GS PAPER II NEWS
India and Vietnam MoU for Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Oceanography and Ecology
Why in News
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- The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam, Mr. Tran Hong Ha, along with the Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh at Prithvi Bhawan here and discussed ocean and ocean related cooperation during the delegation level talks between the two countries.
Key point
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- There are seven major areas of cooperation under the India-Vietnam MoU agreed by both the countries.
- These identified areas of cooperation are aimed at sustainable development of marine resources by India and Vietnam.
- Major areas are coastal erosion and vulnerability, coastal management, marine ecology and monitoring and mapping of critical habitats, ocean observation systems, marine pollution and microplastics, marine weather forecasting and capacity building.
- As a part of the MoU, both countries will facilitate the exchange of scientists, researchers, technical experts, projects and information in marine science and technology.
- They will assist each other in increasing knowledge, fundamental research and understanding of the larger benefits of ocean health and resources.
- To suggest new areas of cooperation, formulate programs and proposals, provide financial assistance for planning and implementation of MoU mandates, decide on administrative and technical procedures and monitor progress of work a joint committee will also be set up.
- This MoU shall remain valid for a period of five years and shall be renewed naturally only once for a subsequent period of five years.
- Either of the two countries may give written notice to the other country at least six months before the expiry of the MoU with the intention to terminate this MoU.
GS PAPER II
Surat Metro Rail Project
Why in News
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- The Government of India and Germany’s Development Bank ‘KfW (Kreitenstalt für Wiederaufbau)’ signed a loan agreement of 442.26 million euros for the Surat Metro Rail Project.
Key point
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- The total cost of the project is EUR 1.50 billion, of which EUR 442.26 million is being financed by KfW.
- The project is being co-financed by the French development agency ‘AFD (Agence Française de Developpemet)’.
- Agreement with AFD for EUR 250 million was signed on 28.01.2021.
- The 40.35 km long Surat Metro project aims to strengthen and simultaneously expand the transport infrastructure of Surat urban agglomeration or agglomeration.
- The project will significantly reduce traffic congestion and ensure integrated city and land use planning through transit oriented development.
- The project also aims to ensure an integrated multi-modal transport system in the area connected by the Metro Corridor, to enable first and last mile connectivity and better access to the Metro system.
- In addition, solar power will be used in both the depots of Surat Metro.
- The project is envisaged in such a way as to ensure reliable and safe public transport in the city of Surat as well as in the urban area by providing an integrated mass transport system, substantially reducing traffic congestion and leading Systemic and transformative impact or change can be made possible by massive reduction in delays on travel corridors.
- This project will have a positive impact on the standard of living of the people of Surat city as well as its surrounding environment.
GS PAPER II
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission
Why in News
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- Ministry of Rural Development will start an overdraft facility of five thousand rupees for the verified women self-help group members under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) on December 18, 2021, in line with the Amrit Mahotsav of Azadi.
Key point
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- “Discourse on Rural Financial Inclusion” (Discussion on Rural Financial Inclusion) has also been included in this program, in which top officials of Banks and State Missions will participate.
- Annual awards will also be announced to banks for their performance under DAY-NRLM during the year 2020-21.
- All public sector banks and State Rural Livelihood Missions will participate in this program. The program will be held through virtual medium.
- Managing Directors and CEOs/Deputy Managing Directors of Banks, Executive Directors, Chief General Managers/General Managers and Chief Executive Officers/State Managing Directors of State Rural Livelihood Missions are expected to participate in the programme.
- Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY) under the Ministry of Rural Development, according to the announcement made by the Finance Minister in his budget speech for 2019-20, about allowing overdraft facility of five thousand rupees to verified self-help members. -NRLM) has started the process of providing overdraft facility to the members of Women Self Help Groups in rural areas of the country to meet their emergency/emergency needs. According to an estimate, five crore women self-help group members will be eligible for this facility under DAY-NRLM.
- Indian Banks’ Association, Mumbai on 26th November, 2021 has advised all the banks to implement the scheme once necessary permission is obtained.
- Other essential details have also been shared. For the successful implementation of this scheme, the ministry has already held a virtual meeting with the top officials of the banks.
- State Rural Livelihood Mission has also started the process and women self-help group members of rural areas will visit branches of banks where their savings accounts have been opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana to avail this facility.
About DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission):-
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- Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, which aims to mobilize poor women through community institutions such as self-help groups, to address rural poverty.
- The second goal is to strengthen their livelihood base by providing them access to essential credit from banks. The mission was launched in June 2011 and till December 15, 2021, 8.04 crore women have been connected in 73.5 lakh self-help groups.
- It is expected that by 2024 about 10 crore women will be linked with self-help groups.
- During this financial year up to November 30, 2021, banks have disbursed loans up to Rs 62,848 crore to 27.38 lakh SHGs.
- Women SHG members have access to loans of over Rs 4.45 lakh crore since April 2013, so that, among other things, appropriate investments can be made in creative ventures.
- The outstanding amount is more than Rs 1,33,915 crore, of which bad loans are only 2.49 per cent. The Mission is using a Community Based Repayment System (CBRM) managed by the community and the committee consists of representatives of various SHGs or their associations.
- They are responsible for monitoring the interaction between all SHGs and banks and ensuring that the SHGs repay the amount to the banks promptly through rules and social pressure.
GS PAPER III
Technology-based energy solutions
Why in News
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- India-USA has announced a program to support S&T-based entrepreneurial initiatives that will work to address the next generation of clean and renewable energy, energy storage, carbon sequestration, climate and clean energy challenges.
Key point
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- The program is called ‘Technology-Based Energy Solutions: Innovation for Net Zero’, in partnership with Social Alpha, a non-profit organization promoting S&T entrepreneurship, through the United States-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund (USTA). Ignition Grant by USISTE F).
- The program will identify and support ‘technology showstoppers’ or Indo-US S&T-based joint venture initiatives in the region.
- Climate change is one of the world’s biggest challenges today, pointing to the need to foster global partnerships to find solutions.
- The India-US Partnership for Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 in April 2021 demonstrates the commitment that both countries have to achieve their ambitious goals of climate and clean energy, and promote bilateral cooperation.
- The new program is critical towards the US-India goal of a clean energy partnership, which will be administered by the United States-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund (IUSSTF). The IUSSTF is a joint forum of both the countries (Department of Science and Technology (DST) of Government of India and State Department of USA).
GS PAPER III
Agni ‘P’
Why in News
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- Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on December 18, 2021 off the coast of Odisha, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam successfully test-fired a new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile ‘Agni P’ from the island.
Key point
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- Various telemetry, radar, electro-optical stations and down range ships located along the east coast tracked and monitored missile trajectories and parameters.
- The missile pursued its target with a high degree of accuracy, fulfilling all the mission objectives.
- Agni-P is a two-stage cannistered solid propellant ballistic missile with dual redundant navigation and guidance system.
- This second flight test has proven the reliable performance of all advanced technologies integrated into the system.
- It is a new generation advanced missile of Agni-class missiles, which is a surface-to-surface missile.
- It is a canistered missile with a range of 1,000 to 2,000 km.
- Many new features have been added to the nuclear capable tactical missile Agni Prime during this test. He said the missile test fulfilled all its mission objectives with a high degree of accuracy.