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)
FIP Magazine

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

Syllabus: GS2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes

Prelims: 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

Syllabus: GS2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Prelims: Sainik Schools

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

Syllabus: GS3: Defence and  Security: Defense exercises

Prelims: Bilateral and multilateral Exercises between India and other Countries

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:-
Sl. No. Country Exercise Periodicity
Bilateral Exercises
1. Australia AUSINDEX  Biennial
2. Bangladesh IN-BN BILAT Annual
3. Bangladesh IN-BN SF Exercise Annual
4. France VARUNA Annual
5. Indonesia IND-INDO BILAT Annual
6. Japan JIMEX Biennial
7. Malaysia IN-RMNBILAT Biennial
8. Maldives Ex Ekatha Annual
9. Myanmar IN-MN BILAT Annual
10. Oman IN-RNOBILAT Biennial
11. Qatar IN-QENFBILAT Biennial
12. Russia INDRA Navy Biennial
13. Saudi Arabia IN-RSNF Bilateral Annual
14. Singapore SIMBEX Annual
15. Sri Lanka SLINEX Annual
16. Sri Lanka IN-SLN SF Ex Annual
17. UAE IN-UAENBILAT Biennial
18. UK KONKAN Annual
19. USA Ex Sangam  (SF) Annual
20. USA SALVEX (Salvage) Annual
21. Vietnam IN-VPN BILAT Annual
Multilateral Exercises
1. Australia (lead), Multilateral KAKADU Biennial
2. India (lead), Multilateral MILAN Biennial
3. Indonesia (lead), Multilateral KOMODO Biennial
4. IONS Member Nations IONS Exercise Annual
5. Israel (lead), Multilateral Mighty Shield Annual
6. Japan, USA EOD Ex 2-JA Annual
7. USA (lead), Multilateral CUTLASS Express Annual
8. USA (lead), Multilateral IMX Annual
9. US, SE Asian countries, France, Australia WPNS Annual
10. USA (lead), Multilateral RIMPAC Biennial
11. USA (lead), Multilateral Sea Dragon Annual
12. Australia (lead), Multilateral Black Carillion Annual
13. Australia, Japan, US MALABAR Annual
14. France (lead), US, Japan, Australia, India La Perouse Annual
15. Singapore, Thailand SITMEX Annual
16. Brazil, South Africa IBSAMAR Biennial
17. Singapore, SE Asian States MARISX Biennial
18. US, SE Asian countries SEACAT Annual
Tri-Service Exercises
1. ADMM Plus countries ADMM Plus  As Scheduled
2. Russia INDRA (Tri Service) Biennial
3. Russia VOSTOK Annual
4. Thailand Ex Cobra Gold Annual
5. USA Ex Tiger Triumph Annual

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

Syllabus: GS2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Prelims: Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, and recent guidelines

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)

Syllabus: GS2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Prelims: 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

Syllabus: GS2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting  India’s interests.

Prelims: Water Treaty/Agreements

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. 

Sr. No Country Treaty
1 Pakistan
  • Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 with Pakistan concerning the use of waters of the Indus system of rivers. 
  • The Treaty extends to the main rivers of Indus basin i.e. Sutlej, Beas, Ravi (Eastern rivers) and Jhelum, Chenab and Indus (Western rivers) including their tributaries and sub tributaries and other water bodies. 
  • All the waters of the Eastern Rivers were allocated to India for her unrestricted use while India is under obligation to let flow all the waters of the Western Rivers, except for the domestic, non-consumptive and other uses permitted in the Treaty.
2 Nepal
  • The Mahakali Treaty was signed with Nepal in the year 1996 concerning Integrated Development of the Mahakali River (known as river ‘Sarda’ in India).
  • In addition, Kosi Agreement, 1954 (amended in December, 1966) and Gandak Agreement, 1959 (amended in April, 1964) were signed with Nepal for construction of Kosi Project and Gandak Project respectively.
3 Bangladesh
  • Ganga Water Sharing Treaty was signed with Bangladesh in the year 1996 for sharing of Ganga/Ganges waters at Farakka. 
  • As per the Treaty, the Ganga/Ganges waters are being shared at Farakka during lean period, from 1st January to 31st May every year, on 10-day period basis as per the formula provided in the Treaty. 

7. Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB)

Syllabus: GS2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Prelims: 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

Related Links
NIPUN Bharat Scheme POSH
New India Literacy Programme AUKUS
Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan Indo-Pacific Dialogue

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