13 September 2019: PIB Summary & Analysis

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September 13th, 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

President of India Addressed The Federal Council of Switzerland

Context:

President Mr. Ramnath Kovind addressed the Federal Council of Switzerland in Berne on 13^th September.

Highlights of the President’s Address:

• He said that the partnership between India and Switzerland has made significant progress.
• He sought Switzerland’s support to enhance global efforts to defeat and destroy all forms of terrorism.
• He noted that in the coming weeks, both countries would have their first automatic exchange of information on tax matters.
• This, Mr. Kovind noted was a positive development since tax evasion and money laundering had links with terrorism.
• He also thanked Switzerland for its consistent support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
• He also said that India will work with Switzerland in fighting climate change and that she was looking forward to Switzerland joining the International Solar Alliance.

About the Federal Council of Switzerland:

• It is the highest executive authority of the Swiss Confederation (the official name of Switzerland).
• Its members represent Switzerland’s main political parties.
• It is a seven-member council which constitutes the federal government of the Swiss Confederation.
• The Council serves as the collective head of state and of the government of Switzerland.
• It is appointed by the Federal Assembly, which is the federal legislature of Switzerland.

Supreme Court Benches

Context:

The Vice president Mr. M Venkaiah Naidu called for the establishment of more Supreme Court Benches, at a book release function in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• Naidu called for the expansion of Supreme Court and the establishment of more benches in different parts of the country, as per the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice, to put an end to the inconvenience caused to litigants who travel long distances and spend a huge amount of money and energy to access justice.
• He also called for setting up of special benches in higher courts to deal with election petitions and criminal cases against political leaders.
• He also wished the three limbs of the state, the legislature, the executive and the judiciary would work together and inspire synergy to ensure all-round development of the nation. He opined that they should not transgress into one another’s territory.

About Supreme Court Benches:

• Constitution bench is the name given to the benches of the Supreme Court of India which consist of at least five judges of the court which sit to decide any case “involving a substantial question of law as to the interpretation” of the Constitution of India or “for the purpose of hearing any reference” made by the President of India under Article 143.
• The power to constitute a Constitution Bench and refer cases to it lies with the Chief Justice of India.
• Constitution Benches have decided many cases such as the Kesavananda Bharati case.

Electronics Sector in India

Context:

The Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Communications and Law & Justice, Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad will meet prominent leaders of the electronics industry at Vigyan Bhawan on 16^th September.

Key Highlights of the Electronics Sector in India:

• The domestic manufacture in this sector has grown from USD 29 billion in 2014 – 15 to USD 70 billion in 2018 – 19.
• India has emerged as the 2nd largest manufacturer of mobile handsets in the world.
• The number of manufacturing units for LCD/LED TVs and LED lights have gone up.
• This sector now generates employment for more than 20 lakh people in the country.
• Off late, the export of electronic goods has also increased.
• The electronics market is poised to reach USD 400 billion by 2025.

National Policy on Electronics 2019

• This Policy envisions positioning India as a global electronics hub by encouraging and driving capabilities in the country for developing core components (including chipsets), and creating an enabling environment for the industry to compete globally.
• The policy seeks to:
  • Promote domestic manufacturing and export in the whole value chain of ESDM (Electronics System Design and Manufacturing) sector.
  • Offer incentives and support for manufacturing core electronic products.
  • Provide special package of incentives for mega projects which are extremely high-tech and entail huge investments, such as semiconductor facilities display fabrication, etc.
  • Draft schemes to encourage new manufacturing units and expand existing units.
  • Encourage R&D and innovation in all subsectors of electronics; and in emerging areas of technology such as 5G, AI, Machine Learning, IoT/Sensors, Drones, Virtual Reality, Robotics, Nano-based devices, Additive Manufacturing Photonics, etc.
  • Give incentives and support for enhancing availability of skilled manpower, including re-skilling.
  • Focus on Medical Electronic Devices Industry, Fabless Chip Design Industry, Power Electronics for Mobility, Automotive Electronics Industry and Strategic Electronics Industry.
  • Create Sovereign Patent Fund (SPF) to promote the development and acquisition of Intellectual Properties in the ESDM sector.
    • SPF is a State-led investment fund that will acquire Intellectual Property (IP) assets important to national economic objectives.
  • Thrust trusted electronics value chain initiatives to improve national cybersecurity profile.

Bamboonomics at COP 14 UNCCD: TRIFED-GIZ

Context:

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Mr. Arjun Munda launched Bamboonomics at the COP 14 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Key Points:

• Bamboonomics is a movement to combat desertification and climate change which will involve the tribal community of India since they have the expertise in this field.
• They have lived for generations without disturbing the natural harmony of a place, and without degrading the environment.
• The movement will also not compromise the income of the poor in these regions.
• The movement will ensure that tribals can earn a livelihood without causing environmental harm.

About TRIFED:

• TRIFED stands for Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited.
• It was formed in 1987 is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GOI.
• The ultimate objective of the cooperative is socio-economic development of tribal people in India by way of marketing and development of the tribal products on which the lives of tribals depend heavily on.

About GIZ:

• GIZ is a body based in Bonn, Germany that works in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and in international education work.
• It works with the UN, the EU, governments all over the world and with private players also.

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September 13th, 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

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