07 May 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

May 7th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Kabasura Kudineer
2. BVLOS Drones
3. National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)
4. National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)
5. e-Sanjeevani OPD
6. Mandatory online certification of disability through UDID portal

1. Kabasura Kudineer

Context:

Ayush Ministry launches nationwide distribution campaign of AYUSH 64 & Kabasura Kudineer.

What’s in News?

• Ministry of Ayush has launched a massive nationwide campaign to distribute its proven poly herbal Ayurvedic drug AYUSH 64 and Siddha drug Kabasura Kudineer for the benefit of the vast majority of out of hospital COVID patients.
• According to the Ministry, the efficacy of these drugs has been proved through robust multi-centre clinical trials.
• The Ministry has also setup an Interdisciplinary Committee for Inclusion of Ayurveda and Yoga Interventions in the ‘National Clinical Management Protocol: COVID-19’.

What is Kabasura Kudineer?

• Kabasura Kudineer is a traditional formulation used by Siddha practitioners for managing common respiratory health.
• It is a herbal concoction, comprising dry ingredients of ginger, pippali, clove, cirukancori root, mulli root, kadukkai, ajwain and many other herbs.
• The ingredients are powdered and mixed with water, then boiled to make a decoction of one-fourth of its initial volume.

To know more about Ayush-64, check PIB dated May 4, 2021.

2. BVLOS Drones

Context:

Govt allows 20 entities to conduct BVLOS experimental flights of drones.

Also, Telangana Government granted exemption to conduct Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) experimental flights of drones.

What’s in News?

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) & the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted conditional exemption to the Government of Telangana for conducting experimental Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flights for delivery of vaccines.
• Exemption from Unmanned Aircraft System {UAS) Rules, 2021 has been granted as part of the government’s constant endeavour to enhance the scope of drone usage in the country and assist the nation to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Earlier, 20 consortia were also granted permission to conduct Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) experimental flights of drones.
• BVLOS trials will help create the regulatory framework for drone deliveries and other major applications.

What is BVLOS?

• BVLOS describes operating UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and drones at distances outside the normal visible range of the pilot.
• BVLOS is the second stage of testing drones and UAVs, as drones are generally operated within the visual line of sight during the first phase of testing.
• If the two stages are completed successfully, further clearance will be sought from the authorities to explore the possibility of vaccine delivery using drones.

Advantages of BVLOS:

• BVLOS drone operations provide numerous advantages over regular line-of-sight flying.
• They are more cost-effective and efficient, as there are fewer takeoff and landing phases, so the UAV will cover more ground in a single mission.
• BVLOS flights typically require less human intervention as some or all of the mission may be automated.
• They may also allow easier access to remote or hazardous areas.

Concerns associated with BVLOS:

• BVLOS UAV operations carry more safety concerns due to the fact that the pilot may only be observing potential obstacles via a remote camera feed, or, in the case of automated flights, there may be no human observation at all.
• This means that there is additional risk of collisions with other aircraft, or damage to property and people, especially when flights take place in non-segregated airspace.
• BVLOS flights typically require additional equipment and extra training and certification, and are usually subject to permission from aviation authorities in many jurisdictions around the world.

3. National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)

Context:

Publication of provisional database for the companies under the regulatory ambit of the National Financial Reporting Authority.

Know more about the National Financial Reporting Authority in the link.

4. e-Sanjeevani OPD

Context:

Ex-Defence doctors to provide online consultation on e-Sanjeevani OPD.

e-Sanjeevani OPD:

• The e-Sanjeevani OPD is a flagship telemedicine platform of the Government, developed by the Centre for Development of Advance Computing (C-DAC), Mohali under the aegis of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• It provides free consultations to Indian citizens.
• However, due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the demand for doctors is up while the supply has reduced as doctors are being pulled out for COVID ward duties.
• This is where the defence veterans are stepping in to help.

Know more about e-Sanjeevani OPD in PIB dated Aug 9, 2020.

5. Mandatory online certification of disability through UDID portal

What’s in News?

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of India, through a Gazette notification, has made it mandatory for all States/UTs to grant certificate of disability through online mode only using UDID portal w.e.f. 1 June 2021.

Details:

• The Central Government notified the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017 under RPwD Act, 2016.
• Rule 18(5) mandates the Central Government to appoint a date making it mandatory for the State/UT authorities to issue certificate of disability through online mode.
• Accordingly, this notification was passed which makes online issue of disability certificates mandatory by the states and UTs.
• The UDID portal which has been under implementation since 2016 is swavlambancard.gov.in.
• This move is expected to ensure complete digitization of certification of disability, besides providing a viable mechanism for cross-checking genuineness of the certificate to achieve pan-India validity, and simplifying the process for the benefit of Divyangjan.

6. India-UK virtual summit strengthens STI cooperation

Context:

The prime ministers of India and the UK met virtually in May 2021 and emphasised their shared commitment to an enhanced partnership in science, education, research and innovation and look forward to the next ministerial Science and Innovation Council (SIC).

Some of the key points to strengthen STI cooperation between the two countries are:

1. Enhance cooperation between India and the UK on strengthening the role of women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine).
2. Develop collaborations between Industry, Academia and the Government to foster innovation among school students.
3. Build on the two countries’ existing bilateral research, science and innovation infrastructure and governmental relationships to continue to support high-quality, high-impact research and innovation through joint processes.
4. Forge partnership across the pipeline of research and innovation activity, from basic research to applied and interdisciplinary research and through to translation and commercialisation across government departments to optimise impact, utilize expertise and networks and minimise duplication.
5. Expand existing bilateral partnerships in this field by establishing joint centres and facilitating access to state-of-the-art facilities.
6. Work together to share knowledge and expertise regarding artificial intelligence, scientific support to policies and regulatory aspects including ethics, and promote a dialogue in research and innovation.
7. Grow programmes such as the Fast Track Start-Up Fund to nurture innovation led, sustainable growth and jobs, and tech solutions that benefit both countries.

Read previous PIB here.

May 7th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here