02 Jun 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. India-Senegal sign three MoUs
2. Cooperative Societies on GeM Platform
3. Operation Mahila Suraksha
4. Scheme for Residential Education For Students in High schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA)
5. Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)
6. Indo-Japan diplomatic relationship

1. India-Senegal sign three MoUs

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

Mains: India-Senegal relations and India’s relations with African countries

Context

Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between India and Senegal which are aimed to further deepen bilateral cooperation in various areas. 

Details

• The Vice President of India arrived in Senegal and this is the first-ever high-level Indian visit to Senegal. 
• The visit also has gained prominence as it is taking place at a time when both countries are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations.

The three MoUs signed as a part of the visit

• The first MoU is related to the visa-free regime for Diplomatic and Official passport holders which is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries through the seamless movement of diplomats.
• The second MoU envisages the renewal of the Cultural Exchange Progarmme (CEP) for the period 2022-26 which will facilitate more cultural exchanges that ultimately strengthens people-to-people contact.
• The third MoU aims to improve bilateral cooperation in youth matters which is expected to benefit both the countries through information sharing, knowledge transfers and youth exchanges.

India-Senegal Relations

• Diplomatic relations between the two countries were formally established in 1962, with a resident Indian Mission in Dakar, the capital of Senegal.
• India and Senegal are members of the Non-Aligned Movement and G-15. 
• India has cooperated with and assisted Senegal in various areas that include urban transport, agriculture, fisheries, rural electrification, human resource development, information technology, health, etc. 
• The bilateral trade between the two countries witnessed a growth of 37% to reach US$ 1.5 billion despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Senegal is also a member of the International Solar Alliance and One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) which is an initiative of the Government of India.
• India has invested in Senegal in key sectors such as construction, tourism, retail, trading, phosphates, pharmaceuticals, etc.
• An Entrepreneurial Training & Development Centre (CEDT) was established in Dakar in 2002 with Indian grant assistance and Phase II of the CEDT has been approved.
  • Over the years, CEDT has trained over 5000 students and about 3000 of them have been employed in various sectors.
• The Line of Credit for developmental assistance of various projects is under different stages of implementation which include the Line of Credit of US$ 62.95 million for the first phase of the Lift Irrigation for Rice Self Sufficiency Programme.
• Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM) has extended credit worth US$ 200 million under the National Export Insurance Account (NEIA) to Senegal for transmission lines linking Tambacounda-Kolda-Ziguinchor.

To read more about India’s Relations with Africa.

2. Cooperative Societies on GeM Platform

Syllabus: GS II, Governance; Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

Prelims: About GeM Platform

Mains: Details and significance of registration of cooperative societies on the GeM Platform

Context

The Union Cabinet has approved the registration of cooperative societies as ‘Buyers’ on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform.

Details

• The Ministry of Cooperation is encouraging Multi-State Cooperative Societies and Cooperative Societies registered under State Cooperative Acts to register on the GeM platform.
• The move will facilitate the cooperative societies to access over 4.5 million vendors on the platform and ensure a transparent, economic and efficient procurement system.
• Currently, there are over 8.54 lakh cooperatives in India with about 29 crore memberships and they have been performing a wide range of activities for the production of goods and services.

Significance of purchases through GeM

• The Cooperatives will get access to competitive prices through an open and transparent process, and would economically benefit the members of the societies.
• The Cooperative societies will be able to procure from over 45 lakh authenticated sellers and service providers available across the country on a single platform.
• This move will also help save time and reduce administrative burden.
• The move will further improve the credibility of the cooperatives.

3. Operation Mahila Suraksha

Syllabus: GS III, Security; Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. 

Prelims: About Railway Protection Force and Operation Mahila Suraksha

Context

Railway Protection Force (RPF) rescued 150 girls/women during the pan India drive of “Operation Mahila Suraksha”.

Operation Mahila Suraksha

• A pan India drive “Operation Mahila Suraksha” was launched from 3rd to 31st May 2022.
• Objective: Providing enhanced safety and security to women passengers travelling by trains for their entire journey.
• During the drive, RPF arrested over 7000 individuals who were travelling unauthorisedly in the coaches reserved for women. 
• About 283 teams of trained women officers and personnel with an average deployment of over 1000 lady RPF personnel per day are deployed covering over 200 stations across the Indian railways.
• About 5000 awareness campaigns were organized to educate the passengers about their safety and Dos & Don’ts during their journey.

Know more about Railway Protection Force (RPF).

4. Scheme for Residential Education For Students in High schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA)

Syllabus: GS II, Education; Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education

Prelims: Facts about SHRESHTA Scheme

Mains: provisions of the SHRESHTA Scheme

Context

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar will launch Scheme for Residential Education For Students in High schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA).

Scheme for Residential Education For Students in High schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA)

• SHRESTHA scheme has been formulated to provide quality education and opportunities for the poorest of the poor Scheduled Caste students based on the constitutional mandate.
• The scheme aims to provide access to quality education and a level playing field for all the students.
• The scheme will provide high-quality residential education free of cost from class 9th to 12th to the meritorious poor students from Scheduled Caste communities whose annual family income is up to Rs. 2.5 Lakh per annum.

Key provisions of SHRESHTA

• Every year a specified number of meritorious students from the SC communities will be selected through a transparent mechanism of a National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). 
• Students will be admitted to private residential schools that are affiliated with CBSE.
• Further, the students will be connected to the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme or a Higher Education Scheme of the Ministry to continue their further studies with adequate financial aid from the Government.
• Provisions in the scheme also facilitate a “Bridge Course” for a period of 3 months for the students joining the CBSE based schools from state schools, rural areas, or from regional language schools.
• The scholarships will be released in one instalment directly to the schools in the first quarter of every financial year and the scheme will be considered to be in Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method.

5. Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)

Syllabus: GS III, Science and Technology; Indigenization of technology 

Prelims: Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)

Context

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) signed an agreement with VVDN Technologies and WiSig Networks for developing 5G Open RAN and other products together.

Details

• This collaboration aims to leverage the technical competencies and complementary strengths of Indian R&D and industry in indigenous design, development, manufacturing and deployment of cost-effective 5G products and solutions. 
• This collaboration is further expected to augment the indigenous Intellectual Property and create new spheres for the adoption and monetisation of indigenous 5G products.

Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)

• C-DOT is the premier R&D institute of the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications.
• CDOT was established in 1984 as an autonomous Telecom R&D institute of India.
• CDOT is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and is a registered public-funded research institution.
• C-DOT was started by Sam Pitroda.
• C-DOT has indigenously designed various cutting-edge Telecom technologies including 4G solutions and is keenly working in the area of 5G.

6. Indo-Japan diplomatic relationship

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

Mains: India-Japan relations 

Context

The 17th Mumbai International Film Festival celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Indo-Japan diplomatic relationship.

India-Japan Relations

• India and Japan established diplomatic relations in April 1952.
• The friendship between India and Japan has a long history rooted in spiritual affinity, strong cultural and civilization ties.

Know more about India-Japan Relations.

Read previous PIB here.

June 2nd, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here