PIB Analysis for UPSC CSE
Topics Covered
- National Commission of Safai Karmacharis
- NRI Marriage Bill 2019
- Umbrella programme for development of Scheduled Tribes
- Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS)
- Coastal Security Scheme
- National Policy for Domestic Workers
1 . National Commission of Safai Karmacharis
Context : The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for Extension of tenure of the National Commissionfor SafaiKarmacharis(NCSK)
Salient Features
- The NCSK was established in the year 1993 as per the provisions of the NCSK Act 1993 initially for the period upto 31.3.1997.
- Later the validity of the Act was initially extended upto 31.3.2002 and thereafter upto 29.2.2004. The NCSK Act ceased to have effect from 29.2.2004.
- After that the tenure of the NCSK has been extended as a non-statutory body from time to time.
- The tenure of the present Commission is upto 31.3.2019.
Major impact
- The major beneficiaries of the proposal would be the Safai Karamcharis and persons engaged in manual scavenging in the country since the NCSK will work for their welfare and upliftment.
Background
- The NCSK has been giving its recommendations to the Government regarding specific programmes for welfare of SafaiKaramcharis, study and evaluate the existing welfare programmes for SafaiKaramcharis, investigate cases of specific grievances etc.
- Also as per the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, the NCSK has been assigned the work to monitor the implementation of the Act, tender advice for its effective implementation to the Centre and State Governments and enquire into complaints regarding contravention/non-implementation of the provisions of the Act.
- Though the Government has taken many steps for the upliftment of the SafaiKaramcharis, the deprivation suffered by them in socio-economic and educational terms is still far from being eliminated. Further the practice of manual scavenging is still prevalent in the country and its eradication continues to be an area of the highest priority for the Government.
- Hence, the Government feels that there is a continued need to monitor the various interventions and initiatives of the Government for welfare of SafaiKaramcharis and to achieve the goal of complete eradication of the practice of manual scavenging in the country. Therefore, the Cabinet has approved the present proposal for grant of extension of the tenure of National Commission for SafaiKaramcharis (NCSK) for three more years beyond 31.3.2019.
2 . NRI Marriage Bill 2019
Context : The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the introduction of Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Bill, 2019, for creating more accountability and offering more protection against exploitation of Indian citizens, mostly women by their NRI spouses.
Details
- The Bill provides for amendment of the legal framework to act as a deterrent to the erring NRI spouses and creating more accountability and offer protection against exploitation of Indian Citizens married to NRIs.
- Once the Bill is passed, marriages performed by NRIs would be registered in India or Indian Missions & Posts abroad, and necessary changes would be carried out in the:
- Passports Act, 1967; and
- Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 by insertion of Section 86A.
Major Impact
- Serving Judicial summons for Court proceedings in India is a major problem, which would be taken care of by this Bill by amending the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Thus, the Bill would offer great protection to Indian citizens married to NRIs and serve as a deterrent to NRIs against harassment of their spouses. This Bill would benefit Indian women married to NRIs worldwide.
3 . Umbrella programme for development of Scheduled Tribes
Schemes involved in Umbrella programme for development of Scheduled Tribes
- Pre-Matric Scholarship
- Post Matric Scholarship
- Ashram Schools
- Boys & Girls Hostels
- Vocational Training
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Tribal Festivals, Tribal Research, Information and Mass Education
- Aid to Voluntary Organisation working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes
- Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
- Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce
- Special Central Assistance (SCA) to States for Tribal Sub-Schemes (TSS)
Impact
- The sub-schemes will help to fill critical gaps in institutions and programmes for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes with focus on specific interventions.
Background
The ongoing schemes have been rationalised by the Government and have been brought under Umbrella programme for development of Scheduled Tribes as its sub-schemes. These sub-schemes need continuation for delivering development related services to the intended ST beneficiaries. The aims of these schemes are as under:
- To reduce the gap in the education achievement of ST children compared to the other population groups
- To fill in the critical gaps in existing efforts of access, retention and quality of education of ST children
- Research studies in the field of tribal development
- To promote effectiveness in delivery of service and also enhance the reach of welfare schemes of Government in service deficient tribal areas in the sectors such as livelihood, health, education etc. through efforts of Voluntary Organisations (VOs)
- Planning the socio-economic development of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in a holistic manner by adopting habitat development approach
- To establish a system to ensure fair monetary returns to Minor Forest Produce (MFP) gatherers for their efforts in collection, primary processing, storage, packaging, transportation etc.
- To enhance quality of life by providing basic amenities in tribal areas / localities including housing, link road, last mile connectivity, drinking water, sanitation etc.
4 . Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS)
Context : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS) with a total outlay of Rs.2900 crore.
About the Scheme
- Scheme aims at improving the competitiveness of MSMEs by integrating various ongoing schematic interventions aimed at up-grading technology through Credit Linked Capital Subsidy (CLCS), hand holding for zero defect zero effect manufacturing (ZED), increasing productivity through waste reduction (Lean), design intervention (Design), cloud computing (Digital MSMEs), facilitation of intellectual property (IPR) and nurturing new ideas (Incubation).
- Special provisions have been made in this scheme to promote entrepreneurship for SC/STs, women NER, Hill States (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand) Island Territories (Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep) and the Aspirational Districts/ LWE Districts, as in these cases the subsidy shall be admissible also for investment in acquisition /replacement of plant & machinery / equipment & technology up-gradation of any kind. The scheme would be demand driven. But its coverage has been made more inclusive.
- The scheme through Zero Defect & Zero Effect, component will promote reduction in emission level of green house gases and improve the competitiveness through reduction in defect / wastage during the manufacturing process of the products.
- It will also promote the innovation, digital empowerment of MSMEs, design interventions and support the protection of intellectual property of MSMEs.
- The scheme will facilitate technology up-gradation to MSEs, improvement in Quality of products by MSMEs, enhancement in productivity, reduction in waste and shall promote a culture of continuous improvement.
5 . Coastal Security Scheme
About Coastal Security Scheme
- The Government of India is implementing Coastal Security Scheme in all coastal States/UTs including Karnataka, in phases with the objective of strengthening infrastructure of Coastal Police for patrolling and surveillance of coastal areas, particularly shallow waters close to the coast.
- Phase-I of the Scheme was implemented during 2005-2011 based on the requirements projected by the coastal States/Union Territories.
- Phase-II of the Scheme is underway with effect from 01.04.2011 till 31.03.2020 on the basis of vulnerability/gap analysis carried out by coastal States/Union Territories which projected additional requirements for strengthening the coastal security infrastructure.
6 . National Policy for Domestic Workers
Context : Ministry of Labour & Employment is considering to formulate a National Policy on Domestic Workers which is in the draft stage.
Salient features of the proposed draft National Policy on Domestic Workers
- Inclusion of Domestic Workers in the existing legislations.
- Domestic workers will have the right to register as unorganized workers. Such registration will facilitate their access to rights & benefits.
- Right to form their own associations/unions
- Right to minimum wages, access to social security
- Right to enhance their skills
- Protection of Domestic Workers from abuse and exploitation
- Domestic Workers to have access to courts, tribunals for grievance redressal
- Establishment of a mechanism for regulation of private placement agencies.
- Establishment of a grievance redressal system for domestic workers.
7 . Guidelines for Conferring Ashoka Chakra
Following guidelines are laid down for awarding Ashoka Chakra:
- The Ashoka Chakra shall be awarded for most conspicuous bravery; or some act of daring of pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
- The persons eligible for the Ashoka Chakra shall be:
- Officers and men and women of all ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted forces.
- Members of the Nursing Services of the Armed Forces.
- Civilian citizens of either sex in all walks of life and members of Police Forces including Central Para-Military Forces and Railway Protection Force.
8 . Parallel Taxi Track Operation
Context : In a first for the IAF,the “OTTERS” squadron of Western Air Command has undertaken Parallel Taxi Track (PTT) Operations with a full women crew in the Dornier 228 aircraft.
About Parallel Taxi Track Operation
- Parallel Taxi Track Operations are carried out to enable unhindered operations even when the runway is not available due to enemy action or any other reasons.
- PTT Operations is a challenging task as the crew is required to land and take off from the taxi track, which is considerably smaller in width than the runway, with proximity to obstructions as compared to the main runway. There is no of error during the most critical phases of flight, landing and take-off.
9 . Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM- SYM)
Salient Features of Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM- SYM)
- Minimum Assured Pension: Each subscriber under the PM-SYM, shall receive minimum assured pension of Rs 3000/- per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
- Family Pension: During the receipt of pension, if the subscriber dies, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension received by the beneficiary as family pension. Family pension is applicable only to spouse. If a beneficiary has given regular contribution and died due to any cause (before age of 60 years), his/her spouse will be entitled to join and continue the scheme subsequently by payment of regular contribution or exit the scheme as per provisions of exit and withdrawal.
- Contribution by the Subscriber: The subscriber’s contributions to PM-SYM shall be made through ‘auto-debit’ facility from his/ her savings bank account/ Jan- Dhan account. The subscriber is required to contribute the prescribed contribution amount from the age of joining PM-SYM till the age of 60 years.
- Matching contribution by the Central Government: PM-SYM is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme on a 50:50 basis where prescribed age-specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary and the matching contribution by the Central Government as per the chart. For example, if a person enters the scheme at an age of 29 years, he is required to contribute Rs 100/ – per month till the age of 60 years. An equal amount of Rs 100/- will be contributed by the Central Government.
- Enrolment Process under PM-SYM: The subscriber will be required to have a mobile phone, savings bank account and Aadhaar number. The eligible subscriber may visit the nearest CSCs and get enrolled for PM-SYM using Aadhaar number and savings bank account/ Jan-Dhan account number on self-certification basis. Later, facility will be provided where the subscriber can also visit the PM-SYM web portal or can download the mobile app and self-register using Aadhar number/ savings bank account/ Jan-Dhan account number on self-certification basis.
- Enrollment agencies: The enrolment will be carried out by all the Community Service Centers (CSCs). The unorganised workers may visit their nearest CSCs along with their Aadhar Card and Savings Bank account passbook/Jandhan account and get registered themselves for the Scheme. Contribution amount for the first month shall be paid in cash for which they will be provided with a receipt.
- Facilitation Centres: All the branch offices of LIC, the offices of ESIC/EPFO and all Labour offices of Central and State Governments will facilitate the unorganised workers about the Scheme, its benefits and the procedure to be followed, at their respective centers.
- Fund Management: PM-SYM will be a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India and CSCs. LIC will be the Pension Fund Manager and responsible for Pension pay out. The amount collected under PM-SYM pension scheme shall be invested as per the investment pattern specified by Government of India.
- Exit and Withdrawal: Considering the hardships and erratic nature of employability of these workers, the exit provisions of scheme have been kept flexible. Exit provisions are as under:
- In case subscriber exits the scheme within a period of less than 10 years, the beneficiary’s share of contribution only will be returned to him with savings bank interest rate.
- If subscriber exits after a period of 10 years or more but before superannuation age i.e. 60 years of age, the beneficiary’s share of contribution along with accumulated interest as actually earned by fund or at the savings bank interest rate whichever is higher.
- If a beneficiary has given regular contributions and died due to any cause, his/ her spouse will be entitled to continue the scheme subsequently by payment of regular contribution or exit by receiving the beneficiary’s contribution along with accumulated interest as actually earned by fund or at the savings bank interest rate whichever is higher.
- If a beneficiary has given regular contributions and become permanently disabled due to any cause before the superannuation age, i.e. 60 years, and unable to continue to contribute under the scheme, his/ her spouse will be entitled to continue the scheme subsequently by payment of regular contribution or exit the scheme by receiving the beneficiary’s contribution with interest as actually earned by fund or at the savings bank interest rate whichever is higher.
- After the death of subscriber as well as his/her spouse, the entire corpus will be credited back to the fund.
- Any other exit provision, as may be decided by the Government on advice of NSSB.
- Default of Contributions:If a subscriber has not paid the contribution continuously he/she will be allowed to regularize his contribution by paying entire outstanding dues, along with penalty charges, if any, decided by the Government.
- Pension Pay out:
- Once the beneficiary joins the scheme at the entry age of 18-40 years, the beneficiary has to contribute till 60 years of age. On attaining the age of 60 years, the subscriber will get the assured monthly pension of Rs.3000/– with benefit of family pension, as the case may be.