5 August 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC
1. Tourism has the potential to contribute to India’s achievement of being the third-largest Economy: Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2041133 )
| Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy |
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Contribution of tourism to Indian economy:
- Economic Contribution: In 2021, tourism directly contributed approximately 2.78% to India’s GDP, with its indirect and induced effects bringing the total contribution to around 5.83%. Recent estimates indicate that tourism overall contributed about 5.8% to India’s GDP, highlighting its significant role in the nation’s economic framework.
- Employment Generation: Tourism supports around 40 million jobs in India, accounting for about 8% of total employment . This includes direct employment in hotels and restaurants and indirect jobs in sectors like transportation and crafts.
- Infrastructure Development: Government initiatives aim to invest over ₹2 lakh crore ($27 billion) in infrastructure projects, such as airports and highways, to boost connectivity to tourist destinations .
- Foreign Exchange Earnings: In 2019, India earned approximately $30 billion from international tourism, highlighting its potential to attract foreign investment and improve the trade balance .
- Promotion of Local Industries: Tourists’ spending supports local handicrafts and industries. For example, the handicrafts sector, heavily reliant on tourism, employs over 7 million artisans .
- Cultural Preservation: India has over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, attracting cultural tourism and funding for preservation efforts, contributing to cultural heritage conservation .
- Innovation and Digitalization: Initiatives like the ‘Incredible India’ digital platform and enhanced online visa processes have improved tourist experiences and streamlined travel planning.
- Sustainable Development: Eco-tourism projects in states like Kerala and Uttarakhand promote sustainable practices, aligning with global climate goals and attracting eco-conscious travellers.
- Policy Support: The government plans to increase tourism’s contribution to GDP to 10% and create an additional 20 million jobs by 2025 through targeted policies .
- Regional Development: By promoting tourism in underdeveloped regions, such as the Northeast, the government aims to create economic opportunities and improve living standards across diverse areas .
| Practice Question: Discuss the potential of the tourism sector in contributing to India’s goal of becoming the third-largest economy in the world. Highlight the key challenges and opportunities in harnessing this potential. (250 Words /15 marks) |
2. National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) successfully concludes the 4th Capacity Building Program for the Civil Servants of Sri Lanka
(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2041087 )
| Topic: GS2 – Governance |
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The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG):
International Collaboration: NCGG collaborates with various international organisations and countries to share best practices in governance and public administration.
Establishment: The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) was established in 2014 as an apex institution in India dedicated to governance reforms and capacity building.
Objective: The primary aim of NCGG is to promote good governance practices by fostering a culture of excellence, transparency, and accountability in public administration.
Training and Capacity Building: NCGG provides training to civil servants and policymakers in India and other developing countries, focusing on areas such as public policy, leadership, and e-governance.
Research and Policy Support: It conducts research on governance issues and offers policy recommendations to enhance administrative efficiency and service delivery.
