PIB – February 20 , 2020


General Studies- II

Topic- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG(N))

Context

The Union Cabinet approves Elevation of BISAG as BISAG(N) under MEITY, Government of India

About

  • Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG), Gujarat has been elevated as Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG(N)).
  • It works under Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MEITY), Government of India.

What is BISAG?

  • Bhaskaracharya Institute For Space Applications And Geo-Informatics (BISAG) was formerly known as Remote Sensing and Communication Centre (RESECO).
  • It has been renamed after the great Indian Mathematician of the 12th century, “Bhaskaracharya”.
  • BISAG is a State level nodal agency to facilitate the use of spatial and geo-spatial technologies for the planning and developmental activities pertaining to Agriculture, Land and Water Resource Management, Wasteland/Watershed Development, Forestry, Disaster Management, Infrastructure and Education.
  • The Institute started its operations in April 1997 and was renamed as “Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics” in December 2003.

Background

  • At present, BISAG is a state agency of Department of Science and Technology Government of Gujarat, located at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
  • It is registered as a Society and Trust with the Charity Commissioner of Ahmedabad.
  • Its Governing body is chaired by the Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat.
  • Functions
  • Its charter is based on the philosophy that modern day planning for a holistic development calls for transparent, efficient and low-cost decision-making systems.
  • The application of space technologies (especially the space based remote sensing technology), satellite communication and geo-informatics has contributed significantly towards the socio-economic development.

BISAG(N)

  • BISAG has been elevated to BISAG(N).
  • Since this is not a new organisation but only an elevation of existing body.
  • It will be an Autonomous Scientific Society under Government of India instead of State Government.

Benefits of this elevation

  • To maintain efficiency and innovation of services, the current skilled manpower working at BISAG may join the national level institute on as-is and where-is basis.
  • To facilitate implementation of expanded scope of activities
  • To facilitate implementation of expanded scope of activities and efficient rollout of GIS projects.
  • To facilitate implementation of expanded scope of activities, aid research & development and technology development.
  • Facilitate development planning and good governance through spatial decision support systems.

General Studies- II

Topic- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)

Context

Cabinet approves Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase-II

About

  • The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM has approved the Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM (G)] till 2024-25.
  • It will focus on Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF Plus), which includes ODF sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM).
  • The program will also work towards ensuring that no one is left behind and everyone uses a toilet.

SBM (G) Phase-II

  • SBM (G) Phase-II will also be implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
  • This will be a novel model of convergence between different verticals of financing.
  • It will continue to generate employment and provide impetus to the rural economy.
  • Through construction of household toilets and community toilets, as well as infrastructure for SLWM such as compost pits, soak pits, waste stabilisation ponds, material recovery facilities etc.

About Swachh Bharat mission

  • To accelerate the efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage and to put focus on sanitation, the Prime Minister of India launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on 2nd October, 2014.
  • The Mission Coordinator for SBM is Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS).
  • It comprised of two Sub-Missions, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)and the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).
  • In Rural India, this would mean improving the levels of cleanliness through Solid and Liquid Waste Management activities and making villages Open Defecation Free (ODF), clean and sanitised.

Objectives of SBM

  • To bring about an improvement in the general quality of life in the rural areas, by promoting cleanliness, hygiene and eliminating open defecation.
  • To accelerate sanitation coverage in rural areas to achieve the vision of Swachh Bharat by 2nd October 2019.
  • To motivate communities to adopt sustainable sanitation practices and facilities through awareness creation and health education.
  • To encourage cost effective and appropriate technologies for ecologically safe and sustainable sanitation.
  • To develop, wherever required, community managed sanitation systems focusing on scientific Solid & Liquid Waste Management systems for overall cleanliness in the rural areas.
  • To create significant positive impact on gender and promote social inclusion by improving sanitation especially in marginalized communities.

Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural)

  • The Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan has been restructured into the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
  • SBM (Rural) aims to bring about an improvement in the general quality of life in the rural areas.
  • It promotes cleanliness, hygiene and set a target of eliminating open defecation free by October 2, 2019.
  • New thrust of this rural sanitation mission is removing obstacles and addressing critical issues that affect results which aims to provide all rural households with individual latrines and build cluster and community toilets on public-private partnership mode.
  • Construction of Anganwadi toilets and management of solid and liquid waste in all Village Panchayats is main object of the mission.

Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban)

  • SBM (Urban) is under the Ministry of Urban Development and is commissioned to give sanitation and household toilet facilities in all 4041 statutory towns with a combined population of 377 million.
  • It purposes to establish solid waste management facilities in every town.

Six components of SBM (Urban)

  1. Individual household toilets
  2. Community toilets
  3. Public toilets
  4. Municipal Solid Waste Management
  5. Information and Educating Communication (IEC) and Public Awareness
  6. Capacity Building

General Studies- II

Topic- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

Topic

Empowered Technology Group

Context

Cabinet approves the Constitution of an empowered “Technology Group”

About

Cabinet has approved constitution of a 12-Member Technology Group.

The group will be chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India.

 

Mandate

This Group is mandated to

  • render timely policy advice on latest technologies;
  • mapping of technology and technology products;
  • commercialisation of dual use technologies developed in national laboratories and government R&D organisations;
  • developing an indigenisation road map for selected key technologies; and
  • selection of appropriate R&D programs leading to technology development.

What the Technology group will do?

The Technology Group will :

  • render the best possible advice on technology to be developed for a technology supplier and the technology procurement strategy;
  • develop in-house expertise in aspects of policy and use of emerging technologies; and
  • ensure sustainability of public sector technology developed/being developed at PSUs, national labs and research organisations.

Implementation strategy and targets

The three pillars of the work of the Technology Group include:

  1. Policy Support;
  2. Procurement Support; and
  3. Support on Research and Development proposals.

Why it is needed?

In the technology sector, five important issues were:

  • silo-centric approaches to development of technology
  • technology standards either not developed or applied, leading to sub-optimal industrial development
  • dual use technologies not being optimally commercialised
  • R&D programs not aligned to efforts at technology development
  • Need for mapping of technologies important for applications in society and industry.

The Constitution of Technology Group is an effort at addressing the above problems.

General Studies- II

Topic- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

Context

CCEA approves scheme for “Formation and Promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) ” to form and promote 10,000 new FPOs.

About

  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has given its approval for 10,000 FPOs to be formed in five years period from 2019-20 to 2023-24.
  • It aims to ensure economies of scale for farmers.
  • Support to each FPO be continued for 5 years from its year of inception.

What are FPOs?

  • It is one type of Producer Organizations (PO) where the members are farmers.
  • Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) is providing support for promotion of FPOs.
  • PO is a generic name for an organization of producers of any produce, e.g., agricultural, non-farm products, artisan products, etc.

Why it’s needed?

  • The report of ‘Doubling of Farmer’s Income (DFI)’ has emphasized this fact and recommended formation of 7,000 FPOs by 2022 towards convergence of efforts for doubling the farmers’ income.
  • In the Union Budget 2019-20, Government has announced creation of 10,000 new FPOs to ensure economies of scale for farmers over the next five years.
  • for which a dedicated supporting and holistic scheme as Central Sector Scheme is proposed for targeted development of FPOs and its sustainability.

What are the essential features of a PO?

  • It is formed by a group of producers for either farm or non-farm activities.
  • It is a registered body and a legal entity.
  • Producers are shareholders in the organization.
  • It deals with business activities related to the primary produce/product.
  • It works for the benefit of the member producers.
  • A part of the profit is shared amongst the producers.
  • Rest of the surplus is added to its owned funds for business expansion.

Benefits

  • Small and marginal farmers do not have economic strength to apply production technology, services and marketing including value addition.
  • Through formation of FPOs, farmers will have better collective strength for better access to quality input, technology, credit and better marketing access through economies of scale for better realization of income.

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