19 Jan 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. National Commission for Safai Karamcharis
2. I4F Programme
3. NDRF

1. National Commission for Safai Karamcharis

Syllabus: GS II, Social Justice, Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of the vulnerable sections

Prelims: National Commission for Safai Karamcharis

Mains: The initiatives taken by the government for the welfare of manual scavengers.

Context: Cabinet approved the extension of tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for three years.

Background :

• The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis recommends the government regarding specific programmes for welfare of the Safai Karamcharis.
• In accordance with the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, the NCSK has been tasked to monitor the implementation of the act.
• Despite the initiatives taken by the government to avert the socio-economic deprivation of the scavengers, hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks continues to be a major issue. 
• Due to this, the government realised the need to continue the monitoring of welfare programmes for the Safai Karamcharis in order to achieve the goal of complete mechanisation of sewer/septic tanks cleaning in the country along with the rehabilitation of manual scavengers. 

Who are the Safai Karamcharis?

• The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993 defines Safai Karamcharis as persons engaged in, or employed for manually carrying human excreta or any sanitation work. 

About NCSK : 

• The commission was established in 1993 and was valid till 1997 followed by the further extension of the tenure of the act. 
• The commission was later extended as a non-statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• The tenure of the commission is extended from time to time through government resolutions. 

Read more about National Commission for Safai Karamcharis in the linked article

2. I4F Programme

Syllabus: GS II, International Relations, Bilateral agreements involving India

Prelims: I4F

Mains: Significance of India- Israel collaboration in the areas of research and innovation. 

Context: The 8th Governing body meeting was held virtually and involved the experts from India and Israel to widen the scope of the India-Israel Industrial R&D & Technological Innovation Fund (I4F).

Key elements of the I4F meeting:

• The India- Israel collaborative ecosystem has been broadened with the approval of 3 joint R&D giving new directions to boost research and innovation. 
• The projects include centrally monitored IoT nanosensors for molecular diagnostics in healthcare and screening applications, mosquito control biological solutions and IoT enabled satellite communication for real-time collection of agriculture and environment data across the country. 
• The members present in the meeting decided to develop a new phase of strategy called I4F 2.0 which intends to enhance the scope of funding by determining the technical feasibility and market acceptability of new products.
• The discussions were made to co-develop disruptive technologies in strategic sectors inviting the research performers from the academia.
• The experts recommended focusing on Partnership Development Activities that result in the increase of more business activities between Indian and Israeli companies and startups through online events. 

About the I4F Fund:

• The I4F fund is a cooperation between the Department of Science and Technology, the Government of India and the Israel Innovation Authority, Government of Israel.
• The major objective is to promote, facilitate and support joint industrial R&D between the two countries.
• The Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA) has been appointed to implement the I4F programme in India whereas Israel Innovation Authority is the implementing agency in Israel. 

Read more about the India- Israel Relations in the linked article

3. NDRF

Syllabus: GS III, Disaster Management

Prelims: NDRF

Mains: Contributions of NDRF in disaster relief and management

Context: The Prime Minister lauded the National Disaster Response Force for its remarkable contributions and tireless efforts to extend rapid disaster relief and humanitarian assistance at the hour of crisis like natural calamities, pandemic-like situations and other unusual events. 

About NDRF:

• The NDRF was formed on 19th of January 2006 and every year this day is remembered as its Raising Day.
• It has been serving as a body to mitigate the implications of natural disasters playing a crucial role in community awareness on Disaster Risk Reduction.

To know more about the NDRF, follow the linked article

Read previous PIB here.

January 19th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here