TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee
2. Policy for export of Drones/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
3. ECGC Ltd
4. E-auctions of wheat and rice
5. World Hydrography Day (WHD)
6. National Energy Data: Survey and Analysis 2021-22
7. MoU Between Indian Railways and USAID
8. Joha Rice

1. Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee

Syllabus: Modern Indian History – significant events, personalities, issues

Prelims: Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee

Context:

PM Narendra Modi paid tributes to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his Punya Tithi (death anniversary).

About Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee:

• Dr. Mookerjee was a member of the Constituent Assembly and later of the first Lok Sabha also.
• He was India’s first Minister for Industry and Supply. 
• He resigned from Jawaharlal Nehru’s Cabinet protesting against the Liaquat-Nehru Pact.
• He founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh is considered the precursor to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
• Dr. Mookerjee was vehemently opposed to Article 370 and included its abrogation as one of the goals of the Jana Sangh.

2. Policy for export of Drones/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Syllabus: GS03-Economy

Prelims:  DGFT ; Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 

Mains: SCOMET policy of drones

Context:

DGFT liberalized and simplified the policy for the export of Drones/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for civilian end uses from India.

Details:

• The decision is in line with India’s Foreign Trade Policy 2023 wherein the export of high-tech items including drones/UAVs manufactured in India for civilian end uses.
• All kinds/types of drones/UAVs were earlier controlled/restricted for export under category 5B of the SCOMET (Special Chemicals Organisms Material Equipments and Technology) list of the ITCHS classification of Import and Export Items.
  • This list deals with the category of items that are subject to specific regulations due to their potential dual-use nature (civilian and military applications).
• Now, the SCOMET policy of drones/UAVs meant for civilian use has been amended to liberalise the export policy for drones.
• The export of Drones/UAVs not covered under the specified categories in the SCOMET list and capable of a range equal to or less than 25 km and delivering a payload of not more than 25 kgs (excluding the software and technology of these items) and meant for only civilian end-use, will now be subject to General Authorization for Export of Drones (GAED), a onetime general license valid for 3 years. 
• This means the Drone Manufacturers/Exporters with GAED Authorization need not apply for a SCOMET license for every similar export shipment meant for civilian purposes, within the validity period of 3 years subject to post-reporting and other documentary requirements.
• This policy change would also promote India as a global manufacturing hub of drones/UAVs and push the start-ups/new drone manufacturers in this field to scale up and look at the global markets. 

3. ECGC Ltd

Syllabus: GS03-Economy

Prelims: Companies Act

Mains: Importance of simplifying  export procedures and expansion of export credit

Context:

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal lauds the support and encouragement provided to exporters by ECGC Ltd.

About ECGC Ltd.:

• ECGC Ltd. is a premier Export Credit Agency (ECA) of the Government of India.
• It was set up in 1957 under the Companies Act to promote exports from India by providing export credit insurance services to exporters and banks. 
• It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 
• ECGC has designed different export credit risk insurance products to suit the requirements of Indian exporters to protect them against credit risk involved in exports.
• It also provides insurance to commercial banks extending export working capital loans to exporters aimed at ensuring the availability of adequate and affordable working capital for exporters. 

4. E-auctions of wheat and rice

Syllabus: GS03-Economy-Agricuture

Prelims: Food Corporation of India; FSSAI

Mains: Ceiling on Stocks of Wheat and Pulses.

Context:

The Government has now directed the FCI to conduct the e-auctions of wheat and rice to check the inflationary trends in prevailing retail prices as a part of market intervention to control the price of wheat and rice.

Details:

• In order to control the hoarding of wheat, the Government has decided that the declaration in the Wheat Stock Monitoring System portal is mandatory for participation in the auctions. 
• In addition to this, in order to identify the genuine processors and traders, a valid FSSAI License has also been made mandatory for participation. 
• The maximum quantity that a buyer can bid for is limited to 100 MTs in this e-auction. 
• To accommodate the small wheat processors and traders, the minimum quantity has been kept to 10 MTs. 
• Further, to accommodate the small and marginal traders and processors of wheat, the EMD for participation in the e-auctions has also been reduced by 50% from the earlier levels. 
• The bidding is also limited to the local buyers by ensuring that the GST registration of the State is mapped and checked before stocks are released. 
• These measures are taken to ensure a wider local reach for the stocks offered in a particular State. 

5. World Hydrography Day (WHD)

Syllabus: GS01-Geography

Prelims: World Hydrography Day, National Hydrographic Office

Mains: Significance of Ocean Knowledge for effective Marine Governance

Context:

World Hydrography Day (WHD) was celebrated by the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department on 21 Jun 2023.

About World Hydrography Day:

• World Hydrography Day is celebrated on 21 June every year.
• The day is designed to raise awareness about hydrography and how it plays a role in improved knowledge of the seas and oceans.
• The celebration of World Hydrographic Day reinforces the importance of hydrography as a key component of marine governance and highlights India’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of navigational safety and Marine conservation.
• The theme for World Hydrography Day 2023 is “Hydrography – Underpinning the Digital; Twin of the Ocean”.
  • The digital twin of the ocean aims to develop a consistent, high-resolution, multidimensional and near real-time virtual representation of the ocean that could make ocean knowledge open-access, available to citizens, scientists and policy-makers around the world, and will provide a platform for global cooperation.

About National Hydrographic Office (NHO):

• The Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) functions under the Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India. 
• It is the nodal agency for Hydrographic surveys and Nautical charting in India.
• INHD has seven indigenously built modern survey ships including one Catamaran Hull Survey Vessel (CHSV) fitted with state-of-the-art surveying equipment.
• It is located in Dehradun.

6. National Energy Data: Survey and Analysis 2021-22

Syllabus: GS03-Economy-Infrastructure

Prelims: Bureau of Energy Efficiency

Mains:  Increasing need for energy in India.

Context:

‘National Energy Data: Survey and Analysis 2021-22’ report released by the Union Ministry of Power.

Details:

• This is the maiden report of the Energy Data Management Unit, set up under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, GOI.
• The report provides granular information about energy supply and consumption patterns across various sectors of the Indian economy. 
• The report includes:
  • Extensive data compiled for the last six years, i.e., from FY 2016-17 to FY 2021-22
  • Trends and analysis of fuel-wise energy consumption in major end-use sectors
  • Overview of the impact of various energy conservation policies and their associated carbon dioxide emission reduction and monetary savings
• The information provided in this report will help in assessing the status of data availability of various energy products in the country.
• It can also help in analysing the energy intensity of the country thereby enabling policymakers to formulate robust policies and carry out course corrections.
• Highlights of the report:

• • Energy supply to the economy during the last six years is actually less by 18%; this has been found out by using Indian coal conversion factors, rather than IEA conversion factors which have been used before
  • Lower energy consumption value by 8% in 2021-22.
  • Increased share of electrification on the consumption side to 20.9%.

7. MoU Between Indian Railways and USAID

Syllabus: GS03-Economy-Infrastructure

Prelims: Net-Zero Carbon Emission; Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Mains: Environment-friendly reforms undertaken by Indian Railways to achieve net zero carbon emissions

Context:

Indian Railways signed MoU with United States Agency for International Development/India (USAID/India).

Details:

• The MoU was signed for collaboration on Renewable energy and Energy Efficiency.
• This is expected to help the Railways achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030.
• Through MoU, technical assistance and support would be provided to Indian Railways. The MoU broadly includes but is not limited to the following areas:-
  • Long-term energy planning including clean energy for Indian Railways.
  • Develop an Energy Efficiency Policy and Action Plan for IR Buildings.
  • Planning for clean energy procurement to achieve Indian Railways’ net-zero vision.
  • Technical support for addressing regulatory and implementation barriers.
  • Bid design and bid management support for system-friendly, large-scale renewable procurement.
  • Supporting Indian Railways in the promotion of e-mobility.
  • Collaboratively host events, conferences, and capacity-building programs in the mentioned identified areas including field visits and study tours (domestic/international).

8. Joha Rice

Syllabus: GS03-Agriculture-E-Technology in the Aid of Farmers, Technology Missions

Prelims: Kharif crops; Joha Rice

Mains: Challenges and benefits associated with food fortification

Context:

Joha rice is an effective nutraceutical of choice in diabetes management.

About Joha rice:

• It is an aromatic rice cultivated in the Northeastern region of India.
• It ​​is effective in lowering blood glucose and preventing diabetes onset and hence is an effective nutraceutical of choice in diabetes management.
• Joha is a short-grain winter paddy.
• Besides, Joha rice is also rich in several antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolics.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

June 23rd, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here