10 Aug 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. 2G  Ethanol Plant
2. Passenger Name Record (PNR) Information Regulations, 2022
3. SMILE - 75

1. 2G Ethanol Plant

Syllabus – GS3; Infrastructure; Energy

Prelims – Non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels, 2G Ethanol Plant.

Details –

• World Biofuel Day is observed every year on 10th August. On the occasion of World Biofuel Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the 2nd generation (2G) Ethanol Plant in Panipat, Haryana to the nation via video conferencing. Terming the Ethanol Plant just a beginning, he said that this plant will reduce pollution in Delhi, Haryana and NCR. He said that with the establishment of this modern plant, farmers of Haryana, where rice and wheat are grown in abundance, will get another lucrative means of using crop residue.
• The bio-fuel plant of Panipat will also be able to dispose of the stubble without burning it, thereby protecting the environment. The stubble which was a burden for farmers will become a means of additional income for them and the country will also get an alternative fuel. 
• The dedication of the plant is part of a long series of steps taken by the government over the years to boost the production and usage of biofuels in the country. This is in line with the Prime Minister’s constant endeavour to transform the energy sector into being more affordable, accessible, efficient and sustainable.
• The 2G Ethanol Plant has been built at an estimated cost of over Rs. 900 crores by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) and is located close to the Panipat Refinery. Based on state-of-the-art indigenous technology, the project will turn a new chapter in India’s waste-to-wealth endeavours by utilising about 2 lakh tonnes of rice straw (parali) annually to generate around 3 crore litres of Ethanol annually.
• Creating an end-use for the agri-crop residue would empower farmers and provide an additional income generation opportunity. The Project will provide direct employment to people involved in the plant operation and indirect employment will be generated in the supply chain for rice straw cutting, handling, storage, etc.
• The project will have zero liquid discharge. By reducing the burning of rice straw (parali), the project will reduce Greenhouse Gases equivalent to about 3 lakh tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent emissions per annum.

2. Passenger Name Record (PNR) Information Regulations, 2022

Syllabus – GS-3; Security; Security Challenges and their Management.

Prelims – PNR Regulations, 2022.

Details –

• In order to provide a defined framework for the collection of specified details relating to international passengers travelling by air, the Passenger Name Record Information Regulations, 2022 (the ‘Regulations’) were notified. These regulations are meant to enhance the detection, interdiction and investigative capabilities of Customs Authorities using non-intrusive techniques for combating offences related to smuggling of contraband such as narcotics, psychotropic substances, gold, arms & ammunition, etc. that directly impact national security. This mechanism is being widely used by border management agencies of several administrations.

The salient points of the Regulations are as under:

1. The Regulations require the operator of Aircraft (i.e airlines) to transmit specified information electronically to the designated Customs System.
2. The data exchange between the Airlines and the Customs Systems is through the PNRGOV EDIFACT message format. This is a standard electronic message format.
3. The data is obtained in advance of departure or arrival of the passengers for analytics by the Customs Risk Management System.
4. The information collected is subject to strict information privacy and data protection and there are adequate legal and administrative safeguards built in.
5. In the normal course, the data collected is stored only for five years after which it is disposed of by depersonalisation or anonymisation. The Regulations provide for an extensive and independent system audit and security audit to prevent misuse of the information.

These Regulations strike a good balance between the need for privacy and the imperatives of security.

3. SMILE – 75

Syllabus – GS-2; Social Justice; Welfare Schemes for vulnerable sections of the population

Prelims – SMILE – 75.

Context – Comprehensive rehabilitation of the persons engaged in the act of begging. 

Details –

• In the spirit of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, has identified 75 Municipal Corporations to implement comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of begging under “SMILE: Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise” named as “SMILE–75 Initiative”.
• Under the SMILE-75 initiative, seventy-five Municipal Corporations in collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders will cover several comprehensive welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging with a focus extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, awareness, education, skill development, economic linkages and convergence with other Government welfare programmes, etc.
• The Government of India has recognised the persistent problem of destitution and beggary and formulated a comprehensive scheme of SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) which includes a sub-scheme of comprehensive rehabilitation for persons engaged in begging that covers identification, rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, and education, skill development for a decent job and self-employment/entrepreneurship.

Read previous PIB here.

August 10th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here