PIB Summary- 26th October, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership

Context
The Union Cabinet has been informed about a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) that was signed in July 2023 between India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

Significance of the MoC

• This MoC is centered on the Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership and aims to fortify the collaboration between the two countries in order to bolster the semiconductor supply chain.
• This recognition of the critical role of semiconductors in advancing industries and digital technologies is at the core of this agreement.
• The MoC takes effect from the date of its signing and will remain in force for five years. It encompasses both Government-to-Government (G2G) and Business-to-Business (B2B) bilateral cooperation opportunities designed to advance a resilient semiconductor supply chain and leverage the respective strengths of both nations.
• The MoC also envisions an improved partnership that can lead to increased employment opportunities in the IT sector.

Other initiatives by The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

• It introduced the “Programme for Development of Semiconductor and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India” to ensure the robust and sustainable development of semiconductor and display ecosystems in the country.
• This program provides fiscal support for the establishment of Semiconductor Fabs, Display Fabs, facilities for Compound Semiconductors/Silicon Photonics/Sensors/Discrete Semiconductors, and Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) facilities, as well as Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facilities.
• Additionally, the “India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)” has been set up under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) to drive India’s strategies for the development of semiconductor and display manufacturing in the country.

Conclusion

43rd PRAGATI Interaction

Context
Recently, the Prime Minister presided over the 43rd edition of PRAGATI, an ICT-based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, involving both Central and State governments.

Outcome of the meeting

• During the meeting, a total of eight projects were assessed, consisting of four related to water supply and irrigation, two focused on the expansion of National highways and connectivity, and two aimed at enhancing rail and metro rail connectivity.
• These projects collectively have an estimated cost of approximately Rs. 31,000 crore and pertain to seven states, namely Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
• The Prime Minister stressed the importance of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan Portal in conjunction with technologies like satellite imagery to address various implementation and planning issues, particularly regarding project locations and land requirements.
• Furthermore, he directed that all stakeholders involved in projects within densely populated urban areas designate nodal officers and establish teams to enhance coordination.
• Regarding irrigation projects, the Prime Minister recommended organizing visits for stakeholders to areas where successful rehabilitation and reconstruction work has been carried out.
• This would not only showcase the transformative impact of these projects but also inspire stakeholders to expedite project execution.
• During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi also reviewed the progress of ‘Mobile Towers and 4G Coverage under USOF Projects.’ Under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), the objective is to provide mobile connectivity to 33,573 villages with 24,149 mobile towers.
• The Prime Minister urged that mobile towers be installed in all uncovered villages within the current financial year, emphasizing the need for regular meetings with all stakeholders to achieve complete mobile coverage even in the most remote areas.

About PRAGATI

• Introduced in 2015, PRAGATI is a versatile and multi-faceted platform designed to address the concerns of the general public while concurrently overseeing and evaluating significant initiatives and projects undertaken by the Government of India, as well as those identified by state governments.
• It operates on a three-tier system, involving the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States.
• PRAGATI stands out by integrating three cutting-edge technologies: digital data management, video-conferencing, and geospatial technology.
• Furthermore, it promotes cooperative federalism by bringing together Government of India Secretaries and State Chief Secretaries on a single platform to foster collaboration and joint decision-making.

Conclusion

Up to this 43rd edition of PRAGATI meetings, a total of 348 projects with a combined cost of Rs. 17.36 lakh crore have undergone review.