Weekly PIB Analysis | PIB News Analysis 13th to 19th June' 2022

Table of Contents

Rice fortification programme

Context: The government is planning to cover 291 districts by March 2023 aspirational and heavy burden districts under the rice fortification programme.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in April 2022 has accorded its approval for supply of fortified rice throughout the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman-PM POSHAN [erstwhile Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDM)] and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) of Government of India in all States and Union Territories (UTs) by 2024 in a phased manner.
The entire cost of rice fortification (around Rs. 2,700 crore per annum) would be borne by the Govt. of India as part of food subsidy till its full implementation upto June, 2024.
The following three phases are envisaged for full implementation of the initiative:
Phase-I: Covering ICDS and PM POSHAN in India all over by March, 2022 which is under implementation.
Phase-II: Phase I above plus TPDS and OWS in all Aspirational and High Burden Districts on stunting (total 291 districts) by March 2023.
Phase-Ill: Phase II above plus covering the remaining districts of the country by March 2024.
Fortified rice helps in preventing Cretinism, Goiter, IIH (Thyrotoxicosis), Brain damage; It is a cost-effective and sustainable option, say experts.

StartUps for Railways

Context: Indian Railways, the National transporter has taken an important initiative in the field of innovation through participation of start-ups and other entities. Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw has launched “StartUps for Railways” today in Rail Bhavan, New Delhi.

This policy will bring scale and efficiency in the field of operation, maintenance, and infrastructure creation through participation of very large and untapped startup ecosystem.

Salient Feature

Grant up to Rs. 1.5 Crore to innovator on equal sharing basis with provision of milestone-wise payment.
Complete process from floating of problem statement to development of prototype is online with defined time line to make it transparent and objective.
Trials of prototypes will be done in Railways. Enhanced funding will be provided to scale up deployment on successful performance of prototypes.
Selection of Innovator/s will be done by a transparent and fair system which will be dealt through online portal inaugurated today by Minister of Railways.
Developed Intellectual property rights (IPR) will remain with innovator only.
Assured developmental order to innovator.
De-centralization of complete product development process at divisional level to avoid delays.

Bharat Gaurav Trains

Context: The first service of the theme-based Bharat Gaurav Train from Coimbatore North to Sainagar Shirdi started its journey on 14-06-2022
Indian Railways launched the operation of the theme-based Bharat Gaurav train in the month of November 2021. The objective of this theme is to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world, through Bharat Gaurav Trains.
This scheme also aims to leverage the core strengths of the professionals in the tourism sector to run theme-based trains to tap the vast tourism potential of India.
This Bharat Gaurav scheme will now help in roping in more tour operators with professional experience and will give a boost to the tourism sector in the country.
At present, IRCTC is already running several tourist circuit trains on Railways. With the introduction of this policy, all tourist circuit trains shall be operated as per the guidelines issued under this policy.

Features of the Bharat Gaurav Trains

There will be a Doctor on board to attend to any emergency
There are Private securities engaged along with the Railway Police Force to protect us from any kind of harm
There will be on board electricians and AC Mechanic and Fire and Safety Officers

Desertification and Drought Day

Context: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) organized Desertification and Drought Day.
World Desertification and Drought Day is a United Nations observance that is celebrated on the 17th of June every year.
This day was proclaimed by a United Nations General Assembly resolution in 1995.
The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.
This event encourages individuals and groups to take initiatives that can keep the land healthy and productive.

UNMESHA

Context: An International Literature Festival named UNMESHA is being organised in Shimla in June 2022.

UNMESHA Festival:

The Ministry of Culture and the Sahitya Akademi are organizing the Unmesha Festival as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, with the support of the Department of Art and Culture and the Government of Himachal Pradesh.
UNMESHA Festival is the largest literature festival in the country.
This Literary Festival represents and reflects the culture of the country.
Over 425 writers, poets, translators, critics and distinguished personalities from various walks of life from 15 countries including India, representing over 60 languages are taking part in the festival.
The festival features various discussions, presentations and performances on topics like cinema and literature, tribal writings, and Bhakti literature.

Mitticool refrigerator

Context: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has developed an Indian Standard for ‘Non-electric cooling cabinet made of clay’.
“Mitticool refrigerator” is a result of innovation by Mansukh Bhai Prajapati from Gujarat.
Mitticool refrigerator works on an eco-friendly technology based on the principle of evaporative cooling.
- This food storage technique prevents bacterial growth and increases the shelf life of food items.
These refrigerators can be used to store perishable food items without the need for electricity.

A Mitticool refrigerator is made mainly from clay and it can be utilised to store vegetables, fruits, milk, and cooling water.
BIS has developed an Indian Standard, “IS 17693: 2022” for ‘non-electric cooling cabinet made of clay’ and it specifies the construction and performance requirements of a cooling cabinet made out of clay.
- This standard helps BIS in fulfilling 6 out of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as poverty, Zero hunger, Gender equality, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation, and infrastructure, and Responsible consumption and production.

About Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

BIS is the National Standard Body of India set up under the BIS Act 2016.
BIS works for the harmonious development of the activities of standardisation, marking and quality certification of goods.
BIS works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
The organisation was formerly known as the Indian Standards Institution (ISI).
BIS consists of 25 members representing both Central and State governments, Members of Parliament, industry, scientific and research institutions, consumer organizations and professional bodies.
BIS has been playing a key role in:
- Providing safe and reliable quality goods
- Minimizing health hazards to consumers
- Export promotion and import substitution

EX SAMPRITI-X

Context: The 10th edition of the SAMPRITI exercise was recently concluded.
Exercise SAMPRITI is a bilateral Joint Military Exercise between India and Bangladesh which started off in 2009.
The aim of the exercise was to strengthen the military relations between the two countries.
The exercise also provides an opportunity for both the Armies to understand each other’s tactical drills, operational techniques and also share their experience in Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism, Peace Keeping and Disaster Relief Operation under the United Nations mandate.
The exercise is conducted alternately by both countries.
The 10th edition named “EX SAMPRITI-X” was conducted at Jashore Military Station in Bangladesh.

‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir’

Context: A ‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir’ for distribution of aids and assistive devices to ‘Divyangjan’ under the ADIP Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India will be organized in Sonitpur District of Assam.

Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/ Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP):

The ADIP Scheme is in operation since 1981 with the main objective to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhance their economic potential.
Under the Scheme, grants-in-aid are released to various implementing agencies (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO)/National Institutes/Composite Regional Centres/District Disability Rehabilitation Centres/ State Handicapped Development Corporations/ NGOs, etc.) for purchase and distribution of aids and assistive devices.

Major Economies Forum on Climate and Energy

Context:Virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF), hosted by U.S. President Joseph Biden.
The meeting was attended by India represented by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The MEF meeting was aimed at galvanising actions that are to strengthen energy security and tackle the climate crisis thereby building momentum for COP27.

Address by Indian Environment minister:

India highlighted initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure apart from its domestic efforts to mainstream renewable energy and adoption of low carbon policies across key sectors of our economy ranging from green hydrogen mission to e-mobility.
The minister pointed out the fact that India’s annual per capita emissions are only a third of the global average and its cumulative GHG emissions are less than 4 percent. He called on the participating countries to adhere to their fair share of the global carbon budget.
The Union Minister called upon the members of MEF to launch a global movement on LIFE i.e. Lifestyle for Environment.

CPCB takes measures to implement the Single Use Plastic Ban

Context: CPCB has undertaken various measures to implement India’s commitment to ban identified Single Use Plastic items.
Single-use plastics, includes those plastic products that can be used only for one-time use before being discarded.
Single-use plastic items include plastic bags (mostly less than 50 microns), water bottles, straws, coffee stirrers, cups, food and drug packaging plastic etc.

Measures undertaken to discourage the use of SUPs

According to Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016, there is a complete ban on the use of packets which use plastic material for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala.
Further, a recent notification prohibits manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the following identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential with effect from the 1st July, 2022.
- These include earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery among others.
To curb the supply of these items, directions have been issued at national, state and local level to leading petrochemical industries to not supply plastic raw materials to the industries engaged in banned SUP production.
Directions have been issued to the State PCB to revoke consent that has been issued under the Air/Water Act to industries engaged in banned SUP production.
Customs authorities are mandated to restrict the import of banned SUP items.
CPCB is promoting the use of alternatives to SUP
- Example: CPCB has issued certificates to about 200 manufacturers of compostable plastic which can be used as an alternative to SUP.
With a view to support the MSMEs, CPCB is collaborating with various institutions to organise Workshops for MSMEs to help them shift to alternatives to SUP.

Use of ICT in school education in India receives UNESCO’s recognition

Context: The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) under a comprehensive initiative called PM eVIDYA by the Department of School education during the COVID-19 pandemic has won UNESCO’s recognition.

PM eVIDYA Initiative

The PM eVIDYA was started as a part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan by the Ministry of Education in 2020.
PM eVIDYA is also called a one Nation digital platform.
The initiative combines all efforts related to digital/online education to enable multi-mode access for imparting education by using technology to reduce learning losses.

Operation SANKALP

The Indian Navy started ‘Operation Sankalp’ in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman as a move to ensure the safety and security of Indian ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Operation Sankalp was initiated in June after there were explosions on board two oil tanker ships in the Gulf of Oman amid increased tensions between Iran and the U.S.
Operation Sankalp is being implemented with close cooperation between the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Shipping, and Petroleum and Natural Gas.
During this operation, Indian Navy Armed Security Teams [IN-AST] are being embarked onboard Indian-flagged merchant vessels transiting the area, based on their request.

INS Trikand

INS Trikand is a Talwar-class frigate of the Indian Navy.
INS Trikand was built by the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia and was commissioned to Indian Navy service into 2013.
INS Trikand is a state-of-the-art guided missile stealth frigate.
These ships use stealth technologies and a special hull design to ensure a reduced radar cross section.