17 August 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC

1. DRDO hands over Authority Holding Sealed Particulars of ‘Nipun’ munition to Directorate General of Quality Assurance

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2045992 )

Context

The DRDO has transferred the Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) of NIPUN munition to the  Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA). Developed by ARDE and HEMRL, NIPUN is now in bulk production by Economic Explosives Ltd and Premier Explosives Ltd. This induction enhances the Indian Army’s capabilities, marking a significant defence achievement.

More About NIPUN Munition:

• Design and Development: Created by the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) in collaboration with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).
• Type: Soft Target Munition, designed for precision and effectiveness.

What is Soft Target Munition?

Soft Target Munition is designed to engage and neutralise targets that are not heavily fortified or armoured, such as personnel, light vehicles, and infrastructure. It focuses on precision and effectiveness against softer, less protected targets.

• Induction: Successfully inducted into the Indian Army after meeting General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR).
• Production: Bulk production is underway, with more than 20 lots delivered to the Indian Army.
• Features: User-friendly, effective against targets, safe during handling, transportation, and deployment.
• Recent Development: Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) handed over NIPUN to Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) for further quality assurance.

2. NEHHDC achieves Oeko-Tex Certification for Eri Silk, marking a milestone for Northeast’s unique vegan silk

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2046099 )

Context

On India’s 78th Independence Day, North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation(NEHHDC) secured Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk, highlighting its eco-friendly, vegan production. This certification boosts Eri Silk’s global market potential and underscores its sustainability and regional significance as a GI product.

Oeko-Tex Certification:

• Definition: Oeko-Tex Certification is a global standard for textiles that ensures products are tested for harmful substances and produced in environmentally friendly conditions.
• Purpose: Aims to promote safety, sustainability, and transparency in the textile industry.
• Types:
  • Standard 100: Certifies that textiles are free from harmful levels of over 100 substances that could be harmful to human health.
  • Sustainable Textile Production (STeP): Focuses on sustainable production processes and environmental management.
  • OEKO-TEX Made in Green: Ensures textiles are made in facilities that meet high environmental and social standards.
• Testing: Products undergo rigorous testing for harmful chemicals, including pesticides, heavy metals, and other toxic substances.
• Certification Process: Involves thorough testing of samples, inspection of production processes, and compliance with environmental and social criteria.
• Benefits: Provides consumer assurance of product safety, supports sustainable practices, and enhances marketability by meeting global standards.
• Global Recognition: Widely recognized in the international market as a mark of quality and safety.

3. BHAVISHYA – Promoting Digital Empowerment and Ease of Living for Pensioners

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2046070 )

Context

The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare’s “Bhavishya” software, implemented from January 2017, streamlines pension processing for central government employees. It integrates auto-registration, self-filling forms, real-time updates, and e-PPO issuance, resulting in 83% of PPOs being issued on time.

More About Bhavishya Software:

It is digitised end-to-end, integrates with Digilocker for document storage, and connects with bank portals for post-retirement services, significantly improving transparency and reducing processing delays.

Bhavishya is a centralized pension processing software developed by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DOPPW) to streamline and enhance the efficiency of pension processing for central government employees.

Implemented on January 1, 2017, it integrates with payroll systems to auto-fill data, enables self-registration and form-filling by retirees, and enforces strict processing timelines.

The software offers real-time updates, automates pension calculations, and issues electronic PPOs.