06 Oct 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
2. Mine Closure
3. Central Asian Flyway

1. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

Context:

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) achieves the target of FY 2021-22 in just 6 months.

Details:

• The Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has completed the target of opening 8,300 PM Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) for the FY 2021-22 before end of September 2021.
• All the districts of the country have been covered under PMBJP.
• Effective IT-enabled logistics and supply chain systems for ensuring real-time distribution of medicines at all outlets have also been introduced.
• The government has set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,000 by March 2024.

Know more about the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in the link.

2. Mine Closure

Context:

Coal Ministry envisages repurposing of Closed Mine Sites with focus on Socio-Economic Aspects.

What’s in the news?

• The Ministry of Coal is in the process of finalising a robust mine closure framework with thrust on the three major aspects of institutional governance, people & communities and environmental reclamation & land repurposing on the principles of just transition.
• The Ministry is in consultation with the World Bank for obtaining support and assistance in this program since the World Bank’s vast experience in handling mine closure cases in different countries will be highly beneficial.

Background:

• The Indian coal sector is relatively new to the concept of systematic mine closure.
• Mine closure guidelines were first introduced in 2009, re-issued in 2013 and are still evolving.
• As coal mining in India had started long back, our coalfields are replete with several legacy mines remaining unused for long.
• In addition, mines are closing and will close in future also due to reasons such as exhaustion of reserves, adverse geo-mining conditions, safety issues, etc.
• These mine sites should not only be made safe and environmentally stable but the continuity of livelihood should also be ensured for those who were directly or indirectly dependent on the mines.
• Reclaimed lands will also be repurposed for economic use of the community and state including tourism, sports, forestry, agriculture, horticulture, townships, etc.

Mine closure framework:

• The entire exercise will occur in two phases.
• Phase 1:
  • This involves a comprehensive mapping of the Indian coal ecosystem to establish a detailed baseline in respect of current and pending coal mine closures.
  • This involves mapping the readiness and capacities of institutions, existing closure processes, socio-economic status around coal mines and environmental baseline.
  • Phase 1 is expected to result in reforms to the existing statutory and institutional framework, and also generate a roadmap for mine closure including the financial arrangement.
  • Phase 1 is expected to start soon and will continue for 10 – 12 months.
• Phase 2:
  • This involves the actual implementation of the mine closure and will comprise –
    • Pre-closure Planning
    • Early Closure
    • Roadmap for Regional Transition
  • A Special Purpose Entity (SPE) under the administrative control of the Coal Controller Office is to be constituted to oversee the implementation of both the phases.
  • Coal Companies are to form dedicated multi-disciplinary teams to coordinate with SPE for the successful execution of the program.

3. Central Asian Flyway

Context:

Two day meeting of 30 range countries of Central Asian Flyway (CAF).

What is the Central Asian Flyway?

Image source: http://datazone.birdlife.org/

• The Central Asian Flyway (CAF) covers a large continental area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans and the associated island chains.
• The Flyway comprises several important migration routes of waterbirds, most of which extend from the northernmost breeding grounds in the Russian Federation (Siberia) to the southernmost non-breeding (wintering) grounds in West and South Asia, the Maldives and the British Indian Ocean Territory.
• The birds on their annual migration cross the borders of several countries. Geographically the flyway region covers 30 countries of North, Central and South Asia and Trans-Caucasus. India is a range country.
• The CAF covers at least 279 populations of 182 migratory waterbird species, including 29 globally threatened and near-threatened species, which breed, migrate and winter within the region.
• The Central Asian Flyway is the shortest flyway in the world. There are eight other flyways in the world.
• Most birds ‘squeeze’ into the Indian subcontinent via routes at the two ends of the Tibetan massif.

Read previous PIB here.

October 6th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here