21 Jan 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The 50th Statehood Day
2. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
3. National Single Window System (NSWS)

1. The 50th Statehood Day

Syllabus: GS II, Polity, Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure

Prelims: Reorganization of States, States Reorganization Commission

Context: Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya celebrated their 50th statehood day upholding the values of the indestructible Indian Union of destructible states.

Turning the pages of history: 

• Post Independent India witnessed the existence of more than 560 princely states.
• These princely states were provided with choices of either to join the territory of India or Pakistan or retain their sovereignty as per the provisions of the Indian Independence Act of 1947.
• Tripura and Manipur were erstwhile princely states that merged with the Indian Union in October 1949.
•  Tripura and Manipur became full-fledged states on the 21st of January, 1972. On the same day Meghalaya was accorded statehood which was a part of Assam.
• All the three states were accorded statehood under the provisions of the North Eastern Region (Reorganization) Act, 1971. 

Read in details about the Reorganization of States in the linked article

About the Celebration:

• The 50th foundation day of the three North Eastern states was celebrated with the announcement of several welfare programmes that intend to improve the livelihood opportunities for the people of North East and head towards the overall development of the region.
• Over a period of time, there have been several connectivity and infrastructure projects in the North-East region which will experience further progress in the upcoming years.

States Reorganization Commission: 

• The States Reorganization Commission was set up in order to study and examine the issue of reorganization of the states and the grounds considered for the exercise.
• The Dhar commission and JVP committee supported the reorganization of states on grounds of administrative convenience. However, there were demands for states to be reorganized on linguistic grounds. 
• It was suggested that formation of states only on the grounds of language will not serve the purpose of national unity and interest. 
• There was a demand for the state of Andhra Pradesh for the Telugu speaking population that was overlooked by the government. This led to the demise of Potti Srirammalu who went on hunger strike to stand firm on the demand of having a state for Telugu speaking people. 
• This made the government revisit the criteria for the formation of states. 
• A committee composed of Justice Fazal Ali, K.M. Pannikar and H.N Kunzru was set up in 1953 to study the matter in great detail.
• In their report, it was recommended that the reorganization exercise shall be carried out on the basis of administrative convenience and linguistic criteria was accepted.
• The government divided the country into 14 states and 6 union territories under the State Reorganization Act 1956.

2. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Syllabus: GS I, The freedom struggle – important contributors

Mains: Contributions of Netaji in the freedom struggle of India

Context: The year 2022 marks the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The Prime Minister offered homage to this courageous personality and commemorated his contributions towards the freedom struggle of India. 

Important Events:

• To pay tribute to Netaji, his grand statue will be installed on his birth anniversary which is on the 23rd of January at India Gate. 
• This statue is made up of granite and symbolizes his indebtedness towards nation building.  
• Netaji’s birth anniversary is also regarded as the ‘Parakram Diwas’ devoted to the memory of the former commander of the erstwhile Indian National Army. 

Read more about Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the linked article

3. National Single Window System (NSWS)

Syllabus: GS II, Government Policies and Interventions

Prelims: Ease of doing business, PLI 

Mains: Government initiative to promote business in the country

Context: A review meeting of the National single window system was held with a prime focus on the simplicity of operations and transparency. 

About NSWS: 

• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched the national single window system for expanding the scope of Ease of Doing Business. 
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade in association with Invest India initiated this portal. 
• It is aimed at making investments flexible and easy. 
• This single window system acts as a portal that allows businesses to apply for clearances, track the process and address their queries.
• It ensures a one stop solution for states and central governments in carrying out businesses bringing more transparency and accountability. 
• It offers a Know Your Approvals service which gives information about the required approvals, criteria and a common registration form. This speeds up the process of documentation in carrying out business.
• This single window system is in alignment with the interests of schemes like Make in India, Startup India, Production Linked Incentive (PLI). 

Read previous PIB here.

January 21st, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here