PIB Summary- 12th February, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

National Committee on Dam Safety

• The National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) was constituted for the first time by the government of India in 1987.
• Thereafter, the NCDS has been reconstituted in 1989, 1993, 1997, 2002 and 2015.
• NCDS acts as a forum for exchange of views on various issues pertaining to dam safety.
• The Dam Safety Bill, 2019 was passed by the Lok Sabha in 2019 and it proposes to set up a National Committee on Dam Safety headquartered in New Delhi for:
  • Maintaining standards of dam safety
  • Prevention of dam failure related disasters
  • Evolving dam safety policies and recommend necessary regulations
• It would be led by the Chairperson of the Central Water Commission (CWC), ten representatives of the Central government, seven representatives of the state government and three experts in the field of dam safety.
• It would act as an advisory body to the central government on specific matters related to dam safety as referred to it and also make recommendations to the Government in respect of dams located outside the territory of India.

National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA)

Context: The National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture has been extended to the end of March 2021.

About the National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture:

• It is a central sponsored scheme.
• Launched in 2010 – 11 in 7 pilot states. In 2014 – 15, it was extended to the remaining states and 2 UTs.
• Scheme objective: To achieve rapid development in India through use of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) for timely access to agriculture related information to the farmers.
• Farmers can avail different services under this project through multiple channels including government offices, kiosks, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Kisan Call Centers, Agri Clinics, Common Service Centers and web/mobile applications among others.
• Components of the programme includes the Unified Farmer Service Platform (UFSP) and the Farmers’ Database.
  • The UFSP will act as a central agency in the agriculture ecosystem and enable registration of service providers among others.
  • The Farmers’ Database is being created for better planning, monitoring, policy making, strategy formulation and smooth implementation of schemes for farmers. It will be a nationwide database with a unique ID for every farmer.

Vigyan Jyoti Programme

• It is a new initiative to encourage girls to take interest in science and build a career in this field.
• It was launched by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) to create a level-playing field for meritorious girls to pursue STEM.
• It had been running successfully in 50 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) since December 2019 and has now been expanded to 50 more JNVs for the year 2021-22.
• The programme addresses the under-representation of women in certain areas of STEM.
• Vigyan Jyoti activities include student-parent counselling, visit to labs and knowledge centres, partners role model interactions, science camps, academic support classes, resource material distribution and tinkering activities as well as online academic support.

Child Protection Services (CPS) Scheme

Context: The Ministry of Women and Child Development implements a centrally sponsored Child Protection Services (CPS) scheme (erstwhile Integrated Child Protection Scheme) under the umbrella Integrated Child Development Services scheme for supporting the children in difficult circumstances in all the States/UTs.

Integrated Child Protection Scheme

• Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) is a centrally sponsored scheme, implemented by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development 2009-10. The objective of ICPS is creating a safe and secure environment for children in conflict with law as well as children in need of care and protection. The scheme is based on the cardinal principles of “protection of child rights” and the “best interest of the child”. It is an umbrella scheme bringing several existing child protection programmes under one roof, with improved norms. This Scheme incorporates other essential interventions aimed at addressing issues which have so far not been covered by earlier Schemes.
• ICPS would ensure appropriate inter-sectoral response at all levels, enhance capacities at all levels, strengthen child protection at family and community level, create database and knowledge base for child protection services and also strengthen structures and institutionalize essential services.

ICPS Objectives

• To institutionalize essential services and strengthen structures for emergency outreach, institutional care, family and community based care, counselling and support services at the national, regional, state and district levels
• Educate public and raise public awareness regarding child protection schemes, services.
• Proper Coordination of inter-sectoral response at all levels.
• Documentation and research will be undertaken.
• To enhance capacities at all levels of  functionaries including administrators and service providers; members of allied systems including local bodies, police, judiciary and other concerned departments of State Governments to undertake responsibilities under the ICPS
• To create database and knowledge base for child protection services, including Management Information System and child tracking system in the country for effective implementation and monitoring of child protection services
• To strengthen child protection at family and community level.
• To create and promote preventive measures to protect children from situations of vulnerability, risk and abuse
• To raise public awareness, educate public on child rights and protection.

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme

• Under this scheme, widow pension is provided to the widows belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.
• This is a sub-scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) of the Ministry of Rural Development.
• Under the scheme, central assistance @ Rs. 300/- per month is provided to widows in the age-group of 40-79 years and the pension amount is enhanced to Rs 500/- per month on attaining 80 years.