11 May 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA)
2. 10th Session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM)
3. Tripartite-cum-Escrow Agreement
4. Mission Amrit Sarovar

1. Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA)

Syllabus: GS II, International Relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India

Prelims: Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA)

Context

India was elected as Chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA) for 2022-24.

Details

• India was unanimously elected as the new Chair of the AAEA for 2022-2024 at the meeting of the Executive Board and General Assembly held in Manila, Philippines.
• Manila was the previous chair of AAEA. 
• The new members of the Executive Board include Russia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Taiwan and the Philippines.

Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA)

• The Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA) was established in 1998.
• The AAEA held its first meeting of the executive board in March 1999 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Mission: To provide a non-partisan forum in the Asian region for sharing experiences and best practices among election authorities to discuss and act upon ways to promote open and transparent elections with the objective of supporting good governance and democracy.
• Objectives of AAEA:
  • To promote and institutionalise open and transparent elections with independent and impartial election authorities. 
  • Professionalisation of Asian election authorities, citizen participation in the electoral and civic process.
  • Information sharing and the development of resources for election-related information and research.
• Members – Currently there are 20 Asian Election Management Bodies as members which include India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, etc.
• AAEA is also an Associate Member of the 118 member Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB).

2. 10th Session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM)

Syllabus: GS II, International Relations; Bilateral groupings and agreements involving India

Prelims: India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) 

Mains: Significance of India-Oman bilateral relations

Context

The 10th session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held in New Delhi.

Significant Outcomes of the 10th India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM)

• Fast-tracking of approvals for registration of Indian pharmaceutical products already registered by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the European Medicines Agency was agreed to during the deliberations.
• A joint release of a Market Research Report on the pharmaceutical sector in Oman highlighting strategies and opportunities for Indian companies in Oman.
• India appreciated Oman for the signing and ratifying of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement and for accepting the “One Sun One World One Grid” initiative of India aimed at connecting solar energy supply across borders. 
• Both the countries expressed the will and commitment to facilitate trade and to comprehensively address all issues relating to Tariff/Non-Tariff Barriers.
• Agreement on expediting the ongoing negotiations which include standards and metrology, India-Oman Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, India-Oman Bilateral Investment Treaty, Invest Oman and Invest India, and Rupay card acceptance in Oman.
• Strengthen collaboration in sectors such as 3Ts (Trade, Technology, Tourism), food & agriculture, renewable energy, health and pharmaceuticals, mining, manufacturing, IT, sports, culture, youth and tourism.

India Oman Relations

• Bilateral trade in 2021-22 stands at US$ 9.94 which has witnessed an annual growth of 82.6% compared to US$ 5.4 billion in 2020-21.
• Indian firms have invested heavily in Oman in multiple sectors such as iron and steel, cement, fertilizers, textile, cables, chemicals, automotive, etc.  
• Currently, there are about 6,000 Indian enterprises and establishments in Oman with an estimated investment of US$ 7.5 billion. 

Know more about India-Oman Relations.

3. Tripartite-cum-Escrow Agreement

Syllabus: GS III, Indian Economy; Issues relating to mobilization of resources, growth and development.

Prelims: India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Program and Tripartite-cum-Escrow Agreement on ethanol plants 

Context

Leading oil PSUs collaborate to sign a Tripartite-cum-Escrow Agreement for upcoming dedicated ethanol plants.

Tripartite-cum-Escrow Agreement on ethanol plants

• The Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) – Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have entered into a long-term purchase agreement (LTPA) for upcoming dedicated ethanol plants across India.
• State Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank and Indian Bank are three banks that are involved in this tripartite agreement.
• The agreement is designed to ensure that payment received by ethanol plants is used for servicing the finance extended by these banks. 
• According to the agreement, ethanol produced by these dedicated ethanol plants shall be sold to OMCs for blending with petrol as per the government of India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Program. 

Ethanol blending in India

• In 2021-22, India achieved 9.90% ethanol blending, consuming 186 Crore Liters of ethanol, saving over 9000 Crores of foreign exchange. 
• The Government has advanced the target of achieving 20% blended ethanol by 2025, which is commonly known as the E20 target.
  • The major challenge is the deficit of ethanol to achieve this target. 
  • To achieve the E20 target, India requires about 1,016 crore litres of ethanol by 2025-26. 
• Ethanol blended petrol is significant in facilitating a cleaner environment as it produces 38% lesser carbon dioxide emission. It also plays a crucial role in supporting the rural economy and employment generation.

4. Mission Amrit Sarovar

Syllabus: GS III, Environment; Conservation

Prelims: Mission Amrit Sarovar

Context

The Prime Minister launched a new Mission on Amrit Sarovar in April 2022.

Mission on Amrit Sarovar

• The mission has been launched with a view to conserving water for the future.
• The Mission aims to develop and rejuvenate 75 water bodies in each district of the country as a part of the celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• As a result, it would lead to the creation of over 50,000 water bodies across the country.
• The Mission is to be completed by 15th August 2023.
• This Mission has been launched with the participation of –
  • Department of Rural Development
  • Department of Land Resources
  • Department of Water Resources
  • Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation
  • Ministry of Panchayati Raj
  • Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change
• Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Application and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) will work as a technical partner for the Mission.
• The Mission works through the refocusing of various schemes such as MGNREGA, 15th Finance Commission Grants and PMKSY schemes.

Read previous PIB here.

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