22 Oct 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. International Solar Alliance
2. PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel
3. SAKSHAM Centres
4. PM MITRA Parks
5. Azad Hind Government
6. Defence contract with the US govt
7. High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target ABHYAS

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1. International Solar Alliance

Context:

Fourth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) closes.

Details:

• The fourth general assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) closed with a promise to achieve $1 trillion global in solar investments by 2030.
• ISA Assembly gave a green light to the “One Sun” political declaration for the launch of Green Grids Initiative – One Sun One World One Grid (GGI-OSOWOG) at COP26.
• During the assembly, two new programmes were launched: 
  • Management of Solar PV panels & battery usage waste
  • Solar Hydrogen programme: It is aimed at enabling the use of solar electricity to produce hydrogen at a more affordable rate than what is available currently (USD 5 per KG), by bringing it down to USD 2 per KG. 
• The ISA also announced a partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies to mobilize $1 trillion in global investments for solar energy across ISA’s member countries. 
  • The two organizations will work with World Resources Institute (WRI) to develop a Solar Investment Action Agenda and a Solar Investment Roadmap, which will be launched at COP26.

2. PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel

Context:

Guidelines for PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel notified.

Know more about the PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel in PIB dated July 22, 2021.

3. SAKSHAM Centres

Context:

152 SAKSHAM Centres (Centre for Financial Literacy & Service Delivery) launched in a week as part of Amrit Mahotsav.

Details:

• A total of 152 Centre for Financial Literacy & Service Delivery (SAKSHAM Centres) across 77 districts of 13 states launched under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) of the Ministry of Rural Development.
• Centre for Financial Literacy & Service Delivery (CFL&SD) would act as a one-stop solution/single window system for the basic financial needs of Self-Help Group (SHG) households in rural areas. 
• The main objective of the centre is to provide financial literacy & facilitate the delivery of financial services (savings, credit, insurance, pensions, etc.) to SHG members and the rural poor.  
• These centres will be managed by SHG networks, largely at the level of the Cluster Level Federations (CLFs), with the help of trained Community Resource Persons (CRPs).
• Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has also developed a mobile & web-based application called “SAKSHAM” which will be used by the community resource person of the Centre to know the penetration of various financial services for each SHG & village, identify major gaps and accordingly provide training and deliver the required financial services. This application will also measure the impact of the programme on regular intervals for mid-course correction in strategy if any.

4. PM MITRA Parks

Context:

The Ministry of Textiles has issued a notification for setting up of 7 PM MITRA Parks.

Know more about the PM MITRA Parks programme in the linked article.

5. Azad Hind Government

Context:

Anniversary of the formation of Azad Hind Government by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose celebrated.

Details:

• On 21 October 1943, the Provisional Government of Free India was established as a government-in-exile in Singapore by Indians in exile headed by Subhash Chandra Bose. It was also called Azad Hind or Free India.

Know more about the establishment of the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind Govt) in This Day in History dated Oct 21.

6. Defence contract with the US govt

Context:

Ministry of Defence signs contract worth ₹ 423 Cr with the US for procurement of arms for Indian Navy.

Details:

• The contract was signed under the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) for procurement of MK 54 Torpedo and Expendable (Chaff and Flares) for the Indian Navy at a cost of ₹ 423 Crores.
• These weapons are the outfit of P-8I Aircraft which is used for Long-range Maritime Surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASV). 

7. High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target ABHYAS

Context:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the successful flight test of the indigenously-designed Abhyas – High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) in Odisha.

Details:

• Abhyas is designed and developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru. 
• The vehicle can be used as an aerial target for the evaluation of various missile systems.
• The air vehicle is launched using twin under-slung boosters which provide the initial acceleration to the vehicle. 
• It is powered by a gas turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at subsonic speed. 
• The target aircraft is equipped with MEMS-based Inertial Navigation System (INS) for navigation along with the Flight Control Computer (FCC) for guidance and control.
• The vehicle is programmed for fully autonomous flight. The check-out of the air vehicle is done using a laptop-based Ground Control Station (GCS).
• This indigenous target aircraft, once developed, will meet the requirements of High-speed Expandable Aerial Targets (HEAT) for the Indian Armed Forces.

Read previous PIB here.

October 22nd, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here