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India-Poland Relations

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister of India’s visit to Poland marked a significant milestone as India and Poland celebrated the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. 

• During this historic visit, both nations elevated their bilateral relationship to a “Strategic Partnership,” committing to deepen cooperation across various sectors.

What are the Key Highlights of Prime Minister of India’s Visit to Poland?

• Elevation to Strategic Partnership: The two nations have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership," highlighting the deep-rooted ties and mutual commitment to enhancing cooperation.
• Five-year Action Plan: Building on the momentum from the Strategic Partnership, the two sides agreed to develop and implement a five-year Action Plan for 2024-2028, focusing on the following priority areas for bilateral collaboration:
  • Political Dialogue and Security: Regular high-level contacts, annual political dialogues, and security consultations.
    • The two sides decided that the next round of the Joint Working Group for defence cooperation will take place in 2024.
  • Trade and Investment: Focus on balancing trade, exploring high-tech and green technology opportunities, and enhancing economic security.
    • They committed to exploring new areas of cooperation and agreed to utilise the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC) to address trade imbalances and expand the trade basket.
      • JCEC is an institutional mechanism led by the Commerce Ministers of both countries. It includes Joint Working Groups focusing on Infrastructure, Tourism, Railways, Food Processing, Renewable Energy, Information Technology, and Agriculture.
  • Climate and Technology: Cooperation on sustainable technology, clean energy, and space exploration.
    • Both sides agreed to work on concluding a cooperation agreement to promote the safe, sustainable, and secure use of space and commercial space ecosystems, and to promote human and robotic exploration. 
    • Poland recognizes India's ambition to join the International Energy Agency.
    • India encouraged Poland to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to address global environmental and disaster related challenges.
    • Recognizing the critical importance of cyber security for economic and social development, both sides will enhance close interaction and increase exchanges in Information and communications technology (ICT) related fields.
  • Transport and Connectivity: Enhancing transport infrastructure and increasing flight connections.
  • Counter-Terrorism Efforts: Both leaders reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and stressed the importance of implementing UN Security Council resolutions.
    • They also agreed to push for the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
  • India-EU: India and the EU will support the early conclusion of the ongoing India-EU trade and investment negotiations, the operationalization of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), and the implementation of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership to advance the India-EU Strategic Partnership in trade, new technologies, and security.
  • Cultural and People-to-People Ties: Strengthening cultural exchanges, educational partnerships, and tourism.
• Memorial Visits and Historical Tributes:
  • Dobry Maharaja Memorial: PM of India paid tribute at the Dobry Maharaja Memorial in Warsaw. 
    • The memorial commemorates the deep respect and gratitude of the Polish people and government for the Jamsaheb of Nawanagar (Jamnagar in Gujarat), Shri Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, who provided shelter to over a thousand Polish children during World War II, earning him the title "Dobry (Good) Maharaja" in Poland. 
  • Kolhapur Memorial: The PM of India also visited the Kolhapur Memorial.
    • The memorial is dedicated to the generosity of the princely state of Kolhapur in providing shelter to around 5,000 Polish refugees, including women and children, during World War II. 
    • Kolhapur State (1710–1949) was a Maratha princely State of India. In 1949, the princely state of Kolhapur was merged into the Bombay presidency.
  • Monument to the Battle of Monte Cassino: The PM of India laid a wreath at this monument, recognizing the shared sacrifices of soldiers from Poland, India, and other nations during World War II.
    • The monument commemorates the Second Polish Corps' soldiers who fought in the Battle of Monte Cassino, one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.
  • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Paying respects at this revered site, PM of India honoured Polish soldiers who died in service, reflecting the solidarity between India and Poland.
    • The monument is dedicated to all the soldiers who died anonymously in the fight for their homeland. It was founded in 1925 in honour of those who had defended Poland in World War I and in the Polish-Soviet War.

What is the Significance of the Prime Minister’s Visit to Poland?

• Recalibration of Foreign Policy: By visiting Poland, India underscores the importance of strengthening ties with European nations beyond the traditional countries (Germany, France, and Britain). 
  • Poland, being a growing economy in central Europe, presents numerous opportunities for India in areas such as trade, investment, and technology.
  • This is expected to open new avenues for economic cooperation and balance trade relations, which had previously been skewed.
• Healthcare Collaboration: Poland’s need for healthcare professionals presents a significant opportunity for India. 
  • The potential collaboration in this sector, including the possibility of Indian doctors working in Poland, could address Poland’s shortage of healthcare professionals and enhance bilateral cooperation.
• Geopolitical Context: The visit is strategically important given Poland’s role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. 
  • Poland’s support for Ukraine and its strategic location in Central Europe make it a key partner for India in the region.

What are the Key Highlights of India-Poland Relations?

• Political Relations: Diplomatic relations were established in 1954, with India's embassy opening in Warsaw in 1957. Both countries initially aligned against colonialism, imperialism, and racism.
  • During the Communist era (1944 to 1989), relations were close, with several high-level visits and trade interactions facilitated through state trading organizations.
  • Following Poland's shift to democracy in 1989, trade transitioned to hard currency arrangements, reflecting both nations' rising levels of trade as both economies grew in size.
  • Poland's accession to the European Union (EU) in 2004 further solidified the bilateral relationship, making it a key economic partner for India in Central Europe.
• Agreements: India and Poland have established several key agreements over the years to strengthen their bilateral relations. Notable early agreements include cultural cooperation (1957), avoidance of double taxation (1989), cooperation in science and technology (1993), Combating Organized Crime and International Terrorism (2003), and extradition (2003). 
  • Recent agreements focus on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters and agreement on Gainful Occupation for Diplomatic Families (2022).
• Economic and Commercial Relations:

  • Poland remains India's largest trading and investment partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Bilateral trade has increased by 192% from USD 1.95 billion in 2013 to USD 5.72 billion in 2023, with the balance of trade largely in India's favour.

    • Indian exports to Poland: Textiles, Base metals, Chemicals, Machinery and mechanical appliances, Electrical and electro-technical equipment, Articles of stone, ceramic products and more.
    • Polish imports to India: Machinery, Mineral products, Chemicals,  optical (measuring, checking instruments) and more.
  • Investment: Indian investment in Poland exceeds USD 3 billion, with Indian firms involved in various sectors including IT, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
    • Polish investment in India is around USD 685 million, involved in various sectors including clean technologies and electric buses.
• Cultural and Educational Relations: There is a strong tradition of Indology studies in Poland, with Polish scholars translating Sanskrit into Polish since the 19th century. Indology is studied at several Polish universities.
  • Yoga has a long history in Poland, with over 300,000 practitioners and numerous yoga centres and teachers. The International Day of Yoga is celebrated with enthusiasm.
  • Commemorations in Poland honour Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja of Nawanagar for saving Polish refugees during WWII.
  • Several locations in Poland are named after Indian leaders, and a bust of Mahatma Gandhi is installed at the University of Warsaw.
• Indian Community: The Indian community in Poland is approximately 25,000, comprising traders, professionals, and students, with a notable presence of Indian restaurants.

Drishti Mains Question: Q. Discuss the significance of elevating the India-Poland bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership." How does this partnership impact both nations' foreign policies and international relations?

State of Healthcare in Rural India 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the “State of Healthcare in Rural India, 2024” report was released by NGO Transform Rural India and Development Intelligence Unit.

• The survey covered 21 States including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nādu, and Uttar Pradesh.
• The sample achieved included 52.5% male respondents and 47.5% female respondents.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

• Health Insurance Coverage: Only about 50% of rural households in the country have government health insurance, while 34% lack any health insurance coverage at all.
  • 61% of surveyed households do not have life insurance.
• Access to Diagnostic Facilities: It revealed that there is a lack of diagnostic facilities in the rural areas mostly because of shortage of trained personnel.
  • Only 39% of respondents have access to a diagnostic facility within commutable distance.
  • 90% of respondents do not undergo routine health checkups unless recommended by a doctor.
• Access to Subsidised Medicines: Only 12.2% of households have access to subsidised medicines from Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
  • Only 26% respondents had access to a government medical store located within the premises of a health facility that provides free medicines.
  • 61% have access to a private medical store within commutable distance.
• Drainage Systems: 20% of the households reported no drainage system in their villages and only 23% had a covered drainage network system in their villages.
  • 43% of households did not have any scientific system of waste disposal and they ended up with dumping their waste everywhere. 
  • Only 11% burn the dry waste and convert their wet waste into compost, while 28% reported that the local panchayat has made plans to collect household waste.
• Elderly Care: 73% of the households with elderly members need constant care and the majority (95.7%) prefer family caregivers, predominantly female (72.1%), highlighting the need for caregiver training on home-based care.
  • Only 3% of households have engaged in paid external caregivers.
  • 10% rely on neighbourhood support in the absence of family caregivers.
• Caregiving for Pregnant Women: Majority of caregivers for pregnant women include husbands (62.7%), mothers-in-law (50%), and mothers (36.4%).
  • The report emphasises the need for strong social networks, supportive environments, and capacity building for family caregivers.
• Mental  Health Disorders: 45% of the respondents across gender most of the time have anxiety and worry that impacts their state of mind.
  • Anxiety and worry impact mental health much more among the older population than the younger ones.

What are the Reasons for Poor Healthcare Infrastructure in Rural India?

• Out-of-Pocket Expenditure: According to the National Health Accounts Estimates for India (2019-20), out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) constitutes 47.1% of the total health expenditure. 
  • In Orissa, 25% of households that had any healthcare costs, and 40% of households that experienced a hospitalisation, had to take out loans or sell assets to pay for healthcare costs.
• Qualified Personnel Shortage: India suffers from a severe lack of qualified healthcare professionals in rural areas. 
  • Among the states, Chhattisgarh has the highest vacancy of doctors (71%), followed by West Bengal (44%), Maharashtra (37%), and Uttar Pradesh (36%) in Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs).
  • The overall vacancy for Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM) in the country is 5%. 
• Doctor-Patient Ratio: The doctor-patient ratio in India is approximately 1:1456, which is below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended ratio of 1:1000. 
  • The situation is worse in rural areas, where the ratio is significantly higher due to a shortage of doctors.
• Low Public Health Spending: Government expenditure on health remains low at around 1.28% of GDP. Rural health infrastructure often receives a smaller share of this budget, leading to underfunded facilities.

Way Forward

• Strengthening Health Insurance Coverage: Expand the reach of government health insurance schemes, such as Ayushman Bharat, to cover the missing middle which constitute around 350 million Indians without access to health insurance. 
  • This would reduce out-of-pocket expenditure and prevent families from falling into debt due to healthcare costs.
  • All factory labourers need to be included under the state sponsored subsidised health insurance schemes.
  • “Missing middle” consists of population groups that are engaged in informal sector work and are not poor enough to benefit from state subsidised contributions to insurance premiums.
• Incentivizing Rural Postings for Healthcare Workers: Provide attractive incentives such as higher salaries, better living conditions, and career advancement opportunities for healthcare professionals willing to work in rural areas. 
  • Special focus should be given to states with high vacancy states like Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Expanding Medical Education: Increase the number of medical colleges and nursing schools in rural areas, ensuring that students are trained with a focus on rural healthcare needs. 
  • This would help improve the doctor-patient ratio over time.
• Leveraging Technology: Utilise telemedicine and mobile health clinics to bridge the gap in doctor-patient ratios in rural areas.
  • These can help provide remote consultations and follow-up care, reducing the burden on existing healthcare facilities.
• Mobile Diagnostic Units: Deploy mobile diagnostic units that can travel to remote areas, offering essential diagnostic services and reducing the need for patients to travel long distances.
• Community-Led Sanitation Programs: Encourage community participation in maintaining sanitation facilities and managing waste. 
  • Programs like Swachh Bharat Mission should be strengthened and adapted to local needs to ensure sustainable sanitation practices.

Drishti Mains Question: Q. What are the reasons for poor healthcare performance in rural India? Discuss remedial measures to improve rural healthcare performance.

Bharatmala Pariyojana

Source: ET

Why in News?

Nearly 50% of the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I, a flagship road network expansion program, has been completed as of 31st March 2024 and is expected to be completed by 2027-28. 

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' Vision 2047 aims to provide high-speed corridors within 100-150 km of all citizens and enhance passenger convenience by developing world-class amenities. 
• This vision serves as the basis for the Master Plan for highways and related infrastructure in India.

What is Bharatmala Pariyojana?

• About:
  • Bharatmala Pariyojana is an umbrella programme launched under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
    • The first-phase of Bharatmala was announced in 2017 and was to be completed by 2022, but it could not be completed due to slow implementation and financial constraints.
  • Bharatmala, Sagarmala, dry/land ports, and other infrastructure projects have been incorporated under PM Gati-Shakti Plan to enhance connectivity and logistics efficiency.
    • While Bharatmala project aims to improve road connectivity, enhancing freight and passenger movement, Sagarmala project focuses on modernising ports and promoting coastal shipping to boost trade and maritime activities.
• Key Features:
  • Economic Corridors and their Efficiency Improvement: Bharatmala focuses on enhanced effectiveness of already built infrastructure, multi-modal integration, bridging infrastructure gaps for seamless movement and integrating National and Economic Corridors.
    • It aims to develop about 26,000 km of economic corridors, along with the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) and North-South and East-West (NS-EW) Corridors, to carry the majority of the freight traffic on roads. 
  • Inter-State Corridor and Feeder Routes: This would ensure first mile and last mile connectivity.
    • About 8,000 km of interstate corridors and about 7,500 km of feeder routes have been identified for improving the effectiveness of these corridors.
  • Border and International Connectivity Roads: Better border road infrastructure would ensure greater manoeuvrability, while also boosting trade with neighbouring countries.
  • Coastal and Port Connectivity Roads: Port-led economic development is further boosted through connectivity to coastal areas, encouraging both tourism and industrial development.
  • Green-Field Expressways: Expressways have higher traffic configuration and choke points would benefit from green-field expressways.
• Funding Mechanism:
  • The Bharatmala project is being funded from various sources including Central Road and Infrastructure Fund cess, remittances, additional budgetary support, monetisation of national highways, Internal and Extra Budgetary Resources, and private sector investment.
• Status:
  • As of March 2024, Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-1 has successfully awarded contracts for the construction of 26,425 km of roads and completed 17,411 km, with a total expenditure of Rs 4.59 lakh crore. 
    • The project covers 34,800 km across 31 states and UTs and over 550 districts.

What is the Significance of Road Infrastructure in India’s Development?

• Economic Growth and Productivity: Road networks are crucial for India's economic growth, contributing over 3.6% of GDP and transporting more than 85% of passenger traffic and 65% of freight.
  • They reduce transportation costs, enhance market access, and stimulate trade.
  • They also create significant employment opportunities supporting local economies and helping reduce poverty.
• Rural Development and Social Equity: Rural roads, under schemes like PMGSY, bridge gaps between remote areas and essential services. 
  • They empower marginalised communities, reduce isolation, and enhance the quality of life in rural areas.
  • Improved road connectivity boosts access to essential services like education and healthcare.
• Tourism and Cultural Exchange: Efficient road networks facilitate tourism, contributing significantly to the economy. Scenic routes and access to heritage sites foster cultural exchange and support local economies.
• National Security and Defense: Roads are vital for defence logistics and emergency responses. Border and strategic roads are essential for national security and troop movement.

What are the Major Concerns Related to Road Infrastructure Development?

• Environmental Concerns: Road construction raises environmental concerns such as deforestation, biodiversity loss, and increased pollution. It contributes significantly to habitat fragmentation, air and noise pollution, and climate change, highlighting the need for sustainable infrastructure practices.
  • The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that road transport accounts for 12% of India's CO2 emissions, with heavy vehicles being the primary contributors to Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 emissions.
• Social Concerns: Road projects may lead to displacement of communities, particularly in rural areas, and safety issues. Inadequate resettlement can worsen poverty, while poorly designed roads contribute to high accident rates, with over 150,000 fatalities reported in India in 2021, underscoring the need for safer infrastructure.
• Economic Concerns: Many road projects include significant cost overruns and delays, with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reporting instances where costs exceeded budgets by over 40%. 
  • Additionally, the lack of a robust maintenance framework leads to rapid road deterioration, potentially doubling long-term costs..
• Governance and Policy Issues: It includes corruption in bidding and execution, leading to substandard infrastructure. 
  • Additionally, the lack of comprehensive planning results in poorly executed projects, highlighting the need for integrated transport planning.

Way Forward

There is a need to focus on strategic procurement to secure raw materials at competitive rates and negotiate favourable terms with suppliers. Also, streamlining land acquisition by adopting transparent practices and exploring alternatives such as land pooling to minimise disputes is needed. Further, there is a need for stable GST policies and work with government authorities to address the impacts of tax changes on the industry.

National Space Day 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, India celebrated its first National Space Day on 23rd August 2024. It is celebrated to mark the safe and soft landing of Vikram Lander of Chandrayaan-3 mission, on the lunar surface on 23rd August 2023.

• Additionally, the recent findings based on Chandrayaan-3, represent the first analysis of the Moon’s southern topsoil composition and support the hypothesis of the sea of molten material on the lunar surface.

Why is National Space Day Celebrated?

• About:
  • National Space Day, celebrated on 23rd August, commemorates India's space achievements, particularly Chandrayaan-3's success. 
  • With the launch of Chandrayaan-3 in 2023, India became the fourth nation to successfully land on the Moon and the first to reach its southern polar region.
  • It highlights India's space exploration capabilities and aims to inspire future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), contributing to India's ongoing space endeavours.
• Theme for 2024:
  • The theme for National Space Day 2024 is ‘Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India's Space Saga’.

What are the Recent Findings of Chandrayaan-3?

• Key Findings:
  • The terrain around Chandrayaan 3’s landing sight is fairly uniform.
  • A sea of hot, molten rock or magma once existed under the lunar surface. 
  • The Moon’s crust was formed layer by layer, which supports the lunar magma ocean (LMO) hypothesis.
  • The topsoil around the lunar south pole has a greater-than-expected sprinkling of minerals which compose the lower layers of the lunar crust.
• LMO Hypothesis and Lunar Crust Formation:
  • The Moon is believed to have formed from a giant asteroid impact with Earth about 4.5 billion years ago, creating a molten surface that eventually cooled. 
  • In this process, heavier minerals like olivine and pyroxene sank to the lower crust and upper mantle, while lighter minerals like calcium and sodium-based compounds floated to form the upper crust.

What are the Highlights of Indian Space Missions in 2003-24?

• Aditya-L1 Mission:
  • Aditya-L1 is the first space based observatory class Indian solar mission to study the Sun from the first Earth-Sun Lagrange point, L1. 
• Gaganyaan TV-D1 Test: 
  • ISRO conducted its Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1), using a modified L-40 Vikas engine for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. 
  • The test demonstrated the Crew Escape System (CES) capabilities, including separation from the test vehicle, crew module safety, and deceleration before splashdown in the Bay of Bengal. The module was recovered by the Indian Navy vessel INS Shakthi.
• XPoSat Launch:
  • On 1^st January 2024, ISRO launched the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat), aimed at studying radiation polarisation in space. 
  • The satellite is the second space-based observatory of its kind, following NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IPEX) launched in 2021.
• RLV-TD Experiments:
  • ISRO conducted two landing experiments using a downscaled version of the Reusable Launch Vehicle, Pushpak, in March and June 2024, at its Aeronautical Testing Range Challakere, Karnataka.
  • These tests simulated space landing conditions, with Pushpak being dropped from a Chinook helicopter to assess landing performance.
• SSLV Development:
  • In August 2024, ISRO launched the third and final development flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), successfully placing the EOS-08 and SR-0 Demosat satellites in orbit. 
  • With two consecutive successful test flights, ISRO concluded the SSLV’s development and transferred it to industry.
• Private Space Missions:
  • In March 2024, Agnikul Cosmos successfully launched its SoRTeD-01 vehicle, marking the first launch of a vehicle powered by a semi-cryogenic engine as its first stage from Indian soil.
  • Skyroot Aerospace is progressing towards its Vikram 1 launch vehicle.
  • Dhruva Space and Bellatrix Aerospace conducted experiments on the fourth stage of the PSLV-C58 mission in January 2024, utilising the stage as an orbiting platform for their payloads.

Read more: Chandrayaan 3

Presence of Water on Mars

Source: TOI

Why in News?

Recently, scientists have found frost atop Mars' tallest volcano, Olympus Mons, indicating the presence of a sparse but active water cycle on the Red Planet for the first time.

• In another development, a study suggested the existence of immense reserves of liquid water deep within Mars' rocky outer crust, marking the first discovery of liquid water on the planet.

What are the Recent Findings Related to Water on Mars?

• Water on Mars’ Volcano: For a few hours each morning during Mars' winter seasons, frost forms in the ancient calderas of the Tharsis volcanic region, which includes Olympus Mons. The patches of frost evaporate as sunlight shines down on the equator of Mars.
  • The European Space Agency (ESA)’s Trace Gas Orbiter and Mars Express Orbiter discovered frost, which forms due to unique microclimates created by air circulation around mountain summits and through calderas.

Note:

• Olympus Mons is the tallest volcano on Mars with a height of 29.9 kilometres (around 2.5 times the height of Mount Everest). It is located close to the Martian equator, in Mars's western hemisphere.
• A caldera is formed when a volcano erupts and collapses inward, resulting in a depression on the surface.
• The Tharsis area is the largest volcanic region on Mars which hosts 12 large volcanoes.
• Water in Mars’ Crust:
  • The study, titled 'Liquid Water in the Martian Mid-Crust' used the data from NASA’s Mars InSight Lander which was equipped with a seismometer which recorded seismic waves of Mars for four years.
    • Mars Insight Lander was the first mission to study in depth the inner parts of Mars i.e., its crust, mantle, and core.
  • The data collected by InSight Lander can be best explained if, deep below the surface of Mars, there lies a layer of fractured igneous rock, such as granite, whose cracks are filled with liquid water.
  • The water likely infiltrated from the surface billions of years ago when Mars had rivers, lakes, and potentially oceans, indicating a warmer upper crust at the time.
  • While the discovery does not confirm the existence of life on Mars, it suggests the possibility of a habitable environment, as water is essential for life.

Read More...

Jan Poshan Kendras

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the Indian government has launched a pilot project to rename and transform 60 Fair Price Shops (FPS) across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh into "Jan Poshan Kendras." 

• This move aims to enhance the nutritional offerings available to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). 
• The project also includes the introduction of several new digital tools and support systems designed to enhance transparency and operational efficiency.

What is the Jan Poshan Kendra Initiative?

• Purpose: Under this initiative, FPSs will begin selling additional items beyond subsidised grains to address the income challenges faced by ration dealers while improving the nutritional offerings available to beneficiaries under the PMGKAY.
  • Currently, 0.54 million FPSs distribute, on average, 60-70 million tonnes of food grain annually under PMGKAY, free of cost, to over 800 million beneficiaries.
    • The government sees scope for generating additional income from FPS as a large number of people visit these outlets to get their monthly entitlement of grains.
  • Further, the government aims to convert around 100,000 fair price shops into "nutri-hubs" in the next three years.
• Key Features: These Kendras will provide a diverse array of nutrition-rich food items, including pulses and dairy products, in addition to subsidised grains.
  • 50% of the space in these Kendras will be allocated for storing nutritional products, while the remaining space will be used for other household items.
  • FPSs will receive loans and invoice financing from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to support their transformation and operations.
  • The initiative includes collaborations with organisations like AMUL for dairy products and Business-to-Business eCommerce (or eB2B) platforms such as Udaan and Jumbotail for sourcing materials.
• Digital Tools: The initiative includes the launch of several new digital tools:
  
  • FPS Sahay: An application providing paperless, presence-less, and collateral-free financing for ration dealers.
  • Mera Ration App 2.0: An app designed to give consumers information about the public distribution system.
  • Quality Management System (QMS): It is a digital application for integration of Quality Control labs in the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) and Food Corporation of India (FCI). 
    • QMS captures all key transactions in real time during the stages of procurement, storage and distribution.
  • The introduction of digital tools and new systems is expected to enhance operational efficiency, transparency, and quality control in the public distribution system.
• Additional Tools: DFPD has formulated a comprehensive Handbook of Quality Control to ensure strict quality standards of central pool foodgrains.
  • Additionally, accreditation of National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) is crucial for the Department laboratories to comply with international standards, ensure quality to enhance customer confidence and satisfaction.

CEA Launched PROMPT, DRIPS and JALVIDYUT-DPR Portals

Source: PIB

Recently, the Union Minister of Power has launched 3 online platforms - PROMPT, DRIPS and JALVIDYUT DPR to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of the power sector. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) assisted by NTPC has developed these online portals.

• Portal for Online Monitoring of Projects-Thermal (PROMPT):
  • It will enable real-time online tracking and analysis of thermal power projects under construction in India.
  • This platform is designed to swiftly identify and address issues that cause delays in the construction of thermal power plants
• Disaster Resilient Infrastructure for Power Sector (DRIPS):
  • This online portal has been developed to swiftly identify power disruptions across the country caused by natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, and floods.
  • It will connect designated nodal officers across the power sector to ensure rapid restoration in affected areas.
• JAL VIDYUT DPR:
  • The JAL VIDYUT DPR (Monitoring Survey and Investigation Activities of Hydroelectric Projects and Pumped Storage Projects) platform will offer real-time updates on the status of hydroelectric pumped storage projects under construction across the country.
  • This platform aims to enhance management and coordination in the construction of these plants.
• The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) was established in 1951 under the Electricity (Supply) Act of 1948 and later replaced by the Electricity Act of 2003.
  • It operates under the Ministry of Power and prepares the National Electricity Plan. It also approves new hydroelectric power plants, and carries out various other functions.
  • It is composed of a Chairman and 6 full-time members by the Central Government.
  • It is headquartered at New Delhi.

Read More...

RBI Intensifies Scrutiny on P2P Lending Platforms

Source: BS

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has intensified its regulatory scrutiny on Non-Banking Financial Company–Peer to Peer Lending Platform (P2P) lending platforms following the discovery of multiple regulatory violations, including high levels of non-performing assets (NPAs).

• RBI identified violations, including unauthorised deposit acceptance and unusually high balances in escrow accounts raised concerns during RBI’s review.
• Some P2P platforms allowed lenders to recall funds prematurely, replacing them with new lenders who were unaware of the loans they were taking over, mimicking Ponzi schemes.
  • A Ponzi scheme is an investment fraud that pays existing investors with funds collected from new investors.
    • The Ponzi scheme is named after Charles Ponzi, who in 1919 in Boston, United States ran a fraudulent investment scheme promising to double investment in 90 days.
• P2P lending platforms enable individuals to lend directly to borrowers via RBI-regulated NBFCs, facilitating quick loan disbursements for short-term needs.
• RBI's guidelines state that NBFC-P2P entities should only act as intermediaries without assuming any credit risk, a norm that was found to be violated.
  • P2P platforms cannot promote peer-to-peer lending as an investment product with features like assured minimum returns or liquidity options.

Read more...

Californium

Source: IE

Recently, police in Bihar’s Gopalganj seized 50 grams of the highly radioactive metal Californium, estimated to be worth Rs 850 crore.

• Californium is a silvery-white metal that tarnishes gradually when exposed to air at room temperature.
• It is so soft and malleable that it can be sliced with a razor blade and its spectral lines have been detected in supernova.
• Chemical symbol of Californium is Cf and the atomic number is 98.
• Created in 1950 at Berkeley, it is a powerful neutron emitter.
• It is utilized in portable metal detectors to identify gold and silver ores, locate water and oil layers in wells, and detect metal fatigue and stress in airplanes.
• Neutrons from Californium (Cf-252) are utilised to serve the treatment of brain and cervical cancers when radiation therapy proves futile.
• Highly radioactive and extremely costly, Californium is priced at approximately Rs 17 crore per gram in the international market (one of the most expensive substances in the world).

Read more...

RBI Governor Secures

Source: HT

Prime Minister of India recently congratulated Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das for receiving an ‘A+’ rating in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2024, marking his second consecutive achievement of this high honour.

• Shaktikanta Das is one of only three central bankers globally to receive an "A+" rating, alongside Denmark's Christian Kettel Thomsen and Switzerland's Thomas Jordan.
• The rating, assessed by Global Finance magazine, evaluates central bank governors of almost 100 important nations based on their performance in key areas such as inflation control, economic growth, currency stability, and interest rate management, with grades ranging from "A+" to "F."
• Global Finance's Central Banker Report Cards, initiated in 1994, serve as a key indicator of a central bank's effectiveness in managing economic challenges.
• The recognition underscores the RBI's success in balancing inflation control with economic growth, especially in a volatile global economic environment.

Read more...