PIB Analysis : 5th June

PIB Analysis for UPSC CSE

Topics Covered

1. Two independent third-party studies conducted on the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)
2. Economic Census
3. National Testing Agency

1 . Two independent third-party studies conducted on the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)

Environmental Impact study by UNICEF

Under the “Environmental impact of the Swachh Bharat Mission on Water, Soil, and Food” by UNICEF, groundwater samples were collected and studied from ODF and non-ODF villages of Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal. The study found that, in terms of faecal contamination, non-ODF villages were, on average:

• 11.25 times more likely to have their groundwater sources contaminated (12.7 times more from contaminants traceable to humans alone)
• 1.13 times more likely to have their soil contaminated
• 1.48 times more likely to have food contaminated and 2.68 times more likely to have household drinking water contaminated.

The study findings indicated that these substantial reductions may potentially be attributed to the improvement in sanitation and hygiene practices, as well as supportive systems such as regular monitoring and behaviour change messaging, which have all been critical aspects of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).

IEC footprint study by Gates Foundation

The “Assessment of the reach and value of IEC activities under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)” conducted by Dalberg, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, estimated the scale of IEC activities within the Mission and assessed associated monetary and in-kind costs, and outputs such as reach. The study found that:

• SBM mobilized a spend equivalent worth INR 22,000 to 26,000 crores in monetary and non-monetary IEC activities.
• Of this spend equivalent, cash expenditure on IEC activities spent by the Government, private sector, and the development community was estimated to be between INR 3,500 – 4,000 crores.
• Of this cash spend, ~20% (~INR 800 crores) was spent by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS), ~35% (~INR 1,250 crores) by the State Sanitation Departments, ~25% (~INR 1,000 crores) by other government ministries, and the other ~20% by the private sector (CSR and business expenditures) and the development sector collectively.
• An average person living in rural India was exposed to between 2,500 – 3,300 SBM related messages over the last five years.

2 . Economic Census

Context : Preparations for 7^th Economic Census are underway.

About Economic Census

• Economic Census is the complete count of all establishment located within the geographical boundary of India.
• The Economic Census provides disaggregated information on various operational and structural variables of all establishments of the country.
• Economic Census also provides valuable insight into geographical spread/clusters of economic activities, ownership pattern, persons engaged, etc. of all economic establishments in the country.
• The information collected during Economic Census are useful for socio-economic developmental planning at state and district levels.
• Economic Census provides an updated sampling frame for follow- up enterprise surveys undertaken for detailed and comprehensive analysis of all establishments in the country.

Economic Census-2019

• The Seventh Economic Census (7^th EC) is being conducted by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in 2019.
• In the current Economic Census, MoSPI has partnered with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology as the implementing agency for 7^th EC.
• In the 7^th EC, an IT based digital platform for data capture, validation, report generation and dissemination will be used. The fieldwork for the 7^th EC is likely to commence by the end of June 2019 or next month. The results of the exercise will be made available after verification and validation of the field work.
• Economic Census will cover all establishments including household enterprises, engaged in production or distribution of goods/services (other than for the sole purpose of own consumption) in non-farm agricultural and non-agricultural sector will be counted. The coverage is same as the one in 6^th Economic Census, conducted in 2013.

Previous Economic Censuses

• Six Economic Censuses, (EC) have been conducted by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation. till date.
• The first Economic Census was undertaken in 1977. The Second EC was carried out in 1980 followed by the Third EC in 1990. The fourth edition took place in 1998 while the fifth EC was held in 2005. The Sixth edition of Economic Census was conducted in 2013.

3 . National Testing Agency

About National Testing Agency

• National Testing Agency (NTA) has been established as a premier, specialist, autonomous and self-sustained testing organization to conduct entrance examinations for admission/fellowship in higher educational institutions.
• To assess competence of candidates for admissions and recruitment has always been a challenge in terms of matching with research based international standards, efficiency, transparency and error free delivery. The National Testing Agency is entrusted to address all such issues using best in every field, from test preparation, to test delivery and to test marking.
• Exams conducted : JEE, NEET, Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test, Common Management Aptitude Test, UGC National Eligibility Test, Hotel Management Joint Entrance Examination

Objective

• To conduct efficient, transparent and international standards tests in order to assess the competency of candidates for admission, and recruitment purposes.
• To undertake research on educational, professional and testing systems to identify gaps in the knowledge systems and take steps for bridging them.
• To identify experts and institutions in setting examination questions.
• To produce and disseminate information and research on education and professional development standards.