25 Mar 2018: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry

• The core objective of the scheme is to improve the productivity and quality of silk through R&D intervention.
• The focus of R&D intervention is to promote improved cross­breed silk and the import substitute Bivoltine silk.
• A total allocation of Rs.2161.68 Crore has been approved for the implementation of the Scheme for three years from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
• The scheme will be implemented by the Ministry through Central Silk Board (CSB).

Salient Features of the Scheme

• The scheme will benefit 85 lakh people in the silk sector.
• It will provide livelihood opportunities for women, those belonging to SCs and STs, and other weaker sections of the society across the country, including those from Left-Wing Extremism affected areas and North Eastern Region.
• Silk farmers, seed producers and chawki rearers will be brought under Direct Benefit Transfer, with Aadhaar linkage.
• A helpline will be set up for timely redressal of grievances & outreach programmes will be undertaken.
• Registration process & reporting by seed production centres, basic seed farms and extension centre will be automated through web-based software.
• Cold storage will be set up, which will also provide mobile disinfection units and equipment support for mechanization
• 131 new Chawki Rearing Centres (CRCs) will be established for scientific handling of silkworm eggs and rearing of young age silkworm larvae under controlled conditions to enhance quality of cocoon and their harvest.
• Automatic reeling machine for mulberry, improved reeling/spinning machineries and Buniyaad Reeling machines for Vanya silk under Make in India program will be disseminated to produce quality silk.
• For Government-owned facilities, 100% cost will be borne by the Government of India.
• For individual beneficiaries: SC/ST- 65% cost by Central Government, 25% by State Government and 10% by the beneficiary.
• Beneficiaries from NE states, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh – 80% cost to be borne by Central Government whereas individual and State Government will bear 10% each.
• General: 50% cost will be borne by the Central Government, 25% by the State Government.

Cabinet approves Opening of Missions in Africa to implement commitments of IAFS III

• The Union Cabinet has approved the opening of 18 new Indian Missions in Africa over a four year period from 2018-2021.
• The 3rd India-Africa Summit 2015 was held in New Delhi.
• Both India and Africa that stretches back in history and spoke at length about how the current leaders can get together to strengthen it further to improve the lives of the people.
• There are 10 important outcomes from the present summit like financial assistance of $10 million over the next 5 years for Africa, India and Africa union regarding must speak in one voice to effect reform of United Nations.
• In less than a decade, India-Africa trade has more than doubled to over $70 billion. Development of human capital in every walk of life will be at the heart of the partnership and so on.

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