18 May 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. State of Inequality report in India
2. International Museum Day
3. National Policy on Biofuels
4. P8I Aircraft

1. State of Inequality report in India

Syllabus: GS I, Society, Population and associated issues, poverty

Prelims: Economic Advisory Council – PM, State of Inequality Report

Mains: Estimating the extent of inequalities in India

Context: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister has released the State of Inequality report.

About the State of Inequality report: 

• This report has been written by the Institute of Competitiveness and is an assessment of both inclusion and exclusion in the country. 
• It provides a holistic view of inequalities in the country.
• The report compiles information on inequities across sectors like health, education, household characteristics and the labour market.
• Inequalities existing in various sectors lead to multidimensional poverty.

 Also get an understanding of the Multidimensional Poverty Index in the linked article.

• The report consists of two parts, economic facets and socio-economic manifestations that look after five areas that influence the nature and experience of inequality. 
• It also offers a roadmap to reform strategies for social progress and shared prosperity. 
• It produces a comprehensive analysis of the various prevalent deprivations in the country that impact the population and overall growth. 
• It studies the differential treatments based on class, gender and region measuring the intensity of inequalities. 
• Data given by the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), National Family Health Survey and UDISE+, are utilised by the report. 

Important Findings:

• For the first time, the State of Inequality report has emphasised income distribution to understand the capital flow.
• The report mentioned that wealth concentration as a measure of inequality does not determine the changes in the purchasing power of households. 
• According to the data available from PLFS, there exist certain levels of income disparity. 
• It was estimated that at different levels of employment categories, the highest percentage was of self-employed workers followed by regular salaried workers and casual workers. 
• The share of self-employed workers was found to be the highest in the lowest income categories. 
• The unemployment rate in the country was estimated to be 4.8% (2019-20) with a worker population ratio of 46.8%. 
• Nutritional deprivation in terms of overweight, underweight and prevalence of anaemia along with low health coverage, high out-of-pocket expenditure remain areas of great concern. 
• The gross enrolment ratio has increased at the primary, secondary and higher secondary levels of education. 
• Improvements have been made in the access to sanitation and safe drinking water.

Recommendations:

• The report’s recommendations include: 
  • Creation of income slabs that provide class information
  • Establishing Universal Basic Income
  • Creating jobs
  • Increasing the budget for social protection schemes

2. International Museum Day

Syllabus: GS I, Indian Heritage and Culture

Prelims: International Museum Day

Mains: Necessity to restructure the museums in the country.

Context: International Museum Day has been celebrated as an iconic opportunity to understand the history and culture of India through museums. 

Details:

• Every 18th of May is commemorated as International Museum Day.
• The Government of India has been actively involved in reviving the museums in the country, thereby conserving the rich heritage of our past. 
• There are efforts to develop tribal museums as a tribute to the freedom fighters of the tribal communities and at the same time, make the country and the world aware of the scheduled tribes of India.
• The inauguration of the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Freedom Fighters’ Museum in Ranchi was a historic testimony to acknowledge the contribution of tribal communities to the freedom struggle. 

Know more about the International Museum Day by visiting the link.

3. National Policy on Biofuels

Syllabus: GS II, Governance, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

Prelims: National Policy on Biofuels, Biofuels

Mains: Significance of biofuels and their scope in India

Context: Amendments to the National Policy on Biofuels 2018 have been approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister. 

The need for the amendment:

• National Policy on Biofuels 2018 has been amended with the objective of introducing and promoting advanced Ethanol Blended Petrol with up to 20% ethanol content across the country. 
• The amendments also intend to enhance the production of biofuels as a welcoming move to adopt clean energy.

Image source: www.researchgate.net

Highlighting the amendments:

• Allow more feedstocks for the production of biofuels
• To advance ethanol blending target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol
• To promote the production of biofuels in the country under the Make in India programme by units located in the Special Economic Zone/Export Oriented Units
• Add new members to National Biofuel Coordination Committee 
• Grant of permission for export of biofuels in specific cases

Read more about National Policy on Biofuels 2018 in the linked article.

4. P8I Aircraft

Syllabus: GS III, Security, Various Security Forces and Agencies

Prelims: P8I Aircraft

Context: The Defence Minister on-boarded the Indian Navy’s P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft. 

P8I: Salient Features

• The Poseidon series of Boeing consists of the most advanced aircraft that deliver the highest levels of quality, reliability and operability.
• This multimission maritime aircraft is developed and produced by Boeing Defence, Space & Security. 
• P-8I is the Indian variant of P-8s.
• They provide India’s maritime warriors with a significant edge in the strategically important Indian Ocean region.
• It plays a crucial role in coastal patrolling, search and rescue, anti-piracy and supporting operations.
• The induction of this aircraft has significantly contributed to the surveillance operations of the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean Region.

Read previous PIB here.

May 18th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here