06 Mar 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
2. Coal Gasification
3. Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
4. Section 49M of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
5. Establishment of the International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED)

1. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt schemes

Prelims: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Context:

Update on Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):

• Since the scheme’s launch in 2016, 56.80 crore farmer applications have been enrolled and over 23.22 crore farmer applicants received claims. 
• Nearly Rs. 31,139 crore were paid by farmers as their share of premium against which claims of over Rs. 1,55,977 crore have been paid to them. Thus, for every 100 rupees of premium paid by farmers, they have received about Rs. 500 as claims.
• The number of farmer applications has grown 33.4% and 41% year-on-year during 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively. 
• Also, during the year 2023-24, there is an increase of 27% in terms of farmers enrolled under the scheme so far. 

Read more about Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in the linked article.

2. Coal Gasification

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Mains: Coal Sector in India 

Context:

Coal gasification to promote clean coal technologies.

Details:

• Coal gasification is the method of transforming coal and water into syngas, which is a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), as well as water vapour (H2O). 
• Coal gasification is considered a cleaner option compared to the burning of coal.
• To introduce clean coal technologies, the Government has launched several clean coal initiatives, including the Coal Gasification Mission.
  • It aims to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030 through surface coal/lignite gasification projects. 
• A financial assistance scheme has been proposed to promote Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects by Government PSUs and the Private Sector, with an allocation of ₹ 8500 crores for incentives towards coal gasification projects. 
  • The scheme aims to demonstrate the financial and technical viability of gasification projects, accelerate markets for downstream products, and create an additional value chain in the economy for coal.
  • In light of this scheme, the Ministry of Coal has taken a significant step by issuing three draft Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to solicit feedback from interested Government PSUs and Private Investors for the establishment of coal gasification plants in India. The RFPs have been issued separately for each of the three categories. 
    • Category 1: allocates Rs. 4,050 crores to Government PSUs to support up to 3 projects, offering a lump-sum grant of Rs. 1,350 crores or 15% of the capital expenditure, whichever is lower.
    • Category 2: Rs. 3,850 crores are earmarked for both the Private Sector and Government PSUs, providing each project with a lump-sum grant of Rs. 1,000 crores or 15% of the capital expenditure. 
    • Category 3: includes Rs. 600 crores for Demonstration Projects and small-scale Gasification Plants, offering a lump-sum grant of Rs. 100 crores or 15% of the capital expenditure to entities with a minimum Capex of Rs. 100 Crore and minimum production of 1500 Nm3/hr Syn gas.

Significance of coal gasification:

• Coal gasification technology is expected to revolutionize the coal sector in India reducing reliance on imports of natural gas, methanol, ammonia, and other essential products.
• It will also create huge employment opportunities.
• At the forefront of promoting clean coal technology, particularly coal gasification, the Coal Ministry aligns with the Government’s vision of fostering a resilient and sustainable energy ecosystem. 
• Coal plays a pivotal role in India’s energy system, accounting for nearly 70% of the total electric generation. It is also a critical input in various industries such as steel, sponge iron, cement, and paper.

Read more about coal gasification in the linked article.

3. Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)

Syllabus: GS-2, Polity & Governance

Prelims: Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)

Mains: Consumer protection – laws, institutions and issues

Context:

Central Consumer Protection Authority issues advisory on Prohibition of Advertising, Promotion, and Endorsement of Illegal Activities.

Details:

• In light of the increasing instances of advertisements promoting illegal activities such as betting and gambling, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a comprehensive advisory under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• The advisory emphasizes the prohibition of advertising, promotion, and endorsement of unlawful activities prohibited under various laws.
• The advisory cautions media platforms against publicizing betting and gambling platforms. Online advertisement intermediaries have also been warned against targeting such advertisements toward the Indian audience.
• The Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022, categorically prohibit advertisements of products or services prohibited under any prevailing law.
• The advisory also warns celebrities or influencers who are promoting or involved in the advertising of online gambling and betting products that they would be equally liable.

Significance: 

• Betting and gambling are strictly prohibited under the Public Gambling Act, 1867, and are considered illegal in most parts of the country. 
• Despite this, online betting platforms and apps persist in advertising betting and gambling directly, as well as under the guise of gaming. 
• Endorsements of such activities present considerable financial and socio-economic implications, especially to the youth.

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA):

• The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) was established w.e.f. 24th July 2020 under Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• Its objective is to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a class. 
• It will be empowered to conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights and institute complaints/prosecution, order recalls of unsafe goods and services, order discontinuation of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements, and impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements.
• It also acts to prevent unfair trade practices and ensure that no person engages in unfair trade practices.

4. Section 49M of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

Syllabus: GS-2, Polity; GS-3, Environment

Prelims: Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

Mains: Conservation of wildlife

Context:

Notification of Rules framed under Section 49M of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended in 2022).

Details:

• Section 49 M of the Act provides for registration of possession, transfer and birth and reporting of death of living scheduled animal species which are listed in the Appendices of CITES and as such listed in Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Read more on the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in the linked article.

5. Establishment of the International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED)

Syllabus: GS-3, Environment

Prelims: International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED)

Context:

MoU signed between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore for the establishment of the International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED) under the externally supported Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II and III. 

International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED):

• ICED will act as a technological arm of the Ministry of Jal Shakti to provide specialized technical support in investigations, modelling, research and innovations, and technical support services for the Indian and overseas dam owners. 
• The Centre will work on dam safety to support the Ministry and provide solutions to various emerging challenges faced in dam safety through scientific research. 
• It will also offer area-specific academic courses (including training programs and workshops) and carry out applied research and technology transfer in dam safety management at local, regional, national and international levels. 
• ICED will carry out research in two core areas:
  • Advanced construction and rehabilitation materials & material testing for dams 
  • Comprehensive (multi-hazard) risk assessment of dams
• ICED, IISc Bangalore is the second International Centre in the area of Dam Safety. The first ICED was institutionalized at IIT Roorkee upon the signing of the MoA in February 2023.

Read previous PIB articles here.