September 14th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha 2. Defence manufacturing 3. National Education Policy, 2020 4. Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal 5. National River Conservation Programme 6. Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) 7. Himalaya Diwas 8. Target Olympic Podium Scheme
1. Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Context:
Harivansh Narayan Singh elected as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
Know more about Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, his role, election, removal, etc. in the linked article.
Details:
The following initiatives have been taken by the government to promote ‘Make in India’ in defence.
- Defence Ministry has prepared a ‘Negative List’ of 101 items for which there would be an embargo on the import beyond the timeline indicated against them. This is expected to help the domestic industry fill the gaps in the sector for the Indian armed forces.
- A new category of capital procurement ‘Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)}’ has been introduced in Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)-2016 to promote indigenous design and development of defence equipment.
- The ‘Make’ Procedure of capital procurement has been simplified. There is a provision for funding of 90% of the development cost by the Government to the Indian industry under Make-I category. In addition, there are specific reservations for MSMEs under the ‘Make’ procedure.
- Separate procedure for ‘Make-II’ category (industry-funded) has been notified under DPP to encourage indigenous development and manufacture of defence equipment.
- An innovation ecosystem for Defence titled Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) has been launched in April 2018. Read more on iDEX at PIB dated Nov 10, 2019.
- In 2019, the government had decided to set up two defence industrial corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh respectively to serve as an engine of economic development and growth of defence industrial base in the country.
- An indigenization portal namely SRIJAN DEFENCE was launched in August 2020. Read more on SRIJAN portal in PIB dated Aug 14, 2020.
- Defence EXIM portal has been created for enhancing the ease of doing business and to streamline Export authorisation procedures.
- The ‘Strategic Partnership (SP)’ Model was notified in 2017 which envisages the establishment of long-term strategic partnerships with Indian entities through a transparent and competitive process, wherein they would tie-up with global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to seek technology transfers to set up domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains.
- India signed an agreement with Russia in September 2019 by which the after-sales support and operational availability of Russian origin equipment currently in service in the Indian Armed Forces would be enhanced by organizing the production of spares and components in the territory of India by Indian Industry by way of creation of Joint Ventures/Partnership with Russian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) under the framework of the “Make in India” initiative.
- Under the revised FDI policy of 2016, FDI in defence is allowed under automatic route up to 49% and beyond 49% through Government route.
- Defence Products list requiring Industrial Licences has been rationalised and the manufacture of most of the parts or components does not require Industrial License.
Context:
The above information was given by the Minister of State for Defence in the Rajya Sabha.
3. National Education Policy, 2020
To know more about the NEP 2020, click on the linked article.
Context:
The Union Minister for Human Resource Development talked about the highlights of the National Education Policy, 2020 in the Lok Sabha.
4. Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal
Context:
Status of Mahanadi Tribunal.
Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal:
- The Mahanadi Tribunal was formed in 2018 to settle the inter-state water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh with respect to sharing of the waters of the Mahanadi River.
Know more about Inter-state Water Disputes Tribunals in India in the linked article.
What is the Dispute?
- The dispute between the two states over the Mahanadi originated when Odisha claimed that Chhattisgarh had “illegally” constructed several barrages across the river and its tributaries, which had seriously affected inflow into the Hirakud reservoir in Odisha, particularly in the non-monsoon seasons.
- What triggered the dispute was Odisha’s allegation of reduced flow of water into the Hirakud.
- The location of the dam is problematic since although it is situated in Odisha, most of its catchment area (about 90%) lies in Chhattisgarh.
- The reservoir’s main role is to moderate floods in the Mahanadi and hence, it has to remain empty for most of the monsoon season to be ready to accommodate excess water in times of need.
- Apart from that, it also has an objective of ensuring flow in the Mahanadi to meet drinking water, ecological and other needs.
- The dam has a large direct irrigation command in the western parts of Odisha and a big indirect irrigation command in the deltaic areas in eastern parts of the state. It is one of the important generators of hydro-power in Odisha and a large supplier of water to industrial and urban demands.
(Source: DownToEarth Magazine)
About the Mahanadi River:
- It is a major river in East-Central India.
- It flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
- It forms a delta before flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
- The chief tributaries of Mahanadi are Seonath, Jonk, Hasdo, Mand, Ib, Ong, Tel, etc.
About the Hirakud Dam:
- Built across the Mahanadi, it is one of the first major multipurpose river valley projects started after India’s independence.
- It was opened in 1957 and is one of the longest earthen dams in the world.
- It is located about 15 km from Sambalpur in Odisha.
- Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated near the Hirakud Dam. It is notified as an Eco-Sensitive Zone by the Environment Ministry.
5. National River Conservation Programme
About the Programme:
- Under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), project proposals are received by the Central Government from the State Government from time to time for taking up pollution abatement works in towns along various rivers.
- The proposals are considered for financial assistance on a cost-sharing basis subject to their conformity with the scheme guidelines, pollution status, prioritizations, appraisal by independent institutions and availability of Plan funds.
- The Central Government is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments and Union Territories in addressing the challenges of pollution abatement of rivers by providing financial and technical assistance through National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for identified polluted river stretches.
Context:
The above information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti in the Rajya Sabha.
6. Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)
Context:
PMJVK is now being implemented in 1300 identified Minority Concentration Areas with an objective of developing socio-economic infrastructure and basic amenities in the said areas.
To know more about the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), click on the linked article.
Context:
September 9 is celebrated as Himalaya Diwas across India, especially in the state of Uttarakhand.
Details:
- The chief aim of the celebration is to create and spread awareness on the conservation of the Himalayan ecosystem.
- The theme of Himalaya Diwas 2020 is ‘Himalayas and Nature’.
8. Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Context:
94 athletes included in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.
Know more about the Target Olympic Podium Scheme in the linked article.
Read previous PIB here.
September 14th, 2020, PIB:- Download PDF Here
| Related Links | |||
| UPSC 2020 | Government Exams | ||
| UPSC Current Affairs Quiz | UPSC Prelims Exam | ||
| UPSC Monthly Magazine for Current Affairs | IAS Eligibility | ||
Comments