PIB Analysis for UPSC CSE
Topics Covered
- Tuberculosis Free India’ initiative
- Sagardhwani
- North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS)
- Deeksharambh
- Solar Charkha Mission
- Expansion of Sericulture
- Facts for Prelims : Ujjawala Scheme
1 . Tuberculosis Free India Initiative
Context : Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have signed MoU today to forge inter-sectoral convergence at the level of policy, planning and programme implementation for accelerated response towards “Tuberculosis Free India” initiative.
Background
- Although entirely preventable and curable, Tuberculosis is a major obstacle to India’s human and economic development.
- India,in near future, is predicted to have world’s largest working population and a disease like TB which mostly affects adults in their most productive years, poses a great risk to the country’s economic growth potential.
- Apart from being a public health problem, TB is also associated with poor socio-economic development, marginalization and exploitation
- The actions required to tackle the socio-economic and structural determinants of TB lie beyond the purview of the health sector alone, calling for a harmonized multisectoral response.
About the MoUs Signed
- The intended collaboration between the two Ministries aims at development of linkages and integration of TB care services within the infrastructure and institutional network of AYUSH.
- AYUSH systems have potential knowledge base, qualified & trained human resources and holistic healthcare practices to help achieving the objective of TB- free India.
- The MoU with the Central TB Division of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare outlines the scope and extent of AYUSH involvement in sensitization, awareness generation, capacity building of AYUSH institutions and health service providers in the areas of TB diagnosis, control and management.
- Focused activities envisaged under the MoU will cover joint planning to work with AYUSH organisations & professional bodies and promote adjuvant use of evidence- based AYUSH interventions for, TB control and management.
- It is also intended to facilitate research collaboration and best practices of AYUSH healthcare and build up capacities for TB-free work places and communities.
- Both Ministries will appoint Nodal Officers for development of implementation plan, modalities of operationalization and steering the collaboration activities outlined in the MoU.
Other MoUs Signed
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare today exchanged Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with the Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways to strengthen inter-ministerial coordination and efforts towards Tuberculosis-free India by 2025.
Must Read : About TB
2 . Sagardhwani
Context : Oceanographic research vessel of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), INS Sagardhwani, embarked on a two-month long SAGAR MAITRI (SM) Mission-2 from South Jetty, Southern Naval Command (SNC) in Kochi today.
Background
- SAGAR MAITRI is a unique initiative of DRDO which aligns with the broad objective of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s policy declaration “Safety And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)” to promote closer co-operation in socio-economic aspects as well as greater scientific interaction especially in ocean research among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries.
- Under the aegis of PM’s policy, specific scientific component of DRDO is “MAITRI (Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative)”.
- SAGAR MAITRI Mission-2 commemorates the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of India’s lone research ship INS Kistna’s missions as part of the historic International Indian Ocean Expeditions(IIOE), which took place during 1962-65.
- As part of the mission, INS Sagardhwani will revisit the selected tracks of INS Kistna and provide NPOL scientists ample opportunities to collaborate and garner a close working relationship with the oceanographic counterparts of the IOR countries.
Objectives of Sagar Maitri Mission
- The prime objectives of the SAGAR MAITRI Mission are data collection from the entire North Indian Ocean, focussing on the the Andaman Sea and adjoining seas and establishing long-term collaboration with eight IOR countries in the field of ocean research and development.
- The other IOR countries, include Oman, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Myanmar.
- The programme also aims at establishing long term scientific collaboration with these countries in the field of ‘Ocean Research & Development’ and data collection with a focus in the Andaman Sea.
About Sagardhwani
- INS Sagardhwani,a Marine Acoustic Research Ship (MARS). INS Sagardhwani has been designed and developed by Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi, a premier systems laboratory of DRDO.
- It conducts ocean research experiments in the Indian waters and spearheads NPOL’s at-sea data collection activities
- INS Sagardhwani was built indigenously by M/s GRSE Ltd, Kolkata and commissioned on 30 Jul 1994. During the last 25 years, the ship has carried out intensive oceanographic observational programmes/ research.
3 . North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS)
About the Scheme
- North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme” (NESIDS) has been approved by the Government of India as a Central Sector Scheme
- Under the Scheme guidelines of NESIDS, 100% centrally funding is provided to the State Governments of North Eastern Region for the projects of physical infrastructure relating to water supply, power and connectivity enhancing tourism and Social infrastructure relating to primary and secondary sectors of education and health.
- The period of Scheme is 2017-18 to 2019-20.
- The funds are released in two installments of 40% and 60%. Initially a token amount of Rs. 10 lakh are released and balance amount of first installment are released after receipt of letter of award of the work.
4 . Deeksharambh
Context : The Union Minister of Human Resource Development Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ released UGC Guide to Student Induction Programme – “Deeksharambh” in New Delhi today.
About the Programme
- Deeksharambh is a guide to Student Induction Programme to help new students adjust and feel comfortable in the new environment, inculcate in them the ethos and culture of the institution, help them build bonds with other students and faculty members, and expose them to a sense of larger purpose and self-exploration.
- Programme engages with the new students as soon as they come into the institution, before regular classes start.
- At the start of the induction, the incumbents learn about the institutional policies, processes, practices, culture and values, and their mentor groups are formed.
- Mentoring is one of the component of Student Induction Programme and it helps to develop an everlasting bonding of teacher and student.
- Student Induction Programme is intended to empower the aspirant learners to face the Competitive world with confidence, open new horizons of life leading to character building based on Universal Human Values such as Truth, Righteous conduct, Love, Non-violence, Peace and assist in developing self awareness , compassion and oneness.
- To spread awareness about Deeksharambh – Student Induction Programme (SIP) in Higher Education Institutions and its stakeholders, UGC has decided to conduct Awareness Programmes and training programme for teachers in different regions of the country.
5 . Solar Charkha Mission
Context : Ministry of MSME has launched the Mission Solar Charkha for implementation of 50 Solar Charkha Clusters across the country with a budget of Rs. 550 crore. Solar Charkha units have been classified as Village Industries.
Background
- A pilot project on Solar Charkha was implemented at Khanwa village, Nawada District of Bihar in 2016. Based on the success of the pilot project, Government of India has accorded approval to set up 50 such clusters with a budget of Rs. 550 Crore for 2018-19 and 2019-20.
- The scheme is envisaged to generate direct employment nearly to one lakh persons in the approved Fifty (50) clusters.
- The scheme is being implemented by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Mumbai.
Scheme Objectives
- To ensure inclusive growth by generation of employment, especially for women and youth, and sustainable development through solar charkha clusters in rural areas.
- To boost rural economy and help in arresting migration from rural to urban areas.
- To leverage low-cost, innovative technologies and processes for sustenance
Project Coverage
- The target is to cover 50 solar clusters across the country, whereby approx. 1,00,000 artisans/beneficiaries are to be covered under the various scheme components. The scheme shall be implemented in all States of India.
- The geographical distribution of the clusters throughout the country, with at least 10% located in the North Eastern Region (NER), J&K and hilly states, will also be kept in view. Special focus will be given to 117 aspirational districts for soliciting project proposals under the scheme.
Project Intervention
- Capital subsidyis provided at various stages including for the purchase of Charkha
- Interest subvention for Working Capital
- Capacity Building
6 . Expansion of Sericulture
Background
- India has the unique distinction of being the only country producing all the five known commercial silks, namely, mulberry, tropical tasar, oak tasar, eri and muga, of which muga with its golden yellow glitter is unique and prerogative of India.
- Mulberry sericulture is mainly practised in five states namely, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Bodoland.
- West Bengal, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu are major silk producing states in the country.
- North East has the unique distinction of being the only region producing four varieties of silk viz., Mulberry, Oak Tasar, Muga and Eri. Overall NE region contributes 18% of India’s total silk production.
- India is the second largest producer of silk in the world. The demand for superior quality bivoltine silk is increasing in India for domestic consumption as well as value added silk products for the export market.
- Sericulture, or silk farming, is the cultivation of silkworms to produce silk.
Initiatives undertaken by Govt
- A web portal “SILKS” (Sericulture Information Linkage Knowledge System) has been developed in collaboration with North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), SILKS” is a single window, ICT (Information and Communication technology) based information and Advisory Services System for planners, field staff and farmers practicing sericulture.
- Central Silk Board (CSB), a statutory body under the Ministry of Textiles has developed an Indigenous Automatic Silk Reeling Machine (ARM) involving domestic manufacurers for promotion under Transfer of Technology (TOT) in the field to support ‘Make in India’ concept.
- In respect of silk machinery related to Vanya silk, nine different Vanya silk reeling & Spinning machines have been promoted/implemented in various Plans. Further, the implementation of improved machines is being continued under Silk Samgra (2017-20).
- In order to replace/eradicate thigh reeling, which is unhygienic and against dignity of women, the Buniyad reeling machine has been developed and is being popularized.
- Under “Silk Samagra” (2017-18 to 2019-20) being implemented by CSB, following steps are being taken for further modernization of seed producing centres in different states for enhancing their productivity and production capacities.
- Revolving capital fund support for seed production centres
- Purchase of seed testing equipment for seed production centres
- Up-gradation of production units and cold storage facilities
- To encourage Private participation in seed production, National Silkworm Seed Organization (NSSO) under Central Silk Board has initiated a move to attract small and large scale seed producers to the sector. Central Silk Board has initiated action to develop private Registered Seed Producers (RSP) in Bivoltine hybrid seed production programme, for which different technical and technological supports are being extended to them, which are as follows:
- Supply of P1 Bivoltine Seed Cocoons: As a hand holding to promote bivoltine seed production, CSB is supplying quality seed cocoons to the RSPs, on cost basis.
- Cold Storage Support to the RSPs for preservation of Bivoltine silkworm seed produced by them.
- Uniform selling price of bivoltine seed by all agencies.
- Technological hand-holding and Skill development: The RSPs are provided hands-on-training in commercial bivoltine seed production under Central Seed Act and also regularly being supported technically time to time.
7 . Facts for Prelims
Ujjawala Scheme
- The Ujjawala Scheme is for prevention of trafficking, rescue, rehabilitation, re-integration and repatriation of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.