01 October 2018: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

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

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY)

Context:

• Gram Sabhas across the country have been asked to inform the farmers about the enrolment and benefits of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojan (PMFBY) at the beginning of the Rabi Season.
• The Gram Sabhas will also inform the farmers on how they can insure their crops under the Scheme.

First season for PMFBY with its revised operational guidelines:

• The companies to reduce premium rates, especially as the general cut-off date for enrolment has been advanced by 15 days for both seasons. 
• The farmers get 72 hours to intimate individual claims against the existing 48 hours. 
• This can be done through any of the channels provided under the Scheme and directly on the portal of PMFBY.
• The farmers can access dedicated grievance redressal authorities. 
• Revised operational guidelines provide for appointment of District Level Grievance Redressal Officer and creation of State and District Grievance Redressal Cells for fast redressal of grievances.
• Non-loanee farmers can approach designated Common Service Centres, banks and insurance agents for insuring their crops or directly enrol on the portal. 
• Farmers who avail short term crop loans from formal financial institutions at concessional rates of interest are automatically covered under the Scheme.

ICG to embark on voluntary discarding of Plastic Campaign

• Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is launching a campaign for voluntary discarding of the use of plastic in Coast Guard premises from 2^nd October 2018.
• ICG will conduct seminar/lectures, make available environment friendly bags and spread awareness amongst the masses through posters/banners/placards.
• Coast Guard Wives Welfare Association, a volunteer organization of ICG, shoulders the responsibility in taking the lead for spreading the campaign amongst ladies and children of the society through frequent interactions.
• ICG will carry this campaign to the Coastal populace through various platforms such as community interaction programme, meetings with fisheries associations/community heads, etc.

Background:

• The Coast Guard Act, 1978 mandates Indian Coast Guard to preserve and protect marine environment and prevent and control marine pollution. Further, Coast Guard has been nominated as Competent National Authority by Government of India in March 2018 for co-operation on the Response to Oil and Chemical Pollution in the South Asian Seas Region.

18^TH Raising Day of HQ IDS

• On the 18^thRaising Day of HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), Chief of IDS Lt Gen Satish Dua laid wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate to pay homage to the martyrs.

Background:

• HQ IDS was raised on October 01, 2001 and during 17 years, this ‘Tri-Service Entity’ with an overarching aim of ‘Victory Through Jointness’ has led in the conduct of Disaster Relief Operations, Tri­Service Exercises, both within the Services and outside with the friendly foreign countries, training leaders of the Tri-Service Institutes and strengthening of the intelligence gathering structure of the nation.
• The IDS is spearheading  realization  of Defence  Cyber  Agency, Defence  Space  Agency  and  Special  Operations  Division  for  the  three Services.

SATAT: To promote Compressed Bio-Gas

• Petroleum Minister launches SATAT initiative to promote Compressed Bio-Gas as an alternative, green transport fuel.

Aim:

• Providing a Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation as a developmental effort that would benefit both vehicle-users as well as farmers and entrepreneurs.
• It holds great promise for efficient municipal solid waste management and in tackling the problem of polluted urban air due to farm stubble-burning and carbon emissions.
• Use of CBG will also help bring down dependency on crude oil imports and in realising the Prime Minister’s vision of enhancing farmers’ income, rural employment and entrepreneurship.

Background:

• Bio-gas is produced naturally through a process of anaerobic decomposition from waste / bio-mass sources like agriculture residue, cattle dung, sugarcane press mud, municipal solid waste, sewage treatment plant waste, etc. After purification, it is compressed and called CBG, which has pure methane content of over 95%.
• Compressed Bio-Gas is exactly similar to the commercially available natural gas in its composition and energy potential.

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