26 August 2019: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

Read the daily PIB update and stay up-to-date on current affairs for the UPSC exam.

August 26th, 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

All villages will be linked with Wi-Fi

Context

• The Government today reiterated its commitment in providing Wi-Fi in all the villages through GramNet with connectivity between 10mbps to 100 Mbps speed.
• The Minister of State for Communications Shri Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre launched C-DOT’s latest innovations, “C-Sat-Fi (C-DOTSatellite WiFi”, “XGSPON (10 G Symmetrical Passive Optical Network)” and “C-DOT’s Interoperable Set-Top Box (CiSTB).

C-Sat-Fi (C-DOT Satellite WiFi)

• C-Sat-Fi is based on the optimal utilization of wireless and satellite communication to extend connectivity to the unserved areas including the remote islands and difficult terrains.
• Besides offering the ease of deployment, the solution is ideally suited to addressing disasters and emergencies when no other means of communication are available.
• This cost-effective solution does not require expensive Satellite Phones and can work on any WiFi-enabled phone.

C-DOT’s XGSPON (10 G Symmetrical Passive Optical Network)

• C-DOT’s XGSPON is an effective solution to fulfil the rapidly increasing demands of high network speeds emanating from the new dimensions of user applications.
• C-DOT’s XGSPON will help in meeting the demands of applications like IPTV, HD Video Streaming, Online Gaming and host of other cloud-based services that necessitate the seamless availability of high bandwidth.

C-DOT’s Interoperable Set-Top Box (CiSTB)

• CiSTB will prove to be a boon to the dissatisfied customers who cannot change their Cable TV operator in view of the recurring costs of setting and installing the physical infrastructure afresh.
• Based on a portable smart card like a mobile SIM, this solution will revolutionize the experience of the Cable TV operators by offering them a high degree of choice, ease and convenience without having to replace the once installed STB.

About the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)

• C-DOT is a premier Telecom R&D centre of the Government of India is observing its 36th Foundation Day celebrations.
• It was established in 1984 with an initial mandate of designing and developing digital exchanges. C-DOT has expanded to develop intelligent computer software applications.
• Beginning with digital switching systems, C-DOT developed products for optical, satellite and wireless communication from circuit switching technology, ATM and next-generation networks.
• From a pure hardware development centre, it diversified into the development of telecom software like IN, NMS, Data Clearing House and from a protected environment of closed market to an open and competitive market.

Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy, 2019

Context

• Acknowledging the progress that has been made to implement Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy (NREP), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change have extended the timeline to invite comments on it.

About the Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy (NREP)

• The Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy (NREP) envisions a future with environmentally sustainable and equitable economic growth, resource security, healthy environment (air, water and land), and restored ecosystems with rich ecology and biodiversity.
• The Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy is guided by the principles of
• reduction in primary resource consumption to ‘sustainable’ levels, in keeping with achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and staying within the planetary boundaries,
• creation of higher value with less material through resource efficient and circular approaches,
• waste minimization,
• material security, and creation of employment opportunities and business models beneficial to the cause of environment protection and restoration.

MoU for enhanced outreach on HIV/AIDS prevention

Context

• An MoU was signed between National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE).

Notable achievements

• NACO has played a very big role in significantly reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the country, and that too faster than the global rates.
• The impact of the programme has been significant with more than 80% decline in estimated new infections from peak of epidemic in 1995.
• Similarly, estimated AIDS related death declined by 71% since its peak in 2005.
• As per UNAIDS 2018 report, the global average for decline in new infections and AIDS related deaths from peak has been 47% and 51% respectively.
• Dr Harsh Vardhan mentioned that the Government is fully committed for meeting all the set goals to eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030.

Significance of MoU

• MoU will help in developing specific strategies and action plans for HIV and AIDS prevention and mechanisms for drug addiction treatment and extending social protection schemes to the vulnerable populations.
• The MoU will help in developing human resources and build capacity in order to strengthen the service delivery mechanisms for HIV & AIDS prevention, drug addiction treatment and referral to services offered by National AIDS Control Programme and DoSJE.
• The MOU will catalyze in achieving the national goals and objectives of HIV prevention and impact mitigation.
• Reduced incidence of social stigma and discrimination again victims of drug abuse and Children and People Living with HIV/AIDS through programme education settingInclusion of target groups of NACO and National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) in the programmes of NAPDDR & NACO for awareness generation.
• Enhanced linkages and effective co-ordination between Injecting Drug Users Targeted Intervention (IDUs-TI) supported by NACO and Integrated rehabilitation center for Addicts (IRCAs) supported by DSJE.
• Create awareness and educate people about the ill-effects of drugs abuse on the individual, family, workplace and the society at large and reduce stigmatization of and discrimination against, groups and individuals dependent on drugs.
• Develop human resources and build capacity in order to strengthen the service delivery mechanisms for drug addiction treatment.
• Developing welfare scheme aiming at social inclusion and empowerment of Transgender which face extreme social alienation enhancing their vulnerability to HIV and drug abuse.
• Address risk of HIV transmission among all substance users through preventive risk reduction messaging on HIV/STI and linkages with Integrated Testing and Counseling Centre (ICTC) and other services.
• Include female sex workers and transgender as target group for social defence and drug addicts as a target group for NACO.
• Reduced incidence of social stigma and discrimination again victims of drug abuse and Children and People Living with HIV/AIDS through programme education setting

Jal Shakti Abhiyan becomes a Jan Andolan

Context

• The Cabinet Secretary, Shri Pradeep Kumar Sinha, reviewed the work done so far under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA)

About Jal Shakti Abhiyan

• The JSA is a countrywide effort to enhance water security, especially in water stressed districts.
• Intervention Areas
• Water conservation and rainwater harvesting
• Renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks
• Reuse and recharge structures for water
• Watershed development
• Intensive afforestation
• Special Intervention Areas
• Development of Block and District Water Conservation Plans (To be integrated with the District Irrigation Plans)
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra Melas to promote efficient water use for irrigation (Per Drop More Crop), and better choice of crops for water conservation
• In urban areas, plans/approvals with timebound targets to be developed for waste water reuse for industrial and agriculture purposes. Municipalities to pass by-laws for the separation of grey water and blackwater
• Scientists and IITs to be mobilised at the national level to support the teams
• 3D Village Contour Maps may be created and made accessible for efficient planning of interventions
• In the past two months, JSA has delivered over 5 lakh local water conservation infrastructure in 256 districts.
• An estimated 3.7 crore people have already participated in the Abhiyan making it a Jan Andolan and about 12.3 crore saplings have been planted as afforestation intervention.

Jal Jeevan Mission

Context

• Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat chaired a Conference of State Ministers on Jal Jeevan Mission.

Jal Jeevan Mission

• Major objective of Jal Jeevan Mission is to provide piped water supply (Har Ghar Jal) to all rural and urban households by 2024.
• It seeks to converge with other Central and State Government Schemes to achieve its objectives of sustainable water supply management across India.
• Through the initiative government will promote creation of local infrastructure for rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household waste water for reuse in agriculture.

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