Daily PIB Analysis For UPSC/IAS | 25th Jan 19

Table of Contents

Ministry of Coal

Growth of 8% in Coal Supply to Power Sector
Increase of 35.6% in Coal stock at the power plants
Railway rakes are playing crucial role in supply of coal to power sectors Coal India Ltd. has supplied 389.63 MT coal to power sector during current year (up to 22ndJanuary 2019) registering a growth of 8% over the same period of last year.
As on 22ndJanuary 2019 power plants are having 18.663 MT coal stock sufficient for 11 days. Last year on the same date (22nd Jan 2018) it was 13.759 MT coal stock which was sufficient for 9 days. There has been an increase of 35.6% in coal stock at the power plants as compared to the same period of last year.

Department of Space

PSLV-C44 successfully launches Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C44) successfully injected Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into their designated orbits. The PSLV-C44 lifted off at 23:37 Hrs (IST) on January 24, 2019 from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota in its 46thflight.
About 13 minutes 26 seconds after lift-off, Microsat-R was successfully injected into intended orbit of 274 km. After injection, two solar arrays of the satellite were deployed automatically and ISRO Telemetry Tracking & Command Network (ISTRAC) at Bengaluru assumed control of the satellite.

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

Nitin Gadkari to Inaugurate Cable Stay Bridge over River Mandovi in Goa on Sunday
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate the newly built, 5.1 km long, four-lane.
The bridge will support and sustain burgeoning traffic in Panjim.

Ministry of Defence

Bureau of Indian Standards in Collaboration with Indian Air Force Releases New Standard for Bio-Jet Fuel
To use bio-jet fuel on all military and civilian aircraft, BIS has in collaboration with IAF, research organisations and the industry brought out a new standard for Aviation Turbine Fuels. These specifications will align Indian standards with current international standards.
An Indian Standard IS 17081:2019 Aviation Turbine Fuel (Kerosene Type, Jet A1) containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons, has been formulated.
This standard would enable the oil companies to manufacture bio-jet fuel for the Indian aviation industry. Given the advent of Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) by 2027, this is a significant development which could reduce the carbon emissions and help India become a green fuel production hub.

Ministry of Defence

Test and Certification Agency clears Biojet fuel for Aircraft
indigenous produced bio-fuel has been finally cleared for use by the premier airworthiness certification agency of the country.
In a meeting chaired by Mr Jaypal, Outstanding Scientist and Chief Executive, the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) Produced from non-conventional source i.e. non-edible vegetable/ tree borne oil to be used on military aircraft.
The bio-jet fuel has been produced from seeds of Jatropha plant sourced from Chhattisgarh and processed at CSIR-IIP’s lab at Dehradun. This approval enables the IAF to fulfil its commitment to fly the maiden IAF An-32 aircraft on January 26, 2019, with a blend of bio-jet fuel.
Any hardware or software which is to be used on Indian military aircraft, including those operated by Indian Navy or Army has to be cleared for use by CEMILAC before being inducted for regular use. • This clearance is a major step for continued testing and eventual full certification of the bio-jet fuel for use on a commercial scale by civil aircraft as well. • will help generate ancillary income, increase remuneration for tribal and marginal farmers, and enthuse cultivation/ collection of oilseeds.

Ministry of Defence

INS Kohassa – a New Bird’s Nest in the Andamans
Naval Air Station (NAS) Shibpur was commissioned as INS Kohassa by Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chairman COSC and Chief of the Naval Staff , on 24 Jan 19.
INS Kohassa has been named after a White-Bellied Sea Eagle, which is a large bird of prey, endemic to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
NAS Shibpur was established in 2001 as a Forward Operating Air Base (FOAB) for enhanced surveillance in North Andaman. The close proximity of Coco Islands (Myanmar) and wide expanse of Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) makes the base a very vital asset.
The airfield provides sustained detached operations of Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard aircraft.
The Air Station presently operates Short Range Maritime Reconnaissance (SRMR) aircraft and helicopters.
These aircraft undertake EEZ Surveillance, Anti-Poaching Missions, Search and Rescue (SAR) and Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions within the ANC Area of Responsibility.
NAS Shibpur was identified by NITI Aayog as one of the ‘Early Bird’ project as part of holistic island development

Ministry of Defence

Nigrani, Nireekshan and Nakabandi EXERCISE SEA VIGIL – a Historic Endeavour
Exercise Sea Vigil, India’s largest-ever Coastal Defence Exercise was conducted over an intense 36-hour period from 22-23 Jan 19. Exercise Sea – Vigil conceptualised and led by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard saw the simultaneous activation of India’s entire Coastal Security apparatus across all nine Coastal States and four Union Territories.
The exercise saw the complete support and earnest participation of all Central and State agencies including the MHA, MoD, Customs, CISF, Dept of Fisheries, DGLL, DG Shipping, Port authorities and the Coastal police of all participating states.
The feedback of the internal and external audit and lessons identified are planned to be presented at the next meeting of the National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security (NCSMCS), the nation’s highest body that monitors implementation of measures to enhance security post 26/11.
This first-ever large scale Coastal Defence Exercise would be now institutionalised to be conducted every two years in addition to the statefocused Sagar Kavach series of exercises

Ministry Of Law & Justice

eCourts Services through Common Service Centres
Court case information such as judicial proceedings/decisions, case registration, cause list, case status, daily orders, and final judgments of all computerized district and subordinate courts of the country will now be available across all Common Service Centers in the country.
The Government of India had initiated second phase of the eCourts project as one of the National e-Governance projects, in August, 2015 with an outlay of Rs.1670 crores. As on date, 16845 district and subordinate courts has been IT enabled.
The eCourts project has made significant progress under the guidance of e-Committee of Supreme Court of India in computerizing district and subordinate courts of the country through installation of case information software, hardware and local area network in courts.
They are also being connected on Wide Area Network through a dedicated network offering bandwidth upto 100 Mbps.
eCourts services have now been successfully rolled out through SMS, email, web, mobile app etc. benefiting millions of litigants and advocates.

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launches new reforms, guidelines to strengthen Jan Shikshan Santhans (JSS)
Empowers JSS through new guidelines aligning them to National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF)Launch of a portal with phase 1 functionality aggregating overall ecosystem database
Pilot launch of Blended Training System, a comprehensive ICT -based platform that provides numerous benefits for trainees and trainers
Formerly under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Jan Shikshan Sansthan has been transferred to the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship in 2018. Today’s conference saw the release of new guidelines, aligning the JSSs to the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). This marks an important step towards the convergence of all skilling activities under the aegis of one ministry, bringing in transparency and accountability to the entire skilling ecosystem.
Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) has been instrumental in skill training and introducing avenues of entrepreneurship among the socioeconomically backward and educationally disadvantaged groups such as neo-literates, semi-literates, SCs, STs, women and girls, slum dwellers, migrant workers. By bringing them under the aegis of the national skill framework, the agenda of today’s event was to align all skilling activities to a common cause of skill development at the district and gram level.
Release of New Guidelines
The Government aims to provide standardised training across sectors.

Key highlights of the guidelines are:

Alignment of JSS course and curriculum to National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) to standardize training
Decentralization of powers for JSSs- giving more accountability and independence to district administration
To identify and promote traditional skills in the district through skilling / upskilling;
Evidence based assessment system
Easy Online certification
Linking JSS to PFMS (Public Finance Management system) maintaining transparency and accountability of the ecosystem
Creating livelihood linkages
Training of Trainers to develop the capacity through NSTIs (National Skills Training Institutes)

Additional Announcement: MoU with NACER

MSDE and NSDC signed a MoU with NACER, the apex body for Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) under MoRD.
The objective of this collaboration is to provide skilled PMKVY candidates from PMKKs for the 10-day residential Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) at RSETIs.
RSETIs shall also support the candidates to access loans through credit linkages with public sector banks and also provide two-year mentorship support to the candidates.
NACER has a strong institutional set up and also provides twoyear mentorship to the candidate post loan linkage & Successful record for availing credit from banks