Public Information Bureau (PIB) Compilation (Sept15th Sept 30th, 2017)

September 15th-30th
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 Public Information Bureau (PIB) Compilation Sept 15th Sept 30, 2017

BILLS, PROGRAMS, POLICIES, SCHEMES, ORDER, JUDGMENT

Vice President Unveils Plaque for 'Sujalam Sufalam Yojana'

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, unveils the Plaque for the 'Sujalam Sufalam
Yojana' (Water and Irrigation Projects), in Mehsana, Gujarat on 27thSeptember, 2017.

What are the utilities of linkage of rivers?

Linkage of rivers will help the farmers of our country to grow more crops.
It will raise their earnings and contribute in the progress of the country as a result of increased
irrigation facilities.

What are the other initiatives?

There are many public-welfare programmes, especially irrigation programme already going on in
Gujarat.
By making small dams, this state has shown how to preserve rain-water that reaches the farms.
Despite facing many hurdles, Gujarat has built Sardar Sarovar Dam, which is one of the world's
highest dams.

CARA launches monthly Jan Sampark Program to facilitate adoption

The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) of the Ministry of Women & Child Development
has started a monthly Jan Sampark program.
This will enable the public to have interaction with its officials and staff for seeking information
related to Adoption as well as flagging their concerns.

What are the salient features of the scheme?

The Jan Sampark program will now be held regularly every month apart from the quarterly Facebook
live chat by CEO CARA.
During the event, details pertaining to Immediate Placement and Special Needs Adoption Module of
Child Adoption Resource Information & Guidance System (CARINGS) will be shared with all the
stakeholders.
The will serve as platform for counselling and motivating PAPs to go for adopting older children

Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA):

CARA is statutory body of Ministry of Women & Child Development established under Juvenile
Justice Act, 2015. It is a nodal body for adoption of Indian children.

Functions:
It is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions.
It deals in orphan, abandoned or surrendered children.
It deals with inter-country adoptions according to Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption,
ratified by India in 2003.

Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana Saubhagya

Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana Saubhagya a new scheme was launched by the Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi to ensure electrification of all willing households in the country in rural
as well as urban areas on 25th September, 2017.

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What are the objectives of the scheme?

The objective of the Saubhagya is to provide energy access to all by last mile connectivity and
electricity connections to all remaining un-electrified households in rural as well as urban areas to
achieve universal household electrification in the country.

What is the need for the new scheme?

Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) envisage creation of basic electricity
infrastructure in villages, habitations, strengthening & augmentation of existing infrastructure,
metering of existing feeders, distribution transformers, consumers to improve quality and reliability
of power supply in rural areas.
Besides this, last mile connectivity and free electricity connections are also provided to BPL
households only identified by the States as per their list.
However, in villages which are electrified in past for a long period, many households do not have
electricity connections for many reasons.
Some of the really poor households do not have BPL cards but these households are not capable of
paying applicable initial connection charges.
There is also lack of awareness as to how to get connection or taking connection is not an easy task for
illiterate people.
There may not be electricity pole nearby and the cost of erection of additional pole, conductor is also
chargeable from the households for obtaining a connection.
Similarly in urban areas, Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) provides for creation of
necessary infrastructure to provide electricity access but some households are not yet connected
mainly on account of their economic condition as they are not capable of paying the initial connection
charges.
Therefore, Soubhagya has been launched to plug such gaps and comprehensively address the issues
of entry barrier, last mile connectivity and release of electricity connections to all un-electrified
households in rural and urban areas.

Cabinet approves umbrella scheme of Modernisation of Police Forces

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for implementation of umbrella scheme of "Modernisation
of Police Forces (MPF)" for years 2017-18 to 2019-20.

What are the salient features of the scheme?

Special provision has been made under the Scheme for internal security, law and order, women
security, availability of modern weapons, mobility of police forces, logistics support, hiring of
helicopters, upgradation of police wireless, National Satellite Network, CCTNS project, E-prison
project etc.
Implementation of this scheme would bolster the Government's ability to address challenges faced in
different theatres such as areas affected by LWE, Jammu and Kashmir and North East effectively and
undertake development interventions which will catalyze in improving the quality of life in these
areas and help combat these challenges effectively at the same time.
New initiatives are being introduced to provide assistance to States for upgradation of police
infrastructure, forensic science laboratories, institutions and the equipment available with them to
plug critical gaps in the criminal justice system. Police Stations will be integrated to set up a national
data base of crime and criminals records.
It will be linked with other pillars of criminal justice system such as prisons, forensic science
laboratories and prosecution offices.
The umbrella scheme also provides for setting up of a State-of Art forensic science laboratory in
Amravati, Andhra Pradesh and upgradation of Sardar Patel Global Centre for Security, Counter
Terrorism and Anti Insurgency in Jaipur and Gujarat Forensic Science University in Gandhi Nagar.

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 Public Information Bureau (PIB) Compilation Sept 15th Sept 30, 2017

Cabinet approves signing of (i) Inter-bank Local Currency Credit Line Agreement and (ii)
Cooperation Memorandum relating to Credit Ratings by EXIM Bank under BRICS Interbank
Cooperation mechanism

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to the
signing of the (i) Interbank Local Currency Credit Line Agreement and (ii) Cooperation
Memorandum Relating to Credit Ratings by Exim Bank with participating member banks under
BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism.

What are the impacts of the agreement?

The Agreements will promote multilateral interaction within the area of mutual interest which will
deepen political and economic relations with BRICS nations.
Signing of the Agreement will position Exim Bank in the international platform along with large
development finance institutions, like CDS, VEB and BNDES. At an appropriate time, Exim Bank,
leveraging this umbrella agreement, could enter into bilateral agreement with any of these member
institutions to raise resources for its business.
As and when an opportunity arises for co-financing in commercial terms, by any two member
institutions, lending in single currency by both the institutions would also be possible.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) registered National E-Governance Services
Limited (NeSL) today as an Information Utility (IU) under the IBBI (Information Utilities)
Regulations, 2017
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) registered National E-Governance Services
Limited (NeSL) on 27th September, 2017 as an Information Utility (IU) under the IBBI (Information
Utilities) Regulations, 2017.

What is Information Utility?

IU stores financial information that helps to establish defaults as well as verify claims expeditiously
and thereby facilitates completion of transactions under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 in
a time bound manner.
It constitutes a key pillar of the insolvency and bankruptcy ecosystem, the other three being the
Adjudicating Authority (National Company Law Tribunal and Debt Recovery Tribunal), the IBBI and
Insolvency Professionals.

Waste to Energy as a part of Swachchata Hi Sewa campaign

Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R K Singh inaugurated a
Workshop on Waste to Energy Swachchata Se Swachh Urja here today.
The workshop was organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy as a part
of Swachchata Hi Sewa campaign.

What is the objective of the campaign?

The Ministrys focus is on energy generation from urban, industrial and agricultural waste/residues,
municipal solid wastes, vegetable and other market wastes, slaughterhouse waste and industrial
wastes and effluents.
These initiatives not only support generation of energy from the waste but also help in reducing
pollution.
It will also address the issue of burning of paddy straw by producing bio-CNG.

What are the other initiatives?

The Ministry has already supported around 180 projects mainly based on production of Bio-CNG/
Biogas for various energy applications in industries and transport sector.

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 Public Information Bureau (PIB) Compilation Sept 15th Sept 30, 2017

Three major waste to energy projects of 52 MW, based on Municipal Solid Waste(MSW) have already
been installed and running successfully in Okhla, Ghazipur and Narela-Bawana in Delhi which help
in converting solid waste to electricity.
In addition, under Swachcha Bharat Mission, about 40 projects with installed capacity of 344 MW
supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs are under various stages of commissioning.

What is the way forward?

There is a huge amount of waste generated in a country like India and also an urgent need to convert
the waste into energy.
There is the need for change in the habits of the people to ensure effective waste collection and
segregation.
The citizens should be educated on effective waste management so that it would be easier for the
industries to process the waste.
Effective waste management will help in creating a cleaner and greener India.

Union Home Minister launches Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour (PENCIL)
Portal and SOPs for enforcement agencies on child labour

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh launched the Platform for Effective Enforcement for No
Child Labour (PENCIL) Portal at the National Conference on Child Labour organised by the Ministry
of Labour and Employment, Government of India here today.

What is PENCIL and SOP?

The PENCIL is an electronic platform that aims at involving Centre, State, District, Governments,
civil society and the general public in achieving the target of child labour free society.
Shri Rajnath Singh also launched the Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the enforcement of
legal framework against child labour.
The SOP is aimed at creating a ready reckoner for trainers, practitioners and monitoring agencies to
ensure complete prohibition of child labour and protection of adolescents from hazardous labour
ultimately leading to Child Labour Free India.

Shri Ram Vilas Paswan launches Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (e-NWR) System

Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution today
launched the Web Portal of Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) &
Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (e-NWR) System

What are the salient features of e-NWR?

The e-NWRs would have no chances of any tempering, mutilation, fudging, loss or damage and with
no possibility of any multiple financing.
Thus, these NWRs will not only facilitate an easy pledge financing by banks and other financial
institutions but also smooth trading on various trading centres like commodity exchanges, electronic
National Agriculture Markets (e-NAM) and other electronic platforms.
These e-NWRs will save expenditure in logistics as the stocks could be traded through multiple
buyers without physical movement and can be even split for partial transfer or withdrawal.

PM to dedicate Sardar Sarovar Dam to the nation, address two public meetings in Gujarat

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will dedicate the Sardar Sarovar Dam to the nation, at
Kevadia in Gujarat on September 17, 2017.

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What are the significant features of Sardar Sarovar Dam?

The height of the dam was recently raised to 138.68 metres, facilitating a usable storage of 4.73
Million Acre feet (MAF).
This will greatly benefit the participating States of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra.
The project has helped transport the waters of the River Narmada, to the water-deficient areas of
Gujarat through an elaborate canal and pipeline network.
Irrigation from the project is expected to benefit about 10 lakh farmers, and drinking water to be
supplied to various villages and towns, is likely to benefit upto 4 crore people.
The project has been described as one of largest ever human endeavours for water transport. Upto a
billion units of hydropower are also expected to be generated annually.

Sail Supplies 80 Per Cent Steel for Sardar Sarovar Project

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has supplied 80 per cent steel required for construction of the
Sardar Sarovar Project.

What are the salient features of Sardar Sarovar Dam?

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a gravity dam built on Narmada river near Navagam, Gujarat, which will
benefit four Indian states namely Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra and Rajasthan.
As a part of the Narmada Valley Project, it will help in irrigation and electrical power supply.
It is a part of a large hydraulic engineering project involving the construction of a series of large
irrigation and hydroelectric multi-purpose dams on the Narmada river.
One of the 30 dams planned on river Narmada, Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) is the largest structure to
be built.
The project will irrigate more than 18,000 m2 (190,000 sq ft), most of it in drought prone areas of
Kutch and Saurashtra. The total installed capacity of the power facilities is 1,450 MW.

Union Home Minister reviews measures to check cybercrime in the financial sector

Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting of all concerned agencies and
representatives of certain States to review the measures being taken to arrest the growing trend of
cybercrime in the financial sector.

What are the initiatives taken into consideration?

There is a raising concern over the disturbing rise in cyber frauds using cards and e-wallets in
particular.
It has been noted that both legal and technological steps need to be taken to address this situation.
Capacity Building of various stakeholders such as police officers, judicial officers, forensic scientists
as well as officials in the banking sector has been identified as a key measure.
It has been decided to expedite the implementation of cybercrime prevention initiatives in these
agencies towards this end along with measures required to acquire critical cyber forensics
equipment.
The Union Home Minister directed all concerned agencies to undertake required measures in a time
bound manner and emphasized on coordination of all concerned agencies in this regard.
It was decided that an inter-ministerial committee may be set up to identify action points and
monitor the implementation.

Cabinet approves Revamped Khelo India Programme

The Union Cabinet has approved the revamped Khelo India programme at a cost of Rs.1,756 crore for
the period 2017-18 to 2019-20.

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What is the aim of the programme?

The Programme aims at mainstreaming sport as a tool for individual development, community
development, economic development and national development.
The revamped Khelo India Programme would impact the entire sports ecosystem, including
infrastructure, community sports, talent identification, coaching for excellence, competition structure
and sports economy.
The programme also aims at engaging youth living in disturbed and deprived areas, in sporting
activities, to wean them away from unproductive and disruptive activities and mainstream them in
the nation-building process.
The programme strives to raise the standards of competition, both at school and college level, to have
maximum access to organized sports competitions.
It also includes the use of latest user-friendly technology in all aspects of sports promotion such as,
use of mobile apps for dissemination of sports training; National Sports Talent Search portal for
talent identification; interactive website for indigenous sports; GIS based information system for
locating and using sports infrastructure, etc.
This programme strives to promote Sports for All as well as Sports for Excellence.

Vice President Inaugurates National SC ST Hub (NSSH) Confluence

MOUs with 3 Sector Skill Councils to provide skill development trainings to SC-ST Entrepreneurs

The Vice President, Shri Venkaiah Naidu was the Chief Guest of National SC ST Hub (NSSH)
Confluence organized by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and also
released first ever radio jingle for National SC ST Hub.

What is NSSH?

NSSH is a unique initiative launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 18th October 2016.
This initiative is aimed empowering SC ST owned MSEs in order to achieve the 4% mandate of the
Public Procurement Policy.
In view of the above, the NSSH initiative has the potential to work on ground and have an impact till
the last mile.
Due to the social and economic bearing the programme can have, it requires a strategy that delivers
sustained and measureable impact, on the entire MSME ecosystem.
Therefore, there have been continual efforts to include all relevant stakeholders including state,
industry associations, and incubators, CPSEs to identify synergies and work collaboratively and
cohesively towards a shared goal.

What is the way ahead?

While releasing tenders, CPSEs should focus on quality based products manufactured by MSMEs,
especially SC-ST entrepreneurs rather than established brands.
There is a need to create awareness around the various schemes of the Government in addition to the
NSSH
The prequalification criteria for CPSE tenders should be eliminated for SC ST MSEs.
For VDP programmes, instead of conducting the VDPs in neutral locations, these should be done at
the premises of the respective CPSEs.
Sanctioned loan tenure should be extended to provide sustainable support to SC ST MSEs.
Traditional businesses like Handicraft sector, Leather sector etc. needs to be promoted and requires
governments intervention for growth and development.
Setting up of Industries is important for the development of our country and it will solve the
unemployment problem and increase the income.
The national discourse today, Stand-up, Start-up, Incubation, Innovation said that this should get
further momentum and tempo.

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Make in India, Skill India, Digital India, Clean India all these programmes should reach every
section and everybody must get their due. Capacity building is important; credit availability is
important, technology up-gradation is also important.

NITI Aayog and Govt. of Assam organizes workshop on health sector reforms in Guwahati; launches
SATH- Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital

The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Assam and NITI Aayog organized a
state consultative workshop today (September 22) in Guwahati.
The consultation marked the launch of program called SATH- Sustainable Action for Transforming
Human Capital, a joint initiative of Government of Assam and NITI Aayog,

What is SATH?

SATH- Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital aims to provide structured support to
Assam in identifying key health priorities and implement the solutions towards transforming the
health and improving the well-being of people of Assam.
The SATH program embodies the philosophy of co-operative federalism.
NITI Aayog selected the three states through a three stage challenge-process expression of interest,
presentations by the states and assessment of commitment to health sector reforms.
Finally, three states: Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka were chosen based on objective assessment
criteria affecting the potential for impact and likelihood of success.

ECONOMICAL ISSUES

Global Crude oil price of Indian Basket was US$ 54.58 per bbl on 15.09.2017
The international crude oil price of Indian Basket as computed/published today by Petroleum
Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was US$ 54.58
per barrel (bbl) on 15.09.2017.
This was higher than the price of US$ 54.56 per bbl on previous publishing day of 14.09.2017.
In rupee terms, the price of Indian Basket increased to Rs. 3497.29 per bbl on 15.09.2017 as compared
to Rs. 3495.38 per bbl on 14.09.2017.
Rupee closed weaker at Rs. 64.08 per US$ on 15.09.2017 as compared to Rs. 64.07 per US$ on
14.09.2017

Sixth India Minerals and Metals Forum focuses on Indian Steel Industry Roadmap upto 2025 and
mining, production demand and delivery

The sixth India Minerals and Metals Forum was organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce
(ICC) of Kolkata in New Delhi.
The discussion in the seminar focuses on Indian steel industry looking up to 2025; mining,
production demand and delivery; Innovative applications for a future ready non- ferrous ecosystem;
and Metals industry outlook present challenges and future prospects.

What are the potentials of Indian Steel Sector?

The Indian steel sector has grown rapidly over the past few years and presently it is the third largest
steel producer globally, contributing to about 2% of the country's GDP.
India has also crossed 100 MT mark for production for sale.
Despite the current challenges, Indian steel industry still has significant potential for growth,
underscored by the fact that the per capita steel consumption in the country at 61 kg is much lower
than the global average of 208 kg.

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What is National Steel Policy?

The Cabinet approved the National steel policy 2017 that envisages Rs. 10 lakh crore investment to
create more capacity in the steel sector.
The development is significant as the steel sector is reeling under weak demand and rising raw
material prices.
The policy also aims at increasing supply of domestic coking coal to cut dependence on imports by
half and production of 300 million tonnes by 2030.
The policy also emphasizes at increasing per capita steel consumption to 160 kg by 2030 and
encouraging the industry to be a world leader on energy and raw material-efficient steel production
in a safe and sustainable manner by maintaining quality standards for domestic steel products.

What is the way ahead?

Technology and innovation play an important role in achieving sustainable growth and impacting
competitiveness.
Today, mineral and metal industry across the globe is facing a serious economic crisis due to
continuous fall in commodity prices, depleting raw material sources, non-availability of high-grade
ores, stringent environmental rules and societal expectations.

DEFENCE ISSUES

Indian Navy commissions Water Jet Fast Attack Craft at Mumbai - 26 Sep 17

INS Tarasa, a Water Jet Fast Attack Craft was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Vice Admiral
Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command at the Naval Dockyard.

What are the features of INS Tarasa?

INS Tarasa is 50 m long and powered by three waterjets which give it speeds of over 35 knots (65
kmph). The ship is armed with a 30 mm main gun indigenously built , and a number of light,
medium and heavy machine guns to undertake costal defence operations.
The ship is an ideal platform for missions like coastal and off-shore surveillance, EEZ Patrol, law
enforcement as well as non-military missions such as Search and Rescue, Humanitarian Assistance
and Disaster Relief.
This is the second ship of the Indian Navy to be named INS Tarasa. The first INS Tarasa was in
service of the Navy from 1999 to 2014.
She was gifted to Seychelles Coast Guard as a symbol of India's partnership with friendly maritime
nation in IOR.
The new INS Tarasa will be based at Mumbai under the operational control of Western Naval
Command.

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