22 July 2023 : PIB
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
22-July-2023
Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,The PIB ( Press Information Bureau )
1. Promotion of Millets.
Topic: GS3 – Food security
Context:
- The Ministry of Tourism is promoting millets in restaurants and hotels through various initiatives:
- Establishment of millet experience centers.
- Creating awareness about the health benefits of millet dishes among Indian and International chefs.
- Holding meetings with hotel associations and chains to encourage millet consumption.
- Enlisting prominent Indian chefs to promote millet consumption and raise awareness about its health benefits.
- The Government is celebrating the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 at national, state, and district levels through:
- Organization of events, workshops, seminars, road shows, and kisan melas.
- Aim to create domestic and global demand for millets.
- Promoting climate-resilient crops and enhancing millet production, consumption, and export.
Millets for food security:
Millets play a crucial role in ensuring food security for both rural and urban populations. Here are some key points highlighting the significance of millets in the context of food security:
- Drought and Climate Resilience: In times of erratic weather patterns and climate change-induced challenges, millets serve as a reliable source of food, especially in regions prone to droughts and water scarcity.
- Nutritional Benefits: Millets are highly nutritious and rich in essential nutrients such as proteins, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are gluten-free and have a low glycemic index, making them suitable for people with specific dietary requirements, including those with celiac disease or diabetes.
- Diverse Food Options: Millets offer a wide range of culinary possibilities. The versatility of millets makes them an excellent choice for incorporating into diverse diets.
- Biodiversity and Food Diversity: Promoting millets helps diversify the food basket, reducing the dependence on a few major staple crops.
- Smallholder Farmers: Millets are traditionally grown by smallholder farmers, and their cultivation supports livelihoods in rural areas. By promoting millets, there is a positive impact on rural communities, their income, and overall economic stability.
- Reducing Malnutrition: With their nutritional profile, millets can contribute to combating malnutrition, especially in vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women.
- Resilience to Market Fluctuations: Promoting millets can reduce the dependence on major cereal crops, reducing the vulnerability of food systems to price fluctuations in global commodity markets.
Challenges to millet promotion:
- Lack of Awareness: One of the primary hurdles to millet promotion is the lack of awareness among consumers about the nutritional benefits and culinary diversity of millets.
- Perception and Stigma: In certain regions, millets are considered as “poor people’s food” or outdated, which affects their acceptance among urban populations and younger generations.
- Limited Market Access: Millet farmers often face challenges in accessing markets due to inadequate market linkages and limited demand.
- Supply Chain Constraints: The lack of well-established supply chains for millets, including storage, processing, and distribution, can hinder their promotion.
- Industrial Processing: Scaling up millet processing and value-addition on an industrial level is often challenging due to the relatively smaller size of the millet industry compared to other major crops.
- Policy Support: The lack of comprehensive policy support and incentives for millet cultivation and consumption can hamper their promotion.
- Land Use Shift: In some regions, millet cultivation has declined as farmers shift to more profitable cash crops or monoculture.
- Market Competition: Millets face competition from other staple crops and processed foods in the market.
Way forward:
- Awareness Campaigns: Launch comprehensive awareness campaigns at the national and regional levels to educate consumers about the nutritional benefits and culinary diversity of millets.
- Policy Support: This may include incentives for farmers, subsidies for millet-related infrastructure, and incorporating millet-based meals in government programs.
- Market Development: Strengthen market linkages for millet farmers by establishing efficient supply chains, storage facilities, and distribution networks.
- Research and Development: Invest in research and development to develop high-yielding and climate-resilient millet varieties.
- Scaling up Processing: Encourage investment in large-scale millet processing facilities to meet the increasing demand for millet-based products. This may involve offering financial incentives and support to entrepreneurs and agri-businesses.
- International Promotion: Promote Indian millets globally by participating in international food fairs, trade shows, and events.
- Public-Private Partnerships: This could involve collaborations between government agencies, corporate entities, and NGOs to implement millet promotion initiatives.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1941403
2. Implementation of PM-KISAN Yojana
Topic: GS2 – Government initiatives.
More information about PM-KISAN Yojana:
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a Central Sector Scheme providing financial assistance to cultivable landholding farmer families in India.
- The scheme aims to support farmers in meeting expenses related to agriculture, allied activities, and domestic needs.
- Eligible beneficiaries receive an annual amount of Rs. 6000/-, distributed in three equal installments of Rs. 2000/- directly into their Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts.
- The responsibility to identify and verify beneficiaries lies with the respective State/UT Governments, and data undergo various levels of verification, including Aadhaar, PFMS, and Income Tax databases.
- Over 2.42 lakh crores has been disbursed to more than 11 crore beneficiary farmer families through various installments under the PM-KISAN Scheme.
- The scheme is applicable only to landholding farmers, and data for more than 9.53 crore farmers’ land details are seeded on the PM-KISAN Portal.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1941402
3. Overall Coal Production Records highest ever 223.36 million tonne in first quarter of FY 2023-24
Topic: GS3 – Mineral extraction.
Context:
- India’s coal sector achieved a remarkable milestone in Q1 of FY 2023-24, recording its highest-ever coal production at 223.36 million tonnes, representing 8.55% growth compared to the same period in the previous year.
- The consistent increase in coal production reflects India’s commitment to meeting its energy demands and driving sustainable economic growth.
Importance of continuous supply of coal for India:
- Energy Security: A continuous supply of coal ensures energy security, minimizing the risk of power shortages and blackouts.
- Power Generation: A steady supply of coal ensures the availability of fuel for power plants, enabling them to operate efficiently and meet the electricity demand across the country.
- Industrial Sector: Many industries in India, such as steel, cement, and manufacturing, heavily rely on coal as a fuel and raw material. Continuous coal supply is essential for sustaining industrial operations, enabling production processes and facilitating economic growth.
- Job Creation: The coal sector in India is a significant employer, supporting a large workforce across mining, transportation, and related industries.
Challenges in maintaining continuous coal supply:
- Domestic Production Constraints: Various challenges impact domestic coal production, such as geological complexities, limited availability of high-quality coal reserves, environmental concerns, and land acquisition issues.
- Transportation and Logistics: Inadequate rail infrastructure, congested roads, and logistical bottlenecks can lead to delays and disruptions in coal transportation, affecting supply chain efficiency.
- Infrastructure Limitations: Inadequate infrastructure, including coal handling and storage facilities at power plants, can impede the continuous supply of coal.
- Environmental and Social Concerns: Compliance with environmental norms, rehabilitation of affected communities, and addressing socio-environmental issues can add complexities and timeframes to the coal mining process, potentially affecting the continuity of coal supply.
- Dependence on Imports: While India has significant domestic coal reserves, there is still a reliance on coal imports, particularly for high-quality coal. Challenges in international coal markets, fluctuations in prices, geopolitical factors, and shipping logistics can impact the continuous supply of imported coal, affecting overall coal availability.
- Natural Disasters and Climate Events: Natural disasters, such as floods and cyclones, can disrupt coal production, transportation, and infrastructure, leading to supply disruptions.
- Regulatory and Policy Challenges: Regulatory uncertainties, policy changes, and delays in obtaining necessary clearances and approvals can hinder coal production and impact the continuous supply.
Way forward:
- Enhance Domestic Coal Production: Focus on increasing domestic coal production through technological advancements, improved mining practices, and exploration of untapped coal reserves.
- Infrastructure Development: Invest in infrastructure development, including railway networks, ports, and coal handling facilities, to improve transportation and logistics for coal supply.
- Diversification of Energy Sources: Promote diversification of the energy mix by accelerating the development and adoption of renewable energy sources. This will reduce the reliance on coal for power generation and ease the pressure on continuous coal supply.
- Technological Innovation: Such as advanced coal combustion techniques, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and coal beneficiation.
- Regulatory Reforms: Simplify approval procedures, ensure transparent and time-bound clearances, and provide regulatory certainty to attract investments in the coal sector.
- Strengthening Disaster Resilience: Develop robust disaster management plans to mitigate the impact of natural disasters on coal production and transportation.
Model question: “Discuss the challenges and potential solutions for ensuring a continuous coal supply in India while maintaining environmental sustainability. Provide examples and policy recommendations to strike a balance between coal supply and environmental conservation.”
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1941340
4. Intellectual Property Rights Policy Management framework covers 8 types of intellectual property rights
Topic: GS3 – Intellectual Property Rights.
What are Intellectual Property Rights?
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are legal rights that grant exclusive ownership and control over creations of the mind or intellect.
- These creations can include inventions, artistic works, designs, symbols, names, and images used in commerce.
- IPRs provide protection to inventors, creators, and owners, allowing them to use, sell, or license their intellectual property while preventing unauthorized use by others.
Different types of Intellectual Property Rights:
- Patents: Provide exclusive rights for inventions and new technological solutions for a limited period.
- Trademarks: Protect distinctive signs, symbols, names, or logos used to identify goods or services.
- Industrial Designs: Safeguard the visual appearance of a product or its ornamentation.
- Copyrights: Grant protection to original works of literature, art, music, and other creative expressions.
- Geographical Indications: Indicate goods originating from a specific geographical region, possessing unique characteristics.
- Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Layout Design: Protect layouts of integrated circuits used in electronics.
- Trade Secret: Safeguard confidential business information that provides a competitive advantage.
- Plant Varieties: Protect new varieties of plants, rewarding breeders for their efforts.
Issues with IPR protection in India:
- Backlog and Delays: High backlog and slow processing of IP applications lead to delays in granting patents and other IP protections.
- Enforcement and Piracy: Weak enforcement mechanisms contribute to widespread piracy and counterfeiting of intellectual property, causing significant revenue losses to rights holders.
- Public Awareness: Lack of awareness among the public and businesses about the importance of IPR protection and its benefits.
- Legal Complexity: Complex legal procedures and litigation processes can deter rights holders from enforcing their IP rights.
- Patent Quality: Concerns about the quality of some patents granted, leading to possible abuse and patent trolling.
- Data Protection: Insufficient data protection laws for safeguarding trade secrets and confidential business information.
- Technology Transfer: Difficulty in effectively transferring technology and knowledge due to IP-related barriers.
- Compulsory Licensing: Concerns regarding the misuse of compulsory licensing provisions, leading to potential disincentives for innovation.
- Traditional Knowledge Protection: Struggles in effectively protecting and preserving traditional knowledge from misappropriation and exploitation.
The National IPR Policy 2016:
In order to address above mentioned issues regarding IPR protection, the government has come up with The National IPR Policy 2016 with following features:
- The National IPR Policy 2016 encompasses all types of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) into a single vision document.
- The covered IPRs include Patents, Trademarks, Industrial Designs, Copyrights, Geographical Indications, Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Layout Design, Trade Secret, and Plant Varieties.
- The policy aims to create an environment that encourages innovation and creativity by providing stronger protection and incentives for inventors, artists, and creators.
- Several measures have been undertaken to achieve the policy objectives, including amendment in IPR laws, modernization and digitization of IP offices, and schemes for facilitating startups’ IP protection.
- The policy also focuses on awareness initiatives, IP training, and recognition through National Intellectual Property Awards.
- Knowledge capacity and skill-building are promoted through IPR Chairs in educational institutions.
Way forward:
- Strengthen IP Offices: Invest in resources and technology to clear the backlog and expedite IP application processing.
- Improve Enforcement: Strengthen enforcement mechanisms to combat piracy and counterfeiting effectively.
- Raise Public Awareness: Launch awareness campaigns to educate the public and businesses about the significance of IPR protection.
- Simplify Legal Procedures: Streamline legal processes to make IP enforcement more accessible and efficient.
- Enhance Patent Quality: Ensure rigorous examination processes to grant high-quality patents and prevent abuse.
- Implement Data Protection Laws: Enact robust data protection regulations to safeguard trade secrets and confidential information.
- Preserve Traditional Knowledge: Develop frameworks to protect and preserve traditional knowledge from unauthorized use.
- Foster Technology Transfer: Facilitate technology transfer through appropriate licensing agreements and collaborations.
- Promote Collaboration: Encourage partnerships between academia, industry, and government to advance IP protection and utilization.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1941489
5. POSHAN SCHEME.
Topic: GS2 – Government initiatives.
More information about POSHAN SCHEME:
- The National Health Mission (NHM) launched the POSHAN Abhiyaan on March 8, 2018, to improve the nutritional status of Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women, and Lactating Mothers.
- Poshan 2.0 focuses on Maternal Nutrition, Infant and Young Child Feeding Norms, Treatment of MAM/SAM, and Wellness through AYUSH.
- The scheme aims to address malnutrition challenges in children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers through strategic nutrition content and delivery.
- Fortified rice and locally available nutritious food are emphasized to ensure adequate nutrition.
Other initiatives for protecting nutritional security and maternal health:
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) provides cash benefits to pregnant and lactating mothers to promote health-seeking behavior and compensate for wage losses during pregnancy and motherhood.
- Under National Health Mission (NHM), various schemes like Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN), Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), LaQshya, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), PMSMA,, are implemented to provide maternal health services to pregnant women.
- The Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years is implemented under Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK).
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1941359
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