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(The Gist of PIB) Shekatkar Committee Recommendations [FEBRUARY-2019]

Shekatkar Committee Recommendations

• A Committee of Experts (CoE) was constituted by Ministry of Defence under the chairmanship of Lt Gen (Retd) DB Shekatkar to recommend measures to enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure of the armed forces.
• The committee submitted its report in December 2016.
• The report was taken up by the Ministry of Defence to frame key action points and roadmap for implementation.
• Recommendations within the Term of Reference of the Committee were taken up for implementation.

These, inter alia, include:

• Optimization of Signals Establishments to include Radio Monitoring Companies, Corps Air Support Signal Regiments, Air Formation Signal Regiments, Composite Signal Regiments and merger of Corps Operating and Engineering Signal Regiments.
• Restructuring of repair echelons in the Army to include Base Workshops, Advance Base Workshops and Static / Station Workshops in the field Army.
• Redeployment of Ordnance echelons to include Vehicle Depots, Ordnance Depots and Central Ordnance Depots apart from streamlining inventory control mechanisms.
• Better utilization of Supply and Transportation echelons and Animal Transport Units.
• Closure of Military Farms and Army Postal Establishments in peace locations.
• Enhancement in standards for recruitment of clerical staff and drivers in the Army.
• Improving the efficiency of the National Cadet Corps.
• Recommendations, which were outside the Terms of Reference of the CoE, have not been taken up for implementation.
• This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr. Subhash Bhamrein a written reply to Shri Anurag Singh Thakur and others in Lok Sabha.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) 20th Bharat Rang Mahotsav [FEBRUARY-2019]

20th Bharat Rang Mahotsav

• The 20th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM), the international theatre festival of India, is organized by National School of Drama (NSD), one of the prominent training institutions in the world.
• The National School of Drama (NSD) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry
  of Culture, Govt. of India.
• The 20th BRM comes with 111 national and international acts in its basket that includes folk and other traditional theatre forms, invitee plays, and productions by the students of the National School of Drama.

Key highlights of this program

• The inaugural ceremony was followed by a 50-minute musical performance ‘Karanth ke Rang’ based on the compositions of late Shri B V Karanth, directed by Shri Amod Bhatt and presented by Rangpurva group, Mumbai. Shri Karanth was a well-known director, actor and musician of modern Indian theatre in Kannada as well as Hindi.
• His plays like ‘Jokumara Swamy’, ‘Sankranti’, ‘Huchu Kudure’, and ‘Oedipus’ were trendsetters, which touched upon aspects of language music, songs and stylization.
• Shri Karanth’s use of unusual instruments such as wood, stones, etc. in creating music and his ability to blend contemporary, classical and folk genres reflected his originality and style. He was an alumnus of batch 1962 of the National School of Drama and later became its director.
• The 20th edition of BRM will also include allied activities such as, ‘Director’s Meet’, ‘Living Legends’, and ‘Master Class’.
• Apart from New Delhi, the NSD arranges parallel festivals of the 20th BRM in Dibrugarh (4th to 10th February, 2019), Varanasi (7th to 13th February, 2019), Ranchi (9th to 15th February, 2019), Mysore (11th to 17th February, 2019), and Rajkot (13th to 19th February, 2019). The festival will culminate in New Delhi on 21st February, 2019 The Journey of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM)
• Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM), the annual international theatre festival of India is organized by the National School of Drama (NSD), was established two decades ago to stimulate the growth and development of theatre across India.
• Originally a national festival showcasing the work of the most creative theatre workers in India, BRM has evolved to international scope, hosting theatre
  groups from around the world, and is now the largest theatre festival of Asia.
• Till date, BRM was celebrated in New Delhi and has travelled to several cities in India, presenting an overwhelming 1787 plays, and riveted thousands of audiences who basked in the glory of heart-winning stories and superior performances.

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(The Gist of PIB) Ladakh now connected to National Grid [FEBRUARY-2019]

Ladakh now connected to National Grid

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the 220 kV Srinagar- Alusteng - Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission System to the Nation today, a step that would ensure quality power supply to Ladakh round the year.
• This would give huge boost to the tourism sector and enhance socio-economic development of Ladakh.

Background of this project

• The Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone for this project on 12 August, 2014 and within 4.5 years, the project has been completed by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID),a Navratna Company of Government of India, under Ministry of Power.
• While inaugurating this projects PM said, “We’ve left behind culture of delays”.
• The Rs. 2266 crore project will result in minimizing the massive use of diesel generating sets during winters, and thus will help in protection of beautiful environment, of pristine Ladakh region.

About Srinagar- Alusteng - Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission Line:

• Built at a height of around 3000-4000 meters, this approx. 335 km long transmission line has been constructed by POWERGRID.
• In this project, the four new State-of-the-Art 220/66 kV Gas Insulated Substations built at Drass, Kargil, Khaltsi and Leh will help to ensure 24x7 quality power in all weather conditions.
• Funding provisions have been in the ratio of 95:05 (95% Govt. of India share and 5% J&K state share).

Benefits to the region:

• The implementation of this project was also aimed to supply power to the people of Ladakh in harsh winters and evacuation of surplus power of Kargil & Leh Hydel stations of NHPC in summers.
• It is a flagship project of Government of India, under PMRP scheme which was aimed to improve reliability & quality of power supply in Ladakh region of J&K by connecting with National Grid.
• This will not only help evacuate power in summers, but will also supply power to the region in winters when temperatures dip and hydro electricity generation do not match up.
• The project will meet the power demand of Ladakh region at economical rates.
• With quality electricity available at reasonable rates, hospitality industry in Ladakh will get a boost, as their reliance on diesel sets will reduce.
• This will also attract tourists looking for affordable stay in all weathers.

Challenges in execution:

• This herculean task executed by POWERGRID in unforeseen weather conditions was made possible by immaculate project monitoring skills, high team spirit and strategic planning and use of modern technologies.
• The line remains snow covered for nearly six months with the minimum temperature going down to as low as -40 degrees at Drass.
• Therefore, specially designed tower foundations were constructed with assistance from Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) for spotting the tower foundations, as the workforce braved the challenge of working at lesser oxygen levels.
• It shall also provide grid connectivity and reliable quality power supply to the strategically important Ladakh region including defence establishments in the area.

About POWERGRID:

• POWERGRID is one of the World’s Largest Power Transmission Utility, and has a wide network of 150,874 circuit kilometers transmission lines, with 238 Sub-stations and transformation capacity of 351,106 MVA.

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(The Gist of PIB) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi [FEBRUARY-2019]

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi

• To provide an assured income support to the small and marginal farmers, the Government is launching the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).
• The Interim Budget 2019-20 in Parliament the Union Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs, Railways & Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal said, “Under this programme, vulnerablelandholding farmer families, having cultivable land upto 2 hectares, will be provided direct income support at the rate of Rs. 6,000 per year.
• This income support will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiary farmers, in three equal instalments of Rs. 2,000 each.
• This programme will be funded by Government of India. Around 12 crore small and marginal farmer families are expected to benefit from this.
• The programme would be made effective from 1st December 2018 and the first installment for the period upto 31st March 2019 would be paid during this year itself. This programme will entail an annual expenditure of Rs.75,000 crore”.
• PM-KISAN would not only provide assured supplemental income to the most vulnerable farmer families, but would alsomeet their emergent needs especiallybefore the harvest season. PM-KISAN would pave the way for the farmers to earn and live a respectable living.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• Regarding Animal Husbandry the Minister said, “I have increased the allocation for Rashtriya Gokul Mission to Rs.750 crore in the current year itself
• I announce setting up of "Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog" to upscale sustainable genetic upgradation of cow resources and to enhance production and productivity of cows.
• The Aayog will also look after effective implementation of laws and welfare schemes for cows.”

Department of Fisheries

• To provide sustained and focuse dattention towards development of fisheries sector, the Government has decided to create a separate Department of Fisheries.
• The Minister said, “In the last Budget, our Government announced the facility of extension of Kisan Credit Card scheme (KCC) to Animal Husbandry and Fisheries farmers.Now, I propose to provide the benefit of 2% interest subvention to the farmers pursuing the activities of animal husbandry and fisheries, who avail loan through Kisan Credit Card.
• Further, in case of timely repayment of loan, they will also get an additional 3% interest subvention.

Crop Loans

• When natural calamities strike, farmers are generally unable to repay their crop loans.
• The Finance Minister said, “Presently, the crop loans are rescheduled for such affected farmers and they get benefit of interest subvention of 2% only for the first year of the rescheduled loan.
• The Government has now decided that all farmers affected by severe natural calamities, where assistance is provided from National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), will be provided the benefit of interest subvention of 2% and prompt repayment incentive of 3% for the entire period of reschedulement of their loans.

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(The Gist of PIB) Railway Ministry launches the IEA’s Report “The Future of Rail” [FEBRUARY-2019]

Railway Ministry launches the IEA’s Report “The Future of Rail”

• Minister of Railways & Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal launched the report “The Future of Rail” of International Energy Agency (IEA) at an event here today.
• Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA), Dr. Fatih Birol, Director General, International Union of Railways, Shri Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Members of Railway Board and other Dignitaries from Ministry of Railways and IEA were present on the occasion.
• The huge investment Railways has achieved in the last 5 years has helped us improve safety, complete long-delayed projects and introduce modern & unprecedented technology in services.

Key highlights said by the minister

• Shri Goyal further said that the indigenously produced Vande Bharat Express is an engineering marvel that will change our approach to train manufacturing as well as revolutionise train travel in India.
• He also highlighted Indian Railways successful effort to convert diesel locomotives to electric locomotives as truly innovative and added that it will be a game-changer in the way forward as we move towards 100% electrification for the Indian Railways.
• He informed that 5 years ago, Railways had electrified about 600 km of tracks across the country.
• Last year alone, we electrified over 4,000 km, and in the coming year we aim to electrify over 6,000 Km. He reiterated that there is a rising demand for better quality,safer, more comfortable, efficient, reliable and cheap transport and added that no other form of transport can provide this other than railways.
• “The Future of Rail” the first-of-a-kind report analyses the current and future importance of rail around the world through the perspective of its energy and environmental implications.
• The report reviews the impact of existing plans and regulations on the future of rail, and explores the key policies that could help to realise an enhanced future rail.
• This first ever global report has a focus on India, elaborating on the unique social and economic role of rail in India, together with its great enduring potential, to show how India can extend and update its networks to harness rail at a scope and scale that isunparalleled.

Background:-

• The IEA is an inter-governmental organisation that works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 30 member countries and 8 association countries.
• Its mission is guided by four main areas of focus: energy security, economic development, environmental awareness and engagement worldwide.
• India and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have benefited from a long, ongoing bilateral relationship and cooperation in a broad range of area including energy security, statistics, energy efficiency, market analysis for oil, gas, electricity, renewables, system integration and implementation agreements for enhanced technologies.
• India has been the focus of many recent IEA analyses and reports for instance through the special focus chapter on the Indian Power sector of the Energy Technology Perspectives (ETP) publication and the World Energy Outlook (WEO).
• High level policy dialogues have been further intensified over the last few years including a statement of intent on data and research cooperation, and a memorandum of understanding on clean energy research and development tracking.
• IEA has also held workshops and training programmes in India on energy data training, energy efficiency, strategic petroleum reserves, and the integration of renewables into the grid.

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(The Gist of PIB) Labour Ministry notifies rules to allow employment of Women in Mines [FEBRUARY-2019]

Labour Ministry notifies rules to allow employment of Women in Mines

• In exercise of the power conferred under sub-section (1) of section 83 on the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952), the Central Government hereby exempts the women employed in any mine above ground and in any mine below ground from the provisions of section 46 of the Mines Act, 1952, subject to the following conditions, namely:-
• a. In the case of women employed in any mine above ground,-
• b. The owner of a mine may deploy women between the hours of 7 pm and 6 am in the mine above ground including opencast workings;
• the deployment of women shall be after obtaining the written consent of the concerned woman employee;
• the women so deployed shall be provided with adequate facilities and safeguards regarding occupational safety, security and health;
• the deployment of women shall be subject to the framing and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures on the basis of the guidelines issued in this regard by the Chief Inspector of Mines from time to time;
• the deployment of women shall be in a group of not less than three in a shift.
• a. in the case of women employed in any mine below ground,-
• b. the owner of a mine may deploy women between the hours of 6 am and 7 pm in technical, supervisory and managerial work where continuous presence may not be required.
• the deployment of women shall be after obtaining the written consent of the concerned woman employee;
• the women so deployed shall be provided with adequate facilities and safeguards regarding occupational safety, security and health;
• the deployment of women shall be subject to the framing and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures on the basis of the guidelines issued in this regard by the Chief Inspector of Mines from time to time;
• the deployment of women shall be in a group of not less than three.

About The Mines Act, 1952 Guidelines

• The Mines Act, 1952, restricted the employment of women in underground mines and also in opencast or aboveground workings of the mine during night hours between 7PM and 6AM.
• Several women employees groups,industry and students enrolled with various institutions pursuing mining engineering courses at degree and diploma levels have been representing to the government at different forum that women should be provided equal employment opportunity for working in mines.
• Requests from Mining Companies were also received.

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(The Gist of PIB) Shehri Samridhi Utsav [FEBRUARY-2019]

Shehri Samridhi Utsav

• Shehri Samridhi Utsav, an initiative of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA),aims to extend the outreach of Deendayal Antyodaya Mission National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), to the most vulnerable, showcase its initiatives and facilitate access of Self-Help Group (SHG) members to the other government schemes.
• This was launched across the country earlier this week.

About this event

• Day one of Shehri Samriddhi Utsav began with a series of rallies led by women’s’ SHGs, across the length and breadth of the country.
• These rallies spread awareness about DAY-NULM in urban poor communities.
• Job melas and fairs to market the products made by women micro entrepreneurs were also organized by many states, and will continue over the next two weeks.
• Through Shehri Samridhi Utsav, SHG members across cities are being linked to national government schemes viz.
• Swachchh Bharat Mission (U), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (U), Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana and National Nutrition Mission.

Major highlights

• A major highlight of Shehri Samridhi Utsav is the National Exhibition cum sale of SHG products and National Street Food Festival being organized in New Delhi.
• Over 100 stalls are being set up in Central Delhi with various handlooms, handicrafts, snacks and other local products made by 200 Self Help Groups representing 23 states.
• 40 stalls with street food vendors from 20+ states will be serving the local cuisines.
• In the evenings, a cultural program will be organized, including popular bands to cater to the young crowds.
• This event will be organized in Rajpath Lawns in Central Delhi, from 8th – 17th Feb 2019 and will be open to the public from 12:00 noon to 10:00 PM.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

The Mitigation of Carbon Footprint (Mint)

Mains Paper 3: Environment
Prelims level: Carbon Footprint
Mains level: Environment hazards and climate change

Context:

• Global warming with the burgeoning anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (400 parts per million from 280 ppm CO2, emissions of pre-industrial era) has been altering the climate, eroding the ecosystem productivity and sustenance of water, thus affecting the livelihood of people.
• GHG footprint needs to be in balance with sequestration of carbon to sustain ecosystem functions.
• Forests are the major carbon sink (about 45%) that aid in mitigation global warming.
• The land use land cover (LULC) dynamics leading to deforestation and land degradation is the prime driver of global warming due to the loss of carbon sequestration potential as well as emission.

Carbon Footprint:

• Carbon footprint is contributed by emissions from the energy sector (68%), agriculture (19.6%), industrial processes (6%), LU change (3.8%) and forestry (1.9%), respectively in India with CO2, emission of about 3.1 MGg (2017) and the per capita CO2 emission of 2.56 metric tonnes.
• India has committed at the Paris Climate ...............................................

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Water and food security towards sustainable and healthy living:

• Alternations of landscape structure in the catchment areas influence the hydrological regime leading to variations in the hydrological status.
• The streams are perennial when its catchment is dominated ..............................

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Conclusion:

• Thus, catchment integrity plays a decisive role in sustaining water for societal and ecological need.
• It is evident from the occurrence of potential streams in the catchment dominated by native flora, highlighting the riverscape dynamics with the hydrological, ecological, social, and environmental dimensions linkage and water sustainability.
• Recent unfortunate instances of floods and subsequent drought (drying up of water bodies) in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Kerala is a pointer towards the mismanagement of forests in the Western Ghat region.
• Hence, ecologically fragile regions such as Western Ghats needs to be conserved on priority to sustain the agriculture and horticulture in the peninsular India.

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To emerging the civil society in agriculture (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 3: Economy
Prelims level: Re-circulating aquaculture systems
Mains level: Role of Civil Society in Agriculture

Context:

• Agriculture of today is witnessing several sustainable initiatives by farmers to improve farming techniques and to prop up their livelihoods and income.
• Government too has, in a way, recognized this changing landscape of agricultural development. The recent conferment of Padma Shri awards to 12 such farmer-leaders in 2019 is a case in point.

Innovation in Agriculture:

• Farmers play pivotal role in improving technology and productivity. The achievements of some of the awardees endorse this hypothesis.
• One of the Padma Shri awardee farmer, Vallabhbhai Vasambhai Marvaniya, has been doing innovation in carrot farming since late 1940s in Junagadh of Gugrat.
• Subsequently, he developed ...............................................

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Minimizing Chemical Use:

• Reducing chemical use by following organic methods of agriculture has been the focus of many of these awardees. They also organize training for farmers on best agricultural practices and on ways for preserving local cultivars of several crops.
• They encouraged fellow farmers to adopt better agronomic practices by demonstrating virtues of intercropping and crop rotation.

Diversification of Agriculture:

• Some of these awardees moved against traditional cropping pattern. Rajakumari Devi (Bihar) experimented with food crops in place of mono-cropped tobacco.
• She promoted innovative agronomical methods of cultivation as per the terrain with the knowledge of soils, value addition and marketing.
• A desert like area around Hulikal village of Ramnagar in Karnataka was transformed to green belt by the dedicated efforts of Saalumarada Thimmakka by growing more than 8000 trees.

Shifting Consumption Patterns:

• As the priority shifts from food security to nutrition security, the focus of the policy makers is moving towards micro-nutrient dense foods like minor millets and pulses, often called ‘orphan crops.
• The Government of India declared 2018 as the National Year of Millets for promoting cultivation and consumption of these foods. It re-designated coarse cereals like sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, and minor millets as nutria-cereals in 2018.
• All this is in the ‘Decade of Action on Nutrition’ (2016-25) as per the United Nations under SDGs.
• Research has to focus on increasing the productivity of minor millets that has been stagnant since the sixties.
• Therefore, huge task lies ahead for the development community that includes civil society, researchers, and the Government alike in fostering a level-playing field for minor millet farmers.

Urban Agriculture through Terrace Gardening:

• It is desirable to produce as much as possible using urban agriculture methods.
• The most crucial ..........................

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Conclusion:

• The activities of these Padam Shri awardees has to be viewed as a trend of emerging private initiatives in various parts of the country in the challenging area of agricultural extension.
• These private initiatives have to be tailor- made to the welfare needs of masses and adopt a practical approach to agriculture diffusing good agricultural practices suited to disparate agro-ecological zones.
• Their efforts will achieve better results when they work in tandem with governmental and quasigovernmental agencies on addressing key challenges of the times.

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To Manage Electronic Waste (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 2: Governance
Prelims level: Electronic Waste
Mains level: Electronic Waste and disposal procedure

Context:

• Electronic industry is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing manufacturing industries. It has provided some leverage to the socio-economic and technological growth of the developing society of India.
• However, it creates new environmental challenges- “Electronics Waste” or “e-waste” that consists of obsolete electronics devices.
• Solid waste management, which is already a critical task in India, is becoming more complicated by the invasion of e-waste, particularly computer waste.
• In general, electronic goods/gadgets can are classified under three major heads:
• White goods: Household appliances,
• Brown goods: TVs, camcorders, cameras etc.,
• Grey goods: Computers, printers, fax machines, scanners etc.

e-Waste: Posing Challenges:

• Personal Computers (PCs) contain certain components, which are highly toxic, posing environmental and health challenges. This fast growing waste stream has been accelerating because the global market for PCs ........................................

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Key statistics:

• The Global E-waste Monitor, 2017 published by the United Nations University estimated that India generates about 20 lakh ton of e-waste annually, nearly 82% of which is personal devices.

Effects on Air, Water, and Soil:

• When electronic items containing heavy metals are improperly disposed, these heavy metals leach through the soil to reach groundwater channels which eventually run to the surface as streams or small ponds of water.
• Burning of e-waste in open landfill for obtaining gold and other precious metals produces fine particulate matter and causes cardio-vascular and pulmonary ailments in children.
• Drinking water contaminated with lead affects the central and nervous system and causes poor brain growth, dwarfism, hearing disability, and impaired formation and function of blood cells.
• Since, these chemicals are not biodegradable; they persist in the environment for long time, increasing the risk of exposure.

Some solutions addressing the issue:

• The product designers must ensure the longevity of the products through their re-use, repair, and/or upgradability features.
• Recycling and reuse of materials are next options to reduce generation of e-waste.
• Recovery of metals, plastic, glass, and other materials reduce the magnitude of e-waste.
• Clear regulatory .................................

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Challenges Ahead:

• Only 1.5 per-cent of e-waste generated in India gets recycled. Lack of awareness about e-waste and its recycling as well as the role of the unorganised sector are the added challenges to the problem.
• The base metals which can be reused are lost and result in soil contamination due to unorganised and crude dismantling.
• A consumer of an electric or electronic device is not apprised of the end of value chain of the product.
• Often, information is not provided along with the product packing about the e-collection centre for the product sold.
• The responsibility of the consumers is also not specified along with the product.

Conclusion:

• Technical and policy-level interventions, proper implementation, capacity building, and increasing the public awareness are the need of the time.
• They only can convert this challenge into an opportunity and set global credible standards concerning environmental and occupational health.

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Thinking beyond farm sops (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 3: Economy
Prelims level: Farmer Producer Organisations
Mains level: Focus areas to improve agriculture sector

Context:

• The year 2019 witnessed a series of interventions and disruptions in the farm sector.
• The first half of the year saw the launch of a grand farm sop in the form of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) with a record allocation of ₹75,000 crore.
• The second half for the sector as many parts of the country witnessed drought and floods.
• The economic slowdown and the spiralling onion and vegetable prices burdened consumers (including farmers), providing a short respite to only a section of farmers.

Reflects two things:

• The populist measures have a low bearing on the economy.
• Despite several measures to reduce vulnerability of climate-induced disasters, the farm sector and farmers continue to suffer losses.

Focus areas:

Disparity in agriculture expenditure:

• The disparity in agriculture expenditure and growth drivers, mainly the subsidiary sectors, must be addressed.
• Despite higher growth in livestock and fisheries sector, only moderate to low expenditure was recorded.
• Expenditure on ............................

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Role of Farmer Producer Organisations:

• The Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), which are currently facing operational and structural issues governed by different Acts and funded by various sources, may be strengthened by bringing them under one institution, preferably an FPO Development and Regulatory Authority.
• A structured impetus must be given to build block chain based e-market places connecting farmers, traders, agencies, institutions and exporters on a common platform to check price fluctuations and harness decentralisation.
• Further, affordable technologies must be developed and deployed particularly in rural and remote areas where digital literacy of farmers has improved considerably.
• Key farm institutions and organisations in the front line of farm service, dealing with perishables and low shelf life commodities, must digitalise so that they are efficiently managed.

Private sector involvement:

• Large-scale investment in agriculture over several years have encouraged monoculture, threatening the environment and soil health (mainly in green revolution areas).
• Thus small-scale investment measures or an incentive-based system is essential to scale up sustainable practices such as agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture, ecosystem services, conservation agriculture and others.
• Increasing corporate social responsibility will help to tap more private investments besides encouraging private players in potential areas where production sustainability is possible.

Establishment of farm data agency:

• The government must establish a farm data agency, which can consolidate, collate and maintain farm data available at various platforms.
• Ongoing efforts of digitisation of land records must also include farmer-centric advisories. The farm data agencies can also facilitate beneficiaries identification, better targeting of subsidies, support systems of various developmental programmes.
• Access to farm agency data for scientific institutions and all other relevant stakeholders can hasten the process of technology dissemination and aid research systems for better policies.

Commissioning ease of farming index:

• To commissioning ease of farming index is necessary to ascertain the progress made by national and State governments on the key indicators of farming.
• Possibly, the exercise can be done with active involvement of proven private/public institutions or international agencies.
• This perhaps stands away from the conventional assessment of effectiveness of agriculture policies and programmes that are part of the farm support system.
• Moreover, the exercise may foster cooperative and competitive federalism besides encouraging States which are lagging behind to catch up.

Welfare commissions:

• The need of the hour is setting up two institutions; one, a national agricultural development council on the lines of the Goods and Services Tax Council under the chairmanship of Prime Minister for effective coordination and convergence ...........................................

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Way forward:

• In the era of global uncertainty and domestic glitches, we need well-tailored farm measures beyond short-run sops to balance the national requirement with the farmer’s aspirations.
• Moreover, the right mix of direct benefits and price support with focused investment on resource conservation will bring stability in a farmer’s income.
• The promised achhe din for all must include farmers too which is only possible with steps engaging all stakeholders and sectors.

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Unfounded optimism: On Economic Survey’s GDP forecast (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 3: Economy
Prelims level: GDP forecast
Mains level: Highlights the GDP forecast that based on economic survey

Context:

• As a report card-cum-blueprint for the future, Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) Krishnamurthy Subramanian’s Economic Survey 2019-20 is a mixed bag of interesting diagnosis combined with some optimistic prognostication.

Highlights about the forecast:

• Seven months after his maiden survey, he finds himself again having to assess the economy’s health and provide signposts for the agenda ahead.
• July projected real GDP growth rebounding to 7% this fiscal, acknowledges that 2019 was a difficult year for the global economy, including for trade and demand, and by extension a challenging period for the Indian economy as well.
• The Survey concedes..........................................

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Way ahead:

• To ensure smoother functioning of markets as creators of wealth, the Survey makes several policy prescriptions.
• It asserts that the Drug (Prices Control) Order of 2013 has failed to achieve its aim of making drugs affordable and needs to go. And the CEA wants a complete review of the policy on foodgrains, which he argues has made the government the largest “hoarder” thereby distorting these markets.
• All are suggestions that traders and market players, a key electoral constituency, will cheer, but may be fraught with risks.

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(The Gist of PIB) India’s communication satellite GSAT-31 launched successfully [FEBRUARY-2019]

India’s communication satellite GSAT-31 launched successfully

• India’s latest communication satellite, GSAT-31 was successfully launched from the Spaceport in French Guiana during the early hours today.
• The launch vehicle Ariane 5 VA-247 lifted off from Kourou Launch Base, French Guiana at 2:31 am (IST) carrying India’s GSAT-31 and Saudi Geostationary Satellite 1/Hellas Sat 4 satellites, as scheduled.
• After a 42-min flight, GSAT-31 separated from the Ariane 5 upper stage in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit with a perigee (nearest point to Earth) of 250 km and an apogee (farthest point to
  Earth) of 35,850 km, inclined at an angle of 3.0 degree to the equator.

About GSAT-31

• With a lift-off mass of 2536 kg, GSAT-31 will augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in Geostationary Orbit.
• The satellite will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites. GSAT-31 derives its heritage from ISRO’s earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series.
• GSAT-31 has a unique configuration of providing flexible frequency segments and flexible coverage.
• The satellite will provide communication services to Indian mainland and islands” ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan said.

Vital highlights

• Dr. Sivan also remarked that “GSAT-31 will provide DTH Television Services, connectivity to VSATs for ATM, Stock-exchange, Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) and e-governance applications. The satellite will also be used for bulk data transfer for a host of emerging telecommunication applications.”
• After separation from Ariane-5 upper stage, the two solar arrays of GSAT-31 were automatically deployed in quick succession and ISRO's Master Control Facility at Hassan in Karnataka took over the command and control of GSAT-31 and found its health parameters normal.
• In the days ahead, scientists will undertake phase-wise orbit-raising manoeuvres to place the satellite in Geostationary Orbit (36,000 km above the equator) using its on-board propulsion system.
• During the final stages of its orbit raising operations, the antenna reflector of GSAT-31 will be deployed.
• Following this, the satellite will be put in its final orbital configuration.
• The satellite will be operational after the successful completion of all in-orbit tests.

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(The Gist of PIB) National Gas Grid [FEBRUARY-2019]

National Gas Grid

• The Government has envisaged to develop the National Gas Grid. At present about 16,788 Km natural gas pipeline is operational and about 14,239 Km gas pipelines are being developed to increase the availability of natural gas across the country.
• These pipelines have been authorized by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and are at various stages of execution viz. Pre-Project activities/laying/testing/commissioning etc.

Key highlights

• PNGRB has authorized GAIL to develop North East gas pipeline to develop approximately 750 km long Barauni - Guwahati pipeline as an integral part of Jagdishpur –Haldia –Bokaro Dhamra Pipeline (JHBDPL) project which will connect North East region with the National Gas Grid.
• Further, PNGRB has also authorized Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL), a joint venture company of five Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) i.e. IOCL, ONGC, GAIL, OIL and NRL for the development of North East Gas Grid to connect eight states of North Eastern India.
• This information was given by Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.

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(The Gist of PIB) International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019 [FEBRUARY-2019]

International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved establishment of a unified authority for regulating all financial services in International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in India through International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019.
• The first IFSC in India has been set up at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• An IFSC enables bringing back the financial services and transactions that are currently carried out in offshore financial centers by Indian corporate entities and overseas branches / subsidiaries of financial institutions (FIs)to India by offering business and regulatory environment that is comparable to other leading international financial centers in the world like London and Singapore.
• It would provide Indian corporates easier access to global financial markets. IFSC would also compliment and promote further development of financial markets in India.

Requirement of IFSC bill 2019

• Currently, the banking, capital markets and insurance sectors in IFSC are regulated by multiple regulators, i.e. RBI, SEBI and IRDAI.
• The dynamic nature of business in the IFSCs necessitates a high degree of inter-regulatory coordination.
• It also requires regular clarifications and frequent amendments in the existing regulations governing financial activities in IFSCs.
• The development of financial services and products in IFSCs would require focussed and dedicated regulatory interventions.
• Hence, a need is felt for having a unified financial regulator for IFSCs in India to provide world class regulatoryenvironment to financial market participants. Further, this would also be essential from an ease of doing business perspective. The unified authority would also provide the much needed impetus to further development of IFSC in India in-sync with the global best practices.
• Taking into account the regulatory requirements of IFSCs and the provisions of the existing laws of financial sector, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance (MoF) has prepared a draft Bill to set up a separate unified regulator for IFSCs.

Following are the main features of the Bill:

Management of the Authority:

• The Authority shall consist of a Chairperson, one Member each to be nominated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority(PFRDA), two members to be dominated by the Central Government and two other whole-time or full-time or part-time members.

Functions of the Authority:

• The Authority shall regulate all such financial services, financial products and FIs in an IFSC which has already been permitted by the Financial Sector Regulators for IFSCs.
• The Authority shall also regulate such other financial products, financial services or FIs as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time.
• It may also recommend to the Central Government such other financial products, financial services and financial institutions which may be permitted in the IFSCs.

Powers of the Authority:

• All powers exercisable by the respective financial sector regulatory (viz. RBI, SEBI,IRDAI, and PFRDA etc.) under the respective Acts shall be solely exercised by the Authority in the IFSCs in so far as the regulation of financial products, financial services and FIs that are permitted in the IFSC are concerned.

Processes and procedures of the Authority:

• The processes and procedures to be followed by the Authority shall be governed in accordance with the provisions of the respective Acts of Parliament of India applicable to such financial products, services or institutions, as the case may be.

Grants by the Central Govt.:

• The Central Govt. may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, make to the Authority grants of such sums of money as the Central Government may think fit for being utilized for the purposes of the Authority.

Transactions in foreign currency:

• The transactions of financial services in the IFSCs shall be done in the foreign currency as specified by the Authority in consultation with the Central Govt.
• The establishment of a unified financial regulator for IFSCs will result in providing world-class regulatory environment to market participants from an ease of doing business perspective.
• This will provide a stimulus for further development of IFSCs in India and enable bringing back of financial services and transactions that are currently carried out in offshore financial centres to India.
• This would also generate significant employment in the IFSCs in particular as well as financial sector in India as a whole.

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(The Gist of PIB) Management of Ground Water [FEBRUARY-2019]

Management of Ground Water

• Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has been entrusted with the responsibilities of developing and disseminating technologies, monitoring national policies for the scientific and sustainable development and management of India’s ground water resources.
• CGWB periodically takes up various studies which include groundwater management studies, exploratory drilling programmes, monitoring groundwater level and water quality through a network of groundwater observation wells etc and the result collected is shared with the concerned States for taking up suitable ground water specific interventions.

Concerns for groundwater management

• The National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM) was initiated as a part of the Ground Water Management and Regulation scheme to delineate and characterize the aquifers to develop plans for ground water management.
• Aquifer maps and management plans are being regularly shared with State Governments through the State Ground Water Coordination Committees, chaired by the concerned Principal Secretaries of the respective States and also with the respective District Authorities for their suitable ground water specific demand side and supply side interventions.
• To facilitate participation at grassroots levels, public interaction programmes (PIP) are being regularly organized by the CGWB in which aquifer maps and management plans are discussed in detail.

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(The Gist of PIB) Voter Verification and Information Programme Launched [FEBRUARY-2019]

Voter Verification and Information Programme Launched

• The Election Commission of India has launched a Voter Verification and Information Programme (VVIP) fo  citizens for verifications of their names, new registrations, changes in the voter details and corrections in the Voter Id Cards for the upcoming General Elections 2019.

Key highlights

• ECI has enabled various channels for this VVIP programme.
• ECI has also set up Contact centers in all districts across India.
• The Voter Helpline number is 1950.
• The Contact Centres are equipped with latest information and telecom infrastructure to help the callers.
• The VVIP Programme was launched during the 2-day intensive Training-cum-Workshop on the use of Information and Communication Technology for the conduct of General Elections 2019.
• The Training-cum-Workshop was attended by Additional Chief Electoral Officers, Incharge of IT, Nodal Officers, State Level Master Trainers and technical resource persons from all States and Union Territories.

Various apps and their benefits

• One of the important applications for which training was imparted to all States and UTs was cVIGIL. cVIGIL App provides time-stamped, evidence based proof of Model Code of Conduct / Expenditure Violation, having live photo/video with auto location data.
• Any citizen can lodge a complaint through Mobile App. Flying Squads then investigate the matter and the Returning Officer takes the decision.
• The status of cVIGIL can be shared with the cVIGIL complainant within a specified time limit.
• A CVigil User Manual and the EVM Management System User Manual was released on the occasion.
• A new android based mobile app called ‘Voter Helpline’ was also launched today.
• This App provides convenience to all citizens for finding their names in the electoral roll, submitting online forms, checking the status of the application, filing complaints and receiving the reply on their mobile app. All forms, results, candidate affidavits, press notes, voter awareness and important instructions are available through the mobile app.
• A ‘PwD App’ to enable Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to request for new registration, change in address, change in particulars and mark themselves as PwD through the use of the mobile application was also launched.
• By simply entering their contact details, the Booth Level Officer is assigned to provide doorstep facility. PwDs can also request for a wheelchair during polling.

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(The Gist of Science Reporter) First Nearby Habitable SuperEarth [JANUARY-2020]

First Nearby Habitable SuperEarth

• A team of astronomers at Cornell University has uncovered the first potentially habitable planet outside our solar system using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).
• The exoplanet is named GJ 357 d. It is supermassive as compared to earth and located about 31 light-years away.
• The research has been published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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(The Gist of Science Reporter) First-ever Plants Sprout on the Moon [JANUARY-2020]

First-ever Plants Sprout on the Moon

• Cotton seeds sprouted on the Moon and became the first plants to germinate on the Moon.
• China soft-landed its Chang’e-4 mission on the far side of the Moon (first craft to softly land on the far side of the Moon on 3 January) with an experimental module on the lander containing a sealed container of seeds, more or less a mini biosphere to support the growth of seeds.
• However, the little sprouts perished later due to extremely low freezing temperatures during the lunar night.

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(The Gist of PIB) Madhavpur Mela [JANUARY-2020]

Madhavpur Mela

• The famous Madhavpur Mela begins at Madhavpur Ghed of Porbandar district in Gujarat today.
• In a unique initiative, the four-day-long Mela will see its first-ever cultural integration with the North-East with which it is said to share its roots.
• The eight states of the Northern Eastern Region will participate in a big way during the Madhavpur Mela of Gujarat due to be held in the first week of April this year.

Key highlights:

• The annual fair is held at Madhavpur Ghed in Porbandar district and the Mela this year will commence on 2nd April, a day after the Ram Navami festival.
• Madhavpur Ghed, a small but culturally significant village, is the place where, according to folklore, Lord Krishna married Rukmini, the daughter of King Bhishmaka.
• Madhavpur lies on the seashore, close to Porbandar.
• A 15th-century Madhavrai temple marks the site.
• This event is commemorated by a cultural fair held every year, commencing on Ram Navami.
• A colorful chariot carrying the idol of Lord Krishna circumnavigates the village and the festivities usually continue for five days.

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