12 May 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Second Global COVID Virtual Summit
2. Breed-Wise Report of Livestock and Poultry
3. Khadi Eri Silk Training cum Production Centre
4. Intersolar Europe 2022
5. Enhanced Scales of Accommodation - 2022

1. Second Global COVID Virtual Summit

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

Prelims: Second Global COVID Virtual Summit

Context

The Prime Minister of India participated in the Second Global COVID Virtual Summit.

Second Global COVID Virtual Summit

• The Second Global COVID-19 Summit is co-hosted by the United States, Belize, Germany, Indonesia and Senegal.
• The Summit reiterates the collective efforts to end the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic – for everyone, everywhere and prepare for future health threats.  
• This Summit builds on the US’ first Global COVID-19 Summit held in September 2021 and the work underway through the COVID-19 Global Action Plan.
• Theme: Preventing Pandemic Fatigue and Prioritizing Preparedness
• The Prime Minister of India highlighted that India adopted a people-centric strategy to fight. He also stated that India was undertaking the largest vaccination campaign in the world and had vaccinated about 90% of its adult population.

2. Breed-Wise Report of Livestock and Poultry

Syllabus: GS III, Economy; Economics of animal-rearing

Prelims: About Breed-Wise Report of Livestock and Poultry

Context

The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying released the Breed-Wise Report on Livestock And Poultry.

Breed-Wise Report Of Livestock And Poultry

• The report is based on the 20th Livestock Census conducted in 2019.
• This marks the first time in the country that breed wise data was collected by using tablet computers instead of paper mode.
• The livestock and the poultry birds were counted based on their breeds as recognized by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR).
• Considering the significance of the Livestock Sector, it has become important for policymakers and researchers to ascertain the various breeds of livestock species to genetically upgrade the livestock species to realise their maximum potential.
• According to the report, the Exotic and Crossbred animals account for nearly 26.5% of the total cattle population whereas 73.5% are indigenous cattle.
• As per the report, the total number of indigenous cattle reduced by 6% to 14.21 crores in 2019 from 15.12 crores in 2012. during the same period, their share in the total cattle population fell from 79% to 73%.

3. Khadi Eri Silk Training cum Production Centre

Syllabus: GS III, Economy; Indian Economy and issues relating to growth, development and employment.

Prelims: About Khadi Eri Silk Training cum Production Centre

Context

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has set up a Khadi Eri Silk Training cum Production Centre at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

Khadi Eri Silk Training cum Production Centre

• The KVIC has set up the centre with the help of the Buddhist Culture Preservation Society of Bomdila.
• The centre has been equipped with the required infrastructure like handlooms, charkha, silk reeling machines and warping drums, etc. 
• The centre will be providing direct employment to 20 women artisans in Tawang and West Kameng districts.
• Khadi Eri Silk Training cum Production Centre aims to revive the silk industry in the entire North East India.
• The centre will provide training to artisans and support the production of Eri Silk, which is an indigenous variety of silk found in North-Eastern states.

4. Intersolar Europe 2022

Syllabus: GS III, Environment; Conservation

Prelims: About Intersolar Europe 2022

Context

The Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy attended the Intersolar Europe 2022.

Intersolar Europe 2022

• Intersolar Europe is the world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry and takes place annually.
• Intersolar 2022 will take place in Munich, Germany.
• Motto: Connecting solar businesses, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and project planners and developers from around the world. 
• The exhibition is a part of the smarter E Europe, which in total comprises four exhibitions, an extensive accompanying program and parallel conferences. 
  • It claims the title of being Europe’s largest platform for the energy industry with more than 1,450 exhibitors. 
• The Indian minister expressed that India offers a great opportunity for EV manufacturers to invest in India.

5. Enhanced Scales of Accommodation – 2022

Syllabus: GS III, Security; Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. 

Prelims: Enhanced Scales of Accommodation – 2022 and Military Engineer Services (MES)

Mains: Significance of Enhanced Scales of Accommodation – 2022

Context

The Defence Minister approved revised Scales of Accommodation 2022 (SoA) for Defence Service.

Scales of Accommodation – 2022

• The Scales of Accommodation (SoA) defines the authorisation for the construction of operational, functional, training, administrative, living and recreation facilities for the Defence Services. 
• These Scales are applicable for all the three Defence Services and the Indian Coast Guards. 
• The previous SoA was approved by the Government in October 2009. 
• SoA 2022 aims to introduce new units, technological facilities, equipment, requirements of operational readiness, increased threat perception, the concept of sustainable development and enhanced aspirations of users for improved living standards.
• In the SoA 2022, amenities in all public buildings for persons with disabilities have been introduced and gender commonality in all specifications has been ensured.

Significance of the approval of Scales of Accommodation – 2022

• The approval of Scales of Accommodation – 2022 gains significance as it aims to improve the infrastructure of defence services in line with present requirements. 
• The revision of Scales of Accommodation will improve infrastructure development, through the adoption of modern technology giving more flexibility to the users.
• Also, the optimisation of defence land usage by using multi-storeyed construction and austerity measures by combining common facilities have been emphasized. 
• These new inclusions will ensure a better standard of working and living conditions for the defence personnel and defence civilians.
• The enhanced Scales are also in line with the Government vision of Swatch Bharat, Sugamya Bharat, Digital India, Green Buildings, Sustainable Development, Renewable Energy, reduction of Carbon Footprint, etc.

Military Engineer Services (MES)

• The MES is an inter-service organisation with military and civilian components of its officers and subordinate staff which was raised in 1923.
• MES is a premier construction agency and one of the pillars of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army which provides rear line engineering support to the Armed Forces. 
• MES carries out construction activities for the Military stations/cantonments such as residential and office buildings, hospitals, roads, runways and marine structures across the country including border areas. 
• MES is also involved in the construction of complex laboratories, factories, workshops, ammunition storage facilities, etc.
• The MES functions under the overall control of the Engineer-in-Chief, who is the adviser to the Ministry of Defence and the three Services on operational and peacetime construction engineering. 
  • The Engineer-in-Chief of MES is assisted by six Command Chief Engineers. 
• MES has been entrusted with the construction of the Indian National War Memorial.

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