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Public Information Bureau (PIB) Compilation October (16th- 31st)
BILLS, PROGRAMS, POLICIES, SCHEMES, ORDERS, JUDGEMENTS Mann Ki Baat
Context: • •
The broadcast sector is based on business proposals and technology upgradation. The Hon'ble Prime Minister's "Mann Ki Baat" program is a prime example of how technology platform connects the message of the Prime Minister with the understanding of the citizens and the issues raised by the Prime Minister in every broadcast are awareness
What should be the ideal structure of the broadcast sector? • •
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The ideal structure of the broadcast should focus on the democratic spectator. It should have an accurate measurement system that reflects the strengths of regional languages, different interests of viewers / consumers, and can bridge the gap between agendas, creative topics and mainstream and regional forums. The profile of Information Service officers should be strengthened by providing skills and integrated administrative experience in the future so that the officers can present the policies and programs of the people through information. In view of the increasing use of technology by the younger generation in the field of Internet, Mobile, Content, Animation and Gaming, Information and Broadcasting Ministry will try to encourage the concept of 'design thinkers' for special creation in the digital sector.
What is 'Mann Ki Baat' programme? •
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Mann Ki Baat is an Indian radio programme hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he addresses the people of the nation on All India Radio, DD National and DD News. Having officially started on and from 3 October 2014, the programme aims to deliver the Prime Minister's voice to the general masses of India. Since television connection is still not available everywhere in India, especially in the isolated, rural and less developed regions, radio was chosen to be the medium for the programme, owing to its wider reach.
Indian Food Safety and Standards Authority launched 'Indian Food Recovery Alliance (IFRA) Context: • •
Indian Food Safety and Standards Authority launched its new initiative 'Indian Food Recovery Alliance (IFRA). It is an alliance of 'Food Recovery Partners' in the country and aimed at addressing the problem of hunger in India and to prevent waste of food items. Created with by ForumIAS.com – The Knowledge Network for Civil Services. Visit http//forumias.com New! http://forumiasacademy – Prelims & Mains Test Series
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Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): • •
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India.
Objective: • •
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FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety. FSSI has created an overall network of networks of bodies related to all sectors in India, while taking advantage of technology, aiming to maintain easy communication between all stakeholders so that each body is operating in the same direction Take the necessary steps to reduce the waste of food items. The main aim of FSSAI is to: Lay down science-based standards for articles of food; To regulate manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of food; and To facilitate food safety. Rural Development Department
Context: • Rural Development Department is making continuous efforts to improve the availability of work in the rural areas. What are the initiatives taken by the department? •
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In addition to daily wages under MNREGA, the department is promoting skilled, semiskilled day laborers in PNAY-Rural and PNGSY under the construction of roads in the road construction sector. The budget of the Rural Development Department has more than doubled since 201213. Department Deen Dayal Antyodh is focusing on the bank loan contact for women selfhelp groups under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLN) in order to promote the enterprise. There is now more than Rs 47,000 crore rupees, which is being used in the promotion of custom hiring centers, rural transport, agriculture and related work such as animal husbandry, horticulture, handloom and handicrafts, retail business etc.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act: •
"Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act", MGNREGA), is an Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the 'right to work'.
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Objectives: •
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The MGNREGA aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year, to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Another aim of MGNREGA is to create durable assets (such as roads, canals, ponds, wells). Employment is to be provided within 5 km of an applicant's residence, and minimum wages are to be paid. If work is not provided within 15 days of applying, applicants are entitled to an unemployment allowance. Thus, employment under MGNREGA is a legal entitlement. Namami Ganges program
Context: • •
Under the Namami Ganges program, work is being done with a broad approach to prevent pollution which flows in the Ganges river and to clean the deficits. Various steps are being taken by the National Clean Ganga Mission in Varanasi to make the river free of pollution, to improve the condition of the ghatas from the sewage treatment plants and to clean the surface of the Ganges river.
The initiatives taken: •
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In order to solve the problem of sewage, the project of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and JNNURM scheme, 140 MLD STP plant, is being constructed in Dinapur and 20 MLD STP plant in Goetta respectively. The Government of India started the cleaning work of 84 prestigious and heritage ghats of Varanasi. Apart from this, work has been entrusted to construct 153 community toilets at an estimated cost of 20.07 crores, out of which 109 toilets have been completed and 15,000 to 20,000 people are being used daily. Ghat correction work is being done at 26 locations and repair works are being done on the same lot. In essence, Varanasi has brought good results of focused efforts to streamline the Ganga.
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INTERNATIONAL ISSUES Indian and Afghan Context: •
His Excellency Mr. Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan recently met President Mr. Ramnath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
India-Afghan relation: • • •
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Afghanistan is not only a strategic partner for India but also a symbol of affection. The strategic partnership between the two countries has increased recently. Businessmen of the two nations have united and carried more than 200 million US dollars by the India-Afghanistan trade and investment exhibition organized in New Delhi. The Air Freight Corridor was started between Kandahar and Kabul and Delhi.
What are the different Areas of Cooperation between the two sides? Economic Cooperation: • • • • •
India is the second largest destination for Afghanistan exports. Afghanistan possess many minerals like gold, iron, copper etc. Indian companies have invested in its mining sector More than 100 companies have invested in various sectors of its economy including agriculture, communications, Information Technology etc. The proposed TAPI (Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan and India) pipeline passes through Afghanistan. It is for importing Natural Gas from Turkmenistan to India. India, Iran and Afghanistan have jointly signed a trade deal. The deal aims at investment in Chabahar port for accessing landlocked Afghanistan by circumventing Pakistan.
Defense Cooperation: • •
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India provides training to Afghanistan military officers in Indian military academies In 2014 India signed an agreement with Afghanistan and Russia. According to this agreement Russia will provide all military equipment needed by Afghanistan and India will pay for it India has directly provided three Russian-made Mi-25 attack helicopters to Afghan Air Force in 2015
Corporation in fighting Terrorism: • •
India wants a democratic and peaceful Afghanistan for stability in its relations. But the country faces terror threats in the following ways Afghani Taliban is a majorterrorist group. They are attempting to take over the democratically elected Government in Afghanistan Created with by ForumIAS.com – The Knowledge Network for Civil Services. Visit http//forumias.com New! http://forumiasacademy – Prelims & Mains Test Series
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Al Qaedaand many other terrorist groups like Haqqani Network are very active in Afghanistan The recent rise of Islamic Stateterrorists may have spillover effects on India in future
How are relations between India and Afghanistan in the present scenario? Strategic partnership agreement: • • • •
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Strategic Partnership Agreement of 2011 strengthened the relation between India and Afghanistan. The construction and opening of Afghanistan’s parliament building and the Afghanistan-India friendship dam (Salma Dam) stands out. India’s timely provision of a few helicopters, which has contributed to an enabling environment for stabilization, and development of Afghanistan. India helps Afghanistan to rebuild its infrastructure and institutions, education and technical assistance, encourages investment in Afghanistan’s natural resources, providing duty free access to the Indian markets for its exports. India aims for an Afghan-led Afghan-owned, broad based and inclusive process of peace and reconciliation and advocates the need for sustained and long-term commitment to Afghanistan by the international community.
Bilateral Trade: • • • • • •
India and Afghanistan have a strong relationship based on historical and cultural links, it’s focal point have been trade and commerce. The Silk road has proved to pave the way of forever existing equation between the two countries. Their corridor is important for the geo-strategic location connecting the East and the West Asia. India’s bilateral trade with Afghanistan stood at $684.47 million in 2014-15, an increase of 0.20% over $683.10 million a year ago. India’s export to Afghanistan in 2014-15 stood at $ 422.56 million, while its imports from Afghanistan were worth $261.91 million. India delivered three Russian made MI-25 attack helicopters to Afghanistan in December 2015..
Economic Relations: • • • •
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The Preferential Trade Agreement signed in March 2003 under which India allowed duty concessions, and removed custom duties for all Afghan products. With the Operation of Chabahar Port in Iran, Afghan exports would receive further boost, as a new transit route for trade. Steel authority if India is setting a plant in Afghanistan’s Hajigak iron ore reserves The volume of Indo-Afghan trade stood at $680 million during 2013-2014, a figure that should exponentially rise, following the full implementation of the Afghanistan and Pakistan Trade and Transit Agreement (APTTA). Indian investors remain deeply interested in the many “virgin markets” of Afghanistan, including mining, agriculture and agribusiness, information and technology, telecommunications, and others Created with by ForumIAS.com – The Knowledge Network for Civil Services. Visit http//forumias.com New! http://forumiasacademy – Prelims & Mains Test Series
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What is the way ahead? • • •
Maintaining peace and security to keep Afghan on the path of economic reform and development is important principle. India has also been suffering from terrorism arising from countries sponsored and cross border for decades. India believes that whatever steps are taken to bring peace in Afghanistan, it should be under Afghanistan's leadership and control of Afghanistan.
DEFENCE ISSUES Liberalized the arms rules
Context: •
With the promotion of the government's manufacturing policy "Make in India", the Home Ministry has liberalized the arms rules to increase employment in the field of arms and ammunition production.
Significance: • • •
Being generous of rules will encourage investment in the field of arms and ammunition and weapon systems in the form of "Make in India" program. With liberal rules, the weapons and needs of the army and police forces can be met through the manufacture of weapons manufactured in a global level. The new rules will be applicable by the Ministry of Home Affairs for licensing of small arms to be provided, and in addition to this, the rules of the licensing of tanks, weapons, defense aircraft, spacecraft, war material under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion And other weapons will be applicable to the units that prepare them.
What is 'Make In India' scheme? • • •
Make in India is an initiative launched by the Government of India to encourage national, as well as multi-national companies to manufacture their products in India. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 September 2014. India emerged, after initiation of the programme in 2015, as the top destination globally for foreign direct investment (FDI).
Objectives: • • •
The major objective behind the initiative is to focus on job creation and skill enhancement in 25 sectors of the economy. The initiative also aims at high quality standards and minimising the impact on the environment. The initiative hopes to attract capital and technological investment in India.
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