26 Mar 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in India
2. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)
3. National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)
4. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 2022
5. CSIR-NAL ‘s various civil aircraft initiatives

1. WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine in India

Syllabus: GS II, Health; Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,

Prelims: Host Country Agreement for WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine

Mains: Significance of the Host Country Agreement for WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine.

Context

The Union Ministry of Ayush has signed the Host Country Agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) for setting up a WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India 

WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine

• The Centre will be established at Jamnagar, Gujarat.
• The temporary office of the center will be at the Institute of Training and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) in Gujarat.
• The WHO Global Centre will be assisted by an investment of USD 250 million from the Government of India. 
• Objective: To realize the potential of traditional medicine from across the world through modern science and technology and improve the overall health of the communities across the world. 

Significance of the WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine

• The Centre will be the first and only Global Centre for traditional medicine across the globe.
• The Centre will bring far-reaching benefits and reputation to traditional medicine systems around the world. 
• The initiative will help in providing affordable and reliable health services. 
• Traditional medicine is one of the main pillars in healthcare systems and plays a key role in maintaining good health and well-being across the world. 
• In the digital era, it is crucial to integrate traditional medicine therapies technologies such as artificial intelligence to make it more accessible.

2. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)

Syllabus: GS II, Social Justice; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and the performance of these schemes.

Prelims: Facts about Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)

Mains: Significance of PM-GKAY

Context

The Union Cabinet approved the extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) for 6 months (April-September, 2022).

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)

• The PM-GKAY has been implemented since April 2020.
• It is regarded as the largest food security program in the world.
• The scheme is part of Atmanirbhar Bharat that aims to supply free food grains to migrants and the poor who have been affected by the COVID 19 Pandemic
• The scheme is implemented under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and the program is operated by the Department of Food and Public Distribution.

To read more about the scheme – Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)

Significance of the Scheme

• The Government has spent about Rs. 2.60 Lakh Crore and another Rs. 80,000 Crore will be spent over the 6 months till September 2022 taking the total expenditure under PM-GKAY to nearly Rs. 3.40 Lakh Crore.
• The scheme will cover about 80 crore beneficiaries across the country.
• This extension of the scheme is to ensure that no poor household goes to bed without food during the time of economic recovery post the pandemic.

3. National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)

Syllabus: GS II, Polity; Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

Prelims: National Company Law Tribunal 

Context

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) organized a national level Colloquium on the subject “NCLT- The Road Ahead”.

National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) 

• The Union Government established the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) under section 408 of the Companies Act, 2013 in 2016.
• NCLT is a quasi-judicial body established for dealing with corporate disputes under the Companies Act. 
• It is also the adjudicating authority for the insolvency resolution process of companies and limited liability partnerships under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
• Currently, there are 15 benches across India, manned by 48 Members hearing cases related to the Companies Act and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016.

To know more about National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)

4. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 2022

Syllabus: GS I, Indian Heritage and Culture 

Prelims: Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 2022

Context

Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 2022 has been inaugurated at Rajamahendravaram in Andhra Pradesh.

Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav

• The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav has been instrumental in showcasing folk and tribal art, dance, music, cuisines and culture of one state in other states reinforcing the goal of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”.
• The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav is a flagship programme under the Ministry of Culture that is aimed at strengthening the culture and traditions of India.
• Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav-2022 is a celebration of India’s diverse cultural heritage.
• The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 2022 is aimed at presenting the rich culture of southern states as well as introducing the local population to the varied culture of other parts of India.

5. CSIR-NAL ‘s various civil aircraft initiatives

Syllabus: GS III, Science & Technology; Indigenization of technology 

Prelims: Facts about various initiatives by CSIR-NAL

Context

CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore (CSIR-NAL) showcased its indigenous initiatives of civil aircraft for flying training & commuter air connectivity in the Wings India 2022.

HANSA–NG

• It is an aircraft designed and developed by CSIR-NAL.
• HANSA-NG is India’s first indigenous Flying Trainer.
• It is one of the most advanced two-seat flying trainer aircraft powered by Rotax Digital Control Engine with unique features like Just-In-Time Prepreg (JIPREG), Composite lightweight Airframe, Glass Cockpit, Bubble Canopy with wide panoramic view, electrically operated flaps, etc. 
• It is capable of flying at an altitude of 10000 ft with a maximum speed of 200 kmph with more than 5 hrs endurance.

SARAS-Mk II

• SARAS-Mk II is a 19-seater Light Transport Aircraft with multiple capabilities such as passenger and troop transport, VIP transport and Casevac (AirAmbulance).
• The aircraft is developed exclusively for operations from short runways, hot and high airfields, and semi-prepared runways for connecting Tier 1 & Tier 2 cities.
• SARAS-MkII is a unique aircraft where operational benefits are maximized through features such as pressurized cabin, Digital anti-skid braking, Autopilot with Cat II landing, two lever engine operation, lightweight materials, etc.
• The aircraft is equipped to fly up to 29000 ft at a maximum speed of 500 kmph with a range of 778 km 
• The aircraft will be used to promote regional air connectivity under the UDAN (UdeDesh ka Nagrik) scheme.

High Altitude Platforms (HAP) 

• NAL demonstrated a functional model of High Altitude Platforms (HAP) which is based on futuristic path-breaking technology.
• HAP is a solar-powered UAV capable of day & night operation at a height of 20 km for more than 90 days. 
• HAP is regarded as a game-changer in the fields of pseudo satellites for telecommunication applications in the 5G & 6G spectrum.
• HAP will be used for various purposes such as broadband communication, surveillance, earth observation, climate research, etc.

Read previous PIB here.

March 26th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here