13 Mar 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. India - Bhutan
2. Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement between India and United Arab Emirates
3. PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan in the Coal Sector
4. JETCO between India and the Dominican Republic
5. 54th session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
6. Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024
7. India - Mauritius

1. India – Bhutan

Syllabus: GS-2, International Relations

Mains: India – Bhutan relations

Context:

Cabinet approves signing of an MoU between India and Bhutan on cooperation in the field of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation Measures.

Details:

• The MoU was signed between the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of India and the Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan.
• As part of this MoU, India aims to assist Bhutan in enhancing energy efficiency in the household sector by promoting the star labelling programme of BEE.
• India will assist in the formulation of building codes to suit the climate conditions of Bhutan.
• Retailers will also be trained in the dissemination of energy-efficient products with consumer audiences regarding savings from star-rated appliances.
• The MoU will enable the exchange of information, data and technical experts related to energy efficiency and energy conservation between India and Bhutan. 

Background:

• Energy-intensive appliances are the main products leading to higher consumption in households or commercial establishments. 
• Given the rapid growth in energy-intensive consumer goods, the demand for electrical energy has been increasing every year. 
• This rising demand can be optimized, if the consumers prefer high-efficiency appliances. 
• BEE is spearheading the star-labelling program that now covers 37 appliances used in daily life.
  • The Star Labelling Programme has been formulated by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
  • The objectives of the labelling program are to provide the consumer with an informed choice about energy-saving and thereby the cost-saving potential of the marketed household and other equipment.

Additional Information about India – Bhutan:

• The Cabinet also approved the signing of an MoU between the two countries in the area of cooperation in food safety.
  • The MoU was signed between the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
  • BFDA will issue a Health Certificate as proof of compliance with the requirements prescribed by FSSAI while exporting products to India providing for ease of doing business between Bhutan and India.
• The Cabinet also approved an MoU between both countries that will promote bilateral trade in the hydrocarbon sector and will ensure a secured and long-term supply of petroleum products to Bhutan.

2. Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement between India and United Arab Emirates

Syllabus: GS-2, International Relations

Prelims: India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor

Mains: India – UAE Relations

Context:

Cabinet approves Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement India and United Arab Emirates on cooperation for the empowerment and operation of the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor.

Details:

• The Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval to the Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement (IGFA) that was signed on 13th February 2024 during the High-Level visit between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the United Arab Emirates on Cooperation for the empowerment and operation of the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). 
• The IGFA aims to enhance bilateral relations and to further strengthen the relations between the two countries in the Ports, Maritime and Logistics sectors.
• The IGFA includes areas of cooperation between the two countries to explore further potential of future joint investment and collaboration in respect of the development of the IMEC.

3. PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan in the Coal Sector

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Prelims: PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan

Context:

Union Minister releases the ‘PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan in Coal Sector’.

Details:

• PM Gati Shati-National Master Plan aimed at offering in-depth insights into the coal sector through the geospatial layers available on the Ministry of Coal page of the PMGS-NMP portal. 
• The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, a comprehensive GIS-based platform, brings together various ministries to facilitate synchronized planning for the movement of people, goods, and services, leveraging knowledge, technology, and innovation to drive economic growth and development.
• The Plan will empower all stakeholders with crucial information for planning and executing activities within the coal sector, thereby enhancing the ease of doing business and ensuring timely project execution. 
• It aims to develop a smart, integrated, and sustainable coal logistics ecosystem, ensuring the availability of adequate infrastructure, optimizing logistics costs, and promoting modernization through the adoption of information and communication technology.

4. JETCO between India and the Dominican Republic

Syllabus: GS-2, International Relations

Prelims: JETCO between India and the Dominican Republic

Context:

The protocol for the establishment of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) between India and the Dominican Republic was signed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) of the Dominican Republic at Santo Domingo.

Details:

• The agreement is an important step to elevate the existing economic and commercial relations further between both countries.
• The protocol envisages strengthening and developing cooperation on trade, services, industrial technologies and various other sectors through technical assistance, training programmes and capacity building. 
• India primarily imports gold from the Dominican Republic and exports pharmaceuticals, marine products, motor vehicles, two and three-wheelers, etc. to them.

5. 54th session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

Syllabus: GS-3, Food Processing; GS-2, International Relations

Prelims: Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

Context:

India’s SOP was discussed at the 54th session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene in Nairobi, Kenya.

Details:

• India presented its recently released Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Modernization of Food Streets at the pre-session meeting of the 54th session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH).
• This presentation was made along the lines of the proposed draft guidelines for Food Hygiene Control Measures in Traditional Markets for Food, which is one of the key agendas for the 54th session of CCFH.
• The 54th session of CCFH, scheduled from 11th March to 15th March 2024, is being hosted by the Government of the United States of America and is meeting for the first time in Kenya.
• The Indian Delegation is represented by the officials from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which is the national Codex contact point for India, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH):

• The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) under the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has among its mandate the drafting of basic provisions on food hygiene applicable to all food.

6. Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt schemes

Prelims: Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024

Context:

The Ministry of Heavy Industries announced the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024.

Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 (EMPS 2024):

• The scheme aims further to accelerate the adoption of EVs in the country.
• This is a fund-limited scheme with a total outlay of Rs. 500 crore for 4 months, w.e.f. 1st April 2024 till 31st July 2024, for faster adoption of electric two-wheeler (e-2W) and three-wheeler (e-3W) to provide further impetus to the green mobility and development of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing eco-system in the country. 
• With greater emphasis on providing affordable and environment-friendly public transportation options for the masses, the scheme will apply mainly to those e-2W and e-3Ws registered for commercial purposes. 
• Privately or corporate-owned EVs will also be eligible for the scheme.
• Objectives:
  • The Scheme aims to support 3,72,215 EVs including e-2W (3,33,387) and e-3W (38,828 including 13,590 rickshaws & e-carts and 25,238 e-3W in the L5 category).
• To encourage advanced technologies, the benefits of incentives will be extended to only those vehicles which are fitted with advanced batteries.

7. India – Mauritius

Syllabus: GS-2, International Relations

Mains: India – Mauritius relations

Context:

President Murmu’s three-day visit to Mauritius.

Details:

• The President led delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth of Mauritius. 
• They reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the long-standing partnership between the two countries.
• Four agreements were also exchanged including:
  • MoU between International Financial Services Centres Authority (GIFT City) and Financial Services Commission, Mauritius
  • MoU between Public Service Commission, Mauritius and Union Public Service Commission
  • Protocol to amend the India-Mauritius Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to make it compliant with Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Minimum Standards
  • MoU between the Central Bureau of Investigation, India and the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Mauritius
• On the occasion, President Murmu and Prime Minister Jugnauth virtually inaugurated 14 community development projects funded by the Government of India, and laid the foundation stone for the new Forensic Science Laboratory, also being set up with Indian assistance. 

Also read: India – Mauritius Relations

Read previous PIB articles here.