29 May 2019: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

Read the daily PIB update and stay up-to-date on current affairs for the UPSC exam

May 29th 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

Air Chief Marshal receives Baton of Chairman COSC

Context

• Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa received the baton of Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee from outgoing Chairman COSC and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba.

Chairman COSC

• The Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, is the head of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. The most senior chief of staff is appointed to serve as a chairman until he retires.
• Following the end of the Kargil war, Kargil Review Committee found there was a lack of communication between the service branches, and therefore suggested to create a Chief of Defence Staff position.
• This was however rejected by many members of the military, arguing that only great or imperial powers engaging in power projection needed that amount integration.
• A compromise was created with establishment of the CoSC. The Chairman is responsible for inter-service synergy
• However, as the CoSC only serve as Primus inter pares to the other Chiefs of Staff, he does not wield any power.

A series of events planned for this year’s World Environment Day

Context

• World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on 5th June every year. Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) celebrates WED focussing on the theme declared by UNEP and organizes several events.

About the plan

• This year’s theme is ‘Air Pollution’. Keeping with the tradition, this year the main function is being held at Vigyan Bhawan.
• The events will include launch of film competition on environment, release of several books and three thematic sessions on Air Pollution, Waste Management and Forests: the Green Lungs of cities.
• It is noteworthy that to combat air pollution, MoEFCC has recently launched the National Clean Air programme (NCAP)

The National Clean Air programme (NCAP)

• The main objective of NCAP is to control and abate air pollution across the country.
• It is a mid-term 5 Year Action Plan with targets of 20-30% reduction of PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentration in 102 cities.
• Out of 102 cities, 84 cities have already submitted their action plan.
• It is a multi-sectoral and collaborative approach with mainstreaming and integration.

Nominations open for Padma Awards-2020

Context

Online nominations/recommendations for the Padma Awards to be announced on the occasion of Republic Day, 2020 have started.

About Nomination process

• The Padma Awards, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, are amongst the highest civilian awards of the country.
• The award seeks to recognize ‘work of distinction’ and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields/disciplines, such as, Literature, Education, Art, Medicine,
• Government servants including those working with PSUs, except Doctors and Scientists, are not eligible for Padma Awards.
• The nominations/recommendations for the Padma Awards will be received online only on the Padma portal
• Central Ministries/Departments, States/UT Governments, Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awardees, Institutes of Excellence make concerted efforts in identifying talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognized.
• All citizens can make nominations/recommendations including self-nomination. The nominations/recommendations should contain all relevant details
• The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.

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