10 Jan 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. World Spice Congress (WSC)
2. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
3. India’s four plank energy security strategy

1. World Spice Congress (WSC)

Syllabus – GS3, Agriculture; Marketing of Agricultural Produce

Prelims – 14th World Spice Congress

Context – 14th Edition of World Spice Congress (WSC) to be held in Mumbai, Maharashtra (16 -18 February 2023).

Details –

• India is known as the “Spice Bowl” of the world as it produces quality, rare and medicinal spices. With the objective of promoting the international trade of Indian spices, the 17th edition of WSC is to be held in Mumbai from 16 – 18 February, 2023.
• World Spice Congress (WSC), the conglomeration of the global spice industry, has become the most apt platform to deliberate the concerns and considerations of the sector over its three-decades-long presence. Organised under the leadership of the Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India with support from various trade and export forums, the World Spice Congress provides an opportunity to get to know the sector in a better way. Trade, sustainability, quality and food safety initiatives, recent developments, concerns and future prospects are discussed and deliberated in detail by the key players of the industry – the producers, traders, processors, exporters and regulators from across the world.
• This edition of WSC is special since it coincides with India’s G20 presidency. The event will have special business sessions to promote spice trade among G20 countries. Policymakers, regulatory authorities, spice trade associations, government officials as well as technical experts from key G20 countries will participate in the event.
• The theme of the 17th World Spice Congress 2023 is VISION 2030- S-P-I-C-E-S (Sustainability, Productivity, Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence and Safety).
• During 2022-23, there has been an increased demand for certain spices like fenugreek, ajwain, cumin, dill, poppy, mustard seeds, etc. Garlic has registered an increase of 170% in quantity during April-October 2022 compared to the same period last year. Some other spices such as Saffron, which had a bumper crop in the current season, Asafoetida, Cinnamon and Cassia also show a positive trend.
• The 17th WSC is expected to be bigger and more diverse than its previous editions.

2. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

Syllabus – GS3, Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. 

Prelims – DAC, ALH

Context – DAC approved AoN for three Capital Acquisition Proposals.

Details –

• The Defence Acquisition Council headed by the Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh approved the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for three capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 4276 cr. The three proposals – two for the Indian army and one for the Indian navy are under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
• The approval is for the procurement of HELINA, anti-tank guided missiles, launchers and associated support equipment which will be integrated into the ALH (Advanced Light Helicopters).
• The approval is also for the procurement of the VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile system under design and development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). VSHORAD, a robust and quickly deployable system will strengthen the Air Defence Capabilities.
• Also, approval has been granted for the procurement of a Brahmos Launcher and Fire Control System (FCS) for the Shivalik class of ships & Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) for the Indian Navy.

About DAC-

• DAC is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services – Army, Navy and Air Force, and the Indian Coast Guard. 

Read more about DAC – The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).

3. India’s four plank energy security strategy

Syllabus – GS3, Economy; Infrastructure: Energy

Prelims – Green Hydrogen, Electric Vehicles

Context – India’s energy security strategy

Details –

• India’s four-plank energy security strategy is based on diversification of energy supplies; Increasing India’s Exploration & Production footprint; Alternate energy sources and meeting energy transition through a Gas-based economy, Green Hydrogen and EVs.
• India increased the number of its crude oil suppliers from 27 countries in 2006-07 to 39 in 2021-22, adding new suppliers like Columbia, Russia, Libya, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, etc.
• Energy prices globally shot up following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but consumers in India were largely insulated as state-owned retailers did not raise prices commensurate with the spurt.
• While the nation is dependent on imports to meet 85 per cent of its oil needs and 50 per cent of its natural gas requirements, India is mixing ethanol extracted from sugarcane and other agri produce in petrol to cut overseas reliance.
• Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural gas said that India will achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025-26. The government is setting up five 2G ethanol biorefineries in the country.
• And for making India a hub for the production of green hydrogen – the fuel of the future which has zero carbon footprint – an incentive of Rs 19,744 crore under the National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHEM) has been announced and the target is to produce at least 5 million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen by 2030.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

January 10th, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here