04 May 2020: PIB Summary & Analysis

May 4th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Non Aligned Movement (NAM)
2. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
3. Government of India to facilitate return of Indian Nationals stranded abroad
4. Saras Collection

1. Non Aligned Movement (NAM)

Context:

Prime Minister participates at the online Summit of NAM Contact Group.

Details:

• The online NAM Contact Group Summit on the theme of “United against COVID-19” was hosted by the current Chairman of NAM, the President of Azerbaijan.
• The objective of the Summit was to promote international solidarity in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and to mobilise efforts of States and international organisations to address the pandemic.
• The event also commemorated the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.
• PM Modi was joined by over 30 other Heads of State and Government and other leaders, including from member States in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe.
• Following the Summit, leaders adopted a Declaration underlining the importance of international solidarity in the fight against COVID-19.
• Leaders also announced the creation of a ‘Task Force’ to identify needs and requirements of member States through the establishment of a common database reflecting their basic medical, social and humanitarian needs in the fight against COVID-19.

To know more about the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), click on the linked article.

2. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Context:

DRDO develops UV Disinfection Tower.

UV Blaster

Details:

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Ultra Violet (UV) Disinfection Tower for rapid and chemical-free disinfection of high infection prone areas.
• The equipment named UV blaster is a UV based area sanitiser designed and developed by Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC), the Delhi-based premier laboratory of DRDO with the help of M/s New Age Instruments and Materials Private Limited, Gurugram.
• The UV Blaster is useful for high tech surfaces like electronic equipment, computers and other gadgets in laboratories and offices that are not suitable for disinfection with chemical methods.
• The product is also effective for areas with large flow of people such as airports, shopping malls, metros, hotels, factories, offices, etc.
• The UV based area sanitiser may be used by remote operation through laptop/mobile phone using Wi-Fi link.
• The equipment has six lamps each with 43 watts of UV-C power at 254 nm wavelength for 360 degree illumination.
• For a room of about 12 x 12 feet dimension, the disinfection time is about 10 minutes and 30 minutes for 400 square feet area by positioning the equipment at different places within the room.
• This sanitiser switches off on accidental opening of room or human intervention. One more salient safety feature of the product is the key to arm operation.

3. Government of India to facilitate return of Indian Nationals stranded abroad

Context:

The Government of India will be facilitating the return of Indian nationals stranded abroad on compelling grounds in a phased manner.

Details:

• The travel would be arranged by aircraft and naval ships.
• Indian Embassies and High Commissions are preparing a list of distressed Indian citizens.
• This facility would be made available on payment-basis. Non-scheduled commercial flights would be arranged for air travel.
• The travel would begin in a phased manner from May 7.
• Medical screening of passengers would be done before taking the flight.
  • Only asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel.
  • During the journey, all these passengers would have to follow the protocols, such as the Health Protocols, issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• On reaching the destination:
  • The passengers would have to register on the Aarogya Setu app.
  • They would be medically screened.
  • After scrutiny, they would be quarantined for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institutional quarantine on payment-basis, by the concerned State government.
  • COVID test would be done after 14 days and further action would be taken according to health protocols.
• State Governments are being advised to make arrangements, including for testing, quarantine and onward movement of the returning Indians in their respective States.

4. Saras Collection

Context:

The Union Agriculture Minister launched “The Saras Collection” on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.

Details:

• The Saras Collection is an initiative of the GeM, the DAY-NRLM and the Ministry of Rural Development.
• The Saras Collection showcases daily utility products made by rural self-help groups (SHGs) and aims to provide SHGs in rural areas with market access to Central and State Government buyers.
• Under this initiative, the SHG sellers will be able to list their products in 5 product categories, namely (i) handicrafts, (ii) handloom and textiles, (iii) office accessories, (iv) grocery and pantry, and (v) personal care and hygiene.
• More than 900 SHGs from 11 states have already been on-boarded on this initiative.
• GeM will provide dashboards for functionaries at the national, state, district and block level to provide them real time information about the number of products uploaded by SHGs, and value and volume of orders received and fulfilled.
• In addition, Government buyers shall be sensitized through system generated messages/alerts in the Marketplace about availability of SHG products on the portal.
• Potential buyers shall be able to search, view, cart and procure such products through the stipulated modes of procurement.
• Sellers are being assisted with product catalogue management, order fulfilment and bid participation.
• GeM shall also collaborate with State functionaries to address the capacity building and training needs of SHGs, and build up their competencies required for order packaging, catalogue management and logistics.
• By providing SHGs with direct access to Government buyers, the Saras Collection will do away with intermediaries in the supply chain, thus ensuring better prices for SHGs and spurring employment opportunities at the local level.

About GeM:

• It is the national public procurement portal offering end to end solutions for all procurement needs of Central and State Government Departments, PSUs, autonomous institutions and local bodies.
• Since its launch in 2016, it has transformed public procurement in the country by leveraging technology and making procurement contactless, paperless, and cashless.
• GeM has more than 15 lakh products and around 20,000 services, more than 3 lakh registered sellers and service providers and more than 40,000 government buyer organizations.
• State Departments and organisations, and public sector enterprises (PSEs) have been using GeM for their buying needs. Sellers from the States are also benefiting through access to the national public procurement market using the portal.
• GeM’s vision is “to affect an evolution in public procurement promoting a transparent, efficient and inclusive marketplace.”

Also read: National Rural Livelihood Mission

May 4th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

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