13 May 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

May 13th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PM-KISAN
2. Mongolian Kanjur
3. Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS) – 2021
4. eSanjeevani
5. Clinical trials for COVAXIN for 2 – 18 year-olds
6. BRICS Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting

1. PM-KISAN

Context:

PM to release 8th instalment of financial benefit under PM-KISAN.

Know more about the government scheme PM-KISAN in the linked article.

2. Mongolian Kanjur

Context:

Reprinting of about 100 sets of sacred Mongolian Kanjur to be completed by Culture Ministry next year for distribution in the main centres of Buddhism in Mongolia: Culture Minister.

Know more about Mongolian Kanjur in PIB dated July 9, 2020.

3. Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS) – 2021

Context:

The Indian Navy hosted ‘GMS-21’ under the aegis of the Naval War College, Goa.

Details:

• The event was an online one due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
• Naval representatives from 13 Indian Ocean Littoral countries, which included India, Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand participated in the virtual event.
• The theme for GMS-21 was focused on “Maritime Security and Emerging Non-Traditional Threats: A Case for Proactive Role for IOR Navies,” with emphasis on capacity building amongst the IOR Navies to tackle emerging common maritime threats.
• The symposium will play a constructive role in bringing together the stakeholders who have a role in evolving strategies, policies and implementation mechanisms on the issues of common interest in the maritime domain.

4. eSanjeevani

Context:

More than half a crore patients served by the National Telemedicine Service (eSanjeevani) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To know all about the national telemedicine service eSanjeevani, check the link.

5. Clinical trials for COVAXIN for 2 – 18 year-olds

Context:

DCGI approves Phase II/III clinical trial of COVAXIN in the age group of 2 to 18 years.

Details:

• The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has accorded permission to conduct the Phase II/III clinical trial of Covaxin (COVID vaccine) in the age group 2 to 18 years, to its manufacturer Bharat Biotech Ltd.
• The trial will be conducted in 525 healthy volunteers.
• In the trial, the vaccine will be given by intramuscular route in two doses at day 0 and day 28.
• As a rapid regulatory response, the proposal was deliberated by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) (COVID-19) in May 2021. The Committee after detailed deliberation recommended for grant of permission to conduct proposed Phase II/III clinical trial to certain conditions.

6. BRICS Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting

Context:

First BRICS Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting amongst BRICS Countries.

Details:

• The first BRICS Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting was held in the virtual format in New Delhi.
• India has assumed BRICS presidency this year.
• Prime agenda for the discussions:
  • Promoting Social Security Agreements amongst BRICS Nations
  • Formalization of labour markets
  • Participation of women in labour force
  • Gig and platform workers – Role in labour market
• Apart from the member nations’ representatives, representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Social Security Agency (ISSA) also participated.
• On the issue of Social Security Agreement (SSA), the Member Nations resolved to enter into dialogue and discussion with each other and take it forward towards signing of the agreements.

What are Social Security Agreements (SSA)?

• SSA is a bilateral agreement between India and a foreign country designed to protect the interests of cross border workers.
• The agreement provides for avoidance of ‘double coverage’ and ensures equality of treatment to workers of both countries from a social security perspective.
• Generally benefits such as detachment, exportability of pension, totalisation of benefits and withdrawal of social security benefits are available under these SSAs.
  • Under Detachment or elimination of dual contribution, employees moving on employment to any SSA country are exempt from making social security contributions in the host country for a specified period (specific to each SSA), provided they continue to make social security contributions in their home countries.
  • Under the Exportability of Pension clause, the employees may choose to receive benefits of social security in their home country or any other country where they are currently residing (subject to the respective SSA) without any reduction of those benefits, i.e. benefits can be exported.
  • Under the Totalization of Benefits clause, the period of service rendered by an employee in the host country is to be counted for checking the “eligibility” of social security payment in the home country and vice-versa.
• It may be noted that withdrawal of PF and pension benefits is allowed only once the employee attains the age of 58 years (for non-SSA countries) or depending upon the conditions stipulated in the respective SSA (if any).
• To protect the interest of International Workers, India has signed bilateral Social Security Agreements with 19 countries, out of which 16 are operational.

Need for SSAs:

• The globalisation of the economy and development of international trade and business has considerably increased the international movement of individuals across geographies.
• While cross-border issues arise in the areas of tax, immigration and social security, of late, social security issues too have been gaining importance as they relate to the retirement benefits of the individual venturing beyond borders for employment.
• Till 2008, foreign nationals exercising employment in India were not covered under the Provident Fund (PF) regulations, since PF contributions were not mandatory where the employees’ pay exceeded the wage ceiling.
• On the contrary, Indian nationals working abroad were required to contribute to the social security scheme of the respective country.
• However, these contributions were generally lost due to limited tenure overseas or in failing to fulfill the minimum qualifying period of contribution or residence.

Read previous PIB here.

May 13th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here