10 July 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. India-Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation
2. National Fish Farmers Day
3. Prelims Facts

1. India-Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation

Context:

21st Session of India-Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation.

Details:

• The 21st session of the India-Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation was held virtually.
• Both sides held extensive discussions on bilateral trade and investment and economic cooperation in the areas of Food Processing, Textiles, Leather, Railways, Start-ups and promotion of SMEs which play a crucial role in economic growth and employment generation. 
• The bilateral market access issues and non-tariff barriers were also discussed to facilitate trade and investment. 

2. National Fish Farmers Day

Context:

National Fish Farmers Day is observed on 10th July every year in honour of scientists Dr. K. H. Alikunhi and Dr. H.L. Chaudhury.

About National Fish Farmers Day:

• These two scientists had successfully demonstrated the technology of induced breeding (Hypophysation) in Indian Major Carps on 10th July 1957 at the erstwhile ‘Pond Culture Division’ of CIFRI at Cuttack, Odisha (presently Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, CIFA, Bhubaneswar).
• The event aims to draw attention to changing the way the country manages fisheries resources to ensure sustainable stocks and healthy ecosystems.
• Every year, the event is celebrated by felicitating outstanding fish farmers, aquapreneurs & fisher folks in recognition of their accomplishments in the field and their contribution in the growth of the fisheries sector in the country.
• Fishermen and fish farmers across the nation participate in the event apart from officials, scientists, professionals, entrepreneurs and stakeholders.

Additional information:

National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB):

• NFDB was established in 2006 as an autonomous organization under the administrative control of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India to enhance fish production and productivity in the country and to coordinate fishery development in an integrated and holistic manner. 
• NFDB is situated in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Also read- National Fisheries Policy 2020

3. Prelims Facts

Avicennia marina

• Avicennia marina is one of the most prominent mangroves species found in all mangrove formations in India. 
• It is a salt-secreting and extraordinarily salt-tolerant mangrove species that grows optimally in 75% seawater and tolerates >250% seawater.
• It is among the rare plant species, which can excrete 40% of the salt through the salt glands in the leaves, besides its extraordinary capacity to exclude salt entry to the roots. 
• It is also known as gray mangrove or white mangrove and iis a shrub or tree belonging to the Acanthaceae family.
• They are generally 10–14 m long and have light gray or whitish bark with stiff, brittle, thin flakes. Their leaves are thick, glossy, and bright green on the upper side and gray or silvery white with small hairs on the lower side. 

Mangroves are a unique group of species found in marshy intertidal estuarine regions and survive a high degree of salinity through several adaptive mechanisms. Mangroves are important resources for the coastal region and are of great ecological and economic value. They form a link between marine and terrestrial ecosystems, protect shorelines, and provide habitat for a diverse array of terrestrial organisms.

Central Public Works Department (CPWD)

• CPWD came into existence in July 1854 as a central agency for execution of public works. 
• It deals with buildings, roads, bridges, flyovers, complicated structures like stadiums, auditoriums, laboratories, bunkers, border fencing, border roads (hill roads), etc. 
• CPWD came into existence in July 1854 when Lord Dalhousie established a central agency for execution of public works and set up Ajmer Provincial Division.
• It has now grown into a comprehensive construction management department, which provides services from project conception to completion, and maintenance management.
• CPWD comes under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), GOI.
• It is headed by the Director General (DG) who is also the Principal Technical Advisor to the Government of India.
• It is the prime engineering department of Government of union of India and its specifications and manuals are followed by local public works departments and engineering wings of other departments.
• The recruitment as entry level for middle management is made through the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.

Read previous PIB here.

July 10th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here