16 Jun 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Mitticool refrigerator
2. EX SAMPRITI-X
3. Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy

1. Mitticool refrigerator

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

Prelims: Mitticool Refrigerator and Bureau of Indian Standards

Mains:  Advantages of Mitticool Refrigerator

Context

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has developed an Indian Standard for ‘Non-electric cooling cabinet made of clay’.

Mitticool Refrigerator

• “Mitticool refrigerator” is a result of innovation by Mansukh Bhai Prajapati from Gujarat.
• Mitticool refrigerator works on an eco-friendly technology based on the principle of evaporative cooling.
  • This food storage technique prevents bacterial growth and increases the shelf life of food items.
• These refrigerators can be used to store perishable food items without the need for electricity. 
• A Mitticool refrigerator is made mainly from clay and it can be utilised to store vegetables, fruits, milk, and cooling water.
• BIS has developed an Indian Standard, “IS 17693: 2022” for ‘non-electric cooling cabinet made of clay’ and it specifies the construction and performance requirements of a cooling cabinet made out of clay.
  • This standard helps BIS in fulfilling 6 out of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as poverty, Zero hunger, Gender equality, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation, and infrastructure, and Responsible consumption and production.

Benefits of Mitticool Refrigerator

• This technique will play a key in reviving the pottery culture, tradition, and heritage.
  • Clay pots have been an integral part of the Indian tradition until factory-made products of a variety of materials flooded the market.                                                                         
• It also helps in promoting sustainable consumption, empowering indigenous communities and contributes to green and cool earth.
• This also unlocks a huge potential for economic development and employment generation.
• Further, contributes to rural women empowerment.

About Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) 

• BIS is the National Standard Body of India set up under the BIS Act 2016.
• BIS works for the harmonious development of the activities of standardisation, marking and quality certification of goods.
• BIS works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
• The organisation was formerly known as the Indian Standards Institution (ISI).
• BIS consists of 25 members representing both Central and State governments, Members of Parliament, industry, scientific and research institutions, consumer organizations and professional bodies.
• BIS has been playing a key role in: 
  • Providing safe and reliable quality goods
  • Minimizing health hazards to consumers
  • Export promotion and import substitution

2. EX SAMPRITI-X

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

Prelims: Exercise SAMPRITI

Context

The 10th edition of the SAMPRITI exercise was recently concluded.

Exercise SAMPRITI

• Exercise SAMPRITI is a bilateral Joint Military Exercise between India and Bangladesh which started off in 2009.
• The aim of the exercise was to strengthen the military relations between the two countries.
• The exercise also provides an opportunity for both the Armies to understand each other’s tactical drills, operational techniques and also share their experience in Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism, Peace Keeping and Disaster Relief Operation under the United Nations mandate.
• The exercise is conducted alternately by both countries.
• The 10th edition named “EX SAMPRITI-X” was conducted at Jashore Military Station in Bangladesh.

3. Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy

Syllabus: GS II, Governance; Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Mains: Purpose, objectives and the provisions of Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy.

Context

Following the criticism of its previous draft policy, a new draft called ‘National Data Governance Framework Policy’ has been notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

The purpose of the Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy

• To transform and modernise Government’s data collection and management processes and systems through standardised guidelines, rules and norms for the collection, processing, storage, access, and use of Government data.
• To enable and catalyse vibrant Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data lead research and Start-up ecosystem, by creating a large repository of India datasets.

Objectives of Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy

• To accelerate Digital Governance
• To have standardised data management and security standards
• To have standard APIs and other tech standards for Whole Government Data management and access
• To promote transparency, accountability, and ownership in Non-personal data and Datasets access.
• To build a platform that will allow Dataset requests to be received and processed
• To ensure greater citizen awareness, participation, and engagement

Provisions of Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy

• The old draft named the ‘India Data Accessibility and Use Policy’ which was released in February 2022 had proposed that the data collected by the Centre that has “undergone value addition” can be sold in the open market for an “appropriate price”. 
  • This provision was met with widespread criticism 
  • The new draft omits this provision
• The new draft focuses significantly on sharing non-personal data and calls for the creation of an India Datasets programme for the same.
  • The India Datasets programme consists of non-personal and anonymised datasets from Central government entities that have collected data from Indian citizens or those in India. 
  • The non-personal data collected through this programme would be accessible to startups and Indian researchers.
• The draft policy proposes the establishment of the India Data Management Office (IDMO) under the Digital India Corporation of MeitY.
  • The IDMO would be responsible for developing rules, standards, and guidelines
  • IDMO will design and manage the India Datasets platform that will process requests and provide access to the non-personal and/or anonymized datasets to Indian researchers and Startups.

Read previous PIB here.

June 16th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here