20 Jun 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. EX KHAAN QUEST – 2022
2. Design-led manufacturing under Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme
3. 20th Folk Fair and 13th Krishi Fair

1. EX KHAAN QUEST – 2022

Syllabus: GS 2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

Mains: Discuss the soft power measure to strengthen the ties between the countries.

Context:

The article discusses “Exercise Khaan Quest 2022”, the multinational peacekeeping exercise.

Background:

• A multinational peacekeeping exercise “Ex Khaan Quest 2022” featuring participation from military contingents from 16 countries, including India has culminated in Mongolia.
• The Exercise was conducted from 6th June to 20th June 2022.

Significance of the exercise:

• The exercise served as a platform where armies from 16 nations got the opportunity to learn and share best practices mutually.
• It enhances multinational interoperability.
• It will strengthen the bonds between the armies of the participating countries.

Participants from India:

• The Indian contingent, including the Ladakh Scouts personnel, also participated in the training exercise.

Training activities:

A number of training activities were conducted during the exercise. They are mentioned below:

• Mock Tactical Operations as per the United Nations (UN) Mandate,
• Combat discussions, and
• Command appointments as part of Combined UN brigade and training of staff.

2. Design-led manufacturing under Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme

Syllabus: GS 3: Growth, development, and Infrastructure.

Prelims: Production Linked Incentive Scheme.

Mains: Discuss the significance of the PLI  scheme for the telecommunication sector.

Context:

The design-led manufacturing scheme has been incorporated into the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme.

Background:

• The production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme was introduced by the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) in February 2021.
• In the telecom PLI scheme, 31 global and local companies were selected to undertake incremental production worth Rs 1.82 trillion over five years. 
• But since the outlay was not utilized fully, the design-led manufacturing has been incorporated into the PLI scheme.
• The DoT will give an option to companies selected under telecom PLI to also apply for design-led manufacturing, which gives a 1% higher incentive. 
• But in order to get selected, the companies have to design locally and register the source code in India. Since most of the global firms don’t have their source code here, Indian companies may stand to benefit more.

Extension of the scheme:

• The DoT, in June 2022, extended the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for telecom equipment manufacturing by a year while also amending the scheme to facilitate design-led manufacturing. 
• The DoT has also approved the addition of 11 new telecom and networking products to the existing list. Notable companies selected under the scheme include Flextronics, Foxconn, Jabil, Nokia, Rising Star, Dixon Technologies, VVDN Technologies, Tejas Networks, HFCL, ITI, Coral Telecom, and Lekha Wireless, among others. 
• Companies can apply for design-led manufacturing, with incentives worth Rs 4,000 crore, from June 21.
• With the extension, the existing PLI beneficiaries will be given an option to choose the financial year 2021-22 or the financial year 2022-23 as the first year of incentive. 
• Although the scheme has been extended to six years, firms can get incentives for five years as was originally planned. 
• Those companies which have met the targets can take the incentives in 2021-22 while the others can take it from next year onwards.

Significance of Design-led Manufacturing Scheme:

• It will build up a strong ecosystem for 5G.
• It is primarily aimed at supporting the efforts for designing telecom products in India.
• It will help in recognizing and encouraging R&D-driven manufacturing in the country.
• It will help to enhance the contribution of Indian manufacturing to the global value chain as envisaged in the National Digital Communication Policy, 2018.

Application for Design-led Manufacturing:

• DoT is inviting applications for design-led manufacturing in order to avail incentives under PLI Scheme commencing from 1st April 2022. 
• The investment made by successful applicants in India from 1st April 2022 onwards and up to Financial Year (FY) 2025-2026 shall be eligible, subject to qualifying incremental annual thresholds.
• MSME companies and non-MSME companies including both domestic and global ones are eligible for the scheme.
• Design-led manufacturers will be prioritized over other manufacturers. 
• Global revenue criteria must be satisfied by the applicants under the scheme. 
• The scheme stipulates a minimum investment threshold of Rs. 10 crores for MSME and Rs 100 crore for non-MSME applicants. 
• Land and building costs will not be counted as investments. Eligibility shall be further subject to incremental sales of manufactured goods over the base year (FY 2019-20).

3. 20th Folk Fair and 13th Krishi Fair

Syllabus: GS-1, Art & Culture, Indian Culture – Salient aspects of Art Forms

Prelims: Tribal art forms

Context:

The inauguration of the 20th Folk Fair and 13th Krishi Fair in Puri, Odisha by the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and Jal Shakti.

Background:

• The 20th Folk Fair (National tribal/folk song & dance festival) and 13th Krishi Fair 2022 were inaugurated at Saradhabali in Puri, Odisha by the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and Jal Shakti.
• The two fairs will continue for the next five days.

Aims and objectives of the fairs:

• The aim of the two fairs is to preserve the tribal culture and promote innovation in agriculture.
• It is also focused on emphasizing the tribal culture and showcasing its originality and uniqueness.

The 20th Folk Fair:

• The tribal culture is very original and unique in its own sense. Odisha is enriched with tribal culture and their contribution to the state economy is very significant. 
• This fair helps to encourage individuals and tribal communities to show their talents and preserve their culture.

The 13th Krishi Fair:

• It is a platform where organizations and companies with innovations, products, solutions, and services related to agriculture can come forward.
• The exhibition has representatives from the entire spectrum of agriculture and allied industry, manufacturers, dealers, traders, exporters, and consultants in agriculture, floriculture, aquaculture, sericulture, and more.
• Odisha is a leading state in agriculture and has attained a surplus in the production of rice and many other crops.

Read previous PIB here.

June 20th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here