15 Oct 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PM Kisan Samman Sammelan-2022
2. Global Hunger Report 2022- an erroneous measure of hunger

1. PM Kisan Samman Sammelan-2022

Syllabus: GS 3, Indian Economy.

Prelims: PM-KISAN.

Mains: Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Context: Prime Minister will inaugurate the 2-day PM Kisan Samman Sammelan-2022 in New Delhi.

Details:

• A two-day event with the title “PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022” will be organized in New Delhi. It is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizer.
• Around Rs. 16,000 Crores will be released under the flagship scheme PM-KISAN through Direct Benefit Transfer(DBT).
• The Agri Start-up Conclave and Exhibition and PM Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PM-KSK) will also be inaugurated at the event.
• Bharat Urea Bags will be launched at the event. It is India’s most significant move in the direction of the One Nation One Fertilizer Scheme for Farmers.

PM Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PM-KSK):

• Nearly 600 PM Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PM-KSK) of the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers will be launched by Prime Minister.
• The retail shops of fertilizers (presently around 2.7 lakhs) will be converted into one-stop shops called Pradanmantri Kisan Samrudhi Kendra (PMKSK) in a phased manner.
• The functions provided by PM-KSK would include:
  • catering to the needs of the farmers
  • providing agri-inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural implements
  • testing soil,  fertilizers, and seeds
  • spreading awareness among farmers
  • providing information regarding various Government initiatives

Bharat Urea Bags:

• The fertilizer companies would have to market their products under the brand name of “Bharat”, as the Government of India is making it mandatory under the aegis of One nation One fertilizer (ONOF).
• Its aim is to standardize fertilizer brands across the country irrespective of the company that manufactures it.
• The development of a Single brand ‘Bharat” for all fertilizers will reduce the criss-cross movement of fertilizers that leads to high freight subsidies.

For more information on Fertilizer Policy in India, read here: Fertilizer Policy in India: A Critical Analysis [UPSC GS 3 Notes]

2. Global Hunger Report 2022- an erroneous measure of hunger

Syllabus: GS 2, Governance.

Prelims: Global Hunger Report 2022.

Mains: Issues with the methodology of the Global Hunger Index.

Context: Release of Global Hunger Report 2022.

Details:

• The Global Hunger Report 2022 was released by Welt Hunger Hilfe and Concern Worldwide, Non-Government Organisations from Germany and Ireland respectively. As per the report, India is ranked 107 out of 121 countries.

For more information on the report, read here: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis. Oct 15th, 2022 CNA. Download PDF

Arguments by India:

• According to the Indian Government, the report taints the image of India as a country that is unable to fulfill the food security and nutritional needs of its population.
• It is an erroneous measure and has various methodological issues:
  • Firstly, Three indicators (out of the four) used in the index are associated to Children’s health and thus cannot be representative of the entire Indian population.
  • Secondly, the most significant indicator, the Proportion of the Undernourished (PoU) population is measured on the basis of an opinion poll that is conducted on a small sample size of 3000 participants.
    • The Food and Agriculture Organizations(FAO) estimate is based on a survey module called “Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)”. It was conducted through the Gallop World Poll. The module has just eight questions.
  • The report has also ignored the efforts of the Government of India taken to ensure food Security during the pandemic.

Efforts taken by Government to ensure Food Security in India:

• PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY): India’s largest food security programme catering to the nearly 80 crore National Food Security Act(NFSA) beneficiaries.
• Anganwadi Services has provided supplementary nutrition to nearly 7.71 crore children (till the age of 6)  and approximately 1.78 crore pregnant and lactating women since the pandemic.
• Every fortnight take home rations were also provided to intended beneficiaries.
• Around 1.5 Crore registered women were provided Rs 5000/- for assistance on the birth of their first child under the aegis of the Pradhan Mantri Matri Vandana Yojna. The objective was to provide nutritious food to women during pregnancy and after delivery. 

For more information on Food security in India, read here: Food Security of India – Overview on Food Subsidies, Public Distribution System (PDS)

October 15th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here

Read the previous PIB articles here.