08 Sep 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles
2. C-295MW for Indian Air Force
3. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharata Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)
4. Naga peace process

1. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles

Context:

Government has approved Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles.

Details:

• The government has approved the PLI Scheme for Textiles for MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics and 10 segments/products of Technical Textiles with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 10,683 crore.
• PLI for Textiles along with RoSCTL, RoDTEP and other measures of the Government in sector e.g. providing raw material at competitive prices, skill development, etc. will herald a new age in textiles manufacturing, according to the PIB statement.

Read more about the PLI Scheme in the linked article.

About the PLI Scheme for Textile Sector:

• PLI scheme for Textiles is part of the overall announcement of PLI Schemes for 13 sectors made earlier during the Union Budget 2021-22.
• Benefits:
  • The PLI scheme for Textiles will promote the production of high value MMF Fabric, Garments and Technical Textiles in India.
  • The incentive structure has been so formulated that the industry will be encouraged to invest in fresh capacities in these segments.
  • This will give a major push to the growing high value MMF segment which will complement the efforts of cotton and other natural fibre-based textiles industry in generating new opportunities for employment and trade.
  • It is estimated that over the period of five years, the Scheme will lead to fresh investments of more than Rs.19,000 crore, a cumulative turnover of over Rs.3 lakh crore will be achieved under this scheme and, this will create additional employment opportunities of more than 7.5 lakh jobs in this sector and several lakhs more for supporting activities.
• Features of the scheme:
  • There are two types of investment possible with different sets of incentive structure.
    • Any person or company willing to invest minimum ₹300 Crore in Plant, Machinery, Equipment and Civil Works (excluding land and administrative building cost) to produce products of notified lines (MMF Fabrics, Garment) and products of Technical Textiles, shall be eligible to apply for participation in the first part of the scheme.
    • In the second part any person or company willing to invest minimum ₹100 Crore shall be eligible to apply for participation in this part of the scheme.
  • Priority will be given for investment in Aspirational Districts, Tier 3, Tier 4 towns, and rural areas and due to this priority, the industry is expected to be incentivized to move to backward areas.

Technical Textiles:

• The Technical Textiles segment is a new age textile, whose application in several sectors of economy, including infrastructure, water, health and hygiene, defense, security, automobiles, aviation, etc. will improve the efficiencies in those sectors of economy.
• The government has approved the creation of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) for four years (FY 2020-21 to 2023-24). Know more about the mission and technical textiles in the link given.

2. C-295MW for Indian Air Force

Context:

The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from a Spanish company for the Indian Air Force.

Details:

• Sixteen aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract and forty aircraft will be manufactured in India by TATA Consortium within ten years of signing of the contract.
• This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company.
• The project will give a boost to the aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several MSMEs spread across the country will be involved in manufacturing parts of the aircraft.
• All the 56 aircraft will be installed with indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.
• Apart from giving a boost to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in the defence sector, the programme will also generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3000 indirect jobs and an additional 3000 medium skill employment opportunities.

About C-295MW:

• C-295MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of 5-10 Tonne capacity with contemporary technology.
• The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo.
• This will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF.

3. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharata Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)

Context:

PMGDISHA campaign for 100 percent digital literacy in Digital Villages launched.

Details:

• Under the campaign, a three day certification drive for rural citizens, especially women and disadvantaged communities, will be conducted for a few days in September 2021.
• The drive has been launched under the PMGDISHA Scheme, the flagship digital literacy programme of GOI.
• Apart from this, Common Service Centres (CSC) also proposed to make all the Digital Villages 100 percent Digital Literate.

4. Naga peace process

What’s in the news?

The Government of India has entered into a Ceasefire Agreement with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki Group, with effect from 8th September, 2021 for a period of one year.

Details:

• More than 200 cadres of this group along with 83 weapons joined the peace process.
• The Government of India has already signed a Framework Agreement with NSCN(IM) and Ceasefire Agreements with other Naga groups namely, NSCN(NK), NSCN(R) and NSCN(K)-Khango.

Read more on the Naga Insurgency in the link.

Read previous PIB here.

September 8th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here