Weekly
Press Information
Bureau
(PIB) Analysis
1st
to 7th
August 2024
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(Prashant Tiwari)
STATES CAN BUY RICE FROM FOOD
CORPORATION OF INDIA WITHOUT
PARTICIPATING IN E-AUCTION
States can buy rice from the Food Corporation of India
without participating in e-auction for Rs 2,800 per quintal
under the Open Market Sale Scheme.
• Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New
and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, announced that starting August
1st, 2024, grain-deficient states can purchase directly from the Food
Corporation of India (FCI) under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic)
(OMSS [D]) without participating in the e-auction.
o This decision aims to reduce the surplus stocks before the new procurement season
begins.
Details:
• Under the OMSS (D), the Department of Food and Public
Distribution will sell grain to states for Rs 2,800 per quintal,
excluding transportation costs.
• Shri Joshi stated that states and UTs can purchase additional
grain beyond the 5 kg per individual limit at the same price of Rs
2,800 per quintal, reduced from Rs 2,900.
• He also confirmed that the sale of atta and rice under the
‘Bharat’ brand will continue beyond June 30th, 2024.
Price Monitoring System (PMS)
• The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, has
included 16 additional commodities under Price Monitoring from 1st
August 2024.
• The monitoring of daily prices, which previously covered 22
commodities, will now include 38 commodities.
• The Department monitors daily prices from 550 centres across 34
States/UTs, providing crucial data for policy decisions by the
Government, RBI, and analysts regarding CPI inflation.
• The 38 monitored commodities now account for nearly 31% of the
total CPI weights, up from 26.5% covered by the previous 22
commodities.
Price Monitoring System (PMS)
• The 16 newly added items are Bajra, Jowar, Ragi, Suji (wheat),
Maida (wheat), Besan, Ghee, Butter, Brinjal, Egg, Black Pepper,
Coriander, Cumin seed, Red chilies, Turmeric powder, and Banana.
• Expanding daily price monitoring of food items will help stabilize food
price volatility and control overall inflation, reflecting the
Government’s commitment to ensuring the availability and
affordability of essential commodities for consumers.
• The minister also launched Version 4.0 of the Price Monitoring
System (PMS) Mobile App.
Project Nanoelectronics Network for
Research and Applications (NNetRA)
Project Nanoelectronics Network for Research
and Applications (NNetRA)
• Project Nanoelectronics Network for Research and Applications
(NNetRA) is a flagship network project co-supported by MeitY and
the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of
India.
• Its nodes are the erstwhile CENs at IIT Bombay and IISc; along with
the MeitY-funded nano centres that followed at IIT Madras, IIT
Delhi, and IIT Kharagpur.
• NNetRA is focused on advancing research and development in the
field of nanoelectronics.
Project Nanoelectronics Network for Research
and Applications (NNetRA)
• It aims to create a network of research institutions, universities, and
industry partners to collaborate on nanoelectronics technologies
and applications.
• NNetRA’s objectives include fostering innovation, enhancing the
capabilities of Indian researchers, and translating nanoelectronics
research into practical applications that can benefit various sectors
such as healthcare, energy, and information technology.
NITI Aayog’s 9th Governing Council
Meeting Discusses India’s Development
Vision for 2047
In the 9th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by the
Prime Minister, leaders from 20 states and 6 union territories gathered
to discuss the “Viksit Bharat @2047” theme. The meeting aimed to
establish a comprehensive framework for India’s progress towards
becoming a developed nation by 2047.
• Economic Ambition
o India aspires to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2047, targeting
a GDP of USD 30 trillion. This ambitious goal emphasizes the country’s
commitment to sustained growth, innovation, and international
competitiveness.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
• Vision Development by States and Districts
o The meeting urged each state and district to develop a strategic vision
for 2047, aligning with India’s national development goals.
• States’ Role in National Progress
o The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of states’ development in
achieving national objectives, stressing that developed states are
essential for a developed India.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
• Focus on Poverty Alleviation
o A major point of discussion was the elimination of poverty at the
grassroots level, with the idea of ‘zero poverty’ villages being explored
to ensure comprehensive development.
• Infrastructure and Governance
o The significance of robust infrastructure, law and order, and effective
governance was stressed as crucial for attracting investment.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
• Investment-Friendly Environment
o An ‘Investment-friendly Charter’ was proposed to encourage states to
create an investor-friendly environment, with indicators to promote
healthy competition among states.
• Youth Skill Development
o The meeting emphasized the need to enhance youth skills to make
them employment-ready, leveraging India’s demographic advantage in
the global job market.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
• Agricultural Innovation and Natural Farming
o The discussions focused on boosting agricultural productivity,
diversifying agricultural practices, and promoting natural farming
to improve soil health, reduce costs, and access international
markets.
• Strategic Recommendations
o Key themes such as drinking water, electricity, healthcare,
education, and land management were highlighted, based on
recommendations from the National Conference of Chief
Secretaries.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
• Addressing Population Aging
o The Prime Minister encouraged states to develop demographic
management plans to tackle future challenges related to population
aging.
• Capacity Building in Government
o States were urged to invest in the capacity building of government
officials at all levels and to collaborate with the Capacity Building
Commission.
Governing Council of NITI Aayog
• Overview
o The Governing Council is the primary body responsible for
developing a shared vision of national priorities and strategies,
engaging states in shaping India’s development agenda.
• Cooperative Federalism
o The Council embodies the principles of cooperative federalism,
serving as a platform for discussions on inter-sectoral, inter-
departmental, and federal issues to accelerate national
development.
Governing Council of NITI Aayog
• Membership
o The Council is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes Chief Ministers
of States and Union Territories with legislatures, Lieutenant Governors of
other Union Territories, Ex-Officio Members, the Vice Chairman of NITI
Aayog, Full-Time Members, and Special Invitees.
• Functions
o The Governing Council Secretariat (GCS) coordinates the Council’s
meetings and activities, as well as those of NITI Aayog’s various Verticals,
Divisions, and Units. GCS also handles administrative and procedural
matters, including coordinating the Annual Report for Parliamentary
circulation and managing other governance-related tasks.
Advanced Land Navigation
System
Recently, Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was accorded to
the procurement of Advanced Land Navigation System
(ALNS) Mk-II for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) of the
Indian Army.
• Advanced Land Navigation System (ALNS) Overview
• Technology Base: The Advanced Land Navigation System utilizes a Ring Laser Gyro
(RLG) for navigation purposes.
• Functionality: It is designed to navigate routes specified by the coordinates on military
maps in ESM format.
Advanced Land Navigation System (ALNS)
Overview
• Data Provision: The system can supply
Inertial, GPS, and Hybrid Navigation data
to meet various navigation needs.
• Security Features: The system boasts
robust encryption, making it spoof-proof
and secure.
Operational Modes:
o Inertial Mode: Relies solely on data from inertial sensors.
o Hybrid Mode: Integrates data from both inertial sensors and GPS
receivers, using the most precise data for navigation.
o GPS Mode: Functions independently of inertial sensor data.
• Compatibility: The ALNS Mk-II version is compatible with India’s regional
navigation system, IRNSS/NavIC, as well as global systems like GPS and
GLONASS.
• Special Features: It supports Defence Series Maps, enhancing
navigational accuracy for armored fighting vehicles (AFVs).
Ideas4LiFE Portal
Recently, the Union Minister for Environment,
Forest and Climate Change launched Ideas4LiFE
at IIT Delhi.
• Purpose and Launch
o The Ideas4LiFE portal was created to gather ideas that promote
environmentally friendly behaviors and products.
o The initiative is designed to inspire and engage students, faculty, and
researchers to contribute their creative solutions to the global Mission Life
effort.
o This portal offers a valuable chance for creative individuals to take part in a
worldwide movement focused on environmental sustainability.
Encouragement and Participation
• The goal is to motivate and encourage innovative thinking among
participants, fostering contributions to environmental sustainability.
About Mission LiFE
(Lifestyle for Environment)
o Mission LiFE, short for Lifestyle for Environment, is a global movement led
by India aimed at encouraging individuals and communities to take actions
that benefit the environment.
o It was introduced during the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the
Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow in November 2021.
o The idea promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on
‘mindful and deliberate utilisation’ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful
consumption’.
Aim of LiFE:
• The LiFE Movement aims to utilise the power of collective
action and nudge individuals across the world to undertake
simple climate-friendly actions in their daily lives.
• The LiFE movement, additionally, also seeks to leverage the
strength of social networks to influence social norms
surrounding climate.
Pro-Planet People:
• The Mission plans to create and nurture a global network of
individuals, namely ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3), who will have a
shared commitment to adopt and promote environmentally
friendly lifestyles.
• Through the P3 community, the Mission seeks to create an
ecosystem that will reinforce and enable environmentally
friendly behaviours to be self-sustainable.
• LIFE recognizes that small individual actions can tip the balance
in the planet’s favour.
Vision and Mission of LiFE:
• Vision of LIFE:
• The vision of ‘LIFE’ is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with our
planet and does not harm it The people who live such a lifestyle
can be called “Pro-Planet people.”
• Mission life for India:
• Mission LiFE borrows from the past, operates in the present and
focuses on the future. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the
concepts woven into our life. The Circular Economy has been an
integral part of our culture and lifestyle.
India and US Sign Historic
Cultural Property Agreement
India and the US have signed their first Cultural Property
Agreement (CPA) to tackle illegal trafficking of cultural
artifacts and facilitate the return of antiquities to their
countries of origin.
• The agreement adheres to Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO
Convention, which aims to prevent and prohibit the illegal import,
export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property.
• The CPA limits the import into the US of specific archaeological and
ethnological items dated from 1.7 million years ago to 1947. The US
government will issue a detailed list of these restricted items.
Cultural Property Agreement
• The US will offer to return any forfeited items from the Designated List to India.
• Similar agreements are in place between the US and other countries such as Algeria,
Cambodia, China, Egypt, and Italy.
• This agreement emerged from extensive bilateral talks that began during the G20
meetings. Under India’s G20 Presidency, protecting cultural property has been a major
focus.
• The Kashi Culture Pathway and the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD) of 2023
highlighted the commitment to combat illicit trafficking.
• This agreement represents a significant shift in global development strategies,
emphasizing culture as a key goal in the post-2030 development framework.
PINGALI VENKAYYA
On August 2nd, the Prime Minister paid tributes to Pingali Venkayya
on his birth anniversary. He also urged citizens to support the Har
Ghar Tiranga movement by unfurling the tricolour between 9th and
15th August, 2024.
• Initial Design and Proposal:
o In 1916, Pingali Venkayya published a booklet titled A National Flag for
India, showcasing nearly 30 potential designs for an Indian flag, influenced
by flags from various nations.
o Venkayya’ s design for the National Flag received approval from Mahatma
Gandhi during a Congress meeting in Vijayawada in 1921.
Original Flag Features:
o The first flag, known as the Swaraj Flag,
included two horizontal bands of red and
green, symbolizing the Hindu and Muslim
communities, respectively. It also featured a
charkha (spinning wheel) representing Swaraj
(self-rule).
o Gandhi suggested adding a white band to
symbolize peace.
Modifications and Official Adoption:
o In 1931, the Flag Committee made changes by replacing the red with
saffron, placing saffron on top, followed by white and then green. The
charkha was positioned in the center of the white band.
o The colors were chosen to represent qualities rather than communities:
saffron for courage and sacrifice, white for truth and peace, and green
for faith and strength. The charkha symbolized the welfare of the
masses.
Post-Independence Changes:
o After India gained independence, a new
national flag committee under President
Rajendra Prasad replaced the charkha with
the Ashok Chakra.
About Pingali Venkayya
• Military Service and Contributions:
o Venkayya participated in the Second Boer War (1899-1902).
o In 1913, he gave a lecture in Japanese in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh,
known as ‘Japan Venkayya.’
o He was also referred to as Patti Venkayya due to his research on
Cambodia cotton.
Honors and Recognition:
o In 2009, a postage stamp was issued to
honour his contributions.
Maritime Partnership Exercise
Recently, a maritime partnership exercise(MPX) was
conducted between India and Russia in St.
Petersburg.
• Event Context:
o The exercise took place between Russian and Indian naval forces,
commemorating the 328th Russian Navy Day.
o It featured the participation of the INS Tabar from India and the
Soobrazitelny from Russia.
Purpose and Impact:
o The exercise marked a significant milestone in maritime cooperation
between India and Russia, aiming to reinforce peace, stability, and
security in the region.
o It included complex naval maneuvers such as communication drills,
search and rescue tactics, and replenishment at sea, showcasing high
levels of professionalism and interoperability.
Commitment to Global Naval Partnerships:
o The Indian Navy is dedicated to building and
maintaining relationships with global naval
forces, emphasizing the significance of this
exercise in strengthening bilateral naval ties
and enhancing cooperation in the maritime
domain.
Key Facts About INS Tabar
• Design and Capabilities:
o INS Tabar is a stealth frigate constructed for the Indian Navy in Russia,
classified as the third vessel of the Talwar-class frigates.
o Commissioned on 19 April 2004 in Kaliningrad, Russia, it possesses
advanced capabilities for handling air, surface, and sub-surface
missions. It can operate independently or as part of a larger naval task
force.
Resumption of Tur Dal Imports from
Mozambique Following Disruption
India has resumed importing Tur dal (Pigeon pea) from
Mozambique following a temporary halt caused by
disruptions from an “anti-India” group.
• Characteristics of Tur Dal
• Tur dal is a crucial legume and protein source in
India.
• Thrives in tropical and semi-arid regions.
Climatic Requirements for Tur Dal
• Rainfall: Requires 600-650 mm annually, needing moist conditions initially
and dry conditions during the later stages of flowering and pod
development.
• Temperature: Optimal growth temperatures are 26°C to 30°C during the
rainy season and 17°C to 22°C after the rains.
• Soil Preferences: Favors sandy loam or loam but is adaptable to various
soil types.
• Sensitivity: Low radiation during pod development can impair pod
formation, particularly if flowering coincides with the monsoon or cloudy
weather.
Challenges in Cultivation
• Diseases: Susceptible to Wilt, Sterility
Mosaic Disease, Phytophthora Blight,
Alternaria Blight, and Powdery Mildew.
Production Statistics
• Leading States (2019): Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh are the top
producers.
• Pulse Production Status: India is the leading global producer (25% of global
production), the largest consumer (27% of global consumption), and a significant
importer (14%).
• Contribution to Agriculture: Pulses occupy about 20% of the area under food
grains, contributing 7-10% to the total food grain output.
• Varietal Dominance: Gram is the predominant pulse at about 40% of total pulse
production, followed by Tur/Arhar (15-20%) and Urad/Black Matpe and Moong
(8-10% each).
• Seasonal Production: More than 60% of pulse production occurs during the Rabi
season.
Current State of Pulse Imports in India
• In FY 2023-24, India imported 4.65 million metric tons of pulses,
marking the highest volume since 2018-19.
• The value of pulse imports surged by 93% to USD 3.75 billion.
• Of the 7.71 lakh tons of Tur/Pigeon pea imported, 2.64 lakh tons
were sourced from Mozambique, with Malawi also being a key
supplier.
Current State of Pulse Imports in India
• MoUs with Mozambique and Malawi ensure annual supplies of
2 lakh tons and 0.50 lakh tons respectively until 2025-26.
• Significant quantities of red lentils and yellow peas are imported
from Canada, Russia, and Turkey respectively.
• South Asian nations, including India, predominantly import
pulses from Canada, Myanmar, Australia, Mozambique, and
Tanzania.
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(Prashant Tiwari)
