02 Aug 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. New Category of Ayush Visa for Foreign Nationals
2. PLI Scheme for 14 Key Sectors
3. ‘Action Plan’ for Startups
4. Impact of Climate Change upon the Indian Subcontinent
5. PEHCHAN Scheme

1. New Category of Ayush Visa for Foreign Nationals

Syllabus: GS-2, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Prelims: Ayush Visa, Ayush systems of medicine

Mains: Indian systems of medicine, government measures to promote them

Context:

Government introduces a new category of Ayush visa for foreign nationals seeking treatment under the Indian systems of medicine.

Details:

• The Union  Home Ministry has notified the creation of a new category of Ayush (AY) visa for foreign nationals for treatment under Ayush systems/Indian systems of medicine. 
• Chapter 11A – Ayush Visa has been incorporated after Chapter 11 – Medical Visa of the Visa Manual, which deals with treatment under the Indian systems of medicine and accordingly necessary amendments have been made in various chapters of the Visa Manual, 2019.
• This step is expected to boost medical tourism in the country.
• It is also a step towards fulfilling the government’s vision of making the Indian systems of medicine a global phenomenon.
• This is part of India’s roadmap for the Heal in India initiative of the government, which is intended at promoting India as a medical value travel destination.
• Medical Value Travel has seen significant growth in India in recent years. 
• The Ayush-based healthcare & wellness economy is estimated to grow to $70 billion by 2025.

Also read: National Ayush Mission

2. PLI Scheme for 14 Key Sectors

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Prelims: PLI Scheme

Context:

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes for 14 key sectors have been announced.

Details:

• The schemes have been announced with an outlay of Rs. 1.97 lakh crore to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities and exports.
• The sectors are as follows:
  • Mobile Manufacturing and Specified Electronic Components
  • Critical Key Starting Materials/Drug Intermediaries & Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
  • Manufacturing of Medical Devices
  • Automobiles and Auto Components
  • Pharmaceuticals Drugs
  • Specialty Steel
  • Telecom & Networking Products
  • Electronic/Technology Products
  • White Goods (ACs and LEDs)
  • Food Products
  • Textile Products: MMF segment and technical textiles
  • High-efficiency solar PV modules
  • Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery
  • Drones and Drone Components
• Purpose of the PLI schemes:
  • To attract investments in key sectors and cutting-edge technology
  • To ensure efficiency and bring economies of size and scale in the manufacturing sector 
  • To make Indian companies and manufacturers globally competitive
• These schemes have the potential to significantly boost production, employment and economic growth over the next five years or so.

3. ‘Action Plan’ for Startups

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Prelims: ‘Action Plan’ for Startups, Startup India

Context:

‘Action Plan’ for Startups unveiled to create a vibrant startup ecosystem in the country.

About the Action Plan for Startups:

• The Action Plan comprises 19 action items spanning areas such as “Simplification and handholding”, “Funding support and incentives” and “Industry-academia partnership and incubation”.
• The flagship schemes namely, Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) support startups at various stages of their business cycle to enable startups to graduate to a level where they are able to raise investments from angel investors or venture capitalists or seek loans from commercial banks or financial institutions. 
• The Government also implements annual exercises and programs including the States’ Startup Ranking, National Startup Awards and Innovation Week which play an important role in the holistic development of the startup ecosystem. 

4. Impact of Climate Change upon the Indian Subcontinent

Syllabus: GS-3, Environment and Ecology

Mains: Impact of Climate Change upon the Indian Subcontinent

Details: 

• In 2020, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) published a report titled, ‘Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region’, which contains a comprehensive assessment of the impact of climate change upon the Indian subcontinent. 
• According to the report:
  • India’s average temperature has risen by around 0.7 deg. C during 1901-2018.
  • The frequency of daily precipitation extremes (rainfall intensities >150 mm per day) increased by about 75% during 1950-2015.
  • The frequency and spatial extent of droughts over India increased significantly during 1951-2015.
  • Sea-level rise in the North Indian Ocean occurred at a rate of 3.3 mm per year in the last two and half decades (1993-2017).
  • The frequency of Severe Cyclonic Storms over the Arabian Sea has increased during the post-monsoon seasons of 1998-2018.

Context:

This information was given by the Union Minister of Earth Sciences in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

5. PEHCHAN Scheme

Syllabus: GS-2, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

Prelims: PEHCHAN Scheme

Context:

PEHCHAN scheme to provide a new identity to handicraft artisans and help them avail benefits of various schemes.

About the PEHCHAN Scheme:

• The scheme was launched in 2016 to provide a new identity to handicraft artisans so that the benefits of various schemes are provided to deserving artisans.
• Registered artisans with Pehchan cards can avail the benefits of the National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP) and the Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) of the Ministry of Textiles.
• Benefits/assistance provided to the registered artisans:
  • Skill & Training upgradation, design development workshops, tool kit distributions, marketing platforms, and infrastructural support.
  • Individual benefits to artisans like Mudra loans, Interest Subvention and Margin Money on Mudra loans.
  • Shilp Guru and National Awards to master artisans.
  • Monthly pension of Rs. 8,000 to awardee artisans under indigent circumstances.

Read the previous PIB articles here.