PIB Summary- 9th March, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

End-to-end Computerization of TPDS Operations

Context: Department of Food & Public Distribution implemented a scheme on End-to-end Computerization of TPDS Operations in 31 States/UTs.

Details

• The scheme was implemented to improve the efficiency & transparency of the distribution of food grains system and to address other challenges such as leakages and diversion of food grains, elimination of fake and bogus ration cards, etc.
• Under this scheme:
  • Ration cards/beneficiaries database have been completely digitized in all States/UTs.
  • Transparency portal and online grievance redressal facility/Toll-free number have been implemented in all States/UTs.
  • Online allocation has been implemented in all States/UTs (except UTs of Chandigarh and Puducherry which have adopted DBT Cash Transfer scheme).
  • Supply chain has been computerized in 31 States/UTs.
  • Automation of Fair Price Shops (FPS) is also being done in all States/UTs by installing electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices at the FPSs.
• As of now, more than 92% of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) across the country have ePoS devices and facility for biometric identification of beneficiaries.

What is Targeted PDS?

Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is jointly operated by Central and State Governments. The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) came into operation in June 1997 under the Government of India with a focus on the poor. Under the operations of TPDS, the beneficiaries were divided into two categories:

• Households Below the poverty line (BPL)
• Households Above the poverty line (APL)

Central Government is responsible for

• Procurement of food grains
• Allocation of food grains
• Transportation of food grains to designated depots of Food Corporation of India (FCI).

State Government is responsible for

• Allocation and Distribution of foodgrains within the state.
• Identification of eligible beneficiaries.
• Issuance of ration cards.

Who Introduced the PDS System?

• PDS was introduced during the time of World War II. It was before the year 1960 that the distribution through PDS was dependant on imports of food grains.
• The Public Distribution System was then expanded in the 1960s to handle food shortages and take care of distribution.
• The Food Corporation of India and the Commission of Agricultural Costs and Prices were also set up by the government of India to improve domestic procurement and storage of food grains.
• It was during the 1970s when PDS evolved as a universal scheme for the distribution of food.

What is the Use of PDS?
There are several benefits of PDS

• It helps in maintaining the Food Security of the nation.
• It helps in making sure that food is available for the poor at affordable prices.
• Maintains buffer stock of food grains which will help during the lean season of crop production.

PDS – Recent News

• The protests against the Farm Bills have largely been seen as a farmers’ issue, especially in the States that formed the basis of the original Green Revolution: Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. There were reports of fears that this affects the procurement system, and it could well impact the availability of foodgrains in the public distribution system, at a time when India ranks 94 out of 107 countries in the Global Hunger Index.
• Recently there were reports that Public Distribution System (PDS) has not yet reached remote bordering areas of Raisyabari causing problems for at least 3000 consumers in Dhalai district, in Tripura.
• As per recent media reports on PDS, the Covid-19 pandemic seems to have exposed gross irregularities in the public distribution system (PDS) in Cuttack district as 6,726 suspected ‘ghost’ beneficiaries had not availed their ration and lockdown assistance. 

Sun Temple at Konark

Context: Conservation of the Sun Temple at Konark.

Details

• Several steps have been taken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to mitigate the impact of saline action, water logging, erosion and vegetative intrusions on monuments, including the Sun Temple, Konark.

About Sun Temple, Konark

• The Konark Sun temple is dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya, and, conceived as a giant stone chariot with 12 wheels, it is the most famous of the few sun temples built in India.
• It was built around 1240 or 1250 CE by King Narasimhadeva I (r. 1238-1264 CE) of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
• It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
• Architecture:
  • The temple is built in the Kalinga style of temple architecture, which is a sub-type of the Nagara style.
  • Its shikhara which was said to be 70m high fell in the 19th century.
  • The jagamohana (mandapa) has survived. This is the largest enclosed space in Hindu architecture although it is not accessible any more.
  • The temple is set on a high base. There are detailed carvings. There are 12 pairs of gigantic wheels sculpted with spokes and hubs representing the chariot wheels of the sun god. The whole temple resembles a processional chariot.
  • On the southern wall, there is a huge sculpture of Surya or sun god made of greenstone. It is believed that there were 3 more such images in different directions made out of different stones. The fourth wall had the doorway from which the sun rays would enter the garbhagriha.
• The temple is beautifully sculptured with visually overwhelming narratives.
• It attracts many tourists every year.
• The Konark Sun Temple is depicted on the reverse side of the Indian currency note of Rs 10 to signify its importance to Indian cultural heritage
• The temple was called ‘Black Pagoda’ in European sailor accounts as early as 1676 because it looked a great tower which appeared black.
• This temple, along with the Puri Jagannath Temple, served as important landmarks for sailors in the Bay of Bengal.

National Action Plan for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR)

About NAP-AMR:

• The NAP-AMR was launched in April 2017.
• The programme is coordinated by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
• The overarching goal of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) is to effectively combat antimicrobial resistance in India, and contribute towards the global efforts to tackle this public health threat.
• Objectives:
  • Define the strategic priorities, key actions, outputs, responsibilities, and indicative timeline and budget to slow the emergence of AMR in India and strengthen the organizational & management structures to ensure intra- & inter-sectoral coordination with a One Health approach;
  • Combat AMR in India through better understanding and awareness of AMR, strengthened surveillance, prevention of emergence and spread of resistant bacteria through infection prevention and control, optimised use of antibiotics in all sectors, and enhanced investments for AMR activities, research and innovations; and
  • Enable monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the NAP-AMR implementation based on the M&E framework.
• Priorities of the Programme:
  
• The programme’s focus areas are given in the image below:
  

Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System

Context: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved an important milestone in the development of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System by proving the land-based prototype in March 2021.

Details

• AIP has a force multiplier effect on lethality of a diesel electric submarine as it enhances the submerged endurance of the boat several folds. Fuel cell-based AIP has merits in performance compared to other technologies.
• While there are different types of AIP systems being pursued internationally, fuel cell-based AIP of NMRL (DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory) is unique as the hydrogen is generated onboard.
• The technology has been developed successfully and is now mature for fitment into target vessels.