Daily Prelims Notes 19 September 2020

September 19, 2020
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Table Of Contents

Subject: Schemes

Context:

On the occasion of the World Bamboo Day, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) said that government plans to promote domestic Bamboo Industry, which is going to play a critical role in shaping the post-COVID economy of India.

Concept:

It is centrally Sponsored Scheme under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) during remaining period of Fourteenth Finance Commission (2018-19 & 2019-20).
The Mission would ensure holistic development of the bamboo sector by addressing complete value chain and establishing effective linkage of producers (farmers) with industry.
The scheme will benefit directly and indirectly the farmers as well as local artisans and associated personnel engaged in bamboo sector including associated industries.
The Mission will focus on development of bamboo in limited States where it has social, commercial and economical advantage, particularly in the North Eastern region and States including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Details:

The restructured NBM strives to –

To increase the area under bamboo plantation in non forest Government and private lands to supplement farm income and contribute towards resilience to climate change.
To improve post-harvest management through establishment of innovative primary processing units, treatment and seasoning plants, primary treatment and seasoning plants, preservation technologies and market infrastructure.
To promote product development at micro, small and medium levels and feed bigger industry.
To rejuvenate the under developed bamboo industry in India.
To promote skill development, capacity building, awareness generation for development of bamboo sector.

2. Country of origin

Subject: Economy

Context:

With more stringent rules coming into effect from September 21, an exporter’s certificate for ‘country of origin’ alone, which was sufficient earlier, will not be admissible.
The concessional Customs duties, including zero duty, under free-trade agreements (FTAs) would be available to importers only if they can prove that products have undergone value addition of at least 35 per cent in the countries of origin

Concept:

Investigation into FTA imports in the last few years has revealed that the rules of origin, under respective FTAs, were not being followed in the true spirit. This practice has been rampant in electronic items particularly.
The FTA partner countries have been exporting these goods without having the necessary technological capacity to achieve required value addition. Moreover, rules of origin were flouted even in products like aggarbatti, arecanut, black pepper, etc.
The Certificates of Origin were freely issued by the agencies in the country of exports without any accountability and if verification was initiated, these agencies either do not respond or respond casually.
The ASEAN FTA allows imports of most of the items at nil or concessional basic customs duty rate from the 10 ASEAN member countries.
Major imports to India come from five ASEAN countries — Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. The benefit of concessional customs duty rate applies only if an ASEAN member country is the country of origin for the goods.
This means that goods originating from China and routed through these countries will not be eligible for customs duty concessions under ASEAN FTA.
The country of origin is determined by application of certain set of conditions as prescribed in the FTA agreement itself. In respect of goods, other than natural products native to these countries, the required condition is that minimum value addition of the export value of goods must have been contributed by the ASEAN member country.

3. E way bill

Subject: Economy

Context:

E-way bill, in value terms, has reached nearly 90 per cent of pre-Covid period.

Concept:

The E-way bill, short form for electronic way bill, is a document to be generated online under the GST system, when goods of the value of more than ₹50,000 are shipped inter-State or intra-State.
The E-way bill must be raised before the goods are shipped and should include details of the goods, their consignor, recipient and transporter.
The transporter has to carry the invoice and the copy of E-way bill as support documents for the movement of goods.
Though check-posts have been abolished under GST, a consignment can be intercepted at any point for the verification of its E-way bill, for all inter-State and intra-State movement of goods. If a consignment is found without an E-way bill, a penalty of ₹10,000 or tax sought to be evaded, whichever is greater, can be levied.
An e-way bill is valid for 1 day for distance less than 100 Kms and additional 1 day for every additional 100 Kms or part thereof

4. Steps for Doubling Farmers’ Income

Subject: Economy

Context:

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in Rajya Sabha has informed about steps taken for doubling farmers’ income.

Concept:

The Government constituted an Inter-ministerial Committee in April, 2016 to examine issues relating to “Doubling of Farmers Income” (DFI) and recommend strategies to achieve the same.
The Committee submitted its Report to the Government in September, 2018 containing the strategy for doubling of farmers’ income by the year 2022.
The DFI strategy as recommended by the Committee include seven sources of income growth viz.,

1. improvement in crop productivity
2. improvement in livestock productivity
3. resource use efficiency or savings in the cost of production
4. increase in the cropping intensity
5. diversification towards high value crops
6. improvement in real prices received by farmers
7. shift from farm to non-farm occupations

List of various interventions and schemes launched for the benefit of farmers

With a view to provide income support to all farmers’ families across the country, to enable them to take care of expenses related to agriculture and allied activities as well as domestic needs, the Central Government started a new Central Sector Scheme, namely, the Pradhan MantriKisanSammanNidhi (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 families, subject to certain exclusions relating to higher income groups.
Further with a view to provide social security net for Small and Marginal Farmers (SMF) as they have minimal or no savings to provide for old age and to support them in the event of consequent loss of livelihood, the Government has decided to implement another new Central Sector Scheme i.e. Pradhan MantriKisanMaanDhanYojana (PM-KMY) for providing old age pension to these farmers. Under this Scheme, a minimum fixed pension of Rs. 3000/- will be provided to the eligible small and marginal farmers, subject to certain exclusion clauses, on attaining the age of 60 years.
With a view to provide better insurance coverage to crops for risk mitigation, a crop insurance scheme namely Pradhan MantriFasalBimaYojana (PMFBY) was launched from Kharif 2016 season. This scheme provides insurance cover for all stages of the crop cycle including post-harvest risks in specified instances, with low premium contribution by farmers.
Implementation of flagship scheme of distribution of Soil Health Cards to farmers so that the use of fertilizers can be rationalized.
“Per drop more crop” initiative under which drip/sprinkler irrigation is being encouraged for optimal utilization of water, reducing cost of inputs and increasing productivity.
“ParamparagatKrishiVikasYojana (PKVY)” for promoting organic farming.
Launch of e-NAM initiative to provide farmers an electronic transparent and competitive online trading platform.
Under “HarMedh Par Ped”, agro forestry is being promoted for additional income. With the amendment of Indian Forest Act, 1927, Bamboo has been removed from the definition of trees. A restructured National Bamboo Mission has been launched in the year 2018 to promote bamboo plantation on non- forest government as well as private land and emphasis on value addition, product development and markets.
Giving a major boost to the pro-farmer initiatives, the Government has approved a new Umbrella Scheme ‘Pradhan MantriAnnadataAaySanrakshanAbhiyan (PM-AASHA)’. The Scheme is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce as announced in the Union Budget for 2018. This is an unprecedented step taken by Govt. of India to protect the farmers’ income which is expected to go a long way towards the welfare of farmers.
The Government has extended the facility of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to the farmers practicing animal husbandry and fisheries related activities.
Several market reforms have been rolled out. These include
- Model APLMC (Promotion & Facilitation) Act, 2017
- Establishment of 22,000 number of Gramin Agriculture Markets (GrAMs) as aggregation platforms
- Agri-Export Policy, that targets to double agri-exports by 2022
- The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020
- The Farmers (Empowerment & Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020
- Amendments to Essential Commodities Act, 1955, that deregulates various agri-commodities
Creation of Corpus Funds
- Micro Irrigation Fund – Rs. 5,000 crore
- Agri-marketing Fund to strengthen eNAM and GrAMs – Rs. 2,000 crore
- Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to build agri-logistics (backward & forward linkages) – Rs. 1 lakh crore

5. Organic Farming in the Country

Subject: Agriculture

Context:

Information provided by minister in Rajya Sabha

Concept:

Assistance is provided under different schemes by the Government for promoting organic farming in the country –

ParamparagatKrishiVikasYojana (PKVY): The scheme promotes cluster based organic farming with PGS certification. Cluster formation, training, certification and marketing are supported under the scheme. Assistance of Rs.50,000 per ha /3 years is provided out of which 62% i.e., Rs. 31,000 is given as incentive to a farmer towards organic inputs.
Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): The scheme promotes 3rd party certified organic farming of niche crops of north east region through Farmers Producer organizations (FPOs) with focus on exports. Farmers are given assistance of Rs 25000/ha/3 years for organic inputs including organic manure and biofertilisers etc. Support for formation of FPOs, capacity building, post-harvest infrastructure up to Rs 2 crores are also provided in the scheme.
Capital investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) under Soil Health Management Scheme: 100% assistance is provided to State Government / Government agencies for setting up of mechanized fruit/vegetable market waste/ Agro waste compost production unit up to a maximum limit of Rs.190.00 Lakh /unit (3000 Total Per Annum TPA capacity). Similarly, for individuals/ private agencies assistance up to 33% of cost limit to Rs 63 lakh/unit as capital investment is provided.
National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP): Financial assistance@ 50% subsidy to the tune of Rs. 300/- per ha is being provided for different components including bio-fertilizers, supply of Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB)/Zinc Solubilising Bacteria (ZSB)/ Azatobacter/ Mycorrhiza and vermi compost.
National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Financial assistance is provided for promotion of Bio-Fertilizer (Rhizobium/PSB) @50% of the cost limited to Rs.300 per ha.

6. Agriculture Export Policy

Subject: Economy

Context:

As a part of implementation of the Agriculture Export Policy, a number of States have finalized their respective Action Plans identifying various infrastructure gaps affecting agricultural exports. To address these gaps, the States can avail assistance under the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) of Department of Commerce and under various existing Schemes of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare; Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying; Ministry of Food Processing Industries etc.

Concept:

The Agriculture Export Policy is framed with a focus on agriculture export oriented production, export promotion, better farmer realization and synchronization within policies and programmes of Government of India.
Vision: Harness export potential of Indian agriculture, through suitable policy instruments, to make India global power in agriculture and raise farmers income.
Objectives
- To double agricultural exports from present ~US$ 30+ Billion to ~US$ 60+ Billion by 2022 and reach US$ 100 Billion in the next few years thereafter, with a stable trade policy regime.
- To diversify our export basket, destinations and boost high value and value added agricultural exports including focus on perishables.
- To promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional Agri products exports.
- To provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access, tackling barriers and deal with sanitary and phytosanitary issues.
- To strive to double India’s share in world agri exports by integrating with global value chain at the earliest.
- Enable farmers to get benefit of export opportunities in overseas market.

7. One District One Product Concept

Subject: Economy

Context:

Based on strengths of a district and National Priorities, One District One Product (ODOP) is seen as a transformational step forward towards realizing the true potential of a district, fuel economic growth and generate employment and rural entrepreneurship, taking us to the goal of AatmaNirbhar Bharat.

Concept:

Department of Commerce through DGFT is engaging with State and Central government agencies to promote the initiative of One District One Product.
The objective is to convert each District of the country into an export hub by identifying products with export potential in the District, addressing bottlenecks for exporting these products, supporting local exporters, manufacturers to scale up manufacturing, and find potential buyers outside India with the aim of promoting exports, promoting manufacturing & services industry in the District and generate employment in the District.
As part of this initiative, an institutional mechanism is being set up in each District in the form of District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs) that may be headed by DM/ Collector/ DC/ District Development Officer of the District and co-chaired by the designated Regional Authority of DGFT and various other stakeholders as its members.
The primary function of the DEPC will be to prepare and act on District specific Export Action Plans in collaboration with all the relevant stakeholders from the Centre, State and the District level.

8. Blue Flag International eco-label

Subject: Environment

Context:

Eight Indian beaches recommended for coveted Blue Flag international eco-label

Concept:

Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by an international agency ‘Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark’ based on 33 stringent criteria in four major heads
- Environmental education and information
- Bathing water quality
- Environment management and conservation
- safety and services in the beaches.
The ‘Blue Flag’ beach is an eco-tourism model endeavouring to provide the tourists/beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities/amenities, safe and healthy environment and sustainable development of the area.
The eight beaches recommended under the BEAMS are Shivrajpur in Gujarat, Ghoghla in Daman and Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden in Odisha and Radhanagar in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

9. e-Shakthi

Subject: Schemes

Context:

NABARD chairman said women’s self-help groups in the four districts of Tamil Nadu are on its e-Shakthi platform

Concept:

The project e-Shakthi aims at digitisation of all the SHG accounts to bring SHG members under the fold of Financial Inclusion thereby helping them access wider range of financial services together with increasing the bankers’ comfort in credit appraisal and linkage by way of:
- Integrating SHG members with the national Financial Inclusion agenda;
- Improving the quality of interface between SHG members and Banks for efficient and hassle free delivery of banking services by using the available technology;
- Facilitate convergence of delivery system with SHGs using Aadhaar linked identity.

10. Indus water treaty

Subject: IR

Context:

September 19 marks the 60th anniversary of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan, a treaty that is often cited as an example of the possibilities of peaceful coexistence that exist despite the troubled relationship.

Concept:

In the year 1960, India and Pakistan signed a water distribution agreement came to be known as Indus Waters Treaty which was orchestrated by the World Bank.
This agreement took nine years of negotiations and divides the control of six rivers between the two nations once signed.
Under this treaty, India got control over: Beas, Ravi Sutlej while Pakistan got control over: Indus, Chenab, Jhelum

Under the treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, all the waters of the three eastern rivers, averaging around 33 million acre-feet (MAF), were allocated to India for exclusive use.
The waters of the western rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab – averaging to around 135 MAF, were allocated to Pakistan except for ‘specified domestic, non-consumptive and agricultural use permitted to India,’ according to the treaty.
India has also been given the right to generate hydroelectricity through the run of the river (RoR) projects on the western rivers which, subject to specific criteria for design and operation, is unrestricted.

11. STOPCovid

Subject: Science and tech

Context:

Researchers have developed a new rapid test for the detection of the novel coronavirus that can be performed in less than an hour, and with minimal equipment, and can detect nearly as many cases as the standard COVID-19 diagnostic.

Concept:

While other tests based on CRISPR technology provide a method for the the detection of viral pathogens, the scientists said these are more complex than the ones used in point-of-care testing.
They explained that such tests depend on an RNA extraction process and multiple liquid-handling steps that increase the risk of cross-contamination of samples.
STOPCovid could be done in a single step and can be potentially performed by nonexperts outside of laboratory settings.
In the latest version of STOPCovid, researchers incorporated a process to concentrate the viral genetic material in a patient sample by adding magnetic beads that attract RNA. This step eliminates the need for expensive purification kits that are time-intensive and can be in short supply due to high demand. According to the researchers, this concentration step boosts the test’s sensitivity so that it now approaches that of the conventionally used PCR diagnostic method.