02 November 2018: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

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

Renaming of Jharsuguda Airport, Odisha as “Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda”

• The Union Cabinet has approved renaming of Jharsuguda Airport, Odisha as “Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda”

Benefits:

• Veer Surendra Sai is a well-known freedom fighter of Odisha.
• Renaming of the Jharsuguda airport in his name will fulfill long-pending demand of the Odisha Government, which reflects the sentiments of the local public of the respective area.
• It will also be a befitting tribute to the contribution of the revered personality associated with the State.

DHARMA GUARDIAN – 2018

About:

• Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN – 2018, a joint military exercise between Indian & Japanese Armies, commenced at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, Vairengete, Mizoram, India on 01 November 2018.
• The Japanese contingent is being represented by 32^ndInfantry Battalion, while the Indian side is being represented by 6/1 Gorkha Rifles.
• One platoon strength each of both the battalions is participating in this exercise.

Context: 

• Being first of its kind, the 14 days long joint exercise is being conducted from 01 Nov 2018 to 14 Nov 2018.
• The exercise will consist of a balance of indoor classes and outdoor training activities.

Objective:

• The objective of this exercise is to build and promote army to army relations in addition to exchanging skills and experiences between both the armies.
• Due emphasis will be laid on enhancing tactical skills to fight against global terrorism and on increasing interoperability between forces of both countries which is crucial for the success of any joint operation.
• Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralization of likely threats that may be encountered in urban warfare scenario.
• The exercise will contribute immensely in developing mutual understanding and respect for each other’s military. 

MSME Support and Outreach Programme

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi will launched the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Support and Outreach Programme.
• Various announcements and deliverables focused on access to credit, access to market, hand holding and facilitation support measures etc. for MSME Sector.

About:

• MSME Outreach Programme will run for 100 days covering 100 Districts throughout the country.
• Various Central Ministers are likely to visit these districts in order to apprise the entrepreneurs about various facilities being extended to MSME Sector by the Government and financial institutions and to come forward and make best use of these facilities including access to credit and market, etc.
• It is expected that this Outreach Programme will help in further boosting the MSME sector since this sector is one of the major generator of employment opportunities and making a significant contribution to the overall growth of the economy.

Agreement between India and Morocco

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Agreement between India and Morocco on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

Benefits:

• The Agreement will provide a broad legal framework for bilateral cooperation between India and Morocco in investigation and prosecution of crime, tracing, restraint, forfeiture or confiscation or proceeds and instruments of crime.

Aims:

• It aims to increase effectiveness in investigation and prosecution of crime, and in providing the necessary peaceful ambience which is a pre-requisite for the development of society as a whole.
• It will further be instrumental in gaining better inputs and insights in the modus operandi of organized criminals and terrorists, which in turn can be used to fine-tune policy decisions in the field of Internal Security.

Opening up the ISA membership to all countries that are members of the United Nations

• The Union Cabinet has given ex-post facto approval for moving a Resolution in the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for amending the Framework Agreement of the ISA for opening up the ISA membership to all countries that are members of the United Nations.

Benefits:

• Opening the membership of the ISA will put solar energy in global agenda with the universal appeal for developing and deploying solar energy.
• It will make ISA inclusive, whereby all member countries that are members of the United Nations could become member.
• Expanding membership will lead to ISA initiative benefitting the world at large.

UTSONMOBILE

• Ministry of Railways has introduced Unreserved Mobile Ticketing with a view to promote three C’s- Cashless transactions (Digital payment), Contact less ticketing (no need to physically visit the point of sale) and Customer convenience and experience.
• The facility of booking unreserved tickets, including season tickets and also platform tickets is available through the ‘UTSONMOBILE’ app available for Android, IOS and Windows phones. 
• The process of ticket booking involves downloading the application and registration by furnishing the requisite details.

Benefits of the App: 

• Mobile Ticketing shall promote 3C’s- Cashless transactions, Contact less ticketing and Customer convenience.
• Seamless booking of unreserved tickets all over Indian Railways.
• Obviate the need for passengers to wait in queues for purchasing the tickets and enhance the experience for booking unreserved tickets – journey, season tickets, and platform tickets.
• Environment friendly.

About the App:

• ‘UTSONMOBILE’ application available for Android, IOS, Windows phones. Can be downloaded from Google play or window store.
• Application ‘in house’ developed by Indian Railway- CRIS.

Patronization of the App:

• Increase in Number of tickets sold: approximately 1900/day in 2015 to 83,000/day in October, 2018.
• Increase in number of passengers: approximately 5400/day in 2015 to in 4.70 lakh/day in October, 2018.

MoU between India and Korea

• The Union Cabinet has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Korea for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism.

Objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding are:

• To expand bilateral cooperation in tourism sector
• To increase Exchange of information and data related to tourism
• To encouraging cooperation between tourism stakeholders including Hotels and Tour Operators
• To establish exchange programmes for cooperation in Human Resources Development
• To encourage Investment in the Tourism and Hospitality sectors
• To exchange visits of Tour Operators / Media / Opinion Makers for promotion of two-way tourism
• To exchange experience in the areas of promotion, marketing destination development and management
• To encourage participation in travel fairs/exhibitions in each other’s country and
• Promoting safe, honourable and sustainable tourism.

Background:

• India and Korea have enjoyed a strong diplomatic and long economic relationship. The two parties now desiring to strengthen and further develop the established relationship for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism.
• Korea is one of the leading tourist generating markets for India from East Asia. Signing of the MoU with Korea will be instrumental in increasing arrival from this source market.

12 Zonal Railways are free from UMLC

• Indian Railway has taken a mission area to eliminate all Unmanned Level Crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge and accordingly special efforts have been made so that elimination can be completed at the earliest.
• Most of the UMLCs have been eliminated either by provision of Subway/RUBs or by manning.
• All Unmanned level crossings on routes having speed more than 130KMPH and on Sub-urban routes have been eliminated.
• 12 Zonal Railways – Central Railway, Eastern Railway, East Central Railway, East Coast Railway, North Eastern Railway, North East Frontier Railway, Southern Railway, South Central Railway, South Eastern Railway, South East Central Railway & West Central Railway have now become UMLC free on Broad Gauge route.
• By elimination of UMLCs on war footing, accidents at UMLCs have reduced from 65 in 2009-10 to 3 in 2018-19.

India Surges 23 Ranks in ease of doing Business

Context:

• As per the World Bank report 2019 on Ease of Doing Business, India has taken a huge leap of 23 ranks from 100 in 2017-18 to 77 in 2018-19 indicating it is continuing its steady shift towards global standards.
• One of the key indices which has contributed immensely toward this growth is ‘Trading across borders’ which shows an impressive improvement from 146 rank last year to 80^thrank this year.
• The Ministry of Shipping has been taking initiatives to improve the parameter of ‘Trading across border’ as 92% of India’s Export- Import trade by volume is handled at ports.
• The World Bank has recognized India as one of the top improvers for the year.

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