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Type: PIB

  • [pib] Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA) Scheme

    The Finance Minister has proposed setting up of a scheme of Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA) Scheme in her budget speech.

    Do not get confused over Sahakar Mitra Scheme and this one.

    MITRA Scheme

    • MITRA aims to enable the textile industry to become globally competitive, attract large investments, and boost employment generation and exports.
    • It will create world-class infrastructure with plug and play facilities to enable create global champions in exports.
    • It will be launched in addition to the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI).
    • It will give our domestic manufacturers a level-playing field in the international textiles market & pave the way for India to become a global champion of textiles exports across all segments”.

  • [pib] 14 new Minor Forest Produce (MFP) included Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme

    14 new Minor Forest produce items have been included under the Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce through Minimum Support Price scheme.

    Which are the 14 new MFP?

    Tasar Cocoon, Cashew Kernel (Anacardiumoccidentale), Elephant Apple Dry, Bamboo Shoot (Phyllostachys edulis), Malkangani Seed, Mahul Leaves, Nagod (Vitex negundo), Gokhru (Tribulus terrestris), Pipla/ Uchithi, Gamhar/ Gamari (dry bark), Oroxylumindicum, Wild Mushroom dry, Shringraj (Eclipta Alba), Tree Moss (Bryophytes).

    Now try this PYQ from CSP 2018:

    Q. Consider the following:

    1. Areca nut
    2. Barley
    3. Coffee
    4. Finger millet
    5. Groundnut
    6. Sesamum
    7. Turmeric

    The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has announced the Minimum Support Price for which of the above?

    (a) 1, 2, 3 and 7 only

    (b) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only

    (c) 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7

    About MSP for MFP Scheme

    • Under the scheme, Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) has been fixed for select MFP.
    • The scheme is designed as a social safety net for improvement of livelihood of MFP gatherers by providing them fair price for the MFPs they collect.
    • The Scheme has been implemented in eight States having Schedule areas as listed in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
    • From November 2016, the scheme is applicable in all States.

    Back2Basics: Forest Produce in India

    • Forest produce is defined under section 2(4) of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
    • Its legal definition includes timber, charcoal, catechu, wood-oil, resin, natural varnish, bark, lac, mahua flowers, trees and leaves, flowers and fruit, plants (including grass, creepers, reeds and moss), wild animals, skins, tusks, horns, bones, cocoons, silk, honey, wax, etc.
    • Forest produce can be divided into several categories.
    • From the point of view of usage, forest produce can be categorized into three types: Timber, Non-Timber and Minor Minerals.
    • Non-timber forest products [NTFPs] are known also as minor forest produce (MFP) or non-wood forest produces (NWFP).
    • The NTFP can be further categorized into medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP), oilseeds, fibre & floss, resins, edible plants, bamboo, reeds and grasses.

  • [pib]Rajasthan becomes the 5th State to complete ULB reforms

    Rajasthan has become the 5thState in the country to successfully undertake Urban Local Bodies (ULB) reforms stipulated by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance and has thus become eligible for additional reform linked to borrowing.

    Which are the four other States?

    : They are Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur and Telangana, who have completed ULB reforms.

    Now try this PYQ:

    Q.The Constitution (Seventy-Third Amendment) Act, 1992, which aims at promoting the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country, provides for which of the following?

    1. Constitution of District Planning Committees.
    2. State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections.
    3. Establishment of State Finance Commissions.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    (a) Only 1

    (b) 1 and 2 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    What are the ULB reforms?

    The four citizen-centric areas identified for reforms are:

    1. Implementation of One Nation One Ration Card System
    2. Ease of doing business reform
    3. Urban Local body/ utility reforms
    4. Power Sector reforms.

    The set of reforms stipulated by the Department of Expenditure are:

    (a) The State will notify:

    • Floor rates of property tax in ULBs which are in consonance with the prevailing circle rates (i.e. guideline rates for property transactions) and;
    • Floor rates of user charges in respect of the provision of water supply, drainage, and sewerage which reflect current costs/past inflation.

    (b)   The State will put in place a system of periodic increases in floor rates of property tax/ user charges in line with price increases.

    Why need such reforms?

    • Reforms in ULBs and the urban utility reforms are aimed at the financial strengthening of ULBs to enable them to provide better public health and sanitation services to citizens.
    • Economically rejuvenated ULBs will also be able to create good civic infrastructure.

    Back2Basics: Municipal Governance in India

    • Municipal or local governance refers to the third tier of governance in India, at the level of the municipality or urban local body.
    • Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are small local bodies that administer or govern a city or a town of a specified population.
    • They are vested with a long list of functions delegated to them by the state governments.
    • These functions broadly relate to public health, welfare, regulatory functions, public safety, public infrastructure works, and development activities.
    • There are several types of Urban Local Bodies in India such as Municipal Corporation, Municipality, Notified Area Committee, Town Area Committee, Special Purpose Agency, Township, Port Trust, Cantonment Board, etc.

    Development through history

    • It has existed since the year 1687, with the formation of Madras Municipal Corporation, and then Calcutta and Bombay Municipal Corporation in 1726.
    • In the early part of the nineteenth century, almost all towns in India had experienced some form of municipal governance.
    • In 1882 the then Viceroy of India, Lord Ripon, known as the Father of Local Self Government, passed a resolution of local self-government which lead to the democratic forms of municipal governance in India.
    • In 1919, a Government of India Act incorporated the need of the resolution and the powers of democratically elected government were formulated.
    • In 1935 another Government of India act brought local government under the preview of the state or provincial government and specific powers were given.

    Changes after the 74th Amendment (1992)

    • It was the 74th amendment to the Constitution that brought constitutional validity to municipal or local governments.
    • Until amendments were made in respective state legislation on an ultra vires (beyond the authority) basis and the state governments were free to extend or control the functional sphere.

  • [pib] 125 Years of Prabuddha Bharata Journal

    PM will address the 125th-anniversary celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’, a monthly journal of the Ramakrishna Order, started by Swami Vivekananda in 1896.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?

    (a) Mimamsa and Vedanta

    (b) Nyaya and Vaisheshika

    (c) Lokayata and Kapalika

    (d) Sankhya and Yoga

    Prabuddha Bharata

    • The journal ‘Prabuddha Bharata’ has been an important medium for spreading the message of India’s ancient spiritual wisdom.
    • It is India’s longest-running English language journal (wiki).
    • Its publication was started from Chennai (erstwhile Madras), where it continued to be published for two years, after which it was published from Almora.
    • Later, in April 1899, the place of publication of the Journal was shifted to Advaita Ashrama and it has been continuously published from there since then.
    • Some of the greatest personalities have left their imprint on the pages of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’ through their writings on Indian culture, spirituality, philosophy, history, psychology, art, and other social issues.
    • Luminaries like Netaji SC Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sister Nivedita, Sri Aurobindo, Former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, among others, have contributed to the Journal over the years.

  • National Marine Turtle Action Plan

    The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has launched the National Marine Turtle Action Plan.

    Do you know?

    Most people use the term “turtle” to reference any reptile with a shell on its back, but there are several differences between these two unique creatures. In actual sense tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises.

    Tortoises have more rounded and domed shells where turtles have thinner, more water-dynamic shells.  Turtle shells are more streamlined to aid in swimming. One major key difference is that tortoises spend most of their time on land and turtles are adapted for life spent in water.

    National Marine Turtle Action Plan

    Aim: To strengthen and sustain collective and collaborative sea turtle conservation through the monitoring of key sites and a network of partners in the Indian sub-continent

    Project details

    • The project contains ways and means to not only promote inter-sectoral action for conservation but also guide improved coordination amongst the government, civil society and all relevant stakeholders.
    • It highlights actions to be taken for handling stranded animals on the shore, stranded or entangled animals in the sea or on a boat, reducing threats to marine species and their habitats, rehabilitation, etc.

    Why need such a project?

    • India has rich marine biodiversity along a vast coastline of over 7,500 km.
    • It has significant  nesting  and  feeding  grounds  for  four  species  of  marine  turtles,  namely  leatherback  (Dermochelys  coriacea),  green  (Chelonia  mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys  imbricata)  and  olive  ridley  (Lepidochelys  olivacea)
    • Even though all four species are listed under Schedule I  of the  Indian  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972,  their populations in the  Indian waters are under threat.

  • [pib] International Energy Agency (IEA)

    The Framework for Strategic Partnership between the International Energy Agency (IEA) members and India was signed yesterday to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation & enhance global energy security, stability and sustainability.

    Try this MCQ:

    Q.The Global Energy Transition Index recently seen in news is released by:

    a) International Energy Agency (IEA)

    b) World Economic Forum (WEF)

    c) International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

    d) International Solar Alliance

    International Energy Agency

    • The IEA is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization established in the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1974 in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis.
    • It was initially dedicated to responding to physical disruptions in the supply of oil, as well as serving as an information source on statistics about the international oil market and other energy sectors.
    • At the end of July 2009, IEA member countries held a combined stockpile of almost 4.3 billion barrels of oil.
    • They are required to maintain total oil stock levels equivalent to at least 90 days of the previous year’s net imports.
    • The IEA acts as a policy adviser to its member states but also works with non-member countries, especially China, India, and Russia.
    • The Agency’s mandate has broadened to focus on the “3Es” of effectual energy policy: energy security, economic development, and environmental protection.

    Greater role play

    • The latter has focused on mitigating climate change.
    • The IEA has a broad role in promoting alternate energy sources (including renewable energy), rational energy policies, and multinational energy technology co-operation.

    Why need a partnership with IEA?

    • This partnership will lead to an extensive exchange of knowledge and would be a stepping stone towards India becoming a full member of the IEA.
    • India and the IEA members will work as Energy Security, Clean & Sustainable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Enhancing petroleum storage capacity in India, Expansion of gas-based economy in India, etc.

  • [pib] Shramshakti Portal

    The Union Minister of Tribal Affairs has launched the “ShramShakti” Portal.

    Earlier we had ONORC move, now a repository for migrant workers. Keep a tab on all such updates for the welfare of migrant workers.

    Shramshakti Portal

    • It is a National Migration Support Portal.
    • It will record various data including demographic profile, livelihood options, skill mapping, and migration pattern.
    • It would effectively help in the smooth formulation of state and national level programs for migrant workers.

    Why need such a portal?

    • Migrants all over the country had to face after the lockdown was announced due to the pandemic caused by a coronavirus.
    • The migration of the tribal population is distress-driven and the migrants are exposed to difficult and unsafe conditions.
    • Sometimes they face trafficking or wage harassment issues including many occupational hazards at the workplace.
    • The lack of real-time data of migrants was the biggest challenge for governments in formulating effective strategies and policy decisions for the welfare of migrant workers at both source and destination states.

    Benefits of the portal

    • The tribal migration repository would be able to successfully address the data gap and empower migrant workers who generally migrate in search of employment and income generation.
    • It would also help the government for linking the migrant population with the existing Welfare Scheme- under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

    A move for tribals

    • Tribal migrant workers often have low awareness about their rights and entitlements and ways to access services and social security in source and destination areas.
    • With this, they will be able to demand and access services, rights, and entitlements related to livelihood and social security at their village before migration, as well after migration at destination towns and cities.

  • [pib] Exercise Desert Knight-21

    Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force will conduct a bilateral Air exercise, Ex Desert Knight-21 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.

    All-time generic question seeking ‘match the pairs’ can be asked from the news as such.  Click here for more exercises.

    Ex. Desert Knight-21

    • The French side will participate with Rafale, Airbus A-330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), A-400M Tactical Transport aircraft and approximately 175 personnel.
    • The IAF aircraft participating in the exercise will include Mirage 2000, Su-30 MKI, Rafale, IL-78 Flight Refuelling Aircraft, AWACS and AEW&C aircraft.
    • The exercise marks an important milestone in the series of engagements between the two Air forces.
    • As part of Indo-French defence cooperation, Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force have held six editions of Air Exercises named ‘Garuda’, the latest being in 2019.
    • Presently, the French detachment for Ex Desert Knight-21 is deployed in Asia as part of their ‘Skyros Deployment’ and will ferry in forces to Air Force Station Jodhpur.

    Why it is special?

    • The exercise is unique as it includes fielding of Rafale aircraft by both sides and is indicative of the growing interaction between the two premiers Air Forces.
    • It will put into practice operational experience gained across terrains and spectrums and endeavour to exchange ideas and best practices to enhance interoperability.

  • [pib] PMKVY 3.0

    The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 3.0.

    Note the differences between all three versions of PMKVY.

    PMKVY 3.0

    • PMKVY 3.0 envisages training of eight lakh candidates over the scheme period of 2020-2021.
    • This phase three will focus on new-age and COVID-related skills.
    • The 729 PM Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs), empanelled non-PMKK training centres and more than 200 industrial training institutes under Skill India will be rolling out under it.
    • On the basis of the learning gained from PMKVY 1.0 and PMKVY 2.0, the MSDE has improved the newer version of the scheme to match the current policy doctrine and energize the skilling ecosystem.

    Implementation

    • PMKVY 3.0 will be implemented in a more decentralized structure with greater responsibilities and support from States/UTs and Districts.
    • District Skill Committees (DSCs), under the guidance of State Skill Development Missions (SSDM), shall play a key role in addressing the skill gap and assessing demand at the district level.
    • The new scheme will be more trainee- and learner-centric addressing the ambitions of aspirational Bharat.
    • PMKVY 2.0 broadened the skill development with the inclusion of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and focus on training.
    • With the advent of PMKVY 3.0, the focus is on bridging the demand-supply gap by promoting skill development in areas of new-age and Industry 4.0 job roles.

    Back2Basics: PMKVY 1.0

    • PMKVY is a skill development initiative scheme of the Government of India for recognition and standardization of skills launched on16 July 2015;.
    • The aim of the scheme is to encourage aptitude towards employable skills and to increase the working efficiency of probable and existing daily wage earners, by giving monetary awards and rewards and by providing quality training to them.
    • For this qualification plans and quality, plans have been developed by various Sector Skill Councils (SSC) created with the participation of Industries.
    • National Skill Development Council (NSDC) has been made coordinating and driving agency for the same.

  • [pib] IAF to induct LCA Tejas

    The Union Cabinet has approved procurement of 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 Trainer aircraft for Indian Air Force.

    Try this PYQ from CSP 2018:

    Q.What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news?

    (a) An Israeli radar system

    (b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme

    (c) An American anti-missile system

    (d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea

    LCA Tejas

    • The Tejas is an Indian single-engine, fourth-generation, multirole light fighter aircraft.
    • It is designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with the Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
    • It came from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the 1980s to replace India’s ageing MiG-21 fighters.
    • The indigenous content of the Tejas was 59.7% by value and 75.5% by a number of lines replaceable units.

    Which are the procured variants?

    • Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A variant is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern 4+ generation fighter aircraft.
    • It is the first “Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)” category procurement of combat aircraft.

    Significance

    • Tejas enable IAF to handle repairs or servicing at their base depot so that the turnaround time would get reduced for mission-critical systems.
    • This would enable IAF to sustain the fleet more efficiently and effectively due to the availability of repair infrastructure at respective bases.
    • It will give a further push to Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and boost indigenization of defence production and the defence industry in the country.