PIB Analysis : 17th and 18th August 2022

PIB Analysis for UPSC CSE

Topics Covered

1. Traditional Knowledge Data Library
2. Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme
3. Interest Subvention Scheme
4. Udan Scheme
5. Vibax 2022
6. Exercise  Udarshakti
7. Jal Jeevan Mission
8. District Good Governance Index
9. Facts for Prelims

1 . Traditional Knowledge Data Library

PIB Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1852528

Context: The Cabinet approved the “Widening access of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) database to users, besides patent offices”.

Traditional Knowledge Data library:

• The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is a prior art database of Indian traditional knowledge established in 2001, jointly by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy (ISM&H, now Ministry of AYUSH).
• The TKDL currently contains information from existing literature related to ISM such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga.  The information is documented in a digitized format in five international languages which are English, German, French, Japanese and Spanish. 
• TKDL provides information in languages and format understandable by patent examiners at Patent Offices worldwide, so as to prevent the erroneous grant of patents. 
• Until now, access to the complete TKDL database is restricted to 14 Patent Offices worldwide for the purposes of search and examination.  This defensive protection through TKDL has been effective in safeguarding Indian traditional knowledge from misappropriation and is considered a global benchmark.

Significance of widening the access of the database:

• The approval of the Cabinet to widen the access of the database beyond patent offices lays emphasis on integrating and co-opting traditional knowledge with current practices towards enhancing innovation and trade.
• Indian traditional knowledge (TK) offers immense potential to serve national and global needs, therewith providing societal benefits as well as economic growth. The recent COVID- 19 pandemic has also been witnessing extensive use of Indian traditional medicines whose benefits range from immune-boosting to symptoms-relief to anti-viral activity. 
• This will be a new dawn for Indian traditional knowledge, as the TKDL will drive research & development, and innovation based on India’s valued heritage across diverse fields. 
• The opening up of the TKDL is also envisaged to inculcate thought and knowledge leadership through Bharatiya Gnana Parampara, under the New Education Policy 2020.
• Earlier this year in April, the World Health Organization (WHO) established its first off-shore Global Centre for Traditional Medicines (GCTM) in India.  These demonstrate the continued relevance of traditional knowledge in address the current and emerging needs of the world.

2 . Emergency credit line guarantee scheme

PIB Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1852527

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the enhancement in the limit of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) by Rs 50,000 crore from Rs. 4.5 Lakh crore to Rs. 5 Lakh crore, with the additional amount being earmarked exclusively for enterprises in hospitality and related sectors.

Background:

• The ongoing pandemic has adversely impacted contact-intensive sectors, especially the hospitality and related sectors more severely.  While other sectors were back faster on the path of recovery, demand continued to be subdued for these sectors for longer period, suggesting the need for suitable interventions for their sustenance and recovery.  Further, given their high employment intensity and their direct and indirect linkages with other sectors, their revival is also necessary for supporting overall economic recovery. 
• Recognising this, in Union Budget 2022-23, it was announced to extend validity of ECLGS upto March 2023 and increase in the limit of guaranteed cover of ECLGS by Rs. 50,000 crores to total cover of Rs. 5 Lakh core, with the additional amount being earmarked exclusively for the enterprises in hospitality and related sectors.

Impact:

• ECLGS is an already operational scheme and the enhancement is expected to provide much needed relief to enterprises in these sectors by incentivizing lending institutions to provide additional credit of up to Rs. 50,000 crore at low cost, thereby enabling these business enterprises to meet their operational liabilities and continue their businesses.
• Loans of about Rs. 3.67 Lakh crore have been sanctioned under ECLGS till 5.8.2022.

3 . Interest Subvention Scheme

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved to restore Interest Subvention on short term agriculture loans to 1.5% for all financial institutions for the financial year 2022-23 to 2024-25.

Interest Subvention Scheme:

• Under this scheme, short term agriculture loan upto Rs. 3.00 lakh is available to farmers engaged in Agriculture and other allied activities including Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Poultry, fisheries etc. at the rate of 7% p.a.
• An additional 3% subvention (Prompt Repayment Incentive – PRI) is also given to the farmers for prompt and timely repayment of loans. Therefore, if a farmer repays his loan on time, he gets credit at the rate of 4% p.a.
• For enabling this facility to the farmers, an interest Subvention of 1.5% will be provided to lending institutions (Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Bank, Small Finance Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Cooperative Banks and Computerized PACS directly ceded with commercial banks) for the financial year 2022-23 to 2024-25.
• This support is 100% funded by the Centre.

Benefits:

• Increase in Interest Subvention will ensure sustainability of credit flow in the agriculture sector as well as ensure financial health and viability of the lending institutions especially Regional Rural Banks & Cooperative Banks, ensuring adequate agriculture credit in rural economy.
• Banks will be able to absorb increase in cost of funds and will be encouraged to grant loans to farmers for short term agriculture requirements and enable more farmers to get the benefit of agriculture credit. 
• This will also lead to generation of employment since short term Agri-loans are provided for all activities including Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Poultry, fisheries.
• Farmers will continue to avail short term agriculture credit at interest rate of 4% per annum while repaying the loan in time.

4 . Udan Scheme

PIB Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1852532

Context: Ministry of Civil Aviation’s flagship program Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) has completed 5 years.

Udan scheme:

• The scheme was launched in 2016 with the objective to fulfil the aspirations of the common citizen by following the vision of ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik’, with an enhanced aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in tier II and tier III cities.
• RCS-UDAN was formulated based on the review of The National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP)-2016 and it was planned to remain in force for a period of 10 years.
• It has a self-financing mechanism with the development of Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF).
  • Under this Scheme, RCF was created, which funds the VGF requirements of the scheme through a levy on certain domestic flights. This way, funds generated from the sector themselves stimulate the growth and development of the sector.
• UDAN created a framework based on the need and led to the formulation of:
  • Lifeline UDAN (for transportation of medical cargo during pandemic).
  • Krishi UDAN (value realization of agriculture products especially in North-eastern Region {NER} and tribal districts).
  • International UDAN routes for NER to explore International Connectivity from / to Guwahati and Imphal.

Achievements in 5 years:

• UDAN Scheme has benefitted a diverse set of stakeholders. Passengers have got the benefits of air connectivity, airlines have received concessions for operating regional routes, unserved regions have received the direct and indirect benefits of air connectivity for their economic development.
• There were 74 operational airports in 2014. Because of the UDAN scheme this number has increased to 141 by now.
• 68 underserved/unserved destinations which include 58 Airports, 8 Heliports & 2 Water Aerodromes have been connected under UDAN scheme.
• With 425 new routes initiated under the scheme, UDAN has provided air connectivity to more than 29 States/ UTs across the length and breadth of the country.
• More than one crore passengers have availed the benefits of this scheme. The scheme has also provided a much-needed platform to the regional carriers to scale up their operations.
• RCS-UDAN was awarded Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration under Innovation Category for the year 2020.
• Republic Day Tableau for 26th January 2022 on UDAN was adjudged as the Best Tableau by the Ministry of Defence.

Future target:

• So far under this scheme, we have 425 routes aiming to go up to 1000 routes, 68 new airports aiming to touch 100 airports. In next 4 years it is expecting 40 crore travellers through Civil Aviation in India.

5 . VINBAX -2020

PIB Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1852904

Context: Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise VINBAX 2022 concluded at Chandimandir.

VInbax 2022:

• It is a field training exercise with enhanced scope from previous editions of bilateral exercise.
• It aims to strengthen mutual confidence, interoperability and enable sharing of best practices between the Indian Army and Vietnam People’s Army.
• The theme of Ex VINBAX – 2022 is the employment and deployment of an Engineer Company and a Medical Team as part of the United Nations Contingent for Peace Keeping Operations
• What made the exercise unique was the fact that it was the first time ever that the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) was undertaking a Field Training Exercise with any foreign Army.
• Vietnam has deployed a contingent in UN peacekeeping operations for the first time in South Sudan while India has a long and rich tradition of contributing to UN peacekeeping operations.
• It will provide an opportunity to the troops of both the Contingents to learn about the social and cultural heritage of each other.

6 . Exercise  Udarashakti

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1852827

Context: The Ex UDARASHAKTI culminated at the RMAF Air Base Kuantan on 16 Aug 2022

Exercise  Udarshakti:

• It is a bilateral exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)
• the exercise saw the two Air Forces work in cohesion through a series of complex aerial combat drills in multiple domains and exercise settings.
• Ex UDARASHAKTI provided both the Air Forces, an opportunity to share each other’s best practices.
• The culmination of the exercise was marked by a traditional closing ceremony and a seven aircraft formation flypast of Su-30MKI & Su-30 MKM aircraft over the air base.

7 . Jal Jeevan mission

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1852929

Context: Goa and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (D&NH and D&D) becomes the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified State and UT in the country respectively

Jal Jeevan Mission:

• Jal Jeevan Mission is a flagship programme of Government of India which was announced in 2019.
• The mission aims to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis to every rural household of the country by 2024.
• The program is implemented by Government of India in partnership with States/UTs.
• The process of certification has been detailed out in the Margdarshika of Jal Jeevan Mission according to which
  • first of all, the field engineer submits a completion certificate regarding water supply scheme to the Panchayat during Gram Sabha meeting.
  • The villages confirm through a resolution of the Gram Sabha, that every household is getting regular supply of water of prescribed quality and not a single household is left out.
  • They also confirm that all schools, anganwadi centers and other public institutions also getting tap water.
• Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC) or paani samiti constituted under the mission, is responsible for operation, maintenance and repair of water supply infrastructure developed under ‘Har Ghar Jal’ programme. This sub-committee of Gram Panchayat also has the responsibility to collect user charge which will be deposited in the bank account and shall be used to pay honorarium of the pump operator and carry out minor repair work from time-to-time.
• Water Quality is an important aspect of the mission and to ensure the same, at least five women in every village are trained to carry out water testing. Today more than 10 lakh women in the country have been trained to use Field Test Kits (FTKs) for testing the quality of water supplied in rural households.

8 . District good governance index

PIB Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1852833

Context: Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances in collaboration with Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh and Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad has developed a District Good Governance Index, a first for North Eastern States, on the lines of the National Good Governance Index for improving the efficiency of Governance across Districts.

District good governance index:

• It has been prepared by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in partnership with the state’s  administration and Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad.
• Under the index, the policies, schemes and programs of the central as well as the state governments have been monitored at the district level.
• This will ensure healthy competition in terms of development among the districts, which will result in an increase in the development index of the state.
• DARPG also plans to collaborate with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to develop a District Good Governance Portal for monitoring the Rankings of each District of Arunachal Pradesh on a monthly basis and help in benchmarking performance within the State of Arunachal Pradesh.

9 . Facts for Prelims

Aquabazar app – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1852948

• The app is developed by ICAR-CIFA with the funding support of National Fisheries Development Board under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
• It is a marketplace which connects various stakeholders involved in aquaculture sector.
• The app will help the fish farmers and stakeholders to source the inputs such as fish seed, feed, medicines etc. and services required for fish culture as well as farmers can list the table size fish for sale.