Government all set to implement "One nation-one ration card" scheme               

Integration of AYUSH System with modern medicines                                            

Organised Farming                                                                                                      

Framework for Doubling Farmers' Income                                                                

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture                                                                

New Policy for Women Empowerment                                                                       

Welfare Scheme for Widows                                                                                       

‘SHE Team’ on the patrol in Odisha                                                                           

Trade war makes India a haven for aluminium scrap dumping                               

Nasa to send ‘Dragonfly’ drone to Saturn moon Titan                                             

China tests new ballistic missile                                                                              

Government all set to implement "One nation-one ration card" scheme

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context :

• The central government is working on a plan to launch a One Nation One Ration Card scheme for beneficiaries especially migrant workers to access the Public Distribution System(PDS) from any PDS shop across the country.

One Nation - One ration card :

• It was established by the Government of India under Ministry of Consumer Affairs,Food and Public Distribution and are managed jointly by state governments in India.

• The aim of the scheme is to provide freedom to beneficiaries as they will not be tied to one PDS shop, reduce their dependence on shop owners and curtail corruption.

• The new mechanism will ensure no poor is deprived of PDS entitlement if that person shifts from one place to another.

  • The system will also help remove fake ration card holders

• Integrated Management of PDS(IMPDS) under which beneficiaries can avail their share of food grain from any district is operational in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana and Tripura.

• The PDS evolved as a system for distribution of food grains at affordable prices and management of emergency situations.It is an Indian food security system.

• It distributes subsidized food and non-food items to India’s poor.It functions through a network of Fair Price Shops at a subsidized price on a recurring basis.

                                                                                                                                                                  Source :- PIB

Integration of AYUSH System with modern medicines

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Issues related to the Helath.

Context :

• Ministry of AYUSH is taking various initiatives in promotion and integration of Indian AYUSH System with modern system to increase their acceptability as scientific and reliable alternative system of medicine.

Steps taken :

• The Ministry of AYUSH co-locates AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs) so that patients are enabled to choose between different systems of medicine.

• The Ministry is also implementing NPCDCS (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke) for health promotion, prevention and management of Non-communicable diseases or Lifestyle related disorders through its three research organizations, which are:

  • Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)

  • Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM)

  • Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH)

• 10% of the Sub- centres will be upgraded as Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) under Ayushman Bharat.

• CCRH has developed a public health program on ‘Homoeopathy for Healthy Child’ which has been integrated with Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).

• Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) conducts special OPD for non-communicable diseases and geriatric population.

• Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), an autonomous organization under Ministry of AYUSH has established 19 Preventive Health Care Units of Yoga in CGHS Wellness Centres in Delhi and NCR.

  •  It conducts Yoga training programmes to mainstream Yoga with the existing health care system.

                                                                                                                                                                Source :- PIB

Organised Farming

GS PAPER - 03 ECONOMY - agricultural produce and issues and related constraints

Context :

• Government is promoting contract farming and formation of Farmer Producer Organization (FPOs) in order to promote farming in organized manner.

  • There is no specific scheme of the Government to promote organized farming.

• Through the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), the government promotes the formation of FPOs with technical handholding and financial support to leverage the collectivization from pre-production to post-harvest marketing.

 Steps taken :

• The Government has formulated and released the progressive and facilitative Model Act “The ---State /UT Agricultural Produce & Livestock Contract farming and Services (Promotion & facilitation ) Act, 2018” in May, 2018 for its adoption by the States/Union Territories (UTs). 

• The aforesaid Model Contract Farming Act provides that Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) may enter into an agreement with the contract farming sponsor to draw all the benefits of contract farming all long the agri-food value chain.

•  Self Help Groups (SHGs) as part of FPOs can avail the benefits.

Organised Farming :

•  Contract farming helps to organise farming and make it more efficient.

Advantages of contract farming for farmers:

• provision of inputs and production services;

• access to credit;

• introduction of appropriate technology;

• skill transfer;

• guaranteed and fixed pricing structures; and

• access to reliable markets.

                                                                                                                                                                Source :- PIB

Framework for Doubling Farmers' Income

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context :

• The Government had constituted an Inter-ministerial Committee in April, 2016 to examine issues relating to “Doubling of Farmers Income” and recommend strategies to achieve the same.

• The Committee has submitted its Report to the Government in September, 2018.

Recommendations of the committee :

• The Committee on Doubling Farmers’ Income (DFI) recognises agriculture as a value led enterprise and has identified seven major sources of growth, viz.,

  •  improvement in crop productivity;

  • improvement in livestock productivity;

  • resource use efficiency or savings in the cost of production;

  • increase in the cropping intensity;

  • diversification towards high value crops;

  • improvement in real prices received by farmers; and

  • shift from farm to non-farm occupations.

Steps taken By Government :

• Kisan Credit Cards provides agriculture credit to farmers at subsidized rates, with a 2% interest

subvention (IS) and Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) of 3% so as to make the effective rate of interest as 4%.

• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) :

  • This scheme provides insurance cover for all stages of the crop cycle including post-harvest risks in specified instances.

• Giving a major boost for the farmers income, the Government has approved the increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSPs) for all Kharif & Rabi crops for 2018-19 season at a level of at least 150 percent of the cost of production.

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAmman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) :

  • The scheme aims to provide a payment of Rs. 6000/- per year, in three 4-monthly installments of Rs. 2000/- to the farmers, subject to certain exclusions relating to higher income groups.

•  social security net for Small and Marginal Farmers (SMF) :

  • Under this Scheme, a minimum fixed pension of Rs. 3000/- be provided to the eligible small and marginal farmers, subject to certain exclusion clauses, on attaining the age of 60 years. The scheme aims to cover around 5 crore beneficiaries in the first three years. It would be a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, with entry age of 18 to 40 years.

                                                                                                                                                                Source :- PIB

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture

GS PAPER  02 GOVERNANCE - Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes .

Context :

• By use of the modern/advance technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and giving accurate and timely information regarding crops, weather and insects etc. to the farmers may improve the crop productivity, reduce the risk and improve the income of the farmers.

Major Technology interventions include - to Double farmers income  :

•   Kisan Suvidha mobile application :

  • To facilitate dissemination of information to farmers on the critical parameters viz., Weather; Market Prices; Plant Protection; input Dealers (Seed, Pesticide, Fertilizer) Farm Machinery; extreme weather alerts; Soil Health Card; Cold Storages & Godowns; Veterinary Centres and Diagnostic Labs.

  • With market information, farmers are better informed about markets to sell produce, prevailing market prices and quantity demanded in the market.

  • Thus, they can make informed decisions to sell produce at the right price and right time.

•  Farm Machinery package for Different Agro-Climatic Zones in India - App :

  • The App gives information on farm machinery package available for state-wise, agro-climatic zone wise, district-wise, cropping pattern wise and power source wise.

•  My Ciphet Mobile App :

  • To help farmers to get precise information regarding the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) developed post-harvest technologies, products and machineries.

• ICAR has also compiled more than 100 mobile apps developed by ICAR, State Agricultural Universities  and Krishi Vigyan Kendras and uploaded on its website.

  • These mobile apps developed in the areas of crops, horticulture, veterinary, dairy, poultry, fisheries, natural resources management and integrated subjects,  offer valuable information to the farmers, including package of practices, market prices of various commodities, weather related information, advisory services, etc.

• mKisan Portal :

  • For sending advisories on various crop related matter to the registered farmers through SMSs.

•  e-National Agriculture Market :

  • To provide farmers an electronic online trading platform.

•  Soil Health Card Scheme :

  • To assist State Governments in providing Soil Health Cards to all farmers across the country once in a cycle of 2 years.

  • Soil health card provides information to the farmers on nutrient status of their soil along with recommendations on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving crop productivity and soil fertility.

•  Using machine learning process along with different computer algorithm for crop classification and area estimation.

• The Government has also set up 713 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and 684 Agricultural Technology Management Agencies at district level for dissemination of technologies among farm community.

• In addition, farmers are provided information through Focused Publicity Campaigns, Kisan Call Centres, Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres  of entrepreneurs, Agri Fairs and exhibitions, Kisan SMS Portal, etc.

                                                                                                                             Source :- PIB

New Policy for Women Empowerment

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context :

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development has prepared the draft National Policy for Women.

Key Highlights :

• The Draft envisions a society in which, women attain their full potential and are able to participate as equal partners in all spheres of life.

• The draft policy addresses the diverse needs of women through identified priority areas :

  •  Health including food security and nutrition,

  • Education,

  • Economy (including agriculture industry, labour, employment, NRI women, soft power, service sector, science and technology), Violence against women,

  • Governance and decision making

  • Violence Against Women

  • Enabling environment (including housing, shelter and infrastructure, drinking water and sanitation, media and culture, sports and social security)

  • Environment and climate change.

                                                                                                                                                                Source :- PIB

Welfare Scheme for Widows

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the  protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context :

• There are a number of Schemes being implemented by various Ministries of the Government of India through States Governments/UT Administrations which address the common needs of widows.

Major Schemes :

• Home for Widows:

  • A Home for Widows has been set up in Vrindavan, UP with a capacity of 1000 inmates to provide widows a safe and secure place of stay, health services, nutritious food, legal and counseling services.

• SwadharGreh Scheme:

  • This scheme envisions a supportive institutional framework for women victims of difficult circumstances so that they could lead their life with dignity and conviction.

• The Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme:

  • This aims to empower rural women through community participation and to create an environment in which they realize their full potential.

• Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme: this is a pension scheme for widows and the elderly.

• National Family Benefit Scheme:

  • Under this, a monetary grant of Rs. 20,000 is given as lump sum assistance to the bereaved household in the event of death of the bread-winner.

• Annapurna Scheme:

  • Ten kg of food grain is given to those eligible aged persons who have remained uncovered under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS).

• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana:

  • This aims at creating efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor.

• Prime Minister Awaas Yojana: Aims at providing affordable housing for women.

• Nari Arthik Sashaktikaran Yojana: Gives support to Scheduled Castes, Single Women/Widows to take up income generating activities.

• Integrated Programme for Older Persons: for Older Persons to improve the quality of life of senior citizens.

• Assistance for vocational training of widows of ex-servicemen:

  • for vocational training of widows of ex-servicemen, treatment of serious diseases of non-pensioner ex-servicemen/widows and daughter’s marriage/widows’ remarriage.

                                                                                                                                                                Source :- PIB

‘SHE Team’ on the patrol in Odisha

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context :

• Odisha’s Gajapati district police in Paralakhemundi has started a pilot project called the ‘SHE Team’.

‘SHE Team’ :

• SHE stands for ‘Safety, Health and Environment’.

• This project is modelled on the lines of Hyderabad ‘SHE Team’.

• The project seeks to ensure the safety and security of young girls and women.

• The SHE Team is headed by a lady sub-inspector and includes mobile patrolling teams.

  • The police personnel will patrol schools, colleges, other local institutions and public places, where young girls and women are allegedly subjected to eve teasing, stalking and harassment.

• ‘SHE Team’ also seeks to prevent harassment of working women at workplaces and public places where they move for their job.

• The team will also create awareness among women about their rights and help them realise their potential to the fullest to lead an independent lifestyle.

• It will also train staff of child care units on steps to prevent sexual abuse of minors.

• A website of ‘SHE Team’ has been launched and a mobile app is under construction.

                                                                                                                       Source :- The Hindu

Trade war makes India a haven for aluminium scrap dumping

GS PAPER - 03 ECONOMY - Effects of liberalization on the economy

Context :

• India has overtaken China as the preferred destination for aluminium scrap with imports growing 18.8% in the January-March 2019 quarter compared with the same quarter of the previous year.

More in the news:

• The imports has increased due to a trade war between China and the U.S.Trade war is a situation where countries restrict each other’s trade by imposing tariffs or quotas on imports.

• The U.S. had imposed an import duty of 10% on aluminium in March 2018 and in response China too had implemented a 25% duty on the import of aluminium scrap.

• Further,China has not only put the duty on U.S. scrap but they are also classifying aluminium scrap as a restricted import which will be implemented from July 1,2019.

• This has led to the aluminium scrap being diverted and dumped in India.

  • While India’s imports grew 18.8% over this period, China’s declined by 32.1%.

• The surge in import of scrap has also led to the Indian domestic industry losing its market share.

• In this situation,the Aluminium Association of India has requested the government to increase customs duty on imports to up to 12.5%.

  • At present,the duty varies from 2.5% to 10%, on products such as primary aluminium,scrap and downstream products.

                                                                                                                                                          Source :- The Hindu

Nasa to send ‘Dragonfly’ drone to Saturn moon Titan

GS PAPER - 03 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Awareness in the field of Space.

Context :

• The US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) has planned to return to Saturn’s moon Titan with a nuclear-powered drone, Dragonfly.

  • Dragonfly drone, a rotorcraft, will explore Saturn’s moon: Titan.

• NASA plans to launch the drone lander mission as early as 2034 to search for life on Saturn’s largest moon.

NASA’s Dragonfly Mission :

• Dragonfly mission is a part of NASA’s New Frontiers program, which includes a series of space exploration missions, which are being conducted with the purpose of researching several of the Solar System bodies, including the dwarf planet Pluto.

• The Dragonfly mission replaces a previously discontinued concept project called Titan Saturn System Mission (TSSM), which required a balloon probe to circumnavigate Titan.

• During its 2.7-year baseline mission, Dragonfly will explore diverse environments from organic dunes to the floor of an impact crater where liquid water and complex organic materials key to life once existed together for possibly tens of thousands of years

• Its instruments will study how far prebiotic chemistry may have progressed.

• They also will investigate the moon’s atmospheric and surface properties and its subsurface ocean and liquid reservoirs.

• The instruments will search for chemical evidence of past or extant life.

• The craft will land first at the equatorial “Shangri-La” dune, exploring the region in short trips before building up to longer “leapfrog” flights of 8 km.

Titan :

• Titan is the second largest moon in our solar system.

• As it orbits Saturn, it is about 886 million miles (1.4 billion kilometers) away from the Sun, about 10 times farther than Earth.

  • Because it is so far from the Sun, its surface temperature is around -290 degrees Fahrenheit (-179 degrees Celsius). Its surface pressure is also 50 percent higher than Earth’s.

• Titan has a nitrogen-based atmosphere like Earth.

• Unlike Earth, Titan has clouds and rain of methane. Other organics are formed in the atmosphere and fall like light snow.

• The moon’s weather and surface processes have combined complex organics, energy, and water similar to those that may have sparked life on our planet.

                                                                                                            Source :- The Times of India

China tests new ballistic missile

GS PAPER - 03 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - science & technology; developing new technology.

Context :

• China has successfully tested its latest submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), the JL-3, in the hotly contested waters of the South China Sea.

• The JL-3 is expected to have a range of around 14,000 kilometres, with a capacity to carry 10 independent guided nuclear warheads.

Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile :

• A submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is a ballistic missile capable of being launched from submarines.

• Modern variants usually deliver multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) each of which carries a nuclear warhead and allows a single launched missile to strike several targets.

• Submarine-launched ballistic missiles operate in a different way from submarine-launched cruise missiles.

• Modern submarine-launched ballistic missiles are closely related to intercontinental ballistic missiles (with ranges of over 5,500 kilometres (3,000 nmi), and in many cases SLBMs and ICBMs may be part of the same family of weapons.

                                                                                                               Source :- The Hindu

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