and in forensic and cyber fields.
• Police accountability: Since the police come under the political executive, there is frequent interference in their decision-making. Abuse of police personnel by the executive is also reported.
• In order to improve the quality of investigation, the Supreme Court has recommended that investigating police must be separated from law and order police.

Meri Saheli Initiative

What is the Meri Saheli Initiative?

• Indian Railways has launched ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative for focused action on security of women with an objective to provide safety and security to lady passengers travelling by trains.
• Under the initiative, a team of lady officer and staff have been formed. The team will visit all of the passenger coaches including ladies coaches to identify women passengers.
• Details of their journey including coach number & seat number will be noted down by the team, especially if a lady is travelling alone in the train.
• The passengers will be briefed about RPF Security Helpline No. 182, GRP Security Helpline No. 1512 and other precautions, for example, not to take food from strangers, buying food from IRCTC authorized stalls only & taking care of luggage.
• The team will also advise them to feel free to contact the train escort party and dial 182 in case of any emergency.
• The details of the passengers will be conveyed to en-route Divisions & Zones to meet the passengers at their convenience till they reach their final destination.
• At the end of the journey, a feedback will be collected from the lady passengers regarding their journey experience and safety measures taken.
• The ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative was started by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) as a pilot project in the South Eastern Railway in September 2020 and after getting positive response from women passengers, it was extended to all zones.
• Dedicated teams of lady RPF personnel have been formed across all zonal railways for its implementation.