07 Sep 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Swachh Vayu Diwas
2. 11th Eastern Economic Forum- 2022
3. Cabinet Approvals on Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs)
4. Foundation Day of IEPFA (Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority)

1. Swachh Vayu Diwas

Syllabus – GS 3, Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.

Prelims – Swachh Vayu Diwas.

Context– 3rd International Day of clean air for Blue Skies.

Details –

• Swachh Vayu Diwas (“Swachh Vayu Neel Gagan”) was organised by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to improve the quality of air under NCAP (National Clean Air Programme).
• UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) has designated 7th September as the International Day of clean air for blue skies in 2019. The aim is to strengthen international cooperation in improving air quality and reducing air pollution. This year the theme is “The air we share”. 
• NCAP – The National Clean Air Programme or NCAP is a government programme launched by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in 2019. The objective of the programme is to improve air quality by reducing particulate matter concentrations by 20 – 30 % in 131 cities in the country. 
• Micro Action Plans & City Action Plans have been formulated by 131 cities of the country. The plans are developed to address various contributing sources to poor air quality like road dust, thermal power plants, vehicles etc.
• Shri Bupendra Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate change released brochures on capacity building and public outreach under NCAP with best practices in eight cities-
  • Varanasi – Nothing goes to waste.
  • Srinagar – All Hands on Board.
  • Bengaluru -Clean Road, Clean City.
  • Lucknow – Under Control.
  • Pune  – The Right Drive.
  • Akola  – Water Woes.
  • Hyderabad  – The Green Way.
  • Thoothukudi – Treasure from Trash.

2. 11th Eastern Economic Forum- 2022

Syllabus – GS 2, Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting  India’s interests.

Prelims – 11th Eastern Economic Forum-2022.

Context – Prime Minister’s address at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum, 2022.

Details –

• Shri Narendra Modi virtually addressed the 11th Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok, Russia. The forum was set up by President Vladimir Putin in 2015 to support the economic development of Russia’s far east.
• The P.M while highlighting the importance of the forum, said that EEF has become a global forum for international cooperation in the development of the Russian Far East.
• In 2019, India announced “Act-Far -East ” policy which resulted in the increased cooperation between India and Russia in various fields.
• The Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor (North South Corridor) or the Northern Sea Route will play an important part in strengthening the relationship between India and Russia.

3. Cabinet Approvals on Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs)

Syllabus – GS 2, Bilateral agreements involving India.

Context – MoUs between- India and UK & Northern Ireland, India and UAE, India & Maldives.

Details –

• The Union Cabinet granted approval for the MoU between the Government of India and Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on mutual recognition of educational qualifications. 
  • Professional degrees like medicine, engineering, law, architecture, pharmacy and para-medical education are out of the purview of this MoU.
• The Union Cabinet granted approval to sign a MoU between the Ministry of Education, GoI and the Ministry of the Government of U.A.E on cooperation in the field of education.
  • This MoU will increase academic mobility between U.A.E and India .
  • This MoU covers cooperation in TVET (Technical and vocational Education and Training) as UAE is a major work destination for Indians.
  • This MoU is valid for five years and can be renewed with the consent of both the parties. 
• The Union Cabinet granted approval for the MoU between National Disaster Management authority of the Republic of India and National Disaster Management of the Republic of Maldives on cooperation in the field of disaster management.
  • This MoU will help in strengthening the areas of preparedness, response and capacity building in the field of disaster management.

4. Foundation Day of IEPFA (Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority)

Syllabus – GS 2, Polity & Governance.

Prelims – IEPFA & NCAER.

Context – 6th Foundation day of IEPFA. 

Details –

• A seminar was organised by IEPFA and NCAER (National Council of Applied Economic Research) on the 6th Foundation Day of IEPFA. The aim of the programme was to create investor awareness and promote financial literacy among investors.
• The seminar concluded with a Panel Discussion on “Investor Protection in a Digital World”, focusing on the need for safeguarding investors in an environment of increasing digitisation of financial transactions.
• The IEPFA was established on 7th September, 2016 under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, GoI.
• The IEPFA is entrusted with the responsibility of administration of the Investor Education Protection Fund (IEPF), making refund of shares, unclaimed dividends, matured deposits/debentures etc to investors, promoting awareness among investors and protecting the interests of investors.
• NCAER – was established in 1956. NCAER is India’s oldest and largest independent, non-profit, economic policy research institute. Director General Dr. Poonam Gupta is the first woman to head this institute, who took charge on 1st July 2021.

Read previous PIB here.

September 7th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here