Daily Current Affairs 25 March 2020 | UPSC Current Affairs 2020

Current Affairs Of Today Are

1) Invest India Business Immunity Platform launched

Invest India, India’s national Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched The Invest India Business Immunity Platform. The platform, hosted on the Invest India website, is designed as a comprehensive resource to help businesses and investors get real-time updates on India’s active response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). This dynamic and constantly updating platform keeps a regular track on developments concerning the virus, provides the latest information on various central and state government initiatives, gives access to special provisions, and answers and resolves queries through emails and on WhatsApp. The Business Immunity Platform (BIP) is the active platform for business issue redressal, operating 24/7, with a team of dedicated sector experts and responding to queries at the earliest. Invest India has also announced a partnership with SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) for responding and resolving queries for MSMEs.
While COVID-19 continues to disrupt normal life, the impact of this crisis on businesses across the country is being continuously assessed. The government, for its part, has issued timely guidelines for businesses. Business owners have been trying to grasp what these guidelines mean for their businesses. Realizing the uncertainty that the Corona crisis has caused among businesses, the platform was launched on 21st March 2020.
The platform also includes frequently asked questions on important aspects like locations of COVID-19 testing, special permissions, and other location-specific information. The portal also maps and highlights the response mechanism put in place by leading Indian companies such as sanitation of staff vehicles, placing orders in alternate markets, disabling biometric attendance systems, setting up of medical task force, requesting trainees to go home, business continuity plan, barring entry of visitors, suspension of air travel, usage of video-conferencing and teleconferencing, developing online solutions and other unique initiatives.
This Business Immunity Platform shall help people get access to all the information they require while staying in the comfort of their homes. With this platform, Invest India aims to bring facilitation at your doorstep!
This is a platform for all of us to get together in the face of this unprecedented challenge of COVID-19. The team is working towards finding clarifications and solutions in a rapidly evolving scenario, especially from the perspective of business continuity for the business community. This platform also provides the ability to join the dots to find matching suppliers with required supplies and for innovators, startups, and MSMEs to showcase their solutions. During the past 48 hours we’ve had over 30,000 visitors across 40 countries and 50,000 plus hits on our website. The platform is seeing an average time spent of nearly 5 minutes. Since yesterday the team has been working actively on over 200 business requests for business continuity and immunity. It is also a platform to hear from the experts on business strategies to be adopted during such times.

Source: PIB

2) Preventive drug for healthcare workers cleared

The National Task Force COVID-19 constituted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis (treatment is given or action taken to prevent disease) for high-risk population faced with the SARS-CoV-2.

Details:

The ICMR National Task Force said only high-risk cases can be placed under chemoprophylaxis with hydroxychloroquine:
The asymptomatic health care workers involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19)
Asymptomatic household contacts of laboratory-confirmed cases.
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has also approved the protocol recommended by the ICMR National Task Force for restricted use in an emergency situation.
The drug, however, has not been recommended for prophylaxis in children under 15 years of age.

Note:

All asymptomatic contacts of laboratory-confirmed cases should remain in home quarantine as per the national guidelines, even if they are on prophylactic therapy.

Source: The Hindu

3) Finance Bill, 2020

Finance Minister has moved an amendment to the Finance Bill, 2020, to raise the limit up to which the government can raise special excise duty on petrol and diesel to ₹18 per liter and ₹12, respectively.

Details:

The government had earlier raised excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹3 per liter each to raise an additional ₹39,000 crore in revenue annually.
This duty hike included ₹2 a liter increase in special additional excise duty and ₹1 in road and infrastructure cess.
This hike took the special additional excise duty to the maximum permissible by law — ₹10 in case of petrol and ₹4 in case of diesel.
Now, through an amendment of the Eighth Schedule of the Finance Act, this limit has been increased to ₹18 per liter in case of petrol and ₹12 in case of diesel.
However, it was said that it was an enabling provision and no change in excise duty was being done immediately.
The amendment gives powers to the government to raise the duty by up to ₹8 per liter in petrol and diesel at any time it wishes.

What is a Finance Bill?

As per Article 110 of the Constitution of India, the Finance Bill is a Money Bill.

The Finance Bill is a part of the Union Budget, stipulating all the legal amendments required for the changes in taxation proposed by the Finance Minister.
This Bill encompasses all amendments required in various laws about tax, by the tax proposals made in the Union Budget.
The Finance Bill, as a Money Bill, needs to be passed by the Lok Sabha — the lower house of the Parliament.
Post the Lok Sabha’s approval, the Finance Bill becomes Finance Act.

Difference between a Money Bill and the Finance Bill:

A Money Bill has to be introduced in the Lok Sabha as per Section 110 of the Constitution. Then, it is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. The Rajya Sabha has to return the Bill with recommendations in 14 days. However, the Lok Sabha can reject all or some of the recommendations.
In the case of a Finance Bill, Article 117 of the Constitution categorically lays down that a Bill about sub-clauses (a) to (f) of clause (1) shall not be introduced or moved except with the President’s recommendation. Also, a Bill that makes such provisions shall not be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

Who decides the Bill is a Finance Bill?

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is authorized to decide whether the Bill is a Money Bill or not. Also, the Speaker’s decision shall be deemed to be final.

Why Finance Bill is needed?

The Union Budget proposes many tax changes for the upcoming financial year, even if not all of those proposed changes find a mention in the Finance Minister’s Budget speech. These proposed changes pertain to several existing laws dealing with various taxes in the country.
The Finance Bill seeks to insert amendments into all those laws concerned, without having to bring out a separate amendment law for each of those Acts.
For instance, a Union Budget’s proposed tax changes may require amending the various sections of the Income Tax law, Stamp Act, Money Laundering law, etc. The Finance Bill overrides and makes changes in the existing laws wherever required.

Source: The Hindu

4) MPLADS funds may be utilized for COVID-19

As a part of the Government’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID – 19, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has taken several preventive measures. It issued a circular granting one-time dispensation for utilizing funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) to address the challenges in the fight against COVID-19. This will facilitate Members of Parliament to recommend funds for the purchase of equipment for Government Hospitals / Dispensaries for medical testing and screening of patients and also facilitate in setting up other related facilities in their respective constituencies. As per the amendments to MPLADS Guidelines, Members of Parliament can now utilize funds under MPLADS for the following:-

Infra-Red thermometers (Non-contact) to enable doctors and medical personnel to record and track a person’s temperature.
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Kits to keep the medical personnel well-protected and enable them to function efficiently by minimizing the risk of transmission.
Thermal imaging scanners or cameras for railway stations, airports and other points of entry which allow detecting of temperature from a safe distance.
CORONA testing kits approved by M/o Health and Family Welfare
ICU Ventilator and Isolation/ Quarantine Wards within their approved facilities.
Face masks, gloves, and Sanitizers for medical personnel.
Any other medical equipment recommended by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19.

Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme

Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) is a scheme formulated by the Government of India on 23 December 1993 that enables the members of parliaments (MP) to recommend developmental work in their constituencies with an emphasis on creating durable community assets based on locally felt needs. Initially, this scheme was administered by the Ministry of Rural Development. Later, in October 1994, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) has been looking into its working. Elected Members of Rajya Sabha representing the whole of the State as they do, may select works for implementation in one or more district(s) as they may choose. Nominated Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha may also select works for implementation in one or more districts, anywhere in the country. MPs can also recommend work of up to Rs. 25 lakhs per year outside their constituency or state of election to promote national unity, harmony and fraternity. MPs can recommend work of up to 25 lakh for Natural Calamity in the state and up to Rs. 1 crore in the country in case of Calamity of Severe Nature (e.g. Tsunami, major cyclones, and earthquakes). A State level nodal department is chosen, which is responsible for supervision and monitoring and maintaining coordination with line departments. District authorities (DAs) sanction the work recommended by MPs; sanction funds; identify implementation agency and user agency, implement the work on the ground, transfer assets to user agency, and report back to the ministry about the status of MPLADS in the district.

Each MP is allocated Rs. 5 crore per year since 2011-12 which has been increased from Rs. 5 lakh in 1993-94 and Rs. 2 crores in 1998-99. MoSPI disburses funds to district authorities, not directly to MPs. This annual entitlement is released conditionally in two installments of Rs. 2.5 crore each. Funds are non-lapsable in nature i.e. in case of non-release of the fund in a particular year it is carried forward to the next year. MPs need to recommend work worth at least 15% and 7.5% of their funds to create assets in areas inhabited by Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) respectively. Funds for MPLADS can be converged with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for creating more durable assets and with the National Program for Development of Sports (Khelo India).

Infrastructure development on land belonging to registered societies/ trusts is permissible, provided the society/trust is engaged in social welfare activity and is in existence for three years. No more than Rs. 50 lakh for one or more works in the lifetime of the society/trust can be spent. MPLADS funding is not permissible for those societies where the concerned MP and his/ her family members are office-bearers. For societies or charitable homes which look after deprived segments of the society, the relaxed grant is Rs. 1 crore.

"As on 2nd July 2018, 47572.75 crores have been released by G.O.I. since 1993 of which 94.99% have been utilized under the scheme. Presently close to 4,000 crores are disbursed annually for MPLADS scheme".

Top-5 states with the highest utilization-to-released fund ratio are Telangana (101.42%), Sikkim (100.89%), Chhattisgarh (99.6%), Kerala (99.3%) and West Bengal (98.65%). The Bottom-5 states are Uttarakhand (87.22%), Tripura (88.46%), Jharkhand (88.93%), Rajasthan (90.16%) and Odisha (90.54%). Top Union Territories (UT) with the highest utilization-to -released fund ratios are Lakshadweep (111.68%), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (105.68%) and Delhi (104.1%).

For the current year 2017-2018, the majority spending of MPLADS funds happened in two sectors: ‘railways, roads, pathways and bridges’ (43%) and ‘Other public activities’ (23%). Education, health, water and sanitation sectors received less funding

Type of recommended work: Works that will serve a greater public purpose and not the purpose of few individuals need to be recommended. MPs can only recommend, but District Authorities have the ultimate power to sanction it.

Key priority sectors: Drinking water facility, education, electricity facility, non-conventional energy resources, healthcare and sanitation, irrigation facilities, railways, roads, pathways and bridges, sports, agriculture and allied activities, self-help group development, urban development.
Works not permitted: construction of office and residential buildings for public and private agencies, land acquisition or paying compensation, naming assets after individuals, grants or loans to state/central relief fund, assets for individual benefits, works on lands belonging to religious groups, execution of works in unauthorized colonies.
Other works permitted: construction of railway halt station, providing CCTV camera in strategic locations, installation of bio-digesters at stations, schools, hospitals, provision for fixed weighing scale machines for farmers, installation of rainwater harvesting systems in public spaces, construction of shelters for skill development.

Since the start, there have been reports of malpractices in running the scheme and there have been demands to scrap it. In 2006, a scandal was exposed by a TV Channel, that showed MPs taking bribe for handing over project work under the MPLADS. A seven-member committee was set up to probe the matter.

Some new guidelines for MPLADS were announced by MOSPI:-

Projects implemented by government agencies would now be provided 75 percent of the project cost as the first installment, while those implemented by non-governmental agencies would be provided 60 percent.
For smaller projects costing less than ₹2 lakh (US$2,800), the entire amount would be released at one go.
No project costing less than ₹1 lakh (US$1,400) would be sanctioned with the exception in the case of essential projects, such as the installation of hand pumps, and the purchase of computers and their accessories, solar electric lamps, chappals, and equipment.
The basket of works that could be taken up under the scheme had been widened to include projects such as the purchase of books for libraries, and ambulances and hearse vans that would be owned and controlled by district authorities.
The purchase of Microsoft Office software along with the training of two teachers per school would be now allowed as part of an effort to promote computer literacy in the country.
Guidelines are given to maintain transparency of work done:

A plaque should be permanently erected at the workplace mentioning MP’s name, year, the cost involved, etc.
A list of complete and ongoing works under MPLADS should be displayed at the District Authority office and MPLADS website (www.mplads.gov.in).
Citizens can file RTI to know about the status of funds and work.
Funds utilized should be audited by chartered accountants, local fund auditors, or any statutory auditors as per state/UT Govt. procedure.
Review meetings should be held by MoSPI in states and centers regarding fund utilization under the MPLADS scheme.
Respective district authorities should also review work implementation with the implementation agency every month, or at least once in a quarter.

Source: PIB

5) Yakshagana

Under the banner ‘Yakshavahini’, a registered trust, more than 900 Yakshagana scripts, including the ones printed in 1905 and 1907, have been digitized and made available online for free.

Yakshagana:

Yakshagana is a traditional Indian theatre form.
It is believed to be developed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmagalur districts, in the state of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district in Kerala.
This theatre style is mainly found in coastal regions of Karnataka in various forms.
Yakshagana combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form.
It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during the period of the Bhakti movement.
Yakshagana is traditionally presented from dusk to dawn.
Its stories are drawn from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata and other epics from both Hindu and Jain and other ancient Indic traditions.

Source: The Hindu

6) COVID-19 diagnostic kit

Punebased MyLab is the first indigenous manufacturer to be approved for deploying its kits for COVID-19 testing.
While diagnostic tests for COVID-19 are largely reliant on foreign companies, several labs in India had applied to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, forgetting their own kits vetted. Written guidelines by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) require that only diagnostic kits that have been approved by the United States Food and Drugs Administration or certified by the European Union be allowed to offer commercial tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2.
With an emphasis on ‘Make in India’ and support from local and Central governments, COVID 19 kit has been made as per WHO/ CDC guidelines. It was developed in a record time

Source: The Hindu

7) What is Section 188 IPC?

The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 lays down punishment as per Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, for flouting orders issued by various state governments to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In the past, the Act has been routinely enforced across the country for dealing with outbreaks of diseases such as swine flu, dengue, and cholera. Its penal provisions are currently being invoked by states to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

So, What is Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code?

Section 188 relates to Disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant.
It says violators can be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both;
and if such disobedience causes or tends to cause danger to human life, health or safety, or causes or tends to cause a riot or affray, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

What happens if you violate the lockdown orders?

Under Section 188, there two offenses:
Disobedience to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant, If such disobedience causes obstruction, annoyance or injury to persons lawfully employed
Punishment: Simple Imprisonment for 1 month or fine of Rs 200 or both
If such disobedience causes danger to human life, health or safety, etc.
Punishment: Simple Imprisonment for 6 months or fine of Rs 1000 or both
According to the First Schedule of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973, both offenses are cognizable, bailable, and can be tried by any magistrate.

These are extraordinary times, but under what circumstances is Sec 188 IPC invoked normally?

To be punishable under S. 188, the order has to be for public purposes by public functionaries. An order made in a civil suit between two parties does not fall under this Section.
There must be evidence that the accused had knowledge of the order with the disobedience of which he is charged. Mere proof of a general notification promulgating the order does not satisfy the requirements of the section. Mere disobedience of the order does not constitute an offense in itself, it must be shown that the disobedience has or tends to a certain consequence.

Source: Indian Express

8) Ayushman Bharat

In a change of stance, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has announced that it would be implementing the Central government’s Ayushman Bharat — Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to provide ₹5 lakh health insurance cover to families per year, after having opposed it for several months.

About Ayushman Bharat:

Launched as recommended by the National Health Policy 2017, to achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
This initiative has been designed to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its underlining commitment, which is to “leave no one behind.”
Ayushman Bharat adopts a continuum of care approach, comprising of two inter-related components, which are:

Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs).
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY):

It is the largest health assurance scheme in the world which aims at providing a health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
It aims to over 10.74 crores of poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) that form the bottom 40% of the Indian population.
The households included are based on the deprivation and occupational criteria of Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) for rural and urban areas respectively.
PM-JAY was earlier known as the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) before being rechristened. It subsumed the then-existing Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) which had been launched in 2008.
PM-JAY is fully funded by the Government and the cost of implementation is shared between the Central and State Governments.
It covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days post-hospitalization expenses such as diagnostics and medicines.
There is no restriction on family size, age or gender.
The benefits of the scheme are portable across the country. a beneficiary can visit any impaneled public or private hospital in India to avail of cashless treatment.

Source: The Hindu

9) World Tuberculosis Day 2020

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease.
The theme of World TB Day 2020 is “It’s TIME”.

What is TB?

TB is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It typically affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other sites.
The disease is spread when people who are sick with pulmonary TB expel bacteria into the air, for example by coughing.
Diagnostic tests for TB disease include – Rapid molecular test, Sputum smear microscopy, Culture-based methods
Without treatment, the mortality rate from TB is high.
Some facts on TB:

TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious killer. Each day, over 4000 people lose their lives to TB and close to 30,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a joint initiative “Find. Treat. All. #EndTB” with the Global Fund and Stop TB Partnership, to accelerate the TB response and ensure access to care, in line with WHO’s overall drive towards Universal Health Coverage.
WHO has published a global TB report every year since 1997.

Initiatives in India:

TB treatment is free in India.
India aims to eliminate TB by 2025. UN aims to eliminate TB by 2030.
Mass BCG vaccination to prevent TB.
In 1993, the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) was launched, offering free diagnosis and treatment for patients, rescuing them from otherwise sure death.
Rs 12,000 cr fund to fight TB over the next 3 years.
TB Harega Desh Jeetega campaign.

Source: PIB

10) COVID-19 Hits NRI Deposits

Major private sector banks are refusing foreign currency deposits by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) over fears that transmission of COVID-19 could occur via foreign currency notes.

NRI Deposits

A ‘Non-Resident Indian (NRI)’ is an Indian citizen resident outside India for the purpose of employment, etc.
NRIs have been parking funds in Indian banks largely due to the wide interest rate differential between their country of residence and country of origin, enjoying the rate advantage.
They have the option of parking money in:

Foreign Currency Non-Resident Accounts

These accept any permitted foreign currency.
FCNR Accounts are Term Deposit Accounts and not Saving Accounts.
The currency risk (change in the price of one currency about another) is borne by the bank.
They are fully repatriable (ability to move money abroad).

Non-Resident External-Rupee (NRE) Accounts

The NRE account is an Indian rupee-denominated account, offering complete security.
These accounts can be in the form of savings, current, recurring, or fixed deposits.
The currency risk is on the depositor.
They are fully repatriable.

Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) Account

It is for NRIs to manage their deposits or income earned in India such as dividends, pension, rent, etc.
This account allows NRIs to receive funds in either Indian or foreign currency.
However, only Indian currency can be withdrawn as NRO Accounts are kept in Indian currency and are not freely repatriable.
There are no currency risks involved.
Taxation on NRI deposits

Interest earned on NRE and FCNR accounts is tax-free in India.
The tax rate for interest income from NRO accounts is 30%. However, NRIs living in countries with which India has a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) can avail of lower tax rates.

Source: The Hindu

11) Aircraft Amendment Bill, 2020

Recently, the Lok Sabha has passed the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 which seeks to amend the Aircraft Act, 1934.

The Act regulates the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of civil aircraft and licensing of aerodromes.

Key Features

The Bill will provide statutory status to regulatory institutions like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

DGCA will carry out oversight and regulatory functions concerning matters under the Bill.
BCAS carries out regulatory oversight functions related to civil aviation security.
AAIB carries out investigations related to aircraft accidents and incidents.
The statutory status to these regulatory institutions would improve India’s aviation safety ranking as suggested by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The Bill proposes to increase the fine amount for violations of rules from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for aviation industry players.

Under the Bill, the central government may cancel the licenses, certificates or approvals granted to a person under the Act if the person contravenes any provision of the Act.

The Act exempted aircraft belonging to the naval, military, or air forces of the Union.

The Bill expands this exemption to include aircraft belonging to any other armed forces other than these three.

Challenges

The civil aviation sector had been deregulated with little role for the government to set airfare.
There has been a drop in demand and airline companies are under stress due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Air India is having huge losses (₹26 crore daily) due to its disinvestment and it is likely to get worse in the wake of the pandemic.
The aviation sector faces a shortage of Air-Traffic Controllers (ATCs).
The cases of “near-miss” in the skies have increased.

Way Forward

Airfares need to remain affordable and airlines also need to remain viable.
The strength of ATCs needs to be increased to avoid any possibility of mid-air collisions.

India has 3,500 ATCs and 250 more will be hired next year.

Note:

A near miss is when two aircraft come so close that their safety is compromised. The safe distance between two planes flying in opposite directions is 40 seconds depending on their speed. Similarly, the vertical distance of 1,000 feet is considered safe.

Source: The Hindu

12) Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Initiative

iDEX is an initiative taken by the government to contribute to the modernization of the Defence Industry.
It was launched by the Government in April 2018.
iDEX aims to promote innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries (which includes MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia).

iDEX will provide engaging industries with funding and other support to carry out Research & Development.

iDEX will be funded and managed by Defence Innovation Organization (DIO) and will function as the executive arm of DIO.

Other Initiatives to Modernize Defence Industry

Strategic Partnership (SP) Model- It identifies a few Indian private companies who would initially tie-up with global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to seek technology transfers to set up domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains.
Artificial Intelligence in Defence
N Chandrasekaran Task Force was set up in 2018 to study the implications of AI in national security.
Defense Artificial Intelligence Project Agency (DAIPA) was created in March 2019.
DAIPA aims for greater thrust on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Defence, formulation of an AI roadmap for each Defence PSU and Ordnance Factory Board to develop AI-enable products.

Defence Innovation Organization (DIO)

DIO is a ‘not for profit’ company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013. Its two founding members are Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) & Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) - Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). HAL and BEL are navratna companies.

Source: PIB

13) Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti

It was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Defence to create greater Intellectual Property (IP) in the Defence Production Ecosystem.
The Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) has been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and implementing the program.
The Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) is under the Department Of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence.
The organization provides Quality Assurance (QA) cover for the entire range of Arms, Ammunitions, Equipment, and Stores supplied to Armed Forces.
It aims to achieve the goal of self-reliance in the defense sector to generate Intellectual Property in India and marks a departure from the culture of seeking Transfer of Technology (ToT) from foreign sources.

Source: PIB

14) Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia

The Prime Minister paid tribute to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary.

Key Points

Ram Manohar Lohia, (born March 23, 1910) was a prominent figure in socialist politics and in the movement towards Indian independence.
In 1934, Lohia became actively involved in the Congress Socialist Party (CSP), a left-wing group within the Indian National Congress; he served on the CSP executive committee and edited its weekly journal.
He opposed the Indian participation on the side of Great Britain in World War II and was arrested for anti-British remarks in 1939 and 1940.
Lohia along with other CSP leaders mobilized support for the Quit India movement (a campaign initiated by Mohandas K. Gandhi to urge the withdrawal of British authorities from India) in 1942. He was jailed again in 1944–46 for such resistance activities.
Lohia and other CSP members left the Congress in 1948.
He became a member of the Praja Socialist Party upon its formation in 1952 and served as general secretary for a brief period, but conflicts within the party led to his resignation in 1955.
Later that year Lohia established a new Socialist Party, for which he became chairman as well as the editor of its journal, Mankind.
He advocated for various socio-political reforms in his capacity as party leader, including the abolition of the caste system, the adoption of Hindi as India’s national language, and stronger protection of civil liberties.
Some of his works include: ‘Marx, Gandhi and Socialism’, ‘Guilty Men of India’s Partition’, etc.
In 1963, Lohia was elected to the Lok Sabha.
He passed away in 1967.

Source: PIB