25 Mar 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

March 25th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Development of Iconic Tourist Destinations Scheme
2. National Creche Scheme
3. Potential of Yoga
4. Drone operations
5. Commercial coal mining
6. Central Scrutiny Centre
7. Prelims Facts

1. Development of Iconic Tourist Destinations Scheme

Context:

To promote India as a MICE destination (MICE – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), the Tourism Ministry, in association with Madhya Pradesh Tourism and India Convention Promotion Bureau are organizing ‘MICE Roadshow – Meet in India’ at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.

Points to Note:

Khajuraho is one of the identified iconic tourist destinations of the country.

About Development of Iconic Tourist Destinations Scheme:

• It is a central sector scheme for the development of nineteen identified iconic destinations in the country following a holistic approach.
• The identified tourist sites to be developed as iconic destinations under the scheme are:
  • Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh)
  • Ajanta Caves & Ellora Caves (Maharashtra)
  • Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort & Qutub Minar (Delhi)
  • Colva Beach (Goa)
  • Amer Fort (Rajasthan)
  • Somnath , Dholavira & Statue of Unity (Gujarat)
  • Khajuraho (MP)
  • Hampi (Karnataka)
  • Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu)
  • Kaziranga (Assam)
  • Kumarakom (Kerala)
  • Konark (Odisha)
  • Mahabodhi Temple (Bihar)
• The objective of the scheme is to boost the tourism influx in India and serve as a model for other tourism sites.
• The focus of the government is to enhance the overall development of these sites from the tourism point of view. It includes basic amenities like availability of water and toilet facilities in abundance and infrastructural developments like roads, hotels, lodges, connectivity and access.
• The nodal agency for the scheme is the Tourism Ministry while other ministries such as civil aviation, railways, etc. are also involved.
• In order to maintain international standards, places in and around the monuments will have components of global accessibility, sustainable and green technology, and upgraded security for tourists.

2. National Creche Scheme

Context:

Creches under the ‘National Creche Scheme for the Children of Working Mothers’ are not functional in the country at present for the purpose of preventing spread of Covid-19.

To know more about the National Creche Scheme, check PIB dated 13 March 2020.

3. Potential of Yoga

Context:

AYUSH Ministry sets up interdisciplinary team of experts to explore the potential of Yoga as a productivity enhancing tool for the population.

Details:

• The productivity enhancing dimension of Yoga will be explored by a high level interdisciplinary committee set up by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
• The committee was set up on 24 March 2021 through videoconferencing.
• The committee is chaired by Dr. H. R Nagendra, Chancellor, SVYASA and its members include representatives from AIIMS New Delhi, IIM Bangalore, IIT Bombay, various leading Yoga institutions, the corporate sector and the AYUSH Ministry.
• Though the benefits of Yoga have been widely embraced by its practitioners, its productivity dimension, i.e., its role in the workplace in offering benefits to employees to perform better – remains unexplored to a large extent.
• This dimension becomes especially important given the increasing physical and mental pressures faced by employees, exacerbated by the current pandemic, even as employers grapple with the situation and try to improve workplace wellness.
• The committee is expected to submit its preliminary recommendations by May 2021.

Know more about Yoga in the link.

4. Drone operations

Context:

34 green zone sites approved for NPNT compliant drone operations.

Details:

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted permit to “No-Permission-No-Take off’ (NPNT) compliant drone operations at 34 additional green zones to facilitate, smoothen, and promote drone operations in the country.
• The approved sites allow drone usage up to 400 ft Above Ground Level (AGL).
• These zones are in addition to the twenty-six green zone sites approved in Feb 2021 and six green zone sites approved in April 2020.

NPNT Compliance:

• As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), “NPNT or ‘No Permission – No Take-off’ compliance enables every Remotely Piloted Aircraft (except Nano) to obtain a valid permission through Digital Sky platform before operating in India.
• This further allows non operationalization of drones prior to necessary approvals.
• Flying in these approved ‘green-zones’ will require only intimation of the time and location of the flights via the Digital Sky portal or the app.
• The framework mandates users to register on an online portal which acts as the national unmanned traffic management system for remotely piloted aircraft.
• Drone flights in the green zone sites shall be compliant with the applicable conditions of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021.

5. Commercial coal mining

Context:

India launches auctions for 2nd tranche of commercial coal mining.

Details:

• India launched its 2nd tranche of auction for commercial coal mining offering 67 mines for sale of coal.
• This is the highest number of mines on offer in a particular tranche of auction after commencement of the auction regime since 2014.
• Out of the total 67 mines offered by the Ministry of Coal, 23 mines are under CM(SP) Act and 44 under MMDR Act.
• The coal mines on offer are a mix of mines with small and large reserves, coking and non-coking mines and fully and partially explored mines spread across six states namely, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

Read more on commercial coal mining in PIB dated Jun 11, 2020.

6. Central Scrutiny Centre

Context:

Finance Minister launches the Central Scrutiny Centre (CSC) to scrutinise user filings.

About the Central Scrutiny Centre:

• The CSC is an initiative of the Corporate Affairs Ministry to scrutinise the filings by users under straight through processes.
• The objective behind the launch of CSC is to ensure that data quality is uncompromised and free from flaws.
• CSC will primarily scrutinise the filings made by users under straight through processes, identify data quality issues and irregularities, and communicate the same to the concerned Registrar of Companies so that corrective steps can be taken to restore authenticity and correctness of data and it can be seamlessly shared with other regulators, if required.

The minister also launched the mobile app of Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA).

• The mobile app aims at achieving the goal of financial literacy, spreading investor awareness, education, and protection among investors.
• The prime goal here is to push Ease of Living.
• The app will have the facility of tracking the status and progress of IEPF claim refund process.
• It will also provide a mechanism for investors and common citizens to report on suspected fraudulent schemes.

According to the Ministry, the two initiatives aim to strengthen the Prime Minister’s vision of a ‘Digitally empowered India’.

7. Prelims Facts

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)

• CGWB is an organisation under the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
• Its mandate is to develop and disseminate technologies, and monitor and implement national policies for the scientific and sustainable development and management of India’s ground water resources, including their exploration, assessment, conservation, augmentation, protection from pollution and distribution, based on principles of economic and ecological efficiency and equity.
• CGWB is the national apex agency entrusted with the responsibilities of providing scientific inputs for management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation and regulation of ground water resources of the country.
• It was established in 1970 by renaming the Exploratory Tube wells Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture. It was merged with the Ground Water Wing of the Geological Survey of India during 1972.
• The Board is implementing the National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM), which envisages mapping of aquifers (water bearing formations), their characterization and development of Aquifer Management Plans to facilitate sustainable management of ground water resources.
• You can read details of the NAQUIM program in PIB dated Dec 9, 2019.

Read previous PIB here.

March 25th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here