GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 2
TOPIC: Human Resources
Singapore to set up Skill Center in Northeast: Dr Jitendra Singh
Keypoints:
- The Government of Singapore will set up a Skill Center at Guwahati which will cater to the entire North-Eastern region.
- The Singapore delegation also expressed its preference to engage with India in the area of Space Technology for collaboration in “peaceful uses of Outer Space”.
- The Singapore delegation also wanted to seek the experience and expertise of India’s Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions to bring about value addition in public administration and governance in Singapore.
- India and Singapore have always been favourably inclined towards each other and referred to the recent visit of the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore when a stimulating lecture by him was organized under the auspices of the NITI Aayog.
GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 3
Topic: Economy
Sixth India Minerals and Metals Forum focuses on Indian Steel Industry Roadmap upto 2025 and mining, production demand and delivery
Context:
- The sixth India Minerals and Metals Forum is organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) of Kolkata.
Keypoints:
- The discussion in the seminar focuses on Indian steel industry looking up to 2025; mining, production demand and delivery; Innovative applications for a future ready non- ferrous ecosystem; and Metals industry outlook– present challenges and future prospects.
- The Indian steel sector has grown rapidly over the past few years and presently it is the third largest steel producer globally, contributing to about 2% of the country’s GDP. India has also crossed 100 MT mark for production for sale.
- India is seen as a “bright spot” for the global steel production growth on account of the government’s push to augment capacity and demand from the construction, automotive and infrastructure sectors.
- The government has been spearheading growth in steel production capacity, with upgrades being made to existing steel manufacturing units and state-owned companies stepping in to build new steel plants.
- The Cabinet approved the National steel policy 2017 that envisages Rs. 10 lakh crore investment to create more capacity in the steel sector.
- The development is significant as the steel sector is reeling under weak demand and rising raw material prices.
- The policy also aims at increasing supply of domestic coking coal to cut dependence on imports by half and production of 300 million tonnes by 2030.
- The policy also emphasizes at increasing per capita steel consumption to 160 kg by 2030 and encouraging the industry to be a world leader on energy and raw material-efficient steel production in a safe and sustainable manner by maintaining quality standards for domestic steel products.
- India’s growing urban infrastructure and manufacturing sectors indicate that demand is likely to remain robust in years ahead.
- The per capita steel consumption in the country at 61 kg is much lower than the global average of 208 kg.
- The Aluminium demand continued to remain strong following the steps taken by the government to boost the industrial production and infrastructure.
- The demand is also expected to rise following the focus on smart cities and improving prospects of business in construction industry.
- Technology and innovation play an important role in achieving sustainable growth and impacting competitiveness.
- Today, mineral and metal industry across the globe is facing a serious economic crisis due to continuous fall in commodity prices, depleting raw material sources, non-availability of high-grade ores, stringent environmental rules and societal expectations.
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