4 July 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC

1. INDIA-MONGOLIA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE NOMADIC ELEPHANT COMMENCES IN MEGHALAYA 

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2030373 )

Topic: GS2 – International Relations – Bilateral Relations

Context

The 16th edition of Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT commenced in Umroi, Meghalaya, involving Indian and Mongolian military personnel. This annual joint exercise focuses on enhancing counter-insurgency capabilities under UN mandates, featuring tactical drills and aiming to improve interoperability and bilateral defence cooperation between India and Mongolia.

Analysis of the news:

• Name and Edition: Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT, 16th edition between Indian and Mongolian military personnel.
• Location: Foreign Training Node, Umroi, Meghalaya, India.
• Dates: Scheduled from 03rd to 16th July 2024.
• Participants:
  • Indian contingent: SIKKIM SCOUTS Battalion with personnel from other arms and services, totaling 45 personnel.
  • Mongolian contingent: Personnel from the 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion of the Mongolian Army.
• Aim: Enhance joint military capabilities for counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain, following Chapter VII of the UN Mandate.
• Key Activities:
  • Response to Terrorist Action
  • Joint Command Post Establishment
  • Intelligence & Surveillance Centre Establishment
  • Helipad/Landing Site Securing
  • Small Team Insertion & Extraction
  • Special Heliborne Operations
  • Cordon & Search Operations
  • Employment of Drones and Counter Drone Systems
• Objectives: Share best practices in joint operations, enhance interoperability, and strengthen bilateral defence cooperation between India and Mongolia.

2. India participates in the 86th session of the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2030370 )

Topic: GS2 – International Relations – Important International institutions, agencies and fora

Context

India, represented by Shri G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of FSSAI, actively participated in the 86th session of Codex Alimentarius Commission’s Executive Committee (CCEXEC) at FAO Headquarters, Rome. India advocated for standards development in spices and food packaging safety, emphasising its role in global food safety and trade.

Codex Alimentarius Commission:

• Establishment: Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) was established in 1963 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Objective: Focuses on setting international standards to ensure food safety, quality, and fairness in food trade practices.
• Membership: Consists of 189 member countries, open to all FAO and WHO Member Nations and Associate Members interested in food standards.
• Meetings: Holds regular sessions annually, alternating between Geneva and Rome.
• Funding: Operates within the budgets of WHO and FAO, with its program of work subject to approval by these organisations’ governing bodies.
• Languages: Conducts work in the six official languages of the United Nations.
• Activities: Includes reviewing standards proposals, monitoring their implementation, and addressing emerging issues like food safety, nutrition, and food trade facilitation.
• Recent Initiatives: Includes standards development for various spices, guidelines on food packaging safety (e.g., recycled materials), and other emerging food safety concerns.
• Importance: Plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety, consumer protection, and facilitating international trade in food products.

Practice Question:  What is the mandate of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in international food regulation? (150 Words /10 marks)

3. NITI Aayog to launch ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2030418 )

Topic: GS2 – Governance – Government Policies

Context

The ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’ launched by NITI Aayog aims to achieve full coverage of key indicators in 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Blocks from July to September 2024. This campaign builds on the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programmes, focusing on health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure development in India’s underserved areas.

Analysis of the news:

• Campaign Name: ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’
• Duration: 4th July – 30th September 2024
• Organizer: NITI Aayog
• Objective: Achieve saturation of 6 key performance indicators (KPIs) in Aspirational Districts and Blocks.
• Target Areas:
  • Aspirational Districts: 112 districts across India
  • Aspirational Blocks: 500 blocks within these districts
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Blocks and Districts:
  • Percentage of pregnant women registered for Antenatal Care (ANC) within the first trimester
  • Percentage of persons screened for Diabetes against the targeted population
  • Percentage of persons screened for Hypertension against the targeted population
  • Percentage of pregnant women taking Supplementary Nutrition under ICDS Programme regularly
  • Percentage of Soil Health Cards generated against the target
  • Percentage of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) that have received a Revolving Fund
• Activities Encouraged:
  • Development of a 3-month Action Plan by Districts/Blocks
  • Monthly tracking of progress on KPIs
  • Implementation of awareness and behaviour change campaigns
  • Conducting concurrent monitoring field visits by district officials
• Collaboration: Involvement of Central Ministries, State Governments, and Union Territories to ensure effective planning, implementation, capacity building, and sustainable service delivery.
• Background:
  • Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP): Launched in 2018 to develop 112 backward districts.
  • Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP): Launched in 2023 to saturate essential services in 500 blocks across various domains.

This initiative aims to significantly improve developmental indicators and uplift the quality of life in India’s less developed regions through focused and concerted efforts.