PIB Summary- 25th August, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Pragati

Details

• PRAGATI is the ICT based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, involving Centre and State governments.

PRAGATI is an information and communications technology-based platform for, as the name reveals, pro-active governance and timely implementation.

1. It was launched in 2015.
2. It is an interactive and integrated platform chiefly for addressing the grievances of the common man, while at the same time, monitoring government projects and programmes/schemes.
3. The platform was designed by the PMO in coordination with the National Informatics Centre.
4. The chief aims of the PRAGATI platform:
   • Project implementation
   • Project monitoring
   • Grievance redressal
5. The platform combines three technologies namely,
   • Digital data management
   • Video conferencing
   • Geo-spatial technology
6. The platform also brings together the different secretaries of the GOI and the States’ Chief Secretaries, along with the Prime Minister.
7. The PM discusses the issues related to the projects and is also presented with the ground-level situation.

Pragati Features

1. The system is a 3-tier system comprising of:
   • PM
   • Secretaries of the GOI
   • State Chief Secretaries
2. The PM will hold monthly interactions with the secretaries and Chief Secretaries via this platform. The interactions will take place on the fourth Wednesday of every month. The day will be called ‘PRAGATI Day’.
3. The issues that will be discussed are picked out from the databases related to ongoing programmes of the government, pending projects and public grievances.
4. The issues will take into account the various letters written to the PM by the common man and other people.
5. The PM is able to see on screen the issues and the latest updates on them.

MoU between ICAI and Institute of Professional Accountants of Russia (IPAR)

Details

• The MoU would help in establishing mutual cooperation in the areas of Professional Accountancy Training, Professional Ethics, Technical Research, Advancement of Accounting Knowledge, Professional and Intellectual Development.
• It is also intended to promote mutual cooperation through seminars, conferences and joint activities mutually beneficial to both the parties and provide updates on the development of the accountancy profession in India and Russia to promote the profession in the world.
• The MoU is also expected to provide an additional impetus to prospects of the ICAI Members to get professional opportunities in Russia in short to long term future.

Note: The Institute of Professional Accountants of Russia (IPAR) is the largest non-profit association of accountants in Russia.

About the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)

• ICAI is India’s national professional accounting body and also the second biggest accounting organization in the world.
• It is the sole licensing and regulatory body for the financial audit and accounting profession in India, and its recommendations are followed by everyone – from the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) to companies and accounting organizations.
• The ICAI is a statutory body for regulating the accounting profession in India.
• It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.
• The affairs of the ICAI are managed by a Council in accordance with the provisions of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 and the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988.

Fair and Remunerative Price for Sugarcane

Details

• With the amendment of the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 in 2009, the concept of Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) of sugarcane was replaced with the ‘Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP)’ of sugarcane for 2009-10 and subsequent sugar seasons.
• FRP is the minimum price that sugar mills have to pay to sugarcane farmers.
• The cane price announced by the Central Government is decided on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) in consultation with the State Governments and after taking feedback from associations of sugar industry.
• The sugarcane industry uses the FRP instead of the MSP, based on the recommendations of the Rangarajan Committee report.

SAMRIDH Scheme

About SAMRIDH Scheme

• The “Start-up Accelerators of MeitY for pRoduct Innovation, Development and growth (SAMRIDH)” programme was launched.
• The program aims to create a conducive platform to Indian Software Product start-ups to enhance  their  products and  secure  investments  for  scaling  their
• The programme is being implemented by MeitY Start-up Hub (MSH).
• Not only will the program provide funding support to the start-ups, but it will also help in bringing skill sets together which will help them to become successful.
• The government will support start-ups and entrepreneurs in the most challenging phase which is the initial risk phase.
• The scheme will focus on accelerating 300 start-ups by providing customer connect, investor connect, and international immersion in the next three years.
• Also, an investment of up to ₹ 40 lakh to the start-up based on its current valuation and growth stage will be provided through selected accelerators.
• It will also facilitate equal matching investment by the accelerator/investor.
• The programme aims to further the Indian start-up growth.

About MeitY Start-up Hub (MSH)

• The MeitY Start-up Hub (MSH) was created as a nodal agency under the MeitY to facilitate the ministry’s vision of promoting technology innovation, start-ups and the creation of Intellectual Properties.
• MSH will act as a national coordination, facilitation and monitoring centre that will integrate all the incubation centres, start-ups and innovation related activities of MeitY.
• It offers support in the form of testing and research, IPR support, angel investors/VCs, technology handshake and industry connect.
  

‘SUJALAM’ Campaign

What is the ‘SUJALAM’ Campaign?

• SUJALAM is a 100-day campaign by the Ministry of Jal Shakti as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations to create more and more ODF Plus villages by undertaking waste water management at the village level.
• It focuses on the creation of 1 million soak-pits and also other grey water management activities.
• The effort of the campaign would be directed towards achieving the ODF plus status for villages across the country in an accelerated manner in a short time.
• Significance
  • The campaign will not only build the desired infrastructure i.e. soak pits for the management of greywater in villages but will also aid in the sustainable management of waterbodies.
  • The disposal of waste water and clogging of waterbodies in the villages or on the outskirts of the villages remain one of the major problems. The Campaign would help in the management of the wastewater and in turn would help to revive the waterbodies.
  • The campaign would also boost the momentum of Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen phase II activities through community participation and it will increase awareness about ODF-plus activities.
• Key activities under the campaign:
  • Organizing Community consultations, Khuli Baithaks and Gram Sabha meetings to analyze the current situation
  • Pass resolution to maintain ODF sustainability and achieve needed number of soak pits to manage the grey water
  • Develop a 100 days’ plan to undertake sustainability and soak pit construction related activities
  • Construct requisite number of soak pits
  • Retrofit toilets where needed through IEC and community mobilization and
• Ensure all newly emerging households in the village have access to toilets

UNESCAP Regional Conversation Series 2021

Context: Union Minister attended the UNESCAP Regional Conversation Series 2021.

Details

• In commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, ESCAP organized the Regional Conversation Series on Building Back Better with the aim to bring together member State representatives and diverse groups of eminent personalities to share their insights and experiences, inspire actions and advocate solutions on how the Asia-Pacific region could build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic through regional cooperation.
• The Union Minister shared India’s lessons and experiences that may help build a resilient future in the Asia-Pacific region.
• The minister was attending the Ministerial Panel on Disaster, Climate and Health Resilience through video conferencing.

UNESCAP

• The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) serves as the United Nations’ regional hub promoting cooperation among countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.
• The largest regional intergovernmental platform with 53 Member States and 9 associate members, ESCAP has emerged as a strong regional think-tank offering countries sound analytical products that shed insight into the evolving economic, social and environmental dynamics of the region.
• The Commission’s strategic focus is to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• ESCAP’s research and analysis coupled with its policy advisory services, capacity building and technical assistance to governments aims to support countries’ sustainable and inclusive development ambitions.
• The overall objective of ESCAP is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region, with priority accorded to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• It was established in 1947 with its headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand.

EASE 4.0

Context: FM unveiled the 4th edition of Public Sector Bank (PSB) Reforms Agenda – EASE 4.0.

About EASE 4.0

• PSB reforms agenda – EASE (Enhanced Access and Service Excellence) was launched based on the recommendations made by PSB Whole Time Directors (WTDs) and senior executives in PSB Manthan in November 2017.
• It encapsulates a synergistic approach to ensure prudent and clean lending, better customer service, simplified and enhanced credit, and robust governance and HR practices.
• The Reforms Agenda is pursued through a unique Reforms Index that enabled objective assessment of progress on all key areas in PSBs — viz., governance, prudential lending, risk management, technology- and data-driven banking, and outcome-centric HR — as well as enhanced transparency and accountability in the wider financial ecosystem.
• EASE 1.0 was launched for FY 2019 and the second edition for FY 2020.
• The fourth edition EASE 4.0 aims to further the agenda of customer-centric digital transformation and deeply embed digital and data into PSBs’ ways of working.