22 Mar 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Schemes to start businesses in the animal husbandry and dairy sector
2. Steps by Government to promote Renewable Energy
3. EX-DUSTLIK
4. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
5. Fish Farmers Producers Organizations
6. E-GOPALA PORTAL
7. "Go Electric" Campaign

1. Schemes to start businesses in the animal husbandry and dairy sector

Syllabus: GS3: Economy: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development

Prelims: Schemes to encourage the unemployed youths to start businesses in the animal husbandry and dairy sector

Context: The Government is implementing various schemes for the protection and development of livestock which helps to encourage unemployed youths directly as well as indirectly to start businesses.

Schemes to encourage the unemployed youths to start businesses in the animal husbandry and dairy sector: 

• Rashtriya Gokul Mission,
• National Programme for Dairy Development,
• Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund,
• Supporting Dairy Cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organizations engaged in dairy activities
• National Livestock Mission,
• Livestock Health and Disease Control
• Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund
• National Animal Disease Control Programme
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund
• Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge

2. Steps by Government to promote Renewable Energy

Syllabus: GS3: Infrastructure: Energy

Mains: Government steps to promote renewable energy

Context: The Government has taken several steps to promote renewable energy, including wind energy, in the country. 

Government steps to promote renewable energy

• Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route.
• Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects.
• Setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land and transmission to RE developers on a plug and play basis.
• Setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments.
• Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects.
• Government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC).
• Conducting skill development programmes to create a pool of skilled manpower for implementation, operation and maintenance of RE projects.
• Generation Based Incentive (GBI) is being provided to the wind projects commissioned on or before 31 March 2017.

3. EX-DUSTLIK

Syllabus: GS3: Security Challenges: Defense equipment

Prelims: EX-DUSTLIK

Context: The 3rd edition of EX-DUSTLIK is being conducted at Yangiarik, Uzbekistan.

EX-DUSTLIK:

• It is a joint training exercise between Indian and Uzbekistan armies.
• It would focus on Counter Terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain under a United Nations Mandate. 
• The Grenadiers Battalion nominated for the exercise has the unique distinction of participating in almost all the Pre and Post Independence Operations. 
  • The unit has been awarded eight Pre-Independence Battle Honours. 
  • Post Independence, it has earned theatre honour ‘RAJASTHAN’ in 1965 war and battle honour ‘JARPAL’ in 1971 war.

4. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

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

Prelims:  Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

Context: 

This article discusses the features of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960:

• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 aims to prevent all the acts of unnecessary pain or act of cruelty to animals and ensures punishment for those who are indulged in such activities.
• The prevention of cruelty to animals is a state subject.
• Significant features of the Act:
  • Animals: Under Section 2(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, ‘animal’ means any living creature other than a human being. Animals are not only mammals but also include reptiles, birds and other creatures. For example, lions, peacocks, snakes, lizards, alligators, tortoise, dogs, cats, etc.
  • Animal Welfare Board:  Section 4 to 10 of the Act are related to the provisions of the Animal Welfare Board, its constitution and its function. For the purpose of preventing animals from unnecessary pain and suffering, there shall be a board established by the central government named as Animal Welfare Board of India.
• Issues with Act:
  • The prescribed fine and penalty in the current Prevention to Cruelty to Animal Act is not sufficient enough to take action against the cruelty to animals.
  • The need for amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 by introducing more stringent penalties has been recognized by the Government. 

5. Fish Farmers Producers Organizations

Syllabus: GS3: Economy: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development

Prelims: Fish Farmers Producers Organizations

Context: This article gives details of working of Fish Farmers Producers Organizations.

Fish Farmers Producers Organizations: 

• • Fish Farmers Producer Organization (FFPO) is an association or group of fishers or fish farmers or of fisheries stakeholders, with the primary objective of carrying out sustainable fisheries value chain business.

• Aims and Objectives 
• • To economically empower the fishers and fish farmers and enhance their bargaining power by achieving economies of scale. 
  • To enhance productivity through efficient, cost-effective and sustainable resource use. 
  • To realize higher returns for fishers and fish farmers through better liquidity and remunerative market linkages for their produce. 
  • To build capacities of fishers and fish farmers to develop entrepreneurial skills for making the FFPOs economically viable and self-sustaining. 
  • To develop vibrant and sustainable income-oriented fisheries value chains.
• Financial Assistance: 
  • The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) under the flagship scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) provides financial assistance for setting up of FFPOs.
  • The financial support provided under the PMMSY to each FFPO primarily includes the cost of formation, management, training and skill development and equity grant. 

6. E-GOPALA PORTAL

Syllabus: GS2: Polity and Governance: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors 

Prelims: e-GOPALA Portal

Context: This article recognises the need for a digital platform, such as “e-GOAPLA”, to help dairy farmers manage their animals.

e-GOPALA Portal:

• E-GOPALA, the web version developed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has been launched to aid dairy farmers.
• e-GOPALA provides details of bovine animals, enabling farmers and entrepreneurs to view details of live animals, frozen semen, and embryos.
• The application provides various information to the farmers and helps in:
  • balanced ration for dairy animals 
  • management of nearly 29 common ailments of dairy animals 
  • digital platform for buying/selling of dairy animals
  •  information on source of quality semen doses

7. “Go Electric” Campaign

Syllabus: GS2: Polity and Governance: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors 

Prelims: “Go Electric” Campaign

Context: Government of India, Ministry of Power launched the “Go Electric” Campaign in 2021.

“Go Electric” Campaign:

• “Go Electric” Campaign aims to create awareness among the masses about the benefits of switching over to Electric Vehicles (EVs).
• It was launched by the Ministry of Power to promote EV Charging Infrastructure as well as electric cooking in India. 
• This campaign is being implemented through State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) designated by States for coordinating activities related to rolling out Public Charging Infrastructure in States.

Read previous PIB here.

March 22nd, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here