PIB Summary- 26th July, 2022 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

Why in News?
Clearance of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is mandatory for the environmental release of Genetically Modified (GM) crops.

Key Points

• The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the statutory committee constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• As per the ‘’Rules 1989’’, State/UT Biotechnology Coordination Committees and District Level Committees are responsible for monitoring instances of illegal cultivation of GM crops and taking appropriate action under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• The Chief Secretary of State/UT is the Chairperson for the State Biotechnology Coordination Committee (SBCC). Any complaints that come to the notice of GEAC secretariat are sent to the Chief Secretary.
• For the consideration of any application related to confined field trials of Genetically Modified (GM) crops by GEAC, NOC from the State/UT Government is required.

What are GM Crops?

• Genetically modified crops (GM crops) are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering techniques. More than 10% of the world’s crop lands are planted with GM crops.
• In most cases, the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species like resistance to certain pests, diseases, environmental conditions, herbicides etc.
• Genetic Modification is also done to increase nutritional value, bioremediation and for other purposes like production of pharmaceutical agents, biofuels etc.

Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee:

• The top biotech regulator in India is Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
• The committee functions as a statutory body under the Environment Protection Act 1986 of the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF).
• GEAC is responsible for granting permits to conduct experimental and large-scale open field trials and also grant approval for commercial release of biotech crops.
• The Rules of 1989 also define five competent authorities i.e.,
• The Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBSC),
• Review Committee of Genetic Manipulation (RCGM),
• Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC),
• State Biotechnology Coordination Committee (SBCC) and
• District Level Committee (DLC)

for handling of various aspects of the rules.

FDI in Defence Sector

Why in News?
The Government of India revised the FDI polic in 2020 and the total FDI inflow reported till May, 2022 is approximately Rs. 494 Crores.

• The GoI in 2020, has liberalised and allowed FDI under automatic route up to 74% and up to 100% through Government route wherever it is likely to result in access to modern technology.

Policy Reforms brought in by the Department of Defence Production (DDP)

• Higher multipliers assigned in Offset Policy to attract investment and Transfer of Technology for Defence manufacturing.
• Specific consultations are done regularly with Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (FOEMs).
• Defence Corridors: Two Defence Corridors have been established; one in Tamil Nadu and another in Uttar Pradesh which provide Plug & Play support to the industries including FOEMs in the Corridor. 
• Webinars are conducted with Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) under the aegis of DDP, Ministry of Defence (MoD) through Indian Missions abroad and Industry Associations with active participation from Indian Defence Industries. 
• Defence Investor Cell: Defence Investor Cell has been created to provide all necessary information including addressing queries related to investment opportunities, procedures and regulatory requirements for investment in the sector.

About Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an investment in the form of a controlling ownership in a business in one country by an entity based in another country. It is thus distinguished from a Foreign Portfolio Investment by a notion of direct control.
• FDI may be made either “inorganically” by buying a company in the target country or “organically” by expanding the operations of an existing business in that country.
• Broadly, FDI includes “mergers and acquisitions, building new facilities, reinvesting profits earned from overseas operations, and intra company loans”. In a narrow sense, it refers just to building a new facility, and lasting management interest.