Daily PIB Analysis For UPSC/IAS | 16th January 2019 -

Table of Contents

Ministry of Culture

Sangeet Natak Akademi launches second phase of the Web Campaign ‘SĀNJHI –MUJH MEIN KALĀKĀR’
Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama will launched the second phase of the Web Campaign ‘SĀNJHI –MUJH MEIN KALĀKĀR’ an initiative to document and promote the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and diverse cultural traditions of the country by d
This is a unique talent search where the participant will showcase their talent in the fields of music, dance, drama, puppetry, folk and tribal arts, culinary skills, painting, sculpture etc.
The literal meaning of the term SANJHI is “to share” and “to partner”, and the cultural traditions of our country has developed and prospered on the notions of harmony.
The second phase of this campaign, SANJHI – MUJH MEIN KALAKAR, has its main focus area- -the folk, traditional, customary, socially events and ritualistic art forms- woven as a cultural fabric around the harvest festival season of January.
It is celebrated all across the country, known as various nomenclatures like Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, Bhogali Bihu, Torgya, Uttarayan, Attukkal Pongal etc.
It intends to bring forth such forms that are aligned with the domains of intangible cultural heritage as per the Convention of Safeguarding the ICH under UNESCO:
Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage;
Performing arts;
Social practices, rituals and festive events;
Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
Traditional craftsmanship The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) is the nodal agency of the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India to coordinate the matters related to Intangible Cultural Heritage and various UNESCO Conventions addressing Cultural Diversity and promotion and dissemination of multifarious cultural traditions and expressions of the country.

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

Ministry of I&B to provide support to Jharkhand International Film Festival, 2019 Financial support of Rs. 5 lakh and package of Indian Panorama Films to be provided Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has decided to lend support to the organization of 2nd Jharkhand International Film Festival (JIFF) in Ranchi, Jharkhand from 1st to 3rd February, 2019. It is being organized by Navbharat Nirman Sangh, an NGO.
JIFF aims to present not only the best Indian and International Films, but also showcase the best of Jharkhand Regional Films being made in Napuri, Santhali, Kortha and Kumali languages.
It is expected to generate interest in the local budding filmmakers and film enthusiasts as it provides them an opportunity to see the best of films from across the world, as well as promote tourism in the region.

Prime Minister’s Office

Infrastructure development a priority of Government, says PM PM visits Kerala; dedicates Kollam Bypass on NH-66 to the nation
India posted a growth of 14% over 2016 in the tourism sector while the world grew at an average of 7%.
He added that India now stands at 3 rd place in Power Ranking in the 2018 report of the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Foreign tourist arrivals in India increased by 42% from around 70 lakh in 2013 to about 1 crore in 2017.
While the Foreign exchange earned by India due to tourism witnessed a jump of 50%, up from $ 18 billion in 2013 to $ 27 billion in 2017.
He described the introduction of the e-Visa as a game changer for Indian Tourism which is now available to nationals of 166 countries

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

India’s Foreign Trade: December 2018 India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-December 2018-19* are estimated to be USD 396.73Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 13.79% over the same period last year.

Overall imports in April-December2018- 19* are estimated to be USD 479.46Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 14.63% over the same period last year. Major commodity groups of import showing high growth in December 2018 over the corresponding month of last year are: In December 2018, major commodity groups of export showing positive growth over the corresponding month of last year

Ministry of Defence

71st Army Day Parade 2019 Every year Indian Army celebrates 15th January as ‘Army Day’ to commemorate the day when General (later Field Marshal) K M Carriappa took over the command of Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949 and became the first Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army post Independence.

Ministry of Human Resource Development

10 percent EWS quota to be implemented in colleges and universities in the academic year 2019-20 itselfBenefits of 7th CPC to be extended to teachers and other academic staff of State Govt. / Govt. aided degree level technical institutions in the country- HRD Minister

10 percent Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota will be implemented across 40, 000 colleges and 900 Universities in the country. This 10 percent quota for EWS will be over and above the existing quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs and General seats.
Adequate additional seats will be created in these colleges and universities to implement the quota for EWS.
The UGC and AICTE will be provided the operational mandate within a week to implement the quota.

Ministry of Rural Development

All time high Rs. 61,084 Crores for MGNREGA Durable assets, sustainable livelihoods and wage employment for the poor The Government of India has allocated an additional Rs. 6,084 crore at RE stage to MGNREGA. This brings the total allocation to the scheme to Rs. 61,084 crore in 2018-19, making it the highest ever allocation. Governance reforms and thrust on sustainable livelihoods through durable assets has ensured better lives for the poor through wages, incomes and durable assets.

Full transparency in wage payments, asset creation, and payment for materials. It is for this reason that efforts were started for a 100% of geo-tagging of assets, AADHAAR linking of Bank Accounts, IT/DBT transfers for all wages, and material payments and Geographic Information System (GIS) based planning of works
Over 60% of the resources are spent on Natural Resource Management (NRM).
The NRM works are focused on ensuring higher incomes to farmers by improving both the area under cultivation and yield of crops.
This is done by improving the productivity of land and increasing the water availability.
The major works taken up under NRM include check dam, ponds, renovation of traditional water bodies, land development, embankment, field bunds, field channels, plantations, contour trenches etc

Ministry of Science & Technology

MoU signed for Inter-Ministerial Cooperation for Promotion and Facilitation of Agricultural Biotechnology Research and Education. DBT and ICAR has entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for much-needed emphasis on multidisciplinary R&D activities and nurturing innovations in Agricultural Biotechnology Ministry of Science & Technology Govt. Launches two National level Initiatives in the field of science communication The Department of Science and Technology (DST) along with Doordarshan (DD), Prasar Bharati today launched two science communication initiatives, DD Science and India Science .While DD Science is an one-hour slot on Doordarshan National channel, which will be telecast Monday to Saturday from 5 pm to 6pm, India Science is a internet-based channel, which is available on any internet-enabled device, and will offer live, scheduled play and video-on-demand services.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs

1st National EMRS National Sports Meet, 2019 Began at Hyderabad The 1 st National Level Sports Meet for the students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) was inaugurated yesterday by Shri Jaswantsingh Sumanbhai Bhabhor, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs. The scheme of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) is one of the flagship intervention of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India introduced in the year 1997-98 to ensure tribal students get access to quality education in the remote tribal areas. EMRS in every block with more than 50% or more tribal population and 20,000 or more tribal persons by the year 2022 thereby around 462 schools will be set up in addition to the 288 EMRSs already sanctioned.

Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation

NMCG Officials and Partners Come Together to Contribute to Clean Ganga Fund Projects worth Rs. 203.91 Crores has been sanctioned for various projects out of clean Ganga fund The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is the implementation wing of National Ganga Council which was set up in October 2016 under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities order 2016. The order dissolved National Ganga River Basin Authority

The Clean Ganga Fund was established as a Trust under the Indian Trusts Act, duly approved by the Union Cabinet and with the Union Finance Minister heading the Board. DG, NMCG acts as the CEO of the Clean Ganga Fund.
Domestic donors to the CGF are eligible for 100% income tax exemption under Section 80 G (1) (i) of the Income Tax Act 1961.
Contributions to CGF also fall within the purview of CSR activity as defined in Schedule VII to the Companies Act, 2013. MCQ 1 A. scheme of Eklavya Model Residential Schools