29 Mar 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

29 Mar 2024 PIB
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. ECI’s C-Vigil App
2. Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
3. IMT TRILAT 24

1. ECI’s C-Vigil App

Syllabus: GS-2, Polity & Governance

Prelims: ECI, C-VIGIL App

Mains: Model Code of Conduct

Context:

Over 79,000 complaints have been received on the Election Commission’s C-VIGIL App ever since the general election of 2024 was announced.

About ECI’s C-VIGIL App:

• The App connects vigilant citizens with the District Control Room, Returning Officers and Flying Squads Teams of the commission.
• Through the App, citizens can immediately report incidents of political misconduct within minutes without having to rush to the office of the returning officer. 
• As soon as the complaint is sent on the cVigil app, the complainant will receive a unique ID through which the person will be able to track the complaint on their mobile.
• Users capture audio, photos or videos in real-time, and a “100-minute” countdown for time-bound response to complaints is ensured. 
• The app automatically enables a geo-tagging feature as soon as the user switches on their camera in the cVIGIL to report a violation. 
• This means that flying squads could know the precise location of a reported violation, and the image captured by citizens could be used as evidence in a court of law. Citizens can also report complaints anonymously.

Also read: Model Code of Conduct

2. Government e-Marketplace (GeM)

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Prelims: Government eMarketplace

Context:

GeM crosses ₹ 4 Lakh Crore in GMV at the end of this fiscal year.

Details:

• This figure is double its Gross Merchandise value (GMV) than the last fiscal year.
• Nearly 50% of this GMV has been attributed to the procurement of services, displaying a surge of 205% in terms of services procured on GeM last FY. 
• By creating access to the market, GeM has been exceptionally successful in breaking down the cartel of established and renowned service providers, paving the way for small domestic entrepreneurs to participate in government tenders from anywhere at any time. 
• Increased engagement from States has also mobilized this phenomenal growth in GMV. 
• Central government entities such as ministries and CPSEs have contributed around 85% to this GMV.
• GeM’s vast network includes 1.5 lakh+ Government buyers and 21 lakh sellers and service providers.
• By integrating 89421 Panchayats and 760+ Cooperatives within its procurement ecosystem, GeM has facilitated sustainable procurement while ensuring optimization in public spending at the very last level of administration.
• Through its inclusive initiatives like ‘Vocal for Local’, ‘One District, One Product’, ‘Startup Runway’, ‘Womaniya’, etc., GeM has provided a level-playing field for domestic businesses to grow and thrive.

Know more about the Government eMarketplace in the linked article.

3. IMT TRILAT 24

Syllabus: GS-2, International Relations

Prelims: IMT TRILAT 24

Context:

The India-Mozambique-Tanzania Trilateral Exercise (IMT TRILAT 24) concluded at Nacala, Mozambique.

About IMT TRILAT:

• This was the second edition of the trilateral exercise.
• The week-long exercise underscored the importance of enhanced maritime cooperation and interoperability between the Navies of India, Mozambique, and Tanzania. 
• There were joint exercises, training sessions and collaborative activities, providing invaluable opportunities for all three Navies to exchange knowledge, enhance capabilities and bolster regional maritime security.
• INS Tir and INS Sujata participated in this exercise from the Indian Navy.
• The exercise saw a harbour phase and a sea phase.

Read previous PIB articles here.