15 Mar 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. E-Vehicle Policy
2. Department of Food and Public Distribution Sign MoUs to Transform Fair Price Shops
3. World Consumer Rights Day, 2024
4. Bharat Pashudhan Livestock Data Stack
5. Kisan Credit Card Fisheries Scheme
6. Action Plan on Anti-Microbial Resistance
7. ETHANOL 100

1. E-Vehicle Policy

Syllabus: GS-2, Polity & Governance

Prelims: E-vehicle policy

Mains: EV sector in India

Context:

The government approved the E-Vehicle Policy to promote India as a manufacturing destination for EVs.

Details:

• The scheme has been approved to promote India as a manufacturing destination so that e-vehicles (EVs) with the latest technology can be manufactured in the country. 
• The policy is designed to attract investments in the e-vehicle space by reputed global EV manufacturers.
• The policy entails:
  • Minimum investment required: Rs 4150 Cr (∼USD 500 Mn)
  • There is no limit on the maximum investment
  • 3 years for setting up manufacturing facilities in India, starting commercial production of e-vehicles, and reaching 50% domestic value addition (DVA) within 5 years at the maximum.
  • Domestic value addition (DVA) during manufacturing: A localization level of 25% by the 3rd year and 50% by the 5th year will have to be achieved.
  • The customs duty of 15% (as applicable to CKD units) would be applicable on vehicles of minimum CIF value of USD 35,000 and above for a total period of 5 years subject to the manufacturer setting up manufacturing facilities in India within three years.
  • The duty foregone on the total number of EVs allowed for import would be limited to the investment made or ₹6484 Cr (equal to incentive under the PLI scheme) whichever is lower. 
  • A maximum of 40,000 EVs at the rate of not more than 8,000 per year would be permissible if the investment is USD 800 Mn or more.
• The policy is expected to:
  • Provide Indian consumers with access to the latest technology
  • Boost the Make in India initiative
  • Strengthen the EV ecosystem by promoting healthy competition among EV players
  • Achieving a high volume of production & economies of scale
  • Lower the cost of production
  • Reduce imports of crude oil
  • Lower trade deficit
  • Reduce air pollution, particularly in cities
  • Create a positive impact on health and the environment

2. Department of Food and Public Distribution Sign MoUs to Transform Fair Price Shops

Syllabus: GS-2, Governance; GS-3, Economy

Prelims: Fair Price Shops, PDS

Mains: Public food distribution in India and related challenges

Context:

The Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India signed Memorandums of Understanding with SIDBI and NIESBUD for the transformation of FPSs.

MoU with NIESBUD:

• The MoU with the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) aims to tackle skill development challenges faced by FPS dealers, particularly in areas of digital literacy, financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills needed to adapt to the market changes and explore new business opportunities. 
• By improving entrepreneurial capabilities, FPS owners can expand their services, enhance customer satisfaction, and pursue additional sources of income. 

MoU with SIDBI:

• Through this partnership, SIDBI will offer a simple-to-use digital solution for providing working capital assistance to the FPSs through its GST Sahay application. 
• This initiative will enable FPS to operate on a credit model for selling non-PDS commodities.

The two MoUs are a breakthrough in the area of capacity building and opening investment & financing opportunities for FPSs in the country. They are expected to significantly elevate employability and enhance the livelihood of FPS dealers.

Additional Information:

About NIESBUD:

• The National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development is a premier organization under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, engaged in training, consultancy, research, etc. to promote entrepreneurship and Skill Development. 
• The major activities of the Institute include Training of Trainers, Management Development Programmes, Entrepreneurship-cum-Skill Development Programmes, Entrepreneurship Development Programmes and Cluster Intervention.

3. World Consumer Rights Day, 2024

Syllabus: GS-2, Governance

Prelims: World Consumer Rights Day, 2024; Initiatives launched for consumer protection

Mains: Consumer protection in India, laws and initiatives

Context:

Union Minister launched various initiatives for the protection of consumer rights.

World Consumer Rights Day 2024:

• March 15 is observed as World Consumer Rights Day to raise global awareness of consumer rights, protection and empowerment.
• The theme for 2024 is ‘Fair and responsible AI for consumers’.
  • The theme emphasises concerns like misinformation, privacy violations, and discriminatory practices, as well as how AI-driven platforms can spread false information and perpetuate biases.
• The day was first observed on March 15, 1983, which was inspired by US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s US Congress address on March 15, 1962, where he addressed the issue of consumer rights and laid emphasis on its importance and became the first world leader to talk about consumer rights.

Initiatives launched by the minister for consumer protection:

• Video Conferencing Facility in the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
  • The e-jagriti portal facilitates consumers’ easy e-filing of complaints for the speedy and hassle-free resolution of their complaints.
• Dissemination of Indian Standard Time through NTP: 
  • The Legal Metrology Division, Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), resolved to disseminate time through its Regional Reference Standard Laboratory (RRSL) in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi, and ISRO. 
• Integrated Price Monitoring Dashboard
  • The Dashboard will provide data visualization and analytics along with monitoring the daily retail and wholesale prices of 22 essential food commodities through 550 price monitoring centres set up in 34 states/UTs. 
• Grant of the first certificate by India as an OIML certification agency
  • Read what are OIML certificates in PIB dated Sep 14, 2023.
  • DoCA has become one of the 14 OIML issuing authorities and 27 Test Laboratories in the OIML-CS (Certification system).
• Launch of CCPA website for seamless redressal of violation of consumers’ rights as a class

4. Bharat Pashudhan Livestock Data Stack

Syllabus: GS-3, Agriculture

Prelims: Bharat Pashudhan Livestock Data Stack

Context:

The Prime Minister dedicated the Bharat Pashudhan Livestock Data Stack to the nation.

Bharat Pashudhan Livestock Data Stack:

• Through the App, the field workers upload important information related to animal transactions like vaccinations, artificial inseminations, fresh animal registrations, changes in ownership, even e-prescriptions, disease reports, milk recordings, etc. are uploaded, tracked, monitored, on a real-time basis using the unique ID number or Pashu Aadhaar assigned to every animal. 
• At present, over 15.5 crore entries have already been uploaded, and about 16 lakh entries are being added each day.
• This will set the ground for Pashu Aadhaar and collate records of services provided.
• The new stack design allows API sharing at any level within the bounds of the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP) and can be used by State Governments to converge with their other datasets and activities, for disease surveillance and monitoring and early warning systems in the case of zoonotic diseases.
• The large farms and organizations will also use this for their internal operations with add on services such as IOT devices. 
• With the help of this robust data, disease-free zones can be established in high-production areas in the first instance, and exports can be enabled.

Pashupalak App:

• This newly launched App will empower the farmers to be able to access all free and paid livestock-related schemes/services.
• The farmer also has other important information at her fingertips like contact details of all nearby Al technicians, availability of good quality semen straws to IVF services, educational videos on ethno veterinary medicines, safe milking, etc., rational balancing calculator and social community features, thus, eliminating the information asymmetry that has plagued the livestock farmers.

Significance:

• Help consolidate the livestock sector from its current situation of disorganized and fragmented growth.
• The livestock sector has a GVA share of about 5% and a total Growth Rate of about 7.93 %, and a Market Size of Rs 15.63 lakh Cr and hence is crucial to the rural economy.

5. Kisan Credit Card Fisheries Scheme

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt Schemes

Prelims: Kisan Credit Card Fisheries scheme

Context:

The Department of Fisheries successfully inaugurated the integration of the Kisan Credit Card Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal.

Details:

• In 2019, the Government of India extended the Kisan Credit Card facility to fisheries and animal husbandry farmers to help them meet their working capital requirements. 
• For the existing KCC holders, the benefits of interest subvention and prompt repayment incentive will be admissible up to the credit limit of Rs. 3 lakhs including fisheries activities.
• In the case of new card holders, the credit limit is Rs. 2 lakhs to meet their working capital requirements for fisheries activities.
• Extending the credit facilities to the fisheries sector will help pave a transformative way for the development of the socio-economic scenario of fish farmers and fishermen. 
• The integration of the KCC Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal signifies a monumental leap towards providing a digital platform for fish farmers and stakeholders in the fisheries sector. 
• This initiative aims to streamline processes, digitize workflows, and provide efficient loan management services, ensuring enhanced accessibility and transparency for beneficiaries.

6. Action Plan on Anti-Microbial Resistance

Syllabus: GS-2, Health

Mains: Anti-Microbial Resistance

Context:

The Central Advisory Committee of FSSAI unveiled an Action Plan on Anti-Microbial Resistance.

Details:

• The Central Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) unveiled the authority’s action plan on Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) during the 43rd CAC meeting in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
• During the meeting, deliberations were held on creating awareness amongst farmers regarding the judicious use of antibiotics in livestock, aquaculture, poultry etc. as part of FSSAI’s responsibilities under the AMR National Action Plan-II. 
• Plans to carry out surveillance on anti-microbial susceptibility in food matrix to ensure consumers’ safety were also discussed.
• The Commissioners of Food Safety of States and UTs were directed to work diligently towards achieving the target of 100 food streets to be developed as ‘Healthy and Hygienic Food Streets’.
• The importance of surveillance sampling was also emphasized during the discussion. The states were directed to prepare their surveillance plans and conduct regular meetings with state labs and their officials.
• The requirement of clean marketplaces and establishing health clubs in both State and Central Government schools along with the development of app-based models and literature in regional languages to encourage the younger generation was discussed.

7. ETHANOL 100

Syllabus: GS-3, Environment, Economy, Energy

Prelims: ETHANOL 100

Context:

Union Minister launched ETHANOL 100 fuel.

About ETHANOL 100:

• India commenced the sale of ETHANOL 100 across 183 Indian Oil outlets in Maharashtra, New Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh in a strategic advance towards cleaner alternative fuels.
• It is a high-octane eco-friendly fuel in line with the government’s 20% ethanol-petrol blend by 2025-26.
• ETHANOL-100 is positioned as a cleaner alternative to petrol offering high performance and lower emissions.

Also read: Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme

Read previous PIB articles here.