21 Mar 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of 
Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas
2. Sainik School Society
3. Maritime Cooperation With Regional Partners
4. ‘Agreement for Sale’ rules under the provisions of RERA framed by MoHUA for 
Union Territories without legislatures
5. Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs)
6. Water Treaty/Agreement
7. Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB)

1. Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas

Context: 

This article discusses the features and significance of the Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas.

Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas:

• This scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Culture as a financial grant scheme.
• It is administered specifically for the preservation and development of the cultural heritage of the Himalayan States/Union Territories including the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Territory of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. 
• Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to the Voluntary Organizations including Colleges and Universities for study and research on cultural heritage, Preservation of old manuscripts, literature, art & crafts, etc.
• The scheme is a Central Sector Scheme and no funds are released directly to the State Governments. 

Financial Mechanism of the Scheme:

• The quantum of funding is Rs.10.00 lakhs per year for an organization.  
• The Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) on the scheme is empowered to recommend the amount beyond the maximum limit but not exceeding Rs.30.00 lakhs from this scheme.

2. Sainik School Society

Context: The Government has approved the initiative of setting up 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs/Private Schools/State Governments.

Sainik Schools Society (SSS):

• Sainik Schools Society (SSS) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India. 
• The Society runs Sainik Schools. Sainik Schools are English medium residential schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). 
• Sainik Schools prepare Cadets to join the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla (Pune), Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala and other Training Academies for officers.
• Sainik Schools offer admission at the level of Class VI and Class IX. 

3. Maritime Cooperation With Regional Partners

Context: Government has developed maritime cooperation with regional partners in consonance with the Government’s vision of Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR). 

Description:

• Indian Navy (IN) ships and aircraft are regularly deployed in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to enhance maritime security and to address contingencies that may arise. 
• In consonance with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’, Indian Navy has undertaken 08 missions to 16 Friendly Foreign Countries for transhipment of HADR relief materials, COVID supplies and food assistance. 
• The details of exercises undertaken with friendly foreign countries are tabulated below:-

Also read: List of Joint Military Exercises of the Indian Army

4. ‘Agreement for Sale’ rules under the provisions of RERA framed by MoHUA for Union Territories without legislatures

Context: This article examines the applicability of ‘Agreement for Sale’ rules under the provisions of RERA for Union Territories without legislatures.

Recent Guidelines:

• The ‘Agreement for Sale’ rules under the provisions of the Real Estate 2016 act have been framed by MoHUA for Union Territories (UTs) without legislatures.
  • The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 seeks to protect the interests of home buyers and also boost investments in the real estate sector. 
  • Section 4 of RERA provides for compulsory deposit of seventy percent of the amount realized for real estate projects from allottees in a separate bank account. 
• As per the terms of the agreement for sale, RERA makes the promoter liable to refund the amount, with interest and compensation, in case the developer fails to complete or is unable to give possession of the apartment, plot, building to home buyers.
• In order to provide last mile funding to stalled real estate projects which are net-worth positive and registered under RERA, a Special Window for Affordable and Mid Income Housing (SWAMIH) Investment Fund of Rs. 25,000 Crore has been created.

5. Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs)

Context: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) to provide a dignified living to urban migrants/poor near their workplaces. 

 Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs):

• Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) is a Sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U).
• Aims and Objectives:
  • To provide affordable rental housing to urban migrants/ poor, close to their workplace.
  • To create a conducive ecosystem for Public/Private Entities to leverage investment in rental housing
• Beneficiaries for ARHCs: Varied groups of urban migrants/ poor from EWS/ LIG categories including industrial & construction workers, migrants working with market/ trade associations, educational/ health institutions, hospitality sector, long-term tourists/ visitors, students etc.
• Period: ARHCs to be considered till PMAY (U) Mission period i.e. March 2022.
• Two-pronged implementation strategy: 
  • Model-1: Utilizing existing Government funded vacant houses to convert into ARHCs through Public Private Partnership (PPP) or by Public Agencies
  • Model-2: Construction, Operation & Maintenance of ARHCs by Public/ Private Entities on their own available vacant land.

6. Water Treaty/Agreement

Context: The Government of India has signed water treaties with our neighbouring countries in the past for mutual benefits in the field of water resources. 

7. Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB)

Context: The 61st Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting will be held by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) under the Ministry of Mines.

Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB)

• The Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) was established through the Government of India Resolution in 1966. 
• The CGPB was constituted primarily to coordinate activities on geological mapping and mineral prospecting, exploration and exploitation with the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
• The announcement of the National Mineral Policy, 2008, and the emergence of a large number of newly established Central and State level organizations as well as research institutions in the scientific sector have also added urgency to the necessity of revamping the CGPB mechanism.

Read previous PIB here.

March 21st, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here