$5 trillion economy, SWADES initiative, Amery Ice Shelf (AIS), MSME, Relaxation in Visa and Travel, India and Bhutan
- Posted by Param IAS Team
- Categories Daily News, International Relation
- Date June 4, 2020
1. "HARYANA: Culture, Cuisine and Tourism"
- “Haryana: Culture, Cuisine and Tourism” showcasing the rich and varied heritage of Haryana.
- Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series is an effort to showcase India’s rich diversity under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and it is continuously spreading spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat through virtual platform.
- History or Mythology of Haryana and recounted the contributions of leaders.
- The information regarding Haryana being divided into two parts namely, the Deswali Belt and the Bagari Belt.
More information about Haryana:
- divisions of the state into regions basis of Soil i.e. (Khadar, Nardak, Bagad, Bangar),
- Demographic basis i.e. (Ahirwal, Mewat, Braj)
- on the basis of Eco Cultural Zones i.e. (Ahirwal, Mewat, Bagar, Nardak, Khadar).
Haryana also is home to celebrity Sportspersons and Actors like Kapil Dev, Sushil Kumar, Mallika Sherawat, Meghana Malik, Randeep Hudda.
- The Name of Haryana came from “Hari ka aana” from its History.
- Haryana has more than 1000 Archaeological Sites which depicts that the Culture of Haryana is . The three battles were fought in Panipat in 1526, 1556 and 1761.
- The Culture of Haryana is Agriculture based.
- The Folk Dances of Haryana are Ghangor, Jhoomar, chhati showcases the Culture of Haryana along with the Folk Music.
- Haryana is a land of Museums, it has more than 20 Museums.
- It can also be known as the state of Festivals.
- The important aspect of Haryanvis socialising are Community involvement, respectful, wearing pakhdi, sitting in Choupal and enjoying Hookhas.
- Haryana was the first state to launch the masters degree course in Tourism Management Programme also Haryana is the first state having 5 Hotel Management Institutes IHM’s under Ministry Of Tourism, Govt. Of India.
- The Cuisine and delicacies of Haryana are the best part, milk and abundance of milk Products like Curd, Butter Milk, Cheese can be found in every part of Haryana.
- Haryanvi Thali which showcases the simplicity in the food of Haryana. It contains Ganthe (Onions), Kachri, Mixed Lentils Curry or Daal, Methi Gajar ki Sabzi, Kacche Aam ki sabzi, Bajre ki roti, Besan Masala Roti, Hara Dhania Cholia, Mithe Chawal, Churma, Kheer, Lassi, Aam ka achar, Bhune Aloo, Tamatar Chutney and Raita including sweets like Ghewar, Rewri, Pede, Gazarpak etc. Haryana has so much to serve.
- Apart from that Haryana offers various places to visit, Sonipat which is a typical jaat heartland near Delhi offer Khwaja Khizr, Mamu Bhanja to visit.
- Panipat where three battles were fought also offers places like Lodhi’s Grave, Kabuli Bagh Mosque, Panipat Museum and Tomb of Bu Ali Shah.
- Hisar, a place which has four gates offers some historical facts and figures including some interesting sites like Blue bird lake,Asirgarh Fort, Rakhigarhi .
2. Kolkata Port Trust is renaming as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Trust
- The Kolkata Port is the first Major Port as well as the only riverine port of the country.
- It came to be governed by a Trust on 17th October, 1870 on appointment of the Commissioners for Improvement of the Port of Calcutta as per Act V of 1870.
- It features at Serial Number 1 in The First Schedule, Part I—Major Ports of the Indian Ports Act, 1908 and is governed by the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963.
- Kolkata Port has traversed 150 years and in this journey it has been India’s gateway to trade, commerce and economic development.
- It has also been a witness to India’s struggle for independence, World Wars l & II and socio-cultural changes taking place in the country, especially in Eastern India.
- Generally, the Major Ports in India are named after the city or the town in which they are situated.
- Some ports, however, in special cases or in due consideration of contribution made by eminent leaders have been re-named after great national leaders in the past.
- Nhava Sheva Port Trust was renamed as Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust by the Government in the year 1989.
- The Tuticorin Port Trust was renamed as V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust in the year 2011 and the Ennore Port Limited has been re-named as Kamarajar Port Limited in the honour of Shri K Kamarajar, eminent freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
- Recently, in 2017 Kandla Port was re-named as Deendayal Port.
- Besides, many airports have also been named after the great national leaders in India.
- However, keeping in view the sentiments of the people of West Bengal, it was announced that Kolkata Port will be re-named after Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, one of the most deserving sons of West Bengal and a front-runner in national integration, dreamer of Bengal’s development, inspiration for industrialisation and ardent votary of one law for one nation.
3. Extension of Amery Ice Shelf (AIS) impacted on climate
- The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) predicts that there would be a 24% increase in the expansion of Ameri Ice Shelf (AIS) boundaries by 2021 and another 24% expansion by 2026 from its 2016 positions.
- The prediction made by NCPOR is based on a 16-year-long satellite-based observation that covered an area of 60,000 sq. km across the AIS.
- Scientists feel that this study would help understand the ongoing changes in the ocean and atmospheric forces better.
- The floating sheets of ice called the ice shelves play a multi-faceted role in maintaining the stability of a glacier.
- Ice shelves connect a glacier to the landmass.
- The ice sheet mass balance, sea stratification, and bottom water formation are important parameters for the balancing of a glacier.
- Latent and sensible heat processes do play important roles here.
- The AIS is one of the largest glacier drainage basins in the world, located on the east coast of Antarctica, at about 70ºS Latitude, 70ºE Longitude.
- The AIS dynamics and mass balance help in understanding the changes in the global climate scenario.
- There is always a stress on the sea ice and ice sheets itself plays an indirect role in reducing the amplitude of the ocean swell.
- NCPOR carried out this study based on the satellite data collected from 2001 to 2016.
- The data were collected during the austral (relating to the southern hemisphere) summer months of January to March to understand the advancement of AIS extension and the influence of ocean atmospheric forcing in East Antarctica.
- The NCOPOR scientists observed a spatio-temporal change in the ice shelf as reflected by the extension of the Pridze and Mackenzie and the extension of a 200-km stretch between Mackenzie Bay (68.5ºS Latitude, 70.2ºE Longitude) and the Sandefjord Bay (69.65ºS Latitude, 74.3ºE Longitude), which is a part of the AIS.
- NCPOR has also estimated the rate at which ice shelves have extended for the last three years (2017-2019).
- The AIS extended by about 550 m in 2017, 1470 m in 2018, and 2200 m in 2019.
- If this continues, it is entirely possible that in the next six years (2021 to 2026), the positions of the ice shelf would closely coincide with the actual boundary conditions.
- NCPOR observations also revealed a critical cooling of the sea surface temperature (SST), resulting in an advancement of the ice shelf by 88% in the past 15 years.
- These changes would contribute in a major way to climate variability.
- In the background of the global warming scenario, the study reveals that the advancement in the predicted ice shelf extent closely corresponds with the actual extent.
- The study clearly demonstrated the application of satellite observations and statistical techniques methods for the determination and validation, the reconstruction of the past; and the prediction of the future dynamism of ocean heat fluctuation and Antarctic Amery ice shelf mass shifting-extent.
- These are some of the groundbreaking methods crucial for monitoring and quantification of climate change effects and its consequences.
- The methods could be replicated elsewhere as they are necessary for the understanding of the response of global climate change, its monitoring for sustainable environmental management.
4. Pan-India Real Time Market in electricity
- Shri R. K. Singh, the Minister of State (IC) Power and New & Renewable Energy & Minister of State (Skill Development and Entrepreneurship), launched pan-India Real Time Market in electricity.
- This has placed Indian electricity market amongst a league of few electricity markets in the world, which have real time market.
- The real time market is an organized market platform to enable the buyers and sellers pan-India to meet their energy requirement closer to real time of operation.
- Introduction of real time market will bring required flexibility in the market to provide real time balance while ensuring optimal utilization of the available surplus capacity in the system.
- It will also help manage diversity in the demand pattern in the country with an organized market at national level.
- Real time market would be for every 30 minutes in a day based on double sided closed auction with uniform price.
- The concept of “Gate Closure” has been introduced for bringing in the desired firmness in schedules during the hours of market operation.
- Buyers/sellers shall have the option of placing buy/sell bids for each 15-minute time block.
- The proposed real time market would provide an alternate mechanism for Discoms to access larger market at competitive price.
- On the other hand, generators would also benefit by participating in the real time market with their un-requisitioned capacity.
- A mechanism has been provided for generators having long-term contract and participating in this market to share the net gains with the Discoms.
- National Load Despatch Centre-POSOCO is facilitating necessary automation in coordination with power exchanges to ensure faster transactions and settlements in the real time market framework.
- The Government of India’s target of 175 GW RE Capacity by 2022 is driving accelerated renewable penetration pan-India.
- The real time market would help to mitigate challenges to the grid management due to intermittent and variable nature of renewable energy generation and therefore, help to integrate higher quantum of renewable energy resources into the grid.
- It would lead to cost optimization of power purchase and serving the consumers with reliable supply as any last minute requirement of power can easily be bought from the Real Time market. Earlier regime of managing the grid by load shedding due last minute changes can be easily avoided. Thus, it is win win for all stakeholders generators having opportunity to sale their surpluses, better management of variability of RE generation, better utilization of transmission systems, discoms opportunity to buy or sell power and finally consumer getting reliable power supply.
5. New definition and criterion, will come into effect from 1st July, 2020
- After 14 years since the MSME Development Act came into existence in 2006, a revision in MSME definition was announced in the Atmnirbhar Bharat package on 13th May, 2020.
- As per this announcement, the definition of Micro manufacturing and services units was increased to Rs. 1 Crore of investment and Rs. 5 Crore of turnover.
- The limit of small unit was increased to Rs. 10 Crore of investment and Rs 50 Crore of turnover.
- Similarly, the limit of medium unit was increased to Rs. 20 Crore of investment and Rs. 100 Crore of turnover.
- The Government of India on 01.06.2020 decided for further upward revision of the MSME Definition.
- For medium Enterprises, now it will be Rs. 50 Crore of investment and Rs. 250 Crore of turnover.
- The existing criterion of definition of MSMEs is based on the MSMED Act, 2006. It was different for manufacturing and services units. It was also very low in terms of financial limits. Since then, the economy has undergone significant changes. After the package announced on 13th May, 2020, there were several representations saying that the announced revision is still not in line with market and price conditions and hence it should be further revised upwardly. Keeping in mind these representations, Prime Minister decided to further increase the limit for medium Units. This has been done in order to be realistic with time and to establish an objective system of classification and to provide ease of doing business.
- Ministry of MSME has reiterated that it has put in place a very strong handholding mechanism for MSMEs and new entrepreneurs in the name of Champions (www.champions.gov.in) which was recently launched by the Prime Minister.
6. Tap connections to all rural households in 2020-21 in Puducherry
- The Union Territory Puducherry plans to provide household tap connections to remaining households in 2020-21.
- Local community will play a pivotal role in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of water supply systems in villages to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Local communities are encouraged to take responsibility of water supply systems in villages for regular upkeep and operation & maintenance. Not only emphasis is given on revamping of traditional water bodies, but due care also is given on grey water treatment and re-use.
- The UT has been advised to focus on 24*7 service delivery in rural areas, so that the villages can act as ‘utilities’ with focus on ‘service delivery’. It’s also planned to conduct Internet of Things (IoT) based sensor monitoring for water supply in villages.
- With summers in full swing, monsoons approaching, and country grappling with COVID-19 pandemic, it has become more imperative to provide livelihood to the migrant workers who have returned to their native villages by providing jobs related to water supply especially water conservation works in every village that will ensure sufficient ground water availability leading to water security, water availability for agriculture and most importantly will help in provision of drinking water to every rural household.
- Through ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, Government of India is making all efforts to provide every rural household in the country a Functional Household Tap Connection for water in adequate quantity of prescribed quality on regular and long-term basis. Objective of this flagship programme is to bring improvement in the lives of rural people by providing potable water at their doorstep and ensure ‘ease of living’.
- As announced by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his last Independence Day speech, Jal Jeevan Mission envisages providing household tap connections in the rural areas of the country by 2024.
- Universal coverage of all rural households for safe access to potable drinking water is being ensured under this ambitious Mission.
- A budget of Rs 3.60 lakh Crore has been allocated for this programme. Special attention is being paid to provide potable water on priority in water stressed and water quality-affected areas, aspirational districts, SC/ ST habitations, Sansad Adarsh Gramin Yojna villages, etc.
7. Relaxation in Visa and Travel restrictions on Foreign Nationals
Government of India has considered the matter regarding relaxation of the visa & travel restrictions for certain categories of foreign nationals who need to come to India. It has been decided to permit the following categories of foreign nationals to come to India:-
- Foreign businessmen coming to India on a Business visa (other than on B-3 visa for sports) in non-scheduled commercial/ chartered flights.
- Foreign Healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers and technicians for technical work at Indian health sector facilities, including laboratories and factories. This is subject to a letter of invitation from a recognized and registered healthcare facility, registered pharmaceutical company or accredited University in India.
- Foreign Engineering, Managerial, Design or other Specialists travelling to India on behalf of foreign business entities located in India. This includes all manufacturing units, design units, software and IT units as well as financial sector companies (banking and non-banking financial sector firms).
- Foreign Technical specialists and engineers travelling for installation, repair and maintenance of foreign-origin machinery and equipment facilities in India, on the invitation of a registered Indian business entity. These could be for equipment installation, or is under warranty, or for after sales servicing or repair on commercial terms.
The above categories of foreign nationals would have to obtain a fresh Business visa or Employment visa, as applicable, from the Indian Missions/ Posts abroad. Foreign nationals holding a valid long term multiple entry Business visa [other than B-3 visa for sports] issued by the Indian Missions/ Posts abroad would have to get the Business visa re-validated from the Indian Mission/ Post concerned. Such foreign nationals would not be permitted to travel to India on the strength of any electronic visa obtained earlier.
8. India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the areas of Environment
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan on Cooperation in the areas of Environment.
The Memorandum of Understanding will enable establishment and promotion of closer and long-term cooperation between the two countries in the field of environment protection and management of natural resources on the basis of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefits, taking into account the applicable laws and legal provisions in each country.
Keeping in view the bilateral interest of both sides and mutually agreed priorities, a Memorandum of Understanding covering the following areas of environment has been considered:
• Air;
• Waste;
• Chemical Management;
• Climate Change;
• Any other areas jointly decided upon.
This Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into force on the date of signature and shall continue to remain in force for a period of ten years.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of the Government of the Republic of India and the National Environment Commission (NEC) of the Royal Government of Bhutan on 11th March, 2013. This MoU expired on 10th March, 2016. Noting the benefits of the earlier MoU, both sides have decided to continue cooperation and collaboration in the field of Environment.
9. Important step in realising Prime Minister NarendraModi’s vision of a $5 trillion economy
- The approval for setting up of an “Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) and Project Development Cells (PDCs) in Ministries/Departments of Government of Indiafor attracting investments in India”. This new mechanism will reinforce India’s vision of becoming a US$ 5 trillion economy by 2024-25.
- Government is determined to put in place an investment friendly ecosystem that strongly supports the domestic investor as well as FDI and will boost the economy manifold. DPIIT proposes strategic implementation of an integrated approach that will eventually bring about synergies between Ministries/Departments and among the Central and State Governments in our investment and related incentive policies.
- India is presented with an opportunity to attract FDI inflows into the country especially from large companies which seek to diversify their investments into new geographies and mitigate risks. Also, ramping up production across product lines will help to serve big markets in the US, EU, China and elsewhere. The proposal aims to take advantage of these opportunities from the global economic situation to make India among the largest players in the global value chain.
In order to provide support and facilitation to investors for investing in India and to boost growth in key sectors of the economy, an Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) is approved with the following objectives:
- To bring synergies and ensure timely clearances from different departments and Ministries.
- To attract increased investments into India and provide investment support and facilitation to global investors.
- To facilitate investments of top investors in a targeted manner and to usher policy stability & consistency in the overall investment environment.
- To evaluate investments put forward by the departments on the basis of their (i) project creation (ii) actual investments that come. Further, these departments would be given targets for completion of various stages by the Empowered Group.
The Decision will make India a more investor-friendly destination and give a fillip to the mission of Aatmanirbhar Bharat envisioned by Hon’ble Prime Minister by handholding and further smoothening investment inflows into the country. This will give a boost to the economy and open up immense direct and indirect employment potential in various sectors.
10. Amendments in Mineral Laws & Guidelines
Considering the long gestation period of coal mines due to complexity of multiple laws, restrictive rules affecting entry of potential investors in the coal sector, , the following changes have been brought into the system for freedom of operations for improving coal production and to facilitate adoption of technology.
- Mineral Laws (Amendment) Act, 2020: Salient features
- Amendment to provide for allocation of coal blocks for composite Prospecting License-cum-Mining Lease (“PL-cum-ML”) to help in increasing the available inventory of coal/ lignite blocks for auction.
- Provisions for any company selected through auction/ allotment to carry on coal mining operation for own consumption, sale without possessing any prior coal mining experience in India.
- FDI Policy in Coal Sector allowing 100% FDI through automatic route for sale of coal, coal mining activities including associated processing infrastructure.
- Provisions to remove the requirement of previous approval in cases where the allocation or reservation of coal/ lignite block is made by the Central Government
- Entitlement to an allottee to utilize mined coal in any of its plants or plants of its subsidiary or holding company.
- To implement it, corresponding CMSP Rules and CBA rules were also amended
- Amendment in Mineral Concession Rule 1960: Salient features
- Registration of Qualified Persons for Mining Plan preparation is no longer required. Project proponent’s declaration in this regard will suffice.
- Empowering block allocatee to make minor changes in mining plan and reducing requirement of repeated approvals thus giving flexibility in operation.
- An option is now available to Coal Block allocatee to engage an Accredited Prospecting Agency for conduct of prospecting operation and preparation of Geological Report (GR) with a view to expedite exploration, bringing technology and faster growth of coal sector.
- Additional option is also made available to Project Proponent through accreditation system for Mining Plan Preparing Agency for preparation. Similarly, a peer review of Mining Plan to improve quality of mine planning and fast tracking approval system has also been introduced.
- Provision for regulating grant of PL-cum-ML in light of the Mineral Laws (Amendment) Act, 2020.
- Amendment in the guidelines of preparation, processing and approval of Mining Plan
- With a view to remove repetition of provisions from the Mining Plan which are now covered in other statutory documents, the Mining Plan structure has been simplified. Following introduction of other laws, such as Environment and Forest Conservation etc, many overlapping information sought in mining plan has been deleted. Simplified guidelines issued.
- Processing of mining plan for approval has been simplified with an aim to reduce time in grant of approval. Power to approve Mining Plan delegated to subordinate authority in CCO with an interim arrangement for the interregnum. System of appeal introduced to bring transparency.
- Process has been made compatible to online approval so as to formulate an online single window clearance system.
11. Government of India launched a new initiative SWADES
- The Government of India has launched a new initiative SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) to conduct a skill mapping exercise of the returning citizens under the Vande Bharat Mission.
- This is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of External Affairs which aims to create a database of qualified citizens based on their skillsets and experience to tap into and fulfil demand of Indian and foreign companies.
- The returning citizens are required to fill up an online SWADES Skills Card. The card will facilitate a strategic framework to provide the returning citizens with suitable employment opportunities through discussions with key stakeholders including State Governments, Industry Associations and Employers. MSDE’s implementation arm National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is supporting the implementation of the project.
- These are testing times and it is crucial that the entire country comes together and supports the Centre in its efforts to address the challenges posed by the economic downturn caused by the COVID – 19 pandemic. We are pleased to partner with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of External Affairs to conduct this skill mapping of overseas returning citizens under the Vande Bharat Mission. Inspired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of security and growth for all, the data collected through SWADES Skill Card will help the citizens with job prospects and bridge the demand-supply gap.
- The online form available on www.nsdcindia.org/swades has been created to gather required details of the returning citizens. The form contains the details such as details related to the work sector, job title, employment, years of experience. A Toll free call centre facility has also been set up to support the citizens for any queries related to filling the form.
- The SWADES Skill Form (online) was made live on 30th May 2020 and has garnered around 7000 registrations till 3rd June 2020 ( 2 pm). Amongst the data gathered so far, the top countries from where the citizens are returning are UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. As per the skill mapping, these citizens had been primarily employed in sectors such as oil & gas, construction, tourism & hospitality, Automotive and Aviation. The data also suggests that the States which have shown highest returning labour are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.
12. Public suggestions for amending Motor Vehicle Rules regarding registration of new vehicles, driving licences, and recall of old vehicles
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has re-invited suggestions and comments from all stake holders including general public on the proposed amendment in the Motor Vehicle Rules regarding registration of new vehicles, driving licences, and recall of old vehicles. These notifications were earlier issued on 18th of March this year. However, it was felt that the stakeholders need adequate opportunity to examine the notification again and provide comments and suggestions which in earlier case got affected due to conditions of Lockdown.
Two Notifications to this effect have been issued on the 29th May 2020, which can be seen at www.morth.gov.in.
The draft Notification no. 336(E) covers section 4-28 of the MVAA. It covers the following Important aspects:
• Use of Electronic forms and documents (Medical Certificate, Learners License, Surrender of DL, Renewal of DL)
• Online learner’s License
• National Register.
• Dealer point Registration.
• Renewal of Registration 60 days in advance
• Temporary registration for 06 months with extensions of 30 days (Body building etc).
• Trade certificate – electronic
• Alteration, retro fitment to vehicles and adapted vehicles.
• Insurance in case of Altered vehicles.
The other draft Notification no. 337(E) covers section 39-40 of the MVAA. It includes aspects like:
•Recall Policy of defective vehicles.
i. Procedure for Recall
ii. procedure to detail Investigating Officer
iii.Investigation Procedure- time bound manner (06months)
iv. Role of Testing Agencies
•Obligations of Manufacturers, Importers & Retrofitters.
•Accreditation of Testing agencies.
The suggestions or comments can be sent to the Joint Secretary (Transport), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Transport Bhavan, Parliament Street, New Delhi-110001 (email: [email protected]) within sixty days from the date of publication of these notifications. The comments sent earlier are not required to be sent again.
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."
"The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well."
"Good things come to people who wait, but better things come to those who go out and get them."
"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."
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