9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – January 29th, 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• India and Israel relationship: Namaste, Shalom to friendship
• Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE): Anganwadis should provide early childhood care and education
• Electoral bonds: To the poll booth, with no donor knowledge
• Problems associated with North Eastern states: A more meaningful commitment to the Indian republic
• At the Centre: On India-Central Asia summit
• Neglected Tropical Diseases Day: India can beat them but that needs bold action

GS Paper 3

• India needs a new social contract
• Climate and food price rise: Extreme weather events triggering unprecedented food inflation
• Flying Home – on Air India privatisation
• PM’s Punjab Security Breach: Lessons For SPG

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Engage in debates in the House, not in ridiculing each other: SC
• India-Israel agree to further enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector
• Government Notifies Scheme on Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector- Phase-II
• Philippines to acquire BrahMos cruise missiles for $375 million
• Year End Review 2021: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
• Udyam System of registration: 6% of MSMEs owned by SC entrepreneurs
• Union Minister launches NIPER Research Portal
• Year End Review: Legislative Department
• New research: A portable, non-invasive way to detect oral cancer
• India, with lunar odyssey planned this year, is among many looking moonward

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

India and Israel relationship: Namaste, Shalom to friendship

News: India and Israel today celebrated their 30th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic relations.

What are the areas of cooperation between India and Israel relationship?

Agriculture: Israel is helping India in water management and other innovative solutions. It is also providing training to  Indian farmers with advanced agricultural technologies, according to their specific needs.

Security cooperation: Both countries participated together in the Blue Flag exercise, held in Israel.

Economic relation: India is one of Israel’s most important trading partners. Israel is the original “Start-up Nation” while India has the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem. Israeli start-ups and entrepreneurs, large Indian companies, programmers, and IT specialists are becoming natural partners. Israel also established a for advanced technological innovation fund in water, agriculture, healthcare, energy, and communications. The two countries are also about to start negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement.

New grouping: India, Israel, UAE, and U.S. launch quad forum

Establishments: “India Trail” is established in Israel to commemorate the Indian soldiers who fell in World War I. Similarly, a “Jewish Trail” is established in Mumbai to emphasize the Jewish community’s contribution to India.

People-People ties: The Indian-Jewish community contributed to the building of the Indian nation. Various experts like David Sassoon who helped found the Bank of India, Lt General JFR Jacob, the hero of Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971, medical doctor Dr. Jerusha Jhirad, and poet Nissim Ezekiel have their contributions in building the friendly relationship.

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE): Anganwadis should provide early childhood care and education

News: National Education Policy highlighted the importance of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for young child’s early cognitive, social, and emotional development. But still, National Family Health Survey-5 found that only 13.6% of children enrolled in pre-primary schools.

What are the problems with the existing system? 

Overwork on anganwadis: They have more focus on health and nutrition. Multiple administrative duties also leave little time to anganwadis to focus on ECCE.

Inadequate care: Present system best serves the age group of 3-6 years, but ignores infants and toddlers.

The economic condition of parents: A child’s early learning begins at birth, initially through stimulation, play, interactions, non-verbal and verbal communication, and through observation etc. But, due to a lack of parental awareness complemented with the daily stresses of poverty, disadvantaged households, Anganwadis are unable to provide an early learning environment to their children.

Inappropriate teaching: It is seen that mostly low-cost pre-schools have a developmentally inappropriate teaching approach.

What steps can be initiated for a successful implementation of ECCE?

First, there is a need to design and implement a meaningful activity-based ECCE framework that recognises the ground realities of that area.

Second, Routine tasks of Anganwadi workers should be reduced and non-ICDS work, such as surveys, to be removed altogether. Also, proper training should be provided to anganwadis so that they can be redesignated as childcare workers and handle routine work.

Third, Anganwadi hours can be extended by at least three hours, with an increase in their present remuneration, with the additional time devoted to ECCE. A similar model has already been adopted in Karnataka state.

Fourth, All ICDS functionaries need to be fully trained in ECCE. Also, there is a need to bring the policy reforms both at the centre and state level to prioritise and monitor ECCE.

Fifth, Anganwadi workers should be asked to closely engage with the parents, as they play a crucial role in the cognitive development of young children. Low-cost affordable teaching materials should be designed and made accessible to parents.

Sixth,  ICDS should supply age-appropriate activity-based play material in adequate quantities regularly. Anganwadi workers should also encourage utilising them in a liberal manner.

Last, states should invest in research and training to support early childhood education.

Electoral bonds: To the poll booth, with no donor knowledge

News: Recently, the Union government authorized State bank of India to issue and encash a new tranche of electoral bonds. This again revived the debate of transparency around electoral bonds.

What is the electoral bond scheme and challenges associated with it?

What is the stand of the government on electoral bonds?

According to government, voters have no fundamental right to know how political parties are funded. Also, the scheme helps eliminate the role of black money in funding elections.

What are the challenges with government arguments on electoral bonds?

First, the Supreme Court has held that voters have the right to freely express themselves. So they are entitled to all information, including political parties and funding.

Second, affidavits filed by Election commission of India have demonstrated the potential of black money in elections.

What is the stand of Courts, and what is the impact of court views on electoral bonds?

The court asserted that the bonds were not anonymous. Since both purchases and encashment are made through banking channels, an interested person can look through the financial statements of corporations and match these records with account details filed by parties with election commission of India.

Political parties have no obligation to provide their records. So individuals may not have resources to run through records of all corporations in India. Even if someone can, the matching detail from political parties records cannot be disclosed. So anonymity is written into the system. In fact, government has further relaxed norms on funding.

What further steps have been taken by government and how the courts react?

Amendments have been made to remove the cap on companies which had set a limit of not donating more than 7.5% of its net profits over the preceding three years. The mandate which required a company to be in existence for at least three years before it could make donations was removed.

Judges have warned about potential threats posed by limitless corporate funding of elections. For instance, the Bombay High Court predicted that such funding would overwhelm and even throttle democracy of our country. The Calcutta High Court mentioned that individual citizens will be handicapped, as they can never hope to equal the contributions of big companies.

Thus, it falls upon judiciary to take corrective actions against the lack of transparency built into the system.

Problems associated with North Eastern states: A more meaningful commitment to the Indian republic

News: India celebrated its Republic day where several exercises were held to demonstrate the state’s power and patriotism. Along with these exercises, there is a need to adopt constitutional ideals and values in ways that embed the state and the nation in the harmony, especially in the North East.

What are the problems associated with North Eastern states?

The founding fathers recognized that to politically integrate different tribal groups it is necessary to reconcile equal citizenship rights and group differentiated rights. Eg: the popular mobilization for self-rule like the 1951 Naga plebiscite was believed to be supported by 99.9% of the Naga population. So, the formulation of differential rights in the sixth schedule would lead to the constitutional recognition of differentiated identities.

But this system is problematic as it is based on an unequal two-tiered right regime. It distinguishes tribal citizens from non-tribals by excluding them from ownership and acquisition of property in tribal areas. There is a need to accommodate the distinctive needs of non-tribal outsiders.

The sons of soil movement in Assam and Tripura since the 1970s are driven by a sense of insecurity about identity and land ownership. The state’s inability to control illegal immigration makes the problem more complex. These have led to the targeting of Bengali Muslims as illegal. The sense of insecurity created by national register of citizens and citizenship amendment act 2019 are reminders of this reality.

What steps should government initiate to resolve the insecurity of N.E states?

The above problems call for renewing the state’s commitment to democracy and constitutionalism. This should not only promote democratic justice but should also check abuse of state power.

Also, the government should commit itself to promote substantive democracy by protecting the rule of law. Institutions should be encouraged to give various groups, including women, effective voice and participatory rights not only in democratic deliberations but also in policymaking and implementation.

Government should further stop measures like labelling human rights activists as anti-nationals, use of UAPA on grounds like criticising the government, use of AFSPA etc.

At the Centre: On India-Central Asia summit

Source: This post is based on the article “At the Centre: On India-Central Asia summit” published in The Hindu on 28th January 2022.

News: Recently, the Prime Minister has hosted the India-Central Asia Summit in virtual format. Both India and Central Asian Republics (CARs) have agreed on more structured engagement, including the setting up of joint working groups, on Afghanistan and Chabahar, and more educational and cultural opportunities.

What are the challenges highlighted in the India-Central Asia summit?

Lack of access to land routes: With Pakistan denying India transit trade, India is forced to explore other options. But these options have certain challenges. For instance,

a) Chabahar port initiative: It involves greater investment in rail and road routes to Iran’s northern boundaries with the CARs, something India is hesitant to do in the face of U.S. sanctions.

b) International North South Transport Corridor(INSTC): This is not fully operational and at least two CARs (Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan) are not members of INSTC. 

Low trade volume between India and Central Asia: A paltry $2 billion, spent mostly on Kazakhstan’s energy exports to India. In comparison, China’s CAR trade figures have exceeded $41 billion — they could double by 2030 — apart from the billions of dollars invested in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The situation in Afghanistan: It is a weak link between Central Asia and South Asia. After the Taliban takeover, there is no official government, a humanitarian crisis is building, and there are worries of terrorism and radicalism spilling over its boundaries.

Apart from that, India – CARs relations are also hampered by other players in the region. For instance, 1) Pakistan has signed transit trade agreements with CARs, offering trade access to the Indian Ocean at Gwadar and Karachi, 2) China is now the biggest development and infrastructure partner to the CAR countries, 3) Russia is one of the most strategic players in the CAR Region.

What should India do to improve its relations with the CARs?

First, India should institutionalise exchanges and increase the trade, investment and development partnerships with the CARs.

Second, India should take active steps to make future ties more closely resemble the deep ties of the past.

Neglected Tropical Diseases Day: India can beat them but that needs bold action

News: Neglected tropical disease day is on January 30 and it reminds that India needs an integrated approach to eliminate NTDs.

What is Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)?

NTDs is an umbrella term that refers to 20 medically diverse, communicable diseases that flourish in impoverished environments, tend to coexist, cause significant mortality.

Why there is need to pay attention to NTDs?

One, NTDs can cause permanent disabilities, impact mental and emotional health. NTDs affect over 1.7 billion people across the world. For instance, Lymphatic Filariasis which is known as haathipaon in hindi or Elephant Feet is the second-leading cause of permanent disability in the world.

It attacks the human lymphatic system and can cause painful swelling of limbs (lymphoedema), genitalia (hydrocele) and disfigurement of breast.

Two, some NTDs are deadly. For instance, Visceral Leishmaniasis known as Kala-Azar or Black Fever. It is transmitted by sandflies.

Three, in case of India, Lymphatic Filariasis is endemic in 328 districts across 21 states / Union territories. Kala-Azar is endemic in 54 districts across four states of India. These diseases affect 650 million and 140 million people in the country, respectively.

What steps have been taken by the government to eliminate NTDs?

One, government has set a target of 100 per cent elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis and Kala-Azar in line with global targets. The government also supports morbidity management and disability prevention for those affected by lymphoedema and hydrocele.

Two, preventive methods like Mass Drug Administration (MDA) rounds are periodically deployed in endemic areas during which anti-filarial medicines are provided free-of-cost to at-risk communities. Vector-control measures like Indoor Residual Spraying are undertaken to prevent sandfly breeding.

Three, State and central governments have introduced wage compensation schemes for those suffering from Kala-Azar and its sequela. Sequela is a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease known as Post-Kala Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis.

Four, India adapted to COVID-19 led disruptions and bounced back. For instance, using bowls to distribute medicines from a safe distance. Over 70 per cent of the districts that had targeted Mass Drug Administration (MDA), distributed anti-filarial medicines to eligible populations.

Dynamic dashboards helped in better planning and implementation. As a result, MDA coverage and compliance have improved and 134 districts have stopped MDA after passing Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS).

This test determines if the prevalence of Lymphatic Filariasis in an evaluation area has decreased with no chance of re-emergence.

Five, even after health system was burdened, India in 2021 witnessed improved case surveillance, case detection and case prevalence rates with respect to Kala-Azar. There is decrease of 35 per cent in all reported case as compared to 2020. Also, 99 per cent of Kala-Azar endemic blocks having achieved the elimination target.

What is the way forward?

First, improving access to quality healthcare, water, sanitation, hygiene, addressing climate change and ensuring gender equity, mental health and well-being should be made core of elimination strategy.

Second, multi-stakeholder and cross-sectoral partnerships and collaboration is required to play a central role in sustaining the momentum gained.

GS Paper 3

India needs a new social contract

News: The hardship visible in the form of deaths, joblessness, hunger is not just the direct consequence of the pandemic alone, but it is the result of the prevailing inequality in India. 

What is the level of inequality in Indian society? 

While the number of dollar billionaires in India expanded by 39% in the past year, at the same time, as many as 84% of Indian households suffered a fall of income. 

According to RBI, 120 million jobs were lost, of which 92 million were in the informal sector. 

As per FAO, India is home to a quarter of all undernourished people around the world. 

Oxfam reports that daily-wage workers topped the numbers of people who committed suicide in 2020, followed by self-employed and unemployed individuals.  

Income inequalities make pandemic like situation even worse for those disadvantaged by caste, gender and religious identities.

What are the causes? 

Lack of decent social housing and clean water supply, secured jobs, free necessary healthcare. 

According to Oxfam, India spends only 3.54% of its budgetary resources on healthcare, much less than other middle-income countries like Brazil (9.51), South Africa (8.25) and China (5.35). 

Also, 60% of health spending in India is out-of-pocket which among the highest in the world, and is also a major cause of poverty.  

What is the way forward?  

State should assume responsibility to provision quality healthcare, education, food, pension, clean water and housing in affordable ways for all citizens 

The resources for all of this can be managed by expanding the taxation on the super-rich. Government can introduce wealth tax and inheritance tax. 

Climate and food price rise: Extreme weather events triggering unprecedented food inflation

News: Unfavourable and unreliable weather hurt agriculture resulted into pushing food prices our of reach across the world.

What is the situation of Indian economy?

India’s wholesale inflation rate in November 2021 was the highest in three decades i.e 14.23%. Although, it reduced marginally to 13.56% the next month, but still December 2021 was the ninth straight month of double-digit percentage increases in the WPI

Increase of Wholesale price inflation (WPI) is a cause of concern as it can raise retail inflation (RI). Rising prices of food items, particularly of vegetables, caused retail inflation to rise to a 68-month high of 7.59 per cent in January 2020.

What are the reasons behind increase in inflation?

India’s wholesale price inflation peaked in November 2021 due to a surge in primary food inflation. Price of seasonal vegetables also emerge in many states. Similar trend is also visible in rest part of the world. According to FAO Food Price Index, food prices were at a decade-high, with an average rise of 28% over the previous year. Adjusting for inflation, the average food prices in the first 11 months of 2021 were at the highest in 46 years.

Climate conditions: According to RBI, between 1956-2010, there were nine double-digit inflation. Of these, seven were caused by drought conditions. Globally also, inflation occured in 1970s, 2007-08 and 2010-14 because of factors like increase in oil prices, trade policy interventions and biofuel consumption. On the basis of year-on-year comparison, vegetable prices had gone up by 50.19% since January 2019. They increased by 45.56 % in rural areas and markets during this period and by 59.31% in urban areas.

Impact of food inflation

The current global food inflation is driven predominantly by wheat, which reported price rise due to drought and high temperature in major producing countries. Non-profit Oxfam simulated the impact of adverse climatic conditions on food price. Its estimates in 2012 show the average world market export price for wheat would rise by 120 % by 2030 compared with 2010; the figures for processed rice is 107 % and for maize is 177 %. According to various trade reports in 2021:

USA:  spring wheat production declined by 40%.

Russia: Instead of the world’s largest exporter of wheat, it has now imposed a tax on wheat export to ensure ample stock for domestic consumption. This is because of the less harvesting.

Brazil: There is a production dip of up to 10 % in coffee bean producing areas. According to International Coffee Organization, the climatic onslaught on the world’s top coffee producer can lead to price rise for the next two years.

Overthrow of government: Increase in food prices contributed to the overthrow of governments in Libya and Egypt.

Flying Home – on Air India privatisation

News: Recently, the Tata group regained Air India by winning the bid of Rs 18,000 crore and acquired Air India after seven decades. Tatas will gain 100 percent ownership in Air India, Air India Express, and a 50 percent stake in the ground handling firm AI-SATS.

Why Air India privatization is seen as a beneficial move?

One, the airline had been losing money for the last 15 years. There are other government companies with a similar record, but the scale of losses was huge in the case of Air India.

Two, there was less hope available to transform the airline. The other difficulties with Air India were empty airport slots, 100 poorly maintained aircraft, and staff to be given terminal benefits. Hence, the write-off of the remaining Rs. 44,000 crore has been a win-win.

Three, the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines during the previous UPA government also resulted in disastrous consequences because the expected synergies were not realized. The then civil aviation minister was also questioned for ordering a huge number of aircraft, which led to the accumulation of more debt.

What does this sale symbolize?

One, it marks the first major complete privatization of a public sector entity in recent years. Officials in the finance ministry worked out how to finance the liquidation of Rs 61,000 crore, the left-behind debt.

The non-aviation assets left with the government are worth Rs 14,000 crore. However, the government is criticized for the speed and manner in which privatization is going on.

Two, the aviation industry is already struggling to recover from the shock of a pandemic. It will have to deal with legacy issues. For example, an aging fleet and human resources.

Three, it will have to retain all employees for a one-year period as per bidding conditions. The group has to face the claims on international assets of Air India by Devas Multimedia and its investors, who are trying to enforce its arbitration awards.

For this, Air India is seeking an end to the case on grounds that the ownership change prevents any claims of recovery of arbitration awards.

Four, it has to deal with other competing airlines such as Vistara and AirAsia India. It is possible that the Tatas will consider integrating their aviation ventures under a single entity.

Five, Air India will be added to Tata Group’s list of loss-making entities. It has been in the red for three years. However, Tata Steel may report higher profits due to increased steel prices. Hence, the scale of losses should reduce, which may reduce the cost of the remaining debt.

What does this sale imply for the government?

It is a milestone in terms of disinvestment, but it does not support the government’s disinvestment proceeds.  Only Rs 2,700 crore is to be paid to the government and the rest will be retained in the form of debt.

The government has set the target of Rs 1.75 lakh crore and till now it has collected only Rs 9,330 crore. DIPAM data shows that the government’s proceeds from disinvestment still remain short of the target.

PM’s Punjab Security Breach: Lessons For SPG

News: The Special Protection Group (SPG) has been in news recently due to security lapse in Punjab. The Supreme Court has also set up a five-member panel to probe the security breach.

What is SPG?

The SPG was created in1985 as a specialized armed force of the Union to provide undivided attention to the safety and security of the PM. Its sole mission and responsibility is the protection of the Prime Minister of India.

How SPG is trained?

One, the training regimen’s objective is to create a workforce that is physically tough and mentally alert, mature, confident, and courteous. SPG follows a rare training doctrine combining attention to both strength and brain.

Two, SPG officers are trained to maintain their calmness and composure even in the face of extreme provocations. Hence, training is given to function under extreme conditions of physical and mental stress, playing out mock attacks, responding in split seconds, providing body cover, and defensive driving techniques to escape surprise attacks.

Third, since PMs are highly popular leaders, they are likely to intermingle with the people. Hence, SPG officers have to be sensitive to this sentiment along with the enforcement of security drills.

Why Punjab security lapse needs to be probed?

First, there are times when the PM may be required to undertake an emergency journey or a road journey and helicopter flights are dependent on the vagaries of weather. Also, whenever helicopter journeys are planned, it is mandatory to draw up a contingency plan for a road journey as well.

Therefore, arrangements for emergency road journeys are elaborate and strict. Hence, the state police have no excuses to be negligent while planning for a contingency road journey.

Two, the decision to clear the road journey is jointly taken by all the agencies concerned after analyzing all the risks involved. Hence, a gathering of demonstrators on the VVIP route exposes the gap in route security.

What is the way forward?

First, the reason why the SPG officer on the ground did not use their authority and why the motorcade did not follow standard emergency drills which allowed the VVIP to remain exposed for a relatively long period need to be put in the public domain.

Second, an emergency evacuation should be entirely a professional decision of the SPG and subject to the complete discretion of the SPG officer in charge of the PM’s close protection and no further consultations are mandated.

Third, the need of the hour is to rise above narrow political considerations, show the honesty and courage to learn from mistakes. It is equally important for SPG officers to strengthen their professional independence and the ability to be firm.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Engage in debates in the House, not in ridiculing each other: SC

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Engage in debates in the House, not in ridiculing each other: SC’ published in The Hindu on 29th January 2022.

What is the news?

The Supreme Court has quashed the suspension of 12 opposition MLAs from the Maharashtra assembly for one year over the alleged misbehavior with the presiding officer. The court termed the suspension unconstitutional and arbitrary.

What was the issue about?

Click Here to read about it

What is the Supreme Court ruling on the suspension?

Click Here to read about it

What are the key highlights from the Supreme Court judgment on the suspension?

Parliament or the State legislatures are the first place where justice is dispensed to the common man through a democratic process.

These are places where policies and laws are made for governing the citizenry. It is here that the entire range of activities concerning the masses are discussed.

However, currently, Parliament and Assemblies are becoming a more uncooperative place. It is becoming a stage to exchange rude remarks and launch personal attacks on one another. It has become common to hear that the House could not complete its usual scheduled business.

Hence, it is high time to take corrective steps. Moreover, with the completion of 75 years of Independence and ambitions of becoming a world leader, elected members should at least know that they are expected to show statesmanship and not brinkmanship in the House.

India-Israel agree to further enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector

Source: This post is based on the article ‘India-Israel agree to further enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector’ published in PIB on 29th January 2022.

What is the news?

Israeli Ambassador to India has called on the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. During the meeting, the two countries agreed to further enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector.

What is the history of India-Israel Agriculture Cooperation?

In the agricultural sector, India and Israel had bilateral relations since 1993. The key initiatives of India-Israel Agriculture Cooperation are:

Agreement on Agriculture Cooperation

In May 2021, India and Israel signed a three-year work program agreement for development in agriculture cooperation.

The programme aims to grow existing Centers of Excellence (CoE), establish new centers, bring them into the self-sufficient mode and encourage private sector companies and collaboration.

INDO-ISRAEL Villages of Excellence

The INDO-ISRAEL Villages of Excellence is a new concept aimed at creating a model ecosystem in agriculture across 8 states alongside 13 CoEs within 75 villages.

The aim of the programme is to promote the increase of net income and better the livelihood of the individual farmer. Therefore, transforming traditional farms into modern-intensive farms based on IIAP standards.

Indo-Israeli Agriculture Project (IIAP)

Indo-Israeli Agriculture Project is based on the concept of establishing Centers of Excellence which provide a platform for a rapid transfer of technology to the farmers with the aim of increasing productivity and improving the quality of produce.

Currently, 29 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) are operational across India in 12 States.

Government Notifies Scheme on Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector- Phase-II

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Government Notifies Scheme on Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector- Phase-II’ published in PIB on 29th January 2022.

What is the news?

The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has notified the Scheme on Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector- Phase-II for providing assistance to Common Technology Development and Services Infrastructure. 

What is the Scheme on Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector?

The scheme was notified by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) in 2014.

Objective: To encourage technology development and infrastructure creation in the Capital Goods Sector.

Phase II of Scheme on Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector

Objectives:

Create a strong and globally competitive capital goods sector that contributes at least 25% to the manufacturing sector. 

Create a self-sustaining ecosystem for research and innovation for manufacturing technologies through the use of Technology Innovation Portals.

Enhancing the skills of the existing manpower and Provide infrastructure for testing quality of products 

Creation of common engineering infrastructure for MSMEs and promote  smart manufacturing in the Capital Goods sector.

Components of the scheme:

– Identification of Technologies through Technology Innovation Portals;

– Setting up of four New Advanced Centres of Excellence and augmentation of Existing Centres of Excellence

– Promotion of skilling in Capital Goods Sector–creation of Qualification packages for skill levels 6 and above

– Setting up of four Common Engineering Facility Centres (CEFCs) and augmentation of existing CEFCs;

– Augmentation of Existing Testing and Certification Centres;

– Setting up of ten Industry Accelerators for Technology Development.

Philippines to acquire BrahMos cruise missiles for $375 million

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Philippines to acquire BrahMos cruise missiles for $375 million’ published in Business Standard on 29th January 2022.

What is the news?

India has signed a $375-million contract with the Philippines for the supply of 24-30 BrahMos cruise missiles.

What are Brahmos Missiles?

Click Here to read about it 

How would a Brahmos missile protect the Philippines from China?

In a hypothetical armed confrontation that involves warships of China attacking the Philippines, the Chinese ships would be detected at ranges beyond 500 km by the surveillance-and-guidance radar of the BrahMos battery. 

It would alert the battery command post, which would automatically designate the most suitable launcher vehicles to take on specific targets. 

As the aggressor missile closed in, the command post would give the launch command at an appropriate moment.

What is the significance of this deal for India?

Firstly, this constitutes India’s largest-ever weapons sale abroad.

Secondly, it would help in attaining the target of $5 billion in defense exports by 2025. 

Furthermore, It would elevate India’s stature as a responsible regional superpower.

Year End Review 2021: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Year End Review 2021: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs’ published in PIB on 29th January 2022.

What is the news?

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has taken several initiatives in the year 2021.

Initiatives of MoHUA in 2021

​​Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)

Global Housing Technology Challenge – India (GHTC -India) 

LightHouse Projects and Technograhis

Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) Scheme

Smart Cities Mission (SCM)

City Innovation Exchange (CiX) platform

Transport 4All Challenge

National Urban Digital Mission

Street Vendor’s AtmaNibhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT)

Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban (SBM-U)

Central Vista Project

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana –National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM): It is aimed towards alleviating urban poverty through building strong community institutions, providing skill training, access to affordable credit for self-employment, support for street vendors and shelters for the urban homeless.

Udyam System of registration: 6% of MSMEs owned by SC entrepreneurs

Source: This post is based on the article ‘6% of MSMEs owned by SC entrepreneurs’ published in The Hindu on 29th January 2022.

What is the News?

The Ministry of MSME has released the data regarding the number of Scheduled Caste (SC) owned enterprises covered under the Udyam system of registration.

What are the key findings from the data?

The proportion of enterprises owned by Scheduled Caste entrepreneurs in the overall national tally of MSMEs is 6%.

Maharashtra tops India’s list in the number of MSMEs owned by entrepreneurs from the Scheduled Castes. Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan occupy the second and third slots.

Further, among the number of SC-owned MSME enterprises, micro-enterprises accounted for the highest followed by small and medium.

What is the Udyam System of registration?

It was launched in July 2020. It is a new registration portal for MSMEs. This portal is more streamlined than the previous Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum. The portal is also fully integrated with Income Tax and GST IN systems.

Upon registration on this portal, an enterprise will be assigned a permanent identification number to be known as “Udyam Registration Number”.

The registration on this portal is necessary for any MSME (regardless of the social category of ownership) that wants to avail concessions or benefits from the Central and State governments and want to get covered under schemes of the governments, including priority sector lending of banks.

Otherwise, the MSMEs which had registered themselves under the previous system such as Udyog Aadhar Memorandum(UAM) can carry on their business.

Union Minister launches NIPER Research Portal

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Union Minister launches NIPER Research Portal’ published in PIB on 29th January 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers has launched the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Research Portal.

What is NIPER Research Portal? 

NIPER Research Portal has been created with the aim to disseminate the information about all the NIPERs and their research activities, patents filed and Publication information in one place so that industry and other stakeholders know about them.

What is the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)? 

NIPER are institutes of National Importance imparting PG and PhD degrees in the pharmaceutical field. 

At present seven National Institutes of NIPERs are functioning under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.

The first NIPER was established in Mohali in 1998 as per NIPER Act, 1998.

Subsequently, in terms of the amendment to NIPER Act 1998, six new NIPERs were set up at Hajipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Rae Bareli, Guwahati and Kolkata.

Year End Review: Legislative Department

Source:  This post is based on the article ‘Year End Review: Legislative Department’ published in PIB on 29th January 2022.

What is the News?

The Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice has taken several initiatives in the year 2021.

Several of them are

Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 

Institute of Legislative Drafting and Research (ILDR): Legislative drafting is a specialized job which involves drafting skills and expertise. Apart from in-depth knowledge of laws and their regular updation, continuous and sustainable efforts are required to enhance the skills of legislative drafting.

Hence, with a view to increase the availability of trained Legislative Counsel in the county, this Institute was established as a Wing of the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice in 1989. The institute offers courses and programmes in Legislative Drafting to government officials of Central and State, and also to students of law.

India Code Information System (ICIS): It is a one-stop digital repository of all the Central and State Legislation, including their respective subordinate legislation.

It has been developed with the help of the National Informatics Centre(NIC) under the guidance of the Ministry of Law and Justice (Legislative Department). It is an important step in ensuring the legal empowerment of all citizens, as well as the object of ONE NATION — ONE PLATFORM. 

Official Language Wing: It has published the Constitution of India. In this edition, the text of the Constitution of India has been brought up-to-date by incorporating therein all the amendments up to the Constitutional (One Hundred and Fifth Amendment) Act, 2021.

New research: A portable, non-invasive way to detect oral cancer

Source: This post is based on the article ‘New research: A portable, non-invasive way to detect oral cancer’ published in Indian Express on 29th January 2022.

What is the News?

Scientists from IIT Kharagpur have developed a portable, user-friendly and non-invasive device for detecting Oral Cancer.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral Cancer also known as mouth cancer is cancer of the lining of the lips, mouth, or upper throat.

Oral Cancer remains one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in socially-challenged and underserved communities. 

There is an 80% chance on average of a five-year survival rate if diagnosed early; the survival rate drops to 65% or less in more advanced stages of the disease. In reality, most oral cancers remain undetected until they have reached an advanced stage.

Moreover, there is a serious dearth of accurate yet affordable diagnostic tools to detect oral cancer in the precancer or early cancer stages.

What have the researchers developed for Oral Cancer?

Researchers have developed a low-cost, handheld imaging device to screen oral cancer and precancer based on the measured change in blood flow rate of the tissue from thermal imaging and analytics.

India, with lunar odyssey planned this year, is among many looking moonward

Source: This post is based on the article ‘India, with lunar odyssey planned this year, is among many looking moonward’ published in Business Standard on 29th January 2022.

What is the News?

Moon will be the focus of multiple missions through 2022 and the following decade. The moon will also be the test-bed for technologies that enable exploration of Mars and the establishment of space colonies.

What are the various missions being planned on the Moon by different countries?

NASA: It has a sequence of missions codenamed Artemis scheduled for the next few years. The first would test a new unmanned rocket and associated systems. The second would put a team of astronauts into orbit around the moon. The third would land a team (including at least one woman) on the moon.

European Space Agency: It is also shortlisting six astronauts for training. The six chosen ones will be trained to live on the International Space Station (ISS) before being laun­c­hed on a lunar mission.

India: It will send Chandrayaan-3 to the moon in late 2022 and the ISRO is also testing and building equipment for the Gaganyaan mission, which would be its first manned mission. 

Russia-China Joint Venture: They are planning to build a permanent lunar habitat as a joint venture. But this won’t happen before 2027 at the very least.

South Korea: It is also targeting the launch of its first lunar mission, the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, from Cape Canaveral (USA).

Roscosmos, the Russian space agency also plans to launch a robotic mission to the moon’s south pole.

Why is the moon a ‘Test-lab’ for Technologies that may allow humans to survive on Mars?

The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite. The Moon’s distance from Earth is about 240,000 miles (385,000 km). The Moon’s surface is cratered and pitted from comet and asteroid impacts. The moon is airless, with gravity around one-sixth that of Earth. 

In the sunshine, temperatures hit 125 degrees Celsius. At night, they drop to minus 175 degrees Celsius. This is far more variation than on Mars, where temperatures mostly range between 20 degrees Celsius and minus 75 degrees Celsius.

The moon has large deposits of metals. It also contains large quantities of oxygen embedded in various compounds, and isotopes of helium in larger quantities than on Earth. There is also water ice on the moon, and there may even be liquid water under the surface.

Hence, these harsh conditions make it a “test-lab” for technologies that may allow humans to survive on Mars.