PIB ANALYSIS FOR UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAM
Topics Covered
- International Solar Alliance
- DHARMA GUARDIAN 2018
- CPI – IW
1 . International Solar Alliance
Botswana decides to join the International Solar Alliance: Vice President
Cabinet approves moving a Resolution in the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for amending the Framework Agreement of the ISA for opening up the ISA membership to all countries that are members of the United Nations
About Bostwana ( Map Marking questions)
- Landlocked country in Southern Africa
- Neighbouring Countries – Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Zambia
- Kalahari desert covers major part of Bostwana
About International Solar Alliance
- International Solar Alliance (ISA),is an alliance of 121 solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
- ISA was jointly launched by the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, and the then President of France, Mr. François Hollande, in Paris, France on the side-lines of the 21st Conference of Parties (CoP 21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
- The ISA Framework Agreement was opened for signature on 15 November 2016 in Marrakech, Morocco, on the side-lines of CoP-22.
- In conformity with the ISA Framework Agreement, 30 days after ratification by the 15th country, on December 6, 2017, ISA became the first full-fledged treaty based international intergovernmental organization headquartered in India.
Vision and Mission
- The vision and mission of the International Solar Alliance is to provide a dedicated platform for cooperation among solar resource rich countries that lie completely or partial between the Tropics of Capricorn & Cancer, the global stakeholders, including bilateral and multilateral organizations, corporates, and industry to make a positive contribution to assist and help achieve the common goals of increasing the use of solar energy in meeting energy needs of prospective ISA member countries in a safe, convenient, affordable, equitable and sustainable manner.
Importance
Through this initiative, the countries, inter alia, share the collective ambition:
- To address obstacles that stand in the way of rapid and massive scale-up of solar energy;
- To undertake innovative and concerted efforts for reducing the cost of finance and cost of technology for immediate deployment of competitive solar generation; and
- To mobilise more than 1000 Billion US Dollars of investments by 2030.
- The Government of India has committed Rs.175 crore for setting up of ISA and till date released a sum of Rs 145 crore for creating a corpus fund, building infrastructure and meeting day to day recurring expenditure.
First Conference of ISA
- The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi and the President of France, Mr. Emmanuel Macron co-hosted the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). 48 countries, including 25 Heads of States participated in this conference.
Delhi solar Agenda
- The Delhi Solar Agenda, adopted in the Founding Conference of the ISA, states that the ISA member States inter-alia have agreed to pursue an increased share of solar energy in the final energy consumption in respective national energy mix, as a means of tackling global challenges of climate change and as a cost-effective solution by supporting and implementing policy initiatives and participation of all relevant stakeholders, as applicable, in respective States.
Structure of the ISA?
- The ISA will have a two-tier structure – the Assembly and the Secretariat.
- Each member-country is represented on the Assembly, which meets annually at the Ministerial level at the seat of the ISA. The Assembly may also meet under special circumstances.
- The Assembly makes all necessary decisions regarding the functioning of the ISA, including the selection of the Director General and approval of the operating budget.
- Each Member has one vote in the Assembly.
- Partner Countries, Partner Organizations, Strategic Partners, and Observers may participate without having the right to vote.
- Decisions on questions of procedure are taken by a simple majority of the Members present and voting.
- Decisions on matters of substance are taken by two-third majority of the Members present and voting. Decisions regarding specific Programmes are taken by countries participating in this Programme.
- The Secretariat comprises of a Director General, who is the Chief Executive Officer,and other staff as may be required. The Director General is selected by and responsible to the Assembly, for a term of four years, renewable for one further term.
Cabinet approves moving a Resolution in the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for amending the Framework Agreement of the ISA for opening up the ISA membership to all countries that are members of the United Nations
Benefits
- Opening the membership of the ISA will put solar energy in global agenda with the universal appeal for developing and deploying solar energy. It will make ISA inclusive, whereby all member countries that are members of the United Nations could become member.
- Expanding membership will lead to ISA initiative benefitting the world at large.
- Approval was provided ex-post facto
2 . DHARMA GUARDIAN 2018
Opening Ceremony: INDO – Japan joint military exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN 2018
What is Dharma Guardian 2018
- Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN – 2018, a joint military exercise between Indian & Japanese Armies, commenced at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, Vairengete, Mizoram, India on
- The objective of this exercise is to build and promote army to army relations in addition to exchanging skills and experiences between both the armies.
- Due emphasis will be laid on enhancing tactical skills to fight against global terrorism and on increasing interoperability between forces of both countries which is crucial for the success of any joint operation.
- The exercise will contribute immensely in developing mutual understanding and respect for each other’s military.
3 . Consumer Price Index – Industrial Workers
Background
- This index is the oldest among the CPI indices as its dissemination started as early as in 1946.
- The history of compilation and maintenance of Consumer Price Index for Industrial workers owes its origin to the deteriorating economic condition of the workers post first world war which resulted in sharp increase in prices.
- As a consequence of rise in prices and cost of living, the provincial governments started compiling Consumer Price Index.The estimates were however not satisfactory.
- In pursuance of the recommendation of Rau Court of enquiry, the work of compilation and maintenance was taken over by government in 1943.
- Since 1958-59, the compilation of CPI(IW) has been started by Labour Bureau ,an attached office under Ministry of Labour & Employment.
What is CPI – IW
- Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial workers measure a change over time in prices of a fixed basket of goods and services consumed by Industrial Workers.
- The target group is an average working class family belonging to any of the seven sectors of the economy- factories, mines, plantation, motor transport, port, railways and electricity generation and distribution .
- CPI (IW) is currently calculated at base 2001=100 for 78 centres and prices are collected from 289 markets across these 78 centres.
- The 2001 index is a more representative index than 1982 series CPI(IW) as its coverage of centres, markets and sample size for coverage of working class family income & expenditure survey is much more wider.
- The index has a time lag of one month and is released on the last working day of the month.
- It is used for wage indexation and fixation of dearness allowance for government employees.