08 Aug 2020: PIB Summary & Analysis

August 8th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Comptroller and Auditor-General of India
2. Gandagi Mukt Bharat
3. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
4. Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan/Krishi

1. Comptroller and Auditor-General of India

Context:

Girish Chandra Murmu was sworn in as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

To know more about the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG), role and functions, click on the linked article.

2. Gandagi Mukt Bharat

Context:

Prime Minister launched a week-long programme named ‘Gandagi Mukt Bharat’.

About Gandagi Mukt Bharat:

• The campaign is being launched by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• It is a week-long campaign for swachchata (cleanliness) in the run-up to the Independence Day.
• The Rashtriya Swachchata Kendra was launched as part of this.
• In the week-long campaign, school children and teachers will participate in many activities including painting and essay competitions.

Also read: Swachch Bharat Abhiyan.

3. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

Context:

PM to launch a financing facility under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and release benefits under PM-KISAN.

Details:

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Central Sector Scheme of financing facility under “Agriculture Infrastructure Fund” of Rs. 1 Lakh Crore.
• The Fund will catalyze the creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets such as cold storage, collection centres, processing units, etc.
• These assets will enable farmers to get greater value for their produce, as they will be able to store and sell at higher prices, reduce wastage, and increase processing and value addition.

Read more on the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund in PIB dated July 8, 2020.

4. Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan/Krishi

Context:

Agriculture Mechanization and Technology Division takes various initiatives for farmers’ welfare under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan/Krishi.

Under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan/Krishi, the following schemes have been initiated:

Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

• Agricultural Mechanization is one of the key drivers for sustainable development of the agriculture sector which helps in increasing production by timely farm operations, reducing losses, reducing the cost of operations by ensuring better management of costly inputs.
• Mechanization also enhances the productivity of natural resources and reduces drudgery associated with various farm operations.
• For driving mechanization in this sector, the Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) was launched in 2014.
  • This scheme provides a suitable platform for converging all activities for inclusive growth of agricultural mechanization by providing a ‘single window’ approach for implementation with a special focus on small & marginal farmers.

CRM (Crop Residue Management) scheme

• With an objective to wean away farmers of Punjab and Haryana from Crop Residue Burning, the scheme of CRM (Crop Residue Management) was initiated since 2018 by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
  • Paddy straw burning is one of the major problems in the Northern Region of the country causing environmental pollution.
  • Paddy straw burning is currently practised on a large scale in Punjab & Haryana to clear the fields for Rabi Crop sowing because the time window available between the harvesting of paddy crop and the sowing of next crops is very short (2-3 weeks).
• Under this scheme, farmers are provided machinery for in-situ management of crop residue through the establishment of CHCs (Custom Hiring Centres).
• Individual farmers are also provided with a subsidy for the procurement of machinery.
• The Ministry has also developed a Multilingual Mobile App “CHC- Farm Machinery” which connects the farmers with Custom Hiring Service Centres situated in their locality.
• This App has been modified and provided more features and renamed “FARMS-app” (Farm Machinery Solutions-app).

Read previous PIB here.

August 8th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here