PIB Summary- 6th January, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

MoC between India and Japan

Context: Cabinet approves signing of Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Japan on Partnership in “Specified Skilled Worker”.

Details

• The present Memorandum of Cooperation would set an institutional mechanism for partnership and cooperation between India and Japan on sending and accepting skilled Indian workers, who have qualified the required skill and Japanese language test, to work in fourteen specified sectors in Japan.
• These Indian workers would be granted a new status of residence of “Specified Skilled Worker” by the Government of Japan.
• The Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) would enhance people-to-people contacts, foster mobility of workers and skilled professionals from India to Japan.
• The 14 specified sectors are nursing care, building cleaning, material processing industry, industrial machinery manufacturing industry, electric and electronic information related industry, construction, shipbuilding and ship-related industry, automobile maintenance, aviation, lodging, agriculture, fisheries, food and beverages manufacturing industry and food service industry.

World of Coriander Webinar

What’s in the News?

World of Coriander Webinar held to accelerate quality production & export of coriander.

Who conducted the Webinar?

Spices Board of India and DBT-SABC Biotech Kisan Hub in collaboration with ICAR-NRCSS, RSAMB and Kota Agriculture University.

Background

• The Hadoti region of South-East Rajasthan and Guna district of Madhya Pradesh is known for coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) production and contributes a major share in coriander export from the country.
• There is vast potential in the Hadoti-Guna region for the export of whole coriander and other processed products such as coriander split (daal), powder and essential oil.

Auction of Spectrum

Context: DoT issues Notice Inviting Applications for auction of Spectrum.

Details

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for auction of Spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands.
• The validity of auctioned Spectrum shall be 20 years.
• There is an option of payment in instalments for successful bidders.
• The auction format is Simultaneous Multiple-Round Ascending (SMRA) e-auction.
• The auction is scheduled to be held in March 2021 and will be conducted online.

Advisory for managing human-wildlife Conflict

Context: Government approves advisory for management of Human-Wildlife Conflict across the country.

Details about the Advisory

• The Standing Committee of National Board of Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has approved the advisory for management of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) in the country.
• The advisory makes important prescriptions for the States/Union Territories for dealing with human-wildlife conflict situations and seeks expedited inter-departmental coordinated and effective actions.
• It envisages empowering gram panchayats in dealing with the problematic wild animals as per Section 11 (1) (b) of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • It also envisages using the add-on coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for crop compensation against crop damage due to HWC and augmenting fodder and water sources within the forest areas.
  • Payment of a portion of ex-gratia as interim relief within 24 hours of the incident to the victim/family is also provided for.
• The advisory also talks about prescribing inter-departmental committees at local/state level, adoption of early warning systems, creation of barriers, dedicated circle wise Control Rooms with toll free hotline numbers which could be operated on 24X7 basis, identification of hotspots and formulation and implementation of special plans for improved stall-fed farm animal, etc.
• The National Board for Wildlife also approved inclusion of the caracal into the list of critically endangered species for taking up conservation efforts with financial support under the centrally sponsored Scheme – Development of Wildlife Habitat.
  • This makes the total number of ‘critically endangered’ wildlife species under the recovery programme for critically endangered species to 22.

About Caracals

• Caracal is a medium-sized wild cat that roams the savannas, deserts, and forests of much of Africa and parts of the Middle East. They are also found in Central Asia and India.
• Its coat is typically a tawny or reddish gold with a white chin, throat, and underside.
• Its large, pointy ears, tipped with black and tufted, are a trademark of the species.
• They are great hunters, being very fast, and chiefly preys on birds, rodents, mongoose, hyraxes, and even small monkeys.
• Scientific name of caracal: Caracal caracal
• Its IUCN status is Least Concern (LC).
• Even though its status is LC, it faces threats in varying habitats across the globe.
  • It is believed to be close to extinction in North Africa.
  • It is frequently killed by people in order to protect livestock, and also in some countries in road accidents.
• African caracal populations are listed under CITES Appendix II, while Asian populations come under CITES Appendix I.
• In ancient Egyptian culture, caracals were considered to have a religious significance.
• Caracals in India:
  • In India, caracal hunting is prohibited.
  • It is a rare species in India.
  • The sub-species Caracal caracal schmitzi is found in India and this sub-species are presumed to be distributed from Arabia to Central India.
  • In India, caracals are mostly found in the tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorn and shrub forests of Central and Western India.
  • A recent study in 2016 concluded that caracals have most likely become extinct in Madhya Pradesh.
  • These cats are seen occasionally in Rajasthan and Gujarat states though not common in either of the states.

Status of Avian Influenza in the country

Context: Avian Influenza (bird flu) outbreak in several states in India.

Background

• Avian Influenza (AI) viruses have been circulating worldwide for centuries with four known major outbreaks recorded in the last century.
• India notified the first outbreak of avian influenza in 2006.
• Infection in humans is not yet reported in India though the disease is zoonotic.
• There is no direct evidence that AI viruses can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products.
• Implementing management practices that incorporate biosecurity principles, personal hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection protocols, as well as cooking and processing standards, are effective means of controlling the spread of the AI viruses.
• In India, the disease spreads mainly by migratory birds coming into India during winter months, from September – October to February – March. The secondary spread by human handling (through fomites) cannot be ruled out.
• In view of a threat of the global outbreak of AI, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) had prepared an action plan in 2005 which was revised in 2006, 2012, 2015 and 2021 for the guidance of State Governments for the prevention, control and containment of avian influenza.
• Following the post-operation surveillance plan (POSP) after completion of Avian Influenza outbreak control in 2020 and containment operation at different epicentres, the country was declared free from AI w.e.f. 30th September 2020.

Present Fresh Outbreak

• After confirmation of positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD, AI has been reported from the following States (at 12 epicentres) –
  • Rajasthan (crow) – Baran, Kota, Jhalawar
  • Madhya Pradesh (crow) – Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa
  • Himachal Pradesh (migratory birds) – Kangra
  • Kerala (poultry-duck) –  Kottayam, Alappuzha (4 epicentres)
• The states are taking measures for containment and control including the culling of birds.
• DAHD has also set up a control room in New Delhi to keep watch on the situation and to take stock on a daily basis of preventive and control measures undertaken by State authorities.
• Measures suggested to states to control the disease and prevent further spread include:
  • Strengthening the biosecurity of poultry farms
  • Disinfection of affected areas
  • Proper disposal of dead birds/carcasses
  • Timely collection and submission of samples for confirmation and further surveillance
  • Intensification of surveillance plan
  • General guidelines for prevention of disease spread from affected birds to poultry and human
  • Coordination with forest department for reporting any unusual mortality of birds
• Other states were also asked to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality among birds.

Draft 5th Science Technology and Innovation Policy

Context: The 5th National Science Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) has been finalized and is available for public consultation.

Key Objectives of Science Technology and Innovation Policy 2020

Since it is the 5th STIP of India, the Government of India intends to innovate policies, missions, and schemes which can benefit the science and technology-based developments in the country.

Given below are the key points which one must know regarding STIP 2020:

• The Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, 2020 formulation process will be facilitated jointly by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (Office of PSA), and the Department of Science and Technology (DST)
• This policy has been formulated with a decentralized, bottom-up, and inclusive design process, aiming to restrategize priorities, sectoral focus, and methods of research and technology development for larger socio-economic welfare
• With the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse effects on the economy and life, STIP 2020 has been designed with the integration of GoI’s Atmanirbhar Bharat. Research, development, science and technology workforce, institutions, etc. 
• An engaging national policy-making process has been initiated, with an aim to gather input and manage outreach. A six-level initiative has been introduced:
  • In Conversation with – Interviews with experts and leaders in various capacities to provide inputs for the policy
  • Across the Table – 16 panel discussions will be held to hear out different perspectives from the expert 
  • Policy Compass – Policy Compass is a dedicated platform through which people can give their suggestions, views, and ideas in the formation of policy
  • Open Letter – To spread awareness, open letter will be published in multiple languages to invite ideas from various parts of the country
  • Thoughts for India – It is a podcast series in partnership with community radios across the country where awareness shall be raised about the science policy
  • Ideathon – It is a competition where participants will be encouraged to share concepts or ideas regarding the STI ecosystem and how the policy should be addressing it

STIP 2020 – The 4 Tracks

The Government and the authorising bodies have finalised a participative model with four interconnected tracks. Discussed below are the same:

• Track 1: Extended public and expert consultation: aims to create a repository of public voices that will act as a guiding force for the drafting process
• Track 2: Thematic group consultation: consultations comprises 21 expert-driven thematic collectives to feed evidence-based recommendations into the policy drafting process
• Track 3: Ministries and State consultation: brings together Ministries and States in extensive engagement through nominated nodal officers
• Track 4: Apex Level Multi-Stakeholder consultation: is the binding force that draws upon apex level multi-stakeholder engagement at the national and global levels

Last Four Science, Technology and Innovation Policies

Before STIP 2020, four other science-based policies had been released. Given below is brief information about each of the past four STIPs:

• Scientific Policy Resolution 1958
  • The main aim was to foster, promote and sustain, the cultivation of science and scientific research
• Technology Policy Statement 1983
  • This was the time when the Government wanted to attain self-reliance and attain technological competence
  • The main aim was to integrate programs of the socio-economic sector and to introduce the innovation of national innovation system
• Science and Technology Policy 2003
  • This policy focussed on bringing investment and innovation to the forefront and showcased the benefits of science and technology in the country
• Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2013
  • This was the first time that the paradigm was set as “science, technology, and innovation”

Timeline for STIP 2020

• The preparatory work to set up the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy 2020, had started in 2019 and was completely approved by the required authorities by January 2020. 
• Given below is an image, from the official website, describing the timeline set by the authorities to released and start working as per the STIP 2020 guidelines:
  

Science and Technology is one of those fields where India can grow more and bring in innovative changes.

Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave-1, India Report

Context: Union Health Minister releases the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave-1, India Report.

What is LASI?

• LASI is a full–scale national survey of scientific investigation of the health, economic, and social determinants and consequences of population ageing in India.
• Who conducted LASI?
  • It has been undertaken by the National Programme for Health Care of Elderly (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare) through the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS, Mumbai) in collaboration with Harvard School of Public Health, University of Southern California, USA, Dte.GHS, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and National Institute on Ageing.
• The LASI, Wave 1 covered a baseline sample of 72,250 individuals aged 45 and above and their spouses including 31,464 elderly persons aged 60 and above and 6,749 oldest-old persons aged 75 and above from all States and Union Territories (UTs) of India (excluding Sikkim).
• Significance:
  • It is India’s first and the world’s largest-ever survey that provides a longitudinal database for designing policies and programmes for the older population in the broad domains of social, health, and economic well-being.
  • The evidence from LASI will be used to further strengthen and broaden the scope of the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly and also help in establishing a range of preventive and health care programmes for the older population.
  • It is important because the 60+ population accounted for 8.6% of India’s population according to the 2011 Census.
  • Growing at around 3% annually, the number of elderly age population will rise to 319 million in 2050, and around 75% of them suffer from one or the other chronic disease.