4 February 2020: PIB Summary & Analysis

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February 4th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Bodo Agreement
2. Low Agricultural Income
3. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
4. Awareness programme on Agri Exports in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
5. DGFT portal to enable States/UTs to develop all districts as Export Hubs
6. Global Hunger Index 2019
7. Automation of Ration Shops
8. Steps taken by the Ministry of Culture to promote research on Buddhist Studies and Culture in India
9. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)
10. National Population Policy
11. NSP for TB Elimination
12. Adolescence Education Programme (AEP)

1. Bodo Agreement

Context:

Prime Minister will participate in the celebrations of the signing of the Bodo Agreement.

Details:

  • For more on the Bodo Agreement, check CNA dated Jan 28, 2020.
  • Over 1615 cadres of different factions of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) have surrendered their arms and joined the mainstream within two days of the signing of the agreement.
  • A special package of Rs 1500 crore is earmarked for the development of the region.

2. Low Agricultural Income

Details:

  • The average income of agricultural households in the country is estimated by the National Statistical Office (NSO) through the ‘Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households’ conducted from time to time.
  • The first such survey was conducted in rural parts of the country during the National Sample Survey (NSS) 59th round (2003). Thereafter, a repeat survey was conducted during the NSS 70th round (2013).
  • As per the Survey results, which although not strictly comparable, the average monthly income per agricultural household from various sources is estimated to have increased from Rs. 2115 in 2003 to Rs. 6426 in 2013.
  • Some of the main reasons for low level of growth of income of people engaged in the agriculture sector may be as follows:
    • Predominance of small and marginal operational holdings
    • Low irrigation coverage
    • Poor soil health
    • Inadequate marketing facilities and post-harvest supporting services
    • Lack of focus on the allied sectors of agriculture
  • Growth rate of Gross Value Added (GVA) in agriculture and allied sectors is directly and indirectly affected by various factors, including changes in income of agricultural households.
  • With a view to make agriculture more remunerative, various schemes are implemented by the government, such as:
    • Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
    • Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme
      • 40 lakh Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers under the Model Village Project.
      • Under this scheme, farmers can know the major and minor nutrients available in their soils which will ensure judicious use of fertiliser application and reduce the cost of inputs and improve soil fertility.
      • A Soil Health Card is used to assess the current status of soil health and, when used over time, to determine changes in soil health that are affected by land management.
      • It displays soil health indicators and associated descriptive terms. The indicators are typically based on farmers’ practical experience and knowledge of local natural resources.
      • The card lists soil health indicators that can be assessed without the aid of technical or laboratory equipment.
    • National Agriculture Market Scheme (e-NAM)
    • Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
    • National Food Security Mission (NFSM): For more on the National Food Security Mission, check PIB dated Nov 19, 2019.
    • Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA): For more on PM-AASHA, check CNA dated 5th Dec 2019.
    • Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): For more on MIDH, check PIB dated 10th Dec 2019.
    • Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
    • Besides these, the government has adopted the principle of fixing Minimum Support Price (MSP) at a level of 50 per cent over the all-India weighted average cost of production of crops.
  • With a view to provide income support to all farmers’ families across the country, the Central Government has started a new Central Sector Scheme, namely, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).
    • The Scheme aims to provide a payment of Rs. 6000/- per year, in three installments of Rs. 2000/- each to the farmer families, subject to certain exclusions relating to higher income groups.
    • For more on PM-KISAN, click on the linked article.

Context:

The above information was provided by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in the Lok Sabha.


3. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

Context:

Promotion of traditional farming.

Details:

  • The government has been encouraging farmers to engage in traditional/organic farming in the country through the scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).
  • Enough flexibility is given to States to adopt any model of traditional/organic farming including Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) depending on farmers’ choice.
  • Assistance of Rs 50000/ ha/3 years is provided for organic inputs, certification, labeling, packing, transportation and marketing of organic produce under this scheme.
  • Organic farming of niche crops of the North East Region for exports is also being supported under Mission Organic Value Chain Development (MOVCDNER) wherein Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are supported for organic inputs, post-harvest management practices including infrastructure creation and marketing in a value chain mode.
  • Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed Integrated Organic Farming System models and identified suitable crop species/varieties for traditional/organic farming.
  • The government is disseminating information about traditional farming by organizing training and awareness campaign/workshop and educating the farmers about traditional/organic farming practices.

For more on Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), click on the linked article.


4. Awareness programme on Agri Exports in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Context:

An awareness programme was organized by Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industries, GOI along with the Directorate of Industries of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N Islands) in Port Blair to examine ways to promote the exports of agri products and implementation of the Agri Export Policy in the Islands.

Details:

  • The A&N Islands have the advantage of being on the sea route to the South East Asian Nations and can directly export the agri products from the islands to these countries.
  • In the awareness programme, it was informed by the local administration that plans have been drawn to establish trans-shipment ports in the Islands to promote direct export from the Islands.

To know more about APEDA, check PIB dated 5th Jan 2020.


5. DGFT portal to enable States/UTs to develop all districts as Export Hubs

Context:

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is aiming to develop all districts as export hubs.

Details:

  • The DGFT has been engaging with States/UTs to initiate the preparation and implementation of a District Export Plan (DEP) specific to each district in every State/UT through an institutional structure at the district level.
  • The DGFT is also developing a portal that may be accessed on the DGFT website to enable the States to upload all information related to the products with export potential of every district.
  • The District Export Plan will include the support required by the local industry in boosting their manufacturing and exports with impetus on supporting the industry from the production stage to the exporting stage.
  • Informative material on various incentives provided by the Government of India and the respective State Government, of exporters will be disseminated to the industry and other potential exporters.
  • The DEP will also include strategy to enhance logistics and infrastructure at the district level and better utilization of the Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme of the Department of Commerce for inviting foreign buyers under reverse buyer-seller meets at the district level.
  • State/UTs will be assisted in preparing an annual “Export Ranking Index” of different districts in a particular State/UT to rank each district on its export competitiveness.
  • The States/UTs that have notified the constitution of a State Level Export Promotion Committee (SLEPC) are Delhi, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Tripura, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat.
  • The products identified, which have export potential, from the 750 districts in the country are leather articles, sand and stone articles, spices, garments, wool, food products, ceramics, cement, silk, carpet, glass items, metal crafts, sports goods, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, auto parts, poultry products, vegetables, cut flowers, forest produce, bamboo products and scientific instruments.

6. Global Hunger Index 2019

Context:

India’s ranking in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2019 brought out by Concern World Wide is 102.

The information was given by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution in the Lok Sabha.

Details:

For more on the Global Hunger Index 2019, check CNA dated 17th Oct 2019.


7. Automation of Ration Shops

Details:

  • The Department of Food and Public Distribution in association with all States/UTs is implementing a scheme on ‘End-to-End Computerization of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) Operations’ including automation of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) to bring transparency and efficiency in the allocation and distribution of highly subsidised food grains to beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).
  • To sustain the reforms brought in by the scheme on ‘End-to-End Computerization of TPDS Operations’ and to introduce new reforms, the Department in association with States/UTs is implementing another scheme namely “Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)”
    • The main objective of the scheme is to introduce nation-wide portability of ration card holders under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), through ‘One Nation One Ration Card’
    • This system enables the migratory ration card holders/beneficiaries to lift their entitled food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice in the country by using their existing/same ration card issued in their home State/UT after biometric/Aadhaar authentication on electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices installed at the FPSs.
    • So far this facility is available in 12 States.

Context:

The above information was given in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.

For more on ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ scheme, check PIB dated Aug 9, 2019.


8. Steps taken by the Ministry of Culture to promote research on Buddhist Studies and Culture in India

Details:

  • To promote research on Buddhist Studies and Buddhist Culture in India, the Ministry of Culture currently operates four autonomous Buddhist educational institutions, in Nalanda (Bihar), Varanasi (UP), Leh (Ladakh) and Dahung (Arunachal Pradesh).
    • The mandate of these educational institutions is to provide education in Buddhist philosophies, Culture & Art and to promote research in different aspects of Buddhism, preserve ancient Buddhist manuscripts, digitize ancient Buddhist text preserved in the languages of Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese and other Asian languages through the system of a modern university.
  • The Ministry of Culture also provides annual grants-in-aid for the upkeep and maintenance of six grantee bodies for promoting Buddhist culture and art.
  • In addition, there are two other financial grant schemes for the propagation and scientific development of Buddhist culture and tradition as also for the preservation of cultural heritage of Himalayas.
  • The Ministry of Culture has signed Cultural Exchange Programmes (CEPs) with a number of countries which include countries having Buddhist population viz. China, Japan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Thailand, etc.
  • Besides, with a view to building international cultural relations with other Buddhist nations, the Buddhist institutes under the Ministry have various alumni exchange programmes, faculty exchange programmes, collaborative research projects and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with various international Institutes located in USA, Australia, Russia, Korea, Mongolia, etc.
  • The Ministry of Tourism undertakes various promotional activities on an ongoing basis in the international markets including those with a Buddhist population. These promotions are undertaken with the objective of showcasing the various tourist destinations and products of the country including the Buddhist sites.
  • Various projects for Buddhist sites are being undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism under the scheme of Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD.
    • For more on the Swadesh Darshan scheme, check PIB dated 24th Dec 2019.
    • About Prasad Scheme:
      • The Ministry of Tourism initiated this scheme in 2015.
      • It is a government scheme that focuses on identifying and developing pilgrim sites across the country to enrich the religious tourism experience.
      • It aims at the integrated development of pilgrimage destinations in a planned, prioritised and sustainable manner to provide complete religious tourism experience.
      • PRASAD is an acronym for Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive.
      • The scheme also aims to harness pilgrimage tourism for its direct and multiplier effects on employment generation and economic development.
      • Another objective of Prasad is to promote local arts, culture, handicrafts, cuisine, etc. to generate livelihood.

Context:

The above information was supplied by the Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism in the Rajya Sabha.


9. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)

Context:

39 Mega Food Parks and 298 Integrated Cold Chain Projects sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).

Details:

For more on the Kisan Sampada Yojana, click on the linked article.


10. National Population Policy

Details:

  • The National Population Policy formulated in the year 2000, reaffirms the Government’s commitment towards voluntary and informed choice, target free approach and achievement of replacement level of fertility by simultaneously addressing the issues of contraception, maternal health and child survival.
  • The National Family Planning Programme of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is guided by the tenets of the National Population Policy 2000 and oversees its implementation.
  • The successes achieved by the Programme are:
    • The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined from 2.9 in 2005 to 2.2 in 2017.
    • 25 out of 37 States/UTs have already achieved replacement level fertility of 2.1 or less.
    • The decadal growth rate has declined from 21.54% in 1999-2000 to 17.64 % during 2001-11.
    • The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) has declined from 23.8 to 20.2 from 2005 to 2017 (SRS).
    • The teenage birth rate has halved from 16 % (NFHS III) to 8 % (NFHS IV).

Context:

The above information was given by the Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare) in the Rajya Sabha.


11. NSP for TB Elimination

Details:

  • Incidence of TB has decreased from 217 per lakh in 2015 to 199 per lakh in 2018 and the total TB Notification has increased from 16.2 lakhs in 2015 to 23.7 lakhs in 2019.
  • “TB Harega, Desh Jeetega” campaign was launched recently as an accelerator to National Strategic Plan with the objectives of:
    • Promoting health seeking behaviour in the community for early case detection
    • Preventing emergence of new cases of TB
  • Components of the “TB Harega, Desh Jeetega” campaign:
    • Community Engagement
    • Advocacy and Communication
    • Health & Wellness centres and TB
    • Inter-Ministerial collaboration
    • Private health sector engagement
    • Corporate sector engagement
    • Latent TB Infection Management
  • For more on Tuberculosis, click on the linked article.

Context:

The above information was given by the Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare) in the Rajya Sabha.


12. Adolescence Education Programme (AEP)

Details:

  • The Government of India is implementing the Adolescence Education Programme (AEP) through State AIDS Control Societies in coordination with State Council of Educational Research and Training using a 16 hours curriculum based module developed by NCERT; for adolescents in both inside and outside formal schools.
  • The programme aims to empower adolescent learners to acquire knowledge of their needs and concerns related to the period of adolescence and develop life skills that enable them to practice informed and responsible behaviours.
  • Adolescents are equipped with accurate information, knowledge and skills in the specific contexts of the process of growing up and prevention of HIV/AIDS.
  • Besides this, there is comprehensive integration of the adolescent health needs and concerns into the school education and teacher education system.
  • The target groups of AEP are all learners studying at the secondary and senior secondary level in government, local body and government-aided schools and learners of open schooling systems.
  • Orientation and sensitization is also provided to identified out-of-school adolescents and youth for awareness regarding life skills education.
  • Under School based approach of Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), there is emphasis on preventive and promotive activities among school going adolescents.

About the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram/National Adolescent Health Programme:

  • The scheme was launched in 2014.
  • The key principles of this programme are adolescent participation and leadership, equity and inclusion, gender equity and strategic partnerships with other sectors and stakeholders.
  • The programme envisions enabling all adolescents in India to realize their full potential by making informed and responsible decisions related to their health and well-being and by accessing the services and support they need to do so.
  • It introduces community-based interventions through peer educators, and is underpinned by collaborations with other ministries and state governments.
  • Objectives:
    • Improve Nutrition
    • Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health
    • Enhance Mental Health
    • Prevent Injuries and violence
    • Prevent substance misuse

Context:

The above information was given by the Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare) in the Rajya Sabha.

February 4th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

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