PIB-January-Final-Min.Pdf

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PIB Highlights – 01st January 2019

Benefits of RCEP Agreement  The RCEP negotiation process had started in 2013 and is unlikely to be concluded by the end of 2016.  The proposed FTA aims to open up trade in goods and services as well as liberalise investment policies.  The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is a proposed Free Trade Agreement between ten ASEAN member states and their six Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners namely India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and Republic of Korea, is expected to provide market access for India’s goods and services exports and encourage greater investments and technology into India.  It would also facilitate India’s MSMEs to effectively integrate into the regional value and supply chains.  On the other hand, India is not a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) which is a grouping of twenty-one countries in the Asia Pacific region with an aim to deepen and strengthen economic and technological cooperation amongst APEC member countries.

What are the concerns that remain?

 The first is the greater access Chinese goods will have to the Indian market, a problem given India’s massive trade deficit. To circumvent this, given that India is the one country that doesn’t have an FTA with China, the government has proposed a “differential market access” strategy for China, which others are inclined to accept.  After the Wuhan summit, India and China have made progress on addressing the trade deficit, with China increasing access for Indian goods such as pharma and agricultural products.  The second concern is about demands by other RCEP countries for lower customs duties on a number of products and greater access to the market than India has been willing to provide.  The more developed RCEP countries such as Australia and Singapore have been unwilling to accommodate India’s demands to liberalise their services regime and allow freer mobility of Indian workers.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

 APEC stands for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.  It is a regional economic forum of 21 Pacific Rim member economies  Established in 1989  APEC’s 21 members aim to promote free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region  APEC account for about half the world’s trade and almost 60 per cent of global GDP

Why was it established? . In response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent of regional trade blocs in other parts of the world; . To fears that highly industrialized Japan (a member of G8) would come to dominate economic activity in the Asia-Pacific region; and . To establish new markets for agricultural products and raw materials beyond Europe  India is not a member. India has applied but membership was denied because it does not border Pacific Ocean  India is an observer member in APEC  HQ: Singapore

Latest Summit:  Lima, Peru, Nov 2016. Theme was “Quality Growth and Human Development”  Da Nang, Vietnam, Nov 2017. Theme was ‘Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future’  The 2018 APEC summit was held recently held in Papua New Guinea.

PIB Highlights – 02nd January 2019

Reducing Carbon Emission by Altering the Method of Farming  Important initiatives in this regard include crop diversification programme under Rashtriya Krishi VikasYojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI).  Missions/Programmes being implemented under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, which is one of the eight Mission under the National Action Plan for Climatic Change are :- . Soil Health Card . Paramparagat KrishiVikasYojana . Mission Organic for Value Chain Development for North East , Rainfed Area Development . Sub-Mission on Agroforestry . National Bamboo Mission . Promotion of micro irrigation under Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchaiYojana (PMKSY)-Per Drop More Crop. . Planting of trees under National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI), Sub-Mission on Agro Forestry (SMAF) and National Bamboo Mission (NBM). . 45 models of Integrated Farming System (IFS) have been developed for replication in KrishiVigyanKendras (KVKs) and in the States for enabling climate resilient agriculture. . Climate resilient villages have been developed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), one in each of 151 districts.

 The following changes will be made in list of Scheduled Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh: . Deletion of Abor – Removal of duplication . Replace Khampti – There is no tribe called ‘Khampti’ . Inclusion of Mishmi-Kaman, Idu and Taraon – Existing entry is only of ‘Mishmi’. There is reportedly no such community. . Inclusion of Monpa, Memba, Sartang, Wancho – Existing entry is of ‘Any Naga Tribes’. These are reportedly the only Naga tribes in the State. . Inclusion of Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa, Wancho – Existing entry is of ‘Any Naga Tribes’. These are reportedly the only Naga tribes in the State.

India's Approach for COP 24, Katowice, Poland (2-15 December 2018)  The key focus of meeting was to finalize guidelines for implementation of Paris Agreement in post 2020 period.  India's approach was guided by principles and provisions of UNFCCC and Paris Agreement particularly the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capability (CBPR-RC).

 The push for renewable energy leading to achieving about 74 GW of installed renewable energy capacity including about 24 GW from solar; leading the world in its pursuit of enhanced solar energy capacity through International Solar Alliance.  Parties have also agreed to initiate the work on setting up the new collective finance goals post-2020 from the floor of US$ 100 billion.  India has however expressed reservation on the Global Stocktake (GST) decision regarding the need for considerations of equity in output of GST process, which is an important part of GST process as per the mandate of Paris Agreement to ensure that vulnerabilities, problems and challenges of the poor and marginalised are addressed.

Cabinet approves high level committee to implement Clause 6 of Assam Accord Several Longstanding demands of Bodos also approved  After Assam agitation of 1979-1985, Assam Accord was signed on 15th August 1985.  Clause 6 of the Assam Accord envisaged that appropriate constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.  The Bodo Accord was signed in 2003 which resulted in the establishment of a Bodoland Territorial Council under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. However, there have been representations from different organizations of Bodos to fulfil various outstanding demands.  The Cabinet approved the establishment of a BodoMusuem-cum-language and cultural study center, modernization of existing All India Radio Station and Doordarshan Kendra at Kokrajhar and naming a Superfast Train passing through BTAD as ARONAI Express.

Cabinet apprised of Progress under NHM and Decisions of Empowered Programme Committee and Mission Steering Group of NHM Salient Features:  The outcomes achieved under the NHM during the last five years and during the year 2017- 18 are: . Decline by 2.7% in the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to 130 during 2014-16 from 178 during 2010-12; . Decline in the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to 34 in 2016 as compared to 44 in 2011. The annual rate of decline of IMR between 2015 and 2018 was 8.1%; . Decline in the Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) to 39 in 2016 from 55 in 2011. The U5MR annual rate of decline during 2015-16 was 9.3%; . Decline in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to 2.3% in 2016, from 2.3% in 2011. The percentage annual compound rate of decline in TFR during 2011-16 has been observed as 1.7%; and  Further various diseases-related health indicators have also shown improvement, such as: . In respect of Malaria, the Annual Parasite Incidence (API) declined to 0.84 in 2016 from 1.10 in 2011. In 2017 malaria incidence went down by 30% and deaths due to malaria decreased by 70%; . The incidence of Tuberculosis (TB) per 1 lakh population has been reduced to 204 in 2017, from 234 in 2013. Incidence of TB per lakh population has been reduced to 204 in

2017 from 211 in 2016. Mortality due to TB per lakh population for India reduced to 21 in 2017 from 32 in 2016; . The target of prevalence of leprosy <1/one lakh population has been achieved nationally. The number of districts that achieved elimination of leprosy has increased from 554 in 2017 to 571 by March 2018; . Incidence of Kala Azar was to reduce it to less than 1 case per 10000 population in all blocks. The number of endemic blocks with prevalence of more than 1 case per 10000 population has been reduced to 72 in 2017, from 94 in 2016; and . Reduction of diseases attributable to Tobacco use, like 4 major NCDs namely Cancers, diabetes, Stroke and Cardiovascular diseases, and chronic lung diseases has been achieved through measures for bringing down prevalence of tobacco use by 6% average points, to 28.6% in 2016-17 from 34.6% in 2009-10.

Skill Development for Minorities Under National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)  The major initiatives undertaken by Government of India for skill development of minorities include . NaiRoshni . Seekho or Kamao . NaiManzil . Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USSTAD).

PIB Highlights – 03rd January 2019

106th session of Indian Science Congress  A four-day 106th Session of Indian Science Congress, 2019 is being held from 3rd to 7th January 2019 at Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, and Punjab.  Theme of the event this year - Future India: Science and Technology.  The PM mentioned major achievements of Indian science in 2018, including: . Production of aviation grade biofuel; . DivyaNayan - a machine for visually impaired; . Inexpensive devices for diagnosis of cervical cancer, TB and dengue . A real-time landslide warning system in the Sikkim-Darjeeling region.  National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems with an investment of over Rs. 3600 crores. The Mission will cover in a seamless way, R&D, Technology Development, Human resources and Skills, Innovation, Start-up Ecosystem and strong Industry and International Collaborations

INDO-France Pact for Sustainable Development  Satisfactory progress had been made in pursuance of the Industrial Way Forward Agreement in 2018 between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Electricite de France (EDF).  The joint hosting by India and France of the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on 11th March 2018 in New Delhi and the first General Assembly in New Delhi from 2nd to 5th October 2018 has bolstered our joint resolve to fight climate change.  The ISA has now transformed into a treaty based international and intergovernmental organization headquartered in India. Out of 71 countries that have signed Framework Agreement of the ISA, 48 countries have deposited the instrument of ratification.  India and France share a common interest to cooperate and collaborate for the stability and prosperity of Africa. The second India-France Dialogue on Africa took place on 11thDecember 2018.

India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway  The 1360 kms long India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is an initiative pertaining to India, Myanmar and Thailand.  India is undertaking construction of two sections of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar namely, . Construction of 120.74 km Kalewa-Yagyi road section, and . Construction of 69 bridges along with the approach road on the 149.70 km Tamu- Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road section.  The work on both these sections were awarded on Engineering, Procurement and Construction mode in May 2018 for Kalewa-Yagyi section and November 2017 for the TKK section.

 A Motor Vehicles Agreement along with protocols for regulating and facilitating movement of cargo and passenger vehicular traffic is under inter-governmental negotiations between India, Myanmar and Thailand.

Acquisition of Tribal Land  Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Land Resources (DoLR), is the nodal Ministry at the Centre, which plays a monitoring role in the field of land reforms. . The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, in section 4 (5) states that save as otherwise provided, no member of a forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes or Other Traditional Forest Dweller shall be evicted or removed from the Forest Land under his occupation till the recognition and verification procedure is complete. . Government has enacted the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act, 2013 in short). The purpose of the said Act is to ensure, in consultation with institutions of local self-government and Gram Sabhas established under the Constitution, a humane, participative, informed and transparent process for land acquisition with the least disturbance to the owners of the land and the other affected families and provide just and fair compensation . The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, also provides that the Gram Sabha or the Panchayats at the appropriate level shall be consulted before making the acquisition of land in the Scheduled Areas . Constitutional provisions under Schedule – V also provide for safeguards against displacement of tribal population because of land acquisitions etc. the Governor of the State which has scheduled Areas is empowered to prohibit or restrict transfer of land from tribals and regulate the allotment of land to members of the Scheduled Tribes in such cases.

BhoomiRashi Portal  The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has recently launched the BhoomiRashi portal.

 In the past years, acquisition of land for the purpose of National Highway projects, payment of compensation to the land owners etc were done manually by physical movement of documents in the form of files.  In that procedure some constraints viz. delay in issuing notification, errors in the land/area details etc were being faced.

Source PIB

 In order to overcome these issues, to cut short delays and avoid parking of public funds with the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA), Ministry has developed a web-based Utility –BhoomiRashi to fully digitize and automate the entire process of land acquisition.

Cyclonic storm “PABUK” over South China Sea

 It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and emerge into Andaman Sea around the forenoon of 05thJanuary 2019.

PIB Highlights – 04th January 2019

 Undivided India's first interim government had been established at Moirang in Manipur. Integrated Check Post at Moreh will facilitate custom clearance, foreign currency exchange, immigration clearance etc.  Dolaithabi Barrage project had been conceived in 1987.  PRAGATI system set up in the PMO enables monitoring of stalled projects through video conferencing.

Relaxing Lending Norms to MSMEs  An online portal www.psbloansin59minutes.com with majority ownership of 6 PSBs / Financial Institutions (FIs) along with their associated companies, has been launched which facilitates in principle approval for loans to MSMEs upto Rs.1 crore within 59 minutes from PSBs. Key features of the portal include  Enabling borrowers to connect with multiple banks without visiting the branch,  Financial technology (FinTech) based architecture with high level of information security,  Analysis of data from various data points,  Loan products in line with scoring models and assessment methods within approved credit policies,  Prima facie eligibility check for credit guarantee from CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises), etc.

Steps being taken to improve Maternal and Child Health:- . JananiSurakshaYojana (JSY), a demand promotion and conditional cash transfer scheme to encourage institutional deliveries. . JananiShishuSurakshaKaryakram (JSSK) aims to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for pregnant women and for treatment of sick neonates. . Pradhan MantriSurakshitMatritvaAbhiyan (PMSMA) to provide fixed-day assured comprehensive and quality antenatal care universally to all pregnant women on 9th of every month. . LaQshya- Labor room Quality improvement Initiative for improving quality of care around birth and ensure respectful maternity care. . Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Wings are being established at high caseload facilities to improve quality of care. . Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) at facilities and in community to take corrective action for averting maternal deaths. . Operationalization of Comprehensive Abortion Care Services and services for Reproductive Tract Infections and Sexually Transmitted Infections (RTI/STI) at health facilities.

Steps being taken to improve to improve Adolescent Health:-  The Government is implementing Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakaram (RKSK) under NHM to improve health of adolescents in the country. RKSK includes following interventions: . Weekly Iron and Folic acid Supplementation (WIFS) programme to provide weekly Iron and Folic Acid tablets to in-school boys and girls and out-of-school girls and biannual anti- helminthic Albendazole tablets for prevention of iron and folic acid deficiency anaemia covering government aided and municipal schools and Anganwadi centres. . School Health Program under Ayushman Bharat to strengthen health promotion and disease prevention interventions for school children. . Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene for rural adolescent girls to increase awareness and hygienic practices among adolescent girls related to Menstrual Hygiene. . Peer educators in the community are conducting participatory sessions on adolescent health issues. . Adolescent Health Day (AHD) is being organized in community for reaching out to adolescents and their parents/ care givers and community leaders. . Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs) at Government health facilities with Medical Officers, ANMs and Counselors trained in Adolescent Friendly Health Services for adequate and appropriate care to adolescents.

Mission Indradhanush  Mission Indradhanush has been selected as one of the 12 best practices globally and has been featured in a special issue of the British Medical Journal titled ‘Improving vaccination coverage in India: lessons from Intensified Mission Indradhanush, a cross-sectoral systems strengthening strategy’.  Mission Indradhanush was showcased during the ‘Partner’s Forum’ held at New Delhi on 12th-13th December 2018 which was attended by around 1200 international and national delegates working on Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health.  Started on 25 December 2014 i.e. Good Governance Day.  The Mission Indradhanush, depicting seven colours of the rainbow, aims to cover all those children by 2020 who are either unvaccinated, or are partially vaccinated against seven vaccine preventable diseases which include: . Diphtheria, Whooping cough, Tetanus, Polio, Tuberculosis, Measles and Hepatitis B  4 vaccines are given in selected areas: . Japanese Encephalitis (JE) (in endemic districts), Rotavirus, Rubella, Polio (injectable), Haemophilusinfluenzae type B

All the 640 districts (as per census 2011) of the country covered under BetiBachaoBetiPadhao (BBBP) scheme

 BBBP, launched on 22nd January 2015, addresses the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of women empowerment and aims to change mindsets to value girl child. Towards this purpose, multi-sectoral interventions are carried out in selected BBBP districts.

 To improve declining Child Sex Ratio in the country and to change the mindset is a long- term challenge. CSR is calculated on decadal basis by Registrar General of India through census.  It is a triministerial effort of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.  Multi-sectoral action includes effective enforcement of Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act, Pre-Natal/ Post Natal care of mother, improve enrolment of girls in schools, community engagement/ training/ awareness generation etc.  Since 2018-19, all 640 districts (as per census 2011) of the country have been covered under BetiBachaoBetiPadhao (BBBP) scheme. Out of 640 districts, 405 districts are covered through Multi -sectoral intervention, Media & Advocacy and 235 districts covered through alert Media & Advocacy outreach.

PIB Highlights – 05th January 2019

NHAI to collaborate with Oil Marketing Companies for issuance of FASTags through petroleum retail outlets

 It will ensure availability of FASTags at petroleum outlets across India. In the first phase, the tags will be available across 50 Fuel Station in Delhi NCR, which will subsequently be expanded to outlets across India.  NHAI has been mandated to implement the National Electronic Toll Collection Program (NETC) in the country. The company launched the program under the brand name “FASTag” in April 2016.  Recent government measures like proposed FASTag – GST integration and FASTag acceptance at all Toll Plazas in India, have led to an urgent need of scaling up the FASTag marketing channels.

PIB Highlights – 07th January 2019

Formulation of a new Labour Code

 The Ministry has prepared a Labour Code on Industrial Relations, by simplifying, amalgamating and rationalizing the relevant provisions of the following three Labour Laws:- . The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, . The Trade Unions Act, 1926, . The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.  The provisions of the draft Code have been discussed with stakeholders in various Tripartite Meetings and then finalized. At present, the Code is at pre-legislative Stage.

National Policy on Domestic Workers

 No such data is maintained at the Central level.  However as per the National Sample Survey(NSSO Statsitics-2011-2012,68th round) according to which estimated 39 lakhs people are employed as domestic workers by private households, of which 26 lakhs are female domestic workers.  The Ministry of Labour & Employment is considering formulating a National Policy on Domestic Workers which is in the draft stage. The salient features of the proposed draft National Policy on Domestic Workers are as under:-  The Central Government is already implementing Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008, to provide social security relating to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old age protection to the unorganised workers including domestic workers.  Various Ministries/Departments of the Central Government are implementing such social security schemes like National Old Age Pension Scheme (MoRD); National Family Benefit Scheme (MoRD); JananiSurakshaYojana (MoHFW), Ayushman Bharat (MoHFW).  In addition to the above welfare schemes, the Central Government has recently converged the social security schemes of AamAadmiBimaYojana (AABY) with Pradhan MantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan MantriSurakshaBimaYojana (PMSBY) to provide life and disability coverage to the unorganised workers for the age group of 18 to 50 years depending upon their eligibility.  Converged PMJJBY gives coverage of Rs2 lakhs on death at premium of Rs.330/- per annum for an age span from 18 to 50 years.  Converged PMSBY gives coverage of Rs.2 lakhs on accidental death and disability at premium of Rs.12 per annum.  These converged schemes of PMJJBY/PMSBY are being implemented by Ministry of Labour& Employment through Life Insurance Corporation of India.  The annual premium is shared on 50:50 basis by the Central Government and the State Governments.  Domestic Workers have also been included as a specific category of workers (with home as the workplace) in the Sexual Harassment of women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (2013).

Regulation of Functions of MSMEs

 The Ministry has also taken the following steps: . MSME SAMADHAAN Portal- for empowering micro and small entrepreneurs across the country to directly register their cases relating to delayed payments. . MSME SAMBANDH Portal- to help in monitoring the implementation of public procurement policy for micro and small enterprises. . MSME SAMPARK Portal – A digital platform wherein jobseekers (passed out trainees/students of MSME Technology Centres) and recruiters get connected. . Digital Payments- to pass on the benefits of the schemes of Ministry of MSME through digital payment gateway.

Debates on Judgements of Supreme Court in Parliament

 As per article 121 of the Constitution of India, "No discussion shall take place in Parliament with respect to the conduct of any Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties except upon a motion for presenting an address to the President praying for the removal of the Judge as hereinafter provided”.  As per article 118 of the Constitution, each House of Parliament may make rules regulating, subject to the provisions of the Constitution, its procedure and conduct of its Business. Discussions in RajyaSabha are governed by Rules of Procedure and conduct of Business in the Council of States and Directions by the Chairman.  As per article 105, Houses of Parliament are masters of their powers and privileges. As such this question relates to the proceedings of the Parliament and inadmissible under rule 47(2), (viii), (xviii) and (xx).

Steps to promote Electric Vehicles

 The Government has granted exemption to Battery Operated Transport Vehicles and Transport Vehicles running on Ethanol and Methanol fuels from requirement of permit.  The Government has notified for retro-fitment of hybrid electric system or electric kit to vehicles and has specified the type approval procedure of electric hybrid vehicles.  The Government has notified that the registration mark for Battery Operated Vehicles is to be on a plate with green background.  For the promotion of electric mobility in the country, the Government had launched Phase-I of the FAME India SchemeVehicles running on Ethanol and Methanol fuels from requirement of permit.  The Government has notified for retro-fitment of hybrid electric system or electric kit to vehicles and has specified the type approval procedure of electric hybrid vehicles.  The Government has notified that the registration mark for Battery Operated Vehicles is to be on a plate with green background.  For the promotion of electric mobility in the country, the Government had launched Phase-I of the FAME India Scheme [ Faster Adoption of Electric (& Hybrid) Vehicles in India] with effect from 1st April 2015. This was initially for a period of 2 years and has subsequently been extended till 31st March 2019.

 Ministry of Power has issued a policy on charging infrastructure and has issued a notification clarifying that charging electric vehicles will be a service, not a sale of electricity.  ISRO has commercialized indigenously developed lithium ion battery technology and has selected 14 companies for transfer of technology.  The NITI Aayog has taken an initiative to provide a Model Concessionaire Agreement (MCA) document for introducing Electric-Bus Fleet in Cities for Public Transportation on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode on Operational Expenditure (per km basis) Model rather than paying upfront capital cost.  Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has made amendment in the Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) guidelines to provide for electric vehicle charging stations in private and commercial buildings.

Avoiding Multiple Driving Licences

 A National Database has been created on Driving Licenses and Vehicle registration.  NIC has been entrusted with the design, development, computerization roll-out and maintenance of the VAHAN for Vehicle Registration and SARATHI for issuing of Driving Licence project across all the states and Union Territory Administrations.  Subsequently to consolidate the database, State Register (SR) for all the states and National Register (NR) were established. Almost all the sites in 36 States/Union Territory Administrations are connected.  State Transport Departments and enforcement agencies have been provided access to data on National Register to facilitate instant verification of all driving licenses (DLs)/ Registration Certificate (RCs).  The SARATHI-4 application of the NIC for Driving License processing, which is a web based online application, is currently operational in 28 States/UTs across the country. It has a built-in facility to identify duplicate driving licenses.  The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017, passed by LokSabha and presently in RajyaSabha for consideration and passing, provides for centralised register of driving licences. This will further help to carry reforms in the driving licence testing process and eliminating the duplicate licences.

India’s assistance for construction of Sittwe Port

 Infrastructure at Sittwe Port in Myanmar, constructed with India’s assistance, is ready for operation.  Construction of Sittwe Port is part of the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project. Its objective is to create a multi-modal sea, river and road transport corridor for shipment of cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar through Sittwe port as well as to North-Eastern part of India via Myanmar.

Setting up of Indian Institute of Skills (IISs)

 The basic functional design and orientation of existing skill training institutions, which were established during 1960s, have remained substantively the same and, in particular, lack

modern training infrastructure and methodology to impart skill training in collaboration with industry leaders.  For this reason and to promote further growth of the Indian Skills sector overall, new measures have been initiated by the Government of India to establish state of the art training institutions called Indian Institutes of Skill (IISs) in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kanpur on Not-for-profit Public Private Partnership (N-PPP) basis.  The IISs are conceptualized with an objective to provide advanced skills in highly specialized areas – for example defence, aerospace, oil & gas and other emerging business domains to name a few – to develop highly skilled technical manpower to meet the demands of organizations.  Government will provide access to its land to the private partners through a licence.

Two new Skill Development Scheme approved

1. Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood (SANKALP)  SANKALP is a centrally sponsored Scheme with a project of total size US Dollar 675 million, including World Bank assistance of US Dollar 500 million.  SANKALP is a project to reform the skill development landscape, strengthen institutions at Central and State levels, enable greater decentralization of skill development governance, and improve industry connect of skill development programs.  The main objectives of the project are: . Creating convergence among all skill training activities, both State-led and Government of India funded, at the state level; . Improving quality of skill development programs through enablers such as building a pool of quality trainers and assessors, developing model curriculum and content, and standardizing assessment and certification; . Establishing robust monitoring and evaluation system for skill training programs; . Providing access to skill training opportunities to the disadvantaged sections; and . Creating industry led and demand driven skill training capacity.

2. Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE)  STRIVE project is a World Bank assisted-Government of India project with the objective of improving the relevance and efficiency of skills training provided through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and apprenticeships.  It is a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) with a budget outlay of INR 2200 Crore covering the following 4 result areas: . Improved performance of ITI. . Increased Capacities of State Governments to support ITIs and Apprenticeship Training . Improved Teaching and Learning. . Improved and Broadened Apprenticeship Training.

Final ‘Site Potential Development Report’ prepared for 4 islands in Andaman & Nicobar and 5 islands in Lakshadweep

 The holistic development of identified Islands in the country has been taken up by NITI Aayog.

 The final Site Potential Development Report has been prepared for four islands in Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) namely Smith, Ross, Long and Aves Islands and five islands in Lakshadweep namely Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam and Suheli Islands.  Tourism based projects have been identified in Long, Aves, Smith and Neil Islands of A&N and Minicoy, Kadamat and Suheli Islands of Lakshadweep while according priority to air and sea connectivity and the construction of airport at Minicoy in Lakshadweep by the Indian Air Force.

Project for “Development of Gandhi Circuit: Bhitiharwa-Chandrahia-Turkaulia” has been sanctioned in Bihar

 The Government commemorated centenary of ChamparanSatyagrah during the period for April, 2017 to April, 2018. A National Implementation Committee (NIC) headed by the Home Minister had been constituted for the purpose.  A project for Development of Gandhi Circuit: Bhitiharwa-Chandrahia-Turkaulia under Rural Circuit theme of SwadeshDarshan Scheme” has been sanctioned in Bihar with central financial assistance of Rs. 4465.02 lakh.  Development of Gandhi Circuit in Bihar is one of the projects identified for development under the Special Package for Bihar announced by the Prime Minister in 2015.

Global Aviation Summit  The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), in collaboration with FICCI is organizing a Global Aviation Summit with an overarching theme of “Flying for all” on 15-16 January 2019 in Mumbai, the financial capital of India.

PIB Highlights – 08th January 2019

LokSabha passes The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill - 2019

 The Bill has been formulated recognizing the need for regulation of the use and application of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) technology, for establishing identity of missing persons, victims, offenders, under trials and unknown deceased persons.  The purpose of this Bill is to expand the application of DNA-based forensic technologies to support and strengthen the justice delivery system of the country.  The utility of DNA based technologies for solving crimes, and to identify missing persons, is well recognized across the world.  The Bill seeks to ensure that with the proposed expanded use of this technology in this country, there is also the assurance that the DNA test results are reliable, and furthermore that the data remain protected from misuse or abuse in terms of the privacy rights of our citizens.  The key components of this Bill include: . establishment of a DNA Regulatory Board; . accreditation of DNA laboratories undertaking DNA testing, analysing, etc.; . establishment of the National and Regional DNA Data Banks, as envisaged in the Bill, will assist in forensic investigations.  This will aid in scientific up-gradation and streamlining of the DNA testing activities in the country with appropriate inputs from the DNA Regulatory Board which would be set up for the purpose.  The Bill will add value in empowering the criminal justice delivery system by enabling the application of DNA evidence, which is considered the gold standard in crime investigations.

Union Home Minister introduces the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 in LokSabha

 The Bill seeks to facilitate acquisition of citizenship by six identified minority communities namely Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who came to India before 31st Dec. 2014.  Union Home Minister clarified that the Act is not confined to the State of Assam. The Bill will apply to all States and Union Territories of the country. The beneficiaries of Citizenship Amendment Bill can reside in any state of the country.  Dispelling the misgivings about Citizenship Amendment Act, Minister highlighted the discrimination and religious persecution faced by these communities in these countries. They have no place to go to, except India.  The proposed amendment will make these persecuted migrants eligible to apply for citizenship. Citizenship will be given to them only after due scrutiny and recommendation of district authorities and the State Government. The minimum residency period for citizenship is being reduced from existing 12 years under the present law to 7 years.  Minister said the present Government has taken several measures to implement the Assam Accord. An important pillar of Assam Accord is Clause 6 dealing with constitutional,

legislative and administrative safeguards for protection of cultural, social and linguistic identity and heritage of Assamese people.  Government has given approval to move the Bill in parliament granting ST status to six communities of Assam namely Tai Ahom, Koch Rajbongshi, Chutia, Tea Tribes, Moran and Matak.  At the same time full safeguards will be provided to protect the interests, rights & privileges of existing Scheduled Tribes of Assam. A separate Bill will be brought to grant ST status to BodoKacharis in Hill districts of Assam and Karbis in the rest of Assam. Sixth Schedule of the Constitution is also proposed to be amended to strengthen the Autonomous District Councils.

Cyber Crime prevention against Women and Children

 The main objective of Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme is to have an effective mechanism to handle cybercrimes against women and children in the country.  Main features of the scheme are given below: . Online cybercrime reporting platform . One national level cyber forensic laboratory . Training of Police officers, judges & prosecutors . Cybercrime awareness activities . Research & Development  Police and Public are State subject as per the Constitution of India and States are primarily responsible for prevention, detection and investigation of crime through their law enforcement machinery.  The Law Enforcement Agencies take legal action as per the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, 2000 against the cyber fraud offenders.  The online cybercrime reporting portal www.cybercrime.gov.inhas been operationalized and since inception, more than 3800 complaints have been received on it.

Modernization of Police Force

 In 2006, the Supreme Court of India delivered a historic judgment in Prakash Singh vs. Union of India, instructing central and state governments to comply with a set of seven directives that laid down practical mechanisms to kick-start police reform. The directives are 1. Constitute a State Security Commission (SSC) to: . Ensure that the state government does not exercise unwarranted influence or pressure on the police. . Lay down broad policy guideline and . Evaluate the performance of the state police 2. Ensure that the DGP is appointed through merit based transparent process and secure a minimum tenure of two years.

3. Ensure that other police officers on operational duties (including Superintendents of Police in-charge of a district and Station House Officers in-charge of a police station) are also provided a minimum tenure of two years. 4. Separate the investigation and law and order functions of the police. 5. Set up a Police Establishment Board (PEB) to decide transfers, postings, promotions and other service related matters of police officers of and below the rank of DSP and make recommendations on postings and transfers above the rank of DSP. 6. Set up a Police Complaints Authority (PCA) at state level to inquire into public complaints against police officers of and above the rank of DSP in cases of serious misconduct, including custodial death, grievous hurt, or rape in police custody and at district levels to inquire into public complaints against the police personnel below the rank of DSP in cases of serious misconduct. 7. Set up a National Security Commission (NSC) at the union level to prepare a panel for selection and placement of Chiefs of the Central Police Organisations (CPO) with a minimum tenure of two years.

Powers of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulates and supervises Public Sector and Private Sector Banks. Under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, it can, inter alia― 1. Inspect the bank and its books and accounts (section 35(1) ibid.); 2. Examine on oath any director or other officer of the bank (section 35(3) ibid.); 3. Cause a scrutiny to be made of the affairs of the bank (section 35(1A) ibid.); 4. Give directions to secure the proper management of the bank (section 35A ibid.); 5. Call for any information of account details (section 27(2) ibid.); 6. Determine the policy in relation to advances by the bank (section 21 ibid.); 7. direct special audit of the bank (section 30(1B) ibid.); and 8. Direct the bank to initiate insolvency resolution process in respect of a default, under the provisions of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (section 35AA ibid.).  Further, in respect of nationalised banks and the State Bank of India (SBI), under the provisions of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Acts of 1970 and 1980 (Bank Nationalisation Acts) and the State Bank of India Act, 1955 (SBI Act) respectively, inter alia―

National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA)

 The National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA) has been constituted under Section 171 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 to ensure that the reduction in rate of tax or the benefit of input tax credit is passed on to the recipient by way of commensurate reduction in prices.

Elements of Agriculture Export Policy:

The recommendations in the Agriculture Export Policy have been organised in two categories – Strategic and Operational – as detailed below:

Strategic Policy measures Infrastructure and logistics support Holistic approach to boost exports Greater involvement of State Governments in agri exports Focus on Clusters Promoting value-added exports Marketing and promotion of “Brand India Operational Attract private investments into production and processing Establishment of strong quality regimen Research & Development Miscellaneous

PIB Highlights – 09th January 2019

Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance adopts E-Mobility Programme

 Marking the adoption of e-mobility, the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Government of India has signed an agreement with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), an entity under the Ministry of Power for deployment of 15 Electric Vehicles for their officers.

Launch of NCDC model for cooperatives as Modern banking unit will bring about financial inclusion of farmers in remote villages

 National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT) besi des being responsible for training, awareness and evaluation programmes of employees working in the cooperative sector also facilitates the same for other stakeholders in the cooperative sector in the country.  The main objective of the NCCT is to facilitate the human resource development in the cooperatives in the country.

Web- Wonder Women Campaign

 The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, has launched an online campaign Web- Wonder Women.  The Campaign aims to discover and celebrate the exceptional achievements of women, who have been driving positive agenda of social change via social media.  Nominations have been invited in a large number of categories including Health, Media, Literature, Art, Sports, Environmental protection, fashion among others.

PIB Highlights – 10th January 2019

 E-NAM i.e. National Agriculture Market is a pan-India electronic trading (e-trading) portal which seeks to network the existing physical regulated wholesale market (known as APMC market) through a virtual platform to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities.  E-NAM platform promotes better marketing opportunities for the farmers to sell their produce through online competitive and transparent price discovery system and online payment facility.

Indus Food 2019

 INDUS FOOD-II with the theme of ‘World Food Supermarket’ will be held on 14th and 15th January 2019, at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida.  The event is aimed at promoting India as a strong and reliable exporter of food and beverage products to the world.

Government launches National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

 Air pollution is one of the biggest global environmental challenges of today.  A time bound national level strategy for pan India implementation to tackle the increasing air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner in the form of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was today launched by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.  Minister further informed that considering the available international experiences and national studies, the tentative national level target of 20%–30% reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024 is proposed under the NCAP taking 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration.  Dovetailing of the existing policies and programmes including the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and other initiatives of Government of India in reference to climate change will be done while execution of NCAP.

Major Decisions taken by the GST Council in its 32nd Meeting

 Following major decisions have been taken to give relief to MSME (including Small Traders) among others –

1. Increase in Turnover Limit for the existing Composition Scheme: . The limit of Annual Turnover in the preceding Financial Year for availing Composition Scheme for Goods shall be increased to Rs 1.5 crore. Special category States would decide, within one week, about the Composition Limit in their respective States.

1.1 Compliance Simplification: . The compliance under Composition Scheme shall be simplified as now they would need to file one Annual Return, but Payment of Taxes would remain Quarterly (along with a simple declaration). 2. Higher Exemption Threshold Limit for Supplier of Goods: . There would be two Threshold Limits for exemption from Registration and Payment of GST for the suppliers of Goods i.e. Rs 40 lakhs and Rs 20 lakhs. States would have an option to decide about one of the limits within a weeks’ time. . The Threshold for Registration for Service Providers would continue to be Rs 20 lakhs and in case of Special Category States at Rs 10 lakhs. 3. Composition Scheme for Services: . A Composition Scheme shall be made available for Suppliers of Services (or Mixed Suppliers) with a Tax Rate of 6% (3% CGST +3% SGST) having an Annual Turnover in the preceding Financial Year up to Rs 50 lakhs.

3.1 The said Scheme Shall be applicable to both Service Providers as well as Suppliers of Goods and Services, who are not eligible for the presently available Composition Scheme for Goods. 3.2 They would be liable to file one Annual Return with Quarterly Payment of Taxes (along with a Simple Declaration). 4. Effective date: . The decisions at Sl. No. 1 to 3 above shall be made operational from the 1st of April 2019.

5. Free Accounting and Billing Software shall be provided to Small Taxpayers by GSTN. 6. Matters referred to Group of Ministers: . A seven Member Group of Ministers shall be constituted to examine the proposal of giving a Composition Scheme to Boost the Residential Segment of the Real Estate Sector. . A Group of Ministers shall be constituted to examine the GST Rate Structure on Lotteries.

7. Revenue Mobilization for Natural Calamities: . GST Council approved Levy of Cess on Intra-State Supply of Goods and Services within the State of Kerala at a rate not exceeding 1% for a period not exceeding 2 years.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency and CPWD sign MoU on promoting energy efficiency in buildings

 The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) here today, kick starting cooperation in building energy efficiency.

Background: 1. Star Rating for Commercial Buildings  The rapid economic growth in the construction sector would require a large number of new commercial as well as residential buildings and apartments to be constructed in various parts of the country.  Commercial building sector in India is expanding rapidly at over 9% per year spurred largely by the strong growth in the services sector. It has been estimated that more than 50% of building stock that will exist in the year 2030 is yet to come up in the country; a situation that is fundamentally different from developed countries.  Having regard to the fact that the rate of growth in commercial building sector is amongst the highest, and that, this sector needs to be moderated in its energy consumption BEE introduced the Star Rating for existing buildings as a voluntary policy measure to reduce the adverse impact of buildings on the environment.  The Star Rating Programme for buildings is based on the actual performance of a building in terms of its specific energy usage in kwh/sqm/year. This programme rates office buildings on a 1-5 Star scale, with 5 Star labelled buildings being the most efficient.  The scheme is in vogue on a voluntary basis and label provided under it is applicable for a period of 5 years from the date of issue.

2. Roles and Responsibilities Role of BEE:

. Processing of application for star rating of buildings . Preliminary scrutiny of application . Data verification of CPWD maintained buildings . Installation of smart meters. . Award of certificate & Label. . Support for Energy Efficiency in Buildings . Support for construction of ECBC compliant buildings . Efficient coordination with CPWD. . Capacity building of CPWD officials

Role of CPWD

. Completely filled application for star rating . Support and facilitation to data verification and monitoring. . Construction of ECBC Compliant buildings . Support for Energy Efficiency in Buildings . Efficient coordination with BEE

PIB Highlights – 11th January 2019

6th ‘Women of India Organic Festival’ organized by WCD Ministry

 The Ministry of Women and Child Development is organising the three-day 6th ‘Women of India Organic Festival’ from tomorrow at Leisure Valley, Chandigarh.  Through this festival, the Ministry also aims to educate people about its various initiatives and schemes relating to women and children.  The Women of India Organic Festival has been held annually in New Delhi since 2015 and makes its debut in Chandigarh this year. NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY 2017  The National Health Policy of the country was launched after a gap of 15 years. The Cabinet in its meeting held on 15th March 2017 approved the National Health Policy (NHP) 2017.  NHP 2017 addresses the current and emerging challenges necessitated by the changing socio- economic, technological and epidemiological landscape.  The major commitment of the NHP 2017 is raising public health expenditure progressively to 2.5% of the GDP by 2025. It envisages providing larger package of assured comprehensive primary healthcare through the Health and Wellness Centres.  The Policy aims to attain the highest possible level of health and well-being for all at all ages through a preventive and promotive healthcare and universal access to quality health services without anyone having to face financial hardship as a consequence.  NHP 2017 advocates allocating major proportion (two-thirds or more) of resources to primary care and aims to ensure availability of two beds per 1,000 population distributed in a manner to enable access within golden hour.  The Policy also takes a fresh look at strategic purchase from the private sector and leveraging their strengths to achieve national health goals and seeks stronger partnership with the private sector.

ALLIED AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONS BILL, 2018 Key features:  Establishment of a Central and corresponding State Allied and Healthcare Councils; 15 major professional categories including 53 professions in Allied and Healthcare streams.  The Bill provides for Structure, Constitution, Composition and Functions of the Central Council and State Councils, e.g. framing policies and standards, Regulation of professional conduct, Creation and maintenance of live Registers, provisions for common entry and exit examinations, etc.  The Central Council will comprise 47 members, of which 14 members shall be ex-officio representing diverse and related roles and functions and remaining 33 shall be non-ex-officio members who mainly represent the 15 professional categories.

 The State Councils are also envisioned to mirror the Central Council, comprising 7 ex-officio and 21 non-ex officio members and Chairperson to be elected from amongst the non-ex officio members.  Professional Advisory Bodies under Central and State Councils will examine issues independently and provide recommendations relating to specific recognised categories.  The Bill will also have an overriding effect on any other existing law for any of the covered professions.  The State Council will undertake recognition of allied and healthcare institutions.  Offences and Penalties clause have been included in the Bill to check malpractices.  The Bill also empowers the Central and State Governments to make rules.  Central Govt. also has the power to issue directions to the Council, to make regulations and to add or amend the schedule.

Expected benefits:

 Bring all existing allied and healthcare professionals on board during the first few of years from the date of establishment of the Council.  Opportunity to create qualified, highly skilled and competent jobs in healthcare by enabling professionalism of the allied and healthcare workforce.  High quality, multi-disciplinary care in line with the vision of Ayushman Bharat, moving away from a 'doctor led' model to a 'care accessible and team based’ model.  Opportunity to cater to the global demand (shortage) of healthcare workforce which is projected to be about 15 million by the year 2030, as per the WHO Global Workforce, 2030 report.

NATIONAL MEDICAL COMMISSION BILL, 2017

 Cabinet approved the National Medical Commission Bill 2017 on 15th December 2017

The Bill envisages to:

 Replace the Medical Council 1956 Act.  Enable a forward movement in the area of medical education reform.  Move towards outcome-based regulation of med ical education rather than process-oriented regulation.  Ensure proper separation of functions within the regulator by having autonomous boards.  Create accountable & transparent procedures for maintaining standards in Medical Education.  Create a forward-looking approach towards ensuring sufficient health workforce in India.

 Regulation of up to 40% seats in medical colleges to enable all meritorious students to have access to medical seats irrespective of their financial status.

NATIONAL NUTRITION MISSION (NNM)  The Cabinet has recently approved the National Nutrition Mission, a joint effort of MoHFW and the Ministry of Women and Child development (WCD) towards a life cycle approach for interrupting the intergenerational cycle of under nutrition.  The impact of the mission is envisioned to reduce the level of stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia and low birth weight babies. It will create synergy, ensure better monitoring, issue alerts for timely action, and encourage States/UTs to perform, guide and supervise the line Ministries and States/UTs to achieve the targeted goals.  The mission aims to benefit more than 10 crore people.  It shall be launched in December 2017 with a three year budget of Rs.9046.17 crore commencing from 2017-18, to cover 315 districts in 2017-18, 235 districts in 2018-19 and remaining districts in 2019-20.

MENTAL HEALTHCARE ACT, 2017  The Act adopts a rights-based statutory framework for mental health in India and strengthens equality and equity in provision of mental healthcare services in order to protect the rights of people with mental health problem to ensure that they are able to receive optimum care and are able to live a life of dignity and respect.  The Act strengthens the institutional mechanisms for improving access quality and appropriate mental healthcare services.  The Act increases accountability of both government and private sectors in delivery of mental healthcare with representation of persons with mental health problem and their care- givers in statutory authorities such as Central and State Mental Health Authority.  The most progressive features of the Act are provision of advance directive, nominated representative, special clause for women and children related to admission, treatment, sanitation and personal hygiene; restriction on use of Electro-Convulsive Therapy and Psychosurgery.  Decriminalization of suicide is another significant facet of the Act, which will ensure proper management of severe stress as a precursor for suicide attempts.

HIV & AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act, 2017  It aims to end the epidemic by 2030 in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.  A person living with AIDS cannot be treated unfairly at employment, educational establishments, renting a property, standing for public or private office or providing healthcare and insurance services  The Act also aims to enhance access to healthcare services by ensuring informed consent and confidentiality for HIV-related testing, treatment and clinical research.  Every HIV infected or affected person below the age of 18 years has the right to reside in a shared household and enjoy the facilities of the household.  The Act prohibits any individual from publishing information or advocating feelings of hatred against HIV positive persons and those living with them.  No person shall be compelled to disclose his/her HIV status except with their informed consent, and if required by a court order.

 Every person in the care and custody of the State shall have right to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and counselling services.  The Act suggests that cases relating to HIV positive persons shall be disposed' off by the court on a priority basis and duly ensuring the confidentiality.

th PIB Highlights – 12 January 2019

Major Ports register positive growth of 3.77%

 The major ports in India have recorded a growth of 3.77% and together handled 518.6 Million Tonnes of cargo during the period April to December 2018.

 For the period from April- December 2018, Nine Ports Kolkata (incl. Haldia), Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Kamarajar, Chennai, Cochin, New Mangalore, JNPT and Deendayal have registered positive growth in traffic.  The highest growth was registered by Kamarajar Port (18.38%), followed by Cochin (8.92%), Kolkata [inc.Haldia] (8.74%) Paradip (8.11%), and JNPT (7.39%).

Major Ports . Kolkata Port . Paradip Port . New Mangalore Port . Cochin Port . Jawaharlal Nehru Port . Mumbai Port . Kandla Port . Vishakhapatnam Port . Chennai Port . Tuticorin Port . Ennore Port . Mormugao Port . Port Blair Port

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2018-19 (Series V) to be opened for the period from 14th to 18th January 2019

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme  SGBs are government securities denominated in grams of gold. They are substitutes for holding physical gold. Investors have to pay the issue price in cash and the bonds will be redeemed in cash on maturity. The Bond is issued by Reserve Bank on behalf of Government of India.  The quantity of gold for which the investor pays is protected, since he receives the ongoing market price at the time of redemption/ premature redemption. The risks and costs of storage are eliminated. Investors are assured of the market value of gold at the time of maturity and periodical interest.  SGB is free from issues like making charges and purity in the case of gold in jewellery form. The bonds are held in the books of the RBI or in demat form eliminating risk of loss of scrip etc.  There may be a risk of capital loss if the market price of gold declines. However, the investor does not lose in terms of the units of gold which he has paid for.  Persons resident in India as defined under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 are eligible to invest in SGB. Eligible investors include individuals, HUFs, trusts, universities and charitable institutions.

PIB Highlights – 13th January 2019

HunarHaat is to ensure ‘Development with Dignity’ to Artisans and Craftsmen of the Country  This HunarHaat has been organized at State Emporia Complex, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, and Connaught Place, New Delhi from 12th to 20th January, 2019.  Indigenous exquisite pieces of Handicraft & Handloom work like Cane & Bamboo, Jute Products from Assam, Variety of Silks from Jharkhand & Bihar, Varanasi Silk, LucknawiChikankari, Ceramic, Terracotta, glassware, Brassware, Leather, Marble products of Uttar Pradesh, Kashmir Namda, Traditional handicrafts from North Eastern Region, Ajrakh, Bandhej, Mud work, Copper Bells from Gujarat, Silver Filigree products from Odisha and Bamboo Crafts from Chhattisgarh, Scissors from Meerut are available at this HunarHaat.  Qawwali, Sufi songs, traditional dance performance and other cultural programs are being organized daily at HunarHaat at Baba Kharak Singh Marg where renowned artists are performing.

PIB Highlights – 14th January 2019

First-ever Philip Kotler Presidential award presented to PM

 The PM Modi received the first-ever Philip Kotler Presidential award.  The Award focuses on the triple bottom-line of People, Profit and Planet. It will be offered annually to the leader of a Nation.

Womaniya on Government e Marketplace

 Government e Marketplace [GeM] has launched “Womaniya on GeM”, an initiative to enable women entrepreneurs and women self-help groups [WSHGs] to sell handicrafts and handloom, accessories, jute and coir products, home décor and office furnishings, directly to various Government ministries, departments and institutions.  The initiative seeks to develop women entrepreneurship on the margins of society to achieve gender-inclusive economic growth.

Govt. to launch an end-to-end prediction system for predicting thunderstorms/lightning by April 2019

 IITM Pune also developed a Mobile App called “DAMINI” to give alerts on impending lightning activity over the area.

PIB Highlights – 15th January 2019

About BIRAC  Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit Public Sector Enterprise, set up by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), as an Interface Agency to strengthen and empower the emerging Biotech enterprise to undertake strategic research and innovation, addressing nationally relevant product development needs.

Applications of Biotechnology in Agriculture  Biotechnology has played major role in agriculture by altering genes, studying and cloning various crops in order to provide better quality products of foods ultimately improving our lives.

1. Vaccines  Oral vaccines have been in the works for much existence as a likely solution to the increase of disease in immature countries, where costs are excessive to extensive vaccination.  By planning and injecting antigenic proteins into the Genetically Modified crops from transferable pathogens that will activate an immune will be a great help in dealing with such diseases. 2. Antibiotics  Plants are used to create antibiotics for both human and animal use. An expressing antibiotic protein in stock feed, fed straight to animals, is less expensive than traditional antibiotic production.  But this practice raises many bioethics issues, because the result is widespread, possibly needless use of antibiotics which may encourage expansion of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strain. 3. Flowers  There is extra to agricultural biotechnology than just hostility disease or civilizing food quality.  There is some simply aesthetic application and an example of this is the use of gene recognition and transfer techniques to improve the color, smell, size and other features of flowers. 4. Biofuels  The agricultural industry plays a big role in the biofuels industry, as long as the feedstock’s for fermentation and cleansing of bio-oil, bio-diesel and bio-ethanol is concerned.  Genetic engineering and enzyme optimization technique are being used to develop improved quality feed-stocks for more efficient change and higher BTU outputs of the resulting fuel products. 5. Plant and Animal Reproduction:  Enhancing plant and animal behavior by traditional methods like cross-pollination, grafting, and cross-breeding is time-consuming.  Biotech advance let for specific changes to be made rapidly, on a molecular level through over-expression or removal of genes, or the introduction of foreign genes.

6. Pesticide Resistant Crops:  Not to be mystified with pest-resistance, these plants are broadminded of pesticides, allow farmers to selectively kill nearby weeds with no harming their crop.  The most well-known example of this is the Roundup-Ready technology, urbanized by Monsanto. 7. Nutrient Supplementation:  In an attempt to get better human health, mainly in immature countries, scientists are creating hereditarily distorted foods that hold nutrients known to help fight disease or starvation.  An example of this is Golden Rice, which contain beta-carotene, the forerunner for Vitamin A manufacture in our bodies. 8. A biotic strain confrontation:  A lesser quantity of than 20% of the earth is arable land but some crops have been hereditarily altered to make them more liberal of conditions like salinity, cold and drought.  The detection of genes in plants in charge for sodium uptake has led to growth of knock-out plants able to grow in high salt environments.

Govt. Launches two National level Initiatives in the field of science communication

 The Department of Science and Technology (DST) along with Doordarshan (DD), PrasarBharati today launched two science communication initiatives, DD Science and India Science.  While DD Science is one-hour slot on Doordarshan National channel, India Science is an internet-based channel, which is available on any internet-enabled device.  Doordarshan, which reaches out to more than 92 per cent of India’s population would be a very impactful medium for popularization of science.

Prasar Bharti

 PrasarBharati is a statutory autonomous body  It is established under the PrasarBharati Act 1997.  It is the Public Service Broadcaster of the country.  The objectives of public service broadcasting are achieved in terms of PrasarBharati Act through All India Radio and Doordarshan.

PIB Highlights – 16th January 2019

Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposes Penalty on Chemists and Druggists Association of Baroda

 The Competition Commission of India has found the Chemists and Druggists Association of Baroda (CDAB) to be in contravention of the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002.

Background Competition Commission of India (CCI)

 CCI is a body of the GoI responsible for enforcing The Competition Act, 2002 throughout India and to prevent activities that have an adverse effect on competition in India.  Though It was established on 14 October 2003 but became fully functional in May 2009.  CCI is quasi-judicial statutory body.  CCI consists of a Chairperson and 6 Members appointed by the Central Government. Government has now approved reduction of members from 6 to 3.  The Competition Act, 2002 prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises and regulates combinations (acquisition, acquiring of control and Merger and acquisition), which causes or likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition within India.

SangeetNatakAkademi launches second phase of the Web Campaign ‘SĀNJHI –MUJH MEIN KALĀKĀR’

 It is an initiative to document and promote the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and diverse cultural traditions of the country by direct public-participation.  This is a unique talent search where the participant will showcase their talent in the fields of music, dance, drama, puppetry, folk and tribal arts, culinary skills, painting, sculpture etc.

About SangeetNatakAkademi (SNA)  The SangeetNatakAkademi - India's national academy for music, dance and drama - is the first National Academy of the arts set-up by the Republic of India.  It was created by a resolution of the (then) Ministry of Education, Government of India, dated 31 May 1952.  The Akademi became functional the following year, with the appointment of its first Chairman Dr P.V. Rajamannar.  The SNA is the nodal agency of the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India to coordinate the matters related to Intangible Cultural Heritage and various UNESCO Conventions addressing Cultural Diversity and promotion and dissemination of multifarious cultural traditions and expressions of the country.

Saksham 2019, annual event of PCRA, launched

 Saksham, an annual high intensity one-month long people-centric mega campaign of Petoleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was launched.

UNNATI-- UnispaceNanosatellite Assembly & Training programme of ISRO in Bengaluru

 UNNATI, a capacity building programme on Nanosatellite development, is an initiative by ISRO to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations conference on the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space (UNISPACE-50).  The programme provides opportunities to the participating developing countries to strengthen in assembling, integrating and testing of Nanosatellite.  UNNATI programme is planned to be conducted for 3 years by U.R. Rao Satellite Centre of ISRO in 3 batches and will target to benefit officials of 45 countries.  Union Minister said space technology has been provided with more budgetary allocations during the last five years and now it is utilised in Infrastructure Developments like roads, Railway lines and most importantly in disaster management.

About Farmers Producers Organizations  FPO is an entity formed by primary producers, viz. farmers, milk producers, fishermen, weavers, rural artisans, craftsmen. An FPO can be a Producer Company, a Cooperative Society or any other legal form which provides for sharing of profits/benefits among the members.  The main aim of an FPO is to ensure better income for the producers through an organization of their own.  Small producers do not have the large marketable surplus individually (both inputs and produce) to get the benefit of economies of scale.  Besides, in agricultural marketing, there is a long chain of intermediaries who very often work non-transparently leading to the situation where the producer receives only a small part of the value that the ultimate consumer pays.

PIB Highlights – 18th January 2019

Launch window for Chandravaan-2 is March 25 - April 30: ISRO Chairman

 The launch window for Chandravaan-2 is March 25 - April 30 this year, said Chairman, ISRO.

Samvad with students  ISRO has initiated Samvad with student’s programme where ISRO chairman meets the students during his outstation visits and address their queries and quench the scientific thrust.

Young Scientists Programme  For the first time, ISRO has announced the Young Scientists Programme to encourage the scientific talent and increase scientific pool in the country.  Under this programme 3 students from each state and UT will be selected for ISRO programme for one month during which they will visit ISRO centres, interact with senior scientists and will have access to Research and Development facilities.

Incubation centres  Six incubation centres will be established in various parts of the country - North, South, East, West, Centre and North-East. First such Centre has been established in Agartala.  The students will be able to conduct R&D at these centres as well as incubation centres.  ISRO has inaugurated UNNATI programme the purpose of which is to train participants on nano satellite assembly.

Future projects  First unmanned space flight will be launched by December 2020, second unmanned mission by July 2021 and first manned mission by December 2021. Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) has been set up for Gaganyaan project.  Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology which will be demonstrated this year where the helicopter will take shuttle to a height and then will be dropped and will land automatically on runaway. This will help in saving the costs involved in launch vehicles.  9 student satellites have been launched by ISRO till date and KALAMSAT will be launched by PSLV-C44 on 24th January this year.  Future projects including GSAT-20, RISAT and GMAT series of satellite.

The Government of India and JICA sign Loan Agreements on Japan’s Official Development Assistance Loan to India

 The Project for the Construction of Chennai Peripheral Ring Road aims to meet increasing traffic demands in Chennai metropolitan area, thereby contributing to mitigation of Traffic Congestion and promoting Regional Economic Development.  The Program for Japan-India Cooperative Actions towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India aims to contribute to promotion of SDGs in India especially in social development.  India and Japan have had a long and fruitful history of Bilateral Development Cooperation since 1958.

India’s First Lithium Ion Giga Factory

 Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Libcoin are in dialogue to form a world class consortium to initially build 1GWh lithium ion battery plant in India.  With this, India has finally taken steps into its energy security and clean energy commitment to the world.

PIB Highlights – 21st January 2019

15th PravasiBharatiyaDiwas Convention in Varanasi

 PM Modi will inaugurate the 15th PravasiBharatiyaDiwas Convention at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh tomorrow on 22 January 2019.  The theme of PBD Convention 2019 is Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India.  In reverence to the sentiments of the larger diaspora to participate in KumbhMela and Republic Day celebrations, the 15th PBD Convention is being organised from 21 to 23 January 2019 instead of 9th January.

About PravasiBharatiyaDiwas:  The decision to celebrate PBD was taken by the former Indian Prime Minister, late Shri AtalBihari Vajpayee.  The 1st PBD was celebrated on 9th January 2003 in New Delhi. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate PBD as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, had returned to India from South Africa.  PBD now celebrated once in every two years, provides a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and reconnect with their roots.  During the Convention, PravasiBharatiyaSamman is conferred on the selected overseas Indians for their significant contributions to various fields both in India and abroad.  14th PBD was held during 7–9 January 2017 at Bengaluru, Karnataka.  The theme for the 14th PBD was Redefining engagement with the Indian diaspora About Electronic Voting Machines

About VVPAT

ChhatraVishwakarma Awards  The ChhatraVishwakarma Awards are inspired by the spirit of engineering and creation patronized by Lord Vishwakarma, the ruling deity of construction practices in India.  The Awards are aimed for motivating young individuals, inspiring leaders and institutions/ organizations to recognize and applaud the innovations and achievements of individuals as well as institutions.  This year AICTE in association with Engineering Council of India (ECI) and the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) announced the 2nd AICTE-ECI-ISTE ChhatraVishwakarma Awards 2018 under the theme “Empowerment of Villages through Technologies”

SansadAdarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) Awards -  SAGY was launched in October 2014 with the aim to translate the comprehensive vision of Mahatma Gandhi of an ideal Indian village.  Under the scheme, Member of Parliament adopted Gram Panchayats for its holistic progress.  AICTE has encouraged institutes located in proximity of villages which can be supported under the scheme. These institutes have been working hard to develop the adopted villages.  AICTE has instituted the SAGY Award with an aim to motivate, recognize and honor the institutions under the theme “Developed Village-Developed Nation” to raise their performance in the specific domains leading to significant contribution for the growth and development of villages and Country as well.

PIB Highlights – 22nd January 2019

Commerce Ministry Invites Suggestions on Baba Kalyani Group Report on SEZ Policy

 Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry had constituted a Group consisting of SEZ stakeholders under the chairmanship of Shri Baba Kalyani in June-2018 to study the SEZ policy of India.

Key objectives of the committee  To evaluate the SEZ policy and make it WTO compatible  To suggest measures for maximising utilisation of vacant land in SEZs  To suggest changes in the SEZ policy based on international experience  To merge the SEZ policy with other Government schemes such as coastal economic zones, Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor, national industrial manufacturing zones and food and textiles parks.

Key Highlights of the report  If India is going to become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2025 then the current environment of manufacturing competitiveness and services has to undergo a basic paradigm shift.  The report notes that the success seen by services sectors like IT and ITES has to be promoted in other services sector like health care, financial services, legal, repair and design services.  The Union Government has set the target of creating 100 million jobs and achieving 25 per cent of GDP from the manufacturing sector by 2022, as a part of its flagship ‘Make in India’ programme.  The Government also plans to increase manufacturing value to USD 1.2 trillion by 2025.  While these are ambitious plans to propel India into a growth trajectory, it requires an evaluation of existing policy frameworks to catalyse manufacturing sector growth.  At the same time, the policy needs to be compiled with the relevant WTO regulations.

Indian Navy Coordinates Largest Ever Coastal Defence Exercise Ten Years After "26/11"

 Exercise SEA VIGIL, a first of its kind, is being undertaken along the entire 7516.6 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India and is involving all the 13 coastal States and UTs along with all maritime stakeholders.  Post '26/11', operational responsibilities for coastal security were entrusted to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. In the discharge of these very responsibilities that Exercise 'SEA VIGIL' has been planned by the Indian Navy.  The exercise is a build up towards the major theatre level tri-service exercise TROPEX [Theatre-level Readiness Operational Exercise] which Indian Navy conducts every two years.

 SEA VIGIL and TROPEX together will cover the entire spectrum of maritime security, including transition from peace to conflict.

Five day long ‘Bharat Parv’ at Red Fort, New Delhi to showcase the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

 The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with other central Ministries is organizing the 4th edition of ‘Bharat Parv’ event showcasing the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat at Red Fort.

Tribes India AadiMahotsav’s Soar to New Heights 40,000 Tribal Artisans Benefitted

 AadiMahotsav is an effort to scale up the livelihood and income generating opportunity for tribals by giving them the opportunity to interact and sell their goods directly to the customers.  Ministry of Tribal affairs and TRIFED through AadiMahotsav’s provides them market access across the country.

JNPT becomes the only Indian port to be listed amongst the world’s top 30 container ports

 The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), India’s premiere container port got listed amongst the top 30 container ports globally, as per the latest Lloyds Report.  This is a validation of all the efforts and strategic initiatives being implemented at JNPT in order to enhance overall port efficiency.

 Various new processes activated under the ‘ease of doing business’ initiative have not only helped in overall growth of the port business, but also allowed the EXIM trade to save time and cost which in turn have accentuated the growth story.  India is gaining precedence as a favorable trade destination and initiatives at JNPT has been credited for helping India leverage its position in the World Bank Ranking in trading across the borders, from 146 to 80, a jump of 66 points.

PIB Highlights – 23rd January 2019

India Africa Field Training Exercise (IAFTX)- 2019

 Indian Africa Field Training Exercise (IAFTX) -2019 is being conducted at Pune on 23-24 January 2019.  Delegates from Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique, Uganda, Niger & Zambia attended the conference.  It aims at synergysing humanitarian mine action and joint peace operations.  The IAFTX-2019 is a positive step towards growing political and military ties with the member nations of African continent and will boost the already strong strategic cooperation between the countries.

Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC Member Countries

 Union Cabinet has given ex-post facto approval for amendment to the Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC Countries to incorporate a Standby Swap amounting to USD 400 million operated within the overall size of the Facility of USD 2 billion.

Salient features:  Due to heightened financial risk and volatility in global economy, short term swap requirements of SAARC countries could be higher than the agreed lines.  It would provide necessary flexibility to the Framework and would enable India to provide a prompt response to the current request from SAARC countries for availing the swap amount exceeding the present limit prescribed under the SAARC Swap Framework.

Cabinet approves creation of the National Bench of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)

 The National Bench of the Appellate Tribunal shall be situated at New Delhi. GSTAT shall be presided over by its President and shall consist of one Technical Member (Centre) and one Technical Member (State).

Details:  GSTAT is the forum of second appeal in GST laws and the first common forum of dispute resolution between Centre and States.  The appeals against the orders in first appeals issued by the Appellate Authorities under the Central and State GST Acts lie before the GSTAT, which is common under the Central as well as State GST Acts.  Being a common forum, GSTAT will ensure that there is uniformity in redressal of disputes arising under GST, and therefore, in implementation of GST across the country.

 Chapter XVIII of the CGST Act provides for the Appeal and Review Mechanism for dispute resolution under the GST Regime.  Section 109 of this Chapter under CGST Act empowers the Central Government to constitute an Appellate Tribunal known as the GSTAT for hearing appeals against the orders passed by the Appellate Authority or the Revisional Authority.

About ICAT

 ICAT, Manesar is one of the independent Testing Agencies under Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) notified by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for Testing and Certification of Automobiles and their safety critical components.

Subhash Chandra Bose AapdaPrabandhanPuraskar

 The award is to be announced every year on 23rd January on the birth anniversary of NetajiSubhash Chandra Bose.

About 8th Battalion of NDRF

 The 8th Battalion of NDRF was raised in 2006 and is a highly specialised Rescue and Response Force with large area of responsibility covering National Capital Region (NCR), Uttarakhand, and Western UP & Haryana.  Major disasters in which this NDRF battalion participated are Leh Cloud Burst (2011), Kedarnath Floods (2013), Cyclone Hudhud (2014), Chennai Floods (2015) and Tripura Floods (2018).  In the aftermath of Nepal Earthquake in 2015, six teams of the battalion were amongst the first responders to land at Kathmandu.  Their teams were also sent to Japan during Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2011) and recent Tsunami in Indonesia (2018).

PIB Highlights – 24th January 2019

DAY-NRLM - Reducing Poverty through Livelihood Diversification

 The pace of reduction of poverty in India has speeded up in recent years as per the Global Multi-dimensional Poverty Index 2018.

 The DeendayalAntodayaYojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission  DAY-NRLM is aimed at alleviation of rural poverty through building sustainable community institutions of the poor.  It seeks to mobilize about 9 crore households into SHGs and link them to sustainable livelihood opportunities by building their skills and enabling them to access formal sources of finance, entitlements and services from both public and private sectors.  It is envisaged that the intensive and continuous capacity building of rural poor women will ensure their social, economic and political empowerment and development.  The CRPs have been trained and deployed to provide support to the community institutions in a variety of themes, such as book keeping, training and capacity building, financial services etc. 1. Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme  DAY-NRLM has been promoting SVEP to promote and strengthen rural start-ups in the non- farm and off-farm sector.  The strategy is to promote knowledge about business feasibility, management and to provide access to loan finance for start-up as well as scaling-up the existing enterprise. 2. AajeevikaGrameen Express Yojana (AGEY) was launched in August 2017 to provide safe, affordable and community monitored rural transport services to connect remote rural villages.

New reforms, guidelines to strengthen Jan ShikshanSanthans (JSS)  In a bid to boost skill training and entrepreneurship in the remotest corners of the country, government announced comprehensive reforms for Jan ShikshanSansthan (JSS).  JSSs can play an important role in bridging information asymmetry between skill training and market opportunities thereby giving an impetus to the creation of a workforce equipped in technology-driven skills, including in areas like health & wellness, tourism, e-commerce, retail and trade.  JSS guidelines have been reformed keeping in mind the diverse stakeholders engaged in running these institutions, and will bring in greater flexibility, transparency and uniformity.  Formerly under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Jan ShikshanSansthan has been transferred to the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship in 2018.  JSS has been instrumental in skill training and introducing avenues of entrepreneurship among the socio-economically backward and educationally disadvantaged groups such as neo-literates, semi-literates, SCs, STs, women and girls, slum dwellers, migrant workers.

 By bringing them under the aegis of the national skill framework, the agenda of today’s event was to align all skilling activities to a common cause of skill development at the district and gram level.

Ministry of Women & Child Development Celebrates National Girl Child Day in the Capital

 The MWCD celebrated National Girl Child Day (NGCD) today 24th January 2019 at New Delhi.  The celebrations also marked the anniversary of BetiBachaoBetiPadhao (BBBP) Scheme.  The theme of this NGCD is Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow and celebrating with objectives of generating awareness on the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and create a positive environment around valuing the girl child.

Bureau of Indian Standards in Collaboration with Indian Air Force Releases New Standard for Bio-Jet Fuel

 To use bio-jet fuel on all military and civilian aircraft, BIS has in collaboration with IAF, research organisations and the industry brought out a new standard for Aviation Turbine Fuels.  These specifications will align Indian standards with current international standards.  An Indian Standard IS 17081:2019 Aviation Turbine Fuel (Kerosene Type, Jet A-1) containing Synthesised Hydrocarbons, has been formulated.  This standard would enable the oil companies to manufacture bio-jet fuel for the Indian aviation industry.  Given the advent of Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) by 2027, this is a significant development which could reduce the carbon emissions and help India become a green fuel production hub.

PIB Highlights – 25th January 2019

PSLV-C44 successfully launches Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2

 India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C44) successfully injected Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into their designated orbits.  From SatishDhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.  Microsat-R was successfully injected into intended orbit of 274 km.  Microsat-R, an imaging satellite, is meant for military purpose  Subsequently, the fourth stage (PS4) of the vehicle was moved to a higher circular orbit of 453 km after two restarts of the stage, to establish an orbital platform for carrying out experiments.  Kalamsat-V2, a student payload, first to use PS4 as an orbital platform, was taken to its designated orbit.  This flight marked the first mission of PSLV-DL, a new variant of PSLV with two strap-on motors.  In the previous PSLV launch on November 29, PSLV-C43 had successfully launched India’s HysIS as well as 30 customer satellites from abroad.  PSLV-C44 mission was unique as it was for the first time ISRO used the last stage of the rocket as a platform to perform experiments in space.

Samwad with Students  Earlier on January 24, 2019, Dr Sivan held the 3rd edition of Samwad with Students (SwS) in Sriharikota. Over 300 students from schools in and around the region had an opportunity to interact with him.  SwS is the newly-launched outreach initiative of ISRO to in still scientific temper among youngsters. The first edition was held in Bengaluru on January 1, 2019 and the second one at Kochi on January 20, 2019.

 The 9th National Voters’ Day (NVD) was celebrated across the country today. About National Voters’ Day  The NVD is celebrated all over the country on January 25 every year since 2011 to mark the Foundation day of Election Commission of India, which was established on this day in the year 1950.

 The main purpose of the NVD celebration is to encourage, facilitate and maximize the enrollment, especially for the new voters.  Dedicated to the voters of the country, the Day is utilized to spread awareness among voters for promoting informed participation in the electoral process.

Clarification regarding the number of households electrified under Saubhagya

About Saubhagya Scheme

 The Government of India launched ‘Pradhan MantriSahajBijliHarGharYojana’ (Saubhagya) in Sept. 2017 to achieve the goal of universal household electrification in the country by 31st March 2019.  The scheme envisages last mile connectivity and electricity connections to all remaining households.  The Government is implementing the Scheme with the support of State Power Departments / State DISCOMs and the projects are being executed by the concerned State Power Departments / State DISCOMs.  At the time of launch of the Scheme, the States reported that about 4 crore households were un-electrified as on 10.10.2017. This was an estimate based on census figures.  When the electrification teams of the States went to the villages, they found that the number of houses left for electrification in most villages was less than that estimated by them.

PIB Highlights – 26th January 2019

Five day long Bharat Parv begins at Red Fort, New Delhi

 The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with other central Ministries is organising the 4th edition of Bharat Parv showcasing the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat at Red Fort in Delhi from January 26-31, 2019.  Who says being patriotic is stiffy, serious or boring? For instance – Bharat Parv.  This is an event held to celebrate India’s rich and colorful culture and tradition in food, crafts, classical and folk arts.  The idea is to promote patriotism as well highlight our rich heritage and engage with people at large.

PIB Highlights – 27th January 2019

Vande Bharat Express

 Minister of Railways announced the name Vande Bharat Express for Train 18, acknowledging its made-in-India status.  This train set has been manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in the period of 18 months under Make in India program.  It is India's first semi-high-speed train.

Ministry of Defence Launches RDP INDIA 2019

 Ministry of Defence had launched a mobile app RDP India 2019 on the Republic Day, with the intent of making available the highlights of the Republic Day event, not only to the spectators at Rajpath, but also to the general public all over the world.

Integrated Refinery Expansion Project Complex (IREP)  Integrated Refinery Expansion Project Complex (IREP) will be a modern expansion complex and transform Kochi refinery into the largest PSU Refinery in India with world class standards.

 It will be equipped for production of cleaner Fuels for India.  It will double the production of LPG & diesel and commence production of feedstock for petrochemical projects in this plant.  PM lauded the role of Kochi refinery and said it is making a great contribution towards UjjwalaYojana, by doubling the LPG production with the help of the recent expansion.

PIB Highlights – 28th January 2019

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Republic Day Tableau Kisan Gandhi bags First Prize

 The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was awarded First Prize for its Tableau, Kisan Gandhi in the Republic Day Parade - 2019.

About Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

 ICAR is an autonomous body responsible for co-ordinating agricultural education and research in India.  It is the largest network of agricultural research and education institutes in the world.  It reports to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education under the Union Ministry of Agriculture.  The Union Minister of Agriculture serves as its president.

National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP)

 ICAR has recently launched Rs 1100 crore ambitious National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) to attract talent and strengthen higher agricultural education in the country.  This project will be funded by the World Bank and the Indian Government on a 50:50 basis.  In addition, a four-year degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries and Forestry has been declared a professional degree.  Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has been set up in Barhi, Jharkhand on the lines of IARI, Pusa New Delhi, and another IARI is being set up in Assam.

International Stock Taking Conference on Tiger Conservation inaugurated in New Delhi

 The 3rd Stock Taking Conference on Tiger Conservation was inaugurated in New Delhi.  This is the second conference to be held in India after 2012 and is expected to have wide ranging discussions on the status of the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP) by the 13 tiger range countries.  Environment minister who is also the Chairman of the National Tiger Conservation Authority said that conservation of tigers is a duty which has to be meticulously pursued and more innovative ways needs to be devised so that we can better the targets adopted by tiger range countries in 2010 at St. Petersburg, Russia.  The New India that we envisage is not only for humans but for every aspect including wildlife, said minister.  During the St. Petersburg declaration in 2010, tiger range countries had resolved to double tiger numbers across their range by 2022.  At the time of deliberations at St. Petersburg, India’s tiger estimate stood at 1411, which after the third cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation, 2014 has nearly been doubled to 2226.

 The fourth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation, 2018 is currently under way.  Global and National Tiger Recovery Programs (GTRP/NTRP) were formulated by respective tiger range countries as a consequence of this historic decision.  The conference is being hosted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, MoEF&CC in close collaboration with the Global Tiger Forum which is an International, Intergovernmental Organization for conserving tigers in the world.

Background  The 13 Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) are Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

 NTCA is a statutory body under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change.  It was provided statutory status by the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 which had amended Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.  It addresses the administrative as well as ecological concerns for conserving tigers, by providing a statutory basis for protection of tiger reserves.  It also provides strengthened institutional mechanisms for the protection of ecologically sensitive areas and endangered species.  It ensures enforcing of guidelines for tiger conservation and monitoring compliance of the same.  It also places motivated and trained officers having good track record as Field Directors of tiger reserves.

PIB Highlights – 29th January 2019

India bags the Award of Excellence for ‘Best in Show’ at New York Times Travel Show 2019

 India received the Award of Excellence for ‘Best in Show’ at the recently concluded New York Times Travel Show 2019, the largest travel show in North America.  The Ministry of Tourism participated as the Presenting Partner in the New York Times Travel Show (NYTTS 2019) organised at New York with a view to scale up its tourism promotional efforts in the US, enhance India’s visibility and to increase its share of US Outbound travel market.

PIB Highlights – 30th January 2019

First meeting of Search Committee for recommending a panel of names for appointment as Chairperson and Members of the Lokpal held

 The Committee decided to call for applications/nominations from eligible persons to be considered for position of Chairperson and Members of Lokpal through an advertisement at the earliest.

Backgrounder Why is there delay in its appointment?  Lokpal and Lokayukta Act of 2013 stipulated the selection panel will be headed by the PM and will include the LoP, the speaker of the LokSabha, the CJI and an eminent jurist.  But the present LokSabha does not have a LoP.  So, the government moved an amendment to the law to enable the leader of the single largest party to be part of the selection committee.  However, the opposition called for closer scrutiny of some other provisions the government included in the amendment.  The tweaked bill then went to a parliamentary committee which gave its suggestions last year. The government is yet to decide on this.

What has the SC said?  SC has said the LoP is dispensable and things can proceed even without LoP who can be replaced by the leader of the largest opposition party in the committee.  SC has also expressed disappointment when the Centre said the amendment to replace LoP with the leader of the largest opposition party in the proposed selection committee of Lokpal is pending with Parliament and asking it to clear would amount to judicial legislation.  SC has made it clear in a judgment that Lokpal and Lokayukta Act of 2013 an eminently workable piece of legislation and there is no justification to keep the enforcement of the Act under suspension till the amendments, as proposed, are carried out.  If an appointment process done by a truncated Lokpal Selection Committee is already recognised under the 2013 Act, why should the government wait for any amendments at all.

What is government’s stand?  Government’s argument is that appointments of Lokpal chairperson and members is not currently possible and would have to wait till the 2013 Act is amended to replace the LoP with the single largest Opposition party leader.

Government appoints Search Committee for Lokpal:  Government has constituted eight-member search committee to recommend names for posts of Lokpal chairperson and members.

Regional testing laboratory of CPRI at Nashik

 Electricity demand in the country has increased rapidly and is expected to rise further in the years to come.  In order to meet the increasing demand for electricity in the country, massive addition to the installed generating capacity is required. This leads to growth of electrical industries and development of indigenous products.  Keeping this in view, Government of India has sanctioned establishing Research and testing facilities in the western region at Nashik at an outlay of Rs 115.3 Cr.

Benefits  Manufacturers in the region will be greatly benefited as they can test their products close to their manufacturing units.  This would reduce the turnaround time and overhead cost. This shall help the power utilities in the country to install reliable and quality equipment in the power system network.  Electrical Equipment plays a vital role in the Power System Network right from Generation, Transmission & Distribution.  Such electrical equipment needs to be tested and certified as per the national and international standards.

About CPRI:  To cater to the testing needs, CPRI, Autonomous body under Ministry of Power, serves as an Independent third-party testing laboratory.  CPRI has been serving for the past five decades in the field of Testing and Certification, Research, Consultancy, Third Party Inspection services, Training & Vendor Analysis.

Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania awards 4th annual Carnot Prize to Union Minister Shri PiyushGoyal

 The award recognises the path breaking transformations in India’s energy sector under the visionary leadership of PM Modi.  Shri PiyushGoyal has decided that the award money, which he will receive as part of the 2018 Carnot Prize, will be donated to the International Solar Alliance to institute the Diwakar Award.  The Diwakar award will recognise, every year, an outstanding organisation that has been working for special children and maximising the use of solar energy.

About Carnot Prize  The Carnot Prize is the KleinmanCenter’s annual recognition of distinguished contributions to energy policy through scholarship or practice.  The most prestigious award in the energy sector, Carnot Prize is named after French physicist Nicolas Sadi Carnot who recognised that the power of the steam engine would “produce a great revolution” in human development.  The Carnot Prize is intended to honour those leading revolutions in energy policy to further progress and prosperity.  The 2018 Carnot Prize is a recognition of India’s efforts towards eliminating energy poverty with sustainable energy solutions.  The rural electrification drive helped in achieving 24x7 Affordable, Environment Friendly Power for all as India eliminated decades of darkness in more than 19,000 villages on 28th April 2018.  With the Saubhagya Programme, the last-mile connectivity to every household in the villages is being fast tracked.  Hon’ble PM has called climate conservation an article of faith for India. The massive thrust to green energy is reflected in India’s 175 GW target by 2022, which is the world’s largest renewable expansion programme.  The Carnot Prize recognises India’s solid footing to reach a 40% renewable mix by 2030.  Hon’ble PM gave the vision of one world, one sun, one grid while addressing the member nations of the International Solar Alliance.

 In the last four years, energy efficiency has become a people’s movement in India, making the Government’s UJALA scheme the world’s largest LED distribution programme.

Shri PiyushGoyal launches the IEA’s Report “The Future of Rail”  Minister of Railways & Coal launched the report The Future of Rail of International Energy Agency (IEA).

About The Future of Rail report  The Future of Rail the first-of-a-kind report analyses the current and future importance of rail around the world through the perspective of its energy and environmental implications.  The report reviews the impact of existing plans and regulations on the future of rail and explores the key policies that could help to realise an enhanced future rail.  This first ever global report has a focus on India, elaborating on the unique social and economic role of rail in India, together with its great enduring potential, to show how India can extend and update its networks to harness rail at a scope and scale that is unparalleled.

Backgrounder:-  The IEA is an inter-governmental organisation that works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 30-member countries and 8 association countries.  Its mission is guided by four main areas of focus: energy security, economic development, environmental awareness and engagement worldwide.

 India and the IEA have benefited from a long, on-going bilateral relationship and cooperation in a broad range of area including energy security, statistics, energy efficiency, market analysis for oil, gas, electricity, renewables, system integration and implementation agreements for enhanced technologies.  India has been the focus of many recent IEA analyses and reports for instance through the special focus chapter on the Indian Power sector of the Energy Technology Perspectives (ETP) publication and the World Energy Outlook (WEO).

Government Announces Hike in Research Fellowship

 With effect from January 1, 2019, Central Government has enhanced the fellowship of Ph.D students and other research personnel enrolled in any area of science and technology, including Physical and Chemical Sciences, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Life Sciences, Pharmacy etc.  The hike in fellowship will directly benefit over 60,000 Research Fellows and also provide a template to the States to consider increase in their fellowship rates.  Fellowship of the Junior Research Fellows in the first two years of PhD programme is increased from the current rate of Rs.25, 000/- to Rs.31,000/- per month.  Similarly, in the remaining tenure of Ph.D, Senior Research Fellow will get Rs. 35,000/- per month instead of the present Rs.28, 000/- per month.  Further, there is substantial 30-35% enhancement in the financial rewards for the scientists involved in the R&D projects as Research Associates.  The top bracket of Research Associate ship is fixed at Rs.54, 000/-. All the research fellows are also entitled to HRA as per Central Government norms.

PIB Highlights – 31st January 2019

PETROTECH-2019

 It being organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India, is all set to be inaugurated on February 10, 2019.  It is India’s flagship hydrocarbon international conference.  The PETROTECH 2019 exhibition will focus on development in technologies for exploration & production, process control, refining and pipeline and services, systems, products, oil field hardware, software, analytical instruments, Renewable, R&D, HSE, training and publications of technical literature.  The PETROTECH-2019 Exhibition will see participation of over 13 country pavilions and about 750 exhibitors from over 40 countries, with exclusive areas on the Make in India and Renewable Energy theme. GOBAR-DHAN scheme

 Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has launched the GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) - DHAN scheme.  Scheme is being implemented as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).  Scheme would focus on managing and converting cattle dung and solid waste in farms to compost, biogas and bio-CNG.  The Gobar-DhanYojana will help in keeping the village clean while increasing the income of farmers and cattle herders.