22 Dec 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Pralay Missile
2. MSP for Copra
3. National Oxygen Stewardship Programme
4. Vernacular Innovation Programme
5. Adjournment motion

1. Pralay Missile

Topic: GS 3; Science and Technology, Indigenization of technology and developing new technology

Prelims: About ballistic missiles

Mains: Self-reliance in defence technology   

Context: The first flight test of indigenously developed surface to surface missile ‘Pralay’ has been conducted by DRDO from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. 

Salient Features:

• The missile is powered with a solid propellant rocket motor with a range of 150 – 500 kilometres.
• Pralay is a next-generation short-range ballistic missile with a carrying capacity of a 1-tonne warhead.
• It can be launched from a mobile launcher.
• The missile guidance system is provided with the latest navigation system and integrated avionics. 
• This weapon is based on the Prithvi Defence Vehicle which is a part of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Program. 
• The missile met all the objectives with greater accuracy. 
• The payload capacity is 500 – 1000 kg.

Read more about Surface to Surface Missile in the linked article.

2. MSP for Copra

Topic: GS 3; Economy, Minimum Support Prices 

Prelims: About MSP

Mains: Interventions by government in doubling the income of farmers.

Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the minimum support price for copra for 2022.

Details:

• The Fair Average Quality of milling copra has been increased to Rs 10,590/quintal for 2022 along with the increase in the price of ball copra to Rs 11,000/quintal. This will ensure a return of 51.8% for milling copra and 57.73% for ball copra.
• The increase in MSP for Copra is in line with the principle of fixing the MSP at a level that is 1.5 times the all India weighted average cost of production as announced by the government during the Budget session of 2018-19.
• This decision was based on the recommendation of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
• The major aim is to double the income of farmers by 2022 with the assurance of a minimum of 50% as a margin of profit which is a progressive step. 
• The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited and National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India Limited will continue to act as the nodal agencies for price support operations in the coconut growing states. 

What is Copra?

• The dried portion of coconut is referred to as copra which is the kernel of the fruit of coconut palm.
• Copra is valued for the extraction of coconut oil and also in livestock feed.

3. National Oxygen Stewardship Programme

Topic: GS 2; Issues Related to Health

Prelims: About the programme

Mains: Initiatives of the government in the improvement of healthcare

Context: In order to establish a sustainable capacity building programme pertaining to the supply of Oxygen, the National Oxygen Stewardship Programme has been initiated by the Union Health Ministry and it was inaugurated at AIIMS, New Delhi. 

Aim of the Initiative:

• This programme intends to strengthen the healthcare workers who indulge in oxygen management and administration with knowledge and skills to ensure proper usage of oxygen without any wastage.
• The trainees would be called Oxygen Stewards in each district across the country.
• The trained professionals will lead the training on Oxygen therapy and management in their respective districts and assist in audits of oxygen delivery. 
• The program emphasises increasing the oxygen availability with a sanction of 1500 Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen plants. 

Significance:

• This initiative gains significance in the wake of the oxygen shortage that was witnessed during the pandemic. 
• The National Oxygen Stewardship program is a welcoming step towards the capacity building of oxygen and reflects India’s conscious efforts to achieve self-reliance. 
• This will lead to the enhancement of skilled workers in the healthcare sector and improve oxygen efficiency. 

4. Vernacular Innovation Programme

 Topic: GS 2; Social Justice, Issues relating to development and management of social sector/services relating to Education and Human Resources. 

Prelims: About the programme

Mains: Significance

Context: The NITI Aayog within the ambit of its Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) created an innovation ecosystem in 22 languages mentioned in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.

Objectives:

• This programme aims at empowering entrepreneurs and innovators across the country by introducing ease of communication without any language barriers.
• It aims to enrich the local, regional, national and global innovation pipeline by enabling learning in vernacular languages.

About the Vernacular Innovation Program:

• Under this programme, the AIM will train a vernacular task force (VTF) in the scheduled languages. 
• Each task force will have vernacular language teachers, subject experts and technical writers.
• Additionally, there will be the launch of the ‘Train the Trainer’ programme which would be in association with the design department of IIT Delhi to coach the task force.
• The task force would be trained in design thinking, entrepreneurship and adaptation of the subjects in vernacular languages and cultures. This training platform would also be accessible to vernacular innovators.

Significance:

• The vernacular innovators represent 90% of the population and this initiative of the NITI Aayog opens up opportunities for learning and innovation and acknowledges creativity without language barriers.
• This will be a boost to local artisans and local and regional entrepreneurs to assimilate knowledge and technical materials as believed by the experts.
• A strong network of innovators and design experts will be created along with the exchange of innovative ideas.
• Such initiatives are steps to recognise the huge potential hidden in this vibrant nation.

5. Adjournment motion

Topic: GS 2; Indian Polity, Parliament – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these

Prelims: About Adjournment Motion 

Context: The winter session of the Parliament is adjourned sine die with the passage of 11 bills by both the houses of the Parliament and introduction of 13 bills. 

Read more about Adjournment Motion in the linked article.

Read previous PIB here.

December 22nd, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here