17 March 2020: PIB Summary & Analysis

March 17th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. National Ayush Mission
2. Impact of Climate Change on Farmers
3. Financial Package to boost Rural Income
4. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
5. Agreement between India and Brunei for Exchange of Information
6. Stand Up India Scheme
7. Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana
8. Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN)
9. Blue Revolution
10. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System

1. National Ayush Mission

Context:

The Ministry of AYUSH has established Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) and Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS).

Details:

  • The CCRS is the apex organisation for developing and promoting research & development in the Siddha system of medicine in India.
  • The CCRAS is the apex organisation for developing and promoting research & development in the Ayurveda system of medicine in India.
  • CCRAS has a total of 30 Ayurvedic Research Institutes/Centres/Units located all over India and CCRS has a total of 08 Siddha Research Institutes/Units functioning under it.

For more information on the Ministry of Ayush, check PIB dated Nov 19, 2019.

Prelims Fact:

  • Nilavembu Kudineer, a Siddha medicine has proven effect in the prevention and management of Dengue and Chikungunya in epidemic out breaks.
  • It is a concoction of nine herbs.
  • According to the Ministry, it has antipyretic (used to prevent/reduce fever), analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-dengue activity.
  • Under in vitro conditions, the medicine was found to provide protection against chikungunya virus while it was effective as a treatment during the acute phase of dengue infection.
  • Dengue subtype-2, which is the most prevalent subtype in India, was used for testing the formulation.

About Siddha medicine system:

  • Siddha is a traditional Indian medicinal system, and is now a component of AYUSH.
  • It has a Dravidian origin and its literature is entirely in Tamil.
  • Its fundamental concepts are similar to those of Ayurveda.
  • An individual is a microcosm of the universe, whose body consists of 5 primordial elements – earth, fire, water, air and space.
  • It is believed to have been founded by the Siddhars (individuals who had achieved the ashta siddhis or the 8 supernatural powers).

2. Impact of Climate Change on Farmers

Details:

  • In order to address the problems likely to arise due to climate change, the government has been taking actions in terms of programs focused on climate resilient agriculture, and adaptation strategies for ensuring food security, enhanced livelihood opportunities and economic stability.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):

  • It is one of the missions under the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC).
  • The NMSA has been made operational from the year 2014-15 and it aims at making agriculture more productive, sustainable, remunerative and climate resilient by promoting location specific integrated/composite farming systems; soil and moisture conservation measures; comprehensive soil health management; efficient water management practices and mainstreaming rainfed technologies.
  • It includes programmatic interventions like:
    • Soil Health Card (SHC): More about SHC at PIB dated Feb 5, 2020.
    • Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
    • Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)
      • It is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
      • It is for implementation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
      • The scheme aims at the development of certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of entire value chain starting from inputs, seeds, certification, to the creation of facilities for collection, aggregation, processing, marketing and brand building initiative.
    • Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
    • National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
    • Sub-mission on Agro Forestry (SMAF)
      • The aim of this mission is to promote tree plantation on farmland along with the productivity enhancement of crops and cropping system.
      • The principal objective of implementing this scheme is to address the development of agroforestry practices for the increased crop production and economic gain in the country.
      • The scheme is being performed in the States which have exempted selected tree species under transit regulations.
      • The scheme also aims at popularising agroforestry methods and practices.

To read more on the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, click on the linked article.

Context:

The above information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in the Lok Sabha.

3. Financial Package to boost Rural Income

Context:

Various government schemes to boost rural income.

Details:

4. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)

Context:

The Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers informed the Lok  Sabha in a written reply that the NPPA is monitoring the situation regularly to ensure that ceiling prices of essential medicines are not breached and are available uninterruptedly.

About the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA):

  • The NPPA was constituted as an attached office of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers in 1997 as an independent Regulator for pricing of drugs and to ensure availability and accessibility of medicines at affordable prices.
  • Functions and responsibilities:
    • To implement and enforce the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order in accordance with the powers delegated to it.
    • To deal with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the Authority.
    • To monitor the availability of drugs, identify shortages, if any, and to take remedial steps.
    • To collect/maintain data on production, exports and imports, market share of individual companies, profitability of companies, etc. for bulk drugs and formulations.
    • To undertake and/or sponsor relevant studies in respect of pricing of drugs/pharmaceuticals.
    • To render advice to the Central Government on changes/revisions in the drug policy.
    • To render assistance to the Central Government in the parliamentary matters relating to the drug pricing.
  • It regularly publishes lists of medicines and their maximum ceiling prices under the Drug Price Control Orders (DPCO).
  • It is headquartered in New Delhi.

5. Agreement between India and Brunei for Exchange of Information

Context:

Agreement between India and Brunei for Exchange of Information notified.

Details:

  • The Agreement between the Indian Government and the Government of Brunei Darussalam for the exchange of information and assistance in collection with respect of taxes was signed in New Delhi, India in February 2019.
  • The Agreement enables exchange of information, including banking and ownership information, between the two countries for tax purposes.
  • It is based on international standards of tax transparency and exchange of information and enables sharing of information on request as well as automatic exchange of information.
  • The Agreement also provides for representatives of one country to undertake tax examinations in the other country. Moreover, it provides for assistance in collection of tax claims.
  • The Agreement will enhance mutual co-operation between India and Brunei Darussalam by providing an effective framework for exchange of information in tax matters which will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance.

6. Stand Up India Scheme

Context:

More than Rs 20,000 crores of loans sanctioned under Stand Up India Scheme since inception.

Details:

To read more on the Stand Up India Scheme, click on the linked article.

7. Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana

Context:

1.59 lakh Sub-Service Areas covered with at least one bank branch under Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana.

Details:

To read more on the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, click on the linked article.

8. Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN)

Details:

  • The RAN was set up to provide financial assistance to patients living below poverty line and who are suffering from major life threatening diseases, to receive medical treatment at any of the super speciality Hospitals/Institutes or other Government hospitals.
  • The financial assistance to such patients is released in the form of a ‘one-time grant’, which is released to the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital in which the treatment has been/is being received.

Context:

The Minister of State for Health mentioned the scheme in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

9. Blue Revolution

Details:

To know more about the Blue Revolution, click on the linked article.

Context:

The Minister of State for Fisheries mentioned the scheme in the Lok Sabha.

10. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System

Context:

The Department of Space (DoS) has reported that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has designed NavIC messaging system and developed a NavIC receiver and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information System (INCOIS) is using this messaging system to broadcast emergency warning messages like cyclone, tsunami and high waves as and when it occurs and also for broadcasting of information of Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ).

Details:

Know more about the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).

March 17th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

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