PIB Summary- 5th October, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)

Context: Ministry of Ayush’s advisory on the use of Guduchi, also known as, Giloy.

Details

• The advisory confirms that Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is safe to use but some similar looking plants like Tinospora crispa may be harmful.
• Guduchi is a popularly known herb, familiar as Giloy and is being used in therapeutics since long in AYUSH systems.
• Guduchi’s hepato-protective properties are also well established.

About Guduchi

• Cordifolia (Guduchi) is a large, glabrous, perennial, deciduous, climbing shrub of weak and fleshy stem found throughout India.
• It is a widely used plant in folk and Ayurvedic systems of medicine.
• The chemical constituents reported from this shrub belong to different classes, such as alkaloids, diterpenoid lactones, glycosides, steroids, sesquiterpenoid, phenolics, aliphatic compounds and polysaccharides.
• Potential medicinal properties reported by scientific research include anti-diabetic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-stress, anti-leprotic, antimalarial, hepato-protective, immuno-modulatory and anti-neoplastic activities.

National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)

Context: Business Summit on National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm in NE states held in Guwahati.

Details

• The business summit was aimed to explore the target of area expansion, seedling requirement fixed for different states through processors, details of viability gap payment, interventions and assistance under the mission.

What is the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm?

The National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) is a new centrally sponsored scheme that was announced by the Prime Minister during his independence day speech in 2021.

• The scheme basically aims at self-reliance in edible oil and has been allocated an outlay of Rs. 11, 040 crore over a five-year period.
  • Out of this, the centre will provide Rs 8,844 crore and the states’ share is Rs 2,196 crore.
• The aim of the scheme is to raise the domestic production of palm oil by three times to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26 and to 28 lakh tonnes by 2029-30.
• The scheme has a special focus on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Northeastern region of India.
• The scheme has been announced at a time when the prices of edible oils have been rising over the past few months.
  • There was a 52% hike in the prices in July 2021 compared to the same time last year.
• It is proposed to have an additional 6.5 lakh hectares for palm oil by 2025-26. The ultimate target is to reach 10 lakh hectares.
• The National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) had been launched by the GOI In 2014-15. From 2018-19, the NMOOP was merged with the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) as NFSM-OS&OP. The new scheme NMEO-OP will subsume the NFSM-OS&OP.

NMEO-OP Features

Under this mission, farmers who opt for palm oil cultivation will receive price assurance from the government which will hedge the farmers from price volatility. 

• This is a Minimum Support Price-type mechanism and the government will fix this at 14.3 per cent of crude palm oil (CPO) price. 
• This will eventually go up to 15.3%.
• The scheme also has a sunset clause which is November 1, 2037.
• This price assurance given to the farmers is called the Viability Price (VP).
  • VP is the annual average CPO price of the last 5 years adjusted with the wholesale price index to be multiplied by 14.3 %. 
• The deficiency price payment would be done through direct bank transfer to the farmers’ accounts.
• To provide additional assistance to the cultivators of the northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the government will bear a cost of 2% of the CPO price to ensure that the farmers are paid at par with the rest of the country.  
• Another focus area of the scheme is to substantially increase the support of inputs/interventions.
• To replant old gardens for their rejuvenation, special assistance will be given at the rate of Rs 250 per plant.
• Assistance for planting material for oil palm has been increased from Rs 12,000 per ha to  Rs.29000 per ha. 
• Maintenance and intercropping interventions also see a substantial increase.
• Seed gardens will be given assistance up to Rs.80 lakhs for 15 ha. in the rest of India and Rs.100 lakhs for 15 ha in North-East and Andaman regions. 
• To attract industry to the NE and Andaman regions, a provision of Rs 5 crore of 5 mt/hr unit with pro-rata increase for higher capacity will be given.

National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm Significance

India is the biggest consumer of edible oils in the world. Edible oils form India’s third-biggest import, after crude oil and gold. Of the vegetable oil imports, about 55% is constituted by palm oil. India produces far less than what it consumes annually and the demand is fulfilled by importing vegetable oils. Palm oil is imported from Malaysia and Indonesia. Sunflower oil is chiefly imported from Ukraine and Russia and soybean oil from Brazil and Argentina.
More than 94% of the palm oil is used in the food industry, especially for cooking purposes. The mission is aimed at making India ‘atmanirbhar’ in edible oils like how it has achieved for rice, wheat and sugar. The mission assumes significance when taking into account the projected demand for edible oils, which is set to touch 20 million tonnes by 2030 on account of the changing food habits and soaring disposable income.
The mission is also crucial to increasing farmers’ incomes since palm oil has the potential to provide the highest return on investment per acre compared to other commercial crops.

Industrial Park Ratings System (IPRS) Report

Context: 41 Industrial Parks have been assessed as “Leaders” in the Industrial Park Ratings System Report released by DPIIT.

Details

• The Industrial Park Rating System Report 2.0 released by the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry is the second edition of the Report.
• The Report is an extension of the India Industrial Land Bank which features more than 4,400 industrial parks in a GIS-enabled database to help investors identify their preferred location for investment.
  • The portal is currently integrated with industry-based GIS system of 21 States and UTs and plot-wise information in these are updated on a real-time basis.
  • Pan-India integration is expected to be achieved by December 2021.
• The IPRS pilot exercise was launched in 2018, with an objective of enhancing industrial infrastructure competitiveness and supporting policy development for enabling industrialization across the country.

IPRS 2.0

• All the States and 51 SEZs, including 29 private ones, have participated in the IPRS 2.0.
• Ratings have been undertaken for 449 out of 478 nominations received.
• The feedback survey involved responses from 5,700 tenants.
• A total of 41 industrial parks, mostly from Maharashtra and Rajasthan, have been assessed as “leaders” in this edition of the report.
• About 90 industrial parks from States including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh, have been rated under the ‘challenger’ category, while 185 have been rated as ‘aspirers’.
• These ratings are assigned on the basis of key existing parameters and infrastructure facilities.
• IPRS 2.0 was developed with the following objectives:
  • To improve industrial infrastructure
  • Support EoDB reform agenda of providing transparent information
  • Enable states to showcase their strengths and promote investment in the state industrial ecosystem
  • Benchmark and identify gaps to structure interventions
  • Recognize best practices and promote competition among parks
  • Help industries to identify suitable investment destination through a single platform

GI tagged sweet dish Mihidana

Context: First consignment of GI tagged sweet dish Mihidana from West Bengal exported to Bahrain.

Details

• Sweet dish Mihidana sourced from Bardhaman, West Bengal had received the GI Tag in 2017.
• Sitabhog is another sweet dish from Bardhaman that has got the GI Tag.

Mitra Shakti Exercise

Context: The 8th edition of Exercise Mitra Shakti commenced at Ampara, Sri Lanka.

Details

• The Indian Army contingent comprising 120 personnel of Infantry Battalion Group and a similar strength from a Battalion of the Sri Lankan Army are participating in the bilateral exercise.

10 Important Facts about Mitra Shakti for UPSC

The table below mentions major facts about exercise Mitra Shakti for UPSC preparation:

Mitra Shakti – Important Points for UPSC
It is a joint military exercise between the armies of India and Sri Lanka
It is an annual exercise as part of Indian diplomacy and interaction with Sri Lanka
Mitra Shakti-VII was the latest edition of the bilateral exercise that took place in 2019
Sixth Edition of the exercise Mitra Shakti was held in Sri Lanka

The aims of this bilateral exercise:

• To promote defence cooperation
• To build positive relations between Indian and Sri Lankan armies

The exercise Mitra Shakti encompasses sub unit level training for counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations
The counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations’ training is set in urban and rural scenarios under United Nations (UN) mandate
The design of the Mitra Shakti exercise is such that it incorporates UN peacekeeping operations’ dynamics
The Mitra Shakti exercise includes:

• Practical and Comprehensive Discussions
• Tactical exercises

The mission of the Mitra Shakti is to enhance the interoperability and operational ability of both the armies’ troops

List of Mitra Shakti Exercises (Year-Wise)

The table below mentions the year and locations of important editions of Mitra Shakti exercises:

Ex JIMEX

Context: The fifth edition of India – Japan Maritime Bilateral Exercise, JIMEX, between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) in October 2021.

Details

• JIMEX series of exercises commenced in January 2012 with special focus on maritime security cooperation. The last edition of JIMEX (JIMEX 20) was conducted in September 2020.
• The Indian Navy will be represented by the indigenously built Guided Missile Stealth Destroyer Kochi and Guided Missile Frigate Teg.
• In addition to ships, P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, integral helicopters and MiG 29K fighter aircraft will also participate in the exercise.
• The 4th edition of India – Japan Maritime bilateral exercise JIMEX will be held in the North Arabian Sea from 26 to 28 September 2020.
• JIMEX is conducted biennially between the Indian Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
• JIMEX series of exercises commenced in January 2012 with a special focus on maritime security cooperation.
• The last edition of JIMEX was conducted in October 2018 off Visakhapatnam, India.
• JIMEX 20 will showcase a high degree of inter-operability and joint operational skills through the conduct of a multitude of advanced exercises, across the spectrum of maritime operations.
  • Multi-faceted tactical exercises involving weapon firings, cross deck helicopter operations and complex surface, anti-submarine and air warfare drills will consolidate coordination developed by the two navies.
• Indigenously built stealth destroyer Chennai, Teg Class stealth frigate Tarkash and Fleet Tanker Deepak will represent the Indian Navy.

Rewarding Scheme for Grant of Award to the Good Samaritan

Context: Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways launches Rewarding Scheme for Grant of Award to the Good Samaritan who has saved life of a victim of a fatal accident involving a motor vehicle.

Details

• Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued Guidelines for the “Scheme for grant of Award to the Good Samaritan who has saved life of a victim of a fatal accident involving a motor vehicle by administering immediate assistance and rushing to Hospital/Trauma Care Centre within the Golden Hour of the accident to provide medical treatment”.
• The Scheme mainly aims to motivate the general public to help the road accident victims in emergency situation, inspire and motivate others to save innocent lives on road.
• Any individual who has saved life of a victim of a fatal accident involving a motor vehicle by administering immediate assistance and rushing to Hospital within the Golden Hour of the accident to provide medical treatment would be eligible for the award.
• An individual Good Samaritan can be awarded maximum 5 times in a year.
• The amount of award for the Good Samaritan(s) would be Rs.5,000/- per incident.
• The scheme would be effective from 15 October.

National Road Safety Board

Context: Notification for constitution of National Road Safety Board.

Details

• The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has notified constitution of the National Road Safety Board.
• The Head Office of the Board shall be in the National Capital Region and the Board may establish offices at other places in India.
• It shall consist of the Chairman and not less than three, but not exceeding seven Members, to be appointed by the Central Government.
• The Board shall be responsible for promoting road safety, innovation and adoption of new technology and for regulating traffic and motor vehicles. For this purposes, inter alia, the Board shall:
  • Formulate (a) specific standards for road safety, traffic management and road construction for hilly regions; (b) guidelines for capacity building and development of skills for traffic police, hospital authorities, highway authorities, educational and research organizations and other organizations; (c) guidelines for establishing and operating trauma facilities and para-medical facilities, for consideration by the Central Government.
  • provide technical advice and assistance to the Central Government, State Governments and local authorities on road safety and traffic management;
  • promote (a) Good Samaritans; (b) good practices in road safety and traffic management; (c) new vehicle technology in the field of vehicular engineering; (d) co-ordination with international organizations; and (e)consistency between international technical standards and domestic technical standards,
  • conduct research to improve road safety, traffic management, crash investigation.

Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)

Context: Ministry of Textiles approves continuation of Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme with a total outlay of Rs 160 crore.

About the Scheme

• CHCDS aims to create world-class infrastructure that caters to the business needs of the local artisans & SMEs to boost production and export.
• In brief, the main objective of setting up these clusters is to assist the artisans & entrepreneurs to set up world-class units with modern infrastructure, latest technology, and adequate training and human resource development inputs, coupled with market linkages and production diversification.
• Under CHCDS, soft interventions like Baseline Survey and Activity Mapping, Skill Training, Improved Tool Kits, Marketing events, Seminars, Publicity, Design workshops, Capacity Building, etc will be provided.
• Hard interventions like Common Facility Centers, Emporiums, Raw Material Banks, Trade Facilitation Centers, Common Production Centers, Design and Resource Centers will also be granted.
• The focus will be on integration of scattered artisans, building their grass root level enterprises and linking them to SMEs in the handicrafts sector to ensure economies of scale.
• The mega handicraft clusters having more than 10,000 artisans will be selected for overall development under this scheme.
• As per the latest decision, the scheme will continue up to March 2026.

Dust Control & Management Cells

Context: Dust Control & Management Cells set up in National Capital Region in pursuant to directions by Commission of Air Quality.

Details

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued directions to all road owning/maintaining/road construction agencies of the State Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and GNCTD to set up Dust Control & Management Cells in their respective states.
• The Cell will regularly monitor the compliance of road dust control measures by the authorities concerned and will also keep track of the progress of measures undertaken.
• Apart from this, exhaustive reports prepared on a monthly basis by the cell will help in the fight against dust pollution more systematically.
• CAQM has formulated a 10-point dust monitoring parameter in this regard.
• This parameter involves a variety of measures that needs to be strictly adopted by the Cells including:
  • optimum utilization of road sweeping machines,
  • scientific disposal of dust collected in designated sites/landfills,
  • water sprinkling to suppress dust especially after mechanized sweeping,
  • augmentation of mechanized sweeping and sprinkling capacity,
  • proper management of roads to ensure potholes-free roads,
  • laying or repairing roads in a manner which extensively supports mechanized sweeping,
  • conversion of non-paved roadsides into paved one or into a green area,
  • greening of central verges,
  • laying cemented roads over bituminous roads especially in industrial areas and,
  • identification of hotspots of road dust and target-specific implementation of road dust control measures.