01 Nov 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. UNFCCC COP26
2. States’ Foundation Days
3. PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
4. Tidbits

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1. UNFCCC COP26

Context:

Developments at the COP 26 of the UNFCCC.

Details:

India – UK

• On the side lines of the Summit, PM Narendra Modi met the Prime Minister of the UK Boris Johnson.
  • The two Prime Ministers reviewed the implementation of the Roadmap 2030 priorities particularly in the trade and economy, people-to-people, health, defence and security areas.
  • They expressed satisfaction at the progress in delivering the Enhanced Trade Partnership including steps taken towards the launch of FTA negotiations.
  • They also discussed regional and global challenges including Afghanistan, Counter-Terrorism, Indo-Pacific, supply chain resilience and post-Covid global economic recovery.

Also read: India – UK relations

Statement on behalf of BASIC countries

• Union Environment Minister said at the Summit that developed nations have not only failed to meet the USD 100 billion goal per year of support to developing nations since 2009 but also continue to present it as the ceiling of their ambition all the way to 2025.
• He made the statement on behalf of the BASIC group of countries (Brazil, South Africa, India, China) at the plenary session.
• The Minister said that even though COP 26 has been delayed by a year, parties have already commenced implementation of their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and therefore, it is crucial that the Paris Agreement Rulebook is concluded at COP 26.
• He underlined that developing countries must be accorded time, policy space and support to transition towards a low emissions future.
• He also said that finance, technology development and transfer and capacity-building are critical enablers of climate actions in developing countries.

Know more about the COP26 of the UNFCCC in the linked article.

2. States’ Foundation Days

Context:

Six Indian states celebrated their foundation days on November 1.

Details:

• The states are Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

Know more about states’ formation dates and other details in the linked article.

3. PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan

Context:

GoI constitutes 20-member Empowered Group of Secretaries to monitor development and implementation of the PM Gati Shakti NMP.

Details:

• The Empowered Group will be a monitoring mechanism for the development and implementation of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP).
• The Cabinet Secretary will be its Chairperson.
• Members include Chairman, Railway Board; Secretaries of various departments/ministries such as Road, Transport & Highways; Ports, Shipping & Waterways; Civil Aviation; Petroleum & Natural Gas; Power; Telecommunications; Steel; etc.
• Secretariat to the Group: Logistics Division.
• Terms of Reference of the Empowered Group:
  • Review and monitor implementation of the Plan to ascertain the logistics efficiency accruing thereof;
  • Adopt framework and norms for undertaking any amendments in the Plan;
  • Coordinate for any changes in the projects already included in the Plan, within the prescribed framework and norms;
  • To set out a procedure and a definitive timeframe for synchronisation of various activities for construction of roads, rail, etc. along with all utility services in an area-based approach for development of infrastructure on pilot basis;
  • Align various initiatives on development of a common integrated portal which serves the needs of all stakeholders;
  • Issue appropriate directions for achieving the objectives and for compliance to guiding principles of the PM Gati Shakti NMP and in addressing demand side requirements of concerned Ministries.
  • The EGoS will also look at the interventions required to meet the demand side, in efficiently transporting bulk goods based on the requirements of various Ministries like Steel, Coal, Fertilizer, etc.

Read more on the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan in the linked article.

4. Tidbits

First Internet Exchange for Uttarakhand

• The first Internet Exchange for Uttarakhand inaugurated in Dehradun.
• This is the 10th internet exchange of NIXI in India.
• This will help in enhancing and improving the quality of Internet and Broadband services in Uttarakhand.

Read more on NIXI in the linked article.

Bhasha Sangam

• The Bhasha Sangam initiative for schools was launched by the Union Education Minister.
• Along with this, the Bhasha Sangam Mobile App and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Quiz App were also launched.
• The initiative has been developed by NCERT in which 100 sentences in 22 scheduled languages are presented in such a way that children in school will be able to read in the Indian language, in Devanagari script, in Roman script with translations into Hindi and English.
• The learners will be able to get acquainted with all the languages – their scripts and pronunciation.
• It is available on DIKSHA, e-Pathshala, etc.

Read previous PIB here.

November 1st, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here