14 Mar 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

March 14th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Linking of OTPRMS certificates with DigiLocker
2. New scheme announced for tourist vehicle operators
3. Prelims Facts

1. Linking of OTPRMS certificates with DigiLocker

Context:

Union Education Minister announces linking of OTPRMS certificates with DigiLocker with a complete waiver of registration fees.

Details:

• The Ministry of Education has decided to link the Online Teacher Pupil Registration Management System (OTPRMS) Certificates with DigiLocker to ensure hassle-free access.
• The issued certificates will automatically be transferred to DigiLocker and the same may be traced at the website of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
• The registration fee of Rs. 200/- payable for obtaining OTPRMS Certificates, issued by NCTE has been waived off.
• This will enable all stakeholders across India to be digitally empowered facilitating ease of doing busines.

Read more about DigiLocker in the link.

2. New scheme announced for tourist vehicle operators

Context:

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced a new scheme, under which any tourist vehicle operator may apply for an “All India Tourist Authorization/Permit” through online mode.

Details of the scheme:

• The permit will be issued, after relevant documents are submitted and fees deposited, within 30 days of submission of such applications.
• The new rules are known as ‘All India Tourist Vehicles Authorization and Permit Rules, 2021’ and they will be applicable from April 2021.
• Significance:
  • The new rules for permits are expected to go a long way in promoting tourism across the states in our country, while simultaneously, growing the revenue of state governments.
  • The scheme allows flexibility in the form of authorization/permit being granted, for a period of three months or its multiples thereof, not exceeding three years at a time.
  • This provision has been incorporated keeping in mind those areas of our country where there is a limited season of tourism and also for those operators who have limited financial capacity.
• The scheme will also consolidate a central database and fees of all such authorization/permits, which might give a sense of tourist movements, scope for improvement and promotion of tourism.

3. Prelims Facts

1. Geopolymers

• Geopolymers are inorganic polymers with 3D framework structures having superior mechanical and physical properties.
• This new generation of cementitious materials has potential applications in fire-resistant fibre composites, concretes for infrastructure applications, sealants and ceramics.
• They are environmentally friendly substitutes for Portland cement.
• Geopolymers in many applications not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also consume large volumes of industrial wastes such as fly ash, mine tailings and metallurgical slag.
• Commercially produced geopolymers may be used for fire- and heat-resistant coatings and adhesives, medicinal applications, high-temperature ceramics, new binders for fire-resistant fibre composites, toxic and radioactive waste encapsulation and new types of cement for concrete.

2. CSIR-AMPRI

• Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI), Bhopal was instituted in May 1981 as “Regional Research Laboratory” (RRL).
• It is the premier research and development institute in India for advanced materials and processes and is a CSIR
• The current activities of AMPRI are broadly categorised under:
  • Lightweight Materials
  • Nanostructured Materials
  • Smart and Functional materials
  • Waste to Wealth
  • CSIR-800
• The overall objective of AMPRI is to achieve world-class status in the area of engineering materials, component and process development.

Read previous PIB here.

March 14th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here