12 Mar 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Indian President’s Visit to Mauritius
2. Nationwide outreach for credit support to disadvantaged sections
3. India’s Techade: Chips for Viksit Bharat
4. Bharat Shakti
5. Multistate Cooperative Societies
6. National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming

1. Indian President’s Visit to Mauritius

Syllabus: GS-2, IR

Mains: India – Mauritius Relations

Context:

The Indian President Ms Droupadi Murmu is on her first state visit to Mauritius.

Details:

• The President visited the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI), Moka, Mauritius where she addressed a gathering.
• The University of Mauritius conferred Honoris Causa Degree of Doctor of Civil Law on President Murmu.
• She met the President and Prime Minister of Mauritius.
• This visit strengthens the unique and multi-faceted India-Mauritius relationship.
• The President also announced a new special provision for Mauritius under which Mauritians of 7th-generation Indian origin would now be eligible for Overseas Citizenship of India – enabling many younger Mauritians to reconnect with the land of their ancestors.

2. Nationwide outreach for credit support to disadvantaged sections

Syllabus: GS-2, Welfare schemes for disadvantaged sections

Prelims: Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ)

Context:

PM to participate in a programme marking nationwide outreach for credit support to disadvantaged sections on 13th March.

Details:

• Prime Minister will launch the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ) national portal and sanction credit support to one lakh entrepreneurs of disadvantaged sections of the country. 
  • The portal is a transformative initiative, aimed at uplifting the most marginalised segments of society. 
  • The credit support will be provided to eligible persons across the country and facilitated through banks, NBFC-MFIs, and other organisations.
• Prime Minister will also distribute Ayushman Health Cards and PPE kits to Safai Mitras (Sewer and Septic tank workers) under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE).

3. India’s Techade: Chips for Viksit Bharat

Syllabus: GS-3, Science and Technology

Prelims: India’s Techade

Mains: Semiconductor sector in India, related schemes

Context:

PM to participate in ‘India’s Techade: Chips for Viksit Bharat’ and lay the foundation stone of three semiconductor facilities worth about Rs 1.25 lakh crore on 13th March.

Details:

• The government aims to position India as a global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing and technology development, fostering the creation of employment opportunities for the nation’s youth. 
• In line with this vision, the foundation stone is being laid for the semiconductor fabrication facility at the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), Gujarat; the Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility at Morigaon, Assam; and the Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility at Sanand, Gujarat.
• Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) 
  • This semiconductor fabrication facility will be set up by Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) under the Modified Scheme for setting up of Semiconductor Fabs in India. 
  • Total investment – Over Rs. 91,000 crore
  • The first commercial semiconductor fab in the country
• Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) Facility
  • Will be set up by Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) under the Modified Scheme for Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) at Morigaon, Assam.
  • Total investment – About Rs 27,000 crore
• Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) Facility
  • Will be set up by CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited under the Modified Scheme for Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) at Sanand, Gujarat.
  • Total investment – About Rs 7,500 crore
• These facilities intend to strengthen the semiconductor industry in India and also will generate thousands of jobs.

4. Bharat Shakti

Syllabus: GS-3, Security & Defence

Prelims: Bharat Shakti

Context:

‘Bharat Shakti’ – a Tri-Services Firing and Manoeuvre Exercise held in Pokhran, Rajasthan.

About ‘Bharat Shakti’:

• The integrated tri-service firepower and manoeuvre exercise was held for about 50 minutes at the Pokhran field firing range where India showcased the prowess of its indigenous defence equipment.
• The exercise showcased simulated realistic, synergised, multi-domain operations displaying integrated operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces to counter threats across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains.
• Key equipment and weapons systems participating in the exercise include T-90 (IM) Tanks, Dhanush and Sarang Gun Systems, Akash Weapons System, Logistics Drones, Robotic Mules, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and an array of unmanned aerial vehicles among others, from the Indian Army.
• Indian Navy showcased Naval Anti-Ship Missiles, Autonomous Cargo Carrying Aerial Vehicles, and Expendable Aerial Targets, highlighting maritime strength and technological sophistication.
• Indian Air Force deployed the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Light Utility Helicopters, and Advanced Light Helicopters, demonstrating air superiority and versatility in air operations.

5. Multistate Cooperative Societies

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Mains: Cooperative sector in India

Context:

Union Minister will inaugurate the new office building for the three Multi-State Cooperative Societies – Bhartiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL).

Details of the cooperative societies

Bhartiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL):

• It deals with advanced and traditional seed research and production and is responsible for their processing and marketing through the cooperative sector.
• It aims at increasing the production of quality seeds in India, at par with the global standards through cooperatives, thereby reducing the dependence on imported seeds, enhancing agriculture production, and providing a boost to the rural economy by increasing income for seed-producing farmers.

National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL):

• It acts as an umbrella organization for the aggregation, procurement, certification, testing, branding and marketing of organic products in the cooperative sector.
• NCOL will help in the increase of production of organic products and it will also provide support in marketing authentic and certified organic products by the cooperatives and related entities at various levels.

National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL):

• The NCEL will undertake the direct export of goods and services of cooperatives and related entities and all related promotion activities. 
• It will increase linkages of goods and services amongst the cooperatives at various levels, resulting in the generation of more employment in the sector. 
• It will help in increasing the export of surplus goods & services produced in the cooperative sector thereby promoting “Make in India” and leading to the creation of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

6. National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming

Syllabus: GS-2, Health

Prelims: National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming

Context:

Union Health Ministry launched the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming in India.

About the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE):

• The National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE) provides a broad framework for the management, prevention and control of Snakebite envenoming in India.
• NAPSE provides a broad framework for states to develop their own action plan for the management, prevention and control of snakebites through the ‘One Health’ approach. 
• The activities envisaged under human, wildlife, tribal and animal health components will be undertaken by concerned stakeholders at all levels.
• NAPSE aims at reducing snakebite deaths in India by half by 2030.
• A booklet, posters and a video were released to raise awareness, disseminate critical information, and empower communities to take proactive measures against snakebites.
• A Snakebite Helpline no (15400), a vital resource that provides immediate assistance, guidance, and support to individuals and communities affected by snakebite incidents will be piloted in five States (Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi). 

A National Rabies Control Programme Website was also launched on the occasion.

• It is a comprehensive online platform dedicated to providing resources, updates, and insights on Rabies. 
• This website will serve as a digital platform for States/UT for entering information related to animal bite and rabies; this will also help the community to assess the nearest Anti Rabies Clinic and Infectious Disease Hospital for the management of animal bite and rabies cases. 

Snakebites in India:

• Snakebite envenoming is a potentially life-threatening disease following the bite of a venomous snake. 
• Venomous snake bites can result in medical issues which can be deadly or lead to permanent impairment if timely and appropriate treatment is not given. 
• In India, around 50,000 deaths occur of an estimated 3-4 million snakebites annually which accounts for half of all snakebite deaths globally. 
• Only a small proportion of snake bite victims across countries report to clinics and hospitals and the actual burden of snake bites is grossly underreported. 
• In India, around 90% of snakebites are caused by the ‘big four’ among the crawlers – common krait, Indian cobra, Russell’s viper and saw-scaled viper.
• Administration of polyvalent anti-snake venom (ASV) containing antibodies against cobra, Russell’s viper, common krait and saw-scaled viper is effective in 80% of snakebite cases.
• However, the lack of trained human resources and health facilities to treat snakebite patients remains a cause of concern.

Read previous PIB articles here.