06 May 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

06 May 2024 PIB
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. India-Ghana Joint Trade Committee
2. India - Jordan Defence Ties
3. GST Appellate Tribunal
4. Karmayogi Bharat

1.India-Ghana Joint Trade Committee

Syllabus: GS-2, International Relations

Mains: Relations between India and African countries

Context:

4th Session of India-Ghana Joint Trade Committee held in Accra.

Details:

• In the meeting, both sides undertook a detailed review of recent developments in bilateral trade and investment ties and acknowledged the vast untapped potential for further expansion. 
• Both sides agreed to work expeditiously towards the operationalisation of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Ghana’s Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS) within 6 months. 
• Both sides delved into discussions regarding the possibilities of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Digital transformation Solutions; and Local Currency Settlement System and also deliberated on the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
• Both sides identified several areas of focus for enhancing bilateral trade and mutually beneficial investments. 
  • The areas include pharmaceuticals, healthcare, information and communication technology, agriculture and food processing, renewable energy, power sector, digital economy and digital infrastructure, critical minerals, textiles and garments, etc.

India – Ghana Relations:

• Ghana is an important trading partner of India in the African region. 
• Bilateral trade between India and Ghana stood at USD 2.87 billion in 2022-23. 
• India is a leading investor in Ghana and emerged as the third-largest investor. 
• These investments traverse diverse sectors, encompassing pharmaceuticals, construction, manufacturing, trade services, agriculture, tourism, and more.

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2.India – Jordan Defence Ties

Syllabus: GS-2, International Relations; GS-3, Defence & Security

Mains: Relations between India and West Asian countries

Context:

Maiden visit of Jordan Armed Forces Training Delegation to SNC and INA.

Details:

• A three-member Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) training delegation visited Southern Naval Command, Kochi and Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala from 29 Apr to 04 May 2024. 
• The maiden visit was aimed at military training exchanges as decided during the second consultative meeting on defence cooperation between the two countries in Mar 2023.
• The delegation visited various training facilities in the professional training schools of SNC, Kochi. 
• Salient aspects included familiarisation with simulators, professional interactions and demonstration of VBSS & Diving Ops. 
• A guided tour of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and ship repair facilities at Cochin Shipyard Ltd was also conducted. 
• At INA, the delegation shared insights on training methodologies, leadership strategies and operational experiences. 
• They were provided an insight into the state-of-the-art training facilities of the Academy and held discussions on best practices. 
• The visit of the Jordan Armed Forces Training Delegation marks a significant step towards deepening cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Jordan Armed Forces under the larger ambit of defence cooperation between the two countries.

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3.GST Appellate Tribunal

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Prelims: GST Appellate Tribunal

Context:

Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman administered the Oath of Office to Justice (Retd.) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra as the first President of the GST Appellate Tribunal.

GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT):

• Justice Mishra’s appointment marks the beginning of the operationalisation of the GSTAT, a crucial body for resolving GST-related disputes.
• The GSTAT is the Appellate Authority established under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, to hear various appeals under the said Act and the respective State/Union Territories GST Acts against the orders of the first appellate authority. 
• It consists of a Principal Bench and various State Benches. 
• As per the approval of the GST Council, the Government has notified the Principal Bench, to be located in New Delhi, and 31 State Benches at various locations across the country. 
• The process for appointment of Judicial Members and Technical Members is already in progress.

Significance:

• The Tribunal will ensure swift, fair, judicious and effective resolution to GST disputes, besides significantly reducing the burden on higher courts. 
• The establishment of the GSTAT would further enhance the effectiveness of the GST system in India and foster a more transparent and efficient tax environment in the country.

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4.Karmayogi Bharat

Syllabus: GS-2, Governance

Prelims: Karmayogi Mission

Context:

12th Meeting of the Board of Directors of Karmayogi Bharat held in Mumbai.

Details:

• The Board acknowledged the twin milestones of 1 crore course enrolments and the offering of more than 1000 courses on the platform.
• The meeting appreciated the integration of the e-HRMS platform with iGOT Karmayogi which will enable role-based governance by enabling deployment of officers based on their competencies and capabilities.
• The Board also appreciated the collaboration with NITI for States platform, emphasizing the importance of SAMARTH-curated programs in driving block-level and district-level capacity-building initiatives.
• The launch of courses on the three new criminal laws passed by the parliament- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act were commended.
• The Board also appreciated the Jan Karmayogi initiative aimed at empowering field officials in effectively implementing key development programs. 
• Gyaan Karmayogi on iGOT, serving as a comprehensive knowledge repository for civil servants, was noted as a welcome addition to the platform.

Read previous PIB articles here.

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