December 1st-15th

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Public Information Bureau (PIB) Compilation December (1st- 15th)

BILLS, PROGRAMS, POLICIES,

SCHEMES, ORDERS, JUDGEMENTS
Interaction with State Governments for expeditious expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD)
networks in the Country

Context:
• The Government of India has envisaged ushering a Gas Based economy by increasing the share
of natural gas in primary energy mix of the country from current level to 15% in coming years.

What is City Gas Distribution (CGD)?

• CGD network implementation is nothing but secondary distribution of natural gas to domestic,
industrial and commercial customers through pipes as Piped Natural Gas (PNG).
• It is in compressed form to the automotive segment as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
• At present, 31 City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities are operating CGD networks in 81 cities.
• These entities have connected about 39.8 lakh households which are availing the benefit of eco-
friendly cooking fuel.
• Government/PNGRB has identified about 140 possible Geographical Areas (GAs) in 21 states
where work to develop CGD network can be started in the near future.

Media should avoid sensationalism and report news without coloring with views: Vice President

Context:

• Media has to avoid sensationalism and report news without coloring with views.

What should be the ideal role of media houses?

• Media houses needs to conduct campaigns and competitions on issues such as Swachh Bharat
to promote awareness on cleanliness and sanitation.
• Cleanliness should become the top priority for individuals, communities, NGOs and
Governments for the country to become fully ‘Swachh’ by October 2nd, 2019, the 150th birth
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Awareness should also be created on fighting various challenges confronting the nation such
as growing atrocities on women, dangers of drug and alcohol addiction, casteism, religious
fundamentalism, corruption, illiteracy and terrorism.
• Increasing depiction of violence, vulgarity and obscenity in cinema is another area of concern
which needs to be highlighted by the media.

What is the major drawback of media houses?

• Unfortunately, there is an increasing tendency in the newsrooms of the print and electronic
media to sensationalize isolated incidents while relegating real hard news to the background.
• In the long run, this will not only cause damage to the credibility of media but will harm
democracy itself as media will not be able to perform its role of an independent watchdog.
• It is very important for all people, particularly the policy makers to be sensitive to the needs of
people suffering from disability.

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 Stigmatization and discrimination cannot be tolerated by any civilized society

Context:

• Stigmatization and discrimination cannot be tolerated by any civilized society and people with
disabilities have every right to live with dignity.

What are the suggestive measures to be taken for Person with Disability?

• They should not face any kind of exclusion in their daily lives.
• The attitudinal and physical barriers that come in the way of the disabled people have to be
dismantled to ensure proper accessibility.
• School buildings have to be made accessible and both teaching and non-teaching staff need to
be sensitized regarding the care to be taken for children with disabilities.
• Similarly, there should not be any difficulty or obstacles in accessing government and private
buildings.

‘National Awards for Divyangjan Empowerment -2017’ on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Context:

• The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented the “National Award for Empowerment
of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)-2017”.

What is National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities?

• The history of National Awards goes back to 1969, when Awards in only two categories were
instituted by the Government of India with the objective to focus public attention on issues
concerning persons with disabilities and to promote their mainstreaming in society.
• Now there are 14 broad categories for individuals and institutions consisting of 58 awards.

First ever International Conference cum Exhibition on AYUSH and Wellness inaugurated in New
Delhi

Context:

• The First Ever International Conference on AYUSH and Wellness ‘Arogya 2017’ was inaugurated
by the Minister of Commerce and Industry on 4th December, 2017.

What is ‘Arogya 2017’?

• ‘Aroyga 2017’ is a comprehensive exhibition cum conference on Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy,

Unani, Siddhha, Sowa Rigpa, Homoeopathy and wellness.
• More than 250 manufacturers of alternative medicine are showcasing their products and services
at International Arogya 2017.
• It has brought key stakeholders of AYUSH sector together under one roof to showcase latest
research and developments in alternative medicine systems of India and boost exports of
AYUSH products.

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 Continuation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission (NAM)
Context:

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the
continuation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission (NAM) from
01.04.2017 to 31.03.2020 with an outlay of Rs. 2400 crore over the 3 year period.

What is National AYUSH Mission:

• The National AYUSH Mission intends to build on India’s unmatched heritage represented by
its ancient systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Sidhha, Unani & Homeopathy (ASU&H)
which are a treasure house of knowledge for preventive and promotive healthcare.

What are the features of NAM (National Ayush Mission):

• The NAM is being implemented by Ministry of AYUSH with the objectives of providing cost
effective AYUSH Services, with a universal access which involve, among other things:
• upgradation of AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries,
• co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centers (PHCs),
• Community Health Centers (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs),
• strengthening institutional capacity at the State level through upgrading AYUSH
educational institutions, State Govt, ASU&H Pharmacies,
• Drug Testing Laboratories and ASU & H enforcement mechanism, and
• supporting cultivation of medicinal plants by adopting Good Agricultural Practices
(GAPs) to provide sustained supply of quality raw-materials and development of
infrastructure for medicinal plants storage and marketing.
• The NAM is addressing the gaps in health services through supporting the efforts of State/UT
Governments for providing AYUSH health services/education in the country, particularly in
vulnerable and far-flung areas.
• Under NAM special focus is given for allocation of higher resources in their Annual Plans.

What is the effect of implementation of the National Ayush Mission ?

• Better access to AYUSH healthcare services through increased number of healthcare facilities
offering AYUSH services and better availability of medicines and trained manpower.
• Improvement in AYUSH education through well-equipped enhanced number of AYUSH
Educational institutions.
• Improved availability of quality AYUSH drugs by increased number of quality pharmacies and
Drug Testing Laboratories coupled with stringent enforcement mechanism.
• Increased awareness and acceptance of the Yoga & Naturopathy as promotive and preventive
health-care systems.
• To meet the increasing domestic demand of herbal raw-materials and also to promote export.

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Organizations, public sectors and corporate sectors is to come forward to fulfill their Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR)

Context:

• Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment has called upon
organizations, public sectors and corporate sectors to come forward to fulfill their Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) by helping the Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjans).

What is Cochlear Implant?

• Cochlear Implant is an electronic device

• Post-operative rehabilitation is undertaken by Audiologist and speech language pathologist
and special educator of Hearing Impaired.
• Parents have very important role in stimulating child to learn speech and language at home
and maintain the external part (Processor).

Implementation:

• The cochlear implant technology may help children who:

• Have severe to profound hearing loss in both ears.
• Receive little or no benefit from hearing aids.
• No Development Delay or Mental Retardation.

National Conference on PDS Reforms

Context:

• Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India has placed a lot of emphasis
on improving the functioning of Public Distribution System in the country.

What has been recommended for the improvement of Public Distribution System?

• The government has recommended automation of Fair Price Shops, computerization of Supply
Chain Management and enforcement of provisions of National Food Security Act (NFSA),
2013 regarding oversight and grievance redressal in partnership with States/UTs.
• A seamless working of the online systems, strategy for grievance redressal, enhancing the
outreach of the system to the deprived segments of the society, effective safeguards for non-
denial of entitled foodgrains to the beneficiaries and viability of Fair Price shops is also
required.

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 Shri J P Nadda reviews the progress of Intensified Mission Indradhanush

Context:
• Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare reviewed the progress of
Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI).
• There is a need to replicate the good practices and also ensure that the gaps identified in the
October and November rounds of Intensified Mission Indradhanush are addressed in the
subsequent rounds to reach the target set by the Prime Minister.

What has been discussed?

• The Prime Minister showed urgency to reach out to each and every child with due vaccines and
prepone the time line of 90% full immunization coverage by December 2018.
• A total of 190 districts/urban areas across 24 states have been identified for implementation of
Intensified Mission Indradhanush which was launched by the Prime Minister on 8th October
2017 at Vadnagar, Gujarat.
• IMI has completed two rounds during Oct’17 and Nov’17 except for Assam and Bihar where
the sessions began in Nov’17 (due to floods in the preparation phase).

What is Intensified Mission Indradhanush?

• Mission Indradhanush (MI) was launched with a strategy to focus on unvaccinated and
partially vaccinated children
• It is divided in the pockets of low immunization coverage in high risk and hard-to reach areas
identified through Polio micro-plans.
• After the two rounds of Intensified Mission Indradhanush (as on 4th December 2017), 30.73 lakh
children have been immunised, 8.03 lakh children have been fully immunized and 6.51 lakh
pregnant women have been immunized.

Business leaders commit support of nearly Rs 500 crores for Namami Gange Mission

Context:
• Captains of Indian trade and industry have committed a support of nearly Rs 500 crores for the
development of amenities like ghats, river fronts, crematoria and parks at various places along
River Ganga as part of the Namami Gange Mission.

What is Namami Gange Mission?

• ‘Namami Gange Programme’, is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as ‘Flagship
Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014.
• It aims to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and
rejuvenation of National River Ganga.

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 ISA to become a Treaty-based International Intergovernmental organization tomorrow
46 countries sign and 19 ratify the Framework Agreement of ISA

Context:

• In terms of its Framework Agreement, with ratification by Guinea as the 15th country on
6th November 2017, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) will become a treaty-based
international intergovernmental organization on 6th December 2017.

What is International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

• The ISA is an Indian initiative, jointly launched by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra
Modi and the President of France on 30th November 2015 in Paris, on the sidelines of COP-21,
the UN Climate Conference.
• It aims at addressing obstacles to deployment at scale of solar energy through better
harmonization and aggregation of demand from solar rich countries lying fully or partially
between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
• As of date, 46 countries have signed and 19 countries have ratified the Framework Agreement
of ISA

What are the initiatives under ISA?

Common Risk Mitigating Mechanism (CRMM):
• Common Risk Mitigating Mechanism (CRMM) has been launched for de-risking and reducing
the financial cost of solar projects in the ISA member countries.
• The instrument will help diversify and pool risks on mutual public resources and unlock
significant investments.

Digital Infopedia:
• Another major initiative is establishment of Digital Infopedia which will serve as a platform to
enable policy makers, Ministers and corporate leaders from ISA countries to interact, connect,
communicate and collaborate with one another.
• Digital Infopedia will have three heads:
• (a) Member countries counter for investment opportunities;
• (b) at least 1000 best practices on solar energy (audio/visual), and
• (c) Member countries of ISA and the ISA Secretariat audio and visual interaction.

What are effects of the implementation of ISA?

• The countries share the collective ambition to undertake innovative and concerted efforts for
reducing the cost of finance and cost of technology for immediate deployment solar
generation assets.
• This will help pave the way for future solar generation, storage and good technologies for each
prospective member countries’ individual needs, by effectively mobilizing more than US$1000
billion in investments that will be required by 2030

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AGRICULTURE
Research and scientific innovations must aim at benefiting the farmers

Context:

• The research and scientific innovations must aim at benefiting the farmers.

In the context of Indian agriculture, which are the areas to be concentrated?

• Apart from encouraging crop diversification, impetus has to be given to infrastructure in terms
of rural roads, electricity, cold storage facilities, rural godowns and refrigerated vans.
• Also, there is a need to ensure timely credit to farmers and increase in public spending on
agriculture.
• The need of the hour is to make the Indian agricultural systems sustainable since there will not
be any increase in agricultural land, while the number of farming families and their needs are
increasing.
• A number of agricultural and farmers’ welfare schemes have been initiated to strengthen
livelihood security and promote food production.
• Farmers must be made aware of the benefits of new and innovative technologies in a simple
and understandable language.

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INTERNATIONAL RELATION
3rd edition of the Dialogue between the NITI Aayog and the Development Research Council of
China, the DRC- NITI Aayog Dialogue was held
Context:
• The 3rd edition of the Dialogue between the NITI Aayog and the Development Research Council
of China, the DRC- NITI Aayog Dialogue was held in Beijing on 5th December, 2017.
• The dialogue took place under the MOU between NITI Aayog and the Development Research
Centre (DRC), State Council of the China.

What has been discussed at the 3rd DRC-NITI Dialogue?

• The DRC-NITI Dialogue provides an important platform for both India-China to discuss key
macro- economic issues impacting both countries and areas of mutual interest.
• The 3rd Dialogue enabled an in-depth interaction between the two delegations on the world
economic prospects, India-China economic cooperation and practices for sustainable growth.
• Both sides exchanged views on policies and measures to address the challenges for attaining
sustainable growth.
• In-depth discussions were held on sharing of experiences and best practices in the areas of
Electric mobility, clean energy, Higher education and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
• Both sides agreed upon the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade and investment.
• The importance of pursuing balanced and sustainable bilateral trade was noted and
opportunities for promoting Chinese investments in the Indian economy were highlighted.

To be noted:
• The two sides agreed that the 4th NITI Aayog - DRC Dialogue will be convened in India in
2018.

NITI Aayog and EU delegation to India release the Strategy on Resource Efficiency (RE)
Context:
• NITI Aayog in collaboration with the European Union delegation to India has released the
Strategy on Resource Efficiency at a function in the capital.

What is Sustainability and Resource efficiency (RE)?

• Sustainability is a global priority and Sustainable Development Goals SDGs commitment
and 11th Five year plan clearly enunciate importance of Resource efficiency (RE).
• Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy are important goals and central principles for
achieving sustainable development.

What is resource efficiency?

• Resource efficiency very simply put is making more with fewer materials.
• In practice, through a life-cycle approach, it leads to minimizing impact on environment & the
associated societal burdens, transforming ‘waste’ into ‘resources’ fostering circular economy,
and strengthening resource security.

What is the ardent need?

• India’s large population, rapid urbanization and expanding industrial production have led to
exploitation of available limited natural resources with concerns regarding resource depletion
and future availability becoming more pronounced.

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• Ensuring resource security requires and integrated, concerted and collaborative approach in
order to fulfill the needs of a vast and growing population.
• Also, the environmental burdens emanating due to resource extraction, utilization and disposal,
including land degradation, biodiversity loss, as well as air and water pollution remain of great
concern, Enhancing resource efficiency (RE) and promoting the use of secondary raw materials
(SRM) is a pertinent strategy to address these challenges and reduce dependence on primary
resource.

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ECONOMY
Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2017-18 Issue Price

Context:

• Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, had floated Series III of
Sovereign Gold Bonds 2017-18, for a period from October 09, 2017 to December 27, 2017 (with
subscription period Monday to Wednesday every week).

What is Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB)?

• SGBs are government securities denominated in grams of gold.

• They are substitutes for holding physical gold.
• Investors have to pay the issue price in cash and the bonds will be redeemed in cash on maturity.
• The Bond is issued by Reserve Bank on behalf of Government of India.

MoRTH reviews progress of India-Nepal Road Connectivity Projects

Context:

• The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways held a meeting to review the progress of the India-
Nepal road connectivity projects.

Status of the various projects:

• The following is the status of the various projects:

• Mechi River Bridge project to be implemented at the Indo-Nepal border is on track. LOI is likely
to be issued to the contractor shortly.
• Piprakothi-Raxaul Road (NH57A) – NHAI has received bids for restoration of this highway.
Award of contract for repair is likely to be done by the end of this month.
• Mirganj Bridge (NH 57A) – NHAI has done a survey of this bridge and a proposal for
temporary bridge strengthening will be formulated in January 2018.

7th Pre-Budget Consultation Meeting

Context:

• In order to strengthen the banks, which are the key pillars of the economy, the Central
Government has decided to take a massive step to recapitalize the Public Sector Banks (PSBs)
in a front-loaded manner.

What are the measures recommended by the Central Government for banks?

• Various suggestions were given by the representatives of the Banking and Financial Institutions.
They are as follows:
• TDS limit for Bank interest should be raised from the current Rs.10, 000/- especially for senior
citizens and pensioners given the current scenario.
• It was also suggested to have a Credit Guarantee Fund to encourage investment in Agriculture
Sector.
• It was suggested that premium up to Rs. 1 lakh on life Insurance policies be exempted from
income tax.
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 • Small and Marginal farmers should get the same benefits as those of companies.
• Incentives should be given for investments to promote agriculture and infrastructure.
• Crop Insurance benefits and interest subvention on agriculture credit be given through DBT to
avoid misuse and incentives for incremental jobs among others.
• Among other suggestions include:
• to encourage affordable housing;
• rental properties need to be given tax benefits;
• time limit of recognition of bad debts should be aligned – RBI gives 180days and IT Act 90
days; and
• monthly reporting by banks to Income Tax Department should be waived – only annual
reporting.
• It was also suggested to incentivise digital transactions to make 2018 as a year of Paperless
Access to Finance;
• It was suggested to extend the date of Masala Bond TDS which expires in June 2018 among
others.

Prime Minister of India to dedicate 60 MW Tuitial Hydroelectric Power Project in Mizoram to the Nation

Context:

• Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi will formally dedicate the 60 MW Tuirial Hydro
Electric Power Project (HEPP) to the Nation.

What is Tuirial HEPP?

• The Tuirial HEPP has been constructed as a Central Sector Project.

• It has been implemented by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), under the
administrative control of the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
• The Project is the biggest power project located in the State of Mizoram.
• It will feed the entire energy to be generated to the home State, which will facilitate all-round
development of the State and achieving Government of India's ambitious and flagship Mission
‘24x7 Affordable Clean Power for All’.
• Apart from attaining self-sufficiency in electric power, the project will fetch other spin-off
benefits to the State of Mizoram like employment generation, navigation, water supply,
pisciculture and wild life conservation, tourism etc.

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
XITH Annual MedTech Summit of Biodesign Programme Under Department of Biotechnogy

Context:

• The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, has implemented

Biodesign programme.
• Noxeno- a nasal foreign body removal device developed by start-up InnAccel Technologies
Private Limited, Bangalore, created by the Fellow trained under the Biodesign programhas also
been introduced.

What is Biodesign programme?

• Biodesign programme aims to develop innovative and affordable medical devices as per unmet
clinical needs of India.
• It also trains the next generation of medical technology innovators in India for bringing such
impactful devices to the real world.

What is Noxeno?

• Noxeno has been 100% invented, designed, engineered and manufactured in India.
• Noxeno is the first dedicated tool for anterior nasal foreign body (NFB) removal that allows
doctors in any setting to quickly and safely remove objects that people (mostly children aged
2-10) put into their noses.

What are the characteristics of Noxeno?

• Noxeno has an ergonomic handle along with a built-in light source and a hinge.
• This allows the user to slip behind the NFB and remove it in a matter of seconds by simply
squeezing the trigger and pulling the device.
• The modular nature of the system allows for sterilization of the hinge through autoclaving it.

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