March 11th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Nuclear Power Plants
2. Steps Taken to Boost Export
3. Protecting IP Intensive Industries
4. Startup India
5. Make in India
6. LCA Tejas
7. Lokpal
8. Bibek Debroy Committee
9. ARI-516

1. Nuclear Power Plants

Details:

• Nuclear reactors are used at nuclear power plants for electricity generation. A nuclear reactor is a device used to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction.
• Heat from nuclear fission is passed to a working fluid (water or gas), which runs through steam turbines. All commercial power reactors are based on nuclear fission.

Nuclear reactors in India:

The Department of Atomic Energy is engaged in the development of nuclear power technology in India. It was formed in 1954.

To know more about what is nuclear energy, its uses, and power plants, click here.

List of nuclear power projects in India

Projects under construction:

1. Kakrapar, Gujarat
2. Rawatbhata, Rajasthan
3. Gorakhpur, Haryana
4. Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu
5. Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu

New projects accorded administrative approval & financial sanction:

1. Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu
2. Chutka, Madhya Pradesh
3. Kaiga, Karnataka
4. MahiBanswara, Rajasthan
5. Gorakhpur, Haryana

Installed nuclear power plants:

1. Tarapur, Maharashtra
2. Rawatbhata, Rajasthan
3. Narora, Uttar Pradesh
4. Kakrapar, Gujarat
5. Kaiga, Karnataka
6. Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
7. Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu

Context:

The above information was given by the Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

Also read: Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

2. Steps Taken to Boost Export

Details:

• The primary focus of the government export promotion schemes/policies is to refund duties and taxes levied on inputs used in the production of export products, reduce cost disability by providing incentives to specified products and improve all-round ease of doing business.
• The overall thrust is on enhancing competitiveness and growth in exports of all product groups across all destinations.
• In the Financial Year 2018-19, products were exported to 233 countries/territories covering all big and small trading countries. During this period, India exported products in all the 168 principal commodity groups.

In order to boost India’s exports, the government has taken several steps, including the following:

• A new Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-20 was launched in 2015.
  • This policy introduced two new schemes:
    • Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS): For improving export of goods.
    • Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS): For increasing export of services.
  • In 2017, incentives for labour intensive/MSME sectors were increased by 2%.
  • A new Logistics Division was created in the Department of Commerce for integrated development of the logistics sector. India’s rank in World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index moved up from 54 in 2014 to 44 in 2018.
  • For improving ease of doing business, online issuance of Importer Exporter Codes (IEC) has been started. India’s rank in World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ ranking improved from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2019 with the rank in ‘trading across borders’ moving up from 122 to 80.
  • The Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) was launched in 2017 to address the export infrastructure gaps in the country.
  • A comprehensive “Agriculture Export Policy” was launched in December 2018 with an aim to double farmers’ income by 2022 and provide an impetus to agricultural exports.
  • A new scheme called “Transport and Marketing Assistance” (TMA) has been launched for mitigating disadvantage of higher cost of transportation for export of specified agriculture products.

Context:

The above information was given by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry in the Lok Sabha.

3. Protecting IP Intensive Industries

Details:

Some of the measures taken by the government with regard to strengthening the intellectual property rights (IPR) regime in India are legislative improvements, modernisation of IP offices, manpower augmentation, use of IT and technology, e-filing of applications, acceptance of email in all IPO transactions, online delivery of certificates of grant/registration of patent, trademark and designs in digital format, use of video-conferencing for hearing of IP applications, SMS alert to get updates, expedited examination of IP applications, spreading awareness in IPR, India’s accession to WIPO administered treaties, etc.

Impacts of the initiatives taken:

• Period of examination of new Trademarks applications has been reduced from 13 months to less than 30 days.
• Trademark is registered in less than 7 months, if there are no objections or opposition filed, as compared to 3-5 years required earlier.
• 25 lakh trademark registrations in just four and half years (2015 to 2019) as compared to 11 lakh registrations during 75 years (1940-2015).
• Patent examination increased from 22631 in 2014-15 to 85426 in 2018-19.
• Time required for patent examination reduced from average 72 months in 2014- 2015 to average around 36 months in 2019.
• Grant of patents has increased from 5,978 in 2014-15 to 15,283 in 2018-19.

India’s ranking has improved from 81 in 2015 to 52 in 2019 in the Global Innovation Index (GII).

To read more on IPR in India, click on the linked article.

Context:

The above information was given by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry in the Lok Sabha.

4. Startup India

Context:

Salient features of Startup India action plan.

Details:

To know more about Startup India scheme of the government, click on the linked article.

The scheme is an ongoing initiative of the GOI. The salient features of the scheme are given below:

• Compliance Regime based on Self-Certification with an objective to reduce the regulatory burden on Startups thereby allowing them to focus on their core business and keep compliance cost low.
• Startup India Hub with an objective to create a single point of contact for the entire Startup ecosystem and enable knowledge exchange and access to funding.
• Rolling out of Mobile App and Portal with an objective to serve as the single platform for Startups for interacting with Government and Regulatory Institutions for all business needs and information exchange among various stakeholders.
• Legal Support and Fast-tracking Patent Examination at Lower Costs with an objective to promote awareness and adoption of IPRs by Startups and facilitate them in protecting and commercializing the IPRs by providing access to high quality Intellectual Property services and resources, including fast-track examination of patent applications and rebate in fees.
• Relaxed Norms of Public Procurement for Startups with an objective to provide an equal platform to Startups across sectors vis-à-vis the experienced entrepreneurs/companies in public procurement.
• Providing Funding Support through Fund of Funds with a Corpus of Rs. 10,000 crores with an objective to provide funding support for development and growth of innovation driven enterprises.
• Faster Exit for Startups with an objective to make it easier for Startups to wind up operations.
• Credit Guarantee fund for Startups with an objective to catalyze entrepreneurship by providing credit to innovators across all sections of society.
• Tax Exemptions on Capital Gains with an objective to promote investments into Startups by mobilizing the capital gains arising from sale of capital assets.
• Tax Exemptions to startups for 3 Years with an objective to promote the growth of Startups and address working capital requirements.
• Tax Exemption on Investments above Fair Market Value with an objective to encourage seed-capital investment in Startups.
• Organizing Startup Fests for Showcasing Innovation and Providing a Collaboration Platform.
• Launch of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Read more on the AIM on PIB dated 5^th Feb 2020.
• Harnessing Private Sector Expertise for Incubator Setup with an objective to ensure professional management of Government sponsored/funded incubators; the government will create a policy and framework for setting-up of incubators across the country in public private partnership.
• Building Innovation Centres and Research Parks at National Institutes with an objective to propel successful innovation through augmentation of incubation and R&D efforts.
• Promoting Startups in the Biotechnology Sector with an objective to foster and facilitate bio-entrepreneurship.
• Launching of Innovation Focused Programs for Students with an objective to foster a culture of innovation in the field of Science and Technology amongst students.
• Annual Incubator Grand Challenge with an objective to support creation of successful world class incubators in India.

5. Make in India

Context:

Status of ‘Make in India’ Initiative in Defence.

Details:

To know more about the Make in India scheme, click on the linked article.

• The capital procurement of defence equipment is undertaken based on threat perception, operational challenges and technological changes and to keep the Armed Forces in a state of readiness to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges.
• While doing so, attempt is made at achieving substantive self-reliance in the design, development and production of equipment, weapon systems, platforms required for defence in as early a time frame as possible and creating conditions conducive for private industry to play an active role in this endeavour and enhancing the potential of SMEs in indigenisation and broadening the defence R&D base in the country.
• A number of measures have been taken to promote ‘Make in India’ in defence manufacturing by harnessing the capabilities of the public and private sectors such as introduction of new category of procurement:
  • Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously, Designed, Developed and Manufactured)}
  • Strategic Partnership Model in Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)
  • According preference to ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’, ‘Buy (Indian)’, ‘Buy & Make (Indian)’ & ‘Make’ categories of capital acquisition over ‘Buy (Global)’ & ‘Buy & Make (Global)’ categories.
  • Simplification of Make-II procedure.
• The ‘Make’ procedure seeks to address the multiple objectives of self-reliance, wider participation of Indian Industry, impetus for MSME sector, sound implementation, transparent execution and timely induction of equipment into Indian Armed Forces.
• The ‘Make’ category, is further subdivided into the following:
  • ‘Make-I’ (Government Funded): 90% funding of the development cost by the government.
  • ‘Make-II’ (Industry Funded)

6. LCA Tejas

Know more about Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas here.

Context:

The Union Minister of State for Defence gave information about Tejas in the Lok Sabha.

7. Lokpal

Context:

A union minister commented that the institution of the Lokpal is fully functional, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

Details:

• The President, on the recommendation of the duly constituted Selection Committee, appointed the Chairperson and eight Members of the Lokpal who assumed charge of their offices in March 2019.
• The Lokpal is an independent statutory body established under Section 3 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
• In terms of Section 48 of the said Act, the Lokpal is required to present annually to the President a report on the work done by it, which is caused to be laid in both the Houses of the Parliament.

For more on the Lokpal, check the RSTV: Lokpal & Lokayuktas: RSTV – The Big Picture

8. Bibek Debroy Committee

Context:

The Railway Board had constituted a Committee for mobilization of resources for major railway projects and restructuring of Railway Ministry and Railway Board under the chairmanship of Bibek Debroy in 2014. The Committee submitted its report in 2015.

Details:

• Among other things, the Committee recommended the concessioning of commercial operation of train service like Rajdhani/Shatabdi to private parties.
• The Railways have planned to introduce 150 passenger trains through private operators in PPP mode.

9. ARI-516

Context:

Hybrid variety of grapes has been developed by scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

About ARI-516:

• This variety is resistant to fungal diseases, is high-yielding and has excellent juice quality.
• It is also suitable for preparation of juice, raisins, jam and red wine, and farmers are said to be enthusiastically adopting the variety.
• The hybrid variety ARI-516 has been developed by interbreeding two species from the same genus – the Catawba variety of Vitis labrusca and the Beauty seedless variety of Vitis vinifera.
• The fungal resistance of ARI-516 has been derived from Catawba, which is an American grape variety.
  • The Catawba has superior quality fruits and higher yield per unit area.
  • An early ripening hybrid, it matures in 110 – 120 days after pruning.
  • The variety has elongated bunches and bears pleasant musky flavoured berries and performs well in Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and West Bengal.
• ARI-516 grape variety has been recently identified for release for cultivation in Maharashtra, Punjab, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
• The salient features of ARI-516 include:
  • Evenly maturing character with long cylindrical medium-sized fruit bunches.
  • Small to medium bluish blackberries with one rudimentary seed in each berry, which is sweet in taste with a musky flavour having about 65-70% juice content.
  • The berry yield is about 15-20 ton/acre.
  • It is tolerant to downy & powdery mildew diseases as well as resistant to anthracnose disease — a group of fungal diseases that affect a variety of plants in warm, humid areas.
• Being moderately resistant to a majority of fungal diseases, its cost of production is lower.
• The area under cultivation of ARI-516 is steadily growing and has grown up to 100 acres.
• Consumers prefer ARI-516 for its unique flavour.

March 11th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

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