Daily PIB Summary & Analysis for RBI Grade B 2022, NABARD Grade A 2021, UPSC Civil Services, and SEBI Grade A Exam. In this Article we will discuss Press Information Bureau (PIB) Programs and their Summary for RBI Grade B Economics and Social Issue Section.
Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases news related to the policies, programmes, initiatives and achievements of the Government of India. PIB releases are important to be read for the RBI Grade B, NABARD Grade A, UPSC Civil Services however, it is also equally important is to know which PIB Article should be read and which to be left.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) is the nodal agency of the government of India to broadcast and publicize information on government policies, initiatives, achievements and working of every ministry and department within the government through its official website using various articles, images and photographs.
Cabinet approves continuation of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) beyond March 2021 till March 2024
- The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today has approved the proposal of the Department of Rural Development for continuation of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) beyond March 2021 wherein financial assistance is to be provided for the construction of the remaining 155.75 lakh houses, as on 31st March, 2021 under the scheme within total target of 2.95 crore houses.
- The details of the approval given by the Cabinet are as follows:
- Continuation of PMAY-G beyond March 2021 till March 2024 as per the existing norms to complete remaining houses within a cumulative target of 2.95 crore houses.
- The total financial implication for construction of the remaining 155.75 lakh houses is Rs. 2,17,257 crore (Central Share Rs.1,25,106 crore and State Share Rs.73,475 crores) for achieving cumulative targets of 2.95 crore houses in rural areas under the PMAY-G and an additional requirement of Rs.18,676 Crore towards the interest repayment to NABARD.
- Continuation of Program Management Unit (PMU) and National Technical Support Agency (NTSA) till FY 2023-24.
Cabinet approves Ken-Betwa Interlinking of Rivers Project
- The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today has approved the funding and implementation of Ken-Betwa inter-linking of rivers project.
- The total cost of Ken-Betwa link project has been assessed at Rs.44,605 crore at 2020-21 price levels.
- This project involves transfer of water from the Ken to the Betwa River through the construction of Daudhan Dam and a canal linking the two rivers
- The Project is proposed to be implemented in 8 years with state of the art technology.
- The project is expected to boost socio-economic prosperity in the backward Bundelkhand region on account of increased agricultural activities and employment generation.
Regional Trade Agreements
- India currently has 11 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)/Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) with other countries/regions.
- In addition, it has 6 limited coverage Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs).
- The value of India’s trade with FTA/RTA partner countries:
- India's exports (2020-21): $63105.49 Mn
- India's imports (2020-21): $74538.07 Mn
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- FDI is one of the important drivers of economic growth and a source of non-debt finance for the economic development of India.
- Total FDI Inflow (2020-21): $81,973 Mn
- FPI inflows (net) (2020-21): $38,725 Mn
PLI Scheme
Keeping in view India’s vision of becoming ‘Atmanirbhar’ and to enhance India’s Manufacturing capabilities and Exports, an outlay of INR 1.97 lakh crore (over US$ 26 billion) has been announced in Union Budget 2021-22 for PLI schemes for 13 key sectors of manufacturing starting from fiscal year (FY) 2021-22.
- The 13 key sectors include already existing 3 sectors namely (i) Mobile Manufacturing and Specified Electronic Components, (ii) Critical Key Starting materials/Drug Intermediaries & Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, (iii) Manufacturing of Medical Devices and 10 new key sectors which have been approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2020.
- These 10 key sectors are: (i) Automobiles and Auto Components, (ii) Pharmaceuticals Drugs, (iii) Specialty Steel, (iv) Telecom & Networking Products,(v) Electronic/Technology Products, (vi) White Goods (ACs and LEDs), (vii) Food Products, (viii) Textile Products: MMF segment and technical textiles, (ix) High efficiency solar PV modules, and (x) Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery.
- PLI Scheme for an additional sector, Drones and Drone Components, has also been approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2021.
- With the announcement of PLI Schemes, significant creation of production, employment, and economic growth is expected over the next 5 years and more.
- These sectors were recommended by NITI Aayog after detailed deliberations with concerned Ministries/ Departments followed by approval of the Union Cabinet.
Single Window System
- DPIIT along with Invest India initiated the process of developing the portal as a National Single Window System (NSWS)
- Envisioned as a one-stop for taking all the regulatory approvals and services in the country, NSWS [www.nsws.gov.in] was soft-launched on 22nd September, 2021 by Commerce & Industry Minister.
- This national portal integrates the existing clearance systems of various Ministries/ Departments of Government of India and State Governments without disruption to their existing IT portals.
- Currently, approvals of 19 Ministries/ Departments and 10 States Single Window Systems have been on-boarded on the NSWS Portal.
- The Know Your Approvals (KYA) Module is an information wizard which guides investors to identify an indicative list of requisite pre-operations approvals/ licenses applicable.
Startups In India
- Startup India is a flagship initiative of Government of India which aims at building a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and Startups in the country.
- This initiative was launched on 16th January 2016. The startups are recognized as per eligibility conditions prescribed under G.S.R. notification 127 (E) dated 19th February, 2019
- Government of India as part of Startup India initiative has implemented Fund of Funds for Startups Scheme and Startup India Seed Fund Scheme across all States/UTs to provide financial assistance and boost private investment in the Startups through Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and incubators
- A corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore has been sanctioned, spread over 14th and 15th Finance Commission cycles. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is the nodal bank under this Scheme.
Initiatives taken by the Government:
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS): Easy availability of capital is essential for entrepreneurs at the early stages of growth of an enterprise. The capital required at this stage often presents a make or break situation for startups with good business ideas. The Scheme aims to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization. Rs. 945 crore has been sanctioned under the SISFS Scheme for period of 4 years starting from 2021-22. It will support an estimated 3,600 entrepreneurs through 300 incubators in the next 4 years.
- Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) Scheme: The Government has established FFS with corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore, to meet the funding needs of startups. DPIIT is the monitoring agency and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is the operating agency for FFS. The total corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore is envisaged to be provided over the 14th and 15th Finance Commission cycles based on progress of the scheme and availability of funds
- Ease of Procurement: Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Startup Runway; a dedicated corner for startups to sell products & services directly to the Government.
- Self-Certification under Labour and Environmental laws: Startups are allowed to self-certify their compliance under 6 Labour and 3 Environment laws for a period of 3 to 5 years from the date of incorporation.
- Income Tax Exemption for 3 years: Startups incorporated on or after 1st April 2016 can apply for income tax exemption. The recognized startups that are granted an Inter-Ministerial Board Certificate are exempted from income-tax for a period of 3 consecutive years out of 10 years since incorporation.
- Faster Exit for Startups: Ministry of Corporate Affairs has notified Startups as ‘fast track firms’ enabling them to wind up operations within 90 days vis-a-vis 180 days for other companies.
- Support for Intellectual Property Protection: Startups are eligible for fast-tracked patent application examination and disposal. The Government launched Start-ups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) which facilitates the startups to file applications for patents, designs and trademarks through registered facilitators in appropriate IP offices by paying only the statutory fees.
- Startup India Hub: The Government launched a Startup India Online Hub on 19th June 2017 which is one of its kind online platform for all stakeholders of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in India to discover, connect and engage with each other.
- National Startup Awards: National Startup Awards is an initiative to recognize and reward outstanding startups and ecosystem enablers that are building innovative products or solutions and scalable enterprises, with high potential of employment generation or wealth creation, demonstrating measurable social impact.
Bhasha Sangam mobile app
- Bhasha Sangam is a mobile app, developed in both Android and iOS platforms, to give users familiarity with common expressions of daily conversation in Scheduled Indian languages. The app has 100+ sentences, designed on different themes that allow people to learn basic conversation in 22 Indian languages, test themselves and generate online certificates
Schemes for the development of latent talent of poor students
The Government of India has taken various measures for the development of latent talent of poor students in the country, such as:
- The Navodaya Vidyalayas select students for residential schooling on the basis of an all India Competitive Entrance Exams. The identified talented children are nurtured and educated for Seven years in the Vidyalayas till they complete schooling.
- The National Talent Search Scheme of NCERT identifies and nurtures students selected through a two-tier process every year.
- National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) has been launched for ensuring that every child in the country necessarily attains foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) by the end of Grade 3.
- The Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme has been started to identify and encourage talented children to enrich their skills and knowledge, gifted children are mentored and nurtured by renowned experts in different areas, so that they can reach their full potential.
- The centrally sponsored scheme of SamagraShiksha has various interventions like establishment of Youth club and Eco clubs to show case their innate talents and hone their skills.
The various steps taken by the Government of India to provide infrastructure/quality school education across the country
- Central RTE Rules have been amended on 20th February, 2017 to include reference on class-wise, subject-wise Learning Outcomes at Elementary level.
- A 70 indicator based matrix Performance Grading Index (PGI) has been developed to grade the States/UTs.
- NISHTHA integrated training programme 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 Integrated Teacher Training Programme has been introduced for different stages of school education - Teachers, Head Teachers/Principals and other stakeholders in Educational Management and Administration have been introduced
- NISHTHA 1.0 for Elementary level (Classes I-VIII)
- NISHTHA 2.0 for Secondary level (Classes IX-XII)
- NISHTHA 3.0 for NIPUN Bharat (ECCE to Class V)
Promotion of research and innovation in schools
Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA) has been set up by Ministry of Education as a convergent framework that aims at nurturing a spirit of inquiry and creativity, love for Science and Mathematics and effective use of technology amongst children of the age group of 6 to 18 years.
Some of the major objectives are to enable children to become motivated and engaged in Science, Mathematics and Technology (SMT) through observation, experimentation, drawing inferences, model building, rational reasoning and testability and to create curiosity, excitement and exploration among school children in Science, Mathematics and Technology.
The School Innovation Ambassador Training Program (SIATP) was launched on 16th July 2021 by Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC), CBSE and AICTE in collaboration with Ministry of Tribal Affairs to strengthen the mentoring capacity of teachers for nurturing and handholding innovative and creative ideas from students.
The Objectives of the SIATP are
- to create a culture of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in schools;
- Preparing teachers to handhold the ideas and innovative thoughts from students;
- Creating the in-house pool of mentors in schools to mentor the students;
- Creating awareness on innovation and start-ups among the students and faculties;
- Prepare teachers to conduct idea competitions, hackathons and enable them to act as an evaluator for Idea Competitions conducted for students; and
- Create the foundation and capable human resource for School Innovation Council (SIC), a council of teachers, students and experts from industry and academia to conduct round the year activities for students and teachers on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The Department of Science & Technology started a unique programme ‘Vigyan Jyoti’ for meritorious girls with the aim to address the under representation of women in different fields of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the country.
- As a first step, the “VigyanJyoti” has been introduced in the year 2019-20 at the school level wherein meritorious girl students of Class 9-12 are being encouraged to pursue higher education and career in STEM field.
- The VigyanJyoti envisaged hand-holding and interventions right from the school level i.e., Class IX and which will continue till the PhD level to encourage girls to pursue a career in under represented areas of STEM.
Under the ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ initiated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Toycathon-2021 is conceived to challenge India’s innovative minds
- Toycathon 2021 is an inter-ministerial initiative organized by Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell with support from All India Council for Technical Education, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- Toycathon 2021 is a unique opportunity for Students, Teachers, Start-ups and Toy experts/professionals in India to submit their innovative toys/games concepts and win large number of prizes worth Rs. 50 lakhs.
Scholarship scheme under AICTE to encourage girls students to pursue Technical Education
To encourage girl students to pursue Technical Education, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has been implementing scholarship scheme namely AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme since 2014-15
Under the scheme, a sum of Rs. 50,000/- per annum is disbursed to selected girl students as per the following criteria.
- Students admitted in AICTE approved institutions in 1st year of Degree/ Diploma level course or 2nd year of Degree/ Diploma level course through lateral entry.
- Maximum two girls per family.
- Total income of the family less than Rs. 8 lakh per annum.
- 10,000 scholarships per annum from 23 States/UTs (5000 for Diploma and 5000 for Degree).
- All eligible girl students from remaining 13 States/UTs (including North Eastern Region, Jammu &Kashmir etc.)
- Reservation-7.5% for ST, 15% for SC, and 27% for OBC candidates/applicants.
Allocation of Funds To Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojna
- Ministry of Mines has circulated guidelines for Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojna (PMKKKY) on 16.09.2015 to be implemented by the District Mineral Foundations (DMF) for taking up development and welfare projects/programs in mining affected areas and other directions from time to time
- The Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, mandated the setting up of District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) in all districts in the country affected by mining related operations.
- In case of all mining leases executed before 12th January, 2015 (the date of coming into force of the Amendment Act) miners will have to contribute an amount equal to 30% of the royalty payable by them to the DMFs. Where mining leases are granted after 12.01.2015, the rate of contribution would be 10% of the royalty payable.
- Using the funds generated by this contribution, the DMFs are expected to implement the PMKKKY.
- High priority areas like drinking water supply, health care, sanitation, education, skill development, women and child care, welfare of aged and disabled people, skill development and environment conservation will get at least 60 % share of the funds.
Strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions
- Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) with effect from financial year 2018-19 with the primary objective of developing governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions to deliver on Sustainable Development Goals.
- Under the scheme, financial support to States/ UTs is being provided for Capacity Building &Training, training infrastructure and Human Resource support for training, Strengthening of Gram Sabhas
- The Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) has recommended Rural Local Body Grants grants of Rs. 60,750 crore for the year 2020-21 and Rs. 2,36,805 crore for the five year period 2021-26 to 28 States for all tiers of Panchayats including Traditional Bodies of non-Part IX areas.
- For the year 2021-22, Rs. 22327.90 has been released by Ministry of Finance.
Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Giriraj Singh releases ‘Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’ through Panchayati Raj Institutions report
- On this occasion, two dedicated Dashboards namely
- Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) Monitoring Dashboard on monitoring the progress of GPDP and
- Training Management Portal on Capacity Building and Training of Elected Representatives and Functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions were launched
- He exhorted 32 lakh elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to consider achieving the SDGs as a challenge and start working in a focussed and concerted manner at grassroots level.
- In May 2021, an Expert Group was constituted by MoPR to provide policy guidance to the Ministry on Localization of SDGs at the Panchayat level. Smt. Jayashree Raghunandan, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu chaired the Expert Group
Skill Mapping of Migrant Labourers
- Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has formulated the special programme for the training of Shramiks (migrant labourers) impacted from COVID-19 under its flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
- This special programme for training of Shramiks (migrant labourers) under PMKVY has covered 116 districts of 6 States, namely, Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh selected under GaribKalyanRojgarAbhiyan (GKRA) of Ministry of Rural Development
- PMKVY has two training components, namely, Short Term Training (STT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Centre takes initiatives for development of Textiles sector to boost exports, production, demand and job opportunities
The government has taken following major initiatives/ measures to help ameliorate the conditions in textile sector to boost exports, production, demand and job opportunities in the sector on pan-India basis:
- To boost exports in MMF sector, Government has removed anti-dumping duty on PTA (Purified Terephthalic Acid), a key raw material for the manufacture of MMF fibre and yarn and also on Acrylic fibre, a raw material for yarn and knitwear industry.
- The Government has approved setting up of Seven PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks in Greenfield/Brownfield sites including plug and play facility with an outlay of Rs. 4445 cr for a period of seven years upto 2027-28. These parks will enable the textile industry to become globally competitive, attract large investment and boost employment generation. The scheme will enable creation of global champions in exports.
- The Production Linked Investment scheme of Rs 10,683/- crore over a five-year period covering MMF and Technical Textiles sector has been announced which will create global champions in exports and domestic production in textile sector will also grow substantially.
- In order to make the textile sector competitive by rebating all taxes/levies in international market, Government has also given its approval for continuation of Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) on exports of Apparel/Garments and Made-ups till 31st March 2024.
- Further, Government is implementing various policy initiatives and schemes for supporting the development of textile industry viz. the Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (A-TUFS), Schemes for the development of the Powerloom Sector(Power-Tex), Schemes for Technical Textiles, Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP),Scheme for Additional Grant for Apparel Manufacturing Units under SITP (SAGAM), SAMARTH- The Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS), Silk Samagra, National Handloom Development Programme etc
Scheme for Monitoring Nutritional Status of Children
- Malnutrition is a multi- faceted problem. Key reasons for malnutrition in early life are early marriage, faulty and sub-optimal infant and young child feeding practices, childhood illnesses and low birth weight.
- Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme earlier known as ‘National Programme for Mid-Day Meal in Schools’ is one of the foremost rights based Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
- This Scheme covers all school children studying in Classes I-VIII in Government and Government-Aided Schools.
- Schedule II of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 mandates provision of hot cooked meal containing 450 calories and 12 gms protein for primary and 700 calories and 20 gms protein for upper primary class children under this scheme.
- The scheme also provides cooking cost of ₹ 4.97 for primary and ₹ 7.45 for upper primary per child per day on all working days for meeting the cost of pulses, vegetables, edible oil and condiments.
- Setting up of School Nutrition (Kitchen) Gardens in every school, for the inclusion of nutritious green leafy vegetables and fruits in the diet of the school children.
- Inclusion of ‘Ayurvedic products/items’ in the meal of PM POSHAN.
- Provision of full meal/additional items under ‘Tithi Bhojan’ (An initiative in which the community provides meal/additional food items etc. on birthdays, anniversary, days of National importance etc.).
- Health check-up of school children are being carried out under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Malnutrition among Children
- The estimated number of underweight, malnourished and severely malnourished children under 5 years of age is obtained under National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- As per the recent report of NFHS-5 (2019-21), Stunting has reduced from 38.4% to 35.5%, while Wasting has reduced from 21.0% to 19.3% and Underweight prevalence has reduced from 35.8% to 32.1%.
- The Government has accorded high priority to the issue of malnutrition and is implementing several schemes like Anganwadi Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) under the Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme as direct targeted interventions to address the problem of malnutrition in the country.
- Mission Poshan 2.0, an integrated nutrition support programme has been announced in budget 2021-2022 for all States/UTs. It seeks to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition.
Measures for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women
- India is a signatory to Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The treaty was signed on 30th July, 1980 and was ratified on 9th July, 1993.
- The convention requires the Government to adopt measures for elimination of all forms of discrimination against women to achieve full equality between men and women.
- While the schemes implemented by the Government like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban & Rural), the National Social Assistance Program (NSAP), Pradhan Mantri Vyay Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) and Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) support women and girls to be socially secure
- The initiatives like Samagra Shiksha, Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship, Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojna, Swacch Vidyalaya Mission, etc. ensure that schools are girl-friendly especially for vulnerable sections of society and have adequate facilities in place to fulfil their special requirements.
- Further, the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 prioritizes gender equity and envisions ensuring equitable access to quality education to all students, with a special emphasis on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).
- There are schemes like Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and Stand Up India, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), for helping the women to set up their own enterprise.
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of women by providing them with clean cooking fuel and also from drudgery of collecting firewood.
- Under the Swacch Vidyalaya Mission, it was ensured that all schools have at least one functional toilet for girls.
- Stand Up India scheme promotes entrepreneurship amongst women. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) mandates that at least one third of the jobs generated under the scheme (MGNREGS) should be given to women
- In addition, the Government of India has decided to implement the Umbrella Scheme for Safety, Security and Empowerment of Women as an integrated women empowerment program under the name ‘Mission Shakti’, for addressing the issues of women on a life-cycle continuum basis and for making them equal partners in nation-building through convergence at different levels of governance and a participatory approach.
