31 May 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Modified Semicon India Programme
2. World Multiple Sclerosis Day
3. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)
4. Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (2000 MW)

1. Modified Semicon India Programme

Syllabus – GS3, Science and Technology: Indigenisation of Technology. 

Prelims – Modified Semicon India Programme.

Context – Modified Semicon India Programme for setting up of Semiconductor Fabs and Display Fabs in India.

Details –

• The Modified Schemes for Setting up of Semiconductor Fabs and Display Fabs in India shall extend fiscal support of 50% of project cost on a pari-passu basis to applicants who are found eligible and have the technology as well as the capacity to execute such high capital and resource intensive projects. 
• The fresh applications under the Modified Semicon India Programme will be received by India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), the nodal agency for implementation of the programme (from June 1, 2023). The ISM is tasked with spearheading the country’s $10 billion semiconductor manufacturing drive. 
• Semicon India Programme was launched by the GoI in December 2021, with an outlay of Rs76,000 crore for the development of the semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystem in India. The scheme was later modified in September 2022 to make it more competitive. All the applicants who had applied for earlier schemes are also eligible under Modified Semicon India Programme after incorporating certain modifications in their proposals. 
• In the Union Budget 2023, the government has allocated ₹16,539 crore to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Of this, ₹3,000 crores has been allocated for the Semiconductor Mission in India which will help in the development of the semiconductor and display manufacturing facility in the country.

2. World Multiple Sclerosis Day

Syllabus – GS2, Health issues and management.

Prelims – World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2023 (30th May)

Context – The DEPwD observed World Multiple Sclerosis Day, 2023 on 30th May to create awareness among the masses about Multiple Sclerosis.

Details –

• The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, GoI observed World Multiple Sclerosis Day on 30th May 2023. The department conducted events at more than 40 places across the country to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis among the masses.

About World Multiple Sclerosis Day

• World Multiple Sclerosis Day is observed annually on May 30th to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and to provide support to those who are living with this disease. The theme colour of MS Day is ‘Orange’.
• MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system and causes a wide range of symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, numbness, headaches, and difficulty with coordination and balance.
• The theme for World MS Day 2020-23 is ‘Connections’. The MS Connection campaign is all about building community connections, self-connection and connections to quality care.
• The history of World Multiple Sclerosis Day can be traced back to the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF), which was founded in 1967 as a network of national MS societies. In 2009, the MSIF declared May 30th as World Multiple Sclerosis Day to raise awareness about the disease and promote solidarity among the global MS community.

3. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)

Syllabus – GS2, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.

Prelims – AB PMJAY.

Context – AB PM-JAY achieved a milestone of 5 crore hospital admissions amounting to Rs 61,501 crore under the scheme.

Details –

• AB PM-JAY was launched on 23rd September 2018 with the vision to achieve Universal Health Coverage and is being implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA). Ayushman Bharat PMJAY provides health care cover of Rs 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to 12 crore beneficiary families.
• AB PM-JAY is being implemented in 33 states and UTs except for Delhi, Odisha and West Bengal.
• 23.39 crore beneficiaries have been verified and issued Ayushman Cards for availing of free treatment under the scheme.
• The PM-JAY empanelled hospital network consists of 28,351 hospitals (including 12,824 private hospitals) across the country. 
• Under AB PM-JAY conscious effort has been made to ensure gender equity in access to health care as a result of which 49% of recipients of Ayushman Cards are women. Also, 141 medical procedures under the scheme are exclusively earmarked for women.
• AB-PMJAY is completely funded by the Government and costs are shared between Central and State Governments in the ratio as per the extant directives issued by the Ministry of Finance.

4. Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (2000 MW)

Syllabus – GS1, Water Resources.

Prelims – Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP)

Context – Union Minister Shri R.K Singh reviewed the progress of the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (2000 MW) located in Arunachal Pradesh/Assam.

Details –

• Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister Shri R. K. Singh held a meeting in New Delhi to review the progress of the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (2000 MegaWatts) located in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam being executed by NHPC Ltd.
• The minister reviewed the construction progress, safety aspects related to the project and preparedness required to be undertaken in view of the upcoming monsoon season.
• The first unit with 250 MW capacity of the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project would be operational by January 2024
• The project has eight units of 250 MW each totalling 2000 MW. The construction of the project was started in 2005.
• The Lower Subansiri HEP is designed as a run-of-the-river power project on the lower reach of Subansiri River, a tributary of River Brahmaputra. River Subansiri flows from Arunachal Pradesh into Assam where it joins the Brahmaputra.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

May 31st, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here