PIB Analysis : 25th and 26th August 2022

PIB Analysis for UPSC CSE

Topics Covered

1. Export Policy of Wheat
2. Amendment in the Indian Telegraph Right of Way (RoW) Rules, 2016  
3. Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2022 –
4. INS Vikrant
5. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based tolling
6. Candidiasis
7. Facts for Prelims

1 . Export Policy of Wheat

PIB Release –https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854352

Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has approved the proposal for amendment of policy of exemption for Wheat or Meslin Flour from export restrictions/ban.

Background

• Russia & Ukraine are the major exporters of wheat accounting for around 1/4^th of the global wheat trade. The conflict between them led to the global wheat supply chain disruptions increasing demand of Indian wheat.
• As a result, the price of wheat in domestic market showed an increase. In order to ensure food security of 1.4 billion people of the country, the decision was taken to put a prohibition on export of wheat in May 2022.
• However, due to prohibition on export of wheat, the demand for wheat flour has increased in foreign markets and it’ s exports from India have registered a growth of 200% during April-July 2022 compared to the corresponding period in 2021.
• The increased demand for wheat flour in international market led to significant price rise of wheat flour in the domestic market.
• Earlier, there was a policy not to prohibit or put any restrictions on the export of Wheat flour. Therefore, a partial modification of the policy was required by withdrawing the exemption from ban/ restrictions on export for Wheat Flour in order to ensure food security and put a check on mounting prices of Wheat flour in the country.

Impact:

• The approval will now allow to put a restriction on the export of Wheat Flour which will ensure a curb on rising prices of wheat flour and ensure food security of the most vulnerable sections of the society.

2 . Amendment in the Indian Telegraph Right of Way (RoW) Rules, 2016  

PIB Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854472

Context:  Union Minister of Communications, Electronics & IT and Railways released amendment in the Indian Telegraph Right of Way (RoW) Rules, 2016  for Faster 5G Roll-out in the country.

Amendment in the Indian Telegraph Right of Way (RoW) Rules, 2016:

• In the amended Right of Way Rules, charges for RoW permissions have been made reasonable and a ceiling for RoW charges for installation of 5G small cells and optical fibre cable on street furniture has been fixed.
• These amendments will pave the way for deployment of 5G small cells on existing street infrastructure. With these series of reforms, the country is now ready for launch of 5G services by October, 2022.

The salient features of the amendments are as follows:

• Expansion of telecom infrastructure:
  • To facilitate faster 5G roll-out, RoW application procedures for small cell has now been simplified.  Telecom licensees will be able to use street infrastructure to deploy telecom equipment at a nominal cost of Rs. 150/annum in rural areas and Rs. 300/annum in urban areas.
  • To facilitate faster fiberisation, street infrastructure may be utilized at a nominal cost of Rs. 100/annum to install overground optical fibre.
  • The amendments create distinction between ‘poles’ and ‘mobile towers’.             
• Improving ease of doing business:
  • Telecom licensees had to submit RoW applications on different platforms of State/UTs. The amendments provide for a single window clearance system for RoW applications. Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal of Ministry of Communications will be the single window portal for all telecom related RoW applications.
• Rationalization of fees/charges:
  • Rationalization of administrative fees:  Telecom licensees are required to pay administrative fees for the RoW permissions. To reduce the cost of compliance, the administrative fees have been rationalized as follows:
    • No administrative fee shall be charged by Central Government or its agencies for establishment of poles on the land owned/controlled by them.
  • Uniformity in calculation of area: Telecom licensees have to pay charges proportionate to the area occupied by telecom infrastructure. At present, different agencies use different methodology to calculate the area. The amendments now prescribe a methodology to calculate the area occupied by telecom infrastructure. This will bring uniformity in computation of area and associated charges for the telecom infrastructure across the country.
  • Rationalizing cost of restoration: In case of restoration, Telecom licensees either have to undertake the restoration themselves or pay the concerned authority for restoration work. To ease this process, two major reforms have been introduced.
    • If the Telecom licensee undertakes the restoration work, a Bank Guarantee amounting to 100% of restoration cost needs to be submitted to the concerned agency. This amount has now been rationalized. Telecom Licensee shall be required to submit a BG for an amount of 20% of the restoration cost only.
    • If the Telecom Licensee wishes to pay the concerned agencies, the cost of restoration shall be calculated at the rates prescribed by Central Public Works Department (CPWD) or Public Works Department (PWD) of the State/UTs.
  • No compensation for establishment of poles: Telecom licensees shall not be required to pay compensation for land for establishment of poles.
  • Incentivizing use of technology: Technology is now available for laying Optical Fiber without digging a full trench. Therefore, in case of fiber laid using horizontal directional digging technology, Telecom Licensee shall have to pay restoration charges only for the pits, and not for the entire route.
• Telecom infrastructure over private property:
  • For installing telecom infrastructure on private property, Telecom licensees may enter into agreement with private property owners and they will not require any permission from any government authority.
  • In such cases, Telecom licensees shall be required to give only prior intimation along with structural suitability certificate.

3 . Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2022 –

PIB Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854289

Context: Centre amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 for ease of doing business and reducing the compliance burden for the garment or hosiery sold in loose or open.

Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2022:

• Under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 it is mandatory to declare :
  • Common/ generic name of the commodity
  • Net qty. in std. unit of W or M or no. of commodity in the package
  • Unit sale price
  • Month and year of manufacture or pre-packing or import
  • Best before or use by date, month and year  in case of commodity becoming unfit for human consumption with time
  • Consumer Care name & address
• Now, Department of Consumer Affairs vide the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2022 has exempted the garment or hosiery industry selling garment or hosiery items in loose or open from declaring the aforementioned. Now, only the following information relevant to consumers is to be given viz.:
  • Name and address of the manufacturer/ marketer/ brand owner/ importer with country of origin or manufacture in case of imported products,
  • Consumer care email id and phone number,
  • Sizes with internationally recognizable size indicators such as S, M, L, XL, XXL and XXXL along with details in metric notation in terms of cm or m and
  • Maximum retail price (MRP).
• This is for ease of doing business by reducing compliance burden to industries without compromising the interest of consumers by declaring the information relevant to consumers.

4 . INS Vikrant

PIB Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854457

Context: The first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ will be commissioned in the Indian Navy on 02 Sep 2022.

INS Vikrant:

• It is designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB), Indian Navy’s in-house organisation and built by M/s Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a Public Sector Shipyard under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
• Vikrant is the largest warship to have ever been built in India.
• It is also the first indigenously designed and built Aircraft Carrier for the Indian Navy.
• The 262 m long and 62 m wide Vikrant displaces approx 43000 T when fully loaded, having a maximum designed speed of 28 Knots with endurance of 7500 NM. The ship has around 2200 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1600 that include specialised cabins to accommodate women officers and sailors.
• The carrier is designed with a very high degree of automation for machinery operations, ship navigation and survivability. The carrier is equipped with the latest state of the art equipment and systems like the ship boasts of a fully-fledged state of the art Medical Complex with latest medical equipment facilities that includes major modular OT, emergency modular OT, physiotherapy clinic, ICU, laboratories, CT scanner, X-Ray machines, Dental complex, Isolation ward and telemedicine facilities etc.
• The ship would be capable of operating air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising of MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
• Using a novel aircraft-operation mode known as Short Take Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR), the IAC is equipped with a ski-jump for launching aircraft, and a set of three ‘arrester wires’ for their recovery onboard.

Significance:

• With the commissioning of ‘Vikrant’ on 02 Sep 22, India would join the select group of nations having the niche capability to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier, which will be a real testimony to the Make in India thrust of Government of India.
• Commissioning of ‘Vikrant’ would be a proud and landmark moment for the Nation showcasing our Aatma Nirbhar credentials during ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, a true testament to the country’s zeal and fervour in pursuing capability build up towards enhanced maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region and shall demonstrate Indian Navy’s unwavering commitment to contribute towards peace and stability in the region.
• The induction and reincarnation of ‘Vikrant’ is thus not only another step towards strengthening our defence preparedness but also our humble tribute to the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters for the independence of the nation and our brave soldiers during the 1971 war.

5 . Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based tolling

PIB Release  – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854426

Context: NHAI organised a day-long stakeholder consultation workshop on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based tolling in India.

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based tolling:

• In the proposed GNSS technology-based tolling system, national highways will be geo-fenced and consist of virtual tolling points.
• Whenever a vehicle fitted with GNSS On-Board Unit (OBU) shall pass through the virtual tolling point, information on distance travelled will be calculated based on satellite signals from multi-constellation such as GPS etc. and applicable fee shall be computed by the central GNSS software system and the amount will be deducted from the user’s bank account linked to the OBU.
• This can make the process of toll collection seamless in the country.

6 . Candidiasis

PIB Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854357

Context: A newly identified gene can hold the key to prevent fungal infection Candidiasis

Candidiasis:

• It is a fungal infection that often affects intensive-care unit (ICU) patients, cancer patients and patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
• Candidiasis is caused by a yeast called Candida. Some species of Candida can cause infection in people; the most common is Candida albicans. Candida normally lives on skin and inside the body, such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina, without causing problems.
• Candida can cause infections if it grows out of control or if it enters deep into the body.  
• It is infamous for causing high rates of morbidity and mortality under certain immuno-compromised conditions such as AIDS or during cancer treatment.
• The fungal species residing in mucosal linings of the gastrointestinal and urogenital tract of healthy individuals turns into a pathogen under immuno-compromised conditions breaching the host defense causing superficial as well as life-threatening systemic infection.

7 . National Cancer Grid

PIB Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854682 

Context: The National Cancer Grid (NCG) has established the Koita Centre for Digital Oncology (KCDO) to promote use of digital technologies and tools to improve cancer care across India. 

National Cancer Grid

• The National Cancer Grid (NCG) is an initiative of the Government of India through the Department of Atomic Energy and its grant-in-aid institution, the Tata Memorial Centre, to create a network of cancer centres, research institutes, patient groups and charitable institutions across India. 
• Its objectives are  :
  • to develop uniform standards of patient care for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer;  
  • providing specialized training and education in oncology; 
  • facilitating collaborative basic, translational and clinical research in cancer.  
• NCG today has over 270 hospitals in its network across India. 

8 . Critical Infrastructure Projects

PIB Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854736 

Context: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry with the Project Monitoring Group (PMG Invest India) reviewed 40 critical infrastructure projects across India with issues enlisted for resolution with Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Ministry of Railways. 

Critical Infrastructure Projects

• Critical infrastructure are those, whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the nation that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof.   
• Among the projects reviewed, a few notable names are as follows: 
  • BharatNet- The broadband connectivity plan seeks to bring broadband to 361,000 villages across 16 states and is scheduled to be completed by 2025. 
  • Hubli-Ankola New Line Project (164.44 km), a super critical Railway project which was stuck due to litigation issues regarding wildlife clearance given by the National Board of Wildlife 
  • Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor connecting Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi with Modipuram in Meerut passing through key towns such as Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Muradnagar and Modinagar in Uttar Pradesh covering a total length of 82.15 km. 
  • Four laning of Bangalore – Chennai Expressway (NE-5), a 260.85 km 4-lane access-controlled road connecting Hoskote near Bengaluru, Karnataka with Sriperumbudur near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. 
• Infrastructure being the central cog in India’s growth journey and driving its socio-economic development, the Government of India has prioritized the timely implementation and completion of large scale, high impact Infrastructure projects in India. 

9 . Ministerial Level Joint Rivers commission of India and Bangladesh

PIB Release – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854557 

Context: The 38^th Meeting of Ministerial level Joint Rivers Commission of India and Bangladesh was recently held in New Delhi.   

Ministerial Level Joint Rivers commission of India and Bangladesh: 

• The Joint Rivers Commission of India and Bangladesh was constituted in the year 1972 as a bilateral mechanism to address issues of mutual interest on common / border / transboundary rivers.  
• One of the important areas of cooperation, where India has been assisting Bangladesh, is sharing of real time flood data. India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers, of which 7 rivers have been identified earlier for developing framework of water sharing agreements on priority.  

38^th Meeting of Ministerial level Joint Rivers Commission of India and Bangladesh: 

• The meeting assumes significance as it was held after a long gap of 12 years, though the technical interactions under the framework of JRC have continued in the intervening period.  
  • The discussions during this bilateral meeting were held on a number of ongoing bilateral issues of mutual interest including river water sharing of common rivers, sharing of flood data, addressing river pollution, conducting joint studies on sedimentation management, river bank protection works etc.   
  • Both sides finalized the text of MoU on Interim Water Sharing of Kushiyara river. 
  • Both sides also welcomed finalization of the design and location of water intake point on the Feni River to meet the drinking water needs of Sabroom town in Tripura . 
  • During the meeting, it has been agreed to widen the area of ongoing cooperation by including 8 more rivers for data exchange. 

Facts for Prelims

National Awards to Teachers   – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854375

• The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education organises a national level function on Teachers Day i.e., 5^th September every year to confer the National Awards to best teachers of the country, selected through a rigorous transparent and online three stage selection process.
• The purpose of National Awards to Teachers is to celebrate the unique contribution of teachers in the country and to honour those teachers who through their commitment and industry have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives of their students 

Mandatory declarations in a packaged Commodities

• Under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 it is mandatory to declare the net quantity in terms of standard units of weight or measure apart from other declarations on all pre-packaged commodities in the interest of consumers.