Weekly PIB Analysis | PIB News Analysis 21st to 30th April' 2022

India’s sugar exports grow by 291% since 2013-14

Context: India’s sugar exports have witnessed astounding growth.

Sugar Export of India 2022:

India’s sugar exports increased 291% from USD 1,177 million in FY 2013-14 to USD 4600 million in FY 2021-22.
Sugar exports jumped 65 per cent in 2021-22 corresponding to 2021.
India is the world’s second-largest sugar producer after Brazil.
India exported sugar to 121 countries across the world during the financial year ending March 2022.
- India has exported sugar worth USD 769 million to Indonesia, followed by Bangladesh (USD 561 million), Sudan (USD 530 million) and U.A.E (USD 270 million).
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka account for nearly 80 percent of the total sugar production in the country.
- The other major sugarcane-producing states are Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Haryana, and Punjab.

Government appoints Lt Gen Manoj C Pande as next Chief of Army Staff

Context: Government has appointed Lt Gen Manoj C Pande as the next Chief of the Army Staff.
Role of the Chief of the Indian Army:
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) is the Indian Army’s highest-ranking officer and the head of the Indian Army Headquarters.
The COAS is the Defense Minister’s primary advisor on all matters pertaining to the army.
He’s also a top military adviser to the president, who is the country’s supreme commander.

Selection process of the Chief of the Indian Army:

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) makes appointments to the position of army chief.
- The Prime Minister, the Minister of Home Affairs, and the Defense Ministry make up the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
The Centre has a tradition of appointing the most senior officer to the position of army chief. The seniority principle, however, is not always followed.

Photo exhibition on the Baolis of Delhi on the occasion of World Heritage Day

Context: Union Minister for Culture inaugurated a photo exhibition on the Baolis of Delhi on the occasion of World Heritage Day.
About Baoli:

The word Baoli/Bawdi has been derived from the Sanskrit word wapi or vapi/vapika.
A typical Baoli usually consists of three elements, the well in which the water is collected, the flight of steps to reach the groundwater through several stories and interconnected pavilions.
Generally, the step-wells are U – shaped but there are always exceptions in architecture and L – shaped, rectangular or octagonal step-wells are also not uncommon.
Baoli is commonly used in Gujarat, Rajasthan and parts of North India.
Stepwells located on the edge of the habitation like towns or satellite villages are mostly secular structures from where people can draw water and utilize the space for cool gatherings.
The step-wells near the trade routes were mostly treated as resting places whereas the step-wells with terracotta rims were seen near the agricultural lands.
The system of step wells/baolis collapsed due to the pressure of decentralization and agricultural intensification

Civil Services Day

Context: The Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration will be conferred to recognise the contributions of district units and the central/state organizations for the welfare of common citizens. The civil servants across the country will be addressed by the Prime Minister.
On National Civil Services day, the officers of central and state governments are awarded by the Prime Minister of India for their extraordinary services in the field of public administration.
The award function is organised by the Department of Administration Reforms and Public Grievance, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

Civil Services Day 2022:

Every 21st day of April is celebrated as Civil Services Day.
Five identified priority programmes will be felicitated with awards and they are:
- Promoting Jan Bhandari or People’s participation in Poshan Abhiyan
- Promoting excellence in sports and wellness through Khelo India Programme.
- Digital Payment and good governance
- Holistic development of one district one product scheme
- Seamless end-to-end delivery of services without human intervention

SDGs focusing on children

Context: The NITI Aayog has collaborated with UNICEF to develop India’s first report on State of India’s Children: Status and Trends in Multidimensional Child Development.
An Overview of the Initiative:

A Statement of Intent has been signed between NITI Aayog and UNICEF on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This initiative intends to focus on the rights of children in India by formalising a framework of cooperation through the report on State of India’s Children: Status and Trends in Multidimensional Child Development.
Under this collaborative step, child development priorities are provided with a better understanding through a multidimensional approach consideridering deprivations among children across health and nutrition, education, water, sanitation, household living standards and protective environment.
The report also aims at analysing the status of children around critical child related SDGs to establish recent trends.
This initiative is based on the ethos of achieving the SDGs for children with an assurance that no child is left behind.
The child-focused SDG initiative will monitor the progress of children through the SDG India Index and Dashboard which is data-driven to stimulate policy actions.

The need for child related SDGs:

It is an essential observation that one in every third person in India is a child below the age of 18, while one in every fifth person is an adolescent between the ages of 10 to 19. With this initiative in place, an engagement with various stakeholders particularly children, adolescents and young people, can be established.
An emphasis has been given to addressing the impact of the pandemic on children as a vital factor in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Agenda.
This will be a welcoming effort towards the realisation of India’s commitment to the 2030 agenda and will provide a roadmap for the holistic development of children in India.

Battery Swapping Policy

Context: The NITI Aayog has released a draft battery policy with the objective to decarbonise the transport sector and establish clean mobility
Perspective:

During the COP 26 Summit at Glasgow, India had expressed its firm determination towards reducing the carbon emissions by 45% taking the non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
India has committed to fulfilling 50% of the energy requirement from renewable and clean energy by 2030 with an aspiration of achieving a net-zero emissions target by 2070.
The road transport sector is the major contributor to carbon dioxide emissions and also contributes to one-third of the particulate matter emissions.
Therefore, it was necessary to set up an action plan to decarbonise the transport sector.
Electric mobility is envisaged to offer a viable option to achieve the commitments of reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change.

Supporting Initiatives of the Government:

Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric (Hybrid) Vehicles in India (FAME)
National Electric Mobility Mission Plan
Production Linked Incentive for National Programme on Advanced Cell Battery Storage to boost indigenous battery manufacturing capacity.

The Battery Swapping Policy: Overview

Under this policy, the discharged batteries are exchanged for charged batteries.
This will de-link the vehicle and battery (which runs the electric vehicles) and will reduce the upfront cost of these vehicles.
The policy aims to create a level playing field for innovative and sustainable business models such as ‘Battery as a Service’ adding to the efficiency of the Electric Vehicle ecosystem.

Key Objectives of the Policy:

Promote Advanced Chemistry Cell Batteries to decouple battery costs from the upfront cost of purchasing EVs, thereby increasing EV adoption.
Provide flexibility to EV users by battery swapping options as an alternative to charging facilities.
Enhance interoperability of components within a battery swapping ecosystem without compromising market-led innovation.

The major challenge and the road ahead:

As India is at the transition stage of the e-mobility revolution, there exist some challenges that can be addressed.
The upfront cost of the EVs is higher compared to the internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts.
Charging of EVs consumes a longer time than refuelling of ICE.
EVs operate on fixed batteries which can only be charged using a power supply while housed within the EV.
For the mass adoption of EVs, adequate, affordable, accessible and reliable charging networks are required.
With the battery swapping policy given effect, the existing issue of long duration charging in the case of e-2Ws and e-3Ws can be resolved as battery swapping is a speedy process and takes minutes to exchange the discharged batteries with pre-charged ones in swapping stations.

Fincluvation

Context: India Post Payments Bank has launched “Fincluvation” on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence and the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

What is Fincluvation?

It is a step in the direction of promoting the FINTECH space in the Global Tech world leading to innovations like UPI and Aadhaar.
It includes an industry first approach to create a powerful platform to mobilise the start-up community towards building meaningful financial products that aim at financial inclusion.
Fincluvasion initiative of the India Post Payments Bank, Department of Posts is a trustworthy step to broaden the avenues of service in the network of finance and the techno-functional acumen of start-ups that can deliver enormously to the citizens.
It will be a permanent platform to co-create inclusive financial solutions.
It primarily focuses on encouraging start-ups to function in the areas of:
- Creditization through postal networks
- Digitisation – bringing more Digital Payment Technologies and Interoperable Banking Services.
- Any-market led solutions that can help India Post Payments Bank to resolve the issues of their target customers.

International Mother Earth Day

Context: Earth day has been celebrated in India and across the world with a significant realisation of reaching the net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target bringing the global rise in temperature below 1.5 degrees celsius and combating climate change.

About Earth Day:

Earth Day is celebrated every 22nd of April.
The International Mother Earth Day paid intense attention to the shift towards sustainable economic models that work for both people and the planet, promoting harmony with nature and Earth.
Earth Day has been celebrated since 1970 as a signal of alert to protect the environment in the wake of the Santa Barbara oil spill in 1969 which killed thousands of seabirds, dolphins, seals and sea lions.
It is also celebrated to express gratitude to mother Earth for her kindness in ushering civilizations of humankind and living organisms.
Earth Day celebration upholds a mission to diversify, educate and activate the environment movement worldwide.

National Panchayati Raj Day

Context: In order to celebrate the Panchayati Raj Day, the Prime Minister will address the Gram Sabhas and Panchayati Raj representatives across the country from Jammu and Kashmir.
About Panchayati Raj Day: highlights of essence

The Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on every 24th day of April wherein Panchayati Raj system was accorded the constitutional status.
This occasion gives an opportunity to engage into a direct dialogue with the representatives of Panchayat across the villages of the country.
Therefore, it is celebrated with a ‘whole of society’ approach resulting in the maximum possible Jan Bhagidari (means people’s participation).
Property cards under the SVAMITVA scheme were distributed among the beneficiaries that intended to empower the rural masses and make them self-reliant.

National Panchayati Raj Day 2022: Awards

Every year, on this day, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj awards the best performing Panchayats/States/ Union Territories under the Incentivisation of Panchayats Scheme to recognise the good work done for the better delivery of services.
The National Panchayat Awards 2022 were conferred under the following categories:
Child friendly Gram Panchayat Award – to Gram Panchayats, Village Councils in states/UTs
Gram Panchayat Development Plan Award – to Gram Panchayats, Village Councils in states/UTs
Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar
Deendayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar – To district Panchayats, block panchayats, Gram Panchayats, Village Councils in states/UTs.
The e-Panchayat Puraskar was conferred to the states which have ensured maximum use of information technology for monitoring works of Panchayats.

Exports of Indian Ceramics and Glassware Products

Context: The exports of Indian Ceramics and Glassware products for 2021-22 have recorded $3.5 Billion.

Details

During the FY 2013-14, India’s Ceramic & Glassware products exports were valued at US$ 1.2 Billion. Thus registering a growth of 168% in 2021-22 compared to 2013-14
The growth in the exports of Ceramic tiles has been achieved due to an increase in the exports of Ceramic Tiles and Sanitary wares products.
- Currently, India is the second largest manufacturer of tiles in the world.
The growth in the exports of Glassware products has been achieved due to an increase in the exports of Articles of Glass Packing of Goods, Made-ups Articles of Glass Fibre, Sanitary fixtures of Porcelain, Glass Mirrors, Tinted Non-Wired Glass, Glass Bead and Glass Wool.
Top Export Destinations: Saudi Arabia, the U.S., Mexico, Kuwait, U.A.E., Iraq, Oman, Indonesia, U.K. and Poland
The growth in the exports of Ceramic and Glassware products has been attributed to the initiatives taken up by the Department of Commerce and Chemicals and Allied Products Export Promotion Council (CAPEXIL).

Chemicals and Allied Products Export Promotion Council (CAPEXIL)

CAPEXIL is a premier export promotion council set up in 1958 under the Ministry of Commerce.
The main objective of CAPEXIL is to promote export of chemical and allied products from India.
It has its headquarters in Kolkata and regional offices in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

Kisan Bhagidari, Prathmikta Hamari

Context: ‘Kisan Bhagidari, Prathmikta Hamari’ campaign is being organised in the last week of April 2022 under ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
Kisan Bhagidari, Prathmikta Hamari Campaign

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is organizing the campaign in association with various other Ministries/ Departments.
During the campaign,
- The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will organize countrywide programs at the regional level for farmers.
- The Department of Agriculture Research and Education will be organising a Krishi Mela at Krishi Vigyan Kendras and field exhibitions on natural farming.
- The Union Agriculture Minister would be launching a workshop on crop insurance organised by the common service centre (CSC).
- A conference on agro ecological and livestock practices would be held under DAY-NRLM along with the Ministry of Rural Development.
- Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying will organise One District One Product based workshop
The campaign will address milestones in agriculture development in the country, like:
- Green Revolution
- Yellow Revolution
- Sweet Revolution
- Improvement in crop irrigation
- Use of ICT in agriculture
It also highlights the achievements of flagship schemes of Government of India, namely:
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana
- Kisan Credit Card
- e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)
- Soil Health Card
- National Food Security Mission

Khelo India University Games 2021

Context: The Khelo India University Games 2021 was inaugurated by the Vice President of India.
Khelo India University Games 2021
The Khelo India University Games 2021 will be held in Bengaluru.
The first ever Khelo India University Games took place in Odisha in 2020 and the next edition has been delayed by 2 years due to the COVID Pandemic.
The latest edition will see about 4000 participants representing nearly 200 Universities from across the country.
This is the largest such multi-discipline event taking place in the state of Karnataka.
The event will have 20 sport disciplines which include archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, fencing, football, field hockey, judo, kabaddi, shooting, swimming, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and karate along with Yogasana and Malkhamba (included for the first time).
The Khelo India University Games 2021 will serve as a qualifier for World University Games scheduled to be held in Chengdu, China, in June.