PIB Summary- 17th October, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Central Road and Infrastructure Fund

Context
Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has disclosed the approval of seven crucial bridge projects in Arunachal Pradesh under the Setu Bandhan Scheme under Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).

Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF)

• The Central Road and Infrastructure Fund, previously known as the Central Road Fund, was established in 2000 under the Central Road Fund Act, 2000.
• This fund is primarily funded through a cess imposed in conjunction with excise duty on petrol and diesel.
• Administrative control of the CRIF falls under the Ministry of Finance. It was previously administered by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Central Road Fund Act (Amendment), 2018

• The 2018 amendment to the Central Road Fund Act resulted in its renaming as the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).
• It expanded the utilization of the proceeds from the road cess under CRIF to finance a broader range of infrastructure projects. These include waterways, a portion of railway infrastructure, and social infrastructure like educational institutions and medical colleges.

Setu Bandhan Scheme

• The “Setu Bandhan Scheme” is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
• It is designed to facilitate the construction of Rail Over Bridges (ROBs), Rail Under Bridges (RUBs), and Bridges on State Roads.
• The program’s main objective is to enhance road safety by replacing existing level crossings with bridges, ultimately reducing accidents at these locations.

GI tag for Arunachal Yak Churpi, Khaw Tai (Khamti rice), and Tangsa textile

Context
Recently, the Jaderi namakatti was given the GI tag by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai.

Jaderi Namakatti: A Traditional Clay Craft

• Appearance: Jaderi namakatti is a type of clay stick that is white in color, typically shaped like fingers with a smooth texture.
• Origin: Jaderi is a small village located in the Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu, India.
• Traditional Craft: In Cheyyar taluk, approximately 120 families have been engaged in the production of namakatti for several centuries, making it their primary occupation.
• Raw Material: Namakatti is crafted from a rich deposit of hydrous silicate minerals, which results in fine-grain clay particles.
• Production Process: The clay is processed and molded into a finger-like shape, characteristic of namakatti.
• Climate-Dependent: The production of namakatti is influenced by climatic conditions, particularly the need for abundant sunlight for the drying process.
• Usages: Namakatti is used for various purposes, including adorning the foreheads of idols, men, and temple elephants. Traditionally, it has also been used to treat stretch marks caused by childbirth. This traditional craft is deeply rooted in the culture and heritage of the region.

Geographical Indications (GI) Tag

• Geographical Indications of Goods indicate the country or place of origin of a product.
• They assure consumers of the product’s quality and distinctiveness derived from its specific geographical locality.
• GI tags are an essential component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and are protected under international agreements like the Paris Convention and TRIPS.

Administration and Registration:

• Geographical Indications registration in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• The registration and protection are administered by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DIPIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The registration is valid for 10 years, and it can be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.

Significance and Examples:

• GI tags provide a unique identity and reputation to products based on their geographical origin.
• The first product in India to receive a GI tag was Darjeeling tea.
• Karnataka has the highest number of GI tags with 47 registered products, followed by Tamil Nadu with 39.

Ownership and Proprietorship:

• Any association, organization, or authority established by law can be a registered proprietor of a GI tag.
• The registered proprietor’s name is entered in the Register of Geographical Indication for the applied product.
• Protection and Enforcement:
• Geographical Indications protect the interests of producers and prevent unauthorized use of the product’s name or origin.
• Enforcement of GI rights helps maintain the quality and reputation of the products associated with their specific geographical regions.

Location of the Geographical Indications Registry:

• The Geographical Indications Registry is located in Chennai, India.